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GFTU and co operation
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Co-operation, saving money on services,
making money for trade union education.
Introduction
The GFTU plays a vital role in assisting new unions forming and growing,
sustaining established unions and supporting all affiliates when there are
difficulties. There is no question to big or small that we cannot be asked to
consider, the GFTU is extremely keen to help out at any level.
Historically few if any GFTU affiliates have paid subscriptions to the GFTU which
have exceeded the benefits they have received in return, this is because the
GFTU has subsidised its support work heavily and can continue to do so if we all
buy into a co-operative way of working that generates some income for affiliates
and the GFTU.
We work with tried, tested and trusted commercial partners who share our
values and recognise that cost effectiveness is key.
Affiliated unions have an interest in working with our commercial partners as
business placed with them attracts a commission which goes back directly into
our Educational Trust. This in turn enables us to make more free educational
provision for affiliates and thereby save them further costs.
A classic example of this is when unions and their members use our hotel.
Unions and their members get discounts on using our facilities and we make
money to invest in education.
If your family and union gifts are purchased from our ethical shop a small
percentage goes back into education provision. This model is being developed
throughout, it is the old mutual and co- operative support model that gave rise
to the Movement in the first place.
We want to save our affiliates money, get them the very best advice, support
and enable them to invest in our charitable trust to develop our work.
The GFTU is committed to the expansion of the Quorn site to raise more
sustainable funding streams. Not until the 1990s did unions invest on the money
markets, they used to invest in the real economy and the construction of
everything from gasworks to schools and local authorities. We want to return to