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