Minutes: GPTU meeting 25/7/2009 Part 1 regular business meeting. (Notes on part 2: a review of GPTU current and future activities will be added soon)

1. Apologies Joseph Healy, Romayne Phoenix, Sue Miles, Alan Wheatley
2. Minutes of 17/6/2009 accuracy: Unison General Secretary is Dave Prentise
3. Matters arising
   1. Has Conferences Committee been contacted re objections to presence of Optimum Population Trust at Conference? (Sue to contact and Joseph Healy on behalf of Green Left?)
   2. Tube Strike; A Motion condemning was proposed by Tories on GLA, a Labour amendment criticising Boris Johnson was defeated. The motion passed nem con with 2 Green AM’s abstaining. Gptu reps have had concern expressed over this by RMT members. Could an RMT speaker be invited to London AGM.
   3. SOAS all cleaners detained by Borders Agency (?) now removed from UK. Could Stalin Bermudez be invited to speak at GPTU fringe? (JH).
   4. CWU postal strikes continue . P. Murry & J.Healy leafleted a Lobby on 15/7/2009.
   5. Situation re Social Workers needs to be monitored.
4. VESTAS a Danish multi-national is closing its wind turbine plant in Newport IoW. This is opposed by the non-unionised workforce, 15-20 are currently occupying plant which is surrounded by police cordon and fence. Police may be attempting to prevent food getting in. Alliance of Greens, left and TU’s support workers with RMT becoming prominent in this.
   1. London demo 28th 18:30 -20:00 Outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change, 3 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD.
   2. Rumours of injunction & eviction on 29th July.
   3. Possibility of inviting a Vestas worker to Just transition GP conference plenary discussed.
   4. Noted that excessive planning regulations were being blamed for Vestas´ decision to close, and that proposals for fast track windfarms could also be used for new runways , nuke & coal fired power stations etc.
   5. meeting endorsesd GPTU statement.

      "The Green Party Trade Union Group sends its full support to Vestas Occupation. Workers at the Vestas wind turbine blade plant on the Isle of Wight have occupied their factory in Newport in an attempt to prevent its closure, which was scheduled for the end of this month. The Green Party Trade Union Group sends its full support to them.

      Job losses in a recession are tragic and counterproductive, serving only to worsen it by throwing people out of work.

      This particular closure would be doubly damaging because it would remove one of the few capacities Britain has to build the new, environmentally friendly technologies urgently needed to construct the infrastructure that could help to counteract the effects of climate change.

      Importing turbine blades is a false solution because their transport would increase the environmental cost of wind turbines. Furthermore the skills and knowledge of the Vestas workers could be dispersed and lost just when we need them most.

      If the government allows this closure, its commitment to dealing with climate change will seem a total sham.

      How can it let Vestas close when it can afford;

      • The Afghan war effort
      • The bail out of banks including continuing taxpayers´ support for excessive fatcat salaries.
      • The renewal of the trident missile system
      • New nuclear power stations
      • And a ridiculous scheme of paying MP´s expenses ?

      The Green Party Trade Union Group urges everyone who can to support the Vestas occupation and put pressure on government to actually enact a strategy of creating an environmentally friendly infrastructure for Britain and new jobs for its peoples."

   6. Possible emergency motion considered on the basis of this statement.
   7. Agreed to send £20 each to Vestas workers and to CCCTU for funding London meeting on 24/5/2009.
5. GPTU Conference 3-6 September 2009
   1. Fringe: Low paid workers &: welfare reforms with Ann Gray & A. Wheatley. Joseph to be asked to see if we can also get Stalin Bermudez (sacked SOAS Unision steward).
   2. Social meeting tba at conference.
   3. Sue Tibbles is organising a CPBF(Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom) fringe and Romayne organising Just Transition plenary.
   4. Stall: Sue Tibbles to organise, Rota needed and there may be probem covering Thursday 3rd.
   5. Prioratisation ballot now complete, low turnout noted, details should be on party or members site soon or enquire of SOC.
6. Convention of the Left Brighton 26/9/2009. GL/GPTU stall booked.
7. Finances and Fundraising;
   1. Funds as at last meeting.
   2. Pete Murry will be selling off some books on line some proceeds to GL and GPTU
   3. Film event discussed.
8. Expulsion of four Unison members, Gptu Officers to investigate and send message of support if appropriate.
9. Next meeting: Special meeting to discuss conference arrangements thu 20/8/2009 6.30pm Wellcome Collection 183 Euston Road London NW1 2BE, UK (Euston/Euston Sq tube)

The meeting went on to consider Gptu current amd future in more general terms notes on this part of the meeting will be posted here shortly.