ATL

TUC 2009: Thursday

Highlights of the final day of the Trades Union Congress 2009 from ATL delegates Ralph Surman and Andy Brown

New publications

A new Unions 21 debate booklet was launched at Making the point - how do unions make policy with impact?, a Union 21 fringe event.

The booklet includes a contribution from Mary Bousted outlining how ATL makes policy through STG's. Martin Johnson also spoke to the meeting.

Another new publication from the Green Alliance, Working On Change - The Trade Union Movement and Climate Change was launched at the Green Industrial Strategies fringe. This work is relevant to ATL's recent statement on Sustainability in Education. Further details can be found on the Green Alliance website.

Human trafficking

The EIS opened the debate with concern that, despite the efforts of Government and a range of other agencies, the trafficking of men, women and children into this country continues.

Phil Jacques speaking for ATL said; 'human trafficking is the commerce and trade of people. It has been a practice going back to biblical times right though to the appalling trafficking of Africans into Europe and North America.  It continues today and is a weeping scar on what we would like to call human civilisation.'

Colombia

The UCU led debate on the difficulties faced by trade unions in Colombia. The country remains the most dangerous in the world for trade unionists and educator fare badly in the current climate. Congress supported the refusal of Canada, the US and Norway to sign free trade agreements with Colombia, and commended the American's decision to stop military aid. 

General council elections

Mary Bousted and Julia Neal have been elected to the General Council for another year.