Conference 2009.

So the 2009 conference is over, the hangovers have subsided, the pictures collated, motions written up, old and new comrades and friends have gone their separate ways, and the work of UNISON organisers, reps, recruiters, and stewards continues for another year – so what was it all about?

As a first time delegate at my first conference I have to say it was about a whole lot! From the time we arrived on Monday until we departed, the week was jam packed with some of the most progressive groups, individuals, meetings and fringe events that I have ever had the pleasure of participating in.

It was extremely refreshing to see and hear colleagues from all over Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, and comrades from all over the world, over 3000 of them in total, give visual and verbal expression to the radical working class roots of trade unionism.

In walking into the conference centre for the first time I must admit I was taken aback by the professionalism, glitz and glamour – 40 foot screens projecting Jimmy from tower hamlets, and Jean from London City University etc. to the 2000 strong audience, who would vote for or against the motions, amendments and composites put forward.

And as for the motions – the declarations of intent – laid down by UNISON this year on everything from the basics of working people’s rights, to the macro issues of economy, environment, government, internationalism, socialism, capitalism and everything in between - I was massively impressed. Not least by the truly revolutionary and progressive nature of the views and opinions expressed and I felt very proud to be in the presence of people who had such an acute awareness of the real issues of our time. 

Young people with more wit and guile than the politicians who seek to marginalise them, disabled people with more, dignity, self awareness and ability, than most I have seen in Stormont, Westminster or elsewhere. Black, Asian, Indian – people of all cultures identities and creed’s unified under a banner of working class trade unionism, and part of a movement from below with genuine potential for radically reshaping society.  

The knowledge that workers united and organised could out strip any of the forces of regression and reaction in society was palpable on the floor of conference – if we could only realise our potential!

The anger at the British Labour government, and basically every politician, bar the exceptional few, was felt and expressed in every sinew of the conference – the recent expenses scandal and the willingness of the British Labour government to placate big bankers and business whilst simultaneously undermining and discriminating against everyone in attendance and the 1.3 million people they were there to represent, was not taken lightly.

UNISON general secretary David Prentice hit the labour government a slap in the face, and assured our membership that no Trade Union money would be used to support politicians who no longer served their people. (Listen to Dave Prentice speech to conference)

The current global economic downturn created by rampant capitalism and an unregulated free market was the focus of much debate also, with radical proposals from the conference floor as to how UNISON and the trade union movement should respond.

Overall, despite the state of the global economy, the threats and attacks on worker’s rights and general freedoms, the imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and many other massive issues which face trade unionists and all of society, a strong and confident trade union is what was represented in Brighton last week.

We remain a collective of activists from many different backgrounds and skills bases, all of whom continue to empower their friends and colleagues in workplaces up and down Britain and Ireland. Who continue to fight against exploitation and discrimination and for social justice in our respective fields of struggle.

And from our own branch, and region, in the face of the brutal attacks visited upon our Romanian neighbours last week, the UNION reaffirmed its dedication to justice for all and the protection of the rights and civil liberties of all our people.

The following speech was to be read from the conference floor on behalf of the community and voluntary sector. Whilst it was not heard at conference, its message is nevertheless true and its intent remains very real.

(Read content of Seán's Speech to conference)

As I departed from UNISON’s conference 2009, I felt that we workers, especially those of us in the community and voluntary sector, who face massive financial cut backs and attacks on the services we provide and the jobs we hold, now more than ever must organise, recruit, empower and seek to deliver at all levels of society.

I departed with a full phone book of new contacts and friends who wish to come to our branch and share their stories and experiences and also with a wealth of new ideas and potential initiatives to strengthen and enhance the greater Belfast community and voluntary branch.

It’s now time to action those ideas together.