CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT
JOBS | SECURITY | DIGNITY TUC CONGRESS 2020 Copyright © 2020 TUC
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SECTION 4 TUC General Council members 2019–20 07 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK General secretary’s introduction 08 4.1 Introduction 36 SECTION 1 4.2 Tackling the far right 36 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS 4.3 Addressing class inequality 37 4.4 Employment and trade union rights 37 1.1 Introduction 12 4.5 Tackling sexual harassment 40 1.2 Jobs and the economy 12 4.6 Securing equality 40 1.3 Social security 14 4.7 Health, safety and regulation 42 1.4 Health and safety at work 15 4.8 Skills 43 1.5 Protecting equality 16 4.9 Apprenticeships 43 1.6 Sector interventions 18 4.10 Adult skills 44 1.7 Training and support for reps 20
SECTION 5 SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY GOOD SERVICES 5.1 Introduction 46 2.1 Introduction 22 5.2 Education 46 2.2 The economy 22 5.3 NHS 46 2.3 Collective bargaining and 5.4 Social care 47 a new deal for workers 22 5.5 Privatisation 48 2.4 Social security 23 5.6 Civil service 49 2.5 Future of work and automation 24 5.7 Justice 49 2.6 Insecure work 25 5.8 Public sector pay 49 2.7 The living wage, low pay, the national 5.9 Transport 50 living and minimum wage, sick pay, and the labour market 25 SECTION 6 2.8 Industrial strategy, environment, WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS energy, science and technology, sustainability and defence 26 6.1 Introduction 52 2.9 Creative industries 26 6.2 Organising and union membership 52 2.10 Pensions 26 6.3 Digital development 53 2.11 Workers’ capital, corporate 6.4 TUC communications awards 54 governance and executive pay 27 6.5 Young workers 54 2.12 Migration 28 6.6 TUC Education 55 2.13 Decent work and supply chains 28 6.7 Skills at work 61 6.8 Trades councils 62 SECTION 3 6.9 Global union organisations 62 BREXIT AND TRADE 6.10 Global solidarity 62 6.11 ILO campaigning 64 3.1 Introduction 30 6.12 International development 64 3.2 Political engagement 30 6.13 TUC Aid 65 3.3 EU-UK trade negotiations 31 6.14 Wales TUC 65 3.4 Trade and trade deals 32 6.15 Regional TUCs 66 3.5 Global trade 34 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 05
SECTION 7 TUC ADMINISTRATION 7.1 Developing the TUC 68 7.2 Affiliations and mergers 69 7.3 Congress awards 69 7.4 Congress 69 7.5 General Council 69 7.6 Conferences 70 7.7 TUC finances 71 7.8 TUC Library 72
OBITUARIES 74
APPENDICES
1 Attendance 78 2 Committee membership 80 3 Accounts 86 4 Disputes between unions 106 5 TUC rules and standing orders 108
Index 124 Index of resolutions 128 © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.©
Ged Nichols TUC Congress President 2020
The TUC brings together five and a half million working people who belong to our 48 member unions. We support trade unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living. Every day, we campaign for more and better jobs, and a more equal, more prosperous country. TUC mission statement CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 07 TUC GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS 2019–20
Sheila Bearcroft MBE Steve Gillan Gloria Mills CBE Claire Sullivan GMB POA UNISON CSP
Josie Bird Jo Grady1 Ged Nichols Chris Tansley UNISON UCU Accord UNISON
Mary Bousted Charlie Gray Christine Payne Horace Trubridge NEU GMB Equity Musicians’ Union
Tony Burke Isabelle Gutierrez1 Dave Penman Steve Turner Unite Musicians’ Union FDA Unite
Gail Cartmail Philipa Harvey Dave Prentis Dave Ward Unite NEU UNISON CWU
Mick Cash Chris Keates Davena Rankin Simon Weller RMT NASUWT UNISON ASLEF
Mike Clancy Ian Lawrence Roy Rickhuss CBE Paul Whiteman Prospect Napo Community National Association of Head Teachers Manuel Cortes Paddy Lillis Patrick Roach TSSA Usdaw NASUWT Tony Woodhouse Unite Kevin Courtney Brian Linn Tim Roache3 NEU Aegis GMB Matt Wrack FBU Ruth Cross Jane Loftus1 Maggie Ryan Usdaw Communication Unite Frances O’Grady Workers Union TUC General Secretary Tony Dale Malcolm Sage Usdaw Annette GMB 1Joined Dec 2019 2 Mansell-Green Died May 2020 3Left Apr 2020 Neil Derrick BDA Mark Serwotka GMB PCS Susan Matthews Mark Dickinson Unite Jon Skewes Nautilus International RCM Len McCluskey Maria Exall Unite Liz Snape MBE CWU UNISON Seán McGovern2 Sue Ferns Unite Michelle Stanistreet Prospect NUJ Roger McKenzie Larry Flanagan UNISON Jane Stewart EIS Unite INTRODUCTION FRANCES O’GRADY GENERAL SECRETARY
We all owe an enormous debt to keyworkers – our members – who led the nation’s Covid-19 response: carers and medics who tended the elderly © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk© and the sick, shop workers who kept food on the shelves and transport workers who kept the country running, to name but a few.
At the start of 2020, no one the country running, to name We put steel into the spine of could have predicted the but a few. Their devotion to government safety guidelines, terrible toll that Covid-19 would duty made us all proud. And in winning requirements on take on lives and livelihoods. As too many cases, these workers equality, consultation with I write, over half a million people made the ultimate sacrifice to safety reps and publication of worldwide have lost their lives to keep the rest of us safe. Covid-19 risk assessments so the virus and the UK has one of corporations could be held to the worst death rates in Europe. Key workers have earned more account. And we won a day one than our thanks. Nearly four right to sick pay for millions of Years of public service cuts left million of them, mostly women, low-paid workers. the UK poorly prepared for the are paid less than £10 an hour. pandemic, with the NHS, care Many are trapped in insecure We are also fighting for truth homes and other vital services work, without guaranteed hours and justice. We have called for scrambling to access even and often denied the most basic an independent public inquiry basic PPE. The government of rights, including sick pay. to investigate the government’s was slow to lockdown and slow In the months ahead unions mishandling of the pandemic. to set up a system for test and will demand the respect and trace. Millions were wasted on rewards that key workers and all Coronavirus has exposed the an app that never materialised working families deserve. deadly impact of systemic and even during lockdown it race inequality. Black workers transpired that there is still one In such unprecedented and are more likely to work in jobs rule for some, and another for challenging times, the vital where the risk of contracting everyone else. role of unions at work and coronavirus is greatest, on in society – standing up for insecure contracts and low pay We all owe an enormous debt working people, demanding which means they cannot afford to keyworkers – our members – safe working conditions and to take sick leave. Unions have who led the nation’s Covid-19 protecting jobs and incomes – called out the government’s response: carers and medics is more important than ever. woeful response and demanded who tended the elderly and urgent action to address the sick, shop workers who We stepped up to the plate. structural racism. kept food on the shelves and Unions pressed government transport workers who kept for the historic job retention and self-employment support schemes, subsidising the wages of millions who otherwise would Keyworkers have have been left with nothing. kept the country running throught the crisis © Getty Images/ PA Images
INTRODUCTION FRANCES O’GRADY GENERAL SECRETARY
As the economy slumps, we are So we have our work cut out. pushing for bold action to avoid But if we’ve learned anything a 1930s-style depression. The through this pandemic, it is that despair of mass unemployment there is such a thing as society. is not inevitable. We have We have won widespread made the case for substantial support for our values of dignity, government investment in justice and solidarity and for our infrastructure, support to stave practical policy solutions to the off company collapse and problems working families face. job losses, and quality job creation programmes – not Now we must convert that least for young people – to popular support into stronger prevent the life-scarring impact unions – the best way to protect of worklessness. working people and deliver fair shares. We have proved we 1 Our core work continues. For can rise to the challenge. Now millions of workers the value of together let’s win the new deal union organisation has never that working people deserve. been clearer. Organise 2020, our summer organising festival, showcased inspiring organising stories from around the UK and the world. We are backing our unions to build membership and strengthen collective agreements. And we refuse to go back to business as usual.
The challenges we still face are many. From deep inequality to the urgency of tackling climate change, to making new technologies our servant, not our master, and demanding a Brexit and other trade deals that uphold jobs, rights and public services.
NHS workers put their own lives at risk to care for coronavirus patients © Christopher Furlong/ Getty Images 1
SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS
Some NHS staff wear an enhanced level of PPE in higher risk areas such as intensive care to minimise the spread of infection between staff and patients © Neil Hall/Getty Images 1.1 Introduction
In March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic spread across the UK it became clear that the country was facing its greatest public health crisis for a century. On 23 March, the government introduced significant new restrictions limiting people’s ability to travel outside their homes, closing schools and shutting down large sections of the UK economy. Over the months that followed, tens of thousands of people lost their lives to Covid-19, with many more facing severe illness. Keyworkers put their own lives on the line to care for coronavirus patients and to keep key services and industries open. Rates of bankruptcy and unemployment rose sharply as the economic impacts of the pandemic began. Keyworkers put their own lives At time of writing, the rates of infections and deaths were on the line to care for coronavirus showing some improvement patients and to keep key services and government lockdown restrictions were slowly lifting. and industries open. The scale of the economic slump the UK economy is facing was becoming clear. The 1.2 Jobs and the economy committed the government pandemic was far from over. to pay 80 per cent of the In early March, as the scale wages of workers who would Throughout this period the TUC of the potential hit to jobs otherwise be laid off because has sought to ensure that the emerged, the TUC published of the pandemic – up to a cap voice of working people is at the a report calling for the urgent of £2,500 a month. The TUC heart of the government’s policy introduction of a wage subsidy then called for a similar scheme response, and to support unions scheme, modelled on schemes to support the self-employed in their vital work of protecting across Europe. Following – publishing a new report the workers’ safety and livelihoods. intensive discussions with the following week and continuing TUC and business groups, urgent discussions with the the chancellor announced Treasury, including a roundtable the coronavirus job retention with unions representing self- scheme (generally known as the ‘furlough scheme’). This CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 13
Thanks to TUC lobbying, 2.6 million people received support through the self-employed income support scheme © Petko Ninov/Getty Images employed workers. The self- employment income support scheme, covering 80 per cent of the incomes of lower-paid self-employed workers, was announced shortly after.
The TUC lobbied hard to ensure many insecure workers were eligible for one of the two main government wage- support schemes during the pandemic. However, large numbers remained ineligible and some employers refused to enter insecure workers for the schemes.
While neither scheme is perfect, both have provided vital support to protect jobs. At the end of June 2020, 9.3 million jobs had been furloughed – with workers’ wages paid through the job retention scheme, and £25bn paid out from the Treasury to support their employment. helped secure a clear statement The TUC A further 2.6 million people that employers could use the had received support through furlough scheme to support the lobbied hard to the self-employed income incomes of those who could ensure many support scheme, with a total of not work because of health or £7.7bn paid. caring responsibilities. insecure workers were eligible for The TUC and unions When the government moved remained in dialogue with the to phase out the scheme one of the two Chancellor and the Treasury we argued for measures to main government throughout, securing significant protect wages and jobs. We improvements to the job secured confirmation that as wage-support retention scheme’s operation. the Treasury moved to reduce schemes These included the initial ability the role of the furlough scheme, to run job rotation schemes, workers’ wages would not be during the clarity that those on insecure reduced below 80 per cent of pandemic. contracts could be furloughed, their normal rate, employers an extension to the ‘cut-off date’ would be able to bring workers for entry to the furlough scheme back on a part-time basis, and and confirmation that union that employer contributions reps could perform their vital would be phased in only on a roles while on furlough. We also gradual basis. SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS
In early May, we published a set long highlighted: the systematic underpayment of key workers; of proposals for a new jobs guarantee, the insecurity faced by those on setting out the need for funded, zero-hours contracts, including a shamefully high proportion of additional jobs for those at risk of the social care workforce; the long-term unemployment, especially lack of respect for workers who have spoken out about health young people. and safety; and deep-seated racial inequalities that have led to a disproportionate number Despite the significant role an online event with the TUC of coronavirus deaths among that both the furlough and general secretary speaking BME people. the self-employed income alongside Shadow Chancellor support schemes have played Anneliese Dodds MP. In June in protecting jobs and wages, we published Rebuilding 1.3 Social security the TUC has argued throughout After Recession, showing that the crisis that a wider package investment in low-carbon As the pandemic has hit, of support is needed. We infrastructure had the potential the TUC has exposed three held two roundtables with the to support 1.24 million jobs, fundamental problems with Chancellor, facilitated meetings and setting out how increased sick pay: the three days that between union leaders and investment in public services people have to wait before Andrew Bailey, Governor of the should also be used to support becoming eligible; the exclusion Bank of England, and organised employment. The report argued of two million people because regular meetings with business for new sectoral recovery panels they do not earn enough to secretary Alok Sharma and his and for the government taking qualify; and the shockingly under-secretary Paul Scully. We equity stakes in companies. It low level of the benefit, which have argued for further support also urged the government to at £96 a week is worth just a through the furlough scheme put equality at the heart of its fifth of weekly earnings. The – including for those excluded proposals for protecting jobs, government responded to from the current scheme, ensuring that the structural the problem of the three-day who are shielding or have discrimination faced by BME waiting period in the March caring responsibilities, and for people, women, disabled budget, announcing that those businesses that are viable but people and other groups with who were self-isolating due to face cash-flow problems due to protected characteristics was coronavirus would receive sick the virus. not worsened in recession. pay from day one. However, the We continue to call for a TUC continues to campaign to The TUC remains concerned national council for recovery protect the two million people that the government will need to give unions and business excluded, and to raise the level to provide significantly more a voice in shaping the post- of sick pay to a level people support to the economy to Covid-19 economy. can live on. We continue to protect jobs. In early May, we set out to government the published a set of proposals Throughout, the TUC has significant hardship that current for a new jobs guarantee, argued that we need not only sick pay policy causes for setting out the need for funded, to rebuild the economy but people at work, as well as the additional jobs for those at risk also to build back better, with limits it places on the national of long-term unemployment, decent work as our priority. coronavirus response. especially young people. Later The coronavirus has exposed the same month we published many of the inequalities in the A Better Recovery, launched at labour market that the TUC has CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 15
The TUC has challenged both government and enforcement agencies to take action to prevent exposure to risk in every workplace © Peter Summers/Getty Images
During the pandemic, as people have lost their jobs or have fallen between the gaps in the job protection schemes, the government advised them to turn to the welfare safety net. The TUC has highlighted how this safety net has failed. For newly unemployed claimants, the basic rate of universal credit is worth only around a sixth of average weekly pay. We also continued to highlight the scandal of the five-week wait for the first payment of universal credit, and the huge financial suffering this has caused for claimants. As part of this work we surveyed workers on its impact.
In April, the TUC published Fixing the Safety Net: next steps in the economic response to the coronavirus crisis, a set of proposals to rebuild the social security system, including calling We subsequently won important for a significant increase in the basic rate of benefit to £280 improvements, including a government a week. expectation that employers publish their risk assessments. 1.4 Health and safety at work guidance. We subsequently Secretary Paul Nowak also The TUC has placed the won important improvements, represented the TUC on the health and safety of workers including a government Department for Digital, Culture, at the heart of our coronavirus expectation that employers Media and Sport cultural response. We have challenged publish their risk assessments, renewal taskforce. both government and clear references to equality law enforcement agencies to take and a direction for employers to action to prevent exposure to consult with unions and workers. risk in every workplace. Our report on a safe return to the The TUC and unions were workplace set clear standards represented across many for all employers to follow, subsequent sectoral working and the TUC and trade unions groups set up to develop worked hard to improve very guidance on safe working flimsy initial government practices. Deputy General SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS
The TUC campaigned for As the government began to We also gave voice to the additional resources for the increase coronavirus testing experiences of disabled Health and Safety Executive capacity, the TUC published a workers and released Covid-19 (HSE) and local authorities report, Testing and Tracing for reasonable adjustments to enable them to respond Covid-19, on fair testing and guidance for unions. In July we effectively to Covid-19. We monitoring in the workplace. In published a report, Job Security, secured additional funding discussions with the Department calling for the extension of for the HSE to increase its call for Business, Energy and the job retention scheme for centre capacity, and continue Industrial Strategy (Beis) workers who had been asked by to push for more substantial minister Nadhim Zahawi MP, government to shield at home resources. Inspection capacity the TUC argued that low-paid to protect themselves from the remains a key concern, along workers in precarious jobs with risk of coronavirus. with the HSE’s decision to step little or no access to sick pay back from proactive inspections would not be able to afford to The TUC highlighted the at the start of lockdown. self-isolate. Unions reinforced over-exposure of BME workers this message in a roundtable to Covid-19 during the Unions raised specific concerns with Baroness Dido Harding, lockdown as a major factor in about the construction sector, chair of the NHS test and trace the disproportionate number in response to changes in programme, who then echoed of BME deaths. We launched guidance from Public Health our concern publicly. a call to evidence for BME England (PHE) on social workers, asking them to tell distancing. Unions also us about their experiences of questioned working practices in 1.5 Protecting equality discrimination. Our report Dying high-risk areas of the economy, on the Job, published in July, including the meat processing In a response to the Women and featured the real-life experience sector, where significant spikes Equality Select Committee, the of racism that BME workers in coronavirus were experienced TUC set out our disappointment reported to us. Separately, we and the Food Standards Agency at the government’s failure to set out our concerns about the had significantly reduced its comply with the Public Sector government’s failure to publish inspection regime. Equality Duty (PSED) during an important PHE report on the the pandemic. We argued that pandemic’s impacts on BME The TUC continues to push the impact of the pandemic, groups. The general secretary government to legislate to and the government’s failure to met the Equality and Human ensure all risk assessments are adequately assess the equality Rights Commission (EHRC) to published online. Our ‘covid- impact of its policy responses, press that it prioritise work on secure’ website has shown risked setting progress on race equality. The regulator that many employers are still equality back decades. subsequently launched a formal falling short of minimum legal inquiry into the impact of standards in health and safety. We highlighted the negative coronavirus on BME people and We also continue to make impact of the pandemic on we continue to call for a proper the case for new rights for LGBT+ workers’ mental health, independent public inquiry union safety reps to be able resulting from the breakdown into ministers’ mishandling of to advise union members in of supportive community the crisis. all workplaces. structures and possible confinement with hostile and discriminatory people, including family members.
BME deaths were disproportionately high during the crisis © Peter Summers/ Getty Images
SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS
Aviation experienced a dramatic downturn, with passenger numbers dropping by over 95 per cent within weeks of the lockdown © Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Throughout this pandemic the TUC warned that childcare issues were disproportionately affecting working mothers, widening pre-existing labour market inequalities. We called for a significant bailout for the childcare sector, to ensure that nurseries, childminders, breakfast and after-school childcare and holiday schemes were able to remain open with social distancing measures in place. Our report Forced Out: the cost of getting childcare wrong argued that without government action progress on women’s labour market participation could be lost. New TUC analysis showed that around 70 per cent of mothers currently on maternity leave have been unable to find the childcare they need to return to work, a finding highlighted in our Pregnant and Precarious report, published in June. It The TUC challenged the produce PPE for frontline set out the scale of workplace government on its shambolic health and social care staff. The discrimination experienced by provision of personal protective TUC also called publicly for an new and expectant mothers, equipment (PPE), which left independent, judge-led inquiry and the actions government and frontline workers exposed when into the government’s failings employers needed to take. the pandemic was at its peak. on PPE. Despite constant reassurances, the government has never Social care has been severely 1.6 Sector interventions had a meaningful or effective impacted by coronavirus. plan in this area. The two-tier For years trade unions have Throughout the lockdown, conditions of employment been arguing that the sector the TUC played a key role in in public services were also is the poor relative of the coordinating sectoral discussion exposed, as critical support staff health service, reflected in between government and such as cleaners and security workforce terms and conditions. trade unions. Through the guards were not included in This underinvestment and Public Services Forum, public priority groups for PPE. Security neglect saw care homes sector unions have held several staff were later found to be receive inadequate or no PPE, meetings with the cabinet office among those at greatest risk of and experience shockingly secretary and officials, raising a coronavirus death. Unions made high death rates. The TUC wide range of concerns directly. these points at a roundtable discussion the TUC convened with Lord Paul Deighton, appointed by government to lead a national effort to CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 19
In early May, we published a set education for those learning at home. Unions across the sector of proposals for a new jobs guarantee, worked together to agree key setting out the need for funded, safety measures to protect staff, pupils and the wider community additional jobs for those at risk of from exposure to risk. long-term unemployment, especially Government engagement with young people. unions in the sector was poor, with health and safety guidance issued without meaningful supported unions to call for were introduced to provide consultation or presented to a new settlement for social some protection. Transport unions with insufficient time care, setting out the need to unions have campaigned for the for a considered response. provide good employment, same death-in-service benefits The government’s initial policy pay, conditions and training for that have been secured in the of achieving a full reopening the workforce. health sector. of schools in England as early as possible was criticised by During the Covid-19 crisis Aviation was one of the first unions and other stakeholders we have facilitated regular, sectors to experience a dramatic as premature, given the productive discussions between downturn, with passenger heightened risks of the virus government and transport numbers dropping by over 95 being transmitted among unions representing rail, bus, per cent within weeks of the pupils and staff. In May, the maritime and aviation workers. lockdown. The TUC facilitated TUC and education unions We have ensured union input regular engagement with issued two statements outlining into regulations on wearing officials and ministers in the the measures needed for masks and other safety Department for Transport, the safe wider reopening of measures, the management of making the case for urgent schools. These statements also fluctuations in service use during health protection measures called for improvements to the pandemic, and other issues and specific sectoral support. high-level strategic dialogue, concerning staff wellbeing. The economic impact of the including a taskforce comprising virus will be felt for some time, government, unions and Public transport workers with predictions suggesting education stakeholders. The faced enormous pressure to it will take three to five years TUC general secretary and maintain operations during before passenger numbers education unions met with the pandemic, and rail unions recover to pre-pandemic levels. the secretary of state at the ensured risk assessment and risk Tens of thousands of jobs end of May to discuss these management were prioritised. remain at risk, as well as the matters. In June the government As passenger footfall increased sustainability of a critical part of established a new Covid-19 with the easing of lockdown, rail the UK’s infrastructure. Response School Stakeholder unions continued to champion Advisory Group, which is worker and public safety. Education unions have faced currently in discussions about extreme pressure during the agreeing the guidance for a Bus drivers were among the crisis. Many education workers wider reopening of schools occupational groups severely continued to work to provide in September. affected by coronavirus, with school places for key workers’ significant numbers of fatalities. children and to support online Again, the TUC worked with unions to press for safe systems of work, and new measures SECTION 1 RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS
The use of webinars increased Unionlearn responded rapidly to the pandemic and put in place a dramatically after the lockdown. number of initiatives, including: Between the start of lockdown and the › a new Learning@Home page middle of June, TUC Education delivered on the unionlearn website to 13 webinars related to the pandemic, promote a range of learning and training for furloughed with over 8,000 reps taking part. workers, those working from home, and those made redundant Affiliated unions representing All 19 TUC Education centres members in FE and HE also were faced with the prospect › supporting apprentices by issued joint statements outlining of not being able to deliver producing a range of online the measures needed for in-person training for reps. In guidance and resources to the safe return of students to response, the TUC ensured that equip union reps and others colleges and universities. The all centres could offer a summer to safeguard and sustain TUC has also highlighted the term programme using the apprenticeships through the need for government to address existing online materials for our crisis the funding crises facing our three core courses – union reps post-school institutions. one, health and safety one, and › a significant increase in the union learning reps one. By the delivery of webinars since the Entertainment sectors, such as end of April, 13 of 19 colleges lockdown, covering a range theatres and live music venues, had advertised a summer term of topics on learning and have been particularly hit by programme, and by the end of skills, employment rights, and Covid-19, with many fighting May, 28 courses had started with health and safety for their survival. The TUC has over 350 reps registered. facilitated dialogue between › regular updates for Union entertainment unions and the The use of webinars increased Learning Fund project Department for Digital, Culture, dramatically after the lockdown. managers to support them Media and Sport to ensure Between the start of lockdown to develop their learning and that the voices of workers and the middle of June, skills offer in the context of in the heritage, culture and TUC Education delivered the pandemic. entertainment industries were 13 webinars related to the heard during the crisis. pandemic, with over 8,000 reps taking part.
1.7 Training and TUC Education also developed support for reps four microlearning sites to support reps on specific issues TUC Education mobilised all related to the pandemic. To its existing resources – and date, these have been accessed created new ones – to provide by over 20,000 reps. vital support and training for workplace union reps during TUC Education also supported the pandemic. unions to continue to deliver training to reps. This involved e-learning, online provision and support for unions to deliver Construction, like many other parts of their own webinars. the economy, has suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic © Richard Johnson/ Getty Images 2
SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY
2.1 Introduction TUC analysis showed that growth
The coronavirus pandemic over the 2010s as a whole was the worst has caused a large shock to in two centuries. the economy, coming after 10 years of austerity that had weakened our public services, TUC analysis showed that The critical issue is what placed significant downward growth over the 2010s as happens next. Without further pressure on wages, and held a whole was the worst in bold action from government, back economic growth. Both two centuries. we risk huge losses of jobs and before and after the pandemic livelihoods and possibly the hit, the TUC has argued that a Since the pandemic, the closing deepest recession since the new approach to the economy down of a significant part of 1930s. The OECD estimates is needed that puts working the economy has meant GDP that unemployment could hit 11 people front and centre. We growth has collapsed. Over the per cent this year. But this is not have called for workers’ voice four quarters to 2020 Q1, GDP inevitable, and action taken now to be more central to decision- fell by 1.8 per cent. But the key could prevent the despair of making, through collective period of decline is likely to mass unemployment. bargaining, in corporate be over both March and April, governance, and as we prepare when monthly GDP fell by a total Economic history shows that for the future of work. We have of 25 per cent. investment is the most effective set out how we need more- and way to deliver growth after a better-targeted public spending Ahead of the pandemic, the recession, and restoring growth to support our key sectors, employment rate had continued is the fastest way of restoring including the creative industries, to expand to a record 76.6 public finances. We failed to manufacturing, and energy. And per cent. But pay growth was learn this lesson in 2010, and we have campaigned for a new flagging: having reached a post- have paid a bitter price; the TUC deal for workers, with the decent crisis high of 3.9 per cent in the will continue to campaign to pay, conditions and pensions middle of 2019 it had slowed to ensure that this time is different. that every worker deserves. 2.9 per cent by February 2020. The TUC has kept these figures in perspective throughout, 2.3 Collective 2.2 The economy showing the post-crisis high was bargaining and a new well below pre-crisis norms. Our deal for workers The pandemic hit when commentary has emphasised economic growth was at its that in-work and child poverty In September 2019, the TUC weakest for a decade. Annual numbers are continuing published a report A Stronger GDP growth in the fourth to expand. Voice for Workers: How quarter of 2019 was 1.1 per collective bargaining can deliver cent; growth was last lower Since the pandemic, flash a better deal at work. It argued at the start of 2010 when the estimates based on PAYE data that representation and voice at economy was coming out of show the number of paid work is a fundamental right and the global recession. UK growth employees has dropped by set out research showing that was at this point lower than the 612,000, and median monthly collective bargaining delivers US (2.3 per cent), EU (1.2 per pay has fallen by £65. benefits for workers, employers cent) and OECD as a whole (1.6 per cent). CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 23
Child poverty in working households has risen by 800,000 since 2010 © Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images and society. Drawn up following extensive consultation and discussion with unions, the report set out proposals to extend collective bargaining, including:
› unions to have access to workplaces to tell workers about the benefits of union membership and collective bargaining (following the system in place in New Zealand)
› new rights to make it easier for working people to negotiate collectively with their employer
› broadening the scope of collective bargaining rights to include all pay and conditions, and
› the establishment of new bodies for unions and The TUC has campaigned 2.4 Social security employers to negotiate throughout the year for a new across sectors, starting with deal for workers, guided by an TUC work on social security hospitality and social care. Executive Committee working continues to highlight the group chaired by CWU General devastating impact of the cuts The report was widely Secretary Dave Ward, and in line to the social security budget promoted, and helped inform with composite 7. To mark May since 2010. the Labour Party’s proposals in Day, the TUC brought together the run up to the 2019 election. unions in a joint statement, Our analysis showed child published in the Daily Mirror poverty in working households Subsequent work has been and across regional titles, to has risen by 800,000 since 2010, guided by composite 5 and recognise the contribution and that the government’s in- resolution 17. The TUC has of key workers, and to call work benefit cuts account for worked with unions and for a New Deal, with jobs for most of the rise in child poverty. employers in the social care everyone, decent pay, a strong Separate analysis also showed sector to build support for a safety net and fair terms and that, taken as a whole, the tax sector-wide workforce strategy conditions. In July, the TUC and benefit reforms introduced as a first step towards sectoral held a major conference on by coalition and Conservative bargaining and has continued organising, Organise 2020, governments will make the to make the case for the report’s with thousands of participants bottom fifth of households proposals, including the right to taking part in a range of online poorer in 2021 than they were access to workplaces. sessions across three days. at the start of the decade. By contrast, the top fifth will be better off than in 2010. SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY
At least 3.7 million workers in the UK, around one in nine of the workforce, are in insecure work © Drazen/Getty Images
The TUC has responded to 2.5 Future of work workplace. The agreement was a number of consultations, and automation reached with Business Europe, including the government’s to which the CBI is affiliated, as ‘Health is everyone’s business’ The TUC’s work on the future well as SMEUnited and CEEP, that considered different ways of work and automation has the European local government in which government and been guided by resolution 19 employers’ association. employers could take action and composite 6. The TUC was to reduce job loss related to represented on the European The TUC has started a project ill health. Other consultations Trade Union Confederation focusing on the use of AI included the House of Lords (ETUC) negotiating team that at different stages in the inquiry into the economics of finalised a European Framework employment relationship. universal credit, the Work and Agreement on Digitalisation. This will include consideration Pensions Select Committee The agreement, which was of new, coronavirus-related inquiry in to the five week signed in June, covers issues technologies, as well as other wait in universal credit, and a such as employment security, AI-powered technologies. Labour Party consultation on skills, artificial intelligence (AI) The TUC established a new the future of social security and the ‘human in control’ AI working group of affiliates after coronavirus. principle for when digital to guide this work. An early technology is introduced in the output of this project is a video interview with AI experts Robin Allen QC and Dee Masters, exploring the increased use of technology at work during the coronavirus crisis. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 25
2.6 Insecure work After years of pressure from trade
The TUC has continued to unions, April saw the end of so-called fight against the prevalence of Swedish Derogation contracts, which insecure work. allowed employers to pay agency Our analysis showed that at workers less than those they least 3.7 million workers in the UK, around one in nine of the worked alongside. workforce, are in insecure work. In every region of England and in Wales and Scotland, insecure The TUC responded to a living wage (NLW) to £8.72 an workers make up at least 10 per government consultation hour from 1 April 2020, a 51p cent of the workforce. on proposals to require increase that took the rate to 60 minimum notice for shifts and per cent of median earnings. The coronavirus outbreak compensation for cancelled Following union campaigning, showed how vulnerable shifts. We insisted on robust the government also announced many workers are when times rights in these areas but a new target for the headline are tough. warned that an effective rate of the national minimum regime would require a ban wage (NMW) to reach two-thirds There have been important on zero-hours contracts and of median earnings by 2024, trade unions wins this year for the right to request a regular and a phased reduction of the insecure workers. After years hours contracts. minimum age for claiming the of pressure from trade unions, higher NLW rate from 25 to 23 April saw the end of so-called We also noted that, in order in April 2021, and subsequently Swedish Derogation contracts, to further protect the interests to age 21. which allowed employers to of vulnerable workers, trade pay agency workers less than unions need to play a larger The TUC has continued to those they worked alongside. role in the economy and began contribute to the work of the On the same day, rules requiring discussions with ministers and Living Wage Foundation, employers to supply a written officials to make these points promoting the voluntary living statement of employment in the context of a potential wage as a minimum rate for particulars to all workers on employment bill. the lowest-paid workers. TUC their first day of work, not just General Secretary Frances employees, came into force. O’Grady sits on the Living Wage 2.7 The living wage, Commission, which sets the rate The TUC worked with low pay, the national of the living wage. The TUC has employment agency body the living and minimum supported the Commission’s Recruitment and Employment wage, sick pay, and global living wage work, and Confederation (REC) to produce the labour market its Living Hours campaign a factsheet to make more alongside a living wage. agency workers aware of the The TUC has continued to make changes, and to inform them of the case for a higher minimum the rights that they already had. wage, with all workers paid at least £10 an hour. Following submissions by the TUC and affiliates to the Low Pay Commission, the government announced an increase in the headline rate of the national SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY
2.8 Industrial strategy, In December 2019, the TUC The TUC has attended quarterly environment, energy, was represented at the COP25 meetings of the Federation of science and technology, UN climate change summit Entertainment Unions, to ensure sustainability and defence in Madrid, where we formed that our work complements that part of the ITUC delegation. of unions in the creative sector. The TUC’s focus has been Working with the Italian trade on a sustainable industrial unions, the TUC has been We worked closely together strategy and on building back planning a significant trade on pressing for support for the better after the Covid-19 crisis, union contribution to COP26, self-employed and additional highlighting the importance to be held jointly by the UK funding to help the industry of an economic stimulus for and Italy. COP26 has now been through the coronavirus crisis. a just transition to a net-zero postponed until November carbon economy. We argued 2021, because of Covid-19, for an approach that promotes but trade unions continue to 2.10 Pensions procurement through UK meet at the international level supply chains, building UK to coordinate our input to this Over the year, the TUC has manufacturing capacity and make-or-break summit. continued to be the leading jobs. The A Better Recovery advocate for the interests report and the TUC’s wider work The Trade Union Sustainable of working people in the has also continued to make Development Advisory occupational pension system. the case against outsourcing, Committee (TUSDAC) has including in the finance sector, continued to meet during The TUC has been a strong in line with resolution 32. this Congress year. Highlights voice for public sector workers, TUC activity in this area has include a meeting with the in line with composite 14. We been guided by resolution Director of Clean Growth at condemned the government’s 1, resolution 2, composite 2, the Department for Business, decision to suspend the public resolution 6, resolution 8 and Energy and Industrial Strategy, service pensions valuation resolution 11. Tim Lord. The TUC has process, which would have contributed to Labour’s green delivered improved pensions The TUC has also embarked a recovery consultation. TUC for workers. We also welcomed major report on a just transition Deputy General Secretary the Supreme Court ruling for the regions and nations of Paul Nowak and Northern that changes to public sector the UK. Evidence was taken Regional Secretary Beth pensions were discriminatory. from union officials in the Farhat have served on the North, North-West, Midlands, IPPR’s Environmental Justice TUC officers met with Treasury and Yorkshire and the Humber Commission, from which they officials to establish a process regions of the TUC, as well argued the case for a just involving unions for developing as from officials at the Wales transition to a net-zero economy. measures to remedy age TUC. This report highlights the discrimination on a scheme- specific just transition needs of by-scheme basis. The TUC different communities across 2.9 Creative industries has lobbied government to the UK. Throughout our work restart the valuation process, on a just transition, we have TUC work on the creative ensure that no workers should highlighted the important industries during this Congress be worse off as a result of role for the public sector in year has been guided by remedy, and make sure that managing the move to a net- resolution 12, resolution 27 and increased pension costs as zero carbon economy. composite 16. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 27
The TUC is working with the Treasury to develop measures to remedy pension age discrimination © Matt Cardy/Getty Images
We continue to support defined benefit provision. This has involved lobbying against plans for for-profit superfunds to consolidate schemes, and coordinating efforts to prevent new funding requirements encouraging employers to close schemes.
In line with resolution 43, the TUC has highlighted the discrimination in state reciprocal arrangements that deny state pension increases to many workers who live abroad in retirement.
The TUC’s annual pensions conference in March had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but we have sought to maintain engagement and profile on these issues throughout this period. a result of reduced discount Across the year the TUC has rates are centrally funded. continued to advocate to The TUC has also organised improve pensions for the low 2.11 Workers’ capital, roundtable meetings to allow paid. This has included briefing corporate governance unions to engage directly with around the Pension Schemes and executive pay HM Treasury. Bill to scrap the auto-enrolment earnings threshold and lower In November, the TUC In response to Covid-19, the the age threshold, and increase published a report jointly TUC engaged with the Pensions minimum contribution rates. The with the High Pay Centre, Regulator over regulatory TUC has also participated in a puncturing the myth that easements to help employers working group to develop and shareholder primacy is justified cope with short-term financial advocate for a solution to the tax by shareholders carrying the pressures. The TUC has also anomaly that means many low- greatest risk in companies. The written to the pensions minister paid people do not benefit from report’s analysis of dividends to outline several concerns tax relief. and share buybacks paid by and seek assurances that FTSE 100 companies between auto-enrolment will not be 2014 and 2018 showed that suspended for any employers. companies protect and increase payments to shareholders, even SECTION 2 THE ECONOMY
Our work on building a fairer post- scrap the hostile environment legislation. We also continued to Covid-19 economy has included the call for the Overseas Domestic case for workforce voice in corporate Worker visa to be reformed to enable workers to change governance, reform of shareholder employers after six months to primacy and wider corporate prevent exploitation. governance reform. In May, the TUC called on MPs to oppose the Immigration and Social Security Coordination Bill, when company finances are Our work on building a fairer which would remove EU citizens’ struggling. It also found that post-Covid-19 economy has right to live, work and claim returns to shareholders across included the case for workforce social security and healthcare in the FTSE 100 rose nearly seven voice in corporate governance, the UK, thus making EU workers times faster than the median reform of shareholder more vulnerable to exploitative wage for UK workers. primacy and wider corporate treatment as they would be at governance reform. risk of losing their immigration The Corporate Insolvency and status and ability to claim rights. Governance Act passed through Parliament in May and June. 2.12 Migration The TUC liaised with unions, 2.13 Decent work the Department for Business, The TUC continues to call for and supply chains Energy and Industrial Strategy a rights-based approach to (Beis) and the Labour Party to migration to stop divide-and- In October, the TUC discussed feed in union concerns about rule undercutting, and to ensure best practice on how to protect workforce interests. all workers have dignity at work workers’ rights in supply chains and decent jobs, regardless of with affiliated unions, global The TUC has continued to immigration status. In October, federations and others. The coordinate Trade Union Share the TUC held a roundtable seminar looked at global Owners (TUSO), an initiative with unions on the hostile framework agreements and bringing together union funds environment and Windrush to the emergence of mandatory to collaborate over voting and develop union strategies. human rights due diligence engagement with companies. laws, which the TUC is pushing The TUC is an active member In February the TUC expressed for in the UK. The TUC and of the International Trade concern that published trade union members of Union Confederation (ITUC) government proposals for a the Ethical Trading Initiative Committee for Workers’ Capital new points-based immigration (ETI) successfully gained and participated in its annual system would introduce new new commitments to a more meeting in September. time-limited visas for EU workers interventionist strategy, that would make them more including the ETI agreeing We coordinated feedback from vulnerable to exploitation. to lobby for ratification global unions to the Workforce of International Labour Disclosure Initiative’s (WDI’s) The TUC used its position Organization (ILO) standards. proposed methodology for on the Home Office National company workforce disclosures. Advisory Group to call for the new immigration system to enable all workers to claim employment rights, regardless of immigration status, and A no-deal Brexit could have terrible consequences for trade, jobs and workers’ rights © Leon Neal/Getty Images 3
SECTION 3 BREXIT AND TRADE SECTION 3 BREXIT AND TRADE
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wanted to renegotiate the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement © Sean Gallup/Getty Images 3.1 Introduction
In January 2020, the UK left the European Union and entered negotiations with the EU on the nature of our future trading relationship. Our work in this highly volatile and uncertain period has been guided by the Congress 2019 General Council statement on Brexit, which reiterated the TUC’s three tests on workers’ rights, jobs, and protection of the Good Friday Agreement for any Brexit deal.
The TUC continues to press government to secure a decent trade deal with the EU. We know that aligning closely to EU rules is vital if barrier- and tariff-free trade in goods and services is to be retained, protecting jobs and rights and keeping our public services safe from enforced privatisation.
3.2 Political engagement
In Summer 2019, the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his ambition to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement that had been provisionally agreed between the UK and the EU in 2018. The deadline for In late August 2019, parliament In September, the TUC agreement had already been was suspended, dramatically published Consequences of extended, initially from March to shortening the time available to No Deal, a report highlighting April 2019 and then to the end debate the government’s Brexit the consequences a no deal of October 2019. This raised a response. The TUC called out would have for jobs, wages and significant risk that the UK might this ploy to duck democratic different sectors of the economy leave the EU without a deal. scrutiny. In line with composite as well as rights. In October, 4, we set out our support for any the TUC also launched a new democratic initiative to stop a guide for trade union reps on disastrous no-deal outcome. the government’s EU Settled Status scheme, seeking to build solidarity with EU citizens in the UK. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 31
Eventually the EU and the UK Our work in this highly volatile and agreed to a revised protocol for Northern Ireland, which uncertain period has been guided by paved the way for agreement the Congress 2019 General Council on the overall terms of exit. In October 2019, the prime statement on Brexit, which reiterated the minister announced a Brexit TUC’s three tests on workers’ rights, deal had been achieved. The TUC assessed the deal’s scope jobs, and protection of the Good Friday and concluded that it could Agreement for any Brexit deal. not be supported. By moving away from a close economic relationship with the EU and any Over this period the TUC 3.3 EU-UK trade commitment to a level playing general secretary has remained negotiations field, the deal put people’s jobs, in regular contact with Michael rights and livelihoods at risk. Gove MP, the Chancellor of the Ahead of the publication of We called on all MPs to vote Duchy of Lancaster, on a range the UK and EU negotiating against it. of issues including UK-EU trade. mandates in February, the TUC We also continue to press the general secretary engaged However, following a general government on the lack of with representatives from EU election in late 2019, the engagement with unions on the member states and the General government won a new majority UK’s approach to the EU talks. Council spokesperson on and the Withdrawal Agreement Europe, Unite Assistant General was ratified in January. On 31 We have been in close contact Secretary Steve Turner, met with January 2020, the UK ceased with the Labour opposition. the EU chief negotiator. Both to be a member state of the The TUC has met with Shadow argued for a deal that protected EU and entered a transition Chancellor of the Duchy of jobs through tariff-free trade. period to last until December Lancaster, Rachel Reeves MP, They also set out the case for 2020. Negotiations began and raised concerns with protecting rights through a on the detail of our future her around the UK’s lack of legally binding ‘level playing trading relationship. participation in EU procurement field’ clause that would prevent calls and the lack of government EU-derived workers’ rights Along with the Withdrawal trade union engagement. from being rolled back, as well Agreement, the EU and the UK as ensuring these protections agreed a Political Declaration The TUC has also continued to kept pace with EU standards outlining the scope of the future work closely with the European going forward. partnership. The TUC called for Trade Union Confederation a deal with the EU that protects (ETUC) and sister organisations The TUC general secretary also jobs, rights at work and peace across Europe to make the case discussed these issues and the in Northern Ireland, in line with for workers’ rights and jobs in involvement of trade unions, Congress’ position, confirmed trade agreements. both in the negotiations and the every year since 2016. This is monitoring of the agreement’s a stance also backed up by a implementation, with EU Trade post-election poll in December, Commissioner Phil Hogan. which found that most voters – including Conservatives – wanted workers’ rights protected and enhanced. SECTION 3 BREXIT AND TRADE
The TUC gave evidence to the House of Lords, warning that trade deals with countries like the US threaten workers’ rights and public services © WPA Pool/Getty Images
the EU, as such deals would threaten workers’ rights and public services. In February, the TUC gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee on the importance of including level- playing-field commitments in a future deal.
In line with resolution 15, the TUC campaigned to protect public services in all trade deals.
In March, the TUC released a joint statement with its US counterpart, the AFL-CIO, stating that any UK-US deal must contain effectively enforceable commitments to respect workers’ rights and exclude public services. The statement was clear that a deal must not contain any kind of Investor- State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system and called for the UK In March 2020, negotiations on risk including protections in government to prioritise a good the future partnership between case of insolvency, collective deal with the EU. the EU and the UK started but redundancies and information were soon disrupted by the and consultation rights. In In the same month, the coronavirus pandemic. From the context of a damaging government introduced early on it became evident that recession, we also set out the its Trade Bill, which sought the EU and UK had different importance of a good deal that to make provision for the objectives, notably on the level protects jobs, rather than a no- implementation of international playing field. By the time the deal outcome that would put trade agreements. The TUC EU and UK held a high-level employment at even more risk. gave evidence to the Trade conference in June to assess Bill Committee in June, raising progress, very little headway concerns that the Bill provides had been made: the UK 3.4 Trade and trade deals no representation for trade restated its position not to seek unions on the Trade Remedies an extension of the transition The TUC has continued to call Authority – the body that will period and the prospect of no for a good deal with the EU oversee the UK’s anti-dumping deal reared its head once again. to be the UK’s trade priority, measures; provides no role for to secure workers’ rights and parliament or unions in trade In July 2020, the TUC support good jobs. We have negotiations; and provides produced a new parliamentary highlighted the danger of the no guarantee that trade deals briefing on the risks of no government pursuing trade will contain exemptions for deal in the context of the deals with a number of other public services or enforceable pandemic, highlighting the countries, such as the US, as a labour standards. UK-US trade deals must contain employment rights most at substitute for a good deal with commitments to respect workers’ rights © Matt Cardy/Getty Images
SECTION 3 BREXIT AND TRADE
The TUC is working with its 3.5 Global trade counterparts in the US, Japan, The TUC is working with its Australia, New Zealand and the East counterparts in the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and African Community countries with the East African Community which the government has launched countries with which the government has launched trade trade talks. talks. We raised concerns with MPs on the Trade Bill Committee that post-Brexit ‘continuity deals’ In June, the TUC gave evidence The TUC has also raised – such as those with South Korea to the Commons International concerns that the government’s and Colombia – should have Trade Committee to highlight proposal to establish 10 effective processes for enforcing the threats a US trade deal freeports with looser regulatory commitments on labour rights, would pose to the NHS and requirements risks displacing with trade unions empowered other public services, as well good jobs and increasing to trigger investigations into as to workers’ rights and tax evasion. violations of rights. This builds good jobs. on work undertaken by the TUC The TUC developed a joint at EU level in its membership of The TUC used meetings statement with Japanese EU domestic advisory groups with Secretary of State for counterpart RENGO on the (civil society monitoring bodies) International Trade Liz Truss UK-Japan trade negotiations, for the EU-Canada and EU- MP and Trade Ministers Conor releasing a joint statement when Japan trade deals Burns MP, Greg Hands MP and trade talks began in June. The Ranil Jayawardena MP, as well as statement called for the trade its position on the government’s priority of the UK to be a deal Strategic Trade Advisory Group with the EU and set out that any (STAG) (where the TUC is UK-Japan agreement should represented by Deputy General protect workers’ rights, public Secretary Paul Nowak), to push services and jobs. for trade union objectives in trade deals and for unions to be TUC policy officer Rosa involved in trade negotiations. Crawford is a member of the EU Through these efforts, the Domestic Advisory Groups for TUC has secured places for the EU-Canada and EU-Japan trade unions on over half of trade deals, which push for the government’s expert trade strengthening of labour rights advisory groups (ETAGs) on commitments in international sectoral and thematic aspects of trade deals. trade. The government is now also actively considering how to share parts of trade negotiations with unions.
Activists take part in equality workshops organised by UNISON in the South-West © Jess Hurd/ reportdigital.co.uk 4
SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK
Since the rise in cases of coronavirus, the far right is using social media to spread lies and propaganda about the cause of the pandemic © Karen Ducey/Getty Images 4.1 Introduction
Across the year the TUC has worked with unions to challenge discrimination and promote equality, and to make the case for decent rights and protections at work. We have worked to counter the rise of the far right, both in the UK and internationally. We have taken forward our work on class inequality, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 crisis on people in working-class jobs. And we have continued our lobbying and campaigning work on behalf of BME workers, workers, women and LGBT+ workers, with a strong focus once again on tackling sexual harassment.
The TUC has also stepped up policy and campaign work around trade union and employment rights, including Islamophobic and antisemitic Islamophobic the right to flexible working. conspiracy theories and false Health and safety remains a claims have been shared and antisemitic major priority, with our work widely on social media, conspiracy in this area brought into sharp blaming Muslims and Jews for focus by coronavirus. And with developing or spreading the theories and false the economy faltering in the virus. The far right has exploited claims have been midst of the pandemic, we are the crisis to promote its divisive continuing to call for greater racist worldview. shared widely on investment in workforce skills, social media, including stronger rights In this challenging context, and for apprentices. as set out in resolution 41, we blaming Muslims have continued to develop and and Jews for actively promote our online 4.2 Tackling the far right learning materials to build developing or union reps’ knowledge and spreading the The rise in cases of confidence to challenge far- coronavirus in the UK has been right activity and views in the virus. accompanied by an increase workplace. This has included in racism and xenophobia. new materials on holding Incidents of hate crime against challenging conversations, Chinese people in the UK supporting reps to prevent increased threefold in the far-right propaganda spreading first three months of 2020. by talking to people who have CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 37
been influenced and getting with the DGB, the German trade Occupational sick pay is also them to question the far right’s union centre, to develop a joint less available to those in lower- lies. We have also developed pilot initiative to combat the far paid jobs. Across the economy, online learning materials on right in the workplace, and two an estimated 26 per cent of antisemitism, rooted in our sessions at the Organise 2020 employees (7 million people) understanding of antisemitism festival focused on tackling get only the basic statutory as a form of racism. The the far right, with international entitlement. In caring and so- materials will support reps speakers from Brazil, the US called ‘elementary’ occupations, to understand the historical and Ireland. To inform our this rises to over a third of all context of antisemitism, identify work in this area we have also workers, leaving people with a it and positively challenge commissioned a report on tough choice between going to antisemitism when it occurs. the internationalisation of the work when sick or missing out The General Council supported far right. on vital pay. the UN Day against Racism and Xenophobia through a digital As we argued in our Building mobilisation, with input from a 4.3 Addressing Working Class Power report, range of countries. class inequality published at Congress 2019, these inequalities reflect the The TUC has been integrating In line with resolution 35 systematic undervaluing of its equalities and international on class inequality, the TUC working-class jobs. We know work to challenge the growth has continued to highlight that the best way to improve pay of the far right, building class-based discrimination and conditions for all workers international contacts with and disadvantage. This has is through strong unions and sister centres and unions. been particularly prevalent collective bargaining – and During TUC Congress 2019, throughout the coronavirus have put these arguments we organised a roundtable of pandemic, when those in at the centre of our plans for international guests to share working-class jobs have often economic recovery. strategies being employed borne the most risk but received by their respective union the least reward. TUC analysis organisations to combat the showed that four in ten people 4.4 Employment and growth of the far right. We are in key worker jobs – some trade union rights encouraging both the European 3.7 million people – are paid Trade Union Confederation below £10 an hour. These jobs In line with composite 8, the (ETUC) and International Trade are disproportionately carried demand for strong legal rights Union Confederation (ITUC) to out by women, who are twice for trade unions, including the support the development of an as likely as men to be in key right to strike and picket, has international network of unions worker occupations, and by been at the heart of the TUC’s and centres to share strategies. BME employees. work over the last year.
In February, the TUC TUC research also showed This activity stepped up ahead coordinated a union roundtable that the lowest-paid workers of the 2019 general election, where speakers from Germany have been least able to work when the TUC highlighted and Ireland presented their from home. For example, in the need for a far greater role findings on the growth of the far the accommodation and food for collective bargaining as a right and workplace strategies sector, just 14 per cent of means of securing better pay to confront it. The TUC also employees have been able to and conditions for workers. This supported an international work from home during the included close engagement panel at our women’s pandemic, compared to 87 with the Labour Party on its conference on the far right and per cent in the information employment rights plans. misogyny. We continue to work and communication sector. SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK
The demand for strong legal rights for unions has been at the heart of the TUC’s work over the last year © West End/Getty Images We have also pressed for the establishment of new bodies for unions and employers to negotiate across sectors.
large numbers of self-employed members, lobbied for wage support for self-employed workers, and called for the self- employed to have fair access to social security.
To continue to influence the political agenda while the country was in lockdown, our output included a series of video interviews with leading We have also pressed for the The TUC engaged with the experts on labour law, the gig establishment of new bodies certification officer about the economy, artificial intelligence for unions and employers to challenges trade unions faced and labour markets. negotiate across sectors. There meeting the requirements are several sectors where this of legislation and their The TUC has argued could have a huge impact on own rulebooks during the vociferously for electronic conditions, including hospitality, coronavirus pandemic. We balloting for statutory elections, social care and, as set out in successfully pressed her to in line with resolution 23. resolution 29, seafaring. provide greater clarity about the In January, we convened a certification officer’s approach meeting with senior Department We have also continued to to breaches. for Business, Energy and push for strong enforcement Industrial Strategy (Beis) of rights, meeting regularly In line with resolution 28, we officials and Sir Ken Knight, with the Director for Labour have ensured that the interests who produced a review of Market Enforcement, the and perspectives of self- electronic balloting. Gangmasters and Labour employed workers have been Abuse Authority (GLAA), reflected in our work. During HMRC and the Employment the pandemic, we liaised with Agency Standards Inspectorate, representatives of unions with pushing government to increase the resources for enforcement, including of employment agencies. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 39
Postal votes for statutory elections should be replaced by electronic ballots according to Sir Ken Knight’s review © Oli Scarff/Getty Images
This was followed up by a letter In line with resolution 18 “proposals to support families”, setting out the case for the on Christmas and New Year Beis consulted on whether government, after an excessively working, the TUC used its there should be a requirement long delay, to respond to Sir Christmas press comment to for employers to consider Ken’s 2017 report, commission insist that bosses should reward advertising jobs as flexible. pilots of electronic balloting staff fairly for the inconvenience and allow groups currently of working on Christmas Day In line with composite 9, we disadvantaged by the existing and loss of time with their loved believe the most effective way insistence on postal ballots ones. It also drew attention to of making flexible working the to play a full role in unions’ Usdaw’s call for shops to be default is to move away from an democratic structures. closed on Christmas Day and individualised request-based Boxing Day. system towards an organisation- In June, we also wrote to wide duty. The TUC believes Business Secretary Alok The Conservative manifesto and employers should be prompted Sharma, arguing that a Queen’s Speech committed to to look at job design, rather than range of organisations “encouraging” flexible working trying to shoehorn flexibility already use e-balloting, and consulting on making it the for individuals within roles and which rendered the ban on default unless employers have workplace cultures that are unions’ use of this technology good reasons not to. Prior to fundamentally inflexible. particularly anomalous. this, as part of its consultation on SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK
The TUC continued its high- The 2020 HeartUnions week focused on ending sexual profile #ThisIsNotWorking campaign, harassment at work. Reps across supported by an alliance of unions, the country took part in a large- scale organising campaign to women’s and LGBT+ organisations demand employers embed a and civil society groups. preventative approach to sexual harassment in their workplaces.
Following extensive consultation 4.5 Tackling sexual In line with composite with unions, the TUC responded harassment 10, the TUC worked with to the Beis consultation the International Labour by recommending that The TUC continued its high- Organisation (ILO) to support government should introduce profile #ThisIsNotWorking negotiations and the adoption a duty for employers to offer campaign, supported by an of Convention 190. The UK flexible working as the default alliance of unions, women’s government supported both by advertising all jobs as flexible and LGBT+ organisations and the Convention and its non- from day one (unless there civil society groups, working binding recommendation at the are exceptional circumstances together to highlight the International Labour Conference preventing it). This new duty inadequacy of the current (ILC) in 2019, and we have been should be accompanied by legislative framework around working with the Department a significant strengthening tackling sexual harassment. for Work and Pensions (DWP) of the existing legislation Along with the alliance, we to agree a firm commitment extending the right to request continue to call for a new duty to ratification. to all workers, from day one in on employers to ensure all the job, and giving employers workers are protected from much narrower discretion to sexual harassment and third- 4.6 Securing equality reject requests. party harassment, regardless of their employment status. Across the year the TUC Race We campaigned for a day one Relations Committee worked right to flexible working as Following huge public and on a range of race equality a member of the FlexForAll political engagement with the issues, prioritising its efforts to coaliltion along with the Fawcett campaign, the government improve the organisation and Society, the Young Women’s published a consultation on a recruitment of black workers. Trust, the Fatherhood Institute, preventative duty for employers. The Race Relations Committee Gingerbread, Pregnant then After in-depth engagement and TUC continued to highlight Screwed and MotherPukka. with unions and partner the problem of racism in the Our petition gained over organisations, we led a huge UK. In line with resolution 34, 30,000 signatures. response to the consultation, the TUC has continued to lobby setting out the case for a new for ethnicity pay gap reporting, The TUC represented unions legal duty that would require responding to a consultation on as part of a Beis flexible employers to take all reasonable this in October 2019. working taskforce, using our steps to prevent sexual membership to argue for day harassment and victimisation one rights for all workers to at work. flexible working. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 41
Broadcaster and NUJ member Samira Ahmed won her employment tribunal claim on equal pay against the BBC © Aaron Chown/PA Archive/PA Images
that the UK’s persistent gender pay gap means women effectively work for free for two months a year. The report highlighted larger gender pay gaps at regional and sectoral level.
Increasing pay transparency is another key part of the fight against unfair pay, helping to expose the many different forms of pay discrimination and inequality women workers face.
In January, the TUC published new analysis that found one in five workers are subject to pay secrecy clauses. We demanded a ban on these clauses and argued for stronger collective bargaining rights, so that trade unions can ensure transparent and fair processes for setting pay.
The Race Relations Committee In July, the General Council In line with resolution 42, has continued to campaign for agreed to revisit the work of we continued to organise justice for those who suffered the TUC’s Stephen Lawrence against the gendered nature as a result of the Windrush Task Group and establish a new of poverty, highlighting the scandal and for the dismantling initiative to address institutional impact of gender inequality of the hostile environment. In racism at work and in society, at work and changes to the January, the TUC convened and within our own trade social security system that have a meeting of Thompsons union movement. The new disproportionately impacted solicitors and affiliated unions group will start its work after women and girls, particularly to discuss how to use the Congress 2020. disabled, BME and migrant Windrush Compensation women. The TUC Women’s and Social Security Bill as a In line with resolution 37, the Committee held a successful means of highlighting the lack TUC continued to call for event focusing on the practical of compensation received gender pay gap legislation to steps trade unions can take to by victims. The TUC also be strengthened, including for eradicate period poverty and produced a briefing calling for reporting requirements to be tackle the menstruation taboo the Windrush compensation accompanied by mandatory in workplaces. scheme to be administered by employer action plans and an independent agency rather for smaller employers to than the Home Office, and for be required to report their Parliament to discuss the basis pay gaps. In March, the TUC of the scheme. published new analysis showing SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK
One of a series of social media graphics from the Disability Pay Gap Day campaign, organised by the TUC
The TUC has continued to highlight workplace issues faced by disabled workers. We have run a national campaign calling on government to introduce DISABLED mandatory disability pay gap WORKERS EARN reporting, along similar lines to gender pay gap reporting. We highlighted that 4 November is the day in the year when disabled workers effectively stop being paid and start working £3,000 for free. And we have exposed the double discrimination facing disabled people, as they are less likely to be employed, and when they are they earn less than their LESS non-disabled peers.
In line with resolution 55, the THAN THEIR NON- TUC called for the creation of DISABLED PEERS a new National Independent Living Support Service (NILSS), enshrined in law, co-created between government and disabled people. We set out the need for the service to be 4.7 Health, safety as other work-related fatalities underpinned by a new universal and regulation currently not included. We also right to independent living, and called for a legal responsibility highlighted our support for During the year, the TUC has to be put on employers to NILSS in our lobbying work. campaigned to ensure that protect mental health, and the health, safety and welfare developed new resources The TUC has also continued to of workers is protected by for union reps on organising promote the social model of strong union organisation and around mental health. disability, particularly during a network of health and safety Disability History Month, when reps with access to high-quality The TUC produced further we launched an online learning guidance and advice. resources to support workplace module on the topic. activists. The weekly health The response to coronavirus and safety e-bulletin Risks was dominated our work, with the published throughout the year, TUC producing resources for alongside an intensive series affiliates and health and safety of webinars focused on the reps on mental health, safer response to coronavirus. working, working from home and PPE, in line with resolution In the run-up to International 33. In response to composite Workers’ Memorial Day in 11, we continued to call for April 2020, the TUC focused Health and Safety Executive on campaigning for safety (HSE) statistics into work-related from coronavirus exposure in deaths to include suicide as well the workplace. We called for a CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 43
public inquiry into government The TUC is represented on programme. Our proposed negligence on PPE, and the Industrial Injuries Advisory skills package would also give remembered the lives of Council (IIAC) by Karen Mitchell everybody a new right to retrain, workers lost due to Covid-19 (RMT), Doug Russell (Usdaw) backed up by personal lifelong and other work-related injury and Daniel Shears (GMB). The learning accounts. These would and illness. Our work was three TUC nominees played be partly funded by bringing informed by resolution 26. The an active role in the work of forward the government’s Organise 2020 summit also the Council. TUC nominees commitment to invest £600m featured several sessions on also sat on a range of other per annum in a new national health and safety, including one external bodies, including the skills fund from 2021. on encouraging more women Council for Work & Health. The to take up the role of health and TUC continues to work closely General Council members safety rep. with the Hazards campaign, and TUC staff are represented the Institution of Occupational on a range of skills bodies. In line with resolution 66, Safety and Health, and other Kevin Rowan, head of we continued to work organisations in the health and organisation, services and with affiliated unions on safety field. skills at the TUC, is a member the impact of the Grenfell of the Strategic Transport Tower tragedy, supporting Apprenticeship Taskforce. demands for the removal of 4.8 Skills combustible cladding. Over the past year the TUC 4.9 Apprenticeships The TUC continued to work with has continued to campaign for the HSE during the year. We greater investment in skills to The TUC has supported some were represented on its board support economic growth and recent apprenticeships reforms, by Accord General Secretary help more workers achieve especially measures designed Ged Nichols, the Chartered their full potential. While the to improve quality such as the Society of Physiotherapy impact of Brexit and automation regulations applying to off- Director of Employment remain a concern, the onset of the-job training. Despite this, Relations and Union Services the pandemic brought about a 70 per cent of apprentices are (ERUS) Claire Sullivan and TUC new scale of challenge for the still not receiving formal off- Head of Organisation, Services economy and our skills system. the-job training in line with the and Skills Kevin Rowan. The TUC In response, the TUC has put regulatory minimum, according was on the board of the work jobs and skills at the heart of to the latest government and health programme, which its demands for government survey. Apprentices are this year has considered mental to deliver an ambitious policy also around ten times more health as well as the response to package to address the likely to be underpaid than the coronavirus pandemic. economic fallout from Covid-19. the average worker due to widespread contravention of The TUC continued in the In recognition of the the minimum wage, according role of secretariat to the All- disproportionate impact of the to a new analysis by the Low Pay Party Parliamentary Group on pandemic on the job prospects Commission (LPC). And wide- Occupational Health and Safety of young people, these ranging research, including and the sub-group on asbestos, proposals include an education by the TUC, has pointed engaging with parliamentarians and training guarantee for out that under-represented and sector organisations on a everyone aged 25 and under, groups continue to face major range of issues. comprising an apprenticeship, a barriers to accessing the place at college or university, or best apprenticeships. other training options delivered as part of a new jobs guarantee SECTION 4 RESPECT AND A VOICE AT WORK
Unionlearn has produced a range The TUC submission to the 2020 Budget called for specific new of resources to help unions negotiate entitlements to boost training with employers to boost the number of levels, including: a right to time off to learn; access to mid-life high-quality apprenticeships. reviews; and a learning account for all workers. Throughout the year we continued to To tackle these challenges, the 4.10 Adult skills collaborate with the government TUC has called for measures and the CBI to oversee the to strengthen enforcement Throughout the year, the TUC design and development of the of employment and training highlighted key deficiencies in National Retraining Scheme, rights of apprentices, boost our adult skills system, especially including supporting trialling wage levels, improve equality very low investment levels. of the online Get Help to of access and guarantee a Government spending on adult Retrain service. minimum progression to a level skills has fallen by 47 per cent in 3 apprenticeship for all young the last decade, the volume of The TUC has also continued people. The TUC submission to employer-led training is down to call for measures to make the last government review of by a staggering 60 per cent basic digital qualifications free the levy called for it to be flexed since the end of the 1990s, and at the point of access, and has to allow employers to use their employer investment in training welcomed the rollout of the new funds to provide high-quality per employee is half the EU basic digital skills entitlement pre-apprenticeship training average. According to a recent later this year. programmes where appropriate. OECD report, the UK also lacks the national social partnership The recent devolution of the The TUC also published arrangements that underpin adult skills budget to parts of an analysis showing that high-quality skill systems in England has resulted in some apprentices in many parts of many other countries. benefits, including better the country are unfairly denied alignment of provision to local public transport travel discounts A new report by the Industrial needs and allowing more focus that are made available to all Strategy Council, Rising to the on disadvantaged groups. students. The report called on UK’s Skills Challenges, agreed However, there have been some the government to deliver on with this analysis and the need unintended consequences from a commitment it gave in 2017 for policymakers to tackle these a postcode-based skills funding to introduce a national travel deficiencies urgently. This report system, which has introduced discount for all apprentices. also highlights the key role avoidable further barriers to unions play in boosting access participation for many learners. Unionlearn has produced to high-quality learning and a range of resources to training at work, including the help unions negotiate with vital contribution of unionlearn. employers to boost the number of high-quality apprenticeships that are accessible to all, and to safeguard and sustain apprenticeships through the current crisis. NHS workers were not included in the government’s public sector pay deal in July, despite the sacrifices and hardship they experienced during the coronavirus pandemic © MI News/NurPhoto/ PA Images 5
SECTION 5 GOOD SERVICES SECTION 5 GOOD SERVICES
5.1 Introduction Despite the heroic efforts of public
The coronavirus pandemic put sector workers, austerity undermined public services in the spotlight, the country’s response to the crisis. with public attention focused on the important roles of key workers across the economy. The General Council has 5.3 NHS While this recognition was endorsed some of the key welcome, public services went recommendations of the review The TUC continues to campaign into the crisis weakened by of post-18 education and for a publicly owned, fully- years of cuts, pay restraint and funding chaired by Philip Augar, funded NHS in line with privatisation. This has created in particular proposals to: make resolutions 46, 49, 50, 51, and major shortages of equipment investment in the FE estate and 52. We also continue to call for and staff, and capacity issues workforce a priority; provide a parity of funding between its in key areas. Despite the heroic fully funded entitlement for all constituent services, particularly efforts of public sector workers, adults to achieve a minimum mental health. austerity undermined the level three qualification; and country’s response to the crisis. increase financial support The TUC took part in the NHS’s for adult FE and HE students 72nd birthday celebrations, No sectors were in a weaker through maintenance grants supporting an online rally and position than social care and and bursaries. However, the TUC using social media to demand local government. The TUC has consistently stressed that more than weekly public has campaigned and lobbied government would need to take clapping for the NHS and for a new settlement for both forward a much more ambitious its staff. these critical sectors, in line approach than that set out in with resolution 65. This built on the review. Building on earlier work earlier work highlighting the exposing the inadequacy extent of the damage caused During the past year the General of the 3 per cent real-terms by spending cuts, including our Council has continued to give funding increase for the analysis of the disproportionate its support to the Love Colleges NHS, we used our March impacts on councils in initiative coordinated by FE 2020 Budget submission to deprived areas. employers and unions. This highlight the ongoing crisis in campaign calls for increased staff recruitment and retention investment in further education and make the case for a fully 5.2 Education and a fair pay deal for all FE funded workforce strategy. staff. Paul Nowak, TUC deputy This followed our analysis of Over the past year the TUC has general secretary, is a member shortfalls in doctor numbers worked closely with affiliated of the Independent Commission and government failure to meet unions on policy and workforce on the College of the Future staffing promises. issues relating to education that is being coordinated by the in line with resolutions 56, 57, Association of Colleges. The Mental health has remained 61, 62 and 63, and composites TUC facilitated two roundtable a priority, supported by 13 and 17. The input of all the meetings involving the further the TUC Disabled Workers’ education unions has informed education unions and the Committee and the TUC Young the work of the General Council director of the Commission, and Workers’ Forum. Together with on education policy and wider also submitted written evidence. campaigners such as Keep Our campaigning on public services. NHS Public, the TUC helped to organise a mental health crisis summit in September 2019. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 47
Insecure contracts, low pay, privatisation and inadequate funding are just some of the issues faced by social care workers © Isabel Infantes/EMPICS Entertainment
We have applied the lessons The Covid-19 5.4 Social care from the NHS Social Partnership Forum’s work on bullying and pandemic has The Covid-19 pandemic has harassment, working with been the ultimate been the ultimate stress test Cabinet Office and public for adult social care. Structural service employers to apply stress test for adult issues that trade unions have good practice across the public social care. highlighted for decades – sector. The coronavirus crisis has insecure contracts; low pay; underlined the need for NHS privatisation; inadequate and social care staff to be able NHS charges would be dropped funding – have made the impact to raise workplace issues free for NHS and care workers. The of Covid-19 on the sector from intimidation. TUC will continue to campaign much worse. with unions and allied groups In line with resolution 47, the for the charges to be dropped In line with resolution 54, the TUC continued to call for all for all migrants. TUC has been working with NHS charges for migrants to be affiliates to develop a trade dropped. As well as working In line with resolution 53, the union vision for social care. with groups such as Maternity TUC has continued to highlight We have made the case for Action, we raised concerns with mental health support services sustainable funding, market MPs in our lobbying on the at work and in wider society, Immigration and Social Security including inadequate perinatal Coordination Bill, adding to the maternity care. pressure on government. In May, the government announced that SECTION 5 GOOD SERVICES
The TUC’s report for the International Day of Justice for cleaners and security guards exposed how outsourcing has weakened terms and conditions © Ian Forsyth/Getty Images reform and integration. We are also demanding comparable terms and conditions with NHS staff, underpinned by a sectoral collective bargaining agreement.
For May Day 2020, the TUC published analysis showing that 7 in 10 care workers earn less than £10 an hour. We published a joint statement with commissioner representatives on the need for adequate PPE, proper testing and safe hospital discharges into care homes. We are working with partners in the sector to agree a new deal for the workforce, including a new national skills and accreditation framework tied to a pay and grading structure.
5.5 Privatisation
The Covid-19 crisis has exposed Ending and reversing The TUC’s report for the how years of marketisation and privatisation and outsourcing International Day of Justice for outsourcing have weakened has been central to the cleaners and security guards our public services and put TUC’s public campaigning exposed how outsourcing has the safety of workers and the on public services in the last weakened terms and conditions, public at risk. This has been year. Composite 12 formed as well as eroding service evident in the PPE ‘crisis within the basis for a number of quality. The TUC also developed a crisis’, caused by fractured recommendations in our A a practical guide for reps on and unwieldy supply chains Better Recovery report. This how to negotiate insourcing in that resulted from decades of made the case for in-house their workplaces. outsourcing and offshoring. provision except where Some outsourced workers have there is a public interest case In addition to this public-facing been forced to choose between for contracting out. These work, we have continued to following government advice recommendations were make the case for insourcing to isolate without adequate sick adapted for regional recovery during regular meetings pay and being able to put food reports, which argued that with government, through on the table. insourcing and social value the Public Services Forum procurement should be at the and other channels. We have heart of local and regional also advocated insourcing to recovery plans. parliamentary select committee inquiries and the Labour Party. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 49
Following a decade of pay restraint, the issues contained in the manifesto. Our submission to public sector workers are still being the Lords select committee paid on average £900 less in real terms inquiry on the future of public services after coronavirus also today than they were in 2010. highlighted the parlous state of the justice system.
In line with resolution 48, we The TUC has called on HMRC have continued to work with to reconsider its reform plans 5.8 Public sector pay unions and health campaigners in light of changing patterns to prevent the outsourcing of of working post-coronavirus. Following a decade of pay NHS services through wholly We have also highlighted that restraint, public sector workers owned subsidiaries. Following a decade of staff cuts and are still being paid on average successful campaigns in Wigan, under-investment left the DWP £900 less in real terms today Leeds and mid-Yorkshire, in completely unprepared for than they were in 2010. the last year Frimley Health the growth in Universal Credit Foundation Trust and Bradford claimants during the crisis. The TUC has continued to Teaching Hospitals Foundation campaign for fair pay for public Trust have abandoned plans for sector workers. Our March subsidiary companies. 5.7 Justice 2020 Budget submission linked pay restraint to the crisis In line with composite 15, the of recruitment and retention 5.6 Civil service TUC has publicly supported affecting swathes of the public calls to end and reverse the sector. We set out the real-terms The civil service has played a privatisation of probation. We increases to departmental crucial role in the coronavirus welcome the recent decision by budgets that would be needed response, yet has faced the Ministry of Justice to bring to ensure that public sector inconsistent practices on safe the rest of probation back into pay rises both keep up with working and the continuation of public ownership, following the cost of living and begin to restructuring and redundancy tremendous campaigning work make good a decade of lost programmes. The TUC has by Napo, UNISON and all our earnings. Our submission also supported civil service unions justice sector unions. reiterated our five tests for a in calling for these programmes fair pay deal for public sector to be suspended for as long as We continue to work with workers: funded increases; fair the crisis continues. We have criminal justice unions, through pay awards across all public emphasised this in meetings campaigns such as Joint Unions services; freedom for collective with ministers, and in oral and in Prison Alliance (JUPA), to bargaining and genuinely written evidence to the Lords ensure the sector guarantees independent pay review bodies; select committee inquiry on the the safety and welfare of all tackling low pay through the real future of public services after inmates and staff. living wage; and the restoration the pandemic. of earnings lost since 2010. In line with resolution 67, the TUC supported the manifesto for justice. Although planned campaign work was disrupted by the general election and the coronavirus pandemic, we have continued to highlight SECTION 5 GOOD SERVICES
The TUC is actively engaged in HS2 and supports union calls for full access to and cooperation with all contractors involved © Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
On May Day, TUC research set out the real-terms pay losses experienced by different public sector workers. Our study showed that nurses and community nurses in NHS band 5 are more than £3,000 worse off today than they were in 2010, and ambulance services drivers are £1,605 worse off.
Better public sector pay has also been central to the TUC’s vision for recovery from the pandemic, including the wider benefits of a public sector pay increase in the context of severely weakened economic demand. We have also coordinated union responses to the McCloud judgment, which ruled transitional protection in public sector pension schemes current fragmented franchise Local transport has featured in discriminatory on grounds of system on both investment and the TUC’s campaigning work age, and continued to make the ticket pricing. UK consumers this year. We have worked with case for fair pensions for public continue to experience one of local and combined authority sector workers. the most expensive railways leaders in the North-West and in Europe. in Yorkshire and the Humber to re-regulate bus services 5.9 Transport The TUC continues to be and to make the case for actively engaged in HS2 and public ownership. In line with composite 3, the support union calls to ensure TUC has continued to campaign we get maximum benefit from for an integrated, green public the project, including full union transport system. We have access to and cooperation with continued to highlight the all contractors involved. We are need for investment in rail also lobbying for the project infrastructure, supporting HS2 to deliver benefits across the as well as local rail investment country, as part of an integrated priorities. We have campaigned transport solution. for publicly owned, integrated rail infrastructure and highlighted the impact of the
Trainee scaffolders learn their trade at the Technical Engineering & Construction Centre in Leytonstone, London © Jess Hurd/ reportdigital.co.uk 6
SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
Since 2017, union membership among women workers increased by 170,000. There are now more women carrying a union card than at any time since 1995 © David Cliff/NurPhoto/PA Images 6.1 Introduction
The critical importance of trade union organisation was evident throughout the coronavirus pandemic. From access to decent sick pay to job protection and safety at work, unionised workers were demonstrably better off than those not enjoying collective organisation. The rapid increase in union membership in key areas at the start of the lockdown shows that working people know this too. That increase follows another year- on-year net gain in union membership, largely as a result of a significant surge in women joining unions.
The new ways of working adapted by unions at the height of the lockdown also showed a capacity to innovate quickly and effectively, adopting 6.2 Organising and workers increasing by 170,000. digital technologies not only union membership There are now more women to recruit and to organise but carrying a union card than at any also to provide an effective Union membership in the time since 1995. Overall, there service for members in need UK increased for the third are 6.44 million union members of strong advice, guidance consecutive year according in the UK. and representation. to trade union membership figures (see Figure 1) published Union membership increased in We must build on this innovation in June by the Department for both the public and the private and utilise key lessons to Business, Energy and Industrial sectors, by 74,000 and 17,000 diversify our reps base and to Strategy (Beis). respectively, and the proportion bring in the next generation of of all workers who are union activists. This will help renew Between 2018 and 2019, members increased to 23.5 trade unionism in the future, union membership increased per cent. reaching right across the by 91,000, meaning that since economy, to all demographics 2017 union membership has The proportion of workers and geographies. increased by over 200,000. This covered by union collective increase was driven by union agreements increased, and membership among women these workers continued to be better paid than workers who are not. Between 2018 and 2019, the union wage premium increased in the private sector to 3.6 per cent. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 53
Figure 1: Union membership as a percentage of all employees, 1995–2019
36 All employees Male Female 34
32
30
28 % 26
24
22
20
18
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Sources: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis)
Between 2018 These figures should also give and fear of intimidation. unions confidence in addressing Through TUC Education, the and 2019, union the challenges that remain. training and support we provide membership Too high a proportion of union to affiliates continues to support members are in the public union capacity to organise and increased by sector, when most people are campaign more effectively. 91,000, meaning employed in private sector jobs. Too many union members are that since 2017 also near the end, rather than 6.3 Digital development union membership the beginning, of their working lives. While less than a quarter The TUC General Council has has increased by of current union members are identified digitisation of union over 200,000. aged under 34, more than 40 organisations as a priority per cent are aged 50 and over. in helping unions meet the challenges of recruiting and These are encouraging figures In line with emergency organising a new generation for a movement that, if it were resolutions 1, 2 and 3 carried of members. A new role of ever in doubt, restated its at Congress 2019, the TUC digital lead member for the importance and relevance has continued to press for an TUC General Council has been during the pandemic. environment in which unions created, with joint General can access workplaces and Secretaries Mary Bousted and workers freely and without Kevin Courtney of NEU jointly interference from employers leading for the GC in this area. SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
Megaphone has so far been used the campaign to bring over 700 workers into a series of by more than a dozen TUC affiliates Whatsapp groups for deeper and over 200,000 supporters have taken organising conversations. This culminated in an online part, resulting in more than 1.2 million conference call to inspire online actions taken. supporting workers into taking up active roles in the campaign themselves. The TUC’s Digital Lab project Lab workshops, sharing good has expanded since Congress practice around topics such Megaphone has so far been 2019. The project aims to as the use of data science in used by more than a dozen network together people unions, service design, election TUC affiliates and over 200,000 involved in organisational campaigning online and supporters have taken part, digital transformation across working remotely. resulting in more than 1.2 TUC affiliates, helping them to million online actions taken. It identify and share best practice The Digital Lab has also is a free service to all affiliated across unions and where worked with several TUC unions and can be used at many there are transferable lessons affiliates on pilot projects levels, from powering branch from outside the movement. aimed at developing learning and regional campaigns to Following a survey of affiliates’ on questions of common contributing tactics and publicity own digital journeys, the TUC interest for unions. During for national union activity. Digital Lab published a report, the coronavirus pandemic Digital in UK Unions. This the project has piloted highlighted how different unions covidsecurecheck.uk, a new 6.4 TUC communications are approaching the challenge service for identifying whether awards of digital and identified employers have published some areas where working Covid-secure risk assessments. Coronavirus restrictions together across the movement meant that TUC trade union could help all unions make The TUC’s Megaphone.org.uk communication awards had greater progress. project aims to support affiliated to be cancelled this year. We unions in expanding their digital anticipate running the awards The TUC’s Digital Healthcheck campaigning and organising. as usual next year and having tool was revised and reissued, The speed and reach of online a two-year time span for the to help affiliates conduct campaigns make them well entries into the competition. research for strategic planning suited to establishing initial Unions will be able to showcase around digital transformation. contacts for further organising their work from March 2019 to The interactive spreadsheet with groups of workers, as well February 2021. compiles a snapshot of a as for generating publicity and union’s current capacity pressure for union campaigns. across many areas of digital For example, a petition 6.5 Young workers work, highlighting areas of organised by BFAWU after strength and opportunities for pub chain JD Wetherspoon There is no doubt that the development. Many affiliates refused to pay its furloughed impact of coronavirus will have taken part in TUC Digital staff attracted more than 14,000 hit young workers hardest, a supporters and contributed to group already overrepresented a U-turn from the company. By in insecure work, with few segmenting Wetherspoons’ opportunities to progress. workers among the supporters, Youth unemployment scars the BFAWU were able to use prospects of young people, CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 55
The Megaphone petition organised by BFAWU after pub chain JD Wetherspoon refused to pay its furloughed staff attracted more than 14,000 supporters and contributed to a U-turn from the company © Adam Davy/PA Wire/PA Images
and the TUC is placing young The TUC Young Workers 6.6 TUC Education workers at the heart of its critical Forum continues to play a work on employment, skills and key role representing young TUC Education continues to a fairer economy, including calls workers through its priority provide high-quality education for a government-funded job campaigns. Its manifesto and training for workplace guarantee scheme. for mental health, launched reps. Unions with members during Young Workers’ Month in major public and private Organising the next generation in November, supported the sector employers send reps for of members, reps and leaders TUC’s wider work on organising training. Almost all unions take remains of critical importance around mental health. Forum part in the programme, which is to the trade union movement. membership increased by a recognised for integrity, quality The TUC ran a number of Future third from last year, with all and innovation. Leaders programmes across equalities seats filled. Measures the country and continued the aimed at increasing meaningful During 2019, the number of Summer Patrol programme in participation for affiliates, in line reps trained was 36,739. Broken Yorkshire’s cities. In January, with resolution 76, are ongoing down across the different types we published The Missing as part of the TUC’s strategic of course that TUC Education Half Million report, drawing governance review. supports, the figures were 3,472 out learnings from the TUC’s on core courses (classroom); WorkSmart project looking 2,096 on core courses (online); at how unions can transform 6,290 on eNotes; and 24,881 on themselves to be a movement short courses. of young workers. SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
One of the biggest organising Funding The TUC continues to lobby challenges facing the trade government to provide equal union movement is to find The TUC programme of training access for all reps to our national and train a new generation for union reps is delivered UK- programmes in England with an of workplace union reps who wide and the same qualifications ESFA national funding stream reflect the diversity of trade are accessed and delivered alongside the devolved AEB. In union members. According to to union reps in London, the meantime, we continue to the last Workplace Employment Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow work with colleges and MCAs to Relations Survey, more than half and Cardiff. In recognition of the produce local solutions. of union representatives are wider benefits for the economy, aged 50 and over. This means the government has provided Our offer to reps that without action we stand a 50 per cent co-funding to lose more than half of our contribution for TUC Education Our strategy for supporting existing reps over the next 10 to union training courses. This and enabling union reps to 15 years. is manged nationally and access trade union education administered directly by the continues. Ensuring that as many At Organise 2020, the TUC’s Education and Skills Funding reps as possible have access to festival of ideas on union Agency (ESFA) to partner further flexible training opportunities organising, TUC affiliates education (FE) providers. continues to be a focus of TUC signed an organising pledge Education work. Developing that committed the movement From August 2019, Mayoral materials to support face-to- to “enthuse thousands of Combined Authorities (MCAs) face training opportunities for activists from all backgrounds and the Greater London reps, and further developing our to become new workplace reps, Authority (GLA) took on online, blended and e-learning offer them training within the responsibility for the Adult offer, are priorities. The TUC is first six months and train every Education Budget (AEB) for seeking to ensure as many reps new rep in their first year”. their areas. This has presented as practicable are accessing challenges to the TUC as we trade union education and TUC Education stands ready to seek to continue to fund our securing appropriate paid meet this challenge. We plan trade union education training release to do so. to publish how many reps have programmes. Recruitment to attended each of our stage one college-based programmes Several approaches have reps’ courses, and how long is not geographically based: been developed to enable they waited to attend training. union reps are often recruited union reps to access informal We will use the number of reps through union networks or by opportunities for education trained on stage one courses workplace. As a result, our own and development, both online this year as a baseline against internal enquiries show that and face to face. TUC national which to measure progress. between 50 and 60 per cent of and regional offices continue reps attending a college-based to organise various demand- In 2019, the number of reps course are from outside of the led briefings, including health attending TUC stage one geographic catchment of those and safety training days, courses (including classroom colleges, potentially excluding supporting learners’ events, and online) was 4,156. The them from area-based funded tackling the far right, and breakdown across each of the programmes in the future. anti-austerity campaigns. three stage one courses was: Union Reps One – 2,331; Health and Safety One – 1,424; and Union Learning Reps One – 401. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 57
Flexible fully online The project was conducted by › Most respondents to the programmes sit alongside Exeter University and consisted survey said that they were classroom courses, providing of four stages: desk research; either fairly or completely up-to-date resources for reps. focus groups involving union confident in their own skills Programmes and resources can reps; stakeholder interviews and knowledge (73 per cent). be accessed by reps as soon as with senior officials from the they take office and can be used TUC; and an online survey that › The top five training and by experienced reps to refresh had 3,800 respondents. Taken support activities identified their skills and knowledge. together, this work provided by respondents were mental the TUC with a valuable insight health, handling grievances eNotes continue to be a great into the activities, experiences and disciplinaries, collective resource to help reps keep up and needs of workplace bargaining, health and to date on key workplace issues. union representatives. safety-related activities These self-contained e-learning and organising. modules include a mixture of The main findings of the text, video and quizzes, and can survey were: The TUC has used this analysis be accessed from PCs, tablets or to create a workplan consisting smart phones when required. › Representing individual of seven separate workstreams members in disciplinaries that will run over the next The use of webinars to reach and grievances is the single two years. union reps with interactive biggest activity carried out by briefings remains popular. reps. A significant number are Union Professionals and Over 30 are available from using their own time to carry Organising Academy the TUC Education website out their role. tuceducation.org.uk In 2019, the TUC trained 283 › Respondents spent an union officers via its Union Review of support to reps, average of 10 hours per week Professionals and Organising officers and organising (paid and unpaid) on union Academy programmes. During activity. Almost a quarter of the year, the TUC undertook The Changing Workplaces reps spent four hours per a survey of officers to inform Survey of Union Representatives week on disciplinaries and the future development of the was commissioned by the TUC grievances and this area Union Professionals programme. in 2019 to measure the impact of work was regarded as In response, the TUC will be of TUC Education in supporting the most important issue, introducing new subject areas workplace representation. We dealt with by 47 per cent into the programme, among also wanted to find out who our of respondents. which will be a new digital reps were and what it was they unions course. needed from unions and the › More than three out of four TUC to be able to carry out their reps said that they used their roles effectively. own time for rep work. While 86 per cent of respondents said that they received some facility time, 43 per cent said that they did not have enough and most of these reps said that they needed a lot more time. SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
TUC EDUCATION COURSE STATISTICS, 2019
Table 1: London, East & South East region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 5 3 8 4 9 4 631 1 665 No of learners 69 35 99 35 89 44 8,395 22 8,788 Women 25 16 29 12 34 24 2,749 12 2,901 % women 36 46 29 34 38 55 33 55 33
Table 2: Midlands region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 6 1 4 1 0 0 600 5 617 No of learners 71 9 61 12 0 0 5,484 49 5,686 Women 34 1 10 0 0 0 1,945 23 2,013 % women 48 11 16 0 0 0 35 47 35
Table 3: Northern region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 1 1 4 0 0 0 92 6 104 No of learners 6 16 27 0 0 0 1,748 45 1,842 Women 1 8 8 0 0 0 1,468 23 1,508 % women 17 50 30 0 0 0 84 51 82
Table 4: North West region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 46 20 28 21 2 1 325 11 454 No of learners 614 204 306 173 12 12 3,840 82 5,243 Women 281 48 79 24 4 4 1,695 40 2,175 % women 46 24 26 14 33 33 44 49 41 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 59
Table 5: South West region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 2 0 3 1 1 0 35 0 42 No of learners 15 0 35 11 6 0 393 0 460 Women 8 0 2 3 3 0 202 0 218 % women 53 0 6 27 50 0 51 0 47
Table 6: Yorkshire & the Humber region
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 3 3 2 1 0 0 279 3 291 No of learners 32 18 13 11 0 3,038 20 3,132 Women 12 7 2 2 0 0 868 8 899 % women 38 39 15 18 0 0 29 40 29
Table 7: Scotland
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 5 4 9 6 3 0 86 6 119 No of learners 26 30 90 50 39 0 924 43 1,202 Women 13 10 23 10 22 0 316 25 419 % women 50 33 26 20 56 0 34 58 35
Table 8: Wales
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 34 12 31 11 3 0 101 1 193 No of learners 356 135 312 103 25 0 1,059 10 2,000 Women 137 50 98 39 15 0 410 4 753 % women 38 37 31 38 60 0 39 40 38 SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
Table 9: UK total
Courses UR1 Emp H&S 1 H&S 2 ULR 1 ULR 2 Short Diploma Totals Law courses
No of courses 102 44 89 46 18 5 2,149 33 2,486 No of learners 1,189 447 943 395 171 56 24,881 271 28,353 Women 511 140 251 90 78 28 9,653 135 10,886 % women 43 31 27 23 46 50 39 50 38
Table 10: Online courses
Courses UR1 H&S 1 ULR 1 ULR 2 eNotes Totals
No of learners 1,142 481 230 243 6,290 8,386
Table 11: Reps on 10-day course programme by union
Union No of reps Union No of reps Union No of reps
Unite 1,201 POA 32 FDA 2
UNISON 434 FBU 21 NUM 2
GMB 366 UCU 16 AUE 1
PCS 233 EIS 11 CoP 1
Usdaw 160 Napo 9 MU 1
CSP 131 Prospect 9 NASUWT 1
ASLEF 126 TSSA 8 SCP 1
Community 92 RCM 7 SoR 1
CWU 55 NEU 6 URTU 1
RMT 46 BFAWU 5
BDA 35 Accord 3 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 61
In the year to March 2020, unionlearn supported a total of 189,100 learners via the union route © Unionlearn 6.7 Skills at work
Supporting more workers to access high-quality learning and skills, especially those who face barriers at work, is at the heart of the vision for the union learning agenda. Over the past year, union learning has continued to add value to union membership and individual unions have successfully delivered on this agenda with the support of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) and unionlearn. More recently, the trade union movement has combatted the impact of the coronavirus pandemic by negotiating for high-quality apprenticeships, skills and retraining in line with the principles in resolution 4 and composite 1.
In the year to March 2020, unionlearn supported a total of 189,100 learners via the union Unionlearn is responsible significantly boosts union route. ULF projects accounted for managing ULF projects, membership – a quarter of ULF for 79 per cent of this total by including the annual assessment learners are not union members supporting 149,500 learners, and award of bids, regular when they start a course, but which was 13,500 more than the project monitoring, and a range one in two subsequently go on targets set in their operational of direct support activities for to join a union. plans. The learning and training unions. Over the past year, 20 delivered by ULF projects is ULF projects were approved, Unionlearn supports union diverse, including: 37,700 amounting to £9.8m. learning through a wide range English and maths learners; of other initiatives and more 25,000 ICT learners; and 30,200 Over the years independent information on this is available in people undertaking continuing evaluations have demonstrated the separate annual report on its professional development how union-led learning and activities, which can be found at courses. In addition, 12,400 training transforms lives. For unionlearn.org.uk apprentices were either example, these studies tell us recruited or supported by that 70 per cent of ULF learners unions running ULF projects in would not have engaged this period. without the support of their union and large numbers achieve their first qualification through this route. Engaging in union-led learning also SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
6.8 Trades councils 6.9 Global union member’s first alternate and organisations Gail Cartmail the second FBU General Secretary Matt alternate. ITUC Executive Wrack stood down from his The TUC belongs to the Bureau titular members are position as General Council lead European Trade Union Frances O’Grady, with Mariela for trades councils this year, with Confederation (ETUC), the Kohon as her first alternate his role taken up by General International Trade Union and Tim Roache as her second Secretary Steve Gillan (POA). We Confederation (ITUC) and the alternate (until his resignation as have seen a modest increase OECD’s Trade Union Advisory general secretary). in trades council registrations, Committee (TUAC). which now stand at 150, thanks TUC General Secretary Frances to the work of regional reps. The ETUC executive met in O’Grady represents the TUC October, December, February, on TUAC. Trades councils have been March, June and July. TUC active in key campaign activities, members of the executive including Sheffield Needs a Pay committee are TUC General 6.10 Global solidarity Rise, combining to resource Secretary Frances O’Grady (also a local organiser in key low- on the steering committee), The TUC has continued to paid sectors in Sheffield. Many General Council Europe implement its international trades councils have supported spokesperson Steve Turner, strategy, informed by a network local anti-racism campaigns and General Council members of union international officers. and organised events to Mary Bousted and Dave Prentis. We have developed our work commemorate Holocaust The Pan-European Regional to combat the growth of Memorial Day. A number of Council general assembly the far right (see the section trades councils moved events met in December: Frances ‘Tackling the far right’ for online to mark International O’Grady, Steve Turner, and more information on the Workers Memorial Day, and General Council international international aspect of this have played a key role in spokesperson Tim Roache work). We continue to support HeartUnions Week. Many (until his resignation) were the sister centres in Somalia and were involved in industrial TUC members. Zimbabwe in their struggle for activities – from working with decent work, media freedom BFAWU on the McDonalds’ The TUC attended the ITUC and an end to trade union campaign to supporting General Council in Brussels repression. Letters were sent unions opposing Rolls-Royce in October and the ITUC and solidarity actions held to job cuts. Funding cuts to the Human and Trade Union Rights protest abuses against trade Chesterfield Unemployed Committee during the same unionists around the world, Workers’ Centre motivated month. The TUC attended the including in Bolivia, Chile, Hong campaign and fundraising work ITUC Executive Bureau’s virtual Kong, Iran, Iraq, The Philippines, on behalf of this important meeting in May. ITUC General Ukraine and others. The TUC community resource. Council titular members were contributed to, and participated Frances O’Grady and previously in, the Latin America Tim Roache (until his resignation conference in November. as general secretary). TUC We hosted a speaker, and Senior International Policy TUC representatives spoke at Officer Mariela Kohon is sessions on Colombia, Brazil Frances’ first alternate and and Chile. We also organised TUC General Council race eight international sessions spokeperson Gloria Mills is her second alternate. The ICTU’s David Joyce is the second CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 63
The TUC supported the ITUC’s report on the state of the peace process, used to highlight the Colombian government’s failings, to OECD members © Kien y Ke.com
as part of Organise 2020, about increased repression. We supported hosting speakers from Brazil, Imprisoned former President Colombia, Palestine, Spain, Lula was freed in November the ITUC’s Turkey and others, as well as after an international campaign international day of two international sessions at the for his freedom that included annual Tolpuddle Festival. the TUC. action promoting the implementation Brazil Colombia In October, the TUC held an In line with resolution 73, the of the peace event on Fighting Bolsonaro TUC participated in events agreement. with the international secretary to highlight the situation in of the Brazilian Central Única Colombia and has continued dos Trabalhadores (CUT) to provide funding to Justice ambassador, affiliates and Antonio Lisboa, and we for Colombia. We supported Justice for Colombia to discuss have regularly written blogs the ITUC’s international day the human rights crisis, with highlighting the situation. of action promoting the ongoing murders of trade A planned General Council implementation of the peace unionists, social leaders delegation to Brazil had to be agreement. The TUC also and former Revolutionary postponed due to Covid-19, supported an ITUC report on Armed Forces of Colombia but we have continued to build the state of the peace process, (FARC) combatants. links with the CUT and its allies. used to highlight the Colombian The TUC coordinated a meeting government’s failings, to OECD with the Brazilian Embassy in members. In December, we held January to express concerns a meeting with the Colombian SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
We have called on the Department Following TUC reports, the ILO raised serious concerns for International Development (DFID) about UK government funding and development finance institution and support for the Health and Safety Executive. The CDC to ensure UK aid is used to deliver ILO’s annual conference was decent jobs. cancelled due to Covid-19, but the ILO built on its 2019 declaration on the future of Cuba Turkey work by setting out a vision In November, the TUC hosted During the ITUC General for the world of work after a delegation of Cuban trade Council in October, the ITUC the pandemic. unionists and a celebration adopted a statement on the of the 80th anniversary of the Turkish attack on the Kurdish foundation of the Central de population in North East 6.12 International Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC) Syria and the TUC supported development and the 60th of the Cuban a solidarity photo action to revolution. During this event accompany the release of The TUC has continued to we joined the delegation in the statement. This was also advocate for the ILO’s Decent condemning the blockade, in supported by a letter in the Work Agenda to be central to line with resolution 74. Guardian by General Secretary international development and Frances O’Grady denouncing meeting the UN Sustainable Palestine the Turkish attack on the Kurds. Development Goals. We have In line with resolution 75, the The TUC continues to support called on the Department for TUC has written to the foreign the Freedom for Ocalan International Development secretary to oppose plans by the campaign. We have developed (DFID) and development finance Israeli coalition government to relationships with our sister institution CDC to ensure UK aid annex parts of the West Bank, centres in Turkey to highlight is used to deliver decent jobs, which have been facilitated by the abuses of Turkish trade with meaningful engagement President Trump’s Middle East unionists, and published a blog with sister unions. The TUC has Peace Plan. Annexation would to coincide with the NATO publicly expressed concern breach international law, violate summit in London in December. about the merger of DFID and Palestinian rights, and prevent the Foreign & Commonweath a just and lasting peace based Office (FCO), emphasising that on a two-state solution with 6.11 ILO campaigning UK aid should be used to end respect for the collective right poverty and promote equality, to self-determination. We have In line with resolution 72, the not to serve national interests. called for trade unions to have ILO accepted in 2019 that health In June, the union international a role in the UK-Israel Trade and safety should form part officers’ network held a and Partnership Agreement of the fundamental principles roundtable, chaired by the TUC’s monitoring human rights and rights at work, and the international development records and in triggering TUC has been working through spokesperson, Unite Assistant investigations when there are the governing body to shape General Secretary Gail Cartmail, violations of those rights. how this is realised. We have with the shadow DFID Team. We continue to work closely been collaborating with the with the Palestine Solidarity ITUC and other partners to Campaign, including supporting push for employers, as well as its conference. governments, to be accountable in the UN system for breaches of workers’ rights. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 65
Frances O’Grady meets Usdaw’s Lifelong Learning Project Worker Pam Stanton and her fellow reps at their Cardiff office © Wales TUC 6.14 Wales TUC
Wales TUC has continued to work with the Welsh government to progress the concept of Wales as a ‘Fair Work Nation’. A key aspect of this has been the development of a Social Partnership Act that places a duty on public bodies to work in social partnership. It would also require public bodies to produce a procurement strategy to promote fair work. This has the potential leverage of the £6.3bn that the Welsh government spends each year on products and services to drive change in the private sector.
We have also worked closely with the Welsh government on its response to Covid-19. We have fought to ensure workplace safety and promote 6.13 TUC Aid union SINTRABI to establish new quality jobs and worker voice unions; and research into human as part of the economic TUC Aid trustees have agreed and trade union rights violations response. We published our that projects will support the in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) A Green Recovery and a Just TUC’s international strategy with the ITUC, ITUC-Africa and Transition report, which details and be delivered in alliance national centre TUCOSWA. our policy priorities on tackling with trade unions and trusted climate change. organisations to increase Recently completed projects available project funds and include nearly 200 members We have developed toolkits ensure project management is of Ethiopia’s national centre on autism and the workplace, closer to the ground. Trustees CETU and its affiliates being mental health and older workers met in September, January trained as disability champions. and we have conducted surveys and July, though Covid-19 In Bangladesh, 75 female on sexual harassment and has disrupted project delivery. members of affiliates to the mental health. Equalities work Current projects are: building national centre NGWF were has also been central to our the capacity of East African trained in labour laws, equal Covid-19 response, and we have trade unions to advocate for rights, leadership, health and created equality guides based trade deals that deliver decent safety, and collective bargaining. on protected characteristics and work and support the UN briefed the Welsh government Sustainable Development Goals, on the equality impact of part-funded by the Trade Union the pandemic across each Unit Charitable Trust; supporting protected characteristic. Guatemalan banana workers’ SECTION 6 WINNING MORE FOR WORKERS
Young people take the knee in the street during the Black Lives Matter protests in Brighton © Tom Barlow Brown/SOPA Images/Sipa USA Our regional offices have also worked hard to support anti-racism campaigns and to build strong networks to challenge racism and fascism.
Innovation and hard work enabled the Tolpuddle Festival to go ahead online, with lots of political debate, union discussion and a wide array of music and culture. Throughout the lockdown period, regional councils and executive committees have continued to meet virtually. We have maintained and developed In February, Wales TUC General combined and local authorities important work on diversifying Secretary Martin Mansfield and other public bodies and our reps base, through was seconded to the Welsh have secured commitments leadership programmes for government for a period of 18 and agreements for local skills women and young workers. months to support the political funding to support trade union Our regional offices have also processes associated with education. This mitigates the worked hard to support anti- Wales becoming a Fair Work impact of devolving the Adult racism campaigns and to build nation. Shavanah Taj of PCS Education Budget. strong networks to challenge was appointed acting general racism and fascism, supported secretary for this period. Regional TUCs have been by our new education materials. influential in promoting the Great Jobs Agenda in the 6.15 Regional TUCs North-West, north of Tyne, West Midlands, Sheffield Our regional offices have and London authorities, with continued to take forward local administrations seeking key campaign priorities at a to use their procurement local level, working with sub- powers to secure better-quality national administrations in an employment in their areas. The increasingly fragmented and TUC’s A Better Recovery report asymmetric set of governance has also formed part of our arrangements. Working with local lobbying work through our unions, regional secretaries regional offices. The TUC’s strength have sought to influence is in it’s people: TUC staff at Congress 2019 in Brighton © Jess Hurd/ reportdigital.co.uk 7
SECTION 7 TUC ADMINISTRATION SECTION 7 TUC ADMINISTRATION
7.1 Developing the TUC we were careful to monitor IT strategy and information and consider mental as well as services The TUC has great staff and physical health during the crisis. robust systems, put in place We introduced a number of In January 2020, we completed following significant internal additional flexibilities to help our programme to move to a developments in our digital our staff remain productive. new suite of tools to help us infrastructure over recent years. work cross-departmentally During the coronavirus crisis, We introduced some new and improve our security and we’ve continued to deliver internal communications data protection compliance. on unions’ behalf – just in a methods to ensure that our Because the system uses cloud different way. staff stayed up to date with the technology, it has become TUC’s programme and how the progressively easier for all staff Our people, learning and unfolding situation affected their to work remotely, with the final development work. Although some training team being enabled in January. courses were put on hold due A major project for 2020 has Our people are at the heart of to lockdown, we’ve made good been a new, faster intranet, everything we do. We are an use of online sessions. which we launched in summer Investor in People, reflecting 2020. This was a significant our high standards of people Before supporting staff to start achievement given nearly all our management, and this year we returning to workplaces, and staff were working remotely at also achieved the Good Work working with our health and this time. Standard. safety reps, we carried out a risk assessment of each workplace The information line supported As the coronavirus pandemic and considered staff’s nearly 7,500 public enquiries took hold, some of our staff personal risks. in 2020, of which 65 per cent were sick, some lost loved ones were from people who wanted and everyone had to adapt to We continue to look carefully to know how to join a trade the unprecedented pressures at vacancies as they arise, union. That’s an increase of 11 of lockdown. Most TUC staff with a number of posts being per cent who were looking to worked from home. We took re-shaped to ensure they best join a union. Because of worries advantage of the government’s meet the demands on the TUC. about safety and job security, job retention scheme to In June and September 2020, the signs during lockdown furlough some staff whose joint Heads of Equality and are that 2020 will drive even jobs were directly affected, Strategy, Alice Hood and Nicola more people to find out about for example in our Congress Smith, left the TUC, both for union membership. Centre function. new posts at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Alice had Congress House We introduced new ways of over 10 years’ experience, and improvements communicating to ensure we Nicola spent 13 years at the stayed in touch with all our TUC, leading the Economic and Following our strategy to staff. Conscious of the difficult Social Affairs Department as well make the best possible use of personal conditions and heavy as equalities and strategy. Their Congress House, we continued workload placed on many staff, judgement, skills, wisdom and to let new space in our commitment to the TUC and our refurbished office space, The values will be missed. Rookery. We are still assessing the impact of coronavirus on our lettings. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 69
Congress Centre exceeded its targets in Q1 of 2020 but was delivered a heavy blow by the coronavirus lockdown © Congress Centre
Congress Centre – through social distancing plans. 7.4 Congress a valued venue We continue to monitor the market closely and explore The 2019 Congress was held in The TUC and its affiliates have new promotional methods Brighton. The Congress carried enjoyed the wide range of to maximise value from 49 resolutions, 17 composites meetings, conferences and the facilities. and three emergency events facilities hosted by resolutions. It also agreed Congress Centre. These facilities statements on Brexit and the are under increasing demand 7.2 Affiliations TUC Campaign Plan 2019–20. and 2019 was a bumper year and mergers for us. We delivered events from conferences to fashion shows. There were no affiliations or 7.5 General Council mergers to the TUC in 2019–20. We broke our targets in Q1 At the time of writing, the of 2020 but were delivered a General Council has held heavy blow by the coronavirus 7.3 Congress awards seven meetings during the lockdown. We are well placed Congress year. At the first to take advantage of any upturn Congress awards have been meeting, held jointly with the as we are experienced in suspended this year. Very few outgoing General Council hosting hybrid online/physical nominations were received as of the 2019 Congress, Ged events and we have worked unions have understandably Nichols was elected as chair been occupied in dealing with the challenges of the pandemic. SECTION 7 TUC ADMINISTRATION
and he will preside at the 2020 Environment and sustainable (TUCJCC). The General Council Congress. It was agreed that the development has decided, from 2020–21 Executive Committee should Sue Ferns onwards, to bring together be composed of the existing the statutory conferences on members, with the addition of Europe a tighter timetable to align Tony Dale and Claire Sullivan. Steve Turner more closely with the Congress year. The General Council also In December 2020, Isabelle Health and safety agreed changes including new Gutierrez and Jane Loftus joined Liz Snape MBE statements of purpose and the General Council, following standing orders for the advisory a byelection in Section D. In International development committees, seeking to improve April 2020, Tim Roache left the Gail Cartmail the reporting relationship General Council and Executive between the committees and Committee. In May 2020, Seán International relations General Council, increase McGovern sadly passed away. Tim Roache (until April 2020), clarity around their role and Kevin Courtney (from July 2020) remit, improve conferences and During the course of the year, ensure more and better input key themes in the General Learning and skills into TUC campaigns. Council’s work have been Mary Bousted coronavirus, the December 2019 general election, Brexit, Lesbian, gay, bisexual and 7.6 Conferences and the campaign for a new transgender rights deal for working people. Maria Exall Women’s conference
The General Council lead Public services This year’s Women’s Conference responsibilities for the year Dave Prentis was held from 4 to 6 March 2019–20 have been as follows: at Congress House. The Race equality conference, chaired by Susan Overall responsibility as lead Gloria Mills CBE Matthews of Unite, debated a spokesperson for the TUC wide range of motions covering The general secretary, Trade union councils menopause and menstrual Frances O’Grady Steve Gillan equality in the workplace, ending gender-based violence Senior representative Women and harassment in the world of throughout the Congress year Philipa Harvey work, and winning a new deal The president, Ged Nichols for women workers. Conference Young workers heard international speakers Specific areas of responsibility Charlie Gray reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Digital Following consultation from journalist Samira Ahmed Mary Bousted and with affiliates, the General on her historic equal pay win. Kevin Courtney Council continued to make improvements to the TUC’s Disabled workers strategic governance, Seán McGovern (until May agreeing changes to the 2020), current vacancy equality committees and the Young Workers’ Forum Employment rights and conferences, and the Tony Burke Trades Union Councils Joint Consultative Committee CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 71
Young Workers, Black of £223,000 on the unionlearn produced a deficit of £223,000. Workers, Disabled Workers, fund and surpluses of £460,000, The development fund is shown and LGBT+ Workers £181,000 and £244,000 on the above, while the dilapidations conferences administration, development fund showed that £536,000 and Congress House was spent on the upkeep of All these scheduled conferences dilapidations funds respectively. Congress House during the year were cancelled due to the and £780,000 was transferred to coronavirus pandemic. Interim Following a tender process, the dilapidations fund from the arrangements for the election of we changed auditor this year. administration fund. new committee members and Our new auditor, Crowe, has for the submission of a motion advised us to make a number During 2019, our calculated to TUC Congress 2020 were of adjustments to our accounts. FRS102 pension scheme agreed by the TUC Executive These are explained in note 17 position moved from a Committee. The committees to the accounts. £10,674,000 surplus to also agreed positions on all £10,297,000. This negative union motions that had been Development fund movement of £377,000, put forward to conferences. together with the operating In 2019, 10 per cent of the surplus of £662,000, the Trades Councils Conference affiliation fee was allocated gain of £220,000 on sale of to the development fund, investments, net revaluation and As with other statutory alongside some external deferred tax gain of £2,061,000, committees, the Trades Councils funding, and was used to has increased the funds of Conference was unable to go promote new work and General the TUC from £82,386,000 to ahead. The TUCJCC agreed Council initiatives. This was used £84,952,000. interim measures to select to support a variety of projects, a motion for the Congress with the main initiatives being: Prospects and developments agenda, to select a trades councils delegate to Congress › winning for more workers A budget for the 2020 and to cover TUCJCC elections. administration fund has been All motions were remitted to the › a new deal for working agreed by the General Council. committee to establish a trades people This showed a projected surplus councils programme of work of £629 but, as a result of the for 2020–21. › rebuilding a UK that works for Covid-19 lockdown measures, working people after Brexit. at the time of writing this no longer appears achievable. 7.7 TUC finances The development fund, The General Council approved representing all non-unionlearn a nine pence (3.13 per cent) The annual statement of externally funded projects increase in the affiliation fee to accounts and balance sheet together with projects funded £2.97 for 2020. The Executive as at 31 December 2019 is set by the affiliation fee, showed an Committee agreed to set up a out in Appendix 3. It shows a operating surplus of £181,000. working group to look at the total surplus across all funds formula for the TUC affiliation of £2.566 million, including Statement of accounts fee in the context of wider trade asset revaluations and FRS union finances. This work was 102 pension accounting The administration fund suspended by agreement until adjustments. The operating (covering day-to-day office later in the year in the light of surplus on ordinary activities of running expenses and staff the Covid-19 emergency. £662,000 comprises a deficit costs) produced a surplus on ordinary activities of £460,000, The TUC has retained its Fair Tax while unionlearn funds accreditation. SECTION 7 TUC ADMINISTRATION
The TUC Library has a huge collection of historical and contemporary assets that can been seen by appointment or browsed online
A2 TUC library collections_Layout 1 10/06/2019 10:40 Page 1 7.8 TUC Library TUC Library Collections Located at London Metropolitan (Trades Union Congress) University, we attract a wide A centre for the study of trade unions and working life. Part of the Special Collections at London Metropolitan University. range of researchers interested in both the history and the current activities of trade unions, industrial relations, labour history and adult education.
We have five pop-up exhibitions available for loan. The latest is on the history of young workers and trade unions. The other four are: 150 years of the TUC; the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike; the
Impact of the Russian Revolution Websites and social media Our websites contain a digital archive of thousands of images, documents, oral histories, films and background essays for free (non-profit) educational use. See the Union Makes Us on the Left; and the relationship Strong website www.unionhistory.info Further resources, news and articles on: between American and British facebook.com/tuclibrary blogs.londonmet.ac.uk/tuc-library/ twitter.com/TUC_Library pinterest.co.uk/tuc_library/ labour movements. Access and contact To arrange an appointment or group visit contact: TUC Library Special Collections London Metropolitan University 16 Goulston Street - London E1 7TP Our educational history 020 7320 3516 - [email protected] http://student.londonmet.ac. uk/library/using-the-library/special-collections/ websites – The Union Makes Us for opening hours and other details. Exhibitions Strong; Workers’ War; Winning A series of pop-up exhibitions are available for loan. These can be posted to hosts and are excellent in supporting events relating to labour history. Contact us for further details. Equal Pay; and Britain at Work – contain image archives and oral history and can all be accessed from unionhistory.info
TUC Library can be found on social media at:
supported by blogs.londonmet.ac.uk/tuc- library facebook.com/tuclibrary Contact TUC Librarian Jeff Howarth to arrange visits and pinterest.co.uk/tuc_library inductions at: London Metropolitan University twitter.com/TUC_Library The Wash Houses Old Castle Street London E1 7NT [email protected] 020 7320 3516 © Miguel Angel-Ortega/Getty Miguel © Images OBITUARIES OBITUARIES
Marco Giordano, who died Dennis Hill, who died in July, in June, worked for the TUC served on the TUC General as a chef de partie. A popular Council in 1992. He was the and well-liked member of the Yorkshire Ridings branch TUC’s Congress Centre team, secretary of print union Sogat, he worked for three years as a which became part of the temp in the TUC kitchen before Graphical, Paper and Media taking up a permanent position Union (GPMU) in 1991. in July 2019 but was diagnosed with cancer early in 2020. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 75
school leaving age, he won a substantial pay rise for teachers soon after assuming the union’s top job. During the 1980s, he was involved in a long-running pay dispute with the Thatcher government, which saw a series of strikes. After retirement, through his New Visions for Education group, he continued to campaign for the interests of schools, teachers and young people. A keen photographer and West Ham United supporter, he was also active in the Franco- British Council and the National Youth Theatre. In 2013, the Fred Jarvis CBE, who died Normandy landings. After the Times Educational Supplement in June, was NUT general war, he studied at Liverpool and awarded him its first Lifetime secretary from 1975 to 1989 Oxford universities, becoming Service to Education award, and and a member of the TUC President of the NUS and two years later he was awarded General Council from 1974 helping to run the successful a CBE. to 1988, serving as Congress campaign for student grants. President in 1986–87. One of He joined the NUT in 1955 as the leading trade unionists assistant secretary, becoming of his generation, he was head of publicity and public a passionate and effective relations in 1959, one of the first campaigner for education rights such roles in the trade union for all. Born into a working- movement. After successfully class family in East London, he championing comprehensive saw active service during the schools and the raising of the OBITUARIES © Anna Gordon© Anna © Boo Marshall
Bandula Kothalawala, who Seán McGovern, who died in Gloria Prior, who died in died in December, was a May, was co-chair of the TUC’s March, worked for the TUC for lifelong trade unionist and disabled workers’ committee 18 years as a telephonist. A internationalist who worked and served on the TUC General committed trade unionist who for the TUC for 27 years. A Council as its disability lead from was proud to work for the TUC, former student at the Sorbonne 2011 until 2020. An inspirational she commenced employment in Paris and a fluent French figure in Unite and the wider as a switchboard operator in speaker, he joined the TUC’s trade union movement, he was a 1984, remaining in post until her Economic Department in July passionate, principled champion retirement in 2002. 1989. He spent most of his time of disabled people. Formerly at the TUC in the International chair of Unite’s national disabled Department as a policy officer, members’ committee, he was and was closely involved in active in his region, London our work with Commonwealth & Eastern, and was disability trade unions and African unions, officer for the London Labour and union work combatting Party. Always well-briefed and HIV-AIDS. He also supported a regular speaker at Congress, the work of TUC Aid, including he fought tirelessly for disabled providing assistance to workers workers’ rights from grassroots in South Asia affected by the to government. 2004 tsunami.
TUC General Council members Ged Nichols, Roger McKenzie, Frances O’Grady, Mark Serwotka and Paul Nowak at Congress 2019 in Brighton © Jess Hurd/ reportdigital.co.uk APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 ATTENDANCE 2019 –20
General Council
At the time of going to press, the General Council had held seven meetings during the Congress year, including three online meetings.
Member Attendance Member Attendance Member Attendance
Sheila Bearcroft MBE 1 Isabelle Gutierrez1 3 Tim Roache4 2
Josie Bird 6 Philipa Harvey 7 Maggie Ryan 0
Mary Bousted 4 Chris Keates 0 Malcolm Sage 2
Tony Burke 7 Ian Lawrence 5 Mark Serwotka 7
Gail Cartmail 6 Paddy Lillis 2 Jon Skewes 7
Mick Cash 2 Brian Linn 6 Liz Snape MBE 4
Mike Clancy 7 Annette Mansell-Green 7 Michelle Stanistreet 2
Manuel Cortes 5 Susan Matthews 4 Jane Stewart 3
Kevin Courtney 6 Len McCluskey 1 Claire Sullivan 6
Ruth Cross 6 Seán McGovern2 5 Chris Tansley 4
Tony Dale 7 Roger McKenzie 7 Horace Trubridge 1
Neil Derrick 5 Gloria Mills CBE 5 Steve Turner 3
Mark Dickinson 5 Ged Nichols (chair) 7 Dave Ward 4
Maria Exall 6 Frances O’Grady 7 Simon Weller 7
Sue Ferns 6 Christine Payne3 2 Paul Whiteman 6
Larry Flanagan 5 Dave Penman 5 Tony Woodhouse 4
Martin Furlong 7 Dave Prentis 3 Matt Wrack 1
Steve Gillan 3 Davina Rankin 6 1Joined December 2019 2Passed away May 2020 3Equity was represented by other Jo Grady 5 Roy Rickhuss CBE 2 representatives on four occasions 4Left April 2020 Charlie Gray 6 Patrick Roach 7 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 79
Executive Committee
At the time of going to press, the Executive Committee had held six full meetings during the Congress year (two of these were held online). The Executive Committee also held a number of informal online meetings during the coronavirus pandemic crisis.
Member Attendance Member Attendance
Sheila Bearcroft MBE 0 Tim Roache2 0
Mary Bousted 4 Mark Serwotka 4
Tony Burke 6 Liz Snape MBE 5
Gail Cartmail 5 Claire Sullivan 4
Mike Clancy 6 Steve Turner 5
Kevin Courtney 6 Dave Ward 3
Tony Dale 5 Simon Weller 4
Neil Derrick1 1 Matt Wrack 2
Mark Dickinson 4 1Joined May 2020 2Left April 2020 Maria Exall 5
Sue Ferns 5
Steve Gillan 3
Chris Keates 0
Paddy Lillis 2
Len McCluskey 1
Gloria Mills CBE 3
Ged Nichols (chair) 6
Frances O’Grady 6
Christine Payne 2
Dave Prentis 4 APPENDIX 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 2019 –20
Disabled Workers Committee
General Council Equity POA Unite Chloe Green1 Paul Meekin2 Julian Allam Manuel Cortes David Allan Nick Cusack GMB Prospect Ceri Wright Seán McGovern (chair) Dean Apps1 Amy Bishop Malcolm Sage Emily Brothers2 University and Paul Kempton2 Public and College Union Elected at the Commercial Elan Heffernan Disabled Workers NASUWT Services Union Conference Lara Morris Austin Harney Secretary to Committee Communication National Union Union of Shop, Alice Hood2/ Workers Union of Journalists Distributive and Nicola Smith Mark Bastiani1 Ann Galpin Allied Workers Tony Sneddon2 Linda Carter 1From May 2020 2 National Union of Until May 2020 Community Rail, Maritime and UNISON Steve McGurk Transport Workers Sian Stockham Janine Booth2 Paul Greany
LGBT+ Committee
General Council GMB NHBC Staff Unite Arron Bevan-John3 Association Phil Jones Maria Exall (chair) Alexander Bryant- Julia Georgiou Denise Rayner Brian Linn Evans2 Tom Sutherland Simon Weller Taranjit Chana Prospect Paula Defriez2 Claire Mullaly University and Elected at the David Hope College Union LGBT+ Conference Brian Shaw2 Public and Martin Chivers2 Paul Sony3 Commercial Stephen Desmond3 ASLEF Services Union Darran Brown NASUWT Saorsa-Amatheia Secretary to Susan Greenwell2 Deborah Hayton3 Tweedale Committee Rachel Harper3 Peter Taylor Alice Hood1/ Nick Trier Union of Shop, Nicola Smith Communication Distributive and Workers Union National Allied Workers 1Until May 2020 2 John Monk3 Education Union Neil Smale From June 2020 3Until June 2020 Julia Neal3 Equity UNISON Tigger Blaize National Union of Eileen Best Rail, Maritime and Jennifer Black2 Fire Brigades Union Transport Workers Anu Prashar3 Pat Carberry Sue Dunne CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 81
Pensioners Committee
Affiliated unions Public and University and Midlands TUC Commercial College Union Pensioners Network BALPA Services Union Norman Jemison (observer) Trevor Phillips Brian Gibson Yvonne Washbourne Other Communication Union of Shop, NTUC Pensions Workers Union Distributive and National Pensioners Advisory Group Rodney Downing Allied Workers Convention (observer) Geoff Page Ron Douglas Bob Pinkerton NASUWT Ian Millington UNISON TUC South West TUC Rosie Macgregor Pensioners Network Prospect Chair of Committee Janet Royston Mike Moriarty Unite Kate Bell Mike Pike Secretary to Committee Jack Jones
Race Relations Committee
General Council Community National Union of Unite Christopher Knight¹ Rail, Maritime and Pat Davis Tony Dale Transport Workers Harish Patel Susan Matthews Equity Jennifer Aggrey-Fynn² Roger McKenzie Louisa St Bartholomew Glen Hart University and Gloria Mills CBE (chair) Brown Morgan College Union Davena Rankin Prospect Gargi Bhattacharyya Patrick Roach Fire Brigades Union Freddie Brown¹ Joseph Mendy Christine Danniell² Secretary to Elected at the Committee Black Workers GMB Public and Alice Hood³/ Conference Taranjit Chana Commercial Nicola Smith Farzana Jumma² Services Union ASLEF Jasmine Kennedy¹ Zita Holbourne 1Until April 2020 Floyd Doyle ²From April 2020 ³Until May 2020 NASUWT Union of Shop, Communication Michelle Codrington- Distributive and Workers Union Rogers Allied Workers Mark Anthony Andrea Welter Maureen Loxley MBE Bastiani² Safdar Khan¹ National Education UNISON Ali Moosa² Union Abiola Kusoro Sajid Shaikh¹ Daniel Kebede Carol Sewell² APPENDIX 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 2019 –20
Trades Union Councils Joint Consultative Committee
General Council Midlands (East) Northern Wales Moz Greenshields Mandy Penellum Katrine Williams Steve Gillan (chair) Roger McKenzie Midlands (West) South East Yorkshire and Dave Ward Gemma Offland Tommy Anderson the Humber Simon Weller Martin Mayer Matt Wrack North West South West Dave Wilson Dave Chapple Secretary to East of England Committee Andrew Coburn Kevin Rowan
TUC Aid Trustees
Sheila Bearcroft MBE Ruth Fuller Chris Tansley Secretary to Gail Cartmail (chair) Frances O’Grady Committee Sue Ferns David Sachon Mariela Kohon
TUC Educational Trustees
Sheila Bearcroft MBE Ged Nichols Liz Snape MBE Secretary to Mary Bousted Dave Prentis Committee Gloria Mills CBE Mark Serwotka Carl Roper
TUC Trustees
Gail Cartmail Chris Keates Dave Prentis CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 83
Unionlearn board
Aegis Union of Shop, Department Department Brian Linn Distributive and for Education for Education Allied Workers observers Adrian Howe Communication Tony Dale Adrian Howe Workers Union Mike Klym National Maria Exall UNISON Education Union Roger McKenzie Finance and Mary Bousted GMB Audit Committee Sheila Bearcroft MBE Unite (FAC) (subsidiary UNISON Neil Derrick Gail Cartmail and reports to Roger McKenzie Susan Matthews the board) National TUC and unionlearn Education Union University and Bank of England Ian Borkett Mary Bousted (chair) College Union Alastair Strathern Cassie Kite Vicky Knight (chair) Matilda Quiney TUC President Kevin Rowan Ged Nichols On behalf of the BDO (unionlearn (ex officio) TUC and unionlearn auditors) Paul Nowak Stuart May Kevin Rowan
Women’s Committee
General Council Elected at Musicians’ Union UNISON the Women’s Sarah Williams4 Margaret McKee Sheila Bearcroft MBE Conference Davena Rankin Josie Bird NASUWT Mary Bousted ASLEF Kathy Duggan Unite Gail Cartmail Deborah Reay Ruth Duncan Patricia Davis3 Ruth Cross Victoria Egerton Maria Exall College of Podiatry National Diana Holland Sue Ferns Katie Collins Education Union Janice Godrich1 Heather McKenzie University and Isabelle Gutierrez2 Communication College Union Philipa Harvey Workers Union National Union of Sue Abbott³ Chris Keates Trish Lavelle Rail, Maritime and Jane Loftus² Transport Workers Secretary to Annette Mansell- Community Christine Willets Committee Green Tracy Barlow4 Alice Hood5/ Susan Matthews Jacqueline Thomas³ Public and Nicola Smith Gloria Mills CBE Commercial Christine Payne Equity Services Union 1Until September 2019 Davena Rankin Jean Rogers³ Bridget Corcoran ²Joined December 2019 3From March 2020 Maggie Ryan Zita Holbourne 4Until March 2020 Liz Snape MBE GMB 5Until May 2020 Michelle Stanistreet Gwylan Brinkworth³ Union of Shop, Jane Stewart Sarah James Distributive and Claire Sullivan Charlaine Nkum4 Allied Workers Sherine Thompson4 Chris Henry Sujata Patel APPENDIX 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 2019 –20
Young Workers Forum
General Council GMB Public and Unite Charlie Gray Craig Dawson¹ Commercial Jonathan Elson³ Deborah Jones³ Services Union Maria Feeney³ Elected at the Jawad Khan Megan Hamblin³ Alex Graham Young Workers George Walker Rhea James² Asif Mohammad³ Conference Emily Warrillow² Priya Kanu² Amy Roe³ Megan McQuade³ ASLEF Musicians’ Union Standing Orders Hollie Yates² Amy Doyley Transport Salaried Committee Sam Murray Staffs’ Association Alex Graham Community Harry Gibb² Jawad Khan Eluned Anderson NASUWT Sobhia Mahmood² Union of Shop, Secretary to the Communication Distributive and Forum Workers Union National Allied Workers Kevin Rowan James Barrett³ Education Union Jasmin Askew² Becca Hufton³ Thom Kirkwood Christina Distefano² 1 Connor McCann³ Nonie Lambert² Stefan Reeves³ Until December 2019 2Until March 2020 Samantha Nicholson- Samantha Thompson³ 3From March 2020 Equity Hickling³ Rebecca Rahman- UNISON Gonzalez³ National Union of Kendal Bromley- Sam Swann³ Rail, Maritime and Bewes Transport Workers Mike Daniell³ FDA Ryan Kent² Amber Taylor-Smith³ Elliot Robson³ Prospect Jasmin Beckett³ Natalie Beech² Eamonn Guilfoyle²
Young trade union activists canvass low-wage workers outside the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield © Gareth Lewis, TUC
APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Statement of the General Relations (Consolidation) Act In our opinion the Council’s responsibilities 1992. It must also establish and financial statements: maintain a satisfactory system Trade union law requires the of control over its accounting › give a true and fair view of General Council to prepare records, its cash holdings and the state of Trades Union financial statements in all its receipts and remittances. Congress’s affairs as at 31 accordance with applicable law December 2019 and of its and United Kingdom Generally It is also responsible for transactions for the year Accepted Accountancy Practice safeguarding the assets of then ended for each financial year, which the TUC and hence for taking give a true and fair view of the reasonable steps for the › have been properly state of the affairs of the Trades prevention and detection of prepared in accordance with Union Congress (TUC) and of fraud and other irregularities. United Kingdom Generally the surplus or deficit of the TUC Accepted Accounting for that period. In preparing Practice those financial statements, the Independent auditor’s General Council is required to: report to the members › have been prepared of the Trades Union in accordance with the i. Select suitable accounting Congress requirements of the Trade policies and then apply Union and Labour Relations them consistently Opinion Act 1992. ii. Make judgements We have audited the financial and estimates that are statements of Trades Union Basis for opinion reasonable and prudent Congress for the year ended 31 December 2019 which We conducted our audit in iii. State whether applicable comprise the Statement of accordance with International accounting standards have Comprehensive Income, Standards on Auditing (UK) been followed Balance Sheet, Statement of (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Changes in Equity, Statement Our responsibilities under iv. Prepare the financial of Cash Flows and notes those standards are further accounts on the going to the financial statements, described in the Auditor’s concern basis unless it is including a summary of responsibilities for the audit inappropriate to presume significant accounting policies. of the financial statements that the TUC will continue The financial reporting section of our report. We are to operate. framework that has been independent of the union in applied in their preparation accordance with the ethical The General Council is also is applicable law and United requirements that are relevant responsible for keeping Kingdom Accounting to our audit of the financial adequate accounting Standards, including Financial statements in the UK, including records which disclose with Reporting Standard 102 The the FRC’s Ethical Standard, reasonable accuracy at any Financial Reporting Standard and we have fulfilled our time the financial position of applicable in the UK and other ethical responsibilities the TUC and to enable them Republic of Ireland (United in accordance with these to ensure that the financial Kingdom Generally Accepted requirements. We believe that statements comply with the Accounting Practice). the audit evidence we have Trade Union and Labour obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 87
Conclusions relating In connection with our audit › proper accounting records to going concern of the financial statements, have not been kept our responsibility is to read We have nothing to report in the other information and, in › a satisfactory system of respect of the following matters doing so, consider whether control over its accounting in which the ISAs (UK) require the other information is records, cash holdings and us to report to you where: materially inconsistent with receipts and remittances has the financial statements or our not been maintained › the officers’ use of the going knowledge obtained in the concern basis of accounting audit or otherwise appears › the financial statements in the preparation of the to be materially misstated. are not in agreement with financial statements is not If we identify such material the accounting records appropriate; or inconsistencies or apparent and returns. material misstatements, we are › the officers have not required to determine whether disclosed in the financial there is a material misstatement Responsibilities of the statements any identified in the financial statements or General Council material uncertainties that a material misstatement of the may cast significant doubt other information. If, based on As explained more fully in about the union’s ability to the work we have performed, the statement of officers’ continue to adopt the going we conclude that there is a responsibility set out on page concern basis of accounting material misstatement of this 1, the officers are responsible for a period of at least twelve other information, we are for the preparation of the months from the date when required to report that fact. financial statements and for the financial statements are being satisfied that they give authorised for issue. We have nothing to report in a true and fair view, and for this regard. such internal control as the officers determine is necessary Other information to enable the preparation Matters on which of financial statements The officers are responsible we are required to that are free from material for the other information. The report by exception misstatement, whether due to other information comprises fraud or error. the information included in We have nothing to report in the annual report, other than respect of the following matters We have been appointed as the financial statements and where the Trades Union and auditor under section 33 of our auditor’s report thereon. Labour Relations Act 1992 the Trade Union and Labour Our opinion on the financial requires us to report to you if, in Relations Act 1992 and report statements does not cover our opinion: in accordance with section 36 the other information and, of that Act. except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
In preparing the financial A further description of statements, the officers are our responsibilities for responsible for assessing the the audit of the financial union’s ability to continue as statements is located on the a going concern, disclosing, Financial Reporting Council’s as applicable, matters related website at www.frc.org.uk/ to going concern and using auditorsresponsibilities This the going concern basis of description forms part of our accounting unless the officers auditor’s report. either intend to liquidate the union or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but Use of our report to do so. This report is made solely to union’s members as a body. Auditor’s responsibilities Our work has been undertaken for the audit of the so that we might state to financial statements union’s members those matters we are required to state to Our objectives are to obtain them in an auditor’s report and reasonable assurance for no other purpose. To the about whether the financial fullest extent permitted by law, statements as a whole are free we do not accept or assume from material misstatement, responsibility to anyone other whether due to fraud or error, than the union and the union’s and to issue an auditor’s report members as a body, for our that includes our opinion. audit work, or for the opinion Reasonable assurance is a we have formed. high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit Crowe UK LLP conducted in accordance with Statutory Auditor ISAs (UK) will always detect a St Brides House material misstatement when 10 Salisbury Square it exists. London EC4Y 8EH
Misstatements can arise 22 July 2020 from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 89
Trades Union Congress Statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2019
Note Admin Development Unionlearn Dilapidations Total fund fund fund £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Income Affiliation fees 13,597 1,370 645 - 15,612 Property rental and service charges 3,704 - 2 - 3,706 Investment income 235 - - - 235 Sales and publications 165 8 3 - 176 Donations and grants received 105 1,695 12,096 - 13,896 Total income 17,806 3,073 12,746 - 33,625 Expenditure Staff costs 2 9,784 1,227 2,010 - 13,021 Property charges 3 2,221 161 200 536 3,118 Office expenses 4 1,643 45 38 - 1,726 Projects and campaigns 5 219 939 832 - 1,990 International affiliation fees 6 1,919 - - - 1,919 Travel and meetings 219 110 123 - 452 Congress 200 - - - 200 Trade Union education 1 311 26 - 338 Grants and donations 7 88 99 9,740 - 9,927 Depreciation 9 189 - - - 189 Taxation 8 213 - - - 213 VAT recovered (130) - - - (130) Transfer between funds 780 - - (780) - Total expenditure 17,346 2,892 12,969 (244) 32,963 Net (deficit)/surplus on ordinary activities 460 181 (223) 244 662 Other finance adjustments - pension schemes 15 (489) - - - (489) Gains on disposal of investments 10 220 - - - 220 Changes in fair value of investments 10 927 - - - 927 Change in fair value of investment property 9 671 - - - 671 Deferred tax on changes in fair value of investments and investment property 8 (3) - - - (3) Operating (deficit)/surplus 1,786 181 (223) 244 1,988 Other comprehensive income Gains on foreign exchange (3) - - - (3) Change in fair value of freehold property 9 851 - - - 851 Pension scheme actuarial loss 15 112 - - - 112 Deferred tax on other comprehensive income 8 (382) - - - (382) Other comprehensive income for the year 578 - - - 578 Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year 2,364 181 (223) 244 2,566 Funds brought forward 1 January 2019 74,186 7,416 354 430 82,386 Funds carried forward 31 December 2019 76,550 7,597 131 674 84,952 APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2018 (restated)
Note Admin Development Unionlearn Dilapidations Total fund fund fund £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Income Affiliation fees 13,390 1,347 638 - 15,375 Property rental and service charges 3,168 8 - - 3,176 Investment income 229 - - - 229 Sales and publications 213 30 10 - 253 Donations and grants received 85 1,838 11,840 - 13,763 Total income 17,085 3,223 12,488 - 32,796 Expenditure Staff costs 2 9,684 1,063 1,967 - 12,714 Property charges 3 2,168 213 214 427 3,022 Office expenses 4 1,730 42 43 - 1,815 Projects and campaigns 5 332 1,326 1,052 - 2,710 International affiliation fees 6 1,872 - - - 1,872 Travel and meetings 265 96 109 - 470 Congress 415 - - - 415 Trade Union education - 265 18 - 283 Grants and donations 7 112 136 9,170 - 9,418 Depreciation 9 177 - - - 177 Taxation 8 70 - - - 70 VAT recovered (199) - - - (199) Transfer between funds 569 - - (569) - Total expenditure 17,195 3,141 12,573 (142) 32,767 Net (deficit)/surplus on ordinary activities (110) 82 (85) 142 29 Other finance adjustments - pension schemes 15 (989) - - - (989) Gains on disposal of investments 10 75 - - - 75 Changes in fair value of investments 10 (855) - - - (855) Change in fair value of investment property 9 (614) - - - (614) Deferred tax on changes in fair value of investments and investment property 8 (311) - - - (311) Operating (deficit)/surplus (2,804) 82 (85) 142 (2,665) Other comprehensive income Gains on foreign exchange - - - - - Change in fair value of freehold property 9 (758) - - - (758) Pension scheme actuarial loss 15 (273) - - - (273) Deferred tax on other comprehensive income 8 394 - - - 394 Other comprehensive income for the year (637) - - - (637) Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year (3,441) 82 (85) 142 (3,302) Funds brought forward 1 January 2018 77,627 7,334 439 288 85,688 Funds carried forward 31 December 2018 74,186 7,416 354 430 82,386 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 91
Trades Union Congress Balance sheet as at 31 December 2019
Note 2019 2018 £’000 £’000
Assets Tangible fixed assets 9 67,245 65,605 Investments 10 10,359 10,452 77,604 76,057 Current assets Debtors and prepayments 11 2,175 2,500 Cash at bank and in hand 4,768 3,044 6,943 5,544 Less: current liabilities Creditors and accrued expenses 12 3,402 3,725 Net current assets 3,541 1,819 Net assets less current liabilities 81,145 77,876 Less: provision for liabilities and charges 13 705 764 Deferred tax 8 5,785 5,400 Net assets before pension asset 74,655 71,712 Pension asset 15 10,297 10,674 84,952 82,386 Financed by Administration fund less revaluation reserve 38,393 36,998 Revaluation reserve 38,157 37,188 Total administration fund 76,550 74,186 Designated fund: Development fund 7,597 7,416 Unionlearn fund 131 354 Dilapidations reserve 674 430 Net assets 84,952 82,386
Approved by the General Council on 24 June 2020 – President Ged Nichols APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2019
Admin Rev’ation Dev’ment Unionlearn Dilapidations Total fund reserve fund fund £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 At 1 January 2018 (restated) 44,149 33,478 7,334 439 288 85,688 Operating loss for the year (2,804) - 82 (85) 142 (2,665) Gains on foreign exchange ------Defined benefit pension scheme - Actuarial gain (273) - - - - (273) Transfer from investment property to freehold property (4,074) 4,074 - - - - Loss from change in fair value of freehold property - (758) - - - (758) Deferred tax on other comprehensive income - 394 - - - 394
At 31 December 2018 36,998 37,188 7,416 354 430 82,386 Operating surplus for the year 1,786 - 181 (223) 244 1,988 Gains on foreign exchange (3) - - - - (3) Defined benefit pension scheme - Actuarial gain 112 - - - - 112 Transfer from assets under construction (118) 118 - - - - Gains from change in fair value of freehold property - 851 - - - 851 Deferred tax on other comprehensive income (382) - - - - (382) At 31 December 2019 38,393 38,157 7,597 131 674 84,952 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 93
Trades Union Congress Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2019
Note 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 (restated) Cash flows from operating activities: Cash used in operating activities a 627 (561) Corporation tax paid on operating activities (70) (277) Net cash used in operating activities 557 (838)
Cash flows from investing activities: Investment income 235 229 Purchase of investments (3,390) (2,215) Purchase of property, plant and equipment (307) (1,656) Proceeds from sale of investments 4,629 3,878 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - - Net cash generated by/(used in) investing activities 1,167 236
Change in cash and cash equivalents 1,724 (602) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 3,044 3,646 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 4,768 3,044
Note ‘a’ Reconciliation of net (expenditure)/income to net cashflow from operating activities Net surplus/(deficit) on operating activities 662 29 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 189 177 Corporation tax 213 70 Investment income (235) (229) Change in short-term loans 21 2 Change in debtors 302 (71) Change in creditors (excluding corporation tax) (466) (530) Change in provisions (59) (9) 627 (561)
APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019
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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102), ‘the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland’. These financial statements are presented in pounds sterling (GBP), as this is the currency in which the majority of the TUC’s transactions are denominated. They comprise the financial statements of the TUC for the year ended 31 December 2019 and are presented to the nearest pound. b. Going concern The General Council have reviewed the TUC’s financial performance and reserves position. We have adequate financial resources and are well placed to manage the business risks. Our planning process, including financial projections, has taken into consideration the current economic climate and its potential impact on the various sources of income and planned expenditure. The current Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on the organisation’s finances but the TUC remains confident in our ability to remain sustainable in the coming 12 months by carefully controlling costs, and taking advantage of relevant government support. We are able to continue operating during lockdown, and that includes our ability to collect affiliation fees as normal, so cash flow will be maintained. Our reserves position is strong, and we are scenario planning to better understand the longer term impact on our income from a reduction in union membership and the solutions we might put in place. The General Council have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the TUC has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. c. 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. d. Property rental and service charges Rental income is recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term, taking into account any rent free period at the commencement of the lease. e. Investment income Dividends from investments are recognised when entitlement to receive payment is established. f. 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. Amounts relating to future periods are accounted for as deferred income within creditors. g. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Fixed assets are stated at 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: 2–10% 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 The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 95
h. Freehold property Individual freehold properties are carried at current year value at fair value at the date of the revaluation. Revaluations are undertaken at the end of each reporting period to ensure the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair value at the balance sheet date. Fair values are determined from market-based evidence normally undertaken by professionally qualified valuers. i. Investment property Investment properties are carried at fair value determined on a annual basis by external valuers. Values are derived from the current market rents and investment property yields for comparable real estate, adjusted, if necessary, for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific asset. No depreciation is provided. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss. j. Operating leases Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. k. Investments Investments held as fixed assets are stated at market value. l. Pension The Trades Union Congress Superannuation Society Limited pension scheme is a defined benefit scheme. The amounts charged to Statement of Comprehensive Income are the current service costs. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 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. m. Critical accounting assumptions and adjustments The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the accounting policies selected for use by the union. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed below. Use of available information and application of judgement are inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual outcomes in the future could differ from such estimates. In preparing these financial statements, the following estimates and judgements have been made: Investments Quoted investments are disclosed at mid-market values at the Statement of Financial Position date. Unquoted investments are disclosed at their original cost or, where available, at their estimated current value as estimated by an independent third party. Defined benefit pension scheme The cost of defined benefit pension plans are determined using actuarial valuations. The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions about discount rates, future salary increases, mortality rates and future pension increases. Due to the complexity of the valuation, the underlying assumptions and the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. After taking appropriate professional advice, management determines the appropriate discount rate at the end of each reporting period. This is the interest rate that should be used to determine the present value of estimated future cash outflows expected to be required to settle the pension obligations. In determining the appropriate discount rate, consideration is given to the interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits are to be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability. Details of the assumptions used in the calculation of the value of the defined benefit pension scheme can be found in note 15. APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019
1 Accounting policies (cont’d) Valuation of property The TUC carries its property at fair value, with changes in fair value being recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period in which they arise. Management review the valuation of the properties on an annual basis and, taking the market conditions into account, consider the values included in the accounts to be the fair value of the properties. Further detail of the current valuation of the property can be found in note 9. Provisions for liabilities Provisions for liabilities included at the year end have been calculated using the best available knowledge at the time of preparing the financial statements, adjusted for information subsequently received. An element of estimation is therefore required when calculating the provisions.
2 Staff costs 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 (restated) Salaries and national insurance 10,337 10,163 Pension contributions 2,187 2,048 Welfare and training 437 406 Restructuring costs (4) 13 Advertising and recruitment 64 84 13,021 12,714
3 Property charges 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Rent and rates 757 873 Heating and lighting 307 240 Cleaning 144 148 Insurance 108 102 Building repairs and renewals 374 366 External functions 892 866 Expenditure from dilapidations fund 536 427 3,118 3,022 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 97
4 Office expenses 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Communications 121 115 Stationery and printed materials 72 71 Renewals and repairs to office equipment 953 1,113 Audit fees 42 46 Bank charges 10 8 Legal costs 73 2 Finance 164 170 Consultancy fees 344 331 Provision for doubtful debts (53) (41) 1,726 1,815
5 Project and campaign expenses 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 (restated) Printing and publicity 209 325 Media and supporters work 148 99 Projects and campaigns 62 242 Conferences 109 51 Training and development 24 21 Consultancy fees 1,438 1,972 1,990 2,710
6 International affiliation fees 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 ITUC 966 888 ETUC 872 904 TUAC 81 80 1,919 1,872
7 Grants and donations 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Memorial Trust 75 95 TUC Educational Trust 60 10 Sundry 52 143 Union Learning Fund 9,740 9,170 Grants to organisations overseas - - 9,927 9,418 APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018
8 Taxation This represents tax due on investment income, rents receivable and capital gains arising on disposal of investments. 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Over provision in prior years - - Provision for the year 213 70 213 70
2019 2018 £’000 £’000 1 January 2019 5,400 5,483 Increase in deferred tax on changes in fair value of investment property and investments 3 311 Decrease in deferred tax on other comprehensive income 382 (394) 31 December 2019 5,785 5,400
Reconciliation of tax charge As a membership organisation, profits and losses arising from the TUC’s membership activities are outside the scope of corporation tax. Profits and losses arising from non-membership activities and income from its investments is subject to corporation tax.
2019 2018 Total Tax at Total Tax at £’000 19% £’000 19% Income 33,625 - 32,796 - Foreign exchange gain (3) - - - Gain on disposal of investments 220 - 75 - Changes in fair value of investments 927 - (855) - Profit/(loss) on sale of fixed assets - - 5 - Gains from changes in fair value of investment property 671 - (614) - Gains from changes in fair value of freehold property 851 - - - Other finance adjustments – pension schemes (489) - (989) - Total income and gains 35,802 - 30,418 - CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 99
2019 2018 Total Tax at Total Tax at £’000 19% £’000 19% Non-member activities and investment income chargeable to corporation tax Income from property 893 168 766 145 Income from investments 110 21 51 10 Chargeable (losses)/gains 315 59 (234) (44) Allowable expenditure: Investment manager fees (105) (20) (110) (21) Gift aid (81) (15) (105) (20) Total chargeable to corporation tax 1,132 213 368 70
2019 2018 Total Tax at Total Tax at £’000 19% £’000 19% (Deficit)/surplus from TUC membership activities outside the scope of corporation tax 459 - (2,200) - Unrealised (losses)/gains on investments not subject to corporation tax 790 - (596) - Unrealised gains on revalued property not subject to corporation tax 671 - (614) - Actuarial gain/(loss) not subject to corporation tax 112 - (273) - Total comprehensive surplus/(deficit) before corporation tax 3,164 - (3,315) -
Current tax (213) - (70) - Deferred tax (385) - 83 - Total comprehensive (expense) /income 2,566 - (3,302) - APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019
9 Fixed assets Investment Land and Leasehold Furniture, Motor Asset under Total property buildings improvem’ts fittings and vehicles construction equipment Cost or valuation £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 1 January 2019 28,515 36,485 - 2,308 24 - 67,332 Additions - - - 189 - 118 307 Disposals - - - (830) - - (830) Transfers (2,720) 2,838 - - - (118) - Revaluations 671 851 - - - - 1,522 31 December 2019 26,466 40,174 - 1,667 24 - 68,331 Depreciation 1 January 2019 - - - 1,715 12 - 1,727 Transfers - - - (830) - - (830) Revaluations ------Charge for year - - - 183 6 - 189 31 December 2019 - - - 1,068 18 - 1,086 Net book value 31 December 2019 26,466 40,174 - 599 6 - 67,245 31 December 2018 28,515 36,485 - 593 12 - 65,605
A charge was registered against the property on 28 March 2006 for £9m in favour of the TUC Superannuation Society Limited. Significant refurbishment work has been undertaken on the property during the year, the costs of which have been transferred from Assets Under Construction to Investment Property and Land & Buildings on completion of the works. A valuation of Congress House was undertaken at 31 December 2019 by Farebrother. The basis of the valuation was market value as defined by the RICS Valuation – Professional Standards 2017. The investment property element has been valued subject to the current lease terms in place and the freehold property element has been valued assuming full vacant possession. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 101
10 Investments Market value Purchases Sales Change Market value brought forward in market carried forward at 01.01.2019 value at 31.12.2019 £ £ £ £ £ Quoted UK quoted 6,039 1,265 (2,856) 542 4,990 International quoted 4,398 2,124 (1,773) 605 5,354 10,437 3,389 (4,629) 1,147 10,344
UK unquoted Unity Trust shares 1 - - - 1 Union Energy Limited 9 - - - 9 MSI Brussels 5 - - - 5 15 - - - 15 10,452 3,389 (4,629) 1,147 10,359
The change in market value seen above is made up of £220k (2018: £75k) of gains on disposal of investments, £927k (2018: £(855)k) of change in fair value of investments and £nil (2018: £nil) of gains on foreign exchange.
11 Debtors and prepayments 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 (restated) Trade debtors 295 708 Other debtors 916 938 Prepayments and accrued income 964 854 2,175 2,500
12 Creditors and accrued expenses 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 (restated) Trade creditors 774 1,295 Taxation and social security 548 382 Other creditors 235 222 Accruals and deferred income 1,845 1,826 3,402 3,725 APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019
13 Provision for liabilities and charges A provision has been made to reflect payments expected to arise from banked leave and accrued holiday pay.
14 Commitments – operating leases At 31 December 2019 the TUC had total printing and office equipment leasing commitments of £341,507 due within one year (2018: £352,669), £938,695 between two and five years (2018: £1,030,351) and after five years £8,856 (2018: £257,386). At 31 December 2019 the TUC had contracted income from property rentals of £1,150,847 due within one year (2018: £806,273), £4,493,498 between two and five years (2018: £3,204,847) and after five years £2,744,363 (2018: £2,715,846).
15 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 2020 are expected to be £2.3m. The most recent formal actuarial valuation of the Scheme was as at 31 August 2016. The valuation as at 31 August 2019 is currently ongoing. The major assumptions used by the actuary were (in nominal terms):
At At 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 Rate of increase in salaries 4.7% 4.9% Rate of increase in pensions in payment - RPI, capped at 2.5% per annum 2.4% 2.4% - RPI, capped at 5.0% per annum 3.2% 3.4% - RPI, 3% per annum minimum and 5.0% per annum maximum 3.5% 3.6% Discount rate 2.1% 2.8% RPI Inflation assumption 3.2% 3.4% CPI Inflation assumption 2.3% 2.4% Revaluation in deferment* 2.3% 2.4% Assumed life expectancies on retirement at age 65 are: Retiring today Males 87.7 87.6 Females 89.6 89.6 Retiring in 20 years time Males 89.3 89.3 Females 91.4 91.4
*Note that the revaluation of deferred pensions between leaving and retirement is subject to an underpin of 3% 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. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 103
The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows: 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Present value of scheme liabilities (141,773) (123,606) Fair value of scheme assets 152,070 134,280 Pension asset 10,297 10,674
Reconciliation of opening and closing balances 2019 2018 of the present value of the scheme liabilities £’000 £’000 Liabilities at beginning of year 123,606 136,413 Current service cost 2,695 3,096 Interest cost 3,430 3,247 Contributions by scheme participants 519 492 Actuarial (gain) /loss 14,242 (16,910) Benefits paid (2,719) (2,732) Liabilities ar 141,773 123,606
Reconciliation of opening and closing balances 2019 2018 of the fair value of scheme assets £’000 £’000 Fair value of scheme assets at beginning of year 134,280 148,349 Interest income on scheme assets 3,756 3,555 Return on assets, excluding interest income 14,354 (17,183) Scheme administrative costs (338) (308) Contributions by employers 2,218 2,107 Contributions by plan participants 519 492 Benefits paid (2,719) (2,732) Fair value of scheme assets at end of year 152,070 134,280
The assets in the scheme were: Value at Value at 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 £’000 £’000 Equities 29,133 28,710 Bonds 66,637 58,524 Cash 808 1,495 Other 55,492 45,551 Fair value of plan assets 152,070 134,280 APPENDIX 3 ACCOUNTS
Trades Union Congress Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019
15 Pension costs (cont’d) Amount recognised in other comprehensive income 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 Cash 14,242 (16,910) Return on assets, excluding interest income (14,354) 17,183 Actuarial loss/(gain) (112) 273
Amounts recognised in profit and loss Service cost including current and past service costs and settlements 2,695 3,096 Administrative cost 338 308 Net interest on the net defined benefit liability (326) (308) 2,707 3,096
Employer’s contributions (2,218) (2,107) Net pension cost 489 989
16 Related parties During the year the TUC had transactions with the following charities which are under its control through the appointment of trustees. The outstanding balances are included within other debtors. 2019 2018 £’000 £’000 TUC Educational Trust Owed to TUC Opening balance 623,914 713,262 Payments to TUC - (113,262) Net costs paid through TUC 78 23,914 Closing balance 623,992 623,914
Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Memorial Trust Owed to TUC Opening balance 201,126 195,106 Payments to TUC (200,144) (195,106) Net costs paid through TUC 186,904 201,126 Closing balance 187,886 201,126
TUC Aid Owed to TUC Opening balance 19,586 53,343 Payments to TUC - (53,343) Net costs paid through TUC 23,534 19,586 Closing balance 43,120 19,586 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 105
17 Prior year adjustment Following a comprehensive review of the Unionlearn and Development funds project funding agreements, figures have been restated to align with funders’ grant and contract conditions. The redundancy provisions have been restated to eliminate the elements relating to the payment of potential future costs that now should be, and previously should have been, considered to be less than likely to occur in the foreseeable future. At At 1.1.2018 31.12.2018 £’000 £’000 Reconciliation of funds Funds as previously stated 84,606 81,356 Redundancy provision 387 433 Unionlearn fund 439 354 Development fund 256 243 Funds as restated 85,688 82,386
Reconciliation of 2018 deficit for the period 2018 deficit (as previously stated) (3,250) Redundancy provision 46 Unionlearn fund (85) Development fund (13) 2018 deficit (as restated) (3,302) APPENDIX 4 DISPUTES BETWEEN UNIONS
On 16 December 2019, a TUC In considering all of the Disputes Committee met to evidence, the Committee partly consider complaints brought upheld the alleged breach by URTU against Community of Principle 2 and upheld the concerning a dispute in XPO alleged breach of Principle 3. In Bulk Logistics. The Disputes mitigation, and in considering Committee comprised Claire its award, the Committee Sullivan (chair, member of the recognised that there was no General Council and director evidence that URTU had sought of employment relations and to bring this group of members union services, CSP), Dave back into membership, and Penman (member of the settled on an award that General Council and general required Community to pay secretary, FDA) and Roger compensation equivalent to 16 McKenzie (member of the weeks’ membership income General Council and assistant for the 173 members, which general secretary, UNISON); represents the time period with Paul Nowak (TUC deputy between the point at which general secretary) acting as Community should have secretary and Kevin Rowan become aware of a significant (head of organisation, services influx of members from URTU and skills). and the point at which they contacted URTU to raise The dispute – an alleged this issue. breach of Principles 2 and 3 – concerned a transfer of members from URTU to Community. In 2017, 173 members left URTU and joined Community, with the active involvement of a former lay official of URTU who also joined Community. Community argued that the transfer was not sought by Community, that there was no evidence of ongoing organising activity by the union and that it had sought to work cooperatively with URTU.
Part of the TUC’s mission is to promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms of harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination in the workplace © Phil Boorman/ Getty Images
APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Executive Committee and General Council considered the impact of public health measures and government guidance on the operation of Congress 2020. In order to support an event that provided a showcase of the role that union members, unions and the TUC played during this crisis a smaller, focused Congress was agreed, with governance arrangements administered by an extended General Council.
In support of these arrangements, a new rule, 17(c), was introduced, with a sunset clause removing this rule from the TUC’s rules and standing orders at the close of Congress.
PART 1 Any such organisation may The General Council shall CONSTITUTION make application to become have full power to accept or affiliated to Congress and reject any such application shall furnish copies of its Rules for affiliation and the General Rule 1 and Constitution together Council shall in addition Name, office and with such other particulars have full power at any time membership and information as shall at to terminate the affiliation of any time be required by the any organisation which in the a. NAME AND OFFICE: The General Council. opinion of the General Council name of the organisation does not fully satisfy the constituted by these Rules It shall be a requirement of requirements of affiliation for shall be the ‘Trades Union affiliation that an organisation the time being. Congress’ (hereinafter has a clear commitment called ‘the Congress’), and to promote equality for all The power of the General its principal office shall and to eliminate all forms Council under this Rule to be at Congress House, of harassment, prejudice accept or reject any application 23–28 Great Russell Street, and unfair discrimination, or terminate any affiliation is London WC1B 3LS, or such both within its own subject to the power of the next other places as the General structures and through all its annual Congress to overrule Council of the Congress activities, including its own any such decision. (hereinafter called ‘the employment practices. General Council’) shall from The General Council may time to time decide. In deciding at the time of such also accept applications from application or at any time organisations of local trade b. MEMBERSHIP: The thereafter whether or not a union branches to register Congress shall consist of bona fide trade union is eligible as Trades Councils, County such bona fide trade union for affiliation, the General Trades Councils or County organisations as satisfy Council shall have regard inter Associations where they the requirements of these alia to the ability of the trade comply with such requirements Rules and are affiliated in union organisation in its own as determined by the General the manner prescribed by right and of its own authority Council including in particular these Rules. to fulfil the obligations of to have a clear commitment affiliation to the Congress and to promote equality for all. to comply with these Rules. Registration in this capacity does not consist of affiliation and confers no authorisation to speak or act on behalf of the Trades Union Congress. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 109
Rule 2 their employers or between unions contribution rates Objects such organisations and their calculated in accordance with members or between the sub-paragraph (c). To this end a. The objects of the Congress organisations themselves. shall be: a. Each organisation shall by In pursuance of these 31 May in each year, inform To do anything to promote general objects, and in the General Secretary of the interests of all or any of accordance with particular Congress of the number of its affiliated organisations or decisions that Congress its members as at 1 January anything beneficial to the may make from time to of that year. interests of past and present time, Congress may do or individual members of authorise to be done all b. Each affiliated organisation such organisations. such acts and things as it shall by 30 September in considers necessary for the any year, inform the General To promote equality for all furtherance of those objects. Secretary of the contribution and to eliminate all forms rate payable by the largest of harassment, prejudice b. In the interpretation of category of members and unfair discrimination, the above objects the as at 1 January of the both within its own General Council shall have year following. structures and through all complete discretion subject its activities, including its only to the power of the c. The average of all unions’ employment practices. annual Congress to revise contribution rates is the sum its decisions. of each union’s contribution Generally to improve rate in accordance with the economic or social sub-paragraph (b) multiplied conditions of workers in Rule 3 by each union’s affiliated all parts of the world and Affiliation fees membership and divided to render them assistance by the total affiliated whether or not such workers Each Affiliated Organisation membership in the year are employed or have shall pay to the Congress in which the contribution ceased to be employed. an annual affiliation fee rate is notified to the in respect of each of its General Secretary. To affiliate to or subscribe members (probationary, free to or to assist any other or otherwise). The annual d. The General Council shall, organisation having affiliation fee shall be payable by 31 October in each objects similar to those of quarterly at the beginning of year, confirm, increase, or the Congress. each quarter of the year, the reduce, the percentage first such quarter commencing figure in accordance with To assist in the complete on 1 January in any year. the TUC work programme organisation of all workers and priorities as decided by eligible for membership of The annual affiliation fee Congress in that year. its affiliated organisations payable in respect of each and subject as hereinafter member notified in accordance Unless decided otherwise by set forth in these Rules to with sub-paragraph (a) shall be the General Council 10 per assist in settling disputes 95 per cent (the percentage cent of each annual affiliation between the members of figure) of the weekly (or fee should be allocated to the such organisations and equivalent) contribution rate TUC Development Fund. based on the average of all APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
Rule 4 Section C shall consist Section I shall consist of Composition of of seven members of one member representing General Council unions with fewer than lesbian, gay, bisexual and 30,000 members. transgender trade unionists. a. The General Council shall be composed of ten sections Section D shall consist of Section J shall consist of as follows: four women members one member under the age all of whom shall be of 27. Section A shall consist members of an affiliated of members from those organisation with fewer than All unions will be entitled organisations with a full 200,000 members. to nominate one of their numerical membership of members who is a delegate 200,000 or more members. Section E shall consist of one to Congress for sections H, Each such organisation shall black member who shall be I and J and election shall be entitled to nominate one from an organisation with a be by ballot of all unions or more of its members to full numerical membership entitled to vote at Congress. be a member or members of 200,000 or more of the General Council and members. Subject to Rule Subject to Rule 4(f), the the number of members 4(f), each such organisation election of a member of to which the organisations shall be entitled to nominate the General Council for any comprising Section A one of its members to be section shall be in addition shall be entitled shall be the Section E member of the to, and not in substitution determined by their full General Council. for, any member of the numerical membership on union who is elected as a the basis of one per 200,000 Section F shall consist of one member of the General members or part thereof black member who shall be Council in accordance with provided that where the total from an organisation with a the provisions relating to number of women members full numerical membership the election of a member of of any organisation in of 199,999 or fewer another section. Section A is 100,000 or members. Subject to Rule more that organisation 4(f), each such organisation b. On 1 June each year or shall nominate at least shall be entitled to nominate as soon thereafter as is one woman. one of its members to be practicable, each affiliated the Section F member of the organisation shall be Section B shall consist General Council. allocated by the General of members from those Council either to Section A, organisations with a full Section G shall consist of B, C or E or F and, where numerical membership one black woman member applicable, Section D on of 30,000 up to 199,999 who shall be a member of the basis of its full numerical members. Each such an affiliated organisation. membership, as notified organisation shall be Subject to Rule 4(f), each to the General Secretary in entitled to nominate one such organisation shall be accordance with Rule 3 and of its members to be a entitled to nominate one the General Council shall member of Section B of the of its members to be the then advise each affiliated General Council. Section G member of the organisation of the Section(s) General Council. to which it has been allocated and in the case Section H shall consist of one of affiliated organisations member representing trade allocated to Section A and unionists with disabilities. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 111
Section B of the number or e. No organisation may Rule 6 numbers of members of the participate in the nomination Nomination of General Council to which or selection of members of General Council they are entitled. the General Council unless it shall have paid the fees a. At least eight weeks prior All organisations shall be provided by Rule 3 during to the date fixed for the notified of the arrangements the previous year. commencement of each for making a nomination of annual Congress, each a member for Section G, H, f. No affiliated organisation affiliated organisation I and J and organisations shall be entitled to nominate allocated to Section A or allocated to Sections C, D, E a member for Section G and, Section B in accordance and F shall also be notified as appropriate, Section E or with rule 4(b) shall notify of the arrangements for Section F. the General Secretary of the making a nomination of a Congress of the name(s) member for the sections to of its chosen member(s) which they are allocated. Rule 5 on the General Council Qualifications for for the coming year. If a c. Members of all sections of General Council member so nominated the General Council shall shall resign or die before take office at the termination a. No person shall be eligible the annual Congress the of the annual Congress and for membership of any General Council shall accept shall remain in office until section of the General a replacement nomination the termination of the next Council who is not a from that organisation. annual Congress and shall Congress delegate (as per be eligible for re-election to Rules 17 and 18) and the b. Each affiliated organisation or continued membership of organisation so represented allocated to Section C or the General Council. shall have paid the fees Section E or Section F in provided by Rule 3 during accordance with Rule 4(b) d. In the event of a member the previous year. shall be entitled to nominate of Section A or Section one of its delegates for B ceasing by death, b. No person shall be eligible election, as appropriate, to resignation or other for membership of the Section C, Section E and cause to be a member of General Council who has Section F of the General the General Council, the privately assisted, during Council. Subject to Rule 4(f), affiliated organisation which the year preceding the each affiliated organisation nominated that member annual Congress, in the shall be entitled to nominate may nominate a successor production of anything one of its delegates for to take her or his place. made by non-union labour, election to Section G, H, I In the event of a member or by such firms as may and J of the General Council. of Section C, D, E, F, G, H, be declared unfair by the I and J ceasing by death, interested trade society, or c. Each affiliated union resignation or other cause to who has continued to assist with 200,000 or fewer be a member of the General privately in the production of members shall have the Council, the General Council anything made by non-union right to nominate one of shall determine how, if at all, labour, or by such firms as its women members for the vacancy shall be filled. may be declared unfair by election to Section D of the the interested trade society, General Council. after such matters have been pointed out to her or him. APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
d. Nominations for the General to the delegations of all Rule 7 Council under (b) or (c) organisations allocated to Election of the General above shall be sent to the Section D on the day of Council – Sections C, and General Secretary of the the election. D, E, F, G, H, I and J. Congress on the appropriate form, which must be signed Ballot papers containing a. Members of Section C of by the President (or the the names of all candidates the General Council shall Chairman) and Secretary nominated for Section E of be elected at each annual of the organisation making the General Council shall be Congress by ballot vote of the nomination, and must supplied to the delegations all affiliated organisations be received by the General of all organisations allocated allocated to Section C. Secretary of the Congress to Section E on the day of at least eight weeks prior the election. Ballot papers b. Members of Section D of to the Monday of the containing the names of all the General Council shall annual Congress. candidates nominated for be elected at each annual Section F of the General Congress by ballot vote of e. The list of members in Council shall be supplied all affiliated organisations Section A or Section B and to the delegations of all allocated to Section D. of nominations to the places organisations allocated in Sections C, D, E, F, G, H, to Section F on the day of c. The member of Section E I and J shall be published the election. Ballot papers of the General Council shall in the preliminary agenda containing the names of all be elected at each annual containing the motions candidates nominated for Congress by ballot vote of which are to be discussed Section G, H, I and J of the all affiliated organisations at the annual Congress. General Council shall be allocated to Section E. However, if a candidate supplied to the delegations for Section C, D, E, F, G, of all organisations on the d. The member of Section F H, I and J dies before the day of the election. of the General Council shall election takes place the be elected at each annual General Council shall have f. Notice of withdrawal of any Congress by ballot vote of the powers to authorise nomination for Section C, D, all affiliated organisations the acceptance of a fresh E, F, G, H, I and J must reach allocated to Section F. nomination notwithstanding the General Secretary of the anything in these Rules and Congress not later than four e. The members of Sections Standing Orders. weeks before the opening of G, H, I and J will be elected the annual Congress. Where, at each annual Congress Ballot papers containing due to the withdrawal of a by ballot vote of all the names of all candidates candidate before election affiliated organisations. nominated for Section C of or to any other cause, the General Council shall be there is an insufficiency of f. In the elections of the supplied to the delegations candidates to fill the number General Council for the of all organisations allocated of seats in the Section members of Section C to Section C on the day of concerned, the General and of Section D and for the election. Ballot papers Council shall have the power the Section E, Section F, containing the names of all to call for fresh nominations, Section G and Sections H, the candidates nominated notwithstanding anything I and J, each organisation for Section D of the General in these Rules and entitled to vote may cast all Council shall be supplied Standing Orders. or any part of the votes to which it is entitled in favour of as many candidates as CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 113
are to be elected in the Rule 8 f. They shall also enter into election in question. No Duties of the General Council relations with the trade union organisation shall cast more and labour movements in votes than the number a. The General Council shall other countries with a view to which it is entitled for transact the business in to securing united action. any one candidate. The the periods between each number of votes to which annual Congress, shall keep g. They shall have authority each organisation shall be a watch on all industrial to invest and administer entitled shall be determined movements, and shall, the funds of the Congress on the basis of one vote for where possible, co-ordinate and to make grants to any every 1,000 members or industrial action. organisation or person, fraction or part thereof as whether in Great Britain, or declared by the organisation b. They shall watch all abroad, for such purposes in accordance with Rule 3. legislation affecting labour as it seems desirable, but The candidate(s) in each and shall initiate such in so doing they shall have election securing the highest legislation as Congress regard to the directions, if number of votes shall be may direct. any, from time to time given declared elected. by Congress. They shall also c. They shall endeavour have authority to raise funds g. The ballot papers shall be to adjust disputes and for any special purpose and issued by the scrutineers, differences between to invest and administer and after being filled up affiliated organisations. such funds and to make shall then be immediately grants therefrom. placed in the box without d. They shall promote common inspection by the delegates action by the trade union h. For the purpose of carrying other than those of the movement on general out the objects of the organisation voting. questions, such as wages Congress, of conducting its and hours of labour, and any affairs and in relation to the h. Any delegates found guilty matter of general concern matters specifically referred of violating this Rule shall that may arise between trade to in this Rule the General at once be reported to unions and trade unions, Council shall have power Congress, named by the or between employers and to utilise the funds and President and expelled. trade unions, or between property of the Congress, Such delegate or delegates the trade union movement to enter into any transaction shall not be eligible to and the government, and and by any one or more of attend Congress again for shall have power to assist their members or appointed three years. any union which is attacked officers to execute in the on any vital question of trade name and on behalf of i. A notification of the union principle. the Congress any deeds penalties likely to be or documents that may involved in the infringement e. They shall assist trade be necessary. of this Rule shall be included unions in the work of in the instructions printed on organisation and shall carry each ballot paper. on propaganda with a view to strengthening the trade union movement, and for the attainment of any or all of the above objects. APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
i. The General Council shall Rule 9 attending Congress, and have power whenever they Appointment of committees shall retire from the service deem necessary to convene of the Congress upon a special Congress or The General Council shall reaching the age of 65. Conference to deal with any appoint such committees as contingency that may arise, they consider necessary to deal b. The annual Congress and to arrange the agenda with aspects of their business. preceding the date of and procedure whereby the retirement of the General business of such meetings Secretary shall elect a shall be conducted. Rule 10 General Secretary Designate Wales TUC who shall become General j. In the event of a legal point Secretary on the retirement arising which, in the opinion There shall be a Wales TUC of her or his predecessor. of the General Council Conference and Wales TUC Should a vacancy otherwise (after consultation with General Council which shall occur between the annual Counsel) should be tested have devolved responsibility meetings of the Congress, in the House of Lords in the within the TUC for: the General Council shall general interests of trade have power to fill such a unionism, the Council shall i. matters which are vacancy temporarily. be empowered to take the within the powers of the necessary action. Welsh Government and c. The General Council shall legislature; and determine the salary and k. In order that the trade conditions of service of the union movement may ii. matters which are wholly General Secretary, and shall do everything which lies specific to Wales. provide her or him with in its power to prevent all necessary assistance, future wars, the General The Wales TUC Rules (as office accommodation, and Council shall, in the event agreed by TUC General facilities for conducting the of there being a danger of Council, Wales TUC General business of the Congress an outbreak of war, call a Council and Wales TUC and the General Council. special Congress to decide Conference) shall define on industrial action, such the detailed objects, d. Any duty or function Congress to be called, responsibilities and structure of imposed by these Rules if possible, before war the Wales TUC. upon the General Secretary is declared. may be discharged (with her or his consent) by l. The General Council shall Rule 11 such persons as she or prepare a report of their General Secretary he considers appropriate work for submission to provided always that the the annual Congress and a. The General Secretary shall General Secretary shall shall include in it a record be elected by Congress and remain responsible to of the attendances at shall be ex officio a member the General Council for General Council meetings. of the Congress and the the discharge of that duty The Standing Orders of General Council. She or or function. Congress and the General he shall remain in office so Council shall be published long as her or his work and in each annual report of the conduct give satisfaction proceedings of Congress. to the General Council and to the representatives CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 115
Rule 12 to Congress might be Council, the policy of the Industrial disputes involved in a stoppage employers enforces a of work or their wages, stoppage of work by strike a. It shall be an obligation upon hours and conditions of or lock-out, the General the affiliated organisations employment imperilled, Council shall forthwith to keep the General the General Council or take steps to organise on Secretary of the Congress the General Secretary may behalf of the organisation informed with regard to investigate the matter by or organisations concerned matters arising between calling representatives of the all such moral and material them and their employers organisation or organisations support as the circumstances and/or between one concerned into consultation, of the dispute may appear organisation and another, and may use their influence to justify. including unauthorised and or her or his influence (as unconstitutional stoppages the case may be) to effect of work, in particular where a just settlement of the Rule 13 such matters may involve, difference. In this connection Disputes between directly or indirectly, large the General Council or the affiliated organisations bodies of workers. The General Secretary, having General Council or the given an opportunity to each a. Where disputes arise or General Secretary shall organisation concerned threaten to arise between (if either should consider to present its views on affiliated organisations, it necessary) disseminate the matter and having the General Council or the the information as soon as ascertained the facts relating General Secretary of the possible to all organisations to the difference, may tender Congress shall use their or which are affiliated to their or her or his considered her or his influence (as the the Congress and which opinion and advice thereon case may be) to promote may be either directly or to the organisation or a settlement. indirectly affected. organisations concerned. Should the organisation or b. It shall be an obligation on b. The general policy of the organisations refuse such the affiliated organisation or General Council shall be assistance or advice, the organisations concerned to that unless requested to General Secretary shall notify the General Secretary do so by the affiliated duly report thereon to the when an official stoppage of organisation or organisations General Council and/or the work is contemplated in any concerned, neither the General Council shall duly dispute between affiliated General Council nor the report thereon to Congress organisations, whether General Secretary shall or deal with the organisation relating to trade union intervene so long as there under Clauses (b), (c), (d) recognition, trade union is a prospect of whatever and (h) of Rule 13. membership, demarcation of difference may exist on work, or any other difficulty. the matters in question d. Whenever the General No affiliated organisation being amicably settled by Council intervene in relation shall authorise such a means of the machinery of to a matter within the stoppage of work until the negotiations existing in the provision of clause (c) of this dispute has been dealt with trades affected. Rule, and the organisation under the provisions of or organisations concerned Clauses (e) to (h) of this Rule. c. If, however, a situation has accept the assistance and arisen, or is likely to arise, advice of the General in which other bodies Council, and where despite of workpeople affiliated the efforts of the General APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
c. Where a dispute between for resolution in accordance if it were a case of failure unions has led to an with the Regulations by that organisation to unauthorised stoppage of governing procedure in comply with an award of a work, it shall be an obligation regard to disputes between Disputes Committee. of the affiliated organisation affiliated organisations (as or organisations concerned amended by the General g. If an organisation which is to take immediate and Council and adopted by a party to a dispute fails or energetic steps to obtain a the Congress from time to refuses to submit its case resumption of work. time). In the event of such to a Disputes Committee a reference, the General as provided by this Rule, d. The affiliated organisation Secretary may summon the Disputes Committee or organisations concerned affiliated organisations to may proceed to make shall notify the General appear as parties before an award in the absence Secretary as soon as a Disputes Committee of that organisation possible of any stoppage and shall require such and in any event it shall of work which involves organisations to submit not be permissible for directly or indirectly large to that Committee any that organisation to bodies of workers, or which, information, which she or he raise the dispute at any if protracted, may have or the Committee considers annual Congress. serious consequences. In to be essential to enable the addition to such notification, Committee to adjudicate h. Affiliated organisations the affiliated organisation upon the case. summoned by the General or organisations concerned Secretary to appear as shall inform the General f. If an affiliated organisation parties before a Disputes Secretary of the causes and refuses or fails to respond to Committee shall be bound circumstances of the dispute a summons by the General by any award of the Disputes and of the steps taken or Secretary to appear before Committee and shall proposed by it or by them to a Disputes Committee, the comply forthwith with such secure a resumption of work. General Secretary shall award. Should any such investigate the circumstances organisation refuse or fail e. Either upon notification from of such a refusal or failure forthwith to carry into effect an affiliated organisation by calling representatives such an award (in whole or as required by Clause (b) of the organisation into in part) the General Council or Clause (d) of this Rule, consultation and inviting the having received the award or upon the application of organisation to give reasons may report on the matter as an affiliated organisation, for its conduct. If, after such they think fi t to all affiliated or whenever she or he investigation, the General organisations, and/or considers it to be necessary, Secretary does not withdraw may either: the General Secretary may her or his summons and investigate cases of dispute the organisation persists i. deal with the organisation or disagreement between in its refusal or failure to under clauses (b), (c), (d) affiliated organisations and appear before the Disputes and (h) of Rule 13, or may decide on the most Committee the General appropriate method of Secretary shall report the ii. report the matter to the resolving the issue. Where matter to the General next annual Congress she or he considers it Council who may deal with to be dealt with as that appropriate, the General the organisation under Congress may decide. Secretary may refer any Clause (h) of this Rule as such case to a Disputes Committee of the Congress CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 117
Rule 14 iv. an investigation by a d. The General Council shall Conduct of affiliated Disputes Committee submit a report upon organisations under clauses (e) and (g) the matter to the next of Rule 13 and a refusal or annual Congress. a. If at any time there appears failure to comply with its to the General Council award under clause (h) of e. No affiliated organisation to be justification for an Rule 13; shall circularise, either in investigation into the writing or by general oral conduct of any affiliated it appears to the General communication, other organisation on the Council that the activities affiliated organisations ground that the activities of the organisation may be upon any matter concerning of such organisation may detrimental to the interests the business of the be detrimental to the of the trade union movement Congress, without first interests of the trade union or contrary to the declared securing the General movement or contrary to principles or declared policy of Council’s authorisation for the declared principles Congress, the General Council such circularisation. or declared policy of the shall notify the organisation Congress, the General of that fact, specifying the f. Should any such Council shall summon grounds on which that charge unauthorised circularisation such organisation to is made and inviting the take place concerning a appear by duly appointed organisation to present its motion for the agenda representatives before them views to the General Council. of the annual Congress or before such Committee If, after considering those or any special Congress as the General Council views, the General Council or conferences, and the consider appropriate in decide that the said activities General Council after order that such activities may are detrimental to the interests investigation decide that be investigated. In the event of the trade union movement those responsible for such of the organisation failing to or contrary to the declared motion connived at, or were attend, the investigation shall principles or declared policy of party to, or concerned with proceed in its absence. Congress, the General Council such circularisation, the shall direct the organisation motion shall not be included b. If after an investigation to discontinue such activities in the agenda. under: forthwith and undertake not to engage therein in the future. g. The General Council may i. clause (a) of this Rule; or investigate any violation of c. Should the organisation the provisions of Clauses ii. an investigation under disobey such direction, or (e) and (f), and if after such clause (c) of Rule12; or fail to give such undertaking, investigation they decide the General Council are that any organisation has iii. an investigation and hereby empowered in acted deliberately in such report to the General their discretion to order violation they may deal Council by the General that the organisation be with the organisation by Secretary of the Congress forthwith suspended investigation, suspension under clause (f) of Rule from membership of the and report under the terms 13; or Congress until the next of Clauses (b), (c) and (d) of annual Congress. this Rule. APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
h. Any affiliated organisation the General Council may agenda to the secretary of dealt with under this Rule by resolution authorise each organisation not less shall have the right to the Trustees to direct the than 14 days before each appeal to the next annual bankers to honour the annual Congress. Congress and may appoint signature or signatures delegates in accordance of any person or persons with Rules 17 and 18 to named in the resolution, in Rule 16 represent the organisation which case the trustees shall Amendment of Rules upon the appeal and at give such direction and shall and Standing Orders the annual Congress if the be relieved from all liability appeal is allowed. Congress in respect of payments made a. The General Council may shall upon such appeal in the manner authorised between each annual have final authority to deal by the resolution while it is Congress make any with the matter by way in force. amendment to the Rules of re-admission, further and Standing Orders that suspension or exclusion b. AUDITORS: The accounts they deem necessary subject from membership of of the Congress shall be to any such amendment the Congress. audited annually by a being confirmed by the next chartered or incorporated annual Congress, providing accountant to be appointed that any such amendment Rule 15 by the General Council. The shall in any event be Trustees, auditors accountant shall be given binding upon all affiliated and accounts access to all books and organisations and their documents of the Congress members until overruled a. TRUSTEES: Two or more and shall be given all by Congress. trustees shall be appointed information or explanations by the General Council with regard to the accounts b. Affiliated organisations may in whose names the that she or he requires. The (subject to the provisions of funds and property of the accountant shall be required Rule 24) put forward motions Congress shall be vested. to submit a report to the for the amendment of the Such Trustees shall hold General Council as soon as Rules and Standing Orders office until their respective practicable after the audit. for the consideration of such successors have been annual Congress. duly appointed by the c. ACCOUNTS FOR THE General Council and shall YEAR: In order that affiliated have accepted office. The organisations may have an Trustees shall deal with the opportunity of perusing the funds and property held financial statements prior by them in accordance to each annual Congress, with the directions of the the financial year shall General Council and shall close on 31 December. invest any funds available for The audit shall then take investment in accordance place and printed Balance with such directions. The Sheets, duly certified by bank accounts of the the Auditors, shall be Congress shall be in the sent with the complete names of the Trustees, but CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 119
PART 2 – Votes will be taken using be signed by the President ARRANGEMENTS FOR weighted electronic (or Chairman) and Secretary ANNUAL CONGRESS balloting and delegation of the organisation such leaders will be able to delegates will represent. cast their votes physically Rule 17 or online. c. A credential card shall not Preliminary arrangements – Suspending the provision be issued to any affiliated in Rule 5 (a) which requires organisation which has a. The General Council shall those nominated for the failed to comply with the select the place for the General Council to be a foregoing conditions. annual Congress and shall Congress delegate. have the powers to invite – Suspending Rules 18, 19, d. In addition, the annual representatives of public 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27 (a), Trades Councils Conference bodies and other institutions (d)–(h). may elect a further delegate, to attend the sittings thereof. – Agreeing new standing who must be a member of orders for the 2020 a registered Trades Council, b. The General Council shall Congress. to attend Congress and meet during the week – This rule (17(c)) will cease move the motion submitted prior to the date of each to apply at the conclusion to Congress by the Trades annual Congress for the of Congress 2020. Councils Conference. purpose of completing the arrangements there for. Rule 18 Rule 19 c. In light of the restrictions on Representation at Delegates’ qualifications public gatherings introduced annual Congress by government to prevent a. Each annual Congress the spread of Covid-19 a. Affiliated organisations shall consist of delegates the General Council shall be entitled to be who must be financial will put in place specific represented at the annual members of the affiliated arrangements for the 2020 Congress by one delegate organisation they are to Congress, namely: for every 5,000 members represent and actually or fraction thereof (save working at their trade at – The business of Congress, for unions with fewer the time of appointment, including election of than 5,000 members who or full-time paid officials of the General Council, shall be entitled to two such affiliated organisation. consideration of motions, delegates) provided always However, unemployed General Council statements that they have paid the fees members of an affiliated and the adoption of the prescribed in Rule 3. organisation shall not be General Council report, debarred from acting will be transacted by the b. Not later than seven weeks as delegates. General Council. prior to the Monday of – Unions not currently the annual Congress the b. The above qualifications represented on the names and addresses of shall not, however, debar General Council will be the delegates shall be sent a person from acting as entitled to send a delegate to the General Secretary a delegate who is not a to this meeting. of the Congress on the full-time paid official and appropriate form which must who has temporarily left her or his normal full-time APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
work as an employee Rule 21 ii. to have printed and in trade or industry to General Purposes Committee circulated to the undertake Parliamentary delegates copies of the duties, provided that, a. A General Purposes composite motions they at the time of her or his Committee of five have approved attending Congress, she or members for the ensuing he is occupying a national annual Congress shall be iii. to submit to the President post designated under the nominated and elected of Congress a programme Rules of the appointing by ballot. If any member of all motions and affiliated organisation. elected is not a delegate amendments approved to the ensuing annual by them as being in Congress, or a vacancy accordance with the Rules Rule 20 arises from any other cause, and Standing Orders, Congress President the highest unsuccessful together with all candidate shall be called a. The President of the upon to fill the vacancy. iv. suggestions for the Congress shall be appointed proper conduct of the by the General Council at b. Each nominee for the business of the annual their first meeting after each General Purposes Congress annual Congress. Committee must be nominated by her or his own v. to report to the General b. The duties of the President organisation. Nominations Council any violation of shall be to preside at all shall be submitted on the the Rules or Standing meetings of the General appropriate form which must Orders that may Council, an at all special be signed by the President be brought to their Congresses or Conferences (or Chair) and Secretary of notice, together with for one year following the organisation and shall any recommendation the date of her or his reach the General Secretary agreed upon. appointment, and at the of the Congress at least eight annual Congress concluding weeks prior to the Monday her or his term of office. She of the annual Congress. Rule 22 or he shall then become first Tellers and ballot scrutineers Vice-Chair of the General c. The members of the General Council for a period of one Purposes Committee shall The General Council shall year thereafter. appoint from their body nominate, for the approval a chair and secretary. of the Congress, four or The duties of the General more Tellers and up to seven Purposes Committee ballot scrutineers. shall be:
i. to co-operate with the movers of motions and amendments in order that composite motions may be obtained wherever possible CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 121
Rule 23 be decided by the General members or part thereof. Voting Council in consultation These must be submitted on with the General Purposes the appropriate forms and The method of voting at Committee of Congress. be signed by the President Congress shall be at the (or Chair) and Secretary of discretion of the President, by c. An affiliated organisation the organisation concerned. voice, or show of hands, or shall be allowed not more card vote. Where, however, than two motions, apart from e. Notwithstanding the a division by voice or show organisations with more provisions of this Rule, the of hands is challenged by than one million members General Council or any delegates to Congress, voting who will be allowed one affiliated organisation shall, shall be by cards to be issued additional motion for subject to the approval to the delegations according each additional 500,000 of the General Purposes to membership (paid for members or part thereof. Committee, be permitted as per Rule 3) on the basis In addition each of the to submit an emergency of one vote for every 1,000 equality conferences, the motion for the consideration members or fractional part Young Workers Conference of the delegates to thereof represented. Such and Trades Union Councils’ Congress. No such cards to be issued to affiliated Conference will be allowed permission shall, however, organisations by the General to choose one motion be granted unless agreed to Secretary of the Congress carried by that conference by at least two-thirds of the before the commencement of for submission to Congress. votes cast by the delegates the annual Congress. In order that important to the particular annual or labour questions may special Congress. not be omitted from the Rule 24 discussion of the annual f. Motions shall not exceed Motions for Congress Congress, the General 250 words in length. Council are empowered to Amendments shall not a. Motions for the Congress place not more than three exceed 50 words in length. must be submitted on the motions on the annual These provisions shall apply appropriate forms and be Congress agenda. to original motions and signed by the President (or emergency motions but Chair) and Secretary of the d. All amendments to the not to composite motions organisation submitting motions submitted by nor to motions selected to such motions and must be affiliated organisations must go forward to the Congress received by the General be received by the General Agenda by the equality Secretary of Congress Secretary of Congress conferences, Young Workers not later than eight weeks not later than four weeks Conference and Trades before the Monday of the before the Monday of Union Councils Conference. annual Congress. the annual Congress. An affiliated organisation shall b. Such motions shall be be allowed not more than printed and sent to each two amendments apart from affiliated organisation not organisations with more less than six weeks before than one million members the annual Congress. The who will be allowed one order in which these subjects additional amendment for are to be discussed shall each additional 500,000 APPENDIX 5 TUC RULES AND STANDING ORDERS
Rule 25 Rule 27 motion may at the discretion Delegations Standing Orders of the President be taken in conjunction with such part of All nominations for delegations a. HOURS OF MEETING: the report. appointed by Congress Delegates shall assemble at must be submitted on the 4pm prompt on the first day d. LIMITATION OF SPEECHES: appropriate form and be of each annual Congress The mover of the motion signed by the President (or and at 9.30am on each shall be allowed five Chair) and Secretary of the succeeding day. On Sunday minutes, the seconder organisation and must be sent Congress shall adjourn at three, and any or each to reach the General Secretary 7pm and each day thereafter succeeding speaker three of the Congress not later than (Monday to Wednesday) minutes. A delegate shall not eight weeks before the Monday Congress shall adjourn at speak more than once on a of the annual Congress. Each 12.45pm and reassemble at question, except the mover nominee must be nominated 2.15pm and adjourn for the of the original proposition, by her or his own organisation. day at 5.30pm on Monday who shall have the right and Tuesday and shall to reply. conclude no later than 4pm Rule 26 on Wednesday. e. ORDER OF SPEAKERS: The Date of annual Congress President shall determine b. AGENDA: A complete the order of speakers. Each a. Unless otherwise decided agenda of the motions and delegate shall stand when by the General Council, the amendments submitted speaking. If the President date for the opening of each under Rule 23 shall be rises to call a delegate annual Congress shall be the printed and sent, not later to order, or for any other Sunday before the second than 19 days before the purpose connected with the Monday in September. opening of each Congress, proceedings, the delegate to the affiliated organisations speaking shall leave the b. To enable affiliated which have paid up to the rostrum and resume her organisations to comply with last preceding quarter the or his seat and no other the various requirements of fees due under Rule 3. delegate shall rise until the these Rules where time limits President has authorised the are fixed by reference to the c. GENERAL COUNCIL’S discussion to proceed. date of the annual Congress, REPORT: After the opening the General Council shall, of each annual Congress, f. PRESIDENT’S RULING: in the event of any change the General Council shall Should any delegate cause in such date, direct that present their report for the disturbance at any session of notice of such change past year, which shall be laid annual or special Congress, shall be given to affiliated on the table for discussion. and refuse to obey the organisations in due time. The items of the report shall President when called to be discussed seriatim and order, she or he shall be not as a whole: each speaker named by the President, to be limited to three and shall be expelled from minutes. Such report shall the hall for the remainder be given precedence over of the session, and shall not all other business provided be allowed to take part in that where a motion on the the Congress proceedings agenda bears directly upon without the consent of any part of the report, such Congress delegates. CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 123
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. h. SPECIAL MEETINGS: In the case of special Congresses or Conferences the above Standing Orders shall be adhered to wherever applicable as closely as possible.
Rule 28 Suspension of Rules and Standing Orders
Rules and Standing Orders in Part 2 hereof, may, notwithstanding the terms of Rule 15, be suspended if such suspension is agreed to by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the delegates to the particular annual or special Congress. INDEX
Wales TUC 65 Equality and Human Rights A C D Commission (EHRC) 16 equipment shortages 46 accommodation sector 37 Canada decent work 28–9 see also PPE age discrimination 26 trade deals 34 Covid-19 14 Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) 65 agency workers 25 Changing Workplaces Survey Decent Work Agenda 64 Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) 28 ambulance services 50 of Union Representatives 57 defence Ethiopia 65 antisemitism 36, 37 Chestefield Unemployed industrial strategy 26 European Trade Union apprentices 36, 43–4 Workers’ Centre 62 development fund 71 Confederation (ETUC) Covid–19 20, 61 child poverty 22, 23 Digital Healthcheck tool 54 24, 31, 37, 62 learning and skills 43 childcare Digital Lab project 54 European Union (EU) artificial intelligence (AI) 24, 38 Covid-19 18 Digital in UK Unions 54 Brexit 30–4 asbestos 43 civil service 49 digital skills 44 Executive Committee 79 austerity 22, 46, 56 class inequality 36, 37 digitalisation 24 executive pay 27–8 autism cleaners 48 trade unions 52, 53–4, 57 Wales TUC toolkit 65 Covid–19 18 TUC infrastructure 68 automation at work 24, 43 climate change 65 disabled workers 36, 41, 42 aviation sector collective bargaining Covid-19 14, 16 Covid-19 19 22–3, 37, 41, 48, 57 Disabled Workers F Colombia 63 Committee 46, 80 Congress 2019 69 Disabled Workers far right Congress awards 69 Conference 71 combatting 36–7, 56, 62, 66 Congress Centre 68, 69 pay gap 42 Fixing the Safety Net: next steps B Congress House 68, 71 Dying on the Job 16 in the economic response Consequences of No Deal 30 to the coronavirus crisis 15 Bangladesh 65 consultation rights 32 flexible working 36, 39–40 bank holiday working 39 coronavirus job retention food sector 37 Better Recovery, A 14, 26, 48, 66 scheme 12–14, 16 Forced Out: the cost of Black Workers Conference 71 JD Wetherspoons 54 E getting childcare wrong 18 BME workers 36, 41 TUC staff 68 furlough scheme Covid-19 14, 16 coronavirus pandemic e-learning see coronavirus job pay 37 see Covid-19 Covid-19 20 retention scheme Brazil 63 corporate governance 22, 27–8 union rep training 56 further education 46 Brexit 30–4, 70 Covid-19 12–20, 70 economy see UK economy union representative learning and skills 43 Brexit 32 education sector 46 training 56 TUC development fund 71 civil service response 49 Covid-19 19–20 Future Leaders programme 55 Britain at Work, TUC website 72 class inequality 36, 37 Education and Skills Funding Building Working creative industries 26 Agency (ESFA) 56 Class Power 37 Digital Lab project 54 elections bullying and harassment digital technology 24 electronic balloting 38–9 gender-based 70 far right 36 general 2019 70 G public services 47 health and safety 36, 42 online union campaigning 54 see also sexual harassment industrial strategy 26 employment rights 37–40 gender pay gap 41 bus sector 19, 50 insecure work 25 Covid-19 32 General Council 69–70, 78 International Workers’ energy general election 2019 70 Memorial Day 42–3 industrial strategy 26 Giordano, Marco 74 learning and skills 43, 61 eNotes 57 global pensions 27 entertainment sector 20 federations 28 self-employed workers 38 environment solidarity 37, 62–4 social care sector 47–8 carbon reduction 14, 26 trade 32, 34 trade unions 52 climate change 65 Good Friday Agreement 30 TUC administration 68 industrial strategy 26 Great Jobs Agenda 66 Wales TUC 65 transport sector 50 Green Recovery and a webinars 20, 42 equality 40–2, 70 Just Transition, A 65 workers’ voice 28 age discrimination 26 Grenfell Tower tragedy 43 young workers 14, 54–5 class inequality 37 grievances and disciplinaries 57 creative industries 26 Covid-19 14, 16–18 Guatemala 65 Cuba 63 law 15 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 125
TUC staff 68 social care sector 48 Wales TUC 65 Pensioners Committee 81 H J young workers 55 pensions 26–7 microlearning sites 20 public sector 50 harassment see bullying Japan mid-life reviews 44 TUC scheme 71 and harassment trade deals 34 migration 28, 41, 47 period poverty 41 Hazards campaign 43 Jarvis, Fred CBE 75 EU citizens in UK 30 personal protective health and safety 36, 57 jobs Missing Half Million, The 55 equipment see PPE Covid-19 15–16, 19 Covid-19 12–14 political engagement representatives 42, 68 post-Brexit 30 Brexit 30–2 rights at work 64 Job Security 16 postal balloting 39 TUC training days 56 justice system 49 PPE 48 of workers 42–3 N Covid-19 18, 42, 43 Health and Safety Executive Pregnant and Precarious 18 (HSE) 16, 42, 43, 64 national minimum wage Prior, Gloria 76 health sector 37, 46–7 (NMW) 25–6 private sector pay 50 K National Retraining Scheme 44 union membership 53 UK–US trade deal 34 NHS 46–7 Wales 65 HeartUnions week 40, 62 Kothalawala, Bandula 75 pay 50 privatisation 47, 48–9 Hill, Dennis 74 UK–US trade deal 34 probation services 49 HMRC reform plans 49 Northern Ireland procurement Holocaust Memorial Day 62 Brexit 31 Brexit 31 homeworking Good Friday Agreement 30 industrial strategy 26 Covid-19 42 L Public Health England (PHE) hospitality sector 38 Covid-19 16 HS2 50 learning and skills 43, 61 public sector adult 44, 46 carbon reduction 26 social care sector 48 O Covid-19 18–20 trade union education pay 47, 49–50 55 –7, 66 older workers pensions 26, 50 I young workers 55 age discrimination 26 union membership 53 Learning@Home 20 Wales TUC toolkit 65 Public Sector Equality in-work poverty 22, 23 LGBT+ workers 36 Organise 2020 conference Duty (PSED) 16 industrial strategy 26 Covid-19 16 23, 37, 43, 56, 62–3 public services 46–50 inequality LGBT+ Committee 80 outsourcing 26, 48, 49 austerity 22 class 36, 37 LGBT+ Workers Brexit 32 information rights 32 Conference 71 Covid-19 14 insecure work 25, 47 lifelong learning accounts 43 Public Services Forum 48 Covid-19 13, 16, 54–5 Living Hours campaign 25 international living wage 25–6 P development 64 public sector 49–50 trade 32 local government 46 Palestine 64 International Day of Justice 48 LoveColleges campaign 46 pay International Labour austerity 22 Organization (ILO) 28, 40 executive 27–8 campaigning 64 gap International Trade Union disabled workers 42 Confederation (ITUC) M ethnicity 40 26, 28, 37, 62, 63, 64 gender 41 International Workers’ McDonald’s 62 in-work and child Memorial Day 42–3, 62 McGovern, Seán 76 poverty 22, 23 Investor State Dispute maternity leave insecure work 16 Settlement (ISDS) 32 Covid–19 18 key workers 14 Islamophobia 36 May Day 2020 48, 50 low 25–6, 37 Megaphone project 54 pensions 27 menopause and menstrual public sector 47, 49–50 equality 70 restraint 46 mental health 43, 46, 47, 57 secrecy clauses 41 Covid-19 16, 42 sick 14–15, 25–6, 37, 48 INDEX
Stronger Voice for Workers: committees 79–84 staff 68 how collective bargaining communications awards 54 trustees 82 R can deliver a better conferences 37, 70–1 Wales TUC 65–6 deal at work 22–3 Organise 2020 23, websites Race Relations Summer Patrol programme 55 37, 43, 56 62–3 Britain at Work 72 Committee 41, 81 supply chains 28–9 Congress 2019 69 Union Makes Us racism 36, 37 PPE 48 Congress Centre 68, 69 Strong, The 72 combatting 62, 66 Swedish Derogation Digital Healthcheck tool 54 Winning Equal Pay 72 Covid-19 16 contracts 25 digital infrastructure 68 Workers’ War 72 rail sector 19, 50 educational trustees 82 TUC Aid 65 Rebuilding After Recession 14 Executive Committee 79 trustees 82 redundancy finances 71 TUC Education 20, 55–6 civil service 49 funding for training TUC Library 72 Covid-19 32 T representatives 56 Turkey 64 regions General Council 69–70, 78 carbon reduction 26 Testing and Tracing IT strategy and information apprentice inequality 44 for Covid-19 16 services 68 privatisation 48 ThisIsNotWorking campaign 40 programmes transport sector 50 Tolpuddle Festival 63, 66 Future Leaders 55 U TUC 66 trade 30–4 Summer Patrol 55 remote working 42, 54 Trade Union Advisory projects UK economy 22–8 retail sector Committee (TUAC) 62 Digital Lab 54 effects of Covid–19 12–14 bank holiday working 39 Trade Union Share Megaphone 54 learning and skills 43 retraining 61 Owners (TUSO) 28 WorkSmart 55 unemployment 22 risk assessments Trade Union Sustainable publications young workers 54–5 Covid-19 15, 16, 19, 68 Development Advisory Better Recovery, A Union Learning Fund 20, 61 Digital Lab project 54 Committee (TUSDAC) 26 14, 26, 48, 66 Union Makes Us Strong, Risks bulletin 42 trade unions Building Working The, TUC website 72 Rolls-Royce 62 collective bargaining Class Power 37 Union Professionals and 22–3, 37, 41, 48, 57 Consequences of Organising Academy 57 Covid-19 13, 52 No Deal 30 unionlearn 44, 61 digitalisation 52, 53–4, 57 Digital in UK Unions 54 board 83 disputes between 106 Dying on the Job 16 Learning@Home 20 S membership and Fixing the Safety Net: next universal credit 24, 49 organising 52–3 steps in the economic Covid-19 15 science and technology representatives 66 response to the United States industrial strategy 26 digital technology 52 coronavirus crisis 15 trade deal 32, 34 seafaring sector 38 education and Forced Out: the cost security guards 48 training 20, 55–7 of getting childcare Covid-19 18 far right 36–7 wrong 18 self-employed workers 38 health and safety Green Recovery and a Covid-19 12–13 16, 42, 43, 68 Just Transition, A 65 V creative industries 26 negotiating 48 Job Security 16 sexual harassment 36, 40 rights 37–40 Missing Half Million, vulnerable workers 25 Wales TUC 65 strength 37 The 55 shareholder returns 28 trades councils 62 Pregnant and shielding Trades Councils Conference 71 Precarious 18 Covid-19 14, 16 Trades Union Councils Joint Rebuilding After shift workers 25 Consultative Committee Recession 14 W sick pay 14–15, 25–6, 37, 48 (TUCJCC) 70, 82 Risks bulletin 42 skills see learning and skills transport sector 50 Stronger Voice for Wales TUC 65–6 social care sector 38, 46, 47–8 Covid-19 19 Workers: how collective Wetherspoons, JD 54 Covid-19 14, 18–19 TUC bargaining can deliver a webinars 57 social security 23–4, 41 campaigns better deal at work 22–3 Covid-19 20, 42 Covid-19 14–15 ThisIsNotWorking 40 Testing and Tracing Windrush 28, 41 Somalia 62 Changing Workplaces Survey for Covid-19 16 Winning Equal Pay, staff shortages 46 of Union Representatives 57 regions 66 TUC website 72 CONGRESS 2020 GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 127
women workers 36, 41, 70 Covid-19 14, 18 pay 37, 41 trade union membership 52 union representatives 66 Women’s Committee 83 Women’s Conference 70 work-related injury and death 42 International Workers’ Memorial Day 43 workers’ capital 27–8 workers’ rights 64 Brexit 30, 31, 32, 34 workers’ voice 22 Covid-19 28 Workers’ War, TUC website 72 working hours 36, 39–40 Workplace Employment Relations Survey 56 WorkSmart project 55 X xenophobia 36 Y young workers 54–5 Covid-19 14 learning and skills 43 TUC Library exhibition 72 union representatives 66 Young Workers Conference 71 Young Workers Forum 46, 55, 70, 84 Young Workers’ Month 55 Z zero-hours contracts 25 Covid-19 14 Zimbabwe 62 INDEX OF RESOLUTIONS Resolutions, including composite and emergency resolutions, carried at the 2019 Congress, and where they are referred to in this General Council report.
Resolutions Composites Emergency resolutions
Resolution 1 26 Resolution 46 46 Composite 1 61 Emergency Resolution 1 53 Resolution 2 26 Resolution 47 47 Composite 2 26 Emergency Resolution 4 61 Resolution 48 49 Composite 3 50 Resolution 2 53
Resolution 6 26 Resolution 49 46 Composite 4 30 Emergency Resolution 3 53 Resolution 8 26 Resolution 50 46 Composite 5 23
Resolution 11 26 Resolution 51 46 Composite 6 24
Resolution 12 26 Resolution 52 46 Composite 7 23
Resolution 15 32 Resolution 53 47 Composite 8 37
Resolution 17 23 Resolution 54 47 Composite 9 39
Resolution 18 39 Resolution 55 42 Composite 10 40
Resolution 19 24 Resolution 56 46 Composite 11 42
Resolution 23 38 Resolution 57 46 Composite 12 48
Resolution 26 43 Resolution 61 46 Composite 13 46
Resolution 27 26 Resolution 62 46 Composite 14 26
Resolution 28 38 Resolution 63 46 Composite 15 49
Resolution 29 38 Resolution 65 46 Composite 16 26
Resolution 32 26 Resolution 66 43 Composite 17 46
Resolution 33 42 Resolution 67 49
Resolution 34 40 Resolution 72 64
Resolution 35 37 Resolution 73 63
Resolution 37 41 Resolution 74 64
Resolution 41 36 Resolution 75 64
Resolution 42 41 Resolution 76 55
Resolution 43 27
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