AMICUS /CMA NEC ON A JOLLY TO CUBA

[norbert]

Workers' power may be further off than ever under Gordon Brown's New Labour , but in the sentimental hearts of Britain's Trade Union Leaders the true flame of socialism burns as brightly as ever & the red flag keeps flying . OR perhaps like our MPs and hacks , they just can't say no to a freebie .

How else would you explain the decision of the NEC of the Amicus Section of the Super Union Unite , which selflessly voted to send itself on all expenses paid and none spared trip to Cuba to celebrate May Day this year .

As in previous years the Cuban Regime invited a "delegation" to the May Day jollies . But this year Amicus GS Derek Simpson decided the "delegation" would be up to 60 strong and include every member of the NEC who wanted to go . Not unsurprisingly the motion in favour was passed overwhelmingly , and even now the comrades are stocking up on sun cream and swimming trunks . Perhaps with Fidel stepping down , they feel Cuba is entering its last days as a people's paradise and it's now or never .

The NEC'S trip will cost approximately 100K , to be paid for in a spirit of solidarity with the revolution by Amicus 's generous members which include the ranks of Royal Mail Mangers . Allan Leighton is reputed to be a AMICUS /CMA Member and initially described RM as a unreformed Soviet State .

Treble Cuba Libres and Cohibas all round out of the members subs . Excellent !

[mailsort6]

This is disgraceful, this is the reason why many people do not join unions because the members money is misspent. This was voted in by NEC members, what would the members think to this? They should be using some of this money to campaign to stop RM or any other compnay changing our pension schemes. It would not look that bad if only 10 NEC members were going but 60 this is a joke and its about time higher union officals stop taking the P*** out of it own union members, this has really got my blood boiling.

[norbert]

This is disgraceful, this is the reason why many people do not join unions because the members money is misspent. This was voted in by NEC members, what would the members think to this? They should be using some of this money to campaign to stop RM or any other company changing our pension schemes. It would not look that bad if only 10 NEC members were going but 60 this is a joke and its about time higher union officials stop taking the P*** out of it own union members, this has really got my blood boiling.

It's like something out of Animal Farm but hardly a surprise , all these junkets on the subs or on the rates in local government , it's just a game to these people . I've heard some rum tales about the BMA , that's the worst of human nature, I'm cynical but I find this sort of brutal cynicism reprehensible.

This does alienate people , it just means there's a mirrored culture with the union officers being no better and/or the same as than the freeloading managers they criticize for going on company expense account jollies .

You read about all these right on, holier than thou and PC "bridge building" and "fact finding" trips to faraway places in "The Voice" , charity begins at home and Billy Hayes showing what it's like to have six meals a day was all staff needed . People seeing Hayes on his globe trotting jaunts must have thought he was Gulliver .

Reward people for putting their necks on the line at grass roots levels and their efforts and sacrifices-yes but not this .

Power corrupts -yes absolutely

[dvbuk55]

I think any organisation would shudder if all their financial dealings were open to scrutiny by those who provide the money either by subscription or productivity. Are all the financial dealings of the CWU open to scrutiny? I doubt it. Expenses? Junkets? Preferential Loans? Subsidised Travel? Home Loans and maintenance? Tit for Tat visits by non entity union organisers from far off warm places. Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Women, Ethnic Minorities and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all pointless conferences.

If someone was giving me money ad infinitum, no questions asked - maybe my lifestyle and expenditure would be different.

[baldrick]

There is a poster on our CMA's notice board advertising Amicus training/education courses.
It is headed "Join the Learning Revolution" with a picture of Che Guevara!
Che must be spinning in his grave.