Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 18th December 2019

There was some acknowledgement NEC meetings do not always have a friendly tone.

1) UNISON staff pension scheme. Proposals to be discussed next time. 

2) Service group elections procedures were agreed. Discussion about level of low paid seats level, about who nominates in branches with members in more than one service group, criticism of ongoing restrictions on canvassing and campaigning. However passed as proposed. I abstained whilst sharing these concerns I am a member of D&O (Development and Organisation) sub committee so bound by collective responsibility

3) General Secretary report

a) General election. Dave Prentis reported Tories win majority 79 seats. Reasons possible -

Brexit but lost remain voters as well, or Corbyn rallies talking to ourselves or manifesto over promised but we put good things in it 5% pay, public sector funding etc, but lacked credibility as country could not afford it, was costed then added WASPI women £54m etc, free broadband, or campaigning but slogans "for real change" "transformation" did not fit, '.

Said labour vote losing for a long time, over a decade. Way before referendum. 

Conclusions from Dave Prentis about what to do now:

Need to do in depth analysis. 

But also need to strengthen union to deal with a rampant Tory government.

Eg attacks DOCAS (Deduction of contributions at Source), economy and trade agenda which will put our members jobs on the line, USA wants access to public services not just NHS but all. How do we grow and focus union. 

Today was not the time to decide the new leader of labour party, that's for labour link. 

We also have to win in the local and mayoral elections in May. 

Gordon McKay, chair labour link. Whoever they voted for they will be anxious. Jobs, services and trade union, all at risk. The message was UNISON will defend them, need to grow and be united. Elections - in May must deliver. UNISON will use labour link to decide nominations, reasons for defeat, accept we all have something to learn. 

Liz Snape, Assistant General Secretary - UNISON did grow in November, growth in Northern Ireland was more than double that of any other region. Great when we focus on one activity. The Tories will hate to see strong growing union. Unison still the only growing union in UK. The fastest growing union in Europe. 

Comments from NEC members re changed position on Brexit from 2017 when labour said it would negotiate a deal to leave affected the vote, Scotland not being listened to re independence referendum. 

Labour councils delivered cuts poorer services and attacks on members and this with Blair had fed long term decline of working class loyalty to labour. 

UNISON may still be growing but it's members are getting poorer. 

Labour attitude to Scotland and right to decide whether to be in UK lost the labour seats in Scotland. 

We need to look at how to mobilise young people who were out for Labour.   

I made a contribution that the Brexit position in 2019 as opposed to 2017 had left people in the North and Midlands abandoned. 51 of the 54 English seats lost voted leave. 

Timetable for leader in hands of Labour NEC - likely to be quick. 

All agree we need to strengthen union now. Have to decide how, there are differences. Got to streamline to issues we face to defend members in areas that matter to members, take them with us, united front. There was a TUC meeting today, we can't be there because of being here. United action based on strength, not tiny lobbies. Will send message of support to RMT/PCS lobby. But not been asked to join. We need to get resources to the places they are needed. Political funds decimated, only 1:20 new people join with political fund. Need to change this.

Dave Prentis read out letter of thanks from Jeremy Corbyn and Jenny Formby, General Secretary of the Labour Party for UNISON's work during the General election. 

NEC sent Messages of support to 

A) Compass disputes Whiston Blackpool who have settlement, extra money, extra annual leave, 5 days sick leave (from none) 

B)South East region school - academy provider pulled out. 

C) School of Oriental and African studies ballot.

D) Northern Ireland NHS dispute, massive, fantastic - the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) had joined the strike. 

E) Gritters in Carmarthen 3 days strike, employers trying to use agency workers.

F) Sheffield college.

G) Addaction still ongoing with wider remit.

H) term time only contracts in schools win back pay court victory. Legal want new cases. 4 week rule waived to allow unison to represent them. 

I) care workers sleep in in court in the New year. 

Finances - Budget agreed. Political fund down. £1.75 million branch uplift paid.

Branch resource review. Met twice, got sub committees and work plan for Jan, meet 6/2/20. New uplift paid based on last year and possibly adjusted in May once new information is known.