UNISON Labour Link 2015: Motion on "Union busting by UK public service providers"

This was the speech for London motion 18 on Union busting which was delivered by our delegate James Beckles.

Hopefully, anti-union rogue employers in our sector such as Catalyst Housing and Creative Support will take note.
Motion was passed unanimously

"Forum, everyone here knows that up and the country there are a huge number of private companies, large charities and Housing associations delivering publicly funded services who refuse to recognise human rights of their staff and who threaten and attack union activists trying to protect their members.

We know that in many parts of the traditional public sector, trade unions, in local government, health and utilities are also under attack

This motion argues that no employer should have access to any public funds or procurement if they do not have a recognition agreement with a TUC affiliated trade union.

Forum, the United Nations has a charter of fundamental human rights. This charter recognises 10 fundamental human rights and one of those 10 rights is that of free assembly for trade unions and collective bargaining.

In the history of our union movement, activists have given their lives and their liberty in the fight to have trade unions recognised.

Forum, Unions in this country and all over the world are under attack. In the UK our numbers have gone down significantly but in recent years numbers have stabilised and we may see soon a return to growth.

It is no coincidence that the massive decline in pay in recent years has been linked to the decline of collective bargaining. Workers desperately need the unions to protect and strengthen their terms and conditions by collective bargaining.

The best way to get recognition and collective bargaining is by workers taking action, by members forcing anti-trade union employers to negotiate and bargain with unions. Yet when you are in a fight with employers for justice at work you want every help you can get.

Forum, is it not perverse that in this county vast amounts of public money is handed over to organisations which are clearly hostile to unions? Why is this money going to organisations who don't believe in fundamental human rights?

If public money was going to those who employed child labour or used corruption there would be an outcry. Yet we have allowed the government and employers to pick and choose which human rights they want to respect. Forum, A human right is a human right.

No organisation which refuses to recognise a trade union should be allowed to bid for any form of public money or support. No grants, No contracts, No loans, no Partnerships, No deals - not even housing benefit.

Forum, What have they got to hide? Remember, that there is an extreme right wing ideology against trade unions. Like under Mussolini and fascism they want to get rid of trade unions and replace them with powerless and compliant staff associations.

While we would expect some hostile private sector employer to be anti union, we have organisations in this country masquerading as socially responsible charities. They not only refuse to recognise trade unions but carry out trade union busting to threaten and frighten union activists and members.

Forum, we must use our influence and power in Labour Link to force all employers to recognise the human rights of their workers. We can work with Labour councils and devolved government to force the issue of trade union recognition in public procurement. While a Labour government appears now to be a long way away we must start now arguing and campaigning for this policy to be adopted by our Party.

We must also still press for an independent enquiry into the governance arrangements of those who provide public services. Even some Tories recognise that some 3rd sector organisations have turned themselves into a mates club whose senior management team feasts upon the public purse.

Forum, please support this motion and help send a message that trade unionism is your fundamental human right and we will not tolerate attacks on our human rights from anyone. Forum, I move".

The Kindertransport "hero" Sir Nicholas Winton RIP

On the way back home on Saturday from the UNISON Labour Link forum in Manchester, I went through London Liverpool Street Railway station.

At the station I passed the statues of the "Kindertransport" children who were rescued from Nazi Europe and arrived in this same station just before the Second World War.

Early Thursday morning in Manchester while out jogging along the River Irwell, I had heard about the death and great life of Sir Nicholas Winton aged 106 on radio 4.

Nicholas Winton had helped organise the transport to safety in the UK of over 600 Czech children from almost certain death in 1938-39. There were a number of different "Kindertransport" rescue missions. Most were Jewish but some were also the children of socialist and communist opponents of the Nazi.

His story is incredible and inspiring. He didn't think he was doing anything special and that anyone would have done the same as him if they could.  It goes to show that matters of principle and of doing the right thing matters. No matter how difficult, demanding and sometimes dangerous.

If you commute in and out of London via Liverpool Street, give these statues a gentle pat on the back as you go by. Be prepared also to support modern day Nicholas Winton's who may be trying even now to get children to safety from extermination in modern day Syria or Iraq. 

UNISON Labour Link 2015: Day 2 - meet the "Newbie" MPs

Day 2 of the National UNISON Labour Link Forum in Manchester started this morning with a "Parliamentary Panel" of MPs and  MEPS (see picture). It was inspiring to see 3 new MPs who come from our movement sitting for the first time alongside longer serving panel members. Former UNISON NEC member, Dave Anderson MP, spoke first about the risk to the union from indiscipline and how we must remain loyal and united to fight off Tory attacks on the union and the cuts.

Next was the first "Newbie" MP (as she described herself) former UNISON branch secretary and regional convener, Angela Rayner MP.  Angela described her first few weeks in Parliament as getting "constantly lost" and grappling with the often arcane practices and procedures. Especially when it comes to what she can and cannot say about her political opponents during debates. In her first speech to the House of Commons she spoke about her life experiences as a single Mum at age 16 and working as a home carer.

In a question from the floor about the proposed new trade treaty with Europe and America (TTIP) MEP Jude Kirton-Darling, promised to oppose it if it threatens any form of public services.

2nd Newbie was former UNISON regional officer, Melanie Onn MP, who told us about her joy at winning her seat (and defeating UKIP) and her sadness about resigning as a union official since she worries about her members, especially those facing the Tory cuts onslaught. She recalled how she was nervous about her first speech to the Commons  but she had carefully prepared a short timed speech only to be told immediately beforehand by the Whips that she had to pad it out to 20 minutes!

Not a newbie but always good to see and hear was Lilian Greenwood MP who told us how awful opposition is and how we need to go and speak and listen to the general public before we decide what to do next. We cannot just say to them that we were right and you were wrong.

Final "Newbie" was Daniel Zeichner who is a new MP but has worked for UNISON Labour Link for many years and has helped run this National Forum. Daniel thought we had 3 things to do. First, defend public services. Second, defend the union since the Tories are coming for us. Thirdly, we had to build an alternative political narrative for the public. He also described how unpleasant it was to be sitting for 7 hours a day in front of 350 Tories.

Final speaker was MEP Theresa Griffin, who defeated BNP leader Nick Griffin last year. She put down one reason for her success was ordinary UNISON members passing messages to other UNISON members.

After the panel we had a discussion and vote on the UNION Labour Link annual report followed by motions. First debate was on Local Government Finance. The mover brought alongside a jar of pickles to compare the value of former Minister Eric. There were other motions on Employment tribunals; engagement of young people; encouraging Black Labour Link officers; BME representation and equalities. Husband of Angela, Mark Rayner gave a passionate speech about the importance of doing every things we can to get more unison candidates to stand as Labour candidates in 2020. There was also motions on TTIP, "Fit to Work" Scheme, affordable housing and Union busting by UK Public Service providers and final one on human rights.

Chair Eleanor Smith closed the conference by hoping at next year's Forum following successful results in the elections in London, Scotland and local councils we will be in better spirits than this year.  

Unison Labour Link 2015: Day 1. "...We will never walk away from the Labour Party"

The UNISON political fund representing members who have decided to affiliate to the Labour Party began its Annual Forum this morning in Manchester.

The forum was opened by Dave Prentis who promised delegates that as long as he is General Secretary, unison will never walk away from the Labour Party. The unions formed the Labour Party and we need the Party to make a fairer society.

Following the defeat in May and the Party leadership elections it was decided to cancel the usual workshops and hold hustings of leadership candidates at Forum.

The four candidates for leadership were given 4 minutes to speak, then there was a Q&A and finally they were given 2 minutes each to make a closing speech.

Andy Burnham was first and he stood on his past record, opposition to Tory welfare cuts and new anti trade unions laws.  Labour will be more diverse and look, sound and be different if he is the Labour leader.

Next was Liz Kendall who thanked Unison for all the help we gave during the general election and especially for the ethical charter for social care. She made it clear that the Party must elect the best candidate to become a Prime minster.

Former NUPE union official Jeremy Corbyn wanted the Labour Party to be and act differently and challenge the government over austerity.  You cannot cut your way to prosperity.

At noon the hustings stopped for a minutes silence in memory of the victims of the massacre in Tunisia, at least 3 of whom are Unison members.

Final speaker was Yvette Copper who started by stating that "opposition sucks" and described herself as the granddaughter of a miner, daughter of a trade union official and a working Mum.

Following lunch the deputy leadership hustings began. The format was the same as before.

Stella Creasy was first and she told us how proud she had been to work with Unison in successfully challenging loan sharks and support of a living wage.  She wants the Labour Party to be a movement and not a machine.

Former union official, Angela Eagle, argued she loves the Labour Party and that the Party and the trade unions are two sides of the same coin.  If elected she will be a members' deputy and will put you first.

Dave Anderson MP stood in and gave a speech on behalf of Tom Watson, who was attending a memorial service for victims of Tunisia in his consistency. It was Labours fault they lost the election since they lost trust with voters. He would restore it.

Ben Bradshaw wanted to mend not break the link with unions and the Party. He is not from the right nor the left of the Party but he is loyal and would tell the leader privately if they were wrong and not in a right wing tabloid.

Final candidate was Caroline Flint who gave a very personal account of why she joined the Party as the daughter of 17 year old single parent. The Party is not a pressure group but exists to change society by winning elections.

The National Labour Link Committee will meet on July 29th and make a decision about nominations.

After the hustings the forum started debating motions and passed significant policy on the response to the General Election; the crisis in Scotland; devolved power in England; Labour leadership ballot and the Labour Link & Fighting Austerity.

Forum finished at 5.30pm. The Labour Link Political Reception begins at 7pm. Business resumes at 9.15am tomorrow.

Picture of Leadership candidates with London delegates.

(Update: for a more detailed and thoughtful account of the Leadership husting see http://unisondave.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/uk-labour-leadership.html)