Delegates representing thousands of union members across the North East, Yorkshire & Humber came together in Durham in March for the second conference since the new TUC region was formed.
The setting for two days of lively debates that will shape campaigning priorities in our region was Redhills Durham Miners Hall, home of the Durham Miners Association for more than 100 years.
Among the delegates were NUJ members Andy Walker, Barry White and Katie Hall, who played an active role in securing unanimous support for our two chosen motions and speaking in other key debates.
Writing after the conference, regional TUC secretary Dave Pike said: “The focus throughout the conference was clear, unity. Unity against those who seek to divide us, unity as we face up to the political and economic challenges that our region faces, and, most powerfully of all, unity of purpose in demanding better for our members and our communities.
“I was incredibly proud to recognise the contribution of activists from across our movement in our annual rep awards.
“Activists like Kiah Middleton, a trailblazing woman leading her members in the FBU; Dr Jessica Fox, building consensus around greener workplaces for Unite; Marian Jervis, with an incredible contribution to our movement over a lifetime of commitment as a Unison Activist; and, of course, our Rep of the Year Fern Skeldon, who leads her PCS members to demand better at work and delivered a barn-storming inspirational speech at conference on what it means to be a workplace rep.
“We also had the honour of being joined by the incredible striking mine guides from the National Coal Mining Museum – especially fitting given we meet at Redhills…
“These Unison members have been standing strong for equal and fair pay for more than six months. As our guests of honour, we were proud to recognise their incredible contribution and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
“This was a point that Kate Bell, TUC Assistant General Secretary, our key note speaker, led on in her contribution and which was echoed in our panels and fringes and by other guest speakers, such as Airedale Hospital GMB Rep Gemma Williamson, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, and Durham MP Mary Foy, to name just a few.”
The main business of conference was setting the regional TUC’s campaigning and policy priorities for the next two years, with topics covered ranging from bereavement leave and dignity at work to fair taxation and protection of critical national industries.
Leeds & West Yorkshire branch member Katie spoke on our motion about the future of the BBC, while Newcastle branch member Andy took to the podium to present our motion on press freedom.
Barry, a Leeds branch member who also represents the NUJ on the TUC’s regional executive, spoke in support of two motions from other unions – one on artificial intelligence, the other on low pay and poor conditions in the creative industries. Both were passed unanimously.
The conference also saw discussions on tackling the rise of division in our society, how to organise young workers and migrants, and how we can work together to demand a better world of work for all.
Dave wrote: “Many of these motions were moved by delegates who had never attended our conferences before and were speaking for the first time. Nonetheless, delegates were left in no doubt of the passion, skill and knowledge of those shaping our movement.”
There was also plenty of debate on proposed changes to the new region’s standing orders, including moving the regional delegate conference from an annual to biennial frequency and requiring that unions provide a seconder for their motions at the time they are submitted. Currently seconders can be called for from the conference floor, giving delegates the chance to chat to other unions when they arrive.
A proposed amendment to those changes put forward by Calderdale Trades Union Council won over our delegation after they heard the debate, but it did not gain enough support and fell. The proposed changes were then voted on without any further amendment and were passsed by a large majority. Our delegation abstained since we supported some elements of the proposed changes and not others.
Dave added: “As we look to the weeks, months and years ahead, I am confident of the ground this conference has provided us to build on. We face serious challenges, politically and economically. From the growing political forces that seek to divide us, to AI and threats to critical industry, to the super heating of our planet.
“What our conference has left me confident of, however, is that we have the strength to do something about it. The awesome history of a setting like Redhills made the depth of our movement’s roots palpable, and helped us all feel in our souls our class’s track record of overcoming adversity and uniting for a better future.”