GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

decision – to use more of our reserves to extend the hotel, to improve the

facilities and to build a number of houses that could be available for rent, so

providing us with a significant income stream whilst being of service to the local

community. My presidency has seen the planning stage turned into reality.

During this whole period the GFTU has also been able to expand its services to

members and its international and lobbying work, as you will see from the

excellent biennial report that the General Secretary has produced. I ask you,

as our current affiliates, to help the GFTU to continue with this work and to

develop it. Please use what the GT has to offer and support the future growth

and strength of our federation.

As you can see, the EC has been asked to make some very far-reaching

decisions during the past few years and I want to thank all of the members of

the EC, particularly the ones who have served over the last six years and

especially those who have served on the EC during my presidency. I thank

them for their support and for their encouragement. The most senior members

of the EC become President and Vice President, so it is a four year

commitment and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I was Vice President during Ben

Marshall’s presidency and I have been very lucky to have had Oshor Williams

as my Vice President during my two years and I wish Oshor the best of luck

with his presidency. I am jumping the gun here, but this will be confirmed later.

It is down to Oshor and the new EC, under Oshor’s guidance, to work with

Doug and with Tim Marshall, the hotel’s General Manager, to make a success

of our investment and to secure the future of our federation.

So at the end of this BGCM I will be stepping down. I am confident that our

federation remains in good hands. I wish Oshor, Ronnie Draper, the incoming

Vice President, and Doug and all the staff at the GFTU and at the hotel the

very best of luck for the future. Thank you. (Applause)

VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT

THE GENERAL SECRETARY: Just to move the vote of thanks on behalf of the

Executive. I think I have said at a previous BGCM that the worst part of my job

really is to say farewell to colleagues who have been President who I have

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