GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

With thanks to Doug and the GFTU, the first publication to feature my research

is currently nearing completion. Sean Wilson, a writer of Japanese manga cartoons, is working on a publication to commemorate your 120 th birthday. So

this brings me to my most exciting and world changing opportunity that the

GFTU has given me to date. Through a collaboration between the GFTU, the

AHRC funded coalmining project that Keith is running, and the British

Japanese coalmining research grant, I will be spending time learning about the

Japanese coalmining history and their heritage and conservation efforts when a

group of delegates come over here for a workshop in Sheffield and to see the

Durham Miners Gala and then in December I will be going with our delegation

to Japan to see the coalmining fields, to look at their heritage conservation

work and to learn more about their efforts over there. You cannot get more

world changing than a trip to Japan. It is something that I could only dream

about and being here and being part of the GFTU has given me that

opportunity.

This evening I will talk more about my research. I will be saying a little

something about the GFTU’s role in securing better pay and conditions for

World War 1 soldiers and, again, another world changing opportunity – the

chance to get a selfie with Jeremy Corbyn to taunt my Tory voting stepfather

with! Can I, please, draw your attention to page 60 of your report, that is with

the green tab. Here is an initial attempt at mapping the affiliates of the GFTU.

Just browsing the list shows a very colourful picture of the changing world of work in Britain over the 20 th century. It is by no means complete, as

amalgamations and name changes and cessations make the story much more

complicated, but I hope you enjoy taking a peak. There are some brilliant

names in there. My personal favourite is the Fancy Leather Workers. I will talk

more tonight about my current research into the GFTU’s involvement, but for

now that is all from me. Thank you. (Applause)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Edda. Thank you for that and thank you

for the work you are doing. I know it is very interesting and we will look forward

to tonight when we can talk about the history of the GFTU in some more detail.

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