Here are a selection of motions passed at the Solidarity Annual Conference held last weekend. Conference provides an opportunity for members to vote to decide the policy and direction of their union. Any member can attend our Conference which this year was held online.
Buy British
Over the last two years, post-Brexit, Solidarity has promoted a ‘Buy British’ campaign in the interest of the national economy and workforce.
The recent Ukrainian/Russian conflict has highlighted just how vulnerable the UK and the West in general is to external supplies, especially of energy, being stifled deliberately or otherwise.
This Conference believes the Union should continue supporting ‘Buy British’ campaigns and any moves to protect or replace energy/utility supplies from abroad. Over the last two years, post-Brexit, Solidarity has promoted a ‘Buy British’ campaign in the interest of the national economy and workforce.
This Conference believes the Union should continue supporting ‘Buy British’ campaigns and any moves to protect or replace energy/utility supplies from abroad.
PASSED
Solidarity with TfL workers
Conference notes that over 10,000 RMT London Underground members in all grades took strike action on 1 and 3 March, paralysing the tube network.
Many Underground services were also suspended for at least part of 2 and 4 March as a result. Also affected were some “main line” train services, especially Chiltern, which operates over London Underground tracks.
Conference believes that the government is forcing London Mayor Khan to consider eroding staff pensions and other working conditions as a condition for its financial help.
It has also dictated a fare increase 1 per cent above that imposed by the government on main line rail passengers, and wants Khan to increase the qualifying age for free travel from 60 years old.
No firm decisions have yet been announced. Conference notes that other unions, ASLEF, TSSA and Unite – are likely to join in with strike action if as expected TfL and the government announce by 31 March their intentions to cut pension provision and make massive job cuts. Conference expresses
Solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the RMT and other unions in their just fight to protect the interests fo their members.
PASSED
Importance of the collective work of the union
Conference notes the important collective work carried out by officials relating to the regulation of relationships between employer and employees.
Conference notes that these collective actions are wide-ranging and include: raising health and safety concerns, questioning policies and procedures, raising concerns about pay and conditions, asserting union rights with the employer, promoting wider public campaigns on issues that affect the terms and conditions of workers nationally, making submissions to government consultations.
Conference recognises that this work is done not just on behalf of groups of Solidarity members but also all workers with that employer.
Conference urges the National Executive to increase this work on behalf of all workers.
Conference further urges the union to study the possibility of applying for a Certificate of Independence from the Certification Office.
PASSED
Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay
