GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

then we have got it in the second one and then, on top of that, I think the

Executive Committee will be happy to take this away and look at the whole rule

book in regards the way it refers to gender and it might need some more

amendments to come through, but they will be technical ones.

BRO IAN LAWRENCE (NAPO): Good morning, conference. Ian Lawrence from

NAPO. I actually find the term “his and her” outdated. “Their” duties.

THE PRESIDENT: “Their” or “your”, I know we have done that before. Let’s do

something like a sticking plaster solution this morning so we can get the

essence of the rule change through. I think you are right. I think we might

have to look at something more general and I think that is much better. I have

got an easy relationship with “his/her”. In some contexts it is very strange.

Language is complex and, as you say, Claire, it tells us about ourselves. We

are actually putting this forward. This is really important. Okay. If that is okay

with everybody we will take that away. Thank you very much for brining that

up. Just to let you know, the rules are under the red tab in the book if you want

to just cross reference here. This rule change results from the closing of the

last BGCM in 2017 when the former President, Ben Marshall, made a remark

about how we actually select/appoint, I am not going to use the word “elect”,

our General Secretary, because, like the TUC, we are a federation and even

though we are regulated by the Certification Officer, we are not subject to the

five year General Secretary statutory elections like you all are, like our affiliates

are, so we thought we would take the opportunity of looking at this.

I am going to hand over now to the Vice-President, soon to be President,

Oshor Williams, to move the rule change and to explain it and then it will be

seconded by Ronnie Draper. Thank you.

THE VICE PRESIDENT moved the following motion:

(1) Rule 15 (h) Amend second sentence to read after first sentence:

“The Executive Committee shall have power to fix the salary and working

conditions of the General Secretary and staff. Should illness, incapacity or

other reason cause the General Secretary to be unable to undertake his duties,

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