Day Two - UNISON Conference - Gun Crime fringe

Yesterday, saw more ordinary UNISON delegates speak to conference about real trade union issues such as organising and recruiting, the future of branch and service group structures and public services. An amendment which appeared to call for provocative strike action as a recruitment tactic was soundly thrown out. Ashok Sinha from “Stop Climate Chaos” spoke very well about this issue and related it to trade unions concerns.

In the lunch break I went to my first fringe event, organised by UNISON Health & Safety and chaired by Nick Green (Cheshire LG see photo right) on the launch of “Making us Better – Sickness absence agreements: A guide for UNISON safety reps". There was about 100 members present and the guide had a good reaction. See Energy Rep John Caulfield (middle) with booklet.

Afterwards there were debates on international issues. Gloria Hanson (Newham LG and Deputy London Region convener (left photo) spoke in favour of a motion on Cuba. While there was a very good debate on motion 53 which was about Palestine. This is obviously a very emotive subject. However, the standard of debate was very high and most speakers respected the views of their opponents. Often in such debates there is a tendency by the Ultra left to attack speakers for daring to argue against them. The motion was passed even though I felt that its opponents put up the better case (as you tend to do if your argument loses). Which was mostly about not just attacking Israel without also condemning Palestine extremists. Extremists on all sides are deliberately preventing any possible peaceful settlement.

After business there was a confused and noisy London Region delegation meeting on “Re-prioritisation” of motions for Friday's "snake". I have already said in previous posts that I will not try and explain about the “snake”. Due to daft remarks made on the Labour leadership elections by one delegate (not unknown to this blog) I decided to remind everyone if they haven’t yet voted for Alan Johnson 1 and Peter Hain 2 then they need to do so ASAP. A couple of members had brought their ballot papers with them. I was able to offer suitable advice.

After conference closed for the day London and North West Region held a Fringe on “Gun Crime – Time to Act”. Chaired by Alan Jarman (London region convener). I'll post a full report on this fringe another time since it was such a good event. Delegates shared their family’s pain brought about by gun crime murders and we discussed possible trade union solutions.

Finished off the day with the London Region disco in the Holiday Inn hotel. Money raised was to go to “Mothers against Gun Violence”. Very well attended and good time was had by all. A number of people were wearing dark glasses inside the conference hall this morning, I wonder why?