TUC Congress 2025: Day 4

 

Last day of Congress. I was up early to go for final jog along the prom but it was raining, so being very much a fair weather runner, I went to the hotel gym instead. 

Congress started as usual at 9.30am beginning with the the latest "Union wins video", then a powerful debate on Composite motion "The Crisis in Palestine", which was followed by an address from the International Speaker – Shaher Saed from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions. 

Then controversial motions on Climate change and a "Just Transition" requirement amendment (carried) followed by "Reform of the TUC". 

As with the "Wages not Weapons" motion previously, there was a clash between predominantly public sector unions and private sector unions on the Just Transition amendment. 

While in the debate on the "Future of the TUC" seemed me more about the role of the TUC - should it act as the national UK trade union or its traditional role to facility a UK federation of independent unions? Again some great speeches, some not that comradely, on both sides of the argument. The motion was clearly lost.   

There was also a number of important motions on disability issues followed by 6 Emergency motions. 

Check out the programme for Congress business here https://www.tuc.org.uk/Congress2025/programme-business-congress-2025 and results here https://congress.tuc.org.uk/motion_type/all_motions/#sthash.RRkjFVlf.bgWohJM8.dpbs

Final business of Congress was the traditional vote of thanks and award of a Gold Badge (and Congress bell!) to the outgoing President, Mark Dickinson, who had been a marvellous Chair of Congress. Efficient, fair and supportive of first time speakers. By coincidence he reminded me of my former Branch Chair, Tony Power, in looks and temperament.  

Next years President is the General Secretary of the Prison Officers union, Steve Gillan. Who Mick Lynch, from the RMT cheekily suggested would deal with any dissent in the TUC General Council by locking the door until they agreed a line. 

After close of Congress there was a rush to the hotel to pick up luggage, then I walked to the station (no rain) and was able to get into the rear first class coach of the Thameslink train (no need for upgrade on this carriage only) with 2 other UNISON delegates from London for further debate (and gossip)

TUC Congress 2023: Day Two

Congress started again on Monday at 9.30.  The ACC Liverpool conference centre is in the Kings docks area and it was a pleasant 10 minute walk from the hotel. Outside the conference centre there was a few people canvassing delegates, selling news papers, handing out invites to fringes and leaflets on how to vote on contentious motions. 

The UNISON delegate sits together in the middle of the conference floor near the front. Before business started we welcomed UNISON strikers from Wirral hospital, who spoke to conference about their dispute over pay banding and low pay. Later that morning I had to take part in a teams video call outside the main hall and found right next to me the strikers. I had to go up to them and congratulate them for speaking so well and solidarity for their cause. Sign their petition here. 

During lunchtime I went to the "What would Workers' Rights look like under a future Labour Government" organised by the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group. There was a range of speakers but the main interest was the responses of Justine Madders MP, Shadow Labour Minister on the Future of Work and Employment Rights and Protections. 

The room was packed with standing room only. There was some hostile and suspicious questions and comments about the "Labour New Deal for Working People" but Justine answered all these points very well. He received praise from RMT Mick Lynch about being always prepared to turn up to meetings with the trade unions, listen and engage. 

In the Q&A I explained that myself and around 50 of my unison members have been issued with "fire and rehire" dismissal letters by our employer in an attempt to get rid of our defined benefit pensions. I asked bearing in mind that Labour are committed to ban "hire and refire" what would they replace it with? Justine responded by saying that the vast majority of British people think "hire and refire" is "despicable" and Labour are pledged to make it illegal. He said that Labour are thinking on the lines of the private member bill supported by Lord John Hendy KC.

After conference I attended the Labour Unions fringe. Another packed event. Deputy leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Angela Rayner MP, was the keynote speaker. I have known Angela in UNISON since she was a young member and I am so proud of what she has achieved and her pride and acknowledgement over the support and encouragement she had received from her Labour movement family. 

After the fringe I spoke to her about "fire and rehire" and also asked if she would speak again at my UNISON Housing Association Branch Labour Link AGM at the House of Commons and we agreed that I should approach her office to agree a possible date.  

I also had a chat with the other impressive speaker at the fringe, Hannah Blythyn, who is a member of the Welsh Assembly for  Delyn and Deputy Minister for Social Partnership. By coincidence she was brought up only a few miles away from me and we both shared some memories of the "famous" nightclub in Buckley called the "Tivoli", which we think is still open. 

London Labour Party Conference 2023 - Day 1

 

From my twitter feed as a UNISON Labour Link Delegate.

At @LondonLabour annual conference. Chair of Regional board #MaggiFerncombe opens conference

Next our @labour leader @Keir_Starmer MP gives key note speech on why we will only get a #labour government by winning the trust of the #British people.

Next a panel on #CostOfLivingCrises with our own @unisontheunion @unisonglr @labourunionsuk
secretary @JoelBodmer (former chair @UnisonHAB) @kimleadbeater @RNBlake #petermandelson. Peter advises us to treat recent polls like smoking cannabis "smoke but do not inhale"

After break we now have panel on "winning the General Election - getting into power" with
@LondonLabour Pearleen Sangha @elliereeves

During lunch I attended part of fringe by @RMTunion speaker Mick Lynch, @DawnButlerBrent
#ellybaker. Good to hear of their support for @labour "New Deal for working people"

Standing ovation for barn storming speech by @lisanandy on fixing the broken housing market by building #council homes (& many other things)

After Lisa panel on "House & home - solving Britain's housing crisis" @ShamaTatler Osama Bhutta
@Shelter Anya Marton @PricedOutUK chaired by @DannyBeales @Semakaleng makes point that in #london we need at least 30k social homes pa

Motions debate: @unisonglr convenor & @LondonLabour #labourlink delegate @Yvonneg57841905 seconds #Abuse is not part of the job" @CroydonUNISON

Proposing motion on "Post-Brexit - Working in Partnership" moved by @GMB_union @newham_labour @NewhamBooker @LondonLabour

Seconding the Post-Brexit motion is @CvobUnison Branch Chair & @unisonglr #LabourLink delegate @MarcelaBenede10

"It's now cheaper to save the planet than to destroy it" @Ed_Miliband speaks on "The green sprint" debate with @Miatsf @HughGoulbourne @hennassh

Final panel "Lessons from local government" @LGA_Labour Peter Robbins @timroca85 @CllrAsma_Islam @KamRai7 @GracieMaeW Regional @LondonLabour director Pearleen Sangha making her report to Conference

And final speaker @LondonLabour London Mayor @SadiqKhan . "More council homes being built in London since 1970s" "Nothing quite like handing a key to anew home to a family" "next election is a choice between a Labour Mayor on side of Londoners & a Tory on side of this rotten Government"