CWU REPORT OF THE 2016

TUC DISABLED WORKERS CONFERENCE

  1. Introduction

The 2016 TUC Disabled Workers Conference took place from Thursday 19th May/Friday 20th May 2016 at TUC, Congress House, London. The theme of the 2016 Disabled Workers Conference was: “Demanding Rights, Demanding Dignity”.

There were four Chairs of Conference over the two days, namely: Sean McGovern, Janine Booth,Mandy Hudson and Tony Sneddon.

The CWU was represented by: Mrs Linda Roy (National Equality Officer); Mr. Jonathan Bellshaw; Mr. Richard Hirtsch, Mr Tony Sneddon (Chair of CWU DAC) and Ms Pauline Granstan (Researcher).

  1. Motions

There were 19 motions on the main agenda pad. An additional 3 emergency motions were admitted as follows:

  • Emergency Motion No. 1: “Budget cuts to disability benefits”
  • Emergency Motion No. 2: “Sarah Reed campaign for Justice” and
  • Emergency Motion No. 3: “Staff Cuts at the EHRC”.

All the motions (as amended) and the emergency motions were carried.

Motion to TUC General Conference: Motion No. 6 by the CWU on “Work Capability assessments and links to suicide”

  1. CWU speakers on motions
  • Motion No. 6: “Work Capability assessments and links to suicide” was moved by Jonathan Bellshaw of the CWU. The motion was seconded by Community. Jonathan highlighted reports of deaths linked to benefit cuts and the mismanagement of schemes set up by the Government to get disabled workers into work. Motion No. 6 was carried to go forward to TUC General Conference. This is the first time, under the present National Equality Officer, that the CWU has had a motion selected to go from the TUC Disability Workers Conference to go forward to the TUC General Conference.
  • Jonathan Bellshaw entered into the debate on Motion No. 18: “Where have all the SEND Children Gone?”
  • Jonathan Bellshaw was interviewed by Disability News as a result of the carriage of Motion No. 6 to go to TUC General Conference.
  1. Guest Speakers
  • Franc O’Grady, General Secretary, TUC highlighted: the impact of government cuts on disabled workers; how the government was forced to make a u-turn on spending cuts 4 times; the need for the trade union movement to stick together; the reasons why London must have a Labour Mayor; issues around equal pay for work of equal value and for the UK to remain in Europe.
  • Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Shadow Minister for Disabled People.
  • John McDonnel, MP, Shadow Chancellor

Debbie Abrahams and delegates from Conference took part in a Disability Equality Roadshow on Thursday 19th May between Congress House and Oxford Circus.

  1. Tribute

Tribute and a minute’s silence was paid to Leslie Macallum of UNITE, a former member of the Disabled Workers Committee.

  1. 2016/2017 TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee

The following delegates were elected to the 2016/2017 TUC Disabled Workers Committee:

SECTION A

David Allan / Unite, the Union
Amy Bishop / Prospect
Janine Booth / RMT
Lynda Carter / USDAW
Ann Galpin / NUJ
Mandy Hudson / NUT
Mark Leopard / PCS
Carl Lewthwaite / GMB
Robert Mooney / Community
Lara Morris / NASUWT
Jane Perry / BECTU
Patricia Roche / UCU
Tony Sneddon / CWU
Sian Stockham / UNISON

SECTION B

Julian Allam / Unite the Union

SECTION C

Marsha de Cor~Dova / Unite the Union

Congratulations once again to Tony Sneddon on being re-elected to the TUC Disability Workers Committee.

  1. Credentials

There were:

  • 192 registered delegates
  • 14 registered visitors
  • 4 media
  • 25 registered unions
  • 4 exhibitors

Conference closed on Friday 20th May 2016 at approximately 3.30 p.m.

Rd16-06-54

13TH June 2016

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