Conference updates
This page features the latest updates from the Unite policy
conference.
Thursday 3 June 2010 16:55: And
that’s it, Unite’s first policy conference is over and delegates
are now heading home.
Thursday 3 June 2010 15:30: Cleansing the
membership of old data and integrating the membership are crucial
and the process is moving along - but this will take time. Debate
on freezing contributions and increasing benefits (motion 252).
Tony Woodley argues the only way you can take a serious view on
these if to know the full picture – Unite has expenditure of £160
million, so Tony appeals to conference to reject motion 252.
Thursday 3 June 2010 15:15: Unite’s Executive
Council has agreed a review of Unite conferences to ensure
accountability and encourage greater member engagement. Composite
49 calls on Unite to publish debates for branches and members –
Tony Woodley hopes Unite can achieve that pretty quickly.
Thursday 3 June 2010 14:55: On the Labour
leadership - in the last election Unite worked hard to try and make
sure we did have an actual election, not a coronation, we worked
very hard to get MPs to nominate another candidate because we
wanted to ensure wider voices were heard. But having tried
once before and failed, with 33 nominations needed to get on the
slate, Tony is not hopeful.
Thursday 3 June 2010 14:30: There is now a
conference question and answer session for Unite’s joint general
secretaries, although Derek Simpson is currently dealing with BA
matters, so Tony Woodley is flying solo. Debate in Executive
Council on appropriate way to compensate members losing wages for
doing union work. Minimum payment for loss of earnings has been
agreed by the Executive Council. Tony Woodley also says no excuse
for not having common branch funding across the union but need to
look at how we even things out. It may be time for some "off the
wall" thinking - combined branch funding could boost the cash for
organising to some £40 million.
Thursday 3 June 2010 12:30: "If you leave
things better than you found them, you've done a good job. I have,
I think." Derek Simpson’s parting words to conference.
A standing ovation closes conference for the morning.
Thursday 3 June 2010 12:10: Derek Simpson
says creating a world union first needed Unite to be formed. If you
need to be able to fight the employer on a multi-national field,
you need a multi-national union. USW had the very same view, and so
Workers Uniting was formed. UK's failure to implement the social
partnership models which thrive in the EU means the market is left
to rule here - just as it does in the US.
Thursday 3 June 2010 12:00: Derek Simpson
recalls conferences past. Some memories are not happy ones - like
the AEEU's crippling central control and the lengths that union
went to to prevent Derek Simpson from standing for general
secretary. Eight and a half years have now passed - and now,
mergers later, we have Unite, and members are back at the heart of
the union.
Thursday 3 June 2010 11:45: Tony Woodley pays warm
tribute to Derek Simpson who is about to give his last speech to
conference.
Thursday 3 June 2010 10:30: Harriet Harman says
"the Labour leadership campaign will give time to reflect, renew
and re engage with the people of Britain." She said that the
81 Labour women MPs should not be 'kept in the shadows' and spoke
of her desire for the shadow cabinet to have a 50/50 split between
men and women. She also paid fulsome tribute to the Unite joint
general secretaries, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson, for all they
had done for working people.
Thursday 3 June 2010 10:20: Harriet Harman said
that although she was 'bitterly disappointed' at the general
election result, the campaign, which had been greatly assisted by
Unite, had denied the Tories the overall majority of 40 seats they
were expecting “as their right”. She pledged that the Labour party
will be 'an effective opposition' and 'won't pull our punches' in
speaking up for public services and being 'vigilant' in protecting
jobs and businesses.
Thursday 3 June 2010 10:10: Acting Labour leader,
Harriet Harman gave the Unite policy conference in Manchester today
an upbeat defence of the Labour government's achievements.
Delegates applauded as Ms Harman outlined examples of where Labour
had helped people - from the children cooped up in a 13th floor
tower block who could now attend a children's centre to the African
villager who had benefited from Third World debt cancellation.
Thursday 3 June 2010 08:30: It’s the final day of
Unite’s conference and today will see debate on politics and public
services as well as a speech from acting leader of the Labour party
Harriet Harman. Derek Simpson will also make an address to the
conference floor.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 17:00: Lawrence Long, Wales,
from the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, process and textiles sector,
urges Unite to campaign robustly against hate crime. All equality
reps need to be fully trained in order to deal with the profound
problems associated with hate crimes. The motion is carried.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 16:45: Anne Farrell,
Scotland, local authorities - speaking to conference on the
sexualisation of children and the responsibility of the advertising
industry to send out the right messages. She says the corporate
world treats kids like consumers and commodities - something to
make a quick buck out of. Argues media and advertising must be
properly vetted before they reach the public arena.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 16:00:
Zohra Victor, a Moroccan Unite member, is telling conference about
the limited rights and isolation they must endure living and
working in Gibraltar. Moroccan workers cannot cross the border
between Gibraltar and Spain. It is a life without rights - no
rights to housing, healthcare or a political voice. It is an
intolerable situation – the UK government must do more to ensure
Moroccan workers in Gibraltar get the rights of any other EU
worker. They pay taxes - they should be treated with fairness
and respect.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 15:45: Vicky Grandon,
Scotland not for profit sector - praises Unite for the work it is
doing to organise migrant workers and protect all workers against
gangmasters. She followed Kwasi Agyemaing-Prempeh of London and
Eastern region who speaks about Unite’s Justice for Cleaners
campaign.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 15:15: Brendan Barber says it
is just plain wrong that public sector workers are expected to pay
for the mistakes for the banks. He says there is an alternative to
the scorched earth programme facing Greece - and that is to
crackdown on tax evaders and also introduce a Robin Hood tax on
obscene profits and bonuses.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 15:10: Brendan Barber, TUC
general secretary, is now speaking. On the BA dispute he praises
the huge determination of cabin crew in preserving premium service
and applauds Unite in challenging BA in the high court and
safeguarding the right to strike.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 15:00: The motions on Trident
remitted. The executive council motion stands.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 15:00: Tony Woodley says
there is nothing more important than world peace. The executive
council statement spells out Unite's total commitment to peace and
disarmament.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 14:40: Trident debate -
delegates want more time to debate the issue.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 14:30: Norma
Dudley, health visitor from London, calls for rejection of EC
statement. Says there are difficult moral choices to make - this is
about members' jobs and human life - but EC statement will water it
down.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 14:10: Nick Miller,
north west aerospace and shipbuilding, says protecting members'
jobs is key. He warns cancelling the nuclear deterrent now won't
alter mindset of rogue states in possession of nuclear arms.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 14:00: Trident debate
underway. Joe Davis, London and Eastern, construction sector, urges
backing for the motion and not the EC composite.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 12:30: Adrianna addresses
conference. She asks delegates for their help to get the true
story of their husbands' imprisonment out, and to help them secure
the basic human right of visitation rights.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 12:20: Miami 5 wives receive
standing ovation from conference. Tony Woodley addressing
conference on their cases and how their families have been ripped
apart by the "unfair" imprisonment of their husbands in jails
thousands of miles away in the US. Tony tells conference about
Adrianna's answer to the question, what is it you find hardest
about being separated from your husband? It was that when she gets
up in the morning and goes into the kitchen she sees the table and
chairs which should be occupied by the children she will never
have.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 12:15: International
debate continues, delegates applaud speaker's plea to ensure we
stay part of the EU - it's the only way to protect workers'
rights.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 11:30: Composite 37 on
global unions is being discussed - lots of support from the floor
for deepening links with other unions. Jerry Fernandez,
international relations director from the United Steelworkers union
is now addressing the conference. He condemns the Israeli assault
on the aid flotilla, to loud applause from delegates. Jerry also
warning about attacks on Mexican trade union mimicking fascist
states and adds international financiers have been reckless with
the world economy - and with workers' jobs.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 10:30: Picture gallery of some of the
events and highlights at yesterday's conference.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 10:00: Dave Mathieson,
Unite executive council member, opens today's debate on
pensions. He warns that proposed Con-Dem changes risk
stripping out value from defined benefit schemes. He also
makes a plea for the Pension Protection Fund to be under-pinned. In
the public sector, he says we must anticipate an attack on
pensions. They're funded and paid for by members - attacking
them would be unjustified, but Dave says there should be no
division between the private and public sector in defending
pensions.
Wednesday 2 June 2010 09:30: Today’s agenda
includes the pensions’ debates, discussion of international issues
including Palestine, Morocco and global unions including Workers
Uniting. The afternoon sees debate on transport and health and
safety as well as an address from TUC general secretary Brendan
Barber.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 17:55: Justice
for the Miami Five and their families, fringe event at Trafford
Suite, Midland Hotel. Speakers include Adriana Pérez, the wife of
Gerardo Hernández, and Olga Salanueva, wife of René González.
Delegates are listening to how Unite is campaigning to bring
visiting rights to the families.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 17:00: Philip Docherty,
Scotland, local authorities, says that Glasgow city council is now
targeting trade union convenors, ripping up agreements. He
asks "is management now looking to pick our reps?" Union convenor
has been removed from the site until he signs a compromise
agreement, he is now living off strike pay and donations from
members.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 16:20: Kieran Campbell, London
& Eastern, construction says 38 years on it is time for justice
for the Shrewsbury pickets.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 15:50: Richard Harris,
GPM section, south east, leads the calls to stop victimisation at
work. He condemns bully Walsh for victimising trade union members -
and warns if he gets away with it, the wider movement will suffer
and balance in the workplace will be disrupted. Richard
argues unions save companies time and upset by dealing with issues
before they get to management level and warns all bosses planning
to target their activists - "more fool you."
Tuesday 1 June 2010 15:00: Delegate after delegate
getting to their feet to condemn BA's attack on trade union
members. Kevin Terry, chair RTC south west, was among those
pointing out that UK workers are easiest and cheapest to sack in
Europe.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 14:15: Building a union
for the future. This afternoon sees debate on how Unite is bringing
trade unionism to a whole new generation. With a 10th wave of
organisers being recruited Unite is building a stronger and larger
union by reaching out to millions of unorganised workers.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 12:45: Fringe event: Colombia –
trade unionists in the firing line. Colombia is the most dangerous
country in the world to be a trade union member, join this fringe
meeting to help make a difference for Colombian trade
unionists.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 12:30: Talks between Unite and
BA over the long running dispute are due to start this afternoon.
Tony Woodley has left conference and is on his way to Acas
talks.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 10:00: Today’s agenda includes
detailed debate on employment rights including the repeal of
anti-trade union laws, adopting the Peoples’ Charter, the Trade
Union Freedom bill and on hostile takeovers. The afternoon sees
Unite debate the union’s organising strategy and recruitment before
discussing all aspects of equalities.
Tuesday 1 June 2010 08:30: Picture gallery – highlights
of Monday’s conference in pictures including the chair’s address,
Tony Woodley’s speech and more.
Monday 31 May 2010 15:35: Read the full
text of Tony Woodley’s
speech to conference.
Monday 31 May 2010 14:30: Tony Woodley says that
Walsh’s punishment of crew is systematic and in no way
proportionate to the crime. He also asks why BA is failing to
pursue the authors of poisonous comments posted on other sites -
yet sacks eight crew? Tony also pays tribute to USW for $100,000
donation to help crew fight for justice. Unite has so far paid out
£1million in strike pay.
Monday 31
May 2010 13:30: Jim Sheridan MP brings support for crew -
says support is strong in Glasgow. And warns that this is a fight
for future of trade unionism in this country.
Monday 31 May 2010 12:50: Derek Simpson says
an agreement is do-able - but must be agreed by the people working
under the agreement, cabin crew. Willie Walsh is preventing Unite
from getting to a point where trhe union can put a deal to
members. And all because of a no-cost item to BA, travel
allowances.
Monday 31 May 2010 12:40: BA cabin crew and Unite
members pack out Trafford suite in Midland Hotel to hear about the
climate of fear at BA. One third of cabin crew commute to work -
Willie Walsh's vindictive removal of travel assistance hitting them
hard.
Monday 31 May 2010 12:30: Brutish
Airways fringe meeting at Trafford Room, Midland
Hotel. Hear Tony, Derek and BA strikers on the dispute.
Monday 31 May 2010 11:00: In his address to
conference joint general secretary Tony Woodley says Unite will stand up to BA bullies.
Monday
31 May 2010 10:15: A
message from a premium class passenger on the BA
dispute - Walsh should listen to BA passengers and crew and keep BA
a premium airline.
Monday 31 May 2010 09:30: Today at conference
starts with the chair's address and includes debates on
manufacturing and the economy as well as Tony Woodley's main
speech.
Sunday 30 May 2010 12:00: Unite joint
general secretary Derek Simpson on the BA strike on the
Andrew Marr show as the second wave of five
day strikes began (Available until:9:59am Sunday 6th June
2010).
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Friday 28th May 2010 16:30:
Working for Working People: Update of details
of speakers at Unite's first policy conference including Tony
Woodley, Derek Simpson, Brendan Barber and Harriet Harman.
Thursday 27th May 2010 12:50: UPDATE FOR
VISITORS: Visitors credentials can be picked up at the conference
venue from Monday 31st May. Unite members who wish to attend
the conference but who have not already applied for visitor tickets
may do so at the registration desk at the conference venue from
Monday 31st May (please ensure you bring your membership card
with you).
Tuesday 25th May 14:50: Draft agendas for each
day have now been uploaded. Check the conference documents and
downloads section.
Monday 24th May 2010 11:00: The latest
conference
guide with details of exhibitors and fringe meetings
has been uploaded.
Friday 21st May 15:05: Press release:
Defending jobs and services from £6 billion in cuts threatened by
the new Con-Dem government and "winning back" the Labour party for
working people will loom large at the first policy conference of
Unite (Unite's
first policy conference will position union for tough times
ahead).
Thursday 20th May 13:00: The final agenda for the
conference has now been added to the main site in PDF format.
Download the full
final agenda document.
Wednesday 19th May 09:30: Directions
to conference - download the conference
map.
Tuesday 18th May 09:00: Download the Fair
Tips dining out guide to local restaurants.
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Unite policy conference
2010 home page.
