Yesterday morning Jane Moore spoke well, off the cuff, to conference alongside a string of Welsh delegates on the Cymru wales Region's motion on domestic violence.
The afternoon was fairly quiet, but this was, I think, the calm before the storm, because Thursday afternoon is... RULES day! Yes, you may think I am a Conference anaorak, but the Rule Change debates, traditionally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, often herald the most interesting and heated debates. This year looks to be no exception, with the usual prospect of sides limbering up for accusations of the powers that be being anti democratic and the opposers being labelled scaremongers. There are some critical debates around changes to the rules which allow us to expel members of far right and rascist organisations, with a change to the wording so that UNISON can expel anyone who is a member of a political party which does not agree with UNISON's aims and objectives. This is intersting wording which conference delegates will want to scrutinise very carefully. Could that wording be used to expel those on the left as well as the right? members of the Liberal democrats or Plaid Cymru? The debate will be critical to the future opertaion of the union and it is hotly anticipated.
I spoke today on Motion 82.02 on Cuba, supporting the call for Regions and Branches to affiliated, as we have done, to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, but also gave a warning to our comrades in Cuba, that the motion, which rightly called for the lifting of the US blockade, contained a danger to the revolution. When I visited Cuba the Higher Education Minister expressed concern about the limited areas where the feree market was allowed to develop, and that in areas like the tourist resort of Varedero, a waiter could earn more than a surgeon because of tips! This imbalance is a danger for the revolution, and the lifting of US economic sanctions may be a huge boost to the Cuban economy, but the private sector and free market, as we know, is not keen on limits, but is rapacious in its greed. I warned the conference to look at China, which, whatever you thought it was before, is now undoubtedly a capitalist country 'red in tooth and claw' and if we are to save the Cuban revolution the workers in Cuba must not be tempted down that road- all that glitters is not rum!
The motion, as ammended, was passed.
The debate on Palestine was, as usual a set piece intense debate, with feelings running high. In the end the Branch, after much discussion, voted against the Composite because the majority opposed the concept of a UNISON boycott. However, the Composite was passed.
So, now I'm going back to the fray and preparing for the excitement of Rules!
Cheers
Mark
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