Report of the UNISON NEC Development and Organisation sub committee May 2020

Report via the prolific report writing fellow NEC member John Jones as I was unable to attend this meeting. 

'This was the first NEC meeting I’ve “attended” via go to meetings video conference but to be fair it worked ok.

27 lay and staff members were on the meeting which is a decent attendance.

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. 

Roger McKenzie, Assistant General Secretary advised that neither zoom or skype were permitted for online UNISON meetings as they’re both insecure.

When zoom was trialled, p**n/racist images appeared and the union’s finances were put in jeopardy.

I queried if the full NEC scheduled for the 3^rd June would take place via go to and it will so should be interesting with 70 or 80 people jockeying for position to speak!

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. 

If Retired Members return to work (usually in health at present) they revert to full subs from day 1. 

The “4 week rule” is to be ignored if members join with covid related issues. 

The £570 death benefit amount is to be paid for all who are casualties as a result of the pandemic.

Honoraria amounts over the 10% threshold not agreed by AGMs must be referred to the appropriate region. 

UNISON subs remain for those members furloughed at the current rate. 

3 NEC by-elections are cancelled as the new NEC will be elected early in 2021. 

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. 

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 of course would have supported the action but believe it’s the role of D&O to do so. 

Candidates will be informed ASAP of the need for an election or not but this needs to be physically done not remotely. 

The Chair of D&O said the TUC was off but I’ve subsequently looked at their website and it isn’t! 

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. 

This will no doubt be addressed properly at the full NEC. '

John Jones, NEC member, Water, Environment and Transport Service Group. 

 

 

 

 

 

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.