GFTU BGCM Report 2017

Motion 9 continued

money and strain placed on relationships due to touring, all of which can be detrimental to their mental health. This combined with the pressure of working in the creative industries can lead to performers developing issues with alcohol and drug abuse as a coping mechanism. Cases such as the death of Amy Winehouse have highlighted that the music industry and the creative industries in general need to do more to support performers. 3 The BGCM supports all efforts to promote better mental health within the creative industries, and highlights the work of the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) in treating both physical and mental health issues in performers and Help Musicians UK for supporting this essential work. 1 The Musicians’ Union (MU) released its third report into the state of music education in England in 2016. The report highlighted that yet more instrumental music teachers have lost their jobs or left the profession due to worsening terms and conditions over the last year. MU members also highlighted their concerns about the inconsistency of music education provision across the country due to the varying attitudes of schools and head teachers towards music. 2 Instrumental music teachers faced with redundancy or worsening terms and conditions have, in some areas, been setting up co-operatives and independent trusts. These appear to be working very well and are examples of how high quality, accessible and affordable music education delivered by a committed and skilled workforce can still be provided. The MU is a member of Co-operatives UK and is providing advice and assistance to MU members who 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. Public ownership of Britain’s railways 1 This Conference opposes the continued privatisation of Britain’s railways which have allowed the private sector to extract significant profits at the expense of tax payers and passengers whilst threatening the jobs of workers. 2 Information published by the ORR shows that for the year 2015-16, net government support to the rail industry totalled £4.8 billion (excluding Network Rail loans) and represents double the level recorded (in real terms) of that paid in the last days of British Rail. Since privatisation, this situation has existed and taking advantage of the subsidy, firms like Virgin TrainsWest Coast that claim to be private sector innovators are guaranteed profits. In 2015-16 alone, VirginWest Coast made £67 million in pre-tax profits after receiving a net subsidy of £285 million, building on £518.8 million net profit extracted between 1997 and 2012. 3 At the same time, after allowing for inflation, rail fares have increased by 25% in real terms since 1995 whilst government policy is to increasingly push the cost of the railways onto the passenger. 4 As part of the government’s neo liberal political dogma, they are also waging a war on staff and their unions. Nowhere more so has this been seen than in Southern where trade unions have had to defend their right to strike in the Supreme Court, whilst DfT dictat and incompetence has now led to a legal challenge from commuters. 5 Conference calls on the GFTU to support the People’s Railway campaign and work for publicly owned and publicly accountable railway. Music Co-operatives

Motion 10 Musicians Union

Motion 11 Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association

Motions | Page 61