Congress 2013 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT Copyright © 2013 TUC

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The 145th Annual Trades Union Congress 8–11 September 2013, Bournemouth

I The TUC's mission is to be a high-profile organisation which campaigns successfully for trade union aims and values, assists trade unions to increase membership and effectiveness, cuts out wasteful rivalry and promotes trade union solidarity.

IIII Contents

General Council members V Chapter five Respect and a voice at work 69 General Secretary's introduction VI 5.1 Introduction 70 Chapter one 5.2 Employment rights 70 5.3 Employment rights internationally 74 Overview of the year 1 5.4 Equality at work 78 1.1 Introduction 2 5.5 Women's equality 80 1.2 New General Secretary 3 5.6 Race equality 82 1.3 Campaigns 5 5.7 Disabled workers 84 1.4 Co-ordinating industrial campaigns 8 5.8 LGBT workers 85 1.5 Respect and a voice at work 9 5.9 Young people 86 Chapter two 5.10 Health and safety 88 Jobs, growth and a new economy 11 5.11 Learning and skills 91 Chapter six 2.1 Introduction 12 Strong unions 93 2.2 The economy 12 2.3 Tax 16 6.1 Introduction 94 2.4 Global trade 17 6.2 Building stronger unions 94 2.5 Labour market 18 6.3 Green representatives 97 2.6 Inflation 19 6.4 Global solidarity 97 2.7 Working time 19 6.5 TUC Aid 104 2.8 Housing 20 6.6 Migration 106 2.9 Energy and environment 20 6.7 Skills at work 107 2.10 Corporate governance and capital markets 23 6.8 TUC Education 111 2.11 Digital economy and creative industries 26 6.9 Course development 114 2.12 Transport 27 6.10 TUC Educational Trust 115 2.13 Industrial policy 28 Chapter seven 2.14 Science 30 TUC administration 119 2.15 Procurement 30 2.16 London Olympic and Paralympic Games 31 7.1 Introduction 120 2.17 International Development 32 7.2 Affiliations and mergers 120 2.18 Learning and skills 33 7.3 Congress 120 Chapter three 7.4 Congress Awards 120 Fair pay and a living wage 37 7.5 General Council 120 7.6 Senior staff 121 3.1 Introduction 38 7.7 Equality conferences 122 3.2 Britain needs a pay rise 39 7.8 Young Workers' Conference 123 3.3 Public services pay and pensions 44 7.9 Trades Union Councils Conference 124 3.4 Pensions 46 7.10 TUC/TU ink Comms Awards 124 Chapter four 7.11 TUC finances 125 Good services and decent welfare 51 7.12 Personnel and training 126 7.13 TUC Information Services 127 4.1 Introduction 52 7.14 TUC Library Collections 127 4.2 Public services 52 7.15 Congress Centre 128 4.3 Public Services Liaison Group 54 4.4 Health 54 Obituaries 129 4.5 Social care 56 4.6 Education and early years 57 Appendices 133 4.7 Local government 59 1 Attendances 134 4.8 Criminal justice 59 2 Committee membership 136 4.9 Public service reform 60 3 Accounts 142 4.10 Social security and the welfare state 62 4 Disputes between unions 155 4.11 Public transport 66 5 Rules and standing orders 163

Index and index of resolutions 176

III Lesley Mercer TUC Congress President 2013

IV TUC General Council members 2012–13

Bob Abberley1 Larry Flanagan Paul McCarthy Eleanor Smith UNISON Educational Institute of GMB UNISON Scotland Sheila Bearcroft MBE Len McCluskey John Smith GMB Steve Gillan Unite Musicians' Union POA Christine Blower Sean McGovern Liz Snape MBE National Union of Teachers Janice Godrich Unite UNISON Public and Commercial Mary Bousted Lesley Mercer (chair) Michelle Stanistreet Services Union Association of Teachers Chartered Society of National Union of and Lecturers John Hannett Physiotherapy Journalists Union of Shop, Joanna Brown Gloria Mills CBE Jane Stewart Distributive and Allied Society of Chiropodists UNISON Unite Workers and Podiatrists Steve Murphy Patricia Stuart Dave Harvey Tony Burke Union of Construction, Unite National Union of Teachers Unite Allied Trades and Mohammad Taj Billy Hayes Technicians Jane Carolan Unite Communication Workers UNISON Andrew Murray Union Chris Tansley Unite Gail Cartmail UNISON Sally Hunt Unite Ged Nichols University and College Steve Turner Accord Mike Clancy Union Unite Prospect Christine Payne Karen Jennings2 Simon Weller Equity Brian Cookson UNISON Associated Society of NASUWT Dave Penman Locomotive Engineers and Tony Kearns FDA Firemen Manuel Cortes Communication Workers Transport Salaried Staffs' Union Tim Poil Fiona Wilson Association Nationwide Group Staff Union of Shop, Distributive Chris Keates Union and Allied Workers Bob Crow NASUWT National Union of Rail, Dave Prentis Tony Woodhouse Paul Kenny Maritime and Transport UNISON Unite GMB Workers Alice Robinson Matt Wrack Michael Leahy OBE Tony Dale Association of Teachers Fire Brigades' Community Union of Shop, Distributive and Lecturers Union and Allied Workers Angela Lynes Malcolm Sage Brendan Barber4 UNISON Mark Dickinson GMB TUC General Secretary Nautilus International Leslie Manasseh MBE Eddie Saville Frances O’Grady5 Prospect Maria Exall Hospital Consultants and TUC General Secretary Communication Workers Sue Mather3 Specialists' Association Union Community Mark Serwotka Sue Ferns Fern McCaffrey Public and Commercial Prospect GMB Services Union

1 until July 2013 2 from July 2013 3 joined December 2012 4 retired December 2012 5 took up post January 2013 V Introduction Frances O’Grady General Secretary

As delegates gather this week at Congress to talk about the real issues facing working people, a very different kind of debate will be raging in Westminster on the government©s lobbying bill.

Rather than address public anger about political sleaze, the government plans to demand yet more membership information from unions, on top of the annual audits we already publish.

But the bill will leave the vast majority of lobbying activity by the rich and powerful untouched and under cover.

In contrast, there is no secret about what the TUC and unions are campaigning for: to improve working lives, and build a stronger, greener and fairer Britain.

Our campaign is set out in some detail in the General Council©s plan that was launched on May Day. But what working people tell ȓ Fair pay. Boosting collective There is no secret us they want can be summed up bargaining and creating about what the in a few headlines: modern wages councils would help get unsustainable levels TUC and unions are ȓ Decent jobs and of household borrowing and campaigning for: to apprenticeships. This would debt down, boost consumer improve working lives, cut the human and economic demand and stop pay cost of unemployment, inequality spiralling out of and build a stronger, especially for the one million control. greener and fairer young people priced out of Britain. higher education, and without ȓ A new national care service training or paid work. for adults and children too. Taxpayers are calling time on ȓ New council homes. the private companies that Of course, action is also needed Investment in a mass rip them off and instead want to remedy all the root causes of programme of council house 21st century public services, the financial crash, not least an building is the best way to from our railways to Royal overhaul of the banks and fair bring private rents down, cut Mail, publicly owned and taxes. the housing benefit bill and democratically accountable. guarantee young families a And, as a growing band of decent start in life. ȓ More democracy at work. In businesses agree, the British the rest of Europe it is now disease of short-termism will mainstream to guarantee only be tackled with an intelligent workers© collective voice is industrial strategy, with good, heard up to and including the local jobs at its heart. boardroom, so why not here?

VI While fi nancial engineers in the City of London Since taking up my post, the may be cracking open bottles of champagne, TUC team has been strengthened by the Executive©s appointment there is precious little cause for celebration of Paul Nowak to join Kay among cash-strapped communities in the rest Carberry as an Assistant General of the country. Secretary. Paul is a talented leader whose commitment is second to none.

But austerity has only added In my fi rst year as TUC general Credit is due to Brendan Barber to the almighty mess left by secretary, I have spent a good who led the TUC as general the global fi nancial crisis and deal of time travelling around the secretary for the fi rst part of this recovery is painfully slow. Any country to press our case with Congress year, including the sign of green shoots should be politicians and employers, and second mass march for a future welcome. But while fi nancial listen to community and faith that works in October. I also engineers in the City of London leaders, as well as workers. I want to thank all our TUC staff may be cracking open bottles want to record my appreciation whose hard work and dedication of champagne, there is precious for the support, wisdom and helps ensure that the movement little cause for celebration among good humour of members of punches well above its weight. cash-strapped communities in the General Council. the rest of the country. I©ve also drawn inspiration from It is perhaps a sign of political meeting union reps who week desperation that government in, week out negotiate decent backwoodsmen have been let off deals to protect jobs, deliver the leash to weaken still further new learning opportunities, people©s rights at work and keep workplaces safer, healthier attack their trade unions. and fairer, and organise fellow workers to stand up for dignity And the nasty politics of and justice at work. punishing welfare claimants for bad luck, and blaming It©s a noble role, and one that migrant workers for bad deserves employer support and employers, is back. public praise. We will be calling on our workplace leaders again This summer the Austerity to help us mobilise for our Uncovered buses set out Save our NHS march and across Britain to fi lm often rally in Manchester on heart-breaking testimonies 29 September and a major from those at the sharp end national demonstration of loan sharks, benefi t cuts next year. and the bedroom tax. Their personal stories should prick the conscience of the nation.

The unions in London, October 2012, for A Future That Works

VII Introduction Frances O’Grady General Secretary

Dave Prentis, Frances, Mayor of I am in no doubt that ultimately Finally, while sunshine and great Liverpool Joe Anderson and UNISON the best way to meet the live music play a part, it©s no president Chris Tansley welcome the Austerity Uncovered bus to Liverpool challenges we face is to rebuild accident that this year labour union membership and collective movement festivals attracted bargaining coverage in both the such big crowds. From Tolpuddle public and private sectors. We to the Durham gala, as well as also know that strength comes a new Match Women©s festival from diversity. And today, for the celebrating the strike that marked first time in our history, our six the birth of first wave New million membership is 50:50 men Unionism, in times of adversity and women. people feel the need to join together. While there is still some way to go, particularly in promoting black We owe it to all working people, and ethnic minority leadership, at home and internationally, to Britain©s biggest democratic keep our values of equality, membership organisation now solidarity and compassion alive. looks far more like the rest of But that demands thinking as the country than the somewhat well as active trade unionism. limited gene pool represented It means we need to be even in the current Cabinet and the smarter and more strategic. average boardroom. And we need to build hope, confidence and unity to win a future fair for all. To coin a phrase, we really are all in this together.

VIII Chapter one Overview 1of the year 1.1 Introduction 1.2 New General Secretary 1.3 Campaigns 1.4 Co-ordinating industrial campaigns 1.5 Respect and a voice at work

t work, de ts a cent righ se n rv k o ic ac es tt o a r ny li A vi ng s ta nd ar ds w ng ill b igni e me ampa t by active union c Chapter one Overview of the year

1.1 Introduction Not only is there a growth of one-third in the number of part- Workers have had a tough time workers saying they would year. The 2008 economic crash prefer a full-time job, but many continues to reverberate as living particularly the young working standards remain depressed, jobs in jobs that do not make full use scarce and spending cuts bite. of their skills and education. Our Rather than invest for jobs and development of an alternative growth, government policies of industrial policy is detailed in austerity have held the economy Chapter 2 of this report. back, with the economic crisis used as cover to reverse social Real wages fell during the year. progress won by unions over A TUC report reveals an 8.5 per decades through attacks on cent drop over the last three benefi ts, services and rights years. By March 2013 average at work. annual UK earnings were worth £2,234 less than in 2010. That's Never has strong campaigning why the TUC launched the Britain by the TUC and its affi liate unions Needs a Pay Rise campaign in been more necessary. The June, with detailed analysis of A similar ideology is revealed by General Council's fi ght against the cost of lost wages to the continuing attacks on rights at austerity has been its top priority UK economy. work. The Prime Minister has throughout the year both framed the debate about Europe through resistance to attacks Public services and social security as a choice between leaving on working people and through have been under sustained or staying in but with reduced advocacy of the alternative a attack as shown in Chapter 4. employee rights. Protections new model of fair sustainable Many ministers are using the against unfair dismissal and economic growth that can create economic crash to realise their redundancy have been reduced. decent jobs, boost wages and long-term agenda to shrink New fees for employment reduce inequality. the state, and fragment public tribunals have made it harder to services through privatisation enforce the rights that remain. While unemployment has not and marketisation. The NHS, New rules on compensation risen as high as might have been in particular, faces continuing for injury, further deregulation expected from such a deep and upheaval as government changes of health and safety and a big prolonged depression, there has continue to undermine its basic decline in enforcement activity been a decline in the quality of principles. While no public service make for more dangerous employment. Precarious and has been immune from cuts, workplaces. vulnerable working has grown local government has suffered with recent attention on abusive from deep and front-loaded Protection against discrimination zero-hours contracts and TUC reductions while at the same time has also been under threat with research revealing jobs growth facing increased burdens from further cuts to the budget of has been concentrated in low- government attacks on council the Equality and Human Rights paying industries. There is a tax benefi t and the bedroom tax. Commission, the repeal of key hidden under-employment crisis. Many union members have lost provisions of the Equality Act, good jobs providing vital services. and a review of the Public Sector Attacks on benefi ts, tax credits Equality Duty. The blacklisting and social security mean that the scandal in construction exposed most vulnerable are the greatest the anti-union practices of victims of austerity economics. employers in the industry.

2 Frances O’Grady, actor Maxine Peake and Lesley Mercer head the Tolpuddle march in July

Attacks on facility time have as public confidence in the Media interest in a new General been orchestrated from within government declines and they Secretary the first woman in government and secretive right- pay an increasing political price the organisation's long history wing groups campaign against for unpopular policies. Ministers continues to present frequent union representation. And while know that any attack on rights opportunities to renew the international bodies such as the at work, decent services or General Council's anti-austerity IMF praise collective bargaining, living standards will be met by message and has helped sustain UK ministers seek to weaken it. active union campaigning at the a high media profile throughout workplace, in the community and the year. Frances O'Grady was Yet unions remain the core of the increasingly through smart use of included in Woman's Hour's top campaign against austerity. We social media. 50 most powerful women list. continue to support members and to train activists. Membership Her New Year message received recruitment goes on, despite the wide coverage across the written political and economic climate. 1.2 New General and broadcast media. The Labour Force Survey even Secretary showed a small increase in membership during the year. At the end of 2012 Brendan And while the main thrust of Barber, the TUC's General government policy continues, Secretary for the past 10 years the TUC has secured real retired. Frances O'Grady, the victories. Not only have we former Deputy General Secretary, defeated or mitigated many had been elected at the 2012 government policies, we have Congress to succeed him. also built support for alternatives

3 Chapter one Overview of the year

Excerpt from the New Year message of the General Secretary

“Our economy is sick, and the government’s First we need the government to change course medicine is not working. We were told that short- and abandon the austerity that is doing more term pain would deliver long-term gain, yet all we harm than good. That means stopping self- see are nasty side-effects with no sign of a cure. defeating spending cuts, and instead putting investment in jobs and growth first. What is worse is that we now seem to be locked into a vicious downward spiral of cuts. They are Second we need a long-term vision of how not working so the government cuts even more. we can make an economy that works for the That is why I will start the new year with a focus many. That means leadership from the very on the benefits up-rating cap – a measure that will top of government to drive a new industrial do nothing to target the tiny number who play the policy, including investment in the country’s system but will hurt millions of low-paid workers infrastructure, affordable homes and transport. who rely on benefits to top up their poorly-paid jobs, and millions more without a job who are We also need a laser-like focus on the need to desperately trying to find one. create decent jobs and apprenticeships, in the parts of the country that need them the most. Reducing the living standards of some of the Lord Heseltine’s recent report offers a good start, poorest and most vulnerable in society, while and it won widespread support across political attempting to tar them all as scroungers, is parties, business and unions. It may not go as perhaps the very definition of a party determined far as we would like, but even a few steps along to be seen as nasty. And, what is more, it will its route would be a distinctive break with the further depress demand and slow the economy. dominant approach since the 1980s. People on the breadline spend every penny of their income, and mainly spend it in the local Rebuilding Britain will take time but we need to economy – while those who will benefit from the start now. Simply trying to go back to business cut in the 50p tax rate coming this year are as as usual is a limp ambition that fails to address likely to save it or take it offshore. the causes of the crash and offers little to all those excluded from the proceeds of growth. We The government is failing to offer people a vision need rapid progress on reform of banking and for the economy or hope for the future. What the the creation of a modern industrial bank to invest great bank crash brought home is that we do not for the long term. It also means facing up to the have an economy that works for ordinary families. immediate challenge of climate change and the Even before the recession, living standards investment that requires. were stagnating for the majority and the resulting unsustainable growth of credit-fuelled Third, we need to build a fair society – one where consumption was one key cause of the crash. we really are all in it together. It is no coincidence There has been a long-term decline in quality, that the economic model that we have followed skilled, well-paid jobs that should make up the since the 1980s led to a huge increase in the back-bone of the labour force, as the short-term gap between the super-rich and the rest of us. interests of banking and finance dominated the Recession has only made this worse. economy over the last few decades.

This is why I want to campaign for three priorities in the year ahead.

4 1.3 Campaigns

Campaigning dominated the General Council's work throughout the year.

A Future That Works

A march and rally for A Future That Works took place on 20 October 2012 and was attended by around 150,000 people. More than 200,000 fl yers and 9,000 Austerity is failing booklets were printed to help publicise the march. JOBS, GROWTH AND A NEW ECONOMY The march's website helped FAIR PAY AND generate momentum and buzz A LIVING WAGE around 20 October, with people from around the country posting GOOD SERVICES testimonials on why they were AND DECENT WELFARE marching, while others used it RESPECT AND to fi nd out where coaches were A VOICE AT WORK travelling from in their region. STRONG UNIONS Over 91,000 viewed the website on the day of the march and over 2,500 installed the Future That Works smartphone app. THE TUC’S CAMPAIGN PLAN

The march generated widespread media coverage both by the UK and international media. The Daily Mirror was particularly supportive running a series of stories in advance of the day and publishing a special piece by Danny Boyle on why he was The campaign plan developed ȓ good services and decent supporting the march. through the early part of 2013 welfare was published on May Day and sets out what the General Council ȓ respect and a voice at work New campaign plan will do in the struggle to make Britain a better and fairer place to ȓ strong unions. The General Council welcomed live and work in the period up to the new General Secretary's the next general election. The plan was published as an suggestion that it should set accessible pamphlet and is out its campaign agenda in a The campaign is driven by fi ve available online. It is aimed at published Campaign Plan with central priorities: union reps, offi cers and activists, clear priorities, activities and as well as our campaign allies. It political demands. ȓ jobs, growth and a new has been widely distributed and economy discussed within the movement, with many unions ensuring a wide ȓ fair pay and a living wage distribution to executives, full-time offi cers, lay reps and activists.

5 Chapter one Overview of the year

A series of Touchstone pamphlets, the Touchstone blog and After Austerity events have established the TUC as intellectual leaders. Highlights have included events on industrial policy involving politicians from all parties such as Lord Heseltine, Vince Cable and Chuka Umunna. Former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich gave a keynote lecture in May attacking austerity.

Fair pay and a living wage

Jobs, growth and a Following the Budget, The TUC has continued to make new economy comprehensive TUC reaction the case for fair pay throughout continued to point out the the year, showing how wages are A pre-Budget rally, entitled A Chancellor's economic folly, being outstripped by infl ation. Future for Families, the TUC's highlighting the limited impact contribution to an ETUC Europe- his new infrastructure spending The TUC launched its campaign wide anti-austerity campaign would have and demonstrating Britain Needs a Pay Rise with a action, was held on 13 March. the ongoing real terms pay cuts, report on shrinking pay packets The rally was hosted by the along with increased job losses, across the UK. The launch TUC President, Lesley Mercer, that public sector workers was picked up by a range of and speakers included union would face. national media and received general secretaries and lay further coverage throughout the activists, together with supporters The TUC also ran a series of week, including good broadcast from a range of campaign and `global race' stories in 2013 on coverage. community organisations. how the government's economic reforms were seeing Britain lose With support growing across the A video message from ETUC ground to her economic rivals. political spectrum for the living General Secretary Bernadette Each story was accompanied by wage, and establishment bodies Segol emphasised the Europe- an infographic to boost social such as the IMF and OECD wide nature of the campaign, media coverage. pointing to low pay, growing and the range of contributions inequality and the decline of showed the true effects of the Issues explored included collective bargaining as drivers of government's austerity policies. exports, wages, growth and the crash, the TUC has played a Many of the delegates from the production. The `global race' key part in shaping the beginning Women's Conference, which was series featured prominently in the of a new consensus that wages taking place that day at Congress media and helped undermine the at the bottom and in the middle House, attended the rally. The government's economic narrative. need to rise, while those at the event received some media top need bringing under control. coverage, including the use of One story, timed to coincide with some audio recording in a Radio the arrival of the IMF, revealed 4 preview of the Budget. that the UK economy was Good services recovering slower than 23 of the nations monitored by the IMF. The TUC has continued to make the case for good public services, Throughout the year the TUC has working with relevant unions to made a continuing contribution develop a strong sectoral voice to developing an alternative when appropriate. economic model to replace the policies that brought us growing inequality and the crash.

6 Action for Rail is a joint union Iain Duncan Smith was rebuked by the UK campaign involving the TUC, Statistics Authority for making up false claims and affiliated unions with members working on the railways about the effectiveness of the benefits cap ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and following a complaint by the TUC. Unite. It works with passenger groups, rail campaigners and environmentalists to fight cuts to Decent welfare The TUC's continuing support rail services and to promote the of the False Economy website case for integrated, national rail TUC polling, in early January, has helped reveal the hardship under public ownership. on how attitudes to welfare caused by benefit cuts, service are shaped by ignorance and cuts and the cruelties built into Leafleting took place at more the right-wing media, resulted the new penal elements brought than 50 train stations across in front-page coverage on the into the benefits system. The the country, involving activists day it was released and many website has used personal from rail unions, trades councils, subsequent references by testimony and freedom of pensioner and climate groups commentators. The research, information requests to expose and other partners in a day action which showed how voters' dramatically how austerity has hit held in December to protest support for benefits changed those least able to absorb cuts. against rail fare increases due in when they realised how much January 2013. working people relied upon them, was cited throughout the Austerity Uncovered Action for Rail analysis showed year with over 50 national media that rail fares have increased over mentions since January. To bring together priority areas three times faster than average in the campaign plan, the earnings since the start of the The TUC has also played a General Council ran an Austerity recession in 2008. This figure leading role in challenging the Uncovered campaign in June, featured heavily in widespread government over its misuse of designed to draw attention to media coverage that we received, welfare statistics. Iain Duncan the effects of government with coverage from over 30 Smith was rebuked by the UK economic policies on the different radio and TV outlets, Statistics Authority for making communities and workplaces all major national newspapers up false claims about the often ignored by the media. and dozens of local papers. effectiveness of the benefits cap Photographs of campaign following a complaint by the TUC. An Austerity Uncovered-branded activities, particularly at Euston This very public dressing-down TUC bus completed a two- Station in London, were used in was reported throughout the week tour that took in every many national newspapers. media, including ITN and TUC region, with parallel events the BBC. covering Wales and Scotland. The TUC commissioned a The bus allowed local people to report by the University of The TUC also published in April a tell the TUC how austerity affects Manchester which looked at how critique of the government's new their communities. Testimony privatisation had failed to deliver Universal Credit system, which was gathered by TUC staff and on its promises. This gained contradicted government claims local union activists, with visits to widespread media coverage in that it would incentivise more town centres, housing estates, the local and national media. people to find work. This study factories, hospitals, community also pointed out how the majority groups and many food banks. The TUC has continued to of families will lose out under the bring together health unions to new system with disabled people work against the fragmentation, the hardest hit. marketisation and privatisation of the NHS. The TUC will hold a The TUC's campaign against special Save our NHS march and workfare continued. Our rally at the Conservative Party welcome of the Court of Appeal's conference in September. `Poundland' judgement, which ruled that the work programme Campaigning against Royal Mail regulations were unlawful, was privatisation continues. widely covered.

7 Chapter one Overview of the year

The visits were written up The purpose of the pamphlet had for the Austerity Uncovered been to examine the legality of website in a daily blog. Hours calling a day of action in the UK of video were shot both by a on a weekday, an approach that professional fi lm maker and had been taken by a number of TUC staff. Many local contacts European unions in response to were made with organisations ETUC calls for days of action. and community groups with The 10-Point At the conclusion of this whom we can continue to work Plan for a discussion, it was recognised that Northern Future in demonstrating the effects of that Works there were serious and signifi cant austerity policies, particularly as risks inherent in this approach: to case studies for media work. members' jobs; to union funds; in respect of demands to repudiate While the bus visited many our own activists; and to the different locations and heard TUC. It was also clear that any many stories, the commonest court action would take a long issue was the bedroom tax, time to resolve especially as it closely followed by the hardship was likely only to be ultimately caused by the punitive aspects of decided in the European Court the benefi ts system. 1.4 Co-ordinating while any sackings and damage industrial campaigns to union funds would be speedier. Local media covered the bus in some detail, and it has featured This discussion and the in the national press. Analysis Alongside our broader consultation exercise on of media coverage is still being campaigning work, the General resolution 5 and a subsequent carried out, but will feature in Council also explored the further consultation exercise on future media reports. The General consideration and practicalities the co-ordination of industrial Council gave particular thanks to of a general strike, in line with action showed that while the Musicians' Union for providing resolution 5 agreed at the 2012 there was a common concern high quality entertainment at Congress. that the government's austerity many of the bus stops. programme could infl ict lasting This included an extensive damage on the economy and on The Austerity Uncovered bus consultation exercise, which society, unions had different views linked up with buses organised drew 27 responses from unions on the practicalities of a general in a similar initiative by Unite on representing 4.7 million members. strike or day of action. There was, the TUC's fi nal day in Weston- In addition, as set out in Chapter however, a consensus around Super-Mare. The Unite bus tour 7, John Hendy was invited the need for `smart coordination', culminated in the NHS Birthday to give a presentation to the including in respect of tactics demonstrations in Manchester General Council in April, on the and effective ways to build broad on 5 6 July. The Wales TUC pamphlet he had co-written with popular support for legitimate organised a similar bus tour Keith Ewing, Days of Action: the trade disputes. It was therefore of Wales and the STUC also legality of protest strikes against agreed that unions should be engaged in activity during government cuts. encouraged to share information this period. on plans for industrial action through the TUC, both through the established mechanisms such as the PSLG and wider systems covering both public and private sectors, with a view to greater co-ordination, where unions wished it.

8 In addition, it was noted that 1.5 Respect and The TUC has also pressed home there was a broad consensus a voice at work the case for better corporate that any relevant industrial governance and a voice at work, action needed to be part of repeatedly making the case for an a bigger campaign including The launch of the Age Immaterial employee voice on remuneration `mass community action' campaign, which focused on the committees. against austerity and for an gender pay gap facing women alternative economic strategy over 50, received widespread The trustees of the TUC staff based on decent jobs, green coverage including the General pension joined with their growth, wages and strong social Secretary in discussion with counterparts in Unite and protection. It was also recognised Employment Relations Minister UNISON to co-ordinate their that building our strength and Jo Swinson on Woman's Hour. voting and engagement strategy effectively opposing austerity for their equity holdings. critically depended on our ability Age Immaterial has continued to appeal to the eight in ten to build partnerships with workers in the private sector who outside organisations, such as Global were not yet union members. Grandparents plus, throughout the year. Its website has run The TUC continued to play an The General Council also a series of blogs from guest active role in the global trade agreed that the TUC should authors. union movement campaign to bring together unions that were reverse austerity, promote growth engaged in national disputes, or The campaign also publicised and jobs based on the decent disputes of national significance, the challenge facing women over work agenda, and promote social and/or where there was a desire 50 looking to work fewer hours justice. Among the campaigns for a practical discussion on without having to trade down was the demand for better labour co-ordinated action, and this jobs. laws and greater enforcement meeting was held on July 25. following the tragic loss of over 1,100 workers in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, The General Council also agreed that the Bangladesh. The TUC took part TUC should bring together unions that were in the international campaign to press companies to support the engaged in national disputes, or disputes of international union Accord on Fire national significance. and Building Safety to tackle the textile industry's appalling record on health and safety and workers' rights. The TUC also pressed the Department for International Development to involve unions in its work on health and safety training in Bangladesh, and joined the ITUC campaign for better labour laws.

9 Chapter one Overview of the year

The TUC demanded action when more than 1,000 workers lost their lives in a building collapse in Dhaka

Strong unions Unionlearn continues to be an The General Council in adopting important part of the face of the TUC's Campaign Plan (see Strong trade unions are a vital modern trade unionism ensuring page 5) has highlighted the tough part of any fair and prosperous union members at every skill level challenges the movement faces society. Societies with weak have the opportunity to get on, as the economy continues to unions are less fair and more just as unions help them get even flatline and the government fails unequal and that holds back when things go wrong. to drive recovery, opting instead economic growth. for austerity and attacks on Resisting government attacks workers' rights, public services The TUC continues to work on union activity through threats and the foundations of our with affiliates to build capacity, to facility time and collective welfare state. The rest of this improve organisation and co- bargaining have been key report shows in detail how the ordinate activity. Networks of priorities during the year. The fight campaign plan has been put into union officers inform the General against regional pay continues: practice. Council's work on issues as despite successful union diverse as equalities, pensions campaigns against a major switch and legal services. in government policy, the threat continues in some sectors and The TUC Young Workers' organisations. Conference has put itself on a campaign footing in 2013, setting pay and employment, housing and promoting trade unionism as its key priorities.

10 Chapter two Jobs, growth and 2 a new economy 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The economy 2.3 Tax 2.4 Global trade 2.5 Labour market 2.6 Inflation 2.7 Working time 2.8 Housing 2.9 Energy and environment 2.10 Corporate governance and capital markets 2.11 Digital economy and creative industries 2.12 Transport 2.13 Industrial policy 2.14 Science 2.15 Procurement 2.16 London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games 2.17 International development 2.18 Learning and skills Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

Frances O’Grady and Robert Reich both addressed TUC audiences as part of the After Austerity seminar series 2.1 Introduction

The economic crash of 2008 was the deepest in living memory and did great damage to public finances. Deregulation and an unchallenged financial sector not only failed to deliver prosperity but led to economic meltdown. Since then the coalition government's policies have sent the economy into reverse gear through spending cuts, tax rises for ordinary families and austerity economics.

In line with resolution 5 the fight against austerity has been a central campaign priority, and the TUC has continued to make the case for investment in the services and support The intellectual case for austerity that can tackle unemployment collapsed in 2012. In September and support working people 2012 the International Monetary across society. At the same Fund substantially upped its own time, over the year the TUC estimates of the fiscal multipliers has campaigned for a model (the impact of spending cuts for economic growth that is on growth) and noted that both sustainable and fair not `fiscal consolidation' had much a return to business as usual. larger impacts on growth than We have made the case against it had previously thought. In government policies while early 2013 the Reinhart and supporting research and debate Rogoff paper, which found that that seeks to help build a new once government debt/GDP economy and support the was above 90 per cent growth creation of good, fairly paid jobs. slowed, was found to contain This has included continuing The TUC remains very concerned spreadsheet errors. Despite a programme of research and about the state of the economy. this, and a call from the IMF to analysis documenting the As in 2011, a serious shortage bring forward capital spending, case for change and an `After of demand has continued to the government has refused to Austerity' event series, which hold back growth. The impact of change course. has included a keynote lecture austerity, on top of a squeeze in from Professor Robert Reich, living standards and the Eurozone Chancellor's Professor of Public crisis, has meant that growth has Policy at the University of been extremely weak. 2.2 The economy California at Berkeley, and former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Since mid 2010 the economy has The TUC has continued to publish administration. barely grown and the Office for a series of Economic Reports Budget Responsibility's forecasts highlighting key issues and have proved to be too optimistic. challenges for the economy such As a result the Chancellor has as the failure to `rebalance' and missed his own fiscal targets the worrying fall in productivity and there is expected to be no since the recession. In addition a progress on deficit reduction, new Economic Quarterly, bringing despite service and spending together recent economic and cuts, between 2011/12 and labour market developments, has 2013/14. been launched.

12 TUC analysis published in The government has claimed In line with resolution 27 the early 2013 found that the fall in over the past year that the UK is TUC has continued to press the construction output over 2012 part of a `global race' and their case for widespread reform of had had an especially severe policies are aimed at helping the banking system. The TUC impact on growth. Large cuts it win. The TUC has published welcomed the government's in public sector construction several reports examining the steps to set up a British Business spending as part of the UK's performance against its Bank but has argued that this is government's defi cit reduction major competitors in terms a case of too little, too late. The programme had caused output of growth, wages, infl ation, TUC argued that the proposed in the sector to collapse to 1998 manufacturing and regional bank's mandate is too limited and levels. Despite construction only inequalities. In general the UK its initial capital too small to make being seven per cent of the total has been fi rmly towards the a difference to the UK economy. economy this had a major impact bottom of the league table. on growth. Growth would have The TUC has continued to press been 1.2 per cent in the fi ve In March the TUC published the case for a democratically quarters to Q1 2013 rather than a major piece of analysis controlled state investment just 0.4 per cent if construction from the National Institute of bank with a mandate to support activity had been fl at. Economic and Social Research both real economy fi rms and which examined the case for infrastructure, a proper Green TUC analysis has also identifi ed a borrowing funded capital Investment Bank with borrowing falling household savings and spending stimulus focused on powers and new publically owned rising personal debt as an infrastructure. This analysis regional lending institutions. The important driver of the `weak modelled the impact of £30bn TUC opposed the Chancellor's recovery'. Growth in 2012 and of government spending on mooted plans for an early sell off early 2013 has been reliant infrastructure funded though of the government's stake in RBS on rising household spending additional borrowing. It found and Lloyds. despite falling household that this would boost output and incomes. This has been achieved lower unemployment. Although The TUC, together with the British through rising borrowing and the the defi cit would increase in Chambers of Commerce, held a running down of savings. the short term, the research joint meeting to press the case found that if the stimulus was for a state-backed lender, with undertaken while the economy representatives of the British remained depressed (as at Bankers' Association and the present) then in the medium term Secretary of State for Business, this would lead to a lower rather Innovation and Skills speaking at than higher debt/GDP ratio. the event. One of series of infographics made and widely publicised by the TUC to counter the Chancellor’s claim that In March 2013, the Chancellor Britain was winning the ‘global race’ of the Exchequer, George Osborne, presented his Budget in the House of Commons. Just over one month before, on Where is Britain 18 February, the TUC Budget Submission was presented to the Chancellor by our General in The Global Race? Secretary, Frances O'Grady, our The UK’s growth performance President Lesley Mercer, Bob Abberley from UNISON, and since 2010 is the second worst Nicola Smith from the TUC offi ce. of any major economy

13 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

That submission set out European austerity Despite many representations the TUC's assessment that stressing the need to support austerity had failed and that the While Europe continued to growth by active policies of government should go for growth. pursue self-defeating austerity investment and job creation, Among our recommendations, measures, the ETUC and TUC the European establishment we called for an immediate continued to argue forcefully for continued in its track of fi scal stimulus package, including a change of course. In particular, discipline, prompting a new wave a reversal of capital spending the ETUC organised a day of of campaigns and actions. The cuts, a cut in VAT and an end to action in November, on the same ETUC called a day of action the one per cent public sector day that general strikes were on 14 March in Brussels, with pay cap and freeze. We also being held in Portugal, Spain coordinated activities at national called for a commitment to and Italy. The TUC General level to coincide with the spring reverse the regressive Benefi ts Secretary, accompanied by TUC European Council, preceded by Uprating Bill, for a business bank President Lesley Mercer and the traditional tripartite social capitalised with an initial £40bn Steve Turner from Unite, met summit. The TUC organised a over four years and for specifi c with the EU representation offi ce rally in London on the eve of consideration to growing green in London to explain the nature the action and ahead of the industries, starting with sector- of trade union action across Budget, and organised a small based industrial strategies to Europe and concerns about delegation to attend the ETUC complement energy market austerity and the attack on the demonstration, where TUC reform. We also called on all EU social model, and handed General Council spokesperson on parties to commit to the goal of over a letter to the President of Europe Billy Hayes addressed the full employment. the European Commission, Jose rally, calling for urgent measures Manuel Barroso, and a copy to tackle youth unemployment. In July 2013 the TUC submitted of the ETUC Social Compact written evidence to the Treasury adopted in June 2012. Select Committee on the 2013 Spending Review, which considered the public fi nances to 2015 16. Nicola Smith also represented the TUC at an oral evidence session with the committee.

ȓ Two weeks, 18 destinations, hundreds of personal testimonies: the austerity bus tour captured the real state of the nation

14 Unite’s The People United bus (left) joins up with the TUC in Weston-super-Mare

Both the ETUC Collective TUC General Council spokesperson on Europe Bargaining Co-ordinating and Billy Hayes addressed the rally, calling for urgent Economic and Employment Committees (where the TUC is measures to tackle youth unemployment. represented by Richard Exell and Tim Page respectively, with Elena Crasta as alternate member) Throughout the year, the TUC Global economy met twice and considered the took the opportunity provided worrying developments around by ETUC events at which the The TUC continued to play an the economic prescriptions that General Secretary was speaking active role in the global trade the European Commission was (e.g. the ETUC 40th anniversary union movement campaign to directing at almost all countries conference in Madrid in January reverse austerity, promote growth in Europe. Similarly, the ETUC and the ETUC mid-term and jobs based on the decent Social Policy and Legislation conference in Dublin in June) to work agenda, and promote Working Group (where the secure publicity for the ETUC social justice. The global trade TUC is represented by Hannah case that the European Union union movement's institutions Reed with Elena Crasta as the needed to abandon austerity and through which most of the substitute member) considered promote growth and social justice work in this area was channeled the initiative of trade union friendly to deal with persistent recession are covered in Chapter 6, lawyers who have signed a and unemployment in the EU. but the TUC continued to manifesto for social Europe and The TUC sent regular messages lobby domestically for the UK the respect of fundamental social of solidarity to Greek, Irish, Italian, government to adopt progressive rights, which have been trampled Portuguese and Spanish trade policies in the Organisation for on in the aftermath of the crisis. unionists taking action against Economic Co-operation and their governments' austerity Development (OECD), the G8 programmes, and disseminated and G20, and the international information to unions about such fi nancial institutions (the actions. The TUC also supported International Monetary Fund and the June Alter Summit gathering the World Bank). of anti-austerity movements in Athens.

15 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

In October, in his letter to Russia took over the G20 from As in previous years one major George Osborne, Chancellor Mexico in 2013 (the Mexican issue has been cracking down on of the Exchequer, ahead of the G20 was reported to Congress avoidance and evasion by firms autumn meetings of the World last year) and Paul Nowak and wealthy individuals. This has Bank/IMF, the General Secretary represented the TUC at the once again been a high profile pointed out that the generalised L20 summit bringing together issue with the Parliamentary Public economic slowdown was trade union leaders from the Accounts Committee raising caused by the premature shift by G20 countries in Moscow in serious questions about the tax many governments away from July. He subsequently took part affairs of companies such as measures in support of recovery in a tripartite meeting of G20 Google, Amazon and Starbucks. and by the hasty recourse to employment ministers with unions The TUC has pushed for a general fiscal contraction and austerity and employers, ahead of the anti-avoidance rule and called policies which undermine global first ever joint G20 Finance and for the introduction of country by demand. In April, in a further letter Employment Ministers meeting. country reporting in order to crack to the Chancellor in advance of The G20 leaders' summit down on such practices. the spring meetings of the World will be held in St Petersburg Bank/IMF, the General Secretary in September. The TUC has During the banks' `bonus season' urged the government to taken part in drafting global the TUC continued to argue for support the implementation of an union statements to the G8, the levying of corporation tax on economic recovery programme G20 Finance and Employment bonus payments above ten times for Europe, emphasising the Ministers meeting and the the median salary. This would need for a forceful response from G20 leaders' summit, and raise an estimated £2.5bn. international financial institutions. these have been disseminated through unions as they set out The G8 was chaired by the UK comprehensive yet concise Robin Hood Tax in 2013, and the TUC welcomed policies for rebooting the global the government's emphasis on economy in the interests of The TUC continued to play a tax, trade and transparency, and working people. leading role in the Robin Hood in particular the government's Tax campaign in the UK, as announcement in June that it The TUC participated in a World well as in the European and would sign up to the Extractive Bank consultation held in London global networks on the issue. Industries Transparency Initiative as part of its Safeguards Review The campaign continues to (EITI), chaired by Clare Short: and stressed that the Bank press the case for a tiny tax on the TUC is ensuring energy should adopt comprehensive financial transactions such as sector union involvement in the labour and occupational health derivatives, futures and options UK aspects of EITI. However, and safety safeguards and ensure (share transactions are already on tax, the TUC issued a series strict compliance with them in all taxed under Stamp Duty in of tests just ahead of the G8 activities financed by it. the UK, raising £3bn a year) to summit in June, and expressed provide resources to prevent cuts disappointment thereafter that the in public services and increase summit had adopted aspirational spending on measures at home objectives but inadequate 2.3 Tax and abroad to tackle poverty practical measures. In particular, and climate change; as well as the TUC will continue to press The TUC, in line with resolution re-balancing the economy by for action in the OECD on `base 26, has continued to argue for discouraging short-term and erosion and profit shifting' (the a fair and just taxation system. speculative gambling on the measures used increasingly by The TUC responded to several markets. Overall, 117 unions transnational corporations to government consultations on (covering the vast majority of TUC avoid taxation) and country-by- taxation in the last year and has affiliated membership), NGOs, country reporting to ensure that continued to make the case for green and faith groups support developing countries benefit. wider reform. the campaign, which has over 250,000 Facebook followers and over 100,000 supporters online.

16 , 250The Robin Hood Tax campaign has 250,000000 Facebook followers

to discuss the implementation Already by that stage, the TUC of the tax with Congressional had taken part in the ETUC's fi gures, the US administration working group on trade and and, in New York, the UN and development and fed into its leading fi gures on Wall Street. policy, stressing the need to The TUC also encouraged protect public services and Labour's spokesperson on the maintain or extend labour tax, Chris Leslie MP, to travel to standards. The TUC's US The main work of the campaign Washington for these events, and equivalent, the AFL-CIO, had in the UK has been the launch he subsequently wrote a column similar concerns about the TTIP of an initiative to secure support for the Guardian and proposed and launched a joint campaign for the campaign from councils an amendment in Parliament with the ETUC in May 2013 and councillors, and since April, supporting the tax. calling for improved working the following councils have conditions and decent work. passed motions supporting the tax: Torfaen (the fi rst), Bassetlaw, The TUC adopted a detailed Corby, Edinburgh, Islington, 2.4 Global trade approach to the negotiations in Lewisham and Nottinghamshire July specifi cally calling for the (covering Sherwood Forest itself). The TUC has continued to NHS and the state's ability to Globally, the campaign held a advocate global trade policies legislate in the public interest to very successful face to face which advance decent work be safeguarded in negotiations on meeting in Tunis as part of the and promote international the TTIP and for social partners World Social Forum in March, at development, but with the to be involved in the negotiations. the suggestion of the TUC. breakdown of the Doha trade The TUC emphasised this position round, trade negotiations in meetings with MEPs and In February, having failed to currently relate mostly to bilateral ministers, in particular with Vince reach unanimity on an EU-level agreements (where the European Cable, Secretary of State for fi nancial transactions tax, the Commission negotiates on Business, Innovation and Skills. EU agreed to allow 11 member behalf of the UK and other EU The TUC has begun discussions states to implement the tax member states). Although there with the newly formed All Party through the Enhanced Co- are many negotiations underway Parliamentary Group on the operation Procedure, despite (e.g. with Canada and India, TTIP, and begun to inform the the opposition of the UK (who on which the TUC continues movement more widely through could only muster the votes of to lobby through the European Touchstone and Stronger Unions. the Czech Republic, Luxemburg Trade Union Confederation and Malta), and negotiations (ETUC) and also through BIS, the The TUC continues to stay in are now underway involving main agreement currently under contact with BIS and the Home Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, discussion is the EU-US free Offi ce on latest developments Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, trade agreement, known formally concerning the EU-India Free Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. as the Transatlantic Trade and Trade Agreement. In letters and The European Parliament voted Investment Partnership (TTIP), meetings with Vince Cable, to support the procedure in July which was launched at the G8 the General Secretary has by an overwhelming majority. The in June. emphasised the concerns TUC has backed the Robin Hood raised in the 2011 Congress Tax campaign in opposing the motion opposing any Mode 4 Chancellor's legal action against arrangements that allowed Indian the European Commission over workers entering the UK labour the procedure. At the end of market to be exploited. February, the TUC assisted in getting EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta, a convert to the Robin Hood Tax, to the USA

17 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

2.5 Labour market Youth unemployment was the A project on making the case subject of three TUC analyses. for full employment began in The labour market's response In October, the TUC looked at July with a report entitled A Job to recession, recovery and youth unemployment by ethnicity, for Everyone. Launched in July stagnation has been one of reporting that young black men at a seminar in the House of the economic puzzles of the had experienced the sharpest Commons, the report looked last fi ve years. In particular, the rise in unemployment since 2010, in detail at how to defi ne full recovery of employment since with 26 per cent out of work. employment in a way relevant the second half of 2011 while In the same month the TUC to the modern labour market GDP stagnated has been released fi gures showing that and argued that the Monetary unexpected. The government overall youth unemployment in Policy Committee should be has claimed that employment England had risen 23 per cent instructed to give equal weight to growth is a vindication of its since May 2010. In May, the TUC unemployment alongside infl ation economic strategy. showed that an extra 395,000 when it sets policy. jobs would have to be created Part of the explanation lies in to return the youth employment Later in the month another a deterioration in the quality of rate to its pre-recession level. Of pamphlet Job Creation: Lessons employment, with a shift from all age groups, young people had from abroad was launched full-time to part-time employment experienced the sharpest decline at a seminar with speakers and the number of part-time in their job prospects. from the Netherlands, Germany workers who say they would and the UK. This showed that, prefer full-time work rising by one In the summer the TUC published although British debates have third of a million. At the same The Gender Jobs Split, a report assumed that the increase in time, as a TUC analysis published which showed that, in the UK employment is exceptional, in July showed, jobs growth since lower half of the labour market, it is in fact close to the average the start of the recession has gender segregation begins early for OECD member states. been concentrated in industries in working life and that young International comparisons do not where lower pay is the norm. people have been especially suggest any need to de-regulate hard hit by the growing problem labour markets to achieve strong Explaining this complicated of underemployment. A seminar employment growth. picture has been a substantial to discuss these fi ndings is in element of the TUC's work on preparation. the labour market. The TUC has emphasised its response to the A number of MPs and monthly labour market statistics, commentators have argued that publishing a reaction within Germany's strong employment minutes of their publication, a performance has been the Job Creation: longer response in a blog post result of partial labour market on the day, a video on the TUC de-regulation, especially the Lessons from website within a week and creation of `mini jobs'. In October a considered review, at fi rst the TUC published Mini Jobs, a published in the monthly Labour briefi ng showing that mini jobs Market Report (till March) and, have caused as many problems since June, in the Economic as they have solved and are, in Quarterly Report. fact, regulated in the same way as other German fi xed-term and While employment has temporary jobs. grown, there has not been a corresponding fall in unemployment. Some groups by Amna Silim have been particularly badly affected and the 2012 Congress agreed composite resolution 5 on youth unemployment that called on the TUC to give a high priority to this issue.

18 The effectiveness of a country's 2.6 Inflation In addition, around four million employment programmes is employees work at least one hour important however. The TUC The Office for National Statistics of paid overtime each week. This has paid particular attention to (ONS) launched a major figure is 600,000 lower than at the government's decision to consultation on amending the the onset of the recession. close the Future Jobs Fund and calculation methods for Retail to create new schemes such as Price index (RPI) inflation. The The European social partners the Work Programme and the ONS proposed calculating RPI engaged in a year-long formal Youth Contract that are much under a new formula which would review of the Working Time cheaper. On the Touchstone effectively lower it by around 0.5 Directive. The GB trade unions blog TUC commentators have per cent. As RPI is widely used were represented by Gloria Mills repeatedly pointed to the lack of in pensions and wage setting (UNISON) and Paul Sellers (TUC). evidence about the effectiveness this would have had a serious of the Youth Contract (other than impact on the economy. The It became clear by the December that employers seem unaware TUC responded by opposing the 2012 meeting of the ETUC that of it) while evaluations published measure and the ONS decided the employers were asking too over the past year have shown to continue publishing RPI but much from the trade union side that the Future Jobs Fund to also publish a new measure without offering enough in return, was very effective. In contrast, (RPIJ) with the new formula. so no viable deal was on offer Wales retains a more effective The TUC organised a meeting and the process concluded programme, and the Wales for union officers to discuss the without agreement. TUC participates in the Welsh new inflation measures, which Assembly Youth Jobs Guarantee concluded that it was important It seems unlikely that the Scheme which seeks to provide for unions to defend continued European Commission will let the 12,000 jobs for young workers use of the RPI. matter rest where it stands, since over three years. the majority of states are not complying with the directive at In May, the Work and Pensions the moment. However, it will not Select Committee reported that 2.7 Working time be possible for the Commission the Work Programme was not to take any further action before meeting the (unambitious) targets The General Council continues the 2014 European Elections. set for it by the government. to strive to reduce excessive The Programme was especially working time. The TUC©s tenth annual Work ineffective in helping the most Your Proper Hours Day was disadvantaged participants The UK's sustained economic held on 1 March 2013, which (as the TUC had forecast), a difficulties have generated some marked the notional point in the problem that was confirmed conflicting pressures on working year when the average worker when new performance figures time. Some employers have cut who undertakes unpaid overtime were published in the summer. staff and expected those who began to get paid for their In April the TUC published remain to work more hours, but efforts. Given the government©s Getting on the Path to Work, an in other cases there has been proposals to make teachers work international study of job creation downward pressure on working more hours, it is important to programmes, focusing on job time and particularly overtime. note that education professionals guarantees. This study concluded consistently top the league in that successful `activation' The number of employees terms of extra unpaid hours. strategies had not relied on working more than 48 hours punitive measures, but had per week has remained at three used a variety of instruments to million for the past couple of facilitate access to employment. years, which is indefensible at a time when unemployment remains too high.

19 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

The TUC©s tenth annual Work Your Proper The General Council has opposed Hours Day was held on 1 March 2013, which most aspects of the government's housing policy, on the grounds marked the notional point in the year when that these measures are likely to the average worker who undertakes unpaid make the housing crisis worse. overtime began to get paid for their efforts. In our 2013 Budget submission we demanded that the government should stop the The TUC has also continued to We are thus also concerned to planned £250m cut in the DCLG campaign with WorkWiseUK, a ensure that sufficient houses are budget this year and use the coalition of business organisations built for sale and that affordable money to invest in housing which is promoting flexible mortgage finance is available. The instead. working and high quality home- latest figures from the Council working. In autumn 2012 a TUC of Mortgage Lenders show the We remain deeply sceptical about report showed that the time taken number of loans approved had the government's Help to Buy up by commuting averaged 193.6 fallen by 19.2 per cent in the past initiative, which was re-launched hours per year, the equivalent of year and the volume of house in the March Budget without about five weeks' work. In May sales is less than half its pre- sufficient safeguards to rule 2013 a TUC report found that recession peak. out possible abuse. despite the recession the number of people working from home had There is sharp concern that high The TUC also opposed new increased by 13 per cent during deposits are excluding ordinary government measures to make it the past five years. working people from the mortgage easier to house homeless people market. But this is certainly not in unsuitable private sector the case for the wealthiest, as accommodation, which put more sales of houses worth more than vulnerable people at risk. 2.8 Housing £1m increased by 20.9 per cent last year. The TUC's work on housing this year has been guided The General Council has by resolution 42 of the 2012 pressed for more social and 2.9 Energy and Congress. genuinely affordable homes, environment with a significant role for local The housing crisis continues authorities. We have continued The General Council's industrial to be deeply entrenched, and to work with the campaign group strategy for a low carbon blights this country. The General Defend Council Housing. Social economy has been guided by Council largely focuses on social housing construction remains at a composite 10 (energy policy) and and affordable housing, as historic low, with local authorities resolution 43 (Greenwash), which this is where the need is most and housing associations call for a long-term policy energy urgent, but our broader vision building less than 20,000 new framework to deliver investment is one of housing construction homes between them last year. in plant, new technology, jobs and helping to restart the economy Demand for social housing has skills in a sustainable energy mix. and providing more decent mushroomed while supply has employment. decreased, leading to local The General Council has been authority waiting lists growing to a mindful of the widening gap record 1.8 million. between the government's early promise to become the `greenest TUC officials have met members government ever' and the of Labour's shadow housing team damaging effect of the UK's stop- on several occasions to explain start approach to green initiatives. the scale of the housing crisis The government has cut and the growing need for social established programmes covering housing. renewable energy and support for a UK-led carbon capture and storage programme has fallen badly behind schedule. Budget

20 2013 marked a new step towards Following discussions at TUSDAC a gas power generation strategy, TUC CLIMATE with forum management with a new subsidy for shale gas CHANGE CONFERENCE representatives, an agreement fracking while the Green Deal Green is good for growth was reached between the TUC home energy effi ciency scheme and PCS, the FDA and Prospect, was so far behind programme LONDON TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2012 and the forum, to set up six pilot that by summer 2013 one in four The TUC’s annual climate change conference 2012 projects, based on a commitment will focus on how to deliver a greener and stronger workers in the home insulation UK economy. With economic recovery still failing to to work together to reduce industry had been laid off. emerge, this exciting one day conference will make the environmental impacts of the case for greener growth and for the economic benefi ts that this approach will bring. departments' operations, by

At the TUC's annual climate KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE taking practical and deliverable Frances O’Grady change conference, Green is TUC General Secretary Designate action in central government Good for Growth (October 2012) Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP buildings. As they have TUC General Secretary, Frances Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills progressed during 2013, these O'Grady, argued that a just projects have established a useful 09:45–16:15, Tuesday 23 October 2012 transitional shift to a low carbon TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS workplace audit system, and led For more information and to register, please visit: economy would bring rewards www.tuc.org.uk/greenisgoodforgrowth to a number of innovative and in new jobs, skills and economic signifi cant reductions in energy growth. The Business Secretary, and resource use. Vince Cable MP, provided an outline of the government's vision Much of the TUC's work on Throughout the year the TUC has for a new approach to industrial climate change and sustainable also continued to press the case policy and expert speakers from development on behalf of the for the Green Investment Bank to business, environmental bodies General Council is progressed have access to capital markets, and trade unions developed the through the Trade Unions although we welcomed the case for a green industrial policy. Sustainable Development announcement of an additional Advisory Committee (TUSDAC). £880m in funding from 2015. In April, the TUC hosted a The high-level TUSDAC Policy The bank has moved quickly second high profi le seminar Group is co-chaired by Sue to invest its £3bn of available on these issues, as a panel Ferns, director of research and resources, with its fi rst annual of speakers debated Growing communications, Prospect, report showing £635m invested in the Green Economy: can UK and General Council lead on 11 low-carbon projects for energy industry meet the low carbon environment and sustainable effi ciency, renewable energy and challenge? Participants were development, and her opposite waste management, matched by Geoffrey Spence, chief executive number in government, Defra £1.6bn from other private sector of Infrastructure UK at HM Minister Lord de Mauley. The sources, a leverage of 3:1. Once Treasury, Emma Howard Boyd TUC is represented by the projects are fully operational they of Jupiter Asset Management, General Secretary. will reduce our greenhouse gas corporate director at Siemens UK emissions by 2.5m tonnes a year Energy Sector Mike Rolls and the The TUSDAC Policy Group met over their lifetime. TUC's General Secretary Frances three times in the past year and O'Grady. has taken forward concerns On behalf of the ITUC, the TUC over the future of the Forestry took part in a UN forum on The Green Economy Council Commission and Forest Research climate change policy responses (GEC) met once in the past year and has pressed Defra to and `just transition' in Bonn in (January 2013), focusing on establish a duty on the fi re and June 2013. fi nancial and other barriers to rescue services to participate in manufacturing supply chains for fl ood rescue. The group has also the offshore wind industry. The continued to express concerns GEC is a 20-member tripartite over the effect of austerity body of business and trade measures, which have led to in union representatives, where excess of 25 per cent cuts to the TUC is represented by Sue staffi ng levels at all grades, and Ferns, director of research and compromised the Commission's communications at Prospect, world-leading scientifi c capacity. and GC lead on sustainable development, and TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady. 21 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

11068_TUC_CARBON:270x210 25/5/12 17:32 Page 1 Energy intensive industries Much of this work has been taken forward through the The TUC's work on behalf of government's Energy Intensive the General Council in support Industries Task Group, where the of the steel and other energy General Council is represented intensive industries has been by the TUC and Community. The guided by resolution 30 (Industrial TUC has also raised concerns infrastructure), which focused on with the Business Secretary that Building our low-carbon a strategy for industrial activism. the support package should be industries

extended to 2020 and beyond; THE BENEFITS OF SECURING THE ENERGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES IN THE UK The past year has seen and that the government should an intense period of ensure that its work on building consultation over the terms UK supply chains includes the of the government's £250m UK's heavy industries. CSR 2013 compensation package for the extended the compensation In association with the Energy Intensive Users Group energy intensive industries. The package for a further year, to compensation package, initially 2016 2017. The offi cial task available for two years, includes group is now considering the Electricity market reforms £210m to offset the escalating terms of further measures to cost of the EU Emissions Trading offset some of industry's costs The TUC has argued that the Scheme (EU ETS) and the of its electricity market reforms, government's Energy Bill should Carbon Price Floor (CPF), or a move which the TUC has include a binding 2030 target for carbon tax. welcomed. power sector decarbonisation, to reduce the political risk currently The scheme is designed to In Autumn 2012, the associated with long-term UK address the impact of industry's Environmental Audit Committee industrial investment. The TUC, additional costs arising from the (EAC) launched an Inquiry into together with over 80 business government's climate change the Energy Intensive Industries' and environmental organisations, and carbon tax policies. More Compensation Scheme. The urged the government to support than 800,000 people work in the TUC's evidence, More German this measure. But the government UK's energy intensive industries Lessons, highlighted the German has resisted these appeals. and their supply chains, providing government©s far more generous many of the essential inputs for support for its manufacturing In November, the General a low carbon economy, such as industries. Germany's industry Secretary, on behalf of the TUC, steel for wind turbines or glass for policy interventions provided its led an energy unions' delegation home insulation. The TUC and its industries as a whole, including to meet Energy Minister John affi liates in these core industries its energy intensive industries, Hayes MP, to discuss affi liates' have worked with industry with long-established reliefs from concerns over the government's bodies, including the Energy energy and climate change- radical, market-oriented electricity Intensive Users Group (EIUG) to related duties, levies and taxes. market reforms, focusing on the press the case for government The EAC's report endorsed the future for coal, the need for a support, including the infl uential TUC's call for a strategy for 2030 decarbonisation target and joint study, Building our Low energy intensive industries. the need for long-term, fi xed-term Carbon Industries. energy supply contracts with fully transparent strike prices.

22 The TUC commented that the reforms appeared to underplay employment and skills issues, 800More than 800,000 people work in the UK's000 energy intensive industries both of which will be crucial to the sustained delivery of the proposed reforms, and urged Clean coal with CCS The TUC and its affi liates have the government to focus on continued to press the case the jobs and skills premium Much of the TUC's work on for intervention in these areas, that its reforms should bring. behalf of the General Council including a meeting in July with The Minister welcomed these in supporting the coal industry the new Energy Minister, Michael contributions, and undertook and the development of CCS Fallon MP, and in discussions to develop a coal strategy in technology has been progressed with Labour's Shadow Energy consultation with trade unions through the TUC's Clean Coal Minister, Tom Greatrex MP, and and industry bodies. Task Group (CCTG), a joint union- with Ian Lavery MP, Chair of the industry body. The CCTG has Trade Union Group of Labour Throughout the year, the arranged a number of briefi ngs MPs. The TUC has also made TUC has continued to make and workshops during the year. representations to government representations to government at offi cial and Ministerial level and MPs on these matters. In February 2012 the UK coal in favour of developing CCS The Department for Energy has industry was hit by a massive for power supply and heavy the lead role on energy market fi re at one of the three remaining industries. To strengthen the reforms, and shares with BIS deep mines, at Daw Mill, case for CCS in the UK as the work of the three industrial Warwickshire, owned by UK Coal. vital infrastructure investment, councils for the energy sector. The subsequent closure of the the CCTG has joined with the The TUC has welcomed the mine, with 650 redundancies, Carbon Capture and Storage creation of these new bodies, placed the future of UK Coal in Association (CCSA) and the and will continue to press for jeopardy. In response, the mining Energy Technology Institute to urgent changes in core areas unions, NUM, BACM-TEAM and commission a joint study of the such as supply chain and skills NACODS, together with Unite economic and employment, as development. and the GMB, made a number of well as environmental, benefi ts of representations to the employer CCS technology. The study is due However, the government and to the energy department. for completion in autumn 2013. appears to be falling short of With the support of the TUC, the its three main aims to provide mining unions brought together secure, affordable and low their main concerns in a strategy carbon energy. In response, the paper, Clean Coal in the UK: A 2.10 Corporate TUC and a number of affi liates plan for the future. This set out governance and have also supported the Energy the case for offi cial action to capital markets Bill Revolution campaign over the resolve not just the immediate past year, aimed at persuading crisis facing UK Coal, but to government that investing the develop in consultation with all The TUC has continued to argue new carbon taxes in home sides of industry a long-term, that the UK's shareholder value insulation would be a highly credible strategy for clean coal system of corporate governance effective job creator, as well as in the UK, providing security of is in need of fundamental reform cutting energy use and bills and supply based on indigenous and has started to make the boosting the economy. resources. case for worker representation in corporate governance. In July it was announced that the Pension Protection Fund would In September the TUC organised take on the UK Coal pension a small roundtable chaired by scheme and responsibility for the General Secretary designate Kellingley and Thoresby mines, on workers' representation on with the mining unions expressing company boards. A range of concern over the cut in pension union representatives, academics entitlements that this deal implies. and policy makers participated.

23 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

In May the General Council In June, the General Secretary considered a paper exploring the made a speech setting out the issue of economic democracy case for workers' representation and workers' voices within on company boards to a corporate governance. The conference on employee paper argued that shareholder involvement in corporate primacy within the UK's corporate governance organised by the governance system had Pensions Investment Research contributed to short-termism in Consultants (PIRC). corporate decision-making in the financial sector and more broadly. The TUC contributed to a It proposed that investors' review of short-termism carried Trade Union Share Owners governance rights should be out by Sir George Cox for the dependent on a minimum period Labour Party which reported in Trade Union Share Owners of share ownership and directors' February 2013. General Secretary (TUSO), an initiative bringing duties should be reformed so designate Frances O'Grady was a together union funds to vote in that directors were required to member of the steering group for line with trade union values at promote the long-term success the review and the TUC organised company AGMs, was launched of the company as their primary a meeting for Sir George Cox in March, with the participation aim, rather than prioritising the to meet union representatives of the staff pension funds of interests of shareholders as who set out their views on the the TUC, UNISON and Unite. at present. factors that contribute to short- Policies to guide the voting termism and what could be done and engagement approach The paper went on to argue that to address it. The TUC also of TUSO were set out in the the lack of any mechanism for submitted written evidence to Trade Union Shareholder Voting the representation of workers the review. As well as setting out and Engagement Guidelines, is a major gap in the UK's the case for reforms to corporate published at the time of the corporate governance system, governance, the mergers and launch by the TUC. The Trade noting that in 18 of the 27 EU takeovers' regime and public Union Shareholder Voting and member states plus Norway there procurement, a major theme of Engagement Guidelines are is some provision for worker the TUC's input to the review based heavily on existing TUC representation on company was the positive contribution policies. They include voting boards. The paper argued that that investment in skills, long- against company remuneration workers had a long-term stake term employment relationships reports where the ratio between in companies and that their and engagement with staff and top director pay and average involvement in company decision unions can make to company employee pay exceeds 20:1 or making in the UK would help performance. The final report where pay rises for company boards take a long-term view of included some positive proposals directors are out of line with pay company success. It suggested on mergers and takeovers and increases for other company that the role of member- public procurement but said little staff and only supporting nominated pension fund trustees on employment issues. incentive schemes that are provided a useful precedent for open to all company staff on workers playing this sort of role. In June, the TUC responded the same terms. to a BIS consultation on voting The General Council agreed a disclosure by institutional In April, TUSO signed an Investor position in principle of support investors. The TUC response Statement in Support of Improved for workers' representation argued that it should be a legal Oversight of National Express in corporate governance and requirement for asset managers Human Capital Strategy. TUSO agreed a work programme to to disclose their voting records voted against the report and explore the issues involved publicly and that a prescribed accounts of National Express further. format should be established at its April AGM as a result of for disclosure. the Board's lack of response to concerns raised about anti- union activity at its US subsidiary, Durham School Services.

24 The General Council welcomed TUC Fund Manager the launch of TUSO and noted Voting Survey that all union funds are welcome making pensions to join the initiative at any time. work for people The TUC Fund Manager Voting TUC Member Trustee Network Survey 2012 was published in Annual Conference 2012 November. The survey again Tuesday 27 november Employee ownership Congress House, london revealed a sharp divide in voting stances of institutional investors Following on from the Nuttall on key issues at company Review of Employee Ownership, AGMs in 2011. At one end of which reported in July 2012, the spectrum, three respondents the government consulted on voted in favour of over 85 per the Review's proposal that there cent or more of management should be a statutory right to resolutions, while at the other request employee ownership. end, three supported less than 25 The TUC's response argued per cent. Remuneration was once in favour of a statutory right to again the most common topic request employee ownership, of engagement and the issue supported by a statutory code over which respondents were of practice with non-statutory most likely to oppose company guidance. It also argued that the over 1,000 members, drawn from management. right to request should be clearly many of the biggest schemes in distinguished from the right to the UK and responsible for billions Almost all of the survey provide in the public sector; of pounds in assets. Members respondents (26 out of 28) now that only employee ownership receive a quarterly newsletter, make at least some voting data schemes that would include all email updates and access to TUC publicly available. However, the employees, including part-time events including seminars and an quality of information varied, workers, should be included; and annual conference. with several fund managers only that the right to request should disclosing votes against and be a collective right, with a trigger The 2012 TUC Trustee Network abstentions, and others providing process set out clearly in the Conference, entitled Making only headline statistics. code. Following the consultation, Pensions Work for People, the government decided not to took place in November. The A striking fi nding was a sharp take forward the proposal. conference included keynote drop in the overall headcount of speeches from Pensions Minister specialist corporate governance The TUC has been represented Steve Webb and Professor and responsible investment staff on an Employee Ownership John Kay, author of the Kay employed by respondents. This Implementation Group set up by Review of UK Equity Markets did not refl ect cuts across the BIS following the Nuttall Review, and Long-Term Decision Making, board, but was largely driven has participated in discussions on and a panel session on taking by big reductions in the teams an employee guide on employee environmental, social and employed by three respondents. ownership and led a workshop governance issues into account Signifi cantly, all three had been on employee ownership and in investment decisions. In signifi cant players in responsible trade unions as part of Employee addition, a series of interactive investment in recent years. Ownership Day. workshops provided trustees with an opportunity for in-depth discussion of a range of key Member Trustee Network issues.

The TUC Member Trustee Network is a service provided by the TUC for union members who are member-nominated trustees of pension schemes or observers on local government pension schemes. It currently has

25 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

Committee for Workers’ ETI now has 75 corporate The resolution on the Leveson Capital (CWC) members with a combined Inquiry built on the work done turnover of £166bn. The TUC in the previous year. This had The TUC contributed to the has worked to take forward ETI included a one-day conference CWC's second Proxy Review programmes in priority supply on media ownership and in 2012. The report identified chains including garment making regulation that informed the significant shareholder votes in Bangladesh and South India, TUC's submission to Leveson. on social, environmental and seafood production from Thailand The 2012 resolution called corporate governance issues and Indonesia, natural stone and for: a conscience clause in from Australia, Canada, the costume jewellery manufacture journalists' contracts; the right to Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, from India, footwear and toy representation in the workplace Switzerland, the UK and the USA. making from China, horticulture for media workers; and changes The TUC, working with Pensions from Peru and furniture making in the regulation of the press Investment Research Consultants from Vietnam, in which context, to ensure it stopped being the (PIRC), provided the UK votes Rosa Crawford participated plaything of media barons. included in the Review. in an ETI delegation to visit furniture factories around Ho The Leveson Report was Janet Williamson from the Chi Minh City with John Lewis, published in November 2012. TUC spoke to a workshop on Oxfam and BWI representatives. It was welcomed by the TUC, corporate short-termism at the A number of hazards at work as an important step forward, CWC's Scaling Up Conference were identified in the factories with the recognition of the in November 2012. including poor ventilation and need for a conscience clause fire safety standards which were in journalists' contracts being clearly linked to the lack of worker particularly welcome. In looking Ethical Trading Initiative participation in the factories. The at the report in more detail the TUC will be working with ETI executive concluded that despite The TUC continues to play a key on programme work to support the developing political divide role in the Ethical Trading Initiative better working conditions through over the need for a new system (ETI), the multi-stakeholder genuine collective bargaining in a to be underpinned by statute, the body enabling unions and selection of factories in Vietnam. real test would come once the NGOs to work with companies system was in place and it was to improve working conditions faced with treading the fine line in their (predominantly global) between press freedom and the supply chains. Trade unions are 2.11 Digital economy rights of those who considered represented on the Board by and creative industries they had been wronged by the Monika Kemperle (IndustriALL), press. It committed to continue Ben Moxham (TUC), Alison Tate to press for a media free from (ITUC) and Scot Walker (Unite The 2012 Congress carried three control either by the state or and IUF). The TUC has been resolutions (motions 71, 72 and over-powerful owners. In April, working to ensure a sensible 73) relating to this sector. They the General Council supported system of resolving union concerned the Leveson Inquiry, a European Citizens Initiative concerns about domestic supply BBC cuts and the practice of on media pluralism, which was chains, including assisting Unite asking professional musicians to being promoted by the European with problems around blacklisting play for free. The weakness of the Federation of Journalists, among in the construction industry which government's strategy for rolling others. The initiative called for: are yet to be resolved. out a fast broadband network effective legislation to avoid was also highlighted in an concentration of ownership in the intervention on the 2012 General media and advertisement sectors; Council Report. guaranteed independence of supervisory bodies, with a The TUC has continued to work politically and culturally balanced closely with unions in the sector and socially diverse membership; on these and other issues, definition of conflict of interests principally through the Federation with media ownership; and the of Entertainment Unions. publication of information on ownership. The initiative requires a million signatures from across

26 The Leveson Report In addition, the TUC has 2.12 Transport was published in continued to support the entertainment unions in their Government review of the November 2012. It battle against digital piracy balance of EU competencies was welcomed by the through participation in the TUC, as an important work of the Creative Coalition In July 2013 the Executive Campaign, which brings together Committee endorsed the TUC's step forward, with rights holders and is pressing response to the government's the recognition of the government and internet service review of the balance of legislative providers to take action against competencies between domestic need for a conscience illegal file downloading of government and the EU. clause in journalists' copyright materials. contracts being The TUC argued that a The government had committed framework of EU legislation was particularly welcome. to enact a communications bill necessary to support cross- before the end of this parliament, border trade, and to ensure that but that now looks unlikely. Of the environment, workers and European Union countries particular concern is the absence consumers were all properly before it will be considered by of a co-ordinated plan to ensure protected. The response argued the European Commission. the effective roll-out of a superfast strongly that the EU had skimped This needs to be done within broadband network covering the on social and environmental a year and unions have been whole country and not just the protection in recent years. encouraged to promote the areas where such a service would initiative to their members. be highly profitable. But more generally, through the absence Aviation On the BBC, the General of leadership and the cuts in Secretary offered her support to arts funding being implemented This year's TUC activity on the NUJ, BECTU and Unite the both through central and local aviation policy has been guided staff unions in their continuing government, the government by resolution 49 at Congress dispute over job losses and is demonstrating a failure to 2012. cuts arising from the licence fee appreciate the role of the arts and settlement made in haste in 2010. creative industries in the wider In June 2013, Oliver Richardson economy and their contribution to (Unite), Emily Boase (Prospect) The issue of artists, mainly exports and well-being at home. and Tim Page (TUC) met with musicians, being asked to Sir Howard Davies, Chairman perform without pay in exchange of the Airports Commission. for the `exposure' they would This followed a letter to the receive has been raised by Commission from the TUC the Musicians' Union (MU) at General Secretary, Frances successive Congresses. It was O'Grady, in March 2013. also a serious issue around the Olympics. The MU is now Frances O'Grady's letter running a high-profile campaign, stressed the value of workplace Work Not Play, and the TUC is agreements and good industrial supportive of this. relations, citing an excellent agreement relating to the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5 and another relating to the infrastructure for London 2012 as examples of how working with trade unions brings economic and industrial benefits.

27 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

At the meeting with Sir Howard Davies trade unions stressed , the importance of aviation for £23The average salary for a full-time driver is now £23,675 the economy and jobs. We recognised the importance of a hub airport, while also Road transport 2.13 Industrial policy acknowledging our support for the UK's regional airports. We The General Council continues This year's TUC activity on highlighted the importance of to press for better working industrial policy has been guided connectivity. We stressed the conditions for heavy goods by composite 1, A Future That importance of climate change drivers. The road haulage industry Works campaign, which was and pollution issues, recognising currently employs 176,000 HGV carried at Congress 2012 and by the need to balance competing drivers, a fall of about six per resolution 32. concerns. We also noted that air cent since 2004. The average traffi c provision was regulated salary for a full-time driver is now Two high-profi le seminars, held by the Single European Sky £23,675. as part of a year-long After legislation, targets for which were Austerity event series, formed set by the European Commission. The TUC has continued to the centrepiece of TUC work campaign for better protection on industrial policy during this In March, Frances O'Grady and against long hours in the Congress year. The fi rst, which Tim Page met with Daniel Moylan sector. The introduction of the took place in January 2013, from the offi ce of the Mayor of Road Transport Working Time was addressed by the former London, to discuss the range of Directive (2005) led to some Deputy Prime Minister, Lord airport options for the capital. reduction in average hours but Heseltine, whose review, No has dented rather than defeated Stone Unturned, was published the entrenched use of excessive two months before. Alongside Shipping working time in the industry. Lord Heseltine, Peggy Hollinger from the Financial Times, Andrew This year's TUC activity on Thus the latest fi gures show Churchill from the business shipping policy has been guided that 10 per cent of full-time HGV community and Frances O'Grady, by resolution 48 and composite 9 drivers still work 22.5 hours general secretary of the TUC, at Congress 2012. of overtime or more per week debated major issues affecting (Source: ONS Annual Survey of the future of industry. In January 2013, TUC General Hours and Earnings 2012). Secretary Frances O'Grady wrote This fi gure has fallen by four The second seminar, held in June to the Secretary of State for hours per week since the 2013, featured the Business Business, Innovation and Skills directive took effect in the UK, Secretary, Vince Cable, and his (BIS), Vince Cable, in pursuit but is still far too high. Labour Shadow, Chuka Umunna, of the ratifi cation of the ILO alongside Juergen Maier of Maritime Labour Convention. These fi gures must be read Siemens and Frances O'Grady. This letter noted that the British in the context of a dangerous This seminar also sought to learn Chamber of Shipping and the environment. According to the lessons from abroad, hearing two maritime unions, RMT and DfT the number of fatalities in from Patrizio Bianchi from the Nautilus, had jointly stressed accidents involving buses and University of Ferrara in Italy and the importance of ratifi cation in goods vehicles increased last Lim Swee Say, the General a letter to BIS in August 2012, year, while the fi gures for car Secretary of Singapore's NTUC. making clear that UK fl agged users improved. Mariana Mazzucato from Sussex vessels risked being placed at University discussed her work on a serious disadvantage relative the role of the state in promoting to shipping registered in states Rail innovation. which had ratifi ed the convention. Trade unions continued to pursue Rail transport was a major focus this issue, successfully calling on of the TUC's transport work the government to act before the over the year. As this primarily convention offi cially came into concerned cuts and privatisation force in August 2013. issues, this is dealt with in Chapter 4.

28 Lord Heseltine speaking at a TUC After Austerity event in January

Tony Burke (Unite) and Tim , Page (TUC) attended the 2013 £23 Manufacturing Summit, which took place at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire in February 2013. The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, were joined by the BIS Ministerial team. Tony Burke and Tim Page also attended the EEF Manufacturing Summit in March. Tim Page continues to represent the TUC at the Manufacturing Action Group, an ad-hoc body offering advice to government on industrial matters. The TUC is represented alongside the CBI, EEF, GKN and the Institute of Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge.

Frances O'Grady has continued ȓ a national growth Many of these recommendations to serve on the High Level strategy which sets out reflect long-standing TUC Stakeholder Group for the the government's vision concerns and we were happy to Government Office for Science and includes concrete welcome them in Lord Heseltine's Foresight team's Future commitments to which it can report. More generally, Lord of Manufacturing Project. be held to account Heseltine called for much of This two-year project was industry to raise its game. While established in December 2011 ȓ a sectoral economic strategy recognising that the UK is home to look at the long-term future and an industry council for to some of the best companies of manufacturing, investigating each formal partnership in the world, Heseltine said global trends and drivers for between government and a that we cannot be dazzled by change. It has also explored sector their success and ignore the how the UK can maximise future performance of the average . opportunities. It is due to report ȓ a single funding pot for local during Autumn 2013. areas, with Local Enterprise In its response, the government Partnerships (LEPs) bidding for argued that it had accepted The main government funds from central government 81 of the 89 recommendations announcement on industrial on a competitive basis in No Stone Unturned. It had policy was its response to the accepted the principle of a single Heseltine Review, No Stone ȓ the use of procurement policy local growth fund, allocated Unturned, which coincided to support building the UK's through a process of negotiation with the Budget. Lord long-term technological to strengthen incentives on Heseltine's report had made 89 advantage and its industrial LEPs to generate growth. It also recommendations to government. base argued that it would ensure all These included: departments have ambitious and ȓ clarity over the future of airport transparent growth targets and ȓ a call for the Prime Minister to capacity in the South East that industrial strategy partnership chair a national growth council, councils would be established for with a cross-government focus ȓ and science and research 11 key industrial sectors. on driving growth and wealth funding at a level which keeps creation pace with our international competitors.

29 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

The TUC was disappointed that We made the case for infrastructure to serve Lord Heseltine's call for clarity the whole country, highlighting how broadband over airport capacity in the South East was not forthcoming. We is inadequate in many rural areas, while regret the fact that there will investment in rail infrastructure has been be no national growth council disappointing since privatisation. chaired by the Prime Minister. We welcome the councils and strategies for 11 key industrial sectors we particularly welcome In line with resolution 32 the TUC 2.14 Science the representation of the TUC continued to support a reduction General Secretary on the Council in the powers of supermarkets The TUC Alliance for Science of Councils but, while on some over manufacturers. This included met with the Minister of State sector councils there is proper working with the Centre for for Universities and Science, trade union involvement, we are Research on Socio-Cultural David Willetts, in January 2013. disappointed that our contribution Change at Manchester University At this meeting, trade unions has not yet been welcomed fully on forthcoming research raised issues concerning the on others. considering the business role of Public Sector Research pressures facing sectors including Establishments. We also In January, the TUC contributed the dairy industry. highlighted the Department to the Armitt Review of of Business's Review of the Infrastructure Investment. This Over the year the TUC regions Government Science and review was conducted for continued to engage with Engineering Profession, whose the Labour Party by Sir John regional economic policy work we wished to see reported Armitt, the former Chairman of institutions, although the extent of to the Cabinet Office to ensure the Olympic Delivery Authority. engagement varies given the non- that its recommendations were In our submission, the TUC uniform nature of Local Enterprise reflected in the Civil Service highlighted the UK's long history Partnerships (LEPs) and varying Capability Review. of insufficient investment in `combined authority' and City infrastructure. We made the case Deal arrangements. The NW TUC At the initiative of trade unions, it for infrastructure to serve the has established a trade union was agreed that, going forward, whole country, highlighting how economic forum to influence and BIS would organise a round broadband is inadequate in many inform engagement with LEPs, table on equality of access rural areas, while investment City Regions and other economic to apprenticeships in science in rail infrastructure has been fora. SERTUC has published sectors, involving large employers disappointing since privatisation. practical guides to key economic in the science sectors, employer We also drew attention to the issues for reps and has secured representatives, the TUC and success of Heathrow Terminal funding for a programme giving a unions in the science sector and 5 and the stadia and facilities voice to unemployed workers and those campaigning on the future for the London 2012 Olympic all regions are seeking various of apprenticeships. and Paralympic Games, two routes to engage in economic projects that benefited from development concerns at a local strong relationships between level, including participating delivery bodies and trade unions. in local employment and skills 2.15 Procurement We endorsed the creation of boards. In Wales, Towards a an independent infrastructure Welsh Industrial Strategy, a Wales The TUC's work in this area has commission. TUC report, was launched at the been informed by composite 2013 Wales TUC Congress. The 6, effective procurement. In development of a Single Growth January 2013, the TUC made Fund and European Investment a submission to the Public Fund provides new impetus and Administration Select Committee opportunity for TUC engagement (PASC) inquiry into public in these areas. procurement.

30 In our submission, we made three The TUC has focused in particular substantive points: on securing the mandatory respect of working conditions set ȓ At a strategic level, the UK by law or collective agreements has failed to make full use of applicable in the place where the the potential for procurement work is carried out or the service policy to support both is provided. This amendment is the quantity and quality particularly important in the light of employment, to assist of the unhelpful Ruffert case economic inclusion and to that has so far prevented public Towards an eThical olympics: the story of Playfair 2012 underpin a modern industrial authorities from demanding the strategy. This failure to use respect of anything other than procurement policy in a minimum legal requirements. positive manner must be addressed going forward. The TUC and its affi liates have also sought to delete an ȓ The procurement of new trains amendment put forward by the as part of the Thameslink UK government aimed at ring- contract, won by Siemens fencing public services spin-offs In order to record and assess the of Germany rather than by and mutuals (as loosely defi ned trade union role in the Games Bombardier, which is based by the government and thus a consultation exercise was in Derby, had implications for including private operators) from conducted with unions in autumn industry and jobs in the UK. competing on the open market 2012 and concluding discussions This experience changed the for a given period of time. It were held with the principal TUC debate on procurement policy remains unclear whether this contacts at both the Olympic and it is important that lessons formulation, which risks providing Delivery Authority and the London are learned. further scope to the government's Organising Committee. agenda of privatisation of public ȓ From a European perspective, services, will stay in the text. A document assessing the new reformed EU procurement various aspects of trade union directives must continue to Over the year the general involvement was agreed by support the use of social, secretary of Wales TUC chaired the General Council in March employment and environmental a task group developing good and circulated to unions clauses in public sector procurement practice for the for information. The main contracts. Welsh Assembly which included conclusions were that while union reference to apprenticeships, involvement had been more low Regarding this latter point, in community benefi t and decent key than in previous Games, December 2011, the European employment standards in public such as Sydney 2000 or Atlanta Commission published a contracts. 1996, the positive engagement proposal to revise the 2004 with unions had helped to raise public procurement (general and standards and contributed to utilities) directives. Since then the success of the Games. the TUC, together with partners 2.16 London A separate assessment was in the Network for Sustainable 2012 Olympic and made of the Playfair project and Development in Public Paralympic Games reference to this can be found in Procurement, as well as the Chapter 6. ETUC, has been engaging with the European Parliament in order The trade union contribution to seek improvements to the text. to the London 2012 Olympic This work has continued during and Paralympic Games and the past Congress year. the lessons to be drawn from the success of the Games featured prominently in a number of contributions to the 2012 Congress, which opened on the day of the Paralympic closing ceremony.

31 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

Following the Games, contact year held under Labour. The has been maintained with Forum, which is jointly chaired the London Development by the Minister and the TUC Legacy Corporation, which is General Council spokesperson Overall EU responsible for the development on international development, unemployment of the Olympic Park after the Gail Cartmail, covered the decent has risen for 18 months in a row and stands at 25.75 Games and the corporation work agenda; the report of the million, more than one in has committed to principles High-Level Panel (co-chaired ten of the population. of co-operation that build on by the Prime Minister) on the Youth unemployment in particular is at a those between the TUC and successor to the Millennium historic high of 5.5million, and particularly severe in the two Olympic bodies the Development Goals; violence some of the hardest hit countries. ODA and LOCOG. Contact has against women and girls; and 34.5% Ireland 55.6% 35.1% also been established with the tax policy. The TUC also worked Greece Portugal 54.2% body representing the Olympic closely with the Labour Party Spain 35.1% 23.4% boroughs and support given to on its international development 21.7% Italy France them in their aim to raise living policy, and Ivan Lewis, Shadow UK standards in those boroughs up Secretary of State, addressed the Under-employment to the London average within TUC International Development is rising too. the next two decades. Work on Group in July. 8.6 million people On average 40% of people now unemployed in the EU the Olympic legacy is now being across Europe are likely to be out of are under-employed work for more than handled by SERTUC. The TUC also continued to work part time workers. one year through BOND, the umbrella Household incomes are declining in real terms in 2/3 of EU body for NGOs working on countries, and around 15% of EU households are development, and in the reporting financial distress. The worst falls have been in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Italy, 2.17 International Progressive Development Forum, Cyprus, Hungary and Portugal, undermining demand from promoting a more radical, social private consumption in their development economies. justice-focused approach to development. The TUC decided, Pledge your support... Workers across Europe are taking action on 14 November, concerned the burden of austerity in The TUC continued to press after consultation with unions, roleEurope inis falling sustaining hardest on ordinary economic working people. Please help them reach more people around for a progressive international not to take part in the `Enough activityEurope with their and argument growth, by sharing this as graphic well as in in solidarity with their protests and signing the development agenda, urging If' campaign on food and hunger reducingITUC solidarity pledge. poverty and enhancing the government to maintain its run by the major aid charities, as social cohesion and integration. commitment to international reported to the 2012 Congress. The TUC arguedwww.tuc.org.uk/14nov2012 in favour of a set aid spending of 0.7 per cent of ofStatistics: goals European Commission articulated employment and social analysis,around Nov 2012 http://bit.ly/EUeconomy four Gross National Income (the UN key pillars economic, social, target) and incorporate decent Post-2015 Development environmental and institutional work into its programmes. In Agenda to be incorporated in the new particular, the TUC marked development paradigm and World Day for Decent Work on In October, in a submission to stressed that priority should be 7 October with a report called A the International Development given to the creation of decent Decent Job? which set out how Committee (IDC) on the post- and productive employment the Department for International 2015 Development Agenda, the opportunities, enabling all to Development (DFID) was failing TUC pointed out that the failure afford the basic necessities and to incorporate the decent work to integrate `decent work' into comforts of life and enjoy their agenda into its practices. After Millennium Development Goals rights and entitlements and that annual meetings in 2011 and (MDGs) had deprived them of a social protection needed to 2012 of the DFID/TUC trade viable strategy to achieve them, extend to all and include safe union forum, the newly appointed that productive and decent work working conditions, suffi cient DFID minister responsible for civil was pivotal to the fulfi llment of free time and rest, adequate society, Lynne Featherstone MP, individual aspirations as well as compensation in case of loss of held two meetings of the forum in to the collective achievement income or reduced income and January and July, and committed of social and economic goals access to affordable health care to a meeting later in 2013, thus and that decent work and social and retirement benefi ts. restoring the three meetings a protection played a determining

32 Throughout the year, the TUC 2.18 Learning Regulation and social took part in the consultations and skills partnership on the post-2015 Development Agenda organised by the ITUC/ In addition to calling on the ETUC Trade Union Development Over the past year the General government to maintain public Cooperation Network (TUDCN) as Council has continued to investment in skills, the TUC has well as in a Trade Union Experts' highlight the importance of pressed for three other specific Meeting held in Geneva in May prioritising investment in learning policy proposals designed to and backed the inclusion of and skills in order to support boost the number and quality decent work and social protection economic recovery and tackle of training opportunities. The as one of the key goals in the unemployment, especially youth TUC has stressed that, in new framework and underscored unemployment. sharp contrast with many the need for effective measures to other countries, the UK lacks a reduce growing inequalities within Other aspects of the work of the framework of regulatory measures and between nations. TUC and unionlearn on education that incentivises employers to and skills can be found in invest in workforce development In February, the general Chapters 4, 5 and 6. and training. Secondly, the TUC secretary wrote to Justine has called on the government Greening, Secretary of State for to draw on the experience of International Development, urging Skills investment many other successful European the government to ensure the economies where a social adoption of the Private Member's Austerity measures have meant partnership model involving high bill on the enshrinement in that government spending on levels of co-operation between law of the UK government's workforce skills is now largely employers and unions around commitment to devote 0.7 per confined to apprenticeships and workforce training especially cent of Gross National Income support for those employees yet apprenticeships is the norm. (GNI) to Official Development to achieve minimum standards Thirdly, the TUC has made the Assistance. in English and maths. Union case for an integrated approach learning reps, with the support with regard to industrial and In June, in a submission to the of the Union Learning Fund, skills strategies as is found IDC on development finance, are continuing to play a crucial in many social partnership the TUC emphasised the need role in supporting individuals states. In December 2012 the for dedicating 0.7 per cent of and employers to access, and unionlearn board hosted a GNI to Official Development maximise, the benefits of these round-table discussion focused Assistance (ODA) in view of training subsidies while also on these policy themes, with the rapidly growing needs of encouraging increased employer the discussion led by Professor development and related issues investment in the skills of the Lorna Unwin of the Institute of such as climate change and wider workforce. Education. protection of the environment and opposed any dilution of the In this context the TUC has UK commitment in this regard. repeatedly highlighted that the Moreover, the submission noted biennial National Employer Skills that the UK had not yet taken Survey shows that nearly half of the opportunity to enhance the the workforce received no training impact of its aid programmes at work during 2011 (compared through engagement and with 37 per cent before the collaboration with trade unions recession began). Given new in developing countries, despite requirements for more individuals its recognition of the role of to fund their own training, labour in development. unionlearn has also published guidance for union reps on the loan system.

33 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

Over the past year unionlearn The TUC has welcomed has also led on a European- references in the document wide project aiming to increase stipulating that these new the capacity of trade unions to industrial partnerships should support workplace learning. One be resonating with the social of the outcomes of the project partnerships that we see in has been an EU-wide study countries such as Germany . It of ways in which unions help is also welcome that the UKCES workers access learning and skills has highlighted the importance with an emphasis on highlighting of union involvement, saying best practice. The project report that the industrial partnerships Building Trade Union Support for will create the conditions for Workplace Learning throughout strong employer-led partnerships Europe was launched at a of business, trade unions and seminar in June 2013 attended sector bodies to step up and take by union representatives and full end to end responsibility for other stakeholders from many workforce development in their European countries. industry. However, as highlighted In the summer of 2012 the in the TUC's Budget submission, government appointed Doug any decision to extend this pilot Richard to lead an independent Industrial partnerships on a nationwide scale through the review into the future of and skills tax system should be given very apprenticeships. The TUC careful consideration. submission to the review stressed Through the Employer Ownership the urgent need to drive up Pilot the government is testing the quality of all apprenticeship out the impact of offering Apprenticeships programmes and to tackle employers the opportunity to exploitation and poor quality by bid for direct access to public The General Council continues strengthening regulation and investment of more than £300m to give strong support to the enforcement, in particular as to design their own training apprenticeship programme regards minimum pay rates, solutions in partnership with other while also pressing government duration of apprenticeships, time stakeholders, including unions to address some key policy off for training, progression, and and colleges. Round 2 of the pilot challenges, in particular the need employer funding contributions. includes a welcome emphasis to improve quality and standards, on supporting a more strategic boost employer recruitment and On the publication of the Richard approach by encouraging funding tackle equality of access. Various Review report in November 2012, bids from industrial partnerships TUC reports have evidenced that the TUC welcomed the focus to take wider responsibility for it is no coincidence that those on the urgent need to improve skills development in a place European countries that provide the quality of apprenticeships. or sector . high quality apprenticeship It also broadly welcomed Doug opportunities to a large number Richard's recommendation of their young people are that employers and unions the very same countries with should have a greater say in signifi cantly lower levels of youth the development of high quality unemployment. apprenticeship frameworks and standards through collaboration at the industrial level.

34 The TUC's submission also called In its 2013 Budget Submission for urgent action by government the TUC emphasised that young to tackle the major equality and people pursuing learning and diversity challenges affecting skills outside of apprenticeships the apprenticeship programme. are facing huge disadvantages, Unionlearn, in partnership with especially greater fi nancial NAS, commissioned research barriers resulting from the in 2012 in order to provide a abolition of the Education detailed analysis of gender Maintenance Allowance. The equality and race equality in Budget Submission called on apprenticeships and also the the government to tackle some potential for improving access of these barriers, including Skills for sustainable routes for women and BME addressing a particular injustice employment groups. The research report relating to free school meals. Strategies to tackle youth unemployment is due to be published in The Budget Submission also Dr Melanie Simms University of Warwick Dr Ben Hopkins University of Aberystwyth autumn 2013. highlighted that transport costs Dr Sophie Gamwell University of Warwick Research paper 18 constituted a major fi nancial June 2013 barrier for many young people, a Young people fi nding corroborated by research commissioned by unionlearn Unionlearn hosted a major In line with Composite 15 agreed and direct feedback from young dissemination event for trade at the 2012 Congress, over the people attending unionlearn's unions in November 2012 entitled past year the TUC has continued annual event for unionised `Union Learning and the Green to press the government to apprentices. Economy'. The event received widen access to other learning keynote speeches from former and skills opportunities that In 2012 unionlearn commissioned GMB General Secretary and would help more young people the University of Warwick to Aldersgate Group member John achieve sustainable employment. conduct research looking at Edmonds and also Capacity The TUC responded to the innovative activities unions are Global Director, Maria Adebowale government consultation on engaged in around tackling (author of unionlearn's Stewarding the proposed new traineeship youth unemployment and also to the Green Skills Agenda report). programme, saying that it highlight potential policy reforms welcomed the stated aim of to reduce youth unemployment. In addition to producing guidance traineeships supporting more The fi nal report Skills for for union reps about the new young people to access high Sustainable Employment: 24+ advanced learning loans, quality apprenticeships and Strategies to tackle youth unionlearn is encouraging sustainable employment with unemployment was launched affi liated unions to contribute training, but that a range of at a seminar in March 2013 when evidence on the impact of their criteria would need to be met speakers included Professor introduction on access to learning to ensure the programme Melanie Simms and Robert and skills in the workplace in line achieved this aim for all Halfon MP. with Composite 15 agreed at the participants and thereby ensured 2012 Congress. Unionlearn is that no young person would represented on the government be at risk of exploitation by Adult skills and stakeholder group established to unscrupulous employers. In July further education oversee the introduction of the the TUC published a Charter for loans system and has particularly Traineeships that sets out the Following TUC lobbying the been pressing government on a criteria for a quality traineeship government last year agreed to number of issues. that unions could give their form a sub-group to the Green support to. Economy Council that would focus on how the skills needed for a green economy could be delivered.

35 Chapter two Jobs, growth and a new economy

Unionlearn co-ordinates the Career information Supporting union TUC Further Education Advisory advice and guidance representatives on Group which supports regular skills bodies policy discussions among trade Last year the TUC responded to unions representing the teaching the Department for Education Established in 2008 as a result and support workforce in the consultation on extending the of the recommendations of the sector. The TUC welcomed age of young people receiving Leitch Review of Skills, the UK proposals in a government report career guidance, welcoming the Commission for Employment and produced by Lord Lingfield for proposal that career information, Skills (UKCES) now describes a new professional body for advice and guidance be extended itself as a social partnership, led further education lecturers to be to all young people from year 8 by commissioners from large and known as the FE Guild and a new upwards but expressing concerns small employers, trade unions ©covenant© between colleges and about the lack of face-to-face and the voluntary sector with their staff regarding professional guidance available to many a mission to raise skill levels to development. Unionlearn will be young people. help drive enterprise, create more working with affiliates to ensure and better jobs and economic that the Education and Training At the beginning of the year growth . The trade union Foundation is responsive to unionlearn conducted a survey members of the Commission are the voices of teaching staff and of union learning representatives Gail Cartmail, Frances O'Grady, learners. that looked at the current Dave Prentis, and STUC General provision of careers guidance Secretary Grahame Smith. Unionlearn co-ordinated for working people. The survey Unionlearn provides support responses from further education found that only 20 per cent to the union commissioners staff and union learning of respondents had used the by providing regular briefings representatives to a consultation National Careers Service (NCS) on learning and skill policy on professionalism in the further and many did not know about developments. education sector during the it. These findings informed a summer of 2012. Research unionlearn submission to the There are currently 18 sector found that 9 out of 10 wanted to London Assembly consultation skills councils (SSCs) and 5 maintain the national minimum on adult careers information, sector skills bodies in place qualification level for teachers in advice and guidance and our which engage with employers, further education and consistent recommendations on ways in unions and other stakeholders support for a negotiated which the NCS could engage to define skills needs and skills settlement between employers, more effectively with employers standards in their particular unions and government with and unions. industries. Unions play a key regard to continued professional role in the work of SSCs and development in the sector. The TUC submitted a paper sector bodies including through on Careers Service Issues union representation on their During the past year for Working People to the boards and engagement at other the government asked National Careers Council (NCC), levels. Unionlearn provides a Nigel Whitehead (UKCES to consider as part of their range of support services for Commissioner and Managing deliberations and discussions union representatives, including Director of BAE Systems) in producing the NCC's annual briefings and regular network to review adult vocational report published in May. meetings, and also coordinates qualifications in England. Dave the nomination of officials from Prentis, in his role as a UKCES affiliated unions to sit on the Commissioner, is a member SSC Boards. of the UKCES taskgroup taking forward the review and unionlearn has continued to support union engagement in the consultation process.

36 Chapter three Fair pay and 3 a living wage 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Britain needs a pay rise 3.3 Public services pay and pensions 3.4 Pensions Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

3.1 Introduction

The TUC is seeking new ways to increase pay for UK workers, who have seen the value of their wages fall in recent years. A recent TUC report found that real wages fell by 8.5 per cent over the last three years, meaning that by March 2013 average annual UK earnings were worth £2,234 less than in 2010.

A second TUC report found that workers in the UK have suffered a bigger fall in real wages than any other workforce in the world©s top ten developed economies. We often regard work as the best While it has become increasingly This study showed that between route out of poverty, but for far clear that the government wants 2007 and 2011, real wages fell by too many people relatively low to `make work pay' by reducing 4.5 per cent in the UK, a tighter wages mean that employment welfare payments, the TUC is squeeze than the fall seen in Italy has not provided the hoped-for determined to make work pay (-2.7 per cent) or Japan (-0.7 per escape route. DWP analysis through better wages. cent). In contrast, real wages in shows that there was an France grew by four per cent over increase in the proportion of In addition to the key traditional the same period. working-age adults in relative work of organising and collective low income between the years bargaining, the General Council Where is Britain in The Global Race? 1998/1999 and 2010/11 both continues to regard the National G7 nations’ real wage growth, 2007-2011 Source: IMF World Economic Outlook Database and National Statistics Office before and after housing costs. Minimum Wage as an important

3% The figures stayed around the minimum standard, reaffirms its same level between 1998/99 commitment to rolling out the and 2004/05, and have risen living wage as widely as possible,

2% since then. (Households Below and has sought to develop new Average Income, DWP, 2012) tripartite institutions to re-embed

Japan trade unions in wage-setting at

Germany 1% To throw the issue into very sharp industry level.

France relief, a recent report found that 50 per cent of the working age

USA 0 population in poverty was also Canada in work (Will Universal Credit Work? Lindsay Judge, TUC/

-1% CPAG, 2013). However, perhaps Italy the most striking statistic of all is that three in five children living in

-2% low-income families were living in families where at least one adult was in work. (DWP op cit 2012)

-3% UK

-4% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Over the course of the economic crisis Plummeting real wage real wages in Britain have fallen further than in any other leading economy growth in Britain, as this TUC infographic shows

38 3.2 Britain needs a pay rise 52The share of national income being paid out as wages has fallen from around 65 per cent in 1975 to around 52 per cent in 2012 The TUC's Britain Needs a Pay Rise campaign launched on 11 June, with a detailed analysis of pamphlet also argued that the the cost of lost wages to the UK fall in wages, and rise in profi ts, economy and the publication had not translated through into of the campaign plans and increased investment or higher objectives. The research was Where Have All The R&D spending. Instead much of broken down by region which the `lost wages' had simply been allowed the regions to organise Wages Gone? paid out as dividends or added to their own launches drawing Lost pay and profi ts outside a growing corporate cash pile of fi nancial services attention to trends between or idle resources. within their regions. A second publication, How to Over the year the TUC has been Boost the Wage Share, looked represented on many platforms at policies to reverse the trend on the issue of low pay and of a declining wage share. pay inequality with speakers It found that a reduction in contributing to events ranging unemployment, a restoration of from a Resolution Foundation the minimum wage to its former debate to a High Pay Centre by Howard Reed and Jacob Mohun Himmelweit real terms value, the extension of event run in conjunction with the living wage and the extension the CBI. The campaign is now a major of collective bargaining would feature on the TUC website, reverse around one quarter of the The campaign's aims are to: which allows the drawing `wages gap' that has developed together of campaign resources, over the last three decades. ȓ promote and increase public campaign activities, and research Closing the remaining three awareness and political and briefi ng materials. A particular quarters of the gap will require debate on the importance of emphasis has been put on an active industrial policy and fair wages to boosting living the use of social media, with a wider economic reform in order standards and the economy distinct Twitter and Facebook to ensure that the economy is presence, and the development generating higher waged, higher ȓ achieve policy outcomes of campaign material for activists skilled jobs. that lead to a fairer wage and supporters to share and pass distribution and improve on to colleagues and friends. The report was launched at people's lives through a high profi le After Austerity increased pay for ordinary To support the campaign the seminar featuring former IMF workers, particularly those TUC has published two major economist Romain Ranciere, the on low to middle incomes Touchstone pamphlets on the author of a key paper that argued wage share of the economy. that rising inequality was a major ȓ win the argument that unions cause of the fi nancial crash. are central to securing The share of national income improved wages for UK being paid out as wages has workers. fallen from around 65 per cent National minimum wage in 1975 to around 52 per cent in 2012. The pamphlet Where Have The General Council has worked all the Wages Gone? examined to deepen cross-party support the reasons for this fall. It found for the National Minimum Wage that the fall could be explained (NMW) and will continue to push by a weakening of trade union for the highest rates that are power and coverage and the economically sustainable. rise of the fi nancial sector. The

39 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

The TUC continues to press for stronger enforcement of the NMW, and for higher rates for young people in particular

In September 2012 the TUC Executive Committee endorsed a submission to the Low Pay Commission (LPC). This was supported by the TUC team that gave oral evidence to the Commission in November.

A number of trade unions have also organised meetings between the LPC and groups of workers. The Commission also meets quite a lot of employers, and therefore regards the views of employees and their trade unions as an important balancing factor.

The TUC supported both the The TUC has continued to press The TUC's labour market publication of our targets for for stronger enforcement and intelligence indicates that there is 2013 and the October 2012 rate to convene regular meetings also a significant problem with the increases with media campaigns. of the National Minimum Wage treatment of apprentices. While Enforcement Group, which brings apprentices account for just two In February 2013 the LPC together unions, advice agencies per cent of the workforce, they published its recommendations and the leading civil servants from are over-represented by a factor for October this year, which BIS, the LPC and HM Revenue of 12 in NMW cases. were largely accepted by the and Customs (HMRC). government. A significant problem is that much The abuse of work experience, of the government's enforcement `internships' and other forms work remains invisible. It is an Minimum wage rates from of unpaid work has continued offence punishable by a period of October 2013 onwards to be a strong issue. Following imprisonment of up to two years extensive lobbying, in 2012 for an HMRC officer to disclose ȓ £6.31 adults aged 21 and HMRC targeted unpaid work information about a case other above for the first time, recovering than through a legal gateway, £137,000 for 138 interns. such as the 2009 amendment ȓ £5.03 18- to 20-year-old that allows HMRC to share NMW workers Across the whole economy, information with the Employment the 150-strong HMRC team Agency Standards Inspectorate. ȓ £3.72 16- and 17-year-old recovered £3.6m for 17,000 However, there is no such route workers workers, and levied £725,000 for sharing information with in civil penalties. However, the local authorities or specialist ȓ £2.68 apprentices under TUC continues to argue for more enforcement bodies such as 19-years-old or in first year of resources for enforcement as it is the Maritime and Coastguard their course easy to identify a number of other Agency. This means that HMRC problem areas, including the cannot feed back on third party It is estimated that the October accommodation and hospitality complaints, thus creating a 2013 increase will benefit around sectors, which account for 12.5 significant disincentive for those one million workers, the majority per cent of employment but wishing to pass on complaints to of whom will be low-paid women. 25 per cent of minimum wage them. In addition, individual civil complaints, and the increasingly penalties are not in the public complex social care sector. domain, which means that much of HMRC's enforcement work has been effectively invisible.

40 The TUC met HMRC and BIS The Low Pay Commission has in autumn 2012, since when played a key part in making the Members of the Low Pay HMRC have started publicising minimum wage a success. Clearly Commission 2013/2014 employment tribunal and County a process that brings together Court judgements against non- trade union representatives, David Norgrove payers, which are firmly in the employers and academic experts Former Pensions Regulator (LPC Chair) public domain, but more still has much to commend it. needs to be done. Heather Wakefield Nevertheless, the TUC is not UNISON National Secretary In addition, the TUC has tried convinced that the LPC is to fix the government's much delivering as much as it possibly Peter Donaldson vaunted naming and shaming can for low paid workers. Thus, Managing Director of D5 scheme for persistent offenders, as the NMW approaches its Consultancy Ltd which has stalled. This scheme 15th birthday next year, the TUC was launched by the previous is supporting a project by the Kay Carberry government in 2009 but did Resolution Foundation think- TUC Assistant General Secretary not succeed in naming any tank to conduct an independent employers. Following a re-launch appraisal of the LPC. John Hannett by the government in 2011, just USDAW General Secretary one small business woman has been named. The Agricultural Wages Board Susan Anderson CBI Director of Public The TUC has met civil servants The General Council was deeply Services and Skills on a number of occasions saddened by the government's to argue that the criteria for decision to abolish the Neil Goulden this scheme are too tough. In Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) Chair, Gala Coral Group particular the financial thresholds for England and Wales, despite a involved are too high, so that sterling defence by Unite. Professor Bob Elliott while the average NMW arrears University of Aberdeen per worker last year was £206, As part of the campaign, the TUC the minimum threshold for a and Unite general secretaries Professor Stephen Machin naming case is £500 per worker. twice wrote jointly to the University College London The TUC has written to the Prince of Wales, whose estate employment minister calling for manager had called for abolition. this problem to be dealt with as Disappointingly, the Prince was a matter of urgency. absolutely determined not to become involved in this matter The process of concentrating all of party politics. government on-line advice on a single website (Gov.uk) has led to The current Agricultural Wages a serious loss of quality. As the Order (England and Wales) runs Cabinet Office has responsibility out next month. The AWBs for for this project, the TUC wrote Scotland and Northern Ireland will to Francis Maude in January remain and continue to function 2013 setting out a considerable as normal. number of omissions and inaccuracies in the new text. The minister©s reply promised to fix these shortcomings, but the TUC has been forced to continue to raise the issue because the faults have not yet been rectified.

41 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

The living wage The TUC has been instrumental in supporting the development The TUC continues to campaign of a living wage in a number of for increased coverage of the local authorities from Exeter to living wage (LW), which is an Newcastle. Salford City Council important part of many trade launched their living wage in union pay campaigns. July, along with half a dozen companies and suppliers who We have also worked closely with had all agreed to adopt the living campaign group Citizens UK to wage alongside the authority. promote the LW, and with the Yorkshire and Humberside and Living Wage Foundation, which the North East have coordinated now provides certification for The authors also commissioned meetings with Labour local employers. the National Institute of Economic authority leaders and alliances and Social Research (NIESR) to have been formed with a range There is a single living wage model the employment impact of voluntary and community rate of £7.45 per hour outside of simply paying all private groups to challenge low pay. of London. In London the living sector employees the LW. The Wales TUC has participated in a wage figure is calculated by the results indicate that there is huge Ministerial Advisory Group on a Greater London Authority (GLA), potential for more workers to living wage and has lobbied the and is currently £8.55 per hour. It be paid the living wage, since Assembly and local government has been agreed that both figures NIESR found that four million to introduce a LW for staff and to will increase annually during workers would get a pay rise. secure a LW in the private sector Living Wage Week in November. Nevertheless, there are some through use of procurement and limitations, since the report also commissioning tools. Developing The January meeting of the TUC found that overall labour demand good practice in procurement executive committee discussed might fall by about 160,000 and and commissioning to increase how living wage accreditation up to 300,000 might be displaced leverage to introduce living wages was achieved. The TUC had as employers shifted to more in the private sector continues to received accreditation and a experienced workers. be a feature of this campaigning number of unions are actively work. considering it. The TUC has met civil servants on a number of occasions to Many regions have linked low The TUC supported the argue for the adoption and pay campaigns to financial production of a useful report promotion of the LW. A similar inclusion issues, such as payday by the IPPR and Resolution exercise has been carried out lenders and loan-sharking, which Foundation think-tanks on the with opposition contacts. increasingly impact on low-paid affordability of the living wage workers. SERTUC hosted a (Beyond the Bottom Line: the The TUC has also been seminar, Ending the Low Pay challenges and opportunities of producing a number of campaign Culture. the living wage, K. Lawton and tools to help trade union activists M. Pennycook, 2013). This found to fully understand the LW and that around three million women to help them to lobby local are paid below the living wage authorities to adopt it. These will (62 per cent of all employees be rolled out from September paid below the living wage); that onwards. a total of 2.7 million part-time workers are paid below the living All regions and Wales are wage (41 per cent of all part- engaged in campaigning for time employees) compared to an increase in the number of just under two million full-time employers, public and private workers (11 per cent of all full- sector, paying the Living Wage. time employees) and that almost four million workers paid less than the living wage work in the private sector (86 per cent of all low-paid workers).

42 New industrial wages councils Executives in defi4.33m ned benefi t pension schemes had pension The June 2013 meeting of the pots worth an average of £4.33m TUC Executive Committee discussed plans to develop new tripartite industrial wages Work to further develop these Executive pay councils. It was agreed that proposals, and to push for their establishing pay thresholds implementation, will continue over In September, the TUC published like the NMW and the LW is the year ahead. The proposals its tenth annual PensionsWatch intrinsically worthwhile but, by will recognise the need to report. The study examined the defi nition, cannot cure all the consider not just the bottom pay pensions of directors from over nation's pay problems. Only rates but also the whole range 100 of the top UK companies. It a structure with trade union of skilled and semi-skilled rates, found that executives in defi ned involvement is likely to be able overtime premia, sick pay, holiday benefi t pension schemes had to address the complexities of entitlements and other non-wage pension pots worth an average increasing pay fairly across whole benefi ts. Only such a measure to of £4.33m, providing an annual organisations and industrial revive collective bargaining could pension of £240,191, around sectors. hope to go beyond discussion of 24.4 times the average workplace minimum rates in the way that is pension. The average company The TUC believes that we are clearly needed. Nevertheless, the contribution to directors' defi ned only likely to achieve a reversal in TUC has already met key Labour contribution (DC) pensions current trends by engaging the Party contacts on a number of was £144,508 and the average active assistance and convening occasions in order to explain how employer contribution rate as power of a sympathetic this idea is developing. a percentage of salary was 22 government in the creation of new per cent, nearly four times the tripartite wage setting institutions. average employer contribution Our proposal is that we advocate Pay bargaining rate for employee DC pensions in the fi rst instance for a relatively and more than seven times the modest pilot exercise, targeting In March the TUC held its size of the maximum employer perhaps two sectors in the fi rst annual Pay Bargaining Forum, contribution required under instance. Further detailed analysis organised jointly with Incomes automatic enrolment. of the likely susceptibility of these Data Services, looking forward industrial sectors, including their to the year's pay round. This The TUC called for directors ability to pay and to improve year's event asked if negotiators to be members of the same productivity, will be undertaken will ever get back to `normal' pension schemes as their before the fi nal targets are pay bargaining or whether employees on the same terms chosen. commentators such as the and for a legal requirement for CBI have been right to argue more comprehensive reporting that there is a `new normal' of on company pension provision no automatic pay increases. for directors and employees in The Forum looked at the use company annual reports. and abuse of infl ation data in negotiations and the prospects In October, the General Council for re-establishing co-ordinated considered the TUC's response pay bargaining. to a government consultation on reporting on executive pay. In June, a seminar on The TUC submission included performance-related pay (PRP) proposals for comprehensive looked at proposals for extending reporting on directors' pensions the use of PRP in the public and argued that companies sector, performance linked should be required to state in elements of senior executives' remuneration reports how their pay and the substantial evidence workforce had been consulted on that PRP does not improve directors' pay. organisations' performance.

43 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

The TUC’s Pay Fair campaign convinced the government not to press ahead with local or regional pay

In November the TUC hosted a 3.3 Public services WHY POSTCODE PAY seminar on executive pay entitled PAY pay and pensions FAIR DOESN’T ADD UP Short-term Rewards, Long-term George Osborne wants to break up fair, transparent national pay Failings, as part of the After structures for public services. Here’s why it doesn’t make sense. Austerity events series. General The General Council's activity Secretary designate Frances on pay and pensions in public Bad for the economy £9.7 billion 110,576 O'Grady, Liberal Democrat peer services has been guided by The potential cost of local pay The number of jobs that could to the economy each year be lost as a result of lower Lord Matthew Oakeshott, David composites C07 (pensions) and regional spending by public sector workers Pitt-Watson from Hermes and C12 (austerity, pay and public Simon Walker from the Institute of services reform) and resolution 53 Directors spoke at the event. The (regional pay) of Congress 2012. seminar focused in particular on what can be done to address the growing gap between the pay of Public services pay Unpopular company directors and their Two thirds own staff. The year saw a series of attacks of voters want local pay plans dropped. This includes  on the level of public service 50% 60% 66% 79% Janet Williamson of the TUC workers' pay, pay progression supporters supporters and Heather Slavkin of the AFL- and national collective bargaining supporters supporters CIO represented labour on a arrangements. It also saw an Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) important victory in the union-led Working Group established to campaign against regional pay for 217 MPs from 8 di‚ erent political draw up recommendations for much of the public sector. parties have spoken out against local pay governance and remuneration reporting in the GRI guidelines. As reported in the 2012 General Bad for services Following a process of public Council report to Congress, the 65% of people polled consultation and debate within TUC fought a spirited campaign said local pay in the 25,000 NHS would be bad GRI and the Working Group, against government proposals schools for patients would each have to the new G4 Guidelines include for local or regional public service research, negotiate and set pay — this two new GRI indicators: the pay, following the Chancellor's would waste scarce resources ratio of top to median pay and announcement in November the rate of increase of executive 2011 that he would like to make pay compared with the median pay more `local market facing'. pay increase for the rest of the The Pay Fair campaign was Not what the Not backed workforce. The G4 Guidelines debated at the 2012 Congress private sector does by evidence Many big 60 senior academics private sector wrote in The Times that there were launched at the GRI and continued into the next year. employers use was ‘no convincing evidence’ national pay local pay would promote with London growth. Instead they Conference in June and Janet The campaign highlighted the weighting — warn it would just like the ‘aggravate Williamson spoke at a session lack of evidence for the proposal, public sector… geographical economic and social on the new governance and the damaging impact it would inequalities’ remuneration disclosures at the have on the economy, services, conference. fairness and equality. Show your opposition to postcode pay… Please share this infographic and write, email or tweet your MP. You will  nd webtools to help you do this at: Activity included a strong social www.goingtowork.org.uk/speak-out-on- media presence, local lobbies of postcode-paycuts You can  nd out more about the TUC’s Pay Fair campaign government MPs across England PAY at www.tuc.org.uk/payfair or follow @payfairnow on FAIR twitter and use the #payfair hashtag and Wales, briefing for supportive Source information from Incomes Data Services, New Economics Foundation, O ce of National Statistics, Survation, The Times and TUC data all available at www.tuc.org.uk/payfair MPs, public opinion polling and numerous articles, blogs, media coverage and speeches. Materials and online tools were produced for reps and activists to use in lobbying MPs and local councils, and councils of various political hues adopted a model Pay Fair motion.

44 Further polling was published While the news for NHS staff, civil At the same time as changes to by the TUC to coincide with a servants and prison officers was pay determination arrangements, major debate on local pay at the positive, the government took the Chancellor also announced 2012 Liberal Democrat party a more radical and damaging further real-terms pay freezes conference. Sixty-five per cent approach to teachers' pay, also across the public services at the of respondents to the poll said announced at the 2012 Autumn March 2013 Budget, confirmed in that the local or regional pay idea Statement. This was a move the June 2013 Spending Review. should be dropped and almost towards a deregulated and The government announced that two-thirds of voters said that it individualised pay system, with they would impose a further year was unfair. At the conference, a strong focus on supposed of a one per cent cap on pay delegates overwhelmingly `performance related' pay. The increases in the public sector in supported a motion to oppose General Council highlighted 2015 16, following successive local or regional pay, helping to the compelling evidence about years of an arbitrarily imposed build political pressure against the why performance related pay is pay freeze and then one per cent policy within the government. inappropriate for schools and bad cap. What this means in practice, for education and equalities. as the General Council response More than sixty leading stressed, is living standards academics signed a public letter A seminar on performance- falling further as real terms pay on the subject published in The related pay held by the TUC in cuts bite. TUC research showed Times on Monday 29 October. June 2013 set out these issues the impact this had had on The letter, supported by the TUC, in more detail and drew on households, pushing 180,000 opposed local or regional pay evidence from the private sector children with a parent in the on the grounds of the economic particularly banking and other public sector into poverty. damage it would do and the senior executives alongside danger of widening the north- education. During the year the Public south divide. Services Liaison Group also At the Spending Review in June agreed to collect and share In the December 2012 Autumn 2013 the Chancellor announced a information about the progress Statement, the Chancellor related move to abolish automatic of pay claims, negotiations and announced that the government pay progression in the civil service any industrial action on pay would not be pressing ahead with and to move towards removing across sectors. local or regional pay. This result it elsewhere in the public sector. was a victory for trade union The TUC used blogs and media campaigning, and an important to publicise the folly of this Public service pensions reflection of the broad public, policy. Pay progression is based political, business and expert on the principle that new, less Public service pensions alliance built by the TUC during experienced staff are paid lower continued to be a high priority the campaign. rates and as people increase for the General Council as the their skills and experience government moved to implement In responding to the climbdown, over time they are rewarded the reforms that were the subject the TUC stressed that there through progression. This has of negotiation and mass industrial was no room for complacency, an important part to play in action in 2011 12. Detailed given the government's wider attracting and retaining skilled discussions about the remaining fragmentation of public services. public sector staff and ensuring elements of the schemes and Moves such as the cartel of equal pay. Moving away from cross-cutting issues such as NHS Trusts in the South West this kind of system will mean cost controls, protections for that sought to break away from more potential for equal pay outsourced members and national terms and conditions disputes over how `performance' equalities continued with the showed the fragility of this and decisions about individual Treasury and at sector level situation. However, that group progression are made. with the relevant government dwindled in numbers following departments. the national announcement and a strong campaign led by health unions and the regional TUC.

45 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

The Public Service Pensions Detailed discussions with 3.4 Pensions Act was introduced in autumn the Treasury included the 2012 and passed in April 2013. arrangements for cost controls The TUC's work this year on This put into place the legislative in the new schemes, where pensions has been guided by framework for the implementation the TUC secured an important composite 7 on pensions agreed of the reforms to public service change to the way in which the by Congress in September 2012. pensions. The TUC lobbied and costs included in the `cap' for The General Council continues provided parliamentarians with the schemes will be calculated. to campaign for improvements detailed briefing on the Bill at The TUC also co-ordinated a joint to both state and workplace all stages during its passage, union response to the equalities pensions, both public and private and TUC Senior Policy Officer impact assessment of the sector. Alice Hood gave evidence to the reforms, which was highly critical House of Commons Committee of the limited approach taken to The TUC's policy work on examining the Bill. the assessment by the Treasury pensions is informed by regular and the government's failure to meetings with the Trade Union Although the overall framework address the concerns raised. Pension Specialist Group. This for the reforms was unchanged, enables the sharing of information a number of significant changes Discussions also continued on between the TUC and unions on to the Bill were secured as a the application of the new Fair key policy issues and informs result of union lobbying. These Deal, which protects members TUC responses to official included: who are outsourced from the consultation documents. public sector. The new policy ȓ changes to the clauses negotiated as part of the revised This year the TUC has submitted that would have allowed schemes would deliver this responses to a number of retrospective changes protection by allowing people to consultations on a wide to pensions, which were remain members of their public range of issues including the amended to require member service scheme, rather than following: the House of Lords consent going into a `broadly comparable' Select Committee on Public scheme set up by the new Service and Demographic ȓ a requirement for member employer as in the past. Change (September) (where representation on pension subsequently the TUC gave oral boards in equal numbers to In February 2013, the TUC evidence); the DWP review and employer representatives submitted a response to the revision of earnings thresholds Treasury consultation on the for auto-enrolment (October); ȓ a strengthened parliamentary implementation of the policy, the Work and Pensions Select test before negative revaluation stressing the importance of the Committee inquiry into Improving could take place decision to maintain and extend Governance and Best Practice in the Fair Deal and urging the Workplace Pensions (November) ȓ a number of amendments and government to fully implement the (to which the TUC also gave oral clarifications of relevance to policy across all of the schemes evidence); the DWP consultation the Local Government Pension as soon as possible without into the restrictions on the Scheme. weakening the commitment made National Earnings Savings Trust to members. The TUC continued (January); and the Work and to press these points with Pensions Select Committee pre- Ministers and officials throughout legislative scrutiny of the Single the year while awaiting detailed Tier State Pension (February) (to government guidance on the which the TUC also gave oral implementation of the policy, evidence). and unions shared updates on progress at scheme level via the Public Services Liaison Group.

46 The state pension and People need time to plan for their retirement and state pension age the TUC opposes any increase in the retirement In January the DWP published age, especially while there are disparities in life the white paper The Single-Tier expectancy geographically and between socio- Pension: a simple foundation economic groups. for saving. While a move to the single-tier state pension (STSP) commencing in 2016 could be a good idea in principle the TUC The importance of Work on the proposed changes has ongoing concerns about good quality private to the EU directive on IORPs its implementation and precise sector pensions (Institutions for Occupational policy design. Since the policy's Retirement Provision) has announcement the TUC has During the year the TUC has continued to be a key priority this successfully lobbied for some continued to campaign for good year for the TUC and unions. The improvements to the STSP quality work-place pension application of solvency rules, akin model, such as allowing workers provision for all workers and has to insurance companies, placed currently contracted out to accrue expressed concern about the on DB schemes would have entitlements in the new system, closure of defined benefit (DB) drastic implications. The TUC, reflecting their higher National schemes. along with unions, the CBI, the Insurance contributions. We will NAPF, the Treasury, DWP and the also continue to call for extra This year the TUC has Pensions Regulator have argued money to be put into the STSP so contributed to the DWP work strongly against this change with that it is at a higher level, in order on reinvigorating workplace some success, as Commissioner to achieve a dignified retirement pensions, including consultation Barnier has said he will not for all. responses and participation include the issue of solvency rules in a DWP working group. We in his plans for IORPs, although Throughout the year the TUC have highlighted that the most he noted it will remain an issue in has continued to oppose important outcome is for workers the longer-term. both the increase in the state to have good returns for their pension age (SPA), and the savings. We are sceptical of the The TUC has continued to bringing forward of the increase government's argument that engage with the DWP on their in the SPA. The Pensions Bill deregulation will result in the work on incentive transfer includes the acceleration of retention of DB schemes. Rather, exercises from DB to DC the SPA to 67 between 2026 it could reduce the security of schemes. While the introduction and 2028. During the year the members' pension provision of the industry-based code last TUC has also continued to and result in more schemes year was welcome, particularly lobby for a fully independent moving to defined contribution the ban on cash incentives, commission to adjudicate on (DC) provision. In this debate we remain concerned about any changes to state pension on `defined ambition', or `risk pension transfers. We therefore age. The TUC believes this body sharing', models range from `DB welcome the power contained should be akin to the Pensions minus' to `DC plus'. We have in the recent Pensions Bill to Commission, with power to make argued that the government's enable the Secretary of State proposals to Parliament, and policy focus should be on to ban the practice of providing that the Government Actuary's improving DC scheme provision. transfer incentives. We have also Department should report to this been working with the Pensions body on life expectancy rather Regulator in its efforts to crack than to the Secretary of State. down on `pensions liberation' which can result in members losing thousands of pounds.

47 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

The TUC supports the work of the `68 is too late campaign' which opposes unacceptable increases in occupational pension ages. People need time to plan for their retirement and the THE GOVERNANCE GAP TUC opposes any increase in the retirement age, especially IMPROVING while there are disparities in life expectancy geographically and ACCOUNTABILITY between socio-economic groups. IN DC PENSIONS PROVISION The TUC has also called for a fairer system of pensions tax relief. The benefi ts of the current system are skewed towards higher earners, contradicting the objective of auto-enrolment to incentivise low and middle CONGRESS HOUSE, WEDNESDAY 15 MAY 2013 earners to save more. We therefore commissioned the Pensions Policy Institute to During the year the TUC has Auto-enrolment undertake modelling on a published a number of important pensions tax relief regime which pension studies. In November The General Council continues offers greater relief to lower the Pensions scorecard was the to support auto-enrolment and earners, or less relief to higher fi rst assessment of workplace warmly welcomed its launch in earners, which was published DC pension membership; October 2012. This will result in July. contribution rates; governance in millions of people saving for and outcomes from pension the fi rst time or saving more for saving by TUC Pensions Policy retirement. There have been Offi cer Craig Berry. In May low levels of opt-outs so far and the Touchstone Extra Paper the latest membership fi gures Third Time Lucky: Building a reported by NEST (the National progressive pensions consensus Employment Savings Trust) are Third Time by Craig Berry and Nigel Stanley, 250,000. TUC head of campaigns and communications, was published. Auto-enrolment will be gradually Building a progressive pensions consensus The TUC also published working rolled out to medium-sized and papers on DC and DB schemes smaller employers by 2017. in October 2012 by Bryn Davies Contribution levels will then and Hilary Salt respectively. We increase to their legal minimum also held the following seminars of eight per cent in October 2018 on pensions: Sharing Risk in (with three per cent from the Workplace Pensions with Steve employer on a band of earnings). Webb MP in February and The While the Pensions Regulator,

by Craig Berry and Nigel Stanley Governance Gap: Improving and indeed the Pensions Minister, Accountability in DC Pensions recognises this is a baseline Provision with Gregg McClymont minimum amount, the TUC MP in May. continues to be concerned that contribution rates are insuffi cient. The TUC has also called for a rethink of the auto-enrolment earnings band and trigger point, which act to reduce entitlements for women and part-time workers.

48 The TUC and unions continue to The TUC has continued to campaign for the lifting work closely with NEST, the DWP of the annual contribution limit and an end to the and the Pensions Regulator on the roll-out of auto-enrolment. ban on transfers in and out of NEST. Naomi Cooke, assistant general secretary of the FDA, is a member of the NEST members' Improving DC pensions The TUC has continued to panel. In May, colleagues from monitor the emergence of `master NEST met with union pensions With the commencement of trusts' in the context of the start officers to discuss the latest work auto-enrolment in October of auto-enrolment. Some master of the organisation. 2012, the vast majority of trusts can be trust-based multi- employers will enrol their eligible employer schemes, but some The TUC has continued to workers into new or existing can be contract-based schemes. campaign for the lifting of the DC schemes. Improvements to The Pensions Regulator has annual contribution limit and an DC pensions are therefore vital. begun taking a closer interest in end to the ban on transfers in This year we have continued to the extent to which master trusts and out of NEST. In January we contribute to and meet with the adhere to scheme standards, responded to a DWP consultation Pensions Regulator regarding which is welcome. on this and joined with the their ongoing work on improving EEF, FSB, British Chambers of DC workplace pensions in the Some master trusts have taken Commerce, Which? and Age UK context of the start of auto- advantage of `short service to lobby the Minister of State on enrolment. We responded to refunds' in the run up to auto- these restrictions. We welcomed their consultation Regulating enrolment. This issue was the House of Commons Work work-based defined contribution recognised by DWP following and Pensions Select Committee (DC) pension schemes regarding lobbying by TUC and Which? again calling for the lifting of the improving member outcomes and pension providers' power to restrictions on NEST in their in occupational DC schemes. make refunds of contributions Improving Governance and Best The consultation documents set to members of occupational Practice in Workplace Pensions out a series of six principles and DC pensions who end their report published in April. The 31 quality features for boosting membership before two years TUC welcomed the Pension standards in trust-based DC has ended will be removed by the Minister's announcement in July schemes in a range of ways, Pensions Bill. This is welcome that these restrictions will be and provided much to welcome. as this measure is currently lifted from 2017, although we will detrimental to members. continue to press for a swifter However the consultation implementation timetable. does not cover contract- based schemes, highlighting the limitations in the regulatory pensions framework - which is covered by the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Pensions Regulator where there is no formal scheme on level governance for contract-based pensions, and indeed no single over-arching regulatory structure that covers all pension schemes.

49 Chapter three Fair pay and a living wage

Due to lobbying from The TUC has also continued Pensioners Committee the TUC and others, to lobby on the issue of `small pension pots'. Along with Throughout the year the TUC the government has Which?, Age UK and NAPF, the Pensioners Committee, chaired now noted that the TUC called for the `aggregator' by Michael Leahy, Community issue of scheme model whereby small pension general secretary, has continued pots would unite in one or a small to meet. quality needs to be number of places. Instead, the addressed. government has adopted the `pot Frank Cooper (National follows member' approach, which Pensioners Convention) is contained in the Pensions has continued to attend the Bill. The premise of this model Committee as an observer. This We have continued to lobby for is that when a worker leaves an facilitates the close working transparent, default pension fund employer their pension pot comes relationship between the TUC, costs and charges. The TUC was with them, although of course unions and the NPC which has part of the NAPF's working group not everyone moves from job continued throughout the year. on an industry code of conduct to job in an orderly fashion. We on charges for employers have expressed concern that the published in November 2012. We scheme they join could be less TUC stakeholder lobbied successfully for a ban on generous and less good quality pension scheme consultancy charges in schemes in terms of charges, governance used for auto-enrolment, and and investment. Due to lobbying The TUC continues to run continue to press for a wider from the TUC and others, the the TUC stakeholder pension ban. We will also contribute government has now noted that scheme, liaising with the to the DWP consultation on a the issue of scheme quality needs Prudential as the current cap on pension charges. It is to be addressed. administrator of the scheme. concerning to note that fewer It is a trust-based stakeholder than half of the occupational Saving in a defined contribution pension scheme and is open ent in pe rnm ace a DC schemes surveyed by the pension pot requires it to be to both union and non-union ove nd f g i Pensions Regulator in their converted into an annuity at the members and their families. t o n ec w recent governance survey claim point of retirement. This year The scheme has around 5,000 bj ar o is that their trustee board has the TUC has continued to work contributing members and a fund he n an `extremely' or `very' good with the DWP/Treasury working value of approximately £45m. T ot th understanding of each of the group on measures to give further e gl charges outlined. Clearly greater transparency to the annuity or man y o on transparency is required. market and to increase members' f mm ru f co engagement with the `open lers ss o or o pine The TUC has met with the Office market option'. We welcomed the f races, but the hap of Fair Trading regarding their announcement in January that market study to examine whether the Financial Services Authority DC workplace pensions are (now Financial Conduct Authority) best delivering for savers. It is is to undertake a thematic review due to report in August and we into whether savers are losing hope it will conclude with some out from not shopping around, promising recommendations. and met with members of the FSA consumer panel to discuss this. We also welcomed the mandatory implementation by ABI members in March of the Code of Conduct on Retirement Choices which will help 400,000 people who buy an annuity each year to better understand their options at retirement and to choose the right annuity.

50 Chapter four Good services and 4 decent welfare 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Public services 4.3 Public Services Liaison Group 4.4 Health 4.5 Social care 4.6 Education and early years 4.7 Local government 4.8 Criminal justice 4.9 Public service reform 4.10 Social security and the welfare state 4.11 Public transport

ent in pe rnm ace a ove nd f g i t o n ec w bj ar o is he n T ot th e gl or man y o on f mm ru f co lers ss o or o pine f races, but the hap Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

4.1 Introduction The criminal justice system In March 2013 the Office for also faces extremely difficult Budget Responsibility increased The core agenda of the challenges as the Ministry of their estimate of the number of government has been to shrink Justice oversees £2bn of cuts. jobs that will be lost in the public the size of the state and break In January the government sector as a result of spending up public services through announced the closure of seven cuts, predicting that a total of fragmentation and privatisation. prisons, with two further partial a million public service jobs will At the same time the Beveridge closures, which could result in the go between the beginning of model of the welfare state, which loss of over 1,000 jobs, while the 2011 and the beginning of 2018. was fought for by trade unions, probation service is seeing 10 per Women have been particularly is under greater threat than at cent trimmed from its budget. hard hit, as has local government, any time before with the most but job losses have been felt vulnerable taking the brunt of These policies are doing great across virtually all of the much of the government's assault damage. Yet over the year there public services. on benefits and public services. has also been a very vocal and, at times, successful campaign by With services now entering the Local councils in Britain's unions and the TUC to protect sharpest period of consolidation most deprived areas are being our services and welfare from that modern Britain has ever hammered. The Comprehensive these assaults. Initiatives such seen, the impact on services Spending Review 2010 set out as Action for Rail have helped themselves also intensified over reductions of 26 per cent in local make the case for modernised the year. government funding and in June services that work for us, not for 2013 the Chancellor announced corporations. ȓ Eighty-five per cent of social a further eight per cent cut for workers surveyed by Age UK 2015 16. said that frontline social care services had been affected by The past year has seen the 4.2 Public services spending cuts. implementation of the Welfare Reform Act, the introduction of The General Council's work on ȓ More than 30 per cent of new legislation limiting cost-of- public services, social security funding to sexual violence living increases to benefits and and public transport has been and sexual abuse services the announcement of plans to guided by composites 4, 11, 12, for women has been cut and place a curb on overall benefit 13, 14 and 15; resolutions 53, 54, according to one survey 95 per expenditure. Already meagre 56, 57, 58, 63, 64, 67, 69 and cent of women's organisations benefits are being cut with 70; and emergency resolutions are facing funding cuts or a disabled people among the 1 and 3 agreed at the 2012 funding crisis primarily as a hardest hit. Even our schools are Congress. result of cuts to local in danger of being run for profit authority budgets. with many more being taken out During the year the impact of of the traditional state sector. the government's policies on ȓ Cuts to fire services have led to There has been a huge decline public services, jobs and wages increased response times. The in part-time HE students, with deepened. The General Council FBU report that in 2011 12, 22 participation falling by 40 per campaigned to raise awareness per cent of incidents took over cent since 2010. and bring political pressure to 10 minutes for an appliance to bear about the impact of the cuts arrive. This is up from 16 per and market-based `reforms' on cent five years ago, despite the households, communities and the number of incidents reducing. economy as well as on services.

52 At the start of the Future that Works march in 2012

The impact on services and There was a strong public All TUC regions communities has been at services showing at the and Wales have the forefront of the TUC's national A Future that Works campaigning and media work, demonstration on 20 October well-established demonstrating the social and 2012 and in the Austerity and effective public economic costs of public service Uncovered bus tour in June 2013, services campaign cuts. We have also worked as well as in hundreds of local to counter the government's and regional events supported coalitions in place, led attempts to divide public and by the TUC's regional councils by public services private sector workers, for and the Wales TUC. The General instance through research Council has also supported unions and involving showing that three in ten sector-specific campaigns community groups working families include at such as in health, education, and organisations. least one parent working in probation and children's services. the public sector. Public service pay and pensions All TUC regions and Wales have issues were also a major focus well-established and effective of the General Council's policy public services campaign and campaigns activity, and are coalitions in place, led by addressed in Chapter 3 of public services unions and this report. involving community groups and organisations. Partnership in the Workforce Partnership Council by the Wales TUC has helped to develop positive approaches to mitigating the impact of spending cuts in Wales, protecting jobs and services and opposing privatisation.

53 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

4.3 Public Services 4.4 Health However, in effect the new Liaison Group regulations had much the The General Council's work same effect as the previous on health has been guided by version, because to award a The TUC's work on public composite 13 and resolution 58 contract to provide health care services is overseen and co- passed at Congress 2012. services without a competition, ordinated by the Public Services commissioners would have to be Liaison Group (PSLG). The group In April 2013 the bulk of the satisfied that only that provider consists of representatives from Health and Social Care Act 2012 was capable of delivering that the affiliated public service unions came into force. The Act had service. This would have the and is chaired by Dave Prentis, been robustly opposed by unions, effect of forcing virtually all UNISON General Secretary and patients, communities and NHS services out to competition, the General Council lead on staff through a long and hard- increasing private involvement public services. fought campaign, as reported in in the NHS and wasting time the 2012 General Council Report and money on complicated This year the PSLG has had a to Congress. contracting processes. packed agenda including pay, pensions, campaigns in health Once the Act was forced through, In campaigning against the and education, working with co- the focus of the campaign turned regulations, the TUC asked operatives and mutuals in public to raising awareness about the supporters to contact members services, responding to threats dangers of the reforms, holding of the House of Lords to to facility time, and organising in politicians to account, and local encourage them to vote against public services. The group agreed activity to minimise the extent of them in a debate forced by the a programme of activity for the privatisation and cuts. Labour health spokesperson. year which chimes with the Hundreds of activists used the themes set out in the overall An important parliamentary TUC's Adopt a Peer tool to do TUC campaign plan and will battle focused on competition so, and hundreds more wrote put the group on a campaigning and procurement regulations to MPs asking them to sign a footing in the run-up to the 2015 made under Section 75 of the special Early Day Motion aimed General Election. Health and Social Care Act. at securing a debate on the Draft regulations published in regulations. The campaign helped PSLG meetings have also February 2013 prompted uproar to gain significant media profile included regular information from health unions, medical for what might have been seen sharing on the progress of pay professions and the public. The as a relatively obscure piece of claims and negotiations, talks regulations broke promises made parliamentary process, because it within sector schemes about the by Ministers during the passage exposed the real intention behind detail of the pensions reforms, of the Act that decisions about the government's market-based and any plans for industrial whether, when and how to use reforms of the NHS. However, action. competition would lie squarely when pushed to a vote in the with the new GP commissioners. Lords, the Labour attempt to The PSLG also co-ordinates Instead, they would have forced overturn the regulations was the TUC's input into the Public services out to competition. The defeated by Conservative and Services Forum (PSF), a tripartite TUC gathered over a thousand Liberal Democrat peers. forum bringing together public submissions from members of service unions, employers and the public to an influential House In moves to support grassroots government. The PSF has not of Lords Committee examining NHS campaigns, the TUC met this year, but following an the regulations within a 24-hour produced materials for reps, approach by the TUC the Cabinet period. The outcry forced the activists and other campaigners. Office Minister has now agreed to government to withdraw the A campaigners' guide to the new restart the Forum. regulations to revise the language NHS was published in summer around integration and co- 2013, focusing on supporting operation and remove some campaigners to get information of the most explicit pro- about what is happening in their competition wording. area and to take action locally.

54 Marking the NHS’ 65th birthday with campaign materials and a campaign toolkit

© John Birdsall/Photofusion The General Council also participated in the political and policy debates around the future Built to care of the health service. On 15 May 2013 the TUC held a roundtable Keep our NHS safe at 65 for unions representing members

It’s the NHS’s 65th birthday on 5 July. Celebrate by joining the campaign. You can: in health and social care with The NHS was built to care for Britain. getȓ involved in local issues – cuts, Don’t let this government dismantle it. privatisation of local services or Shadow Secretary of State for financially-driven closures Communities, patients and staff are fighting Health, Andy Burnham MP. At for our NHS by: lobbyȓ your MP to keep our NHS safe from cuts and privatisation the meeting Andy Burnham exposingȓ the cuts and privatisation that threaten to break it up getȓ together with unions, patients’ groups and anti-cuts presented his emerging proposals campaigning for patient safety and safe ȓ campaigners in staffing levels to protect you and your your area to for the integration of physical loved ones celebrate and mental health care and campaigningȓ against NHS money going the NHS. into private profits social care. The proposals lobbyingȓ for transparency and openness from all providers. include repealing the Health and Social Care Act and moving back to a model of the NHS

Join the campaign at tuc.org.uk/nhs65 as preferred provider, with a strong role for local authorities as commissioners of health and Also published in summer 2013 At the national level, the TUC social care. Unions responded was a series of profi les of major disputed the government's claim to the proposals in detail and private providers looking for in the June 2013 Spending followed up with work to infl uence work in the NHS. The profi les, Review that health spending policy development on points produced for the TUC by tax and would continue to rise. The £2bn including the workforce, skills and fi nancial analysts Tax Research of additional spending announced training aspects of the proposals. UK, exposed the extent of links to be delivered `through the with tax havens and the low rates NHS' was also included in the The TUC also hosted a private of UK tax paid by many of the local government spending discussion on 29 May 2013 companies looking to profi t from category in the review, therefore between health unions and the NHS. enabling the government to Robert Francis QC, who chaired claim simultaneously that the the inquiry into the failings at Mid The TUC's regions and Wales health budget was rising in real Staffordshire NHS Trust. As well worked with unions and patients' terms and that overall local as following up the discussion groups to support joint activity to government spending would only with health unions and employers mark the 65th anniversary of the see a reduction of 2.3 per cent. via the NHS Social Partnership foundation of the NHS on 5 July In evidence to the Treasury Select Forum, the TUC agreed to 2013. Events across the country Committee the TUC highlighted consider the implications of the focussed on celebrating the NHS, this misleading presentation of report for public services more highighting the impact of cuts the fi nances, which effectively widely. Themes emerging from and privatisation, campaigning means that the government's the report that have resonance for patient safety and safe staffi ng promise to protect NHS funding beyond the NHS included levels and against NHS money has been broken. professionalism, organisational going into private profi ts, and culture and staff engagement, lobbying for transparency and openness and some inspection openness from all providers. Joint and regulation issues. activity was under the established All Together for the NHS umbrella which brings together the TUC's health affi liates and also includes the major non-affi liates in the sector, the British Medical Association (BMA), Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

55 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

The TUC has also continued to work with the NHS Social Partnership Forum (SPF), which The government plans to set a cap of £75,000 on how much brings together the Department anyone would be required to pay towards their care costs of Health, employers and trade unions with members in the NHS to discuss policy issues The TUC has well-established The TUC produced a briefing and in particular the workforce policy in favour of the creation for MPs on the Care Bill prior implications. The SPF is currently of a National Care Service, free to the debate on the Queen's chaired by Department of at point of use and funded from Speech. The TUC argued that Health Minister Daniel Poulter general taxation. The TUC has the government's cuts in local MP. The union side of the SPF also agreed, as a step towards authority funding would make has used the main meetings this objective, to support the it very difficult for councils to and associated workshops Dilnot Commission proposals, comply with the new duty to and smaller meetings to raise notably a lifetime cap (of between promote the integration of health concerns and co-ordinate £25,000 and £50,000) on how and social care established by input on implementation issues much anyone would be required the Bill. The TUC was especially associated with the health to pay towards their care costs. critical of the level of the lifetime reforms and the Francis Review, The TUC has argued that the cap. The TUC's objective is a free among other subjects. Subgroups establishment of national eligibility service, but the cap proposed have also taken forward detailed criteria for social care and a by the Dilnot Commission would work following the reforms of the national set of minimum services have been an important step NHS pension scheme, focussed are particularly important reforms, in this direction. Unfortunately, on the implications of working vital to ending the `postcode the government plans to set longer and on widening access to lottery' in the provision of the cap at £75,000 in 2017 the scheme. services. prices, equivalent to £61,000 in 2010/11 (the date when the In February, the government Dilnot Commission's report was announced that it had accepted published). In other words, the 4.5 Social care the main recommendations of government plans to set the the Dilnot Commission. In the cap 22 per cent higher than The 2012 Congress agreed Queen's Speech the government the maximum level the Dilnot resolution 57 in support of the announced plans for a Care Bill, Commission regarded as fair. Multiple Sclerosis Society's which was introduced in the End the Care Crisis campaign. House of Lords in May, including The Dilnot Commission proposed The resolution pledged support provision for a cap on care costs. that people who develop for the Dilnot Commission's care needs before the age of recommendations on the Most organisations representing 40 should be entitled to free funding of care and support and older people, disabled people care without a means test. It committed the TUC to lobbying and carers have welcomed now seems very likely that the for reform of the confused the acceptance of the cap in government will limit this to those patchwork of social care principle, but have expressed who develop such needs by the legislation. concern about the lack of public age of 18, with those who do so funding for care services and between 18 and state pension about many of the details in the age only being entitled to a lower government's plans. cap than £75,000.

56 There are a number of issues impact of the expansion of for where the government's profit education providers and intentions were unclear at the the danger of greater privatisation time of the publication of the Care in all parts of the education Bill. The TUC raised concerns sector. This campaign is being about the national eligibility developed in close consultation criteria. It has since become with the education unions, with clearer that to qualify for the a range of campaign activities lifetime cap and means-tested scheduled for autumn 2013. support, an individual's care Unions have also continued to needs must be substantial , play a key role in continuing to which will exclude many oppose the government's plans thousands of disabled and elderly to emulate the approach seen people. Even more importantly, in the United States where for it is still unclear how local profit providers in the HE sector authorities will raise the funds have been expanded significantly necessary for this reform. with disastrous consequences for students and the workforce. Union campaigns have had some success in preventing the 4.6 Education and government from delivering on The education unions have early years the scale of ambition set out in played a key role in campaigning the 2011 HE White Paper. on pay issues, including opposing performance-related pay for Over the past year the TUC In line with composite 14 the teachers and the extension of has continued to work closely TUC and education unions have unfair flexibilities given to schools with affiliated unions on policy continued to express concerns on pay bargaining as a result of and workforce issues relating about the effects of social and the expansion of academies and to education and early years economic deprivation on the free schools (see Chapter 3 for provision in line with composites educational achievement and more details on public sector 14 and 15, resolutions 63, 64 and attainment of young people pay). The TUC and education 67, and emergency resolutions as well as highlighting that the unions have also continued to 1 and 3 agreed at the 2012 further expansion of academies look at strategies to protect Congress. Our work on vocational and free schools is worsening the rights and entitlements of education and learning and educational inequalities. The teachers and support staff in skills in the workplace, including effects of the government's academies, especially with regard the role of further education in policies will be widespread to national pay and conditions of this respect, is covered in other and cover a range of services service frameworks and collective chapters in this report. including those covered in representation through trade resolution 68. The TUC and unions. One means adopted The TUC has continued to education unions have also given to achieve this has been by facilitate bi-monthly meetings of support to a number of education extending the reach of the TUC the education unions to coincide campaigns drawing support from Model Agreement for Academies, with the meetings of the Public a wide range of stakeholders, in which provides a mechanism Services Liaison Group in order to particular the campaign opposing for trade union recognition and support coordination with wider the government's original plans to facilities and machinery for public services campaigning reform GCSEs, which ultimately consultation and negotiation in and the TUC Campaign Plan. In led to a major policy u-turn by the academy schools. After a series line with one of the key themes Secretary of State for Education of meetings, NAHT became a of the education resolutions earlier this year. In line with signatory to the model agreement agreed at the 2012 Congress, emergency resolution 1, the TUC guidance note in October 2012 the TUC has been planning and education unions also gave and this new version of the a campaign Education not support to the campaign about guidance note has been widely for Sale focused on raising the changes to GCSE grading circulated. awareness of the detrimental boundaries.

57 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

The TUC has continued to raise concerns The TUC has continued to about the significant decline in part-time HE express concerns about the impact of the government's students in recent years, with participation policy approach in a number of falling by 40 per cent since 2010. areas on early years provision and access to affordable high quality childcare. Following Over the past year the TUC and The TUC has continued to raise close consultation with the TUC education unions have engaged concerns about the significant Early Years Network, in August in discussions with the School decline in part-time HE students 2012 the TUC submitted a Co-operative Society (SCS) and in recent years, with participation response to the call for evidence the Co-operative College with falling by 40 per cent since 2010. by the government's Childcare the aim of establishing a national Prompted by this disturbing Commission, which was originally framework for trust schools and trend, Universities UK are established to look at how to academies that come under currently carrying out a review reduce the costs to families the remit of the co-operative of undergraduate part-time and the burdens on childcare movement. These discussions and mature HE which is due to providers. The TUC submission are building on existing report in the autumn. The TUC highlighted the lack of affordable developments in this area, has submitted a response to the high quality childcare and including the work undertaken review highlighting the negative especially the limited access to by the Public Services Liaison impact of a number of the adequate provision for families Group in developing best practice government's funding changes on with disabled children. guidance with Co-operatives UK. the participation rates of part- In June senior officials from the time and mature HE students. In January of this year the education unions and the TUC The TUC response called for government announced a number met with the Chief Executive the government to signal to the of proposals for reforming of the Schools Co-operative HE sector that increasing the childcare, including significant Society and the Chief Executive number of mature students in deregulation involving changes of the Co-operative College in part-time HE is a priority and for to child to staff ratios in early order to discuss a framework a relaxation of the equivalent or year settings. Along with many agreement between the TUC and lower qualification policy which other key stakeholders, the TUC the education unions and these prohibits loans to those who strongly criticised this proposal, two organisations. The text of the already have a degree. arguing that it would not reduce framework agreement is currently costs as planned and instead being negotiated with the aim The IPPR Commission on the risked reducing the quality of being that it will be in place early Future of Higher Education in care. In June of this year the in the new school year. England presented its findings Deputy Prime Minister stated in June and this included a that he had concluded that, recommendation, drawing on because it will not reduce costs research commissioned by for parents or increase the quality unionlearn, that the government of childcare, the proposed ratio should reform the £5bn of training changes for pre-school children tax relief currently awarded cannot proceed . to employers with the aim of incentivising them to invest in courses supporting employees to achieve accredited qualifications and continuing professional development, whether in further or higher education. Using tax relief to influence employer investment in skills has also been endorsed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

58 The TUC has also campaigned on other policies affecting , early years provision, including 250Employment in local government has fallen000 by 250,000 since 2010 highlighting how cuts to local government have led to reduced services provided by local The LGA indicates that a funding This presents enormous children's centres. The TUC crisis is looming. Their modelling challenges to community groups supported the campaign lobbying of future sources of council and unions looking to oppose the government to ensure that revenue against future demand cuts at the local level. The work parents can access the same shows a potential funding gap of trades councils and local trade level of childcare support within of £16.5bn a year by the end union branches in campaigns the Universal Credit as is currently of the decade, a 29 per cent such as the Barnet Alliance available via the tax credit shortfall between revenue and for Public Services has shown system. spending pressures. This is what can be achieved through having a signifi cant impact on the concerted local action against local government workforce, with council plans to close and massive job losses, a continuing privatise services. 4.7 Local government squeeze on pay and low morale. Employment in local government The TUC, along with unions Local government has borne has fallen by over 250,000 representing workers in the the brunt of the government's since 2010. children's service sector such as austerity drive. The Compre- UNISON, Unite, AEP, Community hensive Spending Review 2010 This is also having a major impact and Prospect, has joined forces set out reductions of 26 per cent on service delivery. Responding with Children England and a in local government funding and to the 2013 spending review Sir range of children's charities to in June 2013 the Chancellor Merrick Cockell, Conservative campaign for the protection of announced a further eight per Chair of the LGA, said that children's services, setting out a cent cut for 2015 16. some councils will simply not manifesto for action that will be have enough money to meet all presented to political parties and Claims made by George Osborne their statutory responsibilities local authority leaders in the run and Secretary of State Eric confi rming that services up to the next election. Pickles that there has been such as culture and leisure little impact on service delivery facilities, school support, road are seriously undermined by maintenance and growth-related evidence presented by a range of programmes will bear the brunt of 4.8 Criminal justice organisations including the Local these cuts. Government Association (LGA), Workers in the criminal justice the Public Accounts Committee, In turn this is having a knock-on system continue to face the National Audit Offi ce and effect on commissioned services, extremely diffi cult challenges as UNISON. particularly those for children and the Ministry of Justice oversees young people, women and older £2bn of cuts. In January the people in need of care. 85 per government announced the cent of social workers recently closure of seven prisons, with surveyed by Age UK said that two further partial closures, which frontline social care services had could result in the loss of over been affected by spending cuts. 1,000 jobs. This is likely to put Over 65 per cent of children additional pressure on the prison and young people's charities estate, where violence has been responding to a survey by the a prominent problem over the National Children's Bureau are past year. The probation service reducing both the level and range is seeing 10 per cent cut from its of services they deliver due to budget, with knock-on effects for public funding cuts. A substantial the quality of service provision minority said it was very likely and staff workloads. Meanwhile, that they would be closing down many courts are closing with their organisations within the next thousands of jobs at risk. 12 months.

59 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

The value of Ministry of Justice contracts rose from £8m in 2008 to £79m in 2012. Privatisation £100bnIt is estimated that the public service outsourcing in the prison, courts and market could grow to over £100bn by 2015 police services continues to grow and the government has now announced proposals to Despite the government's Earlier this year, the TUC outsource over 70 per cent of the rhetoric, most outsourcing commissioned research from probation service by 2015. The continues to lead to the the Association of Public Service TUC will continue to work closely concentration of services in Excellence (APSE) looking with Napo, POA, PCS, UNISON, private hands as large private at how local authorities were GMB and others in the criminal providers are able to dominate improving services through justice system to highlight the markets, particularly those where increasing the voice of workers impact of spending cuts and lowest cost and payment by and communities in their design the risk created by the scale results commissioning processes and delivery. And the TUC will be and speed of the government's are used. The Work Programme working with unions and other outsourcing agenda in these has demonstrated how a small partners to publish a series of particularly sensitive areas. number of private providers articles setting out our agenda are able to use their access to for public service reform that puts fi nance to corner the market people before profi ts. and farm out sub-contracts to 4.9 Public service voluntary and community groups While the delivery of public reform that are forced to absorb the risk services through mutuals or co- of payment by results. In turn, operatives set up by public sector that risk is increasingly being employees continues to form In Open Public Services 2013 passed on to the workforce, as a key part of the government's the government reaffi rmed its seen by the rise in zero hours narrative, the approach has been commitment to a public service contracts and agency work modifi ed in some regards. reform agenda based on the replacing permanent jobs. opening up of public service The government has scaled back markets, increased outsourcing The General Council will some of its earlier ambitions. of services to the private and continue to campaign against Gone is the target for a million voluntary sectors and driving marketisation and privatisation public sector workers to be through spending cuts. of public services, challenging outsourced into mutuals by the government's ideological 2015. With just under 70 mutuals The escalation of outsourcing has assumptions about the primacy currently delivering public been remarkable. The Financial and effi ciency of markets. services, representing 0.14 per Times reports that public service Working with affi liates, think tanks cent of the public service budget, outsourcing has doubled in and academics, the TUC will it is clear that this has yet to the last four years, from a total be producing evidence-based signifi cantly take off. Growth of £9.8bn in 2008 to £20bn in arguments that demonstrate has largely been confi ned to 2012. With another £84bn worth how accountable, integrated community health services, social of contracts in the pipeline, it is and publicly owned services care and non-statutory local estimated that the public service provide the best quality, value for government services, such as outsourcing market could grow money, effi ciency and fl exibility. youth and leisure, often as an to over £100bn by 2015. Key We will also continue to push for alternative to closure or `death by growth areas have been local approaches to service provision a thousand cuts'. government, health, defence and, that put public service workers increasingly, criminal justice. and communities at the heart of decision-making.

60 There has also been an increased focus on the concept of `mutual £100bn joint ventures' where ownership is shared between employees and private sector partners. Whether this is a cover for privatisation or a shortcut to accessing the kind of fi nance otherwise deprived to fl edgling mutual start ups, it is clear that the government is encouraging private sector involvement and watering down the language on employee ownership as a result. Recent Cabinet Offi ce pronouncements on mutual joint ventures have indicated employee ownership levels of 25 per cent as acceptable, incurring strong criticism from mutuals advocates such as Co-operatives UK who see this as a corruption of the co- operative and mutual ethos.

It is precisely because of these concerns about the government's approach that the TUC and Co-operatives UK have worked together to produce best practice guidelines which set out the conditions that should be in place to ensure that public service mutuals are set up in the interests and with the support of the workforce and service users.

Through the Public Services Liaison Group, the TUC agreed a set of guidelines with Co- Public Services The aims of the network are operatives UK that cover the key Research Network to co-ordinate and share areas of workforce consultation information and promote new and engagement, commissioning, The Public Services Research research and policy work and governance, safeguarding of Network (PSRN) has been assemble evidence with a view to public assets and the protection convened by the TUC to informing and developing cogent of employment standards. The bring together trade unions, arguments in support of publicly guidance makes clear the TUC's academics, researchers and think owned and accountable public commitment to public ownership tanks that have an interest in services. but recognises that, in instances non-market based approaches where mutuals emerge, this must to public services and public Over the last 12 months, the be with the explicit support of service reform. TUC has developed a network the workforce, in partnership of over 150 research, policy and with their trade unions and academic staff, providing regular commissioned in a way that bulletins with links to relevant safeguards against privatisation research and has hosted a and protects or enhances number of seminars. employment standards.

61 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

Work we have promoted The TUC has been particularly concerned about through the PSRN includes the replacement of Disability Living Allowance academic reports on public sector employment relations, with Personal Independence Payment. outsourcing and privatisation; analysis of the future of public groups, especially the tougher The Work Capability Assessment services and current government Work Capability Assessment is being used to re-assess policy from think tanks such being used to re-assess the claimants being transferred from as IPPR, Compass, the Fabian claims of everyone receiving Incapacity Benefit to Employment Society, new economics Employment and Support and Support Allowance, leading foundation and CLASS; and Allowance. The resolution to thousands of disabled people analysis on the impact of austerity called on the General Council losing entitlement. Under the and public spending cuts from to campaign to defend and Welfare Reform Act, ESA the Institute of Fiscal Studies, rebuild the welfare state working claimants in the Work Related National Audit Office and Audit in collaboration with other Activity Group (the majority) Commission. organisations. who paid National Insurance contributions while in employment Seminars have been held on Disabled people may well suffer have had their entitlement cut to public service outsourcing, co- more from the benefit cuts than a maximum of one year before production in local government, any other group. As the TUC they face a means-test (currently and social dialogue and noted in a special post on the it is paid indefinitely). public services in the age of Touchstone blog to mark the austerity with speakers from the International Day of Disabled Association of Public Service People, in addition to the closure Excellence, London Metropolitan of Remploy factories (reported University, the Public Services on in Chapter 5) disabled people International Research Unit, Kings have seen the closure of the College London, IPPR, several Independent Living Fund; massive TUC unions and the Wales TUC. cuts associated with Universal Credit (reported on in more detail below) and the Benefit Cap, which will hit disabled people 4.10 Social security harder than non-disabled people. and the welfare state

The past year has seen the implementation of the Welfare Reform Act, the introduction of new legislation limiting cost-of- living increases to benefits and the announcement of plans to place a curb on overall benefit expenditure. The 2012 Congress agreed composite resolution 8 on the Welfare State that expressed concern at the impact of government policies on vulnerable

62 The TUC has been particularly Economic Report Series 2013 In April, the TUC updated its Tax concerned about the replacement Credit Calculator to take account of Disability Living Allowance of some of these changes, which (the benefi t that helped disabled will leave low-waged families up people with the extra costs to £3,000 a year worse off by of disability) with Personal 2015/16. These changes include Independence Payment. The new the abolition of the Baby Element benefi t has a tougher eligibility of tax credits; the reduction in test, designed to cut spending by the value of support for childcare £1bn a year and eliminates the costs; the increase in the number help DLA provided for people with of hours couples have to work less severe impairments. It isn't Will Universal to qualify and only uprating possible, as the TUC emphasised Credit work? tax credits by one per cent for in a video in May, to map extra three years. These will more costs to severity of impairment: than offset the increase in the thousands of people with less personal allowance for hundreds severe impairments face very high of thousands of families and the costs and will now be plunged Written for the TUC by the Child Poverty Action Group Calculator helps people to work deeper into poverty. In two videos out how much they stand to lose. launched in April, the TUC argued In response, the TUC that the Welfare Reform Act's commissioned a new report, UC has signifi cant implications for Benefi t Cap and Bedroom Tax will Will Universal Credit Work? people at work as well as those also hit families and children. from Lindsay Judge of the Child out of employment. In particular, Poverty Action Group. The report, the new benefi t introduces The most complicated and published in May, looked at the in-work conditionality : people far-reaching element of the pros and cons of the new system, with low paid jobs who need government's plans is the and noted that original plans for to supplement their wages introduction of Universal Credit UC to be generous enough to with Universal Credit will be (UC), a new benefi t that will guarantee substantial reductions expected to act to raise their eventually replace all means- in poverty had been watered earned incomes to a target level. tested benefi ts and tax credits for down. It is especially important Eventually there will be benefi t people under retirement age. The to put UC in context: when the penalties for those who fail to do TUC has always accepted that coalition's wider benefi t and tax this, though the Department for there are positive aspects of the credit changes are taken into Work and Pensions insists that it new benefi t, not least the creation account, a majority of people in will take a light touch approach of a simpler system for claimants. every income decile will be worse at fi rst. But over the past three years, the off. The government repeatedly negative elements have grown claims that most people will be In April, the TUC responded to a in size and number. Thousands better off when UC is introduced DWP consultation on increasing of disabled people will lose out but this has been achieved the earnings of UC claimants, because of the elimination of only by providing substantial arguing for a supportive approach the Child Tax Credit disability transitional protection for and opposing the use of benefi t element, the Working Tax Credit thousands of people who would sanctions. The TUC submission Disabled Worker element and otherwise be worse off under the also argued for a signifi cant the Severe Disability Premium in new system and by reducing the increase in the minimum wage, means-tested benefi ts. Nearly generosity of the tax credits now, promotion of the Living Wage, all two-earner couples will be so that those who have seen their investment in training and worse off under the new system; entitlements cut will stand to gain improvements in the availability, most lone parents will have lower from UC. cost and quality of childcare. incomes too. Worries about the IT system needed to operate UC are slowing its introduction and there are concerns that many vulnerable people will fi nd it diffi cult to cope with a benefi t that can only be claimed on-line.

63 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

In July, DWP officials spoke at a briefing at Congress House on Universal Credit and workplace issues. There was TUC Poverty a very constructive discussion about the implications of UC for Conference workers and how best unions can alert members to these “Work or full maintenance” issues and it was agreed that the TUC should organise a further meeting at which unions could London Wednesday 17 October 2012 discuss this issue. To help union representatives an e-note was Not all benefits are subject to The reality of increasing poverty produced on workplace issues, the one per cent ceiling: Child was revealed by the publication reported on in more detail in Benefit is frozen. In December of the Households Below Average Chapter 6. the TUC published Child Benefit: Incomes (HBAI) statistics in June. a Bad Case of Neglect?, which As the TUC pointed out in a This year has also seen the looked at the effect on families series of posts on the Touchstone Welfare Benefits Uprating Act of this freeze. It revealed that, blog, the number of people in come into effect. For three by the end of 2015, a family `absolute' poverty (defined by years, this Act will limit cost- with two children will have lost a reference to average incomes of-living increases in benefit cumulative total of over £1,000, when the current government rates to a maximum of one per compared with the policies came to power) rose by 900,000 cent, however high inflation on cost-of-living increases the in 2010 11. A majority of children may be. The Autumn Statement government inherited; in 2013 14 in relative poverty now live in revealed that the cut in benefit alone families will lose £234. households where at least one and tax credit uprating will person is in employment. account for more than a third The 2012 Congress agreed of all the government's cuts resolution 40 on Child Poverty The TUC continues to be an and tax increases by 2015/16. that condemned the Secretary active member of the End Child The government had already of State for Work and Pensions Poverty coalition, represented on announced cuts in benefit for trying to redefine poverty in a the Steering Group and helping to uprating, but the new policy way that took attention away from publicise initiatives such as polling goes even further. As the TUC inadequate wages and benefits published to coincide with the revealed, in just three years, the and reaffirmed support for the HBAI statistics, showing that 82 new policy meant that single Child Poverty Act goal of ending per cent of the public think that unemployed people would lose poverty by 2020. Congress tackling child poverty should be a £2.85 a week compared with the also agreed resolution 59 on government priority. uprating policy before the Act the British Dietetic Association and £3.85 compared with the (BDA's) Mind the Hunger Gap policy that existed before 2010. campaign, which had revealed The government's decision to that a million older people eat less place a `cap' on annual managed than one meal a day. expenditure, announced in the Autumn Statement and the Spending Review, will inevitably lead to further cuts in benefit rates, but the scale of this is not yet entirely clear.

64 Kirkby Unemployed Centre, Liverpool

In September, the TUC organised a seminar on Women's Work and Women's Benefits, which acted as a `feeder' seminar for the 2012 Poverty Conference the following month. The Poverty Conference took place on 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the theme of Work or Full Maintenance . The speakers included Professor Danny Dorling, author of Injustice and Owen Jones, author of Chavs. This was the last Poverty Conference in this format although from 2013 the TUC will continue to hold a large poverty and social security The TUC has been increasingly It has become increasingly event. concerned about the clear that the government's government's use of statistics stigmatising language, used In March, the TUC published and in April Nicola Smith (head to win support for cuts and A Bleak Future for Families, of the TUC's Economic and reforms that reduce the benefit a report commissioned from Social Affairs Department) wrote entitlement of claimants, has had Landman Economics, looking at to Andrew Dilnot, the Chair of many negative effects. Charities falling living standards under the the UK Statistics Authority. This and campaign groups have linked present government. This was was prompted by the Secretary it to an increase in hate crimes the first report to bring together of State for Work and Pensions' against disabled people, and data on all the government's tax claim that DWP statistics showed many poor families are refusing and benefit changes and the that the benefit cap had led to to claim benefits to which they impact of slow wage growth in 8,000 people moving into jobs. are entitled, for fear of being an analysis that showed how This was despite a disclaimer labelled `scroungers'. Polling falling living standards would in the DWP document explicitly conducted for the TUC, released affect different income groups pointing out that the statistics in January, found that there is and different family types. The did not show this. In May Mr a direct link between ignorance report found that around 700,000 Dilnot replied, agreeing with the about the social security system, more children will be living below TUC's criticism. He also wrote negative attitudes to claimants the minimum income standard to the Secretary of State, to tell and support for benefit cuts. The by 2015: 460,000 because him that his use of the statistics less people knew about benefits of tax and benefit changes, meant that his Department was the more likely they were to 170,000 because of slower than not compliant with the Code of believe the worst of claimants forecast wage growth and 80,000 Practice for Official Statistics. and the more likely they were to because of the public sector support cuts. This was disturbing, pay freeze. TUC concerns about the as ignorance was widespread: government's cuts and welfare on average, the people covered reforms have been raised through by the TUC poll thought that 27 the statutory Social Security per cent of benefits were claimed Advisory Committee, where fraudulently the correct figure is Nicola Smith represents the 0.7 per cent. interests of employees. In the past year, the Committee has published important reports on Welfare Reform Act regulations, Universal Credit and conditionality and a study of the support needs of Universal Credit claimants.

65 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

In July, the TUC held a meeting on Solidarity and Social Security Cuts to discuss the links between divisive language, stigma and cuts to benefi ts. The speakers included Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group and Professor Ruth Lister who has written extensively about the othering of groups such as claimants. Further events and publications to take this work forward are being considered.

4.11 Public transport

This year has seen the spectacular failure of the This year has seen the spectacular failure of the government's franchising government's franchising programme, intensifying programme, intensifying the debate about our privatised the debate about our privatised rail system. rail system.

Intense scrutiny of the franchising The government, however, is The threats to jobs and services process followed the failure of pressing ahead with a revised from the recommendations of the award of the West Coast franchising programme, the McNulty Review remain contract, with the government prioritising the currently state-run very much alive. Train Operating launching two reviews into East Coast Main Line as the fi rst Companies (TOCs) are attempting the process. Arguments in newly tendered service before the to fi nd £300m of savings through favour of public ownership and election. This is despite evidence the de-staffi ng of trains and nationalisation have gained showing that Directly Operated stations; London Midland has prominence in the media as Railways on East Coast has the made large scale cuts to booking evidence from academia and smallest subsidy, outperforms offi ces; and London Overground the Offi ce of Rail Regulation previous private operators on the is looking to move to driver only demonstrated the failings of line and comparable operators operation, shedding 130 safety privatisation. Opinion polls like Virgin on West Coast and critical guard jobs in the process. continue to show overwhelming by the end of this fi nancial year The new funding settlement for public support for nationalisation, will have returned £800m to the Network Rail seeks to fi nd up to the TUC and rail unions' Action government to be reinvested in £2bn in savings over fi ve years, for Rail campaign has continued the service. placing enormous stress on a to strengthen and the Labour workforce already stretched to Party has begun to propose Potentially larger threats are breaking point from previous fundamental changes to emerging in Europe, as proposals cuts. Those at the front line are the industry. to enforce the tendering of warning of the effect of cutbacks passenger services and the on performance and safety. separation of track and train are developed through the Fourth Rail Package.

66 PERF In line with composite 11 agreed at Congress 2012, the Action for Rail campaign has continued to build momentum. Four national days of action have been held KEEP as well as a large number of targeted actions by local activists covering over 150 stations. Over 4,500 postcards have been signed by members of the public. In addition, relationships have been formed with a number of other campaign and community PUBLIC organisations helping to build our reach and leverage.

In line with emergency resolution 2 agreed at the 2012 Congress, a broad group including UNISON, PCS, NUJ, Alliance for Jobs East Coast Mailer 2.indd 1-2 and Climate, Campaign against 22/07/2013 17:25 Climate Change, We Own It, ActionPERF for Rail has also against Cuts and Transport for ACT and the National Pensioners undertaken targeted activity All, highlighting the impact of Convention has been convened fi ghting cuts to staffi ng on de-staffi ng on passengers with to take forward joint activity trains and stations with mobility issues. Our survey found on the campaign for public groups of passengers who that over 80 per cent of disabled ownership of our railways. The will be particularly affected. passengers said that unstaffed battle for the future of the East This has included partnership stations and trains would make Coast Main Line will be one of with the National Federation travel diffi cult and over 25 per the key objectives for this group of Women's Institutes raising cent had suffered abuse or hate and it has been good to see concerns about the impact crime while travelling on trains. the Labour Party publicly joining on women's safety. We have Our delegation to Westminster of forces on this. also worked with disabled and disabled and older passengers older passengers, represented told the rail minister Norman by the National Pensioners' Baker that staff cuts were Convention, Disabled People completely unacceptable.

67 Chapter four Good services and decent welfare

The battle for public ownership of However, there was some the railways is there to be won, welcome news with the with increased public antipathy announcement that the Bus to the failed franchising system Service Operators Grant and an increasingly sympathetic (effectively a grant paid to ear in media and political circles. operators to maintain non- However, there is much to be profi table services and keep done. Action for Rail will continue fares down) is to be maintained to campaign with other partners, and ringfenced until 2017, including the Labour Party, to testament to the work of the Save keep the East Coast Main Line our Buses campaigners at the in public hands but to also fi ght Campaign for Better Transport privatisation on other lines, and trade unions to ensure that including the commuter franchise the vital role of buses in our local Thameslink, Southern and Great communities is kept near the top Northern (TSGN), carrying up to of the political agenda. a third of UK passengers, which is due to be awarded in Spring 2014. We will continue to work Damning evidence on the with partners in the European record of rail privatisation was Transport Federation (ETF) to presented in The Great Train fi ght the Fourth Rail Package Robbery, a report produced by in Europe, which threatens the CRESC team at the University any alternative proposals for a of Manchester, part funded by publicly owned railway which puts the TUC. Their analysis showed passengers and taxpayers before how rail privatisation had failed private profi ts. to deliver on its promises, with increased public subsidy, higher Communities around the country fares, older trains and virtually have continued to lose out no new private investment. At on bus services as a result of the same time, it showed that government cuts to local authority all the TOCs were net recipients funding. According to the of public money through direct Campaign for Better Transport, and indirect subsidies. The one in fi ve local bus services were widespread and positive media withdrawn by local authorities coverage this report generated last year and 40 per cent of refl ected the increased interest funding for bus services was due in debates on the nature of to be cut. A further cut of 10 per privatisation this year. The Great cent to local authority funding Train Robbery is a resource that announced in the June 2013 adds to the work that Transport Spending Review means that this for Quality of Life produced situation is unlikely to change in in their Rebuilding Rail report, the years ahead. commissioned by ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite the previous year.

68 Chapter five Respect and a 5 voice at work 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Employment rights 5.3 Employment rights internationally 5.4 Equality at work 5.5 Women’s equality 5.6 Race equality 5.7 Disabled workers 5.8 Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers 5.9 Young people 5.10 Health and safety 5.11 Learning and skills Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

5.1 Introduction 5.2 Employment rights Rights& Over the past year we have Wrongs seen a continuation of the Government attacks on Issue 1 | June 2012 government's attack on the rights employment rights of workers. They have led the Your workplace charge against any kind of social In 2012/13, the government rights are Europe , have reduced protection continued its attack on under attack against unfair dismissal and employment rights. Most redundancy and sought to make proposals were inspired by the it harder to enforce rights by Beecroft Report and were based introducing fees for employment on the ill-founded belief that cuts tribunals and changing the rules in employment protection would on compensation for injury. generate growth.

Protection against discrimination Many of the changes were Inside: The Are your rights Busting has also been under threat with included in the Enterprise and Beecroft really a problem the tribunal report for your boss? myths further cuts to the budget of Regulatory Reform Act (ERRA the Equality and Human Rights 2013) which received royal assent Commission, the repeal of key on 25 April 2013. The TUC (i) Making it easier for provisions of the Equality Act, prepared briefi ngs for MPs and employers to sack staff and a review of the Public Sector Peers during the parliamentary Equality Duty. stages of the bill. Since 2010 the government has sought to weaken unfair dismissal The government has also The General Council resisted rights. In April 2012 the qualifying continued its attempts to remove the government's proposals, in period for unfair dismissal cases or weaken health and safety line with composite 3 adopted was extended from 12 months to regulations and reduce the level at Congress 2012. They argued two years. TUC research revealed of inspections. that stripping away employment that this would strip away rights would do nothing to dismissal protections from nearly Yet unions and the TUC were at stimulate growth or to create new three million UK employees and the forefront of the campaign for jobs. Rather it would increase would disproportionately affect a voice at work and the General job insecurity, lead to downward BME and young workers. Council had some success in pressure on pay and conditions resisting some of the attacks on and increase in-work poverty. The government has also equality and employment rights, legislated to reduce the cap for both in the UK and internationally. The government's reforms compensatory awards in unfair have focused on three principal dismissal cases. The new cap is themes: based on an individual©s annual salary and is subject to an overall limit of £72,400. Responding to the BIS consultation on Ending the Employment Relationship, the General Council opposed the proposal, arguing it would disproportionately affect older workers.

70 In summer 2012 the government (ii) Removing redundancy announced it would withdraw its and Transfer of Undertakings proposal for no-fault dismissals (Protection of Employment) in micro-fi rms, following strong Regulations (TUPE) rights opposition from trade unions and some employers' organisations, In 2013, the government including the CIPD. Nevertheless, signifi cantly weakened unions' the government legislated to rights to consultation on make it easier for employers to collective redundancies. On 6 use settlement agreements to April the government halved the end individuals' employment. minimum period of consultation Under section 14 of ERRA in mass redundancies affecting 2013, employers are free to offer 100+ employees from 90 to 45 YOU HAVE A CASE, an individual a sum of money days. In reaching this decision BUT DO YOU HAVE THE CASH? What price justice? the government thinks it knows. not been paid the minimum wage could have to fork out £1,200 if you claim for wrongful dismissal. it’s the more than a week’s pay to claim it back. in return for their agreeing to the government disregarded same for race discrimination. and nothing wrong in making the costs system ever even what the government calls a “simple claim”, such more complex. as not being paid what you’d earned, could set you Not only is the government chipping away at everyone’s back £400. rights at work, ministers are making it impossibly expensive sign a settlement agreement extensive evidence submitted experts object, but ministers are still planning fees for for many to enforce rights that they would not dare to most employment tribunal cases. attack outwardly, such as the minimum wage. they see nothing unfair in this. it’s one employment law for the (formerly known as a compromise by the General Council which Nothing wrong that someone who has rich, another for the rest of us. agreement). While employees demonstrated how consultation Visit our Website aNd deliVer your Verdict WWW.stopemploymeNtWroNgs.org can refuse the offer, many will be arrangements had been used fearful that if they remain in work by employers and unions to The General Council argued they will be victimised and bullied. avoid redundancies during the that the government's proposals The offer and any conversations recession in the private sector. would breach the Acquired will remain confi dential and The government also excluded Rights Directive and would lead cannot be used in an unfair employees on fi xed-term to an erosion of outsourced dismissal claim, unless an contracts which had reached workers' pay and conditions, employment tribunal decides that the end of their term from growing inequality and in-work the employer behaved improperly. consultation rights. poverty. The removal of the SPC The General Council labelled the provisions would increase risks new rules Beecroft-lite , as they In 2012/13 BIS consulted on and uncertainty for businesses. would encourage employers to changes to the TUPE Regulations sack staff for arbitrary reasons including: and without following a fair (iii) Limiting access to justice dismissal procedure. ȓ the removal of service provision change (SPC) rules The introduction of fees for In February 2013, Acas consulted employment tribunal users is on a draft Code of Practice ȓ increased fl exibility for predicted to have a major impact on Settlement Agreements. employers to reduce pay and on the ability of individuals to Following representations by conditions following a TUPE- enforce their workplace rights. In the TUC, the Code advises transfer July 2012 the Ministry of Justice employers to permit individuals (MoJ) announced that individuals to be accompanied by a union ȓ a one year limit on the bringing a claim for non-payment representative or colleague in any application of collective of holiday pay or the national meetings to discuss settlement agreements following a transfer minimum wage (NMW) would agreements. The new rules on have to pay up to £160 to submit settlement agreements came into ȓ weakened dismissal their claim and a further £230 effect on 29 July 2013. protections for outsourced to go to a hearing. In unfair staff. dismissal or discrimination cases individuals would need to pay up to £1,200 for their claims to be decided by a tribunal.

71 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

The General Council argued UNISON has applied for a judicial review on the that the proposed fees were grounds that the government's fees proposals excessive and would price many low-paid workers out of would severely limit access to justice and failed justice. The government's belief to comply with EU law. that the proposed remission scheme would protect access to justice for those on low incomes iv) Statutory enforcement In April BIS consulted on the was misplaced. TUC research agencies future of the Employment demonstrated many individuals Agencies Standards Inspectorate paid at NMW rate would be The government has taken and on proposals to streamline required to pay up to £345 to go steps to weaken statutory the Conduct Regulations which to an employment tribunal. enforcement agencies, including regulate employment agencies the Gangmasters' Licensing and businesses. Responding, In April 2013 the MoJ consulted Authority (GLA). In May 2012, the the General Council argued that on proposals which would government announced that the agency workers were among the further restrict entitlements GLA should take a `light touch' on most vulnerable in the UK labour to remissions. Under the new regulation and should no longer market. It was therefore essential proposals, where an individual automatically inspect all licence that effective regulations and or their partner has savings or applicants. The TUC, national food enforcement were retained to investments worth £3,000, they retailers, labour providers and protect them from exploitation. would not be entitled to any the Ethical Trading Initiative have remission. Responding, the TUC strongly resisted these proposals, argued this rule would exclude preparing joint responses “Trading rights for shares” nearly half of all UK households and lobbying government from remissions and 39 per cent ministers. Responding to a GLA At the 2012 Conservative Party of couples with children. consultation, the TUC argued Conference, the Chancellor that the government's proposals unveiled highly controversial In June 2013 the government could see as many as one in five proposals to permit employers tabled legislation on fees in non-compliant gangmasters being to trade employment rights, Parliament. UNISON has applied granted licences. including unfair dismissal for a judicial review on the protections and statutory grounds that the government's In April 2013, Defra consulted on redundancy pay, for shares fees proposals would severely restricting the scope of the GLA valued at between £2,000 and limit access to justice and failed and streamlining the GLA board. £20,000. These proposals were to comply with EU law. Responding, the General Council vigorously opposed by the argued against the proposed TUC and received a lukewarm restriction of the role of the GLA. response from the business Rather, the Authority's remit community. should be extended to include construction, hospitality and social Following extensive lobbying care. It was also important that by the TUC, the government key stakeholders should retain the suffered a defeat on the proposal right to nominate board members. at report stage in the House During 2012/13 four trade union of Lords. The proposal was representatives have served on subsequently voted through the board: Hannah Reed (TUC), after the government conceded Cath Speight (Unite), Steve Kemp additional safeguards, including (GMB) and John Gorle (Usdaw). the requirement that individuals must receive independent advice In line with resolution 16 adopted before agreeing to become an at Congress 2012, the General `employee shareholder'. Secretary (Brendan) wrote to the Lord Chancellor expressing serious concerns at proposals for hidden courts contained in the Justice and Security Bill.

72 Agency workers and In April 2012, the TUC and The TUC complained zero hours contracts ETUC made a joint submission to the EU Commission in support of the POA complaint The mistreatment of agency relating to the ban on industrial that the UK govern- workers continued to be an issue action by prison officers and the ment had failed of major concern for the General absence of collective bargaining to implement the Council. or an independent mechanism for determining pay for prison Temporary Agency In line with Congress policy, officers. In May 2012, the ECtHR Worker Directive during 2013 the TUC complained ruled that the POA case was to the EU Commission that inadmissible on the grounds that properly. the UK government had failed the complaint had already been to implement the Temporary determined by the ILO Freedom Agency Worker Directive properly. of Association Committee. Employment tribunals The grounds of the complaint included that the definition of In July 2013, substantial changes pay used in the Agency Worker Acas early conciliation were made to employment Regulations (AWR) was too tribunal rules and procedures, narrow and that employers and From early 2014, all individuals following recommendations from agencies were able to exploit will be required to apply to Acas the Underhill review. In November rules relating to pay-between- for early conciliation before 2012, the TUC responded assignment contracts to avoid they can submit a claim to an to a BIS consultation on the paying agency workers equal pay. employment tribunal. Failure to proposed changes. The response do so will mean that an individual expressed serious concerns The General Council also cannot subsequently make an at some measures, including expressed serious concern at employment tribunal claim. plans to give employment judges the sharp increase in the use of increased powers to strike out zero hour contracts, including in In January 2013 BIS consulted claims. the public sector. The General on draft regulations which would Council called on the Secretary implement the early conciliation Hannah Reed continued to of State to use the BIS review to scheme. Responding, the represent the TUC on the end the exploitation of zero hours General Council supported Employment Tribunals National contract workers. early conciliation as a means of User Group. resolving disputes early. However they expressed concern that Trade union rights the regulations could generate Vulnerable workers satellite litigation and inadvertently The TUC continued to campaign limit access to justice. Concern The TUC has campaigned for to protect and promote trade was also expressed at the better enforcement of workplace union rights, including the difficulties of applying early rights for vulnerable workers in rights to strike and to bargain conciliation to multiple cases. accordance with resolution 7 from collectively. The TUC actively The TUC argued that those the 2012 Congress, including supported affiliates in making jurisdictions which regularly the retention of the Employment applications to the European resulted in multiples should be Standards Inspectorate and Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), excluded from the scheme. It for an expanded remit of that UK industrial action law failed was also essential that union the Gangmasters' Licensing to comply with Article 11 of the members were able to identify Authority. European Convention on Human their union rep on the early Rights. In November the TUC and conciliation form. ETUC made a joint submission in support of the RMT case. In this case, the RMT was arguing that UK legislation on industrial action notices and the complete ban on all forms of solidarity action failed to comply with Convention rights to freedom of association.

73 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

The TUC is also gathering The General Council will continue The TUC is also evidence of the extent and nature to monitor the activities of the gathering evidence of of casualisation in both the private better regulation machinery and public sectors, including the closely to ensure that vital the extent and nature increased use of agency workers employment protection regulation of casualisation in both and the sharp rise in the use is safeguarded. the private and public of zero-hours contracts. The TUC has gathered case studies sectors, including and has developed an online Union networks the increased use of survey of workers employed on zero-hours contracts. We also During 2012/13, the TUC agency workers and plan to carry out focus groups continued to arrange regular the sharp rise in the involving precarious workers. This meetings with the Union Legal use of zero-hours evidence will help to inform future Officers Network and the Working campaign activities. on the Edge Group. The TUC contracts. also regularly met union policy officers to discuss responses to Whistleblowing government consultations. Last summer the government also launched a Balance of In the New Year, Public Concern Competences Review, which at Work announced that it was looks at all EU powers and their going to conduct a review of the 5.3 Employment rights relation with national ones under law and employers' practices with internationally each government department. regard to whistleblowing policies The TUC made representations and make recommendations to to the government disagreeing improve both. Sarah Veale, TUC, Social Europe with the premise and the potential was invited to join the advisory use of the outcome of the group that was to be set up to Social Europe has come under exercise. Nevertheless, the TUC steer the project. attack from many fronts: at is responding to various calls European level, with the European for evidence on the EU Internal In June the TUC submitted a institutions inadequately grappling Market, stating that it should response to the review, arguing with the crisis, and national level, never take primacy over workers' that the recent reforms had with the Prime Minister's speech rights; on EU development weakened legal protection for on Europe in January, which cooperation; EU transport, trade whistleblowers and should be clearly singled out workers' rights and climate change policies; and reversed. as an area that his government on EU asylum and immigration would attempt to repatriate from as well as free movement of Brussels. Frances O'Grady gave persons. Better regulation a speech on social Europe and workers' rights at the ETUC The previous government set up 40th anniversary conference (as a new body, the Regulatory Policy reported further below), firmly Committee (RPC), to promote rebutting the Prime Minister's better regulation and to scrutinise speech when he spoke of the proposed new regulation to possibility of a referendum on ensure that it was supported by EU membership, which the TUC effective impact assessments, considered as a false choice covering both the benefits and between a reformed Europe that the costs. Sarah Veale, TUC, had lost its social dimension and was appointed to serve on the the status quo. RPC. The first RPC Report was published in July 2010 and the most recent one in July 2013.

74 In 2009, the ETUC and European employers' In December negotiations on organisations negotiated a social partner the revision of the working time directive broke down because it agreement on inclusive labour markets, had not been possible to find a promoting best practice. compromise between the social partners, in particular on the issue of on-call and the individual In line with resolution 78 on the Social dialogue opt-out the two sides' positions subject from the 2012 Congress, being too irreconcilable. The the TUC has continued to The European social partners' existing 1993 directive continues work with the ETUC towards a joint work programme to apply and it is now up to the legislative response to the Viking (2012 2014) contained a European Commission to come and Laval cases, in the shape commitment to develop a up with a legislative proposal of a social progress clause. shared vision concerning the for revision. Paul Sellers (TUC) This would stipulate that where consequences of European and Gloria Mills (UNISON and there is a conflict between economic governance and to ETUC women's committee fundamental social rights develop recommendations. vice-president) were part of the (including the right to strike) and This process started in January negotiating team. economic freedoms (including and concluded in June with the the provision of services adoption of a joint declaration. In 2009, the ETUC and European across borders and the right The social partners called on employers' organisations to establishment in another EU the European institutions and negotiated a social partner member state) fundamental social the member states to consult agreement on inclusive labour rights would take precedence. better and integrate the social markets, with the aim of In November, the TUC met a partners (at European as well as promoting best practice. In 2012 delegation from our Swedish national level) in the process of a web-based guide to good equivalent, LO, to discuss how European economic governance practice was drafted and it was to achieve the objective of a that monitors countries' budgets finalised this summer. The launch social progress clause, and in and issues recommendations is planned for November. April the ETUC contributed to for national reform programmes the various roadmaps on the and jobs plans. Elena Crasta future of Europe that were under represented the TUC in the European Works Councils consideration at the European negotiation of this joint text. Council. In particular, on the The TUC has been involved in roadmap for the social dimension Negotiations on a framework several conferences/projects of the EU, the ETUC and TUC of actions to deal with youth run by the ETUC and the Italian have reiterated that this must employment started in confederation CGIL on European be grounded in the respect for September and concluded in Works Councils (EWCs). The fundamental social rights as April. The framework addressed purpose of these activities has included in the Charter as well four priorities: learning, been two-fold. Firstly, there is a as in international instruments transition, employment and continuing examination of the such as ILO conventions and entrepreneurship. Against each recast EWC directive as the in the improvement of living and of these are actions for the social final transpositions have been working conditions. partners and recommendations completed and are bedded for the European Commission. down. Secondly there is an Carl Roper and Elena Crasta increasing interest in EWCs and represented the TUC in these other examples of transnational negotiations. worker-based information and consultation bodies, in helping foster greater corporate social responsibility, particularly in company restructuring and responsible investment. The TUC has continued to support ETUI EWC training and offer advice to affiliates on EWCs.

75 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

Guy Ryder of the ILO and Frances O’Grady at Congress last year. The TUC continues to support the ILO in its aim of securing decent work for all European Economic and Social Committee

The Committee is composed of employer and worker representatives plus representatives of various interests. It meets nine times a year in plenary session to consider opinions prepared in response to Commission proposals, Council requests, or on its own initiative. These opinions are prepared by study groups which report first to one of six specialised sections. The TUC-nominated members of the Committee during the past year have been Christine Blower (NUT), Sandy Boyle (Unite and Global labour standards of its standards by engaging STUC), Peter Coldrick (TUC), directly with enterprises to Nick Crook (UNISON), Brian Guy Ryder formally assumed support initiatives such as cross- Curtis (RMT and Wales TUC), his role as director general border social dialogue involving Judy McKnight (Napo), Monica (DG) of the International multinational enterprises and Taylor (Unite), and Kathleen Labour Organization (ILO) global union federations. Walker-Shaw (GMB). In April in September. He has acted 2013 Henri Malosse (France, rapidly to implement his election Following the failure in 2012 of employers© group) was elected commitments to reform the ILO the Committee on the Application Committee president for the structure and develop outcome- of Standards to discuss the coming two and a half years. based priorities which will enable most urgent cases of violations, Georgios Dassis (GSEE, Greece) the ILO to deliver on its core due to the employers group has continued as president of the mandate to secure social justice refusal to recognise the right to workers© group. The Committee and decent work for all. The strike under convention 87, it has continued to be very critical TUC representative on the ILO was seen as a step forward that of austerity strategies, and governing body, Sam Gurney, this year a full list of 25 cases while supporting Economic and strongly supported this reform was heard. The list included Monetary Union it has urged that process during the governing countries of key concern to the it be given a true social dimension body meetings in November TUC such as Bangladesh, Fiji, and that growth and not just and March. Greece, Guatemala, Swaziland stability policies be pursued. The and Uzbekistan. The TUC was Committee has actively worked Following a UK employer- represented by Amanda Brown for a financial transaction tax led attack on the supervisory from the NUT who spoke on as well as proposals for green mechanisms of the ILO, a number of cases, including growth, supported the further the TUC welcomed the Greece and Swaziland. However, development of an EU energy emphasis on the need for the the underlying dispute with the market partly to keep prices in ILO to retain its role as the employers on the role of the check, and urged that much organisation which produces ILO's independent Committee of stronger guarantees be given to authoritative conventions and Experts continues and will need young people that they will be recommendations covering all to be resolved before next year's able to find decent work. aspects of the world of work. The conference. Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh emphasised the need for the ILO to be more proactive in securing the enforcement

76 Although there were no standard A unanimous conference decision Domestic workers setting items on this year's saw the lifting of the last ILO conference agenda, good sanctions against Burma. The TUC continues to press progress was made in setting the government to ratify ILO out work-plans for the ILO Over the course of the year the Convention 189 on domestic and national level constituents workers group has continued to workers. This year has seen in the three main conference call for the establishment of new the steady ratification of committees. These were focused committees of inquiry into Bahrain the convention by countries on sustainable development, and Guatemala and at the end throughout the world but most decent work and green jobs of the June conference tabled notably by Italy and Germany. In where the TUC was represented a demand for a commission on pushing for UK ratification the by Graham Petersen of UCU; Fiji. The TUC is a signatory to all TUC is working with a variety of employment and social protection three requests and has continued organisations including Unite, in the new demographic context to lobby the UK government and Justice for Domestic Workers, covered by Rosa Crawford from others for support. Anti-Slavery International, the TUC; and the recurrent the ILO, ITUC in its 12-in-12 discussion item on social campaign, and Kalayaan. Our dialogue which was covered by Forced labour strategy has in part been to Sam Gurney from the TUC. The challenge the government to workers group at the ILO will Just as the UK finally realised justify its refusal to ratify and now use the conclusions to push that there was nothing in UK then rebut the arguments they for standard setting at future law prohibiting forced labour give. This has taken place both conferences on issues such as and servitude, leading to the through exchanges of letters just transition and labour rights in Coroners and Justice Act 2009, with ministers and face to face global supply chains. similar realisations are occurring meetings. The TUC has also in other countries leading to new taken every opportunity given by The conference also marked legislation. In addition, there is a EU and international agencies to the 20th anniversary of the growing awareness that within expose the indefensible position founding of the ILO International developed economies forced of the British government as Programme for the Elimination labour is not largely confined well as its retrogressive step in of Child Labour (IPEC). The to prostitution. The ILO has abolishing the visa for overseas TUC representative on the estimated that 70 per cent of domestic workers, which ILO governing body acted as forced labour victims in the EU allowed such workers to change spokesperson for the workers are being used for labour, while employers thus providing group in the IPEC steering only 30 per cent are victims of them with a route out of abusive committee and, while praising the sexual exploitation. These factors relationships. The TUC will also work of the programme to date, have significantly increased join with the ETUC in pushing for stressed the need for IPEC to interest in this problem among a directive on domestic workers work directly with governments to unions. Accordingly the TUC has which at least embodies the put in place sustainable systems participated in various meetings provisions of the ILO Convention. focused on long-term elimination and conferences on the subject The TUC has talked to both the of all forms of child labour and to attended by academics, NGOs, Labour and Liberal Democrat increase its work at national level unions and state agencies. parties on the issue to brief with workers' and employers' Among these events was the them on why the UK should organisations. seminar held by the Spanish ratify the convention and to union confederation UGT on the expose the current government's subject in Madrid. The TUC also justification to criticism. The participates in the Home Office's TUC has attended events on the sub-group on forced labour. convention run by the ILO, ITUC as well as partner organisations within the UK.

77 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

OECD guidelines on multinational enterprises

These guidelines were significantly The EHRC's current core budget is £17m, already a drastic revised in 2011, incorporating reduction from £70m when it was established in 2007 key elements of the UN's work on business and human rights and further aligning the chapter The TUC established a The TUC hosted a roundtable on employment and industrial working group of affiliates of unions and key organisations relations with the ILO Multinational and commissioned a survey in late 2012 looking at how to Enterprises Declaration. Notably conducted by the labour research future proof the EHRC's work. the new guidelines allow NCPs to department into union usage of Out of that meeting the TUC be proactive rather than waiting the Equality Duty. It shows that coordinated a joint letter with for referrals of abuse. TUAC the duty has helped unions to 46 union and voluntary and guidance on the new guidelines make employers take equalities community sector organisations is being rolled out as they are serious, especially to reduce in early 2013 calling on the EHRC translated into different languages, the disproportionate impact of to strengthen its work with civil and workshops on them are cuts on women, and BME and society and its relationship with taking place across the globe. The disabled workers. Parliament. TUC has produced an introduction to the guidelines and will run a But in far too many cases public There has been some progress. briefing for affiliates in the autumn. bodies are not doing enough. After the UN raised concerns Lord Bill Jordan continues to As a TUC briefing paper on about the EHRC's independence represent the TUC on the steering the PSED and its consultation in late 2012, the EHRC was able committee of the UK National response makes clear, this has to negotiate a less restrictive Contact Point, supported by the not been helped by the failure of framework agreement with TUC office. government to enact the EHRC's government, but strict financial Statutory Code of Practice, controls are still in place, government hostility towards especially over the use of equality standards and impact programme funding. Further, the 5.4 Equality at work assessments more generally, and government has proposed further the loss of staff responsible for cuts to the EHRC's current core Public Sector Equality Duty enforcing the duty. budget of £17m, already a drastic reduction from £70m when it was The TUC has worked with The TUC also pressed the case established in 2007. affiliates and voluntary and with the responsible minister community sector organisations and has been working with The government also attempted in accordance with resolution 18 organisations under the umbrella to repeal the general duty of to ensure that the government's of the Equality and Diversity the EHRC its legal mission review of the Public Sector Forum (EDF) on joint campaigning statement but was defeated in Equality Duty does not abolish or and lobbying of government and the House of Lords after heavy weaken it. Parliament. lobbying of peers by civil society groups, including the TUC and The TUC has pressed for affiliates. full union involvement in the Equality and Human review process, including union Rights Commission The TUC has also been working representation on the review with the EHRC on key priorities panel, and the involvement of The TUC continues to press for including possible work around workplace reps in the site visits an effective EHRC against the pregnancy discrimination, and under the review. Both requests backdrop of heavy budget and follow-up work on vulnerable were rejected by the government. staffing cuts and government workers, among a range of The Government Equalities Office restrictions on its independence other areas, in accordance (GEO), leading on the review, did in accordance with resolutions with resolution 7 at the 2012 agree to attend a TUC-hosted 17, 18, 19, 20 and 24. Congress. roundtable of unions.

78 A new EHRC chair, Baroness The TUC has also been lobbying Onora O'Neill, was appointed to strengthen the right of mothers in 2012 and Sarah Veale of and partners to return to work, the TUC was appointed as a and to allow partners to take Commissioner in early 2013. reasonable and paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments. The TUC is also working Shared parental leave with Acas on guidance on breastfeeding rights at work after The government is legislating for a coalition of organisations, led a system of shared parental leave by Maternity Action and including (SPL) and pay which will allow affi liates, secured a commitment a mother to end her maternity in this area. leave and pay early and share it with her partner on a more fl exible basis. It is also extending Flexible working similar leave entitlements to those becoming parents through The TUC welcomed the proposed adoption or surrogacy. extension of the right to request fl exible working, but regretted The government has introduced In consultation responses, that this is limited to employees a requirement for employers a parliamentary briefi ng and with at least 26 weeks of service. breaching equal pay laws to lobbying at ministerial level, the conduct an equal pay audit. The TUC has broadly welcomed the The TUC also raised concerns at TUC submitted its response to plans but has pressed for a range the replacement of the statutory a consultation on the audits, of measures to support parents procedure to consider requests arguing that, while the law is and improve the poor anticipated with an Acas code of practice, welcome, it would be far more take-up rates. and the weakening of the right effective to require audits to be of appeal for employees. This done proactively as envisaged Working in partnership with was done through parliamentary by section 78 of the Equality unions, and organisations such as briefi ngs, a consultation response Act 2010, which has never been Working Families and Maternity and through the TUC's position enacted by the government. Action, the TUC has pressed for on the DWP's fl exible working Instead, it is relying mostly on a day one eligibility for parents, group tasked with developing voluntary scheme which has had improving the poor statutory rate the draft. poor levels of take-up, especially of pay and a reserved period of on addressing equal pay. leave for fathers/partners. The TUC published an analysis on The Equality Act 2010 The TUC has also briefed Father's Day which showed that parliamentarians to oppose less than one per cent of eligible The government has repealed the repeal of the power for fathers or partners take additional key provisions of the Equality Act employment tribunals to make paternity leave the entitlement 2010 including: employer liability wider recommendations to that SPL is effectively replacing. for third party discrimination, employers found to have and statutory discrimination and unlawfully discriminated, put equal pay questionnaires. In forward in the Deregulation Bill. meeting resolutions 18 and 19 The power is a helpful tool to the TUC briefed parliamentarians weed out discrimination rooted in to oppose these repeals given workplace cultures or policies. the negative impact they will have on victims of discrimination. The The TUC produced a briefi ng and TUC has been engaging with spoke at a wide range of union Acas to ensure that its proposed events on these changes to the non-statutory questionnaire is Equality Act and how unions can credible enough for unions respond to them in bargaining to use. and campaigning.

79 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

5.5 Women's equality The TUC also embarked on a project to highlight a range of issues facing women Chaired by Pat Stuart, the Women©s Committee has over fifty in the workplace. continued its work promoting gender equality in the workplace, in line with Congress and A report on women in the Through a blog, social media Women©s Conference resolutions. economy was also produced presence, media work, reports, The Women's Committee has in the autumn of 2012 and was and briefings to unions, as well continued to focus on the impact widely circulated to unions. The as surveys and focus groups, of cuts on women, in particular report highlighted the rise in the Age Immaterial campaign on issues facing older women women's unemployment since the has researched and raised at work, employment rights, beginning of the recession as well awareness of several issues violence against women, and as the rise in under employment facing women over 50 in the occupational segregation. and involuntary part-time work workplace including: a wide among women. gender pay gap, low pay and occupational segregation, Women and the cuts The TUC continued to work multiple discrimination faced closely with and support the work by older women particularly In the TUC's work on public of the Women's Budget Group, older BME women and older service cuts and reforms we whose gendered analysis of disabled women, women being have consistently highlighted the government fiscal policy is widely managed out on competency/ way in which women have been respected and is often cited by health grounds, problems faced hardest hit by the combination unions, MPs, and journalists. getting back into the labour of job cuts, attempts to change market by women over 50 who terms and conditions, and cuts to lose their jobs, and the lack of public services. Older women and work leave or flexible working available to grandparents who are often In lobbying and campaigning on At the 2012 Women's juggling childcare and work. the issue of public sector pay, Conference, there were several we emphasised the impact this motions relating to older The Age Immaterial campaign would have on women. women in the labour market. has involved building relationships The resolutions covered a wide with organisations such as Carers A half-day conference was range of issues affecting older UK, Grandparents Plus, Age UK, organised by the TUC in women, from the impact of and The Age and Employment September 2012 called Women, the change from RPI to CPI Network (TAEN). Work and Benefits. Speakers indexing of pensions, to the included academics from change in the state pension the Women's Budget Group age, to age discrimination in the Pregnancy discrimination and representatives from workplace and the increasing Child Poverty Action Group, caring responsibilities faced by In line with the TUC's campaign Coventry Women's Voices and many older women with elderly priorities, new work to tackle Gingerbread. The conference parents and grandchildren as pregnancy discrimination is in sought to explore how women's social care and childcare become development. Over the course position in the labour market increasingly unaffordable. of the past year, the TUC has had been affected by economic worked with Maternity Action crisis and how proposed welfare In addition to its ongoing and supported and provided reforms might create new barriers policy and campaigns work on funding to the Valuing Maternity to women in the labour market. pensions, the TUC also embarked campaign, which seeks to raise on a project to highlight a range awareness of pregnancy and of issues facing women over fifty maternity discrimination. The TUC in the workplace. The campaign has also worked with a number has four strands: pay, labour of organisations in the Alliance market issues, caring, and health. Against Pregnancy Discrimination to support Acas and the EHRC in developing joint guidance on pregnancy and maternity rights in redundancy situations. 80 Violence against women

In accordance with Congress resolution 22, Saving Lives, Supporting Women, the TUC has continued to work closely with the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition over the course of the last year. Rights of Women, whose campaign work on legal aid cuts is cited in resolution 21, is also a member of the EVAW coalition. As a Representation of women in Women in unions result of campaigning from such unions and in public life organisations, and a defeat in the The year since the 2012 TUC House of Lords, the government Building links with the Women's Conference has was forced to relax the stringent voluntary sector seen an increase in women requirements that it was representing the trade union proposing for victims of domestic The TUC has continued to movement to the outside world, violence who were seeking work closely with a wide range largely due to the fact that a access to legal aid. of women's voluntary sector woman general secretary is organisations, including the leading the TUC for the first In line with a 2012 Women's Fawcett Society, the Women's time in its 140-year history and Conference resolution, which Budget Group, Maternity Action, the Presidency of the TUC is called for TUC resources and Abortion Rights, the Women's also currently held by a woman. training on violence against Resource Centre, and EVAW. There has been significant media women in the workplace, this The TUC has also forged new interest in the new general work is now underway. links with organisations which secretary and this has led to had not traditionally worked with an increase in media profile The TUC has supported the the trade union movement such for women trade unionists and work of regional TUC offices as the National Federation of a renewed interest in the role in producing local guides to Women's Institutes. The TUC has of women in the trade union domestic and sexual violence worked closely with UK Feminista movement. services. The TUC will continue over the course of the past year, to support the work of affiliates in supporting its lobby of Parliament In order to better under- addressing sector specific issues and feeding into and helping to stand and overcome of violence against women, such disseminate a series of short films occupational segregation in as violence against women at produced by UK Feminista on the Apprenticeships system, sea, or violence against women various feminist issues, including unionlearn has commissioned working in betting shops, as women and work. The founder academic research into how debated at the TUC Women's of UK Feminista, Kat Banyard, women and ethnic minorities are Conference in previous years. addressed the TUC Women's served by the Apprenticeships Committee in May 2013. system. The research will consider issues of occupational segregation and barriers to women considering a career in science, engineering and technology (SET) sectors. Another unionlearn project on technician pathways is also looking at ways that unions and employers might encourage more young women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

81 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

Women on boards CEDAW – UN Convention 5.6 Race equality for the Elimination In line with a TUC Women's of Discrimination The Race Relations Committee Conference resolution, the Against Women (RRC), chaired by Gloria Mills, TUC has given evidence to has continued to work on a the European Commission Over the course of 2012 13, range of race equality issues, consultation on the issue of the the TUC has engaged with the prioritising its efforts to improve under-representation of women shadow reporting process to the the organisation and recruitment on boards and has also given UN Convention for the Elimination of black workers. The Committee written and oral evidence to the of Discrimination Against Women. has focussed on the effects House of Lords Select Committee The TUC has engaged with of public spending cuts on on the European Union (Internal the two main shadow reports black workers and the black Market, Infrastructure, and coordinated by the EHRC and community. Employment, Sub Committee the Women's Resource Centre B). The TUC's policy position is (WRC). The TUC attended the The TUC has continued to to support the introduction of a information gathering sessions lobby the government through 40 per cent quota for women on and has provided written reports the Ethnic Minority Advisory boards, as well as supporting the on women in the labour market Group (EMAG) which has been softer approaches advocated and women in education for the reconstituted as the Ethnic by the Davies Review such as WRC shadow report. The TUC Minority Employment Stakeholder mentoring programmes, more was represented at an initial Group (EMESG) with a reduced transparency in board recruitment meeting between the UN CEDAW membership. The group processes, and changing the Committee and NGOs in Geneva continues to be sponsored by working practices of executive in 2012. the Department of Work and search agencies. The TUC Pensions. Wilf Sullivan, TUC, welcomes the progress made and Collette Cork-Hurst, Unite by Lord Davies on this issue but Abortion Rights National Officer and a member believes that non-mandatory of the TUC Race Relations measures do not go far enough. The TUC has continued to Committee, were re-appointed The only example of a country support the work of Abortion to EMESG. which has achieved significant Rights through affiliation and change to the gender balance by speaking at and hosting In pursuance of 2012 Congress of boards is Norway which events. In June 2012, the TUC resolution 23 `Stephen achieved rapid and significant held a workshop at the Netroots Lawrence's Legacy', the RRC change through the introduction conference on the challenges has undertaken a review of the of quotas. and opportunities presented by recommendations of the TUC online activism to the pro-choice Stephen Lawrence Task Group. movement. In doing this the Committee decided that the recom- The TUC has also developed a mendations should be prioritised good working relationship with and examined for their current other pro-choice organisations relevancy. The RRC has decided over the course of the last year, to develop a strategy around including the British Pregnancy each of the recommendations Advisory Service, Education for that it has prioritised, which Choice, and the Bloomsbury takes into account who needs Pro-Choice Alliance. to take action, what resources are needed and how the recommendations can be successfully mainstreamed into the work of the TUC and its affiliates.

82 Zita Holbourne’s painting in support of the Stephen Lawrence Appeal

In order to carry on the work that affiliates had been undertaking to negotiate bans against BNP activity in the workplace, the TUC has suggested that future trade union collective agreements incorporate a duty to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination within their conditions of service, in such a way that it becomes a contractual requirement and that affiliates should also consider negotiating a similar clause in employees' job descriptions. This approach may assist employers to take action against those who promote far right views within the course of their work.

The TUC has been concerned about the growth of far right activity across Europe, especially with the formation of the Alliance of European National Movements (AENM) comprising fascist and racist MEPS from the UK, France, Hungary, and Bulgaria, who have been trying to secure funding from the European Union. There has also been alarm about the situation in Greece where support for Golden Dawn has resulted in the creation of a hostile environment for migrant workers. The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) supported and encouraged members to attend In accordance with 2012 The TUC was concerned about a silent march in Athens on 15 Congress resolution 24, `The a ruling in the European Court December 2012 against racism continuing fight against racism', of Human Rights (ECtHR) in and the rise of neo-Nazism. The the General Council has continued the case of Redfearn v United TUC sent a letter of solidarity via to prioritise work on challenging Kingdom, which had resulted in the GSEE to the march. the far right. The TUC president some affiliates raising questions spoke at the 2013 Unite Against as to whether the decision had Fascism (UAF) One Society implications for agreements Many Cultures Conference and that banned BNP members the TUC is intending to discuss from employment or may with both UAF and Hope Not limit employers' willingness to Hate how trade unions can help negotiate future agreements. The to campaign effectively against TUC generally welcomed the the far right in the run up to the approach that the government 2014 European Elections. All TUC took, as it avoided contentious regions and the Wales TUC have debates about extending the been active in challenging the provisions of the Equality Act presence of UKIP and/or the EDL on religion and belief to include in their areas. political opinion.

83 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

5.7 Disabled workers

The central focus for the TUC's work on disability has continued to be the government's relentless attack on the benefi ts relied upon by millions of disabled people including many who are in work and the consequences of government propaganda for disabled people in general (see Chapter 4).

The TUC has also sought to expose the hypocrisy of government ministers talking about their commitment to disability equality at the same time as driving large numbers into poverty and creating an atmosphere in which (as evidence The government also took Analysis of data published by confi rms) hate crimes have advantage of disagreements the Offi ce for Disability Issues been encouraged. The TUC among disabled peoples' confi rmed that the 2008 continued to promote the work organisations on the issue recession had been unusual in of the Disability Hate Crime of supported employment to not disproportionately impacting Network and to explain the link proceed with the shutdown of on the employment rate of with government-inspired media almost all Remploy factories. disabled people. However, it attacks on s croungers in The TUC gave full backing to the also showed that the rapid accordance with resolution 25 at campaign of the Remploy trade improvement over the previous the 2012 Congress. Because of union consortium and is now decade had ended, leaving an this, the committee recommended supporting the establishment of employment rate gap of 30 per the unusual step of turning down new workplaces as cooperatives cent. Within that fi gure there an invitation to participate in the or social enterprises. remain wide discrepancies government's proposed Disability between impairment groups, with Action Alliance. The Disabled Workers' the lowest rates for people with Committee engaged with the mental health issues and learning Changes to the Equality Act and TUC to ensure that disabled diffi culties. Among disabled the Public Sector Equality Duty, people were able to take part people in work, fi gures confi rmed and cuts to the Equality and in the march on 20 October. that signifi cantly more disabled Human Rights Commission (see The march featured a strong people are working part time. above) are having a signifi cant contingent representing the Unions were sent an updated impact on disabled people, who Hardest Hit coalition, while list of resources to help support had formed a large proportion Disabled People Against the Cuts members with mental health of callers to the Commission's held a parallel protest in Park issues. helpline. A report from the Lane, London. From the platform, Commission indicated that some Committee chair Seán McGovern 30 per cent of employers were addressed the rally. failing to comply with the ban on pre-employment health and The Committee has worked disability questions introduced closely with disabled with section 60 of the Equality campaigners in resisting austerity Act, and more were ignorant of it. in many local and national The TUC had strongly supported initiatives. This includes the the ban as a way of reducing Transport for All campaign the number of disabled job (see Chapter 2). applicants being turned down for discriminatory reasons.

84 Trade union campaigners at Pride 2013

Unions highlighted the continuing problem of employers misusing sickness absence procedures to dismiss disabled workers, ignoring the good practice recommendation to treat disability-related absence separately. The TUC updated and republished its guidance for unions on this topic and urged the minister to highlight the correct approach of seeing separate treatment (and establishing a disability leave policy) as reasonable adjustments.

The TUC engaged with the consultation on the future of the Disability Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and helped secure its continuation for the next period. The LGBT Committee has The reality for ordinary LGBT worked to ensure that the impact people is different from the The TUC has also encouraged of government austerity on LGBT picture presented by ministers. unions to support the new communities was understood Unions report continuing Disability History Month. in the trade union movement workplace problems of bullying but also to generate a response and harassment. In education, from LGBT activists. Despite the freedoms allowed to much promotional work, this has academies and free schools have 5.8 Lesbian, gay, remained a challenge. undermined the requirements of bisexual and the public sector equality duty to transgender workers One reason for this has been promote LGBT equality despite because the government bill to TUC pressure on the secretary establish same sex marriage of state. The TUC has dealt with a dominated media coverage. The wide range of contradictory TUC played a continuous part Trans people have so far failed to developments affecting LGBT both in supporting the legislation enjoy the same improving public people and trade union members. as a further step towards acceptance as LGB people, with equality and also by lobbying to appalling cases of harassment On the legal front, the decision seek improvements to ensure that and hate crime. The TUC by the European Court of Human existing anomalies (for example, responded strongly to hostile Rights to reject the appeals of inequality in pension benefits) press coverage in the Observer, Ladele and Macfarlane was were removed. The government and then to the tragic death of welcomed by the TUC insofar resisted these changes, but will NUT member Lucy Meadows. as the ruling means that no one now consult on civil partnerships The LGBT committee was is exempt from providing non- in 2014. represented at an international discriminatory services to LGBT trans forum in the Netherlands. people. The TUC engaged with The TUC has also assisted in the the Equality and Human Rights setting up of a network for trans Commission to encourage trade unionists. adoption of this principle in its advice, and also gave continued support to the work of the Cutting Edge Consortium to challenge prejudice within faith groups.

85 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

International solidarity remains respond to resolution 8 from necessary as advances in Congress 2012, which called Europe and the USA are counter- for a more proactive approach balanced by backward steps to promoting the work and elsewhere. The TUC worked achievements of trade unions closely with the CGT (France) to young people, shaped the to assist in the development outlook and work of the TUC of its own anti-homophobia Young Workers' Forum (formerly campaigns, and discussed the Young Members' Forum) over practical solidarity with LGBT the last year. Slow progress continues to be communities in hostile countries. made in challenging homophobia A seminar attended by expert The effects of government and transphobia in sport, with speakers discussed the impact policies on young people were developments at national level for UK LGBT workers posted felt in relation to three areas in involving the PFA, but also grass abroad, as part of LGBT History particular: employment, pay and roots initiatives encouraged Month. access to housing. through the TUC sports alliance and organised by campaigners This seminar produced Rather than helping young people at football clubs, including recommendations that will be into work, the government's work days of action organised by the presented in a revised edition of programme pulled off the unique CWU. The TUC also promoted the TUC guidance, LGBT Equality feat of not just failing in its main a Bournemouth University study at Work. purpose of fi nding young people confi rming that the problem is jobs but, through the element deep-rooted at school level. Other areas covered included of compulsion, making it more support for the LGBT Domestic diffi cult for young people to have World Pride in 2012 descended Abuse Forum, work with Age UK the time to seek work. During the into chaos and the TUC played on LGBT elders, and with the year youth unemployment once a major role in bringing together Terrence Higgins Trust on its HIV again crept upwards to near one community activists afterwards, health promotion campaign. million and young people faced working with the LGBT Voluntary the bleakest prospect of getting Sector Consortium to agree a set a job for fi ve years. Research of basic principles by which those published by the TUC in May organising Pride in future should 5.9 Young people 2012 found that young people abide. Pride 2013 was largely were 10 per cent less likely to be positive and there was high- A determination to provide a working than before the start of profi le trade union involvement campaigning response to the the recession in 2008. through which the anti-austerity impact of the coalition's policies message was vigorously on young people, which have promoted. The same will be intensifi ed over the year, and done at other Pride events across the country.

Lynn Collins, North West Regional Secretary, and actor Ricky Tomlinson show their support for young people in the region

86 Where young people did manage Firstly, to refl ect the Forum's to fi nd work, all too often it desire to be a voice for all young was in short-term, low-paid workers regardless of whether jobs that often didn©t provide they were in a union or not, the the opportunity to utilise their Forum changed its name and that skills and qualifi cations. Under- of the conference to TUC Young employment rates were highest Workers' Forum and Conference. for young people aged 16 24 Secondly, to improve the and almost one in fi ve young focus of its campaign work the people in work found themselves Forum agreed that in future the underemployed. Since the start Forum would agree two `priority of the recession the number of campaigns' that would run young people under-employed each year alongside a standing has risen by around 25 per cent. campaign of promoting unions The Northern TUC has engaged to young workers. Following the with the Regional Youth Network 2013 Young Workers Conference to locate trade unions as mentors the Forum agreed that pay and brokers of good quality work and employment and housing experience. would be the 2013/14 priority employer side who regarded campaigns. reducing employment rights Even those young people in and minimum wage rates as relatively well-paid and secure The Young Workers' Forum the most effective solution work faced huge problems has been concerned about to youth unemployment, the in reaching one of life's great attendance and representation negotiations did secure a milestones: fi nding a place of their of unions at Forum meetings for framework that contained a own to live in. A triple whammy of some time. In the four meetings number of progressive measures. a shortfall of affordable housing, of the Forum that took place These included a commitment cuts to housing benefi t and the between the 2010 and 2011 to economic policies that size of the deposits required by Congress the average number emphasised growth and job banks and building societies of delegates attending was nine creation, the need to create have created a situation where, and unions represented, seven. quality rather than precarious according to housing charity To address this the Forum agreed employment opportunities and Shelter, 1.6 million people aged that in future, all regular delegate an emphasis on ensuring that 20 40 are still living with their meetings of the Young Workers' young people were able to stay parents because they cannot Forum would be followed by in education and secure access afford their own home. The youth `open' meetings related to each to quality employment services. homelessness charity Centrepoint of the priority campaigns to which has described the need for all young workers, students and affordable housing as having unemployed would be invited. reached crisis point. The Forum also decided that future delegate and `open' meetings would be held in TUC TUC Young Workers’ Forum regions. The fi rst Open Forum on Housing was held in the SERTUC It was against this background region on 6 July and was that, at its conference in March attended by over 20 young trade 2013, the TUC Young Members' unionists, students and workers. Forum decided to change the way it operated in order to To address the crisis of youth become more inclusive and unemployment in Europe, which campaign focused. during the year reached an average rate of 23 per cent, the TUC took part in negotiations between the European Social Partners to develop a framework of actions on youth employment. Despite the efforts of the

87 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

5.10 Health and safety Separate TUC health and safety by a future government. It was Facebook and Twitter accounts believed that, if implemented, During the year the General were established and used to these measures would have a Council has sought to ensure that ensure that information was made significant impact in reducing the the health, safety and welfare of available quickly to health and toll of death, injury and illness workers retained its high profile. It safety representatives. within the UK. The TUC sent the continued to campaign to ensure manifesto to MPs, and also wrote that workers were not injured or The biennial survey of health to the appropriate spokespeople made ill as a result of their work. and safety representatives, for the major political parties. The The TUC has campaigned against conducted through unions shadow employment minister the reduction in the level of and on the TUC website, was indicated that he welcomed enforcement of health and safety published in October 2012. This the manifesto and supported a and attempts by the government identified the main issues that number of the recommendations, to reduce the level of regulation. trade union health and safety in particular in relation to It sought to ensure that affiliates representatives were dealing enforcement and occupational received the information and with and also gave an indication diseases. The TUC also issued support they needed in the most of the level of organisation more detailed bulletins on each accessible and useful format within unionised workplaces. of the measures within the and to develop workplace Questions were also asked on the document. organisation and health and effect of enforcement action on safety representatives. employers' responses to health The TUC continued to campaign and safety. on the issue of the government's deregulatory agenda in Health and safety Following concern over the accordance with composite representatives problems that trade union 16, which was passed by the representatives were having in 2012 Congress. It lobbied The TUC convened meetings getting time off for both training parliamentarians and produced with health and safety specialists and trade union activities, the briefings on the government's from each of the affiliated unions TUC produced new guidance proposals to exempt certain self- on six occasions during the year. on both these issues. They were employed workers from health The meetings allowed for an widely circulated. In addition and safety regulation and to exchange of information as well the TUC hosted an information withdraw a number of Approved as a discussion on developments sharing session on the issue. Codes of Practice, in particular within occupational health and those relating to the management safety or any consultations taking regulations and docks. The place. At these meetings external Campaigns TUC also met with the minister speakers were invited, including to outline our objections to the Chair of the Health and Safety The TUC campaigned on a wide the deregulatory approach the Executive. range of health and safety issues government was taking. over the year. This ensured that A range of guidance and support the TUC maintained a high profile In addition the TUC was involved material was produced for on health and safety. To support in a number of wider campaigns. the use of health and safety these campaigns it also produced These included: representatives on a variety a wide range of resources for of practical issues. In addition both affiliates and health and ȓ Asbestos the TUC continued a revised copy of the manual safety representatives. to push for an awareness Health and Safety at Work was campaign from the government published. The major campaign was the and the HSE on the dangers of work surrounding the publication asbestos. The TUC continued to publish of a trade union manifesto for Risks, a weekly electronic bulletin reclaiming health and safety at ȓ Blacklisting the TUC met on health and safety. This is sent work, Health and Safety: Time with unions in construction to to 23,000 subscribers, many of for change. This document was discuss work on the scandal whom are safety representatives produced after consultation with of blacklisting of construction for whom it is their main source of affiliates and consisted of a list workers for a range of reasons, information. of ten measures which trade including health and safety unions wanted to see delivered activity.

88 The TUC continued to support the work of the HSE on a day-to-day basis and to seek to ensure that the HSE had suffi cient resources. affected by Health and Safety Executive During the course of the year asbestos? the TUC drafted responses on The TUC was represented on the behalf of affi liates on a range board of the Health and Safety of consultations. It also invited Executive by General Council HSE offi cials to discuss issues we’re here to help member Paul Kenny and head with affi liates. Among the areas of the Equality and Employment where separate discussions took Rights Department, Sarah Veale. place were needlestick injuries, A S C G In addition Hugh Robertson of occupational cancers and NORTHERN TUC ASBESTOS SUPPORT AND CAMPAIGN GROUP the TUC was a member of the asbestos. board until 31 March 2013. The TUC supported Matt Wrack of In May 2013 the government ȓ Occupational cancer the the General Council to replace announced a review of the HSE TUC raised the lack of action him but the minister appointed to be conducted by Martin on occupational cancers with a retired union general secretary Temple, Chair of the EEF. The both the HSE and government instead to fi ll the trade union TUC facilitated a meeting with on a number of occasions. place. The TUC made strenuous him and affi liated unions and objections to this and has sought also drafted guidance on various ȓ Workers' Memorial Day the assurances that there will be full issues arising from the review. TUC supported activities on consultation with the TUC prior Workers' Memorial Day and to any further appointments The TUC continued to support hosted a website on local of worker representatives the work of the HSE on a day-to- events. being made. day basis and to seek to ensure that the HSE had suffi cient During the year Professor Ragnar Throughout the year TUC board resources to allow it to act as an Löfstedt was asked to produce members played an active part in effective independent regulator a follow-up to his 2011 report all HSE decisions. Reports of the and enforcer. The TUC continued on the regulatory burden of meetings of the board were sent to express concerns over the lack health and safety. The TUC was to affi liates after each meeting. of inspection and enforcement represented on the review team The TUC met with HSE offi cials activity by the HSE and also by Liz Snape, Assistant General on a number of occasions to over the HSE's national code for Secretary of UNISON. The TUC express concern over changes local authorities which imposed produced written evidence for to the guidance and Approved considerable restraints on the the enquiry where it expressed Codes of Practice which were ability of local councils to inspect concern that the government seen to be diluting the contents premises. had gone well beyond the or effectiveness. The TUC also recommendations in the initial sought to secure joint badging Paul Kenny also represented report. The follow-up report was with both trade unions and employee interests on the published in January 2013. employers' organisations with the Board of the Offi ce of Nuclear HSE on a number of occasions. Regulation.

89 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

Construction workers lobby Europe

The TUC represented affiliated trade unions on the board of the European Agency on Health and Safety and the European Commission's Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work. It was represented on European bodies looking at occupational diseases and standardisation. In addition the TUC held regular meetings with the European Trade Union Institute of the European TUC on health and safety matters.

Throughout the year reports were given to affiliated unions on developments within Europe and the TUC drafted guidance on possible responses to a European Commission consultation on a new occupational health and In 2012 the government The 2013 Queen's Speech safety policy framework. announced that it was amending announced that there would the Health and Safety at Work be a mesothelioma bill which Act to remove the current would give an automatic right to Compensation liability for civil damages if the compensation for those workers employer were in breach of the who developed mesothelioma The TUC held a number of Act or regulations made under but who could not trace their meetings with affiliated unions on the Act. This was following employer's insurer. This followed the implications of the Legal Aid a recommendation that the a campaign by the TUC which Sentencing and Punishment of government should look at the started in 2008. Although the Offenders Act and how it would issue of strict liability which was draft bill went some way to affect their ability to ensure that made in the Löfstedt report, establishing an Employers' members received compensation published in November 2011. Liability Insurance Bureau along after an injury or illness. The TUC The TUC campaigned strongly the lines of that proposed by also convened a meeting with the against the changes and met with the TUC it was deficient in a Solicitors Regulatory Authority opposition MPs and peers. It also number of areas, in particular the on the status of trade unions in provided briefings for affiliates coverage, which was limited to respect of the Legal Services Act. on the government proposals. mesothelioma victims, and the The TUC was represented on a The campaign was successful amount of compensation, which number of bodies developing new in getting the Lords to reject would not be the full amount costs arrangements by Helen the government's proposals on the victim would have received Buczynsky of UNISON and John one occasion, but ultimately the had they been able to trace their Usher of Unite/Usdaw. government amendment was insurer. The TUC met with MPs agreed and the Bill received Royal and the opposition front bench in Assent in April 2013. the Lords to outline our concerns. In addition a meeting was held with the relevant minister, Lord Freud.

90 In accordance with resolution Medical assessments are TUC nominees sat on a range 82 agreed by the 2012 particularly important for the of external bodies including the Congress, the TUC campaigned assessment of the amount of loss Faculty of Occupational Medicine, against proposals to cut of faculty that is compensated the British Occupational Health the compensation available by the Industrial Injuries Scheme. Research Foundation, The through the Criminal Injuries The Council has established Council for Work and Wellbeing, Compensation Authority a working group looking at the Better Regulation Delivery and provided briefings to whether improvements can be Office, the Responsibility Deal for parliamentarians outlining the made to this process, and has Health and Work, and the Work, arguments against the proposals. commissioned a review of how Health and Wellbeing Stakeholder Although the government initially schemes in other countries Council. agreed to drop the proposals, address such issues as pre- they were reintroduced and existing complaints and multiple During the year TUC approved. occupational injuries and representatives also spoke at a diseases. wide range of conferences and events on health and safety both Industrial Injuries In 2012/13, the Council in the UK and abroad. Advisory Committee considered lists of occupational diseases published by the The TUC continues to be European Union and the represented on the Industrial International Labour Organisation 5.11 Learning Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) by and found that one occupational and skills Claire Sullivan from CSP, Fergus disease listed by these bodies Whitty, formerly of Unite and but not prescribed under the Supporting apprentices Richard Exell from the TUC office. Industrial Injuries Scheme was chloracne. Chloracne is an In November 2012 unionlearn The Council is currently looking infrequent occupational disease launched a new campaign at two broad issues that that can be severely disfiguring. I'm an Apprentice, Value Me affect eligibility for Industrial IIAC's review of the evidence on to highlight the continuing Injuries Disablement Benefit: the subject found evidence of a exploitation of young people `presumption' and medical doubling of risk for workers who who are being paid below assessments. The `presumption' are exposed to chloacnegens the national minimum wage regulation determines when and a report on the disease is rate for Apprenticeships. This a claimant's condition can be in preparation. campaign is aimed at ensuring presumed to have been caused that apprentices know what they by their employment and it usually are entitled to, that employers applies if a claimant develops a External bodies are aware of what they should prescribed disease while working be paying, and that the in a prescribed occupation or The TUC continued to have close government is properly enforcing within a month of leaving it. For links with other organisations in the apprentice minimum wage. some industrial diseases this is the field of occupational health The last apprentice pay survey sensible, but it is less justifiable and safety. These included undertaken by BIS in 2011 where there is a long period of the Hazards movement, the showed that nearly one in five latency (cancer, for instance) Institution of Occupational were being paid below the legal or incubation. IIAC is therefore Safety and Health, RoSPA, the minimum and that five per cent working on a proposed reform Association of Personal Injury were not receiving any pay at all. of the regulations, proposing Lawyers and the British Safety At the time of writing, it new time rules that are more Council. The TUC provided was anticipated that the appropriate to each prescribed administrative support for the All Department would be publishing disease. Party Parliamentary Group on an updated apprentice pay survey Occupational Safety and Health in summer 2013. and its asbestos sub-Committee. Both of these met three times Over recent years unionlearn has during the year. instituted an annual event that brings unionised apprentices together to enable them to articulate their collective voice

91 Chapter five Respect and a voice at work

on key issues. The latest event The right to request time to train has been a in November 2012 attracted target for some business lobbying organisations nearly 40 apprentices and this coincided with the launch of who describe it as an unnecessary burden. unionlearn's apprentice pay campaign. Decent pay, quality training and a greater degree of The right to request time therefore be abolished (it was responsibility were the key issues to train has been a target introduced in April 2010). The that delegates identified as being for some business lobbying government has committed to essential elements of a high organisations who describe it as reviewing the right again quality Apprenticeship. The event an unnecessary burden. The TUC before 2015. also provided an opportunity welcomed it as a necessary step to highlight best practice and in strengthening employee rights In a poll of union learning potential areas for unions and around training, especially with representatives in 2012, employers to cooperate in order research showing that around unionlearn found that the right to improve Apprenticeships (a 13 million workers receive no is quietly establishing itself as short pamphlet and film from training at work. Unfortunately a way of advancing training the event is available on the the right has never been properly opportunities in workplaces unionlearn website). The event promoted by the current without creating onerous burdens also highlighted some significant government and an early review on employers. Forty per cent of financial barriers faced by resulted in a decision not to reps said that they had supported apprentices with transport costs extend the right to employees in at least one trade union member being cited as a major issue by workplaces with fewer than 250 to formally exercise their right to many of the delegates. workers as had been originally request time to train. Importantly, scheduled for 2011. However, 70 per cent of requests have the government did listen to the resulted in positive approval or Right to request time to train TUC's argument that there wasn't reasonable compromise, with enough evidence available at the three quarters of employers The TUC expressed concern in time on the success or otherwise having no difficulty responding its consultation response that of a very short lived employment to a request within the statutory the right to request time to train right and that it should not 28 days. Around four fifths of has been further undermined reps had supported requests by the government's decision for vital vocational courses to remove it from the new and continued professional `employee owner' status being development and a third introduced from September reported supporting requests 2013. In losing the right for Skills for Life and ESOL, to request time to train, all of which can make a vital employee owners would no contribution to a company's longer have the legal right productivity and personal to at least one meeting a development. year with their employer to discuss their training needs. Employee owners would also lose the right to request financial support or to propose flexible working patterns to accommodate their training needs and to have them properly considered by their employer.

92 Chapter six Strong 6 unions 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Building stronger unions 6.3 Green representatives 6.4 Global solidarity 6.5 TUC Aid 6.6 Migration 6.7 Skills at work 6.8 TUC Education 6.9 Course development 6.10 TUC Educational Trust Chapter six Strong unions

6.1 Introduction

Although trade unionism is under attack the trade union movement In 2012, trade union membership rose by 59,000 to 6,455,000 members has responded well to the many challenges that it has faced in the past year. We have seen attacks 6.2 Building Collective bargaining coverage on facility time often orchestrated stronger unions fell by almost two per cent to from within government itself, 29.3 per cent, although if only a continuing campaign against those employees working in union representation from fringe For the first time in a decade large workplaces were taken right-wing groups and further union membership increased. into account the proportion of attempts to reduce collective According to the 2012 Labour employees who had their main bargaining. At the same time Force Survey (LFS) which was terms and conditions negotiated unions have seen members published in May, trade union by a union increased to 42 per forced out of their jobs by the membership rose by 59,000 and cent. While bargaining coverage cuts and recession. stood at 6,455,000. Given the remained stable in the private challenging political, economic sector, albeit it at just 16.1 per Yet we have continued to support and industrial climate this was a cent, there was a more significant members and to train activists. significant achievement and is a fall of almost four per cent in the We have also managed to recruit testament to the work of unions, public sector to 63.7 per cent. members despite the political their officers, organisers and and economic climate with last representatives. The areas of the UK with the year showing an increase in the highest collective bargaining number of members of a Overall union density remained at coverage were Northern Ireland, trade union. 26 per cent and there was a small Wales, Scotland, Merseyside and increase in density in the private Tyne & Wear where coverage British trade unions and the sector which stood at 14.4 per was 40 per cent or higher. In General Council are also proud of cent. Union density in the public Wales, the North East, South the support that they have given sector was 56.3 per cent. Yorkshire and Merseyside, unions to unions and workers around the were present in over half of all world. The campaign for worker Despite concern that the workplaces. protection in the fashion and significant fall in union clothes industry after the death of membership in the public sector Because union membership over 1,100 workers following the recorded last year might mark kept pace with the increase in collapse of a garment factory in the start of a prolonged period of the number of employees, union Bangladesh led to a large number contraction in membership and density in the private sector of high street retailers signing the density, the fall recorded by the remained stable. Membership in international Union Accord on latest LFS was relatively small. the sector rose for the second Fire and Building Safety. We also While it would be premature consecutive year, has increased continued to argue for a rights- to suggest that this represents by more than 100,000 since based approach to migration a bottoming out in respect of 2010 and currently stands at while calling for measures to membership decline in the public 2,572,000. prevent the exploitation of migrant sector, this was welcome news workers in the UK. considering that since 2010, Union density among women membership has fallen was higher than among men by 180,000. by six per cent and the overall increase in union membership recorded during the year was almost entirely due to the increase in union membership among women employees. Since 1995, the proportion of women workers carrying a union card has increased by 10 per cent.

94 The LFS gave cause for concern On workplace representation, Union density among with respect to the age profile of there was good news from women was higher than union members. The only age WERS on the presence of union group of workers in which density representatives in unionised among men by six per cent fell was among workers aged workplaces which increased to and the overall increase in 16 24 and the figures in the LFS 27 per cent. Reps also retained union membership recorded suggested that while less than their reputation for effectiveness one quarter of union members with a significant majority of during the year was almost have the majority of their working union members regarding their entirely due to the increase lives ahead of them, more than workplace union rep as the a third can reasonably expect to person who would provide the in union membership have just 10 to 15 years left. best representation on pay, hours among women employees. and disciplinary matters. Union membership has declined dramatically in some key Despite the hysteria from the private sector industries. The political right about the number The plan contains specific classifications used in the Labour of union representatives in the commitments to support unions Force Survey made it difficult public sector who carried out a via the TUC Organising Academy, to identify particular parts of union role on a full-time basis, provide support and briefings the private service sector, but WERS reported that just one in to reps and officers in TUC density in wholesale and retail six senior union representatives regions and explore the value of was just 12.7 per cent and in had such arrangements. a gateway to union membership accommodation and food service specifically for younger workers in activities just 3.5 per cent. WERS confirmed the general non-union workplaces. trends in the decline of collective The first findings of the 2011 bargaining coverage reported Alongside this work, the run-up Workplace Employment Relations in the LFS and also identified to the 2015 General Election may Study (WERS) were published a contraction in the scope of provide the opportunity for unions in January 2013. The figures bargaining, particularly in the to assemble policy priorities were based on workplaces with private sector. The proportion aimed at removing some of the five or more employees and of unionised private sector practical obstacles that prevent therefore should be treated with workplaces that negotiated on unions from organising to scale some caution given that unions the three areas included in the and allowing unions to extend are most often present in larger statutory recognition procedure their influence. workplaces. (pay, hours and holidays) fell from 29 to 17 per cent. TUC regions too have responded The proportion of workplaces to the organising challenges, with any union members fell Composite 2 and resolution 9 hosting seminars and workshops from 29 to 23 per cent and just carried at last year's Congress focusing on organising skills and one in ten workplaces had a both recognised the need for strategies and responding to majority of employees who were unions to increase membership union capacity building demands union members. In the private and collective bargaining in the by facilitating flexible `bite- sector union members were in private sector and to promote sized' briefings on skills and key the majority in just three per cent the wider contribution that unions information for workplace reps of workplaces although as make to fairness at work. Much and officers. mentioned previously, this can be, of the work carried out by the in part, explained by the fact that TUC to support the terms of The northern region of the TUC unions are much less likely to be this motion is described below has been using the issue of health present in `micro' workplaces. and, looking forward, the Strong and wellbeing as an organising Unions section of the TUC tool, introducing trade unionism Campaign Plan highlights the to twenty-five non-unionised need for unions and the TUC to workplaces, and has produced address the organising challenges a new Learning and Organising faced by our movement. Toolkit for union learning reps.

95 Chapter six Strong unions

TUC Organising Academy t Regional briefi ngs The Organising Academy To increase the understanding continued to be the primary and capacity of union reps and means of support from the TUC offi cials in relation to some of the towards union efforts to increase key organisational challenges membership and organisation. facing unions, the TUC developed The Organising Academy provides a series of regional briefi ngs on training in organising, recruitment TUC issues such as the state of union and campaigning in partnership Organising organisation and membership, with Ruskin College and during aCaDEMY facility time and how unions can the year the partnership has reach out to workers in sectors extended for a further 12 months with low union presence, density to September 2014. Training PrOgraMME and membership. Briefi ngs were 2012/13 held in the Northern, Yorkshire and the Humber, SERTUC and Core programme North West regions.

The emphasis this year was Leading Change on delivering the Organising Facility time Academy Core Training After a break in 2012, the programme which included the TUC©s leadership development The attack on the right of union Diploma in Organising, Certifi cate programme for senior union representatives in the public in Advanced Organising and offi cers, Leading Change, sector, and the Civil Service in Award in Supporting Organising returned in July 2013 and had particular, to represent members courses. Over the year, just short a record-breaking intake with continued over the last year. of 100 union offi cers, organisers twenty participants signed up The government's response to and staff representing 16 TUC for the 2013/14 programme. the consultation by the Cabinet affi liates attended these courses. Leading Change continues to be Offi ce was published in October supported by Birkbeck College 2012 and recommended that the and the Harvard University Labor proportion of the Civil Service pay Bespoke support for & Worklife Programme. bill spent on facility time be cut individual unions by more than half. In addition, restrictions were placed on reps The Organising Academy Lay Leadership attending internal union meetings continued to provide individual Development Programme and conferences and the number support to unions developing of reps on full-time release for organising strategies. This Recruitment to the 2012/13 Lay union duties. year there was an emphasis Leadership programme, which on strategic choice and the provides development in strategic In local government, the Academy ran sessions on this planning and governance to Department for Communities and other matters related to senior lay reps who are members and Local Government included organising for ASLEF, FBU, of union executives, was hit by reducing paid time off for union NASUWT, Prospect and UNISON. the restrictions on paid time off representatives and charging for union training and activities. unions for the provision of rooms, As a result the Organising other facilities and check-off in a Academy will be working with list of 50 Ways to Save: examples Trade Union Education over the of sensible savings in local next year to review the delivery of government circulated to local this programme with the intention authorities. of making it more accessible.

96 The TUC continued to provide support to unions and representatives in defending time off and facility arrangements. A new online eNotes briefing on facility time was developed by the Organising Academy and TUC Education. As well as providing background information on the legal position in respect of paid time off for union reps, the materials included resources to help union branches promote the benefits and value of the work carried out by workplace union representatives to employers as well as union members.

Netroots UK 6.3 Green 6.4 Global solidarity representatives The TUC has continued to The International Trade Union support the Netroots UK initiative Confederation (ITUC) General to build the capacity and personal In consultation with affiliates, the Council met in October in networks of the UK's digital TUC has continued to develop Jordan. The General Secretary activists. A Digital Skills day was its national greenworkplaces and Sally Hunt, General Council held in Birmingham in conjunction initiatives, complementing international spokesperson, with the TUC, UNISON and the greenworkplace networks sit on the General Council, as Digital Action Lab, to help local established by a number of does Diana Holland as chair of progressive grassroots activists to trade unions in the public and the ITUC Women's Committee. build their online campaign skills. private sectors. The TUC's Frances O'Grady and Diana The project connects activists GreenWorkplaces Newsletter Holland also sit on the Executive from across the progressive reported a variety of innovative Bureau. The TUC has backed spectrum to each other, and the projects undertaken by affiliates ITUC General Secretary Sharan TUC's involvement has helped during the year. Burrow, who addressed the TUC build awareness of the union Executive Committee in May, in movement among people who The TUC also contributed to an pressing the case for stronger are natural allies or potential ETUC project that culminated in unions and international social members. a handbook, A Green delegate’s justice. The TUC has played a guide for Europe, which was key role in ITUC's work on human launched at an ETUC conference and trade union rights which is in Brussels in October 2012. The reflected below. This included the TUC also took part in a project work on freedom of expression led by CISL, Italy, to provide in Belarus, Burma and elsewhere union representatives with the in line with resolution 74 from the tools to build union activism and 2012 Congress. action for a sustainable economic recovery. The output was a Green Workplace Representatives Guide, with case studies of union best practice from across the EU. The TUC has been represented in these initiatives by PCS, Unite, UCATT, UNISON, UCU, FDA and Prospect.

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The European Trade Union Throughout the year a number of bilateral Confederation (ETUC) Executive meetings at general secretary level have taken Committee met in October, December, March and June. place with the Italian unions CGIL and UIL. TUC representatives on the Executive Committee are the General Secretary, Billy Hayes, ȓ Economic and Social Cohesion The Pan-European Regional Sally Hunt and Dave Prentis, Working Group: Megan Council (PERC) yearly executive with Gloria Mills, Mark Serwotka, Dobney committee met in March. The Owen Tudor and Elena Crasta committee heard from Sharan as substitutes. Frances O'Grady ȓ Lifelong Learning Working Burrow about the ITUC campaign is also a member of the ETUC Group: Richard Blakeley (Fred on building workers' power Steering Committee. ETUC Grindrod) and organisation, and from celebrated its 40th anniversary Bernadette Segol, ETUC general on 29 January at a conference in ȓ Migration and Inclusion secretary, on the effects of the Madrid, which was addressed by Working Group: Wilf Sullivan crisis on working people and Employment and Social Affairs (Sean Bamford) the need for a job-rich recovery. Commissioner László Andor, The committee also considered Economic and Monetary Affairs ȓ Sustainable Development the preparation for the 9th ILO Commissioner Olli Rehn and Working Group: Philip Pearson European Regional Conference, European Parliament President (David Arnold from UNISON) which took place in Oslo in April, Martin Schultz. Frances O'Grady where Elena Crasta represented also addressed the conference ȓ Trade and Globalisation the TUC. with a speech on Europe and Working Group: Rosa workers' rights. The ETUC also Crawford (Owen Tudor) Throughout the year a number held its mid-term conference in of bilateral meetings at general June in Dublin, discussing the ȓ Worker Participation Working secretary level have taken place essential features of social Europe Group: Sean Bamford (Janet with the Italian unions CGIL and in the context of the crisis. Williamson) UIL (October), the French union Frances O'Grady, speaking in one CGT (December), the Belgian of the panels, insisted that the ȓ Social Protection Working unions FGTB and CSC as well as union movement had to resist the Group: Richard Exell (Helen the Swedish union LO (March). Troika's structural reforms, make Nadin) The annual British German Trade the case for robust collective Union Forum (funded by the bargaining and lead a popular The TUC European Network, Friedrich Ebert and Hans Boekler mobilisation against austerity right bringing together officers from Foundations) took place in July across the EU. affiliated unions with European in Berlin, on the subject of a responsibilities to develop TUC European growth strategy and The TUC has continued to be lobbying strategies on European workers' alternative to austerity, represented by appropriate TUC legislation and, more widely, to in the context of the European policy officers on the following follow European developments, Parliament elections of 2014. ETUC standing committees meets to deal with single issues and working groups which met and extend the Network to In January, Frances O'Grady throughout the year (members relevant union officers to increase replaced Brendan Barber as are as June 2013 alternates are participation. The Network met the TUC's representative on the in brackets): in February to discuss the EU Administrative Committee of the trade and investment policy and Trade Union Advisory Committee its implication for public services, (TUAC) to the OECD. Prospect as well as consider the TUC Deputy General Secretary Leslie submission to the BIS call for Manasseh is the TUC substitute evidence on the Internal Market, for the Administrative Committee. as part of the government©s From the office, Sean Bamford Balance of Competences Review. has replaced Ben Moxham in There will be a further meeting attending TUAC meetings on the on public procurement and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Transatlantic Trade and Investment Enterprises. Partnership in early September.

98 The Annual Meeting of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG) chaired by Chris @TUCGlobal twitter feed has almost 4,000 followers Uyot, general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was attended by Owen Tudor Forum (CPF) would be made in Trade union rights and Bandula Kothalawala on 16 consultation with ITUC affiliates June in Geneva. ITUC Deputy from Sri Lanka. For the first time, The TUC continued to defend General Secretary Wellington with TUC encouragement, two the rights of trade unionists Chibebe drew attention to trade unionists were appointed to around the world, mobilized trade trade union rights violations the Commonwealth Civil Society unionists in Britain to protest, and in a number of countries in Advisory Committee. Mele raised awareness of the situation the Commonwealth including T'Amanaki from the Tonga Public faced by workers, especially Bangladesh, Fiji, Swaziland and Services Association and Khamati through the Stronger Unions former Commonwealth country Mugalla from the East African and Amnesty International UK Zimbabwe. Felix Anthony, Trade Union Confederation visited blogs. The TUC has supported national secretary, Fiji Trades the TUC in April. as many ITUC urgent actions as Union Congress (FTUC), briefed any other national affiliate, and the delegates on the trade union The TUC has held four meetings has maintained its memorandum rights situation in Fiji, detailed in October, January, April of understanding with Amnesty some of the measures adopted and July of the International International UK while supporting by the military dictatorship to Development Group, chaired by the strikes by unions at restrict collective bargaining the General Council international both the UK section and the and told the meeting that development spokesperson International Secretariat during companies took advantage Gail Cartmail, bringing together the year. The TUC has publicised of the situation and that the union officers and NGOs. The and supported a number of government had failed to comply October meeting heard from Noe LabourStart e-actions. with international standards in Ramirez, General Secretary of the constitutional review. The the SITRABI banana plantation delegates emphasised the workers union in Guatemala Latin America need for action for the effective and Reinaldo Villalba from the enforcement of health and CCAJAR Colombian human Brazil safety measures in the garment rights defenders. Peter Bailey, industry in Bangladesh in view of national health and safety officer As part of the TUC's ongoing the magnitude of the tragedy in of the South African National work on the international Playfair Dhaka and reviewed trade union Union of Mineworkers spoke campaign to improve the rights developments in Burma following at the April meeting about the of workers in the global supply the return of exiled trade unionists campaign for justice for silicosis chains of major sporting events, to Rangoon. sufferers suing Anglo-American. the TUC translated a number of And in July, Shadow International reports on our work on London It was agreed that the CTUG Development Secretary Ivan 2012 into Portuguese for statement to the Commonwealth Lewis MP attended to discuss dissemination to union colleagues Heads of Government Meeting Labour's policies on decent work. in Brazil. Preparations are also (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo, underway for a number of Sri Lanka, in November 2013 Throughout the year, the TUC bilateral meetings and visits. should reflect trade union continued to produce the monthly concerns and views on decent International Development work and social protection Matters e-bulletin (which now as well as the promotion of has 5,600 subscribers), and built trade union and human rights the @TUCGlobal twitter feed to in the Commonwealth and almost 4,000 followers. that the arrangements for the participation of the CTUG in the Commonwealth People's

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The Playfair campaign is lobbying for workers’ rights to be respected in the run up to the Rio Games in the Estádio Do Maracanã

Chile

The TUC general secretary gave a message of support to the founding meeting of the Chile 40 Network to mark the 40th anniversary of the Pinochet coup on 11 September 2013. The message noted both the role of British trade unionists in supporting Chileans forced into exile and also the contribution made by these exiles to the British labour movement.

Colombia

In line with resolution 75 from the 2012 Congress, the TUC has continued to prioritise work on Colombia throughout the year. Justice for Colombia Regrettably despite our continued Cuba (JFC), with TUC political and campaigning the European financial support, has been active Parliament approved the EU Despite the welcome return to in supporting the developing Colombia free trade agreement Cuba of Rene Gonzalez, the peace process in Colombia. in December. We can be proud TUC has continued to highlight This work has included taking that British Labour and Green the continued imprisonment high-level cross-party and union MEPs voted unanimously against of the remaining members of delegations from Northern Ireland the agreement. Since it was the `Miami 5' in the US. The to meet negotiators and bringing approved it has become clear issue has been raised with FCO colleagues from the Patriotic that little attempt has been made officials and our counterparts in March to Ireland and the UK to to follow up on even the limited the US trade union movement. share lessons from the Northern `safeguards' that EU negotiators The general secretary addressed Irish peace process. The TUC claimed had been secured. The the annual CSC vigil outside has continued to support calls TUC has highlighted this lack of the US embassy and the TUC for a full ceasefire, civil society follow-up and is supporting calls president restated TUC support participation in the peace process by the JFC parliamentary group for the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and an end to the continuing for a debate at Westminster when and anger at the apparent attacks and stigmatisation of the agreement is presented for intensification of the illegal US trade unionists and others calling ratification. blockade in her speech to the for an inclusive process. Cuba Solidarity garden party The TUC general secretary organised by the RMT. has met with the Colombian ambassador and written to the Colombian government on numerous occasions during the year, to condemn assassinations and attacks such as the attempt on the life of CTC President Luis Miguel Morantes and to highlight our concern over the cases of political prisoners such as David Ravelo.

100 Guatemala many sectors; the continuing exile Sub-Saharan Africa of mine workers leader Napoleon Following TUC support for a full Gomez; and the dismissal of over Côte d’Ivoire ILO commission of inquiry into 16,000 electrical union members the continued systematic violation in Mexico City. In addition the In August the general secretary of labour rights and appalling TUC general secretary wrote to wrote to the Ivorian Ambassador level of anti-union attacks and the Mexican president to call for in London expressing concern at murders in Guatemala, the action to bring Mexican law into the continued imprisonment of chair of the ILO workers group line with core ILO standards and Mr Basile Mahan Gahé, general and the Guatemalan Labour a TUC representative addressed secretary of the Ivorian trade minister signed a memorandum a public meeting organised by union confederation (DIGNITE) of understanding in March. It Unite later that week. and calling for his release and commits the government to take free exercise of his rights without a series of time-bound measures interference from the state. to reduce the violence, end the Venezuela culture of impunity surrounding perpetrators and support freedom The TUC supported calls for Kenya of association by removing the international community barriers to union recognition to respect the views of the In October, following the and adequately funding a labour Venezuelan people following conviction of Francis Atwoli, inspection system. The general the death of President general secretary, Central secretary has written on a regular Chavez in March. The general Organisation of Trade Unions basis to both the Guatemalan secretary issued a message (COTU) for contempt of court ambassador and president to of solidarity and support and over his failure to appear after an condemn the ongoing killing of TUC representatives addressed industrial dispute over job losses trade unionists and to demand a number of events organised in the tea plantation industry, an increase in protection for by the Venezuela Solidarity the TUC protested to the Kenya leaders and activists. The TUC Campaign. High Commission and pointed has been active in pushing the out that, according to the Kenyan ITUC to adopt an increased focus Industrial Court Act 2011, all on the situation in Guatemala Central America matters related to industrial and was represented by the disputes should be referred to the GMB's International Officer on an Aside from Guatemala the Industrial Court, that the trial was ITUC delegation to Guatemala. situation in other Central fraught with procedural anomalies Information on a project American states has continued and that the conviction was supporting banana workers to to cause concern. In December unwarranted. The TUC organised organise is detailed below. the general secretary wrote a collection to pay the fine levied to the Panamanian President by the authorities. to highlight our concerns that Mexico the legal proceedings against a number of union leaders Somalia In February the TUC took part breached ILO conventions on in the Global Unions week of freedom of association and to In March, in a message to action on Mexico by arranging express deep concern over police the 2nd National Congress a delegation to visit the Mexican attacks on protesters in the city of the Federation of Somali embassy in London. The of Colón. Anti-union violence has Trade Unions (FESTU) held in delegation was led by TUC also continued in Honduras and Mogadishu, the TUC expressed international spokesperson Sally the TUC and a number of unions appreciation of its contribution Hunt, together with General have called for more action to halt to the protection and promotion Council members Tony Burke the violence. of workers' rights, democracy and Billy Hayes. They raised a and good governance in Somalia series of concerns, including under difficult circumstances. The the failure of the Mexican TUC unsuccessfully attempted to government to deal with the assist FESTU in securing funds issue of `protection contracts', from the FCO for democracy and which make independent union human rights work. organising almost impossible in

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Hassan Juma’a, head of the Iraqi General Union of Oil Employees, fought a successful court case against his employer, with help from unions internationally and the TUC

President Mahdi Abu Deeb. On the eve of International Women's Day the TUC held its annual event at Congress House, with Jalila al-Salman as the guest speaker, but unfortunately she was unable to attend due to visa problems. She was later able to visit the UK for the teacher union conferences over Easter.

Egypt

Sean Bamford attended the Arab Democratic Trade Union Forum in Cairo. The Forum was founded in 2011 by 15 Arab trade union organisations from 10 countries. Swaziland Zimbabwe The aim of the forum is to promote the fundamental values The TUC continued to support The TUC participated in an ITUC of democratic and independent the Swazi trade union movement, practical solidarity workshop trade unionism and to increase TUCOSWA, in the campaign for covering Zimbabwe held in regional union solidarity and unity. democracy and human rights, Johannesburg in March which Amongst those issues discussed as well as for re-registration of discussed two key priorities were the role of women in the confederation. The TUC voter education and peaceful post-Arab Spring countries and has developed a campaign elections and organising workers combating continuing repressive with TUCOSWA for the in the priority sectors of the forces both in government suspension of Swaziland from the economy. A TUC Aid grant of and other sections of society. Commonwealth, and, together £5,000 made it possible for the Former TUC North West with Action for Southern Africa Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Regional Secretary Alan Manning (ACTSA) has picketed the Unions (ZCTU) to conduct a represented the TUC in a seminar Swaziland High Commission, peace and rights awareness which took place in Alexandria organised a meeting at the House campaign in the run-up to which was resourced and run of Commons, and successfully the referendum on the new through an autonomous arm of defended Swazi refugees from Constitution in 29 constituencies the Swedish Foreign Office. The deportation. in Harare and Chitungwiza. seminar was for Egyptian trade union leaders and addressed the issue of the role of labour Western Sahara Middle East/North movements in democracies. Africa region In February, in a letter to Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under- Bahrain Iraq Secretary of State, the general secretary expressed deep In November, the TUC led The TUC has continued to concern over the sentencing of a delegation to the Bahraini support free trade unionism in 23 Saharawis by a military court in embassy to protest at the Iraq, and the development of an Rabat and urged the government repression of trade unions there. ILO-compliant labour law. This to use its influence with the The TUC has hosted two Bahraini has involved campaigning from Moroccan authorities to ensure a delegations representing both the March through to July for false fair trial for them in a civilian court. Bahraini Teachers Association charges against Hassan Juma'a, In reply, he said that the British (BTA) and imprisoned opposition leader of the oil workers in the Embassy had followed the trial leaders. We have also sought to Southern Oil Company to be closely and that the government intervene in the case of BTA Vice dismissed, which they eventually would raise human rights issues President Jalila al-Salman who were. with the Moroccan government. still faces imprisonment like BTA

102 Israel/Palestine Turkey Asia/Pacifi c

In line with the TUC's support The TUC sent a number of letters Bangladesh for a two-state solution, work of protest to the Turkish Embassy has continued to ensure that and directly to the Turkish In March, in a letter to the supermarkets in the UK are not government protesting against acting High Commissioner for selling goods from the occupied the abuse of individual Turkish Bangladesh, the TUC called for territories. The TUC is also trade unionists and restrictions the amendment of the Labour working with the ETUC to get on freedom of association. In Act of 2006 in Bangladesh to similar action to that being taken June, the TUC joined in a variety bring it into compliance with in the UK to be adopted at an of initiatives including online the observations of the ILO EU level. It is however currently petitions and a demonstration Committee of Experts with proposed that EU wide action outside the Turkish Embassy in regard to Convention Nos. 87 will be on a voluntary basis. The support of the street protests and 98. In April, the general TUC will work with the ETUC to against the Turkish government secretary expressed shock and toughen the stance of the EU on in most of Turkey's major cities sorrow at the tragic loss of over this issue. The project that the by a large cross-section of the 1,100 workers in the collapse TUC has helped fund in Gaza population on a scale not seen of the Rana Plaza building in (see below) in the production for a generation. The TUC has Dhaka. The TUC took part in of fresh vegetables continues worked in conjunction with the international campaign to despite delays and should be of affi liates, Amnesty International press companies to support the long-term benefi t. In accordance and the ITUC in condemning all international union Accord on Fire with last year's resolution 76, a attacks on peaceful protestors. and Building Safety to tackle the TUC delegation to Gaza is being Sean Bamford also attended textile industry's appalling record planned and will involve the a meeting in Istanbul at which on health and safety and workers' Palestinian Solidarity Campaign. he was briefed by the Turkish rights. The TUC also pressed The delegation will aim to express unions on the continuing attacks the Department for International solidarity with the besieged on them both under Turkey's Development to involve unions people of Gaza and to contribute notorious terrorism laws and in its work on health and safety to pressure on the Israeli changes to the laws on union training in Bangladesh, and joined government to lift the blockade. recognition which will lead the ITUC campaign for better The TUC also protested against to many Turkish workplaces labour laws. attempts to de-unionise the Israeli becoming de-unionised. He ports sector. also spoke at the NUJ's Press Freedom Day event, which this year showcased Turkey. Turkey Tunisia has the highest number of imprisoned journalists in Building on our existing links with the world. the Tunisian trade union centre UGTT, the TUC is working on scaling up what was going to be a regional initiative in Tunisia into one which is nationwide. Following discussions with the UGTT the TUC will submit a request for funding from the FCO's Arab Partnership Programme. The proposed project will be aimed at women and young members and will endeavour to increase their activity and voice within Tunisia's trade union movement. The TUC took part in the World Social 1In April there was a tragic100 loss of 1,10 0 workers in the Forum in Tunis in March. collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka

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Burma China Pakistan

With the European Union's The TUC has continued to work In September, the TUC sent decision to lift sanctions against closely on the issue of workers' a message of condolence to Burma, the TUC has been rights in China. Developments Zahoor Awan, general secretary, working closely with the ITUC in the Chinese economy have Pakistan Workers' Federation to call for new investment from seen some progress with (PWF), following the deaths the EU to Burma that follows moves to greater openness of some 300 workers in the ethical guidelines. The general for worker organisation. The two factory fires in Karachi secretary wrote to William level of openness however and Lahore and condemned Hague on the eve of the G8 continues to vary across the those responsible for the Foreign Ministers' Summit in country. TUC representatives unprecedented disaster through April asking for a Commission have participated in workshops their crass disregard for health for Responsible Investment to organised by the ILO together and safety in the workplace. be established in Burma where with the All-China Federation of firms would register and publish Trade Unions in China (ACFTU) details of their investments so and the TUC has received a any rights violations in their number of ACFTU delegations 6.5 TUC Aid business practices such as child in the UK. A number of these labour or anti-strike regulations delegations were focused on the Chris Tansley, General Council in factories could be investigated strengthening of regional links, member, and Frances O'Grady, and corrected. The TUC also including between TUC Northern General Secretary, joined the raised this issue with MEPs who Region and Jiangsu province Board of Trustees during the year, included the need for transparent and TUC North West Region replacing Alison Shepherd and investment procedures and and Shanghai. Work has also Brendan Barber. Gail Cartmail stressed the need to follow continued, through the Ethical continued as chair, and the other the UN Guiding Principles on Trading Initiative, to support the trustees were Sheila Bearcroft, Business and Human Rights establishment of elected worker Sue Ferns, Sally Hunt, Fiona in the European Parliament committees in factories supplying Wilson and Owen Tudor, who Resolution on Burma in May British retailers. Using the lessons acted as Secretary. 2013. A TUC Aid contribution learnt from the ETI China Decent to the ITUC's plans for Work pilot, larger scale projects The evaluation of the Building reconstruction of Burma's unions are now being planned in the Workplace Capacity to Combat is being developed. toy and footwear sectors. Sam HIV/AIDS in Nigeria project Gurney visited Hong Kong conducted by Dr Pricilla Ibekwe, and Shenzhen in February independent consultant, and to meet with labour rights Chidozie Ezechukwu from the NGOs and union colleagues National Agency for Control involved in the ETI project of AIDS (NACA) in Nigeria work. In addition the Playfair recognised the contribution 2012 campaign commissioned made by the project to the a series of investigations on achievement of MDG 6 in Nigeria. working conditions in Chinese The researchers concluded that factories supplying London the project made an appreciable 2012 merchandise. As a result contribution to national of the findings the TUC engaged achievements in HIV Counselling with the Olympic organisers to and Testing (HCT) and Prevention develop a package of workers' of Mother to Child Transmission rights trainings to be piloted (PMCT). in a number of factories that produced 2012 branded products.

104 TUC Aid global solidarity that works

The activities under the Haiti Activities designed to Employment for People with build capacity in the Disabilities project in Uganda Activities designed to build supported by TUC Aid through capacity in the trade union trade union movement Disability Aid Abroad (DAA) in movement in Haiti are in progress in Haiti are in progress Northern Ireland are underway. with a grant of £90,000 from with a grant of £90,000. 120 disability champions, TUC Aid made under the following their training in memorandum of understanding empowerment of workers with signed between the Trade Union disabilities, have begun compiling Confederation for the Americas Palestine – Gaza data on workers with disabilities (TUCA) and TUC Aid in March this at their workplaces while the year. 149 organisers including 58 TUC Aid, in collaboration training of employers on disability women offi cials trained under the with Australian People for awareness and employment project have started organising Health, Education and of workers with disabilities has workers. The Confédération des Development Abroad (APHEDA) taken place with ten employers Travailleurs Haitiens (CTH) has the development arm of so far having benefi tted from the formed a trade union at Global the Australian trade union programme. SA in Caracol which has a movement and through the workforce of 1,300 and recruited MA'AN Development Centre, some 1,050 members and is is supporting the development Bangladesh due to negotiate a collective of a nursery making it possible bargaining agreement. The for hundreds of households to TUC Aid made a donation of Confédération des Travailleurs grow fruit and vegetables in the £10,000 to the industrial appeal des Secteurs Public et Privé en Gaza Strip. Some of the most for funds to help the families of Haïti (CTSP) has set up a trade vulnerable families have received the victims of the collapse of the union for construction workers seedlings and greenhouses under Rana Plaza Building in Dhaka and with 69 members. In addition, the initiative, which will improve forwarded £15,400 including the plans are underway to form the food security and supplement proceeds of its own appeal. a trade union for about 300 their meagre earnings. nurses. The monthly inter-union coordinating meetings involving some 15 organisations have made it possible to exchange views and develop common policies on labour law reforms, women's participation, social protection and dialogue etc.

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Guatemala 6.6 Migration to provide information on Your Rights at Work in 17 languages to TUC Aid is collaborating with The TUC has continued to argue trade unions and migrant workers BananaLink to improve the for a rights-based approach to groups. reach and impact of collective migration, both within the EU bargaining in the banana sector where freedom of movement The TUC is now developing the in Guatemala. The project, operates and in terms of global basis for a higher profile, public implemented in partnership with migration. In the UK, the TUC has campaign to make a positive the SITRABI banana workers continued to call for measures to intervention in the debate on union, will run training for union prevent exploitation of migrant migration, linked to the TUC's activists in both the north and workers and undercutting of pay and Austerity Uncovered south of the country and support existing workforces, and has campaigns. This builds on the efforts to establish a system of pressed the government to rein in work the TUC has highlighted national collective bargaining in its hostile approach to migrants, on the Touchstone blog about the banana industry. The first its attempt to set an artificial migration statistics, the negative series of workshops has already cap on net migration, and its impact of migration policy on taken place. restrictions on migrant access higher education, our opposition to benefits, health and housing. to immigration bonds, possible At the same time, we have moves to regularise the status called for measures to protect of people whose immigration wage rates from undercutting status is uncertain, and opposing through migration, for example by measures designed to turn defending the Resident Labour education workers, landlords, Market Test which requires medical staff and employers into employers to seek workers immigration police, while tinkering locally before taking on foreign with the machinery of the workers. The TUC has continued government's own border forces.

106 In July, the TUC convened a roundtable of researchers, trade unionists and activists to debate unionlearn helped unions create opportunities for 221,000 learners how to develop a rights-based framing of the migration debate. A number of progressive frames 6.7 Skills at work keeping abreast of latest for the migration debate and developments in their field); and practical ways that these could Union learning attracts members 3,500 doing on-line basics be developed into actions aimed and activists. Unions which courses for those new at the media, politicians and local deliver skills, and challenge to computing. communities has resulted, and employers to do more, are will be refined with regional TUCs growing stronger. Membership and unions. The TUC is also and activism grows. New union The Union Learning Fund developing its links nationally with learning reps and other reps a network of community activists active on skills issues tend to be Unionlearn receives £18.9m and reps to build support for our younger, and more representative government funding from BIS message. of women and BME members. and manages grants to unions Many go on to take up wider from the Union Learning Fund. The TUC adopted a response union roles and become officers. In 2012/13 the ULF delivered to the government's Balance ULRs make a pivotal difference in 42 contracts to 39 unions of Competences Review in creating equal access to learning with a value of over £13m. July which pressed the case for all, they show that training is Unions use ULF funding to for EU-wide rules on migration a collective issue, attract new build up mainstream learning and visa arrangements, members and provide the peer within their normal activities, where the UK's opt-outs have support which learners need. democratic structures and harmed both business and Pay and jobs will always be union industrial strategies. This year the rights of migrants. The EU priorities but for many working unions signed 126 new learning Advisory Committee on the people the best way to a more agreements with employers. Free Movement of workers met secure or better job or a pay rise Through the ULF 1,395 new twice this year and the newly is through a skills rise. Around ULRs were trained and 1,422 appointed TUC representative is 10 15 per cent of union activity existing ULRs accessed follow- Ben Moxham. In the meeting in is now on learning, double the on courses in 2012/13. Those April, the TUC joined the ETUC level ten years ago, half funded numbers are forecast to rise in supporting the Committee's by government and half by unions to 2,000 in 2013/14 as a new proposed Directive to provide themselves. generic course comes on stream, more information to mobile combining learning with other workers in the EU. Mohammed workplace issues. To date, over Taj is the General Council lead on Headline figures 30,000 ULRs have been trained. migration issues. They comprise around 10 per In 2012/13 unionlearn helped cent to 15 per cent of all reps. unions create learning opportunities for 221,000 In 2012/13 the ULF supported learners. Of those learners, the opening of 115 new learning 52,000 were on TUC Education centres. Union learning centres courses; over 3,000 on HE offer unique support to union (university) courses; 51,000 learners in the workplace. They on informal courses of various raise the profile of the union at kinds including photography, work and in local communities. family history and cookery; 5,000 They are union led, often in were apprentices; 30,000 were partnership with supportive enrolled on formal Level 2 or 3 employers and local providers. courses; over 20,000 on English The key factor is the physical and Maths; over 20,000 doing presence of the ULRs promoting computing courses; 38,000 the centres, leading learning and doing Continuing Professional supporting learners. Development courses (e.g. technicians or professionals

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With the support of the ULF and Computing skills – unionlearn, ULRs have reached digital inclusion the parts of the workplace and their communities that Everything you Last year saw the expansion of mainstream education and need to know about union activity to support digital workplace training do not functional skills inclusion ensuring that everyone reach, thereby extending and is included in the computer and strengthening the infl uence and digital revolution. Latest fi gures relevance of unions. Unions have show there are 16 million people a proven track record in reaching in the UK without Basic Online those who are vulnerable or Skills and 4.6 million of those marginalised and unlikely to are in the workforce. Unionlearn, participate in learning otherwise. working with Go On UK and other ULRs are particularly effective partners, has made a big impact in supporting areas of learning through training 183 Digital for less confi dent adults such as Champions and delivering 22,946 English and Maths, English for ICT learners through the ULF. The Speakers of Other Languages piloting of Universal Credit (which (ESOL), digital inclusion and 1 requires claimants to have digital informal fi rst steps into learning. Functional Skills Guide.indd 1 23/04/2013 10:32 skills) in the North West has led to Cuts in workplace ESOL funding a series of workshops to develop have brought great challenges. the union role in providing help. English, Maths and ESOL However unions found creative ways to help people (often low- There were changes to English paid migrant workers) at work Informal Adult and and Maths qualifi cations in and in communities who need Community Learning (IACL) September 2012. The previous support. Unionlearn co-ordinated Skills for Life courses were a multi-union ESOL stakeholder Many learners are put off from replaced by Functional Skills group. The ULF helped unions learning. They may have bad qualifi cations which are generally provide 914 ESOL opportunities memories of school or lack better, but also harder. This and unions negotiated help for confi dence. ULRs understand the brought challenges to ULRs. To hundreds more, for example via importance of informal learning counter them, unionlearn set up Unite's ESOL work with food as a fi rst step back into learning. a Functional Skills Task Group processing migrants in East The majority of IACL learners then which has been well supported Anglia or UNISON's work with go on to further learning, leading by unions. This additional support London University cleaners. to qualifi cations, either for their proved effective and unions own personal development and/ delivered 18,214 English and or to get on at work. Unionlearn Maths learning opportunities in continued to be an important 2012/13, supported by the ULF. participant in Adult Learners' The government's concern about Week (18 26 May) and Learning the low level of Maths in the at Work Day (23 May) which adult population led to unionlearn promote IACL and unionlearn's receiving funding through NIACE own Celebration of Learning (in (the main adult education October) was well supported professional body) to promote once again by unions. The ULF Maths with a range of educational helped unions provide 32,900 partners. This resulted in over IACL learning opportunities. 880 union Maths champions being trained by unionlearn which helped achieve 7,000 learners working towards Maths qualifi cation.

108 Continuing Professional Unionlearn has also been able to survey users of the Development Believe in Young People website (around 400,000 Almost half of all union members are registered on the site) to capture young people's are graduates or have HE (Level views of unions, Apprenticeships, and in particular 4) qualifications. Another third their views around the barriers that young women have Level 3 qualifications and many of them aspire to develop face accessing Apprenticeships. further. Unionlearn supports these learning needs just as much as those of members See Chapter 2 for our policy work Unionlearn has also worked needing basic skills. The ULF on Apprenticeships and Chapter with a charity Believe in has been supporting unions to 5 for our work on supporting Young People to network change the face of Continuing the Apprenticeship voice in the with large employers such as Professional Development at workplace. Bass and Whitbread and their work from opportunities designed unions who are already working by employers into opportunities with young people. Believe in developed through the union. The Young people Young People works with large ULF has supported unions such employers to provide good as teaching unions, specialist Over the past year unionlearn has careers advice and quality work unions in health and those in also helped young people at Glen experience placements. These science and engineering for Parva Young Offenders Institute. employers were interviewed as example. They delivered 12,727 Working with partners such as part of the unionlearn research CPD opportunities at Level 3 or the Skills for Logistics Sector commissioned from the University above to their members. This is a Skills Council and the GMB, of Warwick (see Chapter 2) and fast-growing area of union work. the project is providing young this highlighted the obstacles ATL, for example, is now one of offenders with the opportunity the skills landscape creates for the biggest providers of CPD to to undertake pre-apprenticeship employers looking to engage teachers in the country. training courses. The union with young people. Unionlearn contribution to this project has also been able to survey has been significant, including users of the Believe in Young Apprenticeships their role in developing the People website (around 400,000 pre-apprenticeship framework, are registered on the site) to Unionlearn`s Apprenticeships linking to local employers and capture young people's views of are Union Business project delivering important modules unions, apprenticeships, and in continues to play a key role in such as employment rights and particular their views around the supporting union involvement responsibilities and health and barriers that young women face in Apprenticeships. The aims of safety. accessing apprenticeships. the project are to help unions negotiate with employers In partnership with several unions Unionlearn has also facilitated to recruit more high quality and employers (such as Tesco union involvement in another apprentices; give training and and Usdaw or Ucatt and Kier) charity, Future First. Future First resources to union reps about unionlearn has helped deliver aims to improve social mobility for Apprenticeships; and help unions quality learning opportunities to state school pupils by enabling to recruit and support apprentices young people while highlighting them to receive high quality in the workplace. The project has the importance of trade unions. careers guidance and insight been funded by the government's Unionlearn has helped union from former alumni. Unite has National Apprenticeship Service involvement in an e-mentoring promoted the scheme among (NAS) for four years and funding scheme run by NHS employers. its representatives. was renewed again for 2013 14. Two unions MiP and SCPOD Over the past year unionlearn have supported union learning has worked with the education reps to act as mentors to young unions to develop a guide to disadvantaged people with an Apprenticeships for union reps in interest in working in the health schools and colleges. The guide sector. will be launched in autumn 2013.

109 Chapter six Strong unions

Higher level (e.g. graduate) skills

Unionlearn has a strategy for developing pathways to higher learning for union learners, and has strategic agreements with the Open University and Birkbeck University to take this forward. Some of these strategic agreements include discount offers to union members. Birkbeck University offers a 10 per cent union discount on Supporting learners Unionlearn is working in course fees. Last year over 750 partnership with professional members claimed their discount The Climbing Frame website bodies and other organisations because they came through the has been developed to provide to promote the professional union route earning Birckbeck up to date information and standing of technicians, over £4m. continuing support for ULRs recognising the valuable within the learning themes contribution they make both to The Higher Learning at Work web area. The learner management the economy and to our lives pages and resources have been section allows ULRs to record more broadly. The primary aim of updated and a new Studying their sessions with learners. This the project is to develop positive part-time at work section has year unionlearn developed and and sustainable relationships been added. This website is a launched a Climbing Frame App between professional bodies, one-stop shop for working adults to improve access and fl exibility trade unions, employers and wanting to fi nd out about higher which will help unions mainstream others with a view to encouraging learning. Since the disappearance and embed the Climbing Frame and supporting more workers to of organisations like Foundation in their learning and skills take up technician registration. Degree Forward, Aimhigher and work. In addition, unionlearn A number of smaller projects in Lifelong Learning Networks, has developed two new bite- conjunction with employers and unionlearn has become a major sized e-learning modules called professional bodies are being organisation for working people eNotes on supporting learners run to test how professional looking for advice on getting and using the Climbing Frame. registration for technicians can access to higher level skills. These short, interactive, self- best be supported. study learning modules contain Unionlearn is a partner in a new videos and essential information The project recently published a campaign launched in May and resources for effectively report produced by unionlearn called Part-Time Matters. The supporting workplace learners. setting out the historical and launch of Part-Time Matters is current union role in promoting in response to the dramatic 40 the interests of the technician per cent overall downturn in Supporting the workforce. The TUC held a students enrolling for part-time technician workforce conference in July 2013 to raise undergraduate courses. The awareness, build relationships campaign aims to highlight some Unionlearn is currently leading and disseminate the work of of the often unknown benefi ts of a Technician Pathways project the project to date. A toolkit for part-time study to the economy, which is supporting progression union reps containing information society and the individual. The for the technician workforce. and guidance on professional campaign is supported by an The main aim of the project registration and how to support alliance of universities, business is to promote the trade union technicians in the workplace and unions. role in delivering professional will be launched in the autumn registration for technicians of 2013. Please note that Higher working in science, engineering Education policy is covered in and technology (SET), covering Chapter 4. key sectors such as energy, education, healthcare and manufacturing.

110 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) 6.8 TUC Education

Unionlearn and affiliated unions Statistics on union reps' continue to be involved in participation in TUC Education joint projects with SSCs. Over courses have been collected the past year unionlearn has in the same way for more than re-established the employer thirty years, and they tell a story and union collaborative about trade unionism over the network supported through years. Continuing difficulties for the Manufacturing for Skills trade union representatives in Alliance (involving three SSCs: obtaining paid release and the Cogent, Improve, and SEMTA). decline of industries and sectors Unionlearn has also worked with strong, traditional release closely with union representatives arrangements can be tracked. to map union participation in any Unionlearn is supporting UCATT These difficulties peaked in industrial partnerships that have and Unite's engagement with 2011 12 with the added and been approved under round two the Build Up Skills UK 2020 unprecedented recessionary of the Employer Ownership Pilot. roadmap initiative (to which the pressures of redundancy, wage green agenda is essential) that freeze and a slide in confidence. is being co-ordinated by Asset Unions have been forced to Green skills Skills, Summit Skills, Construction prioritise industrial matters at the Skills and Energy & Utility Skills, expense of new and emerging During the past year unionlearn's including plans for a consultation initiatives such as learning and Green Skills partnership attracted with union representatives in the green issues. It is significant a national university Green Gown autumn. Unionlearn also supports that the ten-day programmes award for its work with London Prospect, the leading partner on for union reps and safety reps colleges on supporting access the World Skills Environmental and the five-day course for to green skills. The partnership Science Competition which union learning reps, the core has developed collaborations is attracting the support of training packages which offer between training providers, UK colleges and colleges in a thorough and complete employers, trade unions, the Holland and Germany. FDA, grounding, continue to show a voluntary sector and communities UCATT and UCU have also downward trend despite legal to deliver sustainability training delivered successful TUC Green rights to paid release in place to and employment opportunities Workplaces training initiatives support them. The substantial in the green skills agenda. The with funding from the ETUC. short course programme, which partnership continues to generate grew significantly over the past a growing number of learning ten years and which experienced and employment opportunities a sharp decline in 2011, remains through an ever-growing number an indication of the pressure on of construction employers, social paid release and the difficulties enterprises, training providers, reps face in accessing training. local authorities, sector skills Nonetheless, new developments councils, community groups and in the use of educational trade unions. technology, coupled with a firm commitment to reach out to reps with a flexible classroom offer has meant that real progress can still be made.

111 Chapter six Strong unions

Total reps trained 2012: 52,198 In 2012, 52,198 union workplace Total reps trained in 2012: 52,198 representatives undertook training, an increase of 4,251 60,000 over 2011. This is particularly significant, given the pressure 50,000 on time off for reps to access training, and a real tribute to the 40,000 hard work of union education officers and TUC tutors. Almost 30,000 all affiliated unions participate in the programme and many 20,000 commission tailored programmes within TUC Education. 10,000

A secure funding mechanism 0 which gives government backing 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 20052006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 to key areas of work underscores the reputation of trade union education as an important part The TUC wishes to record its The demand for online courses of the adult curriculum in further appreciation of the significant has continued to increase with education. Government support contribution made by its tutors, almost 2,000 reps obtaining full for the work is also secured whose professionalism and qualifications online in 2012. The in Wales and Scotland, where commitment continues to be at online offer allows reps in hard different funding regimes apply. the heart of the programme's to reach geographical locations success. to access reps training. This The Scottish Trades Union includes UK overseas territories Congress (STUC), in partnership Finally, thanks are due to union such as Gibraltar, the Falkland with TUC Education in Scotland, National Education Officers Islands, Cyprus, Germany and has established the well-regarded and their teams around the UK, even a submariner. A new version Scottish Union Learning (SUL) whose enthusiasm and support of the Union Learning Reps to work together to support for and commitment to trade Stage 2 has now been added unions, reps and members and to union education remains key to to the extensive list of online establish a high profile, strategic maintaining quality and demand. courses offered to trade union direction for union learning in representatives. Scotland. The TUC is represented on the SUL Board by Liz Rees. TUC Education Online TUC Education Online has worked with a number of unions TUC Education is founded on TUC Education offers a to develop bespoke online partnerships and the long- convenient solution to union courses tailored to their needs. standing link with colleges of reps seeking to develop their Trade union studies centres further education, the National skills and knowledge who are have also responded to these Open College Network and the unable to access classroom- demands by offering more flexible Workers' Educational Association based courses. In addition to ways of accessing training, has made it possible to maintain online tutor-led qualifications, including a large increase in the and extend the resource base TUC Education has successfully number of blended courses, a for trade union education. The developed a number of web- mixture of traditional classroom- TUC continues to enjoy positive based, bite-sized modules on based delivery and online professional relationships with a range of subjects to support activities. college managers and tutors. trade unionists.

112 With release for training Union learning reps Union Professional increasingly restricted, TUC Development Programme Education has continued to During 2012, 1,039 new ULRs develop alternative ways of were trained compared to 1,155 After eight successful years, the providing reps and officers with in 2011, a continuation of the Union Professional Development knowledge and information downward trend observed over Programme has been updates via eNotes short, the past few years. An additional comprehensively redesigned to online modules. These have 631 undertook Stage 2 and ensure its continuing relevance. been well received by union follow-on modules, as against Following consultation with union representatives and by unions 807 in 2011. officers and staff throughout the themselves. TUC Education has UK, the new programme offers developed eNotes on a range of These numbers reflect the more flexible learning options subjects including Supporting continuing difficulties particular than ever before to make it as Learners; Being a Route Steward, to the ULR role, which have been accessible as possible for union Using the unionlearn Climbing exacerbated by the economic professionals. Frame and Facility Time. The climate and the need for unions 40-minute eNote on Facility Time to prioritise pressing industrial Greater use of blended learning has been extremely popular and problems at the expense of this combining online and face-to- well used. To date, almost 2,500 agenda. Release for training is face learning is being phased reps have registered at www. even more difficult to obtain, in, together with the use of tuclearning.net TUC Education is despite the underpinning rights, shorter, more intensive training supporting unions in developing and courses fail to recruit on developments in specific their own eNotes. Further eNotes despite considerable efforts. topics, such as employment are in development, including The unionlearn board decided law or pensions, as well as Understanding Universal Credit; in 2012 to take the learning workshop style events such as Apprenticeships and in support of agenda to the heart of union and project management and time TUC campaign themes. employer workplace activity by management. mainstreaming it within the Stage In order to further enhance the 1 Union Representatives' Course, Over 600 union professionals online offer, a new website and (the Shop Stewards programme) received training through TUC virtual learning environment will to avoid a marginalisation of this Education in 2012, almost a be launched in the autumn. It will work during times very different quarter of the total target group. support existing learners, embed to those in which the role was 58 per cent of participants were online and blended learning conceived and developed. With women officials. across the programme and union reps bargaining in a much allow users to easily access TUC harsher economic climate than The union women professionals' resources and information on ever before, learning and skills summer school is now in its ninth TUC campaigns. will be most useful at the heart year. This course is designed of union activity at a time when to develop the next generation pay bargaining is yielding scant of women trade union leaders returns. Active recruitment to and has established itself as a the ULR course will continue unique development opportunity alongside this offer. for women trade unionists. Sixteen women from ten The new course has finished unions participated in intensive the pilot phase and is being sessions on a range of union published for formal launch in priorities led by senior trade September 2013. It is estimated union leaders. Priorities included that 500 reps have been trained pensions, organising strategies, using the pilot materials. employment law, equalities and leadership. A House of Commons reception was a highlight of the 2012 week, which was held in October as a consequence of the London 2012 Olympics.

113 Chapter six Strong unions

Further support for union Tutor development professionals is available through a dedicated website, uniquely The maintenance and continuing focused on union offi cers. professional development of Registration is at: a fi rst class tutor team has www.unionprofessionals.org.uk been central to the success of trade union education in further Course brochure and further education and TUC Education details can be accessed at www. continues to make a signifi cant unionlearn.org.uk/education investment in tutor development.

In the last eleven years, TUC Education ran a total of 247 6.9 Course tutor training courses, training development 2,928 tutors in a range of curriculum priorities as well as Employment rights core education methods. This year, TUC Education ran six tutor training courses and trained 83 Given the signifi cant changes Working Women tutors. The number of women to UK employment law taking (third edition) tutors trained comprised 54 per place, TUC Education is piloting cent of the total. These were a new Certifi cate course (which The fi rst Working Women course supplemented by a range of will replace the Stage 2 union book was produced by TUC regional briefi ngs and national representatives' course) to Education in 1991, focusing events. enable union reps to prepare for on the lives and experiences these changes in the best way of women at work, in their The sixth annual Tutor Equality possible for members and for the communities and as trade seminar for key course workplace. unionists. This third edition, coordinators working with TUC launched in May 2013, is again Regional Education Offi cers This new Certifi cate course is designed as a resource for all on equality strategy was held. designed for union reps who trade unionists as a source The event is structured to build have already completed the TUC of information, as an aid to knowledge and skills on equalities Stage 1 Union Reps course or its discussion, and as a stimulus to within TUC Education; to improve union equivalent. It is a practical working towards a fairer deal for professional practice; to support and comprehensive training women. It has a mixed format the development of tutors so they course that approaches the law easy to read information, a mix are confi dent and comfortable from a workplace perspective of facts and comments on the with the full equalities agenda and and its principal concern is how experiences of working women, to produce equalities education knowledge and confi dence things to fi nd out and activities materials and tools. in using employment law can for groups. improve workplace bargaining. It A conference for course co- is not aimed at legal professionals ordinators was held in February or the fi ner points of technical Organising 2013 and a further event is interpretation of the law. planned for early 2014. A partnership agreement is The course is accredited by TUC in place with Ruskin College Education and the awarding to deliver the TUC Organising organisation NOCN and reps Academy within the Ruskin achieving the learning outcomes TUC Education unit. This of the course will receive a Level partnership took effect from 2 or Level 3 Certifi cate. September 2009 and has been extended to August 2013.

114 International and 6.10 TUC European partnerships Educational Trust TUC Education continues to be involved in trans-national work The TUC Educational Trust that reflects TUC priorities. supports trade union education It provides Trade Union Studies through: tutors for courses and projects organised through the European ȓ bursaries for students at Trade Union Institute. The TUC Ruskin, Coleg Harlech and is represented on the ETUI Northern College Education Committee by Liz Rees. ȓ supporting the Clive Jenkins European Study Bursaries Tutors supported Bananalink projects in Cameroon. ȓ meeting some of the fees of TUC students in Scotland TUC Education manages a European Information project ȓ supporting Organising including the publication of a Academy students through the quarterly journal, The European Roosevelt Memorial Trust Review. (www.tueip.dircon. co.uk) In addition, the project ȓ supporting programmes at produced the European Union Keele University Digest, a trade union digest of organisations and resources ȓ sponsoring bursaries for a which is updated biannually. Certificate in Professional Development (CPD) in Union Learning at London Metropolitan University

ȓ supporting the BA Organisation of Work, Economics and Labour Law course at Birkbeck in association with the Institute of Employment Rights.

ȓ sponsoring a Chevening Scholarship (with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

ȓ offering an annual scholarship to the Harvard training programme for union leaders.

ȓ Initiating a scholarship in memory of Hugh Higgins, TUC tutor.

115 Chapter six Strong unions

TUC Education Service Statistics 2012 Table 1: Union workplace representatives: courses 2012

Region Union Safety Specialist Short Totals officials representatives courses courses

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 1 Stage 2 South and East 21 6 25 12 35 719 818 South West 3 1 14 5 2 132 157 West Midlands 10 6 13 10 28 795 862 East Midlands 3 2 4 3 9 65 86 Yorkshire and the Humber 14 6 16 6 20 449 511 North West 40 19 33 23 133 633 881 Northern 8 4 8 9 10 147 186 Wales 4 1 8 4 19 179 215 Scotland 12 3 18 11 14 187 245 Northern Ireland 17 2 9 5 5 19 57 Totals 132 50 148 88 275 3,325 4,018

Table 2: Union workplace representatives: students 2012

Region Union Safety Specialist Short Totals officials representatives courses courses

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 1 Stage 2 South and East 216 109 235 114 345 12,441 13,460 South West 41 8 158 44 17 1,707 1,975 West Midlands 123 35 139 85 235 9,502 10,119 East Midlands 27 14 38 26 83 811 999 Yorkshire and the Humber 152 50 210 57 281 5,458 6,208 North West 476 252 405 254 1,249 8,078 10,714 Northern 82 28 94 75 157 2,203 2,639 Wales 26 10 75 32 164 2,339 2,646 Scotland 111 22 166 92 128 2,244 2,763 Northern Ireland 189 15 111 58 57 245 675 Totals 1,443 543 1,631 837 2,716 45,028 52,198 Women 34.1% 34.3% 25.4% 19.5% 35.7% 39.5% 38.4%

116 Table 3: Short course students by generic course title 2012

Generic Title Students Industrial Relations/Collective Bargaining 11,757 Health & Safety 8,650 Induction 7,056 Equality 2,879 Skills/Languages 2,739 Information Communication Technology 2,545 Information and Consultation 1,133 Other* 8,269 Total 45,028 * Other courses include those organised in response to union requests.

Table 4: TUC day release and short courses provision 1992 2012

Year Union Officials Health & Safety Follow-on Short Evening Totals Stage 1 & 2 Stage 1 & 2 Specialist Courses Classes

Courses Students Courses Students Courses Students Courses Students Courses Students Courses Students 1994 401 4,520 498 5,988 98 1,013 1,088 14,036 80 1,054 2,165 26,611 1995 395 4,503 472 5,733 118 1,335 900 10,496 84 967 1,969 23,034 1996 373 4,201 496 5,712 165 1,812 955 8,570 138 2,646 2,127 22,941 1997 330 3,703 456 5,740 182 1,916 1,023 11,377 263 3,115 2,254 25,851 1998 340 3,980 485 5,788 170 1,697 1,121 13,442 332 4,187 2,448 29,094 1999 345 4,102 443 5,375 194 2,029 1,287 14,801 336 4,205 2,605 30,512 2000 348 3,977 463 5,692 132 1,589 1,182 15,079 373 4,469 2,498 30,806 2001 307 3,560 430 5,264 118 1,379 1,570 19,157 282 3,111 2,707 32,471 2002 328 3,460 397 4,925 390 4,107 1,902 21,427 53 680 3,070 34,599 2003 288 3,161 404 4,502 562 5,252 2,135 23,873 85 1,058 3,474 37,846 2004 309 3,413 398 4,715 558 6,057 2,367 27,176 112 1,180 3,744 42,541 2005 279 2,917 353 4,021 487 4,800 2,954 33,561 82 1,203 4,155 46,502 2006 262 2,784 339 3,778 316 3,032 2,854 38,585 79 933 3,850 49,112 2007 268 2,667 355 3,781 359 3,730 3,097 41,085 130 1,367 4,209 52,630 2008 213 2,251 284 3,105 302 4,537 3,359 46,466 147 1,298 4,305 57,657 2009 202 2,155 294 3,120 314 3,105 4,018 48,483 155 1,458 4,983 58,321 2010 210 2,194 252 2,710 246 2,904 3,510 47,888 168 1,467 4,386 57,163 2011 188 1,969 240 2,522 213 2,148 2,847 39,758 134 1,550 3,622 47,947 2012 182 1,986 236 2,468 275 2,716 3,166 43,375 159 1,653 4,018 52,198

117 Chapter six Strong unions

Table 5: Percentage take-up of places on TUC 10-day and short courses 2012 (unions with 0.5 per cent and upwards of total affiliated membership)

Total affiliated membership 5,977,178 Total Number of Students Attending TUC Day-Release Courses 7,170 Total Number of Students Attending TUC Short Courses 45,028

Union % of total TUC membership % take-up of TUC course places 10-day courses Short courses Unite 23.55 11.98 17.66 UNISON 22.04 16.54 16.23 GMB 10.21 8.23 8.41 USDAW 6.90 4.90 13.12 NUT 5.43 0.47 0.46 NASUWT 4.92 0.03 14.36 PCS 4.69 7.85 5.39 CWU 3.42 1.56 4.11 ATL 2.21 0.04 0.36 Prospect 2.05 0.59 0.27 UCU 2.00 0.50 1.73 UCATT 1.40 1.35 0.48 RMT 1.27 4.37 0.89 EIS 0.94 0.36 0.06 Community 0.84 1.66 0.63 FBU 0.71 1.74 1.63 CSP 0.63 0.56 0.09 Equity 0.62 0.00 0.01 POA 0.55 0.78 0.35 MU 0.53 0.00 0.00 NUJ 0.51 0.00 0.00

118 Chapter seven TUC 7 administration 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Affiliations and mergers 7.3 Congress 7.4 Congress Awards 7.5 General Council 7.6 Senior staff 7.7 Equality conferences 7.8 Young Workers’ Conference 7.9 Trades Union Councils Conference 7.10 TUC/TU ink Trade Union Communications Awards 7.11 TUC finances 7.12 Personnel and training 7.13 TUC Information Services 7.14 TUC Library Collections 7.15 Congress Centre Chapter seven TUC administration

7.1 Introduction During the course of the year 7.5 General Council the Executive Working Group, This chapter reports on which advised on arrangements At the time of writing the General affiliations and mergers; the for the 2011 Congress that was Council has held seven meetings Congress Awards for lay held at Congress House, has during this Congress year. At representatives; equality, young been reconstituted to advise the first meeting, held jointly with workers and Trades Union on arrangements for this year's the outgoing General Council Councils conferences; Congress Congress, which will be the first on the final morning of the 2012 arrangements; Trade Union to be held at the Bournemouth Congress, Lesley Mercer was Communications Awards; the International Centre since elected as chair of the General General Council; and changes in 1988. A number of changes Council and she will preside senior staff. It also reports on the are being introduced with the at the 2013 Congress. It was internal management of the TUC; aim of improving the delegate also agreed that the Executive finances, personnel and training experience and further details Committee should be composed matters; the information service; of these will be given in the of the existing members, with and TUC Library Collections. Congress documents. Jane Carolan, Leslie Manasseh and John Smith replacing the In April the General Council retiring members. During the agreed that the 2014 Congress course of the year, Sue Mather 7.2 Affiliations should be held in Liverpool and was elected to fill the vacant and mergers the 2015 event in Brighton. seat in Section D, which consists of four women members from unions with fewer than 200,000 In February the Staff Union West members, and Chris Tansley Bromwich Building Society was 7.4 Congress Awards was appointed to fill the vacant accepted into TUC affiliation. The UNISON seat. In July it was union has 500 members and the The winners of this year's reported that UNISON member general secretary is Julie Holton. Congress Awards for lay Bob Abberley had been replaced representatives are as follows: by Karen Jennings.

ȓ The Congress Award for Youth: In May, following a request from 7.3 Congress Debbie Wilson of Prospect/ Equity, the Executive Committee Jamie-Max Caldwell of Unite clarified the circumstances in The 2012 Congress was held in which unions would be entitled Brighton. The Congress carried ȓ Health and Safety to send observers to General 43 motions, 16 composite representative award: Council meetings. The practice of motions and three emergency Andy McArthur of the allowing those unions that did not motions. It also agreed Communication Workers Union have a member on the General statements on banking reform Council to send an observer had and solidarity with South African ȓ Learning Representative been introduced in 2006 following mineworkers and unions. One Award: Sarah Barnes of GMB a review and in order to ensure motion was lost. This year a that all unions were able to grid is included in this report ȓ Organising Representative participate in TUC policy making showing where, within the report, Award: Jim Frew and Graeme between Congresses. In line the action taken on each of the Ewart of Unite with this principle the Executive resolutions is reported. agreed that the right to send an ȓ Women's Gold badge: Agnes observer should be extended to Tolmie of Unite include unions who would not otherwise be present because their member or members were unable to attend a particular meeting. Unions were informed of this in the June issue of TUC MAIL.

120 The General Council lead responsibilities for the Congress year 2012–13 have been as follows:

Overall responsibility as lead spokesperson for the TUC The General Secretary Brendan Barber (until December 2012) Frances O'Grady (from December 2012)

Senior representative John Monks, Norman Willis, Frances O'Grady and Brendan Barber at the throughout the Congress year retirement event for Mike Smith, long-serving TUC staff member The President Lesley Mercer

During the course of this Government Austerity Measures, Specific areas of responsibility Congress year the General and in advance of the meeting Council's work has centred the authors had met union legal Disabled workers: Sean McGovern round the development of the officers to discuss the issues that campaign described in Chapter had been raised. Environment and sustainable 1 and whose elements form the development: Sue Ferns structure for this report. The special meeting of the Executive Europe: Billy Hayes Committee held in January was 7.6 Senior staff an important part of this process. Health and safety: Liz Snape The conclusions of that meeting As was reported to the 2012 were agreed at the February Congress, as the sole nominee International development: meeting of the General Council for the post of general secretary, Gail Cartmail and the campaign document was Frances O'Grady was elected agreed in April. general secretary designate International relations: Sally Hunt following Congress and Guest speakers were invited succeeded Brendan Barber as Learning and skills: Mary Bousted to the December and April general secretary on Brendan's meetings of the General Council. retirement in December 2012. Lesbian gay, bisexual and Representatives of the Scottish Brendan's departure, after 37 transgender rights: Maria Exall TUC attended the December years with the TUC and ten years meeting for a discussion on as general secretary, was marked Migration: Mohammad Taj the trade union approach to by a reception jointly hosted the forthcoming referendum on by Congress President Lesley Pensions and pensioners: Scottish independence. A report Mercer and General Secretary Michael Leahy of this discussion is included in Designate Frances O'Grady. Chapter 6. In April John Hendy A reception was also held for Public services: Dave Prentis QC introduced a discussion current TUC staff on Brendan's on the pamphlet that he and last day in the office and the trade Race equality: Gloria Mills Professor Keith Ewing had union group of MPs hosted an written titled Days of Action, the event in Brendan's honour at the Trades union councils: Bob Crow legality of protest strikes against Speaker's House at Westminster government cuts. A number of in January. Women: Pat Stuart references had been made to this publication in unions' responses Youth: Fern McCaffrey to the consultation on Congress resolution 5, Countering

121 Chapter seven TUC administration

In December, the Executive The theme of the conference was Committee decided that the Women: Mobilise and Organise. post of deputy general secretary should be replaced with that For International Women's Day of a second assistant general an event was held at Congress secretary. A shortlist was House with speeches from drawn up and interviews were Frances O'Grady, Lesley Mercer, conducted at the February and Suzanne McCarthy of the meeting of the Committee. Ethical Trading Initiative. Following a ballot, Paul Nowak, head of the TUC©s organisation The resolution chosen by and services department, was delegates at the TUC Women's appointed to the new post. Conference to go to TUC Kevin Rowan, TUC Northern Congress 2013 was a resolution Regional Secretary, was with the title Women and subsequently appointed head Employment Rights. of the organisation and services department and Beth Farhat was The conference was addressed appointed as the new northern by TUC General Secretary, regional secretary. Following the Frances O'Grady, Fiona retirement of Alan Manning, who Mactaggart MP, Dr Robert Perrett had been north west regional of Bradford University and Claire secretary since the post became Courteille, ITUC equality director. full time in the 1980s, Lynn Collins from UCU was appointed as his Feedback from delegates about successor. Mike Smith, head of the conference was extremely the secretariat, retired in June positive. 2013. A new post of director of strategy was created instead of this role and Alice Hood, senior Black Workers’ policy officer for public services, Conference 2013 was appointed. The twentieth TUC Black Workers' Conference was held at Congress House in April 7.7 Equality 2013. The conference was conferences attended by 232 delegates from 27 affiliated unions. Mohammad Women’s Conference 2013 Taj chaired the conference. The The conference featured a panel TUC President, Lesley Mercer, debate titled Putting Race Back The 2013 TUC Women's addressed the conference, as did on the Agenda and delegates Conference was held at Congress the General Secretary, Frances took part in workshops on deaths House and was chaired by Gail O'Grady. Other speakers were in custody, community and trade Cartmail. The 295 delegates Owen Jones, Rafeef Ziadah, a union organising and collective from 34 affiliated unions passed Palestinian refugee and activist, bargaining on race equality. resolutions on issues ranging Professor Elizabeth Anionwu from the gender impact of tribunal from the Mary Seacole Statue fees, maternity rights, the impact Appeal and Roger McKenzie, the of low pay and the public sector Assistant General Secretary of pay freeze on women, women's UNISON. representation in a range of male-dominated sectors, ending violence against women, to abortion rights.

122 Disabled Workers’ Conference 2013 217The conference was attended by 217 delegates from 26 unions The twelfth TUC Disabled Workers' Conference took place at Congress House on LGBT Conference 2013 7.8 Young Workers’ 22 23 May 2013. The conference Conference sessions were chaired by Seán The 16th TUC LGBT conference McGovern, Mandy Hudson, took place at Congress House on Manjeet Sandhu and Tony 27-28 June 2013. The conference The 2013 TUC Young Members Sneddon. Conference was sessions were chaired by Maria Conference took place over the addressed by Kay Carberry, Exall, Jan Baxter, Ann Morgan weekend of the 23 24 March at TUC Assistant General Secretary, and Bev Miller. Conference was Congress House. The conference Seán McGovern, co-chair addressed by Frances O'Grady, was attended by 75 delegates of the Disabled Workers' Maria Exall (Chair, TUC LGBT representing 20 TUC affi liates. Committee, TUC president Committee), Angela Eagle MP, The conference discussed 20 Lesley Mercer, Andy Green Michael Rubenstein (editor, Equal motions and decided to send (Disabled People against the Opportunities Law Reports), a motion on Fair pay for Young Cuts) and Francesca Martinez Lesley Mercer and Antony Smith Workers to the 2013 Congress. (campaigner and entertainer). (Age UK). It was also agreed to change the A panel comprising Chris name of the conference to the Holmes (Equality and Human An informal plenary session TUC Young Workers' Conference. Rights Commission), Joanna discussing the progress of Rowland-Stuart (Regard), Sarah LGBT rights across Europe Veale (TUC) and Rick Burgess was introduced by a panel (War on Welfare) introduced comprising Cinzia Sechi (ETUC), an informal plenary discussion Louise Ashworth (ILGA Europe), on promoting the recognition Renata Tretiakova (CGT) and of diversity in advancing Stephen Whittle (Press for disabled peoples' rights. Change). Conference elected the TUC LGBT Committee and The conference elected the debated motions covering the Disabled Workers' Committee impact of austerity on LGBT and debated motions covering communities, supporting LGBT topics including government members with mental health attacks on disability benefi ts problems, discrimination in and the welfare state, and the education, hate crime, the case impact of this in specifi c sectors, of Lucy Meadows, same sex the undermining of equality law, domestic abuse, promotion of support for disabled workers' HIV testing, homophobia in sport, co-operatives, campaigning to homelessness among young change the law to allow job- LGBTs, and international LGBT sharing for MPs, the misuse of rights including in the Arab world, sickness absence procedures Africa and Russia. Conference against disabled workers and in was attended by 235 delegates particular of the `Bradford Factor', from 29 unions. promoting awareness of issues facing workers with autism, and championing disabled entertainers. The conference was attended by 217 delegates from 26 unions.

123 Chapter seven TUC administration

Some of the winners at the Communications Awards presentation

7.9 Trades Union 7.10 TUC/TU ink Trade The judges expressed Councils Conference Union Communications much praise for the skill and Awards professionalism shown in union entries to the Awards and praised The Trades Union Councils the teams for the commitment to Conference was held on 12 This was the sixth year of the good communications with their June 2013 at Congress House. re-launched Awards and TU ink, members and the wider public. There were 84 delegates and 10 a printing/project management observers. TUC General Secretary company, has agreed to continue At the awards ceremony on Frances O'Grady was the keynote as sponsor. The General Council 10 July union communications speaker. TUCJCC Chair and RMT is grateful to TU ink for their professionals were able to view General Secretary Bob Crow ongoing support for the Awards. all the competition entries, and also addressed conference. The network with their colleagues and conference also heard from Bill This year 22 unions entered the General Council members. The Greenshields, trade union liaison competition with a total of 90 TUC general secretary awarded officer for the Peoples Charter entries and the awards have the certificates. and George Binette, President of continued to thrive with a diverse Camden Trades Union Council. range of high quality entries from Again this year a publication Camden Trades Union Council across the union movement. was produced The Judges’ organised the pre-conference Comments and Focus on the rally. Delegates were pleased that In 2013 the judges were: Martin Winners, reporting on the awards. three members of the General Brown, Head of Communications, A copy will be available for each Council, Bob Crow, Dave Harvey Equity; Mark Epstein, Director, delegate at Congress. and Pat Stuart, each chaired Mass1; Jean McLean, Head a section of conference. The of Mobilisation, Save the conference passed a resolution Children; John Healey, MP for on representation at Congress Wentworth and Dearne; and John which will be debated at the 2013 Moylan, Employment & Industry Congress. Correspondent, BBC.

124 The results were as follows: In 2012, 10 per cent of the affiliation fee was allocated to the Development Fund and was Best journal or magazine Winner: MU The Musician used to promote new work and initiatives by Highly Commended: Nautilus the General Council. International Telegraph and UNISON U magazine Best use of electronic Battle for ideas Best feature communication Winner: Unite Winner: UCU Holocaust ȓ Economics conference Wish you were us? Memorial Day film and Usdaw Highly Commended: A guide to auto-enrolment ȓ Support to external MU VIP Musicians Highly Commended: BALPA organisations Commended: Usdaw Know A message from Britain's your rights: Dealing with debt airline pilots ȓ Developing Touchstone and pay day loans Commended: NASUWT publications Reclaim the classroom Best use of a photo ȓ Research on countering the or illustration case for austerity Winner: FDA illustration by David Simonds 7.11 TUC finances ȓ Impact of cuts on equality in Highly commended: FBU employment illustration by Phil Disley The TUC's accounts for 2012 Commended: UNISON illustration (see Appendix 3) show a by Stephanie Wise total surplus across all funds Battle for narrative of £1.494m, including the Best one-off publication FRS 17 adjustments. The ȓ Surveys and opinion polls Winner: Usdaw Supporting operating surplus of £848,000 probing public opinion of families with disabled children comprises £83,000 being set economic policy Highly Commended: MU Live aside for the Congress House music kit dilapidations fund and surpluses Commended: FDA New of £388,000 and £375,000 on the Day-to-day campaigning Pension Scheme 2015 – administration and development Government’s final offer funds respectively. ȓ Employment rights campaign

Best campaign ȓ NHS rally Winner: POA Campaign to Development Fund keep HMP Magilligan open ȓ Enough is enough ETUC Highly Commended: UNISON In 2012, 10 per cent of the People before profits affiliation fee was allocated to the Development Fund and was Capacity building Best website used to promote new work and Winner: Community initiatives by the General Council. ȓ Community organisers www.community-tu.org For 2012 an additional levy of Highly Commended: Usdaw £0.10 per member was raised ȓ Regional activities www.usdaw.org.uk to support additional campaign Commended: CWU activities. This was used to ȓ False economy website www.cwu.org support the main strands of our campaign objectives: ȓ Digital campaigning.

125 Chapter seven TUC administration

Statement of Accounts The rolling programme of internal During the year, the focus audit work conducted by the has been on developing and The annual Statement of accountants Moore Stephens implementing a comprehensive Accounts and Balance Sheet UK has continued with further investing in people action as at 31 December 2012 is value for money audits and plan and putting in place an set out in Appendix 4. The operational and internal financial extended management training Administration Fund (covering audits being undertaken. During programme. Both activities the day-to-day office running 2012 an internal financial audit built on staff feedback from expenses and staff costs) reviewed the payroll activities different staff engagement showed an operating surplus for the TUC, and at the start activities, where areas for further of £388,000. The Development of 2013 we carried out a value development were highlighted. Fund, representing all non- for money audit covering the The personnel team is supporting unionlearn externally funded website services within the TUC. senior management with these projects together with projects As Moore Stephens had been developments and have been funded by the affiliation fee and our internal auditors for five undertaking individual training the additional campaign fund, years we undertook a tender needs analysis with managers to showed an operating surplus of exercise at the end of 2012 and inform the training programme as £375,000 while unionlearn funds as a result appointed BDO as well as developing and helping to broke even. The Dilapidations the new internal auditors for the deliver the programme itself. Fund showed that £753,000 was TUC. During the next 12 months spent on the upkeep of Congress the programme of work will House during the year and continue and it is envisaged that £836,000 was charged to the procurement and purchasing Administration Fund. will be reviewed and that we will carry out a value for money audit During 2012 our calculated on the conference activities and FRS17 liability decreased from facilities within Congress House. £2.681m to £1.974m. This reduction of liability of £707,000 together with the increase in the Dilapidations Fund of £83,000, 7.12 Personnel the surplus on the Development and training Fund of £377,000, the surplus for the year on the Administration Fund of £388,000 and the loss of The personnel team has £61,000 on sale of investments continued to deliver a has increased the funds of comprehensive personnel and the TUC from £13.567m to training service for managers and £15.061m. staff, including recruitment to a number of appointments across the organisation, casework on Prospects and developments some complex staffing issues, and advice and guidance on a A budget for the Administration range of staffing and personnel Fund 2013 has been agreed by issues across the organisation, the General Council. This showed including the regions and Wales. a projected surplus of £28,141. In addition, the team supported The General Council approved managers with a number of staff an increase in the affiliation fee to changes in unionlearn resulting £2.61 for 2013. from changes to funding.

126 7.13 TUC Information Services THE UNION

The Information Service supports MAKES US STRONG TUC staff by offering an enquiry TUC HISTORY ONLINE and research service supported by a range of online resources, An online resource featuring the digitised collections of the including FAME for company TUC Library held at London Metropolitan University. reports and Factiva for all UK Contents include: newspapers and periodical Timeline 1815–2000 covering all of the major personalities publications. We also look after and events, illustrated with contemporary photographs, leafl ets, posters, audiovisual clips and union emblems the unionprofessionals website, a secure online environment Match Workers Strike Fund Register, 1888 for communicating and sharing Manuscript of The Ragged Trousered documents with other union Philanthropists by Robert Tressell professionals. All employees of General Strike 1926, documents and images our affiliated unions, as well as Trades Union Congress reports, 1868–1968 all TUC staff, are all eligible for Other online resources include membership. The Information testimonies from World War II home Service also chairs the Trade front veterans and fi lm interviews with equal pay campaigners. Union Information Group (TUIG) which meets regularly to share knowledge and information of relevance to information professionals within the trade union movement.

In addition, the Information Service is responsible for the TUC's own files and documents and provides advice and guidance on records management. We also advise on compliance with and best practice in respect of the Data Protection Act (1998). The Information Service looks after Trades Union Congress the TUC-i, our intranet, which Library Collections at London Metropolitan University provides a platform for internal www.unionhistory.info communications as well as staff forms, the staff handbook and TUC policies, etc. 7.14 TUC Library Collections

We have also been involved with The collections are located at the Department. The library staff updating the Worksmart website London Metropolitan University work closely with the Working which has become an important and continue to attract a wide Lives Research Institute and repository of general employment range of researchers, interested other university departments. rights guidance as well as helping in both the history of trade unions Presentations, open days and members of the public who are and their current activities and visits are also organised for looking for the appropriate union policies. The TUC collections unions and other interested to join. also house a number of other groups. important historical records To contact us, please email including the archives of the [email protected] or ring Workers' Educational Association us on 020 7467 1262. and the Labour Research

127 Chapter seven TUC administration

Pensions Minister Steve Webb speaking in Congress Centre at the 2012 TUC Trustee Network Conference

Material deposited during the year included papers from the 1978 79 social workers' strike, various union badges, commemorative plates from the 1984 85 miners' strike, and placards, posters and other ephemera collected at the TUC demonstration in October 2012. Two externally funded cataloguing projects were completed during the year: on British-Soviet relations 1917 1930 and Industrial Relations 1945 1995.

Our history websites The Union Makes Us Strong, The Workers’ War, Winning Equal Pay and Britain at Work: Voices from the Workplace 1945–1995, all accessed from www.unionhistory. info, remain very popular, with on average 23,000 visitors The long-term goal of Congress Revenue in 2012 was £1.7m each month. There is increasing Centre is to service the TUC's which was a good achievement interest from the media in using requirements for conferences on the part of the sales team images from the websites and and events and to help support reflecting their hard work to from our Facebook page at www. its delivery of core objectives deliver in a difficult market as facebook.com/tuclibrary. Further while becoming a recognised, corporate events have dropped information on the collections can quality central London conference in number and with companies be obtained from TUC Library and events venue. The Centre reducing their overall spend on Collections, London Metropolitan continues its membership of the events. This year it is expected University Learning Centre, 236 Meeting Industry Association that Congress Centre will again Holloway Road, London N7 6PP and currently holds an AIM face a difficult challenge to [email: [email protected]]. accreditation which confirms that achieve its forecast sales in a the venue meets industry best market which continues to be standard. This year we have been demanding. building customer awareness of 7.15 Congress Centre the venue and promoting its use through exhibitions, client visits Congress Centre continues to be and publications praising the kept busy and in 2012 hosted Centre for its stunning modern 982 events including many high and contemporary feel while profile TUC conferences as incorporating state of the art well as welcoming many varied facilities. external clients into the building who appreciate our excellent in-house catering and audio visual facilities.

128 Obituaries

Mary Alys 0 Harold Dunning Bill Gill Walter Greendale Jack Hart Lord Bill McCarthy Inez McCormack Jim Mortimer Chris Murphy Bill Rankin Dee Rogers Vic Turner Space fi Obituaries

Mary Alys, who died in May Jack Hart (left), who died in aged 60, was the Midlands November aged 86, was the regional manager for unionlearn, senior elected union official at the the TUC's learning and skills government listening post GCHQ organisation. A political at the time of the union ban in campaigner all her adult life, she 1984. Instigated by Margaret was heavily involved in both the Thatcher's government, workers women's and peace movements faced the choice of leaving their and since 2001 had been at unions or being dismissed. A the forefront of the TUC's work top signal specialist by trade, for on lifelong learning. She was many years he was chair of the deeply committed to equality and committee representing all civil fought tirelessly to stop gender service union branches at GCHQ, segregation in Apprenticeships and along with his colleagues and promote ESOL opportunities. deeply resented the inference that their union membership Harold Dunning, who died in represented a conflict of interest. March at the age of 93, worked in Bill Gill, was a member of Following early retirement, he the TUC International Department the TUC General Council from was a stalwart of the campaign in the 1950s and 1960s. He 1983 1987 and was a member to restore trade union rights to went on to become a prominent of NALGO's national executive. GCHQ, which ran for 13 years figure in the International Labour He served on a number of TUC until the ban was reversed within Organization, acting as Secretary committees, including social hours of the Labour government of the Workers' Group of the ILO insurance, education and equal coming to power in May 1997. Governing Body and Head of the rights. Workers' Relations Branch Lord Bill McCarthy, who died in Geneva. Walter Greendale (left), who in November aged 87, was both died last September at the age one of Britain's leading experts of 81, was a TGWU member of on industrial relations and a the TUC General Council from good friend to the trade union 1978 1986. He was a trade movement, assisting the TUC union member of the Health with a wide range of projects. & Safety Commission and a His academic career started strong advocate of trade union on a trade union scholarship education, but will be best to Ruskin in the 1950s, and in remembered as a formidable the 1960s and 1970s he was lay representative of Hull closely involved in the major dockworkers. After becoming national debates on employment a docker, he joined the TGWU legislation. From 1973 1986 he and was heavily involved in its was chair of the Railway Staff unofficial Joint Shop Stewards National Tribunal, and his skills as Committee, campaigning against an arbitrator in difficult disputes casualisation in Britain's ports were highly regarded. and advancing the terms and conditions of dockworkers. He won a seat on the TGWU's executive council in 1970 and served on a number of TUC committees, including the employment policy and organisation committee.

130 Opportunities Commission and Bill Rankin, who died at the Fair Employment Commission in age of 91, was deputy general Northern Ireland. Latterly she was secretary of NALGO from 1976 involved in the Vital Voices Global 1982. He joined the union as a Partnership, an international district officer in 1951, before women's organisation. In 2011, moving to head office in 1967 to Newsweek magazine described join the health negotiating team her as one of 150 women who and subsequently represent gas shake the world . and local government workers. He led NALGO's campaigns Jim Mortimer, who died in April against damaging public aged 92, was a trade unionist spending cuts in the 1970s, as who became general secretary well as the union's support for the of the Labour Party. After starting Grunwick strikers. work as a dockyard apprentice, he won a TUC scholarship to Dee Rogers, who died in study at Ruskin College and in December aged 62, was Inez McCormack (above), 1945 joined the TUC's economic unionlearn's co-ordinator for who died in January aged 66, department. In 1948 he began bargaining and skills in the South was the President of the Irish a steady rise through the trade West until 2011. She worked for Congress of Trade Unions from union movement when he joined the TUC for 11 years and played 1999 2001 and also UNISON the Draughtsmen's and Allied a major role in developing union- regional secretary for Northern Technicians' Association. In 1968 based workplace learning in Ireland. A formidable campaigner he joined Barbara Castle's Prices the region. and human rights activist, she and Incomes Board, and became was an outstanding champion a board member of the London of low-paid workers and played Transport Executive in 1971. In a prominent role in the 1980s 1975 he was appointed to run campaigns against privatisation. the newly-established Advisory She later received international Conciliation and Arbitration recognition for her part in the Service and was Labour's general Northern Ireland peace process. secretary from 1982 1985. After Inez became the first female his retirement, he contributed full-time official of the National to the work of the Institute of Union of Public Employees Employment Rights. (NUPE), where she worked from 1976 1993, before becoming Chris Murphy, who died in UNISON's first female regional January aged 66, was a member secretary. Throughout her life, of UCATT's national executive she championed the cause of and a prominent campaigner women in the workplace and in against blacklisting, bogus self- trade unions and was a founder employment and many other member of the Equal issues affecting building workers. He also championed council housing and represented UCATT on international issues, notably Cuba and Latin America.

continued overleaf

131 Obituaries

sectors went on strike, and the TUC called a one-day general strike. Afterwards the role of the NIRC was discredited and the anti-union Industrial Relations Act largely ignored. After becoming a union activist when he started work as a docker, Vic Turner was instrumental in the long fight to end casualisation in Britain's ports and secure better terms and conditions for dockworkers. He played a pivotal role in the 1970 1972 dockers' strike, and for the next 15 years continued to defend dockworkers as containerisation took hold in the Vic Turner (right), who died in shipping industry. After losing his December aged 85, was one job as a docker, he worked for of the Pentonville Five shop Newham Council, becoming a stewards from the TGWU who Labour councillor and then Mayor were jailed by the National of the borough in 1997 1998. Industrial Relations Court (NIRC) He was elected President of the for refusing to obey a court order United Campaign for the Repeal to stop picketing a container of Anti-Trade Union Laws, and depot in East London. In one of was awarded the TGWU gold the defining episodes of post- medal for his union work. In war industrial relations, the men 1997, Vic was presented with the were released five days later TUC gold badge in recognition after 35,000 dockers walked out, of his work on behalf of the 250,000 workers in newspapers, movement. transport, coal mines and other

132 Appendices Space 0 filler 1 Attendances 2 Committee membership 3 Accounts 4 Disputes between unions 5 Rules and standing orders Appendix 1 Attendances

General Council

At the time of going to press the General Council had held seven meetings during the Congress year.

Member Attendance Member Attendance

Bob Abberley1 6 Paul McCarthy 3 Sheila Bearcroft 5 Len McCluskey 2 Christine Blower 4 Sean McGovern 5 Mary Bousted 6 Lesley Mercer (Chair) 7 Joanna Brown 5 Gloria Mills 3 Tony Burke 6 Steve Murphy 2 Jane Carolan 4 Andrew Murray 3 Gail Cartmail 4 Ged Nichols 5 Mike Clancy 5 Christine Payne 5 Brian Cookson 5 Dave Penman 7 Manuel Cortes 7 Tim Poil 7 Bob Crow 5 Dave Prentis 2 Tony Dale 6 Alice Robinson 7 Mark Dickinson 4 Malcolm Sage 7 Maria Exall 7 Eddie Saville 7 Sue Ferns 6 Mark Serwotka 5 Larry Flanagan 5 Eleanor Smith 4 Steve Gillan 5 John Smith 5 Janice Godrich 4 Liz Snape 4 John Hannett 3 Michelle Stanistreet 2 Dave Harvey 4 Jane Stewart 2 Billy Hayes 5 Patricia Stuart 5 Sally Hunt 4 Chris Tansley4 3 Karen Jennings2 1 Mohammad Taj 6 Tony Kearns 6 Steve Turner 6 Chris Keates 1 Simon Weller 7 Paul Kenny 4 Fiona Wilson 6 Michael Leahy 4 Tony Woodhouse 4 Angela Lynes 0 Matt Wrack 5 Leslie Manasseh 5 Brendan Barber5 3 Sue Mather3 3 Frances O'Grady6 4 Fern McCaffrey 4

1 left June 2013 NOTE: It is not possible to list all the reasons for 2 joined July 2013 absence but it should be noted that the main 3 joined December 2012 reasons given are other TUC commitments, union 4 joined late October 2012 business and sickness. 5 retired December 2012 6 took up post January 2013

134 Executive Committee

At the time of going to press the Executive Committee had held ten meetings during the Congress year.

Member Attendance

Sheila Bearcroft 5 Christine Blower 6 Mary Bousted 9 Tony Burke 5 Jane Carolan 8 Gail Cartmail 5 John Hannett 7 Billy Hayes 4 Sally Hunt 4 Chris Keates 1 Paul Kenny 0 Mick Leahy 3 Leslie Manasseh 9 Len McCluskey 3 Lesley Mercer (chair) 10 Gloria Mills 6 Ged Nichols 7 Dave Prentis 5 Mark Serwotka 5 John Smith 8 Liz Snape 8 Steve Turner 8 Matt Wrack 7 Brendan Barber1 3 Frances O'Grady2 7

1 retired December 2012 2 took up post January 2013

NOTE: It is not possible to list all the reasons for absence but it should be noted that the main reasons given are other TUC commitments, union business and sickness.

135 Appendix 2 Committee membership

Disabled workers’ committee UNISON Julie Robinson2 Kim Silver3 General Council Unite Manuel Cortes1 Julian Allam Ged Nichols Lesley McCallum Paul McCarthy Manjeet Sandhu Sean McGovern (chair) Malcolm Sage 1 From September 2012 2 Until May 2013 3 From May 2013 Elected at the Disability Conference

Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union Lesbian, gay, bisexual and Martin Kelly trans committee

Community Robert Mooney General Council

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Maria Exall (chair) Cliff Towson Julia Neal3 Ged Nichols Communication Workers Union Tim Poil Tony Sneddon Simon Weller

GMB Les Woodward Elected at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Conference NASUWT David Bryson2 Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers Michelle Williams and Firemen Darran Brown National Union of Journalists Ann Galpin Association of Teachers and Lecturers Julia Neal2 National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Community Janine Booth3 Richard Angell1

National Union of Teachers Communication Workers Union Mandy Hudson Laurie Smith

Public and Commercial Services Union Fire Brigades’ Union Mark Leopard Stewart Brown1 Pat Carberry2 POA Robert Steadman2 FDA Roland Zollner Prospect John Swaney GMB Philip Brannan2 University and College Union David Braniff-Herbert Patricia Roche Tony Hughes1 Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah

136 NASUWT Pensioners committee Alan Phippen

National Union of Teachers General Council Dave Brinson1 Annette Pryce2 Michael Leahy (chair)

Public and Commercial Services Union Jan Baxter1 Affiliated unions Christopher Carroll2 Tony West Prison Officers Association Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Anne Ruzylo1 Firemen Helen Ffrench2 Dennis Gadsby Prospect BACM-Team Graham Nash2 Sue Stelfox Trevor Phillips Julian Soddy RMT British Air Line Pilots’ Association Jill Elder1 Peter Lightfoot University and College Union Community Paul Hambley Graham Wilson UNISON Communication Workers Union Dettie Gould1 Beverley Miller Derrick Baker Asha Wolfe-Robinson2 J Rogers GMB Unite Harry McAnulty1 Margaret Pearce Nigel Marley NAPO Ann Morgan1 Samantha Webster Moore2 Paul Smith Michelle Winstanley2 Pat O©Donnell NASUWT USDAW Neil Smale Pat Healy National Union of Journalists Secretary Sarah Veale Marion Wilson National Union of Teachers 1 Until July 2013 2 From July 2013 Peter Wood 3 Until September 2012 Public and Commercial Services Union

Mike Moriarty Prospect

Ron Douglas National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers

William Jupp TGWU Retired Members Association

137 Appendix 2 Committee membership

Norman Jemison Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph University and College Union and Theatre Union Faisal A Quereshi David Kippest UNISON Communication Workers’ Union Amarjite Singh Mike Pike Bob Pinkerton Community Unite Carol Hodgson2

Geoff Page Fire Brigades’ Union Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers Michael Nicholas

Elizabeth Taylor FDA David Morgan Sarah Guerra1 SERTUC Pensioners Committee GMB George Bell Sharon Harding Northern TUC Pensioners Committee Dotun Alade Odumosu

John Pearce NASUWT South West TUC Pensioners Network Michelle Codrington-Rogers

Sheena Gordon National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Midlands TUC Pensioners Network Workers Glenroy Watson2 Frank Cooper National Pensioners Convention National Union of Teachers Betty Joseph Helen Nadin Secretary Public and Commercial Services Union Pav Akhtar1 Lorna Campbell1 Race relations committee Zita Holbourne

General Council Prospect Freddie Brown

Mark Dickinson Society of Radiographers John Hannett Indira Bhansali1 Billy Hayes Leslie Manasseh University and College Union Fern McCaffrey Gargi Bhattacharyya Gloria Mills CBE (chair) Professor Cecile Wright2 Tim Poil Jim Thakoordin2 Eleanor Smith John Smith UNISON Mohammed Taj Mark Clifford1

Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers Elected at the Black Workers’ Conference Maureen Loxley

Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Unite Firemen Collette Cork-Hurst Floyd Doyle Nazerin Wardopp

138

Secretary NASUWT Sarah Veale Kathy Duggan National Union of Teachers 1 Until April 2013 Max Hyde 2 From April 2013 Public and Commercial Services Union Sue Bond The women’s committee POA Sheila Bearcroft Barbara Baker Christine Blower Mary Bousted RMT Joanna Brown Jennifer Gray3 Jane Carolan Tracey Darker2 Gail Cartmail Maria Exall Transport Salaried Staff’s Association Sue Ferns Pauline McArdle3 Janice Godrich Sally Hunt University and College Union Chris Keates Maire Daley3 Angela Lynes Lesley Mercer UNISON Fern McCaffrey1 Clare Williams3 Gloria Mills CBE Eleanor Smith Alice Robinson Lucia McKeever Eleanor Smith Liz Snape MBE Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers Michelle Stanistreet Jackie McNeil2 Patricia Stuart (chair) Sujata Patel Fiona Wilson Hayley Pickles3

Unite Elected at the Women’s Conference Diana Holland Susan Matthews Communication Workers’ Union Jane Stewart3 Linda Roy Samantha Webster-Moore2

Community Secretary Tracy Barlow Sarah Veale

Equity 1 From September 2012 Jean Rogers2 2 From March 2013 3 Until March 2013 Fire Brigades’ Union Denise Christie3 Sam Rye2

GMB Sharon Harding Evelyn Martin Lorraine Parker

Musician’s Union Barbara White3

139 Appendix 2 Committee membership

Trades union councils’ joint TUC educational trust and consultative committee Roosevelt memorial trust trustees

Sheila Bearcroft General Council Michael Leahy Paul Kenny Bob Crow (Chair) Gloria Mills Dave Harvey Lesley Mercer (chair) Pat Stuart Dave Prentis Matt Wrack Frances O'Grady

Northern Secretary Kathy Taylor* Liz Rees

Yorkshire and the Humber Kevin Donnelly TUC young workers’ forum

North West Alec McFadden General Council

Midlands (East) Fern McCaffrey (Chair) Moz Greenshields

Midlands (West) Jason Hill Affiliated unions

East of England Affiliates are allowed to send two delegates to each Teresa MacKay meeting of the Young Workers Forum, one of whom must be a women. This delegates listed below are South East those who were nominated and represented their Linda Kietz unions at Forum meetings since Congress 2012.

Wales Association of Teachers and Lecturers Amarjite Singh Richard Thompson Jane Dennis South West Victoria Josiah Andy Robertson Robert Goddard

Broadcasting Entertainment and Theatre Union * from June 2013 (replaced John McCormack) Hannah O'Grady Christopher Davies

Communications Workers Union David Fuller Helen Mead Olufemi Igbekele Corita O'Leary

Equity Kezia Davis

Fire Brigades Union David Pitt

140 GMB TUC trustees Freddie Vanson Ryan ward Billy Hayes Sarah Worth Chris Keates Dave Prentis Musicians Union Emily Stewart

NASUWT Heads of department Suzanne Rule Joseph Williams Campaigns and Communications Nigel Stanley Nautilus International Martyn Gray Economic and Social Affairs Nicola Smith National Union of Teachers Nonie Lambert Equality and Employment Rights Robert Chaval Sarah Veale CBE

Prospect European Unions and International Relations Debbie Wilson Owen Tudor Benjamin Clarkson Management Services and Administration Public and Commercial Services Union David Hemington Stephanie Smethurst Lee Vernon Organisation and Services Debbie Mallet Kevin Rowan Jayne Warburton (vice-chair) Unionlearn UNISON Tom Wilson Rebecca Davies Graham Smith (vice chair)

Unite Anna Lavery Bryan Simpson

Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers David Owens Shawney Hind Becky Davies

141 Appendix three Accounts

Statement of the general Independent auditor’s report council’s responsibilities to the members of the trades union congress Trade Union law requires the General Council to prepare financial statements in accordance with We have audited the financial statements of the applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Trades Union Congress (TUC) for the year ended Accepted Accountancy Practice for each financial 31 December 2012 which comprise the Income and year which give a true and fair view of the state of Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and the the affairs of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and related notes. The financial reporting framework that of the surplus or deficit of the TUC for that period. has been applied in their preparation is applicable In preparing those financial statements, the General law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Council is required to:- (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). i. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; This report is made solely to the TUC's members, as a body, in accordance with the Trade Union and ii. Make judgements and estimates that Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Our are reasonable and prudent; audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Union's members those matters we are iii. State whether applicable accounting required to state to them in an auditor's report and standards have been followed; for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility iv. Prepare the financial accounts on the going to anyone other than the TUC and its members as concern basis unless it is inappropriate to a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the presume that the TUC will continue to operate. opinions we have formed.

The General Council is also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with Respective responsibilities of the reasonable accuracy at any time the financial General Council and auditor position of the TUC and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the As explained more fully in the Statement of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) General Council`s Responsibilities, the General Act 1992. It must also establish and maintain a Council is responsible for the preparation of the satisfactory system of control over its accounting financial statements and for being satisfied that they records, its cash holdings and all its receipts and give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit remittances. and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those of the TUC and hence for taking reasonable steps standards require us to comply with the Auditing for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Practices Board©s Ethical Standards for Auditors. irregularities.

142 Scope of the audit of the financial statements Matters on which we are required to report by exception An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements We have nothing to report in respect of the following sufficient to give reasonable assurance that matters where the Trade Union and Labour Relations the financial statements are free from material (Consolidation) Act 1992 requires us to report to you misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. if, in our opinion: This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the union©s ȓ adequate accounting records have not been kept, circumstances and have been consistently applied or returns adequate for our audit have not been and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness received from branches not visited by us; or of significant accounting estimates made by the General Council; and the overall presentation of ȓ The union has not maintained a satisfactory the financial statements. In addition, we read all system of control over its transactions in the financial and non-financial information in the accordance with the requirements of section Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies 28 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations with the audited financial statements. If we become (Consolidation) Act 1992; or aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for ȓ the financial statements are not in agreement with our report. the accounting records and returns; or

ȓ certain disclosures within the form AR21 of Opinion on financial statements Officers' remuneration specified by law are not made; or In our opinion the financial statements: ȓ we have not received all the information and ȓ give a true and fair view of the state of the TUC's explanations we require for our audit. affairs as at 31 December 2012 and of its surplus for the year then ended; CHANTREY VELLACOTT DFK LLP ȓ have been properly prepared in accordance with Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting London Practice; and

ȓ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

143 Appendix three Accounts

Trades Union Congress Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2012

Note Total Admin Development Unionlearn Dilapidations fund fund £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Income Affiliation fees 15,899 12,847 2,100 952 Property rental and service charges 2,981 2,981 Investment income 468 468 Sales and publications 226 205 21 Donations and fees received 22,577 140 1,426 21,011 Total income 42,151 16,641 3,547 21,963 –

Expenditure Staff costs 2 16,296 8,528 1,069 6,699 Property charges 3 3,665 2,127 127 658 753 Office expenses 4 4,723 1,841 1,375 1,507 International affiliation fees 5 1,878 1,878 Travel and meetings 831 221 176 434 Congress 167 167 Trade Union education 500 19 307 174 Grants and donations 6 12,740 133 116 12,491 Depreciation 542 542 Taxation 7 58 58 VAT recovered (97) (97) Transfer between funds 836 2 (2) (836) Total expenditure 41,303 16,253 3,172 21,961 (83) Operating surplus 848 388 375 2 83

Other recognised gains and losses Loss on foreign exchange (13) (13) Loss on disposal of investments (48) (48) Pension scheme actuarial loss 14 (463) (463) FRS 17 adjustment 14 1,170 1,170 Total other recognised gains and losses 646 646 – – –

Surplus for year 1,494 1,034 375 2- 83 Funds brought forward 1 January 2011 13,567 6,797 6,422 (2) 350 Funds carried forward 31 December 2012 15,061 7,831 6,797 – 433

144 Trades Union Congress Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2011

Note Total Admin Development Unionlearn Dilapidations fund fund £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Income Affiliation fees 15,198 12,595 1,657 946 Property rental and service charges 3,037 3,037 Investment income 472 472 Sales and publications 155 153 1 1 Donations and fees received 26,011 154 2,105 23,752 Total income 44,873 16,411 3,763 24,699 –

Expenditure Staff costs 2 15,741 8,212 1,072 6,457 Property charges 3 3,108 1,997 132 663 316 Office expenses 4 5,270 1,749 1,208 2,313 International affiliation fees 5 1,946 1,946 Travel and meetings 847 203 210 434 Congress 156 156 Trade Union education 521 18 193 310 Grants and donations 6 14,883 164 197 14,522 Depreciation 523 523 Taxation 7 408 408 VAT recovered (42) (42) Transfer between funds 490 (490) Total expenditure 43,361 15,824 3,012 24,699 (174) Operating surplus 1,512 587 751 – 174

Other recognised gains and losses Profit / (Loss) on foreign exchange (6) (6) Profit on sales of assets 13 13 Profit on disposal of short-term investments 52 52 Pension scheme actuarial loss 14 (1,368) (1,368) Pension scheme other FRS 17 movements 14 1,420 1,420 Total other recognised gains and losses 111 111 – – –

Surplus for year 1,623 698 751 – 174 Funds brought forward 1 January 2011 11,944 6,099 5,671 (2) 176 Funds carried forward 31 December 2011 13,567 6,797 6,422 (2) 350

145 Appendix three Accounts

Trades Union Congress Balance sheet as at 31 December 2012

Note 2012 2011 £’000 £’000 Assets Tangible fixed assets 8 592 722 Investments 9 9,639 9,667

Current assets Short term loans 122 91 Debtors and prepayments 10 3,946 4,540 Cash at bank and in hand 12,242 10,797

16,310 15,428

Less: current liabilities Creditors and accrued expenses 11 7,702 7,897

Net current assets 8,608 7,531

Net assets less current liabilities 18,839 17,920

Less: Provision for liabilities and charges 12 1,804 1,672

Net assets before pension liability 17,035 16,248 Pension liability 14 1,974 2,681

15,061 13,567

Financed by Funds employed 14,628 13,217 Designated fund: Dilapidations reserve 433 350 Net assets 15,061 13,567

Approved by the General Council on 25 June 2013 Lesley Mercer, President

146 Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies a Basis of Accounts The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost basis of accounting and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards.

b Affiliation Fee Income Affiliation fees are shown in the accounts on the basis of those amounts collected and due from members in respect of the year under review.

c Donations and fees income Donations and fees income is recognised in the accounts on an accruals basis in accordance with the underlying conditions attached to it.

d Depreciation Fixed assets are stated at a cost. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets on a straight line basis, at rates estimated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life. Freehold property 10% per annum on cost Furniture and Fittings 10% per annum on cost as applicable Equipment 20% 50% per annum on cost as applicable Motor Vehicles 25% per annum on cost

e Operating Leases Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

f Investments Investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost less provision for any permanent diminution in value.

g Pension The Trades Union Congress Superannuation Society Limited pension scheme is a defined benefit scheme. The amounts charged to Income and Expenditure Account are the current service costs. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the Income and Expenditure account.

The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Trades Unions Congress in a separate trustee administered fund. Pension scheme assets are measured at fair value and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and a discounted rate equivalent to the current rate of return on high quality corporate bonds of equivalent currency and term to the scheme liabilities

2 Staff costs 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Salaries and national insurance 13,190 12,782 Pension contributions 2,350 2,231 Welfare and training 430 428 Restructuring costs 255 203 Advertising and recruitment 71 97

16,296 15,741

147 Appendix three Accounts

3 Property charges 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Rent and rates 1,053 1,010 Heating and lighting 313 208 Cleaning 146 211 Insurance 100 85 Building repairs and renewals 343 323 External functions 957 955 Expenditure from dilapidations fund 753 316

3,665 3,108

4 Office expenses 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Communications 358 370 Stationery and printed materials 798 1,056 Renewals and repairs to office equipment 1,168 1,193 Motor expenses 1 2 Audit fees 47 41 Bank charges 17 13 Loan interest (30) Legal costs 88 38 Projects and campaigns 628 891 Conferences 35 40 Finance and management 168 161 Consultancy fees 1,335 1,418 Facilitators 25 51 Training and Development 20 51 Provision for doubtful debts 35 (25)

4,723 5,270

5 International affiliation fees 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

ICFTU 1,011 1,059 ETUC 784 799 TUAC 83 88

1,878 1,946

148 6 Grants and donations 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Tolpuddle Martyrs Memorial Trust 75 80 TUC Educational Trust 47 72 Sundry 27 49 Union Learn Fund 12,491 14,552 Grants to organisations overseas 100 130

12,740 14,883

7 Taxation This represents tax due on investment income, rents receivable and capital gains arising on disposal of investments.

2012 2011 £’000 £’000

(Over)/under provision in prior years (168) 8 Provision for the year 226 400

58 408

8 Fixed assets

Freehold Furniture Equipment Motor Total property & fittings vehicles

Cost £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 1 January 2012 5,366 480 953 68 6,867 Additions 412 412

31 December 2012 5,366 480 1,365 68 7,279

Depreciation 1 January 2012 (5,049) (402) (672) (22) (6,145) Charge for year (223) (30) (272) (17) (542)

31 December 2012 (5,272) (432) (947) (39) (6,687)

Book value 31 December 2012 94 48 421 29 592

31 December 2011 317 78 281 46 722

The Trades Union Congress holds the freehold of Congress House / Bainbridge House, Great Russell Street, London WC1N 3LS. The property is not recognised in the balance sheet as it has a £nil cost with the original value being met from a fund raised specifically for that purpose.

The property was valued by Jones Lang LaSalle on 26 March 2012 at £30.5m. A charge was registered against the property on 28 March 2006 for £9m in favour of the TUC Superannuation Society Limited.

Expenditure on the property which increases its potential operating capacity is included within fixed assets as shown above. Other expenditure is written off in the year in which it is incurred. 149 Appendix three Accounts

9 Investments

Cost brought Additions Disposals Cost carried forward at forward at 01.01.2012 31.12.2012

£ £ £ £ Quoted UK Quoted 2,298,719 728,135 (758,973) 2,267,881 International Quoted 7,352,653 6,940,737 (6,937,228) 7,356,162

9,651,372 7,668,872 (7,696,201) 9,624,043

UK Unquoted Unity Trust `A' shares 500 500 Unity Trust `C' shares 300 300 Union Energy Limited 8,750 8,750 Wortley Hall 10 10 Investment in MSI Brussels 5,651 5,651

15,211 15,211

9,666,583 7,668,872 (7,696,201) 9,639,254

The market value of quoted investments at 31 December 2012 was £10,036,554.

10 Debtors and prepayments 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Trade Debtors 1,101 362 Other debtors 199 224 Prepayments and accrued income 2,646 3,954

3,946 4,540

11 Creditors and accrued expenses 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Trade Creditors 2,062 1,033 Taxation and social security 680 652 Other creditors 12 72 Accruals and deferred income 4,948 6,140

7,702 7,897

150 12 Provision for liabilities and charges

A provision has been made to reflect payments expected to arise from project funded activities which have a defined term of operation.

13 Commitments – operating leases

At 31 December 2012 the TUC had annual printing and office equipment leasing commitments of £480,742 (2011: £648,798); £153,298 due within one year (2011: £173,467), £298,791 between two and five years (2011: £380,181) and after five years £28,653 (2011: £94,150).

14 Pension costs The Trades Union Congress operates one defined benefit scheme in the UK which offers both pensions in retirement and death benefits to members. Pension benefits are related to the members' final salary at retirement and their length of service. Employer contributions to the scheme for the year beginning 1 January 2013 are expected to be £2,400,000.

The major assumptions used by the actuary were (in nominal terms); At At 31.12.2012 31.12.2011

Rate of increase in salaries 3.80% 3.70% Rate of increase in pensions in payment RPI, capped at 2.5% per annum 2.10% 2.10% RPI, capped at 5.0% per annum 3.10% 3.10% RPI, 3% per annum minimum and 5.0% per annum maximum 3.70% 3.70% Discount rate 4.10% 4.60% RPI Inflation assumption 3.30% 3.20% CPI Inflation assumption 2.30% 2.20% Revaluation in deferment* 2.30% 2.20%

Assumed life expectancies on retirement at age 65 are: Retiring today Males 88.0 87.9 Females 89.7 89.6 Retiring in 20 years time Males 89.8 89.7 Females 91.7 91.6

*Note that the revaluation of deferred pensions between leaving and retirement is subject to an underpin of 3 per cent per annum

The assumptions used in determining the overall expected return of the scheme have been set with reference to yields available on government bonds and appropriate risk margins.

151 Appendix three Accounts

The assets in the scheme and the expected rate of return were: Long-term Value Long-term Value rate of at rate of at return 31.12.2012 return 31.12.2011 expected at expected at 31.12.2012 31.12.2011 £’000 £’000

Equities 6.02% 24,453 5.96% 20,434 Bonds 4.10% 42,380 4.60% 36,051 Cash 3.02% 1,356 2.96% 1,171 Other 6.02% 9,047 5.96% 8,672 Fair value of plan assets 77,596 66,328 The actual return on assets over the period was 10,197 6,058

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows:

Present value of scheme liabilities (79,570) (69,009) Fair value of scheme assets 77,596 66,328

Pension liability (1,974) (2,681)

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the present value of the scheme liabilities 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Liabilities at beginning of year 69,009 62,397 Current service cost 1,519 1,299 Interest cost 3,172 3,350 Contributions by scheme participants 568 541 Actuarial (gain) loss 7,394 3,842 Benefits paid (2,092) (2,420)

Liabilities at end of year 79,570 69,009

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the fair value of scheme assets 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Fair value of scheme assets at beginning of year 66,328 59,664 Expected return on scheme assets 3,455 3,773 Actuarial gain (loss) 6,931 2,474 Contributions by employers 2,406 2,296 Contributions by plan participants 568 541 Benefits paid (2,092) (2,420)

Fair value of scheme assets at end of year 77,596 66,628

Amount recognised in income and expenditure account Actuarial gains (losses) (463) (1,368)

152 History of scheme assets, obligations and experience adjustments

31.12.2012 31.12.2011 31.12.2010 31.12.2009 31.12.2008 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000

Present value of scheme liabilities 79,570 69,009 62,397 56,439 48,076 Fair value of scheme assets 77,596 66,328 59,664 52,274 45,034 Surplus (deficit) in the scheme (1,974) (2,681) (2,733) (4,165) (3,042) Experience adjustments arising on scheme liabilities (461) 4,425 (287) (810) (297) Experience item as a percentage of scheme liabilities 0.6% 6.4% -0.5% -1.4% -0.6% Experience adjustments arising on scheme assets 6,931 2,474 2,737 3,567 (4,925) Experience item as a percentage of scheme assets 8.9% 3.7% 4.6% 6.8% -10.9% Actuarial gains (loss) shown in the STRGL (463) (61) (1,368) (61) (2,415)

Amounts recognised in the income and expenditure account: 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

Analysis of the amount credited to other finance income Expected return on pension scheme assets 3,455 3,773 Interest on pension scheme liabilities (3,172) (3,350)

Net return 283 423

Analysis of the amounts charged to other recognised gains and losses Actuarial loss on scheme liabilities 7,394 3,842 Actuarial gain on scheme assets (6,931) (2,474)

463 1,368

Current service cost 1,519 1,299 Interest cost 3,172 3,350 Expected return on scheme assets (3,455) (3,773) Contributions by plan participants (2,406) (2,296)

(1,170) (1,420)

153 Appendix three Accounts

15 Related parties

During the year the TUC had transactions with the following charities which are under it's control through the appointment of trustees: 2012 2011 £’000 £’000

TUC Educational Trust Owed to TUC Opening balance 58,123 40,210 Payments to TUC (58,123) (72,000) Scholarship 8,862 Net costs paid through TUC 39,102 89,913

Closing balance 47,964 58,123

Tolpuddle Martyr Memorial Trust Owed to TUC Opening balance 119,496 117,780 Payments to TUC (119,496) (80,000) Net costs paid through TUC 81,317 81,716

Closing balance 81,317 119,496

TUC Aid Owed to TUC Opening balance 10,122 19,229 Payments to TUC (10,122) (19,229) Net costs paid through TUC 28,581 10,122

Closing balance 28,581 10,122

154 Appendix four Disputes between unions

RMT and Community – Serco, 4. With regard to the alleged breach of principle London Cycle Hire Scheme 2, Community rejected the allegation that any individual had been pressured into leaving RMT to join Community; and further rejected 1. A TUC Disputes Committee composed of the suggestion that the union's actions Lesley Mercer (Chair, TUC President and were in any way related to the subsequent Director of Industrial Relations, Chartered dismissal of an RMT activist by Serco LCHS. Society of Physiotherapy), Ged Nichols Community suggested it could have potentially (member of the General Council and General raised a counter-complaint under principle 2, Secretary of Accord) and Matt Wrack (member with regard to a formal collective grievance of the General Council and General Secretary concerning the alleged conduct of Community of the FBU); with Paul Nowak (TUC Assistant full-time officials signed by a number of General Secretary) acting as Secretary and Carl Serco LCHS employees in March 2013. Roper (National Organiser, TUC Organisation and Services Department) also present, met 5. Bob Crow (General Secretary), Peter Pinkney 4 April 2013 to consider a complaint made by (President) and Dave Marshall (Recruitment RMT against Community concerning Serco, and Retention Organiser) represented London Cycle Hire Scheme (Serco LCHS). RMT. Paul Talbot (Media and Political Officer) and Terry Pye (National Operations 2. In outline RMT complained that: Manager) represented Community.

a. Community had breached principle 3 of the Principles and Procedures, Alleged breach of principle 3 by signing a single union recognition agreement with Serco LCHS, undermining 6. The complaints presented by RMT relate to a the position of the RMT who claimed dispute over union recognition at Serco LCHS. to have been actively organising in On 29 February 2012 Community signed Serco LCHS since October 2010. a single union recognition agreement with Serco LCHS covering all employees below b. Community had breached principle 2, by Assistant Director level. Community insist that actively encouraging an RMT activist to at the time it signed the agreement it was leave the union and to take up a position not aware of any RMT organising activity. as a Community lay representative. 7. Serco was awarded the contract to run the 3. The Community response, in outline, was London Cycle Hire Scheme in August 2009, and that at the point at which the union signed has operated the scheme since summer 2010. the recognition agreement with Serco The company now employs up to 250 people, LCHS, Community was unaware that mainly concentrated in two sites Sugar House RMT was engaged in organising activity Lane in Stratford and Penton Street, in Islington. in Serco LCHS. The union had only been made aware of such activity after the 8. In their statement of case, and at the hearing, recognition agreement had been signed, RMT presented evidence to suggest that they and that since that point Community had had been actively organising in Serco LCHS made significant efforts to resolve the issue since October 2010. This organising activity was which had arisen between the unions. initiated following a request from a Serco LCHS employee later to become an RMT activist. It is clear from evidence presented to the Disputes Committee that RMT had organised a significant number of members over the period from October 2010 to Spring 2012. Membership lists provided by the union backed by email correspondence between members of the RMT organising team suggest that by March 2012 RMT had recruited 48 members (approximately 24 per cent of the workforce).

155155 Appendix four Disputes between unions

9. On 6 March 2012, the RMT's London Regional 14. Whilst this meeting did not resolve the issue Organiser wrote to Serco LCHS to request a between the unions, on 26 September 2012, meeting to discuss voluntary recognition. The the General Secretary of Community wrote company maintain that they responded to this to the General Secretary of the RMT to letter on 28 March 2012, suggesting that the confirm that he would be willing to facilitate parties sought the assistance of ACAS. RMT and attend a meeting between the RMT and insist that the union did not receive this letter. Serco LCHS. He expressed his hope that, ‘... hopefully we can resolve outstanding issues 10. RMT subsequently submitted a formal claim arising from our Recognition Agreement for recognition at Serco LCHS through as result of this initiative’. This meeting the CAC sending notification of a formal attended by both General Secretaries and request for recognition to the company the Serco Director of ER/IR, UK & Europe on 2 April 2012, and submitting a formal took place on 5 November 2012. On 30 request to the CAC on 24 April 2012. December 2012, the Serco Director of ER/IR, UK & Europe wrote to the RMT to 11. On 9 May 2012, Serco LCHS wrote to the decline the RMT's request for recognition. CAC to say that the company already had a, ‘pre-existing voluntary recognition agreement 15. On 7 January 2013, the RMT formally wrote to for the purposes of collective bargaining, the TUC to request that this issue be considered with Community. This agreement pre-dates by a TUC Disputes Committee alleging that any request from the RMT regarding the Community had breached principle 3. same...’. With this agreement in place, the company therefore indicated it was 16. In both their statement of case, and in their not agreeable to recognise RMT; and that evidence to the hearing, the RMT made the in its view the CAC had no authority to following key points. The first was that at no proceed with the RMT's application. This stage prior to reaching recognition with Serco position was reiterated in a letter from Serco LCHS, did Community attempt to identify if LCHS to the RMT on 18 May 2012. any other union had a membership and/or organisational interest in Serco LCHS. Secondly, 12. On 18 May 2012, the company also wrote to that Community did not notify the TUC General all employees to inform them that, following Secretary, as provided for under rule, of its a request from the union and ongoing intention to reach a single union agreement discussions, the company had entered with Serco LCHS. Thirdly, that the agreement into a voluntary recognition agreement reached between Community and Serco LCHS with Community in February 2012. did not reflect the wishes of the majority of the workforce, and that this was reflected in the 13. The RMT General Secretary subsequently respective membership levels of both unions wrote to the Community General Secretary in Serco LCHS (RMT provided evidence to on 21 May 2012, to highlight his view that suggest that they currently had 67 members Community's decision to sign an agreement employed in Serco LCHS); fourthly, that with Serco LCHS was in contravention Community previously refused to provide details of principle 3. This, and subsequent of its membership levels within Serco LCHS; correspondence, resulted in an informal and fifthly, that Serco LCHS had only revealed meeting between the unions held under the the existence of its agreement with Community auspices of the TUC on 11 July 2012. after the RMT had submitted its CAC claim.

156 17. With regard to this latter point, the RMT 19. Between October 2011-December 2011, stressed that Serco LCHS correspondence Community and Serco LCHS had discussions to the union on 28 March 2012 (which the regarding a framework agreement. These union disputes originally receiving), made no discussions stalled at the beginning of 2012 mention of a pre-existing recognition agreement as the company wished to insert a clause with Community. Further in correspondence relating to unilateral binding arbitration, which sent on 8 May 2012 to members of staff in Community would not accept. In February relation to their concerns regarding changes 2012 the company agreed that binding to shift patterns, the Operations Director of arbitration could only be triggered with the Serco LCHS stated categorically, ‘As Serco agreement of both parties and the agreement does not recognise a Trade Union currently was subsequently signed on 24 February there is no specific requirement for them to be 2012 by the company and 29 February 2012 involved in any consultation process relating by the union. At the time that the recognition to this, or any other business driven decision’. agreement was signed Community stated RMT asserted that it seemed implausible they believed they had 12 members in Serco that a senior manager would not be aware LCHS - this had now risen to 53 members of a ‘pre-existing recognition agreement’. none of whom were former RMT members. At the hearing, the RMT General Secretary Community agreed to provide the Committee reinforced this point, stating he found it hard to with membership records to substantiate these accept that, '...an operations manager knew figures. The union subsequently confirmed nothing of a recognition agreement nearly they had recruited a total of 58 members. three months after it had been signed’. 20. In response to the specific points raised by 18. In responding to the alleged breach of RMT, Community made the following points. principle 3, and in particular the points made Firstly, the union acknowledged it had not by RMT as in paragraph 16, Community set actively sought to identify if any other union(s) out the process by which they secured the had a membership or organisational interest recognition agreement with Serco LCHS. The in Serco LCHS prior to signing their single company had initially been identified as an union recognition agreement, nor had they organising opportunity by the union's regional informed the TUC General Secretary of their campaign manager in October 2011. The intention to sign such an agreement. union's National Operations Manager had subsequently made contact with the Serco 21. Secondly, Community acknowledged that Director of ER/IR, UK and Europe through it would have been appropriate to provide a mutual acquaintance. During discussions information about its membership levels in with the company, Community had asked if Serco LCHS at an earlier stage in the informal any other unions were organising on-site and discussions that the TUC had facilitated in were told they were not, and this reinforced 2012. It would now be happy to provide Community's view that this was a `greenfield' this information as quickly as possible. site. Community maintain that at no point up until March 2012 were they aware the RMT were actively organising in Serco LCHS. In support of this point, Community noted that the RMT request for recognition made on March 6, 2012, and in particular the use of the phrase ‘By way of introduction, I am the full-time official for the RMT Trade Union...’, coming two years after RMT claimed they started to actively organise the company suggested that RMT had made little or no effort to engage Serco LCHS directly. RMT did not contest this point, responding that their approach was to build membership to a sufficient level before directly approaching a company for recognition.

157 Appendix four Disputes between unions

22. Thirdly, Community was very clear that its Alleged breach of principle 2 and other issues recognition agreement had been signed in February 2012, well in advance and 24. Alongside the alleged breach of principle in no way connected to RMT's claim for 3, both unions addressed the issues recognition. In explaining the gap between around the alleged breach of principle 2. the signing of the recognition agreement and the company's formal announcement of the 25. RMT maintained that one of their leading agreement to staff, Community indicated activists in Serco LCHS who has that the union's priority had been reaching subsequently been dismissed by the company agreement on an Olympic bonus and premium was introduced to a full-time Community payments for weekend working. The union representative by the Serco Director of ER/ was clear that there had been ‘no conspiracy IR, UK and Europe; was encouraged by to keep the document under wraps’. The the full-time Community representative to union could provide no explanation as to why leave the RMT; and to take up a position as the Operations Director of Serco LCHS had a Community lay representative on facility seemingly told staff on May 8, 2012 that the time. RMT further alleged that the activist company did not recognise a trade union. One in question had since been dismissed in explanation might have been that there have part because of his failure to recognise been a typo error in the letter. (In subsequent Community's `presence in the workplace evidence submitted to the Committee by as legitimate'. The RMT stated that the Community, Serco LCHS have suggested activist who had provided a written statement that the Operations Director in question may had audio-recorded this conversation, have used an, ‘…old template and had not but that the union had not provided this in bothered to have it updated. [He] was in the evidence and did not intend to do so. process of negotiating his exit at around this time and I suspect that his mind was not tuned 26. Community acknowledged that a meeting had in to this level of detail’.) More pertinently, the taken place between the activist in question representatives from Community stressed that and a full-time Community representative. The their engagement with Serco LCHS had been exact nature of this conversation was unknown, through the Serco Director of ER/IR, UK and and may obviously be open to interpretation, Europe and the Contract Manager. However, although it would be fair to assume a ‘robust the union stressed that it had been engaged exchange’ of views had taken place. Whilst in negotiations with Serco LCHS regarding the Community acknowledged that, ‘In retrospect shift patterns referred to in the correspondence. that discussion should not have taken place’, Again, the union indicated it would be happy they were very clear that there was absolutely to provide the Committee with evidence no link at all between this conversation and that these negotiations had taken place. any subsequent disciplinary action taken by Serco LCHS. The Community representatives 23. Fourthly, Community reiterated that the made the point that the General Secretary union had helped facilitate a meeting of Community had on previous occasions between RMT and Serco LCHS. While made it clear the union would not accept any Community, its members and Executive activist of any union being dismissed on the Committee would not be prepared to grounds of trade union activity; and the union `walk-away' from its agreement with Serco would in no way be party to such a decision. LCHS, and had not actively supported the Community indicated that they believed RMT's efforts to secure recognition, the that the RMT was trying to link together union would not stand in the way if Serco events which were in no way connected. LCHS agreed to recognise the RMT.

158 27. As indicated in their statement of case, Award Community provided the Disputes Committee with recruitment materials produced in the name 30. The Disputes Committee carefully considered of the RMT in support of RMT's recognition all the evidence provided by both unions, campaign. These materials which had been both in the written statements and the oral subject to discussion at the informal meeting evidence given during the hearing. The between the unions facilitated by the TUC Committee was disappointed that the two in July 2012 included personal attacks on unions had not been able to resolve the named Community full-time officials. Community differences between them informally. At the also provided recent correspondence from informal meeting held in July 2012 a draft Serco, setting out a `Notice of Formal statement setting out an agreed way forward Grievance' in the form of a petition signed by a had been tabled, but this had not been agreed number of employees at Serco LCHS alleging by both parties. At the commencement of its ‘bullying and harassment’ by Community full- proceedings the Committee asked whether, time officers. Community commented on the even at this late stage, there was a possibility timing of this petition in relation to the date of of any agreed settlement without the need the hearing for the Disputes Committee, and for formal hearing. The parties indicated that the fact that to date no individuals had raised they believed such a settlement was not these allegations directly with the union. possible. Community in particular highlighted that they would not be prepared to agree to 28. With regard to the recruitment material the RMT's request that they formally withdraw tabled by Community, the RMT General from their existing recognition agreement. Secretary said he had not authorised this In light of the failure to resolve these issues material. Nevertheless he has aware that it informally, the Committee agreed that it had had been circulated in the name of the union no alternative other than to make a binding and was inappropriate. Further he had given award under rule 12(h) of the TUC rules an assurance at the informal meeting held (Disputes between Affiliated Organisations). in July 2012 that no further material of this nature would be produced and/or circulated, 31. The Committee were mindful that in considering and this had proven to be the case. their decision they were bound by the TUC Principles and Procedures, including the section entitled `The role of TUC Disputes Committees The current membership situation in disputes between affiliated organisations' contained therein at pages 24 26. 29. As outlined above, both unions now have members at Serco LCHS. As of 4 April 2012, 32. In its statement of case RMT outlined two Community had 53 members and the RMT substantive complaints. The first was that had 67 members. Both unions had members that Community had breached principle 3, on the two main Serco LCHS sites. which states that a union should not, ‘..make an approach to an employer or respond to an employer initiative, which would have the effect of , directly or indirectly, undermining the position of the established union, or the union currently engaged in that organising activity’. In addition principle 3 requires that, ‘When making sole negotiating rights or union membership agreements or arrangements affiliated unions should have regard to the interests of other unions which may be affected and should consider their position in the drafting of such agreements’, and that, ‘A union in the process of making a single union agreement, should at the initial stage of discussion, notify the TUC General Secretary of that fact with as many of the details as possible...’.

159 Appendix four Disputes between unions

33. The Committee considered all the evidence 37. The Committee noted that it is not uncommon provided by RMT in relation to this complaint. although poor practice and outwith the In addition it took into account the evidence Rules for unions to sign sole recognition offered by Community, and in particular agreements without recourse to sister unions or the union's insistence that the agreement the TUC. Indeed, the RMT acknowledged that with Serco LCHS had been signed in good they too had failed to notify the TUC General faith, and in the belief that no other union Secretary of their intention to seek a single was actively organising in the company. union recognition agreement with Serco LCHS as required under the terms of principle 3. 34. The Committee believe Community clearly breached principle 3. In evidence Community 38. In light of the above the Committee therefore accepted that they had not actively sought award that the RMT complaint in respect of to identify if any other union(s) had a Community's breach of principle 3 is upheld. membership or organisational interest in Serco LCHS prior to signing their single 39. RMT's second complaint was that union recognition agreement, nor had they Community had breached principle 2 of the informed the TUC General Secretary of their TUC Disputes Principles and Procedures, intention to sign such an agreement. which states that, ‘All affiliates of the TUC accept as a binding commitment to their 35. Community offered no evidence that it had continued affiliation to the TUC that they will run an active organising campaign in advance not knowingly and actively seek to take into of signing the recognition agreement with membership existing or ‘recent’ members Serco LCHS, and at the point at which the of another union by making recruitment agreement was signed they only had 12 approaches, either directly or indirectly, Serco LCHS employees in membership. In without the agreement of that organisation’. these circumstances, the Committee believe that Community should have done more 40. RMT had maintained that Community had to assure themselves that no other union breached principle 2, by actively encouraging an had an active organising campaign in Serco RMT activist to leave the union and to take up LCHS, beyond asking the company if this was a position as a Community lay representative. the case. Evidence presented by the RMT RMT further alleged that the activist in question suggests the union had over 40 Serco LCHS had since been dismissed in part because employees in membership at the point at which of his failure to recognise Community's Community signed its recognition agreement. `presence in the workplace as legitimate'.

36. The Committee was particularly concerned 41. In considering this complaint the Committee by the allegation made by the RMT that was very clear that it had no locus to consider Community's recognition agreement was signed any issues currently subject to, or likely to be as a result of the RMT making its request for subject to, Employment Tribunal proceedings, recognition. With regard to this issue, the except and in so far as they are covered by insistence by the Operations Director of Serco the TUC disputes principles and procedures. LCHS in his correspondence to staff on May With this in mind the Committee considered 8, 2012 seems at odds with the fact that the only that part of RMT's complaint potentially company signed its recognition agreement covered by principle 2, namely that a full-time with Community on 24 February 2012 Community representative had attempted to (subsequently ratified by the union on February encourage an RMT activist to leave the RMT 29, 2012). This anomaly notwithstanding, the and become a Community representative. Committee did not feel there was compelling evidence to suggest that Community had not signed the recognition agreement in good faith in February 2012 as they maintained.

160 42. Both unions accept that a meeting took place 48. Community has currently held a sole between the full-time Community representative recognition agreement in Serco LCHS for and the RMT activist. In their written statement over 12 months. This agreement provides of case, Community suggest that this meeting for accredited union representatives, facilities was purely to, ‘inform [the RMT activist] and paid time-off for these representatives, that Community was the recognised union and time off for trade union activities and and was in the process of negotiating the trade union meetings. However, despite these ‘Olympic bonus’ and improved overtime provisions, Community currently has fewer arrangements to accommodate the additional members in Serco LCHS than RMT. Many RMT work done by staff during the Games’. members are long-standing, and the union has maintained a significant and consistent 43. In his written evidence the RMT activist indicates membership within Serco LCHS despite the that he received a `number of phone calls' from fact it is not recognised by the company. Community full-time representatives, including the representative with whom he met. He 49. The Committee notes that Community has suggests that he was told he would be `looked indicated it would not be prepared to walk away after' if he became a Community representative. from its existing recognition agreement, in order to submit a claim for joint recognition with the 44. The Committee accepts the point made by RMT in Serco LCHS under the CAC procedure. Community at the hearing that the exact The Committee acknowledges that such a nature of this conversation or conversations move would risk alienating and confusing between the RMT activists and Community Community members; would not be guaranteed representative(s) are unknown, and may be to result in recognition (a number of unions have open to more than one interpretation. However, lost CAC applications for statutory recognition on balance, the Committee clearly believes that despite having a majority of workers within the on one or more occasion a full-time Community bargaining unit in membership); and that there is representative did attempt to encourage a possibility albeit remote that Serco LCHS an RMT activist to switch to Community. could decide to reach a recognition agreement with a non-TUC affiliate, thus frustrating any 45. In light of the above the Committee therefore claim for recognition through the CAC. award that the RMT complaint in respect of Community's breach of principle 2 is upheld. 50. The Committee further notes that while Community has indicated that it will not stand in 46. Turning to consider the full terms of its award the way of RMT securing voluntary recognition the Committee is directed by section (r) at Serco LCHS, this would require the support of the `Regulations governing procedures of the company. The letter from the Serco in regard to disputes between affiliated Director of ER/IR, UK and Europe to RMT dated organisations'. This sets out the need for a December 30, 2012, suggest that the company Disputes Committee to have, ‘general regard would not be minded to agree to an approach to the interests of the trade union movement from the RMT for voluntary recognition. and to the declared principles of Congress but shall in particular be guided by the Code 51. However, in light of the RMT's significant of Practice which includes the Principles membership in Serco LCHS, which the Governing Relations Between Unions...’. Committee believes reflects the `opinion of the workers concerned', the Committee 47. With particular regard to the Committee's believes that a joint recognition agreement award that Community breached principle 3, in Serco LCHS represents the fairest the Committee was mindful of that section and most sustainable approach to union of ‘The role of TUC Disputes Committees in representation and recognition. disputes between affiliated organisations’ which deals with cases concerning sole negotiating rights or union membership agreements and arrangements. This states that the Committee should, ‘take full account of the existing industry practices and agreements and the opinion of the workers concerned and any other material factors.’

161 Appendix four Disputes between unions

52. The Committee therefore award that: 56. The terms of the Censure are as follows: ‘Following a complaint made by RMT, and a a. Community should positively approach formal hearing, a TUC Disputes Committee Serco LCHS with a view to amending the has found that Community breached principles existing recognition agreement to allow RMT 2 & 3 of the TUC Disputes Principles and to become a party to the agreement. The Procedures. The Committee found that TUC will give full and and active support to Community signed a single union recognition these efforts to secure a joint Community/ agreement with Serco London Cycle Hire RMT recognition agreement in Serco LCHS Scheme (Serco LCHS) at a time when RMT was actively organising in Serco LCHS. In b. The TUC provide assistance to both addition the Committee found that, in breach of unions, as provided for under principle principle 2, Community actively encouraged an 1, to develop practical joint working RMT activist to leave the union and to take up arrangements in Serco LCHS. a position as a Community lay representative. The Committee have awarded that Community 53. With particular regard to the Committee's should positively approach Serco LCHS with award that Community breached principle 2, a view to amending the existing recognition the Committee formally remind Community agreement to allow RMT to become a party of their obligations under principle 2. Seeking to the agreement, and reminded the union to actively encourage an existing union of their commitments under principle 2.’ representative to join another union is against the substance and spirit of principle 2. 57. The Committee is minded to review the application of this award in six months 54. The Committee reflects that this breach reflects time. In the event that joint recognition the broader poor relationship between RMT has not been secured, the Committee and Community in Serco LCHS, exemplified reserves the right to amend its award. by the recruitment material issued by the RMT in the first half of 2012. Both unions 58. The Committee also notes the point made by produced materials printed and online both unions that there is likely to be a growth which could fairly be judged inappropriate, in London-style cycle hire schemes which may and which risked bringing the trade union be the focus of organising efforts by the two movement into disrepute. The Committee unions party to the dispute and other TUC notes that this material clearly cut across affiliates. With this in mind the Committee the terms of principle 1, which sets out the urges both unions to develop joint working responsibility of all unions to `build positive arrangements to prevent a recurrence of the inter-union relations...', and reminds both issues at the heart of this dispute. As provided unions of their clear obligations in this regard. for in principle 1, the TUC stands ready to assist in the drawing up of such working 55. With regard to the Committee's award that arrangements at the request of both parties. Community breached principles 2 and 3, the Committee issues a formal censure against 59. In addition the Committee reminds both unions Community as provided for in `The role of that, as provided for under rule 12(h) of the TUC the TUC Disputes Committees in disputes rules (Disputes Between Affiliated Organisations) between affiliated organisations'. The terms affiliated unions are required to be ‘bound by of this censure are set out below, and the any award of the Disputes Committee and Committee requires that the terms of the shall comply forthwith with such award’. censure are published in a prominent position in Community's journal and web-site. 60. Finally the Committee wish to thank the representatives of RMT and Community for the way in which they conducted themselves and gave their evidence throughout the course of the dispute hearing.

162 Appendix five TUC rules and standing orders (as at April 2013)

Part 1 Constitution The power of the General Council under this rule to accept or reject any application or terminate any affiliation is subject to the power of the next annual Rule 1 Congress to overrule any such decision.

Name, office and membership The General Council may also accept applications from organisations of local trade union branches to (a) NAME AND OFFICE: The name of the register as Trades Councils, County Trades Councils organisation constituted by these rules shall or County Associations where they comply with be the `Trades Union Congress' (hereinafter such requirements as determined by the General called `the Congress'), and its principal office Council including in particular to have a clear shall be at Congress House, 23-28 Great commitment to promote equality for all. Registration Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS, or such in this capacity does not consist of affiliation and other places as the General Council of the confers no authorisation to speak or act on behalf of Congress (hereinafter called `the General the Trades Union Congress. Council') shall from time to time decide.

(b) MEMBERSHIP: The Congress shall Rule 2 consist of such bona fide trade union organisations as satisfy the requirements Objects of these rules and are affiliated in the manner prescribed by these rules. (a) The objects of the Congress shall be:

Any such organisation may make application to To do anything to promote the interests of all or any become affiliated to Congress and shall furnish of its affiliated organisations or anything beneficial to copies of its Rules and Constitution together with the interests of past and present individual members such other particulars and information as shall at of such organisations. any time be required by the General Council. To promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms It shall be a requirement of affiliation that an of harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination, organisation has a clear commitment to promote both within its own structures and through all its equality for all and to eliminate all forms of activities, including its employment practices. harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination, both within its own structures and through all its Generally to improve the economic or social activities, including its own employment practices. conditions of workers in all parts of the world and to render them assistance whether or not such workers In deciding at the time of such application or at any are employed or have ceased to be employed. time thereafter whether or not a bona fide trade union is eligible for affiliation, the General Council To affiliate to or subscribe to or to assist any other shall have regard inter alia to the ability of the trade organisation having objects similar to those of the union organisation in its own right and of its own Congress. authority to fulfil the obligations of affiliation to the Congress and to comply with these rules. To assist in the complete organisation of all workers eligible for membership of its affiliated organisations The General Council shall have full power to and subject as hereinafter set forth in these rules to accept or reject any such application for affiliation assist in settling disputes between the members of and the General Council shall in addition have full such organisations and their employers or between power at any time to terminate the affiliation of any such organisations and their members or between organisation which in the opinion of the General the organisations themselves. Council does not fully satisfy the requirements of affiliation for the time being.

163 Appendix five TUC rules and standing orders (as at April 2013)

In pursuance of these general objects, and in Unless decided otherwise by the General Council accordance with particular decisions that Congress 10 per cent of each annual affiliation fee should be may make from time to time, Congress may do or allocated to the TUC Development Fund. authorise to be done all such acts and things as it considers necessary for the furtherance of those objects. Rule 4

(b) In the interpretation of the above objects Composition of General Council the General Council shall have complete discretion subject only to the power of the (a) The General Council shall be composed annual Congress to revise their decisions. of ten sections as follows:

Section A shall consist of members from those Rule 3 organisations with a full numerical membership of 200,000 or more members. Each such organisation Affiliation Fees shall be entitled to nominate one or more of its members to be a member or members of the Each Affiliated Organisation shall pay to the General Council and the number of members to Congress an annual affiliation fee in respect of each which the organisations comprising Section A of its members (probationary, free or otherwise). The shall be entitled shall be determined by their full annual affiliation fee shall be payable quarterly at the numerical membership on the basis of one per beginning of each quarter of the year, the first such 200,000 members or part thereof provided that quarter commencing on 1 January in any year. where the total number of women members of any organisation in Section A is 100,000 or more that The annual affiliation fee payable in respect of each organisation shall nominate at least one woman. member notified in accordance with sub- paragraph (a) shall be 95 per cent (the percentage figure) of the Section B shall consist of members from those weekly (or equivalent) contribution rate based on the organisations with a full numerical membership average of all unions contribution rates calculated in of 30,000 up to 199,999 members. Each such accordance with sub-paragraph (c). To this end organisation shall be entitled to nominate one of its members to be a member of Section B of the (a) Each organisation shall by 31 May in General Council. each year, inform the General Secretary of Congress of the number of its Section C shall consist of seven members of unions members as at 1 January of that year. with fewer than 30,000 members.

(b) Each affiliated organisation shall by 30 Section D shall consist of four women members September in any year, inform the General all of whom shall be members of an affiliated Secretary of the contribution rate payable organisation with less than 200,000 members. by the largest category of members as at 1 January of the year following. Section E shall consist of one black member who shall be from an organisation with a full numerical (c) The average of all unions' contribution rates membership of 200,000 or more members. Subject is the sum of each union's contribution rate in to rule 4 (f), each such organisation shall be entitled accordance with sub-paragraph (b) multiplied to nominate one of its members to be the Section E by each union's affiliated membership and member of the General Council. divided by the total affiliated membership in the year in which the contribution rate Section F shall consist of one black member who is notified to the General Secretary. shall be from an organisation with a full numerical membership of 199,999 or less members. Subject (d) The General Council shall, by 31 October to rule 4 (f), each such organisation shall be entitled in each year, confirm, increase, or reduce, to nominate one of its members to be the Section F the percentage figure in accordance with member of the General Council. the TUC work programme and priorities as decided by Congress in that year.

164 Section G shall consist of one black woman member (d) In the event of a member of Section A or who shall be a member of an affiliated organisation. Section B ceasing by death, resignation or Subject to rule 4 (f), each such organisation shall be other cause to be a member of the General entitled to nominate one of its members to be the Council, the affiliated organisation which Section G member of the General Council. nominated that member may nominate a successor to take her or his place. In the Section H shall consist of one member representing event of a member of Section C, D, E, F, G, trade unionists with disabilities. H, I and J ceasing by death, resignation or other cause to be a member of the General Section I shall consist of one member representing Council, the General Council shall determine lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender trade how, if at all, the vacancy shall be filled. unionists. (e) No organisation may participate in the Section J shall consist of one member under the nomination or selection of members of the age of 27. General Council unless it shall have paid the fees provided by rule 3 during the previous year. All unions will be entitled to nominate one of their members who is a delegate to Congress for (f) No affiliated organisation shall be entitled sections H, I and J and election shall be by ballot of to nominate a member for Section G and, all unions entitled to vote at Congress. as appropriate, Section E or Section F.

Subject to rule 4 (f), the election of a member of the General Council for any section shall be in addition Rule 5 to, and not in substitution for, any member of the union who is elected as a member of the General Qualifications for General Council Council in accordance with the provisions relating to the election of a member of another section. (a) No person shall be eligible for membership of any section of the General Council (b) On 1 June each year or as soon thereafter who is not a Congress delegate (as per as is practicable, each affiliated organisation rules 17 and 18) and the organisation so shall be allocated by the General Council represented shall have paid the fees provided either to Section A, B, C or E or F and, by rule 3 during the previous year. where applicable, Section D on the basis of its full numerical membership, as notified to (b) No person shall be eligible for membership of the General Secretary in accordance with the General Council who has privately assisted, rule 3 and the General Council shall then during the year preceding the annual Congress, advise each affiliated organisation of the in the production of anything made by non- Section(s) to which it has been allocated union labour, or by such firms as may be and in the case of affiliated organisations declared unfair by the interested trade society, allocated to Section A and Section B of or who has continued to assist privately in the the number or numbers of members of the production of anything made by non-union General Council to which they are entitled. labour, or by such firms as may be declared unfair by the interested trade society, after such All organisations shall be notified of the matters have been pointed out to her or him. arrangements for making a nomination of a member for Section G, H, I and J and organisations allocated to Sections C, D, E & F shall also be notified of the arrangements for making a nomination of a member for the sections to which they are allocated.

(c) Members of all sections of the General Council shall take office at the termination of the annual Congress and shall remain in office until the termination of the next annual Congress and shall be eligible for re-election to or continued membership of the General Council.

165 Appendix five TUC rules and standing orders (as at April 2013)

Rule 6 Ballot papers containing the names of all candidates nominated for Section C of the General Council shall Nomination of General Council be supplied to the delegations of all organisations allocated to Section C on the day of the election. (a) At least eight weeks prior to the date fixed for Ballot papers containing the names of all the the commencement of each annual Congress, candidates nominated for Section D of the General each affiliated organisation allocated to Council shall be supplied to the delegations of all Section A or Section B in accordance with organisations allocated to Section D on the day of rule 4(b) shall notify the General Secretary of the election. the Congress of the name(s) of its chosen member(s) on the General Council for the Ballot papers containing the names of all candidates coming year. If a member so nominated shall nominated for Section E of the General Council shall resign or die before the annual Congress the be supplied to the delegations of all organisations General Council shall accept a replacement allocated to Section E on the day of the election. nomination from that organisation. Ballot papers containing the names of all candidates nominated for Section F of the General Council shall (b) Each affiliated organisation allocated to Section be supplied to the delegations of all organisations C or Section E or Section F in accordance allocated to Section F on the day of the election. with rule 4(b) shall be entitled to nominate one Ballot papers containing the names of all candidates of its delegates for election, as appropriate, nominated for Section G, H, I and J of the General to Section C, Section E and Section F of the Council shall be supplied to the delegations of all General Council. Subject to rule 4(f), each organisations on the day of the election. affiliated organisation shall be entitled to nominate one of its delegates for election to (f) Notice of withdrawal of any nomination for Section G, H, I and J of the General Council. Section C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J must reach the General Secretary of the Congress not later than (c) Each affiliated union with 200,000 or fewer four weeks before the opening of the annual members shall have the right to nominate Congress. Where, due to the withdrawal of a one of its women members for election candidate before election or to any other cause, to Section D of the General Council. there is an insufficiency of candidates to fill the number of seats in the Section concerned, (d) Nominations for the General Council under the General Council shall have the power to (b) or (c) above shall be sent to the General call for fresh nominations, notwithstanding Secretary of the Congress on the appropriate anything in these rules and standing orders. form, which must be signed by the President (or the Chairman) and Secretary of the organisation making the nomination, and Rule 7 must be received by the General Secretary of the Congress at least eight weeks prior Election of the General Council – Sections to the Monday of the annual Congress. C, and D, E, F, G, H, I and J.

(e) The list of members in Section A or Section B (a) Members of Section C of the General and of nominations to the places in Sections Council shall be elected at each annual C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J shall be published in Congress by ballot vote of all affiliated the preliminary agenda containing the motions organisations allocated to Section C. which are to be discussed at the annual Congress. However, if a candidate for Section (b) Members of Section D of the General C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J dies before the election Council shall be elected at each annual takes place the General Council shall have Congress by ballot vote of all affiliated the powers to authorise the acceptance of organisations allocated to Section D. a fresh nomination notwithstanding anything in these rules and standing orders. (c) The member of Section E of the General Council shall be elected at each annual Congress by ballot vote of all affiliated organisations allocated to Section E.

166 (d) The member of Section F of the General (b) They shall watch all legislation Council shall be elected at each annual affecting labour, and shall initiate such Congress by ballot vote of all affiliated legislation as Congress may direct. organisations allocated to Section F. (c) They shall endeavour to adjust disputes and (e) The members of Sections G, H, I and J will differences between affiliated organisations. be elected at each annual Congress by ballot vote of all affiliated organisations. (d) They shall promote common action by the trade union movement on general questions, such as (f) In the elections of the General Council for the wages and hours of labour, and any matter of members of Section C and of Section D and general concern that may arise between trade for the Section E, Section F, Section G and unions and trade unions, or between employers Sections H, I and J, each organisation entitled and trade unions, or between the trade union to vote may cast all or any part of the votes movement and the Government, and shall have to which it is entitled in favour of as many power to assist any union which is attacked candidates as are to be elected in the election on any vital question of trade union principle. in question. No organisation shall cast more votes than the number to which it is entitled (e) They shall assist trade unions in the work of for any one candidate. The number of votes organisation, and shall carry on propaganda to which each organisation shall be entitled with a view to strengthening the trade shall be determined on the basis of one vote union movement, and for the attainment for every 1,000 members or fraction or part of any or all of the above objects. thereof as declared by the organisation in accordance with rule 3. The candidate(s) in (f) They shall also enter into relations with the each election securing the highest number trade union and labour movements in other of votes shall be declared elected. countries with a view to securing united action.

(g) The ballot papers shall be issued by the (g) They shall have authority to invest and Scrutineers, and after being filled up shall administer the funds of the Congress and to then be immediately placed in the box make grants to any organisation or person, without inspection by the delegates other whether in Great Britain, or abroad, for such than those of the organisation voting. purposes as it seems desirable, but in so doing they shall have regard to the directions, if any, (h) Any delegates found guilty of violating this from time to time given by Congress. They rule shall at once be reported to Congress, shall also have authority to raise funds for any named by the President and expelled. Such special purpose and to invest and administer delegate or delegates shall not be eligible such funds and to make grants therefrom. to attend Congress again for three years. (h) For the purpose of carrying out the objects (i) A notification of the penalties likely to of the Congress, of conducting its affairs and be involved in the infringement of this in relation to the matters specifically referred rule shall be included in the instructions to in this rule the General Council shall have printed on each ballot paper. power to utilise the funds and property of the Congress, to enter into any transaction and by any one or more of their members Rule 8 or appointed officers to execute in the name and on behalf of the Congress any deeds Duties of the General Council or documents that may be necessary.

(a) The General Council shall transact the (i) The General Council shall have power whenever business in the periods between each they deem necessary to convene a special annual Congress, shall keep a watch on Congress or Conference to deal with any all industrial movements, and shall, where contingency that may arise, and to arrange the possible, co- ordinate industrial action. agenda and procedure whereby the business of such meetings shall be conducted.

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(j) In the event of a legal point arising which, (c) The General Council shall determine the in the opinion of the General Council (after salary and conditions of service of the General consultation with Counsel) should be tested Secretary, and shall provide her or him with all in the House of Lords in the general interests necessary assistance, office accommodation, of trade unionism, the Council shall be and facilities for conducting the business of empowered to take the necessary action. the Congress and the General Council.

(k) In order that the trade union movement may (d) Any duty or function imposed by these do everything which lies in its power to prevent rules upon the General Secretary may be future wars, the General Council shall, in the discharged (with her or his consent) by such event of there being a danger of an outbreak persons as she or he considers appropriate of war, call a special Congress to decide provided always that the General Secretary on industrial action, such Congress to be shall remain responsible to the General Council called, if possible, before war is declared. for the discharge of that duty or function.

(l) The General Council shall prepare a report of their work for submission to the annual Rule 11 Congress and shall include in it a record of the attendances at General Council meetings. Industrial disputes The Standing Orders of Congress and the General Council shall be published in each (a) It shall be an obligation upon the affiliated annual report of the proceedings of Congress. organisations to keep the General Secretary of the Congress informed with regard to matters arising between them and their employers and/ Rule 9 or between one organisation and another, including unauthorised and unconstitutional Appointment of Committees stoppages of work, in particular where such matters may involve, directly or indirectly, large The General Council shall appoint such Committees bodies of workers. The General Council or the as they consider necessary to deal with aspects of General Secretary shall (if either should consider their business. it necessary) disseminate the information as soon as possible to all organisations which are affiliated to the Congress and which may Rule 10 be either directly or indirectly affected.

General Secretary (b) The general policy of the General Council shall be that unless requested to do so by (a) The General Secretary shall be elected the affiliated organisation or organisations by Congress, and shall be ex officio a concerned, neither the General Council nor member of the Congress and the General the General Secretary shall intervene so long Council. She or he shall remain in office so as there is a prospect of whatever difference long as her or his work and conduct give may exist on the matters in question being satisfaction to the General Council and to amicably settled by means of the machinery of the representatives attending Congress, negotiations existing in the trades affected. and shall retire from the service of the Congress upon reaching the age of 65.

(b) The annual Congress preceding the date of retirement of the General Secretary shall elect a General Secretary Designate who shall become General Secretary on the retirement of her or his predecessor. Should a vacancy otherwise occur between the annual meetings of the Congress, the General Council shall have power to fill such a vacancy temporarily.

168 (c) If, however, a situation has arisen, or is likely (b) It shall be an obligation on the affiliated to arise, in which other bodies of workpeople organisation or organisations concerned to affiliated to Congress might be involved in a notify the General Secretary when an official stoppage of work or their wages, hours and stoppage of work is contemplated in any conditions of employment imperilled, the dispute between affiliated organisations, General Council or the General Secretary may whether relating to trade union recognition, investigate the matter by calling representatives trade union membership, demarcation of work, of the organisation or organisations concerned or any other difficulty. No affiliated organisation into consultation, and may use their influence shall authorise such a stoppage of work until or her or his influence (as the case may be) to the dispute has been dealt with under the effect a just settlement of the difference. In this provisions of clauses (e) to (h) of this rule. connection the General Council or the General Secretary, having given an opportunity to each (c) Where a dispute between unions has led to organisation concerned to present its views an unauthorised stoppage of work, it shall be on the matter and having ascertained the facts an obligation of the affiliated organisation or relating to the difference, may tender their organisations concerned to take immediate and or her or his considered opinion and advice energetic steps to obtain a resumption of work. thereon to the organisation or organisations concerned. Should the organisation or (d) The affiliated organisation or organisations organisations refuse such assistance or concerned shall notify the General Secretary advice, the General Secretary shall duly report as soon as possible of any stoppage of work thereon to the General Council and/or the which involves directly or indirectly large General Council shall duly report thereon bodies of workers, or which, if protracted, to Congress or deal with the organisation may have serious consequences. In under clauses (b), (c), (d) and (h) of rule 13. addition to such notification, the affiliated organisation or organisations concerned (d) Whenever the General Council intervene in shall inform the General Secretary of the relation to a matter within the provision of causes and circumstances of the dispute clause (c) of this rule, and the organisation and of the steps taken or proposed by it or or organisations concerned accept the by them to secure a resumption of work. assistance and advice of the General Council, and where despite the efforts of the General (e) Either upon notification from an affiliated Council, the policy of the employers enforces organisation as required by clause (b) or clause a stoppage of work by strike or lock-out, the (d) of this rule, or upon the application of an General Council shall forthwith take steps affiliated organisation, or whenever she or to organise on behalf of the organisation he considers it to be necessary, the General or organisations concerned all such moral Secretary may investigate cases of dispute or and material support as the circumstances disagreement between affiliated organisations of the dispute may appear to justify. and may decide on the most appropriate method of resolving the issue. Where she or he considers it appropriate, the General Rule 12 Secretary may refer any such case to a Disputes Committee of the Congress for resolution in Disputes between affiliated organisations accordance with the Regulations governing procedure in regard to disputes between (a) Where disputes arise or threaten to arise affiliated organisations (as amended by the between affiliated organisations, the General General Council and adopted by the Congress Council or the General Secretary of the from time to time). In the event of such a Congress shall use their or her or his influence reference, the General Secretary may summon (as the case may be) to promote a settlement. affiliated organisations to appear as parties before a Disputes Committee and shall require such organisations to submit to that Committee any information, which she or he or the Committee considers to be essential to enable the Committee to adjudicate upon the case.

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(f) If an affiliated organisation refuses or fails Rule 13 to respond to a summons by the General Secretary to appear before a Disputes Conduct of Affiliated Organisations Committee, the General Secretary shall investigate the circumstances of such a refusal (a) If at any time there appears to the General or failure by calling representatives of the Council to be justification for an investigation organisation into consultation and inviting the into the conduct of any affiliated organisation organisation to give reasons for its conduct. If, on the ground that the activities of such after such investigation, the General Secretary organisation may be detrimental to the interests does not withdraw her or his summons and of the trade union movement or contrary to the organisation persists in its refusal or failure the declared principles or declared policy to appear before the Disputes Committee the of the Congress, the General Council shall General Secretary shall report the matter to summon such organisation to appear by the General Council who may deal with the duly appointed representatives before them organisation under clause (h) of this rule as if or before such Committee as the General it were a case of failure by that organisation to Council consider appropriate in order that comply with an award of a Disputes Committee. such activities may be investigated. In the event of the organisation failing to attend, the (g) If an organisation which is a party to a investigation shall proceed in its absence. dispute fails or refuses to submit its case to a Disputes Committee as provided by this (b) If after an investigation under: rule, the Disputes Committee may proceed to make an award in the absence of that (i) clause (a) of this rule; or organisation and in any event it shall not be permissible for that organisation to raise (ii) an investigation under clause (c) of rule11; or the dispute at any annual Congress. (iii) an investigation and report to the General (h) Affiliated organisations summoned by the Council by the General Secretary of the General Secretary to appear as parties before Congress under clause (f) of rule 12; or a Disputes Committee shall be bound by any award of the Disputes Committee and shall (iv) an investigation by a Disputes Committee comply forthwith with such award. Should any under clauses (e) and (g) of rule 12 and such organisation refuse or fail forthwith to carry a refusal or failure to comply with its into effect such an award (in whole or in part) award under clause (h) of rule 12; the General Council having received the award may report on the matter as they think fi t to it appears to the General Council that the activities all affiliated organisations, and/or may either: of the organisation may be detrimental to the interests of the trade union movement or contrary (i) deal with the organisation under clauses to the declared principles or declared policy of (b), (c), (d) and (h) of rule 13, or Congress, the General Council shall notify the organisation of that fact, specifying the grounds (ii) report the matter to the next on which that charge is made and inviting the annual Congress to be dealt with organisation to present its views to the General as that Congress may decide. Council. If, after considering those views, the General Council decide that the said activities are detrimental to the interests of the trade union movement or contrary to the declared principles or declared policy of Congress, the General Council shall direct the organisation to discontinue such activities forthwith and undertake not to engage therein in the future.

170 (c) Should the organisation disobey such direction, Rule 14 or fail to give such undertaking, the General Council are hereby empowered in their Trustees, Auditors and Accounts discretion to order that the organisation be forthwith suspended from membership of the (a) TRUSTEES: Two or more Trustees shall be Congress until the next annual Congress. appointed by the General Council in whose names the funds and property of the Congress (d) The General Council shall submit a report upon shall be vested. Such Trustees shall hold office the matter to the next annual Congress. until their respective successors have been duly appointed by the General Council and shall have (e) No affiliated organisation shall circularise, either accepted office. The Trustees shall deal with the in writing or by general oral communication, funds and property held by them in accordance other affiliated organisations upon any matter with the directions of the General Council and concerning the business of the Congress, shall invest any funds available for investment without first securing the General Council's in accordance with such directions. The bank authorisation for such circularisation. accounts of the Congress shall be in the names of the Trustees, but the General Council may by (f) Should any such unauthorised circularisation resolution authorise the Trustees to direct the take place concerning a motion for the agenda Bankers to honour the signature or signatures of of the annual Congress or any special Congress any person or persons named in the resolution, or Conferences, and the General Council after in which case the Trustees shall give such investigation decide that those responsible direction and shall be relieved from all liability for such motion connived at, or were party in respect of payments made in the manner to, or concerned with such circularisation, the authorised by the resolution while it is in force. motion shall not be included in the agenda. (b) AUDITORS: The accounts of the Congress (g) The General Council may investigate any shall be audited annually by a chartered or violation of the provisions of clauses (e) and (f), incorporated accountant to be appointed by and if after such investigation they decide that the General Council. The accountant shall be any organisation has acted deliberately in such given access to all books and documents of violation they may deal with the organisation the Congress and shall be given all information by investigation, suspension and report under or explanations with regard to the accounts the terms of clauses (b), (c) and (d) of this rule. that she or he requires. The accountant shall be required to submit a report to the General (h) Any affiliated organisation dealt with under Council as soon as practicable after the audit. this rule shall have the right to appeal to the next annual Congress and may appoint (c) ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR: In order that delegates in accordance with rules 17 and 18 affiliated organisations may have an opportunity to represent the organisation upon the appeal of perusing the financial statements prior to and at the annual Congress if the appeal is each annual Congress, the financial year shall allowed. Congress shall upon such appeal close on 31 December. The audit shall then take have final authority to deal with the matter by place and printed Balance Sheets, duly certified way of re-admission, further suspension or by the Auditors, shall be sent with the complete exclusion from membership of the Congress. agenda to the secretary of each organisation not less than 14 days before each annual Congress.

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Rule 15 (b) Not later than seven weeks prior to the Monday of the annual Congress the names Amendment of rules and standing orders and addresses of the delegates shall be sent to the General Secretary of the Congress on (a) The General Council may between each the appropriate form which must be signed by annual Congress make any amendment to the President (or Chairman) and Secretary of the rules and Standing Orders that they deem the organisation such delegates will represent. necessary subject to any such amendment being confirmed by the next annual Congress, (c) A credential card shall not be issued to any providing that any such amendment shall in any affiliated organisation which has failed to event be binding upon all affiliated organisations comply with the foregoing conditions. and their members until overruled by Congress.

(b) Affiliated organisations may (subject to the Rule 18 provisions of rule 23) put forward motions for the amendment of the rules and standing orders Delegates’ qualifications for the consideration of such annual Congress. (a) Each annual Congress shall consist of delegates who must be financial members of the affiliated organisation they are to represent Part 2 Arrangements for and actually working at their trade at the time of Annual Congress appointment, or full-time paid officials of such affiliated organisation. However, unemployed members of an affiliated organisation shall not be debarred from acting as delegates. Rule 16 (b) The above qualifications shall not, however, Preliminary arrangements debar a person from acting as a delegate who is not a full-time paid official and who has (a) The General Council shall select the place for temporarily left her or his normal full-time work the annual Congress and shall have the powers as an employee in trade or industry to undertake to invite representatives of public bodies and Parliamentary duties, provided that, at the time other institutions to attend the sittings thereof. of her or his attending Congress, she or he is occupying a national post designated under the (b) The General Council shall meet during rules of the appointing affiliated organisation. the week prior to the date of each annual Congress for the purpose of completing the arrangements there for. Rule 19

Congress President Rule 17 (a) The President of the Congress shall be Representation at Annual Congress appointed by the General Council at their first meeting after each annual Congress. (a) Affiliated organisations shall be entitled to be represented at the annual Congress by (b) The duties of the President shall be to preside one delegate for every 5,000 members or at all meetings of the General Council, an fraction thereof, (save for unions with fewer at all special Congresses or Conferences than 5,000 members who shall be entitled for one year following the date of her or his to two delegates) provided always that they appointment, and at the annual Congress have paid the fees prescribed in rule 3. concluding her or his term of office. She or he shall then become first Vice-Chair of the General Council for a period of one year thereafter.

172 Rule 20 Rule 21

General Purposes Committee Tellers and ballot scrutineers

(a) A General Purposes Committee of five members The General Council shall nominate, for the approval for the ensuing annual Congress shall be of the Congress, four or more Tellers and up to nominated and elected by ballot. If any member seven Ballot Scrutineers. elected is not a delegate to the ensuing annual Congress, or a vacancy arises from any other cause, the highest unsuccessful candidate Rule 22 shall be called upon to fill the vacancy. Voting (b) Each nominee for the General Purposes Committee must be nominated by her or The method of voting at Congress shall be at the his own organisation. Nominations shall discretion of the President, by voice, or show of be submitted on the appropriate form hands, or card vote. Where, however, a division by which must be signed by the President (or voice or show of hands is challenged by delegates Chair) and Secretary of the organisation to Congress, voting shall be by cards to be issued and shall reach the General Secretary of to the delegations according to membership (paid the Congress at least eight weeks prior to for as per rule 3) on the basis of one vote for the Monday of the annual Congress. every 1,000 members or fractional part thereof represented. Such cards to be issued to affiliated (c) The members of the General Purposes organisations by the General Secretary of the Committee shall appoint from their body Congress before the commencement of the annual a chair and secretary. The duties of the Congress. General Purposes Committee shall be:-

• to co-operate with the movers of motions Rule 23 and amendments in order that composite motions may be obtained wherever possible; Motions for Congress

• to have printed and circulated to the (a) Motions for the Congress must be submitted delegates copies of the composite on the appropriate forms and be signed by motions they have approved; the President (or Chair) and Secretary of the organisation submitting such motions and • to submit to the President of Congress must be received by the General Secretary of a programme of all motions and Congress not later than eight weeks before amendments approved by them as the Monday of the annual Congress. being in accordance with the rules and standing orders, together with all (b) Such motions shall be printed and sent to each affiliated organisation not less than • suggestions for the proper conduct of six weeks before the annual Congress. The the business of the annual Congress; order in which these subjects are to be discussed shall be decided by the General • to report to the General Council any violation Council in consultation with the General of the rules or standing orders that may Purposes Committee of Congress. be brought to their notice, together with any recommendation agreed upon.

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(c) An affiliated organisation shall be allowed Rule 24 not more than two motions, apart from organisations with more than one million Delegations members who will be allowed one additional motion for each additional 500,000 members All nominations for delegations appointed by or part thereof. In addition each of the equality Congress must be submitted on the appropriate conferences, the Young Workers' Conference form and be signed by the President (or Chair) and and Trades Union Councils' Conference will Secretary of the organisation and must be sent to be allowed to choose one motion carried by reach the General Secretary of the Congress not that conference for submission to Congress. later than eight weeks before the Monday of the In order that important labour questions may annual Congress. Each nominee must be nominated not be omitted from the discussion of the by her or his own organisation. annual Congress, the General Council are empowered to place not more than three motions on the annual Congress agenda. Rule 25

(d) All amendments to the motions submitted by Date of Annual Congress affiliated organisations must be received by the General Secretary of Congress not later (a) Unless otherwise decided by the General than four weeks before the Monday of the Council, the date for the opening of each annual Congress. An affiliated organisation shall annual Congress shall be the Sunday before be allowed not more than two amendments the second Monday in September. apart from organisations with more than one million members who will be allowed one (b) To enable affiliated organisations to comply with additional amendment for each additional the various requirements of these rules where 500,000 members or part thereof. These time limits are fixed by reference to the date must be submitted on the appropriate forms of the annual Congress, the General Council and be signed by the President (or Chair) and shall, in the event of any change in such date, Secretary of the organisation concerned. direct that notice of such change shall be given to affiliated organisations in due time. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, the General Council or any affiliated organisation shall, subject to the approval Rule 26 of the General Purposes Committee, be permitted to submit an emergency motion Standing Orders for the consideration of the delegates to Congress. No such permission shall, however, (a) HOURS OF MEETING: Delegates shall be granted unless agreed to by at least two- assemble at 4pm prompt on the first day of thirds of the votes cast by the delegates to each annual Congress and at 9.30 a.m. on the particular annual or special Congress. each succeeding day. On Sunday Congress shall adjourn at 7pm and each day thereafter (f) Motions shall not exceed 250 words in (Monday to Wednesday) Congress shall length. Amendments shall not exceed 50 adjourn at 12.45 p.m. and reassemble at 2.15 words in length. These provisions shall p.m. and adjourn for the day at 5.30 p.m. apply to original motions and emergency on Monday and Tuesday and shall conclude motions but not to composite motions no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday. nor to motions selected to go forward to the Congress Agenda by the equality (b) AGENDA: A complete agenda of the conferences, Young Workers Conference motions and amendments submitted under and Trades Union Councils Conference. rule 23 shall be printed and sent, not later than 19 days before the opening of each Congress, to the affiliated organisations which have paid up to the last preceding quarter the fees due under rule 3.

174 (c) GENERAL COUNCIL'S REPORT: After the (h) SPECIAL MEETINGS: In the case of opening of each annual Congress, the General special Congresses or Conferences the Council shall present their report for the above Standing Orders shall be adhered to past year, which shall be laid on the table wherever applicable as closely as possible. for discussion. The items of the report shall be discussed seriatim and not as a whole: each speaker to be limited to three minutes. Rule 27 Such report shall be given precedence over all other business provided that where a Suspension of rules and standing orders motion on the agenda bears directly upon any part of the report, such motion may at Rules and Standing Orders in Part 2 hereof, may, the discretion of the President be taken in notwithstanding the terms of rule 15, be suspended conjunction with such part of the report. if such suspension is agreed to by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the delegates to the particular (d) LIMITATION OF SPEECHES: The mover of annual or special Congress. the motion shall be allowed five minutes, the seconder three, and any or each succeeding speaker three minutes. A delegate shall not speak more than once on a question, except the mover of the original proposition, who shall have the right to reply.

(e) ORDER OF SPEAKERS: The President shall determine the order of speakers. Each delegate shall stand when speaking. If the President rises to call a delegate to order, or for any other purpose connected with the proceedings, the delegate speaking shall leave the rostrum and resume her or his seat and no other delegate shall rise until the President has authorised the discussion to proceed.

(f) PRESIDENT'S RULING: Should any delegate cause disturbance at any session of annual or special Congress, and refuse to obey the President when called to order, she or he shall be named by the President, and shall be expelled from the hall for the remainder of the session, and shall not be allowed to take part in the Congress proceedings without the consent of Congress delegates.

(g) CLOSURE: The Previous Question, Next Business, or the Closure may be moved and seconded only by those delegates who have not previously spoken during the debate, and there shall be no speeches on such motions. Should the closure be carried, the mover of the original motion shall have the right to reply in accordance with rule 26, clause (d). Should the President consider that there is no practical difference of opinion among the delegates, she or he shall have power to stop the discussion and submit the proposition to the vote of the Congress delegates.

175 Index

Building Workplace Capacity to Combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria project 104 A B bullying 71 lesbian, gay, bisexual and Abberley, Bob 13, 120 transgender workers 85 abortion rights 81, 82, 122 Bailey, Peter 99 Burgess, Rick 123 academy schools 57, 58 Baker, Norman 67 Burke, Tony 29 Acas Balance of Competences Review 74, 107 Burnham, Andy 55 early conciliation 73 Bamford, Sean 98, 102, 103 Burrow, Sharan 97, 98 flexible working 79 Bangladesh 103, 105 Burt, Alistair 102 accommodation industry Rana Plaza factory collapse 9, 76, 94, 99 bus services 68 union membership 95 banking industry 13 Acquired Rights Directive 71 Green Investment Bank 21 Action for Rail campaign 7, 52, 66, 67, 68 pay 45 Adebowale, Maria 35 Banyard, Kat 81 adoption 79 Barber, Brendan 3, 72, 98, 104, 121 C Adult Learners' Week 108 Barnes, Sarah 120 adult skills 35 6 Baxter, Jan 123 Cable, Vince 6, 17, 21, 28, 29 Advisory Committee on Health Bearcroft, Sheila 104 Caldwell, Jamie Max 120 and Safety at Work 90 bedroom tax 2, 8, 63 campaigns and communications After Austerity campaign 12, 28, 39, 44 Beecroft Report 70 Action for Rail 7, 52, 66, 67, 68 Age Immaterial campaign 9, 80 Believe in Young People charity 109 After Austerity 12, 28, 39, 44 agency workers 60, 72, 73, 74 benefit cuts 62, 64 Age Immaterial 9, 80 Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) 73 children 65 Austerity Uncovered 8, 53, 106 aggregator pension models 50 disabled workers 84 Better Transport 68 Agricultral Wages Board 41 migrant workers 106 Britain Needs a Pay Rise 6, 39 All Party Parliamentary Group on Benefits Uprating Bill 14 Careers Service Issues for Occupational Safety and Health 91 Berry, Craig 48 Working People paper 36 All Party Parliamentary Group on the TTIP 17 Better Regulation Delivery Office 91 Defend Council Housing 20 All Together for the NHS campaign 55 Binette, George 124 Education not for Sale 57 Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination 80 Birkbeck 96, 110, 115 End the Care Crisis 56 Alliance of European National bisexual workers see Lesbian, gay, Enough If 32 Movements (AENM) 83 bisexual and transgender workers A Future that Works 5 Alys, Mary, obituary 130 black and minority ethnic people health and safety 88 9 Amnesty International 99, 103 apprenticeships 81 I©m An Apprentice, Value Me 91 Anionwu, Professor Elizabeth 122 Black Workers© Conference 122 industrial action 8 9 Anthony, Felix 99 impact of cuts 78 Mind the Hunger Gap 64 Anti Slavery International 77 rights at work 70 National Health Service (NHS) 7, 54 5 Apprenticeships 34 5, 107, 109 union learning reps 107 Part-Time Matters 110 black and minority ethnic people 81 women 80 Play fair 31, 99, 104 national minimum wage (NMW) 40 youth unemployment 18 Pay Fair 44 public procurement 31 blacklisting plan 5, 57 science sectors 30 construction industry 88 public sector 6 7 skills investment 33 Blakeley, Richard 98 public services 53 social partnerships 33 Blower, Christine 76 Rights of Women 81 supporting apprentices 91 2 Boase, Emily 27 Royal Mail 7 women 81 bonus payments 16 Save our Buses 68 Arab Partnership Programme 103 Bousted, Mary 121 Short-term Rewards, Armitt, Sir John 30 Boyd, Emma Howard 21 Long-term Failings seminar 44 Arnold, David 98 Boyle, Danny 5 Solidarity and Social Security arts funding cuts 27 Boyle, Sandy 76 Cuts meeting 66 asbestos 88, 89, 91 breastfeeding at work 79 Strong Unions 95 Ashworth, Louise 123 British Bankers© Association 13 Transport for All 84 Association of Personal Injury Lawyers 91 British Chamber of Commerce 13 Valuing Maternity 80 Association of Public Service British Dietetic Assocation (BDA) Mind welfare 7 Excellence (APSE) 60 the Hunger Gap campaign 64 Will Universal Credit Work? report 63 asylum seekers 74 British National Party (BNP) 83 Women©s Work and Women©s austerity 3, 9, 14, 21, 33, 59, 62, 84, 85, 86 British Occupational Health Benefits seminar 65 After Austerity campaign 12, 28, 39, 44 Research Foundation 91 Work Not Play 27 Austerity Uncovered campaign 8, 53, 106 British Safety Council 91 World Day for Decent Work 32 European 14 15 broadband network 27, 30 Young Workers Conference 10 LGBT Conference 123 Brown, Amanda 76 cancer auto-enrolment of pensions 48 9 Brown, Martin 124 occupational 89 aviation 27 8, 29, 30 Buczynsky, Helen 90 capital markets see corporate Budget 6, 13, 14 governance and capital markets Building our Low Carbon Industries 22 Carberry, Kay 123 Building Trade Union Support for Workplace Carbon Capture and Storage Learning throughout Europe project 34 Association (CCSA) 23 Carbon Price Floor (CPF) 22

176 Care Bill 56 TUC representation on 30 domestic workers 77 8 career information advice and guidance 36 Council of Mortgage Lenders 20 Dorling, Professor Danny 65 carers 56 Council for Work and Wellbeing 91 Dunning, Harold, obituary 130 Carolan, Jane 120 Courteille, Claire 122 Cartmail, Gail 32, 36, 99, 104, 121, 122 Cox, Sir George 24 casualisation 74 Crasta, Elena 15, 75, 98 Celebration of Learning 108 Crawford, Rosa 26, 77, 98 Centre for Research on Socio Creative Coalition Campaign 27 E Cultural Change 30 creative industries see digital economy Certificate course 114 and creative industries Eagle, Angela 123 Certificate in Professional Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 91 early years see education and early years Development (CPD) 115 criminal justice system 52, 59 60 economic deprivation Chibebe, Wellington 99 Crook, Nick 76 effect on educational achievement 57 Child Benefit 64 cross-border trade 27 economy child labour 104 Crow, Bob 121, 124 global 15 16 childcare 58, 63, 80 Curtis, Brian 76 importance of fair pay 39 Children England 59 cuts recovery 6 chloracne 91 black and minority ethnic people 82 Edmonds, John 35 Churchill, Andrew 28 women 80 education sector 52, 57 9 Citizens UK campaign group 42 Cutting Edge Consortium 85 Education Maintenance Allowance 35 City Deal 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual and civil partnerships 85 transgender workers 85, 123 civil service teachers facility time 96 continuing professional pay progression 45 D development 109 Clegg, Nick 29 pay and conditions 45, 57 Climbing Frame website 110 dairy industry 30 and support workers 36 co operatives movement 54, 58, 60 Dassis, Georgios 76 technicians 110 Co operative College 58 Data Protection Act 127 working time 19 Co operatives UK 58, 61 Davies, Bryn 48 young people 87 coal industry 22 3 Davies, Sir Howard 27, 28 electricity market reforms 22 3 Cockell, Sir Merrick 59 Davis, Lord 82 employee ownership 25 Coldrick, Peter 76 de Mauley, Lord 21 Employer Ownership Pilot 34 collective bargaining 43, 44, 73, 94, 95 decent employment 14, 15, employment collective redundancies 71 17, 31, 32, 33, 77, 99 decent 14, 15,17, 31,32, 33, 77, 99 Collins, Lynn 122 defence fall in local government 59 commissioning 61 service outsourcing 60 law 114 living wage 42 Defend Council Housing campaign 20 protection of standards 61 public service reforms 60 digital quality 2, 18 Committee on the Application champions 108 recovery 18 of Standards 76 economy and creative industries 26 7 rights 70 4, 114 Committee for Workers© Capital (CWC) 26 inclusion 108 young people 86, 109 Commonwealth Heads of Government piracy 27 Employment Agency Standards Meeting (CHOGM) 99 Dilnot, Andrew 56, 65 Inspectorate 40, 72 Commonwealth People©s Forum (CPF) 99 disabled people Employment of People with Commonwealth Trade Union benefits 62, 123 Disabilities, Uganda 105 Group (CTUG) 99 children 58 Employment Standards Inspectorate 73 community groups 60 Disability Aid Abroad (DAA) 105 Employment and Support Allowance 62 compensation 32, 70, 90 1 Disability Committee, Equality and employment tribunals 41, 71, 73, 79 mesothelioma 90 Human Rights Commission (EHRC) 85 fees 2, 70, 122 competition Disability Hate Crime Network 84 End Child Poverty coalition 64 health services 54 disabled workers 84 5 End Violence Against Women computer skills see digital inclusion hate crimes 65 (EVAW) coalition 81 Congress 120 impact of cuts 67, 78 Ending the Low Pay Culture arrangements 172 5 social care 56 SERTUC seminar 42 Awards 120 Universal Credits (UC) 7, 63 Energy Bill Revolution campaign 23 Centre 128 welfare funding reductions 52 energy construction industry 2, 13, 26, 72, 88 women 80 energy intensive industries 22 continuing professional development Disabled Workers© Committee 84, 123, 136 and environment 20 1 58, 92, 107, 109 Disabled Workers© Conference 123 sector technicians 110 contract based pensions discrimination 70, 78, 79 Energy Technology Institute 23 schemes see pensions dismissal enforcement agencies 72 Cooke, Naomi 49 settlement agreements 71 English language cooperatives and social enterprises see also unfair dismissal English for Speakers of Other disabled workers 84 disputes between unions 155 62 Languages (ESOL) 92, 108 Cork-Hurst, Collette 82 Dobney, Megan 98 learning and skills 33, 108 corporate governance and domestic abuse Enough If campaign 32 capital markets 23 6 LGBT Conference 123 Enterprise and Regulatory Council of Councils and sexual violence 81 Reform Act (ERRA) 70

177 Index

environment 33 global solidarity 9, 15, 97 104 aviation 28 Bahrain 77, 102 climate change 16 F Belarus 97 energy 20 1 Brazil 99 European Economic and facility time 88, 94, 96 7 Burma 77, 97, 99, 104 Social Committee 76 health and safety training 88 Cameroon 115 green industries and jobs 14, 77 threats to 3, 54 Central America 101 green reps 97 Faculty of Occupational Medicine 91 Chile 100 green skills 110 Fair Deal China 104 Green Workplace Representatives Guide 97 pensions 46 Colombia 100 procurement 31 faith groups Côte d©Ivoire 101 Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) 22 prejudice against LGBT workers 85 Cuba 100 Epstein, Mark 124 False Economy website 7 Egypt 102 equal pay questionnaires and audit 79 far right groups 3, 83, 94 ethical trading 26 equality Farhat, Beth 122 Fiji 76, 77, 99 conferences 122 3 fashion and clothing industry 94 Greece 76, 83 Law and disabled workers 123 Fawcett Society 81 Guatemala 76, 77, 99, 101, 106 race 82 3 Featherstone, Lynne 32 Haiti 105 union professional training 113 Federation of Entertainment Unions 26 international union rights 99 at work 78 9 Ferns, Sue 21, 104, 121 Iraq 102 Equality Act 2010 70, 79, 84 Financial Services Authority/Financial Israel/Palestine 102 Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) 78 Conduct Authority 50 lesbian, gay, bisexual and Equality and Human Rights fire services 52 transgender workers 85 Commission (EHRC) 2, 70, 78 9 fixed-term contracts 71 Mexico 101 Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) 26, 72, 122 flexible working 20, 79, 80, 92 Pakistan 104 Ethnic Minority Employment food service industry 95 Palestine Gaza 105 Stakeholder Group (EMESG) 82 forced labour 77 Robin Hood tax 16 17 European Union (EU) Forest Research 21 social justice 97 Advisory Committee on the Free Forestry Commission 21 Somalia 101 Movement of Workers 107 Fourth Rail Package 66, 68 supply chains 77 Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) 22 fracking 20 Swaziland 76, 99, 102 Enhanced Co operation Procedure 17 Francis, Robert QC 55 trade 17 EU India Free Trade Agreements 17 Freud, Lord 90 Trade Union Development Internal Market 74 Frew, Jim 120 Co operation Network (TUDCN) 33 procurement 31 Full-time union representatives 95 transnational worker-based information 75 Europe functional skills (formerly skills Tunisia 103 health and safety 90 for life) courses 108 Turkey 103 youth unemployment 87 further education 35 6, 112 Uganda 105 European Commission tutor development 114 union support 94 Advisory Committee on Health Future First 109 Uzbekistan 76 and Safety at Work 90 Future for Families rally 6 Venezuela 101 Single European Sky legislation 28 Future Jobs Fund 19 Western Sahara 102 working time 19 Future that Works campaign 28, 53 Zimbabwe 99, 102 European Court of Human see also Bangladesh Rights (ECtHR) 73, 83 Go On UK 108 European Economic and Gorle, John 72 Social Committee 76 government European Federation of Journalists 27 G inadequacy of on-line advice 41 European Investment Fund 30 industrial policy 28 30 European partnerships G4 Guidelines 44 public services policies 31, 52 3, 60 TUC Education 115 G8 meeting 16, 17 Government Actuary©s Department 47 European Social Partners 87 G20 meeting 16 Government Equalities Office (GEO) 78 European Trade Union Confederation Gangmasters© Licensing Authority 72, 73 graduate (ETUC) 17, 75, 98 Garnham, Alison 66 loans 58 austerity 14 15 gay workers see lesbian, gay, bisexual skills 110 A Green Delegate's Guide for Europe 97 and transgender workers Greatrex, Tom 23 procurement 31 GCSE reform 57 Green, Andy 123 social partner agreement 75 gender Green Economy Council (GEC) 21, 35 European Trade Union Institute 115 apprenticeships 35 Green Investment Bank 13, 21 European Transport Federation (EFT) 68 pay gap 9, 80 Green is Growth conference 21 European Works Councils (EWCs) 75 segregation 18 green reps see environment Ewart, Graeme 120 union membership statistics 94 Greendale, Walter, obituary 130 Ewing, Professor Keith 8, 121 General Council 120 1 Greening, Justine 33 Exall, Maria 121, 123 meetings 134 Greenshields, Bill 124 executive pay 43 4, 45 statement of responsibilities 142 Grindrod, Fred 98 Exell, Richard 15, 91, 98 General Secretary see Frances O'Grady Growing the Green Economy debate 21 external bodies in occupational health 91 Gill, Bill, obituary 130 Gurney, Sam 76, 77, 104 Extractive Industries Transparency global economy 15 16 Initiative (EITI) 16 global labour standards 76 7

178 housing 20 migrant workers 106 H young people 86, 87 J HRMC Hague, William 104 role in enforcing national Jennings, Karen 120 Halfon, Robert 35 minimum wage (NMW) 40 Job for Everyone report 18 harassment Hudson, Mandy 123 Jones, Owen 65, 122 lesbian, gay, bisexual and Human Rights Commission 84 Jordan, Lord Bill 78 transgender workers 85 Hunt, Sally 97, 98, 104, 121 Judge, Lindsay 38, 63 Hart, Jack, obituary 130 Justice for Domestic Workers 77 Harvey, Dave 124 Justice and Security Bill 72 hate crime 65 disabled people 67, 84 lesbian, gay, bisexual and I transgender workers 85, 123 Hayes, Billy 14, 98, 121 ILO 76 K Hayes, John 22 Freedom of Association Committee 73 Hazards movement 91 International Programme for the Kay, Professor John 25 Healey, John 124 Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) 77 Kemp, Steve 72 health 54 6 Maritime Labour Covention 28 Kemperle, Monika 26 care 32 Multinational Enterprises Declaration 78 Kenny, Paul 89 chloracne 91 immigration 74 Kenya 101 integration with social care 56 `in-work conditionality© 63 Kothalawala, Bandula 99 medical assessments 91 Incomes Data Services 43 migrant workers 106 Independent Living Fund 62 pre-employment questions 84 industrial action 45, 54, 73 service outsourcing 60 campaigns 8 9 unions Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) 91 L continuing professional Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 91 development 109 Industrial Injuries Scheme 91 Labour Force Survey (LFS) 94 5 health and safety 70, 88 91 industrial partnerships and skills 34 labour market 18 19 occupational 16 industrial strategy partnership councils 29 Labour Research Department 127 rail service 66 industrial wages councils 43 Lavery, Ian 23 reps 88 Informal Adult and Community Lay Leadership Development Programme 96 working conditions 32 Learning (IACL) 108 leadership young people 109 infrastructure 30 union professional training 113 Health and Safety at Work Act 90 Institution of Occupational Leading Change 96 Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 89 Safety and Health 91 Leahy, Michael 50, 121 Health and Social Care Act 2012 54, 55 Institutions for Occupational Learning at Work Day 108 healthcare sector Retirement Provision (IORP) 47 learning difficulties 84 technicians 110 integration of health and social care 56 Learning and Organising Toolkit 95 heavy goods drivers 28 International Day for the learning and skills 33 6, 91 2 Help to Buy initiative 20 Eradication of Poverty 65 legal aid Hendy, John QC 8, 121 international development 32 3 domestic violence 81 Heseltine, Lord 6, 28, 29, 30 International Development Legal Aid Sentencing and higher education 109 Committee (IDC) 32 Punishment of Offenders Act 90 decline in participation 52, 58 International Development Group 99 legal protection impact of migration policy 106 international employment rights 74 8 whistleblowers 74 Higher Learning at Work website 110 International Labour Organisation see ILO 76 lesbian, gay, bisexual and higher level skills 110 International Monetary Fund (IMF) 16 transgender workers 85 6 HIV 86 spending cuts 12 Committee 136 7 HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) 104 international partners 115 Conference 123 LGBT Conference 123 International Trade Union Domestic Abuse Forum 85 holidays Confederation (ITUC) 97 Leslie, Chris 17 collective bargaining 95 international trade union rights 99 Leveson Report 26 entitlement and pay 43, 71 International Union Accord on Fire Lewis, Ivan 32, 99 Holland, Diana 97 and Building Safety 9, 94, 103 Lim Swee Say 28 Hollinger, Peggy 28 International Women©s Day 102, 122 Lister, Professor Ruth 66 Holmes, Chris 123 internships 40 living standards 45 Holton, Julie 120 IPPR Commission on the Future of living wage 38, 39, 42, 63 home-working 20 Higher Education in England 58 Living Wage Foundation 42 homelessness 20 see also national minimum wage (NMW) LGBT Conference 123 loans homophobia advanced learning 35 in sport 86, 123 graduate 58 Hood, Alice 46, 122 sharks 42 hospitality industry 72 local authorities House of Commons Work and living wage 42 Pensions Select Committee 49 welfare funding reductions 52

179 Index

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) 29, 30 mental health 84 local government 59 LGBT Conference 123 facility time 96 Mercer, Lesley 6, 13, 14, 120, 121, 122, 123 O Local Government Association (LGA) 59 mergers and takeovers 24 Local Government Pension Scheme 46 mesothelioma 90 Oakeshott, Lord Matthew 44 service outsourcing 60 migrant workers 17, 83, 94, 106 7 obituaries 130 2 Löfstedt, Professor Ragnar 89, 90 learning and skills 108 occupational injuries and diseases 88, 90, 91 London Development Legacy Corporation 32 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 32 occupational health and safety 88, 90 London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Miller, Bev 123 occupational segregation 80, 81 Games 27, 30, 31 2, 104 Mills, Gloria 19, 75, 82, 98, 121 Office for Budget Responsibility 52 low pay 122 Morgan, Ann 123 Office for Disability Issues 84 Low Pay Commission 40, 41 Mortimer, Jim, obituary 131 Office of Fair Trading young people 87 Moxham, Ben 26, 98, 107 direct contribution workplace pensions 50 learning and skills 108 Moylan, Daniel 28 Office for National Statistics 19 Moylan, John 124 Office of Rail Regulation 66 Mugalla, Khamati 99 O'Grady, Frances Multiple Sclerosis Society adult skills and further education 36 End the Care Crisis campaign 56 austerity action 14 M Murphy, Chris, obituary 131 aviation 27, 28 musicians 26, 27 cuts in services 59 McArthur, Andy 120 mutual joint ventures 61 election 3, 121 McCaffrey, Fern 121 mutuals 31, 54, 60 environment 21, 22 McCarthy, Lord Bill, obituary 130 executive pay 44 McCarthy, Suzanne 122 global solidarity 97 McClymont, Gregg 48 industrial policy 28, 29 McCormack, Inez, obituary 131 International Women's Day 122 McGovern, Séan 84, 121, 123 N lesbian, gay, bisexual and McKenzie, Roger 122 transgender people 85, 123 McKnight, Judy 76 Nadin, Helen 98 migrant workers 17 McLean, Jean 124 National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) 109 new year message 4 Mactaggart, Fiona 122 National Audit Office 59 OECD 98 Maier, Juergen 28 National Care Service 56 older people 64, 70 Making Pensions Work for National Careers Service (NCS) 36 rail service 67 People conference 25 National Children©s Bureau 59 shipping 28 Malosse, Henri 76 National Employment Savings short-termism review 24 Manasseh, Leslie 98, 120 Trust (NEST) 48, 49 social care 56 Manning, Alan 102, 122 National Federation of Women©s social Europe and workers' rights 74 Manufacturing Action Group 29 Institutes 67, 81 Trades Union Councils Conference 124 manufacturing industry National Health Service (NHS) 17 TUC Aid 104 technicians 110 65th anniversary 55 TUC Budget submission 13 Manufacturing for Skills Alliance 111 birthday demonstrations 8 union membership 95 Manufacturing Summit 29 campaigns 54 5 women at work 80 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 40 pay, terms and conditions 45 worker representation on marketisation pensions 65 company boards 23 public services 60 private providers 55 O'Neill, Baroness Onora 79 Martinez, Francesca 123 privatisation 7 Open Public Services 60 Maternity Action 81 Social Partnership Forum (SPF) 55, 56 Open University 110 maternity rights 80, 122 National Institute of Economic and organising Mather, Sue 120 Social Research (NIESR) 13, 42 TUC Education 114 maths National Insurance contributions 47, 62 Organising Academy 97 learning and skills 108 national minimum wage (NMW) Osborne, George 13, 16, 59 standards 33 38, 39, 40 1, 63, 71 outsourced workers 45, 46, 71 mature students 58 apprentices 91 outsourcing services 60, 62 Maude, Francis 41 National Minimum Wage overtime 19 Mazzucato, Mariana 28 Enforcement Group 40 Meadows, Lucy 85 see also living wage means tested care support 57 National Open College Network 112 media nationalisation BBC 27 public transport 66 P conscience clause 26 needlestick injuries 89 interest in new General Secretary 81 Netroots UK 97 Page, Tim 15, 27, 28, 29 national minimum wage (NMW) 40 Network for Sustainable Development paid release newspapers 5, 17 in Public Procurement 31 union reps 111 ownership 26 no-fault dismissals 71 Pan-European Regional Council (PERC) 98 public service pay and pensions 44 north-south divide 45 parental leave 79 radio 3, 6, 9 Nowak, Paul 16, 122 Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee 16 regulation 26 part-time workers medical assessments 91 disabled workers 84 employee ownership 25

180 living wage 42 prison officers retail industry Part-Time Matters campaign 110 collective bargaining 73 union membership 95 pension entitlement 48 prisons see criminal justice system retail price index (RPI) 19 shift from full-time 18 private sector Richard, Doug 34 women 80 union membership and collective Richardson, Oliver 27 pay 19 bargaining 94, 95 Rights of Women campaign 81 apprentices 34 privatisation 7, 57 Risks e-bulletin 88 bargaining 43 criminal justice system 60 road transport 28 cap and freeze 14, 45, 65 impact on NHS 55 Road Transport Working Time Directive 28 claims and negotiations 54 mutual joint ventures 61 Robertson, Hugh 89 collective bargaining 95 public services 60 Robin Hood tax 16 17 education unions 57 probation service see criminal justice system Rogers, Dee, obituary 131 equal 79 procurement 24, 30 1 Rolls, Mike 21 falling value 38 health services 54 Roper, Carl 75 gender gap 9, 80 living wage 42 RoSPA 91 low 18 public 98 Rowan, Kevin 122 overtime 43 Progressive Development Forum 32 Rowland Stuart, Joanna 123 Pay Fair campaign 44 Public Accounts Committee 59 Rubenstein, Michael 123 progression 45 Public Administration Select Ruskin College 96, 114, 115 public sector 80 Committee (PASC) 30 Ryder, Guy 76 skilled and semi skilled rates 43 Public Concern at Work 74 young people 86 public sector 17, 52 3 payday lenders 42 cuts 13, 16, 80, 82 Pearson, Philip 98 facility time 96 pensions 19, 24, 46 50, 54 fragmentation 45 S auto-enrolment 48 9 pay 80 coal industry 23 pay progression/freezes 45, 122 safety reps 111 defined benefit (DB) 47 pensions 45 6 safety see health and safety defined contribution (DC) 47, 49 50 Public Sector Equality Duty 70, 78, 84 Salt, Hilary 48 executive pay 43 Public Sector Research Establishments 30 Sandhu, Manjeet 123 fund trustees 24 reforms 60 2 Save our Buses campaign 68 lesbian, gay, bisexcual and TUC campaigns 6 7 Saving Lives, Supporting Women 81 transgender workers 85 union membership 94 School Co-operative Society (SCS) 58 member representation on boards 46 use of zero-hours contracts 73 science, engineering and technology (SET) 30 NHS 65 Public Services Forum 54 continuing professional development 109 `pensions liberation' 47 Public Services Liaison Group technicians 110 private sector 47 (PSLG) 45, 46, 54, 57, 58, 61 science and research funding 29 public service 45 6 Public Services Research Scottish TUC 112, 121 retirement benefits 32 Network (PSRN) 61 62 Austerity Uncovered campaign 8 single-tier state pension (STSP) 47 Scottish Union Learning (SUL) 112 state pension age 56 Sechi, Cinzia 123 transfer incentives 47 sector skills councils (SSCs) 36, 111 TUC Member Trustee Network 25 Segol, Bernadette 6, 98 women 80 R self-employed workers Pensions Bill 47 health and safety 88 Pensions Investment Research race equality 82 3 Sellers, Paul 19, 75 Consultants (PIRC) 24 apprenticeships 35 Semeta, Algirdas 17 Pensions Policy Institute 48 Race Relations Committee 138 9 Serwotka, Mark 98 Pensions Regulator 49 rail 28, 30, 31, 66 settlement agreements 71 Performance-related pay (PPP) 43, 45, 57 Action for Rail 52 sexual violence and abuse services 52 Perrett, Dr Robert 122 East Coast Main Line 66, 67, 68 shared parental leave (SPL) 79 Personal Independence Payment 63 Ramirez, Noe 99 Sharing Risk in Workplace Petersen, Graham 77 Ranciere, Romain 39 Pensions seminar 48 Pickles, Eric 59 Rankin, Bill, obituary 131 Shelter charity 87 Pitt-Watson, David 44 redundancy 70 Shepherd, Alison 104 Play Fair campaign 31, 44, 104 collective 71 shipping 28 police services 60 maternity rights 80 Short, Clare 16 pollution see environment pay 72 short-termism Post-2015 Development Agenda 32 3 Reed, Hannah 15, 72, 73 corporate 26 postcode lottery 56 Rees, Liz 115 short-term work Poulter, Daniel 56 regional briefings 96 young people 87 poverty 32, 45, 63, 64, 84 regulation and social partnership 33 4 sickness absence in-work 70, 71 Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) 74 disabled workers 85, 123 statistics 38 Reich, Professor Robert 6, 12 Simms, Professor Melanie 35 Poverty Conference 65 release for training 113 Single European Sky legislation 28 pre-employment health and Remploy 62, 84 Single Growth Fund 30 disability questions 84 Resolution Foundation think-tank 41 pregnancy discrimination 78, 80 Responsibility Deal for Health and Work 91 Prentis, Dave 36, 54, 98, 121

181 Index

skills increases 64 statement of accounts 144 54 investment in 33 industrial partnerships and skills 34 Fund Manager Voting Survey 25 Skills for Life 92 pensions 48 Further Education Advisory Group 36 at work 107 14 tax credit system 59 history websites 128 see also industrial partnerships and skills VAT 14 Information Services 127 learning and skills Taylor, Monica 76 Library Collections 127 8 Slavkin, Heather 44 technicians 110 Member Trustee Network 25 Smith, Antony 123 Temple, Martin 89 Model Agreement for Academies 57 Smith, Grahame 36 Temporary Agency Worker Directive 73 organisation Smith, Ian Duncan 7 Tomie, Agnes 120 affiliations/union mergers 120 Smith, John 120 Touchstone 6, 17, 19, 39, 62, 64, 106 constitution 163 72 Smith, Mike 122 publication Third Time Lucky 48 Executive Committee meetings 135 Smith, Nicola 13, 65 Trade Union Development Executive Working Group 120 Snape, Liz 89, 121 Co-operation Network (TUDCN) 33 heads of department 141 Sneddon, Tony 123 Trade Union Education 96 personnel training 126 social care 56 57, 72, 80 Trade Union Pension Specialist Group 46 Pensioners Committee 50, 137 8 social deprivation Trade Union Share Owners (TUSO) 24 5 senior staff 121 2 effect on educational achievement 57 Trade Union Sustainable Development trustees 141 social dialogue 75 Advisory Committee (TUSDAC) 21 TUC Education Trust and Roosevelt Social Europe 74 5 trade unions Memorial Trust Trustees 140 social media 39, 88 developing countries 33 Organising Academy 95, 96, 114 Facebook 16, 39, 88 history publications Twitter 39, 88 TUC Library Collections 127 8 Austerity is Failing 5 social partnership see regulation rights 73 A Bleak Future for Families 65 and social partnership role in London 2012 Olympic and Charter for Traineeships 35 Social Security Advisory Committee 65 Paralympic games 31 2 Child Benefit: a Bad Case social security and the welfare state 62 6 trades councils 59 of Neglect? 64 social workers 52 Trades Union Councils Conference 124 A Decent Job? 32 cuts in services 59 Trades Union Councils' Joint The European Review 115 Speight, Cath 72 Consultative Committee 140 European Union Digest 115 Spence, Geoffrey 21 traineeship programme 35 The Gender Jobs Split 18 sport training Getting on the Path to Work 19 homophobia 86, 123 right to request time off 92 GreenWorkplaces Newsletter 97 see also London 2012 Olympic Transatlantic Trade and Investment Health and Safety at Work 88 and Paralympic Games Partnership 98 Health and Safety: Time Stanley, Nigel 48 transgender workers see lesbian, gay, for Change 88 state pension age 46, 48 bisexual and transgender workers How to Boost the Wage Share 39 state pensions see pensions transport 27 8 International Development `Stephen Lawrence Legacy' 82 Action for Rail campaign 7, 52, 66, 67, 68 Matters e–bulletin 99 stigmatisation government policies 52 Job Creation: Lessons language 65, 66 public 66 8 from Abroad 18 trade unionists 100 Transport for All campaign 84 LGBT Equality at Work 85 strike action 8 see also aviation Mini Jobs 18 Stronger Unions 17 bus services on pensions 48 Stuart, Pat 80, 121, 124 rail PensionsWatch report 43 Sullivan, Claire 91 road transport Third Time Lucky 48 Sullivan, Wilf 82, 98 shipping Where Have all the Wages Gone? 39 surrogacy 79 Tretiakova, Renata 123 Working Women course book 114 sustainable development 77 trust schools 58 Your Rights at Work 106 TUC Race Relations Committee (RRC) 82 3 Adopt a Peer tool 54 stakeholder pension scheme 50 Aid 104 6 Tax Credit Calculator 63 Alliance for Science 30 Women's Conference 82 T Bargaining Forum 43 Women, Work and Benefits 80 Clean Coal Task Group (CCTG) 23 Young Workers' Forum 86, 87, 140 1 Taj, Mohammed 107, 121, 122 Early Years Network 58 TUC/TU ink Trade Union T©Amanaki, Mele 99 Education 97, 111 14 Communication Awards 124 5 Tansley, Chris 104, 120 course development 114 15 Tudor, Owen 98, 99, 104 Tate, Alison 26 course statistics 116 118 Turner, Steve 14 tax 16 17, 32 Online 112 13 Turner, Vic, obituary 131 avoidance and evasion 16 pensions professional training 113 NHS private providers 55 tutor development 114 bedroom tax 2, 8, 63 European Network 98 carbon 22 finance 125 6 changes 65 Administration Fund 126 council tax benefit 2 auditor's report to Congress 142 43 employer investment in skills and training 58 Development Fund 125, 126 financial transaction 17, 76 Dilapidations Fund 126 G8 meeting 16 prospects and developments 126

182 Work, Health and Wellbeing Stakeholder Council 91 U V Work Capability Assessment 62 work experience 40, 87, 109 UK Commission for Employment Veale, Sarah 74, 89, 123 Work Not Play (Musicians' and Skills (UKCES) 36, 58 victimisation 71 Union) campaign 27 UK economy 12 15 violence against women 32, 80, 81, 122 Work Programme scheme 19 inflation 19 voluntary sector 60 Work Related Activity Group 62 UK Feminista 81 women©s organisations 81 Work Your Proper Hours Day 19 Umunna, Chuka 28 voting disclosure 24, 25 worker representation 23 4 UN Convention for the Elimination of vulnerable people 2, 20, 52, 62, 72, 73 4, 78 Workers' Educational Association 112, 127 Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) 82 domestic workers 77 8 Workers' Memorial Day 89 unemployment learning and skills 108 workers' rights 70 4 effect of Welfare Benefits Uprating Act 64 Universal Credit (UC) 63 workers voice 23, 60, 70 long hours 19 workforce consultation on executive pay 43 women 80 workforce development and training workers' voice 30 employer investment 33 youth 86 Workforce Partnership Council 53 unfair dismissal 70, 72 W working conditions 31 union disputes 155 62 Working on the Edge Group 74 Union Information Group (UIG) 127 wages 2, 65 Working Families and Maternity Action 79 union involvement Wales TUC 53 Working Lives Research Institute 127 industrial partnerships and skills 34 Austerity Uncovered campaign 8 working time 19 20, 32 union learning centres 107 living wage 42 collective bargaining 95 Union Learning Fund 33, 107 8 procurement 31 long hours and overtime 28 union learning reps 33, 92, 107, Towards a Welsh Industrial Working Time Directive 19, 75 109, 110, 111, 113 Strategy report 30 Workplace Employment Relations adult skills and further education 36 young people 19 Study (WERS) 95 career information advice and guidance 36 Walker, Scot 26 workplace pensions see pensions Informal Adult and Community Walker, Simon 44 Worksmart website 127 Learning (IACL) 108 Walker-Shaw, Kathleen 76 World Bank 16 Union Legal Officers Network 74 Webb, Steve 25, 48 World Social Forum 17 union officers and officials 95 Wefare Reform Act 52, 62, 63, 65 World Pride 86 Union Professional Development Welfare Benefits Uprating Act 64 Wrack, Matt 89 Programme 113 14 welfare state union reps 95, 96, 111 threats to 52 paid time off 97 see also social security and participation in TUC Education courses 111 the welfare state on skills bodies 36 whistleblowing 74 Y see also environment Whithead, Nigel 36 safety reps Whittle, Stephen 123 young people 2, 35, 86 7 union learning reps Whitty, Fergus 91 career information, advice and guidance 36 union strength 10 wholesale industry cuts in services 59 unionlearn 58 union membership 95 European Economic and apprentices 35, 81, 91, 109 Willetts, David 30 Social Committee 76 career information advice and guidance 36 Williamson, Janet 26, 44, 98 learning and skills 109 Celebration of Learning 108 Wilson, Debbie 120 national minimum wage (NMW) 40 Functional Skills Task Group 108 Wilson, Fiona 104 offenders 109 green economy 35 wind energy 21, 22 rights at work 70 skills investment 33 women Tunisia 103 staff changes 126 impact of cuts 52, 59, 78 union membership 95 workplace learning 34 living wage 42 women in science, technology, engineering young offenders 109 national minimum wage (NMW) 40 and mathematics (STEM) careers 81 young people 35 pension entitlement 48 Young Workers Conference 10, 123 unions role in post Arab Spring countries 102 Youth Contract scheme 19 bespoke courses and support 96, 112 safety 67 youth unemployment 14, 18, 33, 34, 75 response to Equality Act changes 79 Tunisia 103 sector skills councils (SSCs) 36 under-representation on boards 82 strength 94 7 union learning reps 107 women union professional training 113 members 81 in unions and public life 81 2 Z in public life 81 2 violence against 32, 81 Universal Credit (UC) 7, 63, women©s equality 802 zero-hours contracts 2, 60, 73, 74 59, 62, 64, 65, 108 Working Women course book 114 Ziadah, Rafeef 122 Universities UK 58 Women©s Budget Group 80, 81 Ununna, Chuka 6 Women©s Committee 80, 139 Unwin, Professor Lorna 33 Womens© Conference 81, 122 Usher, John 90 Women©s Resource Centre 81 Uyot, Chris 99

183 Index to resolutions

Resolutions, including composite and emergency resolutions, carried at the 2012 Congress, and where they are referred to in this General Council report.

Resolution 5 8, 12, 121 Composite 1 28 Resolution 7 73, 78 Composite 2 95 Resolution 8 86 Composite 3 70 Resolution 9 95 Composite 4 52 Resolution 16 72 Composite 5 18 Resolution 17 78 Composite 6 30 Resolution 18 78, 79 Composite 7 46 Resolution 19 78, 79 Composite 8 62 Resolution 20 78 Composite 9 28 Resolution 21 81 Composite 10 20 Resolution 22 81 Composite 11 52, 67 Resolution 23 82 Composite 12 52 Resolution 24 78, 83 Composite 13 52, 54 Resolution 25 84 Composite 14 52, 57 Resolution 26 16 Composite 15 35, 52, 57 Resolution 27 13 Composite 16 88 Resolution 30 21 22 Resolution 32 28, 30 Emergency resolution 1 52, 57 Resolution 40 64 Emergency resolution 2 67 Resolution 42 20 Emergency resolution 3 52, 57 Resolution 43 20 Resolution 48 28 Resolution 49 27 Resolution 53 52 Resolution 54 52 Resolution 56 52 Resolution 57 52, 56 Resolution 58 52, 54 Resolution 59 64 Resolution 63 52, 57 Resolution 64 52, 57 Resolution 67 52, 57 Resolution 68 57 Resolution 69 52 Resolution 70 52 Resolution 71 26 Resolution 72 26 Resolution 73 26 Resolution 74 97 Resolution 75 100 Resolution 76 103 Resolution 78 75 Resolution 82 91

184 Photography

© Reportdigital.co.uk | Paul Box (vii, 53) Stefano Cagnoni (76); Jess Hurd (92); Roy Peters (40) © TUC | Front cover, viii, 3, 12, 15, 29, 62, 86, 121, 128 © Miscellaneous | Qamrul Anam, IndustriAll Global Union (10) Andrew Aitchison (vi); David Bacon (102); Jacky Chapman (93) Chris Coates (121); Glenn Copus (66); Perian Flaherty (12) RioTur (100); Leonora Saunders (11); Laurie Smith (85) Sarah Turton (1); The Robin Hood Tax Campaign (17) Andrew Wiard (90,124); Theodore Wood (ii) Published by Trades Union Congress Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS www.tuc.org.uk

August 2013 ISBN 978 1 85006 947 8 £10