Political Fund Ballot 2013

1. Political Fund Ballot 2013

2. Political Fund Ballot 2013 WHY DO WE HAVE A POLITICAL FUND? Pre 1913 - ‘political’ action unlawful Right to strike, immunity from liability, right to vote, women's suffrage, pensions, health care … Trade unions and the Labour Party 1913 Trade Union Act Political campaigning with separate political fund Must provide ‘opt-out’ for members Major ‘political’ victories throughout 20th Century NHS, pensions, the vote, universal education, H&SAWA, equal pay, maternity rights, social housing, welfare state, trade union rights, employment tribunals, minimum wage, sex and race discrimination, collective bargaining….

3. Political Fund Ballot 2013 THATCHER’S ATTACK Trade Union Act 1984 & TULR(C)A 1992 All members must vote every 10 years Scope of funding broadened to include materials and campaigning aimed at ‘persuasion’ Not repealed by Labour 1997 -2010 SO WE BALLOT AGAIN 1st May – 22nd May 2013

4. Political Fund Ballot 2013 It’s not a vote on our affiliation to the Labour Party IT’S A VOTE TO PROTECT YOUR POLITICAL VOICE CAMPAIGNING, ORGANISING, FIGHTING FOR A BETTER WORLD

5. Political Fund Ballot 2013 • Direct funding for Labour (national and local) • Materials production and distribution • Campaigning for or against a political policy, direction or manifesto of a political party • Propaganda exposing political attacks on workers • Advertising in support of or against a party / candidate • Any expenditure on voter registration • ‘Persuasion’ WHAT DOES IT FUND? ‘Any expenditure supporting or opposing a political party’

6. Political Fund Ballot 2013 • NALGO HAD NO POLITICAL FUND • Ran campaign to Support Public Services ‘Make People Matter’ • In election year • No mention of Labour or encouragement to vote Labour • CHALLENGE IN THE HIGH COURT • Ruled that the unions objective was political • Aim to persuade people to notvote Conservative • It was a political campaign and unlawful without political fund in place PERSUASION ‘NALGO - High Court Ruling’ 1987

7. Political Fund Ballot 2013 CAMPAIGNING AND ‘PERSUASION’ TODAY – POLITICAL? Defending pensions, opposing welfare cuts and promoting growth strategies Protecting our National Health Service Promoting trade union rights & freedoms Opposing cuts to local services Fighting privatisation and outsourcing Opposing ‘far right’ parties EDL / BNP ‘Informing’ about voter registration changes Campaigning against tuition fees, youth services cuts and unemployment …

8. Political Fund Ballot 2013 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 2p per day or 66p a month Members have the right to opt-out With 1.5 million members we have a political fighting fund the Tories want to close down

9. Political Fund Ballot 2013 THE CAMPAIGN First ballot for Unite Predecessor unions have voted between 70-90% in favour Overwhelming YES vote irrespective of individual politics of membership THIS IS ABOUT OUR VOICE AND THE VOICE OF OUR MEMBERS BEING HEARD IT IS VITAL THAT WE SECURE A YES VOTE!

10. Political Fund Ballot 2013 MATERIALS WITH BALLOT PAPER Broadsheet (8pp) Letter from General Secretary GENERAL Leaflets– Posters – Stickers - DVD Activists Guide

11. Political Fund Ballot 2013 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? Build the campaign in your workplace / allocation Ensure it’s on the agenda at your branch, stewards committee, RISC, NISC, Regional Committee…. Ensure you have a supply of materials for members when the vote begins, put up posters – ‘first 7 days’ Talk to your members and activists It’s not a referendum on Labour or to affiliate Unite to Labour

12. Political Fund Ballot 2013 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? Highlight the issues important to your members you know we campaign on politically Build an organising campaign; check addresses, set up a phone/email tree, get stewards responsible for a group of members, grow your membership… Check people have their ballot paper – if it’s not arrived by 11th May call 0800 7833856 or email enquires@electoralreform.co.uk

13. It’s your voice, your fund, your future Fight to win it!