National Delegate Conference 19-22 June
2007
"I Never Dreamed I'd Be Here"
Malcolm Cantello UNISON's National President Addresses Conference
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| Malcolm Cantello |
Malcom Cantello, UNISON's National President was warmly welcomed
by Conference.
A Leicester City Transport worker, he was lured into NALGO in 1959
on the promise of a low cost "Hi De Hi" holiday at Croyde Bay. That
was just the beginning.
"Thank you all" said Malcolm as he gave recognition to the Transport
Service Group "one of the smaller service groups - but one whose
members provide services we all depend upon." - and to the efforts
by members, branches and officers, campaigning, representing promoting
and ensuring the values, beliefs and view of our union are successfully
pursued."
"Positive views - of our Public Services and how best to deliver
them. Positive views - on the proper recognition and value of those
who provide them - our members. Positive views - on the rights of
individuals in society and in the workplace. And positive views
on what our society should represent."
On the success of the Anti-BNP campaigns in the run up to the May
elections, Malcolm said "Our support for the 'Hope not Hate' campaign
activities which encouraged racial harmony and positivism in communities
have been a great success and our co-working with Searchlight is
a significant part of this."
"We cannot be complacent, their use of the democratic process doesn't
hide what they are - opponents of decency, opponents of organised
labour, opponents of a civilised society that fosters equality and
diversity. They walk around now dressed in business suits and ties,
allegedly promoting a different agenda, but their policies haven't
changed - we can't let people be hoodwinked by this. We must stand
up to the fascists wherever they are, including on the ballot paper"
Malcolm highlighted UNISON's positive involvement in many areas
- in the bicentenary of abolition of slavery, its sign up to Stop
Climate Change campaign and its own commitment to becoming a greener
organisation.
"We want to live in a country that is conscious of environmental
issues; that believes in and offers social justice, that affords
opportunities for all to work, and at work offers quality employment
and quality of life."
Other successes have been UNISON's work in Life long Learning and
gains in UNISON membership. On recruitment, Malcolm reminded Conference
"there is no room for resting on our laurels. We have to redouble
our recruitment effort to ensure that our employers take us seriously."
Whilst recognising the disappointments and disagreements with many
Labour Government decisions since their return to power in 1997,
he warned, "We must not forget the 18 years prior to that, and we
must not assume that it could not happen again. We need to remember
that whilst we may be disappointed, or downright angry with some
of the decisions that have been made, we can applaud others."
"We nevertheless remain somewhat frustrated with a Government
we see as our own. But we need firstly to secure a fourth term,
under Gordon Brown's leadership, and work with the Labour Government
to ensure that our agenda is not just heard but listened to and
acted upon."
Malcolm praised UNISON's international work, defending and promoting
public services across the world, much of which he witnessed first
hand as he attended Congresses in Durban, South Africa and Stockholm.
He sent a strong message of solidarity to the Congress of South
African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its striking public service members,
amidst one of the biggest strikes in the history of South Africa
in their fight for decent pay and conditions.
Malcolm appealed for donations to ARROW (Art: A Resource for Reconciliation
Over the World.) This programme, based at Plymouth's College of
St Mark and St John uses arts to help young people communicate across
boundaries and to express their stories, needs, hopes, fears and
aspirations as a way of reconciling and moving forward after conflict.
The 'Voices of Reconciliation' project with a group of young people
in Freetown, to help them overcome the traumas of war, will be followed
by work to build a network in Africa which will allow input from
the Sierra Leone group.
Cheques can be made payable to UNISON, and sent to Joan Walker,
Executive Office,1 Mableton Place, London WC1H 9AJ
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