UNISON POLITICAL FUND BALLOT 2005 The Legal Context

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