GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

How does that relate to trade unionism today in Gibraltar? Brexit obviously has

been devastating for us, devastating. I was involved in the Remain campaign,

but it was a bit like preaching to the converted. We got a 96% vote to remain.

Why is that? Because now that we are moving out of the European Union we

feel very vulnerable and we feel very exposed. It has been no secret and it has

been extensively reported in the UK press, just as Brexit is coming along and

Article 50 has been triggered, that Spain has wasted no time in taking full

advantage and saying, “We are going to put our flag on the Rock and we are

going to do this and we are going to do that, it is a done deal, we are getting

Gibraltar back” and obviously for us it is a cause of great anxiety and great

concern. Where does that leave us in terms of trade unionism? We are hoping

and we are very sure that Britain will back us in terms of sovereignty and on the

political level, but economically we are facing terrible consequences and a

terrible future ahead. So in terms of the Gibraltar unions, it puts us in a position

where there is going to be a lot of work to be done in terms of protecting

workers’ rights and making sure that any fall back to the economy does not

erode workers’ rights.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here and to speak to unions, get

support from the GFTU. Certainly we are interested in making sure that our

internal structures are up to speed and we are as efficient and as streamlined

as possible to make sure that we can meet the certain future challenges ahead

as best we can. Thanks very much. That is us. I think I can say that we will

be making an application. We hope to work with you again in the future.

Thank you. (Applause)

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks very much, Wendy, that was absolutely fascinating.

Unless anybody wants to comment or raise any questions I propose to move

on.

BRO CHARLIE SARELL (SUE): Just a straightforward question. I was just

wondering, what percentage of your membership is Spanish?

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