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