GMB Young Members Conference 2006

Last weekend I spent a fantastic Saturday and Sunday taking part in the GMB’s first young members’ conference for many years.

Young GMB members from all over the country joined the GMB’s General Secretary Paul Kenny and Deputy General Secretary Debbie Coulter to debate new ideas for encouraging younger people to join the GMB and trade unions in general.

As previous visitors to this website will know, I am extremely committed to the work of trade unions and to the values and policies they stand for.

It was absolutely great to meet other like minded young people who, like me, also believe that trade unions have a legitimate place in today’s society as they continue to stand up for justice, fairness, and equality, both inside and outside of the workplace.

As well as hearing from speakers such as Gemma Tumelty, the new President of the National Union of Students (who also happens to be a GMB member) in the conference’s plenary sessions, delegates participated in three different workshops entitled ‘the way forward for the GMB’, ‘fighting racism and facism’ and ‘organising in the workplace’. I found these sessions stimulating and invaluable. Many thanks in particular to Martin Smith, the GMB’s national organiser, for running the superb ‘organising in the workplace’ session (pictured above).

On Sunday morning, the conference heard from Paul Kenny, the GMB’s general secretary (pictured above right). After his speech, I took five minutes to have a chat with Paul – as well as to lobby him about supporting Jon Cruddas for the Labour Party Deputy Leadership 😉

Thanks also to the GMB’s Deputy General Secretary Debbie Coulter (pictured above left with me and General Secretary Paul Kenny) for sponsoring the conference and giving GMB’s young members such high profile support.

As always, I continue to urge young people to join a trade union. If you’re a young GMB member and want to find out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch!