Daily conference round-up

[fishtank]

Monday's round-up

Training charter for new reps

Conference backed a motion today calling for a "Rep's Charter," which will set down a mandatory training programme for new CWU representatives.

The charter was welcomed by CWU head of education Trish Lavelle, who described the proposal as "positive and progressive.

"New reps need immediate support and this proposition will help to meet this challenge," she said.

Defend disability rightsThe first motion on today's (Monday) agenda highlighted instances of employers "failing to act in the spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)."

The resolution, which originated from the union's disability conference and was moved by North West No. 1 delegate Ted Stead, called on the CWU leadership to "ensure this issue remains a serious focus with employers and that people's health disadvantages are duly recognised in line with the DDA."

Supporting the proposition on behalf of the NEC, CWU head of equalities Linda Roy described the Act as "extremely important legislation protecting our members in the workplace. "Far too often, it seems the employer simply doesn't know the law," she said, adding: "The employer has a special responsibility to implement the DDA."

Campaign against government attacks

Conference backed a call for a "high-profile campaign" against government plans to legislate on employment, redundancy and workplace discrimination rights which, the union fears, will make it easier and cheaper for employers to sack workers.

The resolution urged a rejection of the view that a so-called "flexible" approach to employment rights will lead to economic growth and prosperity. "Instead," the resolution argued, "this will lead to cheap and casualised labour and a 'race to the bottom'."

As well as campaigning with other unions and the TUC as a whole against these changes now, the motion also instructed the NEC to seek to "ensure that Labour Party policy includes the commitment to restore and improve trade union, employment and equality rights and that the party promotes a positive agenda of workers' rights."

CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr urged delegates to support the proposals, stressing that the national leadership was already working hard in this area. "This is something that the whole trade union movement needs to get a grip on and the CWU will be at the forefront of this campaign," he added.

[fishtank]

"There is an alternative", says Ed Balls to CWU conference

"There is a better way - there is a fairer way - there is an alternative," insisted shadow chancellor Ed Balls in his speech to conference today.

"And we've got to work together to deliver that alternative as soon as we can," he added, arguing that the CWU and the whole trade union movement must unite to "take the fight to the coalition government" and fight its programme of "deeply damaging and reckless cuts."

Mr Balls rejected Conservative and Liberal attempts to blame today's economic deficit on the previous Labour government's public spending.

"We did increase public spending and I'm proud of that," he said, "but it wasn't government spending that caused the crisis, it was the irresponsible actions of banks and financial institutions all around the world.

"Yes, we should have been tougher on regulating the banks - yes we made a mistake," he admitted, "but don't listen to anyone who tells you Labour spent too much.

"We didn't get everything right, but we're proud of tax credits, the minimum wage, guaranteed holidays for workers, statutory rights to join a union, rights for part-time, temporary and agency workers and also for parents and others with caring responsibilities.

Mr Balls thanked CWU members for the support they had shown for the Labour Party during the recent local elections and for supporting him in last year's Labour leadership campaign.

Praising the "determination and tenacity" of CWU members both in defence of members' rights at work and in pursuit of key campaigning aims such as opposing the sale of Royal Mail, pushing for universal access to high-speed broadband and for comprehensive employment rights for agency workers, the shadow chancellor vowed to continue fighting in Parliament for progress in these crucial areas.

Summing up, Mr Balls admitted: "I hate being in opposition - it means we can't stand up and deliver on all of these policies.

"There are 3,500 children's centres under threat of closure, over two million children still in poverty, a whole generation of young people facing a future of long-term unemployment, all this is at stake. The future of the NHS, of our public services and of our country as a place of fairness and social justice is at stake," he explained.

In reply, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes thanked Ed Balls for his speech and agreed that the trade union movement must work together with the Labour Party to "make the argument for an alternative."

[fishtank]

CWU votes to support a 24hr general strike

Just before lunch today (Monday), CWU delegates have voted unanimously in support of composite motion 1A which calls on "the TUC to coordinate a 24-hour general strike against the cuts and attacks on wages and pensions."

motion 1A.jpg

[Danelectro]

CWU votes to support a 24hr general strike

Just before lunch today (Monday), CWU delegates have voted unanimously in support of composite motion 1A which calls on "the TUC to coordinate a 24-hour general strike against the cuts and attacks on wages and pensions."

Well it looks like the RMT and the Prison Service union are getting a bit more support for the motion they put forward
at the last TUC conference which of course was defeated.

It does highlight the statement that Billy Hayes made after Ed Balls speech that the CWU must work together with
the Labour Party to build an alternative,if the motion is carried at TUC conference then there will be no support
from the Labour Party leadership.

[fishtank]

Tuesday's round-up

Defending pension rights

Royal Mail pensions was the subject of a lively debate at conference this morning, as delegates hammered out their strategy for defending members' rights and benefits.

Introducing the subject, London divisional rep Mark Palfrey moved a resolution setting out key objectives for the union going forward.

Members of the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) should be able to join the CARE scheme and the union must be enabled to play a key role in pensions issues through a new joint national forum, he argued.

But Bristol Amal Branch secretary Dave Wilshire disagreed, using the phrase: "Smoke and mirrors" to describe the motion which, he claimed, did not deal adequately with the matter.

Setting up the proposed forum could, he warned, compromise the union's abillity to organise industrial action over pensions.

Deputy general secretary Dave Ward intervened in the debate to say that, in his opinion, "this proposition deals with the reality of today's situation.

"We can't keep on fighting yesterday's battles," he insisted and urged delegates to back the motion, which was passed overwelmingly.

[RTP]

CWU votes to support a 24hr general strike

Just before lunch today (Monday), CWU delegates have voted unanimously in support of composite motion 1A which calls on "the TUC to coordinate a 24-hour general strike against the cuts and attacks on wages and pensions."

Any dates for this yet fishtank?

[RTP]

Monday's round-up

Training charter for new reps

Conference backed a motion today calling for a "Rep's Charter," which will set down a mandatory training programme for new CWU representatives.

The charter was welcomed by CWU head of education Trish Lavelle, who described the proposal as "positive and progressive.

"New reps need immediate support and this proposition will help to meet this challenge," she said.

Defend disability rightsThe first motion on today's (Monday) agenda highlighted instances of employers "failing to act in the spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)."

The resolution, which originated from the union's disability conference and was moved by North West No. 1 delegate Ted Stead, called on the CWU leadership to "ensure this issue remains a serious focus with employers and that people's health disadvantages are duly recognised in line with the DDA."

Supporting the proposition on behalf of the NEC, CWU head of equalities Linda Roy described the Act as "extremely important legislation protecting our members in the workplace. "Far too often, it seems the employer simply doesn't know the law," she said, adding: "The employer has a special responsibility to implement the DDA."

Campaign against government attacks

Conference backed a call for a "high-profile campaign" against government plans to legislate on employment, redundancy and workplace discrimination rights which, the union fears, will make it easier and cheaper for employers to sack workers.

The resolution urged a rejection of the view that a so-called "flexible" approach to employment rights will lead to economic growth and prosperity. "Instead," the resolution argued, "this will lead to cheap and casualised labour and a 'race to the bottom'."

As well as campaigning with other unions and the TUC as a whole against these changes now, the motion also instructed the NEC to seek to "ensure that Labour Party policy includes the commitment to restore and improve trade union, employment and equality rights and that the party promotes a positive agenda of workers' rights."

CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr urged delegates to support the proposals, stressing that the national leadership was already working hard in this area. "This is something that the whole trade union movement needs to get a grip on and the CWU will be at the forefront of this campaign," he added.

Sound bloke is Ted.

[fishtank]

Any dates for this yet fishtank?

It's a long way down the road RTP.
Pressure has to be applied to the TUC and to be honest they have been very quiet on the issue of co-ordinated industrial action.
Marches yes,strikes...not so much.

[RTP]

mmm

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