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UNISON POLITICAL FUND BALLOT 2005

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

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UNISON POLITICAL FUND BALLOT 2005

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  1. UNISON POLITICAL FUND BALLOT 2005

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. General Political Fund • Pays for campaigning at branch, regional and national level • Independent of any political party • Has an elected national committee

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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 •

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Campaign Materials • Activists guide circulated • Leaflets and posters • DVD • Educational pack • UNISON journals

  12. 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

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