CWU at TUC Congress -Wednesday 10th September round-up

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CWU at TUC Congress - Wednesday 10th September round-up

http://www.cwu.org.uk/news.asp?step=3&NID=2110

On the fringe

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes told a packed TUC fringe meeting that the union was determined to remain positive about our vision for the future of Royal Mail.

The meeting: It's Time to Deliver a Positive Future for Royal Mail focused on the reasons behind the current crisis affecting the troubled UK postal sector and highlighted the constructive proposals that the CWU has put forward to save the industry.

Looking to the independent review into the sector that has been carried out by former Ofcom chairman Richard Hooper, Billy insisted that, any settlement from Hooper must include a solution on our members pensions that has got to be a part of it.

And the CWU leader added that, even if recent speculation that Mr Hooper's final report which is expected in October may contain privatisation proposals proves correct, this would not be the end of the matter.

Hooper may come up with a joint venture, separation or some other form of privatisation, but, just because Hooper may report something, it's not necessarily going to happen.

It's the sheer political impact of privatisation and the potential dismantling of our postal service that needs to be kept in mind, Billy stressed.

After urging his audience to attend the planned march and rally in Manchester on September 22, he concluded: We need to be positive and we need to succeed.

Deputy general secretary Dave Ward also struck a positive note, agreeing that change was necessary in order for the industry to survive.

We recognise that real modernisation is a key part of the debate about our future and we're not facing away from that,he stressed.

But this change cannot just take place on the basis of what Royal Mail management want. Change must be negotiated, mutually agreed and not carried out in an irrational and piecemeal manner.

We also want to see change in the governance of the company, Dave continued, adding: Our union should be able to nominate people onto the board, as should people from local communities.

We want to be able to deliver new products and services to the public, for example, how about introducing same-day delivery within a city?

And we're also about organising all postal workers, whatever company they work for, Dave insisted.

Our position is reasonable and we can have a positive future.

And CWU members were delighted that TUC general secretary Brendan Barber took time out of his hectic schedule to come and deliver his personal support for the union's campaign.

In his contribution, Mr Barber praised CWU members for the determined stance that they took during last years hard-fought national dispute.

Members of the CWU stood absolutely solid in ensuring a decent outcome to the dispute, said the TUC leader, who also played a key role himself in helping to negotiate a solution.

Looking at the wider issue of the liberalisation of the industry, Mr Barber won a round of applause when he pointed out: The government points to EU directives, but the changes in Britain were introduced much, much earlier than the EU required.

The case for a public postal service has been made by you with absolute consistency and determination to turn the government away from the agenda of privatisation.

The case has to be continually made millions of people rely on it and the TUC is absolutely with the CWU in making that case.

Congress business

Young members

CWU senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns warned delegates today (Wednesday) that recruitment of young people was vital to the future of the UK labour movement.

Moving a resolution urging the TUC to lobby government to include trade union studies in the national schools curriculum, Tony explained: For too many young people, trade unions are just not on their radar.

But children growing up and preparing to enter the world of work need to know there's someone looking after their interests.

They all need to know that fighting for rights at work and for fair pay is our cause, he continued.

The CWU firmly believes that this is the most important motion before us this week.

If we want a future for our movement and if we want a future in which our children can enjoy dignity and fairness at work, standing beside us in the struggle, then please support this motion, Tony concluded.



Climate change

Tony also spoke in todays congress debates on climate change and last years widespread floodings.

The climate change resolution, which was introduced by steelworkers union Community, called on the government to adopt the principles outlined by the recent TUC document "A Just Transition" as the UK moves towards carbon reduction.

The policy document was developed by the TUC to ensure that jobs and workers rights are not adversely affected by carbon reduction measures in industry.

Tony explained that, as this process of change develops, the nature and type of employment will change.

In a post-carbon or low-carbon economy, who will build the carbon-free homes, workplaces and sustainable transport networks? It will be us and our members.

That's why protection for workers during this transition must be built into the coherent national strategy that we need.

During the FBU-sponsored discussion on last summer's floodings, Tony pledged the support of the CWU for the firefighters union's proposals to tackle such civil emergencies in future.

We support the FBU fight to win the tools for the job, he said.

And we want to place on record the thanks of the CWU for the brave actions of FBU members and members of all of the emergency services.

Equalities

Cardiff CWU member Amarjite Singh intervened in this morning's Equalities Bill debate to insist that compulsory equal pay audits must be extended to all sectors of the UK economy.

While welcoming current legislative proposals before Parliament to compel public-sector employers to regularly inspect their salary structures for any signs of sex discrimination, Amarjite asked why government was planning to use a voluntary approach towards private companies.

Despite over 30 years of sex equality law, full-time women, on average, are paid 17 per cent less than men, while among part-time workers, this gap rises to 36 per cent, he explained.

The majority of employers, particularly small private companies, will not take action here unless they are forced to do so by law. This is the only way that we can ensure pay equality.

CWU national executive member Maria Exall, who also serves as a member of the TUC general council, hopes that government ministers will act on Monday's resolution calling for controversial religious fundamentalist Joel Edwards to be removed from the newly created Equalities Commission.

The resolution, which originated from the TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) conference earlier this year, heavily criticized Mr Edwards's consistent opposition to laws aimed at ending discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

His appointment to the commission was a profound insult to LGBT people in this country, she said, adding: He has opposed every single piece of legislation on LGBT rights since 1997. On grounds of religion, he has organized, lobbied and propagandized against them.

Joel Edwards should not have been appointed. Joel Edwards should be removed, she insisted.



Health and Safety

CWU health and safety rep Chris Wesson said that he was delighted to receive the annual TUC Lay Rep Award from Labour Party deputy leader Harriet Harman MP at congress today.

Chris, who works for telecommunications giant BT in Birmingham, has campaigned for several years to highlight the dangerous use of asbestos in the workplace, a hazard which his employers have now recognised and acted upon thanks to his efforts.

Once local management recognised the problem, we were able to push it towards senior management and, helped by the CWU and TUC, this has resulted in a redraft of the company's asbestos policy, Chris told congress.