This week I have been representing the Union at the 142nd annual conference of the Trades Union Congress, in Manchester- the city where the original TUC met in 1868.As you can imagine, this was a conference where the focus was firmly on the threat from the savage cuts expected by the Con-Dem government in next month’s Comprehensive Spending Review, where schools and education services will not be spared from George Osborne’s axe. Already in our region we are seeing a taste of things to come with the wholesale redundancy of Connexions Service staff in Brighton and Hove- staff who work with some of our most challenging and vulnerable students and young people.
Brendan Barber, the TUC General Secretary spelt out the challenges ahead in his opening remarks, pointing out the devastating effects of service cuts at a time when the UK is creeping out of recession. He highlighted (as did NUT Deputy General Secretary, Kevin Courtney) that there are huge amounts of money available from uncollected and evaded tax in this country- and working people should not be expected to pay for a crisis not of our making. The TUC document All Pain No Gain spells out the detailed economic alternative to the cuts, and is well worth reading.
The debates across the week covered a range of issues- many of which are pertinent to NUT members, Opposing the cuts was clearly at the top of the agenda, and conference also debated the attacks on trade union rights (some of the most restrictive in Europe); the threats to UK manufacturing industry (in particular the callous withdrawal of a loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, which would have allowed it to manufacture the components for the governments new generation nuclear power stations: the withdrawal of the loan means that these components will not now be made in Britain); Young Workers- particularly looking at the effect of the ending of the Future Jobs Fund, and the growth of unpaid internships; and International Solidarity- especially with the people of Haiti and the Chilean Miners.
The Education debate reaffirmed the TUC’s opposition to Academies and Free Schools and other privatisation within the education service. In moving the main motion, Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary drew attention to the coalition government rushing through poor and ill-scrutinised legislation before the summer to allow schools a fast-track to Academy Status. Christine noted that the last legislation railroaded through at this speed (with the exception of security/anti-terror legislation) was the infamous Dangerous Dogs Act back in the early 1990’s. Christine pointed to statistics showing that 95% of the public do not wasn’t to see schools run by private companies, and she poured scorn on the coalition’s mantra that “we’re all in the same boat”
"Privatising and fragmenting our schools will reinforce division in our society.
All this talk of being on the same boat reminds me of that famous boat, the
Titanic. There were, of course, very different outcomes for those in first class
and those in steerage. "
You can read the full text of Christine's speech by clicking here. The message on Academies and privatisation was also endorsed by the NASUWT, ATL and UCU speakers. There was also a debate about inclusion, and the threats to SEN pupils from the savage cuts programme, and additional concern for advisers and specialists employed by central LEA services.
The debate on Health and Safety had some chilling messages, mainly emanating from the review being conducted for the Con-Dem government under Lord Young (Maggie Thatcher’s favourite businessman, remember him ?) Playing on media hysteria about isolated “ ‘elf and safety” stories, Young appears to be seeking to do what he did in the 1980’s: recklessly deregulate. In particular he is reported as having said: “Accidents happen, and people get killed. It happens...” seemingly giving a green light to employers who want to cut costs by avoiding necessary safety precautions. The government is proposing that firms can buy in private health and safety audits, which will mean that the Health and Safety Executive’s inspectorate will be banned from inspecting their premises until after there is an accident ! Matt Wrack, of the Fire Brigades Union roundly condemned the government’s plans to place workers in the Emergency Services outside the scope of Health and Safety legislation altogether: an insult to those firefighters who have lost their lives in the course of duty.
Climate Change was also high on the agenda again this year- with a plea for the one million green jobs plan that the previous government had envisaged. Speakers from Prospect and the CWU highlighted how tackling emissions and emphasising green production were not just good for the planet, but created sustainable high-skilled jobs as well.
The motion which I had moved as an emergency on behalf of the committee at the TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans workers conference was debated and passed unanimously. This condemned the effect of the cuts on services for all workers, and highlighted the effect on LGBT members in the community, who may need access to a range of services such as victim support for hate crime, anti-bullying initiatives in schools or HIV support services. Many of these are supported by grants or specific funds from government, and are likely to be first in line for the axe.
The Professional Footballers’ Association moved a motion in support of the UK’s bid for the 2018 World Cup. An amendment from the Association of College Management highlighted the educational opportunities that this provided. Max Hyde of the NUT spoke in support of this view- praising the success of girls’ football in schools, and emphasising the successes of the One Goal campaign for universal primary education, and the Show Racism the Red Card programme. Max also raised the issue of domestic violence- stating the evidence that rates of domestic violence soar during major sporting events, and urging unions to promote campaigns highlighting this issue during the World Cup.
The Professional Footballers’ Association moved a motion in support of the UK’s bid for the 2018 World Cup. An amendment from the Association of College Management highlighted the educational opportunities that this provided. Max Hyde of the NUT spoke in support of this view- praising the success of girls’ football in schools, and emphasising the successes of the One Goal campaign for universal primary education, and the Show Racism the Red Card programme. Max also raised the issue of domestic violence- stating the evidence that rates of domestic violence soar during major sporting events, and urging unions to promote campaigns highlighting this issue during the World Cup.Guests addressing congress included Harriet Harman, the interim Labour Party leader, who spoke clearly and categorically about the need for a strong trade union movement; John Monks, former General Secretary, and now head of the European TUC; Gideon Shoko of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, who told us of the continuing difficulties and threats to trade union organisation and involvement; and Sharon Burrow, of the International Congress of Trade Unions, who spoke of the urgent need for trade unionists to promote the Robin Hood Tax.
Unfortunately, I had to leave the conference to return to East Sussex for casework reasons on Wednesday, so missed the much anticipated address from Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, and the debates on Transport and Pensions; however , the full report of the congress will be published on the TUC website, which can be accessed here. I strongly recommend you take a look, as the reporting in the press- particularly the tabloids- may not reflect the reality of what was debated and agreed !
