GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

part of a trade union, already actually get it for free, so that was quite an

interesting suggestion there. Then there was the realisation that seemed to go

across the different tables at different times that there was actually a hidden gift

under the name badges. (Laughter) Everyone opened up these boxes,

thinking, “Oh, okay” and then some of the more, I will be political and say more

experienced people just say, “What’s this? Is it a bookend? Is it a doorstop?”

and it had to be explained exactly what the gift was. The wine sweeping

started particularly early at the gala dinner and I know that one inventive

delegate actually turned water into wine, so that was very commendable.

(Laughter) It was rounded off with a reasonable time to bed for most of us

anyway!

Yesterday obviously we had more excellent contributions and speakers and I

think most of us were particularly moved by the Kurdistan report and Berdan

Öztürk. Even the Guardian journalist was pretty good, but I did notice that a lot

of people in the room were trying to be on their best behaviour and not to

blame him for the Guardian’s portrayal and unfair and, frankly, appalling bias

towards criticism of Jeremy Corbyn in the early days. It was mentioned

yesterday that we need to get better about recognising our successes and our

victories and I certainly echo those kind of points. The achievements made by

our unions on behalf of our members need to be more widely recognised and

applauded. Most of us do not go into this kind of industry or movement for any

kind of recognition or reward, but we always carry on the fight for our members,

despite the ceaseless attacks against all trade unions.

We even had a somewhat unnoticed, but temporary suspension of standing

orders when a couple of the more, shall we say, cheekier unions decided to

second their own motions. Don’t worry, the eagle eyed President did spot this,

but rather than be bogged down in bureaucratic argument he decided to let the

conference flow rather than interject in that way which I think deserves

applause. We then finished off yesterday with the Shakespeare visit and

Antony and Cleopatra. Everyone will have mixed views on that. Personally I

cannot say I followed it all. I enjoyed it immensely. I was lost in more than one

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