LTB 324/16 - EU Referendum Campaign

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 May 2016, 13:48

LTB 324/16 - EU Referendum Campaign

No. 324/2016

23rd May 2016

Dear Colleagues,

EU Referendum Campaign

As branches are aware it was agreed under motion E3 at this year’s Annual Conference that the CWU should recommend a vote to remain in the EU to our members in the forthcoming referendum.

The purpose of this LTB is to update branches on the activities planned by the union, how we will be conducting the campaign and to make Branches aware of the legal requirements the union will need to comply with.

In relation to the activities we are planning, we have set out the following time line for our campaign:

CWU leaflet focusing on workers’ rights in the EU to be sent to branches – week commencing 6th
CWU-led cross-union public rally – week commencing 13th
CWU online video on the union’s position – week commencing 13th
Home mailing to members explaining the union’s recommendation – to arrive on 18th This will be separate from the Voice.
These events are focused on the build-up to the referendum itself on 23rd June, when we believe our members will be giving the issues the most attention. We will also be using the media to publicise the union’s position more widely.

In relation to the way in which we will be engaging in this campaign, there are two points it is important to emphasise.

Firstly, in making a recommendation on the referendum, the CWU will make it clear that we respect and understand the fact that our members will cast their vote on a range of issues. However, we will also explain that it is important that the trade union movement does not allow the referendum to be a choice between two competing visions of a Conservative Party future.

Secondly, as agreed under motion E3 at Conference, we will be putting forward a distinct trade union argument for staying within the EU and we will not be involved with the official Remain campaign, which fails to recognise the need for fundamental economic and democratic change in both the EU and this country.

We are recommending a vote to remain within the EU, primarily to safeguard our members’ employment rights. This is not about defending the status quo and we will be explaining this fully in the information we provide to members. This information will also cover industry specific issues, migration and the need to reform the EU.

While we will be producing campaign materials from CWU headquarters, should Branches and Regions wish to conduct any campaigning themselves we would ask that you do so in line with these principles agreed at Conference.

Finally, it is important for Branches and Regions to be aware that any campaign spending by the CWU in campaigning on the referendum will need to be reported by the union centrally to the Electoral Commission. Any campaign material that is produced by the union will also need to include a specific imprint, stating that it has come from the CWU as a registered campaign body.

Branches and Regions should therefore contact gsoffice@cwu.org in advance of any campaign activities they wish to undertake to ensure that this will comply with the legal restrictions for the referendum and can be registered in the required way.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

paulf0203 · Post by **paulf0203** » 23 May 2016, 16:28

Brilliant, lets stuff these right wing out campaigners who want to make workers lives worse and vote with the rest of the trade union and labour movement to remain in the EU. We all know it needs reforming but we can only influence this by being at the table, the free movement of labour will probably still be in place even if we leave but that does need to be changed but lets be at the table.

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 16:44

What a load of tosh the problem is lots of people will be fooled into the brainwashing and scaremongering tactics that the government etc are leading you to believe.BREXIT!!!!!!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 May 2016, 16:47

blakeyboy wrote:What a load of tosh the problem is lots of people will be fooled into the brainwashing and scaremongering tactics that the government etc are leading you to believe.BREXIT!!!!!!

Do you honestly believe that the tories won't cut back on workers rights after we leave the EU, its a good job they don't have a history of it.

#Remain

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 16:54

The country will be far worse of if we stay in Europe. BREXIT

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 May 2016, 17:06

blakeyboy wrote:The country will be far worse of if we stay in Europe. BREXIT

Ah using the Boris approach of shouting and ignoring questions.

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 17:09

If you want more crime,an overpopulated country and to be controlled by the eu on everything then carry on and vote to stay.I know I won't be.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 May 2016, 17:14

blakeyboy wrote:If you want more crime.

Turn over a few pages on your copy of the Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/article ... tions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In common with other newspapers, an article on February 17 said that criminal 'convictions' for EU migrants had gone up by 40% in five years with 700 being found guilty every week.
In fact, as the article went on to explain, the figures related to 'notifications' which include breaches of court orders and appeals as well as convictions.

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 17:20

The country will flourish in my opinion if we leave the eu and national debt will be wiped out.Dont be scared of change as more than likely it will be for the better.

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 23 May 2016, 17:24

blakeyboy wrote:The country will flourish in my opinion if we leave the eu and national debt will be wiped out.Dont be scared of change as more than likely it will be for the better.

I'm not scared just curious.
Explain why the country will flourish and national debt will be wiped out.

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 17:30

Explain why leaving the eu will affect workers rights.

Tman · Post by **Tman** » 23 May 2016, 17:31

Shame the CWU doesn't grow a pair and recommend leaving the failing political project that is the EU, like the RMT do.
Funny how the old countries of the Empire always railed against being ruled by a foreign country with no input or sway on decisions made, and yet some see can't/won't see the paradox of the UK today is in a similar political situation.
As for the old workers' rights chestnut

....ask the trawlermen and steel workers (for two examples) about just how good the EU was at protecting their rights.

blakeyboy · Post by **blakeyboy** » 23 May 2016, 17:38

Well Britain currently are paying 18 billion a year for Euro membership of which we get a 5 billion rebate thus meaning that's 13 billion a year we will save from not being in the eu which over a few years will clear national debt it's not rocket science

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 23 May 2016, 17:42

its time to vote out of the EU its time to take OUR country back

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 May 2016, 17:56

viking1488 wrote:its time to vote out of the EU its time to take are country back

our