Prospect play active role at TUC Congress 2024

Trade Union Congress was held in Brighton from 8-11 September 2024. Prospect’s delegation was made up of reps from across the union, representing a range of sectors, as well as those on the NEC and other reps.

They all played an active role in the debates across the whole Congress.

 

Prospect’s motions – Europe and regulation

Prospect can take two motions to Congress. This year the NEC decided to submit motions on workers’ rights and UK/EU relations and a second on public interest regulation.

Moving the motion on Europe, Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said the benefits of Brexit could not be identified but the problems were clear. He highlighted that:

“The OBR predicts 4% lower GDP over 15 years.

“The OBR calculates a 15% reduction in export trade. 

“The UK is outside the EU Green Industrial Plan. 

“The impacts on working people across the board, notably in entertainment and touring, but also by being denied access to new social and employment protections when adopted by the EU. I cite the collective bargaining directive as a prime example.” 

Mike called for:

“A plan to improve the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and deliver dynamic alignment, particularly on employment law. 

“We need to be honest that Brexit promises are unlocatable, and we need a new closer relationship with our closest trading partners.” 

The motion on public interest regulation was moved by Neil Hope-Collins, Prospect Vice President and member of the HSE branch. Reflecting on the past decade, Neil told Congress:

“The core role of the Civil Service in providing objective advice and accountable delivery has been deliberately put at risk by this government.  

“If you don’t value your experts. – they leave. Government is haemorrhaging key skills, from infrastructure planning to plant and animal health through to the environment, and health and safety regulation.” 

Both motions were passed by Congress and become TUC policy.

Read more: Prospect moves for UK to have better ties with Europe

Read more: Prospect calls for good regulation to drive growth

Prospect speakers take centre stage

Delegates took the opportunity to speak on many motions submitted by other unions that would be of interest to our members.

Prospect President, Ele Wade spoke up for members in public services on a motion submitted by the FDA on A New Deal for Public Sector Workers.

She called for a new partnership and consultation forum in the Civil Service, better recognition of specialist professions and higher standards of worker voice for members. She said:

“The new government has a chance to turn the page.  

“When meeting Cabinet Office ministers, alongside other Civil Service unions, Prospect made it clear that members wanted to see a new approach by government to the Civil Service, one built on respect and a recognition of the crucial role that members play in delivering the government’s missions. 

“We explained that the pay remit process is flawed and an irretrievably broken process. 

“We want to work constructively with ministers and officials to build a process that is fit for purpose and delivers fair rewards and progression.” 

On a similar theme, Prospect delegate Andy Messer from the National Lottery Community Fund branch, seconded the FDA motion on Ethical Government. He highlighted the professionalism of Civil Servants in contrast to the behaviour of many ministers in recent years.

Deputy Vice President Alice Black spoke on two motions on the creative industries directly relevant to our members in the Bectu sector. She spoke in support of a Musician’s Union and Equity motion on tackling misogyny in music. Alice told Congress that no one in the music industry either onstage or behind it should suffer discrimination or abuse.

Alice also seconded the composite motion on rights for freelancers, recognising the large freelance membership of the union, particularly in the Bectu sector. She highlighted the rights of freelance members on pensions, calling for regulators to make sure rules on auto-enrolment are properly followed, and members get the pension they deserve.

Sue Ferns, Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary, spoke in support of a motion from the Professional Footballers Association on the governance of football. It highlighted the overloaded football calendar and excessive workload. She made the case for worker involvement in the football industry on behalf of our football referee membership and highlighted the serious challenges they face at work.

Prospect delegate and NEC member Sarthak Kumar spoke on rights for migrant workers. He highlighted our campaign on the impact of changes to visa rules on members working in STEM professions.

Carolyn Spence supported the GMB’s motion on equal pay for ASDA workers, highlighting our own campaigning on this issue over may years.

Both Mike Clancy and Sue Ferns spoke on the composite motion on the climate emergency. In the debate we argued for action on climate with a considered just transition plan to make sure communities are not left behind and for the UK to attract the investment it needs.

Prospect delegates abstained on this motion as we felt that it didn’t not include sufficient safeguards for members working in industries most affected by the transition to net zero. We also supported a composite motion from the GMB and Unite that clearly argued for workers affected by transition to be supported and also to commit to the construction of Sizewell C nuclear power station.

Other notable motions and statements

Much media coverage of Conference was focussed on the government’s changes to Winter Fuel Allowance. Prospect supported a motion proposed by USDAW and PCS on supporting the social security system including opposing the cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

The Congress was addressed by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot. Prospect supported the composite resolution on the situation in Palestine.

Prospect strongly supported two important statements made by the General Council.

The first was on Uniting against racism and the far right following the riots and far right violence seen over the summer.

The second on Tackling and preventing sexual harassment in the trade union movement committed all unions to addressing sexual harassment wherever it arises in the trade union movement.

Prime Minister’s speech

Sir Keir Starmer gave the first speech by a Prime Minister to the TUC for 15 years. He emphasised partnership between trade unions, business and government saying:

“That’s why I call now, as before the election for the politics of partnership. With us – in government. With business. And most importantly of all, with working people. 

“Now, that sounds very straightforward and attractive. But I’ll tell you this. It’s much more difficult. Alongside collaboration, it also requires compromise. It demands we work through disagreement. And with those who have a different perspective.” 

The speech was followed by a short question and answer session. President of Prospect’s Defence Sector, Helen Carp asked a question on what the Prime Minister and his government could do to tackle workplace sexual harassment.

The Prime Minister promised that this would be addressed in the Employment Rights Bill, saying:

“I’m really pleased that in the new deal legislation there will be stronger protection for sexual harassment. It is much needed and can’t come quick enough.

“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in all its forms and all its places. I have made VAWG an essential issue because I am determined that we will fight this. It’s time now for action.”

Read more: Mike Clancy’s response in the Guardian.

Solidarity

Members of the Prospect delegation, including the Presidential Team, took part in two solidarity photo calls for unions who were taking industrial action during Congress.

Firstly, supporting Equity members, working alongside our members in the Bectu sector, at the Welsh National Opera who have voted to take industrial action for the first time in their history in a dispute over jobs and pay.

Secondly, we showed support for members of Nautilus International and the RMT union in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who work closely with many Prospect members in our Defence Sector.

Elections

Sue Ferns was successfully re-elected to the General Council of the TUC, and will sit alongside General Secretary Mike Clancy.