UNISON City of Edinburgh
Local Government & Related Sectors Branch
AGM 2005
Decisions on Motions and Rule Changes
Rule Changes
1. Rules B and H Election of Branch Officers
Motions
Emergency Motion - Job Evaluation
Emergency Motion - Home Care Review
- 1. Tsunami Disaster Appeal
Council Budget, Cuts and Redundancies (local)
- 2. Stock Transfer and the threat to service conditions
in Housing
- 3. Social Work Resource Crisis
4. Proposed new care homes
-
Service Conditions Issues
Emergency Motion - Job Evaluation
5. Pay Claim 2006 Onwards
6. Pay Claim 2006
- 7. Joint trade union pay consultation
- 8. The Freedom of Information Act - council employees
9. Paternity Leave
10. Flexible Working
11. Transfer of staff
12. Lifelong Learning
Health & Safety
13. Lone Working
Pensions and Superannuation
- 14. Pensions
UNISON Services and Structures
15. Industrial Action Fund
16. Industrial Action Fund
17. Social Work Issues Group
18. Promoting the role of stewards
- Policy and Campaigning
19. Welfare and Work
20. Global warming and climate change
International
21. Campaigning for international development
and solidarity in 2005
22. The Gleneagles 8
23. Iraq
24. UNISON and Burma
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9. Rule Changes
1. Rules B and H Election of Branch Officers
Proposed by: John Stevenson (Social Work) John Ross (Housing)
Rule B.1a): Delete "There will be an Annual General Meeting
of the Branch to elect branch officers" and insert "There
will be an Annual General Meeting of the Branch to receive a report
on the ballot for election of branch officers and to confirm election
to uncontested posts."
Standing Order H.6 Delete: "Election of Branch Officers;"
and insert "Report of any Ballot for Election of the following
Branch Officers and confirm election to uncontested posts."
Standing Order H.21: Add the following: "Ballot papers for
any contested posts will be sent to all members with the Annual
Report. The closing date for return shall be three working days
before the date of the AGM. Ballot papers will be counted by branch
office staff and the result reported to the AGM. All ballot papers
will be retained for 28 days to allow examination by any candidate.
NOTE: The effect of these rule changes would be to elect branch
officers annually by postal ballot rather than by ballot at the
AGM itself.
A copy of the rules is available at www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/rules.html
The role change DID NOT acheive the necessary two-thrids
majority.
10. Motions
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Job Evaluation Developments
In light of the Council's proposals to apply the Greater London
Provincial Council Job Evaluation Scheme as opposed to the Scheme
negotiated through the Scottish Joint Council this branch agrees
that Branch Officers should
· explore the details of both schemes
· seek advice from UNISON Scotland Local Government
· provide a report on the pros and cons of each scheme Branch
Officers should bring forward recommendations to a future Special
General Meeting of the branch and to initiate a ballot of the
Branch Membership if required.
MOVED: John Stevenson (Social Work) SECONDED: John Mulgrew
(Lothian Valuation Board)
CARRIED
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Home Care Review
This meeting declares its support for colleagues employed as
Home Care Co-ordinators and Home Care Organisers who are pursuing
a grading which fairly reflects the onerous duties of the post
which are vital in the provision of home support services for
people who are amongst the most vulnerable in society.
We support our colleagues defence of their service in the face
of proposals which have the potential to remove the professional
aspects of their work leading to the creation of a "call-centre"
culture.
We call upon the council to recognise the value of this service,
the commitment and professionalism of the staff and the growing
need for it due to changing demographics. We call upon the council
to seek further investment into Home Care and to properly remunerate
those who are responsible for co-ordination of the service across
the city.
MOVED: George Lee (Social Work) SECONDED: Kevin Duguid (Finance)
CARRIED
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Tsunami Disaster Appeal
Proposed by John Stevenson (Social Work) John Ross (Housing)
This Branch meeting supports the actions of the Branch Committee
in making a donation of £5,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee's
Appeal following the Tsunami disaster.
We note the National Executive Committee has called for specific
donations towards assisting the Trade Union movement re-establish
itself during the economic recovery of East Asia and agree a further
branch donation of £2,000 for this purpose.
CARRIED
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Council Budget, cuts, redundancies (local action)
2. Stock Transfer and the threat to service conditions in
Housing
Proposed by Housing Department Shop Stewards Committee
In order to secure funding from the Scottish Executive the Council
has decided to promote the transfer of the entire housing stock
to a new Housing Association. The final decision will be taken
by Council tenants who will vote in 2006 either for or against
the transfer proposals.
While recognising that investment is badly needed this branch
rejects that position for the following reasons:
Stock Transfer means privatisation of an essential public service
and democratic control and accountability through elected councillors
will be lost.
Post transfer there may be threats to terms and conditions of
service as in Glasgow where despite a TUPE agreement the Glasgow
Housing Association has now proposed annual job cuts of £1.75m
and a performance related pay scheme which will replace both the
annual pay award and automatic progression through the pay increments.
The closure of the Housing Department will also have a detrimental
impact on jobs in other Council Departments as it buys £4.5m in
goods and services from other departments.
Stock Transfer is an expensive option and both the Parliamentary
Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office have reported
that Stock Transfer results in higher costs than Council's carrying
out housing improvements themselves.
UNISON believes that the government should provide an Investment
Allowance that would allow Councils to finance borrowing using
the Prudential Borrowing arrangements.
The campaign for a ‘level playing field' in housing finance and
for direct investment in Council housing is gaining momentum and
successfully changed Labour Party policy at its last National
Conference.
This branch therefore resolves to:
- Defend any members faced with victimisation for standing by
UNISON policy.
- Seek advice about the legality of management instructions
to members to canvas tenants for the Yes vote that may mean
their transfer out of council employment.
- Write to all members in the Housing Department to clarify
UNISON's position and seek their views about the development
of the campaign.
- Apply to UNISON's General Political Fund for the resources
to mount a campaign against Stock Transfer.
- Write to the Council to insist that the information given
to tenants sets out the case for and against transfer.
- Affiliate to Edinburgh Against Stock Transfer which has been
set up as a broad campaign to argue the case for the retention
of Council Housing and to campaign for a No Vote in 2006.
CARRIED
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3. Social Work resource crisis
Proposed by John Stevenson (Social Work) John Ross (Housing)
This Branch condemns the apparent resource crisis in Social Work
services as demonstrated in the recruitment freeze and lack of
funds for delivering client services especially in community care.
It condemns reports that the £100,000 emergency money voted by
the council to address issues in the External Audit of Child Protection
has apparently been withdrawn.
This branch regrets that the funding crisis in Social Work only
got widespread recognition in the aftermath of a tragedy. It is
deeply concerned that funding cuts seem to have been re-initiated
after the glare of publicity has passed.
This branch therefore resolves to:
• maintain its campaign at local and national level to keep the
funding crisis in the public eye.
• continue to lobby politicians locally and nationally
• contribute fully to all relevant reviews like ‘21st Century
Social Work'
• continue to be prepared to call for industrial action up to
and including strike action if our members are forced into unsafe
practice because of funding shortages.
CARRIED
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4. Proposed new care homes
Proposed by George Lee (Social Work) Kevin Duguid (Finance)
This meeting welcomes the decision of the City of Edinburgh Council
to commit to building four new care homes for older people, in
response to the business case outlined within the joint capacity
plan (older people's accommodation).
We further note that the two hundred and forty beds created by
these new builds will assist in resolving delayed discharges from
much needed acute hospital beds.
This meeting also welcomes the involvement of older people in
the design of the first of these new homes through the offices
of SAGE.
However, we condemn the Council's proposal to place management
of these new care homes out to competitive tender thereby potentially
placing the care of the older people in the hands of the lowest
bidder, not those best placed to provide the highest quality of
service.
Whilst recognising the need for a mixed economy within care provision,
we remain opposed to profit lead provision.
This Branch welcomes and supports campaigns opposing competitive
tendering of these care homes launched by Branch Officers, community
activists, relatives and other trade unionist. This meeting resolves
to instruct:
• Branch Officers to seek urgent discussion with the Acting Director
of Social Work to assess which options exist in relation to retaining
the proposed new care homes within the management of the Council
• Consult those members potentially affected by the Council's
proposals with a view to establish their willingness to take industrial
action in defence of in-house provision.
CARRIED AS AMENDED
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Service Conditions Issues (ie pay and conditions)
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Job Evaluation
Proposed by the Branch Committee
In light of the Council's recent proposals on job evaluation,
this branch agrees that branch officers should explore the details
of:-
· The council's preferred scheme and
· The Scottish Joint Council scheme
Branch officers should take advice from the UNISON Scotland Local
Government Service Group Committee and provide a report on the
pros and cons of each scheme, with a recommendation on further
action to:-
· A future Special General Meeting of the branch
· A ballot of the branch membership if required.
CARRIED
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5. Pay Claim 2006 onwards *
Proposed by John Ross (Housing) John Stevenson (Social Work)
This Branch reiterates its policy of campaigning for a Pay Commission
for Scotland to address the long recognised deep-rooted problems
in local government pay.
This Branch also recognises the need to involve members much
more widely in the consultation before any Scottish pay claim
is submitted.
This branch therefore resolves to set up a machinery for workplace
meetings, polls, questionnaires and briefings to run through 2005
to ensure the widest possible involvement in developing the pay
claim and setting the mandate for our delegates to the national
structures.
This AGM recognises the view of many members that the improvement
in low pay is not being funded by councils but is being funded
by limiting the conditions of other workers. The 2006 pay settlement
must deliver real improvements for all staff.
CARRIED
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6. Pay Claim 2006
Proposed by Housing Shop Stewards Committee
This Branch believes that the pay claim must address the low
pay in Local Government. The recent pay settlement based on low
percentage annual awards had done little to resolve this problem.
We also recognise that a claim based solely on a simple percentage
increase is unfavourable to our members on the lower grades of
the pay scale.
We therefore call on UNISON to campaign for a claim consisting
of an annual flat rate of £1,000 or 5% on each pay point, whichever
is the greater.
FELL
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7. Joint trade union pay consultation *
Proposed by Kevin Duguid (Finance) Mike Smith (Finance)
This meeting acknowledges the concerns of our members over the
protracted and un-defined consultation period of the joint trade
unions over the current pay deal.
Whilst UNISON carried out a relatively quick and efficient consultation
with its members, both the TGWU and the GMB's consultation period
was significantly longer.
This meeting recognises that every unions consultation mechanism
may differ due to their own rules and constitutions; however there
must be co-ordination of timescales between the joint trade unions
on the completion of consultations.
The failure to do this has merely served to undermine the position
of trade unions within their membership and within the national
bargaining process.
This meeting therefore instructs that:
1. The Scottish Local Government Executive enters into dialogue
with the other joint trade unions to secure an agreement on co-ordinating
jointly and timeously all future pay and national bargaining
consultations.
2. That the terms of this motion are submitted to the Annual
Scottish Local Government Conference.
CARRIED
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8. The Freedom of Information Act - council employees
Proposed by Kevin Duguid (Finance) Irene Heggie (Finance)
This meeting notes the introduction of the Freedom of Information
Act on the 1st January 2005.
This is undoubtedly a positive step forward in terms of ensuring
that public bodies are obliged to make available information that
they may previously have withheld from the public domain.
The Act has fairly tight timescales on responding to requests
for information and how to treat a request for information.
It is vitally important that local government employees are properly
trained on the terms of the act and their responsibilities within
it as not only can the public body itself be prosecuted for failure
to adhere to the Act but individuals of the organisation.
This meeting therefore calls upon the relevant Branch Officers
to enter into discussions with the Council to ensure that:
1. Appropriate training is given to all City of Edinburgh Council
staff to enable them to deal with any requests for information
adequately.
2. An agreement is reached that no individual Council employee
is held liable for breaches of the Act and that the Council will
take corporate responsibility for any actions raised in respect
of alleged breaches.
CARRIED
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9. Paternity Leave
Proposed by Irene Stout (Culture & Leisure) John Ross
(Housing)
This meeting welcomes the provisions for Statutory Paternity
Leave but notes with concern the low level of take-up which we
believe is caused by the low level of Statutory Paternity Pay
(currently £102.80 per week).
We call upon the union to campaign for Paternity Pay to be set
at an individual's normal take-home pay.
CARRIED
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10. Flexible Working
Proposed by Irene Stout (Culture & Leisure) Amanda Kerr
(Culture & Leisure)
This Branch welcomes the provisions initiated by the Government
in the Flexible Working Regulations (2002) but note only parents
of children aged under six or disabled children aged under eighteen
have the right to apply to work flexibly.
We consider the flexible working provisions would provide opportunities
for those with care responsibilities to remain in work whilst
still meeting their care responsibilities.
We call upon the union at all levels to campaign for the extension
of the Flexible Working Regulations (2002) to encompass any worker
with care responsibilities.
CARRIED
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11. Transfer of staff
Proposed by George Lee (Social Work) Walter Weir (City Development)
We note with concern the extent of services transferred to the
private sector on the back of PPP/PFI schemes. The majority of
these services are predominantly staffed by women (e.g. catering
and cleaning). These transfers were generally carried out on the
basis of transfer of risk.
We welcome government comments to the effect that these "soft"
services need not be transferred in future which is a recognition
that the "transfer of risk" was fictional and was solely a means
by which services could be privatised.
Given this recognition we call upon the government to apply their
new policies retrospectively thereby bringing all those services
so transferred back into the public sector.
CARRIED
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12. Lifelong Learning
Proposed by Dot Paterson (Social Work) John Ross (Housing)
This meeting welcomes the Scottish Executive's commitment to
providing educational opportunities in the workplace for those
with literacy and numeracy problems but note with regret there
is no legislative requirement for the employer to provide paid
time off.
Given these members are generally found in groups of workers
on low pay (e.g. home helps, catering staff, gardeners) this creates
a disincentive to participation in any courses held during working
time.
We call upon COSLA to demonstrate their commitment to the principles
of Lifelong Learning by giving a collective commitment to the
effect that all time spent on Lifelong Learning during the working
day will be on the basis of Paid Leave.
CARRIED
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Health & Safety
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13. Lone Working
Proposed by Irene Stout (Culture & Leisure) Tom McLeod (City
Development)
This branch considers the dangers inherent in Lone Working are
far greater for women and believe the practice of Lone Working
places women at risk of harm in their employment.
These dangers are well known to employers who's response is generally
to carry out a Risk Assessment which is full of good statements
but totally lacking in substance because of financial restraints.
We believe employers are not meeting their Duty of Care to their
staff.
It is well recognised the only real way to address the issue
of Lone Working is increasing staffing levels but this is almost
always opposed by employers because of cost.
We do not accept financial restraints are a good reason to leave
our members at risk in their employment and call upon the union
at all levels to intensify the campaign to cease Lone Working
practices.
CARRIED
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Pensions and Superannuation
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14. Pensions
Proposed by John Ross (Housing) Irene Stout (Culture &
Leisure)
This Branch condemns Government proposals to change the Pension
Regulations with the effect of
1. Raising the age for early retirement from 50 to 55, and
2. Reducing pension levels of any member of the superannuation
scheme taking retirement before the age of 65 (excepting ill-health
retirals)
We believe these attacks on pensions will lead to higher levels
of poverty amongst those retiring in the future.
We welcome UNISON's role in leading the TUC's campaign against
these proposals.
This meeting agrees to support all initiatives within the TUC's
campaign up to and including strike action.
We welcome the overwhelming vote for a programme of action beginning
with a day of Strike Action on Wednesday 23rd March and call upon
all members to take part in picketing duties at their workplace
followed by participation in the March and Rally scheduled to
take place in Edinburgh on that day.
We note the ongoing dialogue between the Deputy Prime Minister
and the unions on the proposed pension changes and call upon the
government to withdraw their proposals and to enter into meaningful
dialogue with a view to defining what the issues are and then
to address them in partnership rather than imposition.
We also instruct Branch Officers to target a local campaign on
this issue with MPs and MSPs throughout the Lothian's being the
focus. This campaign should be with the involvement of the full
branch membership.
CARRIED AS AMENDED
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UNISON Services and Structures
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15. Industrial Action Fund
Proposed by John Ross (Housing) John Stevenson (Social Work)
In accordance with Branch Rule D (12) (1) this Annual General
Meeting agrees to transfer 10% of Branch Remission for 2004 from
the General Account to the Industrial Action Fund (i.e. the Branch
Hardship Fund).
(Branch Rule (12) (1) It shall be funded by money transferred
from the General Fund as agreed by the Branch from time to time
limited to no more than 10% of branch remission in any one year,
from donations or fund-raising activities and from any levy agreed
by the branch under National Rules.)
CARRIED
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16. Industrial Action Fund
Proposed by John Ross (Housing) John Stevenson (Social Work)
This Branch meeting instructs Branch Officers to seek the agreement
of the National Executive Council for this Branch to mount a ballot
to ask members to put in place a membership levy of no more than
50p per month with monies collected going to the Branch Industrial
Action Fund (i.e. Branch Hardship Fund).
WITHDRAWN
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17. Social Work Issues Group
Proposed by Lyn Williams (Social Work) John Stevenson (Social
Work)
This Branch recognises that Social Work is an occupational group
where most staff are required to register with the SSSC. There
requires to be a forum to address specific issues regarding this
group.
However, within the new council structure, social work staff
will be spread across two or more departments.
This branch therefore resolves, in accordance with Branch Rule
C1, to set up a Social Work Issues Group comprising social work
stewards from each shop stewards committee where social work staff
are represented. This group should seek wide representation from
eg residential care, fieldwork etc and will exist to:-
1. Represent social work issues (while actual negotiations will
remain the responsibility of the relevant stewards committee or
branch officer)
2. Elect delegates to and participate in the Scottish social
work structures and any UK social work forums.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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18. Promoting the role of stewards
Proposed by Matthew Creighton (City Development) John Stevenson
(Social Work)
This meeting notes the vital role of stewards in UNISON, in particular
for recruitment and effective representation. Without sufficient
active stewards many if not all activities of the union are weakened.
We also note that there appears to be no material produced by
UNISON to promote the role of steward and to encourage members
to become stewards. Being a steward can be rewarding and stimulating,
giving new experience and opportunities to learn, as well as challenging.
We call on UNISON to produce a range of materials to promote
the role of steward and, once produced to deploy them across the
union with the aim of increasing the number of stewards and the
coverage of the membership.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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Policy and Campaigning
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19. Welfare and Work
Proposed by Matthew Crighton (City Development) Stephen McMurray
(Associated Bodies)
This meeting notes:
1. That over the last decade the numbers of claimants of Jobseekers
Allowance has fallen substantially but there has been a large
increase in the number of claimants of Incapacity Benefit (IB).
2. The increased polarisation between no-work and both-work households
(where both parents are in work); and
3. The failure of New Labour to reduce inequality of income.
We applaud the many benefits of reduced unemployment and the
intention within a number of government measures (e.g. the Working
Tax Credit) to "make work pay".
However we believe that the trends noted above show that
1. The labour market is becoming harder to access for groups
of people suffering disadvantage or discrimination (e.g. disabled,
people with no qualifications, ethnic minorities).
2. That there remain substantial barriers within the benefit
system to people seeking to enter work. Many of these are risks
created by the structure of the system, including the punitive
character of Jobseekers Allowance.
3. That benefit levels and the minimum wage are too low; and
there are still some circumstances in which people are not better
off in work.
We re-assert the importance as government objectives of
1. the availability of suitable work for all; and
2. protection from the rigours of the labour market for those
whose current circumstances mean that work is not appropriate.
We oppose the staff cuts being implemented in Jobcentre Plus
at a time at which its core client base has been enlarged to include
all claimants; which must surely be counter-productive for staff,
‘customers' and employers.
We reject proposals being aired in government circles for increasing
pressure on IB claimants or a limit on the number of years for
which IB can be claimed.
Instead we call for:
1. Radical reform of the Jobseekers Allowance, to undo the damage
done by this Conservative legislation;
2. Removal of all unnecessary barriers to work and work experience
in the benefit system;
3. Creation of additional opportunities for IB claimants to develop
their employability and access work, through measures such as
work experience, supported employment, transitional employment
and increased earnings disregard, as part of support for them
into work;
4. Co-ordination of the many diverse services at local labour
market level, including those of Jobcentre Plus, within local
strategies to create a pattern of service which is client-centred
and joined-up, designed around the needs of local employers and
claimants;
5. Devolution of JCP functions to Scotland in order to allow
proper integration with Scottish labour market and training policies,
leading to the design and creation of a Scottish agency.
6. Greater efforts to deal with barriers created by employers'
recruitment practices, including both: firm action on employer
discrimination against social groups; and joint working with employers
to assist them to recruit from disadvantaged groups.
7. Review of benefit levels, as already called for by UNISON;
and their relation to the National Minimum Wage.
While pressing government on these issues, we request UNISON
to prepare a detailed proposals paper based on this and related
UNISON policies to set out the case and take forward the arguments
for UNISON policies in this area. We call on UNISON Labour Link
to take these proposals and arguments into the Labour Party's
policy mechanisms.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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20. Global warming and climate change
Proposed by Matthew Crighton (City Development) Stephen McMurray
(Associated Bodies)
We note with concern the scientific reports that even on moderate
predictions man-made global warming will have serious effects
on many aspects of life in one or two generations. For example:
1. If sea levels rise by more than a metre or so, coastal communities
could be seriously damaged and large areas of land lost to the
sea. The consequences in developed countries will be either massive
coastal defences, at enormous cost; or loss of homes, property,
farmland and natural environment.
2. Across the world, enormous numbers of people in the developing
world live in cities, towns and villages which are vulnerable
to rising sea levels. Their homes and livelihoods and therefore
their lives are therefore directly threatened.
3. Global warming will cause major changes in patterns of rainfall
and temperatures in many localities, making some established agricultural
systems unsustainable. In extreme cases this will happen through
drought, flooding and storms.
4. The social and economic consequences are less certain but
the danger is that mass migrations of people displaced by climate
change and sharpening competition over resources and means of
life will cause growing xenophobia, communal and international
tensions and ultimately new wars.
These effects on work and social life make climate change and
global warming one of the most vital long-term issues for representative
bodies throughout the world, including trade unions. We believe
that we should face these dangers urgently with the intention
of both trying to avert or minimise them; and preparing for their
impact. We fear that in a market economy the greatest impact may
fall on the poorest so we seek ways of ensuring that any costs
are borne by those most able to do so. Therefore
1. we believe that governments should aim at much greater reductions
in emissions of greenhouse gases; and call on our government to
commit all necessary resources to researching and developing methods
for radically reducing emissions from manufacturing and service
industries, buildings and transport systems; and investigate all
options for radically reducing, or alleviating the effects of,
carbon emissions
2. We recognise that global warming requires a global response
and call on all governments, especially the USA's, to act together
in pursuit of these aims.
3. We agree that UNISON (Scotland/UK) and other unions willing
to co-operate should establish a broad-based Commission on Global
Warming and Climate Change which will examine the likely economic,
social and political consequences and bring forward proposed measures
based on principles of how a just society should respond to these
dangers.
We understand that the threat and the need to act are not yet
broadly understood and expect the Commission to make proposals
about winning popular support for its proposals.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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International
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21. Campaigning for international development and
solidarity in 2005
Proposed by Matthew Crighton (City Development) Gillian Lawrence
(Education)
Among the many problems facing the world, we note:
• the continuing impoverishment of large parts of the world under
the ravages of market-led globalisation;
• the horrific consequences of the Iraq war, the threat from
within the USA administration of more wars, and the hypocrisy
of the USA and UK governments in maintaining and deploying their
own WMDs;
• the terrible suffering of the Palestinian people;
• the growing devastation in the developing world from HIV, malaria
and other diseases.
2005 is a year which presents many opportunities for campaigning
in support of UNISON policies on these and related issues and
applying pressure to UK and other governments:
• The UK Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2005;
• the meeting of the G8 heads of state at Gleneagles in July
gives and the preparatory meetings for this;
• the UN non-proliferation treaty summit;
• the UN Millennium Summit in September
• Meeting of Trade Ministers to drive forward the current round
of trade talks, in December
This branch/UNISON Scotland therefore welcomes UNISON's participation
in the Make Poverty History alliance, which is seeking specific
outcomes in the field of aid, trade and debt in 2005.
We believe that the proposals put forward by the Chancellor for
a ‘Global New Deal' covering debt relief, trade negotiations to
benefit the poorest nations and new development funding would
represent a significant step forward, if 1. they are agreed by
the G8; and 2. they do not contain conditions which require privatisation
or market liberalisation; even though they would not on their
own resolve global injustice.
We therefore seek to mobilise opinion to influence the UK and
other G8 governments to adopt measures of this character and to
ensure that the UK government implements them irrespective of
the positions of the G8, insofar as it can unilaterally.
At the same time we must continue to pursue all aspects of UNISON
policy, in particular to oppose:
• the imposition of conditions relating to ‘de-regulation' and
privatisation attached to debt relief and aid;
• the pursuit of these through trade negotiations;
and to campaign for:
• an end to the occupation of Iraq;
• abolition of British nuclear weapons.
Therefore we
1. encourage all UNISON members to attend the Make Poverty History
demonstration to be held in Edinburgh on 2 July 2005; and to support
the lobbying of MPs and MSPs on the issues of aid, trade and debt;
2. support the Blockade of Faslane on 4 July being organised
by Scottish CND and Trident Ploughshares;
3. participate as appropriate in other mobilisations during the
year (such as the G8 Alternatives alternative summit) with a view
to expressing UNISON's distinctive positions on development, international
affairs and de-regulation and privatisation.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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22. The Gleneagles 8
Proposed by Social Work Shop Stewards Committee
The leaders of the eight richest countries are coming to Gleneagles
for a week in July 2005 to carve up our world. Thirty years of
G8 summits (formerly G6 then G7) have only increased poverty and
inequality, and brought more global instability, environmental
destruction, and war.
The Gleneagles summit poses a challenge to the trade union movement
and an opportunity for it to mobilise the broadest possible forces
and show that another world is possible.
City of Edinburgh Council UNISON notes:-
That the European Social Forum held in London during October
2004 called for a massive international mobilisation for the G8
protest in Scotland during 2-9 July 2005.
That the G8 Alternatives Coalition, which already includes organisations
and individuals from a broad range of social movements - including
the Scottish trade union movement - is helping to organise and
co-ordinate this week of peaceful mass protest.
This includes a ‘Make Poverty History' march through Edinburgh
on Saturday 2nd July; a protest at Faslane Nuclear base on Monday
4th; a Counter Summit that will feature bands, films, debates
and provide a convergence centre and camping for up to 30,000
people; and a huge protest at the G8 at Gleneagles.
We call upon UNISON Scotland to:-
1. Support the G8 protests
2. Affiliate to the G8 Alternatives Coalition
3. Send a delegate/delegates to participate in the Coalition
planning meetings.
4. Sponsor and provide speakers for a seminar at the counter
summit on privatisation and how to prevent it.
5. Call on our National Executive Council and the STUC to publicise
and mobilise for the G8, support the Coalition, provide financial
support and encourage all branches and affiliated organisations
to do likewise.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action as amended.
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23. Iraq
Proposed by Alan Scott (Voluntary Sector) Ian Hood (Social
Work)
This AGM notes that Tony Blair's continued active support for
Bush's occupation of Iraq has been a disaster.
The Observer newspaper recently revealed that nearly 3,000 British
soldiers have been injured or killed in Iraq. At least 12 have
lost limbs. Also, it is looking more likely that British troops
will increasingly be used in ‘hotspots' like Fallujah. Meanwhile,
Iraqi people are suffering terribly under the occupation. A Lancet
survey recently reported that 100,000 civilians are dead and that
the country is in ruins. The longer Blair's war goes on, the more
that lives will be destroyed. Tony Blair has already wasted £6
billion on the war in Iraq. As UNISON members and public sector
workers, we will be at the sharp end of the consequences of this
vast waste of money. Note the recent recommendations to cut about
£˝ billion from Scottish Council's budgets over the next three
years. Also the proposed mandatory increase in age to 65 for qualification
for a full public sector ‘average salary' pension is, in part,
a means of paying for this disgusting war. Also, in the wake of
the Tsunami disaster, this AGM urges Tony Blair to take a re-look
at how these huge military resources are utilised. In south east
Asia, there requires that there is the immediate redeployment
of equipment such as aircraft and helicopters, and tens of thousands
of personnel to ferry water and medical provisions to frontline
disaster areas. Therefore, this AGM actively acknowledges the
second anniversary of the 15th February demonstrations-when millions
across the world took to the streets. This will be a chance for
activists and the increasingly growing military families campaign
to mount a day of disobedience including strikes, protests, vigils
and occupations. This should lay the foundation for an inspiring
mobilisation on 19th March 2005 (called at the recent European
Social Forum in London by the Stop the War Coalition, Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament and the Muslim Association of Britain)
calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
This AGM proposes to sponsor an Edinburgh Stop the War coach
going to London for £150. This AGM also supports all similar demonstrations
on the same day.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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24. UNISON and Burma
Proposed by John Ross (Housing) John Stevenson (Social Work)
Conference congratulates UNISON for its role in awareness raising
about Burma (Myanmar) in particular for its ongoing campaign within
the labour and trade union movement to pressurize international
governments to impose investment sanctions on Burma.
Burma has been controlled by a military dictatorship for the
past 40 years, condemned by the UN and numerous International
bodies as one of the worst violators of human rights.
The democratically elected President of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi,
remains under house arrest unable to take up her role as leader
of her country; around 1500 political prisoners are in jail denied
basic human rights under the Geneva convention - some have been
incarcerated for over 15 years. She and the Association for Assistance
of Political Prisoners, Burma have called for support from organisations
such as independent trade unions to highlight the plight of her
people under this brutal and repressive regime.
Conference welcomes honorary life membership of UNISON for Aung
San Suu Kyi and (suggests) its unique extension to all Burmese
political prisoners and encourages branches to press local authorities
and Regional governments in their geographical areas to award
her with ‘freedom' of the city, county or nation.
Such initiatives raise the public awareness of Burmese issues,
which have too often slipped down the international agenda.
Conference also applauds the development of initiatives within
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to broker
a solution to the ongoing political logjam through diplomacy,
paralleling the campaign of international economic sanctions.
In particular, conference welcomes the declaration of ASEAN's
Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar re. the scheduled assumption
by Myanmar of the Chair of ASEAN in 2006 and their announcement
that, in the absence of substantial and meaningful democratic
and constitutional reforms in Burma, this would be severely detrimental
to the interests of ASEAN and further destabilize the region -
socially, politically and economically. Further formally calling
that unless progress towards constitutional and democratic reforms
in Myanmar is evident forthwith, urging that ASEAN bar Myanmar
from serving as Chair of ASEAN and immediately review Myanmar's
membership with a view of suspending Myanmar as a member.
Conference call upon UNISON to:
1. embark on an awareness raising campaign within the membership
in collaboration with groups such as the Burma Campaign; Amnesty
International; the Association of Political Prisoners, Burma and
Burma Educational Scholarship Trust.
2. advise members on how they can support this work at a local
level, encouraging and supporting local affiliations to these
organisations and ‘twinning initiatives'.
3. work within the labour and trade union movement at a national
and international level on solidarity actions, developing a programme
for high profile awareness raising/ fundraising events.
4. actively explore options in conjunction with the Federation
of Trade Unions Burma for providing internships for refugees who
are seeking experience of collective bargaining, globalisation,
advocacy and representation.
5. actively continue to explore options for directly supporting
some of the innovative international programmes that seek to provide
educational opportunities for Burmese refugees.
6. fund an annual scholarship of five thousand pounds through
the Burma Educational Scholarship Trust to support the desperate
need for educational development in exile.
Returned to Branch Committee for Action
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