Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 12th February 2020

1) 3 NEC resignations - all low paid seats in London, East Midland and South west.

2) Motions agreed to send to national conference:

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.

It's been a year since any course on racism in the workplace had

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.

B) Growing activism in the union.

C) Palestine the right to defend human and worker rights.

Defends boycott, divest and sanctions campaign in face of potential ban by Tory government.

D) solidarity with Zimbabwe

E) campaigning for public services after the 2019 general election.

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.

F) Green Unison and the Climate Emergency.

Says need 2030 deadline and even this may need to be brought forward.

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. 

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.

Lost amendments on climate walk outs and on exploring potential for lawful industrial action.

G) Organising for health and safety

H) Insecure work and digitisation in the workplace

I) Protecting migrant worker rights

Added our opposition to deportation for convicted migrants. And criticism of lack of Windrush payments.

J) mobilising members in defence of the NHS

K) pay up now - time to reverse a decade of damage.

L) the risks of post Brexit UK trade deals.

3) Rule amendments to go to national conference:

A) Members who are in another union and actively recruit or organise in other union cannot stand for election in unison.

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.

B) Suspensions can be extended to more than 60 days, not just for financial irregularities.

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.

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.

5) National conference. Planning taking place.

6) Accounts approved.

All draft so far.

2019 budget slightly lower than previously, cautious, but  income £3m up from last year. Recruitment drive good.

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.

Surplus £1.5m.

7) branch resource review. Regions, NEC and staff had met three times. Fringe meetings at national conference to explain progress.

8) General secretary report

A) one of our lawyers named as one of the top 100 lawyers in uk. Congratulations.

B) Barnardo night shift workers in supreme court. Result takes four months

C) Dave attended Holocaust Memorial in Camden, with Kier Starmer,

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.

E) Women's and Health conferences will be huge this week.

F) Housing. Important issue, public sector workers cannot live in areas they serve.

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.

H) Industrial action.

"At the TUC Unite geeral Secreatry said they took more industrial action than all other unions put together." This was challenged by UNISON.

In more disputes, overwhelmingly women, we reach targets and can take lawful action. E.g.

N Ireland NHS workers took action win parity with England, reinstatement of agenda for change and Stormomt. 

Addaction Drug and alcohol workers, next strike 27/2 to 4/3 ending in a lobby of Wigan council. Message of support agreed.

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.

Medirest NHS strikers North west - improvements on pay 17%, more sick and annual leave.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gordon Chair Lab Link said NEC members never ask members how they should vote, why should lab link.

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.

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.

M) question asked re progress of Kirklees council branch currently under regional supervision.

N) Internal disciplinary. To double check process in Scottish case.

O) Lots of other business deferred due to time.

M) Pensions remedies after FBU PENSION case Flowers, will be dealt with in individual pension schemes

Personal report of Development and Organisation sub committee of UNISON NEC 22nd January 2020

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.

Final recruitment figures for 2019 were finally out. We had ended 2019 in growth. 

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.

A useful film show presentation was made by the North West Region on branch structures. A 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.

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”.

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”.

A lot more contentious were suggested rule amendments, the latter of which I opposed on “categories of membership” and “suspensions”.

Branches under regional supervision didn’t include any North West branches.

Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 18th December 2019

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

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

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

3) General Secretary report

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

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

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

Conclusions from Dave Prentis about what to do now:

Need to do in depth analysis. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEC sent Messages of support to 

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

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

C) School of Oriental and African studies ballot.

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

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

F) Sheffield college.

G) Addaction still ongoing with wider remit.

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

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

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

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

Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 3rd April 2019

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).

Motions where the position is other than Support (S):

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.

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.

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.

Motion 24 – Menopause. (S) and (A) Recognising also the menopause can affect younger women.

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’.

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.

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.

Motion 56, 57 Tories out! General election now. Defer (D) to be discussed with political committees.

Motion 59 Democracy Defer (D). Proposes change to political funds. Political committees should have input.

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.

Motion 63 – Democratic socialism – defer to the political committee.

Motion 66 – Blood donation campaign (S) and (A) Issue with language. BAME changed to Black.

Motion 75 – The Fire service after Grenfell. – (S) and (A). Amendment to incorporate Fire Brigades Union (FBU) policy.

Motion 76 – PFI. (S) And (A). Amendment to reflect commitments made by Labour since last year’s conference.

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.

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.

Motion 84 – Cuba 60 (S) and (A) include Welsh TUC.

Motion 86 – (S) and (A) Solidarity with the uprising for democratic change in Sudan. Change El Bashir to Al Bashir.

Motion 89 – (S) and (A) Solidarity with Rojava – Change ISIS to Daesh.  

Motion 90 – Freedom for Ocalan – (S) and (A)

Motion 91 – Palestine – (S) and (A) Notes Israel’s regime of apartheid and colonialism. Supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions).

Motion 92 – Palestine – (S) and (A) very similar to above.

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).

Motion 100 – (D) and (A) defer for discussion with Disabled members – Make 2021 the year of disabled workers.

Motion 108 – Decriminalisation for Safety – Oppose. Existing UNISON/NDC policy is adopt the ‘Nordic model’. Policy subcommittee of NEC discussed and asks to oppose.

Motion 115 – UNISON to become much more proactive in reducing it’s Carbon Emissions. (S) and (A). e.g. Use Video conferencing more.

Motion 117 – Abolish Trust/Foundation status in the NHS. Seek withdrawal. In line with policy but removing trust status could be counterproductive.

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.

Motion 123 (S) and (A) – Universal Credit in work conditionality. (A) seeks to make the case for ending in work conditionality.

Motion 125 (S) and (A) – Universal Credit/PIP assessments – (A) Takes the policy proposals further.

Motion 127 (S) and (A) – Reduction in Branch Funding. Review processes and systems.

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.

Motion 131 Working women and access to a refuge. Defer (D).

Rule Amendments – Support except:

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

In addition, the NEC voted to suggest 12 motions and six rule amendments to be prioritised for debate at conference.

The motions are:

•  motion 77 – Progressive taxes to end austerity;
•  motion 22 – Smash the gender pay gap;
•   motion 1 – Developing organising resources in branches and regions;
•   motion 47 – Austerity and public service;
•   motion 126 – Resourcing our branches – a UNISON priority;
•   motion 80 – Curbing corporate power;
•   motion 121 – Stopping social insecurity;
•   motion 70 – Tackling the crisis in social care;
•   motion 9 – Addressing the skills crisis through UNISON learning;
•   motion 102 – The trade union response to fascism – No Pasaran;
•   motion 81 – Brazil;
•   motion 111 – Energy: Climate change – a just transition and jobs for a low carbon economy.

The rule changes the NEC wants to prioritise are:

• rule amendment 1 – Schedule B: benefits of members in education;
• rule amendment 4 – Rule C: obligations of membership;
• rule amendment 19 – Rule G: branch meetings;
• rule amendment 20 – Rule G: branch officers;
• rule amendment 21 ­– Rule G: the branch secretary;
• rule amendment 2 – Rule B: union democracy.

NEC Conference plan – National Delegate Conference was 18^th – 21^st June 2019 in Liverpool. There was an international guest speaker from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. Plus one further speaker under consideration. 

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: 

1. We continue to support the call for a General Election. 

2. We support an extension of Article 50.

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.

4.  An overriding priority will remain the protection of our members in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.

5. We support the Common Market 2.0 /Norway Plus option.

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. 

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^th 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.   

The vote was taken to support the above policy which was agreed by 39 votes to 8. I voted in favour. 

Universal Credit – this was having a terrible impact - we needed to step up the fight to have it ended and reviewed. 

Dave Prentis had met with Jeremy Corbyn to talk about Brexit and the issues to be addressed in the next election. 

We were conducting more ballots on industrial action than the rest of the other unions put together. 

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. 

Congratulations were given to Hope not Hate for their work in foiling a far-right murder plot against Labour MP Rosie Cooper. 

Recruitment campaign - There was to be a recruitment campaign in May. Aimed at recruitment and growth to build on the ‘Grovember’ campaign.

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.  

Personal report of UNISON National Executive Council 6th December 2018

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NEC election procedures for the 2019 election were agreed – although not unanimously. Para 57 of the procedures:

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.

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.

An amendment to delete paragraph 57 (after ‘for the avoidance of doubt’) was lost by 29 votes to 16 with 3 abstaining.

An amendment to delete paragraph 58 was lost by 32 votes to 11 with 3 abstaining.

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.

An amendment to delete the whole of Paragraph 57 was lost by 33 to 9 with 3 abstentions.

An amendment to delete the whole of paragraph 58 was lost by 33 to 10 with 3 abstentions.

The final vote was for the whole of the paper with the Appendix G amend – 33 for 7 against with 3 abstentions.

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.  

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.

Personal report of Development and Organisation sub committee of UNISON NEC 21st November 2018

Organising and recruitment report – We received a report on the work of the Strategic Organising unit in companies like Sodexho and Compass and also an organising resource centres report. Branches were working together at local level. It was important we had visibility to members. There was not 1 model that fitted all however. An NEC member from the North West asked whilst we were breaking even and going for growth in some areas what work nationally was being done around member retention? It was stated there were lots of reasons members join. The sooner we got to new members the more likely they were to do something in the union. An officer stated that by contacting members e.g. just by a message on the phone to ask is all OK? Makes a statistical difference to retention.

Proposal for a protocol to govern the relationship between UNISON and the National Black Police Association (NBPA) – an officer presented this report which was a long standing piece of work with the Police and Justice Service group. Service to members NEC subcommittee had endorsed the protocol. The aim was working with sister organisations that shared our objectives and to sort out spheres of influence. The impetus for the protocol had come from a series of individual cases where UNISON and the local BPA were seeking to represent a member who was both a UNISON and BPA member. An NEC member asked would this be discussed at the national black members committee? It was stated the protocol would be run past them. 

Learning and organising activity – More stewards were being ERA (Employment Relations Act) accredited this year than last. The ERA refresher courses were holding steady. There was an update on activist advanced training (e.g. Negotiating and bargaining, developing representational skills, employment law etc.). An NEC member from the North West asked that whilst it was useful to see the uptake of national training courses a lot of the courses had run for donkey’s years. Were there plans for smaller refresher courses and brand new courses to reflect the world of work in 2019? An NEC member asked could the reports whilst welcome in their level of detail be a bit less statistical and more qualitative. An NEC member highlighted the importance of national political education. Everything we do is political and to make a difference you have to be political. I made a point about succession planning in branches and how to mentor younger members and that this should be a discussion in this committee. There was discussion of the need for anti-racist education of members and activists given the current climate. 

RMS update – RMS (Replacement membership system) was 17 years old. WARMS (Web access RMS) for activists had been around a number of years. A company called Hartsquare had been asked to undertake a review of the membership system.  There was a project to deliver an improved member experience - a digital hub that integrates with the membership system. More detail would be given at the January meeting. As part of general communications we would be asking members who pay by Direct Debit (DD) to ensure they are paying the correct level of subs. This exercise is undertaken by employers for members paying by DOCAS (Deduction of Contributions at Source) in October of every year. There would be an improved version of the bulk email facility from WARMS. There was an online demonstration given of the MCT (Member Contact tool for tablets, smartphones etc.) at the meeting. There was to be a pilot of this tool for activists. Members personal details would be masked but the tool would be able to verify member’s membership, identify where there was missing information, record responses when making contact with new joiners, record workplace visits and enter organising information. 

Data protection update – There was a suite of resources available on the UNISON website including Branch data protection handbook, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) e-note, GDPR training webcast, Branch data retention schedule, GDPR factsheet for school support staff, Guidance to branches on use of email systems. There had been 103 subject access requests (SAR’s) received (Jan 2018 – Oct 2018). There were 57 in the whole of last year. 38 requested data deletion. 94 breaches reported internally since GDPR came into force (Top 3 were lost items, cc not bcc, incorrect email recipients). 6 data protection breaches had been proactively reported to Information Commissioner’s Office. WARMS does provide a bulk emailing system which is GDPR compliant. There was a feasibility study next year for a UNISON case management system. 

Branches under regional supervision – there were none in the North West. It was restated that Regional Convenor’s comments must accompany these reports. 

Certification Officer – no decisions were reported. 

National Executive Council election procedures 2019 – These were statutory elections and so didn’t include the provision (not permitted by law) for electronic balloting as had been the case for Service Group Executive (SGE) elections. It was stated that these election procedures were based on the SGE election procedures agreed the previous year.

There was debate on paragraph 57 of the election procedures. 

Para 57 states: 

‘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.’ 

It was proposed by a North West NEC member that the section after ‘for the avoidance of doubt’ be deleted as this was a change from what we had discussed last time and infringed on the right of members to campaign. There was a broad left in UNISON that was not external. It would be dangerous and divisive to go down that route. 

I said that I agreed with my fellow NW NEC member and said that at the last NEC elections there were 2 clearly defined slates – UNISON Action broad left and Stronger UNISON. Most if not all of those on the NEC got elected on one of those 2 slates. This was a positive as there was a tradition in this and other Trade Unions of democratic debate and exchange of ideas on how to take the union forward. The proposal appeared to be closing down debate and campaigning in the union. Another NEC member asked why further restrictions that went beyond the SGE elections were being proposed? We were not talking about outside political organisations we were talking about groups of UNISON members. It was stated by the Chair of D&O that factions were not part of the union. Another NEC member said he had no problem if a platform in the union wanted to move us forward, favoured the status quo or move us backwards they should have a right to put those ideas forward. Ordinary members would struggle with the concept that an association wholly of UNISON members was being deemed to be an outside organisation. Another NEC member said there were clear differences between UNISON Action and Stronger UNISON last time and that had put members in a difficult position. 

The vote was taken in favour of the wording presented. The vote was 11 to 9. I voted AGAINST and was one of the 9 who wanted the section deleted. 

In reference to para 60 what was a UNISON resource it was clarified that a UNISON banner behind a candidate in a photo was allowed.

Appendix G of the election procedures (Guidance for UNISON staff members regarding campaigning activities relating to UNISON elections). Para 1 states ‘Staff may want to participate in the elections by supporting a particular candidate or candidates. With the exception of those outlined in Section 5, UNISON recognises that this is legitimate, however it must be in their own time and not using any UNISON resources as set out below’.  An NEC member said as staff can’t vote in NEC elections they shouldn’t be able to campaign in elections. Another NEC member from the North West said that if the Broad Left can’t campaign neither should staff members. 

A vote was taken 11 in favour of keeping this in the procedures and 8 against. I voted AGAINST and was one of the 8. 

Chair’s action – there was none.

An honorary life membership was agreed in the South East Region.