End...

The last 2 days have again been fantastic and full of passion... We are all scared of the Con Dem cuts, and the lies they have been spinning about the 'horrendous state of the economy', lies so they can attempt to justify their cuts in public services, which is only going to affect the poorest amongst us...

David Prentis has called upon all branches to prepare for the possibility of national strike action, working with all the other unions, after the 22nd of June emergency budget. protest are planned all around the UK on that day...

We also had a speaker from CUPE, one of Canada's main trade unions. We saw Billy Brag, what an amazing man.

We also watched as Denis Goldberg was awarded honorary membership of he union. What a truly amazing man. An anti-aparthied fighter in South Africa, he spent 22 years in jail, his only crime was fighting racism... It was an honour to be on the same room as this inspirational man. Check out the unison conference link here... http://www.unison.org.uk/conference2010/news_view.asp?did=6191

My motion never came up so I was disappointed that I could not address conference and represent my members. I will do everything in my power to make sure next year Yorkshire Water branch gets a motion heard and passed...

It's been eventful, and tiring, fun, and enjoyable. It has been educational, and fantastic to be united with so many people of the same values. No to discrimination, no to privitisation, no to big bank bonuses, no to self regulation, no to racism, no to BNP members, no to all fascists, and a big fat NO to the Tories who want to remove the Human Rights Act!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have voted at conference to lobby the government and all groups concerned to stop the government over turning the Human Rights Act. Apparently this wonderful piece of legislation makes it easier for terrorist to reign terror???? Really Cameron? Are you sure this has nothing to do with your right wing, discriminatory, agenda. You Eton boys... Bless you!!! NOT!

I hope to sumarise some of the motions over the coming days onto this blog...

2 days down...

Conference has been ace so far... Lots of anger at the new coalition government, spending cuts in public services, jobs at threat, pensions at risk... UNISON will stand united though, along with our sister unions, and fight for fairness, equality, and dignity...

I have written my speech for motion 93 on Cuba, Haiti, and UNISON. I am going for a passionate and feeling speech, not a fact filled speech, but one of sentiment and anger, and emotion... I just want a big round of applause really.

Joke aside, we have seen an amazing conference so far.

I have helped out today on the LGBT stand. This was fun and got to meet some people, and hopefully we will see a rise in LGBT members, and raise the profile of LGBT issues.

One of the most important motions in my mind ws one on the recruitment of young members. Not only was great to see such young people passionate about the union's future, but the respect given from the retired members section. Young and old uniting in our values and principles. We have over 1 million members as a union, but of this membership only 74,000 of our members are under the age of 27. We need to take action now to recruit young people.... without new young recruits, our great union will cease to exist in years to come... Without these young members, who will bargain and campaign on pay, pensions, equality, international issues, women's issues, disabled issues, health and safety issues, race issues? It's time we got more than active and wake up to the real threat of our recruitment crisis....

Today also saw an emergency motion on Israel's attack on a peaceful humanitarian aid ship, very emotive speech, and very good arguments from both sides on the debate. I will not expres an opinion as I want to keep this blog as apolitical as possible...

COMRADES get recruiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Gaffer...

Here is only a snippet of Dave's emotive and wonderful speech...

http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONTV

Withdrawal...

Another nicotine patch on, feel a bit faint with it but need to set off down to conference now for the first day of NDC, excited!!!

The sun is shinning, had a gorgeous breakfast, just really want a fag though.

I shall probably write quite a large blog this evening after the first day. I won't be back at the hotel until tonight probably, as there are lots of meetings after NDC also. I'll be back...

Writers Block...

I'm finding it hard to actually write a speech... I have so much to say and only 5 minutes in which to speak to move the motion. My own personal experience of the WET conference is that I felt too scripted and was reading from a piece of paper with the occasional glance up at the delegates in the room.

I feel I need to speak from the heart for this motion and engage with the delegates in the conference hall, rather than read at them... A more ad-lib approach is now my preference... Hope I don't go blank if the motion gets called tomorrow... I have lots of literature also to back myself up...