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12
Pensions payroll and administration was taken back fully in house following a short
period of staff transition in 2015.
13
A new defined contribution pension scheme was opened internally for staff at the hotel
and nursery and within the GFTU. This is also administered fully by our finance team.
International Work
1
Two of the GFTU’s affiliates, CCISU and Nautilus International are internationally constructed
unions. We literally have internationalism at our centre.
2
In addition the EC agreed four years ago to take international issues on every agenda and
the Trust supports the organisation of international study visits and we maintain throughout
each year a steady flow of contacts with overseas trade union organisations and host several
delegations. We have many years of successful partnership working with trade union
organisations in Europe and have completed several projects on organising in Aerospace and
looking at collective bargaining and HR Issues with other union centres.
3
ESNA – Enquentro Sindical Neustra Americas.
3.1
This is the education and research and support organisation for trade union in Latin America.
We have built good relations with them primarily to support our development of new
techniques in trade union education.
3.2
We were able to arrange two visits for ESNA colleagues to meet with affiliates and partners.
Colleagues from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina visit TSSA, Marjohns Univeristy, the MU, PFA,
RMT, UNISON, Unite, and other affiliates to forge bilateral relations.
3.3
In November 2016 ESNA attended our Union Building Conference and we were able to meet
with FORMAC to consider funding applications for a conference on women workers in
manufacturing in Central America. An application has been submitted.
3.4
Bro. Bert Schouwenberg International Officer of the GMB was also able to represent the
GFTU at the International Conference of ESNA in Uruguay and produced a written report.
4
Greece
4.1
The EC was greatly concerned about the deteriorating situation in Greece, a situation that
currently shows no sign of let up, and also greatly impressed by information it had received
about the fortitude of trade unions in the country and the establishment by young workers
there of new unions. It consequently agreed to support a small delegation to Greece
comprising of Sarah Woolley Bakers, Dami Benbow Educational Trust Trustee, Bindu Paul,
Musicians’ Union and Deanne Ferguson, GMB. Their report follows:
GFTU Educational Visit to Athens
January 2016
Delegates Bindu Paul, Dami Benbow, Deanne Ferguson, Sarah Woolley
Brief Background