Annual Delegate Meeting 21 – 24 April 2002

The union’s policies for the coming year will be decided in April when more than 1,300 activists and officials meet in Blackpool for the union’s 56th Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM).

Propositions on rule changes, industrial, economic and political policies will be discussed and voted on by delegates to the ADM.

The four day event runs from 21 – 24 April 2002 and will be held at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens.

Rights at work, public services and education are all high on the agenda at this year’s conference. The Agenda has 79 varied propositions submitted by Usdaw branches throughout the country.

Cardiff Central and Anglia Tesco have submitted propositions on the ADM while 12 others address union administration and contribution rates.

Chelmsford & Colchester Retail want to see funding for education and training of shop stewards and activists to be paid by central funds. The branch is also asking the union to look at the possibility of a 24-hour helpline.

There are seven propositions on wages and conditions at work. These include one from Plymouth and South West Co-op calling for an automatic notification system for union contributions during members’ long-term sickness.

Nine branches have submitted propositions on industrial and political policy. Radstock, Shepton Mallet & District are urging the Government to take positive action to increase awareness of men’s health such as prostrate and testicular cancer. Similarly Reading General is calling for a wider use of cancer screening for breast and cervical cancer and screening for men.

While Manchester General is calling on the Government to set up a Royal Commission to re-examine Great Britain’s drug laws. Fallowfield branch have submitted propositions on Asylum Seekers and the Campaign Against Racism.

The education debate contains five propositions. Two from Bolton and Manchester Gusco are on adult learning and Northants Tesco is calling on the Government and Local Education Authorities (LEA) to employ at least one trained teacher in dyslexia and special needs at all schools.

The health and safety debate contains six propositions. East Kent General are calling on the Executive Council to campaign for full compensation and support for the victims and families of asbestos-related diseases.

Cardiff Central and Bradford Morrisons are concerned about the increase of violence in the workplace. North Sussex is calling for better training for employees on how to deal with violence in the workplace.

Also included in this debate are propositions on working time legislation from Yate & District and Chelmsford & Colchester Retail.

Three branches have submitted propositions as part of the International Debate. Darlington S is concerned about the bombing of Afghanistan while Yorkshire Regional CRS condemns Israel’s treatment of Palestinian people. Solent is calling upon the Executive Council and individual branches to affiliate to the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign.

In the public services debate North West Boots is calling on the Government to investigate and monitor care provision for the elderly. North West CRS is calling for more support for long-term carers, especially in regards to rest periods. While Swansea General is calling on the Government to change the national lottery so that some of the profits can be ploughed into the National Health Service.

There are nine propositions on rights at work, which include St. Merryn Cornwall’s concerns about Bank Holidays. While Berwick-on-Tweed (SB) want the Government to sever the link between medically certified absence and disciplinary action.

Sunderland Private Trade want to see an improvement in employee consultation. While Cardiff Tesco House Sata want to see greater equality for part-time workers. Bradford Grattan are calling on the Government to reduce the qualifying period for employment tribunals from the current 12 months to 6 months employment.

The taxation and state benefits debate sees six propositions, which include Chesterfield & District Private Trade’s concerns about the payment of benefits during hospitalisation. Manchester Gusco is calling for extra tax relief for employers who provide childcare in the workplace. While Fallowfield are calling for the abolition of the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit.

There are eight propositions concerning Transport. These include Mid Glamorgan Private Trades who are calling on the Government to take steps to address risks like deep vein thrombosis. North West CRS is calling for better transport in rural areas.

In the pensions debate East Kent General will urge the Executive Council to investigate company pensions under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection for Employment (TUPE) legislation. Staffordshire General is worried about Stakeholder pensions and Greater Nottingham Co-op Society Regional have concerns about state pensions.

In the recruitment and organising debate Mid Sussex are calling for new incentives to encourage the 700,000 non-unionised 16 – 21 year-old retail workers to join Usdaw. While Anglia Tesco is calling for more courses to help improve organising and presentation skills.

Three Policy Statements Will Shape Debates

The statement Politics in Action – Making Change Happen details the political activity of Usdaw and its Labour Party members in 2001. It also lists our political priorities for the coming year. It explains how Usdaw members can easily become involved in politics.

The statement also identifies how members can take their first steps into the political arena. Such as writing to your MP asking for support on the Christmas Day (Trading) Bill, or helping someone you know who is discriminated against because of the Lower Earnings Limit. Political activity will help make a real difference to Usdaw’s members.

The statement Pensions gives a basic grasp of pensions and pension issues to members to help them plan their future.

It looks at all the pensions options available, from State Pension to the new Stakeholder Pensions. It looks at the position of Usdaw members in retirement and also Labour’s record and reforms on pensions.

The statement Sustainable Organising – Power to Usdaw Reps! contains essential information on recruitment techniques. It provides reps with practical help to organise the workplace. There are also personal testimonies from reps who have pioneered the organising approach successfully. Dealing with recruitment, organising and communication techniques it is an essential guide for all activists.

ADM Diary – Fringe Meetings and Get-togethers

Fringe Meetings:

Venue and speakers to be announced prior to ADM.

Social Evenings:

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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