The CWU Retired Members Conference held on Wednesday the 15th October in the offices of Birmingham Amal. Branch, which is located on Summer Lane on the outskirts of Birmingham City centre.

Over the course of the day around fifty delegates representing forty-two branches debated the 12 motions which had been submitted plus one Emergency motion in the name of the London Region, seeking an increase in financial support for the NPC (National Pensioners Convention)

Delegates were welcomed to the conference by Incoming National President elect. Mick Kavanagh and Norman Candy, the Retired Members Representative to the National Executive also at the top table.

Our branch sent two delegates to the Conference (R.Guinn and J.McLaughlin) and I attended as a member of the National Retired Member’s Committee. Unfortunately, the other NI elected member on the National Committee M.McAlinden could not be there as he was on holiday.

Our branch motion (7) was Carried as were all Motions debated on the day.

Unfortunately, neither Dave Ward, General Secretary nor Tony Kearns Senior Assistant GS were able to be with us although Tony did deliver a brief speech via Zoom. During his address Tony said that he would leave his role with the union at the end of November.

Note: Our branch would be organising a suitable recognition award to Tony Kearns once it became clear when and where head office had scheduled Tony’s leaving do.

Motions debated on the day included those on Pensions/Allowances, Cost of Living, NI Retired Members Review and frequency of reviews, Information circulation and Decisions, Consequence of RM motions when we move to National biennial conferences, Retired Members inclusion in non-industrial ballots and our continued opposition to Digital Exclusion.

As is the norm, two of the motions are selected (by a delegate ballot)  to go forward to General Conference scheduled for the  Bournemouth Intl. Centre. in early May’26. Ken Ward and I would move those motions on behalf of the National Retired Members Committee.

In closing conference, Norman Candy thanked delegates and branches for their input, also the Birmingham Amal Branch for the use of their premises, Joyce Stevenson and Samantha Adeyosoye, Standing Orders, Angela Niven from head office admin. and all our guest speakers.

He wished all delegates safe homeward travels and hoped to see them again next year.

You can view the full Agenda pad via this link Retired-Agenda-Oct-2025-1.pdf