DGS(P) Terry Pullinger’s Closing Speech

“As you leave this hall today, stand proud,” Terry Pullinger urged delegates as he concluded Postal Conference 2018 in Bournemouth this afternoon.

This year’s gathering had been a hugely positive one, he told the audience, saying that he had been particularly impressed by the amount of new delegates attending for the first time.

And, having called for a round of applause for the union’s older generation of “combat veterans” in his opening address, Terry now asked conference to acclaim the CWU’S new generation of activists.

Our DGSP thanked his fellow officers, Postal Executive members and HQ staff for their efforts and hard work over the recent period and of course, the union’s reps and members all around the country.

“What we also did was to re-energise this great trade union of ours – and our brand of fighting, workplace trade unionism,” Terry explained, placing our union in the proud tradition of miners and dockers of yesteryear.

It had been right and fitting to celebrate the “massive achievement” of the Four Pillars National Agreement, he continued, but now it was time to “move forward” and consolidate the victory.

“We’ve now got to bottle that Four Pillars spirit and use it to make this agreement work – by organising and engaging with our members.”

There would be more challenges ahead, but with unity and determination, these challenges can be overcome.

Bringing the curtain down on coference for another year, Terry thanked everyone for their contributions and then rounded off his inspiring speech by telling delegates to “stand proud” as they departed.

“Because you are a representative of the greatest workplace trade union in this country.”