GREEN PARTY TRADES UNION GROUP. MINUTES 25/10/2006

1. Minutes/report from Brighton with addendum
   1. Agreed for accuracy
   2. Matters arising:
      1. Many statements had been made from prominent GP platforms about the necessity for building links with Trades Unions , but little practical had been done.
      2. The lack of prominence given to GPTU in general and the two motions, (support for NHS logistics and TU law reform) passed at Brighton conference, on GP website, and GP statements in general, was noted GPTU members were encouraged to respond to the GP website survey pointing this out.
      3. The TU law reform motion calls for action from GP, what action is being taken?
      4. There should be links from the GP web site to the TUC website at least.
2. Police dispute:

   K.Taylor had referred the following letter to GPTU . C.Lucas MEP felt that it fell outside her remit. PM had placed it on GPTU list without prejudice, to see what response GPTU members might think it appropriate for GPTU to make and/or call on GP to make.(copy to Jenny Jones).

    

   "1st October 2006

    

   Dear Sir / Madam

    

   I am a serving police officer and am writing to seek your support for the Police Federation's Fair Pay for Police campaign. This year, the Official Side of the Police Negotiating Board has unilaterally broken the agreement, which governs police pay. This agreement index-links police pay awards to awards in the private sector. It was implemented in recognition of the unique challenges and dangers which police officers face, the sacrifices which they may be called on to make in their private lives and the fact that they are prohibited by law from taking industrial action.

   Since the agreement was made in 1979, the challenges and dangers have actually intensified and, of course, the strike ban remains. Police officers, therefore, remain bound by their side of the bargain. Yet the Official Side has felt no compunction in abandoning its own obligations. This is manifestly unjust. If the situation is not remedied, there will be a massive loss of trust and goodwill among police officers, which will have a seriously deleterious effect on the Police Service.

    

   I therefore urge you to support the Federation's campaign. Yours sincerely, Christopher Lees "

    

   The meeting agreed the following statement:

    

   "The Green Party Trades Union Group asks Jenny Jones to investigate the police dispute thoroughly and investigate its implications for employees of the police who may be Trades Union members. We generally support organised groups of workers in struggles with their employers."

    

3. It was agreed that a new GPTU leaflet be produced with the following text:

    

   LEAFLET TEXT

   The Green Party of England and Wales Trade Union Group (GPTU)

   The Green Party is an environmental party It sees a world in environmental crisis, and especially climate change, as the major political issue facing us all today. The environment is not just another issue to be added to ordinary politics - humans are part of the environment, if it goes down the pan, we all go with it.

   But the Green Party is not ONLY an environmental party, it sees the main cause of environmental crisis as being the way businesses and governments treat everything on the planet (including human beings) as things to be exploited for profit. All Green Party policies mean major changes in politics and economics, anything less won't do. Piecemeal reforms may make things better for some people in some areas (often the richest people in the richest countries) but, it is far too easy for businesses to move themselves around the world where labour is cheaper and regulations on workers' rights and pollution are weakest.

   The GPTU group has worked on policies to defend workers that are now part of Green Party policy.

   The TU group and the Green Party have supported unions in dispute such as the FBU and Unison. Our elected representatives have fought for workers' rights from local level to the European Parliament and beyond. The Green Party recognises that trade unionists have long been fighters for the environment. Jean Lambert and Caroline Lucas, Green party MEP's, have campaigned against the anti-worker provisions of the European Services Directive, and for the reduction of working hours The Labour Party opposed the introduction of Thatcher's anti-union laws, but New Labour in government now enforces most of them. The Green Party has consistently opposed such laws and will seek their repeal at the earliest opportunity. The Green Party Trades Union Group is affiliated to the Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Trade Union laws.

    

   Some important policies

   The Green Party:

   • Opposes privatisation and PFI schemes
   • Campaigns for fair pay and decent conditions
   • Opposes the sale/privatisation of council housing and demands affordable social housing
   • Campaigns for investment in public transport within a publicly controlled, integrated transport system
   • Supports public services such as health and education funded through taxation, with the well off paying their fair share
   • Campaigns for fair trade
   • Supports a Basic Income for the unwaged which would remove means testing, Job Centre bullying and pressure to take low paid jobs
   • Encourages unorganised, temporary and migrant workers to join a union

    

   Please see our website for more details: Contact details and MEMBERSHIP FORM

   END OF LEAFLET TEXT

    

   Images for Front page of leaflet and in the text needed ASAP

4. Climate change demo 4/11/2006. GPTU banner would be at Grosvenor Sq at 11 am, More banner carriers and leaflet distributors needed. Those who did not wish to march could help with GP stall at Trafalfgar Sq.
5. Committee organisation and finances

   £615 in account

   Less £460 to S´wk &Lambeth GP (Workers´ Beer work)

   Less £65 to S.Tibbles expenses for conference and for future Oxford event.

   PLUS £42 to be paid in for conference income

   Balance approx £132

   N Walsh owed in excess (£100) of this for hall hire at Oxford Leaflet expenses anticipated at £100 at least

   Many ideas how to spend money voiced.

   Noted that N.Walsh had worked very hard on fund raising for GP and GPTU, through WBC he had been frustrated by failure of volunteers to turn up on several occasions. He felt able to continue with work with WBC on a limited basis. The committee agreed to continue as at present constituted until AGM at March conference.

6. Agreed to discuss with Green Left
   • Future joint orgaisation of conferences
   • GL & GPTU GP conference meeting on "GP & trades Unions"
   • Formation of Northern GPTU group
7. Amicus/TGWU merger :It was noted that this might create a super-Union which dominated the TUC and could be politically v.powerful via funds and block votes to Labour.

AOBs

It seems that inspite of support at Labour conference NHS logistics privatisation is proceeding. No redundancies?