We start with a welcome by this morning’s chair Maureen LeMarinnelle, Maureen welcomed all to this year’s conference and welcomed all of our international guests in attendance this year. There was then tributes made to all of those who have passed away since the previous conference including members and staff.
We then move to the moving of standing orders committee report 1 and this was carried and we then moved on to standing orders report 2, this incurred a series of questions and references back on items contained in the report. All of the references back fell and we’re not carried. The report was carried following this.
We then move to the moving of this year’s Annual Report 2025 this is delivered by Andrea Egan. You can read the Annual report here….
We then move to the Financial Statements year ended 31 December 2024. You can read the statement here…
Discussions then began on the first motions. This was Composite A Organising to Win and Delivering a Decade of Growth – this motion continued until the afternoon session where those speaking for the motion continued. This motion was carried following a point of order asking for the question being put.
You can read about the composite motions in the following document…
We now move to to the Composite B – The Far Right – this motion was carried which means that motion 28 falls
We now move to the remaining order of business otherwise known as ‘The Snake’ moving motions from the non-prioritised motions
You can read the motions here…
Motion 34 – Campaigning for a Bailout for Public Services – this motion was carried as ammended.- this Motion was carried and Motion 35 now falls.
Motion. 30 – Don’t Take Our Winter Fuel Allowance Away! – this motion was carried as ammended
Motion 59 – Pay Compensation to the WASPI Women Now! – this motion was carried
Motion 64 – Unite for More Rights – this motion will continue to be Moved and discussed in tomorrow’s session.
for supporton LGBT+ issues you can click on the below resources…
This concludes first day of conference please look out for our next update for more information and news.
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.
