Member News
By Tony Grew - 11th September 2010
The 142nd Trades Union Congress meets in Manchester on Monday to discuss the government's proposed cuts in public services.
Over four days delegates will consider a range of motions put forward by unions.
Congress is the policy-making body of the TUC and its decisions form the basis of the TUC's work for the next year.
Many of the motions are an attack on the coalition government's spending cuts.
A Unison motion claims the 2008 crisis "is being used as the pretext for a global onslaught on public provision and welfare entitlements".
"Congress condemns the emergency Budget, which will result in the loss of over one million jobs and drag the economy into depression, noting that this coincides with austerity programmes being imposed by the IMF and EU.
"Congress recognises that public investment and expenditure has been vital in propping up employment and demand, as well as providing essential help and support to those struggling with redundancies, reduced incomes, repossessions, and rising joblessness.
"The cuts now proposed will devastate public services with a consequent decline in living standards for all, particularly women and those in poverty."
It calls on the TUC to "reject cuts and privatisation and call for innovative public services funded through a progressive taxation".
There are a series of motions on health and safety, public sector pensions, housing, transport, climate change, the NHS and education.
The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians is calling for new legislation "to ensure that the disgusting practice of blacklisting is stamped out once and for all", with blacklisting becoming a specific criminal offence.
A TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Conference motion claims the proposed cuts "will disproportionately affect working-class LGBT users of public services".
The Society of Radiographers is calling for sunbed use to be banned with the exception of "treatment of clinical conditions under the control of appropriate medical, nursing and allied health professionals".
"There continues to be an increase in the incidence of skin cancer and associated conditions in this country to the extent that the UK has a higher incidence rate than Australia.
"The unnecessary use of sunbeds as a cosmetic procedure has the potential to increase the risk of skin cancer and death from cancer and to place unreasonable demands on NHS cancer services at a time when the government is trying to reduce costs, streamline service delivery and promote healthy lifestyles.
"Affiliated unions have considerable influence with members and the resources to highlight the dangers that misuse of sun beds for tanning pose to the general public.
"Congress calls on the General Council to work with the government and relevant charities to further restrict the use of sunbeds to treatment of clinical conditions under the control of appropriate medical, nursing and allied health professionals."
And the Professional Footballers' Association has tabled a motion backing England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
"In these difficult times, this is one goal that can unite the nation and at the same time provide huge economic benefits for our country and our people.
"As the 2010 competition in South Africa has shown, football has a unique capacity to heal divisions and bring people together and in the coming years the anticipation and excitement leading up to the tournament will undoubtedly have a very positive impact throughout the land.
"The spin-offs in terms of increased economic activity and employment are compelling and the enthusiasm of our citizens in bringing the Cup home are indeed worthy of universal support.
"English football can proudly boast some of the best players in the world and the most entertaining football, and Congress feels strongly that the opportunity to host the World Cup in England is long overdue.
"Trade unionists have always been passionate about our national game and Congress therefore backs the call to bring the Cup to these shores and hopefully see England triumph once again."
Article Comments
As a show of solidarity with their struggling members, the Trade Union bosses should donate 90% of their generous pay and benefits packages to their members for the next 5 years.
Mike
12th Sep 2010 at 9:37 am
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