Transcript Document

UNISON POLITICAL FUND
BALLOT 2005
The Legal Context
 Trade unions always involved in politics
1913 political objectives
1985 Tory ballots - all unions voted for
Confirm member support for our
political funds every ten years
 By law must have a political fund if wish to
carry out political campaigning
Our Political Funds
 General Political Fund and Labour Link
In 2003 UNISON National Delegate Conference
overwhelmingly reaffirmed its support for the
Political Fund structure following a union wide
consultation process
General Political Fund
 Pays for campaigning at branch, regional and
national level
 Independent of any political party
 Has an elected national committee
Labour Link
 Affiliates to the Labour Party
 A voice in policy making, elections and links
with both Houses of Parliament, Scottish
Parliament and the European Parliament
 Elected UK committee and regional structures
 UNISON group of MPs & MSPs
What our political fund does
 National and local political campaigns
• better pay for public service workers
• campaigning against privatisation
• working for equal pay
• campaigning against racism and the BNP
defending pensions
and in Scotland
 Revitalise our Public Services
Research & campaigns against PFI
Anti-BNP & NF materials
Legislative campaigns
water privatisation, breastfeeding, energy,
correctional agency, assaults on staff, smoking
Party conferences & lobbying
How do the political funds work?
 Members can choose to join one of the
political funds, both or neither
 Join and withdraw at any time
 A small amount of the subscription
goes into the political fund
What do members know about the
funds?
 Research on behalf of unions facing review
ballots showed:
• Very little awareness of political funds
• Assume all money goes to the Labour Party
• High levels of support when members clear about
usage of money
Other unions
 Overwhelming support for the fund
 T&GWU, AMICUS, GPMU and Community all won
with between 67% and 75% of members voting
YES!
Don’t be complacent – there is still much work to
be done
Campaign Materials
 Activists guide circulated
Leaflets and posters
DVD
Educational pack
UNISON journals
Winning a YES vote
 Talk to members
 Use the campaign materials
 Examples of what the funds have delivered
 Highlight what the funds will deliver in the future
 Ensure members know what will be lost
 Follow up with members to make sure they voted