NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

REPORT AND AGENDA

#NICBDC18

NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

REPORT AND AGENDA

#NICBDC18 4 Membership

Membership of the Northern Ireland Committee 2016-18

Chairperson M Morgan NIPSA Vice-Chairperson G Murphy INTO Members J Pollock UNITE P Mackel Belfast Trades Council J White UTU L Huston CWU K Clarke UCU P Wolfe PCS D Walker GMB A Speed UNISON P McKeown UNISON M O’Rourke SIPTU L Graham BFAWU J McCamphill NASUWT M Lafferty USDAW T Trainor UNITE J Quinn FBU A Millar NIPSA Ex-Officio B Campfield President ICTU (July 15 to 2017) S Nunan President ICTU (July 17 to present) P King General Secretary ICTU O Reidy Asst. General Secretary Observers M Galloway Retired Workers Committee S Harvey Youth Committee Attendance At Meetings At the time of preparing this report 20 meetings were held during the 2016-18 period. The following is the attendance record of the NIC members: M Morgan 16 G Murphy 15 J Pollock 8 P Mackel 17 J White 16 L Huston 16 K Clarke 15 P Wolfe 14 D Walker 19 A Speed 19 P McKeown 15 M O’Rourke 6 L Graham 1 J McCamphill 12 M Lafferty 17 T Trainor 18 J Quinn 7 A Millar 17 5 Contents

SECTION TITLE PAGE by Section Contents

Timetable 6 A Introduction 10 B Conference Resolutions 16 C Trade Union Organisation 24 D Trade Union Education, Training and Lifelong Learning 42 E Political & Economic Report 48 F Migrant Workers 70 G Equality & Human Rights 74 H Industrial Relations & Employment Rights 86 I Health and Safety 90

APPENDIX TITLE 1 List of Submissions 94 2 Standing Orders 96 3 Motions 100 6

Timetable

Wednesday 11th April 2018 SESSION 1: 10.30AM – 1PM Fraternal Greetings Better Work Better Lives / Trade Union Derry Council of Trade Unions Organisation

Conference Opening Motion 1 Better Work Better Lives/ Mayor of Derry & Strabane District Trade Union Organisation Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh NIC

Conference Arrangements Committee Motion 2 Better Work Better Lives Report No. 1 (circulated) CWU

Conference Arrangements Committee Motion 3 Decent Pay & Collective Report No. 2 (to be circulated if Bargaining appropriate) NIC (for Retired Workers Committee) Appointment of SCRUTINEERS AND TELLERS Motion 4 Precarious Working SIPTU Chairperson’s Address Maria Morgan Motion 5 Technology and Robotics for Better Work and Better Lives General Secretary’s Address B&DTUC Patricia King ICTU Assistant General Secretary Section A Introduction & Obituaries Owen Reidy

Section B 2016 Conference Together with Section C and D of the Resolutions Report

LUNCH

Lunchtime (1.00pm–2.00pm)

Fringe Meetings: All welcome! Refreshments will be available.

• Nevin Economic Research Institute Venue: The Alexander Suite

• Trade Union Friends of Palestine Venue: The McCorkell Suite 7

SESSION 2: 2.00PM – 5.30PM Timetable Guest Speaker Employment Rights Les Allamby, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Motion 14 Sexual Harassment Commission NASUWT

Equality & Human Rights Motion 15 Harassment USDAW Motion 6 Delivering the Promise of the Good Friday Agreement Motion 16 Bullying, harassment and UNISON abuse in the entertainment industries and the impact Motion 7 Equality and Inequality in on freelancers the workplace Prospect PCS Motion 17 Facility Time Motion 8 Implementing the Joint NIPSA Declaration of Protection B&DTUC Motion 18  Safer Workplaces NASUWT Motion 9 Reproductive Rights GMB Motion 19 Violence & Safety INTO Motion 10 Abortion Referendum Derry Trades Council Motion 20 Maritime Industry RMT Motion 11 Martin O’Hagan NUJ Together with Section H of the Report

Motion 12 50 Years Of The Civil Rights Fraternal Greetings from STUC Campaign ADJOURNMENT at 5.30 UNISON

Motion 13 Warm Home Discount Scheme Fermanagh Trades Council

Together with Section G and F of the Report

Fraternal Greetings from Wales TUC 8

Thursday 12 APRIL 2018 SESSION 3: 9.30AM – 1PM

Political Situation & Brexit Motion 30 Industrial and Manufacturing Strategy Debate introduced by GMB Paul Mac Flynn, NERI Motion 31 Manufacturing Industry Motion 21 Protecting the Peace and UNITE Challenging a Hard Brexit NIC Motion 32 Public Services in Crisis NIPSA Motion 22 Devolution CSP Motion 33 Privatisation and Public Services Motion 23 Brexit GMB UNITE Motion 34 Transport Motion 24 Brexit UNITE INTO Together with Section E of the Report Motion 25 Congress Input to Phase 2 EU Exit Negotiations LUNCH UNISON SESSION 4: 2.00PM – 5.00PM GUEST SPEAKER – ICTU President Sheila Nunan Health

Economic & Social Motion 35 Defend the NHS Fermanagh Trades Council Debate introduced by Lisa Wilson, NERI Motion 36 Mental Health UTU Motion 26 Pay PCS Motion 37 Young Workers, Mental Health And Social Media Motion 27 Urban Renewal USDAW SIPTU Motion 38 Green Spaces Motion 28 The Future of the Retail Craigavon Trades Council Sector USDAW Together with Section I of the Report

Motion 29 Arts & Cultural Workers Any remaining motions which have been Equity postponed due to the guillotine will be taken, providing time allows.

NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section A Introduction 10 Section A Introduction

Owen Reidy, Assistant General Secretary A1 Introduction This report outlines the work of the of the Northern Ireland Committee of ICTU from the period April 2016 to March 2018. This period has been marked by various events including the Brexit referendum and fallout, with the continuation of austerity from Westminster accompanied by political crisis and breakdown at Stormont. The Brexit referendum has ushered in in Northern Ireland, across these a period of great uncertainty for NI, islands and internationally, seeking the island and these islands. Nearly to build a consensus to ensure that two years on from the referendum workers do not pay the price of Brexit. result, the negotiating position of This challenge has been made the UK government remains unclear all the more difficult with the and somewhat chaotic. Despite the collapse of Stormont and devolved text agreed between the parties government in Northern Ireland. in December 2017, which seemed Since January 2017 we have had no to suggest progress, at the time of government and regrettably recent going to print a deal on Brexit seems attempts to restore power sharing quite remote. have failed. The prospect for a return Clearly this is a major challenge of the Assembly and a functioning facing us all and the trade union Executive in the short term looks movement has been active, locally remote. 11

We in the trade union movement For all of these reasons all of the Introduction Section A take a very pragmatic view to unions in the NIC-ICTU have come devolution. We support it as a key together to develop the Better Work tenet of the Belfast/Good Friday Better Lives campaign to seek to Agreement. It is an important challenge these issues. element of local democracy - local politicians acting on and Although the current political behalf of local people and being situation in Northern Ireland and accountable to the people. We also the prevailing approach of the UK know that devolution on its own government make this challenge all is not a panacea. We need to seek the more difficult, we are firmly of to influence the political agenda the view that workers cannot wait to achieve decent policies for until the right time comes along. We working people. We engage with must engage, organise and mobilise all political parties but remain to seek to usher in a better time. beholden to none. Finally, I would like to thank all The austerity that Northern affiliate unions, all NIC members, Ireland has suffered from for most the Chair, Maria Morgan (NIPSA), of the last decade, continues. the vice-Chair Gerry Murphy (INTO), Northern Ireland is a low wage and all of the staff of NIC-ICTU for economy; workers are feeling their commitment, hard work and more insecure in their work with dedication. Clearly the trade union the rise of precarious work; public movement is needed as much today investment has declined by 10.2% as it ever was to be an effective vehicle in the last 8 years and workers and voice for workers. It is therefore are not achieving pay increases incumbent on each and every one of in most instances to match or to us in our various leadership capacities outpace inflation. to ensure that we are up for that noble challenge.

Launch of the Better Work Better Lives campaign in November 2017 12

A2 Obituaries The Committee records with regret the death of a number of colleagues who would be well known to delegates. Lukasz Karpinski including assisting with personal cases and offering his considerable expertise in representing migrant workers. He was always improving and developing his skills set and had an excellent reputation at the industrial tribunal, indeed this was commented on by some of the judges. Originally from Poland, he had lived in Northern Ireland for 10 years, making it his home. Our deepest sympathy to his family, partner Corrine and her extended family. He will be sorely missed by us all. Lukasz Karpinski worked with the John Dawson ICTU in our Belfast office. He joined the organisation to initially cover John Dawson died unexpectedly at Kasia Garbal’s maternity leave but the age of 62. remained on in employment with us John was an organiser with the GMB after this period. trade union for many years, serving Lukasz was a bright, friendly and two terms on the Northern Ireland energetic man. He had a thirst for Committee. learning and was a lifelong student. He was passionate about organising, representing and advocating for migrant workers. He was very professional and took a huge sense of pride in his work, and was a very popular and valued member of staff. Lukasz worked closely with affiliates including SIPTU and the CWU supporting their work in many ways 13

Joe Law Joe’s experience as a young man in the Introduction Section A merchant navy made him socialist. Ships he served on called into ports in South Africa, then suffering under apartheid. A black man came on to

the ship, and called Joe “master”. Joe replied: “Don’t call me master. I’m from the Shankill, mate.” Returning home, Joe joined the Communist Party and became an active trade unionist. Adrian Ismay

Joe Law made a major contribution to dealing with sectarianism and promoting equality in workplaces through his role as trade union representative for the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union and through delivering anti- sectarian training with the ICTU- Vigil called by ICTU following Adrian Ismay’s backed Counteract and Trademark death organisations.

A self-taught working-class A member of the Prison Officers intellectual from Belfast’s Shankill Association, Adrian Ismay - who Road and an active trade unionist, worked with Congress in the early he was a stalwart of the Communist days of the Union Learning Fund – Party of Ireland, and was committed died in March 2016 following a car to keeping alive the memory of bomb attack. those from Ireland who joined the International Brigades during the Several hundred people participated Spanish Civil War. in a public vigil in support of his family, as his funeral took place. The 14

NIC-ICTU vigil took place at Belfast City Hall and those present showed silent respect following a brief musical lament by piper Ian Burrows. The solidarity of the trade union movement was demonstrated with several union banners on display. Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the ICTU, said: “All workers across the communities that make up Northern Ireland must unite to ensure that our peace process will not be derailed. Every threat to the lives and livelihoods of workers must be faced down. I thank those who joined us today to get that vital message across.” Olive Buckley Born in Dublin, Olive Buckley lived in Northern Ireland where she was not only a champion of workers but also a leader for women. Olive worked in the Royal Victoria and the Ulster Hospital, where she became a Unite activist championing other lab staff. She was quickly seconded to the union on a part-time basis, before accepting a stand-down role as Regional Officer in Belfast. Olive was never afraid to engage with management to develop new working practices in the interests of both staff and patients. Olive Buckley died in September 2016, but her work lives on in Unite. NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section B Conference Resolutions 16 Section B Conference Resolutions

B1 Introduction B2 Resolutions The June 2016 meeting Resolutions 1&2 of the Northern Protecting the Peace Process Ireland Committee The themes in these resolutions gave consideration formed core work of the Northern to a paper containing Ireland Committee. recommendations for Forms the basis of interaction with the progressing resolutions NI Executive and the First and Deputy adopted at the April 2016 First Ministers, and subsequently BDC. with political parties and leaders in London and Dublin in the wake of the As in previous years, the NIC has suspension of devolution. pursued a wide range of actions in relation to the Resolutions. The The policy developed also informed following provides a broad outline the Better Work Better Lives of the actions taken. More detail is campaign and the trade union contained in the body of the Report. response to the EU membership referendum.

ICTU General Secretary Patricia King addresses 2016 BDC in L’Derry 17

Resolution 3 stakeholders including the CBI and Conference Resolutions Section B Anti-Austerity Federation of Small Businesses. The NIC and ICTU Executive lobbied As above. strenuously for the protection Motion 4 of jobs across manufacturing, in Fresh Start Agreement particular Bombardier. This motion was not carried Resolution 9 Public Housing Resolution 5 Anti Austerity The NIC ensured that these demands are included in discussions Core work of the NIC, and also the with OFMDFM and with the relevant work of the Education TU Group and Minister in the NI Executive, until the Health Committee. the suspension of devolution. The Resolution 6 Secretariat will continue to press Tax Justice this position, and it is a strong policy recommendation of the Better Work Formed core agenda for the NIC and Better Lives campaign. NERI. Resolutions 10 & 11 The NIC worked with PCS and other TTIP public sector unions to oppose cuts to HMRC services. Congress and affiliated unions campaigned vigorously against Resolution 7 TTIP, until the talks were scrapped European Union Referendum following mass public concern across the EU, a multi-national Congress campaigned vigorously for campaign led by EU trade unionists. a Remain vote in the EU referendum, and played a key role in mobilising Resolution 12 civil society responses to the threat UTV of a hard Brexit. The Secretariat liaised with EQUITY Resolution 8 to discuss the best way of raising Manufacturing Support this issue in respect of UTV. The NIC engaged with UNITE and Resolution 13 GMB to bring forward proposals Rural Jobs & Services in relation to NIE and the matters outlined in this motion, also The NIC ensured that a rural opening these discussions to other perspective was included in representations with the NI Executive 18

in relation to the PfG and any Resolution 18 associated budgets. This was also Equality in Employment Law for raised at discussions on investment all Workers policy and in particular ERDF funding. As above. Congress will continue to Resolution 14 advocate reform of employment law Benefits ‘Sanctions’ matters through all means including lobbying of NI Executive. The Secretariat has liaised with the PPR project and other groups Motion 19 campaigning against welfare Workers Advisory Clinic ‘reform’ and has lent full support for decent treatment of claimants. This motion was remitted and it was agreed that it would be referred Resolution 15&16 back to the NIC for consideration. Trade Union Bill Resolution 20 The NIC raised this matter at all Retired Members political levels and supported unions affected, as well as the fraternal The RWC now have an observer at confederations, the TUC, the Wales the NIC meetings and this matter TUC and the Scottish TUC. has been referred to Congress’ ultimate decision forum, the ICTU NIC continues to work to ensure that BDC. employment rights are fully protected in NI including through the LRA Resolution 21 convened Round Table and through Violence against Women and Girls direct negotiations with Departments The NIC supported the Women’s and with Political Parties. Committee in their campaign to bring The NIC is actively considering the about positive changes in legislation implications for employment rights in respect of violence against women. arising out of the result of the EU Resolution 22 referendum. Cohabiting Couples Resolution 17 The NIC-ICTU referred this to the Employment Rights in Northern trade union pension group for Ireland consideration and it was raised, As above. alongside the implications arising out of the Brewster judgment, at the CCWG, the Public Sector Pension Forum. 19

Resolution 23 responded to the NI Executive’s Anti Conference Resolutions Section B Clare’s Law Racism strategy. Congress responded positively to the Congress education programme DoJ consultation on this and other continues to include courses which areas of legislation in respect of cover equality matters and Congress Violence against Women. also works with the Equality Commission and the HR commission The Secretariat and the Women’s to hold a full seminar series on Committee continue to work on equality law developments. this issue including with partner organisations. Congress has supported migrants and refugees at other Resolution 24 events, especially since the EU Racism referendum. NIC continues to be part of the Round Resolution 25 Table initiative to develop and launch Age Discrimination Legislation in late 2017 a new Declaration of Protection which has been broadened There are a number of gaps in to include prevention of racism in the relation to equality legislation and workplace. Congress has been part of this should be highlighted as part the Common Platform initiative and of ongoing meetings with the NI

Derry Trades Council’s Liam Gallagher at the 2016 BDC with the late Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness 20

Executive. This was also informed This work will continue as part of by the now annual Age Seminar, NIC-ICTU and Women’s Committee involving retired members from work programmes and informed the both sides of the border. RWC important research into abortion also involved in similar lobbies as a workplace issue by Dr Fiona with Age Sector Platform and the Bloomer. National Pensioner’s Convention. Resolution 28 Resolution 26 Grandparent Carers Unconscious Bias The Secretariat continues to Equality Committees have this advocate for a universal and fully as part of ongoing work, and key affordable child care strategy for part of trade union education Northern Ireland. programmes. The Secretariat has also been Resolution 27 involved in lobbying the NI Alliance for Choice Executive in relation to the rights around shared parental leave and The Secretariat has been working right to request flexible working. In with Alliance for Choice and their response to the proposed legislation, Trust Women campaign. the Secretariat made the argument

The NIC elected to serve from 2016-18 21

that women should be able to share Resolution 33 Conference Resolutions Section B parental leave with a grandparent. NHS Funding The Secretariat will continue to press this position, and it is a strong This forms part of the ongoing work policy recommendation of the of the NIC and several affiliates. It Better Work Better Lives campaign. is also core to the work of the Health Services Committee. Resolution 29 Workers with a Disability Resolution 34 Charter of Rights This motion has been taken forward by the Disability Committee for The Secretariat distributed the consideration. Charter for Fair Conditions at Work to all political parties in advance In respect of the UNCRPD, Congress of the elections and also made requested from the Executive Office presentations to local councils to before suspension an update on the ask for their formal adoption of implementation of the Convention. the Charter. There have also been meetings with NGOs and church Resolutions 30 & 31 leaders. Maximising the Public Health Workforce Motion 35 Industrial Relations The motion was carried forward by the Health Services Committee in This motion was remitted. its engagements with employers, especially the review by Prof Bengoa. Resolution 36 Industrial Democracy Resolution 32 Cancer Care NIC to consider progressing this motion with the Belfast Trade’s This motion is passed to the Health Council Services Committee to suggest actions to be taken forward in Resolution 37 conjunction with public health Collective Bargaining agencies, medical NGOs and the This became a core demand of the network of Union Learn and other Better Work Better Lives campaign. trade union educators. 22

Resolution 38 Exploitation of Seafarers NIC fully supports the RMT campaign against exploitation of seafarers and will assist in whatever way necessary. Resolution 39 School Governance Ongoing work of the Education Trade Union Group. Resolution 40 Support for Skills & Education Ongoing work of the Education Trade Union Group, and also to be considered as part of the Secretariat’s work in relation to Apprenticeships. Resolution 41 Flexible Working Was pursued by ETUG, particularly in relation to gathering information on denial of requests for flexible working. NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section C Trade Union Organisation 24 Section C Trade Union Organisation

C1 Officers of the Northern C2 Staff Ireland Committee 2016-18 The following refers to the staff in At its meeting held in April 2016, the Northern Ireland Office during the Committee elected the following 2016-18, some of whom have Officers: moved on to other employment or retirement: Chairperson: Maria Morgan (NIPSA) Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting (Retired Nov 2016) Owen Reidy Education, Training & Lifelong Learning Kevin Doherty Finance & Programme Manager Gillian Belch Equality & Social Affairs Clare Moore Communications John O’Farrell Vice-Chairperson: Project Officers Gerry Murphy (INTO) Julie Gorman Kasia Garbal (left 2017) Lukasz Karpinsky (deceased 2017) Administrative Staff Tony Gallagher Eileen Gorman Jade Rutherdale (left 2017) 25 Trade Union Organisation Section C George McBride Honoured In May 2016, prominent trade union leaders paid tribute to George McBride and Winifred Carney. A new headstone was unveiled at Newtownards, followed by a celebration of his life at the Somme Hospital, where he lived his last years before his death in 1988. The ceremony embraced the union of George McBride and Winnie Carney. George was a former UVF volunteer from 1912 who fought in the Great War whilst Winifred Carney served alongside James Connolly in the GPO in 1916. Their union was forged by their common allegiance to the cause of labour and a working class empowered and educated by trade unionism. Speaking at the event, Peter Bunting paid tribute to George and Winifred, “two stories that became one epic, the lives of very ordinary people in quite extraordinary times”. He also paid tribute to those who kept alive their memory: “Until today his grave had been unmarked but, due to the initiative taken by Ann Hope and Bill Rolston in collaboration with the Belfast and District Trades Union Council and the generosity of the Unite the Union, this has been rectified.”

ICTU AGS Peter Bunting with Ann Hope, Bill Rolston, Jackie Pollock, Paddy Mackel and members of George McBride’s family. 26

C3 Women’s Committee within their strategic planning document published in 2017. The work of the Women’s Committee is contained in Section G of this The committee was well report, along with the other equality represented at the 2017 ICTU BDC committees. with a dedicated NIC-ICTU Youth Committee speaker and a growing C4 Youth Committee number of committee members attending as part of their own The Youth Committee remains a vital unions delegations, speaking on a part of the work and organisation of variety of motions. Congress and has played an active role in the anti-cuts campaign The committee has maintained a and most recently in the Better high attendance record at various Work, Better Lives campaign. The rallies, demonstrations and events to committee has also been active in protest attacks on public services, job addressing a variety of social and losses and low pay. The committee economic issues facing young people was also active in support of various in Northern Ireland. Given the decline industrial disputes. in young trade union membership of recent years, recruitment remains The Committee has been working a priority in the youth committees collaboratively on a number of work and a point which is enshrined projects with QUB SU and are an

Youth Committee Secretary Steven Harvey 27

active presence at a number of SU C5 Global Solidarity Trade Union Organisation Section C events, including Fresher’s Weeks. The renewed Global Solidarity The Northern and Southern Committee for NI-based activists committees of Congress Youth and affiliates was re-constituted in successfully held a two-day youth 2014. conference in Belfast early in 2016, with a variety of international The following affiliates are speakers speaking on a range represented: INTO,UTU, USDAW, of subjects including organising NASUWT, Unison, NIPSA, Prospect, young people and workers co- Unite, Equity and Congress Youth operatives. Both committees are Committee. remove with nminations currently working collaboratively on from other affiliates who were a number of projects. Members of unable to attend in person. Brian both committees meet on a regular Moore (NIPSA) was elected as the basis to co-ordinate campaigning on initial chair. Since 2016, the chair matters of joint interest and discuss has been Kevin Daly (INTO) with Ian collaborative working initiatives. Boersma (Newry Trades Council) as vice-Chair. Chair Brendan O’Reilly A new NI committee of Amnesty Secretary Steven Harvey International’s trade union network was also created and it currently Vice- Chair Mike Hamilton works with the renewed Global Asst. Sec Emma Cunningham Solidarity committee on shared activities. Kieran McCann FSU Justice for Colombia Adam Murray B&DTUC Justice for Colombia (JFC) was Sean Fearon NUS-USI established in 2002 by the British Padraig Mackel CWU trade union movement and has been working with the Irish trade Ruari Creaney Craigavon TC union movement since 2008. It was set up primarily to show solidarity Neil Moore Unite with Colombian trade unionists as a Patrick Wilson Unite response to the violence they face as well as to campaign for peace Liz Nelson Siptu with social justice. Darren McMullan GMB Since it’s founding, it has taken over Jonny Rolleston GMB 250 trade unionists and politicians 28

from the UK, Ireland, other EU an historic moment for Colombia countries, the United States and and promises to put an end to the Canada to Colombia to see first- country’s more than fifty year hand the trade union and human armed conflict. rights situation and the effects of the 60 year conflict. There have been several delegation visits by senior figures from JFC also regularly brings Congress, particularly Peter delegations from Colombia to the Bunting, Jimmy Kelly, Brian UK, Ireland and other European Campfield and Patricia McKeown. countries. It has helped to Many of the same trade union secure the release of twenty one leaders contributed to the peace political prisoners - imprisoned talks in Havana which resulted trade unionists and human rights in the ceasefires and promised activists – over the past ten years referendum designed for a peaceful and has provided humanitarian and just Colombia. assistance to thousands of others. Several affiliates were involved in In the summer of 2015, Congress lobbying for the release from prison published a report on its visits to of Huber Ballesteros, one of the Colombia to support the peace leaders of the Patriotic March, a process there and especially to member of the National executive support trade union activists in ‘the of the Colombian trade union most dangerous place in the world congress (CUT) and vice-president to be a trade unionist.’ of the agricultural workers’ union FENSUAGRO. He was arrested in Since then, Congress and its 2013 when he was leading the affiliates have hosted a number of National Agrarian Strike. Freed in events in support of a peaceful and early 2017, his life is continually at socially just Colombia, with trade risk. unionists speaking at a Justice for Colombia event co-hosted by NIC- In July 2017, Huber was invited ICTU, UNITE and UNISON in April to attend and speak to delegates 2016. at the 2017 ICTU BDC in Belfast. With another international guest The ICTU, with our friends in speaker, Omar Barghouti, the NI Justice for Colombia, celebrated Global Solidarity Committee took the historic announcement made the opportunity and organised a on 24 August 2016 of a final peace public event in the shared space of agreement between the Colombian First Belfast Presbyterian church government and the FARC. This was on Rosemary Street, which was 29

well attended by representatives Racism, Refugees and Asylum Trade Union Organisation Section C from political and church activists, Seekers development educators and the local Muslim community. The Affiliated trade unions continue to event received positive publicity tackle racism in all it’s forms and and raised the profile of the have been active in work to support international work of the trade refugees and asylum seekers. union movement. More details are in the Migrant Workers In 2017, the Congress office in section of this report, but the role of Belfast hosted meetings with affiliates with GS sections ought to be Francesco Torrealba, Venezuelan acknowledged, as well as individuals Trade Union Leader. on the ICTU GS Committee.

Colombian trade union leader Huber Ballesteros spoke in Belfast soon after being freed from prison (via translator Mariela Kohon, Director of Justice for Colombia) 30

Global Solidarity activists promoted unions, NASUWT/UCU (educators), in solidarity events with migrants after order to map the interaction across the EU membership referendum, NI between trade union members alongside such initiatives as ‘1 Day and asylum seekers, and possibly Without Us’. develop a network for the benefit of service providers as well as Following a briefing from Kurdish recipients. political activists, it was agreed to host a screening of SIPTU’s Calais One outcome was a proposal calling film. Yvonne O’Callaghan,who was for asylum seekers to have the Right involved with making the film, was to Work, which would also tie in invited to address trade unions on with the Better Work Better Lives the subject of direct provision for campaigning. Another suggestion refugees and asylum seekers. was that unions use their contacts with Human Resources departments The target audience of this event in to encourage the hiring of asylum January 2018 was NI trade unionists seekers, offering work placements who deal with refugees and asylum to develop skills which they already seekers (such as: PCS (Border have, but cannot be utilized legally Agency / HMRC), NIPSA (benefits), at present. Unison (health workers), social workers represented by different

Palestinian BDS activist Omar Barghouti addresses a public meeting chaired by Patricia McKeown in July 2017 31

Global Solidarity Summer School also has a broader and growing Trade Union Organisation Section C network of trade union activists The 2016 and 2017 summer schools who contribute to the work of TUFP were held in Letterkenny and by organising within their affiliate Wexford and hosted sessions with organisation and their local areas. expert speakers on Tax Justice, TTIP/ CETA, Sustainable Development and TUFP distributes frequent reports decent work in global supply chains. and articles on the situation in Palestine and on developments TTIP in the Palestinian civil society Congress and the EU-wide trade Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions union movement led a campaign of (BDS) campaign. It has hosted awareness and agitation on TTIP, fringe meetings and stalls at union holding several events aimed at conferences and has organised educating activists on this often several major conferences with the complex issue. aim of promoting BDS in the trade union movement, and an awareness A regular speaker at events had of the conditions of occupation, been Barry Finnegan of Griffith colonialism and apartheid endured College in Dublin, who spoke at a by the Palestinian people. TUFP special TTIP seminar in January continues to support affiliates in the 2015 and at several subsequent development of policy on Palestine. ‘follow-up’ events in Northern Ireland. In recent years TUFP has prioritised the formation of a cohort of The treaty talks foundered in trade union ‘ambassadors’ who 2016 and see little chance of are sponsored by their union being resurrected considering the organisation to participate in drastic challenges to globalisation TUFP organised delegations to the exemplified by Brexit and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. election of President Trump. Unions are asked to nominate Trade Union Friends of Palestine officials or activists to become a TUFP ambassador, and to take TUFP was established with the the lead in their organisation in support of Congress in 2006. In developing solidarity work. The the north it holds formal meetings fourth delegation visit will take on a bi-monthly basis in Belfast place later this year and delegates with the aim of promoting the to BDC are invited to consider implementation of Congress participating. solidarity policy on Palestine. TUFP 32

Michael D Higgins is gifted a TUFP badge, from Eamon McMahon and Paddy Mackel

Another major initiative by TUFP 2018 in Barcelona and we would has been to work with European encourage representation from trade union colleagues to establish all ICTU affiliates. Information the European Trade Union Initiative regarding this important for Justice in Palestine. The aim development is available on the of this network is to mobilise the ETUI web-site: http://www.etun- European trade union movement to palestine.org/site/ challenge EU complicity, corporate complicity and the arms trade with The success of the BDS movement Israel. Over 30 European trade union has led to intensive efforts by the organisations have now endorsed Israeli government to suppress and this campaign, including ICTU and to criminalise the BDS movement, a number of ICTU affiliates. TUFP to use ‘lawfare’ to undermine played a key role in the organisation democratic decision-making by of the founding conference of the civil society organisations, towns network in Brussels in November and city councils, and to smear 2016. A follow-up conference is the movement as anti-Semitic. 20 taking place on the 18-19th May organisations that support BDS 33

have now been banned from entry In his capacity as an international Trade Union Organisation Section C to Israel. Omar Barghouti one of the guest he met with the President founders of the BDS movement has of Ireland and was able to thank been a target of such repression him personally for the support and TUFP has worked closely with received from the Irish government the Congress leadership to draw for his human rights work. TUFP attention to the threats against also facilitated a series of meetings him, the imposition of a travel ban, with trade union leaders at and veiled threats of assassination. BDC, addressing the mayor and Following representation from TUFP councillors of Derry and Strabane ICTU General Secretary Patricia City Council, and sharing a platform King informed the Irish government with Huber Ballesteros at a public that: meeting in Belfast. “It is the view of Congress that TUFP emphasises a strong the Irish Government should take distinction between humanitarian this opportunity to reaffirm its support, which doesn’t address the support for the basic democratic underlying causes of Palestinian principle that BDS is a civil society suffering, and active campaigning movement and that the work to promote and support non- of these bodies should not be violent resistance, especially in the frustrated or hampered in any way Palestinian trade union movement. by official or government action.” We have adopted the slogan of our Norwegian colleagues: ‘Our This has led to the Irish solidarity is with the struggle, not government’s statement of with the suffering.’ recognition of BDS as ‘a legitimate political viewpoint’, a position TUFP is also active on social media also shared by the governments and has a Facebook and Twitter of Sweden and Norway. The Irish account: government also expressed concern for Omar Barghouti as a human Twitter: TUFP@TUFPalestine rights defender. Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/1434904630117100/ At the request of TUFP Omar Barghouti was invited as a guest Contact: TUFP secretary: speaker to ICTU BDC in 2017, the [email protected] same year he received the 2017 Gandhi Peace Award for his work as a human rights defender. 34

C6 Trades Council Ballymena and Antrim Trades Consultative Committee union Council has recently been reestablished utilising the BWBL Trades Union Councils bring campaign and it is hoped that together union activists and others will follow. members to work and campaign around issues affecting working They will join the nine other long people in their local workplaces established councils in Belfast, and communities. They have been Craigavon, Derry, Fermanagh, the backbone of, and at times the Newry, North Down and Ards, Mid instigators of, many trade union Ulster, Strabane and Omagh. campaigns that have sought to unite The councils come together at affiliates and communities behind the Trades Councils Consultative common issues. Committee (TCCC) to share The Trades Councils have assisted information and initiatives, and the Northern Ireland Committee by to develop and coordinate joint campaigning on a range of issues. campaigns. These issues have covered: To maintain and develop this work • The impact of Austerity policies the TCCC appeals to unions to ensure that they affiliate to, and • Campaigns against cuts in encourage their members and services, particularly health activists to engage with trades councils in their local areas. • Better Work Better Lives (BWBL) Other issues Trades Councils have worked on include: providing solidarity to workers engaged in industrial action; supporting trade union recruitment campaigns; engaging with local media; working with migrant communities; raising awareness of social and economic deprivation. 35 Trade Union Organisation Section C Retirement of Peter Bunting Peter Bunting retired on November 2016, after 16 years’ service as ICTU Assistant General Secretary, leading the trade union movement in Northern Ireland through the uncertain years of the early peace process and the later campaigns against the imposition of austerity from Stormont and Westminster. A native of Belfast, Peter had spent years working in Dublin, becoming General Secretary of the NBRU before raising the profile and efficiency of Congress in NI, becoming a regular and valued contributor to academic panels, government round tables and broadcast studios. Less widely known was his role as negotiator acting between both governments and some of NI’s armed groups, mediating to resolve arms decommissioning and prison crises, while also leading trade union protests against the murder of workers, regardless of the perpetrators. He used that good will to export the lessons of NI and its imperfect peace to Palestine, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Colombia. Peter remains involved in the civic and political life of NI.

STUC’s Grahame Smith wished a happy and busy retirement to Peter Bunting 36

C7 Retired Workers’ This involved campaigning on key Committee issues, such as the state pension, the winter fuel grant, improved The Retired Workers’ Committee access to social and long-term (RWC) continues to forge ahead care. Work is ongoing with the with an ambitious agenda under Retired Workers Committee from the chair of Margaret Galloway the Republic on a number of (PCS). The Committee is actively joint strategic initiatives and the represented at the National inaugural north-south seminar was Pensioners Parliament its members held in Dublin in February 2016. A are also active in many different successful follow-up was hosted in arenas, including the Age Sector Belfast in 2017 and Dublin in 2018. Platform.

The Retired Workers Committee 37 Trade Union Organisation Section C

C8 May Festival Working with the Belfast Trade’s Council and the NIC-ICTU Youth Committee, a vibrant programme was presented for May Day 2016 and 2017 which included a range of events such as concerts, talks and debates. Several thousand joined in the largest non-sectarian public procession in Northern Ireland and the biggest May Day event on the island. 38

GMB marchers

Lawrence Huston, who represented CWU on the NIC

Michala Lafferty and USDAW contingent 39 Trade Union Organisation Section C

NASUWT’s Justin McCamphill

SIPTU’s Niall McNally & Tim Smyth NIPSA General Secretary Alison Millar

UNITE at the May Day march 40

The NUJ banner

Veterans of many May Days! RMT contingent NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section D Trade Union Education, Training and Lifelong Learning

RMT contingent 42 Section D Trade Union Education, Training and Lifelong Learning D1 The Trade Union the range of skills development Education Programme opportunities that NIC-ICTU can offer to workers and union. The NIC-ICTU Education Programme is a vital resource for all trade union The NIC-ICTU Education Programme officials, representatives and members. continues to develop with a It provides a forum for trade unionists number of new courses added to to come together to develop their the programme reflecting demand knowledge and skills, and to learn from from affiliates and changes in the experiences of others. Over two the workplace and society. The thousand learners participated in the Programme is flexible and includes training and seminars offered by NIC- bespoke courses tailored to the ICTU last year. needs of individual affiliates. The programme contains pathways The NIC-ICTU TU Education Programme for union officials, representatives, offers the following courses: health and safety representatives, Core Skills: equality representatives, union learning representatives and offers • Trade Union Reps Stage 1 progression routes resulting in • Trade Union Reps Stage 2 awards, certificates and diplomas accredited by the Open College • Certificate in Employment Law Network (OCN). The courses are • Health and Safety Stage 1 free and are run mainly on a day release basis over 3, 5, 10 or 32 • Health and Safety Stage 2 days depending on the level of qualification attached to the course. • Union Learning Reps Stage 1 The programme is delivered in • Union Learning Reps Stage2 partnership with the South Eastern • Negotiation and Regional College (SERC). This Communication Skills partnership with SERC offers great potential to the development of TU • Pay and Bargaining Education as the College is keen to • Handling Grievance and engage with our innovative plans Disciplines to expand the programme and introduce new delivery methods. • Social Media for Trade Union Reps The TU programme will also be • Dealing with Redundancies able to access other courses on the SERC prospectus thereby increasing • Public Sector Pensions 43

In addition to the core courses the • Diploma in Employment Law (32 Trade Union Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Section D programme also offers: Week Course) • Learning and Organising • Diploma in Health & Safety (32 Week Course) • Trade Union Organising NIC-ICTU also runs a variety of • Taking a case to Tribunals unaccredited seminars with the • Mental health Awareness Labour Relations Agency and the Equality Commissions as and when • Discrimination and Equality Law required on various employment • Women in Leadership related issues including: • Dealing with Stress, Bullying • Employment Law - Zero Hours and Intimidating Behaviour in Contracts the Workplace • Employment Law - Annual • Disability Champions Review of Employment Law • Equality Reps in the Workplace • Employment Law - Unfair Dismissal the basics • Tackling Prejudice and Discrimination • Employment Law - Workplace Bullying and Harassment and • Governance Skills - TU the Law Representation on Public, Voluntary and Community Bodies • Employment Law – Legal implications of workplace stress • Trade Unions and Globalisation • Employment Law – Redundancy • Confidence in the Workplace • Employment Law - The Family • Introduction to Economics for Friendly workplace and the Work Trade Unionists and Families Act • Effective Project Management • Employment Law and Managing for Trade Union Reps Performance • Building Sustainable • Equality Law - Introduction Workplaces, Climate Change and to the employment anti- the Impact on the World of Work discrimination laws • Diploma Equalities (32 Week • Equality Law - Introduction to Course) the Disability Discrimination Act 44

1995 including the Reasonable D2 Union Learning Adjustment Duty NIC-ICTU continues to have full • Equality Law - Expecting responsibility for the administrative Equality - A short seminar and financial management of the examining the rights of Union Learning Fund. The Union employees who are pregnant or Learn Fund currently supports the who are new mothers following 12 projects: • Equality Law - Promoting NIPSA BFAWU Equality in the Workplace – Best USDAW AEGIS Practice RCM FSU GMB UNITE (Inc. UCATT) • Equality Law - An Introduction UNISON FBU to the Industrial Tribunal INTO System During the 2014 -17 round of • Equality Law - Reasonable funding, 1926 students completed Adjustments Essential Skills courses in Literacy, • Equality Law - Introduction to Numeracy and Information the Employment Equality (Age) Technology (IT). A further 8653 Regulations (NI) 2006 completed other courses such as British Sign Language, NVQ Level 3 • TUPE – 5, CPD, ESOL and Open University • Agency Workers Access and Modules. • Managing Absence ULF projects have helped thousands of workers on their learning journey • Whistleblowing and Difficult this would not have been achieved Conversations without the support of dedicated Union Learning Reps (ULR). • Investigations and Disciplinary and Grievance As well as engaging adults back into education, union learning is also • Dignity at Work and Resolving a way of engaging people with the Workplace Disputes union. Union Learning Reps are key Further information regarding the to this work. above courses can be found on the Congress wanted to recognise the NIC-ICTU website at https://www. importance of ULRs, for increasing ictuni.org/educationtraining/ learning opportunities and equality of access to education for union ES Outcomes

2014/15 586 45 2015/16 725 2016/17 615 Trade Union Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Section D Essential Skills Learners 2014-2017

725 800 725 800 615 700 586 615 700 586 600 600 500 500 400 400 300 300 200 200 100 100 0 0 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Other Outcomes

2014/15 1914 2015/16 2803 2016/17 3936

Non- Essential Skills Learners 2014-2017

3936 3936 4000 4000 3500 2803 3500 2803 3000 3000 2500 1914 2500 1914 2000 2000 1500 1500 1000 1000 500 500 0 0 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 46

Open University In June 2016 The Open University and NIC-ICTU renewed its partnership agreement. The new relationship is embodied in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by both organisations. To celebrate the partnership, a new The ULR of the Year 2017, Gareth Moore award was launched; The Open (Aegis), received his just reward University Trade Union Learner of the Year. members, colleagues and their communities. In 2016, the inaugural Open University Trade Union ULR of the Award was presented to Learner of the Year 2016 – Jacqueline Morrow from AEGIS, with Ulain McKee, FSU an additional award for the Essential Skills Trade Union Learner of The Open University Trade Union Year presented to Pauline Hunter, an Learner of the Year 2017 – employee of Tesco and USDAW union Sylvia Rzepka, Unison learning rep. ULR of the Year 2017 – Gareth Moore, Aegis Essential Skills Trade Union Learner of the Year 2017 – John Kennedy, Unite

Open University Trade Union Learner of the Year 2016 – Ulain McKee, FSU, with her Project Manager Marion Geoghan NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section E Political & Economic Report 48 Section E Political & Economic Report E1 Better Work Better Lives 3. Move beyond the outdated and self-defeating public sector pay cap so public sector workers can collectively bargain for pay increases in excess of the 1% pay cap. The situation in Northern Ireland is stark. • 1 in 3 of all workers deem The NIC in conjunction with all themselves to be in insecure affiliates in Northern Ireland has work. developed the Better Work Better • 1 in 4 workers are paid below the Lives campaign in response to the RLW (real living wage). ever worsening situation faced by • In the hotel and accommodation public and private sector workers sector the figure is 3 out of every and indeed wider society here. 4 workers being paid below the The campaign seeks to, real living wage. It should not surprise anyone that this sector 1. Challenge the scourge of low has very low union density at pay and insecure work that is 3.2%. prevalent in Northern Ireland. • Public investment has declined 2. Challenge the decline in our by 10.2% in real terms since public investment and seek 2010. improved targeted public • The education budget has been investment in our public services. cut by 9% since 2009. • We have lost 26,000 public servants in the last decade. • Public sector workers (similar to many private sector workers (are getting poorer whereby only in 2 years in the last 8 has inflation been lower that 1%. Inflation is now in excess of 3%. As a trade union movement we believe this situation needs to change. The policies that have been failing Northern Ireland have not happened by chance, but by choice. NERI’s Lisa Wilson speaks at launch of Better Work Better Lives 49 Political & Economic Report Section E

Delegates discuss developing the Better Work Better Lives campaign

In June 2017 the NIC met with over constituencies coordinated by a 100 activists from across the trade member of the NIC supported by union movement to discuss the idea the NIC-ICTU staff. of a coherent and multi layered • Engaged in a range of campaign to commence at the end constituency planning meetings of 2017/early 2018 and to run for in advance of meeting and a period of 18 months. Activists at lobbying MLAs on the policy that June 2017 meeting endorsed paper and the trade union the overall approach and strategy. demand for a robust forum for social dialogue in order that we In conjunction with the NERI, a can influence the agenda in the policy paper was developed - the interests of workers. Better Work Better Lives, policy options for a fair share for all. The campaign and policy paper was launched at a training event in Belfast with 120 trade union activists in attendance in late November 2017. Since then the campaign has been doing the following, • Setting up a comprehensive activist lobby involving up to 175 trade union activists working across the 18 Westminster Jill Weir (Unison & Fermanagh TC) inter- viewed by BBC Journalist Julian O’Neill 50

GMB); maintaining the status quo for Sunday shopping in Belfast city centre (USDAW); and supporting the UCU trade dispute in protecting university workers’ pensions schemes (UCU). • We are also planning a number

NIC members Jacquie White (UTU) and of mobilisations in furtherance Denise Walker (GMB) at the campaign of the objectives of the campaign launch. during the course of 2018/2019. • Commenced the lobby of MLAs. The campaign itself has the capacity • Commenced the lobby and meetings of a range of other to assist in ever closer collaboration representative bodies/NGOs. between trade unions whilst also • Tasked each of the NIC policy respecting the independence and committees to develop an different approaches affiliates take initiative or action in support to a number of matters. We fully of and furtherance of the support the prospect of industrial campaign. The Education and action should any union seek to Health committees are planning proceed in this way in furtherance a number of initiatives as are the of their members’ interest and in private sector unions. particular in any pay dispute. • Sought to ensure the presence of the campaign on social media As part of the policy paper we outline with a dedicated interactive web 14 policy positions which if furthered page and twitter handle. We also promote a range of worker testimonials online and in our policy documents. A personal story is more illustrative than a graph. • Promoted the campaign at union conferences such as the Union Learn Conference 2018 amongst others due. • Sought to promote and support other trade union campaigns such as Close the Gap (CWU); protecting decent manufacturing jobs at Bombardier (Unite and NIC Chair Maria Morgan leads the first of the MLA engagements with UUP MLA Doug Beattie and activists from the Upper Bann constituency. 51 Political & Economic Report Section E

Political representatives discuss the trade union position on Brexit at the NIC ICTU event - March 2017. and advanced would improve the E2 Brexit interests of workers. These include improving employment law, Brexit has been a major cloud of changing the mechanism for setting uncertainty for Northern Ireland, the minimum wage, developing the island of Ireland and Britain. an industrial strategy that puts In many instances, in a number of innovation and productivity at its parts of Europe as the Brexit vote core, addressing the skills deficit, has occurred, the perspective is the promoting collective bargaining, UK needs to proceed to leave and investment in childcare and welfare we need to just get on with things. reform amongst others. However, For us, in the trade union movement we are firmly of the view that on the island and these islands we merely diagnosing the problem have been working collaboratively and proposing solutions is not good seeking to build a consensus enough. We need a robust forum for whereby workers do not pay the social dialogue in order that the trade price of Brexit. union movement can seek to have The result of the referendum was such policies adopted in the interests clear, 2 of the 4 jurisdictions voted of workers and the common good. to leave and the overall result was 52% leave, 48% remain. If anything, 52

Owen Reidy interviewed by BBC reporter Julian O’Neill at the NIC’s Brexit seminar given the complexity of reasons as Since the Brexit result the ICTU to why people voted in particular Executive Council (with significant ways, one would have thought input from the NIC) has developed the UK government would have two comprehensive policy papers on interpreted the result as a soft Brexit how we should proceed, in the Winter as best, perhaps leaving the political of 2016 and the Summer of 2017 and institution of the EU but remaining these were launched at the all island in the Single Market and a Customs BDC in 2017. In Northern Ireland we Union. It has become clear that organised a detailed Brexit seminar those who advocated a leave vote on the 30th March 2017, the day and a hard Brexit had and continue the UK government triggered article to have no strategy to achieve this 50. The meeting was attended by ambition without a lot of pain and activists from affiliate unions and suffering for workers and others. Overall, the trade union movement (with some exceptions) supported the remain argument for good sound reasons in the interests of workers, not because we deem the EU to be perfect. It is not, but because we believe demanding reform from within is a better strategy than merely leaving with no plan.

Esther Lynch from ETUC addressed the Brexit seminar 53 Political & Economic Report Section E

Shadow Secretary of State Owen Smith meets with members of the FGPC other allies. The seminar addressed NIC-ICTU has promoted the trade the issue of workers’ rights, union perspective on Brexit with protecting the peace and human all of the above political parties rights and heard from speakers from and also with the DUP in bilateral UU, the CAJ and the ETUC. meetings with party leaders. We have articulated the trade union The seminar also facilitated a perspective at affiliates’ conferences political panel which included and other seminars north and south, representatives from the Alliance, and have given evidence to the House the Ulster Unionist Party, the of Lords select committee on Brexit. Greens, the People Before Profit, We have met with the UK government Sinn Fein and the Social Democratic through the Secretary of State and and Labour Party. Activists had the with the opposition through both the opportunity to put questions to the Shadow Secretary of State for NI and party representatives on Brexit. the Shadow opposition Secretary of What clearly emerged from the State for Exiting the EU. The ICTU seminar was that there was a need has engaged regularly with the Irish for the trade union movement to Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign take the lead to build a consensus Affairs and we have collaborated and a coalition to ensure that north and south with the TUC, WTUC the interest of workers in Brexit and STUC on a number of initiatives negotiations and talks were heard around Brexit and through our and heeded. 54

engagement at the Trade Union Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. If Council of the Isles. The ICTU has there is to be a Brexit it must satisfy engaged with Michel Barnier and his these criteria. We will continue to team through our General Secretary, articulate the interest of workers in this Patricia King in Dublin and through critical matter to seek to ensure that our international affiliations in workers do not pay the price of Brexit. Brussels (the ETUC). E3 Protecting the In Northern Ireland we have engaged Agreement in a dialogue with the CBI, NICVA and the UFU around the issue of Brexit. 20 years on from the Belfast/ We have led in developing a six-point Good Friday agreement devolution shared position on Brexit including remains in abeyance. safeguarding workers’ rights, trade, The prospect for a return in the short the peace process and the Belfast/ term look unlikely. Society has become Good Friday agreement, migration/ more polarised and local politics has CTA, access to EU funding and the not been working for the people. role of representative bodies in Brexit negotiations. We have used this Unfortunately, the latest attempt platform and have met with some to restore local power sharing political parties and the Secretary has failed and trust between the of State as a collective in seeking to two largest parties which have advance the interests of Northern received the strongest mandate Ireland in the absence of an Executive. from the people remains very low. Both the UK government and Irish As the Brexit process develops the government are distracted with trade union movement’s view on other issues including Brexit and the issue of borders is very clear. We it is clear that the issue of Brexit want to see: has exacerbated the polarisation in • no hardening of the border on Northern Ireland. the island of Ireland, We take a very pragmatic view of • no border within the UK between devolution, we support it. We know it Northern Ireland and Britain, is not a panacea to all our problems. But it is a very important element of • no economic border between the Agreement, it is local democracy these islands. in action with local politicians We come to this clear position, as to accountable to local people making do otherwise damages jobs, workers’ some decisions locally. The demise rights, trade and undermines the of devolution over the last 16 months 55

has created a sense of drift and inertia and have consistently defended the Political & Economic Report Section E whereby many of the major issues of Agreement and called for it’s full the day have been long fingered. implementation. What is clear is that nobody can take The signing of the Agreement on devolution for granted and whilst it 10 April 1998 was followed, on 22 has not been perfect, the fact that May, by a referendum. In Northern employment rights are devolved has Ireland, the ‘yes’ vote was 71.12% facilitated the trade union movement with turnout a record 81.10%. In the in campaigning to avoid the worst Republic the recorded ‘yes’ vote was excessive of Tory anti trade union 94.39%. legislation here. A key strand of The Belfast or Good The consequences of the absence Friday Agreement of 1998 was the of devolution is even more striking establishment of both an Equality given that there are no forms of Commission for Northern Ireland social dialogue in Northern Ireland. and a Human Rights Commission. It is time that local politicians The Human Rights Commission was demonstrate real leadership within given specific duties in relation to their communities, supported by the formation of a Bill of Rights for the two local governments to restore Northern Ireland: power sharing. But for real power sharing to work, it must be horizontal but it must also be vertical. Civic society and representative bodies through social dialogue must play a more central role. The future of this society is too important to be left to politicians alone. The Anniversary of the Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement. 10 April 2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement. Congress and affiliated unions campaigned vigorously in support of the Agreement and for a Yes vote 56

“The new Northern Ireland Human with representatives from political Rights Commission... will be invited parties, civil society, NGOs, the to consult and to advise on the business sector and the trade scope for defining, in Westminster union movement. NIC-ICTU legislation, rights supplementary to had two nominees on those in the European Convention the Forum. on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of The Forum went on to establish seven Northern Ireland, drawing as working groups to examine particular appropriate on international areas of Human Rights. instruments and experience. 1. Children and young people These additional rights to reflect the principles of mutual respect 2. Women for the identity and ethos of both 3. Criminal justice and victims communities and parity of esteem, and - taken together with the ECHR 4. Economic and social rights - to constitute a Bill of Rights for 5. Culture and identity and Northern Ireland.” language Bill of Rights Forum 6. Civil and political rights, including Following the St Andrews Accord relevant equality issues in October 2006, a Bill of Rights 7. Preamble, enforcement and Forum was established to draw up implementation recommendations to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

John Corey (NIHRC) and Patricia McKeown (UNISON) promoting the Bill of Rights. 57

The trade union movement was people to take part in the decisions Political & Economic Report Section E represented on three of these groups which affect their everyday lives, and made robust arguments in would deepen the roots of democracy respect of the trade union rights and and dialogue. social and economic rights being vital components of the Bill of Rights Provision for a Bill of Rights was for Northern Ireland. included in the Good Friday Agreement in recognition that as a Whilst from the beginning the society we would benefit from setting process was dogged by a lack of down a shared set of rights. As we consensus over the definition of continue to be a society in transition, the “particular circumstances of developing a Bill of Rights is still as Northern Ireland” and how this would relevant today as it was then. frame the extent of a Bill of Rights, the forum nonetheless delivered it’s Welfare ‘Reform’ recommendations to the Northern The NIC spent considerable resources Ireland Human Rights Commission campaigning on Welfare Cuts, since in March 2008 (http://www.ictuni.org/ the radical reform of the welfare download/pdf/bill_of_rights_final_2. system was imposed. Working pdf) closely with NIPSA and other The Northern Ireland Human Rights affiliates, the NIC campaigned and Commission consequently delivered highlighted the harmful cuts that its advice to the Secretary of State for would be imposed on working class Northern Ireland in December 2008 families in NI if the Welfare Reform (http://www.nihrc.org/publication/ Bill was to be introduced here. As a category/Bill-of-Rights) calling result, NI was saved for four years for the Bill of Rights to be brought from the worst of the Social Security forward. cuts that has savaged communities across Britain. When the Fresh Start Over the course of the last 20 years, Agreement enacted the NI Welfare the trade union movement, together Reform Act , NIC lobbying resulted with allies from human rights NGOs in the mitigations package that is and civil society have continued to now protecting families in NI. Work vigorously campaign for the Bill of continues on this with the aim of Rights for Northern Ireland to be ensuring that the vital public service implemented. of Social Security is provided from all We have long held that a 35 offices across NI for all that need comprehensive Bill of Rights and it, and that cruel policies such as the an allied campaign of encouraging ‘2 child’ policy are abandoned. 58

All Party Group on Trade Unions E4 Education Trade Union The Stormont All Party Group on Group Trade Unions (APGTU) meet to The ETUG is made up of teaching discuss socio-economic issues from and support staff unions organising both a trade union and political in the education sectors. perspective in a collaborative environment resulting where It meets monthly and has a wide possible in improved quality of life, and varied programme of work. economic growth and wellbeing Gerry Murphy (INTO) is currently the for citizens of Northern Ireland. Chair of the ETUG and Anne Speed The group has discussed zero-hour (UNISON) is vice Chair. contracts, the employment law The ETUG shares information and review and welfare reform, among develops a common strategic other topics. The following parties approach to issues affecting teaching were represented on the APGTU: and support staff unions and works Alliance; Greens; Sinn Fein; SDLP; on the implementation of relevant DUP; and UUP. Until the 2017 motions from the NIC-ICTU BDC. election the Chairperson of the APGTU was Sammy Douglas MLA During the period under review, (DUP). the ETUG met with the Minister for Education and civil servants in

The Education Trade Union Group meet 59

relation to the impact of proposed pay deal similar to that available in Political & Economic Report Section E reforms on the education system. Scotland, Wales and England. Both teaching and support service At the time of writing support service staff have been awaiting and unions are holding a consultative responding to the new structures ballot on a new NJC pay offer for being established by the Education 2018 and 2019 (covering education Authority. support service workers). The appointment of new EA The ETUG’s first strategic conference Directors leading on Children took place in February 2016 and and Young People’s services, focused on social disadvantage and Finance, Operations, Education how shared education, academic and Human Resources is changing selection and education models how trade unions will engage in impact upon it. collective bargaining with the EA. All Directors have accountability Other issues affecting the education on policy strategy and budgets system and education workers and already we see the impact include: of the crisis in the Education • Action on class sizes so each budget evolving in these new child can reach their potential; structures .The ETUG continues to be an important policy advisory • Support for children with committee where support Special Educational Needs, and services and teaching staff jointly a sustainable budget to meet plan trade union policy and these needs; strategy responses on all major • Retaining teachers and support developments. services staff, not making them ETUG also met with the Chair and the redundant; current CEO of the Education Authority • Raising the cost of getting to in the early phase of its establishment schools with charges for school outlining all staffs concerns that transport; the budget for Education should be a sustainable and prioritised budget • Introducing charges for music and the EA has to play its part in education; championing this goal. • Hikes in the cost of nutritious Since 2016, there has been a series of school meals; ballots in support of action, following • Closing several outdoor the failure to offer teachers in NI a education centres; 60

• Institutionalising the selection bring together private sector unions of pupils by social class at 10 to review the main issues affecting years of age. their membership, the overall conditions in the sector and to E5 Retail & Services Group consider joint actions to address the Trade unions organising in the retail major problems facing the unions. and services sector came together Supported by NERI, the group are in the NIC-ICTU Retail & Services looking at trends in pay, inflation, Group (RSG) to identify common jobs, productivity and future projects for recruitment and developments in the sector. collaborative organising purposes, in order to achieve full recognition A campaign is being considered to and progress collective bargaining defend jobs in the manufacturing agreements. The following unions sector and demanding an all- were represented on the RSG: embracing industrial/manufacturing BFAWU; FSU; GMB; SIPTU; UNISON; strategy. UNITE; USDAW. As an illustration of the problems The RSG, Youth Committee, and facing manufacturing in particular, the Belfast Trades Council, in in early 2018, the following conjunction with the National Union enterprises (and threatened jobs) of Students - Union of Students faced making redundancies or even Ireland (NUS/USI) QUB branch closure: ran a joint campaign to support Kilroot Power Station employs Queen’s University student workers, 120 staff directly and has 150 exposing precarious and exploitative contractors. You can add equal employers and to improve terms number to its supply chain. Part and conditions for young workers. of that supply chain is Williams Advice clinics and information Engineering, with 145 direct events were held in the Students employees facing redundancy. Union as part of this campaign. An Related to Kilroot’s situation is online survey was been launched to Ballylumford Power Station with 20 research the experience of students employees. in employment. In the same part of Antrim, Private Sector Unions Schlumberger announced closure In response to continuing job losses (245 staff) and the collapse of in the private sector, particularly in Carillion has serious implications for manufacturing, the NIC decided to over 500 workers. Unite/GMB were campaigning for ‘in-sourcing’ of 61

existing jobs to clients such as the E6 Health Committee Political & Economic Report Section E Housing Executive . The Health Committee continues Changes in retail habits saw to provide guidance and make major chains make redundancy recommendations to the NIC on announcements after Christmas matter of development in health 2017, such as Primark in L’Derry (61 policy and strategies within the jobs), Tesco (120 managers), Asda Department of Health, the Health (71 NI jobs) and Sainsburys with Trusts, HSCB and arms-length 1700 across UK and possibly 130 in bodies . Anne Speed (Unison) is NI. the current Chair of the Health Committee, with Claire Ronald (CSP) In addition, there were profit as Vice Chair. warnings at Toys R Us; Marks & Spencer; Debenhams; House of In December 2015 the then Health Fraser and Homebase. There were Minister Simon Hamilton proposed also profit warnings at outsourcers the closure of a separate structure Capita and 4 Seasons. for commissioning (HSCB). This decision has yet to be implemented. The group of Private Sector unions Separate to this process in January are also examining possible areas of 2016, he commissioned a review on employment protection legislation the reconfiguration of the health that need to be strengthened or service which led to the Bengoa added to reduce the automatic move report. The committee, alongside to redundancies when employers several affiliates, made submissions face operating difficulties and to to Professor Bengoa’s panel support organising in the sector. emphasising the need to sustain Under the Better Work Better Lives a publicly funded and publicly campaign the group are seeking to delivered health service model raise the issues of job losses in the based on the founding principles sector, the need for an industrial of the NHS. The Bengoa report was strategy, employment protection reviewed by the subsequent Health legislation, skills development and Minister Michelle O’Neill, who other campaign policy asks can produced a plan with a time scale be raised directly with political of ten years for implementation representatives. – ‘Delivering Together’ – based on the principles of co-design and co- The following unions are production with representatives of represented on this group: BFAWU; the workforce at a professional and CWU; FSU; GMB; NUJ; SIPTU; UNITE; trade union level. USDAW. 62

The committee made further The committee also vigorously detailed submissions on Delivering lobbied on the issues of workforce Together . New oversight structures planning. For the previous two on policy and implementation years, health unions had warned strategies were established within that the lack of focused and the Department and led by the resourced workforce planning minister. The Health committee would led to staff shortages which succeeded in securing a place at have now detrimentally impacted the policy table and together with on delivery of service. The current, affiliates at the bargaining table and in particular nursing staff intend to play an influential role. and AHP shortages, have clearly evidenced health unions’ concerns. The committee led a campaign to re-establish the Health Partnership It should be noted that the Forum which had been collapsed by committee had met with the NI earlier Ministerial and Departmental Assembly Health Committee diktat. Minister O’Neill responded who took serious note of solidly and before her departure with researched evidence and made the suspension of Stormont, re- this known to the department. established the Forum which was Since then, workforce planning has warmly welcomed by employers and been centrally integrated into the unions alike. The Health committee strategies and implementation has called for this Forum to continue focus of ‘Delivering Together’. to meet, and at time of writing are expecting it to be reconvened.

NIC ICTU Health Cuts Protest 63 Political & Economic Report Section E

Health Committee vice-Chair Claire Ronald and Chair Anne Speed with NIPSA General Secretary Alison Millar at Health Cuts Protest at Stormont. However, the political uncertainties The Health committee was also at the time of writing make tasked with carrying forward the progress on all of the above a very intentions of a motion passed at slow process. The committee also the 2016 BDC calling for the unions wove into its submissions the broad to help raise awareness of prostate policy mandates adopted at the cancer. Members of the committee last NIC-ICTU conference in April were invited to participate in the 2016. European Men’s Health Forum project that led to a booklet for men on working with cancer.

Health Committee representatives and staff negotiators Kevin McCabe, Anne Speed and Kevin McAdams deliver a protest letter to the Dept of Health Permanent Secretary. 64

E7 North/South Committee John Douglas, Joe Cunningham, Patricia McKeown, Michaela Lafferty, For the years 2015-17 the Lawrence Huston, Maria Morgan, committee membership was: Alison Millar, Sheila Nunan, Kevin L Broderick (FSU), K Callinan Callinan, Tommy Kennedy, Tom (IMPACT), B Campfield (NIPSA), Geraghty, Owen Reidy and Patricia S Cody (IMPACT), C Cronin (Cork King. Council of Trade Unions), J Douglas The purpose of the committee is to (MANDATE), T Geraghty (PSEU), bring together trade union leaders L Huston (CWU UK), J Kelly (UNITE), north and south and to develop and P Mackel (NIPSA), P McKeown work on a range of initiatives which (UNISON), A Millar (NIPSA), M support and promote the interests of Morgan (NIPSA), G Murphy (INTO), workers in a north south context. In J O’Connor (SIPTU), J Pollock the period 2017/18 the committee (UNITE), A Speed (UNISON). met on 3 occasions. Much of the For the years 2017-19 the committee work the committee has engaged members include: Anne Speed, Gerry in has centred around the issue of Murphy, Larry Broderick, Shay Cody, Brexit. The committee has also held a

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins addresses Conference 65 Political & Economic Report Section E

Denis Keatings and UNISON’s delegation at BDC 2017.

Equity’s Alan McKee at the BDC NIPSA’s Bumper Graham

Fred Brown President of NASUWT NIPSA President Carmel Gates addresses delegates 66

meeting with Sinn Fein on the political Inclusive Working Environment in situation in Northern Ireland. It has Northern Ireland and has looked at also examined the Joint Declaration comparative pay bargaining in the of Protection for Dignity at Work and public service north and south.

PCS’ Gayle Matthews SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn

Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly USDAW’s Michala Lafferty makes his final address to an ICTU conference 67

E8 Council of the Isles 2017 ICTU Political & Economic Report Section E Patricia King Meeting of 13th and 14th General Secretary February 2017 (Cardiff) Brian Campfield TUC President Frances O’Grady General Secretary Owen Reidy Assistant General Secretary Kevin Rowan Head of Organisation and Services Brexit STUC A detailed discussion took place Grahame Smith involving the outcome of the recent General Secretary UK referendum on exiting the UK. The the implications for workers across the Helen Connor UK, Ireland and Europe was explored President as was the underlying reasons why WTUC a small majority within the UK voted Martin Mansfield to leave. Each of the Congress’ gave General Secretary a detailed presentation from their perspective about the implications Nick Ireland of the decision and how we as the President representative voice of organised labour can work to seek to ensure that workers across the UK, Ireland and Europe do not pay the price of Brexit. Precarious work Each of the Congress’ gave a detailed presentation on the nature of precarious work in each jurisdiction and in particular the work and campaigns that they were involved in to seek to challenge precarious work. The 4 Congress’ recommitted to resolve to continue to collaborate on this and other policy areas of mutual interest.

Frances O’Grady and Brian Campfield 68

NIC chair Maria Morgan (NIPSA)

Laura Graham of BFAWU and the NIC

Jackie Pollock, UNITE Chairs the 2016 NIC member Taryn Trainor (Unite) Biennial Conference. NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS NIC chair Maria Morgan (NIPSA)

Section F Migrant Workers 70 Section F Migrant Workers

F1 Migrant Workers trade unions, a coordinating Support Unit role of establishing a network of employment rights clinics in The Migrant Workers Support cooperation with Trades Councils, Unit (MWSU) was established in trade unions and migrant 2007 through funding from the support organisations, mapping Department for the Economy. and collating information on The Unit’s main aim is to pursue migrant workers, as well as the implementation of Congress organising training, seminars and policies by working towards information sessions. the elimination of racism, discrimination, exploitation and The Belfast office operated a barriers in accessing services for permanent Migrant Workers migrant workers. Employment Rights Centre as well as providing outreach clinics in The MWSU had both strategic other locations. The unit dealt with responsibilities for policy over 400 people per year, through a development through linking combination of advice centre, clinics with relevant stakeholders and and information sessions. From the

The One Day Without Us event, held in the aftermath of the 2016 EU referendum, was partly or- ganised by Lukasz Karpinski (at right end of banner he designed) 71

initial contact with our organisation, Unfortunately, the MWSU closed to Migrant Workers Section F migrant workers can join a trade new cases in November 2017 and union, thus benefiting from its will finish in March 2018 due to the services and increased protection in reallocation of resources by the

their employment. funder, DfE. The MWSU worked with partners However, NIC-ICTU, in partnership both locally and internationally in with Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, support of equality for migrant and Ulster University and Community minority ethnic workers. Intercultural Programme, successfully applied for Peace IV funding to run Kasia Garbal, who led the MWSU a project to develop a new model of from its inception, left the labour market integration aimed at organisation in 2017 and the NIC BME workers in the border area. This would like to record their thanks project will embrace some of the to Kasia for her work in developing activities of the MWSU. and steering the Unit. Kasia was replaced by Lukasz Karpinski who Promoting migrant workers’ rights further developed the MWSU and made a great impact on all those he We continue to work with worked with. It is with deep regret our partners both locally and that we have to record the tragic internationally in support of and untimely passing on Lukasz, a equality for migrant and minority much valued friend and colleague. ethnic workers. 72

Bombardier Jobs Saved through Unite and GMB reps met consistently trade union campaign as part of the #backBombardierjobs campaign. As part of the lobbying Unite and GMB campaigned with effort the workforce engaged with the support of the wider trade political leaders and trade unionists union movement to defend more in London, Brussels, Montreal and than 4,000 jobs at Bombardier in Washington. Thousands protested Northern Ireland, which faced the at gate meetings of the workforce threat of a proposed 292% import demanding the UK government take surcharge recommended by the action with the urgency needed to US Department of Commerce. guarantee jobs. As a result of this There was a genuine threat posed pressure, Prime Minister Theresa by these tariffs as the C Series May raised the Bombardier jobs aircraft was forecast to underpin threat directly with President Trump employment of 60% of their total at Davos. Shortly after that, the US NI workforce. Without this work, International Trade Commission there were genuine fears that the overturned both its own preliminary company might pull out of the finding and both final findings region with the loss of all jobs. of the Department of Commerce meaning that the threat of tariffs was withdrawn. NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section G Equality and Human Rights 74 Section G Equality and Human Rights G1 Introduction Equality Coalition The following is a report on the Congress is a member of the work of the Equality Committees Equality Coalition which is a broad in pursuit of our objective for the alliance of non-governmental creation of a fairer and more equal organisations whose members cover society. all the categories listed in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 EQUALITY & HUMAN RIGHTS SUB- (‘s75’), as well as other equality GROUP (EHRSG) strands. It was founded in 1996 by The EHRSG is a sub-committee of community and voluntary sector the NI Committee which extends organisations and trade unions. it’s membership to the chairs of the The Equality Coalition continues to NIC’s self-organised groups, equality provide a forum for unity between officers of affiliated unions and all sectors when campaigning for trade unionists on the enforcement equality, while allowing for the bodies. The EHRSG’s function is to diversity of its members’ work and develop on behalf of the Northern views. It has regular engagements Ireland Committee a strategy on with government and the equality and human rights, and enforcement bodies. to co-ordinate ICTU’s lobbies, relations and negotiations with G2 Women’s Committee Governments, enforcement agencies and others on equality and human The Officers of the Women’s rights issues. Committee during the period covered by the report: Human Rights Consortium Chairperson Congress is a member of the Jacquie White (UTU) Human Rights Consortium which brings together nearly 200 Vice Chairperson NGO’s, trade unions and other Geraldine Alexander (NIPSA) groups to campaign for the full Secretary implementation of the Good Friday Eileen Gorman (FSU) Agreement, in particular for a strong and inclusive a Bill of Rights for The Women’s Committee is one Northern Ireland. of the longest standing formal committees of Congress and has The Human Rights Consortium an important to play in identifying meets on a bi-monthly basis. issues that are a priority for working women across all sectors and in so 75 Migrant Workers Section F

Members of the Women’s Committee and 1. Tackling violence against NIC at International Women’s Day 2017 women, including domestic doing makes a positive contribution violence and abuse, human to Congress policy. trafficking and combating sexual harassment at work The constitution of the Committee sets out the functions to be: 2. Campaigning for reform of legislation on reproductive • the co-ordination of policy or rights, including abortion action by affiliated organisations catering for women workers on 3. Highlighting the matters relating to the interests disproportionate impact of of women; the investigation austerity on women and of problems arising from the supporting gender budgeting employment of women in industry, services and the 4. Campaigning for a professions; the preparation of comprehensive, affordable reports on aspects of women’s childcare strategy employment, conditions of work, The major initiatives of the Women’s remuneration etc. Committee during the period were the A Work programme based on the organisation of a National Women’s motions that were passed at the Seminar in 2017 and Conference in 2016 Women’s Conference, the 2016 2018 as well as participation in the NIC-ICTU Biennial Conference and Women’s Council of the Isles, an the 2017 ICTU Biennial conference initiative that brings together the was adopted by the committee. TUC, STUC, WTUC and ICTU Women’s Committees on an annual basis. Priority issues were identified as: 76

to hear from guest speakers and participate in workshops, discussing and debating topics including the future of women’s work. ICTU General Secretary Patricia King outlined the complex reasons behind the gender pay gap and made a range of suggestions as to how it can be tackled. Full report available here https:// www.ictu.ie/equality/2017/09/09/ joint-womens-committee-seminar- UNITE nominee on Women’s Committee Gaye Partridge played a key role in the inclusive-growth-a/ Bombardier campaign. The Women’s Conference 2018 Women’s Seminar 2017 The Women’s Conference was planned The seminar took place in Portlaoise to take place in Enniskillen in March in March 2017 with the theme of 2018 and had the theme of Better ‘Gender Budgeting - a route for Work Better Lives for Women Workers. achieving Gender Equality? Unfortunately the conference had to Opened by Charlie Flanagan TD, the be postponed due to severe weather Minister for Justice and Equality, and is being planned for later in the nearly 200 delegates gathered

Women’s Committee Officers at the Seminar in 2017 77

year in the same location. Guest and reform of abortion legislation. Migrant Workers Section F speakers will include Dr Caitriona Crowe who will speak about the The Council of the Isles in 2017 took Centenary of the Representation of place in Cardiff where a particular highlight was the visit to the

the People Act which extended the vote to include some women. Fringe National Assembly for Wales . meetings will be held on topics International Day for the including Women and Precarious Elimination of Violence against Work, Abortion as a Workplace Women Issue, Sling the Mesh and the Women’s Pledge. The Committee organised a seminar to mark the international Day for Women’s Council of the Isles the Elimination of Violence against Members of the Committee Women and the 16 days of action participated in the Women’s Council of campaign. the Isles meetings in 2016 and 2017. The seminar was opened by Claire In 2016, Congress hosted the Sugden MLA, the Minister of Justice Council of the Isles in Belfast. and the keynote speaker was Rhian Delegations of senior trade union Bowen Davies who was appointed women discussed issues for women by the Welsh Assembly as National arising out of the EU referendum Adviser for Violence against Women, and presented on work including other forms of Gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace, Violence, Domestic Abuse and the menopause as a workplace issue Sexual Violence.

Former Justice Minister Claire Sugden with J White, C Moore and Key note speaker Rhian Bowen Davies 78

Speakers from a range of trade Alliance for Choice campaigns for unions and statutory agencies progress on abortion legislation in spoke at the event to highlight the Northern Ireland, which, as outlined importance of addressing issues above, is currently one of the most raised for the workplace by domestic restrictive in Europe. and sexual violence and abuse. The #Trust Women campaign believes Since the event, Congress has that women should be trusted to actively engaged with the know what is best for themselves and Departments of Health and Justice their families and is campaigning for to raise these issues and will be progressive legislation in relation to working with both Departments to access to abortion. revise and disseminate Government guidelines on best practice. Campaign for reproductive rights and choice. In a response to the Department of Justice consultation on the Criminal Law on Abortion – Lethal Fetal Abnormality and Sexual Crime, Congress stated that the barriers to reproductive rights are barriers to Abortion as a Workplace Issue full social, economic, political and workplace equality and that Northern In 2017, several Ireland has one of the most restrictive affiliated unions laws in relation to abortion in the EU. including UNITE, GMB, Congress has made clear, whether UNISON, legislative change is brought about Mandate Trade by a legal challenge or otherwise, Union and legislative change is essential to CWU Ireland put an end to the daily attack on commissioned women’s reproductive rights in NI. the Ulster Both the Women’s Committee and University to do an Independent the Northern Ireland Committee of research project on Abortion as a ICTU invited Alliance for Choice to Workplace Issue. Conducted by brief members on a campaign which Dr Fiona Bloomer, the research was launched in 2016. surveyed some 3,180 trade union members across both jurisdictions 79

and found that this issue raises The Women’s Policy Group Migrant Workers Section F fundamental workplace issues. The Women’s Policy Group brings The report concluded: together a range of organisations including from the Women’s Sector, What emerged clearly in survey Trade Unions, Human Rights and results and online discussion forum other NGOs. was that this is a crucial issue for contemporary society in Northern The Equality Officer attends the Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Women’s Policy Group along with members of the Women’s As the trade union movement is the Committee. largest civil society organisation in Ireland with a female membership The major initiative during this of over 50%, unions have a period was the production of the responsibility to help inform wider Women’s Manifesto which was used societal views on abortion, abortion to influence Political Parties position access and legal reform. on gender and equality matters. Full report can be accessed here Challenging the Two Child Tax https://www.ictuni.org/publications/ Credit policy tu-abortion-report-oct9_final_edit/ The Women’s Committee continues to be represented on a range of committees and groups including: Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform (NIWEP) (represented by Vivien Holding)

Women’s Policy Group Handmaids at the protest against the two child tax credit cap. Belfast Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Partnership A major focus for Congress during Northern Ireland Women’s this period was working with allies to Budget Group challenge the horrendous ‘Two Child Tax Credit’ policy. Equality Coalition In 2016, the Conservative Human Rights Consortium Government passed a law that made sweeping changes to the welfare system. One of those changes was to 80

restrict child tax credits to only the Congress continues to work with first 2 children in a household. affiliates and allies to challenge the legal basis of this policy. Affected are low- or no-income families with more than 2 children, Campaigning for universal, if any of those children are born affordable childcare. after 6th April 2017. Any family usually entitled to child tax credits Congress is supporting a major (soon to be the ‘child element’ of civil society campaign, Childcare Universal Credit) will no longer get for All which brings together NGOs, those tax credits for their third or childcare organisations together with subsequent child. women’s organisations and trade unions to campaign for accessible, The cap is estimated to put an extra flexible and high quality childcare. 200,000 children below the poverty line by the time it is fully rolled out. In Northern Ireland, parents and care providers face crippling Among the most controversial childcare costs. A recent report by aspects of this policy is the so called Employers for Childcare in Northern ‘rape clause’ whereby you can claim Ireland indicates for a family for a third or more children if you can with two children in full-time prove that your child was conceived childcare the costs can be as much as a consequence of rape or while as £16,432 per year; whilst the you were in a coercive controlling average full-time childcare place relationship – this has been labelled now costs £168 per week. Despite the ‘Rape Clause’. The consequences this, Congress is dismayed that for women and children of this ill there is still no strategic Childcare thought out policy are obvious plan for Northern Ireland. but there are also implications for workers – health professionals who As such, we continue to call on may be forced to report a woman the NI Executive to introduce to the police if she discloses that legislation which lays out a statutory she has been raped while in the requirement to ensure that there is process of making a claim for tax sufficient childcare in place and that credit. See more about the 2 child parents are provided with appropriate tax credit campaign at https:// advice and information on childcare. www.womensaidni.org/everything- Equality and Employment Law wanted-know-rape-clause/ Seminar Series Congress is pleased that the popular Equality and Employment Law 81

seminar series continues to be offered Migrant Workers Section F with support from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Labour Relations Agency. The

seminars run approximately 15 times a year and topics have included: For a full list of seminars and further details, see www.ictuni.org G3 Disability Committee Joint Chairs Claire Mahon and Marcel Dummigan at the 2016 seminar in Belfast Chairperson Marcel Dummigan NIPSA a number of high profile speakers who have dealt with topics which Vice Chair person have included, the UN Convention Frank Warwick FSU on Persons with Disabilities, autism Secretary awareness as well as working to Sally McKee UTU ensure that people who are disabled can access decent jobs and careers. The Committee is represented on various external groups including: In relation to attacks to the social security system imposed by the • The All Party Group on Disability Westminster Government, the at the NI Assembly committee has raised serious concerns over the issue of the • The Employment for People ‘universal credit’, and new regulations with Disabilities Advisory Group around Incapacity Benefit and the convened by the sponsoring removal of those who have previously Government department been awarded the benefit. • The Welfare Reform Group Congress responded to a number convened by the Law Centre NI of consultations during this period • The Trade Union Disability with input from the Disability Alliance (TUDA) Committee. These included: The Committee has jointly Improving the job prospects and organised seminars in Belfast (2016) working careers of people with and in Portlaoise (2018). disabilities in Northern Ireland The seminars and the committee Developing an Accessible meetings have been addressed by Transport strategy 2025 82

In relation to the employment Between 2016 and 2018, members strategy, we welcomed the of the Committee: supported employment approach to securing and maintaining took part in the annual Pride employment and welcomed the events in Belfast, Foyle, Newry adoption of this model. and Dublin; However, we expressed our concern attended Outburst Queer Arts that changes to the welfare and Festivals; social security system will impact took part in the International disproportionately on disabled Day Against Homophobia and people and their families. Congress Transphobia (IDAHOT) week; urged the Department to ensure that the work opportunities The Chairperson represents the available for disabled people have Committee on the LGBT Consultative the flexibilities built into them Forum, the Trans Forum, and that allow people to work without IDAHOT Planning Committee it affecting their benefit – for cementing the links between the example the 16-hour rule. Trade Union movement and the LGBT Sector organisations. G4 LGBT Committee The Committee continues to help Chairperson develop relationships within and Dáire Toner NIPSA between affiliates and organisations within the LGBT community and has Vice Chairperson worked hard to raise awareness and Karen McDowell FBU effect change for all LGBT members. Adam Murray (Belfast and District ICTU LGBT Conference Council of Trade’s Unions) The Committee organised an all The LGBT Committee have been island LGBT conference in November actively promoting LGBT rights in 2016. Taking place in Belfast, the the workplace and in society. conference highlighted a range of issues affecting LGBT workers in the workplace and called for employers and trade unions to work together for LGBT equality. 83

In an unprecedented outpouring Migrant Workers Section F of public support on this issue, an estimated 20,000 people took to the streets of Belfast to call for the

introduction of same sex marriage. However, despite widespread popular support, moves in favour of introducing legislation in Northern Ireland continued to be blocked in the NI Assembly by the misuse of the petition of concern mechanism. Despite this, a milestone was reached in November 2015 when the majority of MLAs backed a motion to introduce FBU member Karen McDowell addresses same sex marriage, although this was the conference on issues affecting transgendered workers again blocked by the DUP tabling a petition of concern. Campaign for Marriage Equality Love Equality, a campaign consortium Congress and Trade Unionists for Civil consisting of Congress, the Rainbow Marriage Equality played a proactive Project, Amnesty International, NUS/ role in the May 2015 referendum USI, Cara Friend and HereNI was on civil marriage equality in the launched in April 2016 and has been Republic of Ireland. The Congress active in pursuit of marriage equality Executive Council took a very for Northern Ireland. visible position at key points during the campaign and unions rightly celebrated playing a pivotal role in helping to win the referendum. Following on from the Yes vote, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland which does not have full civil marriage equality. Building on the momentum from the positive vote, Congress joined with Amnesty International and the Rainbow project and called for a march and rally in Belfast in June 2015. ICTU AGS Owen Reidy pictured with Seamus Dooley, NUJ at the Marriage Equality rally. 84

Love Equality organised a second mass rally in Belfast in July 2017 two days after a Talks Deadline was scheduled. Thousands turned out to listen to Campaigners and supporters speak about Marriage Equality. The message from Love Equality was clear: There is now a very clear majority within the Northern Ireland Assembly in favour of marriage equality. But if Stormont is incapable of delivering equality for the people of Northern Ireland then, through direct rule, it is the responsibility of the Westminster government. Marriage equality in Northern Ireland is a litmus test for whether or not any future government is committed to treating all citizens of this country equally. No backroom politics can be allowed to stand in the way of equality. Love Equality call a mass rally in support of equal marriage. NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Section H Industrial Relations 86 Section H Industrial Relations

H1 Industrial Relations The Roundtable seeks to engage, advise and influence government, The NIC has responded to a range principally through the Department of consultations issued by the for the Economy (DfE), on all Department for Employment & matters relating to employment/ Learning (now the Department of industrial relations. the Economy), in particular the substantial two stage ‘Review of It meets to develop, in partnership Employment Law.’ As the laws in the with relevant stakeholders, including GB are being changed for the worse, DfE, an Employment Relations the NIC decided that protecting the strategy that is consistent with the status of working people in Northern Programme for Government. Ireland was a priority. A positive move While the main focus of the was the establishment by the Labour Roundtable’s work was around Relations Agency (LRA) of the NI the Review of Employment Law Employment Relations Roundtable. the Roundtable is also working The Bill passed the final stage with a on developing a new NI dispute number of positive amendments, on resolution system and also a ‘Joint zero hour contracts, requirements on Declaration of Protection’ for the employers to disclose information on workplace. pay by gender and develop actions plans with a view to closing the The original joint declaration, gender pay gap. Workers in NI are signed in 1993, was between the now significantly better off than other CBI and NIC-ICTU and focused on workers in GB in terms of employment sectarianism. The new declaration rights. takes account of the significant changes in the workforce since 1993 The NI Employment Relations and covers racism and mistreatment Roundtable comprises a on other grounds, as reflected in representative of the four lead Section 75 of the Belfast Agreement. employer organisations (Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses and Institute of Directors) and four representatives from NIC-ICTU, Patricia McKeown, Alison Millar (who replaced Brian Campfield in 2017), Jackie Pollock and Kevin Doherty. It is hosted and facilitated by the LRA. 87 Industrial Relations Section H 88

H3 Industrial Disputes The NIC supported and assisted affiliates in a range of industrial disputes and redundancy situations. These included: Royal Mail Post Office HMRC FBU solidarity for striking UCU staff Border Agency Teachers & Education Support Staff University Lecturers Bombardier Schlumberger FG Wilson Kilroot and Ballylumford Power Stations Carillion Local Government Health Workers Michelin NI Civil Service (facility time) NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

I Health and Safety 90 I Health and Safety

work, and to strengthen our resolve to reduce risks and protect people from injury in the workplace. In 2011, the Congress event heard from the family of David Layland, a GMB member who lost his life at his place of work, a landfill site just outside Belfast. The Congress Health and Safety committee wished to mark David’s Members of the Committee, including the late John Dawson (GMB) at a wreath laying contribution to health and safety ceremony at the memorial tree in 2017. and also commemorate the many hundreds of workers who have I1 Health & Safety died or been injured at or because of work. In 2012, the Committee, “Pray for the dead but fight together with the Chairperson of like hell for the living” the Enterprise Trade & Investment Mother Jones Committee at the NI Assembly, planted a native cherry tree in The Health and Safety Committee the grounds of Stormont Estate. continues to engage in a varied work A specially engraved plaque, programme including responding sponsored by the GMB union was to consultations, organizing events, placed at the tree. supporting safety representatives and campaigning for safer workplaces. The tree now provides a focal point for the Committee, safety reps and Committee & Officers the wider trade union movement Barbara Martin (UNISON) was re- and every year a wreath is laid in elected as Chairperson of the NIC memory of David and the many Health & Safety Committee at the others who have been killed, injured reconstitution in 2016, Geraldine or made ill at or because of work. Alexander (NIPSA) was elected as Safety Rep Award Vice Chair. The Award is given to the Safety Workers Memorial Day rep who, in the view of the panel, Workers Memorial Day held all over has made a significant and lasting the world on 28 April, is intended to contribution to workplace health remember all those killed at or by and safety. 91 Health and Safety Section I

Safety Rep Award winners together with Committee Chair Barbara Martin, and Vice Chair Geraldine Alexander. In the award was jointly represented Relationship with Key Strategic to Stanley Lowe of UNITE and Bodies Raymond Nelson of NIPSA for their outstanding contribution to The Health and Safety Committee workplace safety. continues to have regular meetings with the Health and Safety Executive A Highly Commended certificated NI. was issued to Pat Neeson of UNISON. Legislative matters The awards were presented in a ceremony sponsored by the During this period, the Committee Health and Safety Executive in the has voiced concern at proposed Stormont Hotel, Belfast and was changes to health and safety attended by members of the Health legislation. and Safety Committee as well as The Committee regards proposed safety reps and trade union officials. changes to, among other pieces of legislation, the Management of Health and Safety regulations and the 92

Construction Design and Management for the CDM regulations and for the Regulations as retrograde with no Management of Health and Safety, we clear safety rationale. did not believe that this is the case. In particular, the Committee has Victory in relation to the retention of expressed its disagreement at the the Management Regs ACoP proposed removal of Approved Codes of Practice which have a We were therefore pleased that special legal status. after sustained engagement with HSENI on these matters, that This special legal status is HSENI announced in April 2017 acknowledged by the HSENI and that they would be moving to is explicitly laid out in all codes of develop a Northern Ireland specific practice prepared and approved by Approved Code of Practice for the them where it states: “The ACoP Management Regulations. This was has been approved by the Executive. a major victory for the Health and It gives practical advice on how to Safety Committee. comply with the law. If you follow the advice you will be doing enough We believe that this is both a to comply with the law in respect public policy and a public safety of those specific matters on which issue. Having regulations which the Code gives advice. The Code are supported by an ACoP and are has a special legal status. If you enforced effectively benefits not are prosecuted for breach of health only workers but society as a whole. and safety law and if it is proved Full responses to consultations can that you did not follow the relevant be viewed on www.ictuni.org provisions of the Code, you will need to show that you complied with the law in some way or a court will find you at fault.” As we made clear in our responses to other workplace health and safety related consultations, the ICTU is not against making regulations easier to understand and implement subject to there being a clear health and safety rationale for the changes. However in relation to the withdrawal of the Approved Code of Practice NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE

IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

Appendices 94 Appendix One

List of consultation responses:

• Draft Programme for Government 2016

• Dept of Finance Budget Outlook 2018-20

• Submission to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Trade Union Bill.

• Responses to five Health Trusts’ proposed cuts in autumn 2017

• Response to the Bengoa review of Health services

• Evidence to NI Assembly Health Committee

• Proposed closures to Outdoor Education Centres

• Apprentice Levy Consultation

• Low Pay Commission

• Proposed closures to Jobs & Benefits offices 95 List of Submissions Appendix One

• Criminal law on Abortion: Fatal Foetal Abnormality and Sexual Crime

• Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy

• Assembly and Executive Review Committee Stakeholder ‘Call for Evidence’ Paper on Review Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly

• Consultation on the Limited Circumstances for a Lawful Termination of Pregnancy in Northern Ireland

• Response to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s Draft Strategic Plan

• Accessible transport strategy

• Improving the job prospects and working careers of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

• Additionally, NIC-ICTU officers have been asked to participate in various forums which aim to shape government policy. 96 Appendix Two

Standing Orders 1. Northern Ireland Conference 1.1 The Northern Ireland Conference shall meet biennially. The place and date shall be decided by the Northern Ireland Committee, subject to the approval of the Executive Council. 1.2 The Chairperson for the Sessions of the Conference shall be the Chairperson of the outgoing Northern Ireland Committee. 1.3 A Conference Arrangements Committee of five persons and two substitutes, elected at the previous Northern Ireland Conference, shall be responsible for the arrangements of the business of Conference, and generally take charge of the meeting place. 2. Representation Only bona fide members or full-time officials who are members of an affiliated trade union and resident in Ireland may be appointed as delegates in accordance with the following scales: a. Trade unions with an affiliated membership in Northern Ireland of less than 1000 members = one delegate Trade unions having an affiliated membership in Northern Ireland of:- 1000 members but less than 2000 = 2 delegates 2000 “ “ “ 3000 = 3 “ 3000 “ “ “ 4000 = 4 “ 4000 “ “ “ 5000 = 5 “ 5000 “ “ “ 6000 = 6 “ 6000 “ “ “ 7000 = 7 “ 7000 “ “ “ 8000 = 8 “ 8000 “ “ “ 9000 = 9 “ 9000 “ “ “ 10000 = 10 “ 10000 “ “ “ 11000 = 11 “ 11000 “ “ “ 12000 = 12 “ 12000 “ “ “ 13500 = 13 “ 13500 “ “ “ 15000 = 14 “ 15000 “ “ “ 16500 = 15 “ 16500 “ “ “ 18000 = 16 “ 18000 “ “ “ 19500 = 17 “ 97

19500 “ “ “ 21000 = 18 “ Standing Orders Appendix Two 21000 “ “ “ 22500 = 19 “ 22500 “ “ “ 24000 = 20 “ 24000 “ “ “ 25500 = 21 “ 25500 “ “ “ 27000 = 22 “ 27000 “ “ “ 29000 = 23 “ 29000 “ “ “ 31000 = 24 “ 31000 “ “ “ 33000 = 25 “ 33000 “ “ “ 35000 = 26 “ 35000 “ “ “ 37000 = 27 “ 37000 “ “ “ 39000 = 28 “ 39000 “ “ “ 42000 = 29 “ 42000 “ “ “ 45000 = 30 “ and one delegate for each 3000 members above 45000 and up to 75000 and thereafter in accordance with Paragraph 37 of the Constitution of Congress. Trade Unions must include women delegates in their delegation in accordance with the following scale: b. Trade Unions having an affiliated membership in Northern Ireland of more than 500 but less than 1000 women shall appoint at least one woman delegate. Trade Unions having in Northern Ireland:- Women Membership Women Delegates 1000 but less than 5000 at least 2 5000 but less than 10000 “ 3 10000 but less than 15000 “ 4 15000 but less than 20000 “ 5 and at least one woman delegate for each 5000 women members above 20,000. c. Local Councils of Trade Unions may appoint delegates (who must be members of affiliated trade unions) to the Conference in accordance with the following scale:- Up to 6500 affiliated membership 1 delegate Over 6500 affiliated membership 2 delegates 98

3. Motions 3.1 Affiliated organisations may submit up to three motions for the Conference Agenda. Motions must be signed by the authorised official of the organisation and forwarded to Congress not later than the date specified in the notice to organisations. 3.2 The Northern Ireland Committee may submit up to three motions for the Conference Agenda. 3.3 Motions must be within the scope of the Objects of Congress as set out in the Constitution. They must relate to the matters provided for in Paragraph 37 of the Constitution, viz “matters relating to the internal, industrial, economic and political conditions of Northern Ireland, and of direct concern to Northern Ireland members only”. The Executive Council shall determine whether motions submitted are in order and its decision shall be final. 4. Business of Conference The business of Conference may include the following items: a. The Report of the Northern Ireland Committee b. Special Reports from the Northern Ireland Committee c. Motions from affiliated organisations and the Northern Ireland Committee d. Guest speaker/s invited by the Northern Ireland Committee 5. Election of Northern Ireland Committee and Conference Arrangements Committee The election of the Northern Ireland Committee (NIC) will be conducted using the single transferable vote system. The Congress Constitution provides that the election of the Northern Ireland Committee must result in the election of at least four women. In the event that only four women are nominated for election to the Northern Ireland Committee, prior to the vote commencing these candidates will be declared elected and an election will be held to elect a further 14 members of the committee using the single transferable vote system. In the event that there are more than four women nominated for election to the Northern Ireland Committee a single election will be held using the single transferable vote system. If the outcome of the election of the Northern Ireland Committee results in less than four women being elected then the following procedure should apply. The last man to be elected amongst the 18 99

should be replaced by the last woman to be eliminated. In the event that this Standing Orders Appendix Two does not result in four women being elected then the second last man to be elected shall be replaced by the second last women to be eliminated and so on until the minimum requirement of four women is met. Nominations of persons for election as members of the Northern Ireland Committee (18 members, including four Reserved Seats for Women and one Reserved Seat for Councils of Trade Unions) and of the Conference Arrangements Committee (5 members plus 2 substitutes) may be made by any affiliated trade union entitled to representation at the Conference. Each nomination must be signed by the authorised official of the nominating union and must be forwarded so as to reach Congress not later than four weeks prior to the date of Conference. Nominations must be confined to persons who are delegates to Conference. A nomination shall not be made without the expressed consent of the person nominated. Nominations for the Conference Arrangements Committee must be persons who are delegates to Conference, and may not be a member of the incoming Northern Ireland Committee. A list of persons nominated as members of the Northern Ireland Committee and of the Conference Arrangements Committee will be sent to each affiliated organisation and to delegates not later than two weeks prior to the date of Conference. 6. Methods of Voting on Motions and Reports Voting at Conference shall be confined to delegates and be by a show of hands, each delegate having one vote. Four delegates shall be appointed as Tellers. 7. Limitation of Speeches The Conference Arrangements Committee shall make recommendations to Conference on time limits of speeches. No speaker shall speak more than once on the same question except the mover of a motion replying to the discussion. 8. Executive Council Executive Council members and Congress Officials are entitled to attend Conference. Officials may speak as appropriate on motions or reports. 9. Other Matters Matters not covered by these Standing Orders in principle shall be dealt with in accordance with the Standing Orders of Congress. 100 Appendix Three

BDC 2018 Motions by • Challenge the scourge of low pay Section and insecure work, Sections for the agenda • Challenge cuts to our public services and to call for increased 1. Better Work Better Lives/ targeted public investment, Trade Union Organisation • Seek to ensure that public sector 2. Equality & Human Rights workers can move beyond the 1% pay cap and bargain for 3. Employment Rights decent pay increases. 4. Brexit/Political Situation The campaign involves a political lobby from activists across 5. Economic and Social affiliates in the 18 Westminster constituencies, a presence on 6. Health social media, worker testimonials, rallies, engagement with NGO’s and other representative bodies, Better Work Better Lives/ demonstrations and supporting Trade Union Organisation industrial action for those affiliates who seek to take it over the next 18 Motion 1 - NIC months. Better Work Better Lives We are not seeking to develop social partnership or centralised Conference notes the challenges pay bargaining. We are seeking to faced by workers in both the private achieve a robust forum for social and public sectors in Northern dialogue whereby the trade union Ireland. We have endured nearly movement can engage with others a decade of austerity from the UK and promote policies as outlined in government and the NI Assembly the Better Work Better Lives policy leading to cuts to our public paper in the interests of workers. services, the 1% pay cap and more insecure, precarious and low pay Conference calls on all affiliates of work affecting workers in both the the ICTU to support the campaign private and public sectors. by ensuring that their activists are aware of the objectives of the In response to this the trade union campaign and that each affiliate movement has developed the Better ensures that their activists have an Work Better Lives campaign. The opportunity to participate in the campaign seeks to, campaign over the next 18 months. 101

Motion 2 - CWU The CWU fully support the concept Motions Appendix Three of better quality work as contained Better Work Better Lives in the campaign material. This This Conference congratulates the includes buying into their own ‘Close Irish Congress of Trade Unions the Gap’ initiative which is aimed at (Northern Ireland Committee) on gaining equal pay status for Agency the launch of the “Better Work Workers on BT contracts.

Better Lives” campaign which is The CWU is also fully supportive of aimed at bringing better quality the TUC’s campaigns for a ‘New Deal work opportunities to the Northern for Workers’, ‘Fair Play for Public Ireland economy. Servants’ and their ongoing ‘great In launching this campaign the jobs agenda’ for young people. Northern Ireland committee of the In Northern Ireland the ICTU campaign ICTU are demanding: is therefore crucial for the growth of 1. An end to the scourge of low job opportunities across the province. pay and the active promotion of This show of unity by the trade union decent work. movement is certainly welcomed and will once again send out the message 2. Better and improved investment ‘there is a better way’. in our public services. The CWU believe their ongoing 3. An end to the 1% public sector involvement will ensure their pay cap. campaigns across Northern Ireland The campaign publications have are in line with that ICTU agenda. received widespread support across The incoming ICTU Northern Ireland the Northern Ireland communities Executive is therefore instructed to and the trade union movement ensure the ICTU campaign receives including the trade’s council sector the widest possible support across and the Northern Ireland Committee Northern Ireland. of Congress will continue to spread Motion 3 - NIC (for Retired the publicity in the coming months. Workers Committee) Lobbying at local level will also Decent Pay & Collective continue to ensure our elected Bargaining representatives are fully aware of the issues and what is at stage This BDC notes the continuing chaos for the labour movement and the in the NHS, causing pain, suffering Northern Ireland economy. and distress to those reliant on it’s services and calls for the values of 102

Britain’s ‘Bevan Welfare State’ to be The Northern Ireland District reasserted with the principles of care Committee of SIPTU is concerned being free at the point of delivery that in all measured indicators, the paid for by progressive taxation and growing use of precarious forms accountable to the people of labour have increased since the 2008 financial crash and that there Conference also calls for decent pay is evidence to suggest precarious for workers at all levels, collective forms of labour are now becoming bargaining to be available whether structurally embedded and were not in private or public providers and for simply a response to the recession. there to be no further outsourcing and for that already in place to be Conference acknowledges that phased out. precarious employment curtails innovation, blocks capital investment There also needs to be an ongoing for decent paying high skilled programme set up to train more jobs and prohibits the retention doctors and nurses with sufficient of skills for firms which rely on funding and incentives to encourage such employment practices. young people to come into the service. There is a short-termism which is Conference calls on the NIC to detrimental to individual workers promote these ideals within the and society at large. The inequality ‘Better Work Better Lives’ campaign. of such employment practices also highlights the disproportionate effect among women, the youth and Motion 4 - SIPTU those with below degree educational attainment. Precarious Working Whereas Zero-hour contracts Conference notes the recent are not just the preserve of call Congress report on precarious centres, care workers and fast food employment that has highlighted outlets, the referred to congress that precarious working practices report highlights that they are are now pervasive throughout both also prevalent in the public sector, the Republic of Ireland and Northern even in areas such as health and Ireland. Conference further notes education, where our density is that in the Republic of Ireland some strong. 7% of the workforce are working in temporary employment and in Consequently, Conference calls on Northern Ireland 6% of workers are in the Northern Ireland Committee of temporary or non-permanent working Congress: arrangements. 103

• To continue to campaign to end these union members in secure Motions Appendix Three zero-hour contracts. This will work can deliver better and more include calling for a ban on the secure conditions for all. use of zero-hour contracts in any employment where a Trade Union recognition agreement Motion 5 - B&DTUC exists, with this call supported by co-ordinated industrial action Technology and Robotics for where necessary. Better Work and Better Lives • To lobby for more robust legal Rapid advances in technology and protections for categories of robotics are presenting an urgent worker who fall outside of current challenge to workers and society. employment protections so as The trade union movement must be to address the scourge of bogus prepared to challenge the drive by self-employment including (but employers to undermine jobs, wages not limited to) reference periods and conditions by the introduction for changes to existing contracts of new technology. While accepting of employment to automatically that technological developments make said workers permanent. will continue to change the workplace we must become • To explore an educational proactive by formulating strategies strategy to ensure that union that demand that new technologies members recognise the need are used to improve the working and to understand that workers living standards of our members and on zero-hour and precarious society as a whole. contracts are in a relatively weak position to take on their Conference calls on NIC ICTU to employers precisely because of instigate research into how new their precarity, that most will be technology and robotics can help us working alongside workers on deliver on our traditional demands full-time contracts and that such for a shorter working week, better precarious colleagues feel this health and safety standards, a real injustice keenly. living wage and look at how we can campaign to influence public policy • To explore an industrial strategy on this issue. on a sector by sector basis, to include Industrial action, A paper should be produced with lobbying and protest to address input from affiliate unions, and precarity in areas where there advisory committees looking at likely is existing union density so that impacts of robotics and technology 104

on different economic sectors, increase wages and shorten the followed by a campaigning strategy working week has huge benefits which could form part of the Better to society as a whole. For Work, Better Lives Campaign. example, providing people have more time for education, arts, This paper could include but not be volunteering and family while limited to: still being able to spend money • Demand that the introduction in the economy. of new technology should be • That the introduction of such subject to negotiation and technology enhances the consultation with affected welfare and genuine social workers and society in general. security of our society but never • Making the case that in replaces the essential human industries where the introduction and humane interaction that is of new technology allows needed in the delivery of health workers to increase output and social care. workers’ wages should be increased commensurate with the increased productivity. Equality & Human • Demand for a state led strategy Rights that includes increased Motion 6 - UNISON investment in skills development and research and development Delivering the Promise of the to allow Northern Ireland to Good Friday Agreement attract high skilled jobs in Conference notes that 10th April the technology and robotics marked the 20th Anniversary of the industry. Good Friday Agreement. Conference • On the basis that new technology recalls that UNISON, ICTU and is likely to also create new types a number of affiliates actively of work and job categories we supported and campaigned for a need to be prepared to attract ‘Yes’ vote for a society based on such work while ensuring that peace, justice, equality and rights. it is of high quality, unionised, For UNISON, our campaigning pensionable and secure. included public demonstrations, members meetings, leaflets and • Campaigning for recognition by advertisements in support of government and employers that the Agreement. We believe the using increased productivity to time has come to repeat such 105

mobilisation to finally secure the Friday Agreement, which has Motions Appendix Three promised implementation. weakened the Agreement even further. We recognise that the Agreement has led to relative peace in our Conference further believes that society in comparison to the years this regression away from the letter of conflict. However Conference also and spirit of the Agreement and recognises that in the intervening subsequent commitments flowing years there has been significant from it has been evidenced by: regression from its principles and non-implementation of key • The failure of the UK Government provisions of both the Good Friday to bring forward a Bill of Rights Agreement and subsequent for Northern Ireland; agreements, particularly relating to • Repeated threats by the UK equality and human rights. This has Government to repeal the Human been demonstrated by: Rights Act 1998; • The failure of all our local • The lack of a comprehensive politicians to properly share- process to address the issues power within a framework of faced by victims and survivors equality and human rights, and to deal with the past; which has left our society even more divided and unequal; • The failure of politicians and public bodies to properly • Policy and resource allocation implement the statutory duty to decisions taken outside of an promote equality of opportunity equality and human rights under section 75 of the Northern framework which have led to Ireland Act 1998; persistently high levels of poverty, major inequalities in housing and • The failure to implement a Single in peoples’ health and educational Equality Bill; outcomes, and continuing • The failure to bring forward an austerity and welfare cuts; Anti-Poverty Strategy based on • A series of political crises since objective need; 1998; • The lack of Irish Language • The lack of commitment by legislation; successive British and Irish • The continuing use of Governments to their binding ‘emergency’ powers in relation to obligations under international policing and justice; law as co-guarantors of the Good 106

• The pursuit of a ‘hard’ exit from the replicating and building on the EU by the UK Government, which successful approaches of the will undermine key principles of past; the Good Friday Agreement. • Calling for a return to genuine Conference believes that in the years power-sharing within a that followed 1998 the opponents framework of equality and of equality and human rights human rights, to improve the were effectively given a veto on lives of all our members, their progress. This particularly manifests families and their communities. itself as continuing opposition towards women’s rights including This campaign should include reproductive rights, opposition strategic engagement with all to marriage equality, the failure local political parties and both to distribute resources or invest the UK and Irish Governments in public services on the basis of at all necessary levels to bring objective need and the failure to pressure to bear on them to fulfil challenge sectarianism in particular, their obligations, particularly in and promote equality of opportunity. the context of negotiations on exiting the EU. It should also Conference therefore calls on include a mobilisation of workers the Northern Ireland Committee and communities in support of full to continue to pursue the implementation of the Agreement. full implementation of the commitments made within the Peace Agreements. Conference calls Motion 7 - PCS on the Northern Ireland Committee to refocus its efforts towards: Equality and Inequality in the workplace • Restoring the status of the key principles of equality and Conference notes with concern human rights within the Good the NI Equality Commissions 2017 Friday Agreement and calling report on key inequalities in the for the full implementation workplace. Trade Unions have of all commitments that have made massive gains on equality remained undelivered or have in workplaces across N Ireland but been significantly weakened; there is still significant work to do. • Re-energising our members Conference calls on the incoming and the public as to the wider NIC-ICTU to launch; importance of the Agreement, 107

• A fresh workplace based equality tolerance and respect within our Motions Appendix Three campaign society. • A campaign to strengthen NI Conference calls on the incoming equality employment legislation NIC to develop a strategy with the employer’s organisations to ensure • A political campaign to ensure that all the components of the strategies are put in place Declaration are fully implemented

to tackle inequalities in the in our workplaces. workplace.

Motion 9 - GMB Motion 8 - B&DTUC Reproductive Rights Implementing the Joint Declaration of Protection Conference, in 2016 the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Conference welcomes the launch of against Women (CEDAW) conducted the Joint Declaration of Protection a confidential investigation into produced by Confederation of allegations of grave and systematic British Industry, Federation of Small violations suffered by women in Business, Northern Ireland Chamber Northern Ireland as a result of of Commerce and Industry and Irish archaic and punitive legislation Congress of Trade Unions. governing reproductive rights. Conference recognises that The investigation heard evidence unaddressed community divisions, from civil society, including from sectarianism, racism and other Congress and a range of affiliates. forms of prejudice still have the The report of their investigation was potential to disrupt the workplace published in February 2018 and and our society. Crossing ones makes damning reading finding that: fingers and hoping that things won’t go wrong in the future is not a The situation in Northern Ireland credible government policy option constitutes violence against women to address the causes of prejudice that may amount to torture or cruel, within our population. inhuman or degrading treatment and further that denial of abortion Conference, therefore, believes and criminalisation of abortion that the Joint Declaration, if given amounts to discrimination against actual life in the workplace, may be women because it is a denial of a a significant example of practical service that only women need. steps that can be taken to build 108

The Committee has made 13 Conference calls on the incoming recommendations for action, Northern Ireland Committee to: including the establishment of a mechanism to advance women’s Continue to campaign to ensure that rights concerning access to sexual women have access to reproductive and reproductive health including rights; access to safe abortions. Continue to campaign for the urgent Policy supporting the urgent reform reform of punitive and outdated of abortion legislation in Northern laws governing abortion in Northern Ireland has been determined Ireland; at previous Biennial Delegate Continue to support organisations Conferences, including in 2016 and such as Alliance for Choice and their Congress has joined our allies in Trust Women campaign; vigorously pursuing this course of action. Consider the recommendations of the Impact of Abortion on the Conference is therefore dismayed Workplace report and how these can that the NI Executive has be brought forward. systematically failed to bring forward progressive reform of reproductive rights legislation. Motion 10 - Derry Trades Council Conference commends the Abortion Referendum groundbreaking research project which examined Abortion as a Conference notes that a majority of Workplace Issue. The research was trades union members in the North carried out by Ulster University and support progressive reform of abortion surveyed some 3,180 trade union law here and Repeal of the 8th members finding that amendment to the Irish Constitution so that the Dail can legislate on the What emerged clearly...was that this question of abortion rights. is a crucial issue for contemporary society. As the trade union Conference urges trades union movement is the largest civil society members in the North, where it’s organisation in Ireland, North and possible and practicable, to join in South...52% of whom are women, the campaign for a Yes vote in the unions have a responsibility to Repeal referendum, if possible by help inform wider societal views on donating a day or days to canvass abortion, abortion access and legal in border areas or in other Southern reform. constituencies. 109

Conference is aware that the result This conference calls on the Motions Appendix Three of the Constitutional Referendum Northern Ireland Committee and in the Republic is likely to have a the ICTU Executive to support the significant effect on the campaign NUJ campaign for an independent, for liberalisation of the law in external investigation into the Northern Ireland; defeat of Repeal O’Hagan murder and to engage with would encourage opponents of relevant authorities in Northern change here; conversely, passage Ireland, the British and Irish of the Amendment would boost the governments; with international morale of supporters of a change in institutions including the OSCE, the abortion law in the North so as to Council of Europe and the UN, in bring it more closely into alignment support of such an investigation. with women’s rights. Conference notes that workers and progressive people generally Motion 12 - UNISON coming together across the island 50 YEARS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS in common cause can have a CAMPAIGN significant effect in breaking down barriers between communities. Conference notes that 2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil Rights Motion 11 - National Union of campaign against sectarianism Journalists and discrimination. Conference recognises that the Civil Rights Martin O’Hagan Movement brought together a wide range of political and social This conference notes that, more activists, including trade unionists, than sixteen years after the murder to demand civil rights for all using of Belfast-based investigative peaceful and non-violent means. journalist and trade union activist Martin O’Hagan there have been no Conference pays particular tribute convictions for the crime. to trade unionists past and present who took courageous stands in the Martin O’Hagan exposed criminality 1960s and whose work went on to and corruption in Northern Ireland influence the current position of the without fear or favour. The National trade union movement today on Union of Journalists has expressed equality and human rights. These no confidence in the willingness or include the notable contributions ability of the PSNI to pursue those of trade unionists such as Inez responsible for his murder. McCormack, Joe Cooper, Eamonn 110

McCann, Anne Hope, Jack Hazzard Employment Rights and the countless others whose courage has helped shape our Motion 14 - NASUWT present day agenda. Sexual Harassment On the occasion of the 50th Congress is deeply concerned by Anniversary, Conference calls on the the compelling evidence of the Northern Ireland Committee to mark increasing incidence of sexual this milestone and to reaffirm our harassment in the workplace, commitment to securing a society including sexist ‘jokes’ and ‘banter’, built on equality and human rights. unwanted touching and the growing objectification of women and girls.

Motion 13 - Fermanagh Trades Congress is appalled at the findings Council of research by the NASUWT and other organisations which show that Warm Home Discount Scheme women and girls are increasingly experiencing sexist abuse and Conference notes that Northern harassment, including upskirting Ireland was excluded from the and downblousing, online or through Warm Home Discount Scheme social media, particularly in schools. when it was introduced in GB by the Westminster government in 2011. Congress asserts that this is not only having a damaging impact on Conference agrees that there is the physical and mental health and no justification for low-income wellbeing of women teachers but is households in NI to be treated less also creating a climate of premature favourably than in GB, especially sexualisation of children, and in when we consider that NI has the particular young girls. highest rate of fuel poverty in the UK. Congress is deeply concerned by Conference supports the campaign the failure of Government to require initiated by the Age Sector Platform employers and schools to record and to integrate NI into the Warm report incidents of sexual harassment Homes Scheme and directs the and abuse, including through the use Executive Council to bring forward of social media or internet. plans to campaign to ensure that NI households in fuel poverty receive Congress calls upon the ICTU to the £140 per annum that they would campaign for: receive if they lived in any other part of the UK. (i) greater regulation against online abuse; 111

(ii) a mandatory requirement on of low paid grading structures are Motions Appendix Three employers to record and report particularly vulnerable. incidents of sexual harassment and abuse in schools and Recent research by Usdaw echoes the findings of larger scale studies (iii) changes to the sexual offences showing that harassment by legislation to include upskirting managers and customers is an issue and downblousing in the of strong concern. The belief that

provisions. ‘it’s an employee’s job to be friendly’ and ‘the customer is always right’ contribute to the lack of reporting Motion 15 - USDAW and significantly limit women’s ability to deal with harassment. Harassment When women do report incidents, Congress is alarmed by the managers are usually reluctant to persistence of sexual harassment confront the customer. at work and the fact that almost Union membership amongst every woman will at some point women is at an all-time high. This in her lifetime experience sexual gives us an opportunity to make harassment. A recent EU-Wide real progress in tackling sexual European study found that over a harassment at work. Sexual million women or one in every two harassment at work can only be in the EU had experienced sexual effectively tackled by the collective harassment since the age of 15 action of employers, trade unions and in a third of these cases the and policy makers. harassment took place in a work context. Conference urges the ICTU to make tackling the sexual harassment Conference notes with concern the issues a high priority in all of its fact that the vast majority of women campaigning work. don’t report harassment either to their employer or, where in a union, to their trade union. Motion 16 - Prospect Women working in all sectors of Bullying, harassment and abuse the economy and in all job roles in the entertainment industries are exposed to harassment but, and the impact on freelancers as harassment is about power, women in casualised and insecure As long ago as 2013, the Federation work and those at the lower ends of Entertainment Unions published 112

a survey which identified commit the parties to working to entertainment workplaces as deliver respect at work for all. hotspots of discrimination, bullying, and harassment. The competitive nature of the work, often seen as Motion 17 – NIPSA glamorous, and the large number of freelancers are a contributing factor, Facility Time as is the unspoken acceptance Conference condemns the attempt that bullying is part of the creative by Civil Service Management to process allowing ‘talent’ to behave in attack the longstanding secondment unacceptable ways. arrangements which have been Fast forward to 2018 and no-one in place for many years on two of could have missed the recent press NIPSA’s high profile activists. reports regarding sexual harassment This runs alongside the attempts within the same industry. to or stop the facility time of Women have long known that to representatives who are working speak out is to risk everything and on behalf of members to protect have chosen to remain silent; it their interests and defend them is much more difficult for women during absence management freelancers, and freelance women reviews, grievances and disciplinary are vulnerable women. And it’s procedures. not only women who are affected – In addition Management Side has there is no doubt that people from threatened to reduce Conference minority groups working in such facility time and time off for hotspots are also disadvantaged. collective bargaining purposes. This In 2017 our union wrote to all the is at a time of unprecedented cuts to major players within UK film and TV public services and transformation production asking them to address projects which required detailed our concerns. We believe a pan- consultation and negotiation industry approach is necessary arrangements with the lay to promote a workplace culture structures and members. which establishes zero tolerance NIPSA has welcomed the support of bullying and harassment in the of NIC ICTU and affiliates who have working environment. We call supported the calls for protest, action, upon Conference to support us to engagement and letter writing. introduce a ‘respect at work’ clause in all staff and freelance contracts, Conference, the campaign goes on. such a clause being designed to We rely on the strength of the trade 113

union movement to defeat these Congress calls on the ICTU to: Motions Appendix Three draconian attacks because if they get away with the attacks on the largest (i) raise awareness of the trade union in Northern Ireland – legislation in relation to health and then they will come for the rest. safety in the workplace; and Conference, please continue to (ii) campaign for health and safety actively support NIPSA’s campaign compliance across schools and through active engagement other workplaces. because we can only ensure Better Work Better Lives for all through strong, effective representation by Motion 19 - INTO experienced and committed activists. Violence & Safety Conference Motion 18 - NASUWT (i) notes with concern the growing Safer Workplaces number of assaults, both physical and verbal, by parents Congress is alarmed by the blatant and pupils on teachers and disregard in too many post-primary other education workers which schools of the Health, Safety and go unreported in schools. Welfare of teachers, support staff and students in practical subjects. (ii) further notes the zero tolerance approach to assaults on workers Congress is deeply concerned that in other public service workplaces. in response to requests by some principals a circular was released (iii)calls on NIC to work with those by the Department of Education unions involved in the education which has provided a ‘green light’ to sector and the employing employers to ignore the class size authorities, to establish a zero provisions placing pupils and staff tolerance policy on assaults in at risk. schools to protect all workers in educational establishments. Congress deplores the failure of the Department of Education and employers to have due regard for Motion 20 - RMT their duty of care for employees and pupils and to actively monitor Maritime Industry schools compliance with health and Conference continues to oppose safety provisions, specifically risk the ongoing practice of nationality assessments. 114

based pay discrimination in the today will retire over the next five commercial shipping industry which years and that the shipping industry undercuts and excludes seafarers on is intentionally avoiding training both sides of the Irish Sea. and recruitment practices that would back-fill these vacancies Conference notes with concern with local seafarers. This is a direct that operators such as Seatruck, threat to long term social, economic Irish Ferries and P&O continue to and strategic interests and must be employ seafarers from within and tackled by Governments, employers, outside the EEA to work on Irish training providers and trade unions. Sea routes for rates of pay below national minimum wages, wrecking Finally, Conference continues to the maritime skills base and support the RMT’s SOS2020 campaign undercutting rival operators who do to equalise seafarers’ employment, not flout minimum wage rates or equality and immigration rights with trade union rights. those of land based workers and for cabotage protections to secure jobs for Congress calls for public investment domestic seafarers on domestic routes. in new passenger and freight ferries in the Irish Sea and enforcement of employment rights and recognition for domestic maritime unions Brexit / Political Situation representing local seafarers, Ratings Motion 21 - NIC and Officers on existing and new vessels on Irish Sea routes. Protecting the Peace and Challenging a Hard Brexit Conference supports enforcement of domestic legislation and Conference notes with collective bargaining agreements to disappointment that the current permanently reverse ongoing abuses political crisis continues with in the freight and passenger ferry no restoration of devolution in sectors of the Irish Sea, and repeats sight in the short term. Whilst the its call for government action to restoration of locally devolved end this exploitative practice and government is not a panacea to to enforce domestic employment all our problems, it is a necessary standards on international routes, requirement under the Belfast/ including on vessels registered under Good Friday Agreement and is a Flag of Convenience. an important expression and one element of local democracy. Conference notes that the majority Conference also notes and regrets of Irish and UK seafarers at work that this political crisis continues 115

and coincides with the 20th • In conjunction with seeking and Motions Appendix Three Anniversary of the Belfast/Good supporting a return to devolved Friday Agreement. The absence government demand a forum for of a local devolved government social dialogue (as per the Better is even more acute in the context Work Better Lives campaign) of the ongoing Brexit discussions whereby our movement can seek whereby there is no coherent local to influence the local economy government voice articulating the and society in the interest of interests of Northern Ireland. workers and challenge austerity measures. The trade union movement has articulated the interests of workers in • To continue to articulate discussions with the UK government, the trade union movement the Irish government, the political position on Brexit as articulated parties in NI and has led the way in the in 2 publications since the building of some level of consensus referendum and to work with with other representative bodies in others, locally, nationally and NI and indeed civic society. We must internationally to seek to ensure continue to call out politicians who that workers do not pay the price seek to set aside the Belfast/Good of Brexit and that the Belfast/ Friday agreement for their own narrow Good Friday agreement does not interests. We must continue to seek to become a casualty of any Brexit. work to ensure there is no hardening of the border on the island of Ireland, • In light of the uncertainty no border within the UK and no border over freedom of movement for within these islands. workers, that affiliates will not accept either a reduction in the This conference therefore calls on rights of migrant workers nor the NIC to ensure that, any prospect of public service workers being conscripted into a • The trade union movement proxy border control after Brexit. takes appropriate actions to seek to ensure that the full implementation of the agreement is achieved and defended. Motion 22 - CSP • That our movement seeks to widen Devolution and deepen political discourse, As we meet, it is approximately 450 participation and debate rather days since the NI Assembly was than the current narrow scope of suspended. With still no progress the competing political parties. on the re-establishment of the 116

executive in Northern Ireland one taken by unelected officials’ runs of the unintended consequences is completely contrary to the spirit that significant decision are being and letter of the Good Friday made with no democratic scrutiny. Agreement. Conference believes that this is In the absence of representative unacceptable and it is our members political structures and oversight who are bearing the impact. mechanisms it is incumbent on civil administrators to bring forward Within health and social care, we robust proposals for engaging with have seen unilateral decisions wider civil society to ensure that made (and then reversed) about £70 policy decisions are taken in the million of savings. We have also interests of the many and not the seen a reluctance to implement the few. pay review body recommendations – again a decision which trade unions Consequently, conference is were instrumental in reversing. calling on the Northern Ireland Civil Service to bring forward a Major policy decisions should be programme of civic engagement open and transparent and the people with representative organisations making them should be held to including the trade union account, particularly when we have movement, as a matter of urgency. no executive in place to challenge those decisions. Conference believes that trade unions are a crucial segment of civil society that Motion 23 - UNITE enriches democracy. Union members Brexit are stewards of the public good, empowering the individuals through That this conference expresses collective action and solidarity. reiterates its opposition to a Tory Hard Brexit which threatens a The current political hiatus, devastating impact on workers, with major decisions on health women and those from migrant services being taken by unelected communities. unaccountable public servants could lead to an erosion of civic While a Hard Brexit threatens to engagement, further economic affect Northern Ireland workers inequality, and a political directly, the form our future trading imbalance of power that can arrangements take will shape the undermine wider civic society. economic future of everyone on Further, unilateral decisions these islands. 117

We are deeply concerned that to avoid the threat posed by a hard Motions Appendix Three the Conservative government has border to our economy and wider voted themselves sweeping and society. unaccountable ‘Henry the Eighth’ powers which will allow them to Post-Brexit trading arrangements jettison those aspects of EU law must guarantee tariff-free that stand in the way of their movement of goods and services agenda of undermining workers’ from the UK to the EU, and between civil and human rights, workplace Northern Ireland and the Republic legislation and environmental of Ireland – safeguarding jobs and protections. Those workers’ rights delivering economic and political and protections which have been security for all. delivered under the ECHR and ECJ determinations must be enshrined in legislation and the authority Motion 24 - INTO for further improvement devolved Brexit fully to the regional Assemblies and Parliaments. Those working Conference: and living in the United Kingdom [a] condemns the reckless pursuit of who have migrated here from a hard Brexit by elements within other parts of the EU must have the United Kingdom government. their rights vindicated and enshrined in law. [b] instructs the NIC to lobby the parties to the Brexit negotiations Future arrangements must ensure to ensure that trade unions the retention of the rights and headquartered outside of the UK entitlements of the Common have their right to organise and Travel Area between these islands represent workers in N. Ireland and be in full compliance with protected and maintained in the the terms of the Belfast (Good event the UK leaves the EU. Friday) Agreement, in particular the commitment to foster the all- island economy. We express our opposition to the imposition of Motion 25 - UNISON the dangerous and economically Congress Input to Phase 2 EU Exit destructive agenda either of a hard Negotiations border being erected on the island of Ireland or between Ireland and Conference believes that countering the UK. Agreement on a customs the potential negative impacts union with the EU is the best way that exiting the EU will have on 118

our members, their families, possible interpretations, with communities and the wider potentially serious consequences peace process must remain a key for our members. Conference objective. is concerned that the phase 1 agreement appears to have been an Conference notes that ICTU has act of deliberate ambiguity, aimed campaigned since the result of the EU at moving negotiations on, and Referendum in June 2016 to protect delaying any substantive resolution. workers North and South, including Conference believes that the phase direct ongoing engagement with all 1 agreement has not resolved the parties involved in the negotiations, key issues identified previously by holding conferences and seminars, Congress and that this must remain and raising key issues within the a key issue to be resolved within media. This campaigning has also phase 2 of the negotiations. included producing two papers analysing the key issues and outlining Conference therefore calls on ICTU to: the policy priorities which Congress wishes to see pursued. Conference • undertake a full analysis of the acknowledges and welcomes the work phase 1 agreement against that has been undertaken thus far. the policy priorities outlined previously; Conference notes that in December 2017 it was agreed between the UK • produce an updated policy and EU that ‘sufficient progress’ position paper which outlines the had been made on the three issues key issues that must be resolved required (citizens’ rights, the for all our members across the financial settlement and the unique island of Ireland within phase 2. circumstances of Northern Ireland) • Use these documents to form the in phase 1 of the negotiations. basis for renewed campaigning Phase 2 of the negotiations has now by ICTU, including direct begun and Conference believes it engagement with all parties is vital in defending the interests involved in the negotiations, of our members that Congress in order to ensure that workers continues to actively influence their North and South do not pay the course. price of exit; Conference believes that the • Gain support from the trade provisions of the phase 1 agreement union movement across the UK in relation to Northern Ireland (TUC, STUC, Wales TUC) and ETUC appear at times to be contradictory for these updated positions. and leave open a number of differing 119

Economic and Social • Support affiliates pay campaigns Motions Appendix Three Motion 26 - PCS • Facilitate, organise and co- ordinate collective action, Pay including industrial action Conference notes that the real-terms • To establish a reporting cuts in wages are a consequence mechanism for affiliates to share of a deliberate policy by UK,

pay bargaining successes, with and devolved administrations, NIC-ICTU, the NERI and affiliates. to implement a combination of pay freezes and pay caps for the majority of public sector workers. Motion 27 - SIPTU It is estimated that civil servants have seen earnings fall by up to Urban Renewal 20% since 2010 and can expect to be another £1,700 a year worse off Conference recognises the by 2020 if the Westminster pay importance of cultural and artistic cap continues. Research shows the endeavour to society and the effect of that policy will mean that significance of historical areas average civil service pay will have such as the Assembly Buildings, fallen in value by over 20% by 2020. Rosemary Street, North Street and Donegall Street, including North Conference condemns the UK Street Arcade and Writers’ Square government’s attitude towards hard- that makes up part of the Cathedral working public sector workers. We Quarter (CQ). recognise that many private sector employers use the UK government’s Conference notes with concern position as an excuse to hold down that despite this area’s historical wages across the private sector. importance, distinct character, and its current prominence as Conference welcomes the NIC-ICTU the beating heart of Northern political campaign for a decisive Ireland’s arts and cultural scene, break with the era of austerity and the purchased by the investment to campaign for a new social and company Castlebrooke of this area economic settlement that prioritises and the proposals for widespread decent work and fair pay for all. demolition, and the replacement of independent businesses and arts Congress calls on the incoming NIC- organisations with generic retail & ICTU to; offices. 120

The SIPTU Northern Ireland calls on the NIC-ICTU Committee District Committee now fears that commit to: Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is facing enormous change and reiterates - making active responses that good development must be (at minimum a written appropriate to the city’s needs. representation) to consultations It can and should meet the most on relevant planning audacious ambitions for what we applications, and recommend want this city to be: distinctive, that constituent member unions resilient, liveable, shared, and should co-sign; connected - establish a sub-group or Conference recognises that the task force to increase the Cathedral Quarter, though in need unions’ capacity on planning of development, has an established issues, covering existing place in the life of the city centre housing campaigns but also that makes it a lynch-pin for giving consideration to other delivering on those ambitions and distributive justice issues like that resurgent urbanism celebrates access to amenities, public and embraces city life. transport, employment, public space, healthy environments; Conference further recognises that arts and cultural development this new Belfast urbanism prioritises etc. NIC-ICTU would work with the essential infrastructure of life relevant agencies and campaign – bustling streets, housing, public groups in order to ensure an space, employment, arts and informed participation; culture, efficient public transport, walkability, childcare and schools, - share research and analysis and a city economy that caters for relating to economic arguments local traders and small businesses underpinning planning as well as the large multinationals. applications with relevant campaign groups, e.g. Save Conference therefore calls on Cathedral Quarter. NIC-ICTU Committee to actively support the ‘Save CQ’ campaign that is promoting investment that Motion 28 - USDAW encourages a culturally flourishing, architecturally distinctive, The Future of the Retail Sector independent, public, and liveable Congress notes that the rapid community in the historic centre development of technology is a of the city. In doing so, conference 121

cause for concern amongst many this, employers need to consult Motions Appendix Three retail workers in Northern Ireland. meaningfully with workers, prior to making any changes, and to invest Congress believes that much of in training and support to ensure the speculation about jobs being that workers are able to use it replaced by technology fails to successfully. recognise the vital human contact element of jobs in retail and other Congress calls on the ICTU to sectors. Too often, customers have campaign for: new technology such as self-service checkouts imposed upon them when • Greater recognition of the vital they would prefer to interact with a role of the retail workforce within human being. the economy on Northern Ireland and in local communities. And whilst online shopping is convenient for some, going out to • Stronger rights to workplace shop for groceries can be a social consultation on changes to lifeline for others. Reducing social jobs when new technology is isolation and the health risks introduced. associated with that, particularly for • A focus on developing digital elderly and other vulnerable shoppers. skills through lifelong learning, Congress also notes that the including trade union learning. food and fashion retail sectors in Northern Ireland could already be adversely affected if the UK leaves Motion 29 - Equity Europe with a ‘hard Brexit’. Without Arts & Cultural Workers free access across the border to the Republic of Ireland, trade could be In Northern Ireland, government seriously impeded, and retail jobs investment in the Arts has fallen could be at risk. In this unsteady by 30% in cash terms over the political and economic climate, it last six years. When inflation is is wrong for jobs to be put under taken into account this is closer to further risk by the implementation 40%. Further reductions and cuts of new technologies. will have significant detrimental impacts on Equity members and Congress acknowledges that worsen the per capita spend for technology can, if used correctly, Northern Ireland compared to enhance productivity and other countries in the United contribute to better job design. Kingdom and the Republic of However, in order to achieve Ireland. 122

This motion calls upon the ICTU Motion 31 – UNITE Northern Ireland Committee to continue campaigning for greater Manufacturing Industry recognition of the contribution our Northern Ireland’s manufacturing members make to the cultural and industry employs more than 85,000 economic development of Northern people and contributes the bulk of Ireland, and that this recognition our exports (£7 billion a year) and should be reflected in the funding 14% of our total GVA. allocated to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Conference notes with dismay that despite the overriding significance of the sector we still do not have a Motion 30 - GMB dedicated Manufacturing strategy for the region. The last Executive Industrial and Manufacturing failed to bring forward a dedicated Strategy strategy – instead bringing forward a broader industrial strategy that This conference calls on NIC- included tourism and finance ICTU to develop an innovative services – with very little specific industrial and manufacturing policy recommendations for strategy and to campaign for its full Manufacturing. implementation. Northern Ireland’s manufacturing Manufacturing and quality jobs in sector has suffered a series of brutal general in Northern Ireland, have closures and job-losses over the come under threat in recent weeks, past few years – more than seven months and indeed years. thousand high value added jobs have This threat is not unique to us been lost. While new jobs have been and we must look to incorporate created in the economy they have international best practice and not been at the same value as the policy into the strategy. The manufacturing jobs we have lost. development and delivery of this Conference notes that in the absence strategy, if done correctly will of needed action from our politicians assist to fulfil some of the aims and it has been workers, through their demands of the Better Work, Better trade unions, who have taken action Lives campaign. to safeguard jobs. We applaud the strength of the campaign led by the workforce and their trade unions in Bombardier that was instrumental in defeating the imposition of punitive 123

292% tariffs by the protectionist of this are clear to our members, Motions Appendix Three Trump administration. their families and the wider society in which they live, we must refuse We demand a dedicated to focus on solutions to the crisis Manufacturing Strategy for at a regional level. This would Northern Ireland to set out the ignore that the key driver for this actions and investment needed crisis is a failed and failing right to grow our economy. This should wing austerity agenda that set, at include actions to deliver the a UK level, its corporate sponsored apprenticeships actually needed ambition to shrink the state and by workers seeking a career in attack the concept of publicly the sector, sub-sectoral growth funded, free at the point of use strategies and delivery structures public services. If those in charge to secure growth across the entirety of this agenda are admirers of the of Northern Ireland, to charter a Thatcherite creed of “there is no course through the changes that such a thing as society” – how can will come through automation and they be expected to truly support further globalised competition, and the public services that provide the to meet both the challenges and very spine of that society? opportunities of Brexit. It is our duty therefore to oppose The voice of unionised industrial such ideologues in the Treasury workers must be central to the and their echo chambers within development of such a strategy and the Senior echelons of the NI Civil its delivery must empower them, Service/NIO. Conference notes both in the workplace and through the overview of financial crisis the ongoing delivery mechanisms. that such officials produced as budget proposals at the beginning of this year. These detailed how Motion 32 - NIPSA Departments and Agencies across Public Services in Crisis the public sector that are already struggling are expected to passively Conference our public services accept further cuts. Simultaneously, are in crisis. The basic economic even to stand still in financial terms reason for this, if we look at we, as a society are expected to spending alone makes clear the accept new service charges – to pay reason why. In terms of day to for our healthcare, our water etc. day spending since 2010 we have endured an 8% reduction in In response this conference offers spending. While the consequences our movement a chance to re-iterate 124

– “enough is enough” and offer the resourced public health and ideological and industrial opposition housing would be built. to the assault being made upon us. • Organise collective opposition The crisis within our public services to the continuing attempts to deepened further with the collapse impose an austerity agenda on of Carillion where public service the Northern economy. contracts and the workers’ jobs are in jeopardy, yet the bosses appear • Directly expose the propping to have stripped the Company bare. up of the Tory government In addition there are significant within a confidence and supply concerns about the recent profit arrangement by the DUP; and warnings of Capita and what impact • Halt the future privatisation of this may have if it collapses. public service contracts. Conference therefore calls on the incoming Executive to: Motion 33 - GMB • Outline a real budget solution for the Northern Ireland Assembly Privatisation and Public Services to operate – one that begins with This conference is concerned that rejecting real terms cuts and there is what appears to be a blind examines what a “peace dividend” faith in handing public funds to for a post-conflict society should private companies to deliver what look like. Such a budget would was public sector work. also ensure that the assessment of equality impact would not be a The recent collapse of Carillion tokenistic add-on but a genuine demonstrated clearly the expense of part of establishing what our privatisation and the clear risk that society requires. the collapse of such companies poses to the provision of public services. • This analysis would lead us to re-affirm the necessity of real It is time to end privatisation at social security “from the cradle the cost of services and jobs and to grave” and establish the reinvest in a fully funded and collective support of society for properly resourced public sector. each phase of our life – from Conference calls on the Northern nursery provision to residential Ireland Committee of ICTU to care in old age. This would campaign to also offer the framework within which the safety nets of properly 125

• Ensure that Public Sector We state clearly our support for the Motions Appendix Three employers consult and negotiate Belfast Rapid Transit system and fully with the recognised the dedicated 12-hour bus lanes trade unions prior to any work central to its success. We are also packages being offered for hugely concerned by the possibility private tender. that operating licenses for economic routes could be offered to private • Where such packages are put out sector operators threatening the to tender that social clauses are integrity of current public transport included in the tender conditions which is only sustained through that ensure that workers receive cross-subsidisation of uneconomic decent pay, terms and conditions with economic routes. • And that the relevant Trade Further we call for responsible Unions are recognised. Ministers to bring forward an Also built into the tender investment strategy to deliver a requirements should be the step-change to public transport in provision for regular monitoring Northern Ireland. At its core this of the performance of the private must mean more resources for bus provider which must include and rail services and a programme amongst adherence to the social of extending rail connections across clauses, ongoing financial stability all parts of the province and to all checks to ensure service provision. major airports and seaports. Conference expresses our support for the proposed bridge from Northern Motion 34 - UNITE Ireland to Scotland. The inclusion of Transport both road and rail lines on the plans would represent a huge boost to That this conference reiterates public transport and freight, deliver its support for Northern Ireland’s substantial economic efficiency integrated, publicly-owned public gains, further improve social and transport provider, Translink, and communal interaction across the sea calls for responsible Ministers to connecting everyone on these islands ensure the stability of its finances in an unprecedented manner. It is through restoring the fuel duty vital that this facility remains fully- rebate which was withdrawn by owned by the public sector to avoid the Northern Ireland Executive in the waste associated with PFI/PPP 2013. contracts. 126

Health a blueprint for privatisation and rationing of NHS services. Motion 35 - Fermanagh Trades Council • Reinstate the duty on government to provide Defend the NHS adequate funding for frontline Conference notes the ongoing NHS services and staff ending major crisis developing in the austerity. NHS affecting all those in need of • Scrap the clinical commissioning health care and recognising that groups and bring all health and the elderly and pensioners are social care services under one massively affected by these cuts. democratically-accountable Conference agrees that a major public body. campaign is required to put a stop to the privatisation of the NHS and for the service to be reinvigorated Motion 36 - UTU with the required funding to meet the needs of all. Mental Health Conference agrees to campaign to Conference congratulates the end PFI in the health service and to Northern Ireland Committee on its bring health and social care back commitment to the Better Work into public ownership with enough Better Lives Campaign. funding to end the crisis. Conference is particularly concerned We resolve to demand a Northern about the serious – and often hidden Ireland wide NHS Reinstatement –impact that low pay and lack of Bill to entirely remove market decent work, lack of investment in mechanisms from our NHS and to our public services, and the refusal end austerity cuts. A Reinstatement to end the 1% public sector pay cap Bill must: is having on the mental health of workers at all levels of society. • Reinstate the duty on government to provide key NHS Conference calls on the Northern services including hospitals, Ireland Committee to ensure that medical and nursing services, the issue of the mental health of primary care, mental health and workers is a key message of the community services. campaign moving forward. • Repeal the Donaldson and Bengoa reports which represent 127

Motion 37 – USDAW This Congress calls on the ICTU to: Motions Appendix Three Young Workers, Mental Health • Encourage unions in Northern And Social Media Ireland to develop a positive social media strategy that can Congress notes the emerging be used to organise and promote evidence highlighting the potential the beneficial use of social media implications of social media on platforms.

mental health, particularly in young people. Recent research suggests • Share union best practice those who used social media for on mental health awareness more than two hours a day are more campaigns and policies in the likely to report mental health issues, workplace. such as anxiety and depression. There is also evidence to suggest • Lobby the Assembly, the that social media can lead to poor Executive and industry to sleeping habits and poor body image. introduce an excessive usage alert on social media platforms. A recent survey carried out by Such an alert system would give Usdaw found that only 19 % of users information on the health respondents felt that social media effects of social media, enabling had a positive impact on their them to make an informed mental health. decision. Congress recognises there are many benefits to the use of social media; revolutionising how we can connect Motion 38 - Craigavon Trades with each other, provide emotional Council support and create an environment Green Spaces for self-expression and self-identity. Conference notes the need to Northern Ireland has a much higher ensure green open spaces in urban overall prevalence of mental health areas to help workers cope with problems than England. With health stress and anxiety and improve and social care being a wholly lifestyles choices. Conference also devolved matter, this Congress notes plans by Southern Regional believes that the Assembly, the College to close its Lurgan and Executive, and unions in Northern Portadown campuses and open a Ireland should do more to raise new campus in the Craigavon City awareness about the potential Park. negative impacts of social media in particular. 128

Conference welcomes the investment in education in Craigavon but rejects plans to remove around 50 acres of parkland when other suitable locations for the new college already exist. Conference also notes the work of the Save the City Park group and their efforts to oppose the location of the new college onto the Craigavon City Park. Conference calls on the incoming Northern Ireland Committee & Congress affiliates to support the Save the City Park campaign and to ensure that our green spaces are protected for citizens. 129 Motions Appendix Three

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