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Local Government Special Conference 2021

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

https://unsn.uk/3kSnBRU

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

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Annual General Meeting – 5&6 March 2021

This years AGM will be carried out on Zoom and we will send out joining details to you all prior to the below dates. 

If you are unsure about using zoom please click here for a simple guide

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193

We have created 3 sessions to give you more chance to join in as we appriciate your working hours and avaliability may differ. 

Friday 5 March 2021

Session 1 – 12noon – 1.30pm

Session 2 – 6pm – 7.30pm – with a family quiz to follow, so pour yourself a glass and get a pen at the ready 

Saturday 6 March 2021

Session 3 – 11am – 1pm 

To view the Minutes and Agenda for this meeting please click the links below

Agenda
Minutes
Branch Officer reports contained in – Our Year In Review
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Branch Secretary Update – 14.5.20

Dear Member,

We hope you’re well and keeping safe.

Last Sunday Boris Johnson delivered a very confusing statement, which left many of us feeling a little confused.

This week we have studied all the government updates, and had communication from, and with, numerous employers.

Private Sector Care
We are still listening to you regarding PPE, and while we are pleased situations have improved for a few of you, we do know that the situation is far from perfect. Please continue to contact us. Your Health and Safety is of our upmost importance.

DCC
I am continuing to have twice weekly meetings with Derby City Council, The Council are still looking for employees to consider being redeployed whilst we are working through the pandemic. If this is something you can consider please complete the Skills Audit or speak direct to your Manager / Head of service.
If you are employed by DCC and on a zero Hours contract, please get in touch if you are continuing to have issues regarding your pay. I have been assured this is being looked into. I am hoping our members issues are now resolved.

Health and Safety
Dennis Jackson is our Branch Health and Safety Officer. Please contact Dennis direct with any H&S concerns. They do not have to be COVID-19 related. Dennis can be contacted by email Denis.jackson@derby.gov.uk

Nurseries / Schools / Academies
As you will be aware Boris Johnson has said Schools ‘may’ reopen on June 1st.
As a branch we have asked our school members to complete a short survey, which I am sharing your responses with the National Schools Committee this afternoon (Thursday 14th), your views are important. Thank you, just short of 300 of you have completed the survey. This is a fantastic response.

Nationally UNISON along with Teaching Unions are in regular discussions regarding the safe reopening of our schools. If you are on Facebook I would recommend following our branch Facebook page (UNISON Derby City Branch) and also “Schools in UNISON” Facebook page – This is the National page, and has all the press releases and communications shared with the Government. Now really is the time to be part of UNISON. UNISON wants to protects you, the children you work with and the families you all go home to. We have to do this together!

All Members
COVID-19 has left us all in very different and difficult circumstances, for some this has had a direct impact on our household finances, you may need to be putting extra in the electricity meter. Needing to purchase extra food shopping as the whole family is home all day, especially if you have children.

You may have additional expenses of travelling to and from work. If you are up against it, and need a bit of help. Do not hesitate to contact us, our UNISON charity “there for you” may be able to help. The COVID-19 fund is there to help you. This is extremely private, if we can help you we will!

It’s really important our members realise that we are still able to support in meetings, sickness, disciplinary meetings, ill health etc etc. These meetings can happen in a range of ways but we currently are not having face to face meetings. Please contact the branch if you require support.

We have a long journey ahead of us before work life and home life return to whatever our new normal will be. We are in this together & we will come out of this together.

Please share this email with any colleague / friend who may not receive the email, and also with any colleague who is thinking of joining our union. Now truly is the time! Never before have we needed each other as much as we do now.

https://joining.unison.org.uk/join-unison-today/

Keep in touch, stay safe and stay well.

Becky Everett
Branch Secretary.
UNISON Derby City Branch.