Protecting workers' jobs and rights in Brexit Britain and an economy built on decent jobs with an active industrial strategy at its heart are among the key issues for Britain's largest union, Unite, at this year's TUC Congress in Brighton.
With Tory austerity ruining lives and tearing through our communities, Unite will be calling for a new economic model based on investment in infrastructure, innovation and properly funded public services with composite 01 on securing a strong economy for all.
Moving the Brexit, the single market and rights at work composite (number 05), Unite will be calling for a ‘jobs first’ Brexit with barrier free access to European markets and denounces the government’s ideologically driven ‘hard’ Brexit. Unite will also be calling for the TUC to vigorously defend workers’ rights under attack with the government’s European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.
Key Unite interventions, speeches and fringes are as follows:
Sunday 10 September 2017
Sunday afternoon venue and time TBC: Launch of a landmark tipping code and fair tips guide
Tipping transparency will move a step closer today with the launch of a landmark new code between Unite, Britain’s biggest union, and the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the voice of the UK’s eating and drinking out sector.
A fair tipping guide to Brighton’s restaurants and bars for TUC delegates will also be launched.
16:00 – 19:00 Brexit debate: Unite general secretary Len McCluskey moves Brexit, the single market and rights at work (composite 05)
19:00 Fringe: Institute of Employment Rights/Campaign for Trade Union Freedom – Preparing for power, Labour rights under a Labour government
Speakers include Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, Prof. Keith Ewing, Dr Lydia Hayes and John Hendy QC.
Venue: Old Ship Hotel, Kings Road
19:30 Fringe: Reclaim migrant domestic workers’ rights
Chaired by Unite assistant general secretary, Diana Holland, speakers include migrant domestic workers from J4DW, the Waling-Waling campaign group and Kalayaan, in addition to TUC head of Europe and international relations Owen Tudor.
Venue: Regency suite, Brighton Hilton Metropole
Monday 11 September 2017
12:45 Fringe: Trading away the UK – can we trust the Tories on trade?
Speakers include Barry Gardiner MP, shadow international trade, Unite assistant general secretary, Tony Burke, John Hendy QC, chair of the Institute of Employment Rights and Rosa Crawford, TUC policy officer.
Venue: Regency suite, Brighton Hilton Metropole
17:30 – 19:30 Fringe: A celebration of solidarity and the Congress launch of The Battle of Grangemouth
Mark Lyon, author of The Battle of Grangemouth, and award winning film-maker Morag Livingstone, will be joined by Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish secretary and Dan Carden MP, to remind us how unions stand up when workers are attacked. Live music will follow as part of this celebration of solidarity.
Venue: Regency suite, Brighton Hilton Metropole
Tuesday 12 September 2017
12:45 Fringe: Tackling workplace insecurity – how the Taylor report fails working people
Paul Mason, writer and broadcaster, Ellie Mae O’Hagan, writer and Unite’s Gail Cartmail will be joined by workers to discuss the rise and challenges of insecure working – and how Matthew Taylor’s report was a missed opportunity. Chaired by, Unite assistant general secretary, Steve Turner.
Venue: Regency suite, Brighton Hilton Metropole
14:15 – 17:30 Economy debate: Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner moves composite 01 on securing a strong economy for all
17:45 Fringe: Agency and zero hours work – the voices of hidden exploitation
Chesterfield Unite community branch, Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam and Salford Universities have come together to produce a report that tells the story of hidden exploitation in Britain today. Speakers include Unite assistant general secretary, Steve Turner, Prof Helen Richardson, Dr Daiga Kamerade and Owen Espley from War on Want.
Venue: West Bar, Brighton Centre
Wednesday 13 September 2017
09:30 – 12:45 Debate: Unite motion 75 solidarity with all progressive forces and the Kurdish population of Turkey
