Conference:Daily Round up

[fishtank]

Sunday April 21

President's opening speech

CWU President Beryl Shepherd opened annual conference in Bournemouth this morning with an upbeat and wide-ranging speech spelling out the challenges ahead for the CWU.

Against a backdrop of "unprecedented economic turmoil" members are looking to the union for "leadership, guidance and representation" she pointed out.


Beryl praised the work of CWU members in campaigns fighting for agency workers' rights, for new laws protecting workers on private property and to save Royal Mail.

Since last year, significant progress has been made on equality issues within the union, and the CWU president noted this, pointing out that this "needs to be done to ensure this union is reflective, at all levels, of the membership."

There have also been setbacks, Beryl said, attacking the "despicable" decision of Virgin Media to de-recognise the CWU and sharply criticising the "shoddy way they have treated us, our reps and members."

But the union is bouncing back from this and striving at all levels to increase membership.

Turning to recruitment, Beryl insisted that this "must be at the heart of everything we do" adding that, while this represents a challenge, there is potential for growth.

Health and Safety

Delegates debated a range of health and safety at work issues as conference got down to business this morning.

A motion expressing deep concerns over employer compliance received unanimous support, as did motions on personal protective equipment, road accident reporting and training for reps.


Speaking to the first motion, the union's national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce said that there had been difficulties around reporting of incidents, investigations and apportioning of blame.

The arrangements had been revised and improved at BT, and there were improvements on the way at Royal Mail, Dave continued.

These include a replacement for the 'ERICA' automated reporting system, to ensure the automatic reporting to area safety reps, and a tightening up of other areas.

"We're also holding a series of SRSC joint roadshows across the country," he added.

Durham Miners Gala

CWU Annual Conference has instructed the union to make an annual contribution "in the region of £5,000" to the Durham Miners Gala amid concerns that Europe's largest celebration of trade unionism is at risk from rising costs.

Despite Executive appeals for the demand - tabled by Durham Amal, York & District Amal and the North East Regional Committee - to be either remitted or opposed, delegates overwhelmingly backed the funding demand following impassioned speeches by the Gala's supporters.


Proposing the motion, Jason Llewellyn of Durham Amal pointed out that, at present, the Gala only receives donations amounting to less than 30% of its costs - and that its perilous finances only stack up because, up to now, neither the landowners nor the police have charged for their respective input into the staging of the event.

"This is under review," explained Jason, "and if the police were to charge for managing the event that, in itself, would double the cost of the Gala."

While in recent years the 129-year-old event, which harks back to the days when Durham still had a major mining industry, has expanded beyond its traditional roots - now enjoying the active participation of a host of community organisations, including schools and scout groups - Jason argued it was vital the historic Gala retained its trade union core.

John Woodhouse of Newcastle Amal agreed: "It's a working class event steeped in history and trade unionism…but it now needs help," he said. "The Miners' Gala is a symbol of everything we stand for."

Tony Pedal of York & District Amal added: "We must give money to this historic event, not because it is historic but because it is inspirational."

The same theme was articulated by Dave Chapple of Bristol & District Amal. "£5,000 is not a lot and will have a fantastic community resonance," he stressed, adding: "That's a small price to pay to keep this important event going."

With Conference clearly swayed by the contributions, Executive speaker Mick Kavanagh admitted he'd clearly "dawn the short straw" in being asked to present the case for remittance or opposition. He stressed, however, that the Executive's position was not guided by any intention to cease the CWU's existing support for the event - but by the view that a more formalised annual donation event would be to the detriment of the annual budgetary review process.

[fishtank]

Monday April 22

Trade Union Congress leader's speech

Delegates heard TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady say that despite recent International Monetary Fund criticism of the government's austerity economics, the Chancellor is showing no sign of changing course.

But government economic policies are making the UK's problems worse and allowing the government to use austerity as an excuse to implement policies that no-one has voted for.


Frances said: "Spending cuts, unemployment and austerity look more and more like hard right politics, rather than necessary economics.

"Even the IMF now says that the UK should ease up. This comes after IMF research showing that spending cuts make deficits worse when an economy is depressed. They may reduce spending, but if they suck the life out of an economy then the tax take falls even more.

"Remember - this government originally said they would have reduced borrowing to £37 billion a year by 2014. Now they say it will be more than £100 billion.

"And in another blow to the Chancellor, we now find that he has based his economic strategy on a dodgy spreadsheet. He has been fond of quoting an economic paper saying that when debt goes over 90 per cent it stops growth.

"That meant we could not do what every sensible economists since Keynes has said - that when an economy needs a kick-start it is right to borrow to invest in recovery. But now we find that 90 per cent figure comes from a spreadsheet full of errors. There is no such limit.

"Of course big national debts are a problem. It is right to want to reduce the deficit. It has always been the case that this government was trying to move too quickly.

"We didn't pay back the cost of fighting the Second World War until this century. Now of course the 2008 crash was not a world war, but it did huge damage to our economy. A bubble built up over many years. When it burst, it hit the global economy to its foundations. We came close to economic cataclysm.

"Expecting to put that right in just a few years was always mistaken. But now we know that the tools chosen are making the problem more severe. It is certainly hurting, but it sure ain't working. So why does the Chancellor persist?

"Perhaps it is simply because he doesn't want to admit a mistake. But it goes deeper than that. For this is not economics, but politics. The economic crash is being used as an excuse to implement policies that voters have rejected every time they have been given a proper choice.

"The objective is a small state in a nastier society. Spend less, make ordinary people pay more VAT and bank the savings with tax cuts for big businesses and the few at the top.

"It's all of a piece with other policies. Destroy the fundamental principles of the NHS through fragmentation, privatisation and cuts.

"Slash away at support for some of the most vulnerable in society, rather than create the jobs that will get the unemployed back to work.

"Put workers under pressure to sell off basic employment rights as a price for taking a job. Attack community facilities such as local post-offices and privatise the Royal Mail.

"No-one can pretend that dealing with such a big crash would ever be easy or pain free. But what should have happened is a recognition that the years of privatisation, deregulation and letting the market rip had failed.

"We should be building a new economy that can provide the jobs, security and living standards that can give us a decent future.

"Instead we are simply getting an increased dose of the policies that caused the damage in the first place. That is why we must change course - and change course fast."

Poverty, health and the bedroom tax

Fighting poverty, defending the vulnerable and campaigning against the bedroom tax were high on the agenda at a lively morning session of conference today.

Tyne and Wear Clerical delegate Anthony McMullen urged CWU members to support proposals to establish local partnerships with local food banks and homeless, so that unsold pre-packed sandwiches and other contained foodstuffs can be donated to the needy rather than being discarded.

"We all see this in our workplace canteens, and if we all buddy-up with the local shelter or crisis centre, then we can give real help to people," he explained.

Marion Brain gave the motion her full backing, and gave conference a moving account of how, as a child, she had been made to feel "stigmatised" by her school for being "on free dinners."

The Birmingham, Black Country and Worcester Branch delegate said: "If you were on free dinners, you had to wait until all the others had been fed. It was very stigmatising and it was things like this that made me become a socialist."


NEC member Mark Baulch added the leadership's support for the proposition and described the "proliferation of food banks" as "a sad indictment of this government, especially when we remember this is the seventh-richest country in the world."

Manchester Amal Branch sponsored the next motion, which attacked government plans to implement an online claims system, "without any apparent regard for approximately 8.7 million people nationally unable to access or have access to the internet."

Bruce Devenport, in moving the proposition, told conference that the online system would be "a blow to those people who are already among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society."

The next debate focussed on the deep concerns that have been raised by relatives of elderly people who have died while in the care of Liverpool Care Pathway. The motion, from South and East Thames Amal Branch, called for representations to be made to the Secretary of State for Health to "outlaw" the organisation and went on to demand a tightening up of guidelines for all such care institutions.

After an at times emotive exchange of views, most delegates voted against the proposition - the only one of the four motions lost during this sessions - but note was taken by all of the need for appropriate guidelines and procedures to be strictly adhered to in these circumstances.

Regular conference speaker Brian Kenny spoke next, and made an impassioned argument for the CWU to throw its weight behind the gathering campaign to stop the highly controversial bedroom tax, under which families living in council or other social housing will be forced to pay increased rents.

"This is about ordinary people losing a vital safety net at a very difficult time," said Brian, who added: "Taking on and opposing the welfare cuts is exactly what this union should be doing.

"The bedroom tax will cost families £14 per week and many families could be forced out of their homes. These cuts must and should be reversed and this union must be at the forefront of this campaign."

Phil Waker, who is a Labour councillor in Barking and Dagenham, Essex, as well as a CWU branch delegate to conference, pointed out that the biggest costs on housing benefits were due to "the big payments being made to private landlords, thanks to the the lack of social housing."

"I don't want to see anyone evicted because of this," Phil continued, adding: "Families are increasingly living in one room again. This is back to the 1920s and 30s."

Thomas Dewar, from Glasgow and District Amal Branch told delegates that, up in Scotland, campaigners had set up the "West of Scotland Federation Against the Bedroom Tax" and he went on to suggest that, as happened some two decades ago during the anti-Poll Tax protests, people should organise to physically prevent any evictions from being carried out.

[fishtank]

General strike

The last motion on today's agenda called on the NEC to "do all in its power" to prepare for a one-day strike of all trade unionists in the UK.

Coventry Branch delegate Lenny Shail moved the proposition, which referred to a resolution adopted by the TUC last year examining the practicalities of organising such an event, which would be the first 'general strike' since the early years of the last century.


In a powerful concluding speech, Lenny urged delegates: "What better way to finish this year's general conference than to pass this motion, which puts our union at the forefront of efforts to unite the whole working class movement in a 24-hour action against this government's cuts and austerity programme."

During the debate, other speakers had pointed out that the only previous occasion when the UK trade union movement has held a full general strike was way back in 1926.

That strike was sparked by coal mine owners cutting the pay and increasing the hours of the nation's miners - who, in those days, numbered around a million - an estimated four million other workers walked out in solidarity with the colliers in an unprecedented action which lasted for nine days before being called off by the TUC.

The miners stayed out on strike for a further six months, but the employers refused to budge and the miners were eventually forced back to work under the worsened conditions.

In 1972, the TUC came close to calling a general strike after five London dockworkers were imprisoned under controversial industrial relations laws. But the government of the day arranged for their release - under the guise of the 'official solicitor' - before the action took place.

Diversity in unions
"A little less conversation - a little more action," was the upbeat message from TUC leader Frances O'Grady to today's proportionality fringe meeting.

There are now slightly more women than men across the trade union movement as a whole, and Frances told the meeting that there must be a 50/50 gender representation to reflect this. "We need to look more like the members we represent and we've also got to look more like the workers we're trying to recruit and organise," she argued.

The new TUC general secretary praised the efforts the CWU has made towards equality in terms of gender, cultural origin and sexual orientation and added that, for all trade unions, "it's not just about our structures, but what we do."

Frances also urged people to reject what she described as "the merit myth," which she explained as the counter-argument that is often used by people who are not convinced of the need for positive action and who contend that women and members of ethnic minority groups will succeed without this.

After making it clear that individual unions must decide for themselves how they will address this issue, she said: "In my experience, my own belief is if we waited for things to change naturally we could be waiting for ever."

Encouraging more people from all backgrounds to become elected representatives and to serve on leadership bodies was not about pushing other people out, but about bringing more new people forward - "there's plenty of work for us all to do," she insisted, adding that equality initiatives are "not about one group taking from another group, but how we can be stronger together."


CWU head of education and training Trish Lavelle spoke next and presented the meeting with the results of the union's own survey into membership levels among different groups of people and the progress being made towards full equality, which was followed by brief contributions from the chairs of the equality advisory committees.

Summing up the debate, general secretary Billy Hayes echoed one of Frances's key themes, insisting: "We're talking about inclusion not 'exclusion' - there will still be a place in this union for the bald, the fat, and the over 40s.

"The more diverse we are, the stronger we are."

[fishtank]

General secretary Billly Hayes's speech to conference 2013

I want to begin by thanking all those people who choose to continue to be members of the CWU

They do so voluntarily, without coercion, because they believe that being a member of the CWU protects and promotes their interests.


Of course, everyone in this hall is part of that commitment. Everyone of us pays our subscription because we believe in the CWU

Together with paying your fees - you believe that being in the CWU is something more.

By our actions we give life to the CWU. Our lay activists base gives a vibrancy to our Union - a strength to our Union - a voice to our local membership.

Without your efforts, our Union could not maintain itself for one moment. -

You are democracy in action.

You - as local people - could have sat back and accepted the line from management -


You have chosen to resist - you have chosen the hard road - my thanks to you.


Our national leadership is facing difficult times - your support is important. -

For all the derision heaped upon us - trade unions are still the biggest voluntary movement in the UK - second only to the National Trust -

Our movement represents over 6 million organised workers.

And it makes a big difference to your life if you are a member.

The TUC figures show that if you work in the private sector, union members earn 8% an hour more than unorganised workers. In the public sector unionised workers earn 18% an hour more than unorganised workers.

We provide results where it counts - in our members' pockets.

Of course, our own Pay Handbook measures what we do.

We have a history - we have an international perspective.

We care about international trade unionists murdered in Colombia - Last year 29 trade unionists and 69 Human Rights workers were murdered and so far this year another 5 trade unionists and several peace workers.

167 million people are part of the trade union movement world -


3 million in the Telecoms Sector

3 million in the Finance Sector

5 million in the posts and logistics sector - which - on behalf of the CWU - I am the World President.

Of course internationalism matters -

Because of the values we have - a child starving in Somalia matters as much to us as a child in Somerset.

22,000 children will die today - mainly through starvation.

That's about every four seconds - a child dies unnecessarily - a child crying is the same in any language.

That's why we have our own organisation - CWU Humanitarian Aid.

Together with CWU Ireland who have produced a great video being shown on RTE -

The CWU members and our lawyers - who travel in convoys - or go to Africa - do so because the same values that deal with unfairness in the workplace.

When we heard the news about Boston, our thoughts went out to the people and friends there.

Our involvement in UNI is not some airy fairy idea - wouldn't it be nice - it is practical and related to our workplace.

The source of our strength

The employers know the value of internationalism - that is why Moya Greene was brought in from Canada - capitalism is worldwide - as are its agents.


Through our work, we know that out of 183 countries - only 8 have been privatised - none have been a rip roaring success.

Ask the people in the Netherlands - We did.

Internationalism matters - materially to our world. Think globally - act locally.

So to with our history - we stand on the shoulders of giants -

They didn't ask for permission to form a union.

The Liverpool Postmen Federation were all sacked in 1889 - they simply held a meeting in St. Anne Street.

2013 is the anniversary year of the Dublin lock-out led by James Larkin.

Irish and British.

History matters.

Context matters - We need to look forward - We need to keep an eye on the past

We are now 18 years old as a union -

We are one union.

Whatever your grade; workplace; employer, or constituency - membership of the CWU entitles you to share in the problems and successes of every CWU member.

This growing solidarity amongst our activists is the sign of our maturity as a union.

These are the facts of life -


For every employer is seeking to hold down wages and cut conditions.

Every frontline representative is dealing with complex and difficult problems.

A victory for the workforce in one industry raises everyone's confidence. A setback, clouds the outlook for us all.

There are always internal pressures - whether they be over resources, positions or policies. We can resolve these creatively, through our democracy - a minority perspective can sometimes speak a major truth.

There are those outside of the Union - the employer; their friends and allies in the media; - all want to see us divided, weak and defensive.

"An injury to one is an injury to all."


Britain's eighth biggest Union -

Our pressures are many.

The Coalition Government continues with a policy that is not working - for the ordinary people of Britain -

In moving Motion 27 I explained why the Government's austerity is a failure.

The Office for Budget Responsibility - OBR - forecast the value of real wages - that is, what you can buy after making the adjustments for inflation.


The OBR forecast that real wages will drop in the period between 2010 and 2015 by 9%.

This means that in 2015 you will have £91 to spend where you had £100 in 2010.

This real wage cut is not of concern to the Government.

Their view, and that of the OBR, is that growth in the economy will be driven by household consumption.

How can your consumption grow if your income is cut?

Taking on debt - the World Wonga - pay day loans - legalised - loan sharks.

We have a Government that forgets everything and learns nothing.

Another basic measure - at present there are 1.74 million applications on housing waiting lists. - This represents over 4 million people, with family dependents.

In Osborne's recent Budget - he made much of the fact that they have authorised the building of a further 15,000 houses. -

At this rate, the current housing needs will be met in the year 2129.


And, finally, on the measures of our common wellbeing, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has defined a minimum income standard.

This figure is dependent upon your status. The standard is the poverty line.

By this criteria, one million more families will be below the line by 2015 -

And this will mean that the majority of the country's children will be in households below the minimum income standards.

Food banks in the 7th richest economy in the world.

Judging by the Opinion Polls it looks as though we will have a majority Labour Government in 2015.

This is good - our first priority is to sack Cameron - Clegg - and all their works.

We know that a Labour Government does not in itself solve our problems - we have to organise ourselves as a lobby inside the Labour Party if we are to get anything from their Government.

Now, we need CWU members - like you in the hall - to consider standing as Labour candidates -

Whether that be your local council, for Parliamentary seats or for European Parliament seats.

The Union - along with other union affiliates to the Labour Party, is supporting a "Future Candidates" programme.

-HALF WAY -

This is a training programme which aims to bring more trade unionists on to representative bodies.

Make no mistake, by your effective Union work, you are demonstrating that you have what it takes to be a leader in public life.

This is one way - and there are many others - in which we can shift the Labour Party on to a more socialist direction.

It is very pleasing that we now have Linda Woodings and Ashgar Khan on Short Lists for MEP positions.

We are also close to having two or three CWU members as potential candidates for Members of Parliament.

In the coming months, we will be stepping up our political work.

We know that winning a Labour Government in 2015 will be tough -

So we need your active support here.

Lenin - School of Socialism

Privatisation of Royal Mail will not work

Liberalisation does not work -

We know that from history -

We know that internationally -

Ask the people of Argentina - who had their postal service privatised - who were advised by Royal Mail - it was a flop - the Argentine Government had to re-nationalise.

We know that when we look at the Dutch solution - a flat earth, Postal Service.

Liberalisation - TNT - asking for a three day service. Only EU Directive prevents them.

What happened to the new dawn of mutualisation of Post Office Counters?

The only "working together" we now see is on the picket lines of Post Office Counters -


People like Moya Greene say that Government have been a bad employer.

So Government bad - private sector good.

It might be hard convincing a Government to change tact, but a Hedge Fund - a group of shareholders - what democracy is there?

Our National Honorary Members could tell Moya Greene what good Government can do.

Not spirit of 45 ......

1964 - 70..

Brought jobs to Merseyside

Bank accounts for ordinary people

We also had a breakthrough in the working time

Even pictures on stamps was introduced - all thanks to Tony Benn

Only to see the forgotten Post Office - privatisation - sold at a knock down price - £111.8m

That led to National Audit Office criticising the sale.

We believe that the postal industry will be badly served by privatisation.

But we certainly know that the market has not delivered the best service for Telecoms.

More than 30 years since privatisation of British Telecom, yet the market cannot fulfil a Universal Service Obligation for access to Broadband.

Without Government aid private companies are only prepared to commit themselves to two thirds of the population for a new high speed Broadband provision.

New investment remains sluggish, even though profits were as healthy as any sector of the economy.

The telecommunications sector is supposedly a byword for innovation and modernity - yet we see the same old disease of short termism - under investment and social irresponsibility.

Indeed, we have our own experience of backward attitudes in the de-recognition story in Virgin Media.

John East and I met the potential owners, Liberty Global - We will ensure that the resources are available to secure a new agreement with them.

Further, there was another indication of how regressive the Telecom Sector can be, despite its reputation -

Last month two small Telecoms Companies - AXIS Telecom Ltd and Servicon Ltd were fined and ordered to repay £100,000 to their employees for "not paying the minimum wage".

In the past year, we have begun to carry through two major initiatives from CWU Headquarters.

The first of these has been a complete change in our organising work.

We have abolished a separate Organising Department and Officer post.

We have transferred the organising staff resources to the Industrial Departments.

Our aim is clear: We want to ensure that the Union's organising agenda is integrated into everyone's daily work.

Pay tribute to the work that has been done by our Organisers, Organising Department staff and National Organising Secretaries.

But the rate of change has accelerated in the industries where we organise.

Liberalisation in the Postal Sector and privatisation and liberalisation in the Telecoms Sector have created many new companies and workplaces.

Our bargaining position has been slipping for a long time and we must find ways to reverse this.

The figures produced in our 'Mapping the Future' document show that between 1996 and the end of 2011, the post, courier and telecoms workforce grew from 438,000 to 535,000 -

Yet during that period our Union's membership decreased from 270,000 to 204,000 today.

We continue to become smaller while our sector continues to grow.

Clearly, we need to change, and change fast if we are to stop the decline.

The bargaining position of our members is deteriorating - whilst the market puts them in competition to unorganised workers.

So the change in our organising strategy is a crucial step.

We will need to monitor this process closely.

Proportionality

The other major initiative that we have launched is around the issue of proportionality.

Our Rules direct the National Union and Branches to ensure that our organisation is representative by removing barriers to members becoming leaders.

At present, it is clear from all the monitoring and evidence assembled, that women and black members are seriously under-represented at all levels of the Union.


This Annual Conference has directed the NEC, on a number of occasions in the past, to do something about this.

National Officers have been touring the branches to get a dialogue going on how we can address this.

The National Advisory Committees have been drawn into this work.

We are meeting with the Industrial Executives to discuss the issue with them.

The report to be published is the beginning in a long campaign. We aim to meet every branch and region to discuss the matters.

We want to bring some proposals and rule changes to next year's conference.

No one is pretending there is a quick and easy solution to achieve a National or Branch leadership that is more proportionate to the membership.

But I am convinced of two things -

Firstly, we can work out solutions between us.

The workforce and the communications industry has changed. We can apply new organising and training techniques. We can use new social media and networks to organise.

Our Rules and Standing Orders can be changed to serve changing needs -

Our tour of Branches has so far demonstrated to me a great interest and goodwill from branch activists for addressing the problem of under representation.

Through exchanging our ideas and experiences we will get new policies and practices.

My second conviction is that we will get a stronger union from being more inclusive. No one should be excluded from taking part in our union or from being a representative if they so wish.

It is not about excluding people - white - middle aged - overweight men -

We still have a place.


Proportionality and the recognition of our diversity, are methods of better organising and leading the workforce.

Gender and ethnic identities do make a difference in outlook.

By integrating these differences in our leadership, we have a stronger, more representative and effective Union -

We are the champions of the idea that "We are all in this together" -

We struggle for each other -

Cynics and cowards may sneer - seek to berate and belittle us -

We are defined by what we do - not what we say -

So thanks for your work and finally, Dorothy Lovett...........

[fishtank]

Tuesday April 23

Vote for ballot over private mail

Postal workers have today (Tuesday) voted unanimously for a full ballot of Royal Mail workers on a boycott of private mail companies' 'final mile' mail as part of the union's moves to protect the universal service (USO) and prevent privatisation of Royal Mail.

Private (downstream access/'final mile') mail makes up 44% of the daily mail bag. Royal Mail says its average daily mailbag is 58 million items, meaning a boycott would leave 26 million items undelivered each day. These would include bills, statements, and business mail contracts won by companies including TNT and UK Mail under what the CWU describes as unfair competition and cherry-picking.


Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "The tired old policies of privatisation have failed services for decades. We're balloting our members to back our position to protect the universal service, oppose privatisation and expose the damage that cherry-picking and unfair competition will do to postal services if left unchanged.

"Privatisation is definitely not the answer to the challenges facing Royal Mail. It will mean the break-up of the company, the franchising of delivery rounds and the end of the USO. Because private companies work for profit, not for people.

"Marketisation and privatisation are two sides of same coin. The mail boycott is part of our overall strategy to protect postal services. Yes, the USO is enshrined in law, but it can't survive with the cherry-picking which is currently allowed. The economic reality will kick the chair away from the legislative position and we cannot allow that to happen.

"Once TNT and/or other companies have more street deliveries they will switch their DSA (downstream access) mail from Royal Mail, that profit will disappear from the company and the USO will collapse. Rural areas will undoubtedly fare worst.

"We can influence government policy, we can stop the sale of Royal Mail, we will protect the postal service for customers, and we will protect our members' jobs."

CWU will ballot 120,000 members in Royal Mail Group. The ballot will open on May 22 and close on June 18 with the result being announced on June 19. Ballot papers will be returned to independent scrutineers.



Strong opposition to call centre outsourcing

An emergency motion was heard in CWU's telecoms conference this morning which instructed the Telecoms Executive to oppose any outsourcing of call centre jobs by all means possible.

There were several speakers - from not only o2 branches but also other parts of the telecoms industry - expressing their outrage at a story in the Sun which claimed the company was considering outsourcing call centre work.

CWU o2 reps gave feedback from members and spoke about the anxiety and worry that this story has caused our members back in o2 call centres since it broke this morning.

Emergency motion E8 in full:

"E8 Conference notes the article in today's Sun newspaper which reports that hundreds of call centre workers are set to be outsourced by O2 under plans currently being considered.

"Whilst the CWU understands that this is a company that is transforming itself for the future, to take advantage of new technologies and in order to provide new services, any transformation plans need to take into consideration the CWU members that are affected and they need to be at the very heart of any decisions made.

"The CWU therefore instructs the Telecom and Financial Services Executive to oppose any move by O2 to outsource the majority of call centre work as it is not in the interests of the members we represent. To oppose by all means possible up to and including industrial action."

The story in the Sun newspaper claims: "bosses are mulling over an option to hand another huge chunk of their customer call centre work to Capita." However, the story goes on to say: "no final decision has been made by o2".


CWU national official Sally Bridge said: "While there has been speculation and rumour for some time now about changes within o2, reports like this will undoubtedly be alarming to people working in o2 call centres. We need clarity to avoid further damaging and distressing rumours.

"We are seeking an urgent meeting with the company in light of today's media reports. We can reassure members that as far as the CWU is concerned, we will strongly defend any attack to directly-employed jobs in o2."

[Dee Plish]

Thanks Fishtank - much appreciated

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Thanks Fishtank - much appreciated

Yes indeed, very much appreciated Fishtank, especially by me

[fishtank]

Thanks Fishtank - much appreciated

Yes indeed, very much appreciated Fishtank, especially by me

Thanks guys.
I know a lot of it is boring but there are some nuggets amongst it....like the NEC getting slapped down over the Durham Miners Gala contribution.

[General Mannerheim]

It is not about excluding people - white - middle aged - overweight men -

We still have a place.

WTF?

Feeling a bit picked on eh Billy?
Try keep off the pies and Canapes
More waffle than a Birds Eye factory(on minimum wage )

[Geezer]

Motion E6:

Conference acknowledges the fact that significant progress has been made with Royal Mail regarding the 'pace of change'. However no agreement has been concluded that effectively deals with the terms of composite amendment 1 carried unanimously at the recent policy forum in Liverpool. Conference therefore instructs the postal executive to enact that policy with the following amendments included from the 13th may 2013.
- All delivery units with outstanding business transformation revisions can continue to engage with Royal Mail in line with the BT2010 national agreement and subsequent nationally agreed guidelines and joint statements in order to complete their deployment and receive the associated benefits and reward.
- All delivery units that have completed business transformation and received the lump sum payments are instructed not to agree to any new/further effficiency/budgetary savings.
- Delivery units that have deployed BT2010 revisions that are not working and require remedial action can utilise the agreed PIR (post implementation review) process to bring this about. This will not include any agreement being given to any further effficiency/budgetary savings.
- National negotiations should continue following conference. Should no agreement be reached by the 13th of May 2013 all Delivery Units will cease absorbing workload from that date.
In all of the above instances the Industrial Relations framework should be fully utilised.
If as a result of this policy/action Royal Mail attempt to introduce any of the aforementioned by Executive Action then Branches should request authorisation for Ballots for Industrial Action. The Postal Executive will keep this aspect under review and in conjunction with the overall objectives of the Special Report will consider a national Industrial Action ballot if progress is not satisfactory.
The Postal Executive is instructed accordingly.

(Moved by the Postal Executive - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY)

[General Mannerheim]

Motion E6:

Conference acknowledges the fact that significant progress has been made with Royal Mail regarding the 'pace of change'. However no agreement has been concluded that effectively deals with the terms of composite amendment 1 carried unanimously at the recent policy forum in Liverpool. Conference therefore instructs the postal executive to enact that policy with the following amendments included from the 13th may 2013.
- All delivery units with outstanding business transformation revisions can continue to engage with Royal Mail in line with the BT2010 national agreement and subsequent nationally agreed guidelines and joint statements in order to complete their deployment and receive the associated benefits and reward.
- All delivery units that have completed business transformation and received the lump sum payments are instructed not to agree to any new/further effficiency/budgetary savings.
- Delivery units that have deployed BT2010 revisions that are not working and require remedial action can utilise the agreed PIR (post implementation review) process to bring this about. This will not include any agreement being given to any further effficiency/budgetary savings.
- National negotiations should continue following conference. Should no agreement be reached by the 13th of May 2013 all Delivery Units will cease absorbing workload from that date.
In all of the above instances the Industrial Relations framework should be fully utilised.
If as a result of this policy/action Royal Mail attempt to introduce any of the aforementioned by Executive Action then Branches should request authorisation for Ballots for Industrial Action. The Postal Executive will keep this aspect under review and in conjunction with the overall objectives of the Special Report will consider a national Industrial Action ballot if progress is not satisfactory.
The Postal Executive is instructed accordingly.

(Moved by the Postal Executive - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY)

Cheers Geezer.
Interesting stuff and much fun to be had.

[dvbuk55]

Strange how after three years of being ignored as an important part of the union the members have suddenly become the best thing since fried bread and how grateful the leadership are.

As for privatisation and the USO they have been on the cards for a long time but during BT2010 they became a non event in order for a no rocking the boat attitude. I may be a cynic but I can't help thinking that there is a price the CWU would accept in order to maintain a presence in what ever guise, it may be seats on the board, shareholder trustees

[Cut Off King]

dvbuk55,

1- Would the seats on the board come with an expence account ?

2- Would said seats be the soft, comfy ones next to Moya ? or the hard school type seats at the bottom of the board room table ?

[dvbuk55]

dvbuk55,

1- Would the seats on the board come with an expence account ?

2- Would said seats be the soft, comfy ones next to Moya ? or the hard school type seats at the bottom of the board room table ?

Would it matter cok, just being there would suffice I would imagine.

[woofwoof]

Should no agreement be reached by the 13th of May 2013 all Delivery Units will cease absorbing workload from that date.