GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

wish to set up their own co-operatives. For example, the MU assisted a group

of members in Milton Keynes to form their teaching co-operative following the

council’s decision to make the majority of their instrumental teaching workforce

redundant.

3

This BGCM believes that every child should be given the opportunity to

learn a musical instrument, as was the aspiration of the National Plan for Music

Education, and condemns all cuts to music education. The GFTU applauds

efforts by instrumental teachers and the MU to form cooperatives and pledges

to support this work.

She said: First of all, I must say I was not quite prepared for this. My best

frock is hanging up in the wardrobe and my trumpet is upstairs, because I was

going to open with a wonderful fanfare to introduce myself, but none of that will

be possible now, so I hope you enjoy the contents of what I am going to say to

you. President, delegates and, I must say, President Ben has been fantastic,

but obviously you are not surprised that I am going to welcome your new

President, John Smith, the General Secretary of my union, the Musicians

Union. (Applause)

First of all, what is a co-operative? It is an autonomous association of people

united voluntarily to meet their common, economic, social and cultural needs

and aspirations. Co-operatives date back to as far as human beings have

been organising for mutual benefits. To me, this makes a lot of sense and

should be helped and encouraged. As the cuts to arts funding continues to bite

even deeper, increase numbers of musicians are now championing co-

operatives as a way to survive. The Musicians Union is a member of Co-

operatives UK, the national trade body that supports co-ops across the country.

During the early 90s the Musicians Union produced a booklet called, “Are you

ready for a brand new beat?” This informative guide steered teachers through

the process of forming their own co-operatives. These organisations are over

20 years old and still going strong today. It is to be noted that the MU is not

promoting self-employment over direct employment. This has never been seen

as anything more than a second choice to a centrally run service. We are not

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