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Tuesday 20th June 2017
Would you like to add something to the next newsletter?
Email: [email protected] tel: 07931223922
HOT topics for national
delegate conference
Nearly a decade after
the global financial
crisis first hit, the
pressure is still
unrelenting on our
public services and
the workers who
provide them –
including UNISON
members working for
public bodies, private
companies or commu-
nity and charity
organisations.
That is the background
for June’s national
delegate conference,
when some 2,000
delegates from
branches and regions
across the union will
gather in Brighton to
discuss the union’s
priorities and policies
for the next 12 months.
As motion 39 – about
getting the public
onside with our public
service campaigning –
notes:
“Despite the unprece-
dented cuts that our
members and the
communities they serve
have already
experienced, a raft of
further measures now
threaten to push
services to breaking
point.”
The motion, from the
union’s NEC, points
out that the causes of
the problems include:
a growing funding
crisis hitting social
care across the
UK;
an NHS funding
shortfall described
as “a humanitar-
ian crisis” by the
Red Cross;
£3bn ‘savings’ im-
posed on schools
in England by
2019/20;
continuing cuts
and redundancies
across local gov-
ernment and po-
lice services;
and much more.
“UNISON, as the
largest public services
trade union, carries a
heavy responsibility,”
adds the motion.
“Not only must the
union counter the
strong headwinds and
continue to make the
arguments for an
alternative to the cuts
and underinvestment
that have characterised
the austerity decade.
“We must also use our
members’ experiences,
campaign resources,
evidence and expertise
to win over wider
public opinion for an
alternative that
Cont.....page 3
Representatives of UNISON’s 1.3 million members will meet this week to decide
policies and priorities that will take the union forward
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Let other
people know
about what’s
going on at
NDC.
#uNDC17
@ unisonwestmids
Email your conference
selfies to be included in
Fridays newssheet
to
stewart.robinson
@uhnm.nhs.uk
or txt to:
07931223922
Share ideas about campaigning and organising and to find our more
about key issues in depth. UNIZONE is the place for you.
Open each morning from 8.45am– 5.30pm.
Exiting the EU - what does it mean for
UNISON members?
Public Service Champions
Digital Unison—digital tools of your trade
One team for patient care - are you a
supporter?
Visit the stalls each day to WIN an icecream and
to be entered in a FREE prize draw to
WIN £150.00
Check out
TUESDAY
fringe meetings
Racism on the rise, education is the answer: 12.45-13.45 Room 1B, ground floor. Refreshments provided.
Exiting the EU - getting a fair deal for public service
workers: . 12.45-13.45 Syndicate 2, ground floor (Sandwich lunch provided)
Turkey: democracy, rights and solidarity 12.45-13.45 Syndicate 3, first floor (sandwich lunch provided)
Guarding against stress - a toolkit for success: 12.45-13.45 Syndicate 4 , first floor (Sandwich lunch provided)
Branch Resources Review: 17.15-18.15 Auditorium 2, first floor (refreshments provided)
Cuba and Venezuela: resistance and solidarity under threat 17.15-18.15 Syndicate 1, ground floor (Havana Club Rum cocktails will be
provided)
SAVE our NHS: 17.15-18-15 The restaurant, third floor (Refreshments provided)
What you need to know about supporting members through
professional conduct cases 17.15-18.15 Syndicate 2, ground floor (refreshments provided)
UNIZONE: Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/unisonwestmids/#https://www.facebook.com/unisonwestmids/#
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properly recognises the value of properly funded public services
to all of our lives.”
To do this, delegates in Brighton will be asked to agree a range of actions to take the union’s Public Services Champions campaign
forward.
A major factor in pro-tecting our public services and the rights of those who work in them will be Brexit and
its consequences.
As motion 73 calling for “a fair deal for work-ers and public services” notes, this will involve “an historic European negotiation that must answer both the challenges of today and tomorrow and fundamentally address devolved UK constitu-tional and legal
issues”.
The motion is one of a number dealing with the consequences of
the EU referendum, which took place as business was under way at last year’s
UNISON conference.
These include several motions calling for workers (and their families) from other EU countries to have their right to stay in the UK
recognised.
Motion 73 notes that “regaining control over the UK economy includes rethinking the use of state aid rules to fund public services and new national infra-
structure projects.
“There is a new oppor-tunity in public procure-ment to mandate the use of ‘quality over price’ in awarding private contracts to encourage corporate responsibility, encour-age in-house provision, add social value in public services and prevent the race to the
bottom.”
The conference will also give the union the chance to vote for a union campaign for “the fair funding of public services – and an end to punishing austerity” linked to UNISON’s “wider anti-austerity campaign for public services” in motion 49, Challenging the new Conservative
economic agenda.
The executive has also asked conference to prioritise related issues
for debate, including:
international trade and the EU exit
(motion 62);
fighting insecure work (motion 53);
pay and tackling in-work poverty
(motion 20);
protecting workers in procurement supply chains
(motion 58).
The key to winning
these campaigns with our members is the union’s strength and organisation, and members’ involvement and confidence. And two motions will be central to the discus-sions on how we win
that.
The very first motion on the agenda for conference is called Developing an organising branch. It
recognises the increasingly hostile environment in which UNISON branches are
operating.
“Austerity cuts have reduced the number of activists and put further pressure on facility time; while increased fragmentation of the workforce has made organising more diffi-
cult.”
More information can be
obtained from
www.unison.org.uk/news
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COMPETITION: What County is highlighted on the World Map at the Travel Club Stand?
Name:................................................................................ Contact No:............................................................................
Win a £50.00 Unison Travel Club Voucher. Hand completed slip into the stand. (Winner picked Thursday)
ANSWER.......................................................................................
What’s back and bigger and better than last year?
Find out tomorrow
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Responsible buying in public services –
how to get involved
Not a day goes by without us hearing of workers being abused in global supply chains. From child workers mining
cobalt for smartphones to plantation workers in the tropical fruit industry being denied basic rights, the world of work
is becoming more dangerous and precarious. Many of the goods destined for UK public services are sourced through
very complex supply chains. It is up to everyone sourcing these goods to ensure there is transparency in the supply
chain. That means government and government departments, local authorities as well as private companies providing
public services should conduct ‘due diligence’ to ensure there are no abuses in goods used to provide public services.
UNISON is at the forefront of calls for government to take action to protect
workers in supply chains. We have pro-
duced guidance for members to engage
with their employers on ethical procure-
ment. Whether it be a care home in Suf-
folk or a town hall in Fermanagh, UNI-
SON members have an opportunity to
ask if the employer has a code of con-
duct for suppliers and if they work to
ensure goods destined for UK public
services are not tainted with abuses. We have become the first trade union in the
UK to produce a modern slavery state-
ment demonstrating UNISON’s com-
mitment to transparency in supply
chains.
UNISON responded immediately following the horrific collapse of the Rana Plaza factory making ready-made gar-
ments (RMG) in Bangladesh in 2013. An emergency motion to National Delegate Conference (NDC) saw UNISON
build links with a local garment workers’ federation, BRGWF, to help them to support workers to access their rights.
NGO Labour Behind the Label set up a solidarity fund (please ask your branch to donate) to help support BRGWF’s
office just outside Dhaka. Over the past few years BRGWF has grown its union but continues to face hostility from
factory owners and the government which is reluctant to embrace the promised changes to legislation on freedom of association. Just last month a number of workers were physically attacked for joining a trade union showing how dan-
gerous it still is for workers to have their rights respected.
Delegates to UNISON’s conference will have an opportunity to find out more about what’s happening in the RMG
industry in Bangladesh as the president of BRGWF, Salauddin Shapon, will join Sam Maher of the Clean Clothes
Campaign and Jane Hutt AM Cymru/Wales at a fringe meeting on Thursday. UNISON’s guidance will be launched at
the fringe and Jane Hutt AM will tell delegates about the work in Cymru/Wales on codes of conducts for suppliers in
Wales’ own supply chains. DAVE AUGER
Stepping up
the campaign
against
bullying and
harassment
Conference reaffirms its policy of a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and
harassment.
Conference welcomes the development of the work by UNISON’s young
members to raise the issue of bullying and harassment of young workers, and
notes the disturbing results of the survey f young members conducted in October/November 2016 on the issue which revealed:
Nearly 40% of young workers have been bullied or harassed in the past;
Nearly 40% of young workers are currently being bullied and harassed;
A third of those bullied have had to take time off work because of it;
One in eight needed medication because of bullying/harassment;
Three young workers were hospitalised as result of bullying/harassment.
The survey also showed that there is a shocking lack of knowledge about
employers bullying and harassment policies, and that reporting the issue made no difference in over half of the instances.
A full report available in the Conference Document .18 page 15
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Let other people know about what’s
going on at
National Delegates Conference.
Tweet: #undc17
Via Facebook or your branch websites.
Do you have something to add to
Wednesday’s Newsletter?
Email pictures or wording to:
Or txt 07931223922
We need you to speak about your first memory of a public service
What’s your first memory of a public service? A dinner lady dolloping out green
custard? Swimming lessons in your local pool? Learning to read in the library?
We want to make a film with your personal stories, to make people remembers
how integral public series are to our lives.
Come to the UNIZONE anytime and ask for Rachael if you’ve got 5 minutes
to get involved.
Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can
contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support
service for members and their
dependants.
School Uniform Grant 2017
Tax credit & universal Credit
Financial Assistance
Wellbeing breaks
Debtline
Credit unions
Visit the There For You stand whilst you are here at NDC.
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Your tweets #undc17
@Jenksy Brighton bound for UNISON's #ulgc17 #undc17 Conference credentials: Sunblock, Seat cushion, Righteous anger.
@Barmygirl Love MUSIC –
HATE Racism West Midlands event at Queens Hotel, Brighton on Wednesday 21st, talk 7pm, music
9pm #undc17
@Barmygirl Love MUSIC –
HATE Racism West Midlands event at Queens Hotel, Brighton on Wednesday 21st, talk 7pm, music
9pm #undc17
@YoungUNISON Coming to #undc17 and a young member/
young member visitor, come to our
informal meeting 12.45 Tues 20 in
the Charlotte Room, Grand Hotel.
Disabled members’ 12.45pm Room 1A
Women members’ 12.45pm Syndicate 1
Black members’ 17.15pm Syndicate 3
LGBT members’ 17.15pm Room 1A
@stephenbooth_uk I already have to use annual leave to attend
#ulgc17 and #undc17. Facility time
argument sounds like Density argu-
ment.
@andy0892 Setting off for what I'm sure will be another great UNI-
SON National Delegate Conference
#uNDC17
@stokepix @undc17 #undc17 every time I come
to Brighton the seagulls seem
to aim at me!
@swyp_unison Anyone travelling from London to
#UNDC17 - expect severe
delays due to fire on track at
Gatwick. We're stood at
Coulsdon South sunbathing
@Janie64 Tram ride en route to Brighton for
#undc17
@andy0892 Setting off for what I'm sure will be another great UNISON National
Delegate Conference #uNDC17
@GCol76 Health unions urge Theresa May
to ditch NHS pay cap #NHS #pay #undc17
@SJG99 Time to christen my new
China mug from
#Nicaragua solidarity
stall at unison confer-
ence. #undc17
#Brighton
@gsw41958 In a sweltering #Brighton
for #undc17 starting Tues-
day. A good job the debates
won't be full of hot air...
https://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/ulgc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/ulgc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/uNDC17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/UNDC17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/uNDC17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/NHS?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/pay?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/Nicaragua?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/Brighton?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/Jenksyhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/Brighton?src=hashhttps://twitter.com/hashtag/undc17?src=hash
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Dave Prentis:
It was a real honour to speak out in sup-
port of WASPI women campaign-
ing for pension equality during
International Women’s Day and
Budget Day – thousands lined the
streets of Westminster to call
for a fair deal for the 2.6 million
women affected.
UNISON and the WASPI campaign I’m proud that UNISON – the largest membership organisation for women in the UK – is supporting the WASPI campaign, not just because so many of our members are affected, but because they are on the right side of history.
UNISON will stand with them until they get exactly what they are owed and deserve – a fair transitional arrangement.
Some women have already waited years for an answer from the government – some as many as six years. That’s not fair or just, and it’s created real financial hardship, especially for those who’ve waited 14 years from the passage of legislation to being informed about the changes made. That’s 14 wasted years where different retirement plans could have been made.
Thankfully the WASPI campaign has now brought this issue to light and is pushing for a better way forward. Working with them we brought dozens of MPs together to sign our pledge, saying: “I call on the government to implement fair transitional arrangements for WASPI women affected by the state pension age changes.”
Those are 20 words, but they contain within them millions of stories and struggles – and they’ll form the basis of this struggle for fairness. See Conference Business .55
National Delegates Conference
17-22 June 2018 here in sunny Brighton
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Health & Social Care in Crisis There are three areas of concern,
the crisis in Social Care, the
underfunding of our NHS and
decimation of our Community
Care Services, all combine to
create a perfect storm.
The Scale of the problems
now faced by adult social care
providers are enormous, and are the
direct result of massive Government
cuts to funding. The National Care
Assoc. has said that we are now
beyond the crisis point and are now
on the edge of a cliff.
A survey by UNISON found
that 65 per cent of homecare,
residential support and day services staff said they have less time to spend with those the care for because of staff shortages and 36 per cent said rationing of supplies had increased as a result of budge cuts.
The Local Government Association estimates that the gap in social care funding will be at least £2.6 billion
unless the Government urgently injects more cash into the service. Full details in Conference Business 30
STPs - the future of the NHS?
Conference notes that despite their
often bland phrasing and heavy
cosmetic decoration with proposals
for improved integration of services,
collaboration between providers and
with commissioners, and public health
measures which we could all endorse,
the 44 Sustainability and Trans-
formation Plans (STPs) in England
represent proposals for over £24 billion of cuts, “efficiencies” and
“savings” by 2020-21, which can only
be at the expense of health workers
and patients.
While some STPs pull up short of
spelling out explicit plans for
rationalisation, reconfiguration, back
office consolidation, bed cuts and
staffing reductions, most of them set
course in that direction and seek to
enlist local authorities in support of
plans that will reduce access to
service for may of the local communities they are elected to
represent.
“£24 billion of cuts”
UNISON notes that while many STPs
contain plans for new hospitals,
expansion of existing hospitals, new
community facilities and new ‘digital’
services there is little or no NHS
capital available to fund these
developments, leaving man of them
on empty promise, alongside a real
plan for cuts in existing services.
UNISON opposes austerity-driven
cutbacks in hospital, community and
mental health services, whether these
be presented in the form of STPs or
less overt moves towards reconfigura-tion, cost cutting and consolidation by
trusts. We agree to support national
campaigns on this and campaigns to
defend local access to hospital
services until new, superior,
alternative evidence-based services
are developed, properly staffed and
funded, that ensure safe and improved
services for patients.
The full Conference Business report
can be found .33 page 25 of your
conference document book.
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