The region’s local government service group met on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 October in Southampton for their annual general meeting and autumn conference.
Sixty delegates representing council and school members from across the South East gathered over the weekend to discuss organising, campaigning and best practice.
On the Friday, many attendees showed their support for Show Racism the Red Card’s wear red day (pictured above) and joined the campaign to end racism is all areas of life and work.
Delegates heard from MPs Tan Dhesi (Slough) and Satvir Kaur (Southampton Test) about the priorities for the new Labour government, and the importance trade unions play in community life.
MP Tan Dhesi speaks to attendees after dinner.
The outstanding contributions of branches and individual activists were celebrated over dinner, with attendees hearing stories of the incredible unsung work happening in branches throughout the region.
Awards were presented for exceptional work in the past year to:
- Oxfordshire County branch
- Paul Leadbeater (Elmbridge)
- Mandy Pitchford (Arun District)
Delegates from Oxfordshire County branch are presented with an award.
The next day, a series of workshops were held on local government finance, pay campaigning, and anti-racism, and there were guest speakers on UNISON’s current Year of LGBT+ workers.
Delegates were under no illusions about the challenges workers in local government and schools will face in the year ahead, but time and again these UNISON activists showed their passion for public services and commitment to organising and campaigning for social justice.
