Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 7th April 2021

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.