tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14718865662188670052024-03-08T14:56:16.873+00:00Tony Wilson's union blogI am a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of UNISON all my blog posts are in a personal capacity. Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-85617444085580672532023-03-31T21:04:00.001+01:002023-04-10T21:07:03.412+01:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council meeting 8th February 2023<p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1) Introductions</span></p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Obituaries were given. A minute’s silence was held to honour all those former members.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The passing of Jon Rogers was noted, a long-standing member of the NEC who had died a few days ago after a long illness. He will be sadly missed and the Vice-President in the chair who knew Jon gave a moving speech. Many will remember with a smile his amusing speeches at conference and his commitment to fighting for UNISON members. He also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of UNISON and its rulebook.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Best wishes were sent by the NEC to John Jones, NEC member in the WET seat, who is unwell and in hospital.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sympathy and solidarity was shared for all those in Turkey and Syria killed, injured, bereaved or made homeless and jobless by the earthquake.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Concern was raised that the Greater London Regional Council AGM had been moved to the same day as the NEC meeting, making it impossible for many members to be both at the NEC and accountable to their Region in their regional roles.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2) General Secretary report</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Industrial action is taking place in several sectors: Health, Higher Education, WET (Environment Agency). Christina and the NEC sent messages of support to all of them. It was clear that all the strikes have public support and the government has no strategy except more anti-trade union laws. UNISON is challenging the new anti-strike laws in court.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Questions were asked by many NEC members about attempting to coordinate industrial action across UNISON and with other unions. On February 1st there were 500,000 workers on strike and huge demos across lots of towns and cities which raised the morale and confidence of all those on them.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">NEC members expressed a desire for more coordination on 15th March budget day when several unions NEU, UCU, etc. had already declared the intention to strike. If we can name the day as soon as possible then those with live ballots can be asked if they want to join; also those branches with massive ‘Yes’ votes but not reaching ballot thresholds can plan to take part in other ways, such as lunch time demonstrations, etc. There was some criticism of the lack of UNISON involvement on February 1st. Some NEC members felt we should stand with all pickets regardless of which union they are from and not criticise other unions’ strikes.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">There is a strategy for winning more ballot thresholds. We need to look at messaging to encourage those who will not vote for strike action to vote in any case, as ‘No’ votes help us get over the 50% threshold. There was a TUC meeting today and Gloria Mills was attending for UNISON.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Responses from Christina were that UNISON was not part of February 1st because it is up to local branches and service groups in dispute. There has been no official discussion on March 15th budget day being the next day of action. ‘Coordination’ of strike action does not necessarily mean all striking at the same time, it could be a rolling programme of dates.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ambulance Services have already agreed dates and 15th March is not in that list, but the week before is. We are asking for more strike pay for those at the bottom of the ambulance pay scales so they can sustain action for longer. It was felt better to do action separately as you get more TV coverage on more days.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Jon Richards (Assistant General Secretary) said the reason we only re-balloted in a few health employers was not because of lack of resources to do so but so that we target those with the best chance of winning. We have to say we are opposed to a general strike because it is unlawful to do otherwise and will be used against us by government. We may see legal action by employers based on public statements made by UNISON reps.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We want to ballot to win and strike to win. Action is isolated and this is a challenge. We need to develop a new strategy, such as that which began in Scotland: more targeted with systematic focus on phone banking and texting, disaggregated basis – we got 9 out of 32 across the line. We generally failed in the NHS. Re-ballots are much smaller. HE re-ballots had very bad outcomes. We need more lay ownership of systems. It is embarrassing that we are not leading the resistance to government attacks on public sector workers. We do have isolated pockets: Manchester Met University is heroically taking action today in a long-running dispute.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Question on how we can support people in Turkey and Syria following the terrible earthquake. Response: UNISON is speaking with unions in Turkey who are trying to launch an appeal but the Turkish government want it to be done through government. Syria is much more difficult as there are no free trade unions. We may be able to coordinate through Kurdish organisations, otherwise we would go through the Disaster Emergency Committee.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Year of Black Workers 2023: we would have special lanyards at national conference. Racism is on rise, fascists are increasingly standing in elections. There is an International Day of Action on Saturday 18th March with protests in all capital cities. UNISON will look to support this.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">NHS demo: Save Our NHS / Support the Strikes on 11th March. UNISON is supporting this.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3) Presidential report</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In the report there was a reference to National Delegate Conference 2022 and the reports the Presidential Team have received from upset and disillusioned delegates who felt the behaviour was disgusting and totally inappropriate for a UNISON conference. The Presidential Team do not believe that if such behaviour is repeated it should be tolerated this year. Examples included ongoing barracking of delegates speaking at the rostrum, including first-time speakers, and prolonged coordinated disruption of conference.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Some NEC members present complained that the intention to deal with such behaviour in 2023 was a ‘threat’ and intimidating. A Northern Ireland rep said that the Northern Ireland delegation will demonstrate and protest and will not be gagged. Other NEC members stated it was clear that NDC 2023 had been made a toxic event: we need a conference where everyone feels welcomed. We want the Presidential Team and Gen Secretary to work together on how to make this happen in 2023.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">One NEC member asked for part of the statement which said she had disagreed with the General Secretary to be withdrawn and an NEC statement to be sent to all regional SOGs. In response, agreement was made to meet with the NEC rep.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">NEC reps asked to hear more about a recent trip to Palestine by two NEC members and condemned what is happening there currently and called for UNISON to kickstart its support for the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions campaign. It was agreed this will happen.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Question on Birmingham Equal pay campaign. Using job evaluation had not been maintained: no equal pay audits had been done. 600,000 won. But in discussions with the council, it is apparent Birmingham want to walk away from the scheme and use the Hay evaluation scheme, which is not appropriate for broad spread of jobs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">4) Motions to National conference</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We had initially tried to have a motion on Hong Kong but had to drop this as the NEC is only allowed 12.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">12 motions were therefore agreed by the NEC for NDC 2023 as follows:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Iran: Women, Life, Liberty Iran. Motion on the huge protests led by women against laws forcing the wearing of Hijab and also for Human Rights more generally.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Organising and recruitment strategy including plans for and a 10% target for recruiting new reps</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Empowering UNISON members – political education courses to encourage participation</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Taking effective action within the straitjacket of anti-trade union laws – how to overcome ballot thresholds, training courses on industrial action, learning from experiences.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Climate emergency post-COP27 and decarbonising. Crucial issue as the climate emergency becomes more acute daily.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Health and safety: the national crisis of stress and its impact on public sector workers.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Crisis in NHS and Social Care – urgent as services are increasingly broken with 600+ deaths a week due to delayed admissions.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Childcare, women and economic growth. UK has the highest childcare costs in world. Free childcare would boost economy by £13 billion.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Retained EU law and attack on workers’ rights. The clock could be turned back decades – removing protections on leave, TUPE, pregnancy, anti-discrimination, etc.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Defend the Right to Strike – new Minimum Services Thresholds Bill will deprive us of the right to strike.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Local Government and devolution</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Effective use of our union’s resources to build our Industrial Action Fund and capacity to deliver effective industrial action.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Only Motion 12 received any significant debate on the day. Given this, we will publish separately the full motion and the discussion had at the Finance Committee of the NEC which agreed the motion.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">On Motion 12, Effective use of our union’s resources to build our Industrial Action Fund and capacity to deliver effective industrial action, all NEC members agreed we need to grow our union to defend members. We need to support effective industrial action and that this is patchy at the moment, as we had heard previously in the meeting. We want to be able to do this better but need resources to improve. Some branches have very high reserves e.g. £250+ per member, which are never utilised. The union had a couple of exceptional years during the pandemic where reserves increased due to lower activity than usual. The motion proposes a one-off investment due to the current cost-of-living crisis, to use resources from those branches with the very highest reserves (over £113 per member), and this amount will be matched by national cash-in-hand reserves. The money will be put in to strengthen the Industrial Action Fund and projects to make us better able to meet ballot thresholds and take the action needed to win, such as rapid response teams to support industrial action in regions, improvements to phone and text infrastructure, etc. It still leaves those branches affected (197 out of 840) with very significant reserves of £113 per member.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As the government digs in we need to win more ballots to defend members’ pay, terms and conditions. Some NEC members argued we needed to postpone and wait. Others said we need urgently to improve our capacity to take action. In the North West, NEC delegates reported their own disputes team that mobilises support for any branch that faces possible industrial action and which has won many ballots as a result. It has never been more important for branches to be able to take action. There is money out there in a minority of branches’ reserves which got much bigger during the pandemic. This would be a better use for that money than sitting in accounts with little interest and where it will never get spent. One NEC member was concerned if other unions do deliver positive ballot results and UNISON cannot. This could destabilise UNISON in the long-term if members leave for other unions. One teaching union had reported huge numbers of joiners since being the only teaching union to get over the threshold. Some NEC members stated UNISON should not have increased strike pay to £50 per day.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The motion was carried by 27 votes for, 15 against.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">5) Rules changes to national conference</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Non-gendered language to be applied throughout the rule book.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Honorary life membership: clarity that when nominated, members need to be in full membership.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">All branches and UNISON meetings can be online, hybrid or face-to-face, which will enable branches who have not amended their own rules to hold online/hybrid meetings if they wish regardless of their own branch rules. (Best practice meeting protocols will be produced advising how to hold online/hybrid meetings.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">GDPR – all branch officers must do mandatory GDPR training within 3 months of taking office. There was some debate as whether this is in proportion to the level of risk and concern about what happens if officers do not do the training. Will officers be told they cannot be offices? Is it discriminatory towards low-paid workers, without facility time, who more likely to be female and Black? Carried 28 for, 10 against.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">GDPR – the branch secretary must ensure the branch is compliant (this is an update to an existing rule).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">6) Disciplinary issues</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Agreed report.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">7) Staffing report</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Noted.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">8) UNISON staff pensions</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">UNISON needs to pay into the Government pension protection scheme, a contingency plan all pension schemes pay into. We are using the UNISON centre as an asset to qualify for a saving on the levy. This saving has increased recently due to improvements in the position of UIA.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">9) Finance update</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The 2022 end of year management accounts were reported. These are still draft figures, which will be finalised fully in April. UNISON had a larger deficit budget than planned for, reflecting increased costs post pandemic, but particularly payroll costs for staff, and other inflationary costs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Subs income was £172.6m, which was in line with budget but £2 million less than in 2021 (where membership had increased due to anxieties over Covid).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The end of year predicted deficit is £4.8 million (£2.7 million budgeted for) due mainly to Payroll costs. UNISON had budgeted for a 2% staff pay increase but the eventual settlement was much greater than this. Additional pension costs are also a key factor in additional expenditure.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">UNISON had some savings from reduced costs: training held online, overhead costs reduced in regions, advertising budget was underspent.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">UNISON also had some unanticipated overspends in some departments. The Finance Committee has discussed these and has asked for greater controls so that spending over agreed budgets is signed off formally on each occasion it happens, either by the Director of Finance, or the Finance Committee itself.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The NEC looked at projections for 2023-25. If Payroll grows at a time membership income is static or drops, this is problematic for the union. We need a long-term strategy for our Finances as the previous approach of ‘trimming back’ each year has now run out of road. Nevertheless, we are generally in a good financial state, with good reserves but need to develop a long-term strategy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">10) Organising update</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">185,000 new members had joined in 2022, the strongest areas being in Health and Scotland. Young member joiners are up 65%, which is a very positive trend.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">UNISON ended 2022 with 4,000 new members net growth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Biggest growth comes where ballots have taken place. Movement and peer to peer texting made a real difference.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Big gains are made where we are strategically organising e.g. NHS band 2 to band 3 campaigns.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Activist base – we had 2,279 new activists but overall it is a net loss.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">11) Pay</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Much of this was already covered in detail in the General Secretary’s earlier report and discussion.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Schools: £130m won in Term Time Only campaign. Case against NEU at TUC will be heard tomorrow.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Some NEC members expressed the need to draw in the mass of workers not currently on strike in health and local government, if we are to win on pay. There was a debate on the role of strike action and differing views expressed.</span>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-43055876598271596892022-12-28T21:16:00.006+00:002022-12-28T21:24:40.697+00:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 7th December 2022<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>General Secretary's report</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A dispute with the NEU has been lodged at the TUC, as the NEU has been recruiting school support staff and actively seeking to discuss NJC pay for school and Further Education support staff. Christina was disappointed that 4 Socialist Party members of the NEC had criticised UNISON in a public statement about this. The chairs of Local Government, Schools Committee and Schools NJC made the decision. Schools are over a third of local government branches. School budgets have been cut massively. The NEU is taking this up as they don’t want teacher pay rises to mean cuts to support staff. There was some criticism of UNISON informing employers of the inter-union dispute and our non-cooperation with the NEU, though Christina countered that the NEU were first to write to employers.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The NEU may get a positive ballot for action and our members will have to decide what to do. NEC members stated that circulars telling members what they cannot do at such times are unhelpful, and we need to focus on what members can do. There is a risk that more members will leave and join NEU. We do need to say we should show solidarity, in the morning before work and members should not do work done by striking colleagues.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the heath ballot, Christina was disappointed that only 8 branches got over the 50% threshold but it was our best result ever with a 34% national turnout. 5 ambulance trusts will strike on 21st December and UNISON will reballot others that came close. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lots of unions are out on strike over pay, NEC members stated, many with increased intensity of strike days. We need to ensure real solidarity and there was a call for lunchtime rallies for ambulance strikers on 21st December.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Together We Rise campaign – there had been a lobby of Parliament and rally, which received good press coverage. Christina had been on a TUC delegation to Madrid, where it was refreshing to hear Spain has a socialist coalition government unapologetically speaking up for workers’ rights.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An NEC member reported on a legal ruling in Scotland regarding a UNISON member who wanted to stand in a local election and was sacked for this. She won in court with a discrimination claim. Christina would ensure this was reviewed for its implications by our own legal team.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Presidential Team’s report</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The President’s charity (the Endeavour Project) removes barriers for victims of domestic abuse and violence to leave e.g. pet care, which can stop people leaving horrendous situations. There was support from the NEC for this. Thanks were given for presidential team attending disabled members conference.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Standing Orders for NEC meetings</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Standing orders were agreed for NEC meetings. It is surprising that the NEC has no standing orders or rules for its meetings. These were necessary to help the NEC get through business. For example, points of order are now clarified as to what these are and how to raise them, which should reduce unwarranted interruptions to NEC meetings.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Organising update</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There has been a big increase in membership particularly in health branches for October and November during the health ballot. Scotland has also done particularly well. In June 2022 we had lost 21,000 members net, but by November 2022 this had turned into a 6,000 net gain. Mobilisations over pay would continue into 2023 so there was every reason to be optimistic about membership.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Assistant General Secretary for Regions confirmed the improvements to the paper presented which was much shorter and not consisting only of reams of crude statistics. Papers would in future deliver more analysis rather than bare statistics</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Service Group pay campaigns</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pay is the biggest issue for members. There is a 2% public service pay cap for next year. There is a desire to take action earlier than UNISON has done previously on pay claims. UNISON is currently re-balloting 49 branches with HE members who were close to 50% previously. We will be using <em>Movement</em>, the union’s new phone banking system, which is much better than previous systems, as part of this.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We missed out on the environmental health ballot by one vote nationally, which shows that every vote really does count. There was discussion about tactics during ballots, and that publicity that appeals only to those already convinced of the need to vote YES could be complemented by publicity later in the ballot which seeks to persuade all members of the need to have their say, regardless of their views.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the Environment Agency, members are much angrier now than previous years and got a good ballot result. Their action will start as action short of strike action, alongside some strikes in out of hours work (for which the pay is extremely low). This is being coordinated with other trade unions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At CQC, there has been an offer of 2%, so we are moving to ballot.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In FE, local action is likely.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <span style="font-weight: 700;">Health</span>, the consultation on an improved offer (worth 7.5% on the pay bill) ends next week in Scotland. If this is accepted by members, it makes clear there is a political choice to increase pay as this offer comes from the Scottish devolved government.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Northern Ireland has no government currently so nothing settled so far on pay. Action short of strike action will take place this week, and strike action starts next week.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">England and Wales, where we have 300,000 members who were balloted: thanks went from the NEC to all who helped. Last time there was a national health ballot, the turnout was 14%, this time the average was 34%. 8 employers got over the line in England, including 5 ambulance trusts who had done work previously on getting home address data beforehand and who all had good pledge responses before the ballot.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The closest next 10 employers will be re-balloted quickly. West Midlands ambulance trust got 49.5% turnout, 17 votets short and where 19 members had spoilt their ballots. 81,000 members took part, up from 26,000 in 2014. 830 staff and activists helped phonebank with <em>Movement</em> through a whole-union effort. 140,000 members were emailed or accepted a call, Many said they would vote but we must conclude that many didn’t. Work will done as a matter of urgency to understand what members thought of the campaign and to learn lessons. We have commissioned research already: was it the message (too strong for YES, perhaps putting off NO voters from voting at all) or people being too busy, or something else. In 50 employers, 80% of members were contacted. We need to understand why it was less is many others. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first strike will be on 21st December and will be mainly ambulance trust members. Rolling action will follow in January and February. We are planning now for: Industrial Action strategy; the re-balloting project; solidarity action to take for those members who cannot strike; learning from the ballot (research commissioned as above). We can regard the ballot as a building exercise. We have proved in some employers it can be done, we now have to use that mandate wisely and build elsewhere.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coordinates strike action – does not necessarily mean all members coming out at the same time. We may sequence branches taking action after a first day.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work is being done to improve donation levels to strike funds.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Industrial action report</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The chair of the Industrial Action Fund reported that we are winning smaller disputes and reported back on Barnet’s successful dispute in local government, and several others. It was resolved that the NEC would write to all such branches and thank them. There are lots more ballots than ever before.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finance</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The management accounts for the 10 months to 31st October 2022 were approved. There was an operating deficit of £1.2m rather than £2.3m predicted for the first ten months. The Finance Committee will be reviewing the larger variances in budget lines at its next meeting in January where it will also have the draft full year results.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>UNISON Direct</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UNISON Direct is now directly governed by UNISON after UIA Insurance (which used to run it) was agreed to be wound down due to not being a going concern. The NEC will be asked to elect three nominees to support the work of governing and developing UNISON Direct henceforth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>National Standing Orders Committee</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was agreed unanimously that Becky Brookman would replace Amerit Rait, who could not stay on the committee due to becoming Vice-President.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Motions not reached at conference </b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The NEC was presented with a paper outlining which paid officers will pick up the motions, however it was agreed that it is easy to lose track as an NEC member the outcomes of the motions. The President acknowledged this and agreed to seek a paper from officers which would help to keep the NEC updated. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Motions not reached will go back to relevant committees for discussion.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 1rem 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-54630634639872256632022-11-20T20:51:00.004+00:002022-11-20T20:57:12.763+00:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 12th October 2022<p><span color="var(--paragraphMediumColor)" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting heard from Lesia Semeniaka, the international officer of Atomprofspilka, the Nuclear Power and Industry Workers Union in Ukraine. Lesia thanked UNISON for its moral and financial support. She talked of recent civilian victims of Russian attacks, together with attacks on infrastructure and on educational and cultural sites.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The NEC’s Chair of its International Committee thanked Lesia and stated the presentation had shown the horror of war. Putin should never have invaded and should pull out. War only benefits our rulers and the arms industry. The potential for escalation was frightening. There were people in Russia who were opposed to the war. The Tories were trying to get people to accept that the Cost of Living crisis was mainly down to the war. </span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">General Secretary’s report</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Christina McAnea. There was a new PM and Chancellor who were in favour of redistribution from the poor to the rich. There was no pretence at one nation Toryism any longer. The NHS pay ballot was a priority for the union with 400,000 members in the NHS balloted from 27th October in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Together We Rise campaign – the union wants every MP to be visited by a member at the lobby of Parliament on 2nd November organised jointly with the TUC. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An NEC member asked if UNISON was supporting the Britain is Broken demo on 5th November in London called by People’s Assembly and a number of trade unions and if so could we publicise it to members. In reply an Assistant General Secretary said we would advertise the demo but the priority was the lobby of Parliament on 2nd November.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Presidential Team gave a report.</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> NEC members have now been offered the Trans Ally training and this had been successfully implemented. The Development and Organisation Committee had been offered Show Racism the Red Card training and this was now being rolled out to all NEC members. The President called for volunteers to sign up to the Ambassador training. The President announced her chosen charity for the year: the Endeavour Project (a domestic abuse support service).</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There was an item on proposed NEC Standing Orders on the agenda. The President stated that she has received complaints that papers are circulated sometimes up to the night before a meeting, the meeting is often dominated by points of order which are not technically points of order which holds up progress of meetings, and that some speakers are not managing the length of their contributions, all in all making it harder to get through business. The President also had concerns that access standards were not being met. It was surprising that a union like UNISON had no standing orders for its NEC meetings. In line with the proposed standing orders they had been sent out in advance of the meeting with a request for amendments.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An NEC member proposed they be tabled to another meeting as they had not read the papers. The President Andrea Egan stated that if there were any amendments they should have been circulated prior to the meeting as requested. Standing Orders would deal with timeliness of papers (being sent out a week prior to the meeting rather than tabled on the day), access issues, etc. The proposal to defer consideration of Standing Orders was lost. For – 22, Against – 27, abstentions – 3.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Delegate Conference motions were discussed.</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> The General Secretary had submitted a paper on this as had the Presidential Team. The General Secretary said she was in agreement with most of the Presidential Team’s document but would like a further discussion on Motion 11, around the vote of no confidence passed in the NEC. Issues referred to were rebuilding trust and confidence in the NEC from branches and regions, should there be symbolic resignations from the NEC, dealing with issues of factionalism, etc. The President said we were now coming together since Conference and dealing with the pressing issues our members face such as the cost of living crisis and pay ballots. The President reminded the NEC that Motion 11 stated that the NEC had been concentrated on internal issues at the expense of being outward facing and it was positive that work was developing on a number of fronts to deal with the challenges confronting the union and its members.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Another NEC member stated that some elements of the general secretary’s paper had been settled at the end of Conference. The NEC had voted against resigning en masse and also against symbolic resignations already. The new Presidential Team had a Black member and moves had already been made to address representation on NEC strategic committees. Progress was being made on relations with the Equality Liaison Committee. A Black members’ rep on the NEC has joined the NEC Staffing Committee. Factionalism was as old as the Labour movement itself and always existed in UNISON, said one NEC member.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An NEC member reported Rule I investigations had been controversial in previous NEC terms, with court rulings found against the union. They did not agree that because officers say something the NEC cannot disagree with it in a member-led union.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was proposed some of the elements of the general secretary’s report be included in the Presidential Team’s report on the motions passed at NDC. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A vote was taken on the proposal for individual/symbolic resignations. Following debate on the union needing stability at this critical time and facing once in a lifetime challenges – this was lost. The NEC affirmed its position on this taken at an NEC meeting during national delegate conference.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A vote on whether to revisit a number of previous decisions taken on Rule I investigations was lost: For 23, Against 27. Debate centred around how far you could go back and for which decisions. There was a danger in opening floodgates to multiple requests to reopen processes.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A vote on rebuilding relationships with constituent parts of the union was carried: For 29, Against 2.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A vote on ‘compromise’ between factions on the NEC which would require changing the membership of strategic committees of the NEC: For 24, Against 28, Abstentions 0. An NEC member on their second term said they had served two terms on the NEC and there was always a majority faction and a minority faction. The issue was about discussing different strategies and how best we organise for members. This recognises union democracy and is necessary.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was proposed to amend the Presidential Team paper to include that the general secretary reserved the right to advise that if NEC actions were outside the rule book based on legal advice, she would instruct staff not to implement them. For 23, Against 23. The Chair took the casting vote against. Therefore, the proposal was lost. The chair explained that the proposition was a given and did not require an amendment to the paper.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A vote was taken on the Presidential Team report on Motions 9, 10 and 11 from NDC.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Motion 9: For 42, Against 0.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Motion 10: For 29, Against 19, Abstain 1.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Motion 11: as amended (to work with Regions, etc.) For 36, Against 11, Abstain 1.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was agreed to defer the item on Standing Orders</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to the next meeting after all as time was running short after previous lengthy debate and voting, with other pressing items still to come. </span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Black NEC member was elected to the Staff Pensions Committee</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (providing governance and oversight to the staff pension scheme).</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Disciplinary Report was agreed.</strong></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">NEC election procedures</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – these had been revised in the same way as Service Group election procedures. A pdf paper outlining differences between versions going forward had some of the words missing due to a document formatting error; the corrected version was recirculated during the meeting. Covid protocols had been removed. Branches can now hold hybrid meetings without the need for Officer attendance. Previously two signatories on nomination forms were required (the Chair and Secretary) – this was now amended to either the Chair or the Secretary. Officers explained that this would make the nomination process more efficient. The procedures had been through Development and Organisation subcommittee of the NEC. </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The vote to adopt the new election procedures was carried. For 28, Against 12, Abstentions 8.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Staffing Committee</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – a pay offer had gone out to staff trade unions for consultation. Recruitment and Selection procedures for temporary appointments now included lay NEC members, which had been negotiated with the staff trade unions. The details of the pay negotiations are currently confidential to the Staffing Committee.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Year of Black Workers 2023</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – It was reported that £30,000 would be committed to this important campaign, should the NEC approve it. A vote for UNISON to make 2023 the Year of Black Workers was carried: For 46, Against 0.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Service Group updates</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – there was detailed discussion of how other parts of the union could help with the critical NHS pay ballot e.g. retired members and other activists beyond Health. The NEC encouraged members to make use of the new facilities that had been improved and provided to support ballots by the NEC, such as the new phone banking system (Movement), and peer to peer texting.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organising update</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – it was noted that membership was growing slightly due to the various pay claims and campaigns. Industrial activity encourages new members to join. The work on the D&O Committee Organising Strategy continues and was reported. It was suggested this would possibly give end of year growth despite Health sector data cleansing over the summer to prepare for the strike ballot.</span></p><p><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">NDC motions booklet</strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – this was noted. Motions will now be allocated to relevant sub committees.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a pro forma to complete by NEC members to review of National Delegate Conference. Feedback will be sent to the national Standing Orders Committee to aid planning for NDC 2023.</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting ended.</span></p><article class="sections" data-page-sections="619d2c1c40c3a46fb77a46f2" id="sections"><section class="page-section content-collection full-bleed-section collection-type-blog-basic-grid background-width--full-bleed section-height--medium content-width--wide horizontal-alignment--center vertical-alignment--middle white-bold" data-active="true" data-animation="none" data-controller="SectionWrapperController" data-controllers-bound="SectionWrapperController" data-current-context="{
"video": {
"playbackSpeed": 0.5,
"filter": 1,
"filterStrength": 0,
"zoom": 0,
"videoSourceProvider": "none"
},
"backgroundImageId": null,
"backgroundMediaEffect": null,
"typeName": "blog-basic-grid"
}" data-current-styles="{
"imageOverlayOpacity": 0.15,
"backgroundWidth": "background-width--full-bleed",
"sectionHeight": "section-height--medium",
"horizontalAlignment": "horizontal-alignment--center",
"verticalAlignment": "vertical-alignment--middle",
"contentWidth": "content-width--wide",
"sectionTheme": "white-bold",
"sectionAnimation": "none",
"backgroundMode": "image"
}" data-section-id="619d2c1c40c3a46fb77a46f4" data-section-theme="white-bold" data-test="page-section" style="--announcement-bar-background-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --announcement-bar-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseAccent-hsl), 1); --backgroundoverlaycolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderbordercolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderdropshadowcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --gradientheadernavigationcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --headingextralargecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headinglargecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headinglinkcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headingmediumcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headingsmallcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-card-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-collage-image-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlay-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 0.5); --image-block-poster-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-title-bg-color-v2: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-poster-image-title-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-stack-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-arrow-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-arrow-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-arrow-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-arrow-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaynavigationlinkcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --navigationlinkcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphlargecolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphlinkcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --paragraphmediumcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphsmallcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-basic-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-overlay-overlay-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-overlay-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --portfolio-hover-follow-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-hover-static-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-index-background-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --primarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --primarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --secondarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --secondarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --section-inset-border-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --shape-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --shape-block-dropshadow-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --sitebackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --sitetitlecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --social-links-block-main-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --social-links-block-secondary-icon-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --solidheaderbackgroundcolor: hsla(60, 23.0769%, 94.902%, 1); --solidheaderbordercolor: hsla(282.295, 57.0093%, 20.9804%, 1); --solidheaderdropshadowcolor: hsla(281.538, 17.3333%, 85.2941%, 1); --solidheadernavigationcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --summary-block-limited-availability-label-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tertiarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tertiarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --text-highlight-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --text-highlight-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-divider-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-divider-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-icon-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-author-profile-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-comment-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-comment-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-content-link-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-date-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-background-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-caption-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-caption-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-description-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-option-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-option-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-survey-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-survey-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-icon-background-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-lightbox-background-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-lightbox-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-extra-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-medium-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-small-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-line-block-line-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-heading-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-heading-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-paragraph-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-paragraph-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-background-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-description-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-footnote-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-footnote-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-link-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-medium-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-small-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-breadcumb-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-gallery-controls-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseLightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-sale-price-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-scarcity-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-variant-fields-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-category-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-pagination-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-sale-price-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-scarcity-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-status-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-button-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-controls-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-overlay-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-source-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-source-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-excerpt-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-header-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-header-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-primary-metadata-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-primary-metadata-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-read-more-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-read-more-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-secondary-metadata-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-secondary-metadata-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-text-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-description-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-meta-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-description-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-meta-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-category-nav-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--paragraphMediumColor); display: flex; padding-top: 133.562px; position: relative;"><div class="content-wrapper" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 1263.33px;"><div class="content" style="width: 1263.33px;"><div class="blog-item-wrapper blog-basic-grid-item-wrapper" data-content-field="main-content" data-item-id="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 1263.33px;"><article class="h-entry entry hentry post-type-" id="article-" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; padding: 4vw; width: 1263.33px;"><div class="blog-item-inner-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1200px; position: relative; width: 870.698px;"><section class="blog-item-comments" style="margin-top: 3vw;"><div class="blog-item-comments-toggle-wrapper"><div class="blog-item-comments-content" data-content-field="comments" id="blogItemCommentsContent"></div></div></section></div></article></div></div></div></section></article><section class="item-pagination item-pagination--prev-next white-bold" data-collection-type="blog-basic-grid" id="itemPagination" style="--announcement-bar-background-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --announcement-bar-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseAccent-hsl), 1); --backgroundoverlaycolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderbordercolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --gradientheaderdropshadowcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --gradientheadernavigationcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --headingextralargecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headinglargecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headinglinkcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headingmediumcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --headingsmallcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-card-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-card-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-collage-image-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-collage-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlap-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-overlay-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 0.5); --image-block-poster-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-image-title-bg-color-v2: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-poster-image-title-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-poster-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-button-bg-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-overlay-color: hsla(var(--darkAccent-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-subtitle-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-image-title-bg-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 0); --image-block-stack-image-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --image-block-stack-inline-link-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-arrow-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-arrow-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-banner-slideshow-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-arrow-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-arrow-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-carousel-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-description-link-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-card-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --list-section-simple-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --list-section-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --menuoverlaynavigationlinkcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --navigationlinkcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphlargecolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphlinkcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --paragraphmediumcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --paragraphsmallcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-basic-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-overlay-overlay-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --portfolio-grid-overlay-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --portfolio-hover-follow-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-hover-static-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --portfolio-index-background-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --primarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --primarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --secondarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --secondarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --section-inset-border-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --shape-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --shape-block-dropshadow-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --sitebackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --sitetitlecolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --social-links-block-main-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --social-links-block-secondary-icon-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --solidheaderbackgroundcolor: hsla(60, 23.0769%, 94.902%, 1); --solidheaderbordercolor: hsla(282.295, 57.0093%, 20.9804%, 1); --solidheaderdropshadowcolor: hsla(281.538, 17.3333%, 85.2941%, 1); --solidheadernavigationcolor: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --summary-block-limited-availability-label-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tertiarybuttonbackgroundcolor: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tertiarybuttontextcolor: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --text-highlight-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --text-highlight-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-divider-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-divider-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-icon-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-accordion-block-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-alternating-side-by-side-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-basic-grid-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-author-profile-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-comment-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-comment-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-item-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-masonry-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-side-by-side-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-read-more-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-blog-single-column-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-content-link-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-date-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-events-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-background-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-caption-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-caption-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-description-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-option-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-option-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-survey-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-survey-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-form-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-icon-background-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-lightbox-background-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-gallery-lightbox-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-extra-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-medium-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-heading-small-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-line-block-line-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-heading-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-heading-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-paragraph-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-marquee-block-paragraph-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-item-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-menu-block-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-background-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-background-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-button-text-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-description-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-footnote-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-footnote-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-newsletter-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-large-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-link-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-medium-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-paragraph-small-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-meta-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-portfolio-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-breadcumb-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-description-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-gallery-controls-color: hsla(var(--safeInverseLightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-sale-price-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-scarcity-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-basic-item-variant-fields-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-category-nav-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-pagination-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-price-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-sale-price-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-scarcity-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-status-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-grid-text-below-list-title-color: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-button-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-controls-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-product-quick-view-lightbox-overlay-color: hsla(var(--white-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-source-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-source-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-quote-block-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-excerpt-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-excerpt-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-header-text-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-header-text-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-primary-metadata-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-primary-metadata-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-read-more-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-read-more-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-secondary-metadata-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-secondary-metadata-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-title-color-on-background: hsla(var(--safeDarkAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-summary-block-title-color: hsla(var(--black-hsl), 1); --tweak-text-block-background-color: hsla(var(--lightAccent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-description-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-meta-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-pagination-icon-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-pagination-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --tweak-video-item-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-description-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-meta-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-basic-title-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); --video-grid-category-nav-color: hsla(var(--accent-hsl), 1); display: flex; padding: 3vw 4vw;"><a class="item-pagination-link item-pagination-link--next" href="https://timeforrealchange.uk/latest/nec-report-meeting-held-on-7-september-2022" style="align-items: center; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; cursor: pointer; display: flex; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; max-width: 50%; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none; width: auto;"><div class="pagination-title-wrapper"><div class="visually-hidden" style="background-color: #f5f5ef; border: 0px; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); color: black; font-family: granville; font-size: 19.072px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Next</div><div><br /></div></div></a></section>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-13729202225553801842022-10-02T21:43:00.001+01:002022-11-20T21:47:53.942+00:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 7th September 2022<p>This meeting was a second additional meeting to the usual cycle, following July’s, and was of a shorter length (3 hours compared to the usual 6.5 hours).</p><p>This NEC meeting focussed exclusively on NDC Motions 9, 10 and 11 and the NEC’s response to them. The discussions were ‘starred’ meaning they should not be reported on in public, at least for the time being. A good discussion was held though actions could not be definitively concluded in the time alotted. The meeting ended with the NEC agreeing unanimously it had made good progress in a helpful meeting and would take up discussion further at its October meeting.</p><p>Additional decisions:</p><p>The NEC agreed to remove Kath Owen (one of previous Presidential Team) as one of three Trustees of the union, at Kath’s request due to family reasons. It was agreed Libby Nolan as new Vice-President would replace her. Kath has also stood down as a Staff Pension Scheme trustee and an open nomination process would take place to find a replacement. </p><p>The NEC agreed to a request from its International Committee to donate £5,000 to the Pakistani floods disaster appeal. </p><p>It was agreed that National Black Members’ representative April Ashley would go on the Staffing Committee (as recommended by the National Black Members Committee).</p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-72365002961207822822022-08-27T21:57:00.002+01:002022-11-20T22:02:44.532+00:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 26th July 2022<div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The meeting was an additional meeting to the usual cycle and was of a shorter length (3 hours compared to the usual 6.5 hours).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>General Secretary report</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Christina McAnea gave her General Secretary report. </div><div><br /></div><div>It has been a good TUC demo on June 19th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tories are tearing each other apart, but their drift rightward is a concern. </div><div><br /></div><div>On pay, the local government offer was £1,925. The claim was for £2,000 or RPI inflation. The offer has got nowhere near inflation except for the very bottom of the pay scale.</div><div><br /></div><div>There has been a big meeting of the staff and lay leaderships (Presidential Team; Industrial Action Committee chair; Service Group chairs; Chair of Policy Committee) to discuss the cost of living crisis and what we need to do to get strike ready. There will be a meeting of Regional Secretaries also next week to discuss the same and the deployment of staff resources.</div><div><br /></div><div>We do not underestimate the challenge. We have very large groups of public sector members. The only other union close is RCN with 400,000. We may ballot one million members. Scale is a real challenge for us which some unions do not face. But we have no alternative but to push ahead with this work.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are talking with other trade unions. If UNISON’s 1,200 staff only did strike preparation work, it would still not be enough so need to build capacity on ground.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Scottish ballot of 26,000 local government workers closes today. This will let us see if the efforts made there have worked. Several hundred staff have been doing phone banking, pls us the union has used text messaging.</div><div><br /></div><div>The NEC’s Industrial Action Committee has offered full pay for the lowest paid members called on to strike in Scotland Local Government ballot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scotland Health are also doing a consultative ballot which finishes next week; the NEC sent a message of support.</div><div><br /></div><div>Branches who do better generally with ballot turnouts have more activism before a ballot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The union is looking at better, quicker, easier to access systems to do telephone banking, allowing us to be more flexible, with scripts etc so we can ring more people. There will be a report to the Development & Organisation Committee about this.</div><div><br /></div><div>None of the pay offers are fully funded and government will try and play off staff and services.</div><div><br /></div><div>The NEC agreed messages of support to AQA and OCS members who are on strike this week in the North West. </div><div><br /></div><div>The union is launching a Judicial Review regarding the Government change in law to bring in agency workers during strike action.</div><div><br /></div><div>There has been a win on holiday pay for term-time workers in the Supreme Court. The NEC sent congratulations to the team who had worked on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is good that the Rwanda flights have not gone ahead. UNISON is supporting the next day of action against this which coincides with the next court case in September. Credit is due to the PCS for their legal challenge to this. It was confirmed branches will receive notice of the September court case so they can support any actions around this.</div><div><br /></div><div>There has been a good legal decision that Long Covid is a covered by the Equality Act. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Presidential Team report</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Amerit Rait, Vice-President, reported for the Presidential Team:</div><div><br /></div><div>On equality, the Presidential Team has had several meetings with the National Black Members Committee on increasing participation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Julia Mwaluke will join the Industrial Action Committee.</div><div><br /></div><div>There has been discussion about a member of the NEC elected to a National Black Members seat joining the Staffing Committee. April Ashley is agreed to replace Sarah Littlewood as Sarah has asked to come off due to personal reasons. The four Black Members rep will meet again for a final discussion on this.</div><div><br /></div><div>National Disabled Members seat representatives also asked for a place on the Staffing Committee. Two of the current membership of the Staffing Committee declared in the meeting that they had disabilities that maybe are not be visible to others but that disabled members of the NEC are represented.</div><div><br /></div><div>Further meetings with other national Self Organised Group chairs are planned. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is a recommendation for a seminar on the cost-of-living crisis by agreement between Presidential Team and General Secretary. </div><div><br /></div><div>The UNISON TUC Delegation was updated to include the two new Vice-Presidents, Amerit Rait and Libby Nolan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two additional Labour Party Conference delegates were proposed by the Presidential Team, Mandy Buckley and Mark Fisher.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Cost of Living crisis</b></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 19th September there will be a large lobby of Parliament held. </div><div><br /></div><div>Health have been offered £1,400 flat rate (one third less than local government). This will go to ballot but nature of ballot is yet to be discussed by the Health SGE.</div><div><br /></div><div>A Higher Education ballot is currently underway.</div><div><br /></div><div>To win ballots we need more activists. The union is looking at a formal category of activists: ‘Pay activists’. </div><div><br /></div><div>The TUC public services meeting discussed aggregate versus disaggregate ballots. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mileage rates is still a huge issue. Should we consider how we lobby HMRC or other forms of action by members, such as refusing to use cars when not contractually obliged to? New bargaining guidance on mileage rates is out. </div><div><br /></div><div>NEC members felt that it was right that the cost-of-living was a priority for the union. It was raised whether the union could hold a national meeting online similar to the one in December 2021.</div><div><br /></div><div>A statement by the NEC on the Cost-of-Living crisis for branches and members was agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two papers on NDC conference motions were not reached and will be discussed at an additional NEC meeting to be scheduled in early September. </div></span></span></div>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-22258272566478641942022-08-26T22:09:00.000+01:002022-11-20T22:14:35.396+00:00National Executive Council statement 26th July 2022<p>The NEC wants to thank and congratulate all UNISON activists, members, and staff who ensured we had a tremendous turnout on the 18th June TUC Demo in London. It was a great day and the level of engagement from our union, especially coming immediately after our National Delegates Conference, was deeply inspiring.</p><p>Demonstrations, however great they are, should never be stand-alone events. They need to lead to activity focused on delivering on our objectives – and there is no greater objective at the moment than defeating the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring fair pay for working people. So, it was wonderful to leave the demo and find ourselves immediately thrust into activity to support the RMT dispute – a dispute which has focused everybody’s minds on the inequality that exists within our society and the power ordinary people have to fight for what’s right. We congratulate everyone who made it to an RMT picket line or strike rally, or helped spread the message through social media that their fight is our fight. We will continue to support the RMT and other unions approaching key disputes, including Unite at British Airways and the CWU in BT and Royal Mail to name just a few.</p><p>Not only are we proud to support other unions in dispute, but we are especially proud of UNISON members and branches fighting back. We send our solidarity and support to OCS strikers in the North West, St. Monica’s strikers in the South West, University of Leeds strikers in Yorkshire and Humberside and all UNISON members everywhere demanding fair treatment and decent wages and working conditions.</p><p>At our recent National Delegates Conference, our General Secretary Christina McAnea made it clear that in order to secure the pay awards we deserve, our union needs to be “strike ready”. The NEC intends to do all we can to heed this call. As an NEC we are committed to taking action on the motions agreed at NDC and we fully recognise the urgent need to tackle cost of living crisis.</p><p>Starting with our own NEC and committee meetings, we will ensure that every meeting includes an agenda item on “How we defeat the cost-of-living crisis”, in order to guarantee this question is a clear focus of the work we undertake and that we are able to throw the full weight of our union behind tackling this urgent challenge. </p><p>Our Industrial Action Committee has already raised strike pay, but this is not just a question for that particular committee. </p><p>Our Finance Committee will be doing all it can to make sure our resources are directed to organising for ballots and the action that may follow. </p><p>Our Policy committee will be working with Christina and her team to ensure our communications strategy continually reinforces our need to be strike ready, offering best practice examples from branches that are well-versed in achieving strong ballot results and highlighting testimony from members who are struggling under the weight of low pay. </p><p>The Development and Organisation committee are already undertaking focus work on organising, and this will be incorporated into ongoing work plans. They will also be bringing forward our experiences around organising from all corners and across all representatives within our committees, locally, regionally, and nationally.</p><p>Notes that the Campaign Fund Committee has already committed significant funding to campaign on the cost of living crisis and encourages regions and branches to access the fund.</p><p>As an NEC we will play our part in showing UNISON members that we are up for this fight and we hope in turn that this will inspire branches to do the same, convincing members that when the ballots come, there is every reason to vote and every reason to vote for action if that is what is required.</p><p>We know that engaging and inspiring our activists will be vital if we are to succeed, so we intend to build on the activist rally we had last December and organise a similar (but bigger) event, a “Cost of Living Summit” with a clear focus on how we win on pay…and we want to use this and other initiatives to increase the number of UNISON activists because we know that makes us all stronger.</p><p>We aim to be as proactive as possible, and we want everyone reading this to feel the same way. We want service groups to know that we will help them to coordinate activity where possible and that if they want to organise activity in advance of ballots to capture the anger that exists over pay – lobbies of parliament, town hall meetings, online rallies – we will support them to do so. In fact, we want branches, regions, service groups, self-organised groups and anyone else to know that if you have a plan, or even an idea on how we can strengthen ourselves to win for our members, the NEC will support you.</p><p>It is vital that we deliver for UNISON members and the NEC doesn’t intend to leave a single stone unturned to do so. The time for action is now. Enough is enough. We demand better and UNISON is ready to fight for it!</p><p>Statement of the NEC, agreed at its meeting held on 26 July 2022. </p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-85075659220107782802022-01-09T13:53:00.006+00:002022-02-06T13:59:09.639+00:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 1st December 2021<p>This was an in person and hybrid meeting. The Vice Presidents
Kath Owen and Andrea Egan expressed concern about the late receipt of NEC
papers and that no papers had been printed we hoped going forward this would be
addressed with seven days notice in terms of receiving papers before meetings. There
was a packed agenda and a balance would need to be struck between progressing
the business of the meeting and allowing as many speakers as possible. We then
moved to the obituaries. One obituary resulted in a ‘final message’ from a
deceased UNISON member being read out by an NEC member. This message was to the
effect that all the members of the NEC were as bad as each other: ‘you’re all a
pack of bastards’. It is extraordinary that an NEC member would feel it
appropriate to begin what was always likely to be a difficult and tense
meeting, based on previous experience, with such a confrontational and inappropriate
message.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There were some technical difficulties with the IT and all
those in the room at the UNISON centre were asked to log off teams to avoid audio
feedback being created. NEC members online reported that the audio was poor. At
least 20 minutes was lost at the start of the meeting because of this. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Christina Mcanea, General Secretary report</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Christina referred to current disputes and that today was
the first day of the industrial action ballot in local government for England
and Wales. We're doing all we could to maximise turnout and to give access to the
Warm's system (UNISON membership) to more people in the branch. New guidance and
scripts would be going out imminently on how to do phone banks that was GDPR compliant.
There was further consultation in terms of the NHS pay ballot in England and in
Local Government in Scotland there was an improved offer with a 76% yes vote to
accept.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was a report of legal cases – one had been a victory
in terms of collective bargaining and inducements to break collective
agreements at the Supreme Court congratulations were given and it set a good
precedent for us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The COP26 climate conference was referred to: Tony Wright as
Chair of PDCC (Policy Development and Campaigns Committee) NEC sub committee had
attended in Glasgow with Christina. A report was launched ‘Getting to net zero
in UK public services: The road to decarbonisation’. There was a one hour live
stream. But COP26 outcome generally way below what is needed. More action to be
planned. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2022 was the year of disabled members. We will need to look
at what we can do in all areas of the union on this. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The NEC was organising a ‘Fight for fairness’ rally open to
all activists, reps and members - the first step to building and organising and
listening to our reps - this will take place on Wednesday 15th December 2021 at
5:30 PM online, registration details would be out soon and activists were
encouraged to sign people up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member refer to the recent decision of the Industrial
Action Committee of the NEC to increase strike pay to £50 a day from £25 and to
pay it from day 1 rather than day 4. A question was asked would this apply in
the current Local Government dispute where 375,000 members are being balloted and
that would be around £18 million for one day. It was understood that the Chair
of the Industrial Action Committee, Sandy Nicoll (who was not at the meeting
but on strike happily at the SOAS picket line) had said this would not apply to
the Local Government pay dispute. Sarah Littlewood, Vice Chair advised that the
decision had been taken at Industrial Action Committee to increase strike pay as
it had been a considerable number of years since any uplift. There were no
votes against the proposal on the Industrial Action Committee and only 2
abstentions - it was confirmed we wouldn’t apply the revised rate to the Local Government
pay dispute and this would be reported back to Local Government NJC (National
Joint Council). The delegate’s outrage (‘the union might be bankrupted’) was
easily rebutted by the Vice Chair.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member referred to the SOAS (School of Oriental and African
Studies) at the University of London picket line that morning before the NEC
where a number of NEC members had attended to show solidarity. SOAS UNISON plus
two other UNISON branches were taking strike action in addition to the action
taken by the UCU (University and College Union) union. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member referred to the 19th March 2022 UN day of
action against racism protests and asked that we should start publicising them perhaps
in a standalone email sent out to activists. In terms of the Fight for fairness
rally which is only two weeks away we should keep the date. A question was
asked about the format would there be questions in advance, would there be a Q
and A and what could we do to publicise this?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member mentioned the report ‘Misconduct in public
office’ (Peoples Covid inquiry) concerning the Government's mishandling of the COVID-19
crisis. UNISON had put its name to a letter in the Guardian newspaper. We
should be pushing that report. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member stated that in the indicative ballot for Industrial
action in her Local Government branch there been an uptick in responses when
information had dropped about the rate of inflation. The member was
disappointed however that proper information on how to deal with phone banking
had not yet been circulated. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In response Christina Mcanea, General Secretary stated that
for the Local Government pay dispute a script and advice was ready to go out
the following day. Ballot papers will be circulated to 370,000 members. It was
not Christina's understanding that strike pay from day one would be paid in the
Local Government pay dispute if there was a yes vote in the NJC ballot. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An Assistant General Secretary referred to the Fighting for
fairness rally on 15th of December and that early next week a personalised
invite would be sent to activists with a link to register for the event. We
were trying to get the interest of those who wanted to become more active in
the union. It was not just a case of look at the four people on the panel, great
as they may be as speakers. We wanted to make the event interactive with
members and it would be promoted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It would
be a good way to end the year. Steve North, NEC member from the North West who was
involved in organising the event said this should be a good positive event
increasing communications with members. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Presidential team report</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">This was new and done to aid accountability and transparency
of the Presidential team taking decisions made on behalf of the NEC in between
meetings. There had been a positive meeting with the National Black Members Committee
and a few future way of working was agreed going forward. On communications and
publicity the Presidential team expected to have oversight and sign off of reports
and minutes of relevant meetings for example the NEC. An anonymous and partial
account of the meeting on 6<sup>th</sup> October 2021 had been released without
the knowledge of the Presidential Team. Christina Mcanea, General Secretary
stated that there is no standard practice of the Chair signing off minutes, we
have professional corporate methods of communicating and journalistic standards
and a corporate way of working. ‘I'm happy to discuss with the Presidential
team but I will not be agreeing it today.’</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A proposal was put forward regarding the six resolutions
carried by the NEC at the 6th October 2021 meeting in order to avoid risking a
delay to the resolutions being implemented. It was proposed that the Head of
the Legal department of UNISON, Adam Creme work with the General Secretary to
instruct Michael Forde QC to work with Lord Hendy QC to urgently endeavour to
resolve the differences that remain outstanding. Such a meeting would be normal
and routine legal practice to avoid the cost associated with having to go to
the High Court to get a definitive judgement. The NEC was confident the
resolutions were not unlawful as they were only clarifications on existing
rules. These resolutions were important as they go to the heart of to what
extent UNISON is a lay member led union or not. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lord Hendy QC’s legal advice had confirmed all 6 to be lawful.
(This legal advice was provided pro bono – free of charge – to the Presidential
Team.) Christina Mcanea, General Secretary stated that she did not see the
point in this. It is not for the barrister's to backdown. I will not be
instructing the barristers to sit down in the next 7 days. Other suggestions were
1) We accept the advice of Lord Hendy QC and 2) we ask the General Secretary and
Presidential team to continue discussions and try and find a way forward or
else we will end up in court. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member representing Black members confirmed that the
meeting between the Presidential team and National Black members committee had
gone well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member stated that the resolutions have not been
implemented and they needed to be. This proposal is an attempt to break the
deadlock. The NEC are the people who make the decisions in between National
Delegate Conference and the proposal was an attempt to do something about that.
Also unbalanced information had gone out after the last NEC meeting from
various quarters. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kath Owen, Vice President stated that the two senior QCs
Forde and Hendy were about 95% in agreement. Forde QC <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was uncertain about the meaning of one of
those resolutions. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christina Mcanea, General Secretary agreed we were 95% in
agreement. Resolution 6 is now not in contention and Resolution 2 there is an
issue in terms of the powers of the General Secretary and the Presidential team
and if it ends up going to court it ends up going to court. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Andrea Egan, Vice president said the two sets of legal
advice were quite close and it would be helpful if they could meet in a room. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another NEC member asked again what was the motion? The Vice
Presidents confirmed it was asking Lord Hendy QC and Forde QC to get in the
room and talk, discussing interpretation of the resolutions. The proposal was
clear – that the General Secretary would work with the Head of Legal to
instruct Forde QC to work with Lord Hendy QC in the next seven days to urgently
endeavour to resolve the differences. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member raised an issue about access needs and
reasonable adjustments to people and suggested the motion should be circulated
in writing by email as we were approaching lunch. It was decided that the
motion would be circulated in writing by email and then we would take the
proposal after the lunch break. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On resumption, The Head of Legal services stated that you
are seeking to enact one of the resolutions - resolution 3 - by instructing me
to do something that would circumvent my role as Director of Legal services and
this would be a breach of my independence. I would say the same to Christina if
she instructed me to get specific legal advice. I do not see that getting the
two QCs in a room is the right way forward for our union and they would be
unlikely to agree given how far apart they are. To avoid external litigation I
would argue to pursue a route agreed between the Vice Presidents and the General
Secretary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Andrea Egan, Vice President stated that the NEC proposal is
to avoid risking further delay and to unblock the blockage. We are not happy
with some of the motions presented to conferences recently. If the NEC passes
resolutions they are owned by the NEC. We would ask that be respected by
Officers and to move on. Asking the barristers is to me is a possible solution
there is not a huge difference between Forde and Hendy's views.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The vote then took place on the words circulated in the
email over lunch. The vote was as follows For 29, against 21, abstentions 3.
Christina Mcanaea, General Secretary said it was not a competent motion trying
to enact one of the motions which some considered ultra vires but I will agree
to discuss with the Director of Legal Services. The rule book interestingly
gives the NEC power under section D.2.11, D2.11.4 to bring or defend legal
proceedings of any type. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Service Group Executive election procedures</b> were
agreed. The aim of the new procedures was to improve turn out and make the
experience as engaging of and for members as possible. Turnouts have been very
poor in the past often as low as 5 to 6%. Previous changes to the rules to tighten
them up and make campaigning more restricted had done nothing to improve
engagement or turnout and attempted to address problems of ‘external
interference’ which did not exist in reality. The Certification Officer has
only in fact found against UNISON in elections when there has been
inappropriate staff interference, rather than external interference. A request
for verbal amendments to the tabled proposals to be taken on the day was
defended by the same NEC delegate who had opposed on the grounds of disability
access a more simple verbal motion on whether the QC's should meet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As all amendments raised through questions had been
discussed and lost on the vote at the Development and Organisation subcommittee
meeting held previously, and with time running increasingly short, it was agreed
to take a vote on the proposals as a total package unamended. If that vote fell,
we would return to amendments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was some conflicting advice with one officer
suggesting that there was no need to take amendments and another stating there
was.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The vote was taken on the Service Group Executive election procedures
and the new procedures passed. 33 For, 28 against, 6 abstentions. The
nominating period runs from 10th January 2022 to 11th February 2022. During the
discussion on the Service Group Executive election procedures an NEC member
stated that it was outlined in the NEC handbook that NEC members cannot be
mandated on which way to vote at the NEC by either Branches, Service groups, Self
Organised groups or Regions. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>UNISON Staff pension scheme</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">The NEC received a confidential and detailed report from the
UNISON Staff Pension Board of Trustees. The NEC agreed recommendations from the
Trustees to ensure the scheme remained viable. The voting figures were unclear
(’60-ish’) with one abstention, so clearly carried.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-28243633356229668872021-10-17T20:11:00.003+01:002021-10-17T20:11:55.884+01:00Report of UNISON National Executive Council 6th October 2021<p><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">To
start the NEC meeting, Kath Owen, Vice President welcomed us all to the meeting
from the Conference centre on the 9</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> floor of the UNISON centre in
London. This was a hybrid meeting with most logged on at home or wherever
based. Christina McAnea, General Secretary and other senior officers and
committee chairs were in the UNISON centre.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kath
explained that she wished to bring a series of resolutions to the NEC meeting
which had been circulated to all NEC members the previous weekend. Legal advice
from the Executive office had also been circulated to members. (The latter
about an hour before this meeting.) NEC members were reminded they were elected
by their constituent members. The resolutions highlighted issues that had been
encountered by the Presidential team since they had come into office and Kath
stated NEC members had a right to have their say on the motions. We would need
a record of who has been able to vote. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
officer stated that the legal advice sought and distributed just prior to the
meeting was of the view that 4 of the 6 motions breached the existing rule book
and would need rule changes to National Delegate Conference next year. Kath
stated that the view of the Presidential team was that the resolutions
concerned interpretation of existing rule, not creating new rules. The
interpretation of rule was the NEC role in between conferences, as also set out
in the rulebook. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
point of order was raised asking could we have a vote on whether the motions
could be heard and could this be a roll call vote. The roll call vote was taken
on whether to hear the motions and the result was:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
37, Against 26, 0 abstentions. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andrea
Egan, Vice President introduced the motions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andrea
reminded us that under Rule 2.1 management and control of the union between National
Delegate Conference is vested in the NEC with full power and authority to act
on behalf of the union in every respect and for every purpose falling within objects
of the union and this is a member-led union where the role of staff is to carry
out lawful instructions of the NEC. The motions are designed to assist in ensuring
decisions of the NEC and those decisions where the NEC has delegated its powers
are carried out efficiently and promptly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution
1 <i>Pursuant to Rules D.2.1, D.2.8, and D.2.11.9 the NEC resolves to convene
every other month and that the current cycle of Committee meetings will
continue as at present but with each Committee reporting to the next NEC
meeting.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
NEC member seconded the resolution stating more meetings would help as we have significantly
overrun and run out of time at NEC meetings very often and this causes problems
for disabled NEC members, those with caring commitments and when NEC members
need to return to work. It would also give us more opportunity to mobilise and
campaign effectively for our members. The NEC member noted that at the July 14
2021 NEC meeting we were told a simple motion setting the date of the next NEC
meeting was unlawful but now the external legal advice sought by the Executive
office agreed this was lawful, demonstrating how significantly legal advice can
vary and change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
44, Against 20, 2 abstentions. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution 2 <i>Pursuant to Rules D.2.1 and
D.2.9 the NEC appoints a Committee consisting of the President and
Vice-Presidents (the quorum for which shall be two) to be known as ‘the
Presidential Team’ to which it delegates, between meetings of the NEC, the
NEC’s powers (including the power to direct the General Secretary from time to
time as may be necessary pursuant to Rules D.2.13.1 and E.3.1) other than
powers it has delegated to the Development and Organisation Committee. The
Presidential Team shall seek the endorsement of the next NEC meeting for any
such exercise of its delegated powers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An NEC member outlined arguments for in
seconding the motion: The Presidential Team effectively acts as a committee,
but this is not properly codified; there are no clear guidelines or boundaries
to work within; all powers are based on precedent, not all of which is clear to
lay members or has an obvious rationale; the NEC needs clarity on what powers
it is delegating to its Presidential Team and requires it to report back on
decisions taken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
38, Against 26, 0 abstentions. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution
3: <i>Pursuant to Rule D.2.1, D2.9 and D.2.11.15 the NEC directs the
Presidential Team to instruct (through the Union’s legal department or such
other solicitor as the Presidential Team thinks fit) counsel of the
Presidential Team’s choice, at such a time<b> </b>and in such terms as the
Presidential Team consider appropriate, to advise the NEC on any matter which
the Presidential Team consider warrants such advice. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
NEC member spoke whilst seconding the motion: Legal opinion is always open to
interpretation. The Motion explicitly argues to go through the legal department,
but gives the NEC, as the client, the right to choose in regard to which
external counsel is used.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
38, Against 26, Abstention 0.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution
4 <i>Pursuant to Rules D.2.1, D.2.9 and the preamble to Schedule D, the NEC
delegates to its Development and Organisation Committee all its powers in
relation to disciplinary matters which are subject to Rule C.7.4, Rule I and
Schedule D. That Committee shall seek the endorsement of the next NEC meeting
for any such exercise of its delegated powers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An NEC member seconded the motion and stated
that if we passed this resolution we would have codified and clarified what the
situation is, which is all the motion seeks to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For 38, Against 22, Abstentions 3.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution 5 <i>Pursuant to Rule A.2, D.2.1,
D.2.11.1, D.2.11.2, D.2.11.3 and Rule C.7.4, the NEC rules that Rule C.7.4
gives jurisdiction to the NEC (and the Development and Organisation Committee
exercising its delegated powers) the duty to consider the suspension of any
member or branch suspended for more than 4 weeks where such suspension has not
been considered by the NEC or the Development and Organisation Committee in the
last 4 weeks and, as it thinks fit, remove or continue the suspension.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An NEC member stated in seconding the motion there
was insufficient lay oversight of the process after a suspension has been
approved. It can then go out of view. It is important there are checks and
balances processes can drag on and we don’t want a suspension to become a
sanction. The motion asks for a review every 4 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another NEC member said this is not about
whether people should or should not be suspended it is if people are suspended
should that suspension be reviewed. No one should be on an indefinite
suspension without review. There are currently no checks and balances and often
cases have dragged on for years. We want a reasonable process - no one would
sign up to a process where suspensions were not reviewed. Welfare support to
suspended members is non-existent and should be reviewed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For 36, Against 26, Abstentions 0.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Resolution 6 <i>Pursuant to Rules C.2.4,
C.7.1.1, D.2.1 and D.2.2.4, the NEC directs that any member holding elected
office within the Union or holding an elected seat on a Committee of the Union
who is dismissed by their<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>employer
shall, on notifying the General Secretary within one month of such dismissal,
continue to be a member of the union from the date of dismissal until such time
as the NEC decides otherwise or the member resigns from the union, and whilst
such a member shall be entitled to hold office in the union and, in particular,
shall continue to hold every office and sit on every Committee in the union to
which they have been elected or appointed for the remainder of the term of such
office or seat, unless and until the NEC decides otherwise or the member
resigns from such office or seat.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An NEC member seconded the resolution: We are
a union that supports its activists should they go through a dismissal process.
We want elected union officers and committee members to know this so we will
need to communicate this new process to activists so they both understand the
process and know that as a union, we have their back, particularly where they
may be victimised by their employer. If a dismissal turns out to be fair, the
membership can be terminated as normal. The motion put some process around
rules already in place that allow the NEC to continue membership of dismissed
members as it wishes. Any member dismissed could write to ask for their
membership to be continued, which would then be reviewed at the next NEC
meeting and could be terminated as normal if the NEC so desired.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
35, Against 26, Abstentions 1.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Vice-President thanked all for contributing and voting and asked the legal
department to instruct Lord Hendy QC, the UK’s leading QC on Trade union law, to
advise in writing on the 6 motions. If anything was found to be unconstitutional,
motions could be nullified.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An
Officer stated any instruction issued to staff based upon an unlawful resolution
is not a legitimate instruction. The member of staff can decide not to comply
without any disciplinary sanction. The Vice-Presidents agreed with this
proposition but re-stated their view that the motions passed were lawful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">General
Secretary report</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Christina
McAnea relayed that we had been trying to get YES votes in various pay ballots.
A good result at the University of Dundee against detrimental changes to their
pension scheme. Difficulty of getting greater than 50% turnout in consultative
and statutory ballots was referred to. We have been looking at what do we need
to be doing to improve turnout in ballots. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Black
History month – a lot of work is underway, a priority for us in terms of the
comms sent to members. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Health
conference in September. This was thought to go very well. Sadly, we have lost
Tam Waterson of UNISON Scotland who died, a big loss to the union. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Key
focus of the next period will be what we do on Climate Change. There was COP26
at the start of November. Branches are encouraged to do something during COP26
and ensure a big Trade Union presence on protests. There would be regional
protests. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Chair of PDCC (Policy, Developments and Campaigns Committee NEC committee) Tony
Wright read out a statement on COP26: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: lightgrey; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">UNISON NEC fully supports the
call for a UK trade union mobilisation to join the Day of Action for Climate
Justice on the 6th November 2021 in Glasgow and other UK key cities and
regions. UNISON was proudly one of the first trade unions to support the work
of the COP26 Coalition. UNISON will work side by side with the Coalition to
mobilise our members and to get workers voices heard so that governments hear
loudly and clearly our demand for a just transition and public ownership to
deliver a fair and just Climate Emergency response in solidarity with the
Global South.</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Chair of Finance Dan Sartin raised the Liverpool conference centre decision to
hold an Arms Fair there that has led to calls to boycott and discussions were
starting to explore finding alternative venues. Disabled members conference
will go ahead because it is imminent, but we will look at the branch and financial
impact of not using the Liverpool conference centre and whether it has broken the
ethical supplier policy. The General Secretary has been asked by the Finance
Committee to intervene with the centre to make clear we will stop using it asap
if they do not change course. Dan, as the Chair of the Finance Committee, was due
to get a report from officers by the end of the week. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Labour
Party Conference – An NEC member raised that many NEC members have been
contacted by members complaining about UNISON’s vote on Labour Party rule
changes, particularly the process for electing the leader, whereby they will
now need 20% of Labour MPs to get on the ballot paper. Lots of Labour policies
under the Starmer leadership are no longer UNISON policies, the delegate felt.
The response given by an Assistant General Secretary was that the full
delegation had a discussion and voted to support the package. A full report
will go to the National Labour Link Committee. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
question about the makeup of the Branch Resources Review (BRR) implementation team
that now has 3 regional convenors on it, and not all 12 convenors as representation.
A request was made by one NEC delegate that all 12 Regions are represented. The
Presidential team had received the correspondence from the delegate and has looked
at the make-up of the team: we cannot meet everyone’s demands but the BRR will
be a regular standing item on the NEC agenda, so progress can be tracked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">/NEC
Report Ends<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-89485900861034752602021-04-29T22:18:00.001+01:002021-04-29T22:20:07.154+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 7th April 2021<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">There was an additional NEC meeting
for discussion of amendments to conference motions - 7th May 2021.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">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. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">A presentation on how this will be
run was subsequently received during the meeting.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Christina McAnea - General
Secretary report</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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 – </span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“The results of
these elections will have a direct impact on the lives of our members,” the
general secretary said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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. </span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“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.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 14.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We recommitted to the importance of member and activist education and
union learning reps after the government closed the union learning fund. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">NEC members raised
questions and made contributions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rules were broken
in the recent General Secretary election - 67 complaints (85%) were upheld.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Sleep-ins – the North
West had asked all labour councils to continue to pay proper rate. Can we do
this nationally? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Reports from
committees:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Trade Union
education has been cut but looking at alternative provision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Disciplinary action
report:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">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!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I voted against
acceptance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-34533611776033982672021-03-27T15:06:00.001+00:002021-04-04T15:09:46.803+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 26th February 2021<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Due to
the last scheduled NEC overrunning this meeting was convened at short notice to
deal with outstanding business.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The
Branch Resources Review (BRR) report and suggested motion to this summer’s
special Conference was debated at length after a powerpoint presentation on the
subject. It was stated there had been extensive engagement and consultation
with Regions, Service Groups, the Equality Liaison committee.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> It was a ‘fair, affordable and
sustainable’ new package of branch funding and support including ‘an improved
funding formula’ and a new branch support and organising fund. The Finance sub
committee of the NEC had endorsed it. An NEC member who sits on the Finance sub
committee and had voted against it said he did not feel it had completed it’s
work and was insufficient after a decade of austerity.<br /> Questions were asked ‘How many
branches would benefit’? What were the percentages of winners and losers?</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Another NEC member said if we
take a decision today it could be years before we revisit this. We needed to
get it as right as possible.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Another member on Finance sub
committee said was there enough in the Branch resources review to crucially get
it through the special conference?</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Another NEC member asked why
was a WARMS upgrade and campaign on Facility time linked to this. They could
not support it as currently is. Every branch has problems with Facility time we
needed a campaign now.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> Other questions/comments were:
Why is Branch accommodation not included?</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Why
aren’t reasonable adjustments contained in detail?</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Back-to-back
Conferences are no good for Disabled members.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Are
Industrial Action funds to be kept away from the review?</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />There was vote on the report
and then on the Motion to special conference.<br /> The 2 votes were both For 27,
Against 11 with 4 abstentions. I voted against on both. </span></div>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-17440291797396567402021-03-07T14:55:00.001+00:002021-04-04T15:00:16.032+01:00Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 10th February 2021<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A minute silence
was held for members who had recently passed away. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A number of NEC
members (including me) raised concern at the start of the meeting re: the very
late receipt of the majority of the papers for this meeting, some 18 hours
before the scheduled start time. Especially given important decisions to be
made on the national conference 2021 and Branch resources review (BRR) although
the latter was not discussed due to the meeting overrunning.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Agenda item 1
revolved around cancelling 2021 National Delegates Conference (NDC) and
replacing it with a “special” Conference on a remote as opposed as physical
basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">John Jones, NEC
member for the Water, Environment & Transport (WET) Service Group raised
concerns about WET Conference being proposed to be held on the Wednesday of the
week before the special Conference. WET conference is usually held on a Sunday
as the majority of WET Activists receive little or no facility time for such
events.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The report was
contentious and after two hours of discussion the following decisions were made.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1cm;">That a virtual National
Delegates Conference would take place – unanimous decision.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That the following was agreed: “The NEC identify priority
themes and invite all branches and other submitting bodies of the union to
submit motions on these themes. Motions would either be prioritised or
incorporated into thematic composites that would be debated and voted on at
conference. The SOC would be responsible for the prioritisation and
compositing.” I voted against on the basis that it did not give sufficient
consideration to allowing branches, regions, SOGs and service groups the
opportunity to suggest what the themes should be. I also had concerns about how
the SOC would handle prioritisation. The vote was 29 -19.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That the themes should be Branch Resource Review, the COVID
pandemic and how we build back from it to create a fairer society. I opposed
this on the basis that I felt we could accommodate more themes, that the
Climate Emergency should be one of them and that branches, regions, SOGs and
service groups should have the opportunity to contribute before the themes were
determined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That the NDC should take place over three days for no
longer than three hours per day. I opposed this and instead supported a
proposal from Karen Reissmann (which was only rejected with the chair’s
deciding vote) to have an NDC for four hours over four days. The vote was 26 –
26. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That discussions would
take place with service groups and SOGs about their conferences, and that
Health Conference would be put back from April and a date agreed with the
Health SGE. This was unanimous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">WET Service Group
Conference (and Energy) to be held remotely but to be discussed with the
Service Groups regarding the best way to hold either around the special
Conference or later in the year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">New General
Secretary, Christina McAnea was welcomed in her new role and gave her first
General Secretary’s report in a rushed manner due to the meeting seriously
overrunning. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Christina focussed principally on our
work on social care, the pay freeze and support for activists who were feeling
the effects of working through the pandemic.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Delegates came in to
congratulate her on her election and there was a positive response to her
comments on support for activists, with a number of delegates bravely sharing
just how difficult they had found the last twelve months. Critical comments
were also made though about the perceived lack of intention to develop
disputes, as well as Christina’s recent comments on BBC Women’s Hour about
other unions and the invitation for Jeremy Hunt to share a platform with her at
a recent social care event.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In her response,
Christina thanked those who had shared difficult stories. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Agreed that poorer
countries as well as the UK should have equal access to vaccines, a subject the
Prime Minister has been written to on by UNISON.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There remains a
disproportionate effect on the Black community and on those who live in areas
of social deprivation. Mental health support needs to be given to Activists who
are in the front line of dealing with COVID.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Furthermore the
reduced hours of UNISON Direct was criticised when they are currently likely to
be most needed out of “normal” office hours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regarding finance,
it was noted that subscription income as at 31/12/20 was £171.7m, £6.4m higher
than in 2019.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Net income for the
NEC is £120.2m, £4,2m ahead of budget.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Net operating
expenditure is £113.1m which is £4.7m under budget thus the overall results are
ahead of budget by £8.9m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The net result is a
surplus of £7.1m for the year compared to a budgeted deficit of £1.8m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">General reserves
are increased by £7.1m to £173.3m supported by fixed assets and investments of
£114.2m, cash of £56.8m and other net assets of £2.3m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were due to discuss
motions to NDC, but as a result of the time taken on the previous discussions
and the decision to pursue the agreed themes and timings, it was decided by the
President to look at an additional meeting within the next three weeks to
consider those matters.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Further reports were
noted, with the exception of the Disciplinary Report, on which there were a
number of questions. Questions were asked about Mental Health and wellbeing support
to activists who had been suspended for very long periods by the union where
the process of investigation had not started yet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-16933039888081756762021-02-07T22:12:00.001+00:002021-02-07T22:12:51.582+00:00Personal report of UNISON Development and Organisation sub committee of UNISON NEC 13th January 2021<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Concern was expressed regarding the late
receipt of the papers for this subcommittee.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2 subcommittee members currently have COVID so we sent our best wishes.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span>Report on branches currently under regional supervision - questions on why</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> a branch was brought into Regional supervision and in other cases of how long investigations were taking. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Though recruitment activities had been impacted by COVID the overall recruitment figure was that 179,858 members had joined in 2020. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span>An NEC member reported that in their branch an online branch meeting had been called the day before schools had been due to go back and 100 had attended. 5 new reps had been recruited. There had been a surge in membership. <br /></span></span></span></div><p></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There was a Branch Resources Review presentation. An NEC member asked how much of this could be shared currently or is there an alternative document to report back to Regional Council for example. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Under Learning and Organsising report: <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>1690
Activists attended other training last year with risk assessments,
disability discrimination & campaigning with social media
particularly popular.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
Open University (OU) and Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) as
UNISON partners were able to adapt and deliver courses such as mental
health & wellbeing and associated
areas.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Almost 3000 members have now been allocated a skills academy account.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It was asked on anti-racism training the NEC took a view on this some months ago. Had we tried to set up anti racism courses. It was stated we had Hope not hate training. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Improvements continue to be made to the RMS system under the banner of the “Merlin” company.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The next step is to modify existing weekly leaver reports.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Report on Young Workers month, research mapping and survey - </span></span></span></span>UNISON’s
Young Worker’s month in November 2020 arranged a variety of activities
including a survey, Health & Safety updates and an event centred
around what they need post COVID. An NEC member stated that young members as well as workplace campaigns could be engaged with Black Lives Matter or environmental campaigns. An NEC member stated that the Young members officer - a lot of branches act like this is the only role available. <br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>We noted the latest GDPR report which had a total in 2020 of 175 subject access requests (SARS).</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>2
Draft D&O motions for 2021 National Delegate Conference were agreed. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Rule amendments were approved for forwarding to full NEC, changing language in the existing rule book to non-gender specific in
place of the current he/she, him/her
etc. North West NEC members were happy to support this.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An Honorary life membership was agreed. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-12479690276173640032021-01-03T18:07:00.003+00:002021-02-06T18:58:09.541+00:00Personal report of Development & Organisation sub committee of UNISON NEC 7th December 2020 and UNISON National Executive Council 10th December 2020<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There was a
special 1 item agenda D&O subcommittee of the NEC (7th December 2020) which went through in
detail the procedures for the NEC elections of 2021-2023 which were
subsequently ratified by the 10th December 2020 NEC meeting.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>D&O:<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I took the view that the procedures from both the last NEC and SGE elections were too restrictive on campaigning and did not encourage greater member participation. I raised on D&O that there was a difference with the General Secretary election 2020 where candidates could online submit their candidacy and this was then communicated to the wider union. With these procedures a candidate could receive dozens of nominations but then be told they were not eligible at the end of the nomination period. Branches with members in more than one service group can nominate for all service groups in which they have members. Only members of that Service Group can decide on the nomination and should be consulted. This should then be ratified by the Branch. If not no nomination is made. There was some discussion around accessibility and using only online means for submitting candidate details and branch nominations. A Hybrid system was proposed so that branches used the online portal only but candidates could use an email system or the portal. It was stated this would be a problem and add to the timetable. A vote was taken 9 to 7 to just use the online portal. I was one of the 7. It was noted that the nomination period was longer than the voting period. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NEC</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The above election procedures were approved after discussion again covering some of the points above. The vote was 27 for, 9 against, 6 abstaining. I abstained as bound by collective responsibility as a member of D&O. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Subscription income was budgeted at £166.5m for 2021, 3.5m up on this year’s.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Branch funding and allocation is forecast to be £50.2 m, up from this year’s by 3.2m.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A cautionary note that due to the pandemic, results and forecasts are likely to alter.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A
brief written branch resources review progress was received with full
details being given to the subcommittees in January with a view to the
next full NEC receiving the final
draft together with a hoped for motion to 2021 Conference.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A
detailed UNISON response to the Government’s ridiculous and disgraceful
public sector pay freeze was received - John Jones, Water, Environment and Transport NEC member raised that the Combined
Authorities and Environment Agency
wouldn’t be forgotten in a joint Service Group approach of opposition.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Dave Prentis’s final General Secretary’s report covered many issues including unsurprisingly the pandemic and Brexit. It was stated members were exhausted, were worrying about their health and the economic disaster after COVID. It was in the DNA of the Tory party to attack the public sector. Work would be co-ordinated through the Service Group Liaison committee of UNISON and the TUC in opposition to the pay freeze - at some point this may lead to lawful Industrial Action. All unions were saying we needed to build up a campaign. An NEC member said we should demand more from the Labour leadership. There was also the attacks on the Local Government pension scheme and the exit cap for public service workers. <br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span></span>Concern was once again rightly raised about the intention to close the Union Learning Fund before next Easter.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Encouragingly, UNISON now has some 66000 Young Members in membership.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>We needed to raise the profile on climate change again as we run into COP26 (Annual UN Climate conference) in November 2021 in Glasgow.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Solidarity messages were agreed to a number of disputes: Addaction in Wigan, Heartlands Porters in Birmingham, Interserve in Carlisle, Sandwell, Woodchurch school on the Wirral, Salford Coucil ICT. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>For those that have visited the London UNISON Centre, the 9<sup>th</sup> floor conference room is to be named after Dave Prentis in recognition of his contribution to the union
over 47 years. This was 1 of several tributes paid during the meeting.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A
very relevant point was made by a fellow NEC member regarding the
continuing promotion in UNISON publications of online gambling.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-41231833161489943542020-12-05T15:39:00.001+00:002021-02-04T16:13:47.185+00:00Personal report of UNISON NEC sub committee Development and Organisation 18th November 2020<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A shorter meeting than anticipated<span> as we were supposed to be
approving the NEC election procedures for 2021/2023 for submission to
the full NEC of 10/12/20.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>However,
the replacement (same) body for the electoral reform society (ERS), - CES advised that the timescales were insufficient and they
wouldn’t approve as they stood
so we now have a 1 item D&O meeting on this
subject in advance of the NEC. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Under the learning and organising report we noted that current branch Activists currently totals 15283.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Accessible
online training for H&S Reps during the pandemic has now totalled
30 new Reps with further courses scheduled now and in January.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Recruitment and Organisation - there were big numbers after lockdown but the figures had levelled out. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Under the RMS report it was noted that Merlin had been approved as the organisation to update the current system.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An
update report was received on the UNISON CaseWeb system which generated
a fair few questions including why this should be
mandatory for all but mainly small
branches where there was an annual cost associated. It was stated that to make this free would cost £700,000. An NEC member stated that if this system was mandatory it should be free. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Further
concerns were raised regarding being unable to transfer information
from existing systems to the new. A decision would be taken later whether we approve or not. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The data protection update contained concerns that it’s not always possible to fully comply with Subject Access Requests (SARs).</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>John Jones, NEC member Water, Environment and Transport outlined a case he was dealing with as a North West England based
branch when the SAR was a member in the North East Scotland contact
centre where there was only 1 Rep
who is on long term sick leave and the employer was not Trade Union friendly.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An update report was given on the government’s plans to cease the Union Learning Fund as of 31/03/21.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Branches under Regional Supervision - there was 1 in the North West. <span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A number of Honorary Life memberships were approved including Dave Prentis, General Secretary and Bernie Gallagher former NEC member of many years from the North West. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Under AOB - an NEC member from North West raised concerns that the Black members conference was not being held as a decision making conference. It was essential that we used every opportunity to maintain lay democracy throughout this period. </span></span><br /></span></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-70186891850019465412020-10-18T22:14:00.003+01:002020-10-18T22:18:07.576+01:00Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 7th October 2020<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The Presidential
team was to continue for the whole of the second year of office to June next
year 2021. This was agreed but no notice given to us of this proposal. </span></span></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Conferences -
Looking at virtual decision making conferences for next year in case
in-person conferences is not possible. Will not be exact replica, format will
need to be different, but will be decision making body. We would need to
engage with the relevant Service Group Executive. Health was the first
conference cancelled this year and there is no desire to cancel two years in
a row. No notice given to us of this proposal. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>AGM (Annual
General Meeting) - Need to provide clarity to branches, want them to run
branch AGMs virtually if in person not possible and looking to facilitate
this, Looking to reduce lead in from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. All work in
progress, no absolute proposals. We do want accountability and lay democracy.
42 for 1 against. No notice was given to us of this proposal. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Wales Region NEC members had been mandated to suggest all AGMs should be
postponed in 2021 and this was lost at NEC with almost everyone else against
(Traditionally some Wales branches have wanted 2 yearly AGMs and seem to be
using Covid to push that agenda) This type of rule amendment has
appeared at several recent Conferences and been hammered every time so a nice
try I suppose to introduce by the back door.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>There was a strong
feeling that lay democracy for Service groups, Regions, National and branches
must go ahead as much as possible and national must facilitate this. One
branch said they have practised by having open meeting for all members every
week and at first this was hard but then has got easier and makes branch
accountable to members. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Obituaries.
Including Raph Parkinson, Regional Organiser in the North West who was also
previously an NEC member from the North West. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Dave Prentis, <span> </span>General Secretary report.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>‘Sad re staff
member Raph who has died and will offer support to people in North West.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Proud of staff
and activists during pandemic – at times of uncertainty, and risk. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Members – courage
and dedication. As Union we need to be with them. March closed down in 1 day
and moved to home working to make sure staff were safe. All going the extra
mile. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>“General <span> </span>Secretary elections are always
destabilising, but this time attacks are made on the union, by complainers,
detractors, telling us what we are doing wrong, all the bad things UNISON is
doing. No organisation is perfect, we are always trying to improve, to do
better, that’s what a union with a future does, Concerned in way people
have trashed our union and staff and it has had an effect on staff morale.
Impression given that nothing is happening in UNISON. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Some challenge to
this in discussion. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The excellent Haringey carers victory was rightly mentioned and
congratulated upon.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>143k new members have joined UNISON to date this year, the most in
memory giving a total overall of 32k taking into account leavers.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>UNISON Welfare through There For You has so far spent 1m during the
pandemic assisting members and their families in need.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>It was reported that the Government had this very morning announced
their intention to do away with the excellent Unionlearn fund from 31/03/20
which has been excellent for members who have never before had learning
opportunities.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Organisation.
Have recruited more members but not more activists to support and organise
them.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Government just
announced end of Union Learning Fund. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Discussion –
Value to fighting actively and organising protests and strikes to mobilise
activists, lack of coordination across sectors, or across unions, made worse
when seeing Frances O’Grady standing beside Rishi Sunak when he decimated
furlough scheme. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Local government
– massive attacks now on Pension, huge job losses/redundancies expected,
pay. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Internal Rule I
Unison disciplinaries. Question asked about the length of delays in getting
these resolved. Many over 12 months, most others still at investigation 10
months after investigation started. Chair
of Development and Organisation sub committee said that hearings have been delayed
due to lack of availability of NEC members during Covid . But that
investigations have gone ahead by phone or online and are not delayed , and
that no timelines or estimates of completion of investigation can be given as
they are complex and multi-faceted.</span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Regarding finance, subscription income of £101m is £4.8m ahead of budget
and is £3.7m higher than the corresponding 7 month period last year.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Net income for the NEC is £70.8m which is £2.2m ahead of budget.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Net operating expenditure of £67.5m is £1.2m under budget thus overall
results are ahead of budget by £3.4m.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The net result is a surplus of £3.3m compared to a budgeted deficit of
£0.1m.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>General reserves are increased by £3.3m to £169.4m supported by fixed
assets and investments of £115.6m, cash of £48.2m and other net assets of
£5.6m.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></span></p>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-10770078138416967442020-10-04T21:13:00.003+01:002020-10-04T21:18:13.743+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 16th September 2020<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In line
with UNISON guidance, this 1 item agenda meeting to nominate the General
Secretary was scheduled for 90 minutes but took 140 minutes without breaks
bringing in to question, discrimination to those who have disability issues not
to mention those who had a back to back meeting and consequently missed most of
it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Concern
was expressed at the outset that no hustings were allowed at this meeting
particularly as it was needed to be held remotely. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Chair said no hustings
on basis NEC members will know who they will vote for before the meeting. This
I believe was unfair to 1 candidate who is neither an NEC member or Assistant
General Secretary so who would not be known to most on the NEC. IT issues took
a while to sort out. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">4
of 5 candidates were proposed and seconded. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">An
NEC member supporting Christina Mcanea proposed an elimination ballot. A left
NEC member challenged this saying it was unprecedented to propose this during the
course of a meeting and should have been communicated beforehand. We were one
hour 35 minutes into the meeting at this point already overrunning. The vote
was 34 to 22 for an elimination ballot. I voted against. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">A
Ro<span class="textexposedshow">ger McKenzie supporter proposed a secret ballot.
A left NEC member said any delay in the meeting was due to those who introduced
proposals that could have been raised in advance of the meeting - No curve
balls. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The secret vote vote was For 27 Against 29. I
voted against. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Subsequent rounds of the elimination ballot
were: 1st round Christina Mcanea 22, Paul Holmes 22 Roger McKenzie 12, Hugo
Pierre 4.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">2nd: C.Mcanea 23, P.Holmes 25, RMcKenzie 11.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">3rd: Christina Mcanea 29, Paul Holmes 26. 5
abstentions.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Christina Mcanea was nominated by the NEC.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Roger McKenzie supporters either abstained or voted
Christina Mcanea on the final round.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></p>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-27472089144039024382020-10-04T21:08:00.004+01:002020-10-04T21:11:30.640+01:00Personal report of the UNISON NEC Development and Organisation sub committee September 2020<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>The meeting lasted about 50 minutes. We were asked to raise the hand up flag on Teams if we wished to speak. There was some discussion about us making sure we avoided having a democratic deficit under current conditions - about whether we needed more frequent, shorter meetings versus having them longer with more breaks. It was unlikely there would be any physical meetings this side of the New Year. No conclusion was drawn. The Chair of D&O would take this up with the Presidential team. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>Online Stewards and Health and Safety Reps courses are being run in Regions generally via local colleges.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>495 Stewards have been trained to date this year compared to 1139 in the same period last year.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>108 Health & Safety Reps have been trained in the same period compared to 238 last time round.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>21 Union Learner Reps have been trained compared to 67 last year.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>182 Reps have achieved ERA accreditation versus 486 in 2019 to date.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>368 have undertaken advanced skills training compared to 630 in the previous year to date.</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>569 members have undertaken other training this year generally around Covid 19.
</span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
</span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>1381 members have done some form of learning compared to 1840 last year to date.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span>
<span>2399 members have done skills academy training this year.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>RMS/WARMS update - We were reducing dependence on paper. Using email was projected to save £100,000. It was stated that the process of collecting arrears from members had changed. More members had been retained in membership with consequently more subs collected. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>It was agreed new activists are required to complete a GDPR (General Data Protection regulations) e-note within 3 months. Support would be given. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>An NEC member asked if branches in Regional supervision be allowed to make nominations for NEC/General Secretary.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>The Chair thought yes. An officer said yes depending on the type of supervision. The Region might supervise the meeting. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span>The procedures for the NEC (National Executive Council) elections 2021 would be discussed at the next meeting. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-84806444539459562552020-08-22T17:10:00.000+01:002020-09-06T17:11:36.035+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council July 2020<p class="MsoNormal"> Via a GoTo meeting. NEC members were asked by the Chair to
type in the chatbox if they wanted to speak. Josie Bird, President was Chairing. Referred
to Dave Prentis, General Secretary retiring. ‘We were well placed to face
future challenges’.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>General Secretary election procedures </b>– The Chair
asked any member present to leave the meeting if they were considering
standing. Roger McKenzie, Hugo Pierre, Christine Mcanea and Karen Reissmann
left the meeting whilst the procedures were discussed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Election procedures had been through Development and
Organisation (D&O) NEC sub committee. There were some changes due to
Coronavirus. Nominations could be submitted online if the branch rules allow or
virtual nominations out of rule could be made if a member of staff was present.
The Region should be given 7 days notice (so someone can get there).
Nominations were via an online portal (CES). Donations to candidates were £150
max per member. Candidates should keep a record of all donations including in
kind so the investigating officer could investigate if a complaint was
received. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All hustings should be virtual not physical. If one area was
in lockdown we did not want to disadvantage a candidate from that area. An NEC
member asked if a Region was unable to send someone to the meeting would it
invalidate the nomination even if the branch had done everything right? We were
assured a member of staff would be available for the nomination meeting. An NEC
member said some disabled members in a vulnerable situation should not be
expected to attend a physical meeting. The General Secretary procedures were
agreed with surprisingly little controversy. The nomination period was 10<sup>th</sup>
August – 25<sup>th</sup> September 2020. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>General Secretary report</b> – Dave Prentis referred to
the work done by the union during the Covid crisis. The website had 1 million
interactions in terms of traffic. It was updated 2 or 3 times a week. There had
been heart-breaking stories of members unable to pay for funerals of family
members. £500,000 had gone to the welfare fund. Staff had started to move back
to the Regional Office. UNISON Direct had reopened. 1,000 emails a day were
being dealt with during the lockdown. 34,500 had joined taking into account
leavers. 50,000 new members had been called in the last 6 weeks by Local
organisers, Area organisers and Regional Organisers. This was appreciated by
members. The health crisis was going to lead to an economic crisis. There was a
grim outlook. A £10 billion shortfall in Local Government. We had to ensure
there were no compulsory redundancies. In Tower Hamlets, a Labour council,
1000’s of UNISON members were striking against imposition of contracts. (Sack
and re-employ staff on inferior contracts). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Covid – we were calling for a public enquiry into what
happened and wanted local and national stories from members to feed into
evidence for a public inquiry. There was a separate item later on on Black
Lives Matter movement. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An NEC member referred to the worry of vulnerable members
with a disability after shielding ended in England on 1<sup>st</sup> August. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another NEC member referred to the
unacceptable 0% pay ‘offer’ in Higher Education. An NEC member said the Covid
crisis showed we needed a publicly run national care system not the current
fragmented, privatised system that had been exposed in the current crisis. An
NEC member from the North West said the Government had taken NHS staff for
granted and we should ask for our pay award date to be brough forward 4 months
to early December. This was a discussion that was taking place amongst the
Trade Unions and we had the public on our side to get the proper pay award we
should have got a long time ago. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dave Prentis came back on a number of points raised. In
relation to the Tower Hamlets dispute the 2 UNISON reps on the Labour party NEC
had raised this and we were assured Keir Starmer’s office would intervene. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A strong statement had been put out in support of Black
Lives Matter. We had given evidence to the Doreen Lawrence inquiry. We had
written to the Prime Minister about the failure of Government action.
Additional work was to be done to deal with the issues affecting black workers
in relation to Covid. The lack of screening, advice and risk assessments. An
assistant General Secretary said we needed real change to get rid of
institutional racism. The Mayor in Tower Hamlets presumably supports Black
Lives Matter but black workers and also women workers were disproportionately
affected by the proposed imposition of worse contracts. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Chair at the end of the meeting said there would be a
meeting in the period 10<sup>th</sup> August to 25<sup>th</sup> September 2020
to make a nomination for General Secretary as an NEC. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-9985648278510685492020-07-04T16:59:00.001+01:002020-09-06T17:08:13.152+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council June 2020<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> President, Josie Bird chaired the first online meeting of
the NEC (lasting 90 minutes or so). It was reported the National Delegate
conference in June had been postponed – a difficult decision but the right one.
The names of 66 UNISON members who had sadly passed due to Covid 19 were read
out and there was a minutes silence. There was also a tribute to Northern
Ireland joint Regional Convenor Denis Keatings who had sadly passed. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was agreed that the election of the Presidential team,
which would normally happen at the close of the union’s National Delegate
conference in June, will continue to be linked to a rearranged conference. This
will be reviewed in October if a conference has not yet been held. The current
Presidential team remains in place</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dave Prentis, General Secretary report. </b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dave said the union condemned the brutal murder of George
Floyd and also the brutality shown against Black Lives matter protesters. Every
UNISON Black member should know we stand with you. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Covid, the bargaining team had given out 60 pieces of
advice on Personal Protective Equipment. The website had 1.8 M page views in a
2 week period. Dave Prentis said he had met the Presidential team 3 times a
week. Dave was speaking to Chancellor Rishi Sunak later in the day. The union
had evidence of failure to get equipment to the Frontline. People on the
frontline were on the minimum wage putting their lives at risk. The Government
had allowed untold deaths that should not have happened – the worst death toll
per 100,000 people of the population. The Government failure was not just the
last 10 weeks but the last 10 years with underfunding of the NHS, the Local Government
funding gap, social care privatised and run for profit. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">An NEC member referred to the doorstep protests organised by
Stand up to Racism (SUTR) in support of Black Lives matter – could we get a
message out to members. An NEC member referred to the disproportionate effect
on Black members of Covid – we needed to ensure they are supported. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dave Prentis said we had been working with Doreen Lawrence
on a commission to look at the reasons for the high Covid death toll amongst Black
people. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The NEC agreed through the Finance sub committee to launch a
major appeal to branches to contribute to the ‘There for you’ welfare fund.
There were heart-breaking cases in terms of the suffering members were going through.
</span></span></p>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-60231360490563700602020-06-20T21:44:00.000+01:002020-08-17T21:53:29.763+01:00Report of the UNISON NEC Development and Organisation sub committee May 2020 <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Report via the prolific report writing fellow NEC member John Jones as I was unable to attend this meeting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">'This was
the first NEC meeting I’ve “attended” via go to meetings video conference but
to be fair it worked ok.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">27 lay
and staff members were on the meeting which is a decent attendance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We held
as best we could, a minute’s silence for the recently deceased Northern Ireland
Convener and all members and/or their families who have sadly died as a result
of Covid/other means since we last met. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roger
McKenzie, Assistant General Secretary advised that neither zoom or skype were
permitted for online UNISON meetings as they’re both insecure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When zoom
was trialled, p</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit;">**</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">n/racist images appeared
and the union’s finances were put in jeopardy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I queried
if the full NEC scheduled for the 3</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> June would take place via go
to and it will so should be interesting with 70 or 80 people jockeying for
position to speak!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Online
Branch Committees are allowed with original guidance sent out now updated to
include Regional Officers having to be in attendance if expenditure is likely
to be incurred but best practice is an invite anyway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If
Retired Members return to work (usually in health at present) they revert to
full subs from day 1. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The “4
week rule” is to be ignored if members join with covid related issues. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The £570
death benefit amount is to be paid for all who are casualties as a result of
the pandemic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honoraria
amounts over the 10% threshold not agreed by AGMs must be referred to the
appropriate region. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">UNISON
subs remain for those members furloughed at the current rate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 NEC
by-elections are cancelled as the new NEC will be elected early in 2021. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I queried
why an email had been sent out the previous day extending the SGE elections by
a further 6 weeks as in my opinion this was the remit of D&O. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
(unsatisfactory in my view) answer was that the decision was made by the
President/General Secretary but nobody else seemed unduly bothered by this. I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> of
course would have supported the action but believe it’s the role of D&O to
do so. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Candidates
will be informed ASAP of the need for an election or not but this needs to be
physically done not remotely. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Chair
of D&O said the TUC was off but I’ve subsequently looked at their website
and it isn’t! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A fellow
Committee member queried the timetable for the General Secretary’s election as
well as Conferences but again a “non” answer was given in my view. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This will
no doubt be addressed properly at the full NEC. '</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John
Jones, NEC member, Water, Environment and Transport Service Group. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-63174015018696084242020-03-21T22:18:00.000+00:002020-07-20T22:19:01.084+01:00Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 12th February 2020<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) 3 NEC
resignations - all low paid seats in London, East Midland and South west.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) Motions agreed to send to national conference:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A)
Combating the rise in discrimination through activist training. A suggested
amendment that equality courses are not mandatory to be a rep but encouraged
given lack of facility time for many reps could end up excluding those unable
to attend. Motion based on fear that several legal cases have involved unions
being taken to court so equality training has to be mandatory to prevent legal
risks.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been
a year since any course on racism in the workplace had</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">been
completed. It was agreed to produce an "attacking racism workbook" that
people could take away. We needed to look at different modes of provision of
training over equality. Agreed equality could be included in induction
courses.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">B)
Growing activism in the union.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">C)
Palestine the right to defend human and worker rights.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Defends
boycott, divest and sanctions campaign in face of potential ban by Tory
government.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">D)
solidarity with Zimbabwe</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">E)
campaigning for public services after the 2019 general election.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Suggested
we add "works with lab link to seek that labour politicians are supportive
of the wider policies of unison, do not make decisions to their detriment, but
act to offer solidarity, practical support including lawful no cuts
budget." Lost 18/29. Leadership argued Labour councils are the first level
of protection - and no evidence there is disillusion with labour because Labour
councils make cuts. Policy committee will look at whether anything to learn
from councils like Salford who are doing lawful no cuts budgets.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">F) Green
Unison and the Climate Emergency.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Says need
2030 deadline and even this may need to be brought forward.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Motion
only referred to energy sector workers, proposed add water, environment and
transport sectors as key workers in climate emergency who in unison are fully
supportive of action needed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amendment
to look at lawful industrial action by workers in response to impact of climate
change - was lost. Scottish delegate said there was lots of discussions across the UK, will be one
big demo as well as other activities, likely to be on Saturday, he suggested we
get ready to book trains to Glasgow. Agreed we need workplace bargaining guides
which may lead to industrial action. Opposition to lawful industrial action but
agreement we should negotiate with employers to be able to join protest over
climate emergency. Young member reps said we should support young people in
school strikes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lost
amendments on climate walk outs and on exploring potential for lawful
industrial action.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">G)
Organising for health and safety</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">H)
Insecure work and digitisation in the workplace</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I)
Protecting migrant worker rights</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Added our
opposition to deportation for convicted migrants. And criticism of lack of
Windrush payments.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">J)
mobilising members in defence of the NHS</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">K) pay up
now - time to reverse a decade of damage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">L) the
risks of post Brexit UK trade deals.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) Rule
amendments to go to national conference:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A)
Members who are in another union and actively recruit or organise in other
union cannot stand for election in unison.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Example
given of one branch Branch Secretary of UNISON who is the equality officer for UNITE, with
access to branch lists so put branch into regional supervision as could not
discipline Branch Secretary. Despite challenge has gone through to conference.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">B) Suspensions can be extended to more than 60 days, not just for financial
irregularities.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lots of
criticisms of existing practice of disciplinary processes, hence criticisms of
extending it. NEC not even informed of who had been suspended which allows no
lay oversight.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the
debate after Karen Reisssmann, NW NEC member was subjected to personal comments. The Chair said she had asked at the
beginning for avoiding unpleasant comments and they needed to stop. There was advice from
the chair before lunch to avoid personal insults.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">5)
National conference. Planning taking place.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">6)
Accounts approved.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">All draft
so far.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2019
budget slightly lower than previously, cautious, but income £3m up from
last year. Recruitment drive good.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Allocation
to branch flows from last year. Uplift £1.5m. Similar to last 2 years.
Spending within expectations, £2m less than last year. Savings £1.5m realised.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surplus
£1.5m.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">7) branch
resource review. Regions, NEC and staff had met three times. Fringe meetings at
national conference to explain progress.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">8)
General secretary report</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A) one of
our lawyers named as one of the top 100 lawyers in uk. Congratulations.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">B)
Barnardo night shift workers in supreme court. Result takes four months</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">C) Dave
attended Holocaust Memorial in Camden, with Kier Starmer,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">D) Black members
conference lots attended. Windrush not ended. Look at recent flight to Jamaica
Some offences when boy was 11. 40 years later to be deported. What is happening
is immoral, indefensible, will put out press release.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">E) Women's and Health conferences will be huge this week.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">F) Housing. Important issue, public sector workers cannot live in areas they
serve.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">G) Internationally. Palestine, terrible Trump deal, tearing up two state solution,
settlements no longer illegal, Raab welcomed Trump as genuine proposal. We
stand in solidarity with Palestinian people to reject proposals. Continue to
call for two state solution. right of Palestinian people always important.
Press statement to go out.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">H) Industrial action.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"At
the TUC Unite geeral Secreatry said they took more industrial action than all other unions
put together." This was challenged by UNISON. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In more
disputes, overwhelmingly women, we reach targets and can take lawful action.
E.g.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">N Ireland
NHS workers took action win parity with England, reinstatement of agenda for
change and Stormomt. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Addaction Drug and alcohol workers, next strike 27/2 to 4/3 ending in a lobby of Wigan
council. Message of support agreed. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Higher education
- SOAS (School of African and Oriental Studies), Trinity, Dundee, Leban, aggregated ballot. Won thresholds. Even
in big ballots where we don't get threshold we do have some branches which do.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Medirest
NHS strikers North west - improvements on pay 17%, more sick and annual leave.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strikes -
"UNISON has a winning formula a domino effect. Started with works for subcos. Low paid mainly women tell us they won't accept it."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">J) COP26
Glasgow, demonstrations, we will play big part in organising, done before e.g.
Copenhagen. Will send out info soon. Will also put on two events - Green
energy, and Greening the city.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">K) Labour Link, nominated Kier Starmer and Angela Rayner. Long discussion, lots of
criticism, lots of defence of process. Explained last time that labour link -
elected by region - who had responsibility to consult, conversations emails
etc, meet January and would make nominations. Some chose to vote with
regional view, some not, elected not mandated, but consultation took place.
Different from last time. But only for labour link to decide. This time nomination
decides whether they got on ballot. Decided to do early to give our preferred
candidate an advantage, and advertise unison. To ask members would have cost
money.. Had meeting of labour link 100% London voted Kier and Angie.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Concerns
expressed that rush to nominate and consultations not wide. Even though rules
call for widest possible consultation and electronic consultation was cheap, quick and possible.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Members
had expectation of being consulted. Too quick and not consulting has left a
sour taste in many members mouths. Asked for agreed process for future.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dave
Prentis said there no mass resignations, complaints small, often by non lab link
payers. And objected to petition criticising the way the decision was made.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gordon
Chair Lab Link said NEC members never ask members how they should vote, why
should lab link.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Others
spoke about the impact on Lab Link given the difficulty in getting new members
to sign up after the barriers Tories have created. Not consulting adds to
cynicism. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">L) UCU
taking 14 days strike starting next Thursday. Gender, race pay equality,
against casualisation, pensions, request to look at any request for donation
favourably and to circulate to branches. UCU not asked for donation or support
yet. But would look at if they did.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">M) question
asked re progress of Kirklees council branch currently under regional
supervision. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">N)
Internal disciplinary. To double check process in Scottish case.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">O) Lots
of other business deferred due to time.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">M)
Pensions remedies after FBU PENSION case Flowers, will be dealt with in individual
pension schemes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-88302853164111252752020-02-15T21:31:00.000+00:002020-07-06T21:32:37.233+01:00Personal report of Development and Organisation sub committee of UNISON NEC 22nd January 2020<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
strategic organising update included an update on potential resource centres
which are being considered in Bedford/Luton, Chelmsford, Aberdeen and Liverpool
which will if approved assist servicing and organising members in those wider
locations.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Final
recruitment figures for 2019 were finally out. We had ended 2019 in growth. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">John Jones, UNISON North West and Water, Environment and Transport Service Group NEC rep was thanked
for providing his employer’s jointly agreed policy on the menopause as being
best practice which is now being used in UNISON training courses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A useful film
show presentation was made by the North West Region on branch structures. A </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">comprehensive update was given on UNISON’s reasonable adjustments passport
which generally has gone down well following its trial within the 4 National
Self Organised Groups and we agreed to extend the trial to other national
committees including the NEC with a review in 6 months-time and possibly as a
next step to Conferences.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">187 data
protection breaches were reported in 2019, 62 re the wrong recipient, 42 as a
confidentiality breach, 38 didn’t use bcc, 14 re incorrect documents or
attachments, 13 in respect of lost items or documents, 2 re stolen items or
documents and 6 with no consent leaving 10 as “other”.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Draft NEC
motions to 2020 conference were agreed with amendments on “growing activism
in the union” and “combatting the rise of discrimination through activist
training”.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lot
more contentious were suggested rule amendments, the latter of which I opposed
on “categories of membership” and “suspensions”.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Branches
under regional supervision didn’t include any North West branches.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-43278355034970160352020-01-25T14:24:00.000+00:002020-07-05T14:41:39.121+01:00Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 18th December 2019<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was some acknowledgement NEC meetings do not always have a friendly tone.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1) UNISON staff pension scheme. Proposals to be discussed next time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3) General Secretary report<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a) General election. Dave Prentis reported Tories win majority 79 seats. Reasons
possible -<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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, '.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Said
labour vote losing for a long time, over a decade. Way before referendum. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusions
from Dave Prentis about what to do now:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Need to
do in depth analysis. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But also
need to strengthen union to deal with a rampant Tory government.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today was not
the time to decide the new leader of labour party, that's for labour
link. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We also have to win in the local and mayoral elections in May. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UNISON may still be growing but it's members are getting poorer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Labour
attitude to Scotland and right to decide whether to be in UK lost the labour
seats in Scotland. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">We need
to look at how to mobilise young people who were out for Labour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">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. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Timetable
for leader in hands of Labour NEC - likely to be quick. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NEC sent
Messages of support to <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A)
Compass disputes Whiston Blackpool who have settlement, extra money, extra
annual leave, 5 days sick leave (from none) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">B)South East region school - academy provider pulled out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C) School of Oriental and African studies ballot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">D) Northern Ireland NHS dispute, massive, fantastic - the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) had joined the strike. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">E) Gritters in Carmarthen 3 days strike, employers trying to use agency workers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">F)
Sheffield college.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">G) Addaction still ongoing with wider remit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I) care
workers sleep in in court in the New year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Finances - </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Budget
agreed. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Political
fund down. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">£1.75
million branch uplift paid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-33663796462406899582019-04-14T13:33:00.000+01:002019-04-14T13:33:01.341+01:00Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 3rd April 2019
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The main business of this meeting was conference business,
considering recommendations on motions and proposed rule amendments from the
NEC sub committees and agreeing a provisional policy position from the NEC. The
vast majority of the 131 motions accepted onto the preliminary agenda - the NEC
position was Support (S). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motions where the position is other than Support (S):</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 3 – Protection and membership for Casualised workers
– Support and amend (S) and (A). Proposes to recruit casualised workers and to
develop strategy on why casualization matters. To check eligibility for
membership. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 7 Time for Change – a review of how UNISON is
structured and funded. Remit. (R) Similar to ‘Composite A’ which was rejected
by Conference last year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 17 Suicide awareness training for stewards (S) and
(A) The amendment is intended to ensure that suicide awareness is incorporated
into a broad package of Mental Health awareness training to help stewards
signpost members to find help appropriately. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 24 – Menopause. (S) and (A) Recognising also the
menopause can affect younger women. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 34 – CCTV screening of staff in Private houses. (S)
and (A). Amendment as motion refers to GDPR but MPs could only review ‘UK Data
protection legislation’. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 36 – Campaign to change HMRC Mileage rates (S) and
(A). include reference to Green travel plans and investigate whether doubts
about HMRC methods for calculating mileage rates offer a strong basis to run a
campaign to highlight the injustice of this situation to the HMRC. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 51 – Intergenerational commission report. (S) and (A)
The parts of the motion on removing zero hours contracts etc. were fine. Motion
calls for retired and young UNISON members to work together to highlight the
truth behind the problems facing younger workers and provide alternative
proposals which do not divide the generations. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 56, 57 Tories out! General election now. Defer (D) to
be discussed with political committees.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 59 Democracy Defer (D). Proposes change to political
funds. Political committees should have input. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 61 Free our unions – repeal the anti-union laws. Support
with qualifications (S) with (Q). Qualification – consider tactical
considerations how demands sit in relation to the Institute of Employment
Rights labour law manifesto. Need to work with TUC, STUC, WTUC and ICTU. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 63 – Democratic socialism – defer to the political
committee. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 66 – Blood donation campaign (S) and (A) Issue with
language. BAME changed to Black. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 75 – The Fire service after Grenfell. – (S) and (A). Amendment
to incorporate Fire Brigades Union (FBU) policy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 76 – PFI. (S) And (A). Amendment to reflect
commitments made by Labour since last year’s conference. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 79 – Nationalise the Big Drug Companies – Oppose and
amend. (O) and (A). Not a priority for Labour to nationalise, expensive. Investigate
public intervention in the pharmaceutical industry to bring down costs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 83 – Venezuela – Defeat attempted Capitalist coup. (O)
Oppose. Confused motion with contentious elements. NEC has agreed a statement
opposing external intervention in Venezuela and calling for a peaceful,
domestic solution to the problems the country faces. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 84 – Cuba 60 (S) and (A) include Welsh TUC. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 86 – (S) and (A) Solidarity with the uprising for
democratic change in Sudan. Change El Bashir to Al Bashir.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 89 – (S) and (A) Solidarity with Rojava – Change ISIS
to Daesh. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 90 – Freedom for Ocalan – (S) and (A)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 91 – Palestine – (S) and (A) Notes Israel’s regime of
apartheid and colonialism. Supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 92 – Palestine – (S) and (A) very similar to above. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 93, 94 – Palestine (S) and (A) Calls for end to arms
trade with Israel, encourage support for Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Motion
95 - Palestine (S) and (A). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 100 – (D) and (A) defer for discussion with Disabled
members – Make 2021 the year of disabled workers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 108 – Decriminalisation for Safety – Oppose. Existing
UNISON/NDC policy is adopt the ‘Nordic model’. Policy subcommittee of NEC
discussed and asks to oppose. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 115 – UNISON to become much more proactive in
reducing it’s Carbon Emissions. (S) and (A). e.g. Use Video conferencing more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 117 – Abolish Trust/Foundation status in the NHS. Seek
withdrawal. In line with policy but removing trust status could be
counterproductive. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 118 – Abolish NHS car parking charges (S) – An NEC
member stated we needed to take a holistic view as in his area 37% had no
access to a car. We should have free public transport from the city centre and
not have giant car parks at hospitals. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 123 (S) and (A) – Universal Credit in work
conditionality. (A) seeks to make the case for ending in work conditionality. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 125 (S) and (A) – Universal Credit/PIP assessments – (A)
Takes the policy proposals further. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 127 (S) and (A) – Reduction in Branch Funding. Review
processes and systems. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 129 (S) and (A) – On line joiners. (A) - Ensure that
the ability to join online and pay by DOCAS, is rolled out to the largest 500
employers where there is a DOCAS agreement. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Motion 131 Working women and access to a refuge. Defer (D). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rule Amendments – Support except:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Rule C - Arrears of subscriptions - Oppose – Change 3
months to 4 weeks. Not an issue before. A lot of members get paid monthly how
would this physically work?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Rule D - The Right to attend and speak – Oppose –
Conflict with Rule D 1.8.1 also 7. And 8. Rule D Standing orders committee. –
Oppose. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12., 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 – all Oppose. There was some
debate on this at the NEC on the proposed rule change from annual elections for
Branch officer positions to biennial. I spoke to say I opposed these Rule
changes as the issue was about democratic accountability. If members were
unhappy with Branch officers it could mean 18 months or more to remove them
through elections if they were biennial. Members should be able to assess their
branch leadership every year. Another NEC member said he would be happy to have
NEC elections every year if the argument is put shouldn’t the same rule apply
to NEC Elections. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A proposal was put to leave it to conference to decide
rather than the NEC taking a position. The vote was taken and the result was 41
to oppose these proposed rule changes and 8 to leave it to conference to
decide. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">22, 23 Rule I Disciplinary action – Proposal to change the
longest period a member can be barred from office to change from 3 years to 2
years. NEC position – Oppose. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Draft NEC Annual report – in response to this John Jones
from Water, Environment and Transport service (WET) group and the North West
said the report should reference the first strike in the Water Industry since
1992. It was stated that any proposed changes to the report would have to be
signed off by the Presidential team. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition, the NEC voted to suggest 12
motions and six rule amendments to be prioritised for debate at conference.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The motions are:</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
77 – Progressive taxes to end
austerity;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> m</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">otion
22 – Smash the gender pay gap;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">motion
1 – Developing organising resources in
branches and regions;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #b00000; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>motion
47 – Austerity and public service;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">motion
126 – Resourcing our branches – a
UNISON priority;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
80 – Curbing corporate power;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
121 – Stopping social insecurity;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
70 – Tackling the crisis in social
care;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
9 – Addressing the skills crisis
through UNISON learning;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">motion
102 – The trade union response to fascism
– No Pasaran;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
81 – Brazil;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> motion
111 – Energy: Climate change – a just
transition and jobs for a low carbon economy.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rule changes the NEC wants to prioritise
are:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 1 – Schedule B: benefits of members in education;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 4 – Rule C: obligations of membership;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 19 – Rule G: branch meetings;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 20 – Rule G: branch officers;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 21 – Rule G: the branch secretary;</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">rule
amendment 2 – Rule B: union democracy.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">NEC Conference plan – National Delegate Conference was 18<sup>th</sup>
– 21<sup>st</sup> June 2019 in Liverpool. There was an international guest
speaker from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. Plus one further speaker
under consideration. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">General Secretary’s report - Dave Prentis – Brexit – we were
9 days from leaving with no deal. The richest people would not feel the effect
if the UK left on WTO (World Trade Organisation) terms. Public services would
suffer. We did not want to fall into recession or to impinge on the Good Friday
agreement. A customs union with access to the single market would be the safest
way on jobs and services with no hard border in Ireland. We want a General
Election if we can get one. There had been a long discussion at the Policy
committee (subcommittee) of the NEC. Policy was: </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. We continue to support
the call for a General Election. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. We support an
extension of Article 50.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Preventing a “no deal“ Brexit is an
absolute priority for our union to avoid the devastating economic consequences
for our members and our public services.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. An overriding priority will
remain the protection of our members in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday
Agreement.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. We support the Common Market 2.0
/Norway Plus option.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. If these options fail and to avoid the
devastating consequences of no deal, UNISON, in principle supports a
confirmatory public vote on any deal that then emerges. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An NEC member raised the worry of the far right
trying to capitalise on the current situation (which they had done with protests
on 29<sup>th</sup> March). The Government wasn’t governing and austerity was
continuing. A repetition of the referendum could see massive divisions again
but even worse. People voted leave or remain for both good and bad reasons but
a General election could offer a way to unite people out of the impasse. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The vote was taken to support the above policy
which was agreed by 39 votes to 8. I voted in favour. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Universal Credit – this was having a terrible
impact - we needed to step up the fight to have it ended and reviewed. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dave Prentis had met with Jeremy Corbyn to talk
about Brexit and the issues to be addressed in the next election. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were conducting more ballots on industrial
action than the rest of the other unions put together. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Scottish NEC member referred to a ballot of
homecare workers in Dundee – a consultative ballot with a turnout of over 80%
with a large majority to take strike action. This had got the Council back
round the table. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations were given to Hope not Hate for
their work in foiling a far-right murder plot against Labour MP Rosie Cooper. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recruitment campaign - There was to be a recruitment
campaign in May. Aimed at recruitment and growth to build on the ‘Grovember’
campaign.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A working group review of NEC ballots was presented
with lessons to be learned aiming to identify good practice with high levels of
lay member involvement. North West NEC members reported back on good practice
in NW Region with the collective disputes team and Alternative Futures Group
and also Lifeways in Salford. </span></div>
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1471886566218867005.post-48041204723778147472019-01-20T17:28:00.000+00:002019-04-14T17:30:46.031+01:00Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 6th December 2018
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were 2 vacancies on the Campaign Fund sub committee of
the NEC. There would be a meeting at lunchtime to vote to fill these.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a reportback on the ‘Grovember’ recruit campaign. 18,101
members had joined in November, 11,380 leavers gave a net growth of greater
than 6,000. 75% joined online taking on average 3 minutes. An NEC member said in
his Region members could not join online and pay by DOCAS (Deduction of
Contributions at Source). Was this a conscious decision? And when would this be
reintroduced? A fuller report on recruitment activities during Grovember would
be produced.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Organising update – Working month in, month out ensures a
consistent recruitment rate. One of the AGS’s (Assistant General Secretary’s)
said our visibility in the workplace was key. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Service Group pay campaigns – There was a dispute at iFM in
Bolton, staff had won implementation of the 3 year NHS pay deal after
Industrial Action. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brexit – UNISON had created it’s own six tests for any
Brexit deal based on National Delegate conference decisions including protecting
workers rights, protecting public services form any bad economic deal that
would also continue public service austerity, keep UK public services out of
global trade deals, maintain EU citizen rights, EU freedom of movement and
prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, uphold the Good
Friday agreement and respect the devolution legislation of the Governments in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The NEC agreed to support an opposition vote against the
draft Withdrawal agreement and Political declaration. To prevent a no deal if
the deal does not pass through parliament – call for a General election with a
political strategy to support it. Table a vote of no confidence in the Government.
Reject or amend the Government’s statement of how it will proceed or give parliament
itself new powers to take over the negotiations. Call for an extension to Article
50 so that a better deal can be negotiated. Give the NEC discretion to call for
a public vote on the deal if none of the above can enable positive changes in
the draft withdrawal agreement. (in line with Labour party and TUC conference
motions). Campaign against a future EU-UK deal based on a Free Trade agreement
option. Campaign for a future EU-UK deal that includes UNISON’s six tests. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some NEC members raised a point about having a demonstration
to force the Tories from office and not let the far right take to the streets
with a ‘Brexit betrayal’ narrative. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">NEC election procedures for the 2019 election were agreed –
although not unanimously. Para 57 of the procedures: </span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">57. To ensure that
UNISON remains an independent and representative trade union where all members
have the right to fully and fairly participate, no nominee or candidate shall
invite or accept any donation or contribution in money or kind from any outside
organisation or company, including from any provider of goods or services to
UNISON, any political party, or any employer in which UNISON organises. For the
avoidance of doubt, an ‘outside organisation or company’ includes but is not
limited to, an organisation, club, association or other entity which consists
wholly or partly of UNISON members and which is not provided for in UNISON
rules. In determining whether or not something fits into this category, income,
resources and formal structures would be considered. This is not an exhaustive
list. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some NEC members said they struggled with of how a grouping
of UNISON members could be an ‘outside organisation’ if members wanted to
collectively organise to change the direction of the union they should be able
to. Another NEC member said this change could lead people to create mischief if
they do not like the outcome of an election and was a hammer to crush a nut. Another
NEC member said at the last NEC elections individuals were part of an outside
organisation under this definition producing leaflet’s etc. and now didn’t want
to admit it. It was about protectionism for one group and not another. There
was a lengthy debate – a vote was proposed to move to a vote – this was carried
26 For and 19 Against. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An amendment to delete paragraph 57 (after ‘for the avoidance
of doubt’) was lost by 29 votes to 16 with 3 abstaining. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An amendment to delete paragraph 58 was lost by 32 votes to
11 with 3 abstaining. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Appendix G a new bullet point letter H to allow branches
in Regional Supervision to nominate was carried by 41 to 2 with 0 abstentions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An amendment to delete the whole of Paragraph 57 was lost by
33 to 9 with 3 abstentions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An amendment to delete the whole of paragraph 58 was lost by
33 to 10 with 3 abstentions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The final vote was for the whole of the paper with the
Appendix G amend – 33 for 7 against with 3 abstentions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">General Secretary report – messages of support were sent to
all still taking industrial action. The Camden NSL dispute was referred to,
Bolton iFM, Barnsley teaching assistants, Kirklees bin workers, Birmingham care
workers. Bradford University had dropped plans for redundancies. Glasgow where 8000
women had got coverage across the world. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The union’s objectives for 2019 were agreed and also the
budget for 2019 and agreed policy on motions not reached at the 2018 national
delegate conference. </span><br />
<br />
Tony Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00906755950165484532noreply@blogger.com0