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Implementing 2015 Resolutions

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GFTU representation has been made on this

question.

Implementation

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.

Implementation

Implementation

Resolution 1

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.

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.

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.

Support and publicity has been given to this

campaign throughout the period.

The GFTU’s ability to take meaningful action on issues of wider social and economic

and political policy is constrained by the context in which we operate and also

determined by the emergence of new central priorities which we cannot predict at

the BGCM. In essence over the last two years we have faced a government intent

on pursuing the suicidal austerity course and on restraining legitimate trade union

activity beyond all reason through the Trade Union Act.

The scale and intensity of difficulties faced by areas of life we strongly support

whether it be the Health Service or Probation has been such that we could have been

stretched to breaking point. Our focus of activity has of necessity been internal in the

sense of reviewing our education and services and facilities to become a stronger

support mechanism for our affiliates in their normal course of activities and in their

hour of need.

RESOLUTIONS 2015/2017

POLICIES & IMPLEMENTATION