Summary of Conference Decisions

These are very short summaries and do not have all the points in the motions. For the full text of motions see the UNISON UK site Conference Deisions page.

Based on bulletins by the Conference Management System (except Friday).

11 Breast Cancer Screening Challenge Campaign (Carried)

The NEC to initiate a work programme, in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Coalition, to improve breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment and for universal screening of all women including best practice guidelines for branches. Women delegates were urged to ask appropriate bodies to consider affiliation to the UKBCC.

74 Pension Rights (Carried)

Conference expressed concern that many of the part-time women workers who should benefit from winning the right to belong to pension schemes would not do so because of the need to pay back contributions. Conference believed that negotiations to settle cases should seek compensation at least equal to the total of backdated contributions and that any offer on the issue should be consulted on with branches and members.

42 Protection of Children Legislation -Advising and Representing Members (Carried)

Conference agreed the need for accurate and comprehensive guidance on a series of legislation/regulation on this subject.

75 Fair Pensions for all (Carried as amended by 75.1)

NEC to raise awareness of the discrimination against unmarried partners in not being able to receive their partners death benefit and to mount a campaign to persuade Government to introduce legislation to remove this discrimination.

58 Charter for Workers' Rights (Carried as amended by 58.1)

Conference deplored the continuing violation, by the UK Government, of international laws on workers rights. UNISON welcomed the Institute of Employment Rights Charter of Workers' Rights as a tool to call on Government to conduct an audit of UK law to ensure that we comply with basic human rights treaties. The amendment deleted text in relation to industrial.

84 Future Anti-Discrimination Legislation for Disabled People (Carried)

NEC, with the National Disabled Members Committee, to seek full comprehensive civil rights for disabled people; oppose any legislative proposals not matching those recommended by the Disability Rights Task Force; campaign for expansion of enforcement powers in future legislation and work to oppose the establishment of any commission arrangements which would lessen a number of areas in defence of disabled people's civil rights.

103 Right to Care Campaign (Carried as amended by 103.1)

NEC requested to continue to support the Right to Care Campaign; use any influence to lobby Government to fully fund the introduction of free care throughout the UK and establish a UNISON campaign network to co-ordinate a lobby of Westminster and devolved governments.

Comp C Public Service Reform (Carried)

Conference noted the challenges faced by the Prime Minister's four point reform plan, but noted in each case the shortcomings which imposed constraints on improving services; favoured the private sector and did not achieve decent pay and conditions. UNISON will continue the Positively Public campaign and use every avenue to promote our public service vision, in particular seeking the introduction of a fair wages clause.

(Amendment C.1 LOST)

Comp J Pensions (Carried)

Conference congratulated the work of the union in highlighting the threat

to our pensions. The motion outlined the various areas of concern and the union's own concern at the Government's proposals to tackle these. The NEC was called upon to mount a high profile campaign to highlight the need to maintain public sector pension schemes and fight for improved pension schemes in the voluntary sector. Conference also welcomed the TUC's pension campaign. Fourteen other actions, including work with service groups, National Young Members' Forum and National Retired Members Committee, provide a work programme for the union in this area.

51 Public Sector Pay (Carried as amended by 51.1)

Conference welcomed the 2002 Budget and the 3rd Comprehensive Spending Review but noted the increasing pressure for pay restraint on public service workers and expressed dismay at the actions of the Government in the FBU dispute. Also agreed the importance of a national strategic approach to pay bargaining across all services, to include a consistent approach to agreements; coherent approach to industrial action and retention of job numbers; an end to low pay in the public sector and greater discussion between sectors to co-ordinate where practical authorised industrial action. NEC to consult with service groups and regions and bring back a report to NDC 2004.

55 Regional Cost of Living Supplement (Remitted)

(Amendment 55.1 Remitted)

87 Health and Work of Older Women (Carried)

NEC to develop a campaign to increase awareness among older women of their rights in the workplace and ensure their involvement on a range of issues; ensure branches negotiate policies that promote healthier work/life balance for older women; promote a rights based approach to age discrimination and make a positive difference for older working women

115 Political Fund Review (Carried as amended by 115.4)

Conference approved the recommendations of the report of the Political Fund Review: to retain the current political fund arrangements; alternatives which remove this choice should be rejected; measures to be put in place to encourage members to make speedy and informed choices on their political fund options; changes made by APF and GPF to improve their operations endorsed; APF urged to develop programmes in conjunction with the rest of the union; NEC to consult with NAPC to bring forward proposed measures to ensure delegation of responsibility to APF includes degree of accountability (consistent with need to preserve relevant separation) and that the APF structures embody member-led principles.

(Amendment 115.3 Withdrawn ; Amendments 115.1 and 115.2 LOST)

122 Industrial Action Fund (Carried)

Conference resolved that a sum of not less than one per cent of subscription income shall be paid into the Industrial Action fund on an annual basis.

(Amendment 122.1 LOST)

143 Young Workers Better Off in UNISON (Carried as amended by 143.1)

Conference noted UNISON's young members campaign rejecting age specific messages and promoting young workers employment issues as those shared with other workers. NEC to rollout the recruitment campaign across the whole union and work with branches, regions and service groups to place key work-based issues facing modern apprentices, agency workers and those on temporary and atypical contracts at the centre of our bargaining agenda. This information to be used to launch campaigns at all levels of the union. Branch Young Member's Officers to be encouraged to move into mainstream branch, regional and national positions.

145 Ten Years On -Investing in our Future (Carried as amended by 145.1 and 145.2)

Conference celebrated UNISON's forthcoming 10th anniversary; welcomed the introduction of the Best Value Code of Practice; noted the impact of devolution on organising and bargaining and noted the work already done on branch restructuring.

NEC to carry out a programme of work to ensure branches can take advantage of

recognition: regions to develop strategies for reviewing recognition status with private companies and seeking to improve them; revisit agreements to ensure new starters included; that member can receive best representation post-transfer; ensure efficient transfer of members; map private companies to branch organisation and ensure a cross-service review of resource allocation Develop strong structures of workplace organisation and reconvene seminar on Devolution and Bargaining for further consideration before considering which issues may need to come to NDC 2004.

149 Organising Young Members (Carried)

NEC to enable rule change to allow for a young members' seat on the NEC; continue to encourage all branches and regions to encourage young members to stand for national office; work with National Young Members' Forum on other initiatives to increase participation of young people

(Amendment 149.1 LOST; 149.2 Withdrawn)

30 A Vision for Education (Carried as amended by 30.1)

Motion outlined issues facing education system. Conference called on government to be clear in its objectives and expressed concern for diverging policy across UK. NEC to campaign and promote existing union policy on all aspects of the education system and consult with branches on government policy documents; develop a UNISON vision for education based on Positively Public principles. Also to campaign for colleges to honour national agreements and for greater UNISON representation on Learning and Skills Councils.

76 Health and Safety (Carried as amended by 76.1)

Conference condemned the Government for failing to meet commitments on health and safety legislation. It also demanded that a Safety Bill be introduced which included statements made in the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy and elsewhere. NEC to lobby to redress this; take issues to the TUC and give full support for a Hazards Charter.

89 Asylum Seekers' Rights (Carried)

Conference noted a number of issues detrimental to ensuring asylum seekers' rights, including legislation, government actions and media bias and resolved to affiliate to Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers and commended the Campaign for Justice in the Yarl's Wood trial.

(Amendment 89.1 to delete affiliation LOST)

50 Employer Recognition of Branch self-Organised Members' Groups (Carried)

Conference expressed concern that employers doe not recognise UNISON's self-organised groups. NEC to launch new recruitment drive for disabled workers; liaise with service groups to seek recognition with employers; provide guidance to branches on negotiating recognition and facility time for self-organised groups and work through appropriate bodies to seek to include self-organised group activities in ACAS Code of Practice.

98 Tackling Racism, Promoting Equality (Carried as amended by 98.2)

Conference welcomed a number of initiatives taken by the NEC, including -working with the North West TUC and Campaign Against Racism in the North West; encouraging regions to develop strategies with communities and other trade unions; making antiracism the focus of UNISON's anniversary year. NEC to continue to work with and support TUC in local broad-based campaigns; urge Labour Link to work to change current Party policies and highlight and challenge adverse media reports.

Comp E Invest in Council Housing/Decent Homes (Carried)

Conference expressed the belief that decent affordable housing is a fundamental right of all citizens and noted that the Government cannot meet its Decent Homes Target. Agreed to support joint union demands for an investment allowance for local authorities to develop prudential borrowing powers and to call on Labour Link to continue the campaign for direct investment in council housing. Conference also affirmed its support for the campaigning activities of trade unions and tenant groups

(Amendment 98.1 Withdrawn)

Comp H The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (Carried)

Conference welcomed the provisions of the RRA and agreed a programme of work to ensure the most effective way of providing branches with the means to challenge institutional and individual discrimination. Branches called on to work with their black members' groups on the means to improve race equality; discuss implications of legislation and ensure that consultation and involvement takes place on authority's race equality schemes.

148 Fair Representation in Conference Delegations (Remitted)

(Amendments 148.1 and 148.2 Remitted)

Comp B The National Health Service (Carried)

Conference welcomed the increased funding for the NHS but expressed serious concerns about a series of policies and initiatives including role of private sector; financial framework; foundation hospital status etc. NEC to work with the Health Service Group through Positively Public to campaign against introduction and spread of 'privatisation'.

Comp K Rise of the Far Right/Industrial Decline (Carried)

Conference was appalled at the successes of the BNP and placed this in the context of failed local economic and social strategies. A campaign was called for, with the TUC, to highlight the problems and develop a debate on the most effective industrial and monetary policy to be pursued. Agreed to continue to commit resources to fighting the BNP and to develop and promote UNISON's anti-racist position through the membership. Branches, regions and the NEC to carry out a series of actions to promote UNISON policy.

Comp N The Economy (Carried as amended by N.1 )

Conference remained concerned that despite the relative health of the UK economy, enormous imbalances remained. The Chancellor's commitment to full employment was welcomed but it was noted that real unemployment was still unacceptably high. NEC to carry out a programme of work promote union policy in this are and work with other appropriate bodies. Particular issues were: supporting manufacturing unions, lobbying for a Tobin Tax and pressing Government to promote sustainable development. Conference opposed policies that forced ordinary people to pay for public spending through increased taxation.

7 - The European Union (carried)

Conference noted the grievous consequences of the European Union's Stability Pact and the Maastricht Treaty convergence terms for unemployment, reduced public spending and deepening economic recession across the Eurozone, and congratulates the National Executive Council for its leading role in the developing labour movement campaign against British membership of the euro.

It agreed to continue to campaign at a European level, particularly within the European Public Services Union and the European TUC for a fairer, more equitable European Union; and continue to work with our sister unions across the European Union to develop a shared agenda against privatisation, unemployment and racism.

21 - Procurement and Equality

Conference called for the full integration of the statutory duty on race, including its extensive consultation requirements, to be mainstreamed into substantial procurement decisions and processes; for a UNISON campaign to extend the additional anti-discrimination elements and equality requirements of the Northern Ireland statutory model to be also mainstreamed into the procurement process.

24 - Defend Council Housing (remitted)

UNISON continues to support and affiliate to Defend Council Housing, to oppose privatisation and the blackmailing of tenants to accept transfer, PFI or Arms Length Management as the only way to get investment in their homes. We actively support the DCH strategy for opposing privatisation of council housing by building united local campaigns involving tenants, trade unions, councillors, MPs and others; campaigning on estates and door to door and linking into the national DCH campaign to stop privatisation and win investment in council housing with no strings attached.

36 - Privatisation

Campaign plan focussing on

1) restoring the rights of already privatised members;

2) protecting the rights of those facing privatisation, particularly from Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) and Private Finance Initiative;

3) preventing further privatisation; and reversing privatisations that have already occurred, and;

4) challenging Government and the public sector to restore and protect the rights of the most disadvantaged groups and communities in our society whose access to services is adversely affected.

The campaign should be synchronised in partnership between the national centre, regions, branches and workplaces.

45 - Part - Time Workers

Conference called on the union to

a) negotiate to ensure that part-time workers receive all allowances and arrangements applicable to full-time contracts for hours worked over their contracted hours;

b) identify ways to ensure that all workers' sick and holiday pay and pension contributions and amount received reflect all hours worked;

c) use all available avenues to pursue a legal change to meet the above aspirations for all workers by the Government.

49 - Bargaining for Better Green Staff Travel

Conference recognised the importance of reducing road congestion, environmental pollution and the adverse health impacts that are caused to members and the community from Britain's over-reliance on private transport.

It supported key measures, such as pollution and car reduction targets and local transport planning, at national and local government levels in response to international agreements aimed at tackling global warming and environmental degradation.

However it noted that some public service employers have adopted punitive policies under the cloak of green staff travel, for example generating income from staff by either introducing or increasing car parking charges.

Agreed to send out to branches a guidance pack 'Bargaining for Better Green Staff Travel' commissioned by the South West Labour Link Committee to help union negotiators address the issues involved. Plus set up web forum.

Urged branches to take the initiative in opening discussions with employers to maximise the positive benefits which green staff travel plans can bring for members, particularly those on lower pay levels.

59 - Employment Rights for Women With Premature Babies

NEC and Labourlink urged to mount research and lobby government to allow mothers to nurse their babies once they leave hospital and for this to be the date from which the maternity leave starts officially. The time between the birth and return home should be treated as paid compassionate leave.

Conference requests the National Executive Council to seek to work with the Affiliated Political Fund Committee to lobby the Government to make the changes for premature babies' working mothers using the research to establish the facts to base the relative direct cost to employers and to promote the retention and recruitment benefits to employers of such a scheme.

77 - Bullying in the Workplace

Conference reaffirmed its total and utter condemnation of bullying in the workplace and those who perpetrate it. Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to reissue appropriate advice to regions and branches on strategies for dealing with this major issue.

88 - Cochlear Implants

UNISON's policy has long established the union's support for the Social Model of Disability. Conference was concerned that some health care practices continue to view some disabled people as a problem and offer medical treatment that is intended to mend broken people rather than build positive attitude to diversity.

Conference supported the deaf community's view that, given these problems, there is a need for better information and for counselling involving deaf people and people who have undergone cochlear implants both successfully and unsuccessfully. The deaf community believes that the medical profession gives biased advice based on the prejudice that deafness is something to be cured rather than something to be proud about.

Conference further supports the Federation of Deaf People's policy which is that deaf children should be better informed and made aware of their rights. We also support the Federation's policy that cochlear implants should not be available until the person reaches adulthood as it is at this point they can have a more balanced and informed choice about their own life.

Conference instructs the National Executive Council to continue to campaign for deaf people's rights by:

a) re-stating the national union's policy for British Sign Language to be officially recognised as the fourth indigenous language of the United Kingdom;

b) using the union's political connections to lobby for British Sign Language to be taught in schools to all school students as part of the national curriculum;

c) supporting work with statutory and voluntary deaf organisations in carrying out research into the effects of children being given cochlear implants. In particular this

101 - UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights

Press UK Government on:-

1) the need to establish Human Rights Commissions in England, Scotland and Wales;

2) the need to include social, economic and cultural rights in the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights;

3) the need to tackle discrimination;

4) the need to improve the level of, and remove age discrimination from, the minimum wage;

5) the need to tackle the growing problem of domestic violence;

6) the need to prohibit the physical punishment of children;

7) the need for comprehensive action on poverty, social exclusion and the increasing gap between rich and poor; and

8) the need to protect the right to strike.

e) make a national UNISON submission to the next United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights incorporating the key concerns of UNISON as a whole and the specific concerns of UNISON in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

105 - Sustainable Development

Conference recognised that an effective global strategy on sustainable development is crucial for the long term well-being of the planet. Conference resolved to take this work forward by:

1) continuing to lobby the Government to press for further improvements to the World Summit commitments;

2) working with other unions and voluntary organisations to maintain a high profile for sustainable development policies;

3) working with the Young Members' Forum to develop a youth campaign around sustainability of the planet;

4) developing a public service strategy for local implementation which builds on the global themes.

108 - Transport

Conference concerned that Britain's public transport system continues to suffer from years of neglect and under-investment. Conference welcomes the Government's commitment to increase investment over the next ten years, but believes that bus deregulation and rail privatisation will make it difficult to achieve the Government's transport strategy, which aims to create a fully integrated system.

Conference believes that transport is a key public service which should be democratically accountable with service to the people, not profit to shareholders, as the first priority.

Conference also believes that the Government should give priority to a strategy for Britain's bus services which are key for delivery of social inclusion recognising that buses are a major mode of local travel for the elderly, women and low-income households, but they also have the potential to attract those who currently use the private car for short journeys.

144 - Branch, Steward and Workplace Organisation

Conference urged branches, working with regions, to give greater priority and more resources to improving local organisation and building an organising culture; launch local campaigns to recruit more stewards and ensure that action is taken to enable disabled members to play an active role as stewards;

Also to campaign with the National Executive Council for improved paid release arrangements from their employers.

Conference urged branches to support and participate in organising our future campaign to build greater commitment to the organising agenda, encourage the sharing of good practice on organising and to develop a common approach to the organising challenge

It called on the NEC to set up a range of training, communication and support measures for stewards.

Composite : EC1 - Iraq

Conference noted the statements made by Robin Cook and Clare Short at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 17 June 2003, that reaffirmed our belief that the basis for war in Iraq was unjustified. Instructed the NEC to demand - and campaign for vigorously - a thorough public independent enquiry in to the whole debacle.

Conference was concerned that the military conflict in Iraq may have led to an increase of Islamaphobia and racist incidents in Britain. UNISON condemns all racist activity and calls on the government to continue its efforts to foster harmonious relations between all the communities of Britain and to stamp out racism and Islamaphobia.

Conference calls on the NEC to work with other Unions, the international trade union movement and governments to assist the development of bona fide and independent trade unions in Iraq as part of a programme to build democratic institutions within the country. UNISON must be at the forefront of those helping to build a strong and effective union to fight for the interests of public service workers in Iraq.

Conference urges individual UNISON branches, regions and the National Executive Council to continue to promote UNISON's position through the 'Stop the War' Coalition and by lobbying MPs and MEPs.

Composite : F - GATS and Public Services

Conference called on the National Executive Council to:

a) call for a greater transparency of the GATS process and the full disclosure of all information related to the requests and offers by WTO members;
b) put pressure on the Government to halt the GATS process until the effects have been properly researched, assessed and publicly debated;
c) consider sending delegations to all future anti-GATS demonstrations;
d) seek to ensure regional delegations to meetings of the World Social Forum and the next European Social Forum;
e) consider this motion, suitably reworded for submission to the TUC.

Composite : G - University Funding and Top-Up Fees

Conference demanded that top up fees are not introduced;

- encourage regions and branches to campaign alongside local student unions and other health education unions against top up fees;

- publicise the case against top up fees to our members;

- work with UNISON Labour Link to urge Labour Members of Parliament and Labour Members of the relevant Regional Parliaments/Assemblies to lobby against differential/tuition fees and for the introduction of a decent student grant system throughout the United Kingdom and seek to ensure that this issue is debated at Labour Party Conference and that UNISON policy is adopted by the Labour Party;

- produce campaign materials for branches and members to use for lobbying their Members of Parliament and members of the relevant Regional Parliaments/Assemblies taking cognisance of any regional differences;

Composite : L - Regional Government in England

Conference believed that placing a precondition that a region must have a wholly unitary tier of local government deflects from the benefits of democratic regional government. Totally opposed to the abolition of district and county councils in England.

Composite M - Fair Trade

Conference proposed that:

1) tea and coffee used in union headquarters/the national office is fairly traded.
2) branches and regions use fairly traded tea and coffee wherever feasible;
3) the National Executive Council will oblige caterers at UNISON events to provide at least one fair-traded tea or coffee;
4) UNISON promotes the use of fair trade products to its membership. This may be achieved via articles in the members' magazine or by producing literature for distribution to members/branches.

RULES

1. Rule B.4.1 General (Fell)

2. Rule C.2.3.2.1 Full Membership (Carried)

3. Rule C.2.6 Retired Members (Remitted)

4. Rule C.2.6.1 Retired Members (Withdrawn)

5. Rule C.2.6.2 Retired Members (Withdrawn)

6. Rule C.2.6.2 Retired Members (Withdrawn)

7. Rule D .1 .7 The Right to Attend and Speak (Withdrawn )

8. Rule D.2.2.1 Regional Representatives (Carried)

9. Schedule A: Rates of Subscription -I Full Members (Fell)

10. Rule D.3.1.1 Service Groups (Carried)

11. Rule D.3.4.1 Service Group Conference (Withdrawn)

12. Rule D.3.4.9 Service Group Conference (Carried)

13. Rule D.3.5.2 Service Group Executive (Withdrawn)

14. Rule F .1 List of Regions (Carried)

15. Rule F .1 List of Regions (Lost)

16. Rule G.4.1.2 Branch Officers (Lost)

18. Rule P.14.1 Limit of Speeches (Carried)

19. Schedule A: Rates of Subscription -1 Full Members (Carried)

(Card Vote No.1 F: 508,929 A: 480,151 )

20. Schedule A: Rates of Subscription -2 Full Membership (Carried)

21. Schedule A: Rates of Subscription -6.3 Retired Members (Withdrawn)

23. Schedule A: Rates of Subscription -6.3 Retired Members (Carried)

25. Schedule D.26 Disciplinary Procedures (Carried)

26. Schedule D: Disciplinary Procedures (Fell)

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