ACCORD Conferences & Events

ACCORD’S CONFERENCE 2010 A SUCCESS - Now The Work Begins

Accord’s biennial conference took some important decisions, setting the Union’s agenda for the next two years.

Over 200 reps, chosen by members to be delegates on their behalf, met in Belfast 23-25 June.  This was the first conference since the fall of HBOS in September 2008.

The most significant decision was that Accord will no longer be dedicated to HBOS staff but will now actively seek members from across Lloyds Banking Group.

Over the three days, reps debated and voted on more than 70 motions submitted by members around the UK. 

Motions covered many subjects although most naturally dealt with pay, pensions and terms & conditions.  The issue of low pay, inconsistency in grades across the heritages, ‘forced ranking’ of performance reviews, protection of final salary pension schemes and abandoning the aggressive sales culture were just some of the topics voted on. 

Integration projects and their massive impact on work/life balance were raised in several motions.  Questions on this were also put to two senior LBG executives at conference: group operations & integration director Mark Fisher, and HR director of policy and employee relations, John Hallett. 

Keynote speaker Frances O’Grady, the TUC’s deputy general secretary praised Accord for its approach to dealing with LBG, especially with the Partnership Agreement signed with HBOS and Unite in 2007.  Similarly, director of the Involvement & Participation Association (IPA) Nita Clarke told conference how the Partnership Agreement was ‘without doubt’ the best way forward.  A copy of the IPA’s study into the Partnership Agreement can be downloaded here.

Accord will continue its top level meetings with LBG to show that partnership is a better way.

All motions and their fate can be viewed by clicking here.

More information about the conference will be in the Union’s new magazine, My Accord, out mid July.

Accord has around 1,000 reps across the UK, on hand to help members with any issues they may be facing.

If you know any colleagues who aren’t Accord members, please encourage them to join.  Together, we’ll become the best union in LBG.

 

Events

Every July thousands of people come to Tolpuddle to celebrate trade unionism and to remember the sacrifice made by the six farm workers of the village.

The tiny Dorset village has been a place of pilgrimage for trade unionists ever since the Martyrs' came home in triumph. The festival is a popular mix of political discussion and speeches, great music to suit all tastes, entertainment for all the family and the traditional procession of banners, wreath laying and Methodist service.

Accord is a sponsor for the 2010 Festival will take place between the 16th-18th July.