Making a difference to workers

Unite’s fourth ever Policy Conference began yesterday (July 11) in Brighton, with Unite’s executive committee chair, Tony Woodhouse, giving opening remarks in which he laid out Unite’s mission – to protect and improve pay and conditions for working people.

This aim was at no time more important than now, he argued, following the recent vote in favour of the UK leaving the European Union. 

He recalled how Unite had decided democratically at the last policy conference in 2014 to support remaining in the European Union, a decision in which members’ views were front and centre. 

“But we recognised we cannot be uncritical of the European Union,” he added.

Woodhouse noted that no matter the outcome of the EU referendum, Unite’s core aim has and will remain the same – protecting members. He pointed specifically to the steel industry, in which, “the jobs of our steel members and the future of those communities remain uncertain and precarious.”

He emphasised the fact that Unite will continue to do “everything we can to defend the industry and steelworkers.”

Woodhouse paid tribute to the Miami Five, who were finally freed after decades of imprisonment, thanks to the tireless campaigning of Unite and other organisations. Two of the Miami Five – René González and Gerardo Hernández – have joined Unite at the conference this week. 

He hailed the many victories Unite has had as it fights to protect its members – securing millions in compensation for blacklisted construction workers this year was one such remarkable example. 

Woodhouse closed by noting that delegates’ decisions this week, “will be taken to workplaces and communities across the country and will make a difference for millions of working families.”