National Delegates Conference
21 June - 24 June 2011
Dave Prentis, General Secretary
This week, thousands of UNISON members from across the country gather in Manchester to make their voices heard at our national conference. Our union is facing an attack on all fronts, with job cuts, pay freezes and now on pensions.
Public sector workers save into their pension year in, year out, and each and every one of them deserves dignity in their retirement. We do not want this to turn into a fight - public v private sector workers.
Unless people save towards their retirement, picking up the means-tested benefits bill will be a huge drain on this country's finances in the not too distant future. Fairness is going to be key to solving this dispute - that and real negotiations. UNISON does not want strike action - we want to keep talking - but the clock is ticking.
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EFOCUS CONFERENCE EDITION
NDC: All roads lead to Manchester
It's the conference : what’s the big fuss?
The national delegate conference, or NDC, is key to our democracy – it's where your elected delegates decide the policy, direction and campaigning priorities of the union for the coming year: a year when cuts and attacks on public services and our members' jobs, pay and pensions will really hit.
If your branch is one of the few not sending delegates this year – try and make sure you do next year.
So what's involved, and where's it all taking place?
Around 2,000 delegates will gather in Manchester between Tuesday 21 June and Friday 24 June to debate issues, make decisions and receive reports on the union's work over the past year, and its finances.
Sunday 19 and Monday 20 June will also see three service group conferences: local government; water, environment and transport; and energy.
All four conferences will take place in the Manchester Central conference centre, which will also host fringe meetings.
I hear there's also something called the UNIZONE – what's that about?
The UNIZONE is an exhibition area for UNISON's key campaigning, bargaining and organising work.
There will also be an exhibition area with a range of stands representing services to members plus stalls on behalf of campaigning and voluntary organisations.
One of our branch delegates will be experiencing conference for the first time: is there anything we can do to make it easier for them?
NDC is big – and it can be daunting, but it shouldn't be frightening and there are plenty of tips you can share to make it easier for first-time delegates.
The most important thing for delegates is to know why they're there: to represent fellow members, put forward their views, report back on policy decisions – and perhaps even speak on a motion.
After that, it's a case of getting familiar with the place and procedures.
Conference language can be jargon heavy, but it doesn't take long to get into the swing of things and and once you've tried it, you may even want to come back next year!
Top tips to get your delegates through conference include:
- look out for the briefings for new delegates, organised by regions and at conference itself – and the new delegates’ DVD, available from communications via the online catalogue on the website;
- make contact with your regional representative, who should be able to answer your questions;
- carry credentials at all times – they’re needed to get into conference;
- make sure to carry the essential paperwork: the conference guide and agenda, voting card, card votes – if you are looking after them for your branch – and relevant reports; and listen carefully to the standing orders committee's reports.
Is it all serious?
Not entirely – tell your delegates to enjoy themselves: they'll be playing a vital part in making the union tick, but there's a social side to conference as well, and it's a great opportunity to meet and mix with colleagues from throughout the UNISON family.