Panel debate kicks off UNISON ’ s national disabled members ’ conference

UNISON’s national disabled members’ conference convened in Liverpool last weekend for the first time in two pandemic-dominated years. Some 300 delegates attended the fully socially distanced conference, where ventilation was increased and session times reduced to ensure minimum time spent in the hall. Conference heard debate on motions covering three themes: the challenges that disabled workers have faced during COVID-19; the group’s campaigning priorities for the coming year; and building an effective and efficient union. The weekend began with a lively panel debate on post-COVID-19 bargaining for disabled workers’ rights. Graeme Ellis, vice-chair of the national disabled members’ committee, chaired the event, with four speakers raising a range of topics before answering questions from the audience. Assistant general secretary Jon Richards began by outlining how, over the pandemic, UNISON had “totally refocussed our union and our bargaining resources to protect members in the workplace”. This included successes negotiating agreements with employers at a national level around working from home and special paid leave, negotiating for individual risk assessments for disabled workers once lockdown eased, and producing bargaining guides for reps to continue the fight locally. Looking to the future he said: “We will need to continue to focus on the safety of disabled workers – health and safety has taken on a new importance at the core of our negotiating work, ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News 2021 National Disabled Members Conference Source Type: news