General Federation of Trade Unions
News Archive
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES 20 JANUARY 2009
Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Executive Committee Meeting held 20 January 2009
Central House
MINUTES
Present: Mr D Nicholls (President), Mr J Marino (Vice-President), Mr J Fray, Mr P Davies, Mr J Mann, Mr B Marshall, Ms J McKnight, Mr G Oakes, Mr T Pye, Mr C Ward and the Secretary.
Apologies for absence were received from: Mr J Barnwell, Mr P Booth, Ms R Eagleson, Mr P Pendle and Mr J Smith.
Minutes 287.1-M287.8
M288.1 The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 November 2008 were approved as a true record.
Matters Arising
M288.2 In respect of Minute M287.7 (LGBT Seminar) the Secretary was directed to circulate to affiliates with the details and requesting participation.
Information Technology Report
M288.3 The Head of IT and Communication introduced a Power Point presentation to supplement a previously circulated written report. IT and website development strategies were discussed in the context of the GFTU Strategic Plan adopted at BGCM.
Strategy Implementation Group Report
M288.4 SIG recommended that the Executive Committee consider a Rule change motion to BGCM to make the Committee more representative of the membership of the Federation.
Discussion centred on reserved seats for under represented categories of membership or co-option.
It was agreed to place a Rule change Motion on the Preliminary Agenda allowing for a maximum of four reserved seats nominated by full member affiliates.
The General Secretary was directed to draw up the appropriate wording.
President’s Report
M288.5 The President raised the matter of a reciprocal invitation relating to the International Study Visit to Vietnam. It was thought that May 2009 incorporating BGCM was appropriate and that affiliated unions would be asked to support the visit. A maximum number of 7 people would be invited (including guide and interpreter) with a budget funded by the Educational Trust of £15,000.
M288.6 The President informed the meeting that the GFTU Youth Seminar would be held on 10 June 2009.
General Secretary Report
M288.7 The General Secretary gave an update on GFTU office accommodation after July 2009. A number of options were being examined by SIG including discussion with the new owners of Central House, NUJ and Unite. In addition agents were supplying details of properties and TSSA was to be approached.
After detailed discussion it was agreed to receive a further report in February and to receive a proposal and recommendation from SIG at the March EC meeting.
Any Other Business
M288.8 Mr J Mann raised the matter of GFTU employees being able to take a pension and continue working. It was explained that under the new rules pertaining to pension schemes the Trustees had amended the Rule following discussion at Executive Committee. Because the Pension Scheme member no longer paid pension contributions to the GFTU Scheme neither did the GFTU saving about £15,000 in 2009.
M288.9 Statements and reports from Newtons were considered and it was agreed to review performance in the second half of 2009.
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