Trade unionists, academics and educators gathered in London in May for the 120th year of the GFTU. The gathering also heard from international speakers and the Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs
PDA Union are one of the latest trade unions to affiliate and our National Officer, Paul Day is now a member of the GFTU Executive Committee. Affiliation provides PDA Union members with access to the GFTU Educational Trust sponsored education programme, giving them the skills they need to represent their colleagues. Involvement in the GFTU also gives PDA Union a louder voice in the trade union movement.
Representatives of PDA Union and other newly affiliated unions were welcomed by GFTU President, Vice-President and General Secretary – Image by Ade Martin Photography.
Trade union education was also a key feature of the discussions, though the agenda also covered a debate on the economy, motions from members and reports of the GFTU’s international and cultural work. The former General Secretary of the Musician’s Union, John Smith came to the end of his term of office as President and Oshor Williams from the Professional Footballers Association was elected to be President for the next two years. Ronnie Draper from the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union was elected as the new Vice-President.
The BGCM also included a parliamentary reception to celebrate the organisation’s first 120 years of activity and at the event a new publication was launched.
An illustrated history of UK trades unions was launched at the 120th anniversary reception.- Image by Ade Martin Photography.
“The MANY not the FEW” is an illustrated history of Britain shaped by the people and tells the history of organised Labour that has evolved into today’s modern trade union movement of which the PDAU is part. The graphic novel style book is designed to make trade union history more accessible for union members. Copies of the book are available here
The 70 page GFTU Executive Committee report to the BGCM is available here