Motion detail – Congress motions

Motion

Motion title: Wages not weapons - international peace conference - Composite

Motion text: Congress notes:
increase in Arms spending
US and Israeli attacks on Iran have added to the growing climate of war across the world.
UK involvement in the US/Israeli actions and Starmer's aim to accelerate increases in UK military spending
French trade union involvement in the successful Paris Peace Conference in October 2025
UCU's existing anti-war policies.
Believes that:
government funding priorities are a political choice and not a cast iron economic law
the UCU motion, carried at the TUC conference, overturning policy that committed the TUC in supporting an increase in arms spending was a significant step forward for the British trade union movement
there is an urgent need to build an international movement against war comprising trade unions, peace organisations and progressive forces
the slogans 'Wages Not Weapons' and 'Welfare Not Warfare' can mobilise workers against the militarism of our governments
the issue of war is a trade union issue.
Congress resolves that UCU will:
support the international Peace Conference called by Stop the War and peace organisations from across Europe organisations for 20 June in London, under the heading 'The People of Europe Demand Peace'
offer its leading office-holders as speakers
encourage its branches to send delegates to the conference
offer financial support and assistance to the conference organisers
continue to promote the Wages Not Weapons campaign.