National Delegate Conference 19-22 June 2007

Making sure members have their say over how their pension funds are managed and invest - "Capital Stewardship - Toward the Citizen Economy"

Pat Rowland in powerful last speech to Conference

Conference backed Scotland's call to encourage workers to serve as trustees on occupational pension schemes and has become the first union in the country to set up its own training scheme for shareholder activism, thanks to a powerful speech by Pat Rowland.

Greater shareholder involvement was needed in pension fund management and other companies through promoting and supporting Members Nominated Trustees (MNTs).

In her final speech to a UNISON National Delegate Conference, Pat Rowland, who retires next year, outlined the benefits of capital stewardship to ensure that companies are innovative and well managed and that investments take account of environmental and ethical factors and are socially responsible.

"Trade unions can be instrumental in democratising capital in the 21st century by organising trustees on pension funds and educating members about their rights over their savings, moving the world economy towards the interests of all citizens and not just the wealthy", she said.

Pat praised UNISON's Capital Stewardship Programme which has taken a lead on this issue and called on Conference to support these initiatives.

"We must encourage the participation of our members as MNTs and provide them with the necessary knowledge and understanding to give them the confidence to play a full part", she urged.

Dave Prentis thanks Pat Rowland

"In particular the local government pensions scheme should not be allowed to operate outwith the law and deny its contributors their rights".

President Malcolm Cantello paid tribute to Pat for all the work she has done in UNISON over the years in her branch, as a Conference delegate and as UNISON Scotland treasurer.

top