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Welcome to Conference
from UNISONScotland Convener Lilian Macer
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| 'Our
focus is to protect public services and our members
who deliver them. Our agenda in Liverpool has that
at its core.’ |
Welcome to Liverpool for UNISON's 20th National
Delegate Conference. Can I extend a very special welcome
to first time delegates and visitors at NDC.
As you would expect our main focus since
last year’s NDC has understandably been to do all
we can to protect our public services and our members
who deliver them.
In Scotland we have participated in a large
number of events both through the STUC and directly organised
by UNISON, all giving a clear message that 'there is a
better way' and we do have alternatives to the coalition
government’s cuts agenda.
The Police and Fire Reform Bill passed the
final stage of the parliamentary process at the end of
June 2012.
Whilst little changes were made within the
Bill there are some positive developments.
Our members in police and fire services
have seen huge structural change over the past year.
Significant work in organising has been
undertaken within these sectors which have been supporting
members through the transition.
Within the new police branch a communication
plan aimed at membership activity through direct engagement
has been developed which has seen benefits through increased
membership.
UNISON Scotland did secure an amendment
to the outdated provisions in relation to the role of
police staff. Police staff are no longer just 'assisting
constables', but exist in their own right.
Police staff are now included in the assault
offences, a much stronger provision than the 'assisting'
provisions in the Emergency Workers Act that didn't cover
all police staff.
The new force should not simply incorporate
the old ways of doing things.
A Staff Governance Framework would be a positive step
forward that sets out the fair and effective management
of staff.
Principles could include well informed,
appropriately trained staff, who are involved in the decisions
which affect them and ensure that they are treated fairly
and consistently.
Now there is real culture change!
Whilst at conference our local government
colleagues are in the middle of their campaign leading
to a ballot of members on pay.
Health colleagues are consulting on the
issue. The attack on our standard of living that two years
of pay freezes represents is being challenged by UNISON
in Scotland and conference is an opportunity to raise
debate in the union about how to take this forward across
the UK. As in many things UNISON Scotland is leading the
way.
Scotland’s Future
This year we have been engaging in the debate
for Scotland's constitutional future and our vision for
a more socially just Scotland has been at the heart of
our discussions.
UNISON Scotland hasn't signed up for the
Yes campaign - and we haven't signed up for the 'Better
Together' campaign either.
We have taken the debate to the campaign
groups and political parties raising the issues we want
to see at the top of this agenda.
We want to tackle inequalities, poor health
and deprivation.
To live in a society where a public sector
workforce that cares, cures and educates is acknowledged
to be not a drain on society, but an achievement of society.
Our focus is our members and the services,
as public service workers, we deliver.
Our agenda in Liverpool has that at its
core.
It's the right place to be and I look forward to the debates
and focused discussions over the week of National Delegate
Conference.
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