Today we attended the second of three days of the National Special Delegate Conference in a very different way, as a 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.
Josie went onto introduce Christina McAnea to give her first speech as General Secretary on the virtual conference floor. Thanks all the efforts members and the hard work they have done in response to the pandemic and kept the country going in extreme circumstances.
Extremely powerful words form Christina and a clear direction for the future of and inspirational with exciting things to come.
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.
First up is Motion 25 – Securing an Equal and Sustainable Post Pandemic Settlement now continues from yesterday’s business.
Motion 25 – Securing an Equal and Sustainable Post Pandemic Settlement this was carried as amended 25.3 We need to protect members pay, Terms and conditions. Clapping does not pay the bills – increased wages do! We need to be strong! Solidarity!
Motion 59 – Tackling Climate Change and COP 26 this was carried as amended 59.1
Motion 2 – Facilities and Expectations for Workplace Representatives This motion was carried
Motion 27 – No back to Normal for Disabled Workers – this was carried
A useful guide mentioned by Kathleen can be read here
Motion 55 – The NHS After the Pandemic watch the following video from Michael Rosen explaining the hard work the NHS did for him
Motion 55 – The NHS After the Pandemic – this motion was carried The NHS are now faced with the longest waiting lists – staff are exhausted / suffering with PTSD stress and anxiety! we hear & stand in solidarity
Motion 42 – Health and Social Care Provision for Older People Post Covid – this was carried
Motion 5 – Burned Out: Young Workers and Mentally Healthy Workplaces – this was carried as amended 5.1 Read the No Going Back to Normal Campaign & Mental health Matters Campaign by clicking on the below images.
Motion 12 – Post Covid 19 Syndrome & Disability Employment Protection – carried as amended 12.1 We must do more to protect the employment of our disabled workers facing effects of Covid-19 Long Covid advice
Motion 65 – No Going Backwards on Equality – carried We must continue to challenge discrimination! Equality must be at the heart of everything we do in the Workplace, Local Branches, Regional & National office Equality for all!
Motion 6 – Trade Union recognition for outsourced workers delivering public services – carried Our public service workers wherever they work should be protected, supported and treated Fairly.
That concludes todays session of the Conference Second day has gone well, quite a lot of business got through and inspirational speech from Christina McAnea, & the speakers, see you tomorrow for more updates and the final day Hope you all have a great evening
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
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
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 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