Redesigning the CWU - we're under way

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Branches and regions were the first topics for debate as the CWU’s big Redesign conference got under way in Bournemouth this morning.

Welcoming everyone to the event, CWU president Beryl Shepherd said that this was “a pivotal moment in the history of our union” and urged delegates to “have the courage to make change and the wisdom tk know that it’s necessary.”

In his opening speech, general secretary Dave Ward reminded the assembled audience of the pressing need for the union to “make changes if we want to continue being a great union.”

While the CWU is faced with the challenge of making economies, this was not a strategy of managed decline, but a means of unlocking new investment in key areas, he explained and told conference that this was aimed at “building a stronger union.

“Have a good conference and let’s get down to business,” he concluded.

And the hundreds of delegates, from all around the country did just that, dealing with six separate motions from the ‘Branches’ section of the agenda, before moving onto the 10 propositions covering ‘Regions’.

A total of 48 different speakers came to the rostrum during the debates – with contributions coming from every part of the UK and indicating the seriousness with which the Redesign programme is being taken at all levels of the CWU.

Branch finance was the first item of the day, an issue about which there had been many differing opinions voiced during the run-up to the conference – and this morning’s sessions approved a compromise proposal which struck a balance between the needs of the union at both local and national level.

And a new initiative, called ’14 measures of success’ was also endorsed by delegates – along with assurances that struggling branches will receive the assistance they need.

Our regional systems are set to change as well – with conference approving a set of measures all aimed making sure the CWU can operate on a ‘one-union’ basis in all of its non-industrial work.

This afternoon, conference will be focussing on ‘Equality’ and ‘National Structures’.

[world class male]

"struck a balance between the needs of the union at both local and national level"

does this mean when a "wildcat" strike occurs which appears to be more common these days, and probably illegal due to the tory gov, will the whole of the CWU members have the chance to get the facts on sacked/suspended colleagues published and a vote to support them even if 2 or 300 miles away?
i'm all for a fair days pay for a fair days work, but all dignity went out of the window years ago,
it's not rocket science, get the top knobs and workers singing from the same hymn sheet and be successful, their greed coupled with our unions blinkers are killing a job that was once great,
you only have to look at the turnover of staff now, we went years with only the odd new starter, now it's a conveyor belt, definitely not good for business/stability

[deltaforce]

We’ve have always had a steady turnover of staff wherever I have worked. I’m not sure if it’s any worse now or not.

[woofwoof]

Crock of s**t

[world class male]

We’ve have always had a steady turnover of staff wherever I have worked. I’m not sure if it’s any worse now or not.

guessing each area is different but been in the job a few years, 5 years ago i was on 1st name personal terms with all, now quite a few at ours i call thingy
some come and go that quick and some you just don't have time to get to know in the hour or 2 in office, quite sad really but that's what the job as become

[Creditshampoo]

Wouldn’t need redesigning if the leaders were competent

[Creditshampoo]

"struck a balance between the needs of the union at both local and national level"

does this mean when a "wildcat" strike occurs which appears to be more common these days, and probably illegal due to the tory gov, will the whole of the CWU members have the chance to get the facts on sacked/suspended colleagues published and a vote to support them even if 2 or 300 miles away?
i'm all for a fair days pay for a fair days work, but all dignity went out of the window years ago,
it's not rocket science, get the top knobs and workers singing from the same hymn sheet and be successful, their greed coupled with our unions blinkers are killing a job that was once great,
you only have to look at the turnover of staff now, we went years with only the odd new starter, now it's a conveyor belt, definitely not good for business/stability

Good post mate. If I was told that another office 10 miles away was out on strike, I wouldn’t go out on delivery.
The union needs to pass down this informations.

I know they can’t support unofficial strikes but no harm in keeping members informed and letting us decide.