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Last Updated Friday, 20 June 2008

CWU Annual Conference 2008

General Conference

 

General Conference started after the Rules Revision Conference came to a close and lasted for a day and half.  General Conference deals with setting CWU policy on general issues that affect all the membership and beyond.

 

Monday 9th June & Tuesday 10th June 2008

 

Motion 1 was carried recognising the shortfalls of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations Act 2003.  The failure to incorporate liability on the primary employer for engaging casual labour during strike periods makes the legislation ineffective.  Conference agreed to initiate a campaign to impose liability on the employers through a change in said regulations and this campaign should be pursued through the Labour Party and through the TUC.

 

Motion 13, which was moved by our sister branch the CWU Coventry Branch, was carried noting that the continuation of privatisation within the NHS and the recent announcement of the implementation of Poly Clinics with the right to tender to be opened up to Private Companies.  Conference also noted that the government is following the American model where millions have no access to free medical care.  Conference recognises the serious consequences for our members if these policies are not reversed, and reaffirms its support for a nationally, publicly owned Health Service.  Conference agreed to increase its support for Trade Union and Community Campaigns against these measures and to give support to local and national campaigns that are fighting to defend health service provision within our communities.  The National Executive was instructed to call on the TUC to organise a national demonstration to oppose these measures.

 

Motion 16 was accepted by the National Executive noting that recent reports have shown a high rate of suicide in Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender young people compared with young heterosexuals.  Conference therefore instructed the National Executive in conjunction with the CWU LGBT  Committee to work with CWU sponsored MPs, Teacher’s Unions and the wider trade union and labour movement to campaign to raise awareness and ensure education aimed at reducing levels of homophobia, bi-phobia and trans-phobia at work and in society.  Ensure schools and authorities provide support to parents of young LGBT people.  Ensure schools review and revise school curricula with a view to limiting stereotyping, reflecting diversity of lifestyles and identities, providing fair representation of sexual minorities.  Provide trade union reps with the information to enable them to talk about homosexuality, bi sexuality and gender identity in an inclusive and positive manner.  To encourage the formation of LGBT youth and student groups and provide support for them and promote development of a positive approach to diversity including sexual minorities in youth groups and clubs.

 

Motion 19 was accepted by the National Executive agreeing that the Winter Fuel Allowance has been a help to pensioners but has not kept in touch with  increased gas and electricity costs.  Consequently the National Executive was instructed to campaign and to use its influence with the government and other organisations on behalf of all pensioners for an urgent up rating of the fuel allowance.

 

Motion E6 was carried condemning the recent submissions by Postconm and Royal Mail to the Hooper Review calling for the privatisation of Royal Mail.  Conference reaffirmed its total opposition to privatisation in any form.  Conference instructed the National Executive to launch an immediate campaign amongst the public, politicians, business, media and CWU membership to maintain Royal Mail as a 100% publicly owned company.  The National Executive was also instructed to lobby the Government in order to achieve our vision of a publicly owned Royal Mail as well as to apply pressure to the Government to force them to face up to their responsibility as the shareholder in order to protect and maintain the final salary pension scheme in line with other public sector workers.  The National Executive was also instructed to lobby the Government to protect the Post Office Counter Network including calling for a judicial review.  Conference further agreed that if the Government failed to agree to the full terms of this motion by March 2009 then the CWU membership will be balloted on whether they believe the Union should fund the Labour Party at the next general election.

 

Motion 32 was carried, after a card vote, deploring the disgraceful actions of certain Unite members, (Managers), during the Postal dispute which has left a number of CWU representatives and activists either facing dismissal or being dismissed.  Conference further condemned the ex-CMA Unite members for disgracefully undermining a fellow trade union’s lawful strike.  Given their actions Conference reaffirmed that under no circumstances will the CWU enter into negotiations on a merger or merge with the Unite either now or in the future.

 

Motion 58 was carried agreeing that the Postal Sector is more than just Royal Mail Group and that the CWU will expand recruitment, retention and organising across the whole postal industry and the wider sector including:  Local suppliers ie. Mailing Houses & Warehousing, Home Shopping Companies, New and Existing licence holders, Equipment and consumable suppliers, Mail Print and fulfilment organisations, Software and technology providers, appropriate members of the Direct Marketing Association, local DSA users, Data Processors and Facilities Workers.

 

Motion 59 was carried calling for a full review of Portability Membership within the Union .