Kesk trade unionists in Turkey – we sent a message of support to those on trial and called on the Turkish government to drop charges on trade unionists.
There was an additional NEC meeting for discussion of amendments to conference motions - 7th May 2021.
Best wishes were sent to ex National Officer for Water, Environment and Transport, Dave Johnson as well as communications officer Lucy Hyndley who had recently retired.
The NEC passed motions ahead of the special delegate conference in June on the impact of COVID-19 on UNISON members, public services and working life and securing an equal and sustainable post-pandemic settlement. A presentation on how this will be run was subsequently received during the meeting.
Christina McAnea - General Secretary report
Sleep-ins ruling –
disappointment was expressed, we were still fighting, model letters would be
provided for branches to use with employers who might try and take advantage. The
legal team were thanked for their hard work.
Public sector pay – there were different campaigns in different groups and different countries e.g. 4% to NHS in Scotland, another offer to Universities (disaggregated ballot in those that choose to be balloted) with a recommendation to reject.
We were looking at a coordinated pay
campaign across the public sector – fairness for public sector workers, we want
to raise anger levels amongst members and need to get more information out to
members. Our campaign was linked to the May elections – to get Labour elected
where we can e.g. in Wales again, Mayoral and Council elections – “The results of
these elections will have a direct impact on the lives of our members,” the
general secretary said.
The TUC public
services liaison meeting was chaired by Christina – there was a strong
feeling of needing to work collectively – to reverse pay freeze and cuts.
Local disputes were referred to - Fire and Rehire, changes to terms and conditions, failure to implement national terms e.g. Agenda for Change. Some long running e.g. Heartlands porters – significant hardship if implemented, still facing fire and rehire. UNISON Scotland were consulting on local government pay.
If we win at local
level, it helps to build. If we do move to national ballots, we want to make
sure it is successful.
Our work was still supporting people
through covid. We wanted a vaccine in all countries not just the wealthier
ones. Look outwards as well as looking after our members. “We continue to be
a union campaigning on wider international issues and will continue to ensure
that vaccines are being made available in developing countries. This is a
global pandemic and it needs a global response.”
We recommitted to the importance of member and activist education and
union learning reps after the government closed the union learning fund.
NEC members raised
questions and made contributions:
There was the outrageous Sewell report which denied the existence of institutional racism and whether we can do something to mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in May.
Rules were broken
in the recent General Secretary election - 67 complaints (85%) were upheld.
Questions on Public
sector pay – are we coordinating, are we rejecting the Scottish NHS offer of 4%,
if not this will lead to further demoralisation amongst NHS workers. What is
the strategy about NHS pay, members are angry what they lack is belief in UNISON
having a strategy. We need more joint union campaigns.
Not for the first time concerns were raised regarding the lack of information being provided to the NEC following the submission of some 80+ complaints regarding the recent General Secretary’s election. Additionally, 6 or so years on we still haven’t received the oft requested full report into the “UNISONGATE” affair.
Sleep-ins – the North West had asked all labour councils to continue to pay proper rate. Can we do this nationally?
Can we start planning demos, particularly given the outrageous proposals in Police and Crime Bill? Answer - Lots to oppose in the Bill fighting to get as many changes as we can and whether we need to provide additional advice once we can do demos.
Recruitment figures
- re Health and Safety reps are better. 28 April 2021 was International Workers
memorial day – Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living.
Reports from committees:
Development and Organisation
- Recruitment was good in January, most recruitment in schools. UNISON and National
Education Union encouraged direct action using section 44. When we take a stand
and do something we attract members.
Trade Union
education has been cut but looking at alternative provision.
Disciplinary action report:
For the first time
I can remember, a vote was taken on the acceptance or not of the disciplinary
report due to the inordinate time (17 months in one case which is still not
complete) and which would be unacceptable in the majority if not all of the
employers UNISON organises in. The acceptance vote scraped in by 23/21 with
nobody present knowing what to do if it had have fallen!
I voted against
acceptance.
