Special Restructuring Conference 2025: Report

Union Matters July 1 2025

Hundreds of CWU members met in Blackpool this weekend to decide the structures that will “prepare the future of our union”.

Meeting at the Winter Gardens, delegates were engaged in heavy discussion in order ratify the documents developed and agreed upon in recent months by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

“We have shown what can be done”

After opening remarks from President Andy Mercer, conference was opened by local Labour MP Chris Webb, who – as the son of a postal worker – recalled his time running up and down CWU conference corridors as a child, and how “surreal” it felt addressing delegates as a politician.

Discussing the “legendary” role the CWU plays in the industrial sphere, Chris congratulated members on the New Deal for Working People campaign, saying that its legal implementation “will improve the lives of workers in Blackpool and across the country”.

Chris also recognised delegates are “angered” by the Labour government, and that many have felt disappointment that it hasn’t been “delivering the sort of policies you want to see”.

But referencing the ongoing parliamentary revolt over benefits cuts, he pointed out that “when trade union MPs get together and organise, we have shown what can be done”, and urged people to get organised in their local Labour Party branches as trade unionists, because “without your input, we will see a Reform government next”.

General Secretary Dave Ward also gave a summary of the restructuring situation from headquarters to branch level, as well as discussing the latest fights the union is engaged with across all industrial fronts.

Structuring for the Future

The day sparked off early with a wide debate with a composite motion (which failed to pass) over the election of Postal Officers, in which Plymouth and East Cornwall delegate Ralph Ferrett offered a spirited defence of the union’s democratic structures and argued for their even deeper application.

Further debates took place on the regularity of conferences, including a composite motion (which was also defeated) over keeping conference to an annual event, as well as to discuss some sort of hybrid or compromise.

Motions also discussed the NEC’s reviews into regional change. Introducing the debate, Dave Ward discussed the need to alter the union’s structures, which he compared more to the structures of federated unions such as the GMB, and which he claimed diverted the CWU from having a certain impact as an industrial union.

Dave said that the “very comprehensive paper” developed will “take pressure out of the general funds”, refresh structures, and can also give a clearer sense of direction to both industrial and political campaigns.

Significant discussion was also had over some aspects of the reform agenda, particularly related to questions over the representation of liberation strands and on local organising strategy.

Tributes to Tony and the Binworkers

At lunchtime, delegates posed with banners for a photograph to send to striking refuse workers in Birmingham, who are entering their 16th week of strike action as they resist Birmingham City Council’s imposition of swingeing wage cuts.

In the afternoon, further proposals to restructure the union’s regions and commit to reviewing national and branch structures were carried.

Closing conference, Dave Ward congratulated members on a “day of consolidation and discussion” in order to “prepare for the future of our union and to continue to deliver for its members.”

Rules Revisions

Opening up conference’s rules revision day on Sunday, President Andy Mercer described the changes being presented to members as the “completely necessary steps” needed to secure the CWU as a “standalone, strong, industrial, fighting union”.

Delegates voted on a series of changes and amendments to the union’s rule book which mostly confirmed decisions made on the previous day.

Some discussion was had on the voting role of the Retired Members’ representative on the NEC.

Discussing the motion, Greater Mersey branch delegate Phil Duffy said that the lack of complete voting rights on the union’s governing body for elected Retired Members’ representatives “sadly promotes exclusion and discrimination.

“It’s an anomaly in the rules, and we need to tidy it up and bring it into the 21st century.”

Phil was backed by fellow Greater Mersey delegate Charlotte Hall, who – as a young member – called the lack of voting rights for retired members “unfair”, and by NEC member Alan Tate, who said the leadership recognised the “inconsistency” in the rule book and encouraged delegates to vote on changing it – a decision that delegates unanimously took.

After several motion withdrawals and motions being moved with purpose and unanimity, conference was able to run through all necessary business with ease, closing earlier than expected.

In his concluding remarks to delegates, Andy concluded that “closing today does not mean the work is all done – all of our structures and functions will still be under review.

“Some of these changes decided upon have massive ramifications for every member and branch of the union.

“These decisions won’t simply give us the wider change we need – for that, we still need organising and recruitment at the heart of everything we do, as well as a political strategy that fights for real change.

“We have set a clear direction of strategy, and the work doesn’t end here. We carry on fighting on behalf of our members.”