Local government workers in Unison held a special conference on 24 March which, as previously reported in Solidarity, voted against the leadership to submit a new additional claim to achieve the living wage — throwing out the two-year deal the leadership had made with employers.
The Executive conceded many criticisms in advance, not opposing critical motions, choosing to stand firm solely over re-submitting a pay claim for this year.
Bureaucratic manoeuvrings began before conference, scheduling a 90 minutes lunch, and only four hours to discuss motions. After 30 minutes discussing the order paper, the chair announced further 20 minutes to read the order paper because of concerns over access, reducing conference time to just three hours!
Branches wanting to ensure the day wasn’t wasted acted in a disciplined manner, speeches were tight, with regular proposals that “the question be put”, ensured key motions on re-opening the pay ballot this year, were reached and won with 62% and 68%.
The arguments from the leadership were straightforward — 64% of members had voted to accept. But we had already voted to condemn the consultation process, the lack of lay member involvement, failure to develop a serious strategy for the pay battle, the failure to recommend rejection (and the allegation that it would need all out indefinite action to win better).
As well as voting to submit an additional Living Wage and equivalent claim this year (for April 2015), conference also voted:
• for at least two lay members involved in all negotiations,
• for positive recommendations to accept or reject offers when members consulted,
• to produce clear information on pay decline since 2004,
• for greater transparency in negotiations with summary reports to branches within 24 hours of meetings,
• for a commitment to timetable escalation of action from the outset, and better strike/hardship funds.
For this policy to be enacted will need coordination between branches and activists.
Workers’ Liberty members who work in local government will meet later this month to discuss proposals for the way forward and will continue to work with other activists promoting open discussion through the local government workers’ blog.
