GREEN PARTY TRADES UNION GROUP. MINUTES 12/12/2007

 

PRESENT: J.Carver (Chair), P.Murry (minutes), P. Torabi, A. Hewett, J. Healy, Cllr R.Phoenix, S.Tibbles

 

1. Minutes of last meeting; Agreed to consider these by email due to pressures of time. Any matters of accuracy or arising to be sent by email to the GPTU list or to yrrumuk@yahoo.co.uk.
2. Gary Dunion invited to this GPTU meeting.

 

3. FINANCES
   1. £300 recieved from GP.
   2. Cheque paid to Hillingdon Green print £53 for 2000 Leaflets.
   3. Cheque paid to P.Murry £35 for stall at last GP conference.
   4. Cheque paid to Campaign Against Climate Change donation to TU Conference £20.
   5. Paul Cooney thanked for earlier donation towards Unison meeting.
   6. Banner costs to be investigated (Andy Hewett).

 

4. Conference
   1. Migrant workers motion ruled out of order agreed to hold fringe as a way of initiating consultation for motion to future conference.
   2. Min/max wage included. An amendment is said to being proposed.
   3. Disabled workers motion included. A proposer with detailed knowledge needed. Joseph to liaise with Alan Wheatly
   (Text of all these motions in previous minutes 7/11/2007)
   4. Agreed to book fringe on Migrant workers. Payam to invite Dr A. Burnett or other speaker from Medical Justice (expenses up to £25 agreed). Other speakers A.Ceravolo (TGWU) or a rep of No Borders and Jean Lambert?
   5. Offer of speaker on press and broadcasting freedom referred to Green Left.
   6. AGM to be scheduled for conference time slot TBA, Saturday preferred. NB any GPTU member wishing to stand for Committee should notify P.Murry yrrumuk@yahoo.co.uk.
   7. Agreed to have stall (expenses up to £35 agreed, any shortfall from donations)

 

5. Remploy. P.Murry to write letter of protest to P.Hain and circulate to relevant media.

 

6. DWP strikers investigate possibility of inviting speaker to London Fed meeting.

 

7. GMB; P.M to send letter, initially privately stating that whilst sympathizing with a TU´s duty to defend its members pay and conditions, support for another Heathrow runway, or expansion of air travel in general, was shortsighted as the likely detrimental environmental consequences for workers, (and everyone else) would outweigh any short term benefit. Suggest that the Union work with other TUs and the Green movement to explore possible ways of securing workers´ rights in more ecologically friendly industries, perhaps initially by participating in such events as the Campaign Against Climate Change TU Conference. Expect reply within 14 days allowing for Xmas holidays and consider drafting emergency conference motion.

 

8. AOB
   1. message of congratulation to Marc Schleimann
   2. RMT demo against E.London line privatisation 13/12/2007 at City Hall: R.Phoenix and CATP reps will attend, (CATP is Campaign Against Tube Privatisation: http://gptu.net/catp/catp.shtml ).
   3. Police pay dispute: situation to be reviewed in light of developments.
   4. GPTU speakers from London and Brighton could be invited to GPRC meeting in January, (J. Healy to liaise with Marc Schleimann)
   5. J.Lambert MEP statement re Viking ferries court ruling on GPTU list.
   6. Phelim MacCafferty involved in organizing February conference on Lisbon treaty possibility of sending delegate to be investigated. (NB high fees)
   7. Appeal for support for Karen Reissman posted to website, pictures of demonstrators on blog.