Labour Party Conference is an opportunity for TSSA - we must use it

Labour Party Conference is fast approaching. The Chair of TSSA’s Political Committee, Andi Fox, writes on why it’s an opportunity we must exploit.

As Chair of TSSA’s Political Committee, a former Chair of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee and a current member of Labour’s National Policy Forum, I know from experience how important political engagement is in ensuring that the voice of working people is heard where decisions about the future are made. That is why Labour Party Conference is such an important opportunity for TSSA.

Conference is much more than a week of speeches, debates and fringe meetings. It is a key part of Labour’s policy-making process and brings together MPs, councillors, trade unions, members and campaigners from across the country. It provides an opportunity to influence the political agenda, develop relationships and make sure the priorities of our members are understood.

For TSSA, that means putting transport workers at the centre of the debate.

Our members have a unique understanding of the challenges facing our railways and wider public transport system. They see every day the impact of decisions on staffing, safety, investment, services and working conditions. We should be using that knowledge and experience to influence Labour policy and to make the case for a properly funded, safe and sustainable transport system.

Conference also gives us an important platform to raise our industrial and campaigning issues.

Our campaigns do not exist in isolation from politics. Decisions made by governments and politicians directly affect our members’ jobs, pay, conditions and futures. We need to ensure that Labour MPs, councillors, activists and other trade unions understand the issues we are campaigning on and the reasons why they matter.

My experience as a former Chair of the Labour Party NEC, together with my current role on the National Policy Forum, has reinforced for me that influence comes from being present, making strong arguments and building support. Trade unions have an important role in shaping Labour’s policies, but we cannot simply assume that our voice will be heard. We must make sure it is.

That also means working with others. Conference provides an opportunity to build alliances with other trade unions and organisations where we share common objectives. By working together, we can strengthen our campaigns and make a more powerful case for policies that benefit working people and public services.

Political engagement should never be politics for politics’ sake. For TSSA, it must have a clear purpose: using every opportunity available to improve the lives of our members, protect jobs and conditions, strengthen our industries and secure a better future for transport workers.

As Chair of the Political Committee, I want to see TSSA make the most of Labour Party Conference. We should be there to campaign, to influence, to build relationships and, importantly, to make sure that the voice of our members is heard.
Conference is an opportunity. We should use it.

Andi Fox – Chair, TSSA Political Committee