Thursday Briefing

Asylum and Immigration Composite K:

UNISON has well-argued and documented policies on Asylum and Immigration and motion 95 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 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.

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 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.

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.

University Funding and Top Up Fees Composite G

The issues and challenges facing the education system are brought to our attention in Comp G, involving the City of Edinburgh amendment. 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.

RULES

An unusually thin agenda for the Thursday afternoon rules debate:

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)

Rule Change 7: Visited last year with lots of debate but it may now be time stop the absurdity of folk speaking for themselves instead of who sent them to Conference.

Dudley (21) and East Sussex (22) attempts to extend fails the argument of costs and the NEC (23) is favoured. 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.

top