POLITICAL
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GMB union
Northern Ireland
DREAM TEAM!
Members of the GMB
delegation at the NIC-ICTU
conference in Derry..
COMMITTEE
GMB stands proud at the Irish Congress
of Trade Unions conference in Derry
G
MB sent a strong
West and Irish Region’s policy, it called
delegation to the
for the implementation of Clare’s
recent Northern
Law in Northern Ireland. Clare’s
Ireland
Law aims to provide
Committee of the Irish
information that could protect
Congress of Trade Unions
someone from domestic
(ICTU) conference held
violence by their partner.
in Derry. GMB put its
It’s been introduced in
agenda to the fore at the
England, Wales and Scotland,
event, with two motions
and GMB wants it in place in
voted through unanimously.
Northern Ireland. The law gets its
PETER MACKLIN
First was a motion calling for the
name from Clare Wood, who was
ICTU to vigorously oppose any attempt
murdered by her partner in 2009.
by parties in Northern Ireland to introduce
any part of the Trade Union Act. Although the
WORKING TOGETHER
Northern Ireland Assembly has said it has no
intention of introducing the Act, mover Peter
New and seasoned GMB delegates at the
Macklin and seconder Michael Mulholland
conference worked together and supported
called on the conference for vigilance.
each other through an agenda that covered
This motion also called on the NIC-ICTU
fairness, the economy, trade union
to campaign for legislation that updates
organisation, equalities, health,
the ways in which industrial action
employment and education.
ballots can be carried out. More
Particularly lively debate
flexible methods like electronic
surrounded Fresh Start
voting and workplace ballots
Northern Ireland, and
need to be brought in.
in all, 41 motions were
considered. There was
a
50/50 gender split
NO MORE VIOLENCE
among our delegates and
everyone had a positive
GMB’s second motion was made
outlook and conducted
by Gail Keown and seconded by
GAIL KEOWN
themselves very professionally.
Denise Walker, and in line with North
ALL SMILES!
GMB delegates (from right to left):
Gail Keown, Linda Maguire,
Elaine Morrison, Kay Doherty.
At the conference, the Northern Ireland
Committee for the next two years was elected,
and we’re pleased to announce that it will
include GMB member Denise Walker, who
was chosen to serve.
A special mention goes to GMB delegate
Timothy Murphy, who volunteered at very
short notice to go up and speak against
another union’s motion. Timothy was a first-time
delegate and speaker, yet had no qualms about
standing up in front of hundreds of people and
putting GMB’s position across. Well done!
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
The newly elected Northern Ireland
Committee of the ICTU.
06 FUSION – GMB North West and Irish
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