GMB Congress 2008 Plymouth GMB Congress 2008 Plymouth
GMB
GMB Congress news
Congress
GMB members from across the country came together for
the fi ve-day annual Congress, held in June this year in
Plymouth, to debate and decide the union’s future
2008
Plymouth
T
he GMB 2008 Congress
The GMB banner
opening ceremony procession marks the
was led by a group
start of Congress.
carrying the GMB
National Banner to the strains
of Jerusalem. The banner party
consisted of six members from
GMB Yorkshire and North
Derbyshire Region: Linda Lord
from Worksop who works for
Wilkinsons Stores, Sue Walker
from Wakefi eld who works for
Asda, Maureen Taylor from
Sheffi eld who works for Ronseal,
James Stribley from Rotherham
who works for Remploy, Steve
Hatton from Barnsley who
works for South Yorkshire Joint
Authority, and Colin Gill from
d
Leeds who works for Leeds MDC. iar
W
e
w
Labour Party links
Andr
Welcoming fi ve hundred
delegates, visitors and guests to inclusion. Newly appointed
Congress 2008, President Mary GMB national equalities offi cer ■ Congress TV
Turner told Congress that it was
Thousands of people tuned into
Kamaljeet Jandu introduced the
the fi rst time since 1892 that the
live Congress TV during the
twelve GMB lay members who
annual Congress had been held
fi ve-day Congress in Plymouth. A
will serve on the GMB National
in Plymouth. Mary outlined the
selection of speeches – by GMB
Equality Forum.
work that had to be done since President Mary Turner, GMB Kamaljeet explained the GMB
the previous year, including General Secretary Paul Kenny, vision that the Forum are tasked
questions on the future of the
GMB National Organiser Martin
with delivering. “We want GMB
Labour Party links with GMB.
Smith and Minister for the
to be recognised as the lead
She said, “Last year at
Environment Phil Woolas – are
trade union in driving equality at
Congress, we welcomed an
available to view or download at:
work and in our society,” he said,
www.gmb.org.uk
incoming Prime Minister and we “while refl ecting the make-up
had great hopes for a renewed of our members and potential
period of fairness and justice
President Mary Turner (above)
the presentation of long-service members on all levels of GMB
and General Secretary Paul Kenny
but the terrible betrayal over
(below) at Congress 2008.
awards to Alistair McLean, 80 and unleashing their potential.
the Remploy factories, where and Audrey Harry, 62. Ellis Parker There is the debate about gun
promises were broken – promises and Angus Groat were both and knife crime, which impacts
made to thousands of disabled honoured with the GMB Daniel on GMB members as parents,
people about their independence Dennis Health and Safety Award workers and members of their
and choice – was perhaps the for their work promoting health local communities. I would
fi rst of many misjudgements. and safety in their respective advocate that it is time to engage
The promise at the Labour GMB workplaces and branches. in a discussion about this issue.
Party Conference that no What with drugs, guns and
factories would close without full Equality and inclusion knives, there is a free market in
consultation and agreement with GMB Congress endorsed the death on the streets of London
the unions – that was a lie.” new GMB strategy designed and our other major cities. In the
Mary lightened the tone with to deliver equality through long run, it is about challenging
GMB Congress 2008 Plymouth GMB Congress 2008 Plymouth GMB Congress 2008 Plymouth
www.gmb.org.uk 9
IINS02.nat_congress 9NS02.nat_congress 9 11/7/08 14:49:23/7/08 14:49:23
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