AS our article London Underground Strike Looms noted, Transport for London - TfL - wants to axe 800 posts at London Underground stations and ticket of...
AROUND 10,000 London Underground workers will be going on strike early next month. They are protesting against plans by Transport for London to cut 8...
The Annual Conference of Solidarity took place in Spennymoor, Co Durham on Saturday, 27th February.
Conference heard general secretary Patrick Harrington report on the Certification Officer's satisfactory dismissal of complaints against the union by disgraced former officials and their confederates. Defence of the union against these vexatious complaints had taken up a lot of time that could have been better spent growing the union. Membership continues to grow but the rate of growth has slowed over the past twelve months. The union intends to adapt its growth strategy in the coming year to meet the challenges thrown up by the economic downturn and to apply for a Certificate of Independence.
Reports were also received from EC member Mark Walker on Operation Trinity and PR consultant Graham Williamson on promotion of the union, fundraising and an outline of the kind of cases dealt with by Solidarity reps on members' behalf.
Conference also discussed five motions. Four motions were passed unanimously: one calling for a law preventing the export of capital by multinational companies that close down production in the UK; a second noting concern at 'political vetting' in government agencies, their contractors and suppliers and calling on the government to recognise and drop such discriminatory practice; a third recognised the need for workers to join a trade union in today's difficult economic environment and resolved to step up recruitment; and a fourth called on the government to target profiteering firms such as Corus and Fujitsu by threatening the withdrawal of government contracts, tax breaks and other sanctions.
An amendment to a fifth motion condemned the National Union of Teachers for its promotion of the violent UAF and a Labour Party front group styling itself 'Hope not Hate'. Conference called on the EC to write to the Certification Officer to investigate whether articles in the NUT journal are paid from that union's general funds (rather than a political fund) and whether they comply with the law. The amendment passed unanimously.
Conference ended with a rousing call to arms by the president, Adam Walker, urging members of our 'band of brothers and sisters' to fight for their rights. “Last year we were on the defensive. That's done. It's time to go on the attack Solidarity has teeth. We will bite. We often go in like a little flyweight going against Tyson in his prime. The amazing thing is that we often win.”
Conference welcomed a Kevin Scott a senior official in the Civil Liberty group which has worked closely with our Union Brotherhood in defending Human Rights in employment - particularly the rights to freedom of expression and association.
In the evening a number of delegates went on to an engagement party of two Union members Pete and Amanda held locally. Congratualations to both!
Comments
Completely Blank
0
Thanks to all who were there. It was nice to finally meet Kevin.
Comments