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Network Journal 2004 Issue 1 |
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Campaigning union attracts new members
By Sir Bill Connor, General Secretary
In this first issue of Network in 2004 I would, on behalf of the executive council, like to thank all our activists for their work over the last 12 months.
We managed to again grow by over 10,000 members in 2003 taking our national membership figure to its highest level since 1992.
The many organising initiatives we have taken, including the trial in 2003 of our very own Organising Academy, have put Usdaw to the forefront as an organising union. We have improved not only in quantitative terms but also qualitatively as well.
As this issue of Network shows there are whole ranges of issues in which our union and its members are actively involved at national and local level. We have, over these last five years or so, significantly improved our industrial and our political profile.
The successes we have had on the Minimum Wage, Christmas Day working, Sunday working in Scotland, Lifelong Learning and many others would not have been possible under a Tory government. We have worked constructively, co-operatively and, when necessary, forcefully in partnership with our Labour government.
As we approach the time when we are required by law to ballot to keep our political fund we should remember our campaigning slogan 'industrial ends need political means'. Whatever party is in government we will need both the resources and the capacity to campaign on political issues. The article in this issue explains this thoroughly and we will be campaigning hard to keep our absolutely necessary political fund.
One of the most critical issues facing workers today is the question of future pension provision. It will take a clear partnership between government, employers and workers themselves if we are to resolve the present crisis. Employers have, no doubt, jumped on the bandwagon and closed or seriously downgraded their pension provision solely to cut costs and boost profits.
However, this is not the time to scour for scapegoats but an opportunity to seek creative and sustainable solutions to what is an issue that has many complex factors. Our government has acted swiftly and shown a proper sense of urgency in seeking to come to terms with this issue. Andrew Smith, Secretary of State, and an Usdaw member, is introducing a Pensions Bill which will address many of our concerns.
Usdaw will be playing an active role in ensuring our members' concerns are brought to the forefront at governmental level and with the employers we negotiate with.
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