GFTU BGCM Report 2019

INTERNATIONAL WORK

POLAND STUDY VISIT July 2018 The delegation was made up of: Doug Nicholls GFTU , John Smith MU ,

Introduction The visit had been organised by Alexandra Gabriel of FORMAC a union support organisation that works closely with the OPZZ and with whom the GFTU has worked on various EU projects for many years. Alexandra and FORMAC colleagues had attended and contributed to the 2016 Union Building Conference. The delegation was guest of the OPZZ the largest Polish trade union federation and we were headquartered at the OPZZ offices in Warsaw for the duration. Two interpreters were provided by FORMAC for the week. Two educational visits were made during the week, one to the ‘Versailles of Poland’ the former King’s palace, and one to the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising. Unfortunately a planned workplace visit was cancelled by the factory concerned. There was disappointment that the transport union and specialist social workers’ union were unable to meet the delegation at the last minute. Contacts with these two unions will be pursued.

Oshor Williams PFA , Yvonne Pattison NAPO , Ian Lawrence NAPO , Sarah Woolley BFAWU , Ronnie Draper BFAWU , Tom Blenkinsop Community , Mick Carney TSSA , Robert Mooney Community , John McGowan SWU , Glyn Travis POA and Mark Fairhurst POA .

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