Conference focus turns to fighting BNP and racism
Wheeee…., we're fair dashing through the agenda. That makes it
hard to predict where we'll get to—but that's never stopped us before.
The main order of business for today could do with a heather torch
but you never know, it might get lively. Fighting the BNP comes
up this afternoon but first up is the Anti racism Strategy. Scotland
has a major interest in 121, our international motion and in 44
(which we think we will get to) on Local Government Funding.
68 UNISON's Anti Racism Strategy
A key debate around the need to confront racism in all its forms
and confront the institutional machinery that confirms racism. This
broad ranging and detailed motion hits all the right buttons and
will send a clear message out from UNISON. It is then a matter of
putting it into practice. No problems envisaged with the amendments.
The new 68.2 (on the first SO Yellow Report) draws attention to
the recent issue in London.
Composite E: Fighting the BNP
 There
were seven BNP candidates on Euro election ballot papers throughout
Scotland but they only managed a derisory 1.7% of the vote. But
that is still 1.7% too much.
"UNISON members and leadership spectacularly delivered the UNISON
objective to keep Scotland far-right and BNP free”, said Hamid Rasheed,
Equality Officer, Perth & Kinross Council Branch and Scottish Black
Members Committee. UNISON Scotland, along with others, mounted a
major campaign against the BNP and won the battle, but the war is
ongoing and we need to keep up the fight.
121 International
At last this is up the agenda. The Scotland and Monmouthshire/Sir
Fynwy motion sets out principles to underpin international work,
budgets and priorities. It stresses the need to base our work on
dialogue rather than imposing views and the importance in of UNISON's
independence in fostering that.
UNISON and UNISON Scotland have a proud history of solidarity.
As the union appropriately shapes its organising objectives and
priorities this work has come under pressure. A clear statement
from conference can re-position solidarity work across the trade
union world.
The murderous situation in the Middle East and particularly the
Occupied Territories of Palestine, careers towards an Armageddon
with an unchecked Israel supported by the USA. This should be the
subject of an emergency statement at conference.
44 Local Authority Funding
from Glasgow Health addresses this topical debate. A recent Bank
of Scotland Report confirmed that local council tax is a high percentage
of housing costs with a geared up effect on low income and social
housing households.
The fact that only 20% of council revenue is raised locally has
implications for local democratic control and accountability. Even
returning the business rate to local control would only increase
this to around 50%.
The NEC's draft report will use some of the research commissioned
by UNISON Scotland from Glasgow Caledonian University. The report
will be published soon in consultation with Regions and Branches.
The Scottish Executive has just announced a review but this is
not due to report for two years. UNISON's work can feed into and
influence this process.
Solutions have to address fairness and progressiveness but also
the need for local accountability and local decisions on priority
and need. Importantly, UNISON has to be prepared for the fact that
any change will have a jobs implication.
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