FEATURE TUC and Labour Party conferences
BY AMANDA CAMPBELL
For the millions, not the millionaires
Unite was out in force at this year’s Labour Party Conference. Top of Unite’s agenda for this year’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool was an active industrial strategy which supports British manufacturing, decent jobs and reconnecting communities battered by Conservative cuts.
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Arguing for a ‘sound industrial strategy’, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey believed it should create new jobs and apprenticeships, establish tax policies supporting industrial development and decisively act to “save our foundation industries such as steel and that guarantees the future of British manufacturing.”
He argued in favour for an economy “built for the millions, not the millionaires.” Unity was key and all had to fight for this new economy together. “What we need now is brave men and women with the courage and commitment to fight for our cause – the cause of true Labour.”
The composite was overwhelmingly carried, as Len concluded his speech to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
In a debate on employment rights Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke set out a framework based on three fundamental issues – the rights to organise, collective bargaining and “an unequivocal right to strike” – without which “collective bargaining becomes collective begging.” He urged delegates to support – which they did.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Unite was not just making an impact through its delegation. Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland as Labour’s transport policy commission co- chair spoke on Labour’s joined-up transport plans; Jennie Formby, Unite south east regional secretary and Labour NEC member spoke on building a productive economy; Unite’s Jim Kennedy spoke on housing as a Labour NEC member.
ENERGY
Leading the call for balanced energy plan Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail slammed the government’s failure to build a cohesive energy policy. She said that by, “Working with Labour we will make sure that investment includes a ‘fair deal’. By that we mean a fair deal on jobs, a fair deal on pay, a fair deal on skills, a fair deal on diversity, that leaves no one behind –a fair deal for our communities – and for our planet.”
ON THE FRINGE
The fringe event of the conference was undoubtedly the joint Unite and Daily Mirror’s Real Britain fringe. Reconnecting Britain was chaired by the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire, and speakers included Len McCluskey, Real Britain columnist Ros Wynne-Jones, 98-year old union activist Betty Tebbs, actress and disability rights activist Liz Carr and Dave Johns from Ken Loach’s film, I, Daniel Blake.
Unite delegates speak out
Unite health visitor and delegate Joyce Still spoke out against social care cuts in a debate in health care; Unite bus worker James Mitchell, highlighted key measures in the government’s bus services Bill which he said Labour must oppose; and speaking on good quality housing being a fundamental right was Unite delegate Laura Pidcock.
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