Political Motions Conference 2010

[Big Daz]

SECTION 8 : POLITICAL FUND MANAGEMENT
Monday (17.30 – 18.00)
Page 63

110 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION
Conference instructs the NEC to conduct a review of the Political Levy by
September 2010 with a view to introducing a new classification of
Political Levy Payment to enable members to continue to pay a Political
Levy without contributing to affiliation of whichever political party is
prescribed by virtue of relevant rule and/or conference decision.
Conference further instructs the NEC to do this by, either introducing a
second, lower, rate of levy which would not include a contribution to any
affiliation fee; or by the “partitioning” of the Political Fund as is the case
of some of our sister unions.
Eastern No.3
Northern Home Counties Postal
Eastern Regional Committee
Eastern No.6

111 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION
Conference agrees that it is essential that the CWU has a political as well
as industrial voice in order to influence decisions on behalf of members
both at work and in society as a whole.
However, conference also recognises that our current Parliamentary
Panel process and set up does not reflect the selection changes made in
recent years and does not provide the best vehicle to get CWU members
selected as candidates therefore maintaining a strong CWU
Parliamentary voice.
In light of that conference agrees the following:
- Re-new and re-fresh the Parliamentary Panel immediately with a
fresh selection and appointment of candidates
- That the new Parliamentary Panel be regionally based with
Panellist working in liaison with the Regional Secretary in order
to maximise TULO support
- That an annual presentation be given to the GS/PFMC identifying
seats in each region for targeting and a level of work being
conducted e.g. through the local press and media, with the local
party membership and with local CWU Branches
- All current MP’s and future MP’s with CDP’s must demonstrate a
level of organisation and working with local CWU Branches to
maintain contact and keep a level of Labour Party membership
within CWU Branches in order to influence any future selection in
seats that have a long tradition of CWU resource
The NEC is instructed accordingly.
Midlands Regional Committee
Northamptonshire Amal

SECTION 8 : POLITICAL FUND MANAGEMENT
Monday (17.30 – 18.00)
Page 64

112 CATEGORY A: If Carried 113 Falls
Conference notes that the 2008 conference passed motion E6 as follows:
“Conference condemns the recent submissions by Postcomm and Royal mail to
the Hooper review received at CWU HQ on 23rd May calling for privatisation of
Royal Mail.
Conference further notes that within Royal Mail’s submission to the Hooper
Review it states that Royal Mail may have to alter the pension scheme again
within 3 years.
Conference reaffirms its total opposition to privatisation in any form. This
includes outright privatisation, joint ventures, splitting the business and
allowing private companies to take over parts of it or infusions of private
capital. We demand that the Government rules out privatisation as a possible
outcome of the review. Conference regards the issue of ownership as outside
the terms of reference given to Hooper’s team.
Conference therefore instructs the NEC to launch an immediate unprecedented
campaign amongst the public, politicians, business, media, and CWU members
to maintain Royal Mail as 100% publicly owned company.
Conference further instructs the NEC to lobby the Government in order to
achieve our vision of a wholly publicly owned Royal Mail – continuing to provide
an end to end postal service in the interests of the public – with clearly defined
social obligations that can operate in a commercial market with a level playing
field, and where the cost of maintaining the USO is met by all.
Conference also instructs the NEC to apply pressure on the Government to force
them to face up to their responsibility as the shareholder in order to protect and
maintain the final salary pension scheme in line with other public sector
workers.
Conference also instructs the NEC to lobby the Government to protect the Post
Office Counter Network, including calling for a judicial review.
Conference further agrees that if the Government fails to agree to the full terms
of this motion by March 2009, then the CWU membership will be balloted on
whether they believe the Union should fund the Labour Party at the next
General Election”.

Conference is surprised and concerned that, although the “full terms of this
motion” had clearly not been achieved by March 2009 that there was, by
January 2010, no move towards holding a ballot on funding Labour at the 2010
election.
Conference believes that the fact that the Tories are an anti-working class party
and anti-union party should not stampede us into unquestioning support for
Labour.Conference instructs the NEC to move immediately to hold a ballot on the
future funding of the Labour Party by the union.South Central No.1

SECTION 8 : POLITICAL FUND MANAGEMENT
Monday (17.30 – 18.00)
Page 65

113 CATEGORY A: Conference notes:
1. That the Labour government has allied with Royal Mail to attack postal
workers and the public service. The Government has also encouraged attacks
on pay, jobs, conditions and pensions in the private sector.
2. That the millions of pounds that the CWU gave to Labour helped a
government that then attacked us.
3. That the RMT union does not financially support the Labour Party, but has
been very effective in defending its members.
4. That the PCS union does not support the Labour Party and is balloting its
members on running trade union candidates at elections.
Conference believes:
1. That we do not get value from the money we give to the Labour Party.
2. That some Labour MPs have supported us, and deserve continuing support.
3. That MPs, councillors and activists from other parties also supported us and
should be considered for support.
4. That the test should be to support only those representatives who broadly
support the policies of the CWU as decided by the relevant Branch.
Conference resolves:
1. To instruct the national executive to cease affiliation forthwith to the Labour
Party. The union should use its political fund for campaigns and to support
MPs who support our policies.
2. That money should go only to those MPs, MSPs, MEP’S, AMs, councillors (and
candidates for these posts) who, as a minimum, oppose the privatisation of
Royal Mail and all public services, vote against it wherever possible, and
support the trade union freedom bill.
3. That no monies in any circumstances should go to members of the BNP or
other fascist organisations.
4. That the CWU should work with unions who are members of the Trade Union
Co-ordinating Group (PCS, POA, RMT, FBU, NUJ and others). These unions are
working together to have effective representation.
South Central No.1

114 CATEGORY A: Conference instructs the NEC to undertake a review of
the current political rebate system to Branches and Regions.
Such a review shall examine the rebates required to maintain and improve our
current political lobbying process based on the following:-
• A further rebate to be paid pro-rata dependant on the number of Labour
MP’s within a Branch area
• A further rebate to be paid to Regional Political Funds dependant on the
number of Labour MP’s within the Region
Further, the NEC is instructed to seek the views of Branches and Regions, and to
produce a report to Branches by no later than 31st January 2011.
Newcastle Amal

[marky]

give liebour not a pennie only a kick up the jackass. some at hq have a lot in common with some liebour m,p's spend spend spend its not my money