Welcome message from Frances O’Grady - Congress 2014

Welcome to Congress 2014, and welcome to Liverpool – a city with a proud history of radicalism and working class organisation.

This is a crucial Congress in many ways. It is the last time that we will meet together before the general election.

With the economy at long last growing again, the country faces important choices. So far the benefits of growth have failed to show up in most pay packets and across much of the country.

The rise in insecure and low-paid work continues. Many in part-time work want more hours, youth unemployment is stubbornly high and too many are working in jobs that fail to use their education, skills and talents to the full.

When banks crashed across the developed world six years ago, it was clear that the old economic model had failed ordinary people. The return of growth – even if delayed by the harsh austerity policies followed by this government – sharpens the choice we face about what kind of economy comes next.

If we continue on the current track the future looks bleak. Growth might continue, but millions will be excluded from sharing in the rewards. Jobs might be created, but they will be insecure and badly paid. Public services will continue to be run down and privatised. The welfare safety net, which any of us might need, will continue to be hacked away. Living standards will be held back for the many, even as bonuses and pay continue to soar away at the top.

This week our job is to set out an alternative vision of a fair and sustainable economy based on our shared trade union values of equality, democracy and solidarity. The Campaign Plan that we adopted unanimously at last year’s Congress has given our work real power and coherence.

You can see from the Congress agenda how it has influenced the motions up for debate this week. And on 18 October in London there will be an opportunity to match words with action when we march together under the banner, Britain Needs A Pay Rise.

Our policies – for a new economy, fair pay, decent services and welfare, respect and a voice at work, and strong unions – provide the building blocks for the alternative that we need to set out loud and clear this week.

More than ever this must be a time when we do not just debate among ourselves but talk to the country. Over the coming months we must step up our campaign and reach out to a new generation of potential union members.

This is our chance to win for working people – let’s use it.