General Secretary Dave Ward calls for fundamental change in the union and beyond to address growing world challenges

January 25 2017

General Secretary Dave Ward told members at the retired members conference in Manchester to prepare for “fundamental change” in the way in which the union addresses the challenges of a world where the odds are increasingly stacked against workers.

Dave summarised a world that has seen the UK vote to leave the EU, while the US elected Donald Trump as president. “My point on Brexit is that it is important but we cannot allow it to paralyse our movement, when it comes to other issues,” said Dave, who highlighted other areas of crisis as being in the NHS, housing, the railways and Post Office.

“We have an absolute explosion of low wages. It is a low wage economy and there is growing inequality in that economy,” said Dave, who predicted the next generation will not see decent homes, jobs or retirement “unless we can bring about fundamental change.”

Turning to the structure of the CWU, Dave told how year on year, since the union came into existence, membership has declined, while expenditure has increased. “Our approach and contact with workers has to improve. We have to look at what we do and build a stronger union,” said Dave.

The GS gave his full backing to the Jeremy Corbyn, arguing that in the past Labour had moved too far away from working people toward business.

He highlighted three demands that the CWU consider central to the sort of fundamental changes envisaged under Labour. These comprise a new deal for workers, a radical program on housing and a new solution on pensions. “We need a new solution on pensions that shifts the burden away from employees to companies and the state,” said Dave.

The GS then addressed the issue which caused the most heated debate of the conference, namely the decision of the NEC that retired members will no longer be allowed to vote for branch officers.

Dave told how the issue had arisen out of a disagreement in one particular branch and that it was felt that a legal opinion should be obtained. The opinion was that under the rule book the interests of working members were served differently to those of retired members.

Dave confirmed that he was committed to defend that position, though it could have been communicated better to members. He committed to delivering “an enhanced role for retired members.”

In a heated debate on the issue of the new ruling, Phil Duffy of Greater Mersey and South West Lancs, felt the decision amounted to age discrimination. “The decision of the NEC to abolish our rights is not consistent with what is in the rule book,” said Phil, who highlighted the inconsistency with retired members still able to vote in elections for the general secretary, treasurer, health and safety and equalities officers.

Stephen Gribben for the Northern Ireland branch called for members to be allowed to see the legal advice. “We’re old not stupid,” said Stephen.

Tony Kearns, senior deputy general secretary, responded to the passing of the motion, explaining how the lawyers had looked at the rule book which classifies retired members as ex-members. “The rule book lists what members can do but it can’t apply to retired members because they are ex-members,” said Tony, who countered the arguments that the union wasn’t doing much for retired members.

He pointed out how the number of retired members’ secretaries had risen from 35 some 15 years ago to 82% of all branches today. The CWU had also taken 12 motions to the TUC in that period that became policy.

He called for the passions of the debate to be redirected to the real enemy which was a Tory government that would make Margaret Thatcher’s time look like “the magic roundabout.”

Tony predicted that when Chancellor Philipp Hammond talks about making Britain more competitive, what he means is attacking workers’ rights and the poorest in society. The orchestrated attack on the triple lock on pensions fell within this ambit. “The enemies are outside, not in this room,” said Tony.

Dave Ward reassured that there has to be a way forward. “We want your help to change this union, it is about how we fight back against the attack on working people,” said Dave.

There was also passionate support for motions calling on government to address problems in social care and the NHS.

Peter Robinson of South and East Thames Amal proposed the motion to get the 2014 care act working properly. “We need a much updated version of this care act,” said Peter, who highlighted the rising cost of care, with care home fees rising by 25% in the past year.

Ken Ward for the RMAC proposed a motion calling for an end to the closure of local accident and emergency centres and hospitals. He quoted one person waiting 15 hours on a trolley.

Jan Zablocki of Midland No 1 pointed out that the UK only spends 8% of GDP on the health service compared to 10% in other European countries. “It is not old people blocking beds that is the problem but the underfunding,” said Jan.

Rod Downing for the RMAC highlighted how the Housing and Planning Act 2016 councils and housing association landlords can sell properties off to private landlords. “Many older people are living in housing association properties. If they go to private landlords then the rents will go so high they will have to go somewhere else,” said Rod. “At present those in social housing have secure tenancies.”

Jan Zablocki of Midland No1 told how the Housing and Planning Act 2016 was seeing developers increasingly moving into green belt land. “They build executive style houses, so not only does it take green space but they are building for the well off and wealthy,” said Jan.

There was strong support for a motion calling for a united defence of the triple lock arrangements on pensions.

Brian Lee for the RMAC refuted claims that the triple lock – which sees the highest of rises in earnings, prices or 2.5% being awarded for the state pension each year – is too generous.

Brian pointed out that twice in the six years it has been operating pensioners would have received a better rise under the previous arrangement – which saw the price index used for the rise linked to RPI rather than CPI.

Guest speaker, Shadow Work and Pensions Minister, Debbie Abrahams declared herself proud of what the previous Labour Government did on pensioner poverty. “One million pensioners were lifted out of poverty,” said Debbie, who questioned elements of the present regulation of pensions and charges levied on pensions.

The Shadow Work and Pensions spokesperson also attacked the efforts to foster intergenerational conflict between young and old. “I don’t believe in a trade off between young and old living in poverty. They are choices the government makes,” she said.

“We’re committed to the triple lock beyond 2020 – the same for everyone, not the privileged few,” said Debbie.