National Delegate Conference 16-19 June 2008

New structures give greater bargaining voice

Mike Kirby

Lilian Macer

Stephen Brown

Conference adopted new structures for bargaining and negotiation, designed to give a greater voice to the diverse range of bargaining groups across the union, like the Community and Voluntary Sector, and then failed to agree the rule changes needed to fully support it.

Whilst delegates supported rules to create new sectors, the rule changes needed to define sectors and service groups and give more autonomy with democratic accountability under the new structures, were defeated on a card vote.

Asking conference to approve the enabling motion, Mike Kirby told conference that we need to make our union more fit for purpose.

"We need an effective organization with clear lay member led systems." We also need to be mindful of the impact of devolution, which must give us certain latitude, whilst maintaining the integrity of the UK trade union. Mike pointed out that the proposals would make the rule book less proscriptive and more enabling in the face of constant change.

"They will facilitate different ways of organising, appropriate to a variety of circumstances, while safeguarding lay oversight and control of bargaining," he said.

Supporting the creation of the new Community and Voluntary Sector (CSV) sector group, Lilian Macer said that we must make sure that colleagues in the CVS have the same voice as those of us in the service groups.

"In a union based soundly on equality, it is not fair that some of our members feel like second class citizens, and I am proud that our union is extending democracy to this group of members."

Stephen Brown of Quarriers, told a story to illustrate how hard it has been for the CSV to be the "middle child" in the UNISON family.

"We are split between health and local government, with little chance to make policies for our sector on key issues like pay, pensions and terms and conditions.

"The CSV members have more in common with each other than we do with other service groups. Please give us our voice," he urged.

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