Chelmsford TUC

These were: President, Terry Woodcraft, Chairperson, Andrew Coburn, Vice-Chairpersons, Hazel Corby, Colin Rolfe and Andy Window. The Secretary is Malcolm Wallace and the Treasurer, Greg Grant. The Auditors are David Johnson and David Freeman. Marion Wilson was nominated to serve on the TUC Women’s Rights Committee.

Delegates agreed two motions. The first asked affiliates to get involved in the Hope Not Hate Campaign, to participate in Union Friday on 15 May, and to affiliate to Trade Union Friends of Searchlight. The second motion opposed the Government’s decision to privatise Royal Mail.

Delegates also gave their support to the lobby against the sale of ECC’s services to the private sector which will be held at 9.15am on 10 February outside County Hall.

The meeting heard that plans are virtually finalised for the public rally at Friends Meeting House on 1 May, and for the Workers’ Memorial Day event in Central Park. Delegates thanked Thompsons Solicitors for their support of these events.

The Secretary reported that all Chelmsford TUC’s minutes and documentation, along with details of campaigns that have taken place in Chelmsford over many years, have now been deposited at the Essex Record Office. A list of these can be seen on the Trades Council’s website.

After delegates gave their reports on workplace issues Jeeva Sethu, Thompsons Solicitors, gave a talk on corporate manslaughter. Jeeva outlined the background to the Corporate Manslaughter Act, the way in which trade unions had campaigned for its implementation following a series of major national disasters, and how it is currently being implemented. Jeeva’s talk was extremely interesting and after answering a number of questions, he was thanked for his address.

At the next meeting of Chelmsford TUC delegates will be celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight by having a tasting of Fairtrade foods and drinks from the Co-operative Group.