GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

bedrock of what we do and it is continually inspiring to see the work of our

affiliates, which, of course, never makes the press, never makes the headlines.

So we have had a good two years, I think. I am very proud that we are where

we are. Last night was really tiptop, wasn’t it? It was a good product not just

of two years’ work, but a lot of work that the GFTU and others have done for

quite a while to get into this position.

I should, of course, thank the staff, we do not do that enough. It has been a terrible

two years for the staff. They have had two moves. We were in inadequate

offices, everyone sitting on each other’s laps, terrible offices. They then had to

move into Portakabins and now at last into proper offices worthy of the brilliant

work that our staff do for us. Ian had to really manage those moves. They were

a nightmare. So thanks to Ian and the team for putting up with that and for

continuing so well with supporting the GFTU. Thanks ever so much. (Applause)

Thank you to the EC. I tend to be quite demanding, I know, and the EC is

expected to do the business and they do the business. We are losing some of

our members at this BGCM who have put a lot into the EC. Sarah Woolley

from the Bakers Union, an absolute stalwart of the EC for about nine years

now, is stepping down for the moment, Yvonne Pattison, Robert Mooney who

has done so much work on disability issues has now become a councillor in

Glasgow, has done brilliant work for others, so thanks ever so much to those

EC members who are stepping down at this BGCM. (Applause)

Just, finally, on a technical point, the GFTU does have three trustees. That is

Sarah Wold from Community, Adrian Moorhouse from the Bakers Union and Dave

Ashley from the Musicians’ Union. Dave has indicated that he wants to step

down, he has retired, I believe, from fulltime work and so we have asked Theresa

Easton from the Artists’ Union of England if she would be prepared to be a trustee

and she said yes, so if the BGCM approves Theresa will become our third trustee,

so we are all in order there. Thanks. (Applause)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Doug. Can we deal with that last point

first. Can I ask you for approval of Theresa as the new trustee. (CARRIED)

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