National Delegate Conference 19-22 June
2007
Privatisation agenda fails children and elderly
 |
| Daniel Robertson |
Conference took a second bite at the cherry when it backed a call
to build alliances within and outwith UNISON to mount a major campaign
against privatisation in the public services.
Glasgow's call for co-ordinated regional demonstrations was also
supported. The composite is wide ranging but has a particular focus
on the impact of the Government's privatisation agenda on children
and young people.
Moving the motion, Daniel Robertson, Scottish young member, slammed
the government's failing of its children. In a UNICEF review on
the state of childhood in 21 countries, the UK ranked in the bottom
third.
"I believe that to judge how civilised a country is, you should
look at how they treat their children. For a modern industrial country,
we are in a deplorable state. Clearly our public services are essential
to changing that," he said.
Daniel urged unity throughout the trade union movement and action
against this government to let future young members enjoy quality
public services.
 |
| Lily McNaughton |
Speaking from the other end of the age spectrum, Lily MacNaughton,
from Scotland's retired members' committee backed the young member's
call and saluted their determination to protect public service.
"We like to think they have inherited their get up and go and enthusiasm
from us!" she told conference.
"Good public services are crucial to the quality of life for elders,"
she said adding that a recent Help the Aged report has shown that
one in three older people believe their lives are getting worse.
Jane Carolan, Scottish NEC member spoke in support of the composite
but reminded conference of the work that UNISON has already done
to defend public services. "There is a call for a campaign to be
initiated, but there are already many excellent examples of UNISON's
success in fighting creeping privatisation in the health and public
services. It is important to highlight the work UNISON has already
spearheaded," she said.
 |
| Sam McCartney |
Sam Macartney, Glasgow made the call for regional demonstrations,
to maximise the the full potential of the 160,000 members in Scotland.
"With the devolved administration in Edinburgh, we feel it would
be more productive to have regional demonstrations on the same day.
Branches are more equipped to gather the support of their local
communities and to get the public and local politicians on board."
It is not yet clear how such co-ordinated campaigns will sit with
the national demonstration already agreed but time will tell.
top
|
