Universities at GMB25

Universities at GMB25

I moved a motion entitled higher education, knowledge and funding.  In my speech I placed the crisis of HE funding in the context of macro-economic policy and as the results of Labour’s hostile environment. I had been inspired to write the motion as a result of Rachel Reeves autumn statement 24 and after reviewing the industrial policy white paper. The seconder of the motion made what I believe is a powerful statement in favour of universal access to higher education. In this article, below, you will find a video clip of the debate, the words of the motion and my notes, that I used to make the speech.

In this article, below or overleaf, you will find the words of the motion and my notes, that I used to make the speech. …

On AI at GMB 25

On AI at GMB 25

There were two debates on AI, calling for Transparency, Accountability and Job Security. I briefly review the and reference the two motions, point at the TUC proposals, the French SA's fining of Amazon, ORG's critique of the Data Use and Access Act and cross reference other articles I have written on the coming impact of AI/LLMs. The full article is overleaf ....

The Presidential Hustings @ GMB25

The Presidential Hustings @ GMB25

Congress 2025 was required to elect the Union’s president and vice-president. I have only been attending Congress for a few years and Barbara Plant has always chaired them. I am told that her predecessor, held the role for many years and was not required to defend her position in an election. This year, however, the election was contested. The vice-presidential position was also vacant and so Congress had hustings and elections for a new leadership team. For more see overleaf ...

GMB and a humane immigration policy

Yesterday, the GMB adopted a motion entitled, “For a fair and humane immigration policy”. This was proposed by my Branch and moved at Congress by me.  The motion confirms its policy on fairness and dignity in immigration policy, calling for the repeal of Tory laws, action on ending the hostile environment, and the establishment of safe routes for refugees. It also sets out opposition to some of the proposals in “Restoring control over the immigration system”.  The debate on the motion is embeded below.

I have created a document with the full text of the motion. My speech notes are available as a file and also below/overleaf. … …

Gary speaks

Gary speaks

The General secretary, Gary Smith, presented the annual report, which excludes the detailed financial report which has its own agenda item later in the week. The following summary is based on notes I took at the time, which I have not checked on the video record. The aerticle, overleaf, talks about growth of membership, energy, the anti-politics of politics., and my article finishes with Gary's shopping list. ...

A better privacy policy

M20, from my branch, on making the privacy policy better was moved  by and carried, annoyingly I didn’t make the point powerfully enough that the problem is that the GMB will not permit the use of email for contract purposes if members have opted out of email. The requirement for channel opt-outs precede the GDPR and depending on the privacy policy, an artefact required by the GDPR, means that email cannot be used for correspondence required by the membership contract such as dunning letters, or meeting convening notices, or even elections. The default communication mechanism is real mail. The debate is captured on youtube and starts here with my moving speech

This blog article is best read with [some of], the following documents, the final agenda document, GMB’s Congress page which contains all the documents and the video index is available as a playlist or as individual videos  at the GMB’s youtube channel. This article has been back dated to about the time of occurrence. …

More and new rules (GMB25)

More and new rules (GMB25)

Congress debated and approved rule changes presented by the CEC, including extended expulsion reasons for union members and handling of disciplinary actions. Notably, rights regarding motion tabling at Congress were altered, and a proposal to increase Congress size was rejected. The implications of these changes affect union representation and governance. This excerpt has been written by wordpress's AI, to see my words use the "Read More" button ...