Make our unions more democratic – not less

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21317" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

was dismayed to read that the Trades Union Congress general council had agreed that in future the annual conference should be every two years.

Im contrast I was delighted that the annual conference of my union – the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – this week rejected moves for a conference every two years.

In lots of unions now there are arguments that the annual conference is too expensive and not representative. But our conferences are the best opportunity that members have to hold our union officers to account. This is particularly true of unelected officials and those elected for terms of more than one year. They are also the only forum to which branches can put forward policy – and listen to debates and issues.

The leadership may not want to hear the opinions voiced at conference. But most of the delegates are in regular contact with the ordinary members. They have to deal with the consequences of decisions made by the leadership that are sometimes unpopular.

The solution to financial problems is recruitment – not attacking the union’s sovereign decision-making body

Merlin Reader, CWU rep (personal capacity)


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[Lounge Lizard]

Im contrast I was delighted that the annual conference of my union – the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – this week rejected moves for a conference every two years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-0BprqQQf8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
annually - not alternate years.