Conference reports updated on website

The National Delegate Conference reports are now fully updated at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/index.html

Conference photos now online

National Conference photos now on picasa at http://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland

Conference stories updated

New and updated Conference reports now on website #undc12 http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/index.html

Welfare Reform Act is built on a sham

#undc12 UNISON will work with homeless charities and housing federations to campaign against the changes to housing benefit and for the retention of local advice and support services. Full story at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story12.htm

Organise to end apartheid in Palestine

#undc12 Sarah Collins of East Ayrshire Branch told Conference that even as we celebrate the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa, there is evidence of growing apartheid in Palestine. See full story at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story13.htm

Campaign for disability leave

#undc12 UNISON will examine the failure of some employers to implement disability leave policies and will develop guidance for branches to negotiate such policies and to challenge bad practice with the Equality Act 2010.

Bill Dunn, Disabled Members' Officer, Highland Healthcare, long time delegate and first time speaker, said that union colleagues at the Disabled Members Conference six years ago were surprised to hear that an NHS employer showed little consideration towards staff members with disabilities. See full story at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story11.htm

Child poverty: An injustice we have to fight

#undc12 UNISON will lobby and work with a range of organisations to campaign for an end to child poverty by 2020. Click here for Kate Ramsden's speech. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/conf2012/story10.htm

Neville Lawrence: ‘UNISON has stayed with us'

#undc12 Interview with Neville Lawrence before his moving speech to Conference this morning.It's a question you dread asking Neville Lawrence. He must have been asked it a million times yet he answered with the thoughtful respect and honesty we've come to know over an inspirational and dignified 18 year campaign.

We've tasted victory, let's do it again

#undc12 Conference committed the union to building on the ‘Million Voices’ campaign for public services, further developing the community campaigning agenda.

Elder abuse: Time to act

#undc12 Scottish vulnerable persons legislation could be a model for the UK, Conference was told as it voted unanimously to back a strategy to tackle elder abuse. Moving an amendment to the Retired Members Committee motion, Strathclyde Police and Fire’s Brian Molloy called for a campaign to get Westminster legislation similar to Scotland’s Adult Support and Protection Act.

Tools to build an organising union

#uNDC11 UNISON agreed a wide ranging strategy to promote the organising agenda within the union as a basis for effective campaigning to face current and future challenges.

We've fought long and hard for equality. It is not a privilege. It is a right

#uNDC11 The disproportionate effect on women members of cuts in conditions was highlighted to Conference by Scotland’s Margaret Ferris.

Mileage rates must reflect the cost of using car

#uNDC11 Local Government delegates backed a call from Aberdeenshire and Cymru/Wales to continue to campaign for mileage allowances for members across the UK that properly reflect the cost of using their car on employers’ business.

Resources to fight for living wage

#uNDC11 Local Government Conference threw its weight behind a Scotland call for a national living wage.

Conference Briefing: Care integration: Postcode lottery - or local services for local needs?

#uNDC11 Motion 45 on Social Care integration with Health from Scotland, coming up on Monday, was written in the context of Labour’s pre-election plans in Scotland for a National Care Service - but the principles still stand as politicians look to re-shape these cash-starved services.

They are not your services to sell, UNISON tells politicians

#uNDC11 Local public services are best provided by locally accountable local authorities and public bodies. This was reaffirmed by delegates to Local Government Conference who committed the union to supporting branches to mount robust campaigns against privatisation and outsourcing.

Cuts hit rural areas particularly hard

#uNDC11 The particular difficulties facing rural communities because of cuts to funding for local authority services was highlighted by South West Region and backed up by Highland's Liz Mackay.

We must win the biggest war on the welfare state we have ever faced

#uNDC11 Local government conference laid out a wide ranging and comprehensive strategy to fight cuts to public services and the welfare state.

Pensions: We need to be ready to fight says Stephanie Herd

As even Michael Portillo was saying that Danny Alexander’s pensions comments were ‘provocative’ while talks were still going on, UNISON Local Government delegates backed a 13 point campaign to defend our pension scheme.