LTB 335/24 – CWU SUCCESS IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-335-24-cwu- ... nd-ballot/

LTB 335/24 – CWU SUCCESS IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT
No. 335/24

16th October 2024

TO: ALL BRANCHES

Dear Colleagues,

CWU SUCCESS IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

As branches will be aware, the CWU has successfully balloted our members to continue the CWU’s political fund, with 79.7% of members voting YES, on a 16.1% turnout.

This positive result for the union means that the CWU can continue to be a leading campaigner in the wider labour movement and play a significant role in shaping the political agenda of the new Labour government

Since the last ballot in 2014, the landscape of UK politics has been irrevocably shaped by a number of events. Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the collapse of the Tory Government, the cost-of-living crisis and four general elections. Throughout this time, we have seen attacks on both trade unions and working people increase in ferocity, including the introduction of more anti-trade union laws and this has impacted trade union membership across both the public and private sector.

Despite this, the CWU has always remained a leading voice in our political sphere and has achieved tangible results for our members, as our focus has always been on building the connection between our industrial and political work. The new Labour Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill just last week, based on the New Deal for Workers campaign that the CWU started over eight years ago. These new rights in the workplace and the repealing of anti-trade union laws can be directly attributed to the CWU’s political fund and our ability to campaign effectively, in Westminster and beyond.

As we look to the future, we will continue to campaign for the new Government to go further on their promises to transform the world of work and introduce wider collective rights for workers and trade unions. The CWU will also continue to build wide-ranging political support for our members, particularly as we face a period of historic change in our sectors- whether it is the takeover of Royal Mail or the rapid advancement of technology in the Telecoms sector.

I would like to thank all members and branches who played a role in this ballot and thank you for your continued support for the CWU’s political work.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary’s department jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-334-24-resu ... llot-2024/

LTB 334/24 – RESULT OF THE CWU POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024
No. 334/24

16th October 2024

TO: ALL BRANCHES

Dear Colleagues,

RESULT OF THE CWU POLITICAL FUND REVIEW BALLOT 2024

Branches will be aware that the CWU’s Political Fund Review Ballot closed on the 15th October 2024. Following receipt of the attached report from the Independent Scrutineer it is confirmed that the results of the ballot are as follows:



Ballot papers despatched: 161,887

Ballot papers returned: 26,099

Spoilt papers: 40

Total number of papers to be counted 26,059

Votes cast YES: 20,777 (79.7%)

Votes cast NO: 5,282 (20.3%)


This represents a 16.1% return

Branches should ensure that the results of this ballot are brought to the urgent attention of their members through the usual channels.

A free copy of the Independent Scrutineers report is available on request from: Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, CWU HQ.



Please see the below notice, in compliance with our obligations under the law.



CWU Formal Notice

EXEMPTION FROM CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLITICAL FUND- Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended)

A resolution approving the furtherance of political objects within the meaning of the above Act as an object of the union has been adopted by a ballot under the Act. Any payments in the furtherance of those objects will be made out of a separate fund, the political fund of the union.

Every member of the union has a right to be exempt from contributing to that fund. A form of exemption notice can be obtained by or on behalf of any member either by application at, or by post from, the head office or any branch office of the union or from the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers Associations, by emailing info@certoffice.org. This form, when filled in, or a written request to the like effect should be handed or sent to the General Secretary.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland members are exempt from contributing to the Political Fund unless they give written notice that they wish to do so. A form of notice indicating the wish to contribute to the Political Fund may be obtained from any branch in Northern Ireland.

In compliance with Article 59 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, members of branches in Northern Ireland are not required to make any contribution to the Political Fund unless they:



1.have given notice in writing of their willingness to contribute to the fund; and
2.have not notified the Union in writing of withdrawal of such notice


A copy of the full text of the CWU political rule is available from the General Secretary’s Department. To request a copy or if you have any further questions, please contact the General Secretary’s department at dlynch@cwu.org.

Yours Sincerely,

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

[world class male]

16.1% turnout