Hayes: Why I Am Standing For Re-Election As CWU GS

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d3 ... R_nRvnF-eQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

by Billy Hayes

MY priority has been to maintain and improve the organisation of CWU members in the workplace.

I strongly agree with the late Jack Jones that the trade union movement needs a new shop stewards’ movement.

I’ve ensured that the CWU maintains immediate representation of members with their employer, whether that be for bargaining or personal representation.
The union has a reputation for workplace militancy, something I’ve encouraged and supported.

The big challenge for the CWU is the unionisation of all communication workers.

We represent 38.3 per cent in the post and courier sector and 31.8 per cent in the telecoms sector. There are over 300,000 non-unionised communication workers.

Shareholders press managers to reduce staff costs to those of non-union companies. Consequently, even the most strongly organised sections of the workforce face their conditions been squeezed down.

We need two tactics. First, building membership in all communication companies, concentrating on the largest ones. Second, establishing a minimum floor in terms and conditions in the sector.

The union must promote cross-sectoral bargaining and demands. The most immediate is the living wage for all communication workers.

This involves both organising in the workplace and pressing a Labour government for legislation — neither is sufficient on their own.

Alongside this, we press for minimum standards of employment — no zero-hours or bogus self-employment, training, etc.

The industry has historically been male-dominated. There is no reason for this to continue.

Today, only 23.9 per cent of post and courier workers are women, in telecoms, the figure is 25 per cent.

A major concern of mine is to ensure that women’s needs are addressed and their under-representation in union structures changed.

Black and minority ethnic workers make up 14 per cent of post and courier workers and 14.9 per cent of telecoms workers.

These figures are in line with their proportion in the general population.

It is also a tribute to struggles that have taken place to desegregate workplaces. We must press forward the drive for proportionality in union leadership structures.

Under my leadership, the CWU has aligned with the left. We played a major role in helping to win the TUC’s opposition to the Iraq war.

The union has also made a major contribution to the Stop the War Coalition.

The union plays a significant role in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Palestinian communication workers will address CWU conference this year. I encouraged our contribution to the Colombian, Cuban and Venezuelan solidarity campaigns.

The union was a founding organisation of Unite Against Fascism. I was the first treasurer and we host UAF in our office.

CWU also played a notable role in mass mobilisations against the BNP and EDL, and it is a significant part of the Stand Up To Racism initiative against Ukip.

The CWU plays a major role in the initiatives against austerity. We affiliated to the People’s Assembly, we fought against Labour adopting the policy of austerity and we continue to campaign for public investment not cuts.

We fought off two postal privatisation campaigns under Labour. We campaigned for agency workers’ rights, for universal access to high-speed broadband and for a publicly owned Postbank.

The coalition’s privatisation has left some activists disappointed. The alternative is, despite a little leftist rhetoric, a move to the right.

The difficulties we face can only be addressed by a progressive union. My record shows I can lead the CWU in that direction.

[dvbuk55]

I'm so glad Billy managed to galvanise the CWU against the Iraq War that must really have helped in the negotiations for what exactly. You only have to read the blurb these guys put out to realise they have no real interest in the members only their own.

[Lincox]

Yes, he has been in charge during an era where total weekly wage has decreased despite the fact that basic weekly wage has increased. Priorities, priorities!!!!

[Lounge Lizard]

In his memoir Alan Johnson speaks highly of Billy Hayes ( pages 242, 305-306 ) but that's about thirty years ago.

[baldrick]

In his memoir Alan Johnson speaks highly of Billy Hayes ( pages 242, 305-306 ) but that's about thirty years ago.

I'm not sure that's a recommendation worth having.
And you actually bought Alan Johnson's book?

[motherhubbard]

Yes, he has been in charge during an era where total weekly wage has decreased despite the fact that basic weekly wage has increased. Priorities, priorities!!!!

And wasn't Ward in charge of the negotiations that led to those agreements?

[dvbuk55]

Yes, he has been in charge during an era where total weekly wage has decreased despite the fact that basic weekly wage has increased. Priorities, priorities!!!!

And wasn't Ward in charge of the negotiations that led to those agreements?

Yes he was and yet after 14 years apparently propping up a buffoon, according to dingo, with a change of his status he is going to set the industrial and political scene on fire well rhetorically speaking of course not literally.