Today was our second full NEC meeting, and this time it got paperless. Well they didn’t send out papers anyway. Sadly I couldn’t find any paper so I couldn’t print any of them off and had to use one of the helpfully provided packs of spares. In another effort to help save the planet (we are THE green union after all) we decided to reduce our travelling by pegging the majority of our strategic committee meeting next to an NEC meeting.
I sadly missed Policy & Campaigns Committee yesterday because they were desperate for staff at work. But I've been volunteered for some work an my absence so that'll teach me.
A big priority is always recruitment, but never more so than at the moment with the real potential for a fall in membership for the first time in UNISON’s history. I’m sure all members reading this will get out there and get recruiting. We heard of a special package of measures that are being put in place across the regions to target branches where we have lower density (members per potential members).
We heard more about equal pay, always a key and sensitive issue. Despite the positive outcome of the Allen Vs GMB case we still face a significant threat as the no win no fee lawyers open up other fronts. This means we must regrettably continue with caution about any discussion about equal pay.
We heard an update about the local government pay dispute, with the ballot period likely to be extended due to industrial action by CWU as the ballot papers are due to go out. It is essential that we get a good turn out and a yes vote for industrial action and I’m sure all young members will give our support to local government at this difficult time.
In health plans are going full steam ahead for the 3rd November. Materials have been sent out and regions should be sorting transport so get in touch with your branch or region.
You may or may not know that UNISON is looking to build a new head office in central London at the site of an old hospital in Euston. We were updated on progress including budget and planning.
In the General Secretary’s report we heard about a number of issues across the union. We heard about the union’s response to the situation in Burma and UNISON will be supporting a demo on Saturday
There was also a discussion about the response to Police Community Support Officers that didn’t jump into a park quarry to rescue a child they couldn’t see. They have been treated awfully in the press, particularly John Humphries on the Today Programme, and UNISON is doing all we can to stand up for these members. After the meeting I discovered what David Cameron has to say about it
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· Olive oil/Vegetable oil or softened margarine/butter (To your digression) For canned food, once opened, you need to keep it refrigerated, but don't keep it for more than a couple of days, as it can go bad quite quickly. It was a tumultuous time for the horse in the US as it was across the globe during WW2.
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