National Delegate Conference 17-20 June
2008
Enforcing equality and union rights - A Trade Union Freedom
Bill
by Kate Ramsden and John Stevenson
Alan Bradley |
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Conference pledged continued support for a Trade Union Freedom
Bill and backed a range of measures to challenge inequality and
to enforce employment and trade union rights.
UNISON will campaign for the protection from exploitation of vulnerable
workers including agency workers and migrant workers.
NEC member Bob Oram told Conference, "We need to take ownership
of our action - it's too important for mere words."
Bob pointed out that we have fewer rights than 102 years ago when
the Trades Dispute Act was passed.
Conference welcomed improved employment rights after 12 weeks to
agency workers as a start, but it would be no use without without
more inspectors and better enforcement.
Alan Bradley, Dumfries and Galloway welcomed UNISON's commitment
to challenge unfair treatment in the workplace. He told conference
of the experiences of his branch in campaigning against such inequalities
on behalf of their low paid women members.
He described how the branch mobilized these members to fight for
equal pay through litigation, negotiation and campaigning and how
they successfully fought an attempt by the employer to cut 70 jobs.
This led to an increase in recruitment and organization amongst
this group of staff.
"Our employer remains acutely aware that UNISON can and will mobilize
its members to challenge any attempts to discriminate against our
members or to threaten wholesale job cuts," he said.
Alan paid tribute to branch secretary Marion Stewart and classroom
assistant and steward, Elaine North. "Elaine and Marion won the
STUC "One Workplace Equalities Award" in May for their campaigning
work with classroom assistants for equal pay and a proper single
status grading and their successful challenge to attempts to cut
classroom assistant jobs."
Here they are seen receiving the award at the Scottish Trades Union
Congress from First Minister Alex Salmond.
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