Day Three at Conference

Union Matters April 26 2022

It was another hectic day at Bournemouth as Conference 2022 rolled on to its third day.

Delegates covered debates as far-reaching as international policy to enforcing accountability in academy schools.

Enough is Enough – Mobilising for June 18^th

Delegates also saw a presentation from Dave Ward and Communications Department head Chris Webb, who discussed the union’s strategy for making the Trade Union Congress’ June 18^th demonstration against the cost of living crisis a real success.

With a plan of mobilising at least more than 10,000 members onto the streets from branches up and down the country, Dave Ward assured delegates that “the mood has changed among the unions – believe us on that”, and suggested the possibility that this demonstration would be seen as an important milestone.

Chris Webb echoed this sentiment. Telling delegates that it is the expectation that all officers, national and industrial executives and staff will make up the CWU bloc, he said that in the coming months, “we will have massive moments in this union” – and, he added, the demonstration will be “an opportunity to create another historic day for the trade union movement.”

A Framework for Debating Scotland’s Future

Conference overwhelmingly supported a motion to carry out a ‘complete consultation’ with Scottish CWU members on the question of independence. Using a ‘hybrid’ form of communication which will involve online, postal and phone discussions as well as data drives and hustings to gauge membership opinion, it is hoped that this consultation would be carried out in the event of a new referendum on Scotland’s constitutional status.

Discussing the motion, Ricky Henderson from Edinburgh said that he has “strong views” on Scottish independence, but “I wish to respect the fact that at least half the branch have an opposite point of view.

“We believe this is a mature and considered approach to an issue that could once again become contentious and divisive.

“It is right that the CWU informs its members in a mature way, so that they can have a factual debate should we face the prospect of another referendum.”

Summarising the position, General Secretary Dave Ward said that the aim was to “see if it’s possible that the union, after consulting with our members, can minimise the chance of division over this particular issue – whilst crucially respecting people’s views.

Expressing his belief that the union can reach more members next time than during the 2014 referendum, he rebutted those who believed that the union should just take neutrality, warning that “if you do that before you consult, you are actually taking a position.

“What we’re not doing is ruling out that after that consultation – there’s a lot of different options for the union following that consultation.

“But it’s our main point that we should engage our members in Scotland on the issue and take a decision which is in the best interests of our members in Scotland.”

Debating Proportional Representation

Conference also engaged in a lively debate over the merits of proportional representation, resolving to hold a national policy forum debate on whether or not the union adopts a pro-PR position.

Speaking on the debate, Medway delegate Ed Baldwin reminded delegates that “there are still 5.6 million trade unionists in this green and pleasant land – under PR, that would give them 135 seats, not the 35 seats of the Socialist Campaign Group. North West Regional Secretary Carl Webb expressed his frustration about the CWU’s abstention on this question at Labour’s 2021 conference, saying that “as a campaigning union, we really should have a position on it.”

South Wales representative Graham Colk argued that “I’m not saying PR is bad, but we need a proper debate about it, and come to a proper conclusion, where we can look at all the systems.” This was echoed by Dave Ward, who said that “Our strategy is to go out now, reassert trade unionism, and end the divisions that are in society. But we want to do that by building the arguments in support of real change.

“We’re convinced people are ready for that – a new deal for workers, a new social settlement for the country will bring about new debate – let’s have that debate, but have it in a far more informed way.”

Barry Nelson, CWU Legend

However, today’s stand-out moment at conference came from Barry Nelson, who spoke of his struggle against Covid-19. Addressing delegates as “conference – or family, as I call you”, Barry described his joy at being able to attend conference, admitting that following his critical illness, “I’d never thought I’d see the River Thames again – let alone you again.”

Many were moved to tears by Barry’s description of his months in an intensive care unit, and his subsequent physiotherapy, in which he had to learn how to eat, drink and move again. He also described the support and solidarity himself and his family received during his illness, saying that “from Land’s End to John O’Groats, we had a thousand get well cards from this union – it shows you what this union can do.”

He urged branches to throw their energies behind defending the NHS and fundraise for it “do collections for pillowcases, take food parcels up for the nurses – they didn’t have the fairy liquid to wash their cups of a night – they couldn’t afford the vending machines.” These people, Barry said, “are the ones we should be honouring in this country”, not millionaires or footballers.

Big welcome for guest speaker & unanimous solidarity

Later in the day, delegates gave a standing ovation to guest speaker Sharon Bryan of the National Centre for Domestic Violence, who thanked the CWU for its decision the previous day to affiliate to NCDV and talked about her work with the organisation and the vital help and assistance it provides to victims of domestic violence.

Conference unanimously backed a motion calling for a boycott of shipping company P&O in response to its sacking of hundreds of seafarers and expressing solidarity with them and their union RMT. Conference also gave its enthusiastic support to a proposition supporting the campaign for what has been described as a ‘Hillsborough Law., which would provide legal and other support for families of loved ones lost in events such as these and others.

Other motions through the day covered training for reps and branch officers, support for local law centres and statutory redundancy regulations.