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Tuesday 21 June No 1
We told you to... WATCHTHECRANETOWER
Watch the crane tower, said the UNISONScotland conference
pack and delegates arrived to find a 25 metre UNISON banner hanging
from the famous Finnieston Crane, calling on everyone to join us
at the Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh on 2 July.
General Secretary Dave Prentis, said "Trade unions
are about solidarity, social justice and fair treatment. That is
why UNISON will be marching on July 2 to Make Poverty History."
UNISON is a founding member of the Make Poverty History
coalition. members will be coming to Edinburgh from all over the
UK to join the march and to run a stall on the Meadows.
Welcome to sunny Glasgow??
Here we are and ready to go! (Although have a thought
for the poor local govt bods who have been here two days). After
all the intros, moans about Standing Orders and Annual Report grumps,
Tuesday morning's main issues will be.....
19 - Apprenticeships and the National Minimum Wage:
Your pre-briefing suggested that the inclusion of
apprentices may be a demand too far at this stage. However, with
the withdrawal of Lambeth's amendment, the advice is that 19 should
be supported.
Comp B- Employment Rights
Motions 82 and 83 have been brought together in this
composite which extends the demands on employment rights which have
not progressed in the second New Labour term of office and raises
the profile of work-life balance.
UNISON vision for NHS
With a fair wind, we could get on to the remaining
motions. Motion 61 on the NHS comes first and is eminently supportable,
updated and clarified by the NEC amendment covering Patients Forums
and criticising the pushing forward of foundation status for Mental
Health Trusts despite the predictable failure of foundation trusts
Tuesday Afternoon
Support vision for public services
Strategy following the election
In criticising the New Labour Government's manifesto,
the NEC's motion 62 sets out a UNISON agenda, which will be augmented
by 62.1 from Scotland and 62.2 from Yorkshire and Humberside e.g.
more on combating child poverty and teenage social exclusion. These
should all be supported.
However, Wakefield and Pontefract's 62.3 attempts
to hijack the minimum wage debate due later this week. Its Utopian
point 9 may be the ultimate wish-list but it does nothing to help
a motion geared towards setting out UNISON's stall when entering
a dialogue and constructive engagement to promote our broad range
of policies on peace, equality and justice.
Somerset's 62.8 misses the point. There are ways of
influencing policy and positions but doing it this way would not
have the desired effect. Support 62, 62.1, 62.2. Oppose 62.3,
62.8.
Motion 48 sets out the agenda for Public Services
and in particular the Public Service Team. North West's amendement
48.1 updates the motion and the Young Members' amendment 48.2 is
also helpful. Support 48 and amendments
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Stand Shoulder to shoulder with the South African
people in the fight against HIV/AIDS
President's Charity - The Phelophepa Health Train
"I appeal to every branch to donate generously”. Pauline Grant UNISON
President 2004/2005
The CCETSA supported Phelophepa Health Train has been
bringing hope, healthcare and support to the poor and marginalised
of rural South Africa for the last 10 years touching 1.9 million
people's lives.
Now the Phelophepa Health Train is also behind a grassroots
approach to tackling HIV/AIDS across the region, transporting groups
of medical students to treat patients, give advice and provide training.
The core objective is to initiate and support community-based
action aimed at preventing HIV infection and providing care and
support to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
At every stop the Phelophepa Health Train, the Educ
Clinic offers training to a group of 25 or more local volunteers,
who go back into their communities and help those who are infected
or affected by the disease. One volunteer said "This train has freed
us from small and big prisons. If I had had this knowledge a year
ago my father perhaps would still have been alive. I would have
known more about what to do. My family and community will learn
from me."
UNISON president, Pauline Grant, said "I believe
all those who stood shoulder to shoulder with the South African
people to combat the evil of Apartheid will want to support and
help fight against HIV/AIDS."
She continued, "In South Africa over 1,000 people
die every day from HIV/ AIDS and are unable to afford the cost of
visiting a doctor let alone pay for treatment. When they die, many
leave orphans who are destitute”. By supporting the train we are
taking medical help and health education to the people in the outlying
districts. I appeal to every branch to donate generously."
To send contributions: Please make cheques payable
to CCETSA (not UNISON) The Cashiers Section, Finance Dept UNISON
1, Mabledon Place London WC1H 9AJ More information on the Health
Train at http://www.mhc.org.za/
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