Report on Defending TU facilities fringe‏

#undc12 A well attended fringe meeting on 'making the case for facility time' was held during today's lunch break. Speakers were John Healey MP, Martin Mitchell Researcher NatCen Social Research, Joanne Cain - UNISON. Chaired by Jane Carolan - NEC

Dave Prentis call to arms - "we will smash pay freeze"

#undc12 "Our week to show our unity, our solidarity, to set out our battle plans. To show the most right-wing government in our history that we will stand in their way” said Dave Prentis in opening his General Secretary's address to Conference. The well received speech included a strong pledge to lead the union into a fight against the public sector pay freeze: "We have to be brave, we have to be bold, we have to be strong, we have to be proud. And together we will smash this pay freeze"
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2728

Austerity isn't working - Clare Williams

‏#undc12 In one of the first debates of Conference, Clare Williams, Northern regional delegate, powerfully outlined the impact of Con Dem austerity on the regions, particularly in the North of England:

"We are living in an age of austerity - but austerity for who? The Government's economic and political policies are having a devasting impact on ordinary people, and on some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.

Palestine Meeting at UNISON Conference - Wednesday 20 June 5pm in Bournemouth

#undc12 War & occupation in the Middle East: from Palestine to Iran: Joint Palestine Solidarity Campaign / Stop the War Coalition fringe meeting at UNISON Conference Wednesday 20th June End of the conference sessions – 5.15pm Tregonwell Bar, Bournemouth Conference Centre
Chair: Linda Perks, Greater London UNISON. Speakers: Sarah Colborne, Director, Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition; Max Watson, UNISON NEC. Supported by Greater London UNISON. Light refreshments provided. Click here to download a PDF flyer

UNISON members to decide on New LGPS after ultra left routed

#undc12 Yesterday, the local government service group conference decisively backed a composite, moved by Manchester branch (see below), which called for a "an inclusive, thorough and democratic consultation process” on the new LGPS scheme due to be introduced by 2014. Desperate attempts by a sectarian minority to pre-empt member consultation and deliver a UNISON rejection for their political parties, regardless of the merits of the proposals, were seen off in a two hour debate:
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=7866