Pensions - Local Government up for the fight

#uNDC11 With a complete display of unity of purpose UNISON’s Local Government conference opened today in Manchester by debating “the fight of our lives” to defend members pensions.

Tax Dodger's Alliance says - let them eat cake‏

The UNISON local government conference yesterday agreed to a major campaign against the pay freeze imposed by the employers in from April without any negotiation. The conference passed an amendment recognising that in these circumstances industrial action would be the most effective way of securing an acceptable outcome.

Pensions debate and an invite to a wedding!‏

During the local government debate on motion 24 on pension rights for civil partners, conference heard one of the best speeches of conference to date from a delegate from Birmingham. He gave a funny, passionate and moving speech about why it is only right and proper his partner should have full survivor pension rights, not least because his partner has put up with his snoring and untidiness for so long!

Fighting the cuts in local government‏

Quite rightly the most of the afternoon session at today's UNISON local government conference was taken up debating motions about how we fight cuts. Speaker after speaker got up to tell about attacks on council services.

Responding to shared services and privatisation‏

UNISON local government conference heard that shared services and privatisation are increasingly likely to become a widespread response from councils facing budget cuts during the Con-Dem "age of austerity."

UNISON standing up for social workers‏

On the first morning of the local government conference an excellent debate was held on the important issue of social work.

Reality of home care exploitation exposed by UNISON film‏

At today's UNISON local government conference - as part of the debatethis morning on personalisation and care work - a moving and powerful film about the privatisation of home care in Norfolk was well received by delegates.

UNISON is up to the challenge in local government - Chris Tansley‏

Chris Tansley, chair of UNISON’s local government service group, opened the 2010 service group conference by moving the annual report of its executive committee.

UNISON Local Government Conference preview‏

UNISON's largest service group meets in conference tomorrow and Monday. http://www.unison.org.uk/conference/localgov.asp Here we give a rundown and venture some advice on the main issues...