The FRINGE The following are the fringe meetings the TUC had details of by the time the Guide went to press.

The TUC’s own meetings are shown in red.

To find the meeting rooms see the plans on page 5.

11

Sunday evening following the fringe. reps has grown stronger since the coalition 19.00–20.00 Speakers: John Hendy QC, IER and CTUF; government came to power. Funding for Keith Ewing, IER and CTUF; Sally Hunt, UCU; advice and casework services has been Institute of Employment Rights and Len McCluskey, Unite slashed. The EHRC has been weakened. Parts Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Chair: Carolyn Jones, IER of the Equality Act 2010 have been repealed. Employment rights and trade union Venue: Liverpool Media Academy, And fees of £1,200 have been introduced freedoms: a post-election agenda 85–89 Duke Street, L1 5AP for discrimination cases to be heard at We need strong and effective trade union Refreshments provided tribunal, resulting in an 80 per cent fall in sex voices at national, sectoral and enterprise Sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors and discrimination cases, a 60 per cent fall in race levels. Current attacks on collective supported by War on Want cases and a 46 per cent fall in disability cases. bargaining and facility time and systematic Equality reps can play a vital role in making weakening of employment rights, trade union 19.15 equality rights a reality for more workers – if freedoms and access to justice leave workers TUC they are properly supported. vulnerable in an increasingly unequal society. Speakers: Rt. Hon Angela Eagle MP, Sir Bob Moreover, the Transatlantic Trade and Respect at Work: The role of Hepple QC; James Mitchell, Unite equality Investment Partnership (TTIP) poses future equality reps in promoting equality rep; Diana Holland, Unite; Gloria Mills, threats to our living and working conditions. and preventing discrimination UNISON; Kamaljeet Jandu, GMB So what do we want to see from a Labour Despite 40 years of equality legislation, Chair: Sally Brett, TUC Government? significant inequalities persist in Britain’s Venue: Hall 11a, BT Convention Centre

I llustrations: Celyn Brazier There will be a joint social with GFTU workplaces. The case for union equality Refreshments available The FRINGE

Monday lunchtime 12.45 12.45 12.30 –13.45 Morning Star Trades Union Coordinating Group TUSDAC Fighting for our Future: Building the Fight against Austerity What the world needs now... The Morning Star and trade July 10 was a massive demonstration of unions in 2015 and beyond the determination of workers to resist TUSDAC fringe meeting on Energy the relentless attacks on their services, and Climate Change 2015 will be the most important General Election year since the second world war. their standards of living and their rights. We call on governments, industry and civil Everything we have struggled for and gained Coordination of action across all fronts is society to unite behind a new UN treaty on since 1945 is now on the line. All of us in essential if we are to maintain the pressure and make the issue of austerity central to the climate change. the trade union and labour movement, the forthcoming general election. We all want the The challenge we face this year and next People’s Assembly Against Austerity and Tories out but Labour has already signalled its is to close the gap between easy promises to many others must be part of the struggle intention of sticking to the Tories’ spending cut our greenhouse gas emissions and the to save our society. Every movement needs limits if elected to power. This meeting will hard choices needed. The coalition’s short- an educator, agitator, and organiser. The address how we can oppose the current term political gaming of our energy policy movement has all three and more in the attacks and build a growing resistance to the increases uncertainty and discourages Morning Star, Britain’s only national daily ongoing policies of austerity. Come and join investment in green and decent jobs. socialist newspaper, fighting for peace, the discussion – all welcome. Government, unions and industry must socialism and a better world. Join us at our Speakers: Christine Blower, NUT; Ian work together for major new investments in fringe with Unite General Secretary Len Lawrence, NAPO; John McDonnell MP; Mark low-carbon power supply, rail infrastructure McCluskey and others to debate a fighting Serwotka, PCS; Peter Pinkney, RMT and electric vehicles, and to save our forests. way forward to 2015, and a better future. Chair: Matt Wrack, FBU Every workplace should be a green workplace, Speakers: to be arranged Venue: Hall 12, BT Convention Centre where we save energy and resources. Chair: Bob Oram Refreshments provided Speakers: Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, shadow Venue: Hall 11a, BT Convention Centre Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Refreshments provided Change; Gail Cartmail, Deputy General 12.45–14.00 Secretary, Unite; Dave Green, National Officer, 12.45–14.00 TUC Fire Brigades’ Union PCS TTIP – a progressive agenda for Chair: Sue Ferns, TUC General Council lead How to Fight Cuts and Win rights, jobs and standards on the environment, and Director of Research Find out more about how unions and This meeting will discuss trade union and Communications, Prospect communities are fighting for fair pay and campaigns on rights, jobs and labour, Venue: Hall 4a, BT Convention Centre against the attacks on public services. environmental and consumer standards 13 Refreshments available Speakers will include: Mark Serwotka, in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment General Secretary, PCS; Phillipa Harvey, Senior Partnership (TTIP). It will consider how unions 12.45 Vice President, NUT; Steve Turner, Assistant and allies in the EU, USA and UK can work together to defend workers rights’ and the Acas General Secretary, Unite Chair: Janice Godrich, National President, PCS public interest in TTIP. Buffet lunch provided. Unravelling zero-hours contracts Speakers: Tom Jenkins, Senior Advisor, ETUC; Venue: Hall 3b, BT Convention Centre Are zero-hours contracts good or bad? Are Paul Kenny, General Secretary, GMB; John Refreshments provided they exploitative or an essential part of Healey MP and Chair All-Party Parliamentary economic and business flexibility? Or does Group on EU-US Trade and Investment; Judith the problem go deeper? Should we be looking 12.45 Kirton-Darling MEP, North East England; Ben at what’s going on in individual sectors? Is the Show Racism The Red Card Davis, Director of International Affairs, United problem about outsourcing, for example, or Show Racism the Red Card: Steel Workers (USA) contractual or legal uncertainties? Challenging racism in the Chair: Billy Hayes, General Secretary, And, above all, what do atypical contracts workplace CWU and TUC General Council Europe say about the kind of employment SRtRC is asking trade union branches to spokesperson relationships we value? support its anti-racism education work. Along Venue: Hall 11c, BT Convention Centre Come and join the debate and let’s start with many other charities SRtRC has faced a Buffet lunch provided finding some answers. reduction in funding. At the same time, racism Speakers: Anne Sharp, CEO of Acas; Sarah remains a major problem in society and, in 12.45–14.00 Veale, Head, Equality and Employment Rights the current economic climate, is on the rise. Unions 21 Department, TUC SRtRC campaign supporters from the worlds A New Deal for Work: Older workers Chair: Brendan Barber, Chair, Acas of football and trade unions will share their How can unions give hope to the generation Venue: Hall 4b, BT Convention Centre experiences of the charity’s work to challenge of workers who are working longer? Sandwiches and soft drinks racism through education and will provide The event will explore the union role in best practice advice to support the effective ensuring the issues of an aging workforce are 12.45 and 13.45 challenging of racism in the workplace. addressed by government and employers. GFTU Speakers: Stephen Cavalier, Chief Executive, Speakers: Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Minister The Union Gap Thompsons Solicitors; James Kingett, Show for Care and Older People; Nicola Lee, Royal A brilliant, 30-minute, interactive Racism the Red Card; Howard Gayle, former College of Nursing; Professor Peter Totterdill performance by Banner Theatre Liverpool FC football player; Lynn Collins, Chief Executive, UK Work Organisation demonstrating how drama can help unions Regional Secretary for the North West TUC Network (UK WON) organise. Two performances today and Chair: Liz Snape, Assistant General Secretary, Chair: Amy Leversidge, Royal College of tomorrow – go to both to make the best of it. UNISON Midwives “Amazing”, John Fray, NUJ Venue: Hall 1b, BT Convention Centre Venue: Hall 14, BT Convention Centre Venue: Hall 8, BT Convention Centre Refreshments provided Lunch provided The FRINGE

12.45 Monday evening Venezuela Solidarity Campaign 16.00 and 17.30 Solidarity with Venezuela Against GFTU US Intervention and Right-wing The Union Gap Destablisation: No More Pinochets A brilliant, 30-minute, interactive in Latin America! performance demonstrating how drama can Since Hugo Chavez was first elected in help unions organise. Two performances 1998, Venezuela has seen a democratic today and tomorrow – go to both to make the and social transformation, with millions of best of it. “Amazing” John Fray, NUJ people lifted out of poverty. This progress for Banner Theatre working people continues under the elected Venue: Hall 8, BT Convention Centre government of former trade union leader Nicolas Maduro, with Venezuela passing 17.30 arguably the most progressive labour law Cuba Solidarity Campaign in the world, shortening the working week, enshrining collective bargaining, outlawing Cuba Solidarity Havana Club outsourcing plus privatisation, and enhancing Rum Reception equality at work. But this year Venezuela has Speakers: Mariela Castro, Cuban MP, Director faced a sustained campaign of anti-democratic, of the Cuban Centre for Sexual Education violent, right-wing destabilisation, aimed at and campaigner for gender equality and ‘ousting’ the elected government. Now, the LGBT rights; Esther Armenteros, Cuban threat of US sanctions against Venezuela has Ambassador; Frances O'Grady, General been put on the table. Come along to hear Secretary, TUC (invited); Len McCluskey, government’s reforms on service quality, eyewitness accounts from Venezuela and find General Secretary, Unite access to justice and on the justice sector out how we can build solidarity. Christine Blower, General Secretary, NUT workforce, and learn about the joint union Speakers: Alvaro Sanchez, Venezuelan Venue: Hall 12, BT Convention Centre campaign, Speak Up for Justice, involving the Embassy; Venezuelan trade union speaker; Havana Club Rum cocktails TUC, FDA, GMB, Napo, PCS, POA, UNISON and Colin Burgon, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign; Unite, which calls for an integrated, publicly Tom Jones, Thompsons Solicitors; Sian 17.45 owned, accountable and accessible justice system. Errington, co-author, Institute for Employment Centre for Social and Labour Studies (Class) Rights pamphlet, Bolivarian Venezuela – Speakers: Paul Nowak, TUC Assistant General 14 Sustained Progress for Workers’ Rights Challenging Power, Raising Secretary; Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, Chair: Tony Burke, Assistant General Living Standards PCS; Steve Gillan, General Secretary, POA; Secretary, Unite The last few years have seen an Tania Bassett, National Official for Press, Venue: Hall 11b, BT Convention Centre unprecedented growth of inequality in Parliament and Campaigns, Napo Lunch provided wealth and power. We look at the changes Chair: Juliet Lyon, Director, Prison Reform that will need to happen if power and wealth Trust 13.00 are to be shifted back towards working Venue: Hall 4a, BT Convention Centre Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK people. Without strong trade unions and the empowerment of working people we will not Asbestos Victims – an agenda be able to tackle inequality and achieve the 17.45 for justice rise in living standards so urgently needed. TUC Compensation for asbestos-related diseases This is why Class is holding an event at Down and Out: the reality of life for is constantly under attack from the insurance TUC Congress that will discuss ways in which LGBT people in austerity Britain industry whose conspiracy with the coalition the trade union movement can challenge The popular view that lesbian, gay, bisexual government was exposed by the Justice Select existing power structures in order to reduce and transgender people have never had it Committee in July this year. wealth inequality and raise living standards so good seems to have been confirmed by This meeting aims to forge an agenda for sustainably and over the long term. the arrival of equal marriage: but academic trade union and political action for worker Speakers: Katy Clark MP; Owen Jones (The research and real-life experience both confirm protection and for 100 per cent justice for Guardian, author of The Establishment); asbestos victims. Exposure to asbestos in the existence of deep rooted prejudice and Oslem Onaran, Professor of Workforce and discrimination. Trade unions have led the workplaces occurs on a daily basis. Economic Development Policy University of Exposed workers are now especially at struggle for equality and much remains to be Greenwich and other(s) to be confirmed. done. The meeting will learn about research risk of developing mesothelioma, a fatal Chair: Tim Roache, GMB cancer caused by low, brief exposure to into the impact of austerity and the reality Venue: Hall 11c, BT Convention Centre asbestos. Past exposure to asbestos resulting of workplace life for LGBT people in Britain Refreshments provided in mesothelioma has already claimed some in 2014. Thirty years after Lesbians and 40,000 lives. Past exposure will claim another Gays Support the Miners achieved a ground- 50,000 lives by 2040. Compensation for 17.45– 19.30 breaking alliance between LGBT campaigners asbestos-related diseases is constantly under Speak Up for Justice and striking miners, much has been won but attack from the insurance industry. Our justice system is under unprecedented attitudes have yet to be challenged. Speakers: Kate Green MP; Tony Whitston, attack by the coalition government. Speakers: James Anthony, UNISON; Anna AVSGF; Marie Hughes, Greater Manchester Probation, policing and prison services are Einarsdottir, University of Hull; Helge Hoel, Asbestos Victims Support Group being privatised, over 100 courts have closed, Manchester Business School Chair: Hugh Robertson, TUC the legal aid budget has been slashed, and Chair: Maria Exall, TUC General Council, Venue: Hall 13, BT Convention Centre there are drastic cuts to funding. Chair, TUC LGBT Committee Light buffet Find out more about the impacts of the Venue: Hall 13, BT Convention Centre 17.45 12.45–14.00 Chair: Denise McGuire, Vice President, TUCJCC Justice for Colombia Prospect The Trades Union Councils Conference Colombian Unions: Fighting for Venue: Hall 4b, BT Convention Centre successfully moved a three-part motion to peace in a death squad democracy Lunch provided the 2013 Congress; this was moved by the In spite of death threats, attacks, and late Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT imprisonment, trade unionists continue to 12.45 who has since tragically died. However, the organise in Colombia. Martha Diaz is on the Trade Union Friends of Israel General Council had reservations about the frontline in that struggle. Over the past year Solidarity with Trade Unions in part of the motion which requested a delegate she has been involved in nationwide strikes the Middle East from the Trades Union Councils Conference and protests. As a result the death threats At a time of turmoil in the Middle East, trade attend Congress. against her have increased. In 2010, her unions should be working globally to advance This fringe meeting will explain to daughter was kidnapped. the cause of peace and prosperity. This delegates the logic of the one subject motion Come and hear first-hand about being a session will explore how workers in Israel and which simply requests Congress to agree to trade unionist in the most dangerous country Palestine can be the conduit for interaction one delegate to attend the annual Congress in the world to be one, about how the trade and relationship building which is needed for in order to allow the trades union councils to a long-term peace. move the motion. union movement is leading the push for The Trades Union Councils conference peace and get the latest on the Colombian Invited speakers include: Frances O’Grady, motion will be moved by the President of the peace process and the work being done by General Secretary, TUC; Avi Nissenkorn, Chair, RMT and seconded by the General Secretary British and Irish trade unionists in support of the Histadrut; Michael J. Leahy OBE, Chair, of the FBU. social justice in Colombia. TUFI; P J McParlin, National Chairman, POA; Speakers: Kathy Taylor TUCJCC; and UCU; Speakers: Peter Bunting, Assistant General Hannah Weisfeld, Director, Yachad Peter Pinkney, President, RMT; Martin Mayor Secretary, ICTU; Martha Diaz, Colombian Venue: Hall 11c, BT Convention Centre TUCJCC and Unite trade unionist; Mariela Kohon, Director, Refreshments provided Chair: Alec McFadden, TUCJCC NW Justice for Colombia; Steve Murphy, General Venue: Hall 4b, BT Convention Centre Secretary, UCATT; Paul Nowak, Assistant 12.45–14.00 General Secretary, TUC Unionlearn 18.00 Chair: Jo Stevens, Thompsons Solicitors Britain Needs a Skills Rise Venue: Hall 11b, BT Convention Centre There is an opportunity to take a radical The discussion will focus on: Refreshments available tour of Liverpool which celebrates the • how employer investment in training and strong contribution made by all the City’s skills is still much too low in UK workplaces trade unions as part of the radical history 12.45 and how this is a major contributory factor to 15 of Liverpool. Two guided tours have been NASUWT our poor productivity and the “low-pay, low- organised at 6.00pm on Monday 8 and Iraq in Crisis skill” employment trap Tuesday 9 September with each tour The fall of Saddam Hussein has failed to • the impact of the reduction in government taking approximately 90 minutes. If you secure peace and democracy in Iraq. More investment in skills and expansion of the FE are interested in going on a tour, contact than one million people, many from ethnic or loans system Keith Lewis on 07825 177280 who will give religious minorities, have fled their homes to • the significant role that unions already play further details. escape violence and persecution. According to in supporting learning and skills through the the UN, June 2014 was the deadliest month collective bargaining process and the crucial Tuesday lunchtime with over 5,000 dead or injured. Children's role of union learning reps and the Union 12.45–14.00 rights, including the right to education, have Learning Fund

All Together for the NHS also been violated. • how trade unions can support midlife This fringe meeting will examine the facts career and personal development for union Speakers: Professor John Schofield, President, members and the way in which these issues Hospital Consultants and Specialists and explore the solutions to the mounting have been picked up in bargaining with Association; Clive Efford MP for Eltham, humanitarian and political crisis in Iraq. employers about skills and in subsequent Labour Party; Pam Black, President, Society Speakers: Chris Keates, General Secretary, Learning Agreements. of Radiographers; Jenny Brown, Midwife, NASUWT; other speakers invited This fringe meeting will offer an opportunity Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Christina Chair: Geoff Branner, President, NASUWT to discuss the cha llenges these trends in skills McAnea, Head of Health, UNISON; Charlene Venue: Hall 3b, BT Convention Centre investment pose and what unions can do to Sibley, Domestic Worker, Derriford Hospital Refreshments provided influence policy going forward. Chair: Lesley Mercer, Director, Chartered Speakers: Professor Ewart Keep, University of Society of Physiotherapy 12.45 Venue: Hall 11b, BT Convention Centre Prospect Oxford; Ian Waddell, National Officer, Unite; Refreshments provided Collective Voice in the Private Christina McAnea, Head of Health, UNISON Chair: Mary Bousted, General Secretary of ATL Sector: what next? and Chair of the unionlearn Board 12.45 and 13.45 In too many workplaces workers lack effective Venue: Hall 13, BT Convention Centre GFTU influence over decisions directly affecting The Union Gap their employment, especially where there is 12.45–13.45 no collective bargaining. This meeting will A brilliant 30-minute, interactive TUC performance demonstrating how drama can focus on the state of play in the private sector help unions organise. Two performances and explore strategies for strengthening The New Immigration Act 2014: Are today – go to both to make the best of it. collective voice. these provisions undermining our “Amazing” John Fray, NUJ Speakers: Mike Clancy, General Secretary, freedoms and racial cohesion? Banner Theatre Prospect; John Hannett, General Secretary, The issue of immigration is hotly debated Venue: Hall 8, BT Convention Centre Usdaw; Paul Hackett, Director, Smith Institute in mainstream politics and the media. It The FRINGE

affects how people are treated at work and Venue: Hall 14, BT Convention Centre 17.30 in our communities. The new Immigration Lunch provided Trades Union Coordinating Group Act received Royal Assent on 14 May 2014. The Great Pay Robbery It will have far reaching implications for 12.45 To coincide with the publication of a new workers, public service users and migrant TUCG booklet, this meeting will look at what communities in accessing services and in Unite Against Fascism Stand up to Ukip, Racism the Resolution Foundation has called “an carrying out daily activities. Provisions in the unparalleled collapse in real wages” in the act include charges for primary health care, and Fascism period since the financial crash of 2008. With and the introduction of document checks for How should trade unionists respond to the the epidemic of low pay, and casualised, people trying to rent a house, opening a bank far right and fascists’ rise in support at the part-time work, often on zero hours, for the account or obtain a driving licence. Euro elections? Moreover, Ukip topped the first time a majority of people experiencing The fringe meeting will explore how of polls in the Euro elections; although Ukip are poverty are now in work. Real incomes are trade unions can ensure that service users not fascists, they are racist populists like the further squeezed by the cuts to benefits and workers are treated in a fair and non- Dutch PVV. Thus, they need standing up to. and soaring housing costs, and the benefits discriminatory way under this new Act? Ukip are seeking to capture votes on the back system effectively subsidises exploitative Come to the fringe meeting and hear how of scapegoating immigrants and minorities. bosses and landlords. How can unions and trade unions are organising and challenging working class communities build an effective the exploitation of migrant workers in the This meeting will argue that working people must challenge and not concede to Ukip’s fightback to stop this great pay robbery? workplace. Speakers: Tania Bassett, Napo; Kevin Speakers include: Claude Moraes MEP (tbc); racist agenda on immigration. We will analyse and talk through how Courtney, NUT; Ronnie Draper, BFAWU; Rita Chadha, RAMFEL; Rosa Crawford, TUC Matt Wrack, FBU to combat the far right such Jobbik and the Chair: Gloria Mills, Chair of the TUC Race Chair: Janice Godrich, PCS French National Front. Relations Committee Venue: Jury’s Inn (opposite the Convention Venue: Hall 4a, BT Convention Centre Speakers: Billy Hayes, General Secretary, Centre) CWU; Christine Blower, General Secretary, Refreshments provided 12.45–14.00 NUT; Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary, UAF; Shrewsbury 24 Campaign Sabby Dhalu, Joint Secretary, UAF 17.45–19.30 Miscarriages of Justice: Chair: Steve Hart, Unite Action for Rail Shrewsbury and beyond Venue: Hall 11a, BT Convention Centre Can Labour deliver radical rail The NWTUC is hosting a meeting to highlight Refreshments provided reform? some of the campaigns against miscarriages 16 Rail privatisation has failed to deliver on any of Justice for working people. Join us to hear 13.00 of its promises over the last 20 years. Public from Ricky Tomlinson whose Shrewsbury The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy subsidy has more than doubled, there has 24 campaign is fighting for justice for 24 The Unions and the Labour Party been little new private investment, and fares building workers arrested and charged How to build the strength and influence of have risen more than four times faster than after the 1972 building workers strike, the TUs within the Labour Party and ensure average wages, while private train companies and other speakers who will highlight the we win in 2015. extract bigger profits for their shareholders. role of the state and the press in attacking Speakers: Mohammed Azam, former Can a Labour government deliver the working people, including during the miners’ radical reform of our railways that is needed? strike, the News International dispute and member, Labour Party NEC; Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU; Lucille Harvey, Public ownership of the railways has Hillsborough. widespread public support and could be Youth Rep, Unite Political Committee); Speakers: Ricky Tomlinson plus others to be delivered at no cost by bringing franchises Gaye Johnston Chair, CLPD; Jon Lansman, confirmed back under public ownership as they expire. Chair: Steve Farley, NWTUC Chair LeftFutures website; Len McCluskey, General Hosted by the Action for Rail campaign led Venue: Hall 12, BT Convention Centre Secretary, Unite; Hazel Nolan, GMB rep. on by the TUC, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite, and Young Labour National Committee; Peter calls for an integrated, national railway under 12.45 Willsman, Secretary, CLPD public ownership. Unions 21 Chair: Glen Williams, Branch Secretary, Sefton Speakers: Mick Cash, General Secretary, A New Deal for Work: Young UNISON. RMT; Mick Whelan, General Secretary, ASLEF; Workers Venue: Premier Inn, Albert Dock, Meeting Lorraine Ward, Assistant General Secretary, How can unions give hope to the next Room 4 TSSA; Ian Taylor, Director, Transport for generation of workers? Quality of Life. The labour market is changing, placing a Tuesday evening Chair: Paul Nowak, Assistant General unique pressure on students and young 16.00 and 17.30 Secretary, TUC Venue: Hall 4a, BT Convention Centre people. Many young workers struggle to find GFTU high quality employment and also often The Union Gap 17.45 lack good careers advice and support. These A brilliant 30-minute, interactive themes have been explored by Unions21 Fair CWU, TUC, NUS performance demonstrating how drama can Work Commission and in a new NUS report The Next Generation help unions organise. Two performances The Future of Work. This meeting will discuss Union membership is declining amongst today – go to both to make the best of it. these challenges and the union role in finding young workers but so is activism amongst solutions. “Amazing” John Fray, NUJ young members. The latest WERS report Speakers: Paul Nowak, Assistant General Banner Theatre found that the trade unions movement Secretary, TUC; Toni Pearce, President, NUS; Venue: Hall 8, BT Convention Centre activist base is getting older. This fringe Fabrice Muamba, PFA, Nick Cusack, PFA will set out the extent of this potential Chair: Sue Ferns, Unions21 demographic crisis and hear from unions who are taking action to recruit not just the next generation of members but activists as well. Speakers: from the TUC Young Workers’ Forum, CWU and National Union of Students share their experiences. Chair: Fern McCaffrey, member of the TUC General Council and Chair of the TUC Young Workers Forum Venue: Hall 4B, BT Convention Centre Refreshments provided

17.45 Palestine Solidarity Campaign Standing Up for Palestine – sanctions now! After the horrific attacks on the people of Gaza this summer, is it now more important than ever to stand strong in solidarity with Palestine and push for sanctions against the war crimes committed by the Israeli State. Join us to discuss what the next steps are in support of justice and Palestinian human rights. Please visit our stand in the exhibition 17.45 18.00 area for more information. TUSNE The North West TUC would like to invite Speakers: Dr Mustapha Barghouti, Member Low-Carbon Nuclear Renaissance: delegates to a special performance of “Call of the Palestinian Parliament and General Can the UK meet its emissions Mr Robeson – a life with songs” performed by Secretary of the Palestine National Initiative; Tayo Aluko. The play is a rollercoaster journey obligations through Robeson’s remarkable and eventful Len McCluskey, General Secretary Unite; Speakers: Mike Clancy, General Secretary, life, and highlights his radical activism. It Christine Blower, General Secretary NUT; Billy Prospect; David Shier, Canadian Power features much fiery oratory and some of his Hayes, General Secretary CWU; Sally Hunt, Workers Union famous songs, including a dramatic rendition General Secretary UCU; Hugh Lanning, Chair, Chair: Kevin Coyne of “Ol’ Man River” 17 Palestine Solidarity Campaign Venue: Hall 13, BT Convention Centre Venue: Hall 1b, BT Convention Centre Chair: Stephen Cavalier, Chief Executive, Refreshments provided Thompsons Solicitors Venue: Hall 11a, BT Convention Centre 18.00 Palestinian Taybeh Beer – sponsored by London 17.45 Take a radical tour of Liverpool which and Eastern and South East Regions of Unite – Unemployed centres celebrates the strong contribution made by all and other refreshments will be provided. the City’s trade unions as part of the radical No to Benefit Sanctions, Yes to a history of Liverpool. Two guided tours have Socialist Welfare System 17.45 been organised at 6.00pm on Monday 8 and Benefit sanctions are the recruiting sergeant Tuesday 9 September with each tour taking TUC for every zero-hours, low-hours, low-paid, approximately 90 minutes. If you are interested Qatar 2022: a World Cup fit and agency job in the country. With the in going on a tour, contact Keith Lewis on for workers? propaganda war on welfare raging the 07825 177280 who will give further details. Horrific working and living conditions government has turned the heat up on have cost hundreds of lives and putting benefit sanctions with over 500,000 applied Wednesday lunchtime thousands more at risk amongst Qatar’s in one year. At last the TU movement is 14.00 or close of Congress huge migrant workforce as the country waking up to the fact that what happens Relaunch of Wirral TUC unemployed workers seeks to revolutionise its infrastructure in in the Job Centre directly affects conditions centre, the Wirral Advisory Centre, at 23–26 St preparation for the 2022 World Cup. Unions and possibilities for organisation in the Anne Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 3SJ and their allies are campaigning for Qatar to workplace. Unemployment is being made so The Wirral Centre, which was founded in start saving lives now, and for world sporting unpalatable that workers are trapped in lousy 1999, has been given new, larger premises bodies like FIFA to put human and labour jobs fearing the insecurity and poverty that by Wirral MBC, free of charge, to allow the rights at the heart of their bidding process. faces them should they return to the dole excellent work to continue. In the last 12 We will look at the truth behind Qatar's months, the Centre has served over 2,000 clients recent promises of reform and discuss ways queue. The meeting will address the reality of unemployment in the UK and encourage the and over £750,000 has been won for these in which unions, football fans and other clients in terms of welfare benefits, disability fightback. campaigners can work together to stop 4,000 cases and employment law during this time. Speakers: Len McCluskey, General Secretary, workers dying for the World Cup. The Centre is also leading the campaign Unite; Angela Rayner, North West UNISON Speakers: James Lynch, Amnesty against benefit sanctions. International; Steve Murphy, UCATT; Owen Convener; Mark Serwotka, General All supporters of the TUC unemployed Gibson, The Guardian; Malcom Clark, Chair, Secretary PCS; Colin Hampton, Chesterfield workers centres are invited. Invited speakers Football Supporters’ Federation; Alison Unemployed Workers Centre are: Len McCluskey, General Secretary, Unite; McGovern MP, shadow DFID minister Chair: Alec McFadden, Salford Unemployed Paul Nowak, Assistant General Secretary; Rt Chair: Gail Cartmail, Unite Workers Centre Hon Angela Eagle MP; Alun Parry, singer/ Venue: Hall 11c, BT Convention Centre Venue: Hall 14, BT Convention Centre songwriter.