| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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National Conference - Bournemouth 19-21
June 2002 | ||
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1. Introduction Conference was a quiet slow affair until things speeded up and got more lively on Friday afternoon - just when our branch issues came up! Nevertheless many important policies were set and we had time for a change to debate a number of international issues. With about 200 motions it is obvious they are not all going to be heard, so Regions (in consultation with branches), the NEC and self organised groups agree a set of priorities. These are then grouped into subject debates. On the Thursday we have the opportunity to re-prioritise from the prioritised motions that were not heard. In this exercise, Conference prioritised our Discrimination in Pensions Schemes (38) motion to be heard on the Friday and passed it overwhelmingly. Conference is in danger of becoming a 'spectator sport' and the floor needs to get more involved in organising its own Conference otherwise there is a danger of it becoming stage managed like the political conferences. We are a long way from that yet, but the fact the our branch had the only speaker opposing an amendment (K.2 see below) which Conference threw out by a huge majority, shows that it is not safe to sit back and hope others will do the work. Although branch speakers did not get into all the debates we wanted, we did play our part. The full text of the motions referred to below was printed in a UNISONFocus which went out to all activists. You can also download the motions and the composites from www.unison.org.uk. 2. The Delegation Rarely have we had such a relaxed delegation who worked so well together and they all deserve thanks for the efforts they put in for the branch throughout a very long week - but also for the efforts they put in to ensure each other felt supported and comfortable. Thanks to Barbara Foubister for chairing and Rose Jackson for being a teller. John Mulgrew and Kevin Duguid were pipped at the post to speak in the debates on 39. Ill-Health Retirement Qualifications and 127. Counselling Service for Lay Members but both motions were carried. The latter resulted directly from an Edinburgh motion last year. John Stevenson moved our pensions motion (carried) and spoke against Amendment K.2 (lost) in the Stop the War debate (see below). The delegation was: John Stevenson, Barbara Foubister, John Mulgrew, Kevin Duguid, Agnes Petkevicius, Walter Weir, Alison Gowrie, Dot Paterson, Rose Jackson. 3. Guest Speakers Reports on significant speeches by Denis Goldberg, Dr John Reid and Janice Carandang, one of the Filipino nurses 'rescued' by UNISON, are on the UNISON Scotland (www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2002) and UNISON UK (www.unison.org.uk) websites and will be covered in the branch mag. On our return from Conference, the branch gifted Denis Goldberg a quaich and a copy of the 'Peoples Story' book of banners as a farewell gift on his return to South Africa. 4. Branch Double in UK Communications Awards There was a double for the branch this year. We won the 'Best Website' award and we were second in the magazine competition - "an excellent example of a well-designed newsletter with lots of news", said the judges. Renfrewshire won first prize with Scottish branches also picking up three of the merit awards. 5. Conference Business - Results and Branch Voting Record * (Motions of particular significance are underlined) Tuesday Comp G: Elected Assemblies and Regional Government in England (Carried) The debate on devolution for English regions has moved on and this motion outlined all the reasons why we should be backing government closer to the people. It pointed to the need to maintain effective local government mirroring the position taken in the campaign in Scotland. However this will, as it has in Scotland, throw into focus the need for resources for UNISON Regions to play a full part in the process. The motion recognised the need for the union to look at how it organises itself and provides the tools for the job. Branch Supported Comp A: The Third Comprehensive Spending Review (Carried) Campaign to highlight the contribution public services make, to demand a dramatic increase investment and to warn against the threat to spending from European Monetary Union. A key element was to encourage branches to be directly involved in the campaign. An amendment criticising the National Insurance rise to boost NHS funding was lost. While we would have preferred an income tax solution to more money for the NHS, the NI rise came close. Key contributions in this debate from Scotland's Jane Carolan and Mike Kirby. Branch supported the motion and opposed the amendment. 78 & 79: Care for the Elderly (Carried) Making care of the elderly the focus for the social policy debate and calling for the Scottish model of free personal care for the rest of the UK. Branch Supported 77: Positively Public Campaign for Residential Care Homes (Carried) A comprehensive motion was critical that the Positively Public Campaign had not publicised the loss of public residential homes (which it had, but never mind, this was Conference). Conference decided on a lobby of Parliament and to donate £10,000 the Residents Action Group for the Elderly. We supported the NEC amendment because it left the door open to other joint strategies rather than just the lobby. However Conference threw out the amendment and the main motion was passed. Branch Supported the Motion and the Amendment. Comp C: Integrated Public Transport (Carried) Conference demanded more investment in buses, concessionary fares, more powers to enforce standards, protection of conditions, reduced congestion, UK bus regulation, better access and more investment. Branch Supported Comp B NHS Funding (Carried) Conference welcomed the £1billion investment in the NHS but concluded more was needed to meet the standards we want to see. Total commitment to an NHS free at the point of need and called for a campaign against any attempts to privatise the NHS. Motion pointed out the failures of private insurance schemes in Europe to protect the poor and opposed private managers in the NHS. Key contribution from Scotland's Karie Murphy. Branch Supported 135: Chhokar Family Campaign (Carried) Conference backed a Black Members motion, amended by Scotland, calling for a public inquiry into the handling of the case of Surjit Singh Chhokar who was murdered three years ago. The amendment also called for a public tribunal if a public inquiry could not be achieved and for donations to support the STUC appeal to help finance the Chhokar family case. In a moving speech, Scottish Region delegate Mary Crichton said that three years on "the family still don't know who was responsible for their son's death. Throughout that time they have conducted themselves with great dignity". The branch has already donated to this campaign and UNISON Scotland has issued pledge sheets for donations from branches and Regions. If each branch gives just £20, the money needed would be raised. Branch Supported Wednesday Comp E: Pensions Future Provision (Carried) Call for more co-ordination of trustees; restoration of the earnings link; seek legal redress for employees coerced into changing pension arrangements; work with Institute of Employment Rights and Pensioners Convention to get changes in law to better protect pensions; calls for UNISON members' guide to pensions and campaign for statutory rights for employee reps on all pension panels/boards. Branch Supported 7: Public Services (Carried) General Secretary Dave Prentis ‘named and shamed' accountancy firms who had acted as advisers on PFI as well as auditors to privateers bidding for projects as Conference called for the successful Positively Public campaign to be stepped up a gear and for a 10 year plan to rebuild public services. The campaign will
Conference threw out calls for a national demonstration. "If you are not going to be there, don't vote for this amendment" was the argument. Conference went with the view that other joint strategies at local and national level were the best way to progress the campaign. Calls to impose conditions of funding on candidates were also defeated. This would have meant we could not make links with progressive forces unless they are in 100% agreement with us on everything. It could even end up with us effectively backing more than one candidate. Branch supported the motion and opposed the national demo call (our policy is for regional action, ie a Scottish Demo) and the conditions on funding- as mandated. 120: Developing a Young Members Organising Culture (Carried) Conference backed a call to try to involve young members more via a range of issues like rotating branch officer posts. We were concerned about aspects of this motion and the Branch Committee had given the delegation leeway to oppose if the motion meant more reserved seats. We were also concerned that the motion implied obstacles to young members getting posts. We did not believe those obstacles were there given all the vacant officer and stewards posts that people could just walk into. We felt issued based recruitment was better than festivals etc. In the end we were satisfied the motion did not mean more reserved seats. Branch Supported 118: Putting the members at the Centre of UNISON (Carried) Conference backed an 8 point plan to build recruitment, membership involvement and participation. Branches should set targets for more activists and members and look at new ways of working, eg more use on the Internet while recognising not all members will have access to this particular tool. The motion was beefed up by a number of amendments which were all carried. These covered the need to give examples of best practice in branches, more support and more accessible training for activists, more work on proportionality and fair representation. Significantly Conference also backed the view that the best recruitment is done when the union takes up issues which are important to members. Branch supported motion and amendments 115: Organising for Recognition Across the Public Services (Carried) Regions and service groups should work together to identify target employers to get recognition agreements. More support for activists via bargaining and organising advice with training materials and use the new right to be accompanied to build steward organisation. Significantly also a review of resource requirements. Amendment was carried calling for more organisational support for branches. Branch supported the motion and Amendment 1 (Amend. 2 withdrawn) Motion 15 National Action Against Privatisation (Lost) Conference threw out a call for a national demonstration in favour of its position for regional action (See Motion 7 above) Conference backed the view that these demos are often called for but nobody attends. It was better to have more local focussed action where members could identify with a particular issue. The amendments were withdrawn. Branch opposed the motion in line with branch mandate Thursday Comp M: Political Fund Review (Carried unamended) Conference censured the NEC for slow pace of consultation on political funds. NEC instructed to organise a debate and draw up consultation timetable. Work with regions to ensure widest consultation and membership participation. Give equal weight to all sides of the argument. Branches etc to give high priority. Branch felt criticism was unfounded as a consultation exercise is under way through March-May following the exploration of the legal and constitutional options open to the union. From the branch's view, the amendment grounded the process in reality and recognised the history of the union's inception. It also looked at the issues as they directly affect members and addressed the changes brought by devolution, and the key issue of membership participation in the APF and its decision-making processes. However, Conference did not agree and the amendment was narrowly lost by 495,623 to 427,080 on a card vote. The Motion was carried by 519,379 to 442,632. Both these votes show there is far from unanimity on this issue. Branch supported amendment and opposed the motion when the amendment was lost as per mandate Comp L: Palestine (Carried) Conference supported the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people; their right of return and immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops to the pre-1967 border. Will make these points to Israeli Government, Palestinian Authority, Foreign Office and TUC. Establish what support Palestinian Trade Unions need (via GFPTU), develop links with Palestinian unions, call on APF to promote policy in Labour Party and enter into discussions with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign re closer working relations. Amendment L.1 was withdrawn and L.2 fell. Branch supported 35: Equal Pay (Carried) Continue to publicise equal pay training, branch guidance, and encourage branches to get equal pay reps and join TUC pilot to train them - as part of wider campaign. Branch supported Comp D: Work-Life Balance (Carried) Need to pursue family friendly policies, flexible working etc to benefit members. Campaign for better statutory rights for parents with resources, advice and examples to service groups, regions and branches so they can pursue policies with employers. Amendment was withdrawn Branch supported. Emergency Motion 1: Racism and the BNP (Carried) Step up campaign against racism. Call on TUC for demo in Manchester area and publicise it in Burnley, Oldham etc and support other anti-fascist activities. Support Burnley branch in measures they agree against BNP councillors. Raise with APF need for immediate measures to tackle poverty, segregation etc. Support TUC 'Respect Festival' in North West England. Branch supported RULES 1. Rule B.4 Aims and Objectives (Carried) Members, activists and staff to be treated with 'dignity and respect' - and similarly by external providers of service. Branch supported
Would have meant that NEC members
(like branch members) could only speak for NEC policy. With this not carried it
means NEC members can still come down off the platform and speak for nobody but
themselves. One speaker said it would only be used in exceptional circumstances
and points of principle, then proceeded to hop down off the platform on a range
of issues to speak against both NEC and previous Conference policy. On this occasion
this was to present 'left' views. In the past an NEC member has used this to promote
anti-abortion views against policy.
9. Rule D.1.10.3 Amendments to amendments to rule (Lost) Branch opposed 13. Withdrawn Water group becomes Water and Environment. Branch supported 15. See 16
'Members with Disabilities' becomes 'Disabled Members'. Branch supported
Adds 'membership Officer' to list of branch officers. 18.Rule P.17 (Lost) Would have allowed
supplementary questions on Annual Report without notice if branch not satisfied
with earlier reply. Already often too much time spent on this at Conference and
reason for giving notice is so the reply can be researched.
Would have created new subs bands. Conference decided to await review. Branch opposed
Friday Comp J: Globalisation and International Trade (Carried) (Motions 87,88 and 89) A comprehensive motion outlining the inequality and poverty around the world caused by the benefits of trade not being distributed fairly, using the coffee trade as an example. Calls for UK to take a lead in tackling the crisis and individuals to use their power as consumers to go for Fair Trade products. Campaign to get WTO to collaborate with ILO, assess the impact of GATS, campaign on human rights issues and name and shame transnational corporations who breach ILO regulations - and much more. 65. Combatting Racism on Local Communities (Carried) Conference believes local authorities have a major role in addressing the social deprivation that allows the BNP to incite racial hatred. Congratulates the work being done in the North West of England via the TUC and proving funding for the Coalition against racism to oppose the BNP in Oldham. Encouraged branches to get involved in local campaigns etc. Amendments calling for affiliation to the Anti Nazi league were withdrawn (looking for the main debate on 6). Branch supported 66. Stop the Nazis (Carried as amended) A serious national campaign to prevent the BNP having electoral successes but the main issue was affiliation to the Anti Nazi League. The debate was whether this organisation meets UNISON's tests of democracy and transparency - and specifically here, whether there are measures to ensure black leadership involvement. The Anti- Nazi League has not met these tests, it has not provided audited accounts and does not have systems for black leadership. Black Members Group speakers made that loud and clear and Conference backed amendment to delete the affiliation issue. Branch supported the amendments and the amended motion - branch mandate. 48: Age Discrimination and Citizenship (Carried) Young members motion called for; Lowering voting age to 16; Campaign around European Directive that outlaws discrimination on age by 2006; Campaign against other discrimination like the minimum wage rules, jobseekers allowance and Housing and Council Tax Benefits assessment.Branch supported 42: United Campaign for the Repeal of Anti-Trade Union Laws (Carried) Conference agreed to affiliate to the campaign and build 'massive campaign' for a Workers' Charter. Support Institute of Employment Rights and TUC in their campaigns. Branch supported 8: Dignity and Respect at Work (Carried) The campaign for quality public services delivered by directly employed public sector staff will be enhanced by promoting dignity and respect and equity at work for public sector employees. This, the tackling of discrimination and attacks on staff, to be at the forefront of the Positively Public campaign - along with confronting the two-tier workforce. Branch supported Comp F: Asylum Seekers (Carried) Campaign on defence and extension of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the rights of asylum seekers; cash benefits at income support level, and the right to work; closure of detention centres; end forced dispersal; end harassment. Support for National Assembly Against Racism's 'Speak Out Against Racism' campaign and Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers. Branch supported 39: Ill Health Retirement Qualifications (Carried) Members who need ill-health retirement are losing out because of over-strict rules for medical advisers. Now UNISON is to lobby MPs for changes to "allow genuinely ill members to get ill-health retirement", said Scottish Region delegate Mary Crichton. Allayed fears from Disabled members that not looking for wholesale ill-health retirements but was merely trying to address the inflexible guideline that a member would never be able to work again before their 65th birthday. Branch supported 38: Discrimination in Pension Schemes (Carried as amended by 38.3 - BRANCH MOTION) Conference overwhelmingly backed a campaign to combat the Government's refusal to back full equality in pension schemes for non-married and same sex partners. Moving motion, John Stevenson welcomed Leicestershire's amendment adding the 'same sex' clarification. "Last year the Government consulted all public service pension schemes on the effect if discrimination was removed. The vast majority of returns said there would be little or no impact and trustees overwhelmingly backed the call for change. We expected the statutory amendments but nothing has happened", said John. "UNISON was in the forefront of the campaign to give everyone equal rights on pensions issues. We lobbied, we pushed our sponsored MPs to campaign and we were winning. "The hard work has been done but we must push on", he said calling for positive action by the National Executive and intervention by the Affiliated Political Fund. 34: Housing Privatisation (Carried) Congratulated UNISON members and tenants for 'no' votes in ballots and the bear miss in Glasgow. Build on the campaign jointly with tenants and other unions. NEC amendment noted lessons had been learned for future campaigns and that current campaign had included guidance for branches facing stock transfers and on arms length companies; training programme, publicity materials, housing seminar, research and £100,000 worth of General Political Fund campaigns. Branch supported motion and amendment Comp K: Stop the War (Carried as amended by K.1) Conference backed a call to explain our position to members against military action following September 11 and to join in with Stop the War demonstrations. It also called for support for members experiencing increased racism because of the war. But it overwhelmingly rejected local action by branches to mount protests 'immediately on hearing news of Iraq being attacked by the USA and Britain'. The National Executive was supporting 'with qualifications' partly because it was uncertain about whether the Stop the War Coalition was a broad enough coalition; Did it have democratic and transparent structures? It was a concern shared by our branch and John Stevenson was the sole speaker against the amendment. He said, "Our principles of democracy and transparency must guide our final decision on any affiliation. It is not unreasonable for us to want to be sure of any organisation's bona fides before we lend our name to it". "We need co-ordination and this amendment risks fragmentation. It creates a role for branches in leading a public and political campaign which risks opening the door to all sorts of constitutional or legal issues. That can only divert from the main issue", he said. John had started by outlining our branch's credentials in the anti-war campaign. A bulletin issued only a few days after September 11 reported on the "pain of our American trade union colleagues as victims and as rescuers and carers". But it also called for restraint and opposed racist backlashes. The branch had set Scottish policy against a war on Iraq and had backed a Scottish Stop the War event. However John stressed that the Scottish coalition was very more broad-based than the English one, was CND led and included churches and other organisations. He urged the NEC to look at other initiatives like the newly set up "No War in Iraq Liaison Group" which will have CND in it - if that met UNISON's tests. 127: Counselling Service for lay members (Carried - RESULT OF BRANCH MOTION 2001) As the motion itself said, this resulted entirely from Edinburgh's motion to last year's Conference, raising the issue of stress faced by activists. The NEC is to set up
Branch supported
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