Community Delegation Report
There were 12 delegates from Community attending this Conference, which we are proud to say is the largest delegation the Union has ever taken to this Conference.
Michael Auguste acted as delegation leader for the Conference, Joe Mann administered the delegation meeting, and also hosted the delegation dinner which was appreciated by all of us.
Speakers
On Friday conference was address by:
Shelia Bearcroft TUC President Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary
Saturday
Simon Wolley Director of Operation Black Vote
Dr Richard Stone Member of the McPherson Inquiry
Richard Corbett MEP Yorkshire and Humberside
Sunday
Luka Phiri speaking in support of “Let us work”
Before conference started Michael as delegation leader went over each motion to give each delegate the opportunity to discuss each issue and have a full understanding of each motion and as a collective decide how we were voting.
There were two informal session. Firstly a debate on Saturday morning. Then in the afternoon we were split into four workshops.
Over the 3 days we discussed 20 motions and 3 emergency motions. The 3 emergency motions were carried and 19 motions from the main agenda were carried as read. Community’s motion 18 courted some controversy.
Michael spoke to our motion on the Gazza conflict with passion and conviction, the motion was seconded by USDAW who also spoke with conviction and we both made it clear that an enduring peace in Gazza can only come about through non-violent means. There was an amendment to the motion submitted by UCU which condemned Israel, and the debate that followed was passionate and although we were disappointed that the amendment was accepted, there were other Unions that supported us, and we firmly believe that our Unions position on this issue is absolutely correct.
The motion going forward to the TUC Congress was on economic recovery.
We are delighted to confirm that Rajinder Sagoo was elected unopposed to the TUC Black Workers Committee, and in addition Jitu Depeala was also elected unopposed for the Disability Seat on the TUC Black Workers Committee, and we are extremely proud to have two members now elected to this Committee.
I wish to conclude by thanking the NEC for agreeing to support this and other Equalities Conferences, and we sincerely hope that we can take the maximum numbers for next year.
Carol Hodgson, on behalf of the delegation to the TUC Black Workers Conference 2009.
The 2008 TUC Black and Ethnic Workers Conference was held in Eastbourne Friday 18th -Sunday 20th April
Community proudly participates in each annual TUC Black and Ethnic Workers Conference.
The Community delegation takes a leading role in raising the issues facing Black and Ethnic workers in Britain today.
The 2008 conference was held at Floral Hall, Winter Gardens, Eastbourne. Delegates addressed issues ranging from Institutional Racism to specific industrial problems.
Speakers at the Conference included;
- Brendan Barber (General Secretary TUC);
- Donna Covey (Chief Executive, Refugee Council);
- Ms P Kamalam (Director of Equality, International Trade Union Confedration);
- Zora Moosa (Fawcett Society)
LtoR - Rajinder Sagoo [Region 6], Ashok Kumar Patel [Region 6], Champak Parekh [Region 7], Freddie Toolaram [Region 6] and Messan Foley [Region 6]. |
Community Delegation at previous conferences. |