I am indebted to the TUC for supplying the following.
From 6th April there will be a number of changes to the sick note, or medical statement, that employees get from their GP to certify sickness absence.
Previously a sick note simply stated whether a doctor believed that a person should or should not be in work. The new medical statement will either indicate that a person is not fit for work, or that they might be fit for work under certain circumstances. The doctor will also be able to suggest changes that would assist a return to work. There is no requirement for the GP to write anything apart from that the person is not fit for work and how long the person is “signed off” for, and in most cases the patient and employer will see no change in the information that the medical statement gives.
In addition, in the future, the note will be completed and stored electronically by the GP rather than handwritten, although it will still be given directly to the worker to send to the employer.
Further information for union reps can be downloaded from http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/fitnote.pdf
About Me
- Linda Roy
- Lifetime commitment to the trade union and labour movement. Been local workplace and national CWU representative and held many other positions in the CWU. TUC accredited tutor and disability champion. Former Labour town councillor and town Mayor.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Stop the English Defence League in Dudley
The English Defence League are demonstrating in Dudley this saturday April 3rd. Unite Against Fascism have organised a counter demonstration meeting at 11am in the Market Place. Further details at http://www.uaf.org.uk/
Defend the Welfare State rally
Women created beer!
According to the Daily Telegraph women are responsible for creating beer. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Story here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7538264/Men-owe-women-for-creating-beer-claims-academic.html
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Latest poll result
In answer to the question "Should there be on single equality conference?" one hundred percent of voters said "No". Log on for more polls soon. Your opinion matters to me.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Paternity Leave update
The following comes from Daniel Barnett's Employment Law Bulletin.
The House of Lords has approved various draft regulations pertaining to the new right to paternity leave. The most important is the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, which specify that additional paternity leave will be for a maximum of 26 weeks and minimum of 2 weeks, that it must not start until at least 20 weeks after the birth or placement for adoption and must end not later than 12 months after the birth or placement for adoption, and that it may only be taken in multiples of complete weeks.
The regulations are due to come into force on 6th April 2010 but will have effect only in relation to children whose expected week of birth (or matching for adoption) begins on or after 3rd April 2011.
Under the regulations fathers will be entitled to up to six months additional paternity leave provided the mother has returned to work, thus giving parents the option of dividing a period of paid leave entitlement between them. To the extent that additional paternity leave is taken during the mother's 39 week maternity pay period it will be paid leave, paid at the same rate and in the same way as Statutory Maternity Pay (which increases in April 2010 to £124.88 per week from the currrent £123.06). Parents will be required to 'self certify' by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HMRC will both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.
The House of Lords has approved various draft regulations pertaining to the new right to paternity leave. The most important is the Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, which specify that additional paternity leave will be for a maximum of 26 weeks and minimum of 2 weeks, that it must not start until at least 20 weeks after the birth or placement for adoption and must end not later than 12 months after the birth or placement for adoption, and that it may only be taken in multiples of complete weeks.
The regulations are due to come into force on 6th April 2010 but will have effect only in relation to children whose expected week of birth (or matching for adoption) begins on or after 3rd April 2011.
Under the regulations fathers will be entitled to up to six months additional paternity leave provided the mother has returned to work, thus giving parents the option of dividing a period of paid leave entitlement between them. To the extent that additional paternity leave is taken during the mother's 39 week maternity pay period it will be paid leave, paid at the same rate and in the same way as Statutory Maternity Pay (which increases in April 2010 to £124.88 per week from the currrent £123.06). Parents will be required to 'self certify' by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HMRC will both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.
Defend the welfare state demo
The National Pensioners Convention has called a march and rally for Saturday 10 April in defence of the welfare state and public services. The demonstration will assemble at 12.00 noon at Temple Place,/Embankment to set off at 1pm. There will be a rally in Trafalgar Square starting at 2pm.
Many trade unions, campaigning organisations and the TUC are supporting this event. For more details log on to: http://www.10410demo.co.uk/
Many trade unions, campaigning organisations and the TUC are supporting this event. For more details log on to: http://www.10410demo.co.uk/
Facebook Linda
I'm on Facebook now. It's a new cyber experience for me and many others and it's a useful comunications tool for CWU members and the trade union and labour movement. create an account and join us.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Report on the Women's TUC Conference in Eastbourne by Clare Drummond Greater Manchester Amal
TUC WOMENS CONFERENCE 10TH – 12TH MARCH 2010 EASTBOURNE
A CENTUARY OF SOLIDARITY
On the centenary of International Women’s Day and celebrating 100 years of solidarity the TUC held their 80th Women’s conference.
Conference was opened by Annette Mansell-Green, Chair of 2009 TUC Conference.
Mary Davis, was introduced as the Chair for 2010 TUC Women’s Conference.
Mary Davis went on to deliver an inspiring speech calling on the sisters within the trade unions to carry on the mantle of struggle for equality and socialism handed down by our revolutionary predecessors in this historically significant year. 100yrs of solidarity, the centenary of International Women’s Day and also the centenary of the women’s chain makers strike. Mary went on to talk of the revolutionary women whose struggles have been an inspiration to us all, Sylvia Pankhurst, Clara Zefken who established IWD in Copenhagen 1910.
Mary drew attention to Britons ‘atrocious’ failure to ensure women’s representation in parliament and other decision making bodies. Including trade union which have a pretty poor record even though women’s membership is steady and rising it is still not in proportion and with the forth coming election looming it is essential to fight for improved conditions and to close the gender pay gap. Also, condemning the political parties slash and burn plans. Warning, that it would increase feminisation of poverty. Mary finished by urging us to unite around our agenda in the charter for women, as for us the price of progress is internally vigilant and to carry on the fight as our predecessors did.
More than 30 different trade unions attended the women’s conference some of those included were the CWU, Prospect, GMB, Unite, Equity, Unison as well as many more smaller unions each contributing in an equally important agenda.
Over the following days conference went on to cover a wide variety of issues.
Conference recognised the achievements over the past years under a labour government, including doubling of maternity pay, the introduction of the national minimum wage, family friendly policies and the equality bill, but these steps forward were over shadowed by the fact that the pay gap is still unacceptably wide, pregnant woman and new mothers are targeted by the employer for redundancy and how the lack of decent pensions had a large impact on women when they reach their older years putting many in the reality of poverty.
Linda Roy, CWU National Equality Officer, addressed conference and moved the CWUs motion on Flexible Working stating that although the government had worked towards helping in the flexibility needs of women in their working life’s the CWU felt that the government needed to keep moving forward. The CWU called on the TUC to put pressure on the government and to continue pushing for a full review of current flexible working regulations. The motion was carried unanimously.
The CWU’s Maria Exall highlighted the importance of education in unions and in the workplace, the importance of equality within the workplace but also held a fear for the future if the Tories were to gain power in the next election and where would it leave trade unions and all the hard fought steps forward, national minimum wage, maternity rights, and although the recently introduced Equality bill was welcomed it was felt that it was somewhat of a lost opportunity.
Other speakers for the CWU included Lynn Hart who seconded a motion which highlighted the appalling treatment of many women workers in call centres. Lynn also spoke to full support a motion calling for equal pay within the private sector stating that the equality bill does not address this issue and all members within the public and private sector should be treated fairly.
The CWU Vera Kelsall, supported whole heartedly the fight to protect women’s pensions bringing too conferences attention that as pensioners it is predominantly women who fall in to the poverty gap as these women have never been made aware of a credit system that allows enough contributions are made to gain the higher rate of public pension.
Conference had the pleasure of being addressed by some very important influential women who have played an integral part in the trade union movement these included South African ANC MP and Communist Party member Joyce Moloi-Moropa who spoke about her countries struggle against inequality and social deprivation yet she reported that progressive women’s organisations were helping to move forward in the fight against domestic violence and poverty. TUC deputy leader Francis O’Grady addressed conference for the first time as an official rather than a delegate and in her speech covered the much of the concerns of conference on the economy, violence against women, eroding working conditions and the rising threat of the far-right BNP. Brave NUT delegate Sally Kincaid spoke of a personal incident where her car was firebombed by fascist in2002. Going on to state, how important women’s votes are against the intolerable far-right.
The numerous fringe meetings at conference covered a wide variety of subjects including public pensions and the plight of the women of Yarl’s Wood removal centre where the survivors of rape, domestic violence abuse and sex trafficking are on hunger strike in protest against indefinite detention, separation of mothers from their children, racist abuse and other violence from guards and appalling conditions.
The final day of conference saw the announcement of the results of the ballot for TUC women’s Committee, with CWU Linda Roy gaining a place on the committee.
The announcement of the result for the TUC Women’s Conference Motion to Congress which was Unites , A Workplace Agenda for Women, a motion which earlier had been supported by The CWUs Maria Exall.
Conference closes.
Report by Clare Drummond
Greater Manchester Amal
A CENTUARY OF SOLIDARITY
On the centenary of International Women’s Day and celebrating 100 years of solidarity the TUC held their 80th Women’s conference.
Conference was opened by Annette Mansell-Green, Chair of 2009 TUC Conference.
Mary Davis, was introduced as the Chair for 2010 TUC Women’s Conference.
Mary Davis went on to deliver an inspiring speech calling on the sisters within the trade unions to carry on the mantle of struggle for equality and socialism handed down by our revolutionary predecessors in this historically significant year. 100yrs of solidarity, the centenary of International Women’s Day and also the centenary of the women’s chain makers strike. Mary went on to talk of the revolutionary women whose struggles have been an inspiration to us all, Sylvia Pankhurst, Clara Zefken who established IWD in Copenhagen 1910.
Mary drew attention to Britons ‘atrocious’ failure to ensure women’s representation in parliament and other decision making bodies. Including trade union which have a pretty poor record even though women’s membership is steady and rising it is still not in proportion and with the forth coming election looming it is essential to fight for improved conditions and to close the gender pay gap. Also, condemning the political parties slash and burn plans. Warning, that it would increase feminisation of poverty. Mary finished by urging us to unite around our agenda in the charter for women, as for us the price of progress is internally vigilant and to carry on the fight as our predecessors did.
More than 30 different trade unions attended the women’s conference some of those included were the CWU, Prospect, GMB, Unite, Equity, Unison as well as many more smaller unions each contributing in an equally important agenda.
Over the following days conference went on to cover a wide variety of issues.
Conference recognised the achievements over the past years under a labour government, including doubling of maternity pay, the introduction of the national minimum wage, family friendly policies and the equality bill, but these steps forward were over shadowed by the fact that the pay gap is still unacceptably wide, pregnant woman and new mothers are targeted by the employer for redundancy and how the lack of decent pensions had a large impact on women when they reach their older years putting many in the reality of poverty.
Linda Roy, CWU National Equality Officer, addressed conference and moved the CWUs motion on Flexible Working stating that although the government had worked towards helping in the flexibility needs of women in their working life’s the CWU felt that the government needed to keep moving forward. The CWU called on the TUC to put pressure on the government and to continue pushing for a full review of current flexible working regulations. The motion was carried unanimously.
The CWU’s Maria Exall highlighted the importance of education in unions and in the workplace, the importance of equality within the workplace but also held a fear for the future if the Tories were to gain power in the next election and where would it leave trade unions and all the hard fought steps forward, national minimum wage, maternity rights, and although the recently introduced Equality bill was welcomed it was felt that it was somewhat of a lost opportunity.
Other speakers for the CWU included Lynn Hart who seconded a motion which highlighted the appalling treatment of many women workers in call centres. Lynn also spoke to full support a motion calling for equal pay within the private sector stating that the equality bill does not address this issue and all members within the public and private sector should be treated fairly.
The CWU Vera Kelsall, supported whole heartedly the fight to protect women’s pensions bringing too conferences attention that as pensioners it is predominantly women who fall in to the poverty gap as these women have never been made aware of a credit system that allows enough contributions are made to gain the higher rate of public pension.
Conference had the pleasure of being addressed by some very important influential women who have played an integral part in the trade union movement these included South African ANC MP and Communist Party member Joyce Moloi-Moropa who spoke about her countries struggle against inequality and social deprivation yet she reported that progressive women’s organisations were helping to move forward in the fight against domestic violence and poverty. TUC deputy leader Francis O’Grady addressed conference for the first time as an official rather than a delegate and in her speech covered the much of the concerns of conference on the economy, violence against women, eroding working conditions and the rising threat of the far-right BNP. Brave NUT delegate Sally Kincaid spoke of a personal incident where her car was firebombed by fascist in2002. Going on to state, how important women’s votes are against the intolerable far-right.
The numerous fringe meetings at conference covered a wide variety of subjects including public pensions and the plight of the women of Yarl’s Wood removal centre where the survivors of rape, domestic violence abuse and sex trafficking are on hunger strike in protest against indefinite detention, separation of mothers from their children, racist abuse and other violence from guards and appalling conditions.
The final day of conference saw the announcement of the results of the ballot for TUC women’s Committee, with CWU Linda Roy gaining a place on the committee.
The announcement of the result for the TUC Women’s Conference Motion to Congress which was Unites , A Workplace Agenda for Women, a motion which earlier had been supported by The CWUs Maria Exall.
Conference closes.
Report by Clare Drummond
Greater Manchester Amal
Save Newport delivery office
Royal Mail want to close Newport delivery office in Shropshire. Sign the petition of protest at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Newport/?signed=100dc6d8.5a1f7f Save our post!
Monday, 22 March 2010
Closure of Stourport delivery office
Royal Mail is planning to close Stourport delivery office. Sign the petition to protest at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/savestourport/ Save our Post!
Thursday, 18 March 2010
UAF demonstration against the English Defence League this Saturday
Unite Against Fascism have organised a a counter demonstration against the EDL in Bolton, Lancs, this Saturday March 20th. Please attend if you can. For further details including transport arrangements click here.
Friday, 12 March 2010
TUC Women's Committee gets a new member.
CWU delegation to WTUC
Women have better memories too
An article in the Daily Mail says that scientists have discovered that females have better memories than males. And that while men's memories deteriorate with age women.s do not. Full article here.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Women better with money than men.
An article in today's Daily Telegraph indicates that women are better at budgeting than men particularly where credit cards are concerned. It says tthat
"The survey of 3,000 Britons by Love-Money.com found that men have an average debt of £2,176 on their credit cards compared to £1,987 for women." and that " Men are more prone to ignoring mounting debts and forgetting to pay bills, whereas women chip away at credit card bills with regular repayments."
Sound familiar? Click here to read full report.
"The survey of 3,000 Britons by Love-Money.com found that men have an average debt of £2,176 on their credit cards compared to £1,987 for women." and that " Men are more prone to ignoring mounting debts and forgetting to pay bills, whereas women chip away at credit card bills with regular repayments."
Sound familiar? Click here to read full report.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Take part in my poll
Cast your vote in my latest poll which is located below my profile in the left column. Have your say in whether there should be one single equality conference.
Monday, 8 March 2010
International Women'sDay
Lynn Hart, Ruth Breslin & Linda Roy
The CWU took the lead and celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a meeting at headquarters last Thursday where women CWU activists attended from all over the UK. In addition to this there were guest speakers from EAVES Poppy Project and the CWU’s own Grace Mitchell and Jane Loftus offered further inspirational thoughts to the women attending.
The meeting saw Ruth Breslin from EAVES talk about the real exploitative horrors that women face when they are illegally trafficked into the sex industry. Grace Mitchell talked about Female Genital Mutilation and also the Chocolate Campaign highlighting the stomach-turning female circumcision process where women are forcibly taken through the barbaric ritual.
National Equality Officer Linda Roy was very pleased with how the event passed and commented “Our gathering was a special day for the CWU and our women activists and all the speakers contributed to help make it a very memorable day for all our women who travelled down to celebrate International Women’s Day. Until women are treated with dignity all around the world and until the horrible exploitation of women stops we shall continue to highlight these issues to the wider trade union movement”.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
CWU Black Workers Conference Report by Pauline Granstan
2010 CWU BLACK WORKERS
CONFERENCE REPORT
The 2010 CWU Black Workers Conference took place at the Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee on 6th February. There were 63 delegates from 43 branches, 10 visitors and 16 Headquarters staff. The Race Advisory Members in attendance were Greg Amissah (Vice Chair), Sylvia Beckett, Colin Bell (Chair), Graham Colk (NEC), Angela Green, Gurwinder Heer, Freddie Jones, Sam Makwana, Mizanul Muqit, Katrina Quirke (NEC) Winston Richards, Ian Taylor and Linda Roy (National Equality Officer).
The social on the Friday night (5th February) was attended by the Lord Provost. The occasion allowed delegates to network, renew acquaintances and make new friends.
Something new was added to the social night; a quiz focusing on black people who have made a contribution to history.
The quiz was considered to be difficult; nevertheless there were some decent marks with the “Marcus Garvey” table scoring 19 out of a possible 30.
Thanks go to Gurwinder and Freddie for their work on the night.
The names of delegates who were on the Marcus Garvey table will be the first, of what is hoped to be an ongoing event.
During the social members were very generous and as a result £208.15 was collected for “Just a Drop”.
Saturday 6th February saw the start of Conference. Linda Roy, National Equality Officer welcomed Conference for the second time in her role as the Equality Officer. She outlined some of the work carried out by the RAC and those that are still ongoing namely:
The Under Representation of Black People in the Union
Just a Drop (the list is not
There were 9 motions on the agenda (copy attached), plus Emergency Motion 1 on Haiti. Of the 9 motions, only 1 was not carried – Motion No. 8 on Bullying in the Public Sector.
Conference invited 2 guest speakers:
• Simon Wolley of Operation Black Vote
• Piara Power of Kick it Out of Football
At the end of conference there was a bucket collection for the people of Haiti which raised £216.40.
RD10-02-16
4th March 2010
A fuller report of conference is attached below: Please note this is not the website version
WARRIORS FOR CHANGE OR
STATING THE OBVIOUS?
Critics against separate equality conferences still have a long battle on their hands if the lively debate at this year’s CWU Black Workers Conference is an indicator of what lies ahead. Linda Roy, National Equality Officer in her opening speech to Conference outlined that in the field of employment, “members of nearly all minority ethnic groups are less likely to be in paid work than White British men and women…the positions of power and influence are populated by white males. And yes that includes trade unions….So individually what are we prepared to do?” she asked.
Delegates came equipped to have their say and what an event it proved to be. Having quickly warmed up with Emergency Motion 1 on the call to write off Hati’s debt, speakers were ready to discuss Motion No. on the need for positive action to achieve full equality as outlined in Rule 2.1.5 and Rule 2.1.6.
For some members, Rule 2.1.5 and Rule 2.1.6 is contentious because it calls upon the CWU to take positive action in favour of women and ethnic minorities until such time as the structures within the union is reflective of its membership. Here positive action is translated into positive discrimination, giving unfair advantage to those who have not earned their place on merit. For others in a white male dominated society such as the CWU there is a tension between what some perceive as asking for reserve seats and those who are stalwart of keeping the status quo.
Speakers coming to CWU Black Workers Conference like Mahmood Ali of the Birmingham Branch are passionate in their belief. Mahmood succinctly stated the obvious – “why fix something that is working? But we need to ask ourselves if the system is working?” If the system isn’t working, “there is a need to review it, to look into it and find the ways to improve the system, and the structure of our union”, he continued. Others were far more critical, saying that the Rule was not strong enough.
Of course the structure of the CWU wasn’t the only topic of the day. Sylvia Beckett moved Motion No. 3 on behalf of her Branch, Capital on the Rise of the BNP. The National Equality Officer in her opening remarks spoke of their concerns. Linda said: “undoubtedly 2009’s deepest low point for me has been the election of 2 BNP members of the European Parliament”.
Conference heard that as part of an anti fascist movement, the CWU have a major role to play. The message coming from us must go beyond the role of combating BNP myths and stereotyping. Our message should be one of hope and unity where people are valued for what they are. Taking a different slant to the proposition, Colin Jarvis, Central Counties & Thames Valley Branch told conference that this was a war “and that war is fought out on the battlefield of democracy; the arms at our disposal and at theirs WMD/WMC. For them, weapons of mass destruction and for us, weapons of mass construction”.
The ‘temperature’ in the hall was hot but became hotter when Simon Wolley from “Operation Black Vote” addressed Conference. An influential speaker, Simon locked into the theme of “Warriors for Change”. He praised attendees for their fight for social and racial justice, the strength they’ve embodied, the diversity of conference delegates and membership of the CWU; he thanked them for their responsible stance and the role they played in bringing about change.
Conference was given a pat on the back but, it wasn’t all about the feel good factor, he meant business at all levels with no holds barred. Yes, we know about history, slavery, how long it has taken us to get to where we are; nevertheless we had to look at the man in the mirror. We are the “warriors for change” in the 21st century, he said. However we need a “plan”; in the same way that Martin Luther King had sketched one out. That plan is aimed at giving ‘black people’ power on the political agenda, in all institutions and at all levels. He gave us some insight into his own thoughts on President Barack Obama. The weakness for him was that if someone had asked him to sign a paper a few years ago to say that Barack Obama would become Vice President he would gladly have signed it, looking back in hindsight he wanted to emphasise “we should never settle for second best” as that is never good enough. He also encouraged conference that as a people we, individually and collectively are, “agents of our destiny… and it’s up to all of us to organise and get involved”.
Piara Power, Director of “Kick it Out” was the other speaker at conference. Piara spoke about what is needed to make changes happen by using the medium of football. Piara believed football reflected what is happening in the wider society. He gave examples of some of the best players in the game who had an ethnic or minority background. They represented Scotland, England and Wales at an international level, scored goals and as a result helped to make the UK football clubs what they are today.
However, football “does not share power very well”, he said. He continued that whilst the pitch is seen as “the model of diversity”, we do not see that same level of diversity transferred into the board or management level. For Piara the crux of the problem lies in: stereotyping; “being told what you can do”; “you’re not management material” and “lack experience”. To combat some of these problems we need to organise, affiliate; take up issues such as homophobia in football and challenge racism.
Conference was lively and more than made up for its apparent lack of motions. Motions 7 & 8 were hotly debated by those in favour and those who were against the propositions.
Motion No. 7 called for the delay of the removal of immigrants from the UK suffering from and under treatment for HIV, until such antiretroviral treatment is available and accessible to them in their country of repatriation. Motion No. 8 by the Race Advisory Committee, dealt with bullying and harassment in the public sector of BME workers.
Some delegates had problems with both motions and motion 7 was carried after debate. However, 8 proved more controversial with the majority of delegates having concerns with the wording. For Conference, the wording appeared to focus on ‘others’ rather than on ‘us’ however delegates wanted to have their own homes put in order before attempting to tidy up someone else’s. As a result, the task was left to Winston Richards of the RAC to explain the Committees’ reason for putting such a motion on the agenda pad. Despite his best efforts the motion was overwhelmingly defeated.
At the conclusion of Conference Emergency Motion E1 on Haiti, and Motion 1 on Rule 2.1.5 & Rule 2.1.6 were selected for Annual Conference. Delegates expressed their appreciation for one of the best CWU Black Workers Conference they had attended. However, such was the high level and input into Conference that one wonders if such debates should be taking place elsewhere within the union.
15th February 2010
CONFERENCE REPORT
The 2010 CWU Black Workers Conference took place at the Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee on 6th February. There were 63 delegates from 43 branches, 10 visitors and 16 Headquarters staff. The Race Advisory Members in attendance were Greg Amissah (Vice Chair), Sylvia Beckett, Colin Bell (Chair), Graham Colk (NEC), Angela Green, Gurwinder Heer, Freddie Jones, Sam Makwana, Mizanul Muqit, Katrina Quirke (NEC) Winston Richards, Ian Taylor and Linda Roy (National Equality Officer).
The social on the Friday night (5th February) was attended by the Lord Provost. The occasion allowed delegates to network, renew acquaintances and make new friends.
Something new was added to the social night; a quiz focusing on black people who have made a contribution to history.
The quiz was considered to be difficult; nevertheless there were some decent marks with the “Marcus Garvey” table scoring 19 out of a possible 30.
Thanks go to Gurwinder and Freddie for their work on the night.
The names of delegates who were on the Marcus Garvey table will be the first, of what is hoped to be an ongoing event.
During the social members were very generous and as a result £208.15 was collected for “Just a Drop”.
Saturday 6th February saw the start of Conference. Linda Roy, National Equality Officer welcomed Conference for the second time in her role as the Equality Officer. She outlined some of the work carried out by the RAC and those that are still ongoing namely:
The Under Representation of Black People in the Union
Just a Drop (the list is not
There were 9 motions on the agenda (copy attached), plus Emergency Motion 1 on Haiti. Of the 9 motions, only 1 was not carried – Motion No. 8 on Bullying in the Public Sector.
Conference invited 2 guest speakers:
• Simon Wolley of Operation Black Vote
• Piara Power of Kick it Out of Football
At the end of conference there was a bucket collection for the people of Haiti which raised £216.40.
RD10-02-16
4th March 2010
A fuller report of conference is attached below: Please note this is not the website version
WARRIORS FOR CHANGE OR
STATING THE OBVIOUS?
Critics against separate equality conferences still have a long battle on their hands if the lively debate at this year’s CWU Black Workers Conference is an indicator of what lies ahead. Linda Roy, National Equality Officer in her opening speech to Conference outlined that in the field of employment, “members of nearly all minority ethnic groups are less likely to be in paid work than White British men and women…the positions of power and influence are populated by white males. And yes that includes trade unions….So individually what are we prepared to do?” she asked.
Delegates came equipped to have their say and what an event it proved to be. Having quickly warmed up with Emergency Motion 1 on the call to write off Hati’s debt, speakers were ready to discuss Motion No. on the need for positive action to achieve full equality as outlined in Rule 2.1.5 and Rule 2.1.6.
For some members, Rule 2.1.5 and Rule 2.1.6 is contentious because it calls upon the CWU to take positive action in favour of women and ethnic minorities until such time as the structures within the union is reflective of its membership. Here positive action is translated into positive discrimination, giving unfair advantage to those who have not earned their place on merit. For others in a white male dominated society such as the CWU there is a tension between what some perceive as asking for reserve seats and those who are stalwart of keeping the status quo.
Speakers coming to CWU Black Workers Conference like Mahmood Ali of the Birmingham Branch are passionate in their belief. Mahmood succinctly stated the obvious – “why fix something that is working? But we need to ask ourselves if the system is working?” If the system isn’t working, “there is a need to review it, to look into it and find the ways to improve the system, and the structure of our union”, he continued. Others were far more critical, saying that the Rule was not strong enough.
Of course the structure of the CWU wasn’t the only topic of the day. Sylvia Beckett moved Motion No. 3 on behalf of her Branch, Capital on the Rise of the BNP. The National Equality Officer in her opening remarks spoke of their concerns. Linda said: “undoubtedly 2009’s deepest low point for me has been the election of 2 BNP members of the European Parliament”.
Conference heard that as part of an anti fascist movement, the CWU have a major role to play. The message coming from us must go beyond the role of combating BNP myths and stereotyping. Our message should be one of hope and unity where people are valued for what they are. Taking a different slant to the proposition, Colin Jarvis, Central Counties & Thames Valley Branch told conference that this was a war “and that war is fought out on the battlefield of democracy; the arms at our disposal and at theirs WMD/WMC. For them, weapons of mass destruction and for us, weapons of mass construction”.
The ‘temperature’ in the hall was hot but became hotter when Simon Wolley from “Operation Black Vote” addressed Conference. An influential speaker, Simon locked into the theme of “Warriors for Change”. He praised attendees for their fight for social and racial justice, the strength they’ve embodied, the diversity of conference delegates and membership of the CWU; he thanked them for their responsible stance and the role they played in bringing about change.
Conference was given a pat on the back but, it wasn’t all about the feel good factor, he meant business at all levels with no holds barred. Yes, we know about history, slavery, how long it has taken us to get to where we are; nevertheless we had to look at the man in the mirror. We are the “warriors for change” in the 21st century, he said. However we need a “plan”; in the same way that Martin Luther King had sketched one out. That plan is aimed at giving ‘black people’ power on the political agenda, in all institutions and at all levels. He gave us some insight into his own thoughts on President Barack Obama. The weakness for him was that if someone had asked him to sign a paper a few years ago to say that Barack Obama would become Vice President he would gladly have signed it, looking back in hindsight he wanted to emphasise “we should never settle for second best” as that is never good enough. He also encouraged conference that as a people we, individually and collectively are, “agents of our destiny… and it’s up to all of us to organise and get involved”.
Piara Power, Director of “Kick it Out” was the other speaker at conference. Piara spoke about what is needed to make changes happen by using the medium of football. Piara believed football reflected what is happening in the wider society. He gave examples of some of the best players in the game who had an ethnic or minority background. They represented Scotland, England and Wales at an international level, scored goals and as a result helped to make the UK football clubs what they are today.
However, football “does not share power very well”, he said. He continued that whilst the pitch is seen as “the model of diversity”, we do not see that same level of diversity transferred into the board or management level. For Piara the crux of the problem lies in: stereotyping; “being told what you can do”; “you’re not management material” and “lack experience”. To combat some of these problems we need to organise, affiliate; take up issues such as homophobia in football and challenge racism.
Conference was lively and more than made up for its apparent lack of motions. Motions 7 & 8 were hotly debated by those in favour and those who were against the propositions.
Motion No. 7 called for the delay of the removal of immigrants from the UK suffering from and under treatment for HIV, until such antiretroviral treatment is available and accessible to them in their country of repatriation. Motion No. 8 by the Race Advisory Committee, dealt with bullying and harassment in the public sector of BME workers.
Some delegates had problems with both motions and motion 7 was carried after debate. However, 8 proved more controversial with the majority of delegates having concerns with the wording. For Conference, the wording appeared to focus on ‘others’ rather than on ‘us’ however delegates wanted to have their own homes put in order before attempting to tidy up someone else’s. As a result, the task was left to Winston Richards of the RAC to explain the Committees’ reason for putting such a motion on the agenda pad. Despite his best efforts the motion was overwhelmingly defeated.
At the conclusion of Conference Emergency Motion E1 on Haiti, and Motion 1 on Rule 2.1.5 & Rule 2.1.6 were selected for Annual Conference. Delegates expressed their appreciation for one of the best CWU Black Workers Conference they had attended. However, such was the high level and input into Conference that one wonders if such debates should be taking place elsewhere within the union.
15th February 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
Leeds No. 1 AGM
Was guest speaker with Pete Keelyside at my branch AGM yesterday. Also presented former branch secretary Dave Walton and retired area rep Pete Jubb with honorary membership of the branch. It was a bitter sweet occasion. We seem to be losing a lot of CWU stalwarts. From what was said it appears that our reps are coming under a lot of pressure from management and many are throwing on sick with stress. if you've got any evidence of this please let me know. On a lighter note we went to a local pub on Briggate after the meeting. my members managed to drink it dry of Tetleys and John Smiths bitter. I don't touch alcohol myself but my members do make me proud.
Time for change?
The last 2 weeks have been manic. Attended the Women's conference in Coventry on the 21st. It was very successful. It could be the last as the week before the NEC voted by 12 votes to 8 to have one single equality conference as part of the Union's cost cutting measures. I don't have a vote but I did speak against it. Not least of all because the 4 equality sub committees were not consulted. So what do you think? take part in my latest poll. Make your voice heard!
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