.

The right to campaign but also responsibility to union

Comp I rakes over a Scotland motion of two years ago which laid out rights and responsibilities - the right to organise but also the responsibility and basic discipline which is essential to trade union organisation.

That motion was extensively debated and carried. The movers of Comp I lost out in that debate and are looking to re-open a settlement that was the subject of extensive consultation with Regions and Branches.

Twelve out of the 13 Regions directly involved themselves in drafting and endorsing the guidelines that came out of that process.

Only 20 or so branches out of the thousands across the country wrote in with any opposition - so you have to assume that the vast majority had no problem.

The Glasgow/St Helens amendment (I1) reflects the settlement of two years ago and underlines the need to improve membership participation in the union's structures.

Amendment I2 introduces false limits on resources which would frustrate the system, affecting justice to both victims and alleged offenders.

Beware calls of ‘witch hunts'. Any disciplinary action has been about issues like breach of the union's rules, financial impropriety or harassment. Any union has to have such procedures to safeguard its structures and its members.

Labour Party Conference: The issue of the ‘lobby' may well be raised. Don't forget, if Conference wants a lobby of the Labour Party Conference it can vote for one. It didn't last year.

Oppose Comp I unless amended by I1
Support Amendment I1
Oppose Amendment I2

Let's get the show on the road

Unlike previous years, it looks like we may get under way without spending hours on points of order trying to change the standing orders report - after all the agenda is compiled through consultation with Regions and branches.

However, the Annual Report could keep us going for a while with 55 questions, 23 of them from one branch, Lambeth.
These are likely to cover Disciplinary Rules and the Democracy Code.

The Annual Report is an account of how the union's policies have been progressed over the year and branches have a right to question that.
But the proper place for these two issues is in the debates later today and on Thursday.

Resources for local bargaining

Scotland's motion 104 outlines the need for resources to be directed to the right place.

We are now well down the road of the Strategic Review agreed two years ago, although progress in shifting resources to branches has not been all we would have wanted.

The motion recognises the need to direct resources to where they are most needed especially in light of the shifts in services where UNISON organises.

The utilities are an obvious example but there is also local government and health with community care, colleges and a host of other examples where there are local issues and more and more local bargaining.

There is a need for the resources to be devolved to support this work.
Support 104

Seeking real social inclusion

Scotland's motion 31seeks real social inclusion for the range of disadvantaged groups.

It outlines an eight point plan of priorities to develop anti poverty campaigns including fuel and food poverty, linking with community organisations. Lesbian and Gay discrimination, institutional racism, a comprehensive disabled people's civil rights Bill and issues to address unemployment are all covered in this important motion.

A joint approach with communities and womens organisations to combat domestic violence is called for as is a campaign to uprate pensions in line with earnings.

Support 31

Back policies we can achieve to build NHS

Motion 67 as amended by 67.1 recognises that the Government has at last begun the process of raising NHS funding to levels achieved throughout Europe.

The increase is only a first step in addressing the chronic under-resourcing of health services and pressure must be maintained to build increases year on year.

Amendment 67.2 is the usual rant about nationalisation without compensation. This time it's the pharmaceutical companies in the frame.

Much as we may dislike the drug companies, we should concentrate on policies we have a chance of achieving.

Motion 66 and its amendments are strong on rhetoric but short on sensible action. The call for a national demonstration should be rejected as daft.

Support 67.1
Oppose 67.2 and 66

Getting UMR right

Motions 194 and 193 will form a new composite on the UMR.

It is right that there are constructive criticisms of the problems branches have faced but now is the time to draw a line under that and look to getting things right.

The Joint Working Party of NEC, Regions and Branches is the way to do that
Support 193/194 composite