Search

Part 2 Motion lost

7 Trade union rights and freedom - taking back our rights

Congress registers its total disgust and disappointment at the continuation of the anti-trade union laws throughout the United Kingdom.

Congress recognises that all initiatives and campaigns up to this time have achieved little change to employment rights for working men and women in this country.

Therefore, Congress calls upon all affiliated trade unions and the General Council to organise a series of street demonstrations throughout the United Kingdom, and selective days on which trade unions will break the anti-trade union laws by taking a general strike.

Further, these activities should continue until such time as the Government changes this anti-trade union and anti-working class legislation.

POA

56 Education and the economic crisis

Congress notes that the global recession has had a major impact on the lives of working people, students and the retired through job loss, increasing unemployment and threats to pensions.

Congress notes the £billions of taxpayers' money given to the banks, without evidence of loans to businesses, in contrast to the constant pressure on public service budgets.

Congress notes the one million young people out of work. Every young person leaving education must have the right to a job or high quality education or training.

Congress congratulates the TUC on the 28 March 2009 mobilisation and the statement, 'Put People First'. Congress endorses the People's Charter as a step towards the development of further demands and campaigns. Congress agrees to call together affiliates involved in education to develop an Education Charter, encompassing policies from Early Years to Adult Learning, couched in terms of rights and with costed proposals.

Congress calls on affiliates to co-ordinate campaigns in defence of jobs and services in health, education, housing and the post. The TUC should promote and promulgate demands on progressive tax policies, public works, pay levels, pensions, public spending, the ending of wasteful privatisation and the return of trade union rights.

Prior to the general election, Congress agrees that the General Council should organise, or assist in the preparation and co-ordination of, a major publicity campaign, public meetings and a national demonstration, and, as appropriate, calls for industrial action, with the theme of 'no to unemployment, no cuts in pay, pensions or public services'.

National Union of Teachers

84 Political representation of members

Congress recognises the lack of adequate representation at political level for the members of affiliated unions. Congress notes that New Labour, as currently constituted, is now failing to attract the support of our members and that its vote at the 2009 European Election reached an historic low. The present Government's policy of continuing privatisation, cuts in Government spending and failure to remove the anti-trade union laws is unlikely to change this in the near future.

Congress therefore calls on the General Council to convene, at the earliest opportunity, a conference of all affiliated unions to consider how to achieve effective political representation for our members.

Communication Workers' Union

Contents

Next section