Addressing delegates, Jane Jones – Usdaw President said: “It is an honour to stand alongside each and every one of our three hundred and sixty thousand Usdaw members. People who work hard, in tough conditions, people who want things to get better, people who joined this union, just like I did, because they know that we are far stronger together. Unity is Strength.
“That's more than just a slogan. It's at the heart of why we exist. It's why we do what we do. It's why we join together here every year, we debate, we listen, we learn and when it's all over, we leave united. We remember just how strong we are. We know that we can always face whatever is thrown our way and there's certainly been plenty thrown our way.
“Not just this year, but for many years now, we've been at the sharp end of crisis after crisis. After Covid turned our lives upside down, we were thrown straight into a cost of living emergency, fuel bills, food, mortgages, rent – all through the roof. Every penny that our members work so hard for, squeezed harder and harder. Against a backdrop of insecure work and inadequate employment rights.
“It is obscene, that in 2024, working people are having to go to food banks to survive. It is disgraceful, that one-quarter of children in this country are in absolute poverty. And it is terrifying, that record numbers of people are falling into debt.
“And how did we get here? You don't need me to tell you how. Fourteen years of the Tories. Fourteen years of people in charge who don't understand what ordinary people's lives are like. And worse than that – they don't care. They have ripped the heart out of this country. They've got things wrong, time and time again. Decision after decision, delay after delay, disaster after disaster. Bringing us crumbling schools, an NHS on its knees, a broken social security system, falling living standards, to name just a few.
“I don't want to just keep talking about what's wrong, I want to talk about how we make it right. As trade unionists, we never sit back and say – 'that's just the way it is'. We push for better, we work for change, we make things happen and we've got a chance now to push for a better future for this country. To work together for the change we need and to make a Labour Government happen.
“That's why we will be talking a lot about politics during this conference. Even more than usual. We'll be talking about the difference a Labour Government can make for our members and for the country. We are within touching distance of that Labour Government, but we can't take it for granted. Nothing is certain. We have to work hard to make this happen. I know we can do it and I believe we will do it.”