UNISON  Community Service Group Conference

The first UNISON Community Service Group Conference was held on the 2nd November 2010 in Telford. This was a well attended Conference and was attended on our behalf by Gerry McSheffrey, Branch Chair; Ann Farquhar, Treasurer; and Terry Waters, Health & Safety Officer. 

The Community Service Group is the part of the Union which looks after everyone who works for Charities, voluntary organisations and Housing Associations in Unison. The Service Group is run by an elected Executive made up of members from every Region of the UK. The Chair of this Executive Committe is Quarriers Branch Secretary Stephen Brown. Stephen opened Conference with the Annual Report and spoke of his immense pride at this event taking place which gave our members in the Community and Voluntary Sector it's own voice within UNISON. "No longer the poor relation" as Stephen said.

The Conference debated 20 motions ranging in topics from Service Group structures to two debates moved by Gerry and Terry. These motions were on Pensions in the Community and Voluntary Sector and Violence at work - It's not part of the job. Both spoke really well and were given rousing applause. Our Branch motions were adopted by Conference and will now be passed over to the Service Group Executive to action.

The Conference also had fringe meetings on Personalisation and Stress which were both well attended.