Progress report on Annual Conference Motions

2024

Rule Book

All Rule book changes have been implemented and the latest copy of the rule book can be found here

Union Policies

All Safety, Health and Environment motions have been added to the national committee’s agenda and updates will be circulated separately.

All Political motions have been passed on to our Parliamentary group and colleagues at Unity consulting and Solidarity Consulting so they can raise issues on our behalf

2023

Rule Book

All Rule book changes have been implemented and the latest copy of the rule book can be found here

Union Policies

Motion 12

That this Conference agrees that the Executive council/ Union look at set payment rate for those members taking strike action. We have seen many members from different unions over the past 12 months who get a set payment while on strike which is some financial comfort to those taking strike action. While we accept this will have a financial impact on the union we are just asking for it to be looked at.

There is a national strike fund in the rule book, up to the writing of the annual report document we have sone some research on what other unions do of varying size, to then look at which would best fit the BFAWU or if we need to start completely from scratch.

Motion 18

That the BFAWU should name and shame any company that pays its workers less than the minimum wage.

We keep an eye on the HMRC name and shame lists that have begun again after they stopped for a while, and would ask members to highlight to us if it becomes an issue on their site so we can put out comms around it, just as we have with other issues on pay, terms and conditions and benefits being reduced.

Motion 19

That this Conference agrees that we should use whatever means possible to call for the re Nationalization of our railways they are a shambles and possible the worst in Europe.

This is a long time policy of the union, we have historically and will continue to campaign and support the work of the rail unions on this issue.

Motion 20

The BFAWU calls for action to tackle the deepening cost of living crisis and respect for shopworkers.

Usdaw have developed a campaign around keeping shop worker safe, we are looking at this and whether a sperate campaign or one that works with them/ complements theirs is better, we are also involved locally, regionally and nationally in health and safety discussions at Greggs where our biggest number of retail members work to ensure safety measures are increased where needed. We have put information in the Foodworker to support members with rising utility bills and are working through the TUC and other organisations to push back on the cost of living crisis and challenge the Governments lack of action around it, most recently signing up to the Economic change units letter to the Chancellor prior to the March Budget.

Motion 22

This union should affiliate on a national level to the Peace and Justice Project.

We have affiliated nationally since 2021/2022.

Motion 23

‘Conference condemns the continued political and physical attacks on refugees, asylum seekers and others without their status in the UK. Conference accepts that many people, even with the right to work, are often in precarious situations due to their immigration status. Conference reaffirms the right of all workers to employment which is safe and secure and have access to justice against labour exploitation in workplaces.

We believe that migrants who are undocumented and working in the UK have the right to join trade unions and be protected from exploitation and modern slavery. To this end, Conference supports the call made by a number of migrant bodies, anti-racist, poverty eradication groups and others that all undocumented and people with insecure

immigration status residing in the UK should be granted indefinite leave to remain.’

We resolve to sign up to statusnow4all, and our Union to become an organisation signatory and encourage our branches to join the growing coalition of organisations calling for the United Kingdom to act NOW and grant #LeaveToRemain to all undocumented migrant people.

Support all future petitions that promote the statusnow4all call and the aims and objectives of StatusNow4All https://statusnow4all.org/about-status-now/

We have publically supported Status Now, talking at their fringe meeting at the TUC and keeping in touch with PCS who have worked more closely with them too and are looking at next steps, how trade unions can support those with no recourse to public funds and no right to work as well as factoring that into campaigns like Right to Food.

Motion 24

Conference notes with concern reports in the Sunday Times on the 15th January 2023 suggesting that, at a time of an acute cost of living crisis for households with food inflation running at over 14 per cent, UK supermarkets are set to announce higher than anticipated profits;

Further notes that Tesco alone is set to forecast increased operating profits of nearly £2.5 billion, significantly above its five-yearly average;

Shares the reported fears of industry insiders that the supermarket giants are benefitting from so-called “rocket and feather” pricing, where prices rise sharply in response to an inflationary spike, only to remain persistently higher than necessary as the rate of inflation falls;

Is scandalised that corporate shareholders should be making excessive profits and more and more households are forced to use foodbanks;

Remains concerned that, despite these rocketing profits, the big retailers in the food and drink sector continue to place undue commercial pressures on their suppliers, leading to a further squeeze on the terms and conditions of workers across the food sector, and more suppliers closing sites or going into administration;

Notes that food workers, like other low paid groups in society, are disproportionately impacted by the relentless increase in grocery prices;

Conference therefore instructs the executive of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers union to call for urgent regulatory action to tackle the plague of excessive corporate profiteering by the UK supermarkets, and urges the government to introduce a statutory Right to Food for everyone in our country.

This has been raised with our Parliamentary group, we have given evidence at a select committee who are looking into how fair the supply chain is, and have built upon the right to food campaign by creating the Food and Work network which continues to grow and look at alternative models to the current food industry structure.

Motion 26

That this Conference congratulates our Union Towns Project on winning new deals for workers in the Fast Food and Hospitality sector. Such as the Victory achieved at Cutlery Works, that won a 45% pay increase and abolition or Zero Hour Contracts and Youth Rates.

The Campaign that launched both McStrike and Spoonstrike have shown with dedicated organising strategy and methods, that no area is un-organisable.

Branch 405 asks that the EC looks at the model and how it can be adapted into building a sustainable union that delivers across both organised and unorganised sectors that we are involved in. Now is the time to put structures in place to build our mighty BFAWU, that will be here to build workers power for the next 175 years.

The unions towns model needs to be looked at in depth, to determine what has been successful and what hasn’t through the project, decide prior to that what success looks like, what members have been made where and where have branch structures been created and membership levels held.

Motion 27

The BFAWU should commit into issuing recruitment materials in the hospitality sector to all parts of our union with a view of building up our membership within that sector.

We believe that our leaflet around the benefits of joining the BFAWU covers multiple sectors and they are being used outside of traditional BFAWU sites effectively.

Motion 28

That this Conference agrees that we must increase use of social media outlets as a way of increasing membership. Any posts that mention BFAWU or campaign work by the union should be shared, or tagged fellow members and colleagues, to improve visibility on social media.

We have made a conscious effort to share branch and regional posts as national officers and where possible through the BFAWU pages, and are in the process of compiling a list of all the groups, pages and accounts tied into BFAWU so that we can push them out to members and reps and encouraged likes and shares that way too.

Motion 29

As we are a union that operates in a sector of industry that has a high level of migrant labour, we consider it a priority in building our union to have leaflets in languages other than English.

We already have leaflets in multiple languages, a variety of them that have been translated over the years, we have asked what current languages are needed and have had little response back, but where we have local examples have translated leaflets on a case by case basis.

Motion 30

That this Conference agrees ‘The future of the BFAWU’ is dependent on delivering for members and building workers power in the food industry.

Organising is the key to winning, be it around Health & Safety or Terms and Conditions. Our union must put in place a structure that delivers these objectives. This means we need to have an organising team for co-ordinating across the union.

The loss of membership would suggest the old ways are not working, and we need a fresh approach to building a sustainable union that delivers for food workers across the UK.

We have an organising core group who meet to look at organising campaigns, this could be developed further, the shop stewards induction booklet focuses on conversations and organising to get reps off to a running start in the role and there is a focus on the fact that it is everyone’s responsibility to organise. we have sourced funding through the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation to run Political Economy Courses which include a section on organising and organising conversations with follow up sessions included in the courses and are once again encouraging BFAWU reps to attend the digital Organising for Power course that is being run in 2024

Motion 33

That this Conference agrees to encourage the use of the Brown Book and work to get it married into the Health & Safety act of 1974

There is a digital copy of the brown book on the BFAWU website and we will ensure that this is circulated to health and safety reps via circular periodically throughout the year, so that all health and safety reps have it reminded to them. We are looking at physical versions and costing branded ones up.

Motion 34

That this Conference agrees that we lobby the government that all new estates that are built, are built with their own green renewable energy supply from either wind power, Solar Power, Hydroelectric or Geothermal. All which would be connected to a universal battery to store power for the dark and cold evenings, for that estate. Thus keeping the carbon footprint at a minimum.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group

Motion 35

This Conference agrees that assisted euthanasia be allowed in extreme circumstances of illness, and of course is not considered to be a criminal record.

We are still in the process of working out how to action this motion in a sensitive way, though we have passed it onto our Parliamentary group

Motion 36

This union should make it a priority in supporting our comrades with mental health issues.

We have added information to the website to signpost members and reps to support if they need it, we are working with an employer so that we can utilise some of their prepared resources on burnout for our reps, and putting together a best practice guide which includes the importance of having regular reps meetings. In the past we have looked at sourcing counselling and offloading mechanisms for reps, however we haven’t yet found something that fits with the BFAWU that work continues.

Motion 38

That this Conference agrees to call upon the Government to work with the N.H.S to set up Non-Medical practitioner– led prostrate cancer clinics and to fund prostrate cancer research screening as a matter of urgency

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group

Motion 39

We as a conference say that those who are suffering from long term COVID should be given support in dealing with this by the government.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group

Motion 42

This Conference agrees that temporary/fixed term employees are being denied permanent contracts, and the associated rights, in our industry by being dismissed before they have completed two years continuous employment.

This is a tactic used deliberately by companies to prevent employees achieving two years’ service and getting their legal rights to claim unfair dismissal and redundancy pay. In an effort to deter this practise, we agree that full employment rights should be given after one year’s continuous service. To achieve this we will instruct our parliamentary group to lobby for this change to the Employment Rights Act.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are in the process of developing a campaign around the importance of those on temporary/fixed term workers joining the union as well as agency workers.

Motion 43

That this Conference agrees that trade unions oppose fire & rehire, advancing to bring in a forum of consultation that creates win, win, which is then used as a blueprint going forward. A code of practise and guidance cemented by the constitution and employment law.

We are supporting Barry Gardiner MPs campaign in this area, it is on our Parliamentary groups agenda and we are keeping an eye on progress in this area, including the ACAS plans for the future and the Governments guidelines, feeding in where we are able to with our thoughts and policy on behalf of members

Motion 45

That this Conference agrees that decisions made at every level of each company should be totally transparent so theres no hidden agendas for both union and company management to negotiate and work together for the benefit of all

We are looking at what other unions/sectors have in place in order to create a best practice document that showcases best practice along with a how to get there guide

Motion 47

This Conference agrees to work with members of the union and their employers, to look at ways of reducing undue stress and pressure in the workplace, and restoring a work life balance

We will as part of our calendar of surveys, survey members to gauge where there are pockets of undue stress and pressure in the workplace. We are sourcing information in order to create a guide for reps on dealing with this issue and we have updated information available on the website to ensure there is signposting information available for members and reps to seek support

Motion 49

That this Conference agrees that terms and conditions are not for sale to the highest bidder, within pay negotiations, thus setting a benchmark post BREXIT This should be then aligned to TUC policy and made a National Code of Practice for all trade unions.

We will contact the TUC regarding a code of practice and to confirm policy in this area.

Motion 50

The BFAWU should be committed to Lobbying the Government to strengthen the Agency Workers Regulations, to prevent employers from introducing “At Will” contracts by the back door.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are sourcing information to put together a guide for members and reps around their rights in this area

Motion 51

That this Conference agrees that Defibrillator are in all workplaces and in public places where there is easy access to this life saving piece of kit. In both instances of workplace and public places where the defibrillators are situated there is a core group of people fully trained, and updated yearly, in the use of such an important piece of life saving machinery.

Ensure all branches have defibs on site/in workplaces on their H&S meeting agendas at all levels, should it become apparent that this is not the case, we will launch a campaign to highlight the need for them and the importance of challenging workplaces that don’t have them.

Motion 52

That this Conference agrees to stop the discrimination within companies policies against unvaccinated workers, it is a basic human right to have a choice and make a decision without the pressure of the worlds chemical production suppliers increasing their profits and buying and bullying politicians to get their wares out on the street.

We have looked into whether any employers where we have members have discriminated against unvaccinated people and haven’t had any confirmation up to the point of this update of it happening in our industry. Should we do so we will seek advice from the Solicitors around what can be done if anything

Motion 54

That this Conference agrees that companies who deliberately target the elected representatives of a trade union are publicly shamed.

Compile a list where this has happened, including details of how and putting together information for reps about their rights in situations like these.

Motion 55

That this Conference agrees to ensure any worker working in late night premises are given a lift home from their employer or there is a taxi account set up to ensure workers get home safely outside of train and bus times.

Branches should have this on their Health and Safety meeting agenda’s, we have looked at Unite’s ‘get home safe’ campaign and how that can be incorporated into the work we do and will utilise resources already in circulation to put together a guide for reps and members around their rights.

Motion 57

That this Conference agrees that the financial mismanagement of employers, who knowingly leave their loyal employees high and dry with no pay, redundancy, or other agreed payment through the consultation process, are held to account through legislation that ensures that they are not fit and proper to take ownership/directorship of a company again. The impact this has on so many working families, especially during a cost-of-living crisis is further compounded by having to apply to government to access statutory redundancy, whilst owners and directors pay themselves bonuses before disappearing leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

We are in the process of putting together a list of employers who have done this, have done some work with the TUC and more recently Novara Media. We created a guide with Unity Consulting last year and will update this when it is needed and have reached out to other unions such as Unison NW who have had similar experiences.

Motion 58

That this Conference agrees that the spike in holiday prices is curbed during school holidays. This makes it unaffordable to families to take their children away during this special family time.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are looking to develop a campaign around this

Motion 59

That this Conference agrees to demand the government raises the payment levy for the Feed-in Tariff from the energy companies as we believe these companies are now stealing from us, due to the energy crisis. As we have paid for the solar panels and the energy companies are not passing on the profits, they are making from the excess energy that is being produced.

These companies have put their charges up by over 82% in the last 12 months, and a further rise planned in April 2023 of 20%. This information is from the Houses of Parliament Library published Friday 25^th November 2022.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group

Motion 61

The BFAWU is committed to ending the bank and building society overdraft changes that came into effect in April 2020. We say that finance companies should act within the spirit of the regulator’s 2019 ruling that banned fixed overdraft fees so they cannot charge higher and higher prices for any unarranged overdrafts than for arranged overdrafts.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are sourcing information to put together a guide for members and reps around their rights in this area.

Motion 63

The BFAWU demands the abolition of Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act thereby putting an end to ‘No Fault’ evictions which is the number one reason for homelessness in the UK.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are sourcing information to put together a guide for members and reps around their rights in this area and have had conversations with Acorn the renters union about working together better too.

Motion 65

This Conference agrees that public bus transport should be a cheap and effective way for people to avoid having to use private cars. As such we ask our parliamentary group to lobby that the price cap of £2 per single journey that is scheduled to be introduced from 01/01/2023 to 31/03/2023 be made permanent. This scheme should also be nationwide, not limited to only some companies.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are working with the Better buses for all campaign.

Motion 66

That this Conference agrees that free transport be available from the age of 16- to 25-year-old for all. This would take in trains, buses, subway. Given that this age bracket is often discriminated against in terms of youth rates and apprenticeship pay, this would ensure that this age group could attend studies or work.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and are working with the Better buses for all campaign.

Motion 67

This Conference says that with Britain being the 5 richest country in the world we demand that the government should end homelessness forthwith.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group and have looked into organisations that support those who are homeless.

Motion 68

That this Conference agrees cyclists using mobile phones while driving/riding should have penalties just as car users do.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 69

That this Conference agrees to work with the Parliamentary group and any other interested parties. To ensure that private security firms are never given the power of arrest, as this would lead to the creation of private police forces in this country. Something that must be resisted.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 71

That this Conference agree bikes with motors should not be used on paths, as they pose more danger than push bikes.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 73

This Conference agrees that speeding fines should be increased dramatically, but only for excessive and dangerous speed, for instance20 miles over the legislated limit. If there was say, minimum £300.00, this would hopefully reduce accidents, and not reward insurance companies. Insurance companies overuse the points system to charge people excessive premiums.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 74

That this Conference agrees motorised scooters need some regulations on who and where they should be ridden, they are not toys and can kill.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 75

That the BFAWU acknowledges that Migrant workers are often subject to discrimination in the workplace, and we should see this is an equalities issue which should be addressed when it comes to shaping our policies.

We are looking to set up a migrant workers network to feed into the work we do as a union, we surveyed members when the NHS surcharge and Visa changes were being spoken about to try and find out what other key issues we could focus on, but unfortunately didn’t get enough of a response to the survey to develop a viable plan.

Motion 76

This Conference agrees that bus passes for pensioners can be used at any time, and not just at weekends and off-peak periods. We have many over 65s who still work or may have hospital appointments.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group.

Motion 77

The BFAWU says that those affected by domestic abuse should be allowed to take paid sick leave.

All branches should have domestic abuse on the agenda when meeting management, we have adopted a policy internally as the BFAWU and have created a template policy from this for reps to use when raising the issue at work.

Motion 78

This Conference agrees that ladies reaching menopause should be treated sympathetically under the discrimination act. As this can in some cases have an extreme effect on capability, your mental, and your physical wellbeing. Time off may have to be taken, or workload assessed. This should have no detrimental effect to your record.

We are compiling through the Women’s Network various Menopause policies that members employers have in place as well as template ones from other unions in order to create a template of our own for branches to use. All branches should have the menopause as an agenda item on their meetings with management to enable discussions to occur.

Motion 79

The BFAWU says that it must be a legal right for disabled people to have a space on buses.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group, and are in the process of researching whether this is something that has been raised through the TUC disabled workers committee.

Motion 81

This union should be a union for the 21st century union and therefore should promote issues surrounding the LGBT community. This includes giving training around LGBT rights at work and other issues to all our shop stewards and Full Time Officers.

We have added an LGBTQ+ network to the quarterly network meetings so that members can join and raise issues that affect them and feed into the campaigns and resources that are needed rather than us presume them. The notes from these meetings can be found on the website as can a number of resources.

Motion 82

This Conference believes that the UK state pension must be sufficient to meet the needs of a retired population who can no longer rely on secure work and occupational pensions to supplement what is one of the lowest state pensions in the world’s developed economies.

The trade union movement, which represents tomorrow’s pensioners, should be at the forefront of a campaign to provide a better state pension. While we continue the fight to defend and improve workplace pensions, we must unite with other union organisations and the National Pensioners Convention to fight a vigorous campaign for a Living State Pension.

The basic state pension should be set at 70% of the living wage (outside London rate) and above the official poverty level. This is currently £242.55 a week in 2022. This should be paid to all men and women, regardless of their National Insurance contributions.

Every year the state pension should rise in line with the best of earnings, the Consumer Price Index, the Retail Price Index, or 2.5%.

Solidarity with the National Pensioners’ Convention!

Pensions are something that we haven’t done enough work on over the last few years, however we will utilise the resources of the NPC and do more work on raising the awareness of the importance of pensions and being able to afford to retire.

Motion 83

That this Conference agrees that the success of last year’s format of classroom education is to carrying on for future conferences.

Educating delegates and equipping them with the knowledge and know-how of how to go about their business in the correct manner.

This has been and will continue to be worked into our Conference agenda.

Motion 84

This Conference believes that learning is a vital tool in improving our members’ lives. As such we will instruct our Parliamentary Group to lobby for the reintroduction of the Union Learning Fund which was closed by the conservative government in 2021

We have raised this with our Parliamentary Group and have been clear that it should be included in part manifestos of political parties who seek our support in the upcoming general election.

Motion 85

That this Conference offers bespoke support to branch reps, FTOs and learning organisers who find themselves dealing with members who confide in them with examples of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, attempted suicide and other such examples of members dealing with desperate circumstances. It is not enough to signpost members to the Police to deal with, given that they have recently been in the news for employing people who have been the perpetrators of such acts.

We are looking at a number of different options to develop a programme of support for reps who are dealing with complex cases, FTOs currently have this through their employment via Canada Life. In the past we have looked at sourcing counselling and offloading mechanisms for reps, however we haven’t yet found something that fits with the BFAWU, this work continues.

Motion 90

That this Conference agrees to campaign for and work with all interested parties, to prevent or outlaw any party in government from changing their leader for their own convenience; without calling for a general election.

We have passed this onto the BFAWU Parliamentary Group.

Motion 94

That this Conference says that those who are fleeing war or persecution should be welcomed and granted asylum in the United Kingdom.

We are in the process of putting together a statement on the situation to inform members and make clear the unions position.

Motion 95

This Conference says that Britain should cancel all weapons sales to Israel and that the BFAWU reaffirms its support for Palestinian people in their fight for self-determination.

We are in the process of putting together an updated statement on the situation after our initial one in early November to inform members and make clear the unions position.

Motion 96

This Union should support ending sweatshops both here and abroad and the companies who profit from them.

We are in the process of putting together a statement on the situation to inform members and make clear the unions position.

Motion 98

This Conference notes the ongoing revolutionary uprising in Iran, spearheaded by women and young people. Sparked by protests against the death of Mahsa Amini, the uprising foregrounds issues of women’s rights and opposition to gender apartheid, but also raises issues of social freedom and equality, with people demanding the

right to democratically determine their future through their own councils and direct representatives.

This Conference also notes the workers’ protests and strikes, involving teachers; nurses; oil, gas and petrochemical workers; steel workers; Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers, and many others. Despite decades of repression, war, and bearing the brunt of economic sanctions, workers in Iran have continued their tradition of militant action and struggled for recognition of the right to form their own independent organisations and to strike.

This Conference further notes the recent establishment of Solidarity with the Iranian Workers’ Movement, chaired by John McDonnell MP.

This Conference believes international solidarity with all working-class and democratic struggles for freedom is a core labour movement principle, and supports the struggles of Iran’s workers, women, and youth against the Islamic

Republic.

This Conference in support of the workers’ movement in Iran therefore resolves:

To support work of the Committee for Solidarity with the Iranian Workers’ Movement, circulate its materials to members, and invite a speaker from the committee to a future meeting
To promote local mobilisations in support of the uprising in Iran to members, and organise a distinct, visible trade union presence on such mobilisations
To mobilise support at national level
To specifically support workers’ struggles in our sector in Iran, and aim to make direct links with the workers involved if possible
To request that the national union audits whether we organise workers at companies or in supply chains that have economic interests in Iran or ties to the Islamic Republic, to establish whether action by our members could directly aid workers’ struggles in Iran
To condemn the arrest of protestors, and the executions of Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard.

We sent a message of solidarity to the Iranian Workers movement, and are kept in the loop with developments. We condemn the arrests of the protestors and are looking at how we build up further links with food workers and other unions and organisations who are supporting the movement too.

Motion 102

Since the arrest of Andrew Tate, we as union should call upon all unions to campaign against the propagandising of gross misogyny online.

We are working with other unions via the TUC and GFTU on this area and are developing a guide via the Anti Far Right training resources the TUC have developed for reps and members

Comp 1

The BFAWU calls on this Conference to organise with other Trades Unions for a General Strike, all unions and the TUC need to come together in a general strike to demand an end to austerity.

This conference also agrees that all anti-Trade Union Legislation is repealed and to have the minimum wage increased to £15 per hour.

Our parliamentary group and any other interested parties work to make the abolition of all anti-trade union laws happen.

We attended the TUC special conference in December 2023 and support the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, Strike Map and GFTUs strategy based on the motion passed at the conference to push back against the MSL legislation, we are also in conversations with other unions about direct action that will be needed should a worker be dismissed due to the MSL legislation.

Comp 2

The BFAWU is committed to ensure the BFAWU campaigns and fights against any changes to employment and social rights which could have a detrimental impact on our members.

We as a union and membership should in the strongest terms fight any attacks on our trade union rights. Time and time again this tory government is attacking us to stifle us, and it must stop. The right to protest is enshrined in international law and this conference condemns the government’s attempt to clamp down on it.

Conference agrees to work with all interested parties and our parliamentary group, to prevent the new anti-protest legislation, and to campaign for the removal of these anti-protest laws.

Comp 3

The BFAWU condemns how the energy companies have been making record profits and giving out historical high dividends to shareholders, while working class people including pensioners are afraid to turn on the heating. We as a union call for the immediate renationalisation of all providers and presses the government of the day to do a U-turn on the cost of energy prices, and to bring them back to the level of 2020’s costs and that energy companies reduce profits and pass savings onto the consumer. So that vulnerable people wouldn’t have to choose between having to eat or heat.

We have passed our position onto our Parliamentary group to feed into the work of the MPs in the group.

Comp 4

This conference condemns the Governments legislation that restricts workers right to withdraw their labour. All unions should stand as one to defend and further attacks on our right to strike and campaign to remove many of the restrictions already in place against our freedom to take industrial action.

Conference therefore agrees to call upon the Trade Unions Parliamentary Group to oppose the anti-strike legislation (Minimum Service Level Bill) as the impact of this bill could mean that Employers are able to effectively disregard strike action and representatives dismissed for taking strike action

Comp 5

The BFAWU is committed to giving support for the working class and indigenous peoples of Latin America and their unions, furthermore, the BFAWU should join in campaigning for the defence of peace, human rights and social justice in Columbia.

We are in the process of putting a statement together

Remitted – this means that the mover is asked to take back the motion to resubmit, usually due to the wider impact it can have on the union, they will either bring the motion back the year after or the executive will do some work around the content of the motion.

Motion 31

This Conference says that since we have multiple Eastern European shop stewards in our union, we should make sure we have courses that are tailored towards them.

We are looking at access to ESOL courses to help support reps to deal with documents and meetings that will likely be held in English, L.Bemka has developed a Polish version of the reps courses, but we haven’t yet piloted it and will likely struggle to do similar for every language that we would need..

Motion 53

This Conference agrees that zero hours contracts be outlawed, and all contract are given a minimum weekly rate.

This could be as little as 10 hrs, then at least all workers would not have the same financial worry, and businesses would find it far easier to fill vacancies. This would apply to agency workers, which may encourage employers to source directly.

We have made it clear to the L.Party and to our Parliamentary group that Zero Hours contract should be banned and that contracted jobs should be used, we are reluctant to put a specific example of hours as it is likely that would then be used when a higher houred contract could/should be.

Motion 56

This Conference agrees that more flexibility in the workplace should be allowed, giving employees and their union representatives a chance to look at an opportunity to work shorter or a more favourable working week.

We would always push for a shorter working week, but without members loosing money or having their hours squashed together leading to longer shifts over fewer days as a result

All Safety, Health and Environment motions have been added to the national committee’s agenda and updates will be circulated separately.

All Political motions have been passed on to our Parliamentary group and colleagues at Unity consulting and Solidarity Consulting so they can raise issues on our behalf

2022

Rule Book

All Rule book changes have been implemented and the latest copy of the rule book can be found here

Union Policies

Motion 3 Branch 253

That this conference agrees that with the passing of Bro Pat Rowley we name our organising award after him. Pat has done so much for our union and his many years of helping get members and people involved in our union he has shown what we stand for. A true gent missed but never forgotten.

The name of the award has been adapted which will keep Pat in our memories.

Motion 4 Branch 356

That as a union that deals with many migrant workers, that in order to enable and help recruitment we should make sure that leaflets in different languages are available.

There are already a number of BFAWU leaflets and literature in multiple languages in circulation that have been requested over the years. All leaflets are under review and being updated.

Motion 5 Branch 405

That this conference agrees…..That this union is to work with all relevant, authorities, parties and bodies to help end the exploitation of the black economy, by changes to the law. Meaning that those that knowingly are involved in the recruitment, employment, supervision and most importantly –the paying of ‘black economy’ workers, are charged with tax fraud.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts.

Motion 7 Branch 432

That this conference agrees that we as a union should fully support the call for the introduction of “Hillsborough Law “. This is not a football issue or about Liverpool F C it’s about every single person in this country, about Fairness and about what’s right.

We have reached out to the Hillsborough Law Now campaign and are looking at how we can support the campaign further than just a motion at conference.

Motion 9 Branch 582

This Conference agrees that Companies should move to working 4 Day week to reduce stress and fatigue and create a Healthier Workforce

We have begun looking into positive examples of where a 4 day working week has been implemented.

Motion 10 Branch 356

That the BFAWU should campaign against companies who are putting their workers lives at risk by ignoring COVID regulations. It is obvious that these companies are putting profits before their workers health, and we as a union should name and shame them.

We have called out companies such as Greencore when they had a massive COVID outbreak in Northampton, the national Safety, health and environment committee and the national executive have communicated numerous times that the position is any employer looking to change working practices, or relax COVID measures should consult the trade union, any branch who mandates to take action against an employer who does not consult will have the support of the national executive.

Motion 11 Branch 405

That this conference agrees…. That this union is to work with the government and all relevant authorities to give HMRC it’s teeth back. To return its level of staffing and its power and authority to deal with the corporate financial world, on over 10 million pounds of revenue. No more ‘sweetheart’ deals!

Amendment to Remove the words ‘the government and’

The National President has raised it at all levels of health and safety and political meetings that the only way to ensure worker safety is to have an effective HSE that holds employers accountable. At every meeting with DEFRA and BEIS the General Secretary has raised the point that the massive underfunding of the HSE is putting workers at risk.

Motion 13 Branch 582

That this Conference Agrees that The UK Deserves More Bank Holidays. The E.U. Average is 12.8 Days a year, So the Government need to Address this.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts.

Motion 14 Branch 356

Because of the shortage of workers if companies in the food industry are paying agency staff

bonuses of sometimes a £1,000 for working six weeks, then we say that they should pay the same to their permanent staff as well.

We have raised this at sites where it has been happening and have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts to look into further.

Motion 15 Branch 405

That this conference agrees…..That this union is to work with the government and all relevant authorities and interested parties to close tax loop holes and end the abuse of tax allowances for the very highly paid.

Amendment to Remove the words ‘the government and’

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 16 Branch 582

This Conference agrees that that paying more than half in Tax for a litre of Petrol and Diesel is Unacceptable. Reduce Tax to Help all motorists

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 17 Branch 405

That this conference agrees…..That this union is to work with the government and all relevant authorities and interested parties. To end tax relief for extremely large donations into personal pensions as a way to avoid paying tax on extreme wages and bonuses.

Amendment to Remove the words ‘the government and’

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 18 Branch 582

This Conference Agrees that the Government must remove V.A.T. on domestic energy to help many households already suffering with fuel poverty.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 21 Branch 253

That this conference agrees that where it is possible and appropriate we should be going paperless.

We have reduced the number of physical Foodworkers to three and actively encourage branches once a year to review the numbers they receive to site.

We are trying to utilise Microsoft forms, mail chimp, normal emails, WhatsApp, cyclo’s and directing people to the BFAWU website to distribute information rather than post out forms and documents, and any physical documents that we create are being tweaked to ensure they can support organising and retention of membership.

Motion 22 Branch 560

That this conference agrees for the government to change the social care plan and reduce the amount to be paid before you receive funding from £86,000 to £50,000.

The average life expectancy for residents in a care home is 18 months.

18 months = 78 weeks

Care at £1000 per week

78 weeks at £1000 = £78,000

Therefore the average resident would pass away before receiving state funding for their care.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 23 Branch 253

That this conference agrees that workplaces need to do more to help women who are going through the menopause so we ask our EC to campaign on our behalf to get legislation in place to improve training and other ways of helping.

We have a template menopause policy that can be ultilised by branches and are developing a campaign via the Womens Network

Motion 24 No.5 Regional Council

That this conference agree that young adults mental health needs more support networks in place to reduce the levels of suicide in young adults especially in young men.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and raised at TUC level and with the Mental Health Foundation

Motion 25 Branch 253

That conference agrees that smear testing should be done at a younger age than currently is the case and that there should be no change to the 3 year check ups as it is now.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts to raise as this is the only way to reduce the age, it is also something being discussed at the Womens Network meetings.

Motion 26 No.5 Regional Council

This congress agreed to protect seasonal workers who travel to UK for short periods of time and are used as cheap labour. And the conditions are accommodated in is far from any standard. We have to stop this modern slavery especially in the food and drink sector.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and raised the issue with the TUC, DEFRA and BEIS. The Landworkers Allience are also doing a piece of work around this that is feeding into our Food and Work Network.

Motion 27 Branch 253

That conference agrees that men should be encouraged to open up more with their mental health issues and that more support be given to help support them in doing so

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and raised at TUC level and with the Mental Health Foundation

Motion 29 Branch 580

That this conference agree to lobby government to introduce water safety lessons into schools to reduce youngsters drowning

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 30 Branch 356

We call on the UK government to open up the borders and allow refugees to settle in the UK. We consider this a moral obligation on behalf of this country, as most are coming from countries that the UK has dropped bombs on or has sold weapons to governments who are doing the same.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and have had discussions with the TUC, STUR and have supported the PCS campaign against the Rowanda deportations.

Motion 31 Branch 390

This conference agrees that the fees for using commercial electric vehicle charging points should be regulated by OFGEM to prevent profiteering from those people who do not have the facility or the option to charge their vehicle at home. We will instruct our parliamentary group to lobby for this

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 32 Branch 405

That this conference agrees that we lobby the government to stop the NHS or the Private Health Companies from using premium phone numbers, especially text messaging for surveys.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 33 Branch 432

That this conference agrees we should lobby our government that all workers who have paid

national insurance for 35 years should be allowed to retire at a reduced state pension. A lot of 55+ years of age are unable to work because of health reasons. It could also free up jobs for young workers.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and also discussed the issue with our Pensions Actuaries, the government are looking to raise the minimum retirement age that is currently 55 to 57 in 2028 to , ‘reflect trends in longevity and encouraging individuals to remain in work, while also helping to ensure pension savings provide for later life.’ This is something we will raise at the TUC, GFTU and other areas to campaign against.

Motion 35 Branch 560

That this conference agrees for the government to reinstate the triple lock immediately and back date the triple lock to October 2021.To stop the UK pensioners been the poor pensioners of Europe.The UK pensioners have worked 50 years to pay tax and national insurance to receive a decent state pension.Boris & Co tell us the younger generation cannot be expected to pay for the older generation.The UK pensioners have paid 50 years of taxes financially supporting 3 generations of pensioners.I have paid 50 years of taxes from 16 years old. I did not think at 16 I would become a pensioner but here I am today. It is a rite of passage to move from one part of society or group to another from a younger generation to an older generation. We all become pensioners one day Boris

The Government u-turned to maintain the triple lock in November 2021 in their revised budget, however this is something that they will return to look at, we have passed our position onto our Parliamentary group contacts and will coordinate with TUC and GFTU affiliates to campaign against the removal.

Motion 36 Branch 356

We condemn the government for the allowing of the drowning of refugees at sea, and that helping someone in those circumstances is the mark of being a decent human being.

We have publicly stated this, passed our position onto our Parliamentary group contacts and have reached out to Care4Calais and other campaigns which support refugees to support the work they do

Motion 37 Branch 405

That this conference agrees that any Parliamentary Member, must declare an interest in any

payments given to them by companies or lobbyists and any 2nd or more jobs they have and get paid for. If they are found out then they should be dismissed from their position and they would not be allowed to stand again

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 38 Branch 432

That conference agrees we should lobby our government that with the increase in Knife crime that tougher sentences should be given out to those carrying bladed weapons without a reasonable excuse and those using bladed weapons as a weapon also better education is needed in our schools, colleges and in our community’s on the danger of Knife crime.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and will work with organisations such as JENGbA to ensure we are aligned to their campaigns calls too.

Motion 40 Branch 356

We condemn the governments new laws restricting the right to protest. We see this as a growing authoritarianism in this country to stop ordinary people to make their voice heard

We have passed this onto our Parlaimentary group contacts and have been working with other trade unions and the TUC to push back against these new laws, which will disproportionately affect trade unionists by also impacting picket lines as well as demonstrations and protests.

Motion 43 Branch 356

Many of the companies who have gained contracts during the pandemic from the government have dubious connections with the Conservative Party. Therefore, we call on Parliament to hold an independent inquiry into how contracts were metered by the Government.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 44 Branch 405

That this conference agrees…..That this union is to work with all interested parties and bodies to end the undemocratic anomaly of the House Of Lords.

How can this collection of ancient hereditary lords and recent appointees be compatible with a 21st century democracy, and to be replaced by an elected body. By the people of Great Britain.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 45 Branch 432

That this conference agrees that the government should do more to assist wheelchair users in moving around our towns and cities by giving councils more money to address this situation. Wheelchair users face daily obstacles around our towns and cities.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts as well as raising with regional TUCs that have contacts with regional mayors.

Motion 46 Branch 356

After leaks have revealed that the Foreign Office and British Intelligence services have been using news organisations such as Reuters, the BBC and Bellingcat to propagandize regime change in other countries the BFAWU should call for a public inquiry.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 47 Branch 356

That as a union we abhor the apartheid Israeli regime and their treatment of the Palestinian people. In fighting this we should support the BDS (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

We have joined the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Right to Boycott group and the General Secretary has attended a number of meetings where the campaign has been discussed and plans created.

Motion 49 Branch 356

That the conference is disgusted by Saudi Arabia’s attack on Yemen, which has according to the United Nations (U.N.) has made the country the biggest human catastrophe on earth. We hence call on the UK government to stop all arm sales to Saudi Arabia.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts

Motion 50 Executive Council

We stand in solidarity with the people of Kazakhstan, and callout for justice for those killed in their protests for their rights.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and utilised our contacts through the GFTU and TUC to send solidarity messages and support

Motion 51 Branch 356

That the BFAWU condemns the sanctions that have placed upon the governments of Nicaragua and Venezuela. These are governments who have been democratically elected by their people, and all independent observers to their elections have said so.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and utilised our contacts through the GFTU and TUC to send solidarity messages and support.

Motion 52 Executive Council

This Trade union recognises the struggle of Clover dairy workers in South Africa to defend their jobs and the productive assets against MILCO, an Israeli corporate. MILCO is notorious in Israel for shamelessly supporting illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.

MILCO bought the 120 year old Clover brand and is now cutting workers wages, downsizing jobs and closing down productive facilities in small agricultural towns. While 1,200 Clover workers will lose their jobs, the jobs of many more farm, distribution, commercial workers are also threatened. Many of the gains made in post-apartheid South Africa are now at stake as the livelihood and future of the people is now threatened.

We support the Clover workers and their unions, GIWUSA (General Industrial Workers Union of SA) and FAWU (Food and Agricultural Workers Union) in their hour of need. This strike has lasted 16 weeks with terrible suffering and difficulties for the unions themselves.

We support the union’s demand for nationalisation and democratic operation of the plants by the workers in a public cooperative.

We therefore send this message of solidarity to GIWUSA and FAWU and donate to this cause. Through the officers of the Bakers Union (BFAWU) Executive committee we call on the South African government to revoke the MILCO take-over of Clover for the violation of their agreement.

The South African government should stop asset stripping and support continuous Clover production for the people of South Africa.

We urge all affiliated branches, trade councils, national unions and international trade unions to actively support this struggle of the Clover workers

We have reached out to the trade unions involved to send messages of solidarity and support and worked with other unions in the UK to call on the South African government to take action outlined in the motion

Motion 53 Branch 356

The BFAWU warns against the growing tensions between the west and China and Russia. We believe that we are at the beginning of a new cold war, at least as dangerous or if not more hazardous than the previous one. The last cold war risked all humanity with the world only narrowly getting in one piece. We therefore call upon all parties to tone down belligerent actions, and start a process of détente, talking and treating to one another with respect.

We have passed this onto our Parliamentary group contacts and contacts within the TUC and GFTU.

Emergency Motion 2

That this conference agrees:

● To support the families of 10 children convicted of joint enterprise murder in Newcastle Crown Court on 1st June 2022

● To show visible solidarity at their sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on a date to be fixed in August. Our Union led the way by being the first TU to support the JENGBA campaign. We now need to make those words of support real acts of solidarity + support their

families of the 10 children by

● Attending and protesting the hearing in August

● Sending a statement of solidarity to those families

● Making a public statement to support the families

We made a public statement as well as sending solidarity to the families involved and encouraged activists to attend the Court in August when the date was known.

Motion 1 Rule 5.4 Retired and Unwaged Members Branch 582

This Conference agrees that Retired Members Contributions Reductions should be granted when members retire from full time employment regardless of whether they have reached state retirement

The Executive Council Rule Book Committee is looking at how this can be re-worded

Motion 20 Executive Council

This conference agrees that over the next 4 years we will trial alternate physical and digital

conferences, so that we can continue to hold an annual conference but reduce the overall costs to the union whilst membership turns around. This would mean that:

2023 and 2025 would be digital.

2024 and 2026 would be physical.

We would run conference in the same way regardless of format in line with the current rule book and review the trial at the 2026 conference.

Annual conference will be held in a hybrid way for the period of time, enabling those who cannot travel or who would rather not be away for a week to still be able to attend conference and take part in conference rather than just watch the live stream. The General Secretary has reworked the structure of the week with the venue to reduce costs slightly.

We will monitor online attendance to see if the ability encourages new delegates/ branches to engage with annual conference.

Motion 41 Branch 405

That this conference agrees that we lobby the government to make the Royal National Lifeboat Institution a fourth emergency service and the volunteers to become professionals in this field. The job to be full time, manned 24hrs a day, 7 Days a week, 52 weeks a year and to be paid by our taxes.

No update on this motion

Motion 54 Branch 356

That conference condemns the seizure, taking to the USA of the Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab, who is now on trial in America. Saabs real crime is breaking the US sanctions placed upon Iran unilaterally by America. This is not being done under international law by the United Nations but by the US and its allies on its own volition.

No update on this motion

2021

Rule Book

All Rule book changes have been implemented and the latest copy of the rule book can be found here

Union Policies

That this Conference agrees that we as a union will not tolerate racist comments made verbally or by the means of social media. As a Union we need to set an example and embrace our diversity.

We are currently working on anti-far right and anti – racism training, the TUCs anti racism taskforce is pulling together a report and resources which we will also utilise.

This conference agrees that all agendas produced by this union shall include environment on the same line as Health and Safety and shall read as “Safety, Health and Environment.

We have added Environment to all Health and Safety documents and continue to encourage members and reps to raise best practice and concerns on environmental issues and initiatives.

That this conference agrees to recycle the lanyards used at conference to reduce costs to our union

We will implement a recycling system this year at conference

That this conference agrees to reduce the use of single use plastic at conference

We will implement a recycling system this year at conference

That this conference agrees to look at a more up to date method to get members to vote in ballots

We are bound by legislation in certain ballots, but will look to other methods as we did at the 2021 conference for those that aren’t

This conference agrees that the choice of hotel accommodation at Southport, The Prince of Wales Britannia Group, is not to be used. The hotel is not only a health hazard, the conditions are appalling, the rooms are not clean and it is a disgrace that we are expected to permit our members to stay in these conditions for the duration of conference. Furthermore, the Britannia Group should not be used in any capacity whatsoever by our union in the future, due to their treatment of workers in the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic were, widely reported in the media, one of their hotels, The Aviemore Coylumbridge, on 19th March 2020 terminated employment of staff with immediate effect and many of the employees who lived on the hotel premises discovered they were homeless as well as unemployed. As a union we cannot put money into the pockets as such companies that treat their staff an in barbaric manner.Conference we urge you to support

We have moved conference for 2022 to the Yarnfield Conference Centre and will look to hold future conferences at Redhills and elsewhere.

Conference can see that over the last 10 years automation has become more prevalent in our industry. This in turn reduces the number of jobs needed within it. Whilst we understand the need for automation we need to ensure that our members aren’t left behind.

Conference therefore agrees the executive should look into the impacts of automation and the likelihood of the process speeding up on the back of the pandemic and put together a strategy to support branches going forwards who will need to deal with the changes automation brings.

We have included the impact of automation in our right to food work, it is on the agenda to put a specific strategy together for branches

All Safety, Health and Environment motions have been added to the national committee’s agenda and updates will be circulated separately.

All Political motions have been passed on to our Parliamentary group and colleagues at Unity consulting and Solidarity Consulting so they can raise issues on our behalf