GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

Cornwall Music Service Trust represents yet another model, something to be

truly proud of and we know it works.

You may be wondering why there was so much activity in the 1990s and then

an apparent gap. The answer is simple. Local authorities commenced making

severe cuts in the early 1990s and, as usual, music and the arts were one of

the first targets. For the last few years we have had to deal with that awful

word, “austerity”, and music is being hit harder than ever. Musicians have had

no option other than to create co-operatives to protect their livelihood and

music for all. At the moment there are about 7,000 registered co-operatives in

the UK involving about 15 million people. These social enterprises range from

farming to retail, healthcare to housing, wine producing and, of course, music

teaching. Their combined contribution to the UK economy is approximately £40

billion per year. For many workers this is an alternative to austerity and

certainly better than being on a zero hours contract built on precarious work

and not knowing from one week to another if you can pay your bills. Plus, of

course, zero hours workers have fewer rights. A few months ago I heard John

McDonald speaking on co-operatives on LBC Radio. He praised all of them,

but gave a great deal of praise to the Musicians Union on the work that they

had done setting up music co-operatives.

I cannot leave without mentioning 8 th June. The GFTU played a key part in the

discussions about political representation which led to the formation of the

Labour Party. Let’s be the biggest co-operative ever and all go out to support

our solidarity with Labour. Please support the motion. (Applause)

SIS SARAH WOOLLEY (Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union) seconded the

motion.

She said: I second this motion on music co-operatives. Apologies if you were

at the TUC, because it is going to be very similar to what I said there.

I know you might be wondering why we would second this motion, but I am

here to talk to you today about the benefits of co-operatives and why we should

fully support this motion. We represent a group of members who work in a co-

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