After a long and arduous journey, involving late trains, trains which needed carriages adding on, misleading instructions from station staff and late changes of platforms which required dashes up and down steep flights of steps with bags we could barely lift (Anneka Rice could not have done better!) we arrived at our hotel, albeit somewhat later than expected. Our hotel was very pleasant, although I was assured that Jo’s room resembled a broom cupboard. I could not believe how close we were to the Bournemouth International Conference (B.I.C.) we were – my thanks to the organisers.Sunday 18 June
All manner of people were seen making their way to the Conference Centre. Our first mission was to visit the UNIZONE to visit the various stalls and collect the many free samples (these however did not include razor blades - BIC...razors? - oh please yourself!)
The Conference was opened by the President of UNISON, Christine Wilde. A talk followed regarding the Standing Order Committee (a presentation by this committee was actually made at the start of business on each day following). Various amendments were given to the Delegates, and I came to realise that this happened each morning. Procedures were explained re motions, debating and voting. The President kept the atmosphere pleasant throughout the week with some light hearted comments (but these were not appreciated by everyone)! Delegates heard how voters had turned away from Labour in elections held on 5th May but disappointment was expressed over the election of some BNP candidates. Gordon Brown’s threat of a pension freeze was criticised an effective and emotion speech. This matter raised concerns but legal proceedings made too much debate difficult. One speaker promised Mr Brown that: “Real pay will be protected. Concerns were aired over the involvement of private industries in state schools – and the effect this could have on education generally and future generations. The NHS is under serious attack and despite many council housing tenants voting against reforms many were still going ahead.Pay and Conditions (section 2) was debated. This year saw the end of a three year pay agreement and many speakers expressed concerns about this type of arrangement – to predict levels of inflation accurately etc over a three year period was deemed difficult and risky; most people seemed to prefer annual negotiations, whilst acknowledging that this would increase workload. Learning for life was an initiative that was being developed, as was part time working and stress/quality of life. Moves were being made by the employers to reduce car allowances. The Craft workers’ AGM will re-convene in July. An effective pay claim is essential; we must not become complacent. High-energy costs, inflation and interest rates are predicted. Many union members are forced to claim state benefits. All members must be prepared to fight for a fair deal. A pay rise, which merely matches the rate of inflation, is in fact equal to a pay freeze!! We must win the pension battle to help win the pay war! Motion carried
Three year pay deal. This was opposed for the reasons already stated. We must keep up with the private sector (and some parts of the public sector) an annual pay deal which unites members can only be a good thing – one year pay deals are the way to go! Gordon Brown’s stated wish to cap our pay rise at 2% for the next three years is totally unacceptable – we must win a pay rise above the rate of inflation. I was surprised at what I perceived to be far less delegates attending the local government conference than I had anticipated.
Much debate followed re: the low pay of public services/local government staff; a three year plan was not seen as being for staff (only employers). An amendment to motion 5 – asking that all members are consulted on pay negotiations was comprehensively debated.
Motion9: Aggregation of all previous service for NJC staff. The speaker for this motion was not present but it was passed by conference.
Motion 43: Housing and the code of practice on workforce matters. The state of public housing was discussed – widespread discontent was expressed. There had been a recent victory in Edinburgh when tenants had voted to stay within council control. Council run properties were very much the preferred option. Motion to support was carried
Motion 44: Unison in Housing Associations. UNISON is trying to increase membership within Housing Associations. UNISON support local councils being in control of housing for tenants but does wish to support membership within the new Housing Associations etc. UNISON is committed to supporting members within new environments. Motion to support was carried
At times there was confusion over the order of speakers but again the President continued to organise the running order and keeps matters ‘light’ with some comical comments (although one delegate expressed disquiet about ‘lack of respect’ being shown)
Motion 45: ALMOS and Housing Stock Transfers. A very important issue! A ‘star rating’ system has led to some councils being given, inexplicably, a lower star rating than some ALMOS. Customers (i.e. tenants) do seem to feel that they are getting poorer service under the ALMO system. Continuity of services may not be recognised. Terms and Conditions are being amended detrimentally for some staff – leading to loss of benefits in some cases. It was felt that ALMOS are bad news for tenants and UNISON members. Should the ‘Positively Public’ campaign be re-introduced? The emotive delivery of some of the speeches showed the depth of feeling over this matter; there was deep concern within UNISON for the rights of protection for ordinary men and women. It was highlighted that some ALMOS had received a lower star rating than the local council and yet had been given more in the way of financial grants/support. The overwhelming feeling was to bring housing back into in-house control. Motion to support was carried
Motion 6: Ill health retirement. A fantastically original speech emphasised the problems for staff that may need ill health retirement. The importance of the Occupational Health service liaising with G.P.s and specialists when assessing the long-term prognosis for staff that become ill or suffer injuries, which could affect their work, was debated fully. Motion supported.
P Rowbotham
Monday 19th June – AM
The morning events started with a point of order. This was to request that Heather Wakefield report to conference where and when talks on the LGPS are taking place and when the talks will end. Also if necessary when a ballot will take place for the resumption of strike action. Heather responded with details of the timetable and said that as yet only one meeting had taken place to discuss the new look scheme however more were due shortly.
The following motions were then heard:
Motion 31 – The disability equality duty and local government.
This was carried as amended by composite A
Motion 31 – Positively promoting disability equality - Carried
Motion 32 – Rehabilitation services for disabled people - Carried
Motion 33 – Race equality schemes - Carried as amended by 33.01
At this point we welcomed a guest speaker, the Head of Policy for the Equal Opportunities Commission Unison were invited to work closely with the EOC to which the chair of conference responded that she was sure unison would take up this offer.
Motion 34 – Private sector transfers and the race relations (amendment) act - Carried
At this point a speaker addressed conference to say that there was huge disappointment that the conference room was not full. It was expressed as a concern that many people had left the room when this was the best opportunity to discuss equal opportunity issues.
Conference overwhelmingly supported the speakers concerns.
Motion 35 – The local government implications of the gender equality duty - Carried
Conference completed the morning’s agenda and a motion remaining from the previous day was heard at this point.
Motion 29 – Carried
We now moved on to the reserve agenda
Motion 7 – Cycle allowances - Carried
Motion 8 – Fuel price negotiations - Carried as amended by 8.01
Motion 10 – Homeworking - Carried
Motion 11 – Part time is not second best. This motion was remitted due to objections by Notts County branch to a paragraph which referred to term time only working acting in a positive way in schools due to workforce remodelling.
Motion 12 – Carried as amended by composite C
Motion 18 – Craftworkers - Carried as amended by composite D
Vicki Corden
Monday 19th June - PM
Conference began this afternoon with a speaker from Fenalstase one of our sister trade union for public employees in Columbia, Ana Lucia Pinzon. She brought warm greetings to Unison from Finalstrase and raised conference’s awareness of the geography, economy and politics of Columbia.I for one was unaware that 20% of land in Columbia is owned by 96% of the population the other 80% being owned by a handful of rich, powerful families. Ana Lucia reminded us that there is much corruption and told us of the thousands of people who have been displaced, disappeared or driven into exile by paramilitaries who target trade unionisits. Indeed Columbia is the most dangerous place to belong to a trade union. Last year 250 trade unionists were killed and 80 driven into exile.
Public services have been put into the hands of four private providers supported by foreign finance, this means that:
48% of the population has no access to healthcare
18% of the polulation is illiterate
There is much malnutrition especially amongst women, children and the elderly. Trade union membership is 5%
Ana Lucia asked the people of UK to put pressure on our Government to ensure that any money given to Columbia goes on health and education and not to army units. She quite rightly received a standing ovation. I saw her later in the afternoon as I passed through the coffee bar, a tiny woman, no taller than my towering height of 5’ 2” but she had such a strength of belief that she seemed much bigger than me!
And then it was on to business.
Motion 13 on Term time only pay was first with delegates putting forward strong arguements for a concerted campaign against Term time only as the way for school support staff to be employed. With points including; the removal of the right to benefits for the weeks not paid, JE clawing back negotiated gains. The motion and it’s amendments were carried.
Motion 36 Extended Schools followed and I didn’t take notes on this as I was the first speaker in support of the substantive motion. It was disappointing to note whilst speaking that many delegates were absent from the hall. I put forward the Notts County perspective and encouraged delegates to support the motion and the amendments. 36, 36.1 and 36.2 were carried.
A presentation from the Disability Equality Scheme in Further Education followed, the information about this can be found on the Unison website.
Motion 37 School staff pay and conditions was moved by Glenn Kelly from the Service Group Executive. The speakers all encouraged delegates to support the motion and amendments and raised awareness of issues facing support staff in schools and those who represent them.
Motion 40 was asking for awareness raising in the area of bullying based on grounds of sexuaility or transgender issues in schools. This motion was carried after speakers made us think and note to raise the issue at our JCNP.
Motions 41 and 42 were from Further Education and we were horrified to hear that many FE colleges refuse to implement national pay awards. 41 and 42 were both carried.
The last motion of Local Government Conference 2006 was moved by Chris Tansley and was a Composite on Underfunding of Social Care. Due to lack of time it was moved straight to the vote and was carried.
All outstanding items were referred to SGE who will give their considerations in due course. I have full details of motions covered this afternoon for anyone who would like them.
Jo Myers
Tuesday 20th June: Morning
National Delegate Conference starts
I had come to Bournmouth feeling well prepared having been to told a lot about the rigours of attending conference both by colleagues and the excellent pre conference course run at area Headquarters. My head was thus full of warnings about lack of sleep due to “over socialising” and the difficulties of decoding the arcane procedures of the conference hall. What they did not warn about, however, was the problem of sitting in uncomfortable chairs for seven hours or so a day! The lack of sleep turned out to be correct though, not due to the predicted reason, however, but due to a noisy road outside an overheated hotel room.
By the time conference proper started on Tuesday morning I was beginning to feel like an old hand having already experienced a very interesting two days in the same hall at the Local Government Conference. The National Delegate Conference, however, was an altogether less sedate affair with much more debate due to more contested motions. The atmosphere was better as the hall was more full though this tailed off through the week as people drifted out to the bars during the less contentious motions and, no doubt, to escape those seats. Perversely this helped the comfort level by affording rather more leg and elbow room and room to put the all important papers which conference generates freely.
The first morning was taken up mainly with fairly boring, but necessary, business and the more meaty stuff did not really get going until the afternoon. The president, Christine Wilde, opened conference by telling us about her year and leading a silence for those who were no longer with us since last year. The Annual reports and accounts followed and, interestingly, the controversy started at this point, even before the substantive business, as three questions were asked of the Standing Orders Committee about motions which had been ruled out of order. These motions had been ruled invalid as being against the rules of the political fund. This was to be a recurring theme. Nevertheless conference voted to refer them back for reconsideration but to no avail. Controversial, and to some people time wasting, though these questions are, they did illustrate for me the democratic nature of the union in action. The rest of the morning seemed to be taken up by conference, unsuccessfully, trying to get the annual report itself referred back either in whole or in part.
It was almost a relief then to move on to the main business of the day starting with motion 25 on the under funding of social care. This was predictably passed as amended without controversy. Motion 29 about offshoring then followed swiftly and created an interesting debate about the critical nature of an issue which is having an effect in sectors other than my own and of which I feel I should have been more aware. Of course it was passed. Occasionally the non controversial nature of the motions could, shall we say, allow the mind to wander. Inevitably, though, just as I was drifting under the combined influence of a succession of soporific speakers and an air conditioning system which had decided to go into overdrive, a new speaker would wake up the hall with either a joke or a serious point and the debate would take off once more. Inevitably on some of the more contentious issues some people would get quite worked up both from the platform and in the body of the hall. Far from seeing this as the problem which it could appear to at first sight, I came to the conclusion that giving a forum to strong and contentious views was precisely what conference was about. Such views need debate and as a campaigning organisation it is surely healthy that we express them openly, clearly and democratically.
In the moments in which I was able to think about things other than the business of the platform it was interesting to note that the power of ideas in conference were not only expressed through the three or five minutes speakers had on the platform. Indeed the number of delegates in the hall at any one time spoke almost as much about the strength of feeling of delegates as the speeches did, as was witnessed by the way the hall filled for the more interesting and contentious motions. Individual feelings were eloquently expresses through the slogans on T shirts while boredom was expressed by delegates who I saw reading books or, surely the worst insult of all, reading the Daily M**l (sharp intake of breath). This ever changing world, for it seemed the hall was becoming more and more our world as the week wore on, was to become characteristic of the next four days which I can honestly say I enjoyed immensely (yes I know I’m sad). It was an experience not to be missed even if the enjoyment, especially the social side of it, would have been even greater if our group had been up to full strength. Well maybe next year Eh?
Ian Thomson
Tuesday afternoon – 20 June
Motion 29 – Off shoring. This motion had been brought forward from the morning session and dealt with the issue of companies in the UK making employees redundant and moving sections of work to either another part of the UK or, more commonly, abroad. Whilst speakers fully appreciated the situation foreign workers were in they were, understandably, very concerned about the effect on UK jobs and economy. Some industries were starting to reverse their decision; Powergen had recently announced that they would be closing offshore call centres as they were deemed not to have worked as well as anticipated! Conference called for a campaign to negotiate strategies for the impact of off shoring to be fully assessed and for the interests of members to be protected. Motion carried
Motion 54: Not so sweet sixteen. This motion dealt with the imbalances for 16 and 17 year olds. Rates of pay, the right to vote etc. All age ranges supported the motion for under 18s to be given equal rights. Motion carried
An address by Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, followed the ‘Not so sweet sixteen’ motion (surely just unfortunate timing)? An introduction, including a picture which showed Mr Prentiss in place of the England Manager with the English World Cup Squad around him, and being played onto stage to the song ‘England’s coming home’ was well received. With satirical comments and topical jokes he started his address to conference. He spoke against cuts in public spending, acknowledged the success in the action day of 28 March (this had been spoken about by many speakers at both local and national level) and emphasised that Unison’s continued support for the Labour Party should not be taken for granted. Many concerns about this matter had been voiced. He warned that industrial action would resume if members voted for it; should the judicial review currently underway not be favourable. His speech was well received by conference.Composite B: Public Services and Funding was carried.
Motion 24: Public Services. This dealt with the Government’s worrying reform agenda for public services. Speakers presented their case with genuine concern for the future effect on public services and the apparent support for private providers. Conference called for support to local and regional campaigns to defend public services from privatisation, for an alternative agenda for service provision to be established. Motion carried
Motion 86: NHS Marketisation. This motion dealt with a proposed campaign against cuts and closures in the NHS, to work with the NHS (and relevant groups) to develop a positive vision for the future of primary care, to campaign against marketisation. Again, speakers spoke with emotion and genuine deep concern over these issues. – And the impact on marketisation within the NHS. Motion was carried
Motion 91 – A Patient led NHS. Conference was to have heard this motion during this session but ran out of time.
P Rowbotham
WEDNESDAY 21ST JUNE 2006
Conference opened with guest speaker Thabitha Khumalo: general secretary of the Women’s Advisory Council of the Congress of Zimbabwe Trade Unions, a mother and campaigner for women’s rights. Thabitha has fought tirelessly for women’s rights in Zimbabwe, despite being arrested over 22 times, tortured and gang-raped for highlighting the plight of Zimbabwean women who are unable to afford basic sanitary wear following the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy. The Zimbabwean women would have to spend half of their monthly income to buy sanitary products, so women resort to using rolled up newspapers, old cloths, leaves and even barks of trees, which can lead to very serious infections and infertility. Despite further threats to her life and liberty, Thabitha continues to campaign tirelessly for this most basic of human rights for the women of her country. Dignity.Period! is a campaign launched to raise funds to buy large quantities of sanitary goods for Zimbabwean women and is being supported by the Trade Union Movement in Britain. Thabitha is a truly remarkable woman and there was not a dry eye in sight after her speech. Conference also raised over £2,000 for her campaign work.Motion 53 – Citizenship Rights: Conference notes the disgraceful discrimination of children born in this country but denied citizenship due to the nationality of their parents. This discrimination is directed mainly at black and ethnic minority people. NEC were called upon to campaign for full citizenship rights for all those born in the UK and also to work with Labour Link to lobby the government for urgent legislation to end the discrimination. This motion was carried.
Motion 51 + 51.1 – Identity Cards : Conference noted that the ID Act 2006 was now in place and reaffirmed its opposition to the scheme and that the scheme had cost implications that would disproportionately impact on the less well off and also have a race relations impact. This will also impact on members who will be called onto check and record information for the national database. Conference resolved to campaign for the government to abandon this scheme and UNISON to work with relevant organisations to ensure this happens. This motion was carried as amended by 51.1
Motion 1 + 1.1 – Organising for Growth: Branches to adopt an organising approach, encourage stewards to attend the One Step Ahead training, work with national project team to establish reliable density figures, review and revise facility time, access regional pool for organising activities and also encourage young people to join. This motion was carried with amendment
Composite A – Organising for the Future: UNISON’s Strategy for Inter Union relation: UNISON reaffirmed its vision of organising for the future. Conference expressed the belief it was essential to explore all means of strengthening the position of workers to resist threat and deliver closer links. NEC to undertake an audit of relevant trade union and professional organisations; devise a strategy for strengthening inter-union relations by a number of means recommended by the motion. Motion carried and Amendment A.1 was withdrawn
Motion 4 - UNISON Learning and Organising: NEC to lobby government and devolved government’s to ensure that there is a consistent UK wide approach to resourcing the Organising for Learning Strategy, to ensure all regional organising plans include a strategy for activist learning by including education and training of activists, by promoting the establishment of Branch Education teams, by ensuring branches set aside resources and have a coherent activist education strategy, develop further methods for training and support and continue to promote learning partnerships with employees. This motion was carried.
Motion 91 – A Patient-led NHS: NEC to reinvigorate its campaign to oppose the Government’s NHS policy, which is more about privatisation than modernisation. UNISON to everything it can to stop this latest policy progressing. Say ‘NO’ to a two-tier workforce and ‘NO’ to a two-tier health service. Motion carried
Maggie Pilmore
Thursday 23rd June - AM
It was business as usual many motions to get through mainly this morning because it was rule changes to the rulebook this afternoon oh joy. What as been very noticeable this year at conference (no not that we were only 3 min’s from the venue) it was the brilliant selection of guest speakers and today the quality did not waver.
Speaking were two trade union leaders, one from Palestine by the name of Abla Masrujeh from the Palestine general Federation of Trade Unions. And, the other from Israel OPHIR ELKALAY representing Histradrut General Federation of Labour Israel, so as you can imagine the quality bar was still held high. The two speakers stood side by side portraying they all had one common goal PEACE.The point of view from Israel went first not the well documented side that is been shown on the news media, but from a personal side The story of a relative who died while serving in the army by an hammas suicide bomber. All he wants to do is to represent his members go to work and to live in PEACE.
The theme of everyday life was the subject of the Palestine address; Abla told the story of a woman who was in labour traveling to hospital in a ambulance and been stopped by Israeli Solders and taken 3 hours before been able to go to hospital. All she wants to do is to represent her members go to work and live in PEACE.
I am not a expert in the Israel/Palestine conflict, but the one and only way to move forward to me is to listen to the ordinary people Trying to live their ordinary lives in their ordinary communities and the answer will be PEACE, PEACE, PEACE
Thursday 23rd June PM
Rule Amendments
No big shocks for conference this after noon only minor adjustments, but one thing remained the same and something near to my heart to stop the wolf in sheep’s clothing getting the benefits of my unison. It is that rule 7 remains the same, and this is how it goes (you will not get the full benefit from unison until you have been in unison for 13 weeks).
However, want about the people who are on 3 month, or more short term contrcts, well my answer to that is most of those contracts are normally rolling ones where their signed before the end of contract.
Martin Francis
AN EQUALITIES OFFICER’S VIEW OF THE WEEK
I was one of an estimated 2000 delegates gathering in Bournemouth for UNISON Annual Conference, it seemed like most of them were on my train. During the week we debated and voted on about 70 motions, below is just a flavour.
Pensions Motions 35 - 44: Pension debate. The employers can be in no doubt that this remains the main issue for our members and that they will be ready to fight if no agreement is reached.
ID Cards Motion 51: The debate was one sided, and no surprise our Union is against ID cards on the grounds of cost effectiveness and believe its an infringement of our Civil Liberties.
My favourite motion was 114 submitted by National Retired Members Committee, Free Travel Pass this is bus and rail and they want it back dated to April for people aged 60 and over. In the future we all will be able to retire at 60 on full pension complete with free bus and rail pass, subsidised council tax, holidays, TV license and claim a summer air conditioning allowance. Sorry just dreaming again!
Protect Our Public Service Motions 24 – 25: UNISON is stepping up its campaign to protect our Public Services from PFI’s privatisation and budget cuts; our colleagues in the health service are spoiling for a fight. We all know there are massive problems in Health Education and Social Services.
Quango’s Motion 74: They spend billions of pounds of our money each year, UNISON say they must become democratically accountable to service users and the public. Surely you all agree with that.
Other Subjects Debated: Global Warming, Nuclear Power replacement of Trident, Work Place Monitoring, Disability Leave Off Shoring, Social Housing, BNP and Racism, Asylum Seekers.
As Joint Equalities Officer, I was interested to hear the debates on motions put forward by our Self Organised Groups (SOG’s). So here’s my report of the main motions presented to Conference from each group.
Young Members Motion 54 – Not So Sweet Sixteen
Young members highlighted the lack of consistency about the legal rights for young people when they reach the age of 16. At the age of 16, a person is considered old enough to pay taxes, to leave school, to marry and to join the armed forces, but not old enough to vote for the people who spend the taxes or to send them to war. They are also treated differently to older workers under the minimum wage legislation, receiving a guarantee for 16 and 17 year olds of just £3.00 per hour, whereas 18-21 year olds minimum wage is £4.10 per hour, and for those over 21 it is £5.05 per hour.
They also pointed out that even these inconsistencies are further complicated by differences across boundaries within the United Kingdom, for example in Northern Ireland the age of consent is 17. On voting age, the Isle of Man lowered its age from 18 to 16 in February this year. They called on Conference to support their call for the situation to be clarified and harmonised to provide for full adult rights and obligations at age 16. Conference agreed and asked the National Executive Council to:
make the case to the membership for full adult rights and obligations at age 16;
support the broad-based Votes at 16 campaign;
raise the issue through appropriate channels, including the Labour Link.
Disabled Members Motion 28 - The Disability Equality Duty and Public Services
Conference welcomed the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 which will impose a new disability equality duty on public bodies and some private companies from December 2006. We believe this Duty could help reconstruct a barrier free society and provide equality of opportunity for the millions of disabled people who are in work, wanting work and those who need public and private services to promote independent living. However, they felt that government has not fully understood the complex and diverse nature of disability discrimination. In particular they were concerned that:
the duties do not extend to cover all major private sector employers;
no extra funding will be made available to employers to assist them with barrier removal;
efficiency reviews may compromise barrier removal by further reducing the funding available;
the government’s Access to Work funding may be restricted within public services;
draconian employment policies and practices may adversely affect disabled employees and disabled people seeking work.
Therefore, they called upon the National Executive Council to work with Labour Link, the General Political Fund Committee and Service Group Executives, as appropriate, to:
lobby government to extend the new Duties to employers operating in the private sector;
lobby government to increase resources available to disabled people and employers to remove the barriers to getting and keeping work;
negotiate adequate employer funding for barrier removal;
negotiate incentives for disabled people to declare disability status;
lobby employers to introduce disability leave policies and review existing employment policies to ensure that unfair sickness absence procedures and punitive practices are removed;
ask branches to encourage public service employers to display the UNISON sponsored “Beyond the Barriers” poster series as a statement of their commitment to improving work and other opportunities to disabled people.
LGBT Motion 8 – 92: Monitoring of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity by Employers
Conference welcomed the growing recognition of the need to combat discrimination against LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) workers and the agreements reached with some employers to integrate work towards LGBT equality into their equality programmes. They noted that the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 introduced a requirement on public authorities to monitor workers’ ethnicity, as part of the statutory duty to promote race equality. Similar duties to promote equality on grounds of disability and gender will also be coming into force.
Conference further noted that some UNISON employers are seeking to introduce monitoring of workers’ sexual orientation and/or gender history, although this is not a statutory requirement. Conference recognised that some of the benefits of monitoring for LGBT staff include:
the recognition of our presence in the workplace;
raising our visibility within the workplace instead of pretending we don’t exist;
it will allow large employers to identify differences between work locations and progress over time.
Conference also recognised that workplace monitoring, even though it is becoming more widely accepted, does have some limitations and dangers:
we have no useful data from local communities to use as a comparator;
the mere presence of LGBT staff in itself does not provide us with information on whether they are out or not and on the level of homophobia staff experience;
concerns over preserving anonymity for LGBT staff who complete a monitoring form.
Conference believed that while workforce monitoring can play an effective part in a successful equalities strategy, it is too often embarked on with no clear thought as to its purpose. This results in merely the collection of data.
Conference noted substantive differences between a person’s ethnicity or gender and their sexual orientation or gender identity. These include the fact that many LGBT workers conceal their sexual orientation or gender history in an attempt to avoid discrimination and harassment, and the fact that people’s naming of their own sexual orientation/gender history often changes over the course of their working life.
Conference welcomed the detailed Trade Union Congress guidance on monitoring LGBT workers, which sets out principles that must be established before unions agree to the introduction of such monitoring. In view of this, Conference believed that where employers do undertake such monitoring that the following are essential:
steps are taken to ensure the anonymity of staff responses is maintained;
the employer makes a clear commitment to promoting LGBT equality in employment and service provision and everyone should be clear why monitoring for sexual orientation and gender identity is being carried out, and what will be done with the results;
full consultation with staff side unions;
consultation with appropriate LGBT employee groups;
a commitment to maintaining confidentiality for those who choose to respond, while respecting the right of those not wishing to do so.
Conference endorsed these principles and called on all UNISON negotiators to seek to ensure that workforce monitoring of sexual orientation and gender identity is only introduced if these points have been achieved.
Motion : AgendaID 092 - Screening of Blood Donors
Conference noted that the purpose of the blood services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood. Screening of blood donors for HIV is necessary for the safety of the blood supply because the available tests for screening donated blood for HIV are not infallible, it is not possible to heat-treat whole blood, and there is a 90 per cent chance of contracting HIV from a transfusion of HIV infected blood.
Conference was concerned that the current permanent ban on men who have ever had oral or anal sex with another man from giving blood perpetuates a damaging and false myth that all gay men are at risk of HIV. There are thousands of gay and bisexual men who have never had sex without using condoms or who have had negative HIV tests since they last did so. Many of these men are frustrated and angered by the current ban preventing them from giving blood. Policies on who may and who may not donate blood must be justified and must flow directly from hard evidence from risk assessments on groups at risk, subject to regular review. There should always be clear medical and epidemiological justification for any difference in treatment between groups of potential donors.
Conference noted that both UNISON and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have raised questions with the National Blood Service about reviewing the evidence on which it bases its current policy, the language used in information to potential donors and practice in donor sessions. They called on the National Executive Council, in conjunction with the Health Service Group Executive and the TUC to:
work with the Terrence Higgins Trust and other HIV/AIDS organisations to review current research and best practice in the field of blood screening and, if appropriate, call for the amendment of blood donation policy and procedures in light of it;
ensure that UNISON has an effective input into any National Blood Service review of the language and literature used in the Donor Screening Policy.
Black Members Motion 118 – 53
Progress of Black members’ Issues in UNISON. Motions passed at National Delegate Conference need to be actioned in order to deliver on outcomes. The NBMC is concerned at the number of repeat motions brought to Conference, indicating that these remained unactioned. Sharon Foster moved Motion 53 on Citizenship Rights regarding the shocking example of government legislation, not fully considering the impact where some babies less than 12 months old have to demonstrate their “good character” before they can obtain citizenship! Sharon called upon delegates to use the Labour Link, collectively to pressure the government to meet its commitment – as Tony Blair said, every child matters. The Motion was carried.
During the week a procession of guest speakers appeared at Conference the most emotion was Thabitha Kumalo, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) gave a moving account of the corruption and poverty in Zimbabwe and some of the effects it is having on women and girls. Thabitha has been raped and tortured for standing up for the rights of women in Zimbabwe and faces being arrested on her return. Due to the economic collapse in Zimbabwe, essential hygiene products are unaffordable. Women, mothers and girls are having to decide whether to spend the little money they have on food or sanitary wear, inevitably opting for food and resorting to using newspaper, bits of cloth or the bark from trees to stem the flow during their periods. This brings additional problems with infections and no access to medical aid.
By far the best speaker was Shami Chakrabarti, ‘director of Liberty, she gave an inspired speech on human and civil rights. Commenting on the war on terror, ID cards and asylum rights, Shami called on members to fight together to protect basic human rights. Other guest speakers included:
Gloria Mills, first black woman to be elected as TUC president.
Kate Hudson, CND Chairperson
Abla Mesrujeh of Palestine, General Federation of Trade Unions and Optir Elticalay of Histradrut General Federation of Labour Israel.
After a full day’s work I found time to attend the following fringe meetings:
Havana Club Rum Reception: Present were Rene Mujica Cantelar, Cuban Ambassordor, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON and Colin Burgon MP, Chair of friends of Venezuela despite 45 years of us blockading Cubans puts us to shame when it comes to health and education.
Stop the War Bring Our Troops Home: Guest speaker Tony Benn
Latin America Fringe
Campaign Against Climate Change
Anti Racism Campaign: Guest speaker Claude Monees MEP
Save our NHS
CND Say No To Trident: Guest Speaker CND Chairperson, Kate Hudson
Lets make one thing clear you don’t have to agree to attend a fringe meeting. Listen to the debates is what matters. It was a hectic week but I enjoyed every moment, I’ve come back better informed on a variety of issues at home and abroad. Bye for now.
Selwyn Seymour
