Contents
1.CONFERENCETIMETABLEPAGE3
2.IMPORTANTCONFERENCEINFORMATIONPAGE9
3.MOTIONS –INDEXPAGE17
4.CONFERENCEBUSINESSPAGE20
5.GUIDETOCONFERENCEPROCEDURESPAGE57
6.STANDINGORDERS FOR NATIONALWOMEN‘SCONFERENCEPAGE63
7.WORKING TOGETHERGUIDELINESPAGE72
8.JARGONINFOPAGE76
9.HEALTHSAFETY INFOPAGE77
-ConductofDelegatesPAGE78
-FilmingPAGE78
-Collection/leafletsPAGE80
10.UNISONCONFERENCEAPPINFOPAGE81
11.VENUEINFOPAGE82
12.ACCESSPAGE84
13.FLOORPLANSPAGE88
1CONFERENCETIMETABLE
1.Conferencetimetable
Thursday1stFebruaryTime / Event / Room
11.30am-6.45pm / Doorsopentodelegates
11.30am–5pm / Conferencedeskopen
11.30am–1.45pm / Meetmembersofthenationalwomen‘scommitteeattheirstallontheLowerGalleria
12pm–12.30pm / Blackmembers‘caucus / Hall2F
12.35pm–1.05pm
1stregionalmeetings / NorthWest / Hall2F
GreaterLondon / Hall2L
Northern / Room11C
YorkshireandHumberside / Room13
WestMidlands / Room12
EastMidlands / Room2N
Time / Event / Room
1.05pm–1.35pm
2ndregionalmeetings / Cymru/Wales / Room11C
Eastern / Room12
Scotland / Hall2F
SouthEast / Hall2L
SouthWest / Hall2N
NorthernIreland / Room13
1.45pm–4.55pm / Firstconferencesession / Hall2M
5pm –6pm
Servicegroupmeetings / LocalGovernment / Hall2L
Health / Hall2N
PoliceJustice / Room12
Womenworkingtogetheracross
education / Hall2F
Energy,Water,Environmentand
Transport / Room11C
Community / Room13
Time / Event / Room
6.05pm–
6.35pm / YoungWomen‘scaucus / Hall2F
7.30pm–
11.00pm / Socialevent / Hilton,LiverpoolCityCentre
Friday2ndFebruary
8.30am–7pm / Doorsopentodelegates
8.30am–6pm / Conferencedeskopen
9.30am–
11am / Secondconferencesession / Hall2M
Time / Event / Room
11.10am–12.30pm
Seminars / NordicModelNow!
WhyUNISON
continuestoopposethelegalisationofprostitution / Hall2L
Gettingthebalanceright–achievingproportionalityinUNISON / Hall2N
Bargainingonmentalhealthintheworkplace / Hall2F
Supportingfamiliesinwork / Room11B
BrexitandtheHenryVIIIclause:thethreattowomen. / Room11C
Treatingmisogynyasahatecrime / Room12
Justthewordonthestreet?Howdoweendstreetharassmentforwomenandgirls / Room13
12.40pm–1.40pm / Labourlinkmeeting / Hall2F
Time / Event / Room
12.40pm–
1.40pm
Fringemeetings / Womenandpensions–fringemeeting / Hall2N
ThestingofaWASPI:
Theattackonwomen‘spensionsandtheWASPIcampaign / Hall2L
1.50pm–
2.20pm / Disabledmembers‘caucus / Hall2L
2.30pm–
5.15pm / Thirdconferencesession / Hall2M
5.15pm–
5.30pm / HustingsforNDC / Hall2M
5.35pm–
6.05pm / LGBTmembers‘caucus / Room12
5.35pm–
6.35pm / Womenandpensions-fringemeeting / Hall2F
Saturday3rdFebruary
8.30am–
1.30pm / Doorsopentodelegates
Conferencedeskopen
9.30am–
1pm / Fourthconferencesession / Hall2M
2.IMPORTANTCONFERENCEINFORMATION
2IMPORTANTCONFERENCEINFORMATION
Annualreport
Theannual report will bemovedformallyatconference ontheafternoonof Thursday1February.Onlywrittenquestionswill be accepted,andthesemustbesubmittedvia theonline conferencesystem(OCS) by9.00amonThursday25thJanuary.
Tosubmitaquestionthroughthe OCS,yourbranch or regionalOCScontactshouldfollowthe instructionsshownbelow:-
- sign ontoOCS
- select―nationalwomen‘sconference‖
- select―Agenda‖
- select―AnnualReportQuestions‖
- select questiontypefromdrop down box
- select ―createanewquestion‖
- followinstructionswhichwillgiveyou a form to complete
- completeform –remembering tofillallmandatoryfields
- you can copyandpasteor typein thetextofyourquestion
- ifyouwanttodothisinstages,youcanselectthe―save‖choiceandcomebackintoOCSata laterdatebutit must be completedbythe deadline
- whenyouarehappywithyourquestion,select―submit‖.
If youexperienceanyproblems,pleasecontactor
Theonlyquestions taken at conference will bethosesupplementary tothewrittenquestions,andmustbe putbydelegatesrepresenting thebranchesor regionsthat submittedtheoriginalquestion.
Voting for NationalDelegateConference delegates and motions
Nominationsfornationaldelegateconference
Nationalwomen'sconference is entitledto send twodelegates to nationaldelegateconference.Thenomineemustbeadelegatetowomen'sconferenceoramember ofthenational women'scommittee.They will be expected tospeakconfidently atnationaldelegateconferenceon issuesofparticular concernto womenmembers (inlinewithnational women‘scommittee/conferencepolicy), tomovethewomen'sconferencemotions,andtoprovide a writtenreport on theconferenceforthenational women‘scommitteeannual report.
Enclosed is anominationformwhichdelegatesshouldcomplete,if theywish tomake anomination, andreturntotheconferenceinformationdeskby9.30am onFriday2February.The hustings,wherenominees aregiven theopportunitytoaddressconference,will take placebeforethecloseofconference onFriday.
Completedvotingpapersshould thenbeplaced intheballotboxes atthe conferenceinformationdeskby6.00pmFriday2 February.
Motionsto nationaldelegateconference
Nationalwomen'sconference is entitledto submit twomotionswhichhavebeencarriedatnational women‘sconference to national delegateconference.At the endofconferencedelegates will be advisedofeligiblemotions–please do notvotefora motionuntilithasbeenheardandcarried,oryourvotewill be invalid.Delegatesareaskedtocompletetheirvotingpapersandplacethem in the ballotboxesno laterthan 30 minutesafterthe closeofconference.
Collectionofballot papers
Onlydelegatesareentitled tovoteandtheymust collect theirballot papersfromtheconferenceinformationdeskfrom12.40pmon Friday2 February.
Meetings
Detailsofthetimeandplace of allmeetingsareincludedin thetimetable inthisconferenceguide.
Regional meetings:Thursday1 February
Regionalmeetings takeplace ateither 12.35pm or1.05pm onThursday, and areopentodelegatesandvisitors.
Caucusmeetings
Caucusmeetingsfor Blackmembers, disabledmembers,youngwomenmembersandlesbian, gay,bisexualandtransgender memberstakeplaceduringconference. Thesemeetingsare opento delegates andvisitorswhoidentify with thesegroups.
Servicegroupmeetings : Thursday1February5.00-6.00pm
Service groupmeetingsarescheduledtotakeplace as part ofthe coreconferencebusiness.Theygivememberstheopportunitytohearabout thelatestissuesfacingmembersintheirservicegroup, andto discussthesewithleadofficers/membersfromthe servicegroup.
LabourLinkmeeting:Friday2February12.40pm
Thismeetingis opentoAPFpayersandLabourPartymembers only
TheTorygovernmenthas forced areviewofourpolitical fundreview– whatdoesthismeanforfuturecampaigning?Howdoweinvolve morewomeninLabour Partyleadership?Whatarethekeyissuesforwomen?
Seminar information
Seminars: Friday2 February:11.10am-12.30pm
Alldelegatesandvisitors areentitledtoattendtheseseminars.Theyareorganised onissuesofgeneral interest towomenmembers, toprovidefurtherinformation onmotionsandto allowtimefor moredetaileddiscussionthanconferenceproceduresgenerally allow.
Wehopethateveryone will be able to attendtheir first choice, butthe numbersattendingsomeseminarsmaybe limited byroom size sopleasegettherepromptly.
Ifanydelegate hasaccessneedstheyshouldcontactAnnaCostiinthe conferenceoffice() toensurethataplaceisreserved at their chosenseminarandtheiraccessneedsaremet.
NordicModel Now!
Hall 2L
WhyUNISONcontinues tosupport theNordicModel to endprostitution
UNISONsupportsthe‗NordicModel‘approachtotacklingprostitution.Weopposethetotalde-criminalisationofsexwork, believingthat thisprotectsthepimpsandpunters andnotthe(primarily)womeninvolved.However,thispolicyhasbeenchallenged byothergroups.Thisworkshopcovers:
- An explanationof howUNISON policywas agreed onprostitution
- the realitiesofprostitutionandtheeffectonprostitutedwomen
- fivepossiblesolutionsthatcoverhealth andsafetyapproaches, harm reductionandpolicyapproaches(legalisation,decriminalisation, theNordicModel)
Therewillthen be anopportunitytoaskquestionsanddiscusspoints raised.
LindaDurrant, regionalwomen’sofficer,EasternregionHelenMcDonald,KatPinder,NordicModel Now
Gettingthebalanceright–achievingproportionalityin UNISON
Hall 2N
“Nowomeninourbranch areinterestedingoingto national delegateconference–whatarewesupposedto do?”
“We’vetried toget womeninvolvedbut they’rejustnotinterested”“Womendon’tcareaboutpoliticsandsocial change”
Acrossalltradesandindustriesthetradeunionmovementhashistoricallybeenmaledominatedbut in 1993themerger of3 publicsector tradeunion(COHSE, NALGOandNUPE)brought together membersfrom workforceswithvery highconcentrationsofwomenworkers.Asaresult,UNISONbecamenotonlythelargest publicsector unionbutalsoaunionwhere the overwhelmingmajority ofitsmemberswerewomen. Itwascrucialforthenewlyformed UNISONto ensurethat themajorityofitsmemberswouldplaya full part inthedemocracy ofthe newunionand sotheprinciple ofproportionality was enshrined inthe newrulebook.
Today,almost 25 yearslater,womenmake upover75%ofthe union‘smembershipyetdespitemakingvery goodprogresssince1993, researchshowsthat women arestill under-representedintheunionstructures. Branchdelegationstonational delegateconferencearestrictlygoverned bytherules on proportionalityandfair representationyet somebranchesstruggletocomplyandbranchesthat donot sendthefull complementofdelegatesresultsina conferencedelegationthat isnotproportionate. A surveyofmembers whoattendedwomen‘sconferencerevealedthat empty seatsatUNISONnational conferences isnotnecessary,asmanywomenmembers statedthat theyhad not beengiven theopportunitytoattendeither national delegates‘ or theirservicegroupconferences. In UNISON,proportionalityisoftenreferredtoasarulebookpolicythatwe―worktowardsachieving”butafter25yearsweshouldhaveachievedproportionality. But delegationstoUNISONnationalconferencesarestillnot proportionate,andregionaland branch committeestructuresarenotallproportionate.
Thisworkshop willexplore themythsandassumptionsmadeaboutwomen‘sparticipationinthetradeunionmovementand willconsidernewinitiatives thatwe needtotakeinorder forwomenmembersnot tobe askingthesesamequestionsatwomen‘sconference in 2043.
VickyBoroughs, regional women’sandequalitiesofficer,SW regionFionaRoberts, regionalwomen’sofficer,SEregion
Supportingfamiliesinwork
Room11B
This workshopwillexamine the legalrightsandbenefitsavailabletohelpparentsand carersbalancework andfamilylife.
Howcan parentsmove into family-friendly work,whatrights can theyexercisewhenthere,andwhatin-workbenefitsmaybeavailabletothem?
WorkingFamiliesisacampaigning charity, seekingtomakeworkworkforeveryone.This workshopwill look at theproblemsparentsandcarersface,andthecampaignsthatweneedtoaddressbarriers to work lifebalance. Theworkshopwillbe led byLizGardiner,whois an employmentsolicitor whoprovidesadvice onparents‘employmentrights andin-work benefitsthroughWorkingFamiliesfreelegalhelpline.
LizGardiner,WorkingFamiliesTreatingmisogynyas a hatecrimeRoom12
Followinga trial inNottingham the National PoliceChiefsCouncilisdebating theinclusionofmisogynyas ahatecrime. Theseminarwillseekto addressthefollowingquestions:
- Whatimpact will this have on apracticalbasis?
- Whywas it notrecognised asa hate crimebeforenow?
- Will thishamperwork onotherformsofhatecrime?
- Whatlessonscanbelearntfrom theNottingham pilot?
KylieReid,StopHateUK
BecauseI’mAGirl
Room13
PlanInternational UK is achildren’scharity,whichstrives to advance children’srights and equalityfor girls allover the world.
PlanUK recognisesthepowerandpotentialofeverysinglechild.But this isoftensuppressedbypoverty,violence,exclusionanddiscrimination.Andit’s girlswho aremostaffected.
TheBecause IamaGirlcampaign is aglobalmovementthat’stakingaction tosee aworld that valuesgirls, promotestheirrightsandendsinjustice.Workingwith girlsandtheircommunities,the campaignaimstoeliminate all thebarriers thatstand inthe wayofgenderequality–such aschild marriage,violence in andaroundschools,poor sexualandreproductivehealthandrights,andeconomicinsecurity.
UNISON is committedtoworkingwith PlanUK in thefuture.This seminar looksatthe work thatis alreadyunderway, and givesyou theopportunitytoshapeourfutureworktogether.
LucyRussell,PlanUK
Bargainingonmentalhealthintheworkplace
Hall 2F
Theimpactofausteritycuts, privatisationandexpandingworkloads hasseenmental illhealthbecome anincreasingissueinthe workplace,butbranchesaren‘t alwayssurehowtoraisemental health withtheemployer. Comealongandgainpractical bargainingskillstoengagemanagementonthisimportantissue.
DeidreCostigan, UNISONdisabilityequalitiesofficerSarahFrance, areaorganiser,NW region
Brexit andthe HenryVIII clause.Thethreat towomen.
Room11C
A workshopwhichwillhighlight the potential threatofthe Henry VIIIclause. Thisprovisionenablesprimarylegislation tobe amendedor repealed bysubordinatelegislationwith orwithout further parliamentary scrutiny.If employed,neitherHouse ofParliament would beable to consideramendmentsto lawsthat willimpactsome ofourkeyrights, includingworkers‘rights.
Comealong to hear Thompsonssolicitors explainwhatwe can doto highlight the issueandreducethe impact on women.
NatashaNicholson, regional organiser/women’sofficer,Northern regionThompsonsSolicitors
Fringemeetings
Fringemeetingsgivememberstheopportunitytohear moreabout theissues beingdiscussed at conference, tosharetheir viewsand togetinvolvedincampaigns.Informationon anyadditionalfringemeetings will be available at thenational women‘scommitteestallinthe lower galleriafrom 11.30amThursday1February.
Womenandpensions
Friday 2February12.40pmand5.35pm
UNISONiscommittedto tryingto improve thepensionrights ofwomenwhotypicallysavelessfor retirement thanmen, havelowerlifetimeearningsandthereforelowerpensions,yetlive longer–meaningthattwo-thirdsofpensionerslivinginpovertyarewomen.
ThenewUNISONwomenandpensionsguidewill be launchedat thesemeetings,andGlynJenkins,UNISON‘spensionsofficerwill be updatingmemberswith thelatestinformation onyourstateandoccupational pensions,plusanswering anyquestionsyou mayhave.
Thestingofa WASPI: Theattack onwomen’s pensionsandtheWASPIcampaign
Friday 2February12.40pm
Comeandhear whatWomen Against StatePensionInequality(WASPI) haveachieved sofar intheirfight for justicefor1950sbornwomen. DiscoverwhatchallengesWASPIcontinuestoface and howUNISON cancontinuetobeinvolved atbranchandlocal level tosupport thecampaignoppose theGovernment‘sposition. Thefringe willexplorewomen‘spension‘sissuesanddiscuss howwe can worktogether toeffectivelycampaignforfairtreatment.
3. MOTIONS –INDEX
NO. / TITLE / SUBMITTER / PAGENO1 / Organisingamongstlowpaidwomenmembers / NewcastleCity / 21
2 / LowpayandwomeninUNISON / EasternRegion / 22
2.1 / SouthWestRegion / 23
3 / Mentoringanddevelopingwomen / NorthumberlandTyneWearHealth / 23
4 / Effectiverightsfor part time andflexibleworkers / YorkshireHumbersideRegion / 24
5 / Womenandautomation / ScottishRegion / 24
6 / Gettingyoungwomeninvolved / NationalYoungMembers‘ Forum / 25
7 / Gettingthebalanceright ontheNEC / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 26
7.1 / NationalLesbianGayBisexualCommittee / 27
8 / RemovingstigmaofSTEMsubjectstudyto increasefemaleparticipation / University ofSunderland / 27
9 / Carers–theforgottenmembers / EDFEnergy(Doxford) / 28
9.1 / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 29
10 / Achieveaccessible,affordable andappropriatechildcareforall–UNISONNorthern Ireland / NorthernIrelandRegion / 29
11 / Recognisingwomen‘shealth in anageingworkforce / NorthernRegion / 30
12 / Theimpactonwomenregardingfamilyhomelessness / GatesheadHealth / 31
13 / Safetravelfor women / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 32
14 / Women travellingsafely / EastLancashireHealth / 32
15 / Moreand morecutsmeanrefugescan provideless andless / NorthTynesideMet / 34
16 / HenryVIII‘scruellist cut / NorthernRegion / 35
17 / Support for womensufferingwithmental health / SouthEastRegion / 36
NO. / TITLE / SUBMITTER / PAGENO
17.1 / GreaterManchesterMental HealthBranch / 38
18 / Supportingmembers withfibromyalgia / NewcastleHospitalsUNISONBranch / 38
19 / Sexistexpectationsaboutyoungwomenmembers / NationalYoungMembers‘ Forum / 38
20 / LackofparticipationofBlackwomeninUNISON / NationalBlackmembers‘Committee / 39
21 / Disabledwomen forcedintomarriage / NationalDisabledmembers‘Committee / 40
22 / Nonbinaryinclusion / NationalLesbianGayBisexualTransgenderCommittee / 41
23 / PeriodPoverty / West MidlandsRegion / 42
24 / Free sanitary wearfor school ageupto 18years / YorkshireHumbersideRegion / 42
24.1 / UNISON
Renfrewshire / 43
25 / Femicide –notanisolatedincident / EasternRegion / 43
26 / Domesticabuse intheBlackcommunity / NationalBlackMembers‘Committee / 45
27 / Womenandmatecrime / NationalDisabledMembers‘Committee / 46
28 / Recognisingmisogynyas ahatecrime / NewcastleCity / 47
29 / Misogynyishatecrime / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 48
29.1 / NationalLesbianGayBisexualTransgenderCommittee / 49
30 / Twitter andMisogyny / West MidlandsRegion / 49
NO. / TITLE / SUBMITTER / PAGENO
31 / Onlineabuse / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 50
32 / Opposetherapeclause / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 51
33 / Stoppornculture / Easter Region / 52
34 / NordicModel Now / EasternRegion / 53
35 / Local representationof womeninthe LabourParty / NorthernRegion / 54
36 / BranchWomen‘sofficer as a rulebook post / NationalWomen‘sCommittee / 55
37 / BranchWomen‘s Officers / SouthWestRegion / 56
4.CONFERENCEBUSINESS
NATIONALWOMEN’S COMMITTEEPOLICY ONMOTIONSANDAMENDMENTS
TheNationalWomen‘sCommittee‘spolicyonmotionsisprintedatthe end ofeachmotion. Policyon amendments will be reportedatConference.
SupportIn Favour
SupportasamendedNWCsubmittinganamendment
Supportwith qualificationsInfavourof mainpointsbutwithsomereservations
RemitRefer to NWCforfurther
consideration
SeekwithdrawalAskbranchtoremovefromagenda,usuallyinfavour ofanother position, otherwiseoppose
OpposeAgainst
NopositionLeaveto Conference
DeferAwaiting moreinformationprior to
taking a position
OrganisingandRecruitment
1.OrganisingamongstLowPaidWomenmembers
MorethanhalfofUNISONswomenmembersmeet the criteriaintermsof beingclassedaslowpaidhoweverthesewomen arenotalwaysrepresentedthroughout ourunionstructures.
Womenmake upthreequartersofthe union‘smembershipyet thisfiguredoes not translatewhenlookingat seniorpositions- 49% ofBranchSecretaries areheld bymen and54%ofChairspositionsareheldbymen.Thefigure ofhowmanypositionsheldbywomenthatareclassed aslowpaid is unclear. Therestill aresocial,cultural andinstitutional barriers that wemust overcometoensurethatlowpaidwomenfeel able tofullyparticipateintheir union.
Fragmentedworkforcesareoftenblamedasto whyorganisingamongst thisgroup ofmembersishardandwithmorewomenemployedwithin care services,schools,cateringandcleaningthananyotheroccupationit istruetostatethat organisingamongst thisgroupisdifficult however thisshould notstopbranchesorregionsasseeingthisaskeyarea ofwork.
It isacknowledgedthat asa unionitisenshrinedwithin our rulesthat theremustbeproportionalityinallourstructurestherearerightlyreservedwomenseatsandreservedlowpaidwomenseats,inour servicegroups, councilandcommitteesthisproportionalityisalsorequiredhoweverlowpaid womenmembersarenotalwaysrepresented. Oftenbranchesstruggletofind alowpaid womenmember toattendconferencesor holdseatsat regionalmeetings,why isthisthecase?
OrganisingamongstLowpaidwomenmembersmustbe apriorityastheyrepresent 58% ofthe union‘smembership, thenewguidance - Getting thebalancerightpublished byUNISONin 2017 isvery usefultoolkit forbranchesandregionstouse.
Organisingaround anissueoftenmakesiteasier to engage withmembersandtherehavebeensuccessful campaignsthroughout theuniontargetinglowpayandhighlighting theimpact thishas. Liftingthose58% ofmembersoutoflowpaymustbeakeypartofanyorganisingmodel.
ConferencecallsupontheNationalWomen‘sCommitteeto:
EncourageBranchestocarryout amappingexercise in relationtoLowpaidwomenmembers,
Producematerial specificallytargetedatLowpaidWomenthat encouragesthem tobecomeactivewithin the union,
EncourageRegionsandBranchestousethe ‗GettingthebalanceRightToolkittoensureproportionalityismet.
NewcastleCityNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
2.LowPayand WomeninUNISON
UNISON‘sprinciplesofproportionalityandfair representationmeansthat someseatsonelectedbodies, including the NEC,arereservedforwomenandlow-paidmembers, sothatthemake-upfairlyrepresentsthe widerunion.
Wehave avariety ofplaceswherelowpaidseatsexist,andlowpayisincludedinbranchdelegationstonational delegateconference.
TheUNISONdefinitionof―lowpaid‖reflectsthemediangrossweeklyearningsforalljobs(fulltimeorpart time) and is revisedeachyear.
Themediangrossweeklyearningsfigurefor2016/17hasbeencalculatedat £438.60,a3.2
%increase onlastyear.
Thismeansthethresholdforelectiontoreserved(lowpay)seatsin the unionisnow£9.72an hour.
£9.72perhourx37 hour weekx52 weeksequalsa salary ofupto£18,701.28.
Thenational livingwage(setbygovernment)iscurrently£7.50per hourifyou areover25yearsofage.
The livingwage(setbythelivingwagefoundation)iscurrently£8.45 perhourinthe UK,(£9.75inLondon).
Despite manyyearsof attempting tofillalllowpaid seatsinUNISON‘sdemocraticstructures, manyvacanciesexist.Our membershipsystem doesnot record our membershourlypayrates, andtheapplicationfor membershipasksnospecificquestionson whetherthe personislowpaidwithin our definition(paidlessthat £9.72per hour).
Questionsremain onwhat morecan bedonetoencourageourlowpaidmembers at branch;regionandnational level. Forsomeof ourmembersitmaybe that they don‘tknowaboutlowpaidseats,anabsenceoftraining;isolation; awarenessofrightstotimeoffworkfortradeunionduties;lackofsupport andencouragement.Andtheymaynot knowthatanyexpensescould be paidtotheminadvancesothat theyarenever out ofpocket.
Thisconferenceaffirmsitscommitment tosupportingandencouragingour lowpaidwomenmemberstotaketheir rightful placeinUNISON‘sdemocraticstructures.
Conferencecallsuponthenational women‘scommitteeto
1)Investigatewhatbarriers toengagementexist forourlowpaidwomenmembers.
2)Reportbackto conference in 2019on findings andrecommendationsfor action
EasternRegionNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
2.1
After 1) insertanew2),3)and4)
2)Remindbranchesthat lowpayisan integral part ofthe JointBranch
Assessmentprocess andshould be includedinallactions torecruit andorganisewomen
3)Liaisewith therelevant NECCommitteeto -
•Establish awholeunionpicture ofUNISON‘slowpaidwomen
and
•Considerhowtore-profile andmonitor lowpaidwomen‘sseatsinbranchstructures
Current2) thenbecomes4)
SouthWestRegionNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: TBC
NegotiatingandBargaining
3.MentoringandDevelopingWomen
Unisoniscommittedto proportionalityforwomenbut therealityisthatinmanybranchesthisdoes not happen.Bythetimewomenhave donetheir jobs,lookedafter thechildrenandtheirhomes,checked ontheir elderlyparentsandhelpedwithhomework,there is littletimeto sit andmapout whattheyneed to dotodeveloptheir careersinUnison.
Unisonhasa lotof trainingandeducationthat istargetedspecificallyat womenhoweverthereisno one-stopshopthat takeswomenwishing to developin thebranchfromconfidencebuilding torunning the branchanddevelopingacampaignfor election tocommitteesandnationallevel.Thisisbadlyneeded toensureproportionalityinbranchesand toprovidewiderchoice in successionplanningandcompetitionfor committees.
Providinga comprehensivementoring and development planforwomen willenablewomentoreceive the appropriateeducationandadvicetoenablethem toparticipateatalllevelswithinbranches, regionsandnationally.
WeaskNationalWomen‘sCommitteeto
1)WorkwithLAOSto createwomenspecifictraining andmentoring programmesaswell as creating an easyaccesssitefortheprogrammesandtraining.
2)Workwith regional women‘snetworks to implementaplanofaction to encouragemorewomenmembersto become involvedin the union at alllevels.
3)Workwithother suchUnisonbodies astheydeem necessaryto provide acomprehensive and accessiblementoringanddevelopment schemeforwomenthatwillassistwithproportionalityand successionplanning for ourunion.
NorthumberlandTyneandWear HealthNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
4.Effectiverightsforparttimeandflexibleworkers.
Conferencenotesthat thereisnowa legalright foranyworkertorequestflexibleworking.Howeveritisnot clear thatit hasresultedin anysignificant improvementinaccesstoflexibleworkingforwomen, whorepresent themajority of peoplewhorequest flexibleworking. Thisissettoincreaseas womenhavetoworklonger andcontinuetotake oncaringresponsibilities atalater age whentheirownhealth ismorelikelyto deteriorate.
Thisincludes,butisnot limitedtoreducinghours, term timeonlyworking,andensuringrestdaysatregularintervals.
Conferencedeploresthe lackofclear informationbeingmadeavailable byemployersandseekstoraiseawareness andknowledgeofpeople‘sright to ahealthywork-lifebalance.
Conferencecallsupon:
1)TheNationalWomen‘sCommitteetoorganiseapieceofresearchtodeterminethetrueimpactofthe extendedright torequestflexibleworking on womenworkers
2)Toorganisecampaignmaterialsaroundthoseissuesforuseinworkplaces
3)Topublish anyresearchfindings.
YorkshireHumbersideRegionNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
5.WomenandAutomation
Conferencenotesthatautomationanddigitisationofjobsischanging thenature, quality,anddistributionofemployment, not just within sectorssuch as manufacturinganddistribution,butinthesphere ofpublicservicestoo.
Thismeansthat thereisa mistakenviewthatAutomationaffectsjobsthatarepredominantlydone bymen.
It ispredictedthat between25% and40%ofcurrentUKjobscould belost toautomationanddigitisation; andthataspecificstudybythe Reform thank-tankpredictsthat250,000joblosseswill comefrompublicserviceemployers. TheGovernor ofthe BankofEngland,MarkCarney,predicts 15million jobs(40%of the UK workforce) couldbe automatedin ageneration.
Thisprovidesa significantchallengefor not onlythe worldofworkbut also the waysinwhichtradeunionsorganise within these workplaces.
Technologyhasalreadymade asignificant impact tothejobsthatwomencarryout. Forexample – theroleofthesecretary/personal assistant hasbecomebothdeskilled / morehighlyskilledduetotheabilityofamanager todealwiththeirownemails. Thechallengefortradeunionsisto ensurethat technologyworkstoenhanceandenablethecreationofhigherskilled,betterpaidjobsandimprovethe lives andworkofwomen.
ConferencecallsontheNationalWomen‘sCommitteetoworkwithappropriatebodies withinUNISONto seektoensurethat a women‘sperspective is integraltothetrade union strategyon automation.
ScotlandRegionNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
6.Gettingyoungwomeninvolved
ThisConferencewelcomesannual UNISON‘sequalitysurveyas awayof gettingstatisticalinformationto support ourequalitybargainingagenda,andalsoorganisational information.
ThisConferencenotesthat thisyear248youngwomenmembersresponded tothesurveyquestionnaire, approximately4%ofallwomenmembers thatparticipated.Thisproportionisinlinewiththeir representation intheunion as a whole.
ThisConferencenotesthestatisticthat43%ofyoungwomensaidtheywould be morelikelytogetinvolvedinUNISONthan ayearago,morethandoublethefigurefor womenoverall(21%).
ThisConferencefurthernotesthat 36% ofyoungwomensaid one barrier toparticipation was not knowingwhatwasinvolved,while just17%ofallwomenrespondentscitedthat as areason.
ThisConferencethereforebelieves itisimportanttomakesuretheworkofwomenactivistsispromotedandcelebratedmorewidely,alongwith arange ofeducational materialaboutwhatkind ofactivity layofficersundertake.
ThisConferencecallsontheNationalWomen‘sCommitteeto:
(i)seektoworkwithUNISON'sLearningandOrganisingServicesteam to revieweducational materialabout theroleofactivistsandconsider whetherthese can beadapted,ordevelopappropriatenewmaterial, that explainsandpromotestheworkofour womenactivists.
(ii)seektoworkwithUNISON‘sCommunicationsteam to examine howbest the workofwomenactivistscan be shown and promotedacrosstheunionto encouragemorewomen,andyoungwomeninparticular, totakeup activistroles.
ThisConferencealsocallson theNationalWomen‘sCommitteeto invite ayoungwomanactivistto addressconference 2019 aboutinvolvingyoungwomeninUNISON‘swork.
National YoungMembers' ForumNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
7.GettingthebalancerightontheNEC
Conferencenotesthatin2017national women'sconferencecarried a motion calling fortheNWCtoworkwith the NEC to addresstheissue ofproportionalityin ourunion.1 millionofUNISON‘s1.3million membersarewomen– 77%ofthetotalmembership.
ConferencefurthernotesthatUNISON‘scurrentlyhas66seats, comprised ofthefollowing:11general Seats
15 men‘sseats
27 women‘sseats
13 reserved(lowpaidwomen‘s) seats
However,the vast majority ofthegeneral seatsareoccupied bymen–thereforethe2017/2019NECcommitteeconsists of25men and 41 women, (27women‘sseats,13reservedseatsand1general seat).
Overall,62% ofNECseatsareheld bywomen, and38% bymen,instarkcontrast toourmembershipof77%women, 23% men.
Conferencethereforebelieves thatactionmustbetakentocreatea proper balance ontheNEC,byre-designatingallmen‘sseatsasgeneral seats.Suchactionwould notprecludemenfrom standing forNECpositions,butwould createtheopportunityfor morewomentostand.
Furtherthecreationofmore‗general'seats,ratherthanreservedmen‘s seats,wouldempowerandencouragemorewomento standforelection.
Conferencenotesthat nationalwomen‘sconferencehastheright tosubmit two motionsorruleamendmentsto national delegateconference each year.Conferencethereforeagreesthat,shouldthismotionbecarried,arulechangebe submittedtonationaldelegateconference2018toseekthere-designationof men‘sseatstogeneralseats.
Conferencefurthercallsupon thenational women‘scommitteeto:
1)SeekthesupportoftheNECinsubmitting asimilarrulechange, and/orsupportingthe women‘sconferencerulechange;
2)Lobbyregionsandbranchestosupport therulechange;
3)PromotetheGetting TheBalanceRightproportionallytoolkit to branchesandregionsandencourage itsuseintheBranchAssessmentprocess.
National Women'sCommittee
7.1
Insertnewparagraphafterparagraphending‗encouragemorewomentostandforelection.‘:
Conferencenotesthat2017UNISONLGBTconferencewelcomedthewomen‘sself-organisedgroupdiscussionson seeking there-designation ofmen‘sseatsasgeneralseats.LGBTconferenceendorsed thenational women‘scommittee‘sproposaltoseekarulechangeonthis, inorder toempowerandencouragemorewomento standforelection.Itwelcomed thefact that thiswouldalsoassistinremovingbarriers totheparticipationofmemberswith anon-binary genderidentity.
Inactionpoint2),add‗andotherself-organisedgroups‘after‗regionsandbranches‘.
National Lesbian, Gay, BisexualandTransgenderCommittee
National Women’sCommitteePolicy: TBC
Campaigning
8.RemovingStigmaofSTEMsubjectstudyto increasefemaleparticipation
According tostatisticsfromWisecampaignresearchshowsthat at GCSElevel engagementinScience, Technology, EngineeringandMathematics (STEM)subjectshasa broadlysimilar gender split. At thislevel femalestudentsareachievinghigher or equalaverage A*-Cgradescomparedtomales.
In additionaccording totheWomen‘sEducationSociety,atA Level thisdropsoffwith ahigher amountof malestakingupSTEMsubjects,forexampleonly20% ofA Level physicsstudentsarefemale. Despitethis, femalestudentsareoutperformingmalesbygainingproportionallyhigherA*-C gradesatA Level.
Atundergraduatelevel there isanevenstarkerdifference with 86%ofEngineeringandTechnologystudents and 83%ofComputer Sciencestudentsbeingmalein 2014 asstatedinstatisticspublished byWise.
TheUKeconomyislosingfemaletalentwhichcould be nurturedanddeveloped.Despitetheearlyparitybetween thesexes,only6%of registeredengineers andtechnicians(i.e.CEng,IEng,EngTech) arewomen.).
Asithasbeendemonstratedthat diverseorganisationsoutperform thosewithlessdiversity,encouragingfemalesinto fieldswhere theyhavetalentwillhelp to stimulategrowth intheSTEMworkplaceandUKindustryasa whole.Earlyinterventionisa provenway toencourageparticipationin asubject, toretainthosewhoshowa talent.
Bursariesarealsoa provenway to encourageuptake ofasubject.Thisisdemonstratedbythe23%dropinapplicationstoNursingdegrees,oneof thefewtraditionally‗female‘STEMsubjects,followingthegovernment‘swithdrawalofNHSbursaries(
It isdisappointingthat inthe currentday, womenarenotattheforefront, oreven on parwithmalecounterpartsinsuchimportant,essentialroles. It islongoverduethatwomenaresupportedandencouraged toparticipate in STEMsubjectsatany age.
TheNationalWomen‘sConferencecallsuponthe NationalWomen‘sCommitteeto:
1)Workwithbranchesandregionstocreatea campaigntoremovestigmaoffemalesundertakingSTEMsubjectsatany age.
2)WorkwithLabourLinktolobbythe UKGovernment to addressthismatter inparliament.
3)WorkwithLabourLinktolobbythe UKGovernment to provide a bursaryforfemales wishingto undertakeSTEMA Levelstoretain and developtalent.
UniversityofSunderlandNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
9.Carers–Theforgottenmembers
1 in 8 adultsor6.5millionpeople in theUKarecarersaccording tocarersUKwiththisfiguresettoriseto 9 million by2037.Every day6,000 people take on acaringrole and 58%ofthecareersarewomen. In2011, femalesweremorelikelyto be unpaidcarersthanmales. Ithasalso beenfoundthat thegeneral healthofunpaidcarersdeterioratedincrementallywithincreasinglevelsofunpaid care provided up totheageof65.
TheOffice ofNationalStatisticsanalysisshowsthat the shareofunpaidcareprovision fellmostheavily onwomenaged50–64. During2011,81,812womeninEnglandwereinfulltimeemployment whileproviding50 hoursor moreunpaid careandinWales thefigureswere5,068 respectively. Thesefiguresaretakenfrom the lastcensusheldbytheOfficeofNationalStatistics.
Becoming acarer forfamilyor friends canhave aconsiderableeffect onthe livesofthosewho takeonthisrole.Whilemedical professionalsandfamilymembersfocus alltheirattention onthe personwhoisill,thecarer can becomethe one inthe shadows. Dependingon thesupportneedsof the caredforperson,caring can behardphysical work, involvinglifting,cleaning, personalcareanddisturbedsleep.
Whiletherearesomeservices out theretosupport women carers, Unisoncurrentlyhasnoprovisioninplace to helpsupportourwomenmembers who arealsocaringforlovedones.Lawsandlegislationquiterightlyprotect the rightsofcitizenswithdisabilities and caringneeds,butthe lawsinplace do notgofarenoughtoprotect thosewomen who arecarers.Manywomenwhobothworkandcareforlovedonesfaceissuesregardingtimeoff toattendhospital appointmentsor requireemergency leave and if grantedwillusuallybe unpaid.Thisfurther impactswomenonlowpayas theystruggle tomakeendsmeet.Protecting therightsofcarers isvital toboththecarersthemselves and thepeople theycarefor; theyhave a role
to playinshapinglegislationforcarersandforpeoplewithdisabilities as thecarersarealsoimpactedbytheconstraints.
Conferencecallson national women‘scommitteeto
1)WorkwithLabourLinktohighlight theplight ofwomencarers withlocalMPsandatnational level to seekwaysto improvetheir rights as carers.
2)Workwith the national executivecommitteeandthenational disabled memberscommitteeto lookatthepossibilityofsetting up acarer‘snetworkbothregionallyandnationallyorallowcarerstobecome active in thedisabilitynetwork.
EDFEnergy(Doxford)
9.1
National Women’sCommitteePolicy: Supportwith
Qualifications andamend
In actionpoint (2), deleteallafter "nationally".
National Women'sCommittee
10.AchieveAccessible,AffordableAndAppropriateChildcareForAll- UnisonNorthernIreland
Conferencenotes thatinNorthernIreland,womenstillbear themajor roleofunpaidprimarycarerfor their childrenandthat the Northern IrelandAssemblyandthe Executive has notdeveloped a childcarestrategythat deliversadequate,accessible andaffordable childcarefor all. Conferencebelieves that accesstoaffordable and appropriatechildcareprovisioninNorthernIreland istoolongoutstandingandthat GovernmentinNorthernIrelandmustdischargetheir responsibilitiesundertheUNConvention fortheEliminationofDiscriminationAgainstWomen.Conference is concernedthatchildcaregrowsincreasinglyexpensive,yearon year,inNorthernIreland,oftenbeinghigher thanmortgageor rentpaymentsandforcingfamiliesintodebt; that thelackofaffordable andaccessiblechildcareforceswomenout ofworkandisamajorfactorinthegenderpaygap; andthat the lackofchildcareprovision canhavenegativeeffectsonchildren‘searlyyearsdevelopmentand candeepenchildpovertylevels.
Conferencenotesthe recentlyinitiatedcampaignacrosscivicsociety organisations inNorthernIreland, coordinated byWRDA andEmployersForChildcare,demandingmeaningful investmentinchildcarealongsideimplementationofan ExecutiveStrategyforaccessible and affordablechildcarefor all. ConferencecallsontheNationalWomen‘sCommitteetoconsider formallyendorsingandsupportingthiscampaign.
Within ourownunion,Conferencebelieves thatwe mustassessawarenessoftheextent ofchildcareprovisionthatwehave foughtfor,bysurveying theknowledge ofour membersinrelation totheavailabilityofprovisionandsupport thatisavailable tothemthroughtheirbranches.Conferencecalls fortheNationalWomen‘sCommittee, inconjunction withRegional CommitteesandWomen‘sCommitteesacrosstheunion, to organise such asurveyandgather testimoniesfrom our members ofthe impact that the lackofadequate,
accessible and affordablechildcare hasonthem.Theresultsof thisexerciseshould beused toinform thedevelopment ofwidercivicsociety campaigning.
UNISONNorthernIrelandNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Support
11.Recognisingwomen’shealthinan ageingworkforce
Conferencerecognisestheincreasingageingworkforcefollowingchangestopension age.Whilstthe ageingworkforce doesaffectallgenders, we must recognisethespecificimpactthishasforwomenwith femaleonlyhealthissuesandthe pressuresthatwomenface intheageingworkforceparticularlyin the publicsectorwith themajority ofthe workforcefemale.
It isclear thatemployers do not have aplaninplaceforan ageingworkforcewho maynolonger be abletofulfilthetasksof theiroriginalroles.Withreducedopportunitiesforredeploymentasworkforcesreduce duetoausteritywhich has reduced staffbeyondlevelseverseenbeforeand, asmorepublicsectoremployerssetup whollyownedsubsidiariesandarmslengthcompanies thesefurther reducetheopportunitytoredeploythesestaffevenfurther.
In additionwomenarelikelyto haveadditional personal pressuresas theyageholdinganumber ofcaringrolesfromcaringforgrandchildren, to caringforan elderlyrelative oftentheroleofthewoman.Accordingto asurveybytheTUC49% ofwomenoverthe age of50arecaringforaparent whilst39% arecaring forachild
Employersneedtotakepositive stepstorecognise theimpact thesefactorswillhave on thewomanand her abilitytofulfilher substantiveroleandidentifyhowtheycan proactivelysupport thesewomenintheirlater careersand notusecapabilityorotherprocesstoremovethe womanfrom thisrole.
ManyUNISONwomen areinphysicallyandmentallydemandingrolessuch as teachingassistants,domestics, cooks, social workers, surestaff toname afew,althoughthelevel ofphysical activityandmental pressurescanfluctuatethere is alwaysa needfor physical andmental effort,asthe womanagesnaturallyherability to meet thesedemandscan lessen.
Thewoman mayhavebeen in thisrolefor mostofherworkinglife and havesignificantlydevelopedskillsandredeploymentintoother postsmaynot alwaysbe thebest use ofherskillsandknowledge.Employersshould usethesewomen todevelopandenhancetheiroperational workforce.
A priorityshould begiven toexplorenewsupport mechanismsas part ofthehealth andwellbeingagenda.
Weaskthenational women‘scommitteeto:
1)Workwith the NECto develop a surveyofunisonwomenmembersaged55 and overto identifythe challengestheyface asan ageing workforceincluding
impact on personal health and abilitytofulfiltheir role as theyage;
2)Encourageregionsandbranchesto workwithemployerstodeveloplocalpolicies tosupport womenin anageingworkforce andhowtheycan takeproactivestepstosupport her
NorthernRegionNational Women’sCommitteePolicy: Supportwithqualifications
12.TheImpact onWomenRegardingFamilyHomelessness
Thenumberofhomelesswomenandchildrenhasrisensince2010 bymore than60% and islikelyto continue asit‘sbeendriven bygovernmentwelfarereforms.
The lackofsocial housingandthe cost ofprivate sector rents which hasgone up bythreetimesasmuchasthe wagesandaddedtothat isthe newrestrictionson family benefitsandfamilycredititisbecomingmoredifficult for women topaytheir bills,theirmortgage andrentand itonlytakesadelayinbenefitpaymentsor lossofashift at worktopush awomanintoasituationinwhich theycannotaffordthe basicessentials–food, shelter, warmth.