Bulletin of Socialist Party members in

the Activist
each other.

Issue 50 2014 ADM Special

Zero-Hour Contracts: Milibands Proposals Arent Good Enough

A year - thats how long Ed Miliband expects workers to try and survive on a zero-hour contract before they can demand a contractual guarantee of the hours they are working. This would also have to be backed up by a willingness to call action to secure such agreements As most shopworkers on insecure as the Bakers union did hours will know, employers will sim- last year at Hovis. ply drop workers hours or find other loopholes to get around Labours But this isnt the only proposed legislation. issue where Labour are letting workers down. The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) will be standing over 550 candidates in next Mays local elections The Activist believes zero-hour con- Time and again we pass tracts should be bannedworkers policy at ADM that Labour ignores - support strikers at Care UK in Donshould be able to sign up for a two years ago our ADM demanded caster. guaranteed number of hours each the repeal of the anti-union laws. week. They should also be able to We need a political voice that get full-time work in a company if Instead what we get is a Labour stands up for workers - thats why that work exists, rather than the shadow minister, Tristram Hunt, 550 trade unionists are standing for current practise of hiring lots of part of the Usdaw group of MPs, TUSC in this Mays elections. people on zero or short-hour con- openly crossing a picket line. Militracts and playing us off against band has so far failed to publicly For more info visit - tusc.org.uk

Packed Agenda for ADM: The Activists Guide

As always, the agenda for ADM is Also taking place full and varied with many proposi- in the politics de- Activist Fringe meeting at ADM 2014 tions set to provoke debate. bate will be a motion submitted Something set to be a key discus- by Fallowfield on 6pm, Sunday 4th May - Britannia Room, sion, will be the motion concerning t h e L a b o u r Ruskin Hotel, Albert Road, FY1 4PW funds paid by Usdaw to the Labour Party's 'Energy Party, especially given that a motion Price Pledge', by Llanelli branch to discuss the link whilst the Activist Speakers include: to Labour itself has been blocked by agrees with the Amy Murphy, Usdaw EC (personal capacity) the leadership. The motion Dundee motion we would Rob Williams, Socialist Party trade union organiser PT correctly criticises Labour atti- point delegates tude to trade unions and can give toward the Amendment by Sussex way to truly ensure control over our the basis for a potentially wider de- No. 1 which goes further and calls energy and its cost. bate about Usdaw's relationship for the re-nationalisation of the enwith Labour and political represen- ergy companies under democratic Another proposition calling for natation for trade unionists. workers control. This is the only tionalisation is motion by Leeds PT,
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We Need A Fighting, Democratic Usdaw

Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

Cont. - Come to the Activist meeting Sunday 6pm

which not only opposes the privatisation of the East Coast Main Line but also calls for the public ownership of all public transport. Given the number of young people and students currently working in retail it welcome that a range of propositions discuss issues pertaining to them. The proposition by Llanelli on launching a campaign to abolish tuition fees is another important proposition. The Cardiff Tesco House proposal to change the name of the unions youth committees would bring it into line with the TUCs recent changes. The Activist believes that zero hour contracts are one of the key issues facing shop workers at the moment, so its therefore welcome that there are no less than 8 propositions on the matter. No doubt, some of these will be composited together and we advocated backing composites that call for abolition of zerohour contracts, but think it is also crucial that prior to the possibility of their abolition Usdaw should take steps itself to organise such workers and win improved contracts with guaranteed minimum number of hours. There are however, a number of propositions which we believe should be opposed. There is a dangerous attempt to advocate equality of poverty in a proposition on discrimination against ethnic minorities by East of Scotland Tesco. The resolution on the European Union by West of Scotland Morrisons attempts to cover-up the antiworker character of the EU which is attempting to push through privatisation of public services and undermining pay. S1 will as usual be a heated source of debate - we are sure that delegates will be keen to question why the AO posts promised werent advertised immediately as was stated at last years ADM and why overall FTO numbers are less than in 2001.

One issue that won't be on the agenda paper, but will be in the minds of delegates is that of the serious expenses allegations made against the General Secretary, John One proposition we believe many H a n n e t t , by the usdelegates will have questions over daw.wordpress.com blog. is by Wincanton Sherburn-in-Elmet branch. Most of its members left to A previous Activist statement, on join Unite a little over a year ago. usdawactivist.wordpress.com, arUsdaw members as a whole have gues that, while these should be never had a proper accounting of investigated by the EC, the blog what transpired there - delegates makes no criticism of Hannett and deserve answers to questions about the leadership's policies that have whether Unite was organising on offered no fight back to retail workthe site previously, and why mem- ers. bers would leave if they were getting a good service? The Activist put We urge all delegates to attend the out a statement at the time arguing meeting Activist will be hosting that those workers should have (advertised overleaf), not just to fought for Usdaw to adopt a fight- address issues of union democracy ing strategy to improve their condi- and accountability but all of the istions. Delegates will surely bare in sues facing retail and distribution mind that if we are to stop the con- and how we can build a fighting untinuing assault on pay and condi- ion - particularly given the upcomtions in distribution then we will ing EC and presidential elections need to link up with other unions in where we believe a broad challenge the sector to beat the bosses. to most of the incumbents is necessary.

New pamphlet
We Need A Socialist, Fighting Usdaw
Includes articles on zero-hour contracts, partnership, union democracy, young workers, Labour Party as well as an obituary for the late Robbie Segal, former EC member What Recovery? We want our share! Fight together for a pay rise! 8th annual conference takes place on Saturday 5th July - 11am - 5pm Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, Hoborn, London, WC1R 4RL
Speakers include: Ronnie Draper - BFAWU General Secretary, Steve Gillan - POA General Secretary, Janice Godrich - PCS President See www.shopstewards.net for info

Special offer for ADM - 2

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