Jeremy Corbyn to address Time For Real Change Conference fringe meeting

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Time For Real Change announce its UNISON National Delegate Conference Fringe meeting

MPs Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome set to address activists

Title of meeting: ‘Time for Real Change: the union we can be’

Time For Real Change in UNISON, the Left caucus within the UK’s biggest trade union which currently controls the majority of seats on UNISON’s National Executive Council, has announced the line-up for its key fringe meeting at UNISON Conference this year.

Joining Paul Holmes (UNISON President), Andrea Egan and Kath Owen (Vice-Presidents) will be MPs Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome – all key supporters of Time For Real Change.

UNISON members backed Jeremy Corbyn twice for Leader of the Labour Party when balloted, leading to his endorsement for Leader by UNISON in two Labour Party leadership elections. When Jeremy addressed UNISON Conference in 2017 it was the greatest reception of any speaker seen at UNISON Conference. His return to Brighton will be sure to enthuse Conference delegates from UNISON branches and result in a ‘standing room only’ fringe meeting.

In June 2021, for the first time in UNISON’s history a group of candidates determined to bring radical and lasting change to their trade union won an outright majority on its NEC. Holding 36 of 68 NEC seats, this group of candidates had grown out of the positive experience of the grassroots Paul4GenSec General Secretary election campaign and are known as ‘Time For Real Change’.

Time For Real Change is committed to UNISON becoming truly member-led, more transparent in its decisions and accountable to members. The new NEC has forged ahead and made progress. Notably:

·       Strike pay has been doubled from £25 to £50 (and will apply from day one of disputes);

·       Service Group Executive election rules have been changed to encourage more participation;

·       The powers of the NEC have been clarified through a number of resolutions;

·       Work has begun on improved processes and support for taking industrial action;

·       Standing orders for the NEC have been drafted;

·       Strong NEC motions and rule changes have been developed for National Delegate Conference on: UNISON’s legal services, insourcing, how UNISON markets itself, and on the election of senior officials (some of these have been blocked by UNISON’s Standing Orders Committee);

·       Initiated a rank-and-file review of the Rule I disciplinary process which has been used against activists;

·       There is a newfound sense of confidence and determination amongst activists, to make UNISON a truly member-led union that ‘fights its weight’ and wins for members.

The Time For Real Change NEC knows that obstacles must be overcome and the union changed in both its structures and culture if it is to beat the multiple challenges of austerity and the cost of living crisis. We will see many of these issues play out at UNISON’s National Delegate Conference from 14-17 June, as the elected NEC sets out for Conference (the union’s Parliament) its priorities for UNISON.

Speakers at Time for Real Change: the union we can be*

·       Jeremy Corbyn MP

·       John McDonnell MP

·       Nadia Whittome MP

·       Paul Holmes, UNISON President

·       Kath Owen, UNISON Vice-President

·       Andrea Egan, UNISON Vice-President

·       Libby Nolan, NEC member (Wales)

·       Saoirse Fanning, NEC member (Community)

·       Lilly Boulby, NEC member (Young members)

·       Julia Mwaluke, NEC member (Black members)

·       Amerit Rait, NEC member (Greater London)

·       Mandy Buckley, NEC member (West Midlands)

·       Glen Williams, Local Government Service Group Executive Chair

·       John McLoughlin, Tower Hamlets Local Government Branch Secretary

There will be time set aside towards the end of the scheduled speakers for questions and answers from the floor. *All UNISON speakers do so in a personal capacity.

Between them speakers will set out:

·       their hopes for this NEC’s term,

·       their aspirations for an effective, democratic and fighting trade union,

·       priorities and tactics for National Delegate Conference 2022.

Time For Real Change believe their fringe meeting will be the hottest ticket in Brighton this year, with the best speakers and the best ideas to debate how to take our union forward. The meeting will be held in a 450-seat venue with a professional sound system.

Tickets are free, and attendance on the evening will be strictly first-come first-served. Doors will open at 7.00pm. Once we reach the 450 capacity the doors will close.

Date & time

Date: Tuesday 14 June
Time: 7.30-9.30pm
Doors open: 7.00pm
Venue: The Arundel Suite, Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, 137 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2JF