UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Thursday 17 September 2009

Day 3 in the TUC big brother house

TUC: Day 3 in the TUC big brother house and house delegates are beginning to look weary from their exposure to speaker after speaker, constant demands to clap the aforementioned speakers and the effects of socialising well into the early hours of the morning!

Following big brother Brendan’s statement on the economy, house delegates began to “debate” issues related to this subject matter, some house delegates spoke very eloquently particularly the delegate moving Motion 15 “Women’s employment and the recession” submitted from the TUC Women’s Conference. The motion notes the deep concern at the impact the economic downturn will have on vulnerable women, including, pregnant workers and agency workers.

The motion was part of a group debate (motions 15 and 16) and was carried, which should ensure the house delegate remains in the TUC big brother house!

Big Bother TUC invited the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate change, Ed Miliband, but big brother delegates were left pondering whether it was Ed or David!!

In his confident and upbeat address to house delegates, Ed paid tribute to “Green Reps” up and down the country. He went onto outline what the Labour Party had achieved in terms of addressing the climate challenges which face us and made comparisons to what the Tories would or indeed would not do should they come power at the next general election, highlighting that 60% of Conservative run Local Governments have rejected applications for the building of wind turbines.

Ed said lots more, but quite honestly, you can go to the TUC website for a more detailed report.

UNISON’s, Ruth Davis, put a question to Ed relating to fuel poverty and the need for a continued commitment and strategy to address the ongoing poverty experienced by many within our societies.

This morning felt a little like the PCS and RMT congress, although Jane Carolan, was able to fight her way to the rostrum and having done so, made an excellent contribution to the debate.