Our branch secretaries, Vicky Redwood and Nathan Street, are currently in Liverpool for UNISON’s National Delegates Conference (NDC).
As she wanted to speak on some items, Vicky was on the conference floor for day 3.
The conference started today finishing our debate on motion 64 – Unite for More Rights (page 94) which was carried.
We then debated Composite G (pages 26-30) – Migrant Workers, followed by Motion 69 – Developing the Migrant Workers’ Network (page 102), both of which were carried.
It was moving to hear the stories of those who got up and shared their experiences of fear and abuse in their workplaces and the precarity many face due to these exploitative contracts and environments.
We then had a speech from the General Secretary, which disappointingly did not mention higher education or universities, but covered the work that has been done throughout the last year.
After the lunch break, we debated Composite F – Backing the Employment Rights Bill (pages 22-26), on which Vicky spoke. She tried to bring to light the struggle and crisis that the Higher Education sector is in, and urged conference to hold Labour to account and to not let the Employment Rights Bill be diluted any more than it already has been. This composite was carried.
We then had a speech from Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
We then returned to the remaining order of business, starting with Motion 9 – Support for Branch Activists (page 12-13). Vicky also managed to speak on this motion, asking for more support for branch activists, highlighting the struggles we face as volunteers in branches. This motion was carried, and we look forward to taking part as a review into our practices and work towards supporting our members more effectively.
Motion 11 – Neurodiversity Training for UNISON Activists (pages 14-15). This raised issues regarding an increase in casework involving members with a wide range of neurodiverse conditions. We heard from activists’ lived experience in the difficulties navigating workplaces and UNISON processes. The speakers highlighted experiences from members, and elected officers. The call for training in branches was carried, and we look forward to brining this to our branch once it is created.
Motion 12 – All We ask is to be treated with Dignity and Respect (page 15). This was a very tense debate regarding the treatment of Police Probation and CAFCASS staff at conference. This debate did not finish, so was paused for the day, and will continue on day 4 first thing in the morning.
After conference ended for the day, Vicky and Nathan attended a fringe event by Stop the War Coalition, Welfare not Warfare. We discussed the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and what we can do as a Trade Union to help the Palestinian people and halt the atrocities that Israel is committing.
