UNISON branch consultation on the EU referendum

Over the next few months there will be an increased focus on the EU referendum on 23 June 2016. UNISON wants to ensure that members’ voices are heard in this important debate.

We are setting up a branch consultation to ensure that members’ views inform the union’s position. The information collected from the consultation will be used to assist the National Executive Council in taking any policy and campaign decisions, including possible National Delegate Conference emergency motions, on the EU referendum in the run up to the referendum date.

We’re keen for as many members as possible to make their voices heard. Your branch will be in touch with you about the consultation, but please do contact your branch secretary for information on how your branch is conducting its consultation.

Please note, the branch consultation will close on 5 April 2016.

FAQs

What is the EU referendum and who can vote?

The EU referendum will allow everyone of voting age in the UK to vote on whether the UK should leave or stay in the European Union. The referendum will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016.

Those eligible to vote include British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years. Citizens from EU countries will not get a vote – apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible.

What is the UNISON branch consultation on the EU referendum?

The UNISON branch consultation on the EU referendum is an opportunity to give branches a say on what position, if any, UNISON should take on the referendum.

To help with the branch consultation UNISON has provided an Information for Members pack on the EU referendum. This will help members and branches understand more clearly what the issues and implications are when debating whether the UK should stay in or leave the EU and the impact of any decision on UK workers and trade unionists.

How do members take part in the consultation?

At the end of the Information for Members pack are the 5 questions that branches and members are being asked to consider and respond to. Every member now has an opportunity to contribute their views on these questions and take part in their branch consultation. Your branch will be in contact with you to let you know how you can participate in your branch consultation. Each branch will return only one response on behalf of all their branch members after the branch consultation.

What is UNISON’s position on the UK’s membership of the EU?

Neither UNISON’s National Executive Council or National Delegate Conference has a position on the EU referendum. UNISON has extensively debated the merits of the EU, a detailed account of which can be found in the Information for Members pack. In short, UNISON has historically been against the EU single currency and the role of the European Central Bank, but has been for a positive Social Europe.

What does UNISON think of the main Remain and Leave campaigns?

UNISON is not impressed with either campaign so far. The Remain campaign ignores some of the threats in the current EU to Social Europe, public services and workers’ rights. The Leave camp is concentrating only on issues of sovereignty, more rights for business and the City of London, migration, asylum and eligibility for state benefits that do not address the real challenges for the UK or working people face in relation to the EU referendum.

Further FAQs – including UNISON’s view on the EU reforms the government has agreed with the EU Council – can be found in the Information for Members pack