GFTU BGCM Report 2017

RESOLUTIONS 2015/2017 POLICIES & IMPLEMENTATION

Resolution 1 Protecting State Pension for Women (1) Conference notes that recent changes to state pension regulations have increased the number of years’ NI contributions required to ensure entitlement to a full pension to 35 years. This has been done at the same time as reducing the number of years’ credit which can be claimed in respect of time away from work due to child care. This is likely to have a significant impact on pension rights for many women in particular. Conference therefore calls on the GFTU to campaign to reverse both these changes to ensure that women’s pension rights are not adversely affected in the future. Resolution 2 Abolition of Zero Hour Contracts and Other Detrimental Ways of Undermining Rates of Pay (1) That this BGCM calls on government to end the practice of zero hour contracts unless expressly requested by the employee, an end to the Con-Dem workfare schemes that are no better than legalized slavery and an end to juvenile rates of pay where they are used as a means to reduce employment costs. The GFTU’s ability to take meaningful action on issues of wider social and economic and political policy is constrained by the context in which we operate and also determined by the emergence of new central priorities which we cannot predict at the BGCM. In essence over the last two years we have faced a government intent on pursuing the suicidal austerity course and on restraining legitimate trade union activity beyond all reason through the Trade Union Act. The scale and intensity of difficulties faced by areas of life we strongly support whether it be the Health Service or Probation has been such that we could have been stretched to breaking point. Our focus of activity has of necessity been internal in the sense of reviewing our education and services and facilities to become a stronger support mechanism for our affiliates in their normal course of activities and in their hour of need.

GFTU representation has been made on this question. Implementation

Support has been given to unions taking up this issue and particular disputes where zero hours contracts have been opposed. The GFTU’s own employment practice of course forbids such things and no age discriminatory rates of pay are paid. Implementation

Implementation

Resolution 3 Minimum Living Wage

Support and publicity has been given to this campaign throughout the period.

(1) That this BCTGM supports the BFAWU and TUC campaign to have a minimum wage of £10 per hour throughout all work places in the UK and that we pursue this policy through our individual unions with the government of the day. The impact of such a move will be to stimulate the economy, lift 5 million people out of working poverty and will reduce dependence on benefits which at present subsidise employers who pay low wages. We recognize that there will be employers who cannot pay £10, but that should be a matter for investigation, dependent on profits, dividends paid to shareholders and director salaries. We furthermore send our support and congratulations to the successful $15NOW campaign being waged across the USA which has seen a dramatic rise in both rates of pay and living standards amongst the working poor.

Implementing 2015 Resolutions | Page 12