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Implementation
Implementation
Implementing 2015 Resolutions
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Resolution 18 (continued)
(3) There are more than three quarters of a million young people unemployed
in the UK. It is time to act. We cannot stand by and watch the potential
of thousands condemned to the scrap heap. Shame on this Conservative
led Coalition Government if it is prepared to watch young black people
languish in misery and no hope ... a generation condemned to a future of
worklessness!
(4) We must take action now to stop the indefensible levels of unemployment of
young black people.
(5) We call on the GFTU in partnership with affilates to:
•
To demand that the Government urgently sets up a Taskforce made
up of Community Representatives, Trade Union Leaders, Faith Leaders,
to consult with young black people, voluntary sector, community and
faith organisations, etc to produce recommendations to address the
alarmingly high unemployment rates.
•
Urge the Trade Union movement to come together to organise a
National Conference, made up of young people, Politicians, Police, Public
Sector Leaders, Youth Forums, Business Leaders, etc, to urgently consider
and develop strategies to create employment opportunities for all young
people.
•
Lobby MPs and Local Councillors to develop local strategies with the
private and public sectors to urgently address the problem of high
employment rates of all young people with a particular focus on tackling
the disproportionate impact of unemployment of Black and Asian young
people.
Resolution 19
Employment Rights & Trade Union Freedoms
(1) Conference is appalled at the continuing and sustained attack on collective
and individual employment rights and trade union freedoms by the present
government.
(2) This has included:
•
Increasing the qualification period to claim unfair dismissal
•
Undermining the health and safety protection for workers
•
Introducing fees for employment tribunals
•
Attacks on trade union facility time, check off and collective bargaining in
the public sector
•
Reducing working rights for people in SMEs
•
Cutting the consultation period for large scale redundancies
•
Limiting the amount of compensation employees can receive for unfair
dismissal
•
Weakening TUPE legislation that protects employees transferred from
one mployer to another.
(3) In addition Conference deplores the fact that UK law imposes obligations on
trade unions in relation to dispute and strike ballots that are unprecedented
in Europe and that the law seeks to frustrate trade unions on technical
grounds from their right to take collective action rather than to provide a
framework for assessing whether there is genuine worker support for the
proposed action.
(4) The restrictions in trade union activity in the UK are amongst the most severe
in the developed world and stand in breach of ILO conventions.
(5) Conference also deplores the increasing use of the courts by employers to
prevent legal industrial action by union members who have voted
Extensive campaigning throughout the Movement
did not prevent the Trade Union Act from reaching
the statute books.
The GFTU has supported all those politicians and
organisations seeking a repeal of the Act and a
positive new framework of employment and trade
union legislation.
The General Secretary has responded to a number
of consultation documents.
The GFTU Is supporting an extensive section of its
new education programme on trade unions and
the law.