Bournemouth here we come - NDC 2008

Well I'll soon be off to Bournemouth for UNISON's annual National Delegate Conference. The conference starts on Tuesday morning and I'll be in Bournemouth from Sunday for pre- business.

As always, NDC is a a great opportunity for activists from across the country and across all the areas of our work to come together and set our common agenda. I just wanted to highlight some key issues ahead of conference.

NYMF Business

Clearly I will be supporting the business of the National Young Members Forum at conference.

This year the forum has submitted a motion called, Celebrating, Defending and Improving the National Minimum Wage as it reaches it's 1oth year. This motion highlights the importance that the NMW has had for the lowest paid, but resolving also to campaign for it's equalisation and end to the exemption for apprentices.

The Forum has submitted a Rule Amendment which seeks to add environmental sustainability in the objectives in the rule book.

The Forum's amendment to the Education & Skills motion highlights issues around apprenticeships and higher education funding.

The amendment to the motion on Organising stresses the importance of recruiting young members and in particular highlights recruitment of young apprentices and students.

Other Key issues

Rule amendment - Qualifications

This amendment from a number of branches seeks to change the length of time you need to be a member to qualify for legal assistance for 13 weeks to 4 weeks. This is a real barrier to recruitment, and for young members it has a big impact, as if it's your first job it's not like you've been able to join a union before.

Funding the Equal Pay Challenge

This motion will be heard in closed session (ie only delegates and member visitors will be entitled to stay and hear the debate) because of the legal sensitivities. It's important that conference backs the proposals to fund our work on equal pay litigation.

Social

The social side of conference is always important and this year will see the first Young Members Social as we head off Bowling on the eve of conference on Monday night. All registered delegates and visitors who are under 27 should have received details in the post, but if not then get in touch!

So if you're going to conference, see you there