Campaigning against a job-destroying ‘hard Brexit’, building an economy that works for all, in addition to tackling the far right, the collapse of Carillion and outsourcing in the public sector are among the key themes for Unite the union at this year’s TUC congress in Manchester.
On the conference floor, there will be key Unite contributions in Monday’s (10 September) Brexit and privatisation debate. Tuesday (11 September) sees contributions on tackling the far right, as part of the anti-racism debate in the morning.
Tuesday afternoon meanwhile will see calls from Unite for tougher takeover rules and greater state involvement in building a long-term industrial strategy that delivers an economy for all.
On the fringe key events include:
Sunday 9 September
18:30 or end of conference – Lauren Townsend Unite/TGI Fridays campaigner joins shadow chancellor John McDonnell and John Hendy at the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom fringe on rolling out the a manifesto for Labour rights. Charter 4 in the conference centre.
Monday 10 September
12:45 lunch break - Unite general secretary Len McCluskey will be joining the leaders of CWU and GMB to discuss the fight for a new deal for workers. Exchange room 9 in the conference centre.
12:45 lunch break - Unite will launching the book, Mohammad Taj - Steering from the front. Mohammad Taj was the TUC’s first Muslim president. A Unite member and bus driver for 40 years the book is an inspirational look at Mohammad Taj’s role as a trade union rep and his work combatting prejudice and racism. Unite stand in the exhibition area of the conference centre.
19:00 – Exclusive screening of Nae Pasaran followed by a question and answer session with Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, the film’s director Felipe Bustos Sierrra, plus cast. Exchange auditorium in the conference centre.
Tuesday 11 September
12:45 lunch break - Unite general secretary Len McCluskey discusses the future of Labour and trade unions at the Morning Star’s fringe event. Exchange 1 in the conference centre.
17:30 – Working class miscarriages of justice: Ensuring they never happen again chaired by Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett. Speakers include: Sheila Coleman from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Chris Peace from Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, Dave Smith from the Blacklist Support Campaign, Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) and Terry Renshaw from Shrewsbury Picket. Charter 4 in the conference centre.
