The CPI(M)’s use of terms like ‘fascistic tendencies’ and ‘neofascism’ rather than labelling the BJP outright as fascist has sparked controversy, but as VIJAY PRASHAD explains, ‘fascism’ is a term that must be used correctly and sparingly
Education for the whole movement
by Gawain Little, General Secretary, GFTU
Despite using female spokespeople for its campaigns against clinic buffer zones, ADF UK’s board consists entirely of men, with 80 per cent living outside Britain and most funding from its US parent, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES
Ben Cowles previews his interview with Stand Up to Racism’s SABBY DHALU for the Morning Star’s new Youtube channel
For Britain, direct military aid is just the tip of the iceberg compared to the spiralling energy crisis that has fueled inflation, driven millions into fuel poverty and inflated corporate profits, reveals HELEN MERCER
Both Conservative and Labour administrations have now refused to release research showing PIP payments are vital for disabled people’s survival, exposing the ideological nature of planned welfare ‘reforms,’ writes Dr DYLAN MURPHY
Western media dismisses the National People’s Congress while ignoring its extensive consultation processes, massive public participation mechanisms, and a tiered structure involving millions of deputies, explains JENNY CLEGG
Despite caring for vulnerable children and often covering classes, support staff remain undervalued, with some earning less than supermarket workers — but GMB’s campaigning offers new hope, argues DONNA SPICER
For over 125 years, our clear aims have been the promotion of solidarity, unity in action and education. That is why today we have launched the General Federation of Trade Unions Educational Trust (GFTUET) Education Fund. This fund represents a huge opportunity for the whole trade union movement to access our education programme.
For an annual donation, trade union branches and regions from non-GFTU affiliated unions will be able to access our online and residential education courses, supporting the expansion of our programme.
Over the last two years, our educational offer has grown with a mixture of online, residential, and hybrid delivery. We are not just interested in the growth of our programme but also the breadth of subjects and topics we aim to cover. In the past year, we have introduced a range of new courses, including a ‘Bargaining and Organising for Neurodiversity’ (Residential) and the ‘Strategy Series’ (Online).
These courses aim to both equip trade union reps and branch activists, as well as provide a space for the development of strategy, helping us face the issues of the day. Our commitment to education comes from a belief that trade union renewal relies on providing the opportunity for activists to develop and deepen their leadership skills further.
It is through this harnessing of activist energies, especially the incredible strike wave of recent years, that we can build a foundation to reverse the decline in membership of the trade union movement. This will also help build the power of the working class more generally.
We hope this new fund will become a ‘beacon’ for the investment in a new generation of trade union activists, whilst enriching the development of workplace reps today.
How the fund works is simple. For a recommended donation, based on membership size, each trade union branch/region will get access to a certain number of places on our courses, as determined by our fair usage policy.
We hope this fund will grow as our movement recommits to activist education, utilising coaching, mentoring, and developing leadership at every level of our movement. It is our intention over the next few months to widen access to our fund further to include local Trade Union Councils (TUCs).
The adage ‘educate, agitate, organise’ is more than a slogan on a banner for us. Education is a fundamental part of our identity and our driving purpose within the wider trade union movement.
To find out more and to join the education fund, go to our website here: www.gftuet.org.uk/educationfund
More from this author
Aslef general secretary MICK WHELAN speaks to Ben Chacko about rail renationalisation, the Employment Rights Bill and why we shouldn’t write off this Labour government
Similar stories
From AI to class-struggle unionism, the the GFTU's new courses aim to equip activists with skills to take on employers and halt membership decline, writes HENRY FOWLER
Circulation manager BERNADETTE KEAVENEY reports back on the work of the readers and supporters’ groups holding events in their communities and the push for premium digital subscriptions for unions
