Today we attended a conference in a very different way, this was the first fully virtual conference run by UNISON attended by the branch. this was all done online with voting taking place virtually. and your Delegates all attended and actively participated in this event.
First we had a welcome from Josie Bird, introducing us to the conference and the order of business and the rules around it. we then held a one minute silence to honour and remember those that we have lost over the past two years.
Then we moved to the debating of the motions the detail of these can be found in the following documents. click on the documents to read more detail.
The debating of the motion now took place, here’s a summary of all the decisions that were made and some informative Tweets from your Branch Secretary Becky Everett.
Motion 25 – The Future of Local Government with amendments – carried
Motion 29 – Developing and Expanding social partnership and fair work in Wales and across the UK is – carried.
Motion 28 – Covid Legacy – carried
Motion 36 – Education Support Staff and the need for Comprehensive State Education were both carried
Motion 24 – Traveller Communities and Motion – Carried
Motion 26 -Local Government and Climate Breakdown as amended were both – Carried
Motion 35 Facility Time in Schools – carried
Composite B – Local Government Funding and Fighting Cuts – carried
Composite C – Social Care – carried
Below is an interesting Webinar with information and support for care workers for you to watch.
Motion 22 – the Future of Youth Services – carried
Motion 33 – Adult Educational Needs Investment – carried
a Celebrating Local Government champions video was shown, watch here…
We are now being shown ‘Would You Rather’ Impossible choices could soon define our local communities. But we can #SaveOurServices. Write to your MP to #DemandThe10Billion
This concludes this mornings session.
Christina McAnea now addresses conference speaking about the commitments and work being carried out by UNISON to support Local Government across the United Kingdom
Now the discussions on motions begins for the final conference session.
Motion 10 – Work Related Stress in Local Government – carried Work related stress is such a prominent issue for all local government workers.
Motion 4 – The future of the National Joint Council for England, Wales and Northern Ireland – carried, looking at the structure and review the process.
Motion 15 – Standing Up to Violence, Harassment and Abuse of Local Government Staff – carried
Motion 1 – Unity Against Public Sector Pay Freeze – carried
Motion 12 – Health & Safety and safety reps in local government after Covid – an opportunity to recruit and organise women workers – carried
Composite A – pay strategy for organising and industrial action in local government – carried
Motion 2 – Food Standards Agency – Pay, Terms & Conditions – carried
Motion 11 – Covid-19 hasn’t killed sexual harassment at work – it’s just moved online – carried
Motion 18 – The impact of Covid-19 on Black workers in local government – due to no one being able to move this motion it has fallen
Motion 20 – Homeworking as a reasonable adjustment in post-COVID local government workplaces is now being discussed and how this has created better working practices for disabled members and others – carried
Motion 21 LGBT+ inclusive policies in Local Government is now being – carried
Motion 13 Reduction in the Working Week – Campaigning Across the Sectors – carried. Some members feel they are ‘Not Working from Home but Sleeping in the Workplace’ this needs to stop!
Motion 9 For Fair Public Sector Funding And Against a Public Sector Pay Freeze – carried (motion 6 falls)
Motion 16 – LGBT+ workers health and well being – carried
Motion 19 – Accessing reasonable adjustments during Covid-19 -carried
Motion 17 The Challenges and Opportunities for an Ageing Workforce in Local Government – carried
Motion 34 – Reduce agency working in Further Education Colleges – carried
Josie bird closed the conference and we would like to thank all involved for putting it together in very special circumstances see you at the look out for our updates on UNISON Special Delegate Conference next week
