AAD 2022: Day 1
Today was the first day of ASLEF's Annual Assembly of Delegates 2022 in Bournemouth.
The AAD is the union's annual conference, where delegates and visitors from across the country come together to discuss, debate and vote on union policy.
This year we're returning to an in-person conference after AAD was postponed in 2020 and held online in 2021.
Conference Welcome
Conference was opened by union stalwart Cliff Holloway who spoke about the value of being active in the union and his experience of taking on roles ranging from local rep to company council and, of course, attending AAD.
Following Cliff's welcome speech, he was presented with honorary membership of the union by general secretary Mick Whelan and received a standing ovation from delegates and visitors.
Debate: Day 1
The first votes of conference elect a chair and vice chair for the week. Conference vote for Deborah Reay (Northern Line North) to be Chair and Chris Sneddon (Wimbledon) to be Vice Chair.
Delegates reviewed and debated the union's work from the past year including the financial statement, member communications and political activities.
In the afternoon, delegates voted for the union to continue to affiliate to the Labour Party.
Roger McKenzie
Roger McKenzie, general secretary of human rights campaigning organisation Liberation, spoke to conference on Monday.
Roger reminded delegates of the importance of international solidarity in the face of climate and economic crises, and shared some of his work as a trade unionist and anti-racism campaigner.
Bournemouth Demands Better
In the evening, general secretary Mick Whelan spoke at a TUC rally ahead of the We Demand Better national march on Saturday 18 June alongside Marian Mayer, UCU National Pay and Equalities Negotiator, and Jim Buchanan of RMT.
The union movement is standing together against the government's cost of living crisis which sees everything rising but wages.
You can join the march and rally in London on Saturday 18 June.
