Annual Conference

TSSA conference

TSSA’s annual conference is the supreme governing body of the union, where our members set our key policies and priorities for the year ahead.

Conference is held in May or June every year. It is made up of delegates from our Branches, with the larger Branches able to send two delegates. Branches can submit motions and amendments for debate which go on to set the union’s organising and strategic agenda. The Conference agenda is painstakingly organised by a group of members in the Standing Orders Committee, who are themselves elected by members every year.

TSSA policies are largely determined by motions at annual conference and these decisions are then binding on all members and officers. Annual conference ensures that TSSA is a fully democratic organisation and that every single member can have a say in how their union is run.

Annual conference is far more than a governing body, it’s an opportunity for activists from all over the country to meet, to organise, to share best practice and to network; it’s an opportunity to build campaigns for the year ahead; it’s an opportunity for our union to set the agenda and influence government policy. Our annual conference features keynote speeches from senior politicians, conference is an occasion for our members to speak truth to power and be inspired.

Conference features many exciting fringe events, including the Socialist Fellowship, an evening of music, song, poetry, and humour, which has been a regular feature at the TSSA annual conference since 1908. The Disability Working Group also traditionally hold inspiring and informative events at annual conference.

The full rules regarding our Annual Delegate conference are available in the TSSA Rulebook (Rule 10) and the Guidance Notes (Note E).

TSSA Rule book and guidance notes