MINUTES OF THE
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
HELD ON SATURDAY, 23rdAUGUST 2003
IN UNISON HOUSE, WEST CAMPBELL STREET, GLASGOW
1. PRESENT Allison Cosgrove Michael
Scroggie Matthew Crighton Arthur West Jean-Anne
Goodbrand
2. APOLOGIES Mike Kirby Stephen
Rolfe Jim McCarthy Stephen Smellie Sam Macartney
IN ATTENDANCE Simon Macfarlane,
Regional Officer
JOHN BARTON IN THE CHAIR
3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 31st
MAY 2003
The Minutes of the previous meeting was AGREED
as a correct record.
4. MATTERS ARISING
a) Committee's Place within UNISON - It was
NOTED that due to holiday period it had not been possible
to meet with Matt Smith and Mike Kirby. A date will be set
shortly. It was AGREED that the Committee draw up an
action plan based on the "actions agreed" at the
meeting held on 31st May 2003 as a matter of urgency
and that this be circulated in "draft" form before
the meeting with the Scottish Secretary and Scottish Convener.
(b) Palestinian/Israeli Conflict - Road Map
to Peace Seminar - Simon tabled a report and spoke to it.
The suggested venue to hold the Seminar
and the timetable looks good but may prove a bit crammed in
the morning. An invite could be extended to Palcrafts to have
a stall. It was thought that, say, a charge of £10 to Branches
would be reasonable. The Committee AGREED to contact
the Scottish Committee Project Fund and the National International
Department to request help with the funding of the Seminar
and also ask the APF for sponsorship as they have expressed
an interest in doing something around international issues.
A lengthy discussion followed on who should
be invited and how extensive the invitation should be. It
was AGREED that Simon contact Mr Afif Safieh who is
the General Delegate to the UK and the Holy See, Palestinian
General delegation to the UK to request if he would be willing
to come and talk at the Seminar. Other speakers suggested
were a Westminster MP, an MSP, someone from a solidarity organisation.
Organisation of the Seminar is still at an early
stage but suggested dates are late October/early November.
c) Affiliations - Simon circulated list of UNISON affiliations
and asked members who wanted certain information to pass
their name to him. Simon was asked to enquire why UNISON
was not affiliated to Scottish CND, Scottish Cuba Solidarity
Campaign, Free Tibet. The Committee indicated that they
would be interested in getting the names of main contacts
for organisations that we have affiliated who were already
in place. Members of the Committee indicated those organisations
that they would be interested in being a lead contact for.
It was AGREED we need clarification of whom, if anyone
pays expenses. It was AGREED that Simon request affiliation
to Banana Link on behalf of the Committee. The remainder
of the affiliations was NOTED.
d) Burma and Honorary Membership : Aung San Suu Kyi - Simon
reported that he has raised this matter and is awaiting
word back from Headquarters.
(e) Domestic Abuse in Russia - Again
awaiting word back from Headquarters.
(f) Any other matters arising - Jean-Anne
reported that Moray Trades Council sent a Motion to the STUC
a couple of years ago on the Banana Wars. From this we were
asked to make an appeal for Mauro Romera who was a victim
of the Banana Wars. Mauro is setting up a shop and Moray Trades
Council has been approached to support appeal. The STUC will
be contacting affiliates to support the appeal and the Committee
would recommend that UNISON Scottish Committee give support.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
Discussion took place on how best to communicate
the work of the Committee and it was felt that the best
way in promoting the work of the International Committee
would be through Newsletter format. Jean-Anne AGREED
to forward to Simon a copy of the Newsletter prepared
by the Morary Branch. It was also AGREED that a
Sub Group be set up to take this forward.
-
INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE
It was NOTED that there was a newspaper article
indicating that the Glasgow Memorial will be refurbished.
-
GLOBAL WORKPLACE - WAR ON WANT COURSE
It was AGREED that Simon contact War
on Want with regard to running a course and speak to UNISON's
Education Officer as it was felt that this would be beneficial
to the Committee/…
Committee and Branch International Officers
and help to recruit more Branch International Officers.
Simon AGREED to circulate Committee with contact
details of International Officers. The Committee AGREED
that this be promoted at the Scottish Council and be included
in the International Committee's action plan.
-
CORRESPONDENCE
-
Nominations to South African Conference
- 24/26 October 03
John Barton and Jean-Anne Goodbrand were
nominated to attend Conference.
Simon to thank the Scottish Secretary
and the Scottish Convener for agreeing that two members
be nominated to represent UNISON at this Conference.
The Committee NOTED that a "Hands
Off Cuba" Rally is being held in Glasgow on 26th
October.
b) Chile Commemoration The Committee
has AGREED to assist with collecting the signatories. c)
Jubilee Scotland
The Committee AGREED that Vicky
Clayton from Jubilee Scotland be
invited to the next meeting.
-
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i) WDM-GATS
WDM is ceiling back its activity on
GATS. The Committee to consider what it should be doing
to keep this issue going. It was suggested to look at
costings of UNISON beer mats for distribution advising
of UNISON support to WDM. It was also suggested that
UNISON may consider affiliating to the WDM and it was
AGREED to raise this issue at the proposed meeting
with the Scottish Secretary and Convener.
International
Committee
