UNISONScotland
positions on all the main issues
 10TH
ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
Review of Political Fund set to dominate
By Mike Kirby, Scottish Convenor
Conference 2003 will be dominated by the debate
on Review of the Political Fund (Wednesday).
Few other issues stand out on an agenda, which
reflects the downside of an annual conference in which similar policy
is debated each year, with little that's new derived from set piece
debates, to say little of the anti-social demands on delegates'
personal and family time.
However, key debates provide an opportunity to
raise the union's profile.
Blair's presidential-style politics, which would
diminish the role of the Labour Party as the political voice of
organised labour, should not divert us from the historical and continuing
importance of that relationship.
The party in power has ever been at odds with the
party in the country. That political dynamic will only shift in
the proper direction if a voice is maintained in the party.
A "third way" was a "New Labour"
mantra and does not provide a rational political strategy for the
union, but a beauty contest for our political funds. This would
not address the conundrum of the union supporting political parties
with competing candidates in any election.
The NEC report is the considered response of two
years consultation - support it!
The growing issue of protecting pensions, deferred
pay which has workers contributions while employers took contribution
holidays, is addressed in the first real debate on Tuesday.
As the language of the debate on the "reform"
of public services becomes distorted, UNISON Scotland will have
a significant contribution to the debate on Tuesday afternoon. UNISON
can face the challenge of responding to the need to revitalise public
services with positive and constructive proposals for constructive
engagement with governments (Comp C).
Wednesday's debate on public sector pay should
not be allowed to focus on regional cost of living supplements with
the dangers of regional pay adversely affecting ailing regional
economics.
The impact of devolution on the bargaining agenda
is a debate promoted by Scotland and is part of the union's plans
for Investing in Our Future (Wednesday afternoon).
Racism has not been confined to the Southeast and
North West of England. Contested parliamentary and local government
seats in Scotland and UNISON members in Glasgow and Edinburgh subjected
to racist attacks emphasise the universal importance of Thursday's
debates on Tackling Racism and evolving a fair policy on Asylum.
If your favourite topic is not scheduled for debate
first time around, you may have a second chance on Friday afternoons
reprioritised business.
Enjoy (and endure) the 10th Anniversary
Conference. Stay alive for Friday Night - a night to remember ……….so
don't forget.
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Scotland policies day by day
The briefing on the following pages is intended as a guide to Branch
delegates.
It outlines the main issues throughout the week and tries to place
them on the day they are due to be heard.
We then list at the end the rest in the order of priority to follow
on each day if the business allows.
The briefing reflects Scottish Council policy and will assist the
two Scottish delegates in their discussions and negotiations with
other Regions, the NEC and the Standing Orders Committee.
Scottish priorities (as endorsed by Scottish Council) are indicated
where appropriate. All of these will be updated daily by the Briefings
Service as composites appear, business changes or issues become
clearer.
The guide cannot mandate Branches who may have different policies.
However, it may assist delegates in taking an overview of Conference.
The general line is to support motions and amendments unless listed
to oppose. Comments have also been made against important issues
for support.
A meeting of Scottish Branches will take place on:
MONDAY 16 JUNE 2003 FROM 5.30PM - 7.00PM
HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE, KINGS ROAD, BRIGHTON
Light refreshments will be provided. Conference Crèche will
be available until 7.00pm:
If you need any help, advice or assistance during Conference, do
not hesitate to contact the Scottish Region Reps Mike Kirby and
Pat Rowland.
TUESDAY
Pensions
Composite J, Motions 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 65.1, 64.1
First up, and the issue attracting the largest number of motions
is not surprisingly pensions - the real threat to occupational pensions,
final salary schemes and retirement age; a restoration of the earnings
link for state pensions funded through general taxation/ national
insurance.
The motions above cover these calling for a high profile campaign
and better safeguards through TUPE.
Composite J covers these calling for a high profile campaign and
better safeguards through TUPE.
74 and 75 stand separate, details to follow.
Public Service Reform
Composite C
Motions 14, 14.1, 15, 16,
Scottish priority 1
Again Scotland (16) joins with the NEC (14) in setting a trade
union agenda for the reform/revitalisation of public services.
The debate is distracted by different language. With growing support
for different varieties of localism the debate has generated more
rhetoric than substance where words like reform and choice mean,
competition, efficiency savings, private sector.
There may be differences in the political shade if not direction
of the devolved governments, varying priorities, but trade unions
have a responsibility to spell out our options, e.g. developing
public service networks.
Bargaining
Motion 42, Scottish Priority 8
Our members in Early Years and Social Work are becoming more active
on conditions of service issues and general working conditions and
regulation of this work. Motion 42 recognises growing legislation
affecting their work with children and young people and calls for
an assessment and branch advice.
Equalities
Motion 84, 86
Motion 84 notes the government's failure to deliver its commitment
to full comprehensive civil rights for disabled people, and calls
for a vigorous campaign for the enhancement of enforcement powers.
While motion 86 (not prioritised) seeks to broaden the trade union
movement's understanding of equality, often linked only to issues
of gender and race.
WEDNESDAY
Political Fund Review
Motions 115 and 116
Conference 2001 called for a wide consultation and review of the
UNISON Political Fund. The two-year extensive consultation is recorded
in the report to conference 115.
The report reflects the views of branches from that consultation,
that the current arrangements of choice and options for fund contributions
payers (or not) should be maintained, with some organisational changes.
The report is an honest representation of the views expressed in
the consultation with all parts of the union, and will not please
some activists representing their own particular views, however,
sincerely held.
Motion 116 offers criticism of the Labour Government but points
out the Tory alternative in UK Government.
PAY
Motion 51 from the North West challenges us to consider
the best means of achieving fair pay, low pay, equal pay. Against
the backdrop of the government and employers fiscal planning cycles,
are one year deals the route or is planned longer- term strategy
more effective?
UNISON Organisation, The Future
Motion 145, Scottish Priority 3
The importance of young members as the future of the union is addressed
in motion 143 calling for greater involvement of young members in
mainstream branch activity. But as UNISON celebrates its l0th anniversary,
motion 145 seeks to chart a way forward. It would benefit from an
amendment taking account of the lessons of the impact of devolution
on the bargaining and organising agenda.
Support 145 as amended
THURSDAY
Asylum and Immigration
Composite K: Motions 94, 95, 95.1
Motion 95, Scottish priority 12
UNISON has well-argued and documented policies on Asylum and Immigration
and motion 93 distils these into a programme for the union in respect
of employees, the community and UNISON itself.
The recent election activity of the BNP in the North of England
has brought Salford Branch (95) to draw attention to statements
from government which have polarised the issues of ethnicity and
"British identity". Economic and regional policy can help to overturn
social and economic conditions which are a breeding ground for racism.
A debate on Asylum and Immigration and Combating Racism, may focus
on the issue of affiliating to the Anti-Nazi League (motions 93,
97,99,100). This organisation has not satisfied UNISON of its democratic
credentials and should not be given union funds until it can.
Oppose 97, 99, 100 and 93 unless amended
Race Relations (Amendment) Act
Composite H
Motions 46, 47, 48, 91, 92, 96
The National Lesbian and Gay Conference and the NEC see the need
to extend the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and
to provide at national and regional level, appropriate equality
training to respond to the opportunities and demands of legislation.
(46-47)
RULES
An unusually thin agenda for the Thursday afternoon rules debate:
Bromley (1) trying to introduce the Political Fund debate
by the backdoor; Oppose Rule amend 1
East Sussex (3) endeavouring to open up Retired Membership
to those who were not UNISON members on retirement, and to extend
rights to these people not available to current retired members;
Oppose Rule amend 3
Dudley's 4 and 5 would seek similar "rights"; Oppose.
Barnsley's (17) is bettered by the NEC's (16)
Dudley (21) and East Sussex (22) attempts to extend fails
the argument of costs and the NEC (23) is favoured extensions Oppose
Rule amend 21&22
Lambeth's (25) amendment to Disciplinary Procedures presents
an open-ended and interminable appeal process which is a mockery
of trade unionism. Oppose Rule amend 25.
FRIDAY
Regional Government
Composite L
Motions 110-112
While the range of motions (110-112) sets out the issues for regional
government in England, not sufficient attention has been paid to
the impact of devolution on the bargaining agenda and how the union
sets itself to engage in the dynamic of devolution for membership
organisation and resources.
GATS
Composite F, includes
Motion 29, Scottish priority 7, 28 and 127, 127.1
Our social and environmental priorities for the future will be
decided by multi-national corporations through the General Agreement
on Trade in Services, set by the World Trade Organisation. It will
expose services to worldwide competition and is a real threat to
public services.
GATS rules include exemptions for some services but the exemption
clause is not clear. GATS could also affect services in developing
countries. There is much education and campaigning work to be done
on the issue which was one of UNISONScotland's motions to the STUC
and is addressed in motions 28 and 29.
REMAINING PRIORITISED MOTIONS (in order)
Employment Rights
Motion 58, Scottish priority 9
UK employment law is in breach of international law and many provisions
are designed to place difficulties in the way of unions securing
representation and organising action. Motion 58 calls for the application
of international standards.
Strike Fund
Motion 122, Scottish Priority 5
The Scottish Council has a policy from 1994 to seek an annual transfer
to the Industrial Action Fund of 3% of subs income. This was referred
pending a settling of the new union's finances.
Recent draws on the fund make it time to consider and while 3%
or £3M to a current fund of approximately £10M may now be overkill.
The 1% of 122 is about right.
Support 122, Opp. 120, 121, 123
Fair Representation in Conference
Motion 148, Scottish Priority 4
Motion 148 from Lambeth does reflect difficulties branches in Scotland
have faced in coming to terms with the NEC regulations governing
representation at conference. While fair representation and proportionality
are mentioned in rules, fair representation can have a number of
applications dependent upon the occupational groups covered by branches.
A review of the scheme affording greater flexibility is timely,
but may benefit from an amendment to safeguard the position of the
low paid, who may be under- recruited and under-represented in the
union.
Support 148 as amended
The Economy
Motion 1, 2,
Scottish priority 2
Scotland's motion (2) should form a composite with the NEC expressing
concern at the continued use of PFI/PPP, excessive targeting and
monitoring of public services, ring-fenced funding all to the detriment
of core services. Attention is also drawn to the crisis in pensions
and the need for a well-resourced regional economic policy linked
to public investment.
Employer Recognition of Self Organised Groups
Motion 50
The National Black Members Committee draws attention to employers
setting up and recognising employee groups but not recognising the
unions self-organised groups by allowing facilities and time-off.
The list of benefits for trade union members (motion 50) is powerful.
However, there is a balance of where this fits in the bargaining
agenda, in the mainstream or in parallel agenda. Self-organisation
was conceived to bring the disadvantaged into the union and to secure
a place in its structures, not to promote separate organisation.
UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Motion 101, Scottish Priority 10
Health Service
Composite B
Motions 9 and 10
In welcoming the additional funding for the Health Service, the
NEC and Doncaster (9,10) are calling for a review of the overall
extent of private sector involvement in the NHS, opposition to foundation
hospitals (rejected in Scotland) and the dangers of the two-tier
workforce which should be addressed by government/trade union protocols
north and south of the border.
Housing
Composite E
Motions 26-27
A number of motions (23-27) draw attention to the depletion of
low rent public housing through stock transfers and right to buy.
The motions call for significant additional investment to increase
the supply of for rent accommodation by local authorities and other
social housing using 'prudential borrowing'. Housing is seen as
a fundamental right. Does the emptying of the New Housing Partnership
Fund in Scotland indicate a shift in policy by the Scottish Executive.
University Funding and Top Up Fees
Composite G
31, 33, 34 , 31.1,.2, 34.1
The issues and challenges facing the education system are brought
to our attention in Comp G. With many children still not having
the opportunity to reach their full potential, the motions call
for a clearer government agenda. The different priorities of the
devolved legislatures are acknowledged, comprehensive schools in
Wales and tuition fees in Scotland, but these issues, particularly
the dangers of top-up fees in England will have a knock -on effect
across the UK.
TUC Position on Palestine
135, Scottish Priority 11
International work has played a central role in UNISON and should
continue. This work should extend beyond delegations and solidarity
activity and the NEC wants to produce an international campaign
strategy for that purpose. In addition to GATS mentioned earlier,
Fair Trade, Cuba and Palestine are on the agenda.
UNISON had campaigned on Palestine and motion 135 would have us
extend the TUC tentative position statement. While a number of motions
address the war, they have been overtaken by events. A more contemporary
statement, addressing current atrocities and the conduct of war,
the general Middle East and particularly Palestine/Israel, of the
future role of international law and the UN, with particular reference
to post war Iraq, may be better served by a more contemporary statement/motion
at conference.
The Euro
Composite A
Motions 3-5
Motions 3-5 call for a stepping up of the campaigning against the
Euro due to its negative impact on other Euro-economies and upon
the funding of public services.
Europe
Motion 7, Scottish priority 6
West Dunbartonshire (7) have placed on the Conference agenda some
of the issues debated at February Scottish Council. Noting the grievous
consequences of European Union policy on employment levels and public
spending, the motion fears the move towards a European federal state
at the expense of nation states.
Industrial Action Fund
Motion 119
A recent debate at Scottish Council and Scottish Committee report
to the February Council, recognised the need to review the Industrial
Action Fund Procedure. Some of that is reflected in motion 119 but
its proposed branch and regional industrial action funds would dissipate
the union's financial and industrial strength. The NEC review of
the Industrial Action Fund is long-overdue.
Support 119 if amended
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