Unison Conference feedback 04/05/11
Branch delegates who attended the conference are asked to complete the short online survey to provide feedback about this year's conference: www.surveymonkey.com/s/JV6GCS7
Health delegates rally for the NHS
UNISON members attending Health Conference in Liverpool last week vowed to pile pressure on the Government, if it ploughs ahead with its plans for the NHS. The Liverpool docks, scene of so many union struggles, echoed to the cheers and chants of trade unionists as hundreds of members left the conference hall with flags, banners and hand-written placards to rally for the NHS.
American filmmaker Michael Moore sent a message of support to the Conference warning that the changes to the NHS are "absolutely the last thing you would want to do." View Michael Moore's NHS tribute here.
Also, UNISON members in Hull and Yorkshire have made a powerful short film speaking out against the NHS reforms. Watch it now on UNISON TV
For the latest news on UNISON's Our NHS Our Future campaign go to www.unison.org.uk/ournhs or join the Our NHS Our Future Facebook page.
Lansley told "The NHS is not for sale!"
As UNISON ramps up the pressure on the Government, Health secretary Andrew Lansley has said that he will "pause" to undertake further consultation on the Health Bill. Speaking at Health Conference, General Secretary Dave Prentis said "We cannot rest until the guts are ripped out of the bill. Andrew Lansley talked about a "natural pause". Well Andrew, we say - keep your dirty paws off our health service. We want the bill scrapped and we will fight you every step of the way." Click here to read Dave Prentis' speech in full.
Delegates were also asked to help get the 'Andrew Lansley Rap' to No1 in the UK charts. Loughborough binman Sean Donnelly, who is also known as MC Nxt Gen, penned the track which says "The NHS is not for sale!". The rap and video is proving a massive hit on the internet. You can watch the video here (Warning: explicit language). To find out more about the campaign to get the rap to No1, click here or buy the track now at iTunes.
UNISON members quiz expert panel over vision for the NHS
A lively panel debate on the future of the NHS took place on the conference floor, chaired by Michael White, assistant editor of the Guardian. UNISON members quizzed the expert panel which included Roy Lilley, NHS writer, broadcaster and commentator; Karen Jennings, UNISON Assistant General Secretary and Lawrence Buckman, Chair of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee. The panellists certainly had their own points of view, but there was no doubt that these experts were in agreement that the Government's Health Bill is nowhere near fit for purpose and UNISON's campaigning must continue.
UNISON has laid out its vision for the future of the NHS in a new document, complete with real life testimonies from health workers, patients and members of the public who care about the NHS. This vision lies at the core of our battle to speak up for the health service and to campaign to protect the NHS from the threat of being privatised and fragmented. Read UNISON's vision here: Enduring Values: UNISON's vision for the future of the NHS and share it with members and the wider public.
Health Conference says ‘no' to Blood Money
Stewards working in the NHS Blood and Transplant Service spoke passionately to conference delegates about the need to protect blood donation from privatisation. Bev Easton, Chair of the UNISON Blood Forum, spoke to delegates to request support in their campaign against the outsourcing of parts of the service to profit-making companies. Branches were encouraged to support the campaign - to find out more and to sign up to the joint union petition, go to http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/sayNoToBloodMoney.asp
Pay more, work longer, get less
Conference delegates pledged the union to lead a strong campaign in defence of public sector pensions following the recommendations in the Hutton Report to end final salary schemes and extend the retirement age for public sector workers. The campaign will be mobilising over the next few months, during the UNISON-led TUC negotiations with the Treasury and ahead of the legislative changes the Government are expected to make later this summer. In a passionate debate on the value of pensions for working people, health branches promoted the need to get reps involved as pensions contacts and champions - if you or branch reps are interested, visit http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions for more information.
New Duty of care handbook launched
A new version of UNISON's popular Duty of Care handbook was launched at Health Conference. The handbook aims to help members to maintain the duty of care, particularly when there is pressure on services. The launch was marked by a moving and inspirational address from patient safety campaigner, Martin Bromiley from the Clinical Human Factors Group (www.chfg.org). Download the Duty of Care handbook here.
