Time to sweep the Coalition from power‏

#UNDC13 UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis sets the scene for National Delegate Conference with a scathing indictment of the Tory led coalition government's record in office: ‘Our fight with the Tories isn't just about pay or jobs, nor is it just about opposing privatisation and outsourcing - it's about the kind of society we leave to our children. It's about protecting and defending the rights that our grandparents fought for - our NHS, our welfare state. We will challenge the broken ideology that says markets know best. And we will build support over the coming months among communities and unions to reject Tory Britain and sweep this wretched coalition from power’ http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/134306

Conference Preview - Time to Twist and Shout

#undc13 Oh this year UNISON Conference is off to sunny.... Liverpool. Ferries cross the Mersey, the glories of eating scouse (possibly deep fried, the Liverpool/Everton rivalry, and as much Beatles memorabilia as you can possibly want. What more could the UNISON delegate require? Well, a memorable conference would help.

The disease is a dying economy: the cure is local government

#UNDC13 Whilst the coalition have presided over the deepest cuts ever to local authorities, progressive economists have argued for economic stimulus and the need to create resilient local economies. In an excellent new report commissioned by UNISON from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) these arguments are given extra weight by a detailed analysis of the impact of cuts in local areas.

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

UNISON National Conference - The Highlights Guide

#undc12 A rundown of the main issues coming up at UNISON National Delegate Conference in Bournemouth from 19-22 June

Pensions: 'Name the Day' posturing or getting our action right

The sinister fringes of our union are again crawling out from under the various stones where they have been resting, like Lord Voldemorte and the Death Eaters. As always they remain shadowy, unwilling to reveal themselves for who they are (“a number of UNISON activists” quote, unquote).

Unions strike back - Podcast

A very interesting Guardian Focus Podcaston the worsening industrial
relations climate in the public sector - 'Unions strike back'
interviews UNISON members and officials at last week's NDC including
extracts from the conference speech of General Secretary Dave Prentis
- http://t.co/3AK3TLP

Conference rejects ‘critical engagement‘ with Histadrut

#uNDC11 Wednesday’s debate on Palestine hinged on a recommendationfrom a recent UNISON delegation to Palestine that the union adopts astance of critical engagement with the Israeli trade union centre Histadrut: http://www.unison.org.uk/file/reportDelegation02010.pdf

Review of SCAM a play by James Douglas

#uNDC11 To celebrate Conference coming to Manchester, UNISON NorthWest Region commissioned a performance of a new play by James Douglas. James and UNISON have collaborated in other ventures over the years and his new play was eagerly awaited.

Big turnout at Organising Fringe

Over 200 delegates packed out a fringe meeting straight after conference yesterday #uNDC11 to listen to speakers on the issue after Organising inside UNISON. Jo Spears - a striking Compass worker from Southampton hospitals and Katie Gash - a young Local Organiser working in the SE Region - described jointly their experience of working together with the 3 Companies Project in Southampton Hospital Trust.

Mutual Benefit

#uNDC11 An attempt to substitute a slogan for a comprehensive union approach to public service reform was overwhelmingly rejected by Conference following NEC opposition to amendment 39.1.

Stop the Great Pensions Robbery - Lilian Macer

#uNDC11 This morning Lilian Macer of Scotland moved Composite B on 'Defending our Pensions' in the major debate of this year's Conference:

Cuts are not the Cure‏

#uNDC11 "We need to nail the lies and the myths peddled by the Tories and their backers in the right wing press if we are to make the case for the defence of public services" said NEC member Jane Carolan moving Composite E on economic policy immediately following the General Secretary's speech:

President's reception at must see People's History Museum

#uNDC11 Colleagues, family and friends of UNISON President Angela Lynes packed out Manchester's People's History Museum last night for a reception to mark her Presidential year. All present had an opportunity to visit the galleries celebrating working class history

Go back to your branches and prepare for action

Dave with City of Liverpool LG delegation after his speech

#uNDC11 Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary has vowed that UNISON will wear this Government down, sap their strength, and bring them closer to breaking point, in the defence of Public Services, Public Sector workers and their pensions. He called on UNISON activists at National Delegate Conference in Manchester to go back to their branches and prepare for battle.

Now is the time to fight: President's speech in full

#uNDC11 Conference, guests, family and friends – good morning to you and welcome to Manchester. I would like to start by telling you a bit about me, I have worked in Local Government in Glasgow for 24 years, I am married to John and have two children Jack who is 15 and Rachel who is 14. I became involved in Nalgo when I spoke up at a union meeting during a dispute and the next thing I knew I was a steward, the Convenor, who I believe is in the hall said “I wouldn’t take a burst pay packet home to her”.