National Conference Brighton 16-20 June 2003
Local Government Service Group Conference 14-15 June 2003

Secretary's Report

Covers all motions with specific reference to ones with Edinburgh branch involvement. For more in-depth reports, full text of motions and photos, see the UNISONScotland Conference site and the UK UNISON Conference Microsite

1. Introduction

2. Conference Business - Results and Branch Voting Record

3. Local Government Report

4. Branch action list

The liveliest debate of the week was on the Political Fund Review and Edinburgh played a major part with our amendment being the only one carried. We also had a major role in the debate on Tuition Fees and we influenced the NEC's position on Fair Trade. The Branch again won a commendation for the branch magazine. We changed one mandate to abstain in light of information in the debate. See motion 50 below.

Our motion and emergency motion on Burma were not heard but the issues were included in a special statement by the President. The motions were referred to the NEC which is supporting them so the policies should get through.

See below for:

• A summary of motions (See www.unison.org.uk/conference/ for the full text) passed or remitted, starting with the ones we were most involved in, then in order heard.
• A report from Local Government Conference.
• An action list for the branch arising out of the decisions

The delegation worked well together at Conference and even socially (most of the time). My thanks go to Kevin Duguid, Irene Stout, Rose Jackson, Alison Gowrie, Dot Paterson, Amanda Kerr and Wattie Weir for their work during the week. For most who attended the somewhat turgid Local Government Conference as well, it was a long eight days away from home. This may change in future years as Local Government voted to have their conference at a separate time of the year which we supported.

The Branch made many key contacts throughout the week. Despite what you may here, we only jokingly presented a miniature of whisky to the Scots Night raffle, we also gave a full bottle! We did put up a spoof emergency motion about the Conference seats and the need for cushions, which was ruled out of order by the Standing Orders Committee in a bout of posterior correctness.

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2. Conference Business - Results and Branch Voting Record

115 Political Fund Review (Carried as amended by our 115.4) Branch Supported as amended.
Conference approved the report of the Political Fund Review: to retain the current political fund arrangements; alternatives which remove this choice should be rejected; measures to be put in place to encourage members to make speedy and informed choices on their political fund options; changes made by APF and GPF to improve their operations endorsed;

Our amendment called for more accountability in a 'member-led' political fund. APF urged to develop programmes in conjunction with the rest of the union; NEC to consult with NAPC to bring forward proposed measures to ensure delegation of responsibility to APF includes degree of accountability (consistent with need to preserve separation) and that the APF structures embody member-led principles. (Amendment 115.3 withdrawn. Glasgow's 115.1 calling for three funds and a ballot and 115.2 calling for even more review were decisively lost without the need for a card vote.)

John Stevenson moved our amendment, saying "This will address some of the suspicion, whether that is justified or not, some of the mistrust, whether that is justified or not - but mainly to build confidence in our APF, to give it the impetus to be inclusive and to allow it to show that it and its membership are an inextricable part of UNISON, sharing, promoting and most of all, celebrating UNISON's values. That way we will have the strongest, the most authoritative and - most of all - the most representative voice to progress our policies in the political arena".

Composite : G - University Funding and Top-Up Fees
Included our amendment. Branch supported
Conference demanded that top up fees are not introduced;
- encourage regions and branches to campaign alongside local student unions and other unions against top up fees;
- publicise the case against top up fees to our members;
- work with UNISON Labour Link to urge Labour Members of Parliament and Labour Members of the relevant Regional Parliaments/Assemblies to lobby against differential/tuition fees and for the introduction of a decent student grant system throughout the United Kingdom and seek to ensure that this issue is debated at Labour Party Conference and that UNISON policy is adopted by the Labour Party;

Kevin Duguid spoke in the debate saying "This government's battle cry used to be 'Education, Education, Education' - it is now 'Reform, Reform, Reform'. Let's reclaim that original battle cry and lets educate this government that reform doesn't mean cuts in terms and conditions. Educate them that reform doesn't mean PFI, PPP and privatisation. Educate them that reform doesn't mean education becomes a privilege rather than a right".

42 Protection of Children Legislation -Advising and Representing Members Branch supported

Conference agreed the need for accurate and comprehensive guidance on a series of legislation/regulation on this subject.

John Stevenson spoke in the debate to draw attention to the Scottish legislation and the need for organisations as well as individuals to be brought to account.

Composite M - Fair Trade Branch supported, included our amendment.
Conference proposed that:
1) tea and coffee used in union headquarters/the national office is fairly traded.
2) branches and regions use fairly traded tea and coffee wherever feasible;
3) the National Executive Council will oblige caterers at UNISON events to provide at least one fair-traded tea or coffee;
4) UNISON promotes the use of fair trade products to its membership. This may be achieved via articles in the members' magazine or by producing literature for distribution to members/branches.

Branch secured the phrase 'oblige caterers' in the compositing process.

Comp J Pensions Branch supported

Conference congratulated the work of the union in highlighting the threat

to our pensions. The NEC was called upon to mount a high profile campaign to highlight the need to maintain public sector pension schemes and fight for improved pension schemes in the voluntary sector. Conference also welcomed the TUC's pension campaign. Fourteen other actions, including work with service groups, National Young Members' Forum and National Retired Members Committee, provide a work programme for the union in this area.

11 Breast Cancer Screening Challenge Campaign Branch supported

The NEC to initiate a work programme, in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Coalition, to improve breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment and for universal screening of all women including best practice guidelines for branches. Women delegates were urged to ask appropriate bodies to consider affiliation to the UKBCC.

74 Pension Rights Branch supported

Conference expressed concern that many of the part-time women workers who should benefit from winning the right to belong to pension schemes would not do so because of the need to pay back contributions. Conference believed that negotiations to settle cases should seek compensation at least equal to the total of backdated contributions and that any offer on the issue should be consulted on with branches and members.

75 Fair Pensions for all (Carried as amended by 75.1) Branch supported

NEC to raise awareness of the discrimination against unmarried partners in not being able to receive their partners death benefit and to mount a campaign to persuade Government to introduce legislation to remove this discrimination.

NOTE: Our pensions motion was not prioritised for debate (probably because of the industrial action option) and there were so many in the debate we did not consider it appropriate to speak.

58 Charter for Workers' Rights (Carried as amended by 58.1) Branch supported as amended.

Conference deplored the continuing violation, by the UK Government, of international laws on workers rights. UNISON welcomed the Institute of Employment Rights Charter of Workers' Rights as a tool to call on Government to conduct an audit of UK law to ensure that we comply with basic human rights treaties. The amendment deleted text in relation to industrial action.

84 Future Anti-Discrimination Legislation for Disabled People

Branch supported

NEC, with the National Disabled Members Committee, to seek full comprehensive civil rights for disabled people; oppose any legislative proposals not matching those recommended by the Disability Rights Task Force; campaign for expansion of enforcement powers in future legislation and work to oppose the establishment of any commission arrangements which would lessen a number of areas in defence of disabled people's civil rights.

103 Right to Care Campaign (Carried as amended by 103.1) Branch supported

NEC requested to continue to support the Right to Care Campaign; use any influence to lobby Government to fully fund the introduction of free care throughout the UK and establish a UNISON campaign network to co-ordinate a lobby of Westminster and devolved governments.

Comp C Public Service Reform Branch supported

Major role for Scotland as Conference noted the challenges faced by the Prime Minister's four point reform plan, but noted in each case the shortcomings which imposed constraints on improving services; favoured the private sector and did not achieve decent pay and conditions. UNISON will continue the Positively Public campaign and use every avenue to promote our public service vision, in particular seeking the introduction of a fair wages clause.

(Amendment C.1 LOST Branch opposed this criticism of dropping of call for PFI moratorium at LP conf. Does not take into account the need for strategy rather than famous defeats)

51 Public Sector Pay (Carried as amended by 51.1) Branch supported

Conference welcomed the 2002 Budget and the 3rd Comprehensive Spending Review but noted the increasing pressure for pay restraint on public service workers and expressed dismay at the actions of the Government in the FBU dispute. Also agreed the importance of a national strategic approach to pay bargaining across all services, to include a consistent approach to agreements; coherent approach to industrial action and retention of job numbers; an end to low pay in the public sector and greater discussion between sectors to co-ordinate where practical authorised industrial action. NEC to consult with service groups and regions and bring back a report to NDC 2004.

55 Regional Cost of Living Supplement (Remitted)

(Amendment 55.1 Remitted) Branch supported remission.

87 Health and Work of Older Women Branch supported

NEC to develop a campaign to increase awareness among older women of their rights in the workplace and ensure their involvement on a range of issues; ensure branches negotiate policies that promote healthier work/life balance for older women; promote a rights based approach to age discrimination and make a positive difference for older working women.

122 Industrial Action Fund Branch supported

Conference resolved that a sum of not less than one per cent of subscription income shall be paid into the Industrial Action fund on an annual basis.

(Amendment 122.1 LOST even though we supported)

143 Young Workers Better Off in UNISON (Carried as amended by 143.1) Branch supported

Conference noted UNISON's young members campaign rejecting age specific messages and promoting young workers employment issues as those shared with other workers. NEC to rollout the recruitment campaign across the whole union and work with branches, regions and service groups to place key work-based issues facing modern apprentices, agency workers and those on temporary and atypical contracts at the centre of our bargaining agenda. This information to be used to launch campaigns at all levels of the union. Branch Young Member's Officers to be encouraged to move into mainstream branch, regional and national positions.

145 Ten Years On -Investing in our Future (Carried as amended by 145.1 and 145.2) Branch supported motion and amendments.

Conference celebrated UNISON's forthcoming 10th anniversary; welcomed the introduction of the Best Value Code of Practice; noted the impact of devolution on organising and bargaining and noted the work already done on branch restructuring.

NEC to carry out a programme of work to ensure branches can take advantage of

recognition: regions to develop strategies for reviewing recognition status with private companies and seeking to improve them; revisit agreements to ensure new starters included; that member can receive best representation post-transfer; ensure efficient transfer of members; map private companies to branch organisation and ensure a cross-service review of resource allocation Develop strong structures of workplace organisation and reconvene seminar on Devolution and Bargaining for further consideration before considering which issues may need to come to NDC 2004.

149 Organising Young Members Branch opposed because amendment taking out reserved seat lost.

NEC to enable rule change to allow for a young members' seat on the NEC; continue to encourage all branches and regions to encourage young members to stand for national office; work with National Young Members' Forum on other initiatives to increase participation of young people

(Amendment 149.1 LOST; 149.2 Withdrawn)

30 A Vision for Education (Carried as amended by 30.1) Branch supported

Motion outlined issues facing education system. Conference called on government to be clear in its objectives and expressed concern for diverging policy across UK. NEC to campaign and promote existing union policy on all aspects of the education system and consult with branches on government policy documents; develop a UNISON vision for education based on Positively Public principles. Also to campaign for colleges to honour national agreements and for greater UNISON representation on Learning and Skills Councils.

76 Health and Safety (Carried as amended by 76.1) Branch supported

Conference condemned the Government for failing to meet commitments on health and safety legislation. It also demanded that a Safety Bill be introduced which included statements made in the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy and elsewhere. NEC to lobby to redress this; take issues to the TUC and give full support for a Hazards Charter.

89 Asylum Seekers' Rights Branch supported

Conference noted a number of issues detrimental to ensuring asylum seekers' rights, including legislation, government actions and media bias and resolved to affiliate to Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers and commended the Campaign for Justice in the Yarl's Wood trial.

(Amendment 89.1 supported by us to take out affiliation to the CDAS which we saw as an unaccountable organisation was LOST)

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50 Employer Recognition of Branch self-Organised Members' Groups Branch abstained

Conference expressed concern that employers doe not recognise UNISON's self-organised groups. NEC to launch new recruitment drive for disabled workers; liaise with service groups to seek recognition with employers; provide guidance to branches on negotiating recognition and facility time for self-organised groups and work through appropriate bodies to seek to include self-organised group activities in ACAS Code of Practice.

NOTE: The Branch was mandated by the BC to oppose this because of concerns about accountability in negotiations. It was clear from speakers that the intent was not that SOGs should negotiate and given there were no speakers against and Conference looked set to back it unanimously, we abstained [or 'bottled it' as one delegate said]. We took the view that the BC opposition was based on one area that the motion in fact did not intend when we heard the debate.

98 Tackling Racism, Promoting Equality (Carried as amended by 98.2) Branch supported

Conference welcomed a number of initiatives taken by the NEC, including -working with the North West TUC and Campaign Against Racism in the North West; encouraging regions to develop strategies with communities and other trade unions; making antiracism the focus of UNISON's anniversary year. NEC to continue to work with and support TUC in local broad-based campaigns; urge Labour Link to work to change current Party policies and highlight and challenge adverse media reports. (Amendment 98.1 to affiliate to ANL which we opposed was withdrawn)

Comp E Invest in Council Housing/Decent Homes Branch supported

Conference expressed the belief that decent affordable housing is a fundamental right of all citizens and noted that the Government cannot meet its Decent Homes Target. Agreed to support joint union demands for an investment allowance for local authorities to develop prudential borrowing powers and to call on Labour Link to continue the campaign for direct investment in council housing. Conference also affirmed its support for the campaigning activities of trade unions and tenant groups

Comp H The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 Branch supported

Conference welcomed the provisions of the RRA and agreed a programme of work to ensure the most effective way of providing branches with the means to challenge institutional and individual discrimination. Branches called on to work with their black members' groups on the means to improve race equality; discuss implications of legislation and ensure that consultation and involvement takes place on authority's race equality schemes.

148 Fair Representation in Conference Delegations (Remitted)

(Amendments 148.1 and 148.2 Remitted) Branch supported remission

Comp B The National Health Service Branch supported

Conference welcomed the increased funding for the NHS but expressed serious concerns about a series of policies and initiatives including role of private sector; financial framework; foundation hospital status etc. NEC to work with the Health Service Group through Positively Public to campaign against introduction and spread of 'privatisation'.

Comp K Rise of the Far Right/Industrial Decline Branch supported

Conference was appalled at the successes of the BNP and placed this in the context of failed local economic and social strategies. A campaign was called for, with the TUC, to highlight the problems and develop a debate on the most effective industrial and monetary policy to be pursued. Agreed to continue to commit resources to fighting the BNP and to develop and promote UNISON's anti-racist position through the membership. Branches, regions and the NEC to carry out a series of actions to promote UNISON policy.

Comp N The Economy (Carried as amended by N.1) Branch supported. Scotland motion composited with NEC

Conference remained concerned that despite the relative health of the UK economy, enormous imbalances remained. The Chancellor's commitment to full employment was welcomed but it was noted that real unemployment was still unacceptably high. NEC to carry out a programme of work promote union policy in this are and work with other appropriate bodies. Particular issues were: supporting manufacturing unions, lobbying for a Tobin Tax and pressing Government to promote sustainable development. Conference opposed policies that forced ordinary people to pay for public spending through increased taxation.

7 European Union Branch supported

Conference noted the grievous consequences of the European Union's Stability Pact and the Maastricht Treaty convergence terms for unemployment, reduced public spending and deepening economic recession across the Eurozone, and congratulates the National Executive Council for its leading role in the developing labour movement campaign against British membership of the euro.

It agreed to continue to campaign at a European level, particularly within the European Public Services Union and the European TUC for a fairer, more equitable European Union; and continue to work with our sister unions across the European Union to develop a shared agenda against privatisation, unemployment and racism.

21 Procurement and Equality Branch supported

Conference called for the full integration of statutory duty on race, including its extensive consultation requirements, to be mainstreamed into procurement decisions and processes; for a UNISON campaign to extend additional anti-discrimination elements and equality requirements of the NI statutory model to be also mainstreamed into the procurement process.

24 - Defend Council Housing (remitted) Branch supported remission

UNISON continues to support and affiliate to Defend Council Housing, to oppose privatisation and the blackmailing of tenants to accept transfer, PFI or Arms Length Management as the only way to get investment in their homes. We actively support the DCH strategy for opposing privatisation of council housing by building united local campaigns involving tenants, trade unions, councillors, MPs and others; campaigning on estates and door to door and linking into the national DCH campaign to stop privatisation and win investment in council housing with no strings attached.

36 Privatisation Branch supported

Campaign plan focussing on
1) restoring the rights of already privatised members;
2) protecting the rights of those facing privatisation, particularly from Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) and Private Finance Initiative;
3) preventing further privatisation; and reversing privatisations that have already occurred, and;
4) challenging Government and the public sector to restore and protect the rights of the most disadvantaged groups and communities in our society whose access to services is adversely affected.
The campaign should be synchronised in partnership between the national centre, regions, branches and workplaces.

45 Part-Time Workers Branch supported

Conference called on the union to
a) negotiate to ensure that part-time workers receive all allowances and arrangements applicable to full-time contracts for hours worked over their contracted hours;
b) identify ways to ensure that all workers' sick and holiday pay and pension contributions and amount received reflect all hours worked;
c) use all available avenues to pursue a legal change to meet the above aspirations for all workers by the Government.

(Amendment 45.1 taking out the bit about overtime was opposed by us and LOST)

49 Bargaining for Better Green Staff Travel Branch supported

Conference recognised the importance of reducing road congestion, environmental pollution and the adverse health impacts that are caused to members and the community from Britain's over-reliance on private transport.

However it noted that some public service employers have adopted punitive policies under the cloak of green staff travel, for example generating income from staff by either introducing or increasing car parking charges.

Agreed to send out to branches a guidance pack 'Bargaining for Better Green Staff Travel' commissioned by the South West Labour Link Committee to help union negotiators address the issues involved. Plus set up web forum.

Urged branches to take the initiative in opening discussions with employers to maximise the positive benefits which green staff travel plans can bring for members, particularly those on lower pay levels.

59 Employment Rights for Women With Premature Babies Branch supported

NEC and Labourlink urged to mount research and lobby government to allow mothers to nurse their babies once they leave hospital and for this to be the date from which the maternity leave starts officially. The time between the birth and return home should be treated as paid compassionate leave.

Conference requests the National Executive Council to seek to work with the Affiliated Political Fund Committee to lobby the Government to make the changes for premature babies' working mothers using the research to establish the facts to base the relative direct cost to employers and to promote the retention and recruitment benefits to employers of such a scheme.

77 Bullying in the Workplace Branch supported

Conference reaffirmed its total and utter condemnation of bullying in the workplace and those who perpetrate it. Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to reissue appropriate advice to regions and branches on strategies for dealing with this major issue.

88 Cochlear Implants Branch supported

UNISON's policy has long established the union's support for the Social Model of Disability. Conference was concerned that some health care practices continue to view some disabled people as a problem and offer medical treatment that is intended to mend broken people rather than build positive attitude to diversity.

Conference instructs the National Executive Council to continue to campaign for deaf people's rights by:

a) re-stating the national union's policy for British Sign Language to be officially recognised as the fourth indigenous language of the United Kingdom;

b) using the union's political connections to lobby for British Sign Language to be taught in schools to all school students as part of the national curriculum;

c) supporting work with statutory and voluntary deaf organisations in carrying out research into the effects of children being given cochlear implants. In particular this

101 -UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights Branch supported

Press UK Government on:-

1) the need to establish Human Rights Commissions in England, Scotland and Wales;

2) the need to include social, economic and cultural rights in the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights;

3) the need to tackle discrimination;

4) the need to improve the level of, and remove age discrimination from, the minimum wage;

5) the need to tackle the growing problem of domestic violence;

6) the need to prohibit the physical punishment of children;

7) the need for comprehensive action on poverty, social exclusion and the increasing gap between rich and poor; and

8) the need to protect the right to strike.

Make a national UNISON submission to the next United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights incorporating the key concerns of UNISON as a whole and the specific concerns of UNISON in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

105 Sustainable Development Branch supported

Conference recognised that an effective global strategy on sustainable development is crucial for the long term well-being of the planet. Conference resolved to take this work forward by:

1) continuing to lobby the Government to press for further improvements to the World Summit commitments;

2) working with other unions and voluntary organisations to maintain a high profile for sustainable development policies;

3) working with the Young Members' Forum to develop a youth campaign around sustainability of the planet;

4) developing a public service strategy for local implementation which builds on the global themes.

108 Transport Branch supported

Conference concerned that Britain's public transport system continues to suffer from years of neglect and under-investment. Conference welcomes the Government's commitment to increase investment over the next ten years, but believes that bus deregulation and rail privatisation will make it difficult to achieve the Government's transport strategy, which aims to create a fully integrated system.

Conference believes that transport is a key public service which should be democratically accountable with service to the people, not profit to shareholders, as the first priority.

144 Branch, Steward and Workplace Organisation Branch supported

Conference urged branches, working with regions, to give greater priority and more resources to improving local organisation and building an organising culture; launch local campaigns to recruit more stewards and ensure that action is taken to enable disabled members to play an active role as stewards; Also to campaign with the National Executive Council for improved paid release arrangements from their employers. Conference urged branches to support and participate in organising our future campaign to build greater commitment to the organising agenda, encourage the sharing of good practice on organising and to develop a common approach to the organising challenge

It called on the NEC to set up a range of training, communication and support measures for stewards.

Composite : EC1 - Iraq Branch supported

Conference noted the statements made by Robin Cook and Clare Short at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 17 June 2003, that reaffirmed our belief that the basis for war in Iraq was unjustified. Instructed the NEC to demand - and campaign for vigorously - a thorough public independent enquiry in to the whole debacle.

Conference was concerned that the military conflict in Iraq may have led to an increase of Islamaphobia and racist incidents in Britain. UNISON condemns all racist activity and calls on the government to continue its efforts to foster harmonious relations between all the communities of Britain and to stamp out racism and Islamaphobia.

Conference calls on the NEC to work with other Unions, the international trade union movement and governments to assist the development of bona fide and independent trade unions in Iraq as part of a programme to build democratic institutions within the country. UNISON must be at the forefront of those helping to build a strong and effective union to fight for the interests of public service workers in Iraq.
Conference urges individual UNISON branches, regions and the National Executive Council to continue to promote UNISON's position through the 'Stop the War' Coalition and by lobbying MPs and MEPs.

Composite : F - GATS and Public Services Branch supported

Conference called on the National Executive Council to:

a) call for a greater transparency of the GATS process and the full disclosure of all information related to the requests and offers by WTO members;
b) put pressure on the Government to halt the GATS process until the effects have been properly researched, assessed and publicly debated;
c) consider sending delegations to all future anti-GATS demonstrations;
d) seek to ensure regional delegations to meetings of the World Social Forum and the next European Social Forum;
e) consider this motion, suitably reworded for submission to the TUC.

Composite : L - Regional Government in England Branch supported

Conference believed that placing a precondition that a region must have a wholly unitary tier of local government deflects from the benefits of democratic regional government. Totally opposed to the abolition of district and county councils in England.

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Local Government Conference 2003

This Conference is becoming less and less relevant to Scotland and we need to address the problem. For most this was an uninspiring two days which was almost a waste of time and money for Scottish Branches.

Stephanie Herd (Chair SLGSG) and Angela Lynes, NEC gave the following report on the issue. Details of the main motions with some Scottish relevance follow below.

Recognition of Devolved Matters in Local Government Conference Agenda

Scottish region representatives met with the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) on Sunday evening to discuss the recognition of devolved matters in relation to the agenda for local government conference.

Regional representatives were attempting to get the SOC to recognise that the current format of the agenda was unhelpful and would, if it continues, increase disaffection with Scottish delegates as much of the business was not directly relevant.

We requested that the SOC would, when prioritising motions, consider their content in relation to strategic issues, relevant UK wide issues and issues specific to separate bargaining mechanisms. Such definition could then allow motions to be blocked together - this may in practical terms allow delegates to opt in or out of debates.

We wanted the SOC to acknowledge and recognise our separate arrangements and many delegates were unwilling to participate in debates or votes that did not affect them.

Unfortunately, the SOC response wasn't terribly helpful - their advice was that this wasn't an issue specific to local government, but that the matter could be referred to the Service Group Executive for them to progress.

The Scottish Representative on the Standing Orders Committee reminded them of Motion 39 carried last year. We asked that the SOC linked up with the Working Group established consider the impact of devolution.

The SOC advised that the Scottish Region should submit motion to rule change to next year's Conference. We are concerned that this may only serve to formalise artificial divisions within this Union.

Unions unite - Prentis

All of the public service unions will be working together in the forthcoming year to campaign for decent pay; be they fire, health, local government or teaching."

That was the key message in general secretary, Dave Prentis', address to this year's local government conference.

He told delegates that good wages and adequate funding were the cornerstone of our public sector. He pledged that UNISON would be working closely with our sister unions to get more funding cash from government.

Prentis pointed out that "there is a growing confidence in our union" and that "when we threaten action, we must deliver".

He further demanded that the government review the practice of term-time working and properly back up Blair's "education, education, education" pledge with adequate resources and funding.

Motion 2 - Lessons from the 2002/03 Pay Dispute - Branch supported

Scottish delegates reminded Conference that in fact the first national dispute took place some three years ago in Scotland and that similar lessons had been learned - perhaps our counterparts should have read our report published in 2000/01. However, the report may be useful as Scotland starts its consultation with local government branches in preparation to construct and submit the Scottish Pay Claim for 2004 and beyond!

Motions 43, Raising Standards and Tackling Workloads; 44, Teaching Assistants; 48, The role of School Support Staff - Branch abstained

It's disconcerting that the contentious issues related mainly to consultation with branches about the Agreement "Raising Standards - Tackling Workloads" referring to the role of Teaching Assistants.

Motion 28, Modernisation of Public Services Branch supported

This was carried - Scotland welcomed support from our members in fire services who know full well the consequences of the modernisation agenda.

The motion asked for:

• increases in funding for local services
• massive investment in workforce training
• an end to the low pay culture in public services

Motion 30 (branch supported) attacked the government's obsession with league tables and called for proper funding of councils.

The motion called for a "comprehensive" report on standards among privatised contracts to be delivered to next year's local government conference.

Motion 33, End Ring Fencing of Local Government Finance Branch supported

Again the motion was carried.

Motion 60, Pay and Status of Social Workers Amendments 60.01 and 60.02 Branch supported

Scottish Region and Glasgow City Branch amendments to the main motion served to strengthen and extend the content. Recruitment and retention can only be tackled through better pay and efforts to combat the negative public perception. Involve branches in campaign to improve the pay and status of all social work staff.

Pensions - branch supported
The first (motion 18) reaffirmed UNISON's call that all workers providing local government services should have a decent pension through the local government pension scheme (LGPS).

It also asked for an adequate state pension that did not penalise low-paid workers through means testing.

It was also agreed that there should be trade union representation on LGPS trusteeship bodies. Oxford City branch said local government workers don't supervise their own pension schemes and they needed a proper vote.

Concern was also expressed over government plans for simplification of the scheme. The proposals are an attempt to reduce costs for the employers at the expense of the employees.

14 Funding fair pay in local government - Branch supported

Motion 14, Funding fair pay in local government, was carried, supporting a call to lobby government to adequately fund the application of the NJC job evaluation scheme.

Conference resolved also to lobby government to ring fence money to drive up equality standards in local authorities and asked for all employers to carry out independent pay audits and address any pay inequalities found. Regions should also have their training needs assessed, to ensure officers and activists are able to deal effectively with equal pay issues.

Amendments distinguishing between English, Welsh and Scottish situations were also carried.

42 Timing of Conference Branch supported

UNISON's local government members voted to change the timing of their service group's annual conference, which could now leave its traditional slot alongside the union's National Delegates Conference. Cymru/Wales proposed motion 42, which stated that a November conference would be better timed to send clear messages to the Chancellor at the time of the annual autumn statement. The motion was carried, as amended by amendment 42.02, which recognised the childcare and caring difficulties faced by delegates attending two adjacent conferences. Amendment 42.01 was withdrawn. Delegates also reaffirmed their commitment to a local government conference based upon the principle of prioritised motions, which allows time for a maximum of two external speakers and presentations of UNISON campaigns.

Motion 41, (branch supported) which was proposed by the SGE, was carried as amended by amendment 41.01. The amendment, which resulted in a card vote, expressed disappointment at the SGE for not producing a report on the conduct of local government conference in the light of new collective bargaining agreements, as instructed by last year's conference.

37/38/40 Race integral to bargaining

Promote race issues as an integral part of the bargaining agenda in the sector.
Motion 37 called for local government branches to work with employers to promote the implementation of the Act and to consult black members in the union on the improvement of race equality in the workplace.

Motion 40: Although strategies for inclusion are in place - such as child-care and reserved seats for low-paid women - she said that men still made up a disproportionate number of stewards in the union and this needed to be addressed.

Delegates also voted in favour of motion 38 calling for branches to seek discussion with councils on the implementation of Equality in Employment Regulations, as required by the EU's employment directive.

The new laws, which will outlaw workplace discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and religion or belief, will be applicable from December 2003.

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Branch Action List from Conference 2003

(See also rules for amendments we may need to make)

LabourLink

Breast Cancer Screening

A Vision for Education

Privatisation

Part Time Workers

Bargaining for Better Green Staff Travel

Conference further urges branches to take the initiative in opening discussions with employers to maximise the positive benefits which green staff travel plans can bring for members, particularly those on lower pay levels.

Employer Recognition of Branch Self- Organised Members' Groups

NEC to:

c) provide guidance to branches on negotiating for UNISON branch self-organised disabled members to be recognised by employers as the appropriate forum for consultation on disability related employment matters;

d) devise a workable strategy to enable representatives of all the self-organised groups to actively participate fully in their UNISON duties without fear of loss of pay or repercussions;

Branch, Steward and Workplace Organisation

Young Members

Tuition Fees

Race Relations

Rise of the far right/ industrial decline

Fair Trade

37/38 Race integral to bargaining

Equality

John Stevenson
Branch Secretary
28 June 2003

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