Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 3

ADM 2005 - members make all the decisions

The union’s parliament debated all of the important issues of the day – pensions, health and safety, pay, holidays, campaigns and much more proving once again in Usdaw.

Improved rights for working parents and carers attracted a number of speakers and proved that the union's Supporting Parents and Carers campaign is at the heart of the modern social agenda.

Delegates heard calls to increase carers allowance, introduce paid emergency leave, improve maternity and paternity pay, extend the availability and affordability of childcare and to include grandparents when considering time off for family duties.

Education minister Ruth Kelly opened the debate and gave Labour's support to the campaign as she outlined the Government's future plans to improve the work/life balance. "I'm delighted with Usdaw's campaign, it touches everyone."

Employers have to realise that your family comes first, said Sally Neale, North East Kent. "Too many mums are going back to work too early because they can't afford to stay at home with their babies."

Croydon Metropolitan's Lesley Jarvis pleaded for paid time off for emergency leave. "This type of time off can often cause problems with company absence policies and it shouldn't," she said.

Calculating maternity pay is a nightmare and women should not have to go 'cap in hand' when they are pregnant said John Borbely of Bradford Grattans. "The cost of living doesn't fall when you're pregnant. When I looked at how to calculate pay rates I was screaming and I'm not the one having the babies!"

The important role for fathers was highlighted by Christine Hicks of Plymouth. "It's essential that dads are given the chance to bond with their children, so paternity leave should be both paid and reflect actual earnings," she said.

Jane Rogers, North West Boots, spoke up for elderly people facing private sector care provision. "These establishments should be strictly regulated and monitored by the government," she said.

Other speakers in the debate included: Paul Weimars, Olwen Jones, Cara Peattie, Hayley Pickles, Phil Swailes, Jackie Chadkirk, Graham Parkin, Esther day and Steve Fundry.

One of the hottest industrial and political issues of the last few years - pensions - was the subject of a prolonged and intelligent debate at conference. Members had clearly put a lot of thought into how the problem should be tackled and presented conference with nine propositions on the issue.

The number and role of trustees, final salary schemes, national insurance, negotiations, employer contributions, pension holidays and transfer regulations were all considered.

Ron Tillett of Bradford Grattan called for workshops aimed at pension trustees to encourage more reps to get involved and equip them with more knowledge. While Peter Thomas of Bournemouth & South Dorset said: "It was a national disgrace that final salary schemes were being replaced by inferior ones."

Valerie Johnson, Doncaster & District PT spoke up for women who miss out on pension provision because of their working pattern. She wants the national insurance scheme changed to take account of this.

Darren Travis, West Yorkshire Co-op, said pensions should be a part of the negotiating agenda and protected in law. "Our members expect and deserve a reasonable living in retirement but some have no pension scheme at all. The UK is the fourth largest economy on the planet and companies shouldn't be allowed to cut benefits."

Employers should be forced to contribute 10 per cent of earnings to their employees pensions said Mike Dixon of Yorkshire Morrisons. "Around nine million people are under saving for retirement," he said.

Pension holidays, when companies suspend contributions to a scheme, should be outlawed, said North Sussex's Sharon Fotheringham while Michael Green of Northern Morrisons called for stronger legislation to protect pensions when one company takes over another.

• If you were one of the speakers at this year's ADM we may have your picture available on our web site, which you can download free of charge. For more go to: www.usdaw.org.uk/gallery.

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