EC Meeting March 2017

2

Resolution 1

Implementation GFTU representation has been made on this question.

Protecting State Pension for Women

(1) Conference notes that recent changes to state pension regulations have increased the number of years' NI contributions required to ensure entitlement to a full pension to 35 years. This has been done at the same time as reducing the number of years' credit which can be claimed in respect of time away from work due to child care. This is likely to have a significant impact on pension rights for many women in particular. Conference therefore calls on the GFTU to campaign to reverse both these changes to ensure that women's pension rights are not adversely affected in the future.

Support has been given to unions taking up this issue and particular disputes where zero hours contracts have been opposed. The GFTU’s own employment practice of course forbids such things and no age discriminatory rates of pay are paid.

Resolution 2

Abolition of Zero Hour Contracts and Other Detrimental Ways of Undermining Rates of Pay

(1) That this BGCM calls on government to end the practice of zero hour contracts unless expressly requested by the employee, an end to the Con-Dem workfare schemes that are no better than legalized slavery and an end to juvenile rates of pay where they are used as a means to reduce employment costs.

Support and publicity has been given to this campaign throughout the period.

Resolution 3

Minimum Living Wage

(1) That this BCTGM supports the BFAWU and TUC campaign to have a minimum wage of £10 per hour throughout all work places in the UK and that we pursue this policy through our individual unions with the government of the day. The impact of such a move will be to stimulate the economy, lift 5 million people out of working poverty and will reduce dependence on benefits which at present subsidise employers who pay low wages. We recognize that there will be employers who cannot pay £10, but that should be a matter for investigation, dependent on profits, dividends paid to shareholders and director salaries. We furthermore send our support and congratulations to the successful $15NOW campaign being waged across the USA which has seen a dramatic rise in both rates of pay and living standards amongst the working poor.

A special day conference on apprenticeships has been called within the new education programme.

Resolution 4

Pay for Apprentices

(1) This Conference considers that investing in young people through apprenticeships is fundamentally important to any long-term strategy for economic growth.Conference further considers that all apprenticeships should offer high quality raining as well as good prospects and a fair wage. Conference acknowledges that 2 million apprenticeships have been started over this Par1iament but recognises that this figure masks a picture of poverty pay and abuse of the system with many employers taking advantage of government support to recruit cheap labour. Conference recognises that the minimum wage for apprentices, which currently starts at just £2.73 an hour, remains shockingly low, but that a significant proportion of employers fail to pay even the miserly legal minimum. Conference notes the findings of the 014 Apprenticeship Pay Survey which found that 14% of all apprentices were paid less than the minimum wage in 014, 24% of 16 to 18 year old apprentices received less than the minimum wage, and 32% of 19 and 20 year old apprentices received less than the minimum wage after their first year. Conference is also profoundly concerned at the continuing gender imbalance in apprenticeship pay with professions where women are traditionally overrepresented such as hairdressing and care the worst culprits for breaking minimum wage law, leading to high drop- out rates and wastage of public money. Conference believes that employers should pay apprentices a living wage wherever possible, and calls on the GFTU Executive to campaign for fair pay for apprentices and tough action against cheating employers.