CWU Disability conference 2017 report

‘Fire in our bellies & strength in our hearts – together we will win’

“We are not weak, we are warriors,” insisted disability rights campaigner Paula Peters as she concluded her rousing speech to the CWU’s Disability Conference today/yesterday.

As the day’s guest speaker from the Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) movement, Paula’s defiant, fighting words brought delegates to their feet, as she explained the organisation’s “rights not charity” philosophy and the activities it carries out.

DPAC activists have marched on Parliament, blocked roads, occupied public buildings and organised a range of lively protests around the country in the seven years of its existence, she told conference, adding that the campaign had started in response to the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government’s austerity and cuts programme.

Every cut, whether to benefits, health services, housing provision or local libraries and education facilities, impacts on disabled people and affects them to a far greater extent, Paula explained, adding that the introduction of Universal Credit would make life even more difficult.

“The Government thought disabled people would take this lying down – they were wrong.

“We are not weak – we are warriors and fighters, with fire in our bellies and strength in our hearts. Disabled people will resist in every town, city and village in the UK.”

After pledging DPAC’s support for our union’s Royal Mail members in their current dispute (and using our own Four Pillars campaign slogan) she said: “It’s time for everyone to rise up together.

Together we can win – “Rise up.”

Fighting inequality and for a New Deal for Workers

Earlier, our general secretary Dave Ward had praised the DPAC campaign and said that it was good that the union intended to increase its support for the work they do.

“In Britain today, disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty. It doesn’t have to be this way – it’s a political choice,” he continued, adding that “inequality is driving deeper and deeper and there’s something wrong in society when we value a businessman at the top more than anyone else.”

One of the themes of socialism is that a carer is worth more than a business owner, he pointed out, and went on to set out the union’s key political and industrial demands for a New Deal for Workers and for trade union unity in the struggle for justice in the workplace.

After highlighting the positive steps forward that have taken place in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Dave restated the point he has made to the TUC that the trade union movement urgently needs to revitalise.

“The CWU is going to turn words into action,” he pledged

Paul Maloney tribute

Before conference began, our general secretary Dave Ward joined CWU head of equality Linda Roy, and the union’s disability advisory committee chair Tony Sneddon on the platform to unveil a special tribute to the late Birmingham & District Amal Branch chair Paul Maloney, who died from extremely serious injuries he suffered from a criminal assault.

Paul had fought hard to overcome the severe disability that the assault caused to him, and had attended CWU conference in 2016, making a memorable speech. But his condition worsened and caused his passing several months later.

Conference delegates rose to their feet to give a minute of applause and cheers in memory of Paul and his courageous fight against his injuries, in an emotional opening the the day.

Dave Ward said: Paul was a very special person and when he spoke to our annual conference last year, it was a very inspirational moment.”

In her speech, Linda Roy also recalled Paul’s conference speech and described Paul as a “lovely person,” praising his dignity, courage and determination.

She also paid tribute to Birmingham & District Amal Branch secretary Steve Reid for the tireless support and assistance he had given to Paul.

“When you become a member of this union, you join a family,” Linda said, adding that, “like all families, sometimes they fall out.

“But, as Royal Mail have found out, when a family comes under attack, they all stand together to resist and to fight back.”

Inspiring people in the CWU

Linda Roy urged delegates to ensure they advice members with disabilities to make a formal request for reasonable adjustments to their employer as early as possible.

In her speech to the union’s Disability Conference, Linda highlighted cases of members who had faced long delays in getting their reasonable adjustment requests assessed, leading to frustration and increased worry and concern.

Setting the problem in a wider context of the generalised attacks on disabled workers’ rights, she slammed the Government for “inflicting pain and suffering on the most vulnerable groups in society and she contrasted Labour’s positive message of hope with the ruling Conservatives’ continuing cuts and austerity.

“I look around this room and I see so many inspiring people.” Linda continued, highlighting the difficult conditions that some of our members have coped with, while making such a valuable contribution to the work of the union.

“Everyone is capable of unique things and we need to remove the barriers to that potential,” she stressed.

In his opening speech, CWU disability advisory committee chair Tony Sneddon told the fascinating story of a 1912 strike in Bristol organised by the National League of the Blind – “the first organisation of disabled workers, whose principle was ‘justice not charity’.”

Tony told conference that in today’s society, it was vital for workers with disabilities to fight to protect the rights that these early pioneers of the struggle fought for and won.

Resolutions round-up

A resolution committing the union to giving its full support to DPAC will be sent to next year’s CWU general conference, after it was chosen from among the eight resolutions adopted today/yesterday.

And the need to work with and support the education unions in tackle the growing problem of mental health issues among school-age children is the subject of the other motion to be submitted to the union’s highest decision-making body.

Six other motions were adopted by the Disability Conference, covering a range of subjects, including the Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessment procedures, concerns over whether Brexit could impact on disability rights, support for the forthcoming TUC Disabled People’s Summit on November 4th, the dangers of parking on pavements and the need for better motorway service station facilities.

Interesting guest speaker

The other guest speaker of the day was John Fearn, the manager of the campaigning charity Asbestos Action, which is based in Dundee, works hard to provide help and assistance – and information and advice – to people suffering from asbestos-related conditions.

John gave an extremely interesting and thought-provoking speech and presentation, detailing the excellent work that his organisation has been doing.