Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Addressed Congress and Answers Questions from the floor.
Click here to view the address.
Composite 4: Trade Union Rights & Anti Trade Union Laws
Ben Kirkham from R75 Branch speaking on Composite 4
Motion 63: ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS
Ryan Ward from A55 Branch speaking on Motion 63 - This Conference notes:
1. The increasing use by employers of zero hour contracts.
This Conference believes:
2. The use of zero hour contracts is not a positive economic innovation. It is insecure work causing stress, worry and social insecurity for millions of people.
3. Workers are often unable to enforce their limited rights under these types of contract, or fearful of doing so.
4. The use of zero hours contracts should be made unlawful.
5. In the absence of abolition, any legislation to restrict the use of zero hours contracts should include measures to provide workers with:
6. Individuals who agree a zero hours contract should only be able to do so after receiving advice from an independent trade union.
7. Where an employer wishes to use zero hours contracts they should only be able to with a collective agreement with an independent trade union.
8. The proportion of workers employed by an employer on zero hours contracts should be restricted.
This Conference resolves:
9. To call for a future Labour Government to abolish zero hour contracts or legislate to restrict their use in line with the above beliefs.
10. To call for Labour Councils to ensure that their commissioning procedures include a requirement that bidders do not utilise zero hour contracts, and to ask GMB Councillors to act consistently with this. 
Brian Goulding from Y22 Branch seconding Motion 63.
Tim Roache, Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Regional Secretary, speaking on behalf of the CEC on Composite 6 which focused on zero hours’ contracts and employment law.
Motion 147: THE BILDERBERG GROUP AND LABOUR MP’S
Ian Kemp from P20 Branch speaking on Motion 147 - This Conference is concerned about the shady Bilderberg Group and the involvement of past and present Labour MP’s with it. This secretive organisation keeps no minutes and most attendees, which include businessmen, military and security personnel, politicians and royalty, tend to be kept secret. Past known British attendees include Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles. At least one CIA front organisation, the Ford Foundation has given funds to the Bilderberg Group.
Conference believes involvement with such a shadowy, secretive organisation is incompatible with the aims and aspirations of the Labour Party, its members and supporters and should be proscribed. In this light, conference calls on the Labour Party NEC to investigate the links between any Labour MP’s and the Bilderberg Group, if necessary, expelling MP’s and members with links to it from the Party.
Ben Kirkham from R75 Branch seconding Motion 147.
Motion 198: THE LAW IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Farzana Jumma from B12 Branch moved Motion 198 - This Conference believes the justice system is in urgent need of reform to make access simpler, easier, cheaper and, more importantly fairer. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong yet, in law courts, justice is not necessarily about fairness. One of the reasons for this is the way the law is written, full of technicalities and jargon that cause confusion, create loopholes and lead to legal arguments about seemingly obscure points.
In order to redress the balance and to kick-start the much needed reform of the justice system, conference calls for laws to be written in plain English and for the interpretation of the law to be left for juries not judges to decide. This will de-mystify the law making access to justice cheaper and easier for all.
Maria Hill seconding Motion 198
Motion 291: GLOBAL WORKERS’ PROTECTION
Atu Equiano moving Motion 291 - This Conference notes the secrecy around the proposed EU/US Free Trade Deal and fears the effects on UK employment, employment rights and UK standards. This conference calls on the GMB, through the TUC, to work with US unions on a joint position to protect both EU and US workers.
Matthew Lister seconding Motion 291.
Closing Procedure of Congress
Delegates were shown a slideshow of the week’s highlights. An omnibus vote of thanks was given by Jean Foster, CEC Southern Region and all delegates were united in one voice when they stood to sing The Red Flag.
End of Day’s Business
Congress Decisions Available To Download Below.
GMB CONGRESS 2014 Report of Decisions.pdf
GMB CONGRESS 2014 Table of Decisions.pdf
