London calling – GPF, PDCC and TUC Delegation

On Tuesday the GPF met in London. As always a number of bids were approved, part funded or rejected. Two really key items (with big price tags) were local government pay dispute and taking forward our general publicity work.

On local Government pay the GPF approved a bid for significant funding to support the strike. This includes newspaper advertising in a number of nationals (excluding Scotland) as well a targeted number of regionals. We also funded these billboards to drive around on both strike days and to be directed by regions to pickets and rallies etc. The GPF decided to allocate at that point further funding for advertising in Scotland to encourage turnout (and a yes vote) in their ballot.

GPF had previously the Strong Yet Caring campaign, more commonly known as Lions, Tigers and Bears. This had been hugely successful and popular with branches and members (and has been duplication in unions internationally). It was decided to extend the funding for this as it had been so successful. The GPF also agreed to fund the next stage in the campaign, which focuses more on real members having been helped by real stewards. We saw some examples and these will be a really strong campaign

The Policy Development & Campaigns Committee met on Wednesday. UNISON’s submission to the EHRC Inquiry into the Human Rights Act and public services makes a compelling case for public services from a human rights perspective, highlighted our concerns with regards to the human rights act’s lack of coverage in areas of privatised services (such as residential homes) and highlighted the important human rights issues within healthcare of disabled and LGBT people.

We were disappointed that we still hadn’t had view of a cross union anti-racism strategy which we have been asking for. We hope that this will be circulated to the committee over the summer.

UNISON’s response to the Energy Bill is being developed and UNISON will be promoting an amendment which would change to way the tariff’s work. Currently as your usage goes up the cost of the energy unit decreases, our proposal would make that the other way round so that higher usage would attract greater cost.

UNISON will be feeding into the review of Housing Revenue Account, which redistributes rental income between councils. This is an important consultation.

The results of the NHS Constitution Survey were presented, which you can find at www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/pp8707.pdf

We noted a consultation submitted by UNISON Scotland on devolution and agreed to hold significant discussions on the union’s position on and response to devolution and regional governance at our next full meeting.

TUC delegation met on Wednesday afternoon, and I was glad I’d not just come down for this one hour meeting. The delegation approved 3 motions, one on Public Services, one on Public Sector Pay and one of the NHS. The Young Members Forum had asked for inclusion of text on the National Minimum Wage, I hope we can try to get this at the amendment stage.