UNISONScotland positions on all the main issues

Delegates' Briefing

This briefing, compiled by Scottish Region delegate and Scottish Convenor Mike Kirby, is based on policies set or guided by Scottish Council.

It is intended as a guide to branch delegates. It will reflect 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.

The guide cannot mandate Branches who may have different policies. However, it may assist delegates in taking an overview of Conference.

Prioritisation

Of the 130 motions and associated amendments submitted for debate, only a few dozen are likely to be reached. A process of prioritisation involving the NEC, regions and Self Organised Groups has seen a range of topics identified, with all but one of Scotland's preferred options (M.59) gaining support.

Business

The order of business will reflect these priorities and see some motions forming composites of like subject matters and grouped in topics in half day blocks.

The final order of business, in the second delegates' mailing, will help you spot when your favourite topic is like to be heard. Motions prioritised for debate, but not reached first time around will be subject to a re-prioritisation for Friday afternoon.

The following motions are most likely to be debated and should be supported with the notable reservations.....

1& 2 Recruiting and Organising

Organising, recruitment and retention of members is the life-blood of the union. Motion 1 and amendments call for resourcing and developing the organising agenda, while Motion 2 addresses the growing and increasing important issue of bringing migrant workers into trade union organisation.

5 Lay Structure

The changing models of public service delivery and the challenges for branches and service groups in the union are addressed in a major report called for by Conference 2005 (M.5).

Comp A (17-18) 22-23 Collective Bargaining

Pensions are at the top of the bargaining agenda with Comp A (M.17 +18) raising ethical concerns of where our pension funds invest our money. Bullying at Work (M.22) and employers growing use of Sickness Absence Policies (M.23) to pressure workers are discussed together with the disproportionate use of Disciplinary Action Against Black Workers (M23).

Comp B (27-29) 31-33 Privatisation

The continuing threat of privatisation and outsourcing of public services is highlighted in Comp B (M.27-29 and amendments). The unanimity of a campaign programme falters, when Glasgow City seek regional activity and demonstrations, which are more likely to be supported than the typical London call for a "national demonstration".

The increasing marketisation of public services is challenged in Motion 31 and Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West (M.32 + M.33) urge continuation of the Positively Public Campaign and co-operation not competition in delivering efficient and effective services.

34 Occupational Registration

Registration of occupations has been supported by UNISON to protect users, workers and raise standards. The organisational and resource challenges for the union are addressed by Scotland's Motion 34.

Comp C (38-39) Housing

As more and more tenants groups in Scotland have voted against stock transfers, Comp C (M.38 + M.39) seeks a fourth option of investment in social housing.

45 Employment Rights

While there have been new individual employment rights introduced by New Labour we need greater collective rights through a Trade Union Freedom Bill (M.45).

51 World Wide Public Services

Whatever our struggles to protect current public services, millions in the developing world may only gain access through a heavy burden of economic conditions set by the developed world. UNISON must assist the pursuit of key UN Millennium Development Goals with our sister unions abroad (M.51).

51-52 International

UNISON support for the struggles of the Cuban and Palestinian peoples are addressed in Motions 51 and 52 with trade being seen as a weapon to support in one case and a boycott tool in the case of Israel/Palestine.

57 Racism

That over 20,000 voted for BNP in Scotland should not be dismissed as a mindless minority. They have political office in the Midlands and other areas of the UK and our opposition must be strengthened (M.57).

63 Global Warming

UNISON Scotland is promoting a broad trade union and labour movement coalition to fight global warming and a UK campaign is called for in Motion 63, with particular objectives.

Comp D (73-75) Trident

Eight motions and amendments, including three from Scotland should ensure a debate on continued campaigning against a Trident Replacement, which is in our backyard and has been shown to have an adverse effect upon public service provision and public service jobs (Comp D M.73-75).

Comp E (76-77) Health

Composite E National Health Service (M.76-77) has again topped the prioritisation poll and while Gordon Brown may have said that he has red-circled health, PFI costs are still a draw on proper funding. But the comprehensive composite may attract trifling amendments. While Motion 79 Mental Health addresses a devolved issue where there is separate legislation in Scotland, motion 81 on NHS- Scrutiny and Accountability (M.81) includes some universal principles.

85-88 Education

The education debate including Leitch Review (M.85) and Schools Review (M.86-88) are devolved matters with a different agenda but the principles of Leitch should be supported and pressed for in the current Scottish Review.

90, 94 Civil Rights

Motion 90 calls for continued work against Islamophobia and attacks on all civil liberties (Motion 94).

99, 102 Pensions

Of a number of motions submitted on pensions three topics are likely to be debated, including Scotland's motion 101 on the campaign to secure rights of representation on pension fund boards. Other themes will include restoring the link between pensions and earnings (M.99) and access to state pension for part-time workers (M.102).

107-108 Equalities

An action plan to pursue implementation of the recent Gender Equality Duty is discussed in motion 106. While welcoming recent advances in rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, motion 108 promotes a Charter for Change for LGBT Equality. With the return of a degree of self-government to Northern Ireland, motion 107 seeks to redress some of the imbalance of equality and loss of fair impact assessment during the period of direct rule.

111-112 Social Poverty

Is the government missing its own targets to evaluate child poverty? There are 3.4 million answers to that question and motion 111 seeks to change the answer. Developing awareness and campaigning against Violence Against Women is predicated upon identifying cause as motion 112 demands.

Comp G 121-122 Public Spending

A number of motions on the review of public spending will be reflected in Composite G (M.121-122) which sets out UNISON objectives in the drive for efficiency.

Comp H (126-127) Europe

Events and developments in Europe have major implications for UNISON members at work and in the community and Composite H (M.126-127) sets out a comprehensive agenda including opposition to any European constitution.

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