Accord conference 2022

Registration

Registration to join conference as a virtual attendee has now closed. 

If you missed the deadline and still want to join, please email [email protected]

Conference programme 

Here's the order of business for Accord's Conference:

Thursday 19^th May

Friday 20^th May

Conference venue

Accord's 2022 conference will be held at the Mercure Hotel in central Manchester (Portland St, Manchester, M1 4PH)

Travelling by car

If you're travelling by car and will be making use of the limited spaces in the hotel car park, use postcode M1 4DY to ensure you arrive at our car park instead of the hotel front door.

Conference contacts

If you have any questions about conference, you'll be able to contact our conference organising team below.

Hannah Palette is our conference organiser and will be able to assist with any queries relating to the event. 

Krisna Lakhani is our conference liaison officer and will help with any concerns, queries or help you need during your time at conference i.e. issues relating to accommodation, lost or stolen items, feeling unwell.

About conference

Accord’s biennial delegate conference is held every two years at venues throughout the UK.

Conference is hosted by the union’s Principal Executive Council (PEC) and usually takes place over three days.

The purpose of conference is to set Accord’s agenda for the next two years. This is done by workplaces submitting motions which are debated and voted on by delegates. You can read more about motions on this web page. 

The agenda is divided into sections to reflect Accord’s main campaigning areas:

• Dignity at work
• Fair reward
• Security of employment
• Union policy and external matters (such as rule changes)
  

When conference is in session, it’s chaired by Accord’s president, or one of the vice-presidents.

Around 150 people will be in attendance at the 2022 conference, including delegates, speakers and union staff. This will be the first year we've held a hybrid conference which means we can have even more delegates and visitors able to participate. Delegates attending virtually will still be able to contribute to conference, including speaking and voting on motions.

Guest speakers are invited from the main employers that we work with and external bodies like the TUC. They address issues of interest and relevance to members and will usually engage with delegates in Q&A sessions.

Conference provides a great opportunity for Accord reps to meet new people from the union, discuss the issues of the day and make their voices heard. We hope they’ll also have an enjoyable and memorable time. 

Accessibility

We aimed to make conference accessible for everyone, no matter what your needs may be. We've asked all delegates to let us know what requirements you may have so that we can make any necessary arrangements.

The conference venue is fully accessible and has 2 designated disabled bedrooms along with accessible bathrooms - these are on the 2nd floor.

If you have any requirements during conference, do let us know at [email protected].

Covid procedures during conference

The following guidance should be followed by all in attendance at conference 2022. 

It's importance that we all act responsibly and support each other, particularly those who are most at risk from Covid, or are providing care to other vulnerable people. By following these guidelines as much as is practically possible you're helping us keep everyone at conference safe.

Covid is very much still with us, and while vaccines have provided us with a degree of protection, infection levels are still high, and we must remain vigilant.

Covid symptoms

We ask that anyone who experiences any Covid symptoms does not attend conference. The NHS recognises 12 main symptoms of Covid. The main symptoms include:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
• general cold or flu like symptoms

Visit the NHS website for the full symptoms list Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in adults - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Should you develop any of the symptoms of Covid during conference or get a positive lateral flow test result you should immediately take steps to isolate yourself from your fellow delegates at conference and contact our Conference Liaison officer, Krisna Lakhani.

Covid testing

Everyone in attendance should take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before entering the conference venue each day - so you'll need to test once on your day of travel before conference commences, and you'll need to bring one with you to test yourself on the second day of conference. You don't need to bring proof of your LFT test to show us.

As the UK Government has ended the free availability of LFTs for most people, you should obtain your tests from your work as you normally would do. If you have any problems, please let us know and we'll advise you of what to do.

Face Masks

We'll be providing everyone in attendance with a face mask as part of your conference pack upon arrival. It is your choice whether you wish to wear a mask during the conference sessions, and we would ask you to be respectful of people's choices. If you are uncomfortable being around others who aren't wearing masks, talk to us and we'll ensure we can accommodate a safe space for you during the conference sessions.

Social Distancing

We've reduced the number of delegates and visitors that will be in attendance at conference to ensure a reasonable distance between everyone in the conference venue. While there are no strict social distancing rules in place, we'd ask you to be respectful of individuals needs for space and to ensure safe distances can be maintained by sticking to the seating arrangements we've put in place. This may mean you don't get to sit next to someone you'd intended to be by, but there will be plenty of time for you to network and socialise outside of the conference sessions.

Handwashing

It's important to continue good handwashing practice. Hands should be regularly washed with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. In addition to this, hand sanitiser will be available throughout the venue.

Cleaning Protocol

All personal belongings, including papers, should be removed at the end of each day of conference to allow delegate tables to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in the evenings. Don't leave anything in the conference hall unless it's rubbish to be disposed of.

Delegate attendance

Reps who’d like to attend conference must register their interest by the deadline date given by the union. Places are limited and fill up fast!

Delegation numbers are allocated based on the level of membership within each employer / business area.

Unfortunately, not everyone who wants to attend conference is able to but for those who can, time off to attend is paid by the business so delegates don’t need to use holiday. However, confirmed delegates must give their line manager as much notice of attendance as possible.

Delegates are expected to represent members from their business area and act as ambassadors for Accord throughout conference.

Delegates are encouraged to contribute whenever appropriate by speaking on any relevant issues and in debates.

They should prepare by:

• Being aware of any motions submitted by the members they represent
• Proposing or speaking on these motions
• Being prepared to represent the contrary points of view on behalf of their members

As well as attending formal meetings, there’s also time for delegates to relax and unwind. There’ll be evening events and time to explore the city.

How we work out delegation sizes

We use our membership data and active reps to determine the sizes of our delegations for each business we represent in. Here's how we've allocated delegations for conference 2022:

Dignity & respect policy

Accord is committed to promoting an environment and culture where individuals feel valued for their contribution and can do so in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. This policy statement applies to all conference attendees whether you're: attending in-person or virtual, a voting or non-voting delegate, a visitor, a guest, or a member of the union's staff.

The intention is not to spoil the fun but to ensure that this conference is an enjoyable experience for everybody, and that everybody is treated with dignity and respect.

Accord has zero tolerance for any type of bullying and harassment including: 

• Aggressive
• Offensive
• Intimidatory
• Disrespectful or
• Unacceptable behaviour

or comments will not be tolerated. 

This supports the commitment set out in Accord’s rules to promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms of harassment, including: 

• Sexual harassment
• Prejudice and
• Unfair discrimination

This policy applies to all aspects of communication at or in connection with our conference, including postings on social media. 

If you have any concerns about behaviour that you want to raise, then please contact our conference liaison officer, Krisna Lakhani - [email protected] or 07825 170 002

All complaints will be treated sympathetically and in the strictest confidence.

What is harassment?

Harassment is any unwanted conduct that could be physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct or bullying. It could relate to a one-off event or be ongoing. Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment is unacceptable and will be treated as a serious matter.

Although not exhaustive, some examples include:

• Physical: Touching, patting, pinching, assault, coercion for sexual favours or physical threats.
• Verbal: Unwelcome advances, nicknames, innuendo, insults, abusive or inappropriate language, degrading ‘banter’ or derogatory jokes or offensive terminology.
• Non-verbal: The display of pornographic or suggestive pictures, offensive or abusive gestures, objects, or written material, ignoring or excluding an individual.
• Bullying: Offensive, intimidating, insulting, humiliating or demeaning behaviour, including online which attempts to undermine an individual which in turn affects relationships.

An individual raising an issue will usually be doing so because the behaviour was unwelcomed, unwarranted and has had a detrimental impact upon them.

What to do if you feel you are being harassed?

Make it clear to the harasser that their behaviour is unacceptable. If the behaviour does not stop or is of a serious nature report it to Krisna Lakhani, our conference liaison officer. Krisna will be available throughout the conference to provide help and support.

You can contact Krisna on [email protected] or 07825 170 002

Frequently asked questions

Whether you're attending conference in-person or virtually, you may have questions about our conference.

We've tried to answer as many of the questions you may have in our frequently asked questions section.

If you've got another question that's not covered by these, please contact us at [email protected]

Motions

Motions give delegates the opportunity to help shape Accord’s agenda for the next two years. They seek changes to the way in which members are managed, changes to terms and conditions of employment and improvements to their working environment.

They will typically be submitted by groups of members. Either by branches or department teams.

Motions must be submitted to Accord HQ by the deadline given by the union. They’ll then be considered by the Standing Orders Committee (SOC), alongside Accord’s President and General Secretary.

Those that make it into the agenda will usually be grouped together so that similar issues can be debated collectively, or where they seek conflicting outcomes.

Not all motions that are submitted will be debated at conference. The PEC have overall responsibility for the agenda of conference, and any motions that are not debated during the conference period will be decided upon and taken forward by the PEC.

Once a motion has been presented to conference, we'll open up for debate for those that wish to speak either in favour or against the motion. After the debate has concluded, or the conference chair has brought the debate to an end, we'll open up for voting. You can read more about the voting process in the next section of this guide.

How to write a motion

Here are some tips on what to consider when writing motions

• Make your motion simple to follow – avoid technical terms & business jargon
• Make it easy to understand – keep it clear and simple
• Don’t try to explain everything at once – that’s what the supporting speech is for
• Ask for an outcome and suggest a solution to the issue
• Try not to criticise colleagues in other business areas – they may be at conference and you may need their support

Example motions

Photo & video consent

Photos and videos will be taken at conference which may include images of anyone in attendance. Accord may use these images and videos on our website, in newsletters, our member magazine or other promotional materials relating to the advertising of Accord. We may also attribute words to individuals speak on a motion, or if any individual agrees to be interviewed for a case study.

We ask all delegates in attendance if they are happy to agree to this through our delegate registration process.

If you have provided you consent, you're telling us that you feel completely happy with us using your images/word, and that you are doing so with no pressure or obligation from us. You'll be giving us full permission to use these images and any personal information you supply to us in materials promoting or advertising Accord. The images will not be used for any other purpose. The copyright of any material generated shall be assigned the property of Accord.

If you change your mind after providing your consent, you can contact Accord and ask us not to use your image or words for any new purposes. In these situations, we will do our best to remove any existing materials too if you ask us to, but we can't guarantee this (for example materials already shared on social media by others or printed materials).

If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact [email protected].

The Congress Room located on the 2nd Floor will be set aside for the duration of conference as a room for prayer, quiet or reflection. We'll have signage available throughout conference directing you to the room, and a reminder of this information will be available through the conference app.

We'd ask you to be respectful to others who may be using this room, and to refrain from using the room as a place to make phone calls or hold other conversations.

Taking abuse is not part of the job

During your stay at Accord’s conference, we are sure that you’ll be taking advantage of the hotel’s restaurant, bar or leisure facilities. When the day’s business ends, you may decide to use these facilities, and so may others – all roughly at the same time.

For the hotel’s staff, being busy is part of the job... accepting abuse is not! So, when you are waiting for your meal or when you want to order drinks please remember:

The person serving you is trying to do a job under pressure.

• The staff do not decide the staffing levels – they, too, would like more staff on duty at busy times.
• The staff did not make the licensing laws or take the decision to close the bar.
• Many hotel and catering staff are on the statutory minimum wage.

We, in the trade union movement, call for improvements to the statutory minimum wage. If you support this call but then shout or leer at the staff, you are giving with one hand and taking with the other.

So, please show respect for the people taking care of you during your time at conference.

Standing orders for conference 2022

The rules that govern how conference business will be conducted are set out in our standing orders. The standing orders have been developed and agreed by the Standing Orders Committee to ensure a smooth-running conference.

Voting

Once the proposer or ‘mover’ of the motion has given their speech to conference, followed by any delegates who support or oppose it. For our hybrid conference we don't have seconders for motions.

Proposers have a maximum of three minutes to talk. The seconder and those who support or oppose the motion have a maximum of two minutes. As 2022 is a hybrid conference, we'll be pre-organising speakers for motions so that we can make the necessary technical arrangements.

The PEC or a member of the HQ staff may also choose to speak on a single or grouped motion to explain any support / concern / consequences of the motion if passed. They cannot vote on any motion.

The ‘mover’ of a motion has the right of reply. This is to answer any questions or concerns that have been made. And to win over any doubting Thomas’ before it goes to vote. They’re given a maximum of one minute to do this.

Following the debate, the conference Chair will put the motion to vote. For conference 2022, voting will be conducted electronically - whether you're a delegate attending in person or virtually, you'll have the same access to vote. Voting will be conducted using the conference app, so whether you're attending as a delegate in person, or virtually, you'll need a charged smartphone with the conference app downloaded and installed.

How voting works:

• If all delegates vote in favour, the motion shall be carried unanimously
• If the majority of delegates vote in favour, the motion shall be carried
• If all or majority of delegates vote against, the motion falls

All motions carried become part of Accord’s agenda for the next two years.

Terminology glossary

Whether you're new to Accord's conference, or whether you've been a delegate in the past, it's essential you know what we mean by certain terms. Here's a list of the important terms you will hear in connection with conference.