16 / 190
General Secretary’s report July 2017.
9
7.13
There is a developing campaign in Sweden for a six-hour day. A report has been
produced on the benefits of the six-hour day in the care industry. I am seeking to get a copy of
this as I believe it will provide considerable interest for some of our affiliates.
7.14
Some trade union colleagues in France have reported that the Macron government,
backed by the European Union, is seeking a swift destruction of workers’ rights embodied in the
substantial Labour code in France. They ask that we monitor and be aware of this. They see this
as their Thatcher moment.
7.15
We have indicated to the Labour Party that we are willing to host training local
councillors at Quorn. The Education Officer has met with relevant Labour Party Officials.
7.16
I have extended an invitation to the new chairman of the Labour Party to attend a
GF TU executive meeting.
8 Other work.
It is been a very busy period for me following the BGCM.
8.1 I have been honoured to be able to attend an address a number of union conferences. I
addressed the Bakers conference, the national conference of the POA, the Community
conference, the TSSA commemorative event.
8.2 I provided training to the artists’ Union of England event at Quorn, I made a short
contribution to the PFA’s first national meeting at Quorn, I attended the Durham Miners Gala, I
addressed the Prospect/Bectu and Community conferences. I will attend a number of affiliate
conferences over the coming year and believe this is a vital part of the role and our
communication with an understanding of affiliates. I am keen to develop such work over the
coming period.
8.3 A very productive meeting was held with the TSSA to consider expanding our service level
agreement for finances to incorporate the VAT and management accounts. The Head of Finance
has produced draft revised SLA arrangements.
8.4 A productive meeting with the POA has been held to consider tendering for their
accountancy work. We have observed that in our opinion several unions are paying very high
fees for their accountancy and we are very happy to consider how we may be able to assist them
in reducing costs and raising professional accountancy standards.
8.5 I’m delighted to report that we won the tender for a complete review of the PCS educational
provision. Myself and the Education Officer will lead on this work for the GFTU to you supported
by the operations manager and head of Finance where appropriate. Dr Stephen French of Keele
University is also assisting. The value of the tender is £10,000. We are aware of consultants who
would have sought to Bill for work of this sort in excess of over £50,000. We are confident that
we can undertake professional work for the PCS at this price without of course diverging in any
way from our main focus.
This £10,000 could be paid directly into the educational trust; this is
a detailed point, but an important one that the EC may wish to consider as we hope to be able
to tender for more such work in the future.