Trade union members need a political voice. Politicians make decisions which affect the lives of union members at work and at home. Unions need to be able to influence those decisions. For that they need to have a Political Fund.
All unions, including the CWU, are required by law to hold a full postal ballot of all members every ten years to confirm that they want to keep the Political Fund. Winning the biggest Yes vote on the biggest turnout in the forthcoming review ballot is vital so that the CWU can continue to campaign effectively on behalf of its members.
Recent CWU campaigns such as opposing the privatisation of Royal Mail, the remote sourcing of BT call centres and post office closures, amongst many others, have relied heavily on the union's Political Fund. Also, the union has used the fund to campaign politically for equal pay, increased maternity and paternity leave and now for the living wage, as well as many other key gains for working people.
Political Fund ballot
If the CWU is to continue campaigning successfully on these and other issues in the future, retaining the union's Political Fund will be crucial.
Political Fund review ballots are not about affiliation to the Labour Party, or any other political party. They are about our ability to campaign effectively - to take our industrial campaigns into the political arena where many decisions are made.
The Political Fund ballot will take place in October this year. Look out for information in the run up to the ballot and get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter using #stayinginpolitics and show your support for a YES vote by changing your profile pictures, as below.
