Andrea Egan welcome all to this year’s conference and covered the etiquette of the business of the day.
We then had a period of silence to remember the 72 people that were lost in the Grenfell Tower Tragedy. You can read more about this below.
We now move to the order of business and the moving of both standing orders 1&2. You can find out more on the below website (click the image to view)
We now move to the moving of this year’s Annual Report from the Service Group Executive (SGE) by Glen Williams, Chair, Local Government Service Group Executive. He covered topics
We now move to the moving of the prioritised business of today’s agenda and the moving of the first motion.
Motion 37 – Supporting Migrant Workers in Local Government – this motion was carried. As ammended 37.1 & 37.2.
You can read more about the motions in the below conference agenda.
Motion 38 – Insourcing Adult Social Care – was carried as ammended 38.1
Watch Becky speak on this motion…
We next move to the Local Government Funding and Cuts section of the Annual Report. This concluded the morning session as we next hear a speech from Cristina McAnea UNISON General Secretary.
You can watch Christina’s speech here…
Following the lunch break we then receive the Local Service Champion Awards and videos to support all those who are finalists and find out about the excellent services they provide.
The winners were Paul Brennan as Local Service Champion and also Cinthia Da Silva-Parris is this year’s Champion in Our Colleges Winner.
We the Moved to the next section of the Annual Report Section 4 – Education and Children Services,and we begin discussing the motions in this area. The first motion is, Motion 9 – The School Support Staff Negotiating Body – this was carried as ammended
Motion 15 – Engagement, education and retention of Apprentices in Local Government – was carried
Motion 11 – Tackle poor behaviour and violence in further education – this motion was carried as ammended
Motion 13 – Campaign for classroom assistants in northern Ireland – this was carried
Motion 12 – Sixth form college funding (England) -this was carried
Motion 14 – Support School Catering Services in Northern Ireland to provide Universal, Free School Meals – this was carried
Motion 10 – A new negotiating body for Early Years Workers – was carried
We now have a speech from a guest speaker, Nick Lowes , Hope not Hate, click below images to find out more.
Watch Nick’s speech below…
Standing orders committee gave a verbal report putting to conference a reduction in speaking times, for movers of motions 5 to 3 and 3 to 2 for other parts, mins This concludes today’s conference session. Look out for tomorrow’s blog update for more coverage.
Tuesday 18 June 2024 – We first receive both Standing orders committee report one and two, there was references back made to this report which will feature in subsequent reports. Both carried.
We then received the annual report 2023/24 and was carried you can read this below…
Then we received the Financial statements unto year end 31 December 2023 these were carried, you can read this below…
We then heard from the current Unison President Libby Nolan
Following this we now moved to the discussion on Motions, these can be found in the conference agenda below.
The first motion to be discussed is
Motion 63 – The Climate Emergency – Why it Matters to UNISON, this motion was carried as amended 63.1 as this was carried Motion 65 has now fallen.
Motion 6 – Challenging the Exploitation of Migrant Workers – this motion was carried as amended including amendments 6.1, 6.2 and 6.4. 6.2 has been withdrawn and 6.3 has was not carried.
Motion 9 – Supporting Black Members Experiencing Racism – was carried
We then received a speech from Monroe Bergdorf, LGBT+ activist, model, writer and broadcaster, you can see a self interview below.
we then return to discussions on motions
Motion 72 – Year of LGBT+ Workers – embedding LGBT+ equality in our union – was carried
Motion 71 – LGBT+ Rights – was carried
Wednesday 19 June 2024 – following referencing back on standing orders report we continue with discussion on motions.
Composite Motion B – National Care Service – this was carried
You can read about the composite motions here…
Composite C – The Legacy of the year of Black Workers – Was carried
Motion 14 – Speaking in a Personal Capacity – this motion fell and a lengthy debate happened on this motion with many for and against, there was also 5 points of order to for the question to be put on this motion.
Motion 83 – The Constitution of the United Kingdom – Reimagined in the Interest of the Majority – the was carried as amended 83.1 and 83.2
We also received a speech from Christina McAnea UNISON General Secretary –
Motions then continued with Motion 39 – Domestic Abuse: Access For All – Was carried as amended 39.1 and 39.2
Motion 56 – Tory Cuts to Police Funding Harms Community Safety – this motion was carried following a heated debate
Thursday 20 June 2024 – following the receiving and referencing back of the standing orders committee report we first moved to the international speaker, Dr Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK.
There was then a photocell asking for a Ceasefire Now.
The following organisation provides information on the issues in Gaza and Palestine. click on the image to learn more.
We then move to Composite Motion D – Palestine – this was carried
Motion 95 – Solidarity with Ukraine and its Labour Movement – Was carried.
Motion 45 – Cuts and Funding – this was carried as amended 45.1
We then moved to the Amendments to Rules and Schedules
Schedule Change 1 – Schedule E Political Fund Ballot – this was carried
Rule Change 5 – Rule G Stewards – This was carried by a majority
Rule Change 6 – Rule M Data Protection – This was carried by a majority
Rule Change 7 – Rule M Data Protection – This was carried by a majority
Rule Change 3 – Rule D Regional Representatives – This was carried by a Majority following a debate
Rule Change 2 – Rule C,D,E,G,H,I,K,M,P and Schedules A,B,C,D – This was carried by a Majority
Rule Change 4 – Rule D Service Groups – This was carried by a Majority
We then returned to the motions
Motion 31 – Time to Invest Now – Don’t Make Public Service Workers Pay the Price of Austerity! – This was carried as amended 31.1
Motion 18 – Artificial Intelligence – This motion was Carried
Friday 21 June 2024 – We first receive the Final Standing Orders report which was carried and we now move back to the motion debates.
Composite Motion A – Organising to Win (made up of Motions 1, 1.1,4,4.1,5,5.1) – this motion was carried
Motion 3 – Organising and Training to Win Ballots and Disputes – this motion was carried as amended 3.1
Motion 98 – The Right to Strike – this motion was carried as amended 98.1
During this motion Christina McAnea introduced and welcomed UNISON members currently involved in Strike Action across the union.
We then return to the remaining order of business
Motion 8 – Union Learning is Central to Skills and Development for UNISON Members and Activists – this motion was carried as amended 8.1
Motion 28 – Health and Safety Response to a National Crisis of Stress and its effects on Public Service Workers – this motion was carried
Motion 40 – Zane’s Law – this motion was carried
Motion 15 – Treating our Members with Dignity and Respect – after an in-depth debate this motion was carried.
Motion 41 – Justice for the Victims of the Windrush Scandal – this motion was carried
Motion 24 – Four Day Working Week – this motion was carried
Motion 76 – Stop Tory Attacks on Disabled People’s Income and Independence – this motion was carried
Motion 33 – End Child Poverty – this motion debate was halted as at this point it was deemed that conference was not quorate as too many people had left conference early. this motion along with all the none prioritised motions will be discussed and agreed by the NEC (National Executive Council) at a future meeting.
We then move onto the final part of conference which is a speech of thanks to Libby Nolan this years UNISON President who steps down at the end of conference for the next agreed president to take over. there was a retrospective look back at what libby has done over her past year and also the contribution she has made for the Union movement over her working life.
That concludes conference we hope you’ve found this update useful and look out for the next update soon.
We first receive both Standing orders committee report one was carried. Standing orders committee report two, there was references back made to this report which will feature in subsequent reports. Both carried, these can be found here…
We firstly have the moving of the first part of the Annual Report
Glen Williams , Chair, Local Government Service Group Executive, this report was received and carried.
You can read this here…
We now move to the moving of Motions, the first motion to be discussed is;
Motion 8 – Supporting and developing young members and activists within the UNISON Local Government Service Group. This Motion was carried
Motion 4 – Gender Pay Justice for Women – This Motion was carried
Composite A – Make 2024 the Year of the LGBT+ workers and embedding LGBT+ equality in Local Government – This Motion was carried
Motion 3 – Next steps for our work on the Disability Employement Charter – a bargaining approach – This Motion was carried
We now hear a speech from Cristina McAnea UNISON General Secretary
We then continue with discussions on motions
Motion 41 – Workplace Violence – This Motion was carried
Motion 40 – Maternity pay in Local Government – This Motion was carried
Motion 38 – Erosion of T&Cs , Pay and protection – This Motion was carried
Motion 39 – Stop Charging disabled members to go to work – This Motion was carried
Motion 33 – Living Wage as part of a pay strategy – This Motion was Lost
Motion 35 – Demand that councils and other NJC employers recompense staff who have overpaid tax and NI due to lump-sum backpay form pay awards, and avoid future overpayments/impacts on benefits. – This Motion was carried
Motion 37 – Car allowance rates as part of our national pay negotiations – This Motion was carried
Motion 42 – Food Standards Agency – Pay, Terms & Conditions – This Motion was carried
Motion 6 – Black Social Workers face disproportional disciplinary and capability procedures – This Motion was carried
Motion 7 – Council Bankruptcy and its Impact on Black Workers – This Motion will roll over to order of business on Monday.
Monday Session
We now move to Standing Orders Committee Report No3, there has been references back being made these will be reported back in subsequent reports.
We now move to the moving of motions these start with Composite C – End the collapse of Local Government and renew the call for fair funding to a New Government – this motion was carried.
Motion 30 – Pay and Funding in Local Government – this motion was carried as amended
Motion 32 – Cuts in domestic violence services – this motion was carried as amended
We now receive a guest speaker – Sue Sanders CEO Schools Out, Co-Founder LGBT+ History Month UK.
You can see Sue in action in the below Ted Talk Video.
Following this very informative speech we then continue motions and we hear about Motion 45 – Government Meddling / coercion in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Now for Composite D – Defending and improving our Pensions – this motion has been carried
We now hear from the International Speaker Lina Monitilla Diaz, from Central Unitaria de Trabajdores (CUT)
We now hear the final standing orders report number 4.
We now move to the Education and Children’s Services (Section 4) of the annual report.
Motion 20 – Further Education and Pay is now being moved and this was carried.
Motion 13 – Insource Children’s Trust – this motion was carried
Motion 15 – A New negotiating body for school support staff – this motion was carried as amended
During this motion Becky Everett your Branch Secretary spoke in support of this motion, you can watch her speech below…
Motion 23 – Organising in Education – this motion was carried
Composite B – Crisis in our Schools, School Support Staff need our support – this motion was carried
Motion 19 – Preventing Violence Against School Staff – this motion was carried
Motion 22 – Organising outsourced workers in the college sector – this Motion was carried
Motion 21 – Improving stress levels in colleges – this motion was carried
Motion 18 – Impact of OFSTED on Support Staff Must be Acknowledged – this motion was carried
Motion 5 – Tackling the exploitation of migrant workers – this motion was carried as ammended
Any of the motions that weren’t discussed during the conference will be considered by the Local Government Service Group Executive at their next meeting.
The motions are as follows
Motion 11 – A Real National Care Service
Motion 12 – Organising LGBT+ workers in social care
Motion 9 – Defending our Social Workers
Motion 10 – Supporting the next generation of social workers
Motion 14 – A New Negotiating Body for Early Years Workers
Motion 24 – Cuts in Education and the Impact on Women & Children in Northern Ireland
Motion 28 – Real investment in Local Government before S:114 becomes the ‘new normal’
Motion 31 – Housing budget cuts
Motion 34 – NJC Pay Negotiations & Universal Credit: The Impact of Delays to Pay Negotiations on Low-Income Families
Motion 36 – Campaign for a Pay and Grading Review
Motion 46 – Governmental meddling/coercion in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Motion 47 – Governmental Meddling/coercion in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
