CWU General Conference 2010 103 CATEGORY A: This Conference applauds the work that Branches and organisers are doing in non-recognised workplaces and the training they provide. This Conference also applauds the work that hundreds of CWU Safety Reps do in recognised workplaces and the recognition the CWU has gained through the TUC Safety Rep of the Year awards on numerous occasions. This Conference therefore instructs the NEC to provide specific guidance on the legal rights of Safety Reps in non-recognised areas. Specific training for potential Safety Reps who work for employers with whom we are seeking recognition. North West Regional Health and Safety Forum (Carried) 104 CATEGORY A: This conference agrees that the arrangements for reporting near miss incidents across the industries where our members are represented, are neither suitable nor sufficient, therefore failing to effectively protect our members from potential future accidents. Additionally, some members that currently report these incidents are found 'blameworthy' and subject to threats of disciplinary action. Conference calls for the NEC to enter into negotiations with all employers where members of the CWU are represented, to ensure that a standardised near miss reporting procedure is introduced. This procedure must be able to identify the systemic failures of the employer, in addition to any individual issues, and ensure the involvement of CWU safety representatives within the investigation process. Means to ensure appropriate preventative measures are put in place to prevent reoccurrence and potential injury to our members must be included within the procedure. The procedure must also be designed in a way that actively encourages the reporting of near misses without fear of recrimination or victimisation. A report to be made to branches by 31/12/2010. Eastern Regional Health and Safety Forum (Carried) 105 CATEGORY A: This conference instructs the incoming NEC to campaign via the TUC & Government for a complete ban on Trans-fat & Industrial fats added to food which have no nutritional value but are very damaging to heart & health. North East Regional Safety Forum (Accepted) 106 CATEGORY A: This conference is concerned regarding the lack of progress regarding motion 93 carried at General Conference 2009. In addition, the introduction of new equipment and the expansion of peripatetic working for our members in all business's has meant that potentially thousands of additional members have now been put at risk of injury and ill health since the carriage of this motion. Therefore the NEC is instructed to produce a comprehensive report to Branches detailing our occupational road safety strategy by 31 September 2010. Eastern Regional Health and Safety Forum (Accepted) 107 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION This Conference is disgusted at the Conservative Party's approach and plans made out in their ‘reducing the burden and impact of Health & Safety'. To give employers the opportunity to ‘self-police' and ‘make their own decisions' and the promise to ‘remove excessive rules'. All this being said in a society where 180 are killed at work, 131 895 injuries are reported to the HSE, 246 000 actual injuries occurred and 29.3 million days were lost overall – 24.6 million in relation to work-related health and 4.7 million due to workplace injuries. This Conference instructs the NEC to campaign hard to hold onto and seek improvements to all H&S legislation. North West Regional Health and Safety Forum Scottish Regional Health and Safety Forum (Carried)108 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION That Conference notes the disturbing trend amongst employers to under report RIDDOR reportable incidents by failing to ensure that those incidents “where a person at work is incapacitated for work of a kind which he might reasonably be expected to do, either under his contract of employment, or, if there is no such contract, in the normal course of his work, for more than three consecutive days…”, are properly reported. Our members are being encouraged to work on ‘other' duties for in excess of the ‘three days' criteria, in many cases, without a RIDDOR report being submitted. This cynical and misleading approach has the effect on minimising the resource applied in accident investigation and prevention in these cases. It falsely gives an impression of significant improvements in safety performance and it can undermine our member's access to their statutory rights. The NEC is instructed to coordinate the gathering of information from representatives on this management failing with view to formally challenging the efficacy of the safety management systems of the respective employers and where necessary raising examples with the relevant authorities. North East Regional Safety Forum Scottish Regional Health and Safety Forum (Not Heard)109 CATEGORY A: This conference notes the constant concern in society and through the media in relation to the state of working life in Britain and the effects on social and personal health. Recent events in the financial markets have resulted in an increase in concerns and awareness of personal cases and the tragic consequences that can result. The NEC is instructed to campaign both industrially and politically to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of workers. To this end to work with appropriate organisations, the Labour movement, to lobby MP's and to hold employers to account where we have recognition rights. Croydon and South London (Not Heard) 110 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION Conference instructs the NEC to conduct a review of the Political Levy by September 2010 with a view to introducing a new classification of Political Levy Payment to enable members to continue to pay a Political Levy without contributing to affiliation of whichever political party is prescribed by virtue of relevant rule and/or conference decision. Conference further instructs the NEC to do this by, either introducing a second, lower, rate of levy which would not include a contribution to any affiliation fee; or by the “partitioning” of the Political Fund as is the case of some of our sister unions . Eastern No.3Northern Home Counties Postal Eastern Regional CommitteeEastern No.6 (Withdrawn) 111 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION Conference agrees that it is essential that the CWU has a political as well as industrial voice in order to influence decisions on behalf of members both at work and in society as a whole. However, conference also recognises that our current Parliamentary Panel process and set up does not reflect the selection changes made in recent years and does not provide the best vehicle to get CWU members selected as candidates therefore maintaining a strong CWU Parliamentary voice. In light of that conference agrees the following: - Re-new and re-fresh the Parliamentary Panel immediately with a fresh selection and appointment of candidates - That the new Parliamentary Panel be regionally based with Panellist working in liaison with the Regional Secretary in order to maximise TULO support - That an annual presentation be given to the GS/PFMC identifying seats in each region for targeting and a level of work being conducted e.g. through the local press and media, with the local party membership and with local CWU Branches - All current MP's and future MP's with CDP's must demonstrate a level of organisation and working with local CWU Branches to maintain contact and keep a level of Labour Party membership within CWU Branches in order to influence any future selection in seats that have a long tradition of CWU resource The NEC is instructed accordingly. Midlands Regional Committee Northamptonshire Amal (Carried) 112 CATEGORY A: If Carried 113 Falls Conference notes that the 2008 conference passed motion E6 as follows: “Conference condemns the recent submissions by Postcomm and Royal mail to the Hooper review received at CWU HQ on 23rd May calling for privatisation of Royal Mail. Conference further notes that within Royal Mail's submission to the Hooper Review it states that Royal Mail may have to alter the pension scheme again within 3 years. Conference reaffirms its total opposition to privatisation in any form. This includes outright privatisation, joint ventures, splitting the business and allowing private companies to take over parts of it or infusions of private capital. We demand that the Government rules out privatisation as a possible outcome of the review. Conference regards the issue of ownership as outside the terms of reference given to Hooper's team. Conference therefore instructs the NEC to launch an immediate unprecedented campaign amongst the public, politicians, business, media, and CWU members to maintain Royal Mail as 100% publicly owned company. Conference further instructs the NEC to lobby the Government in order to achieve our vision of a wholly publicly owned Royal Mail – continuing to provide an end to end postal service in the interests of the public – with clearly defined social obligations that can operate in a commercial market with a level playing field, and where the cost of maintaining the USO is met by all. Conference also instructs the NEC to apply pressure on the Government to force them to face up to their responsibility as the shareholder in order to protect and maintain the final salary pension scheme in line with other public sector workers. Conference also instructs the NEC to lobby the Government to protect the Post Office Counter Network, including calling for a judicial review. Conference further agrees that if the Government fails to agree to the full terms of this motion by March 2009, then the CWU membership will be balloted on whether they believe the Union should fund the Labour Party at the next General Election”. Conference is surprised and concerned that, although the “full terms of this motion” had clearly not been achieved by March 2009 that there was, by January 2010, no move towards holding a ballot on funding Labour at the 2010 election. Conference believes that the fact that the Tories are an anti-working class party and anti-union party should not stampede us into unquestioning support for Labour. Conference instructs the NEC to move immediately to hold a ballot on the future funding of the Labour Party by the union. South Central No.1 (Withdrawn) 113 CATEGORY A: Conference notes: 1. That the Labour government has allied with Royal Mail to attack postal workers and the public service. The Government has also encouraged attacks on pay, jobs, conditions and pensions in the private sector. 2. That the millions of pounds that the CWU gave to Labour helped a government that then attacked us. 3. That the RMT union does not financially support the Labour Party, but has been very effective in defending its members. 4. That the PCS union does not support the Labour Party and is balloting its members on running trade union candidates at elections. Conference believes: 1. That we do not get value from the money we give to the Labour Party. 2. That some Labour MPs have supported us, and deserve continuing support. 3. That MPs, councillors and activists from other parties also supported us and should be considered for support. 4. That the test should be to support only those representatives who broadly support the policies of the CWU as decided by the relevant Branch. Conference resolves: 1. To instruct the national executive to cease affiliation forthwith to the Labour Party. The union should use its political fund for campaigns and to support MPs who support our policies. 2. That money should go only to those MPs, MSPs, MEP'S, AMs, councillors (and candidates for these posts) who, as a minimum, oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail and all public services, vote against it wherever possible, and support the trade union freedom bill. 3. That no monies in any circumstances should go to members of the BNP or other fascist organisations. 4. That the CWU should work with unions who are members of the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (PCS, POA, RMT, FBU, NUJ and others). These unions are working together to have effective representation. South Central No.1 (Withdrawn) 114 CATEGORY A: Conference instructs the NEC to undertake a review of the current political rebate system to Branches and Regions. Such a review shall examine the rebates required to maintain and improve our current political lobbying process based on the following:- • A further rebate to be paid pro-rata dependant on the number of Labour MP's within a Branch area • A further rebate to be paid to Regional Political Funds dependant on the number of Labour MP's within the Region Further, the NEC is instructed to seek the views of Branches and Regions, and to produce a report to Branches by no later than 31st January 2011. Newcastle Amal (Not Heard) 115 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule No.9 – Delete Rule 9.8 Delete Rule 9.8 in its entirety. National Executive Council (Carried)116 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule No.9 – Delete Rule 9.6.4 b Delete Rule 9.6.4 b in its entirety. National Executive Council (Carried)117 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 8 – add new Rule 8.1.1 e The NEC shall have the full authority to determine and implement whatever actions they deem are necessary to ensure that the CWU remains a financially viable organisation. National Executive Council (Not Carried) 118 CATEGORY A: Add New Rule 7.8 Add new rule 7.8 as follows:- Regional Organising Committees 1. There shall be a cross Constituency Organising Committee in each Region. 2. The Regional Organising Committee shall adopt and operate the Model Constitution approved by the NEC 3. Delegates to the Regional Organising Committee shall be the Branch Organising Secretary (or nominated representative of the Branch) 4. The purpose of the Regional Organising Committee shall be to : a. Encourage and promote organising activity within the Region b. Report to the Regional Committee on matters raised at the Regional Organising Committee c. Work with the Regional Officers to promote the Union's organising objectives Newcastle Amal (Not Carried)119 CATEGORY A: If Carried 120 and 121 Falls Amend Rule 8.16.1 The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of four members of the NEC and ten lay members elected annually from nominations on the following basis; a) The candidate from each of the ten regions with the most number of votes will be elected b) In the absence of a nomination from a region, the remaining candidates from the other regions with the most votes will be elected in descending order of votes until all positions are filled. All candidates shall be under the age of 30 at the time of the election. Capital (Withdrawn) 120 CATEGORY A: If Carried 121 Falls Amend Rule 8.16.1 The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of four members of the NEC and ten lay members from each of the CWU regions. Nominations and elections will take place within each region for their National Candidate. In the event of a Region/or Regions not fielding a candidate, a national election will take place to fill that position and will be open to all regions. All candidates shall be under age 30 at the time of election. Tyne and Wear Clerical (Withdrawn) 121 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 8 Amend Rule 8.16.1 Youth Advisory Committee. Delete first paragraph and replace with: The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of four member of the NEC and 10 lay members elected annually from nominations on the following basis; one from each of the 10 Youth Members' Regional Committees. All candidates shall be under age 30 at the time of election. Western Counties (Carried) 122 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.10.7a Each Branch shall be entitled to submit up to eight motions to each of the industry based conferences in which they have members, up to a maximum of four motions for each separate business. South West and Thames Valley (Not Carried)123 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.1.1 In first paragraph delete all after “policy” in line 2. National Executive Council (Carried)124 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.1.1 Delete from line one the text “in or about May/June” and insert:- “at a date determined by the NEC” Plymouth and East Cornwall Amal (Carried)125 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10 – Delete Rule 10.8.3 ii Rule 10.8.3 ii delete entirely. National Executive Council (Carried)126 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.11.4 Delete all after “constituency” in line 2. National Executive Council (Carried) 127 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.15.3 Delete the first sentence. National Executive Council (Carried)128 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 11.2.1 Delete the first sentence and replace with “The union shall have four annually elected NEC trustees” National Executive Council (Carried) 129 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 11.3.1 Delete “by Annual Conference” in line one and replace with “annually” National Executive Council (Carried) 130 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION Amend Rule 11.6.1 This Conference agrees to insert the following within rule 11.6.1of the rules. 11.6.1 second line after "Retired Members" and before "each branch" insert In addition to which Branches shall receive a further percentage rebate if they meet the criteria laid out in sub paragraphs 1a,1b,1c,1d.as shown 1a. That Any Branch with more than 25 workplaces shall receive an additional .5 percent Branch rebate. 1b. Any Branch with more than 50 workplaces shall receive an additional 1 percent Branch rebate. 1c. Any Branch with more than 75 workplaces shall receive an additional 1.5 percent Branch rebate. 1d. Any Branch with more than 1000 square miles of Branch area shall receive an additional 1percent Branch rebate. Continue with existing wording commencing new paragraph with "Each Branch" in line two of 6.1 renumbering the paragraphs to 2, 3, 4. Eastern Region Eastern No.5 (Not Carried)131 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 2 Add new paragraph 7 and renumber paragraphs 7-9 to 8-10 The CWU will also actively identify any cause or barrier to enable it to eradicate institutional discrimination within its own organisation. West London (Not Carried) 132 CATEGORY A Amend Rule 12.22 Delete “at an appropriate Annual Conference” National Executive Council (Carried)133 CATEGORY A Amend Rule 14.4.5 Delete “The elections shall be by the card vote procedure at Annual Conference” National Executive Council (Carried)134 CATEGORY A: If Carried 135 Falls Amend Rule 8.15.1 Rule 8.15.1 - Retired Members Advisory Committee Line 2 after “and” delete “twelve” and insert “thirteen” Line 5 after “Scotland” delete, “and six from England” and insert “and one from each of the seven Regions in England. New Rule to read: There shall be a Retired Members Advisory Committee which shall consist of four members of the NEC, including the Vice President, and thirteen Retired Members from nominations which may be received from any Branch of the Union on the following basis, two from Wales, two from Northern Ireland, two from Scotland and one from each of the seven Regions in England. If a vacancy arises during the year it shall be filled by the highest placed runner up in the most recent ballot. Birmingham (Not Carried) 135 CATEGORY A: COMPOSITE MOTION Amend Rule 8.15.1 Revised Rule 8.15.1 There shall be a Retired Members Advisory Committee which shall consist of three members of the National Executive Council, including the Vice President, and thirteen retired members elected by Annual Conference from nominations which may be received from any Branch of the Union on the following basis, two from Wales, two from Northern Ireland, two from Scotland and one from each of the seven Regions in England. Northamptonshire Amal Birmingham District Amal Coventry Area Wolverhampton and District Amal South West Regional Committee (Not Carried)136 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 8.5.3 (a) 8.5.3 a) Delete “Annually” and insert “Two Yearly” Greater Manchester Amal (Carried) 137 CATEGORY A: Amend Rule 10.4 Amend Rule 10.4 to include “Each Regional Learning Committee shall be entitled to submit up to three motions to the Education section”. Midland Region (Not Heard)138 CATEGORY X: Conference agrees that the current Down Stream Access (DSA) pricing arrangements are in effect a part-privatisation of Royal Mail. DSA damages the financial viability of Royal Mail and poses a direct threat to our own existence as a public service. Conference therefore agrees to commence a political and industrial campaign to seek an immediate and substantial increase in Royal Mails price for handling DSA mails and eventually to re-nationalise all DSA mails. The NEC is instructed accordingly. Bristol and District Amal (Not Admitted to Agenda) 139 CATEGORY X: This Conference instructs the incoming National Executive Council to urgently open negotiations, within all businesses where we have members, to either: a) resurrect the mechanism whereby branches were advised of individuals that were off sick for more than one week. b) Put in place such a mechanism at the earliest opportunity Solent (Not Admitted to Agenda)140 CATEGORY X: Conference is concerned that there does not appear to be a consistent approach within the businesses we are recognised in, to deal with employees whose condition brings them under the Disability Discrimination Act. Therefore Conference instructs the executive to ensure that fair and consistent policy is established and that all managers are trained in dealing with staff found the be covered by the DDA. Birmingham, Black Country and Worcester (Not Admitted to Agenda) 141 CATEGORY X: Conference agrees that the position of Women's Officer for Regional Safety Forums is not as effective as it needs to be. Regional Safety Forums do not have the right to support the Women's Officer's attendance to Women's Conference financially and does not have the right to submit motions to the Women's Conference. Changes need to be made to allow the forums funds to be used to send the Women's Officer or other suitable delegate if the position is not filled to the Women's Conference. To ensure the CWU identifies and acts upon gender specific Health & Safety issues safety forums should also be entitled to submit motions to the Women's Conference. Eastern Regional Women's Committee (Not Admitted to Agenda) 142 CATEGORY X: Conference recognises the harrowing ordeals faced by CWU members who are victims of domestic violence and the often unsympathetic and misunderstood approach of various employers in dealing with such sensitive issues. In light of that conference agrees that in all industries and companies that recognise the CWU a domestic violence policy should be pursued with each employer to protect workers who are victims of such abuse. The Policy will be drawn up in consultation with, and input from, the Women's Advisory Committee The NEC is instructed accordingly. Midlands Regional Committee (Not Admitted to Agenda) 143 CATEGORY X: This conference agrees that a vote of No Confidence be placed upon CWU National Officer and Indoor Secretary Martin Collins in respect of his lack of involvement in the Mail Centre Rationalisation Program. The NEC is instructed accordingly. Merseyside Amal (Not Admitted to Agenda) 144 CATEGORY X: That the closing date for propositions to Annual, Industrial and Sectional conferences is the same for all. National Executive Council (Not Admitted to Agenda) 145 CATEGORY X: This Conference agrees that cleaning levels in all businesses represented by the CWU falls below the standards required by Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations. Therefore, the NEC is instructed to immediately review all agreed cleaning specifications with businesses to ensure that cleaning contracts meet with their full responsibilities under the legislation. A report to be completed and circulated to Branches by no later than the 1 st October 2010. North West Regional Health and Safety Forum (Not Admitted to Agenda) 146 CATEGORY X: Conference agrees that the current Postcode Lottery effect on individuals in need of expensive medical treatment is a direct form of discrimination against the individual's right to health care treatment provided by the NHS. Conference further agrees that we should use all and every means required to actively campaign to ensure that pressure is brought against the government and NHS trusts to ensure that such medical treatment should be provided by the NHS as a right not an exception regardless of the cost and/or area of the country they reside. North East Regional Safety Forum (Not Admitted to Agenda) 147 CATEGORY X: This Conference recognises that our members who suffer the traumatic loss of a child through either a miscarriage or stillbirth, are left with deep feelings of grief and often guilt. Therefore the NEC should seek agreement with all employers where we have recognition that such loss shall be treated as bereavement and as sympathetically as the death of a child would be in any other circumstances. Kent Invicta (Not Admitted to Agenda) 148 CATEGORY X: Conference agrees that the position of Women's Officer for Regional Safety Forums is not as effective as it needs to be. Regional Safety Forums do not have the right to support the Women's Officer's attendance to Women's Conference financially and does not have the right to submit motions to the Women's Conference. Changes need to be made to allow the forums funds to be used to send the Women's Officer or other suitable delegate if the position is not filled to the Women's Conference. To ensure the CWU identifies and acts upon gender specific Health & Safety issues safety forums should also be entitled to submit motions to the Women's Conference. South Central No.1 (Not Admitted to Agenda)149 CATEGORY X: This Conference instructs the incoming National Executive Council to acknowledge that the terms of LTB 153/10, issued on 23rd February 2010, on their policy decision around the election of the TFSE, O&A Assistant Secretary and the COOC/CLERICAL Assistant Secretary are unconstitutional. Notwithstanding the unconstitutionality of the policy decision and in recognition of the short notice of the implementation of the policy set in an Election Time Table for 2010 commencing on 1st March ; Conference agrees to the filling of the posts for one year only pending the submission of an appropriate rule amendment and/or the promulgation of a policy statement which allows for nominations and the election of the described Assistant Secretary positions on a five yearly basis from across the TFSE in time for the 2011 election timetable. Northern Ireland Clerical (Not Admitted to Agenda) 150 CATEGORY X: This Conference agrees that cleaning levels in al businesses represented by the CWU falls below the standards required by Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations. Therefore, the NEC is instructed to immediately review all agreed cleaning specifications with businesses to ensure that cleaning contracts meet with their full responsibilities under the legislation. A report to be completed and circulated to Branches by no later than the 1st October 2010. Scottish Regional Health and Safety Forum (Not Admitted to Agenda)151 CATEGORY X: Conference agrees that Romec are failing to apply equal opportunities within its Engineering recruitment and promotion policies. Recruitment does not reflect the community it serves. In practise, promotion to management positions does not abide by the companies own policy statement on. The NEC is therefore instructed to challenge Romec on the application of its equal opportunities policy and seek a firm commitment that it will apply equal opportunities to recruitment and promotion. Should Romec fail to satisfy the CWU that such policies will be applied, the National Executive is instructed to report Romec to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. London Postal Engineering (Not Admitted to Agenda) |