National Delegate Conference 17-20 June 2008

• Conference 2008 - An overview: Working together to face the challenges: A rundown of all the main issues, focussing on Scotland's input to Conference.

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UNISON to review democratic processes to build involvement: "We live in a changing political world and our processes require periodic review", Said Mike Kirby.

We must defend the NHS for the benefit of future generations: "The NHS is not bricks and mortar. It is not about who manages it. It's about the staff who work in it, who provide the services to patients and who are dedicated to it", says Mick McGahey.

Public services, publicly owned, with public investment and democratically controlled UNISON pledged to campaign around an alternative agenda for public services as the necessary foundation of a fair, cohesive, democratic and prosperous society.

Funding formula agreed to fight for equal pay: Conference threw its weight behind Glasgow City's proposals for funding the challenge of securing equal pay for all our members and reaffirmed this as one of the union's founding principles.

Cross service action to challenge PFI and shared services - UNISON will develop cross-service and cross-regional strategies to challenge outsourcing in all its forms and will campaign for a change in this government's "direction of travel" on this - Lilian Macer

Would we rather big business looked after our mums and dads, or dedicated carers? - Home care services are essential for our most vulnerable groups and should be kept in house to ensure the services are of the highest standards, South Lanarkshire's John McLaughlin tells Conference.

Review of political fund to involve members more: Gordon McKay calls for more members to get directly involved in building Labour policies that defend public services.

Gun and knife crime: Unions must tackle causes and protect staff.

Recruit, organise and deliver support to activists: Conference laid out six-point strategy for organisation and recruitment, the lifeblood of the union, while Edinburgh's John Stevenson underlines the need for support for that ‘nuts and bolts' work of the union.

Raise our people up or our people will bring you down! Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, warns Labour

Rulezzzzzz - No way! John Stevenson brings the biggest laughs of the week as the rules debate brightens up.

Reduction in qualification time will benefit new members and support recruitment: In a significant move, conference agreed to reduce the qualifications period for UNISON legal assistance from 13 weeks to four.

Hopes fulfilled as Leroy shows Racism the Red Card

UNISON condemns violence and abuse against trade unionists in Colombia: UNISON condemned the continuing violence and abuse against trade unionists, social movements and civic society organisations in Colombia and pledged to support its sister trade unions and play an active role in Justice for Colombia and the Colombian Solidarity Campaign - plus Colombian trade unionist 'disappeared'

Public services define a country: James Clancy, President of Canadian public services union NUPGE (National Union of Public and General Employees)

UNISON Scotland launches migrant workers' charter - As Conference debates how to combat the far right, UNISON Scotland will today (17 June) take a number of migrant worker members to the Scottish Parliament to talk to MSPs, and to launch a Migrant Workers' Charter, outlining a range of 'good practice' for employers to follow.

Enforcing equality and union rights - A Trade UNion Freedom Bills - Alan Bradley, Dumfries and Galloway welcomed UNISON's commitment to challenge unfair treatment in the workplace

An end to injustice, prejudice and discrimination - President's Speech

Show Racism the Red Card - Scotland's long association with SRTRC, the anti-racist educational charity which uses football as a focus, was in this motion.

Welcome to Conference
from UNISONScotland Convenor Mike Kirby

UNISON National Delegate Conference meets weeks after the electorate in England have passed judgement on New Labour under Gordon Brown's leadership.

Like the voters in Scotland in 2007, they saw that there was an alternative. What gives cause for concern is that their alternative is a dangerous mix of "BO-JO the Clown", "Citizen Dave" Cameron's thinly veiled return to Thatcher's legacy, and support for the BNP.

This move to the right will have severe consequences for Scotland and the other devolved administrations, whatever the direction of the debate on future powers of the Scottish Parliament.

Meanwhile, Brown sees six million public service workers as an easy target in a 2% pay freeze, while even their flawed measure of inflation, Consumer Price Index, races over 3% and other common measures are over 4%. Industrial action ballots are under way in health and local government, to join other public sector workers already taking action.

Brown doesn't require to listen. He needs to act.

The May draft Queen's speech, setting out government legislative plans to December 2009 is intended to be his defining response. Can you recall what's in it? Described as "stunningly unmemorable".

If New Labour drifts towards a defeat at the next general election, it will be a monumental betrayal of those it claims to represent.

The trade unions presented their list of demands in the Warwick Agreement. The Agency Workers proposal is a start. Measures to address tax evasion would provide another budget, to spend on public services. It could get back on target to really redistribute incomes and tackle child poverty. It could provide public investment in public services, instead of transfers of large wads of cash to PFI/PPP profits for business. A fairer deal on trade union rights is possible.

UNISON Conference will debate some of these issues, in building upon current policy.

Don't forget the meeting of Scottish Branches on: MONDAY 16 JUNE 5.30PM Royal Bath Hotel, Bath Road, Bournemouth within an approximate three minute walk of the BIC, located on Bath Road. Tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival.

Local Government Branches will also meet at 5.30 on Saturday 14 June in the Garden Room, East Cliff Court Hotel, East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth.

Click here for pdf directions to the meetings

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