T HE FRINGE The TUC’s own meetings The following are the fringe are shown in red. meetings the TUC had details of by the time the Guide went to press. To fi nd the meeting rooms see the plans on page 13.

SUNDAY EVENING members is developing these policies, 19.00 marks another key milestone in the Institute of Employment Rights/ journey to electoral reform. Where next? Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Speakers: Howard Beckett, Unite; Ian A MANIFESTO FOR LABOUR LAW: Lawrence, ; Lynn Henderson, PCS TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE Chair: Katie Ghose, Electoral REVISION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS Reform Society The world of work has changed and Venue: Room 1a, Brighton Centre the laws governing our workplaces Lunch provided need to change too. IER has developed a radical new agenda placing workers 12.45 at the heart of an economic revival. GMB Our manifesto shifts the balance of GMB GRUNWICK 40 EXHIBITION regulation from legislation to collective LAUNCH/MEETING bargaining and gives the UK’s 31 This year is the 40th anniversary of the million workers a voice at the heart of Grunwick dispute, which showed the government via a Ministry of Labour. importance of trade union solidarity and Speakers: Keith Ewing; John Hendy QC; that Asian women are strong resilient, Len McCluskey, UNITE; Jane Carolan, trade unionists. The issue of trade union Chair, Policy Committee, UNISON recognition they fought for is still relevant Chair: Carolyn Jones today. Come along to the launch of the Venue: Regency Room, Old GMB Grunwick Exhibition and be inspired. Ship Hotel, Kings Road Speakers: Tim Roache, General Refreshments provided Secretary, GMB; Jack Dromey MP, joint leader of the dispute and Secretary of Brent Trades Council; Sujata Aurora, MONDAY LUNCHTIME Grunwick40 Community Group 12.45 Chair: Kamaljeet Jandu, National Class (Centre for Labour Equality O cer, GMB and Social Studies) Venue: West Bar, Brighton Centre A YEAR OF TORY RULE: TAKING Light refreshments provided STOCK OF PUBLIC SERVICES Under David Cameron’s government, the 12.45 fi rst year of Tory rule since the early 90s, GMB and Unite public services have seen savage cuts FROM UBER TO SPORTS DIRECT in spending while doctors and teachers HOW TRADE UNIONS CAN WIN THE have been pushed to industrial action. FIGHT FOR DECENT WORK FOR ALL In the chaotic aftermath of Brexit, new Speakers: Sophie Shaw, Unite hotel PM Theresa May appears to have pressed workers branch; Justin Bowden, National pause on budget cuts although the threat Secretary, GMB; Ros Wynne Jones, of privatisation still looms. In this session, Daily Mirror Real Britain columnist; we will take stock of the current state of Ian Lavery MP, Shadow minister for our public services, and ask: what next? trade unions and civil society (tbc) Speakers: Anne Swift, President, NUT; Chair: Steve Turner, Unite Cat Hobbs, Director of We Own It; Dr assistant general secretary Faiza Shaheen, Director, Class; political Venue: Regency Suite, Hilton Metropole commentator, tbc; junior doctor, tbc Chair: Dr Faiza Shaheen, Director, Class 12.45 Venue: Meeting Room 8, Brighton Centre Morning Star THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL 12.45 OF THE MOVEMENT Electoral Reform Society The ideological case for austerity lies TUC REPORT ON ELECTORAL in tatters, but the neoliberal assault on REFORM: WHAT NEXT? wages, public services and workers’ The conversation about electoral reform rights continues unabated. How should is picking up pace right across the the Labour movement respond? As union movement. There is now deep the daily paper of the left, the Morning consideration about forming policy in Star is uniquely positioned to provide many trade unions; those with existing analysis and strategy for the forthcoming policy are considering making it a struggles. Come and hear Star editor Ben priority campaign. The TUC’s recent Chacko and others o er their perspectives. Touchstone Extra report Getting it in Speakers: Ben Chacko, editor Morning Star; Len McCluskey, General Illustrations: www.katypotaty.co.uk Proportion, to inform the TUC and its

1 T HE FRINGE

Secretary, Unite and other speakers led by the TUC, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and from across the movement Unite, which calls for an integrated, Chair: Carolyn Jones, Director, national railway under public ownership. Institute of Employment Rights Speakers: Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Venue: Restaurant, Brighton Centre Secretary of State for Transport; Lianna Bu et lunch and soft drinks provided Etkind, Public Transport Campaigner, Campaign for Better Transport Chair: tbc 12.45 Venue: Room 6, Brighton Centre TUC Race Relations Committee Bu et food and refreshments provided ENGAGING YOUNG BLACK WORKERS The TUC report Living on the Margins 17.45 highlighted how young Black workers Cuba Solidarity Campaign and Venezuela SC have been disproportionately a ected CUBA AND VENEZUELA: by unemployment and the growth INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY in part-time, insecure and low-paid US intervention in Venezuela continues, employment, and new TUC reports have including huge destabilization e orts by revealed that unemployment is higher the US-backed right-wing opposition. and pay is lower for black workers, In Cuba, despite the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the US, regardless of qualifi cation levels. the blockade remains in place, the tbc Speakers: illegal US occupation of Guantánamo Chair: tbc Bay continues and US intervention Venue: Syndicate 3, Brighton Centre 12.45 continues on the island. Come and Refreshments provided Unions 21 hear about the latest news in both BREXIT, DEVOLUTION AND Cuba and Venezuela and why solidarity 12.45 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARE is now more important than ever. TUCG THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNIONS? Speakers: H. E. Teresita Vicente, RISE LIKE LIONS BUILDING Devolution is radically changing the Cuban Ambassador; H. E. Rocío political and potentially economic THE FIGHTBACK AGAINST Maneiro, Venezuelan Ambassador; landscape of the UK. Where are unions Steve Turner, Assistant General AUSTERITY AND TU ACT on this and how can we use these new We need to build maximum unity Secretary, Unite; Mick Whelan, General structures to strengthen union capacity Secretary, ASLEF; Christine Blower, across the movement to confront the and collective bargaining? On the back former General Secretary, NUT implementation of the TU Act and of initial research into this, the panel will Chair: Roger McKenzie, the ongoing Tory austerity agenda. be exploring the new arrangements and Assistant General Secretary Keeping the right to strike requires a o ering some ideas as to how unions can Venue: Meeting Room 1a, Brighton Centre collective response so that no union move forward with these arrangements. Havana Club rum cocktails is isolated and we need our elected Speakers: Jo Stevens MP; Anne will be provided representatives to leap a campaign against Douglas, Fair Work Convention, cuts, privatisation and anti-trade union Scotland; Claire Sullivan, CSP 17.45 laws. Come and join the discussion. Chair, Jon Skewes, Vice-Chair Unions Show Racism the Red Card Speakers: Matt Wrack, FBU; Kevin 21 and Director for Employment, RACISM ON THE RISE, Communications and Policy, RCM Courtney, NUT; Mark Serwotka, EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER Venue: Room 6, Brighton Centre PCS; Sally Hunt, UCU; Pat Smith MP; Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s anti-racism educational Rebecca Long-Bailey MP (tbc) charity, established in 1996. The Chair: Mick Cash, RMT MONDAY EVENING campaign works with over 50,000 Venue: Room 1b, Brighton Centre 17.45 young people in the UK annually. Refreshments provided TUC From day one we have relied upon the DOES RAIL PRIVATISATION trade union movement to support our 12.45 DELIVER THE BEST DEAL FOR anti-racism work. Although racism has Trades Union Councils Joint PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS? changed in the last 20 years, with the Consultative Committee While passengers face annual fare rise of Islamophobia and racism towards THE WELFARE CHARTER increases, cuts to services and asylum seekers and travellers, it has not Why trade unions should be supporting sta ng are taking place across the been reduced. The key to fi ghting racism The Welfare Charter. Members of the rail network. Train companies argue is education and we are proud of the Trades Union Councils Joint Consultative fares income will be spent on upgrades role that we have played alongside trade and investment while ‘modernisation’ unions in developing key resources and Committee and the TUC’s National plans will benefi t customers. Critics training for adults and young people. Consultative Committee for Unemployed argue services are increasingly late, Speakers: Len McCluskey, General Workers Centre will argue support for unreliable and overcrowded while cuts Secretary, Unite; Christine Blower, former the eight demands of the charter. to services and sta ng have safety General Secretary, NUT; Tim Roache, Speakers: tbc and security implications. Money leaks General Secretary, GMB; Leroy Rosenior, Chair: Alec McFadden, TUCJCC out of the system via payments to former West Ham striker and SRtRC Venue: Syndicate 4, Brighton Centre shareholders, fragmentation and more. Patron. Further speakers to be confi rmed Refreshments provided Hosted by the Action for Rail campaign, Venue: Room 8, Brighton Centre

2 SYNDICATES 3 and 4 (access via stairs or outside to separate lift) MEETING ROOMS 6 and 8 AIRS 3 4 3rd floor, rear of building THE RESTAURANT (access via rear lifts or stairs) ) 3rd floor, front of building (access via front lifts or stairs) 86 S AND ST AIRS ss from outside STAGE WEST BAR LIFT (a cce 1st floor HALL S AND ST r East Ba Exhibition REAR OF BUILDING LIFT MEETING ROOMS 1a and 1b OOR ground floor, rear of building AIRS TO 1a 1b EXHIBITION T FL Ground floor MAIN ST FIRS FRONT OF BUILDING LIFT

FRONT ENTRANCE TO BRIGHTON CENTRE

17.45 Speakers: Jacci Woodcock, terminally Trade Unionists for Safe Nuclear Energy ill GMB member; Tim Roache, NUCLEAR ENERGY: JOBS, General Secretary GMB; Dave SKILLS AND SECURITY Ward, General Secretary CWU This event will explore the role of the Chair: Kate Hudson, CWU civil nuclear industry on jobs, skills Midlands Regional Secretary and security. Looking across the Venue: Syndicate 4, Brighton Centre whole fuel cycle – decommissioning Refreshments provided and nuclear new build. Speakers: Sue Ferns, Prospect; Tom 12.45 Greatrex, Nuclear Industry Association; Justice for Colombia Justin Bowden, GMB (invited); BUILDING PEACE IN COLOMBIA: Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow GENDER AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Secretary for International Trade, Colombia is on the brink of achieving Energy and Climate Change peace after nearly 60 years of confl ict. Chair: Kevin Coyne, Unite Victoria Sandino leads the Gender Venue: Room 1b, Brighton Centre Subcommittee of the peace negotiations Refreshments provided for the FARC-EP. The Peace Process in Colombia is the fi rst ever to have a chapter on gender issues. Via video TUESDAY LUNCHTIME link she will discuss the ground- 12.45 breaking achievements in the Havana TUC peace talks and how trade unions and DYING TO WORK CAMPAIGN civil society have been supporting The Dying to Work Campaign is calling the peace process and the struggle for additional employment protection for others have signed a voluntary charter for social justice in Colombia. terminally ill workers. The campaign is to give terminally ill workers support Speakers: Victoria Sandino, Leader being coordinated by the TUC on behalf and guarantees at work following of the Gender subcommittee of the of 15 a liates, national charities and diagnosis. Come and hear from Jacci peace negotiations for the FARC-EP patients groups. Employers, including Woodcock, terminally ill GMB member peace delegation; Stephen Cavalier, E-On, Carillion, AB Produce, Isle of who faced dismissal during her CEO, Thompsons Solicitors; Mariela Man Steam Packet Railway Company, treatment for cancer and support the Kohon, Director, Justice for Colombia; Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust and campaign for better protection at work. Ian Lavery MP, Chair of the Trade

3 T HE FRINGE

Union Group of MPs; Simon Dubbins, 12.45 TUESDAY EVENING Director of International, Unite TUC in partnership with the 17.45 Chair: Mick Whelan, General equality committees Campaign Against Climate Secretary, ASLEF ORGANISING FOR EQUALITY Change Trade Union Group Venue: Meeting Room 8, Brighton Centre AFTER THE EU REFERENDUM NO JOBS ON A DEAD PLANET? Lunch provided The result of the EU referendum will pose What does the Paris agreement on climate unique challenges to trade unionists 12.45 and equality campaigners. Incidences of change mean for trade unions and what NUT and ATL hate crime have soared and hard-fought should we call for from the government? EDUCATION FOR ALL OR equality rights may be at risk. It has never The meeting will discuss the challenges, JUST A FREE FOR ALL? been more important to defend rights di cult decisions, and opportunities The meeting will consider the and mobilise against hate crime. This that trade unions face in responding government’s latest plans for education meeting will look at the implications to the threat of catastrophic climate as announced in the Queen’s Speech of the vote to leave the EU for equality change while safeguarding jobs in the and expected to be published in an in the UK, and how trade unionists transition to a low carbon economy. Education for All Bill later this year. can support members and organise It will also consider the outcome of Speakers: Dr Mary Bousted, Association for equality now and post-Brexit. the UN climate talks in December, the of Teachers and Lecturers; Kevin Speakers: Ali Harris, Equality and record of our own government, and the Courtney, National Union of Teachers Diversity Forum; Maria Exall, TUC warning from the ITUC’s Trade Union Chair: Ed Dorrell, TES LGBT Committee; Gary Younge, The Climate Summit in September that Venue: Syndicate 3, Brighton Centre Guardian; Phyllis Opoku-Gyimahm, PCS there are “no jobs on a dead planet”. Refreshments provided Chair: Sean McGovern, Unite Speakers: Manuel Cortes: General Venue: Regent Room, Grand Hotel 12.45 Refreshments provided Secretary, TSSA; Chris Baugh: Papworth Trust Assistant General Secretary, PCS; Bill BREXIT WHAT NEXT FOR 12.45 Adams: Regional Secretary, Yorkshire DISABLED PEOPLE? Unions 21 and Humber TUC; Caroline Lucas, The referendum result creates profound, UNIONS AND DIGITAL HOW MP for Brighton Pavilion (tbc) questions for the future of UK disability ARE UNIONS NAVIGATING Chair: Suzanne Je ery, Campaign Against legislation. With the campaign failing THE DIGITAL WORLD? Climate Change Trade Union Group to address the concerns of 12 million What makes a successful digital campaign Venue: West Bar, Brighton Centre disabled people in our country, or union website? How do we use these Papworth Trust will examine what’s new tools e ectively to increase our 17.45 next for disabled people after the EU. union strength? This panel will be looking Chair: Vicky McDermott, Chair Centre for Responsible Credit at what strengths and opportunities and Jubilee Debt or Care and Support digital tools o er and how we can REVIVING THE ECONOMY: WHY WE Venue: Room 6, Brighton Centre evolve our practices to take into account Lunch provided NEED A HOUSEHOLD DEBT WRITE OFF the expectations of workers online. Interest rates are at an all-time low, yet Speakers: Prof Nick Anstead, LSE; 12.45 Antonia Bance, TUC; Martin Smith, GMB the burden of consumer debt on working Prospect Chair: Sue Ferns, Chair Unions 21, people across the UK has never been WORKING HARDER NOT SMARTER Prospect Deputy General Secretary greater. While overall consumer debt fell THE ROLE OF UNIONS IN Venue: Room 1a, Brighton Centre after the fi nancial crisis, it’s now on the WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY rise again. And because wages haven’t Based on evidence from more than kept up with living costs, households 7,500 union members, a new report on are spending more of their weekly productivity shows that the majority of workers feel that they are working income on debt servicing, and many are harder not smarter. However, these taking on more debt just to cover basic workers also think that their organisations needs. This situation is deeply unjust could be more productive if managers and unsustainable, and could get even listened to and involved the workforce worse with the economic impacts of the in how decisions are made, how work is EU referendum. This session explores organised and how results are delivered. the potential for a UK ‘Debt Jubilee’ – a This meeting will explore the role of household debt write-o – to revive the unions in developing a ‘high road’ to economy and lift the burden of the most productivity, achieved through driving extreme and unfair household debt. up quality rather than embarking on a Speakers: Damon Gibbons, Director, race to the bottom on skills and pay. Centre for Responsible Credit; Speakers: Paul Hackett, Director of the Smith Institute; Mike Clancy, Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director, General Secretary, Prospect; Jubilee Debt Campaign Baroness Margaret Prosser Chair: Eric Roberts, President, UNISON Venue: Meeting Room 1b, Brighton Centre Venue: Room 8, Brighton Centre Lunch provided Refreshments provided

4 T HE FRINGE

homeless, many of them children. explore some of the new opportunities in Settlements are not a victimless crime. digital technologies and the principles of Join us at the PSC fringe meeting to change that underpin them. And using hear about our campaign to end to the examples drawn from the USA and UK, colonial settlement drive at the heart of we’ll discuss how they might be used to the Israeli occupation, and the biggest transform how British unions work, in block in the way of a peaceful solution ways that better suit our members’ needs. to the confl ict, and how you can be Speakers: Emma Mulqueeny, Founder/ part of the movement for justice and CEO Rewired State & Young Rewired equality for the Palestinian people. State; Jess Kutch, Co-founder Everybody welcome. Coworker.org, via video link; Nick Please visit our stand in the exhibition area for more information. Scott, Digital Manager UNISON Speakers: Hasan Barghouti, Director Chair: John Wood, Digital Manager, TUC Democracy and Workers Rights Centre Venue: Room 1b, Brighton Centre in Palestine; Sally Hunt, General Refreshments provided Secretary, UCU; Len McCluskey, General Secretary, ; Josie Bird, 17.45 UNISON NEC and Vice Chair of the War on Want International Committee; Owen Tudor, THE MARIKANA MINERS’ Head of TUC International Relations MASSACRE AND PROGRESS Department; Hugh Lanning, Chair, Thousands of South African platinum Palestine Solidarity Campaign ” miners, ruthlessly exploited by foreign- Chair: Christine Blower, International owned mining companies, went on Secretary NUT and Patron of PSC strike to demand a living wage in Venue: Room 1A, Brighton Centre 2012. Their wages had barely changed Refreshments provided since the apartheid era and they lived in abject poverty. On 16 August 2012, 17.45 TUC South African police used automatic HOW CAN UNIONS ADAPT TO THRIVE weapons to shoot 34 Lonmin miners 17.45 IN A DIGITALFIRST WORLD? down and wound 78 more. Many were Make Votes Matter The generation now coming into the shot in the back and head while fl eeing. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION: workforce has grown up as digital The o cial government inquiry into UNITING AGAINST MINORITY RULE natives, not knowing what the world the massacre blamed the miners. To This will be a cross-party discussion of was like before social media and mobile this day no police o cer, politician, or the progressive case for electoral reform: technologies. How will trade unions need Lonmin manager has been brought to how unions and their members stand to to adapt to stay relevant to these potential justice for the murder of those 34 striking benefi t from a truly democratic electoral new members? In this session we will workers. Support the South African system, and the key role that they can trade unionists and civil society groups play in winning this change. With support setting up an independent inquiry to for Proportional Representation growing expose the truth behind the massacre. rapidly within the Labour movement and Speakers: Trevor Ngwane, Marikana right across the UK, this event is about putting PR at the centre of progressive Support Campaign, South Africa; Jim politics, and putting unions at the centre Nicoll, lawyer representing the wounded of the campaign for real democracy. miners and families of the dead miners Speakers: Clive Lewis MP, Labour; at the Farlam Inquiry; Jim Kelly, Chair Jonathon Reynolds MP, Labour; Ian Unite London and Eastern Region Lawrence, Napo; Tommy Sheppard Chair: Tom Lebert, War on Want MP, SNP, Jonathan Bartley, Green Venue: Restaurant, Brighton Centre Party; Mary Southcott, Labour Light refreshments provided Campaign for Electoral Reform Chair: Klina Jordan, Make Votes Matter 19.00–22.00 Venue: Meeting Room 6, Brighton Centre Public and Commercial Services Union PCS HOST JC4PM EVENT 17.45 This will be a night of comedy, PSC music and politics. To purchase your PALESTINE IS BEING BUILT OUT OF tickets go to http://bit.ly/29OhX2o EXISTENCE TIME FOR ACTION Today over 600.000 Israeli settlers are Music from Billy Bragg and Grace living in illegal settlements built on Petrie. Comedy from Francesca land stolen from the Palestinian people Martinez, Grainne McGuire, Steve in the occupied West Bank. In 2016, Gribbin and Robert Ince. Poetry the Israeli government has fl attened from Attilla The Stockbroker. Politics 660 houses and other structures, from Mark Serwotka and others leaving almost a thousand Palestinians Venue: Brighton Dome

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