CWU & Liberty – an invitation to affiliate
CWU has for many years been an affiliate and strong supporter of Liberty, the pressure group that campaigns for civil liberties and human rights. The organisation consistently punches well above its weight and the Liberty Director, Shami Chakrabarti is recognised as one of the most important women in British politics. Her address to the TUC Congress last September was a powerful defence of the integral role trade unions play in ensuring human rights’ values are upheld.
As well as being affiliated nationally, the CWU has representation on the Liberty’s policy council in the form of National Officer, Simon Sapper. A number of branches either are or have been affiliated as well. At one point there were nearly 30 branches affiliated, but currently the number is rather less than that.
Liberty and the trade union movement are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in terms of action on the Trade Union Bill as that very damaging piece of legislation enters the House of Lords.
However, there is a common cause between our two organisations on others issues as well: ranging from the disproportionate and ill-regulated proposals for the bulk collection of personal data and intrusive personal surveillance contained in the Regulatory Powers Bill (otherwise known as the “Snoopers’ Charter”). And the Conservative Government’s stated desire to do away with the Human Rights Act that guarantees so many of the freedoms we take for granted.
I am therefore pleased to attach correspondence jointly signed by myself and Shami asking branches to consider affiliating (or re-affiliating) to Liberty. Full details are in the attachment which I hope will receive a positive and widespread response.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 024/16 Affiliation to Liberty
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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