UNISON Scotland urged all members to defend the union’s campaigning voice by voting ‘yes’ to keep its unique political fund. The ballot ran from 1-30 November and resulted in a resound YES we do want to be able to influence decision making in civic governance.
The best way to define this is to list the kind of campaigns that the union could not have mounted without a political fund.
UNISON Scotland responses to consultations conducted by the Scottish Parliament are in part resourced from the Political Fund and have included:
Appointments to Public Bodies
Building Standards
Careers Service
Energy & Fuel Poverty
Environment
Equality
Ethical Standards m Finance
Freedom of Information
Health & Community Care
Housing
Justice
Lobbying
PPP/PFI
Regulation of Care.
Following a ballot of all members in 1995, UNISON uniquely decided to have a political fund with two sections. Following a ballot in Mrach 2005, 85% of those who voted said Yes to continue the fund, which will allow UNISON to continue campaigning in the political arena, including the current campaign to defend public sector pensions.
The General Political Fund (GPF) which finances political campaigns in the wider public arena. It is not affiliated to any political party – is used for general campaigning, for example the long campaign for a Scottish Parliament. A branch can access these funds when it needs to run campaigns concerning political decisions.
The Affiliated Political Fund (APF) or LabourLink finances our affiliation to the Labour Party.
Members individually choose which fund to contribute to. They can also decide to opt out of any political levy or contribute to both funds.
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