The next Green Party Trade Union Group meeting will be on the 20th June 2012 at 7.30pm in the basement of Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT (nearest Tube Old St).
Suggestions for Agenda welcomed (please send to yrrumk@yahoo.co.uk)
GPTU MEETINGS
GPTU meetings are normally held monthly in London or at the Green Party Conference Regional reps are encouraged to organise local meetings.
MINUTES
The minutes of the latest GPTU meeting are posted below. Previous minutes can be accessed at http://gptu.net/pssess4X/3c/marchive.shtml.
Minutes GPTU meeting 16th-May 2012 7.30pm Development House,
APOLOGIES: Sue Tibbles,
SPECIAL APOLOGY: GPTU wishes to apologies to Sean Thompson who was inadvertently locked out of the meeting, .In future better arrangements for latecomers need to be put in place,
1) minutes 11/4/2012: Agreed for accuracy
2) Matters Arising
a) N.Lynch replied to Emma Pruen re GPTU notice in Members’ Newsletter which was eventually included.
b) Alan Wheatley still (?) to send Taxpayers Against Poverty Document to P.Murry to be circulated.
c) Regional reports from GPTU reps to be requested when reminders for next meeting sent out. Not done in time for this meeting,
d) P.Murry given full admin rights to list. Recruitment notice sent to some Facebook only “members”,
e) Leaflet, Awaiting final pdf from Doug Rouxel. Grants from Campaigns com andLondon
f) Questionnaire redrafted and had been circulated (?)
g) Regional reports from GPTU reps to be requested when reminders for next meeting sent out.
h) 54 RWMPLOY factories are threatened with closure for details , campaigns etc see
http://www.gmb.org.uk/gmb_campaigns/gmb_campaigns/save_remploy_factories.aspx
i) NUT UCU PCS pensions strike 10/3/2012 (see UCU live blog at
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6077
J)Kensal green library occupation
j) PM to contact GPEX Chair re GP letter to Unions
3) Finance and fundraising: £21. 50 owed GPTU by P.Murry, bank balance will be £154.50. At least £100 needed to produce leaflet.
4) Regional reports:Oxfordreport received (see below)
5) Autumn Conference motions
Reducing working hours
Synopsis
At a time when unemployment is predicted to continue to rise for the next five years, the Green Party’s policy of reducing average working hours has never been more relevant. This motion updates that policy.
In PfSS paragraph WR342; delete ’28 days (or 196 hours)’ and replace with ’30 days (or 210 hours)’, so that the amended paragraph will read:
WR342 There should be a legal right to at least 30 days (or 210 hours) paid holiday in a calendar year, in addition to public holidays, for full time workers. This should apply pro-rata for those employed less hours per week or for shorter periods; it won’t apply to people working fixed term contracts of less than 60 days.
Delete existing paragraph WR344 and replace with:
WR344 A Green government will enact legislation to immediately reduce working hours to an average of 35 hours per week, and then to progressively reduce the average working week to 24 hours over a 15 year period.
Insert new paragraph WR345 and renumber following paragraphs accordingly:
WR345 The Green Party recognises that the patterns of work of some occupations, such as the medical professions, the emergency services and the armed forces, may require variations to the standard working week which may not be possible to contain within a working year averaging 35 hours a week. Such variations may be permitted subject to the mutual agreement of the elected representatives of the workers involved, relevant employers’ organisations and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, but will be subject to regular review.
Proposed by: Sean Thompson,CamdenGreen Party
This has now been redrafted as 2 motions The meeting felt that it could not be supported by GPTU as it would in practice open the door to exploitation of already low paid workers,
6) Report back from CoR Steering Committee open to all 24/5/12 Unite HQ Theobalds Rd London Wc1 6pm
7) a) Report back from STW Small STW demo Don’t Attack Iran, Troops Out of Afghanistan No Intervention in the Middle East Protest and Rally Saturday 19 May 1pm
b) GP STW rep still unresolved
8) Recruitment drive
- proposal to contact GPTU Face book members: sent on C2 occasions
- Grant for leaflet from campaigns committee to be applied for
9) AOB Memorial for John Norris (NL organizingLondonevent
10) Next meeting 20 June 2012 7pm Development House)
11) Next meeting 16 May 2012 7.30pm Development House,56-64 Leonard Street,LondonEC2A 4LT
APPENDIX :OXFORDREGIONAL REPORT
Don’t think I can attend the GPTU meeting this evening so quick update on Oxfordstuff.
Elise Benjamin was re-elected as City councilor so good news. She is willing to be GPTU spokesperson for Oxford as her mayoral term is nearly finished. We have five Green councillors on the City Council.
Protest by supporters of the Occupy Brookes University folk today at 4 pm. Camp set up because of u-turn on fee waivers for poorer students. Management sneakily has moved their meeting to London tomorrow instead of at Brookes as they knew there would be a massive protest.
Climate Jobs caravan visiting Oxford on Friday. Elise will be there as Mayor.
I attended Annual Conference of Trades Councils last w/end. Can circulate report later when I send it to our Trades Council. I have a contact name for a Green Party female member, also a retired member of RMT union, who lives in Bridgewater who could be invited to speak at Conference in Bristol if we wished. She has attended Annual Conference of Trades Councils in the past and is a good speaker.
Best, Sue
Minutes GPTU meeting 11th-April 2012
Apologies: R. Phoenix, D.Rouxel, Sue Tibbles, Ged Hickman, Charlie Kiss, Joe Williams
Minutes of 14 March 2012: Agreed for accuracy
- Matters arising
a) Noel Lynch to reply to Emma Pruen re GPTU notice in Members’ Newsletter due out 15/4/12
b) Alan Wheatley to send Taxpayers Against Poverty Document to P.Murry to be circulated
c) Regional reports from GPTU reps to be requested when reminders for next meeting sent out
d) Optimum Population Trust had had another stall at Conference, Louisa Greenbaum, (Conferences Committee) to be contacted again by P.Murry. LG had not replied to earlier letters PM had raised the matter at GPRC meeting NE rep voiced the support of ONE member in NE for OPT.
e) Ex Irish GP leader Eamon Ryan had visited GP conference, ( who inited him?)he may have met chair of SOC. Video clip of ER speech and Derek Wall heckling at http://www.theecosocialist.com/1/post/2012/02/green-parties-are-ecosocialist-or-they-are-nothing.html
4) Financial report:
i) £25.00 paid to CoR pp GPTU by personal cheque by P.Murry
ii) £33.50 owed to GPTU by P.Murry for donations & D.Wall book sales at conference
iii) £12.50 owed to GPTU by P.Murry for 1m jobs leaflet sales: conference
iv) Therefore £ 21. 50 owed GPTU by P.Murry
v) Once latter paid in bank balance will be £154.50
vi) Sue Tibbles to visit bank to be finalized as a new signatory. Another signatory needed?
vii) Fundraising proposal to contact GPTU Facebook members as follows. NL to give PM admin rights for GPTU membership list
“Dear…………..’WE have noticed that you have joined/ wish to join the GPTU Facebook page, as this page is an open discussion forum for all those interested in trades, unions, Green ideas and politics, you’re welcome. The Facebook page is run by GPTU which is part of the Green Party. However, joining the Facebook page is not the same as joining GPTU .
If you want to join GPTU and you are not already in the Green Party you should join the GP athttp://join.greenparty.org.uk/membership/index.html once you have done that, or if you are already in the Green Party, GPTU membership is free. Simply contact Noel Lynch on noellynch@tiscali.co.uk.
Find out more about GPTU at http://gptublog.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://greenptu.wordpress.com/”
5. R. Phoenix to be asked for short written report on her visit toGreece(as a CoR rep). NB RP will be giving such a report at Green Left meeting on 14/4/12.
6.Report back from GPRC
a) PM to contact GPEX Chair re GP letter to Unions.
b) OPT (see Above)
c) Heated discussion n re status of GPTU
7. Grant for leaflet from campaigns committee to be asked for. Design and text ok. Too made old beardymen on front? Will Tim Dawes be OK re Photo?
8.Questionnaire proposal https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEt4RDgtUk9veUhsczJCZ21KYTdqRVE6MQ Too Long and relevance of some questions debatable, Charlie Kiss to be thanked and asked for redesign.
9. Current Industrial disputes
A Remploy closures
B A&E closures at Charing Cross and Central Middx hospitals
C Teachers’ pensions dispute ongoing: more info needed,
D Sanctions being applied to Benefits Claimants
E Brent Library closures see http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/ & http://brentgreens.blogspot.co.uk/
10.Elections:
A PCS members leafleting for GP inHarrow
B Kilburn Unemployed Workers’’ Group hustings 26/4/12 3pm Kingsgate Centre Kingsgate Rd NW6
11 AOB NL asked to Join GMB
12 Next meeting 16 May 2012 7.30pm Development House,56-64 Leonard Street,LondonEC2A 4LT
MINUTES Gptu meeting 14 March 2012
APOLOGIES: R. Phoenix, D.Rouxel, D.Williams, E.Benjamin.
1) MINUTES Gptu meeting 25/1/2012 : Agreed for Accuracy:
Matters Arising
a) GPTU banner found
b)Population Matters had stall at Spring Conference inspite of GPTU protest to Conferences Committee.
2) Minutes AGM 26/2/2012: : Agreed for Accuracy:
Matters Arising
a) change in content for new leaflet (D.Rouxel to draft?)
b) Noel Lynch had written piece for members’ internal E newsletter (not included, promised to be included in future edition)
c) Agreed aim to double GPTU membership within 1yr. (PS membership drive to Facebook members?)
d) Survey members to find out which unions belonged to. (Charlie Kiss to design, ideas to charliekiss@btinternet.com)
2) Letter to unions P.Murry to contact Jo Steranka, chair of GPEX. (sent)
3) Agreed that Oxford Levellers’ Day might not be suitable for GPTU stall. Mayday instead?
4) Finances
a) £133 in bank
b) £33.50 from conference collections + book sales to be paid in (leaflet sales to be added)
c) Standing Orders; appeal for blog and website to be drafted by Noel Lynch
d) PM working on arrangements to add
4) Report back from Conference
a) Video clips from Euro zone Crisis plenary on blog (http://gptublog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/crisi-in-eurozone-coalition-of.html)
b) Video clips from Green Left meeting on Brighton Council on Green Left blog http://greenleftblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/green-left-fringe-at-gp-conference.html
c) Criticism of inviting Irish green speaker to GP conference noted. Protest at Conference.
5) Louisa Greenbaum, (Conferences Committee) had contacted GPTU (PM) for union contacts for stalls for autumn conference. GPTU members, please let us know of any contacts, (Conference will be inBristol).
6) £25 donation to CoR agreed for Conference plenary
7) Pensions dispute. Possible further action on 28/3/2012. D.Rouxel to be asked for further info.
8) GPTU sent support to GPTU members standing in by-elections ie: Pete Murry (Dollis Hill) and Dawud Islam (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Party-Bradford-West-By-Election/358406770848482) NB Please let GPTU know when GPTU members are standing as election candidates.
9)AOB
a) Women’s TUC Conference (14,15 & 16/3/12) content includes,) Women & Cuts, Pensions, Anti-ageism, Equalities, Health and Social Care Bill, Work and Climate Change, Education Privatisation, Railway Staff Cuts & numerous fringe meetings. Sue Tibbles attending.
b) Taxpayers Against Poverty. Document could be circulated when PM got digital copy.
c) Resignations
GPTU noted with regret that some GPTU members had left recently after resigning from the Green party in protest against Brighton Council’s decision to set a cuts Budget. GPTU sympathised with their motives and noted that many of them had worked very hard to support and promote Unions and Trades Unionists within the Green Party. We still regard them as friend and comrades and hope to work with them again in future.
10) Next GPTU meeting Wed 11th April 7.30 pm Development House
56-64 Leonard Street,London,EC2A 4LT
Minutes Green Party Trade Union group AGM at GP Spring conference 26/2/2012
1) Apologies: Sue Tibbles, Noel Lynch, Joseph Healy
2) Treasurers report: £133 in bank
3) Douglas Rouxel ( GPTU and ex UCU exec) gave a brief talk on “Greens and Trade.Unions” Doug’s summary follows
“I started by outlining what I saw as the issues for the Green party in their relationship with the unions, the lack of a full understanding of what a union is, what it does and how much synergy there is between broad union policy and GPEW policy, as well as the correlation with regards to a commitment to democratic and distributed decision making processes. I spoke that in my experience that there was not a full understanding of these similarities and that it should really be considered part of building the party to become involved in your union, to be putting the parties arguments and positions, and to be working within to identify to those within the union the links between the two.
I went on to talk about ways in which we can approach this, and solutions to the issue of union engagement, and how we can start to punch our weight in the trade union movement (compared to much smaller left parties who play a dominant role in the trade union movement).
I proposed two specific things which we as GPTU, and indeed the wider party need to be doing, first and foremost an internal education, engagement and network building exercise – putting together an easy to use presentation and leaflet (if possible) so that someone local to a region can go round local party meetings, taking the issue of union engagement and speaking to members on the basis of encouraging them to take an active role, engaging in the wider union and using their membership to influence wider policy.
Further to the education aspect, using this to build trade union networks within the party, on a union by union basis, so that once we get some kind of critical mass within a union we can start to make effective moves within the union to steer it’s policies so that the synergies between the two organisations are realised, clarified and more formally aligned.
I discussed the different ways in which unions political funds were used, how there was more to it than just giving money to the Labour party, that some of our (and GP Scotland) elected officials benefit from funding from the FBU on their much more open system of donations direct to politicians who support them, the potential for the PCS to move to a similar situation, but the possibility for it to be sewn up to a certain extent by the Socialist Party, who exercise an effective voting bloc on the PCS NEC.
I finished by outlining that it was not just cash or activist time that we could be gaining from unions, but an effective raft of campaigning partners – trade unions have more members than all the political parties put together, an people are more inclined to join a union than a party, so in terms of campaigning to help change our society for the better, they make the ideal partners for the party.”
4) COMMITTEE 2012/13
JOINT CHAIRPERSON : Romayne Phoenix(Lewisham Green Party)
JOINT CHAIRPERSON: Noel Lynch(Barnet Green Party)
CAMPAIGNS & EVENTS OFFICER: Sue Tibbles (OxfordGreen Party):
SECRETARY & GREEN PARTY REGIONAL COUNCIL LIAISON : Peter Murry (Brent Green Party): email:yrrumuk@yahoo.co.uk mail: Green Party Trades Union Group co/ 18aOxgateGardens, London NW2 6EB
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY : Noel Lynch (Barnet Green Party)
TREASURER: Sue Tibbles (OxfordGreen Party):
GPTU DISABILITY SPOKESPERSON: VACANT
YOUTH &: STUDENTS´ OFFICER: Zain Sardar (Barnet Green Party)
INTERNATIONAL OFFICER: VACANCY; Helmut Izzaks (party TBC)
REGIONAL REPS:BRIGHTONGPTU SPOKESPERSON: vacancy
LONDONGPTU SPOKESPERSON : Romayne Phoenix (Lewisham Green Party)
OXFORDGPTU SPOKESPERSON : Sue Tibbles (OxfordGreen Party)
NORTH EASTERN REGION GPTU SPOKESPERSON: Helmut Izzaks (party TBC)
NORTH WEST GPTU SPOKESPERSONS : Steve Durrant (Manchester) & Ian McCulloch
DERBYSHIRE GPTU SPOKESPERSON: Peter Allen (HighPeakGreen Party)
EAST MIDLANDS GPTU SPOKESPERSON: Paul Frost (MansfieldGreen Party)
4)GPTU banner found
5)The following GP reps attended the Stop the War anniversary dinner: Joseph Healy, Tim Dawes, Romayne Phoenix and James Youd.
6) There was now a vacancy for a GPEW STW rep.
7) Hands off Iran and Syria demo Joseph Healy and James Youd attended & read out speech by Caroline Lucas.
8) Motion to appoint Trade Union Liason Officer to Gpex had been passed unamended.
9) Motion on defence of time for TU duties passed unamended.
10) Thurs 1/3/2012 Coalition Against Welfare Reform Bill
11) Collection £15.50: 9 Book sales (&thefts)= £18 to GPTU & £45 to Derek Wall
12) Next meeting 14 March 2012 7.30pm basement Development House
56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT
Minutes for GPTU meeting Weds 25th January 2012
1) Apologies; Andy Hewett, Teresa Delaney, Douglas Roué, Sue Tables, Alan Wheatley, Noel Lynch
2) Minutes of previous meeting (9th November 2011) and matters arising
a) P.Murry to contact Romayne re design, might be able to produce cheap banner in time for conference.
b) Population Matters P.Murry to contact Conference Committee to see if this group was getting a stall at spring conference in spite of earlier protests.
c) Disability group, P.Murry to contact list to collect names of interested parties. (see also http://disabledpeopleprotest.wordpress.com/ for details of DPAC demo)
d) Stop The War anniversary dinner 23/11/11 Joseph Healy, Noel Lynch, Romayne Phoenix and James Youd had attended. £2,500 raised. Stop The War anniversary photobook published.
e) Hands Off Iran and Syria, STW Protest Saturday 28 January, US Embassy 2pm-4pm,Grosvenor Square London W1
f) Queers Against the Cuts-Queer Question time at Vauxhall Tavern further details from Joseph Healey or http://queersagainstthecuts.wordpress.com.
g) Sue Tibbles had run stall at Oxford Green Fair
h) Xmas Social successful.
i) LBGT History Event (?) A Pride house to be set up on Clapham Common for Oympics
j) TSSA merger with RMT? Further info needed.
2) Finance & Officers’ reports
a) £133 in bank
b) New signatory needed, forms to be obtained from bank.
c) Youth and Students Officer; had participated in National protest against cuts and fees. Scrapping of HE white paper, a victory. NUS has supported Stephen Lawrence case.
b) GPRC had recently met. P.Murry had presented GPTU and CoR Reports, (former can be seen as blog page http://gptublog.blogspot.com/p/gptu-report-to-gprc-january-2012.html). PM had participated in GP Working Practices phone conferences. GPRC to setup sub committee on volunteers in GPEW, PM had recommended Ken Burgess as member of this.
4) Events
a) Feed the World without Destroying the Planet (speaking tour): this had taken place featuring Maria Nero, Reshad Desai and Derek Wall
b) November 30th Pensions demo and Climate Action Day (3rd December) both had a small Green presence and a limited amount of posters etc. partly due to Lack of Campaigns Committee.
e) Campaigns Committee. Had met and co-opted c 6 members. GPEx had appointed a Campaigns Co-ordinator who would be meeting the two elected CampCom members and GPEx Chair. Members urged to stand for CampCom vacancies at conference.
f) CoR and local anti cuts campaigns: CoR National Council Meeting
The next National Council meeting will take place in Birmingham. This is an important meeting to plan our campaigning strategy for 2012. Affiliated organisations are entitled to send one delegate. To affiliate your organisation please contact coalitionofresistance@mail.com. 12pm-4pm, Saturday 11 February at the UNITE offices Transport House 211 Broad St B15 1AY [ 5 minutes from Birmingham New St Station].
g) Brighton budget GL members to meet 3Brightoncouncilors for a debate which might form the basis of a Red Pepper article on 28/1/2012. The meeting voted by a majority for a “No cuts whatsoever” position in Brighton, but it was agreed that this did not constitute a GPTU position.
5) Preparing for Spring Conference
a) Resolutions, Prioratisation ballot results and second agenda tba after SOC meeting on 29/1/2012. Amendments to TU rep and Young greens motion believed to be order.
b) Fringe meetings: no news yet
c) AGM nominations for committee to be invited
d) Panels, ”Crisis in the Eurozone, Crisis in theUK” with James Meadway, Chaired by Romayne Phoenix, others tba 6:30pm, Friday 24 February stall, lack of SOC) Chris Baugh (PCS) invited
d) Stalls: GPTU, GL and Campaigns stalls would be situated together. Volunteers need to help with stalls. Materials need for GPTU stall, please send suitable materials to Ken Burgess at National Green Party office, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT 020 7549 0310 office@greenparty.org.uk
e) Agreed to have a prize draw on GPTU stall. Donations of suitable prizes welcomed.
6) Publicity and Publications
a),Facebook seems to hosting interesting posts and discussions, thanks to Ged Hickman for running it.
b) Leaflet: sufficient stocks available for conference. An insert of a GP membership form preferable to altering text and layout.
7) AOB
a) Message re compiling lists of contacts and setting up regional meetings received from: Roy Sandison [mailto: roy.sandison1@ntlworld.com] .Roy’s ideas were welcomed. PM agreed to start collecting lists of Union contacts. Suggested that this could be facilitated by contacting GPRC regional reps.
b)Head of Media. An out of court settlement had been made prior to going to IT. This was reported to GPRC to involved cessation of all appeals and embargo on disclosure of any details of the case. It was noted that this was probably the third time GPEW had made such a settlement on similar terms.
c) Philharmonic Musicians suspended after writing to Times reIsrael/Palestine, taking IT. PM to write in support. Possibility of Emergency motion
c) Date of Next meeting to be arranged at AGM.
Minutes GPTU meeting weds 9th November 2011
Apologies: Ged Hickman, Teresa Delaney
1) Minutes of 12/1o/2011: accuracy
a) “Sruggle” should be “Struggle”.
b) Picket of Andrew Landsley’s appearance on Question Time. Date should be OCTOBER13th.
2) Matters arising
a) banner still lost agreed to purchase new banner
b) Ken Burgess and Alan Wheatley picketed Andrew Landsley’s appearance on Question Time with GPTU leaflet (No other materials available)
C) Was there a stock of GPTU leaflets at Development House?
d) Tony Greenstein was prepared to speak at a conference fringes.
e) Green left had issued an identical statement of support for Mark Campbell in UCU General Secretary election. UCU Left sent thanks for GPTU support
f) Jim Jepps’ migration motion not posted on GP website.
g) James Youd posting Sheffield conference proceedings to Members’ site.
h) Secretary needs to write to Conferences Committee re Population Matters/OPT
i) Student fees demo on 9/11 had been kettled by police.
j) No reply from Sheffield Greens re possibility of motion on Legal Aid.
3) Finances: £99 in bank
£250 spent on leaflets
£22 collected at meeting
£10 paid to treasure for sales of DW books at conference
Agreed to circulate GPTU appeal for funds for banner and leaflets.
3) Formation of GP Disability Group discussed.
4) HOMR appeal results awaited as at 9/11
5) P.Murry had participated in staff Working Practices panel phone conference on 9/11 as GPRC rep with D.Murray, M.Cridge and An Other. GPTU member of panel needed.
6) Nov 30 pensions strikes. Aim “Fair pensions for All”
a) Ballot results still being announced (eg 1st Division Association, NAHT, NAS/UWT). Probable that all education Unions would strike.
b) False economy website (http://falseeconomy.org.uk/) details arguments for strike
c) TUC mounting stalls and leafleting in run-up to strike
d) GP has issued supportive press release (?) apparently not as at 14/11. Post on Caroline Lucas’ blog (http://www.carolinelucas.com/cl/blog/our-public-sector-workers-need-a-fair-pension-deal.html) and statement to GP members being sent out.
e) GPTU to issue call to support picket lines and demos, preferably with GPTU leaflets.
f) Noel Lynch to contact Chris smith re using van to get stalls toLondonpensions demo (and 3/12/11 CCC demo)
7) Campaigns Committee room booked in Development house for meeting on 2/12/11.
Volunteers for co-option to Campaigns Committee needed.
8) Stop The War anniversary dinner 23/11/11 Tickets @ £30. Contact Joseph Healy for
further info.
9) Coalition of resistance; Currently 5 GP members (Romayne Phoenix (CoR Chair), James Youd (Treasurer GPTU rep), Joseph Healy (Green Left rep), Ann Garrett (London Fed rep), P.Murry (GP rep))?
10) Smear stories in media re disabled claimants leading to increase in hate crimes.
11) Disabled People against The Cuts meeting 29/10 contact Alan Wheatley.
12) Queers against The Cuts established 4 months ago. Contact Joseph Healy.
13) Brighton Budget to be set in February, consultation document Nov 30. needs to be discussed by GPTU
14) Conference 24th-27th February, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
a) Motions
Affiliation To Unite Campaign (D. Rouxel & Joseph Healy)
Transport ( Concessionary fares) (P.Murry)
Housing (Peter Allen)
Party Reorganisation (S.Thompson)
b) Details of procedures/ stall booking/fringes at http://www.greenparty.org.uk/conference.html
c) Panel: Inequality & Class? Contact Shan Oakes
d) Fringes
GPTU agm (with speaker)
Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (Sue Tibbles)
Climate Caravan (for CCCTU)
15) Agreed to let Ged Hickman supervise GPTU Facebook. Need to Twitter?
16) Does resignation of Gerry Doherty from TSSA make merger with RMT likely?
17) Stall booked for Oxford Green Fair on 3/12/11. Sue Tibbles to run stall.
18) School’s Out Free LBGT event at Oval on 21/11. Contact Joseph Healy.
19) Date of xmas social 14/12 The Masque Haunt 168-172 Old Street,London, EC1V
Minutes Green Party Trade Union Group meeting Wednesday 12/10/2011
1) GPTU Minutes 31/8/2011 accuracy and matters arising
a)Agreed for Accuracy
b)Still no news of GPTU banner last seen on TUC march on March 26th. Agreed to put out appeal.
2) Report back from GP autumn conference.
a) GPTU was unable to run its own fringe but supported several others including (Fringe on the working class and the Greens, Fringe on 1 million Climate jobs , Fringe on Greens and Capitalism, Fringe on Free Schools videos of these are all available via http://greenleftblog.blogspot.com/).
b) New GPTU leaflet produced and distributed (stocks still available from mdouglas@gn.apc.org or can be downloaded from http://gptublog.blogspot.com)
c) Is the text of Jim Jepps’ motion on migration available?
d) Poor acoustics in some fringes mentioned.
e) Protests voiced at the presence of “Population Matters” as this was felt to be the optimum Population Trust under a new name; GPTU Secretary asked to write to GPEX, GPRC, Conferences comm. Etc
3)Spring Conference2012
a) possibility of panel on Equality and Class?
b) Confer withSheffieldgreens re possibility of motion on Legal Aid.
c) Constitutional change motion re representation of self-organised groups within GPEW
4) Agreed to support Give our youth a future – stop the cuts in Lambeth – Demonstration When Sat, 12 November, 13:30 – 15:30 WhereAssemble Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2
5) Sparksdispute GPTU agrees to support see full details on http://gptublog.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-doyle-to-sent-11-october-2011-2314.html
6) UNION elections
a) Gptu agrees to support Mark Campbell in UCU General Secretary elections.
b)GPTU agrees to support Mick Dooley in UCATT General Secretary elections
7) Agreed to investigate possibility of meeting with South African film maker Reshad Desai.
8) Agreed to support the Green left statement with the amendment to “workers at BAE should be employed in the SRUGGLE against climate change.”
9) GPTU agrees to support Fees and Cuts demo on Nov 9 And Living wage campaign at southBankUniversity.
10) AOB
a)Toward a motion of support for four suspended members of LPO
Dear Green Party Trade Union Group activists whose e-mail addresses I have to hand at present
(I am writing you as individuals here to more easily allow ‘expert witness’ input from Debbie Fink and Tony Greenstein who are not Green Party Trade Union Group e-list members. Please forward this to others you think would be most likely to have an input on the matter outlined below)
As you may well know, four members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra have been suspended for signing a letter to the Independent stating that the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra should not be welcomed to the recent BBC Promenade Concerts.
This is now not ‘news’ as such but the fact that I have been reliably told the suspensions are for a full nine months should, I believe be of major concern to trade unionists. I also note from Tony Greenstein’s blog that the London Philharmonic Orchestra has rich backers for whom ANY signs of dissent toward turning the BBC Promenade Concerts into a ‘brand Israel’ exercise amounts to a criminal act, even when no actual statutory laws are broken.
http://azvsas.blogspot.com/search?q=LPO
Given that in times of ‘austerity’, the influence of such backers is likely to gain greater ascendancy over democracy, could we formulate a motion or message of support for the suspended LPO members concerned?
Your comrade
Alan Wheatley
b) Picket of Andrew Landsley’s appearance on Question Time.November13th
c) Holborn GMB: move to affiliate to CoR. Showed Sylvia Pankhurst movie. Recommended.
11) Next meeting 7pm 9/11/2011 Development House
GPTU Minutes 31/8/2011
Apologies: Teresa Delaney, Andy Hewett, Roy Sandison
1) Minutes 27/7/2011:Acuuracy; Martin Francis’ conference is on Free scools not academies. Other wise agreed.
2) Conference
a) GPTU had already circulated recommendations to support certain motions.
b) Green Left would be issuing flyer with similar guidance at Conference.
c) Reminder to attend reports ( GPEX, GPRC, SOC, Conferences committee) on firstv day of conference
d) Proxy votes could be important on some motions : contact Peter Allen or roy sandison. Members reminded that Proxies wre not just fro those not attending conference, butthose who wre leaving early could leave proxies behind with another person.
e) Emergemcy Motions:
• Control of internet / social media3
• Other ideas being considered.
f) Protests/ petition re Refusal of GPTU fringe considered.
g) Stall Literatutre needed and prizes for Green Left raffle
3) AOB
a) Health Bill: see http://gptublog.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-party-calls-on-andrew-lansley-to.html
b) GPTU banner last seen on 26 Mrach. Where isi it?
c) New leaflet could be ready foer Conference.
4) next GPTU meeting after conference 7pm 15 October
Development House 56-64 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4LT. (Old st Tube).
Minutes GPTU Meeting 27/7/2011 RFH
1 Apologies: Sue Tibbles, Noel Lynch
2 minutes of 22/611: Agreed for Accuracy & no matters arising
3 Conference
a) Motions (inc GPRC report & emergency motions)
NB: Teresa Delaney (GPTU Co-convenor and member of SOC) left the meeting for those parts where discussion of the HoMR redundancy and related matters took place.
A brief account of the situation re the HoMR redundancy was discussed. P.Murry to draft Emergency Motion relating this to Murdoch situation (??). Ideas for other emergencies on Welfare and NHS to be circulated.
As of writing, conference agenda showing results of prioritization not yet available.
b) Fringe: possibility of Martin Empson, on 1m climate jobs AND a contribution from Sheffield Campaign against Climate Change and the wider Sheffield Climate Alliance. And /or short film. Sue Tibbles & Martin Francis applying individually for fringes on Press Freedom and Academy Schools respectively.
Info on what fringes granted and what timed still awaited.
c) Stalls; Sue Tibbles to co-ordinate personning of stalls. Literature from Unions welcomed on GPTU stall.
4 Coalition of Resistance (CoR)
a) Reported Complaint that recent conference had overemphasised platform speeches at the expense of workshops
b) James Youd elected as GPTU rep to CoR
c) New CoR steering committee to be elected on 29 July
d) CoR Pan-European conference scheduled for 1/10/2011
e) Occupation of Trafalgar Sq 8/10/2011 to mark anniversary of Afghan War.
5 Other Anti cuts campaigning
a) Lambeth Librarians had won an assurance of no compulsory redundancies
b) Campaigners defending Brent Libraries had been taking high court action. Verdict expected mid-august.
c) Several new anti cuts groups had been formed; Queers against The Cuts, Women against the Cuts, Disabled People against the Cuts
d) Brighton Living wage policy developments noted.
5 Other Campaigns
a) Derby trains; Adrian Ramsay had spoken in support. Peter Allen and other Greens had attended a recent demo in Derby.
b) Campaign against proposal to move Lambeth call-centre workers to Southampton.
c) UCU had won ballot for action against Institute for Learning compulsory register and sub for FE lecturers.
6) Treasurer’s Report and Fundraising
a) £15 spent on CoR affiliation, £149 in bank, £22 raised by collection at meeting.
b) Possible motion to conference appealing for funds for TU leaflet (£100 limit).
c) Fundraising event (see below).
d) Agreed to proceed with placing new leaflet template on pdf.
7) Aob
a) “Wapping 25 yrs on” exhibition moved to TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS. Recommended
b) In statute of Employment Rights courses recommended
c) There has been no official notice about the matter of claimants facing summonses from Atos Healthcare to reapply for Employment & Support Allowance every six months or less, the disability benefits claimants grapevine asserts that that is a fact. This causes needless distress to claimants who now have fewer chances [functional impairments] for reaching the eligibility threshold of 15 points in this game of Atos Roulette that is part and parcel of the ‘disability medical assessment services’ for which the Dept for Work & Pensions £100m a year.
8 Date And Format Of Next Meeting; 31/8/2011
Minutes GPTU Meeting 22/6/2011
- Apologies: J.Healy,S.Tibbles, T.Delaney,
- Minutes of previous meeting (18 May 2011): Agreed for Accuracy
- No Matters arising not on agenda.
- Brief Officers reports
- Secretary had been occupied with developing new website
- Chair: recently involved with Lambeth anti-cuts campaign
- Conference
- Motions: The prioratisation ballot needs to be sent in as follows: Please either post the form to the convenor of SOC, James Youd, 32 Roseford Road, Cambridge, CB4 2HD to reach him no later than Friday 15th July or email it to soc@greenparty.org.uk, to be received by 23.59 on Friday 15th July. Prioratisation ballot forms are on page 39 of the firstagenda which is available via the members website.The Committee recommends voting for the following motions in the Prioratisation ballot:Section C (Policy Motions)C21. One Million JobsC24. Removing the Special Status of the Corporation of LondonC35. Industrial Policy Enabling MotionSection D (Organisational, and other, motions)D46. Coalition of Resistance 21D48. Making the Green Party a Model EmployerIt was felt that the following motions might need strengrhening amendmentsC21. One Million JobsC33. Motion Against an Immigration Cap
- Fringe: Offer from Martin Empson to speak on 1m Green jobs pamphlet and petition accepted. Agreed that a second speaker on youth unemployment might also be invited to be pursued.Request sent
- Stall Booked details of personning, materials etc to be discussed at next meeting.
- PCS to be asked re Conference stall
- Emergency motions re Arab Spring and Eurofinancial crisis possible, depending on events.
- Anti-cuts campaigns
- Motion to Coalition Of Resistance Conference 9/6/2011″We call on CoR to use all possible influence to persuade those Trade Unions who favour the use and expansion of Nuclear power that this is a false solution to Climate Change offering only the prospect of pollution and damage for future generations. We also call on CoR to lobby the UK government to de commission all existing nuclear power stations and to ensure, in conjunction with Trades unions, that all workers in the nuclear industries are offered a just transition to employment in more ecologically friendly industries.”
- Agreed to send 3 delegates to CoR conference (cost £15). GPTU members invited to volunteer
- Pensions: Joint action by PCS, NUT, ATL and UCU. Gptu are asked to support the strike on 30 June and respect picket lines. (see Message from Sally Hunt (UCU) on GPTU blog.)
- NHS: agreed to continue support for KONP and monitor developments.
- Website (prototype site now at http://greenptu.wordpress.com)
- New leaflet & Fundraising leaflet needed ideally by autumn conference £400 still needed. Possibility of Quiz discussed. More ideas welcomed.
- Date of next meeting 27/6/2011
