EC Papers September 2017

6

New Publishers.

We have launched our new publisher with two fantastic books. I hope that EC members will ensure that promotion al work is undertaken in their unions.

7

New beer.

This has been launched. Please encourage sales. It is called Workers’ Red Ale.

8

Liberating Arts Festival.

This will be a tremendous event – if trade unionists turn out in some numbers for it. It is a quite unique event and has attracted a lot of attention.

9

Union Building Conference.

Further discussion of ideas for the event needs to take place and a programme finalised for circulation in October.

10

Affiliates and Non affiliates.

10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4

A positive meeting with the union VOICE has been held. Positive discussions with the IWGB have taken place.

Positive discussions with a number of unions at Congress have taken place. Advertisements for union journals and social media promoting the hotel and other services have been prepared. These are customised for the unions with their own logos etc. A comprehensive and exciting review of education is being conducted by the General Secretary and Education Officer and Dr Stephen French of Keele University. A tender will be submitted to undertake the accountancy and audit work of one affiliate. Tenders have been submitted to undertake the management accounts and VAT work for one affiliate. Another affiliate has commissioned the GFTU to undertake its organisational review.

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

11

Staffing.

11.1

The Education Administrator has left us. Her manager the Education Officer was unable to sanction the completion of her mid way probationary review. A further oral report will be made at the EC.

11.2 11.3

Shamil Karia now undertakes hotel finance work and ICT. Shamil Karia and Claire Ryan are updating the social media.

12

Kurdish Festival.

12.1

Though expenditure exceed income largely because of some disorganisation by partners in relation to food, the event which attracted 650 people and two leading Turkish/Kurdish MPs including Ocalan’s niece, was a major success with 650 people enjoying dance, music, speeches, films, art exhibitions, food, children’s activities workshops and speeches. We should not underestimate how very important such an event is for the Kurdish Community in Britain. As a fund raiser for the Free Ocalan Campaign I have done a version of a 5,000 year old poem called Lugalbanda. I hope EC members will encourage sales.

12.2

3