GMB facilitates 3-day workshop

Three (3) British Trade Unionists from Britain’s General Union (GMB) Cdes Jenny Webber, Training and Development Officer, Bert Schouwenburg, Organizer and Ed Hamilton, Southend Branch Secretary along with Cde Jorge Chullen, Global Sugar Coordinator of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) who are guests of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) are facilitating a three (3) day workshop being held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre from March 4 – 6, 2009.

It is noteworthy that GAWU, NAACIE and GMB have been developing contacts and relationships over the past five (5) years. Last year two (2) Officials from GAWU and NAACIE attended GMB’s one (1) week Annual Conference which was held at Plymouth, Britain.

The workshop, is attended by fourteen (14) participants drawn from the two Unions, and seeks to support the goals of the unions in the areas of workers’ education and training among the Unions’ diverse membership, particularly in the sugar industry which faces major challenges as a result of the substantial slashing of the price of sugar exported to the European Union.

Arising out of the workshop a project will be tailored to seek support from funding agency/agencies to undertake the targeted educational activities aimed at enhancing the Unions’ capacity from leadership to rank and file, taking into account the new realities emanating from existing and emerging challenges.

The GMB, one of Britain’s largest trade unions has a membership of almost 600,000 working in every sector of the British economy including the Tate and Lyle refinery in London, the destination of Guyana’s sugar to the European Union (EU). The Union supports international workers’ campaigns and focuses on protecting members in their workplaces and organizing new members in order to strengthen their bargaining power. GMB has been in existence for over 120 years and has grown to be one of Britain’s most powerful and forward looking forces for change.