Motions 71 and amendment and 72
Congress notes that structural imbalances of power and wealth now permeate the world of work and the economy, leading to ever growing inequality, have been decades in the making.
Congress believes that 2022 marks a turning point in the history of the British trade union movement. After years of work by unions, a new wave of workers is fighting back and demanding better.
Unions have been building toward this moment and instead of waiting for political change, Congress believes it is time to focus on the root of our power – our workplaces, sectors, and our members themselves.
It is crucial that the TUC now coordinates, supports and fully reflects this approach, involving TUC regions and trades councils.
Therefore, Congress agrees a review of the TUC – including its overall role and purpose in the wider movement.
Congress further resolves that the review, informed by a General Council working group, should bring about as a minimum:
i. the general secretary of the TUC to be elected for a five-year term
ii. the role of a deputy general secretary elected every five years
iii. enhancing the democratic involvement of affiliates in high-level decision making to make the TUC more representative and responsive
iv. TUC structures where workers’ voices in every sector of the economy are amplified and given fair weight
v. ensuring TUC and affiliate structures properly reflect the ethnicity, gender and diversity of the members we represent
vi. decentralised TUC with stronger regions and trades councils with a reinvigorated coordinating machinery
vii. TUC resources to assist increasing sectoral and workplace density, power and unity, recognising our political strength often comes from industrial strength
viii. TUC structures that can coordinate the united power of the union movement in every workplace and community in the UK.
Mover: Communication Workers Union
Seconder: Equity
Supporter: RMT