TRADES UNION CONGRESS 2023: CWU DELEGATION REPORT
The 2023 Trades Union Congress took place from Sunday 10th September at the ACC, Liverpool.
All unions were entitled to submit two motions to the agenda. The CWU National Executive Council agreed the following motions:-
MOTION 1 – COORDINATING THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT
“The past year has seen trade unions and thousands of striking workers take centre stage in the national conversation around the cost-of-living crisis. But workers have come up against well-funded, organised anti-union forces, including the Tory Government and union-busting consultancies.
We have seen unacceptable attacks on workers by senior managers who have been paid to break up companies, rather than build them. Gross corporate mismanagement has become the norm and workers have been made to pay the price for profiteering across our economy.
It is clear that employers act in a coordinated fashion and more than ever, the trade union movement needs to act together in fighting back.
Congress believes it is time for unions to have a proper debate about how we can introduce models of trade unionism that can take cooperation, solidarity and the organisation of workers to the next level.
Congress resolves:
- To complete the TUC review and ensure that democracy is reflected at every level of the TUC
- For the TUC General Council to establish and agree a collective bargaining strategy for multiple sectors across the economy, to be published in the next six months
- For the TUC to create and endorse trade union-backed media to fight back against the right-wing bias in traditional media and to use this to launch the biggest joint recruitment exercise in recent years
- To lobby the Labour Party to adopt the New Deal for Workers in full upon the election of Labour Government.”
MOTION 2 – TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE
“Congress believes that the rapid proliferation of the use of new or advanced technologies in the workplace has left trade unions, and their members, on the back foot.
Surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are being rapidly expanded and used to exacerbate workplace inequalities, create pressure on staff and in some cases, create an unsafe work environment. Congress believes that if these technologies continue to be introduced in our workplaces without consultation and agreement, they will result in a degradation of pay, terms and conditions and infringe on our basic human rights.
Congress believes there is also a growing problem in the lack of knowledge and policy surrounding the development of technologies like AI and that the labour movement must improve our resources if we are to confront the inappropriate use of these technologies in the workplace.
Congress believes that the gap in workers’ rights in regards to technology must be addressed and an iron-clad legal right to consultation must be introduced.
Congress resolves:
- To work with the Labour Party and the Government to ensure that the legal right to consult trade unions on the introduction of new technologies is enshrined in law
- To invest in a major research project which identifies the use of and the risks of technology, including tracking and AI, in workplaces across multiple sectors
- Make the TUC campaign against the unscrupulous use of technology in the workplace a key initiative for 2024.”
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2023 TRADES UNION CONGRESS – LIVERPOOL
MINUTES OF THE TUC DELEGATION MEETING
HELD IN THE BOARDROOM, HILTON HOTEL, LIVERPOOL
ON SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER AT 10.30 AM
PRESENT: Jane Loftus, Karen Rose, Dave Ward, Andy Furey, Adam Alarakhia, Steve Croke, Graham Colk, Rob Wotherspoon, Jacky Morrey, Michelle Bailey, Andrew Mercer, Angela Whitter
IN ATTENDANCE: Kate Hudson, Katie Dunning, Chloe Koffman, Janina Dunn, Chris Webb, Peter Metcalfe, Bill Taylor, Dave Wilshire, Quincy Raymond
1 WELCOME – INTRODUCTIONS & APOLOGIES
The Chair welcomed all CWU Delegates to the meeting in particular those who were attending the TUC Congress for the first time and asked the delegation to introduce themselves to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Tony Kearns (OUB), Andy Kerr T&FSE (Covid), Dave Tee (unwell), Scott Hartles (Hospital Operation), Richard Wilkins (Pressure of Work), Maria Exall (OUB) and Des Arthur (domestic).
2 GENERAL SECRETARY OVERVIEW
The General Secretary welcomed all delegates and said it’s been a difficult year for the CWU and the whole trade union movement. Dave mentioned that Maria Exall has been the President of the TUC this year and wanted to note a vote of thanks for all the work she has done over the year.
3 EXPLANATION OF TUC DOCUMENTS
Bill Taylor provided an explanation of the TUC pack provided at the meeting which included:
- General Council Report 2023
- Final Agenda 2023
- GPC Report and Consolidated Final Agenda 2023
- Congress Guide 2023
4. CWU POLICY POSITION ON MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS
The SDGS went through the CWU policy position on motions and amendments.
Motions flagged for discussion
- Motion 1 (Unite)
- Motion 71 (GMB)
Table 1: CWU motions to move, second, amended by CWU and possible other interventions
Table 2: Policy recommendations for the delegation meeting
The following interventions were agreed and notified to the TUC.
6 ELECTIONS
- GS nominated for General Council
- Jane Loftus nominated for Section D (Women from Unions with fewer than 200,000 members
- Maria Exall nominated for General Council (LGBT Section I)
The recommended candidates were agreed.
7 FRINGE MEETINGS AND RECEPTIONS
The delegation was advised of a number of fringe meetings involving, or of special interest to the CWU.
8 DELEGATION SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
The Chair confirmed that the Congress seating plan was contained on middle pages of the Congress Guide. CWU would be situated in Rows A – 1- 12 and B 8 – 15.
9 CWU COMMUNICATIONS
Chloe informed the delegation that there was a CWU delegation Whatsapp group.
10 ABSENCES DURING CONGRESS
The Chair asked the delegation to confirm to Jane Loftus or Chloe Koffman if they would be absent during Congress, or if they were required to leave Congress early.
11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The delegation will be advised by Whatsapp of any meetings.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 12.30 p.m.
LTB 311/24 – TRADES UNION CONGRESS 2023- CWU DELEGATION REPORT
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
Leave a comment