GPTU Minutes : 25/8/2010, Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm

Present. Andy Hewitt (AH), Teresa Delaney (TD: chairing), Joseph Healy (JH), Ken Burgess (KB), Alan Wheatley (AW), Jonathan Essex (JE), John Carver (JC)

Apologies; Pete Murry, Sue Tibbles, James Youd.

Formally send best wishes to Pete for speedy recovery.

1. Minutes of Meeting: agreed.
2. 1. Links to Housmanns: adjourn to next meeting.
   2. AOB Note: Irish Greens: now lobbying for abolition of trade union contributions in Ireland.
3. Conference: motions, stalls, fringes and elections
   1. Motions
      • Emergency resolution oN welfare reform, see also point 5 below. Note really tight time for getting emergency motions in. TD to email to Ann Gray to get signatures at conference and volunteers to speak to the motion. JH and AW to send copy of motion to secure press coverage.
      • Noted concerns about Shadow Green Cabinet motion, including lack of TU spokesperson.
      • Propose GPTU members circulate motions propose GPTU members to support.
      • Note GL will develop proposals/motions for future development of the party. Consider feeding back alternative items at fringes on constitutional reform and future conferences.
   2. Stall: need help on GPTU and Campaigns stall. AH and Mark Douglas to coordinate. AH to contact Pip in Brighton to get stuff for stall from Phelim.
   3. Fringes : Can´t pay won´t pay at another fringe. GL is on Monday (an activist discussion). GPTU fringe: AH has contacted Jerry Hicks to get Unite /cabin crew campaign persons along and pursuing FBU and TD chasing for NHS speaker from Warwickshire. Advertise as positive ways to campaign against cuts. Invite green councillor to also speak on this. JE to email details on inequality fringe to TD.
   4. Elections: hustings for DL ongoing. Concerns raised. GTPU proposal to change system.
   5. Conference: clashes with TUC Congress. Propose ensure 2011 conference is does not clash and get presence (speaker, stall) in future. GPTU put organisational motion to spring conference that conference dates planned strategically and not clash with TUC in particular (always first half of September).
4. 1. Anti cuts campaigns: coalition of resistance

      Note: Right to Work campaign is SWP anti-tory anti-cuts whereas Coalition of Resistance is the wider movement campaign that GP is active in. Counterfire, Socialist Resistance and the Greens are the three main organisations involved. Proposal to set up red-green councillors group of labour and green councillors against the cuts, including those who have challenged them in the past.

      Note: JH on organising committee representing GL, and Romayne Phoenix who is representing GP (and reporting to Caroline Lucas). Weekly meetings. ULU meeting on 2nd September 7pm for London/SE activists and given an office in ULU. 29th September is EU wide planned day of action. Big event 27th November at Camden centre for national campaign. Details to follow conference, budget cuts in October.

      AH/TD to request Romayne Phoenix to also feedback to GPTU.
   2. Anti cuts campaigns: regional campaigns (see Appendix 3 of minutes) JH to ask Sue Tibbles what Oxford councillors are doing to oppose the cuts.
5. 1. Disputes and Campaigns: RMT / TSSA Note: Need Assembly Members to speak out on this.
   2. Disputes and Campaigns: FBU (Appendix 1) Industrial action is now likely for 24 September. GPTU to support. AH to contact Romayne Phoenix to invite FBU to speak at London Fed AGM at 26 September and draft statement of support.
6. Lawful Industrial Action Private Members Bill (Appendix 4) JH to draft emergency motion for conference.
7. Website: Defer
8. Political contributions Can put on website. Note that GP office has joined GMB. TUC legislation that every Trade Union Council should have an environmental officer, but many do not have. All unions must allow opt out from donation to labour funds, and coalition may rule out unions from making political contributions.
9. Date of Next Meetings: Fringe at Green party Conference: 12-12.50 pm sunday 12 September (Birmingham Conservatoire, Paradise Place, Fletchers Walk, Birmingham, B3 3HG. Tuesday 5th October, 6.30pm Royal Festival Hall