Steve Sweeney at UNISON Conference – Blog 8

This morning saw debate and discussion around the NHS, Organising and heard a message relayed by video from Burmese activist Aung San Su Kyi.

As predicted there were plenty of references to Health Minister Andrew Lansley as ‘Tosser’ and it is clear that his name has become synonymous with this word. Delegates spoke of the threat that the ‘Health and Social Care Bill’ presents to the future of the NHS. We have seen the impact of this in Cambridgeshire with the fiasco surroundingHinchingbrookeHospitaland the plans to franchise the management to Circle, although at present these papers remain unsigned on Lansley’s desk.

The Lib-Dems came under attack with one delegate saying that if ‘Nick Clegg wanted 5 seats so desperately, he could have gone to IKEA’. Delegates spoke of the broken promises regarding the NHS including Cameron’s claim that there would be no top-down organisation. We heard from areas where crucial operations are being cancelled or delayed and the impact that this is having.

Following the message from Aung San Su Kyi, the debate moved on to organising and UNISON’s development from a ‘servicing’ model to an ‘organising’ approach. We heard from the experience of aSouthamptonhospital worker who had been recruited and involved in the 3 Companies approach. Her workplace had increased membership density from 40% to 98% and won sick pay, paid holiday, pay rises and improvements to terms and conditions. The 3 Companies approach according to the delegate ‘changed our lives’.

Delegates from Kirklees branch spoke of their impressive figure. 85% union density, 170 stewards and a huge membership base. They have managed this by standing up and fighting for members, against redundancies. He said that they don’t have a ‘Pensions Champion’ in the branch, but they have thousands of them as their branch has been involving and informing members who are well aware of the issues that are being faced.

Delegates again called for UNISON to ‘name the day’ for the start of industrial action.

Quote of the morning: UNISON – bringing the word ‘tosser’ back in to common parlance.

Slip of the day:  the delegate who spoke about the Lansley Rap calling it ‘one small fart of the avalanche against NHS reforms’. Obviously should have been part!

This afternoon sees the debate on Rules. Sounds dull but there will be some debates around Branch Finances and Disciplinary Rules that could see some debate as there are amendments to both proposals. I will blog on this later.

Steve Sweeney at UNISON Conference – Blog 7

The afternoon saw the International session with motions on ‘The International Campaign Against Public Service Cuts’, ‘Palestine’ and Composite F on ‘Supporting the campaign for human and democratic rights in theMiddle East’.

The session opened with some interesting news. UNISON seemingly have managed to attract another advisor along with Ed Balls (advising us not to strike). This time the advisor is one of the most popular and respected politicians in the country. Step forward Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, who has been tasked with acting as a ‘peacemaker between the government and the unions’. Almost as bad as Tony Blair being appointed Middle East Peace Envoy, Conference erupted with laughter until they realised that the delegate who broke this news wasn’t joking.

We heard about the public sector cuts and neo-liberal agenda being pursued by governments internationally with one delegate commenting ‘Greeceis not being bailed out. If it was then why would there be people on the streets. It is the banks that are being bailed out and the money is being diverted back to the banks ofBritain,Germany,France’ etc.

Revoluionary greetings were given by Phumzile Nxumalo – Deputy President of NAPSAWU, the public sector union ofSwaziland. She told of the situation inSwazilandwhere the monarch has absolute power and acts as the executive, legislative and judiciary. He even dictates what parliament can and cannot discuss.

The debate of the afternoon was on Motion 89 ‘Palestine’. This is typically a subject that evokes strong feelings on both sides and while there were strong disagreements, the debate was respectful and civil although sharp at times. The Chair commended delegates on the manner in which the debate took place. The main point of discussion was that part of the motion called for critical engagement with the Histadrut, the Israeli trade union. The NEC had sent a delegation to meet with representatives of both the Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions as part of a review of the relationship followingIsrael’s attack onGazain 2009 and the attack on the flotilla in 2010.

The NEC stated that during their discussions with the PGFTU, they were clear that they did not want unions to break links and disengage with Histadrut. The debate flowed with speakers for and against. Delegates pointed out that this was not necessarily the case now as recent statements from Palestinian organisations had called for links to be severed as the Histadrut refused to condemn the attacks on Gaza and were one of the ‘instruments’ that perpetuate the occupation and oppress the people of Palestine. Many delegates made comparisons withSouth Africaunder apartheid and said that we should not back a motion that calls for engagement with an organisation that plays such a nefarious role.

After lengthy debate, the vote was taken. There was a clear divide and the motion fell by about 20:80.

An interesting day at conference was rounded off by a Fringe Meeting on ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ which heard from ex-West Ham player Leroy Rosenior and ex-Everton player Earl Barrett among others. We heard of the fantastic work they have been doing through outreach work in schools challenging racism and they urged union branches to affiliate and support the campaign.

Todays morning session is on the NHS, so expect lots of ‘Andrew Lansley – Tosser’ and debate on the Health and Social Care Bill. The afternoon session will be on, wait for it, contain your excitement……..UNISON Rules!! I’ll keep you posted so watch this space.

Steve Sweeney at UNISON Conference – Blog 6

This morning saw the debate on public sector pensions which had added significance now that industrial action is looking a very real possibility.

We have heard the arguments but some of them are worth going over. There is no ‘Pensions Crisis’ as the Tories and right-wing press try and make out. The money that the Treasury are trying to take through increased contributions and making us work longer for less is nothing less than a tax on ordinary people. The money that is raised is not going back into pension pots, but in to the Treasury accounts to make us pay for the deficit created by the banks and financial institutions.

4 million people are in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) either as current members, or those drawing pensions and their families. If everybody paying in to the scheme stopped paying now, there would be enough in the pot to keep paying out for the next 20 years.

The proposals for an extra 3% contribution would be a 50% increase on what is being paid now and have a real impact on the low paid and ordinary people working in the public and private sector. The so called ‘gold-plated’ pensions are a myth. For the LGPS the average pension is £3,800 and for Health Workers it is £4,000. This is nothing compared to bankers and MPs, all of whom benefit from generous pensions and final salary schemes.

Some do not even live long enough to draw their pensions. One delegate spoke of how his father was made unemployed under Thatcher and lost his public sector pension as he moved from job to job finally retiring at 70 with credit card and other debts that had to be used to provide a basic standard of living. 34 months after retiring, the delegate told conference his father died and he believed that had he had a public sector pension, then he would have enjoyed a longer retirement and would not have had to amass debts just to survive. Stories like this remind us of the importance of the fight to save pensions and resist the attacks of the ConDem’s.

Many delegates spoke of the need to name a day that UNISON will be taking action. As yesterday, the dates of October 3rd and 4th were cited and it seems as though other unions are talking of action at that time. As one delegate said, ‘need to go back to the branch and say we have a date for action, we are balloting and have a strategy. That’s what our members are asking and that is what they want to know’.

The Amendment to Motion 39 on ‘Keeping Public Services Public’ saw the first debate of conference. The NEC opposed the amendment which called for conference to oppose councils hiving off services to mutual and co-operatives as seen in Barnet’s ‘Easy Council’ and the plans for Lambeth. The NEC speakers spoke against saying that it was the lesser evil as opposed to privatisation.

In favour of the amendment delegates said that this is part of the plan to weaken our public services and is what they called ‘privatisation light’, often paving the way for full blown privatisation. We have fought against ALMOs, Academies, andFoundationHospitalsas these are undermining our public services. Mutuals are just another way of letting the ‘Venture Capitalists’ into public service provision.

A point of order asking that the question be put was carried despite there having been very few delegates speaking on an important amendment and this was carried. The amendment fell as delegates voted with the NEC recommendation.

At the close, Motion 37, Amendment 2 saw speakers from Salfordand Kings Lynn spoke of the importance and value of Trades Councils in uniting the unions and community and leading the fight against the cuts. They spoke of rallies and meetings that have been organised through trades councils for the day of strike action on June 30th, something that we are also doing in Cambridge. UNISON members again reaffirmed their support and solidarity for those taking action on 30^th.

Bargain of the day: Following a game of NHS Monopoly at lunch, I won a ‘Never Trust a Tory With the NHS’ t-shirt. Soon to be modelled on picket lines near you.

Quote of the morning:  ‘Trade Unions, the organisations that gave you the weekend!’

Steve Sweeney at UNISON Conference – Blog 5

One of the best things about Conference is hearing delegates from branches speaking about their experiences on the ground and the passion and strength of feeling that comes across from the platform.

That was certainly the case from one of the speakers in the debate on Motion 44 ‘Sure Start’. A first time speaker was moved to tears while explaining the impact of the closure of her local Sure Start centre. These centres are a lifeline to families and children with no toys and no books and she slammed the government for snatching these things away as cruel. Many members near me were also close to tears and she received lengthy applause in one of the afternoon’s best speeches.

The motion also underlined the importance of forming alliances with groups that are fighting these kinds of closures, which we have also been doing inCambridgewith EOTAS,GamlingayVillageCollegeand others. One delegate said that he was told ‘it used to annoy me when unions took action which made things difficult for me, but now I understand and when you are on strike, I will support you’.

This passion filtered through to the debate on demonstrating at Tory Party Conference on October 2nd. A delegate fromSalfordgave an impassioned speech about the effect of Tory policies in his hometown. He spoke of an ingrained hatred of the Tories which started at a young age when he saw his father’s workplace closed down and many other factories and workshops suffering the same fate. His uncle lost his job during the Miner’s Strike andSalfordsuffered under Tory rule. Labour were not let of the hook however. He said that he expected to be a lifelong Labour member as his family had been before him, but went on the say that under their period of government he had seen more factories and warehouses close and be replaced by supermarkets. He slammed Ed Milliband for attacking those on benefits and Ed Balls for warning against strike action and that they should remember which side they are on and what the Labour Party should be for. He said that the Tories should not be made to feel welcome inManchesterand that we should be there on mass to send them a message.

As Conference closed for the day many delegates were discussing the speech by Dave Prentis earlier. One of the main topics was the possible date for industrial action. Many were supportive of October 3rd as the start date as this is the week of Tory Party Conference and could be the week that the government are sent packing.

Today’s morning session sees the debate on pensions and it is likely to be a lively one. I will blog on this later on today.  

Prentis Speaks!

This afternoon saw Dave Prentis address Conference with a speech that sees industrial action over pensions looks inevitable.

In opening his speech he lambasted Danny Alexander, saying that he had been hung out to dry over his recent announcements over raising the pension age and telling us we are going to have to ‘pay more, get less and work longer’. He laid in to Ed Balls who advised unions not to fall into the Tories trap and take strike action by saying ‘when we want your advice, we’ll ask for it, but there is a saying up north. If you’ve got nowt worth saying, shut your gob’!

He said that the union is on ‘red alert’ and that any action we take will be a ‘strike without precedent’. This was, Prentis said, our unions ‘call to arms’ saying we need to go back to our branches and build for action and the battles to come. Prentis went on to remind delegates that the strike is not just about pensions, but about jobs, pay and services – a society we want to leave for our children and that our grandparents had fought for. He went on to say that we need to break the consensus that the markets know best.

Prentis said to cheers and applause that it is New Labour who built the bridge that the Tories are marching across and stated that from now on we will only support those Labour candidates that support the aims and vision of our union.

He did also say that we are prepared to negotiate ‘any time, anywhere and for as long as it takes’ but as he went on to say there comes a time when talking has run its course and negotiating is not being carried out in good faith. Make no mistake, UNISON are gearing up for strike action on a scale never seen before and it is our job to make that happen.

Steve Sweeney at UNISON Conference – Blog 4

The morning session saw the excitement of the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) report 1 and 2 being moved by Clytus Williams, but it didn’t pass without controversy!

It was stated that the motions ruled out of order had fallen this year and only 54 had been taken off the agenda, although unlike most years these motions were not sent out in the conference material. It was reported to conference that the motions ruled out of order were those that were about ‘needs based budgets and industrial action over the cuts’ Clytus advised that legal opinion had been sought and that these motions would have placed us in ‘legal jeopardy’!!

Some may say that the Tory and New Labour anti-union laws are only going to be broken by members ignoring them and taking action to defend jobs, services and pensions and against the cuts in what is the biggest onslaught against ordinary people that we have seen for decades. Some may point to the Lindsey workers who took wildcat action defying the union laws and essentially ripped them up and some may say as delegates did from the platform that while the ConDems and their pals are ‘rolling in gold’ while expecting us to suffer we need to ‘get off our knees’ and take action. I couldn’t possibly comment!

It was said that the needs based budgets were debated yesterday at Local Govt Conference where delegates voted against this and in favour of parallel budgets, although I don’t recall this. What I do recall is the SGE Supporting With Qualifications a motion with those qualifications being that we advise branches to use parallel budgets not needs budgets. So not a debate per se and not an endorsement of that tactic, but we were told today that ‘it is not your gift to make that decision’.

Tower Hamlets Branch moved that this part of the report be ‘Referenced Back’ and when put to the vote, the report was accepted but only by an estimated margin of 60/40.

On to the motions and again Equality Impact Assessments were being cited as a tool that branches should be pushing and using as a bargaining tool. Motion 33 on ‘The Big Society’ heard from delegates including Camden Branch who reported of local housing repair members who had voted 85% in favour of action over attacks on terms and conditions and were looking to join our sister unions taking action on 30th June. The kind of volunteers we need are those who volunteered inEgypt,TunisiaandSyriawho fought for a better society.

Motion 85 on Improvements to State Pensions saw one of the speeches of the morning from the National Retired Members Committee. The mover spoke of the fact that 1 in 4 pensioners today live in pension poverty.Britainhas one of the worst pensions inEuropeand the offer of £140 per week is below the poverty threshold of £178. 25,000 die as a result of the cold, yet the ConDem’s want to cut the fuel allowance as one delegate said ‘to kill us off one by one – they’d be better to give us an axe so we could do the job for them’!

As the government have found plenty of money to bombLibyait is said that this money is coming from ‘Treasury reserves’. As the speaker pointed out, if we have such reserves, despite being told that the finances are in turmoil, surely it would be better to spend that on public services and a decent standard of living for all. We are not all in this together!

Quote of the morning:  Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ is Thatcher’s ‘No Society’

Dilemma of the morning: Should I invest in a UNISON lightweight rain coat/ fleece

Pros – would keep me warm and dry on the picket lines in what is likely to be a wet and cold autumn

Cons – do I really suit purple?

Thoughts on this would be welcomed.

Cambridge Social Worker honoured at UNISON Conference

The 2^nd session following lunch saw the UNISON Social Work Awards. This was started by UNISON to combat the negative press that is often directed toward Social Workers and to recognise the hard work that is done in communities, improving life for many people.

This year, one of our own Social Workers received the award presented by General Secretary, Dave Prentis and President, Angela Lynes. Janet King from Cambridge was nominated and has been called ‘an inspiration who has changed the lives of many people’.

Dave Prentis paid tribute to Social Workers and all the unsung heroes that deliver our public services. It’s good to hear some positive words about public sector workers as the ConDem government don’t appear to value us and are intent on attacking our jobs, services, pensions and terms and conditions. Although they’re not going to get away with it without a fight. This set things up nicely for the afternoon session.