CWU Annual Conference: Day 2
Union Matters April 23 2018Conference backed affiliation to Labour Party activist organisation Momentum after a lively political debate this morning.
Senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns introduced the affiliation motion on behalf of the executive, and listed the positive work that Momentum has carried in the party’s electoral campaigns.
More working-class activists are now being selected as Labour Party candidates and, going forward, the CWU is taking a leading role in shaping Momentum’s trade union agenda.
“We wanted a better relationship with the Labour Party and bringing it more in line with trade unionism and workers – and Momentum is part of that,” he told Conference.
In the subsequent discussion, one delegate voiced formal opposition to the proposal, while all the contributors to the debate supported it – and when the vote was called, the overwhelming majority backed the motion.
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“On Equality Day, please support this equality motion,” urged first-time Conference speaker Holly Bate, of Gloucestershire Amal Branch, as she concluded her speech this morning.
Moving a motion calling for annual equality audits of branches, Holly explained that this would tackle “under-engagement”.
The same motion had also been adopted by card vote at the CWU Women’s Conference last November, she told delegates.
Speaking for the executive, Trish Lavelle said that she shared the concerns over under-engagement and that the union’s “redesign” project would be prioritising the ongoing fight for equality at all levels.
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Mental health was a major theme of discussion at Conference this morning, with delegates unanimously instructing the NEC to work with the Young Workers national committee and the Equalities and Health & Safety departments to develop a comprehensive ‘CWU mental health strategy’.
Amid mounting evidence that mental health problems are becoming endemic in an increasingly pressured and stressful world of work, speakers stressed that effective support for members experiencing mental health problems must go hand in hand with assistance for reps tasked with the sometimes stressful and distressing task of delivering that help.
Pointing out it was “high time” that the CWU had a comprehensive and joined up mental health strategy, Scott Barter of South East No. 5 cited the “excellent work” already being carried out at branch, regional and national level in relation to raising awareness of mental health and its impact on individuals, the workplace and society in general, but added: “we now need to make it policy. We need a comprehensive strategy that supports our reps and supports our members.”
Eastern region secretary Paul Moffatt agreed, adding: “We need to stop the growing suicide rates within our businesses.”
Supporting the motion on behalf of the NEC, Steve Jones recounted the “hell of a journey” that had been travelled to get to the point where it is now generally accepted that mental health is an important issue for the trade union movement, concluding: “Some issues that people have previously thought of as minority issues are not minority issues at all – they affect us all.”
Another motion congratulating the CWU education department on the introduction of a highly successful Mental Health Awareness training course for reps was carried unanimously, with Conference agreeing the training should be rolled out as widely as possible.
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In other business, delegates unanimously supported a South Central Postal motion committing the union to shift the timing of the annual Retired Members Conference –traditionally held in the winter – to the autumn to reduce the risk of bad weather hindering attendance.
Conference also gave its unanimously backing to a demand lodged by the National Young Workers Conference for a special ‘training day’ to be provided to newly elected Young Worker reps to prepare them for their new role.
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Redesign was the key theme of the afternoon session, during which Conference heard presentations from our general secretary Dave Ward and SDGS Tony Kearns.
They were followed by our two senior industrial officers, deputy general secretaries Terry Pullinger (postal) and Andy Kerr (T&FS) and the union’s head of education and training Trish Lavelle.
With a special Redesign Conference planned for November, this afternoon was an opportunity for delegates to informally suggest ideas.
And South East Anglia’s Nigel Bailey was first up to the rostrum with a call for a new CWU advertising department to be created.
He praised the union’s communications work with our own members, but said that we need to improve on getting our message out to the wider world of work.
“I’m a secret lemonade drinker and I can still do the shake ‘n’ vac,” he explained, adding: “Advertising works.”
Mark Hugall, from Newcastle Amal Branch, asked if the union could cast its recruitment net wider than the communications industry, while Plymouth & East Cornwall’s Ralph Ferrett urged delegates to use their “imagination” and to “be positive.”
Most contributions focussed on recruitment, but several speakers put forward innovative suggestions on education and training, branch structures and political activism.
Columnist Liam Young and social media expert Peter Stefanovic also addressed this session as guest speakers – both of them receiving enthusiastic reactions for their messages of support and solidarity for the aims and objectives of the CWU.
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After the informal session, conference got back to business and formally approved the executive’s motion setting out its planned timetable for the forthcoming special Redesign Conference.
“We’ve had two days of excellent debate, with so many new speakers getting up, I feel we’re in a good place,” said general secretary Dave Ward as he brought CWU General Conference 2018 to a close this evening.
In his closing address, Dave Ward reminded delegates of the union’s three key aims
- Securing future of CWU as a standalone trade union
- Re-asserting trade union values
- Change society and get behind Jeremy Corbyn.
And then he ended with an appeal for the biggest possible turnout for the 12th May New Deal for Workers demonstration in central London.
“I ask you to do everything you can to be there and let’s start shaping that future,” he urged.