GFTU Headquarters
Central House
Upper Woburn Place
London
WC1H OHY
(TEL) 0207 387 2578 (24 hrs)

Congratulations to Tony Blair

8 June 2001
Rt Hon Tony Blair, MP
The Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
LondonSW1A 2AA

Dear Tony

I write on behalf of the members of the General Federation of Trade Unions to congratulate you on the magnificent and historic victory in the General Election.

The scale of the success is a complete vindication of your Government's record over the last few years and provides an unprecedented opportunity to build a nation of which we can all be proud.

Please be assured of our full support as you continue to build upon the solid progress made since 1997.

With all best wishes.

Yours sincerely

MICHAEL BRADLEY, MBE
GENERAL SECRETARY

GFTU at Labour Party Conference
GFTU made a big impact at the Labour Party Conference running a joint stand with the ISTC and holding a reception.

Here are some of the highlights.

GFTU GS; Stephen Byers DTI Minister; Terry Pye GFTU President

Stephen Byers talking to Mick Leahy

Andrew Harvey GFTU Education Officer; Stephen Byers and Mike Bradley

Mick Leahy with Tony & Cherie Blair and Mike Bradley

From the General Secretary

Over the last four years the GFTU, in common with many trades unions, has invested considerable resources in developing a website.  The original objectives in this development were to raise the profile of the organisation, disseminate information about our activities to a wider audience and to communicate in a more effective and efficient manner.

These initial objectives have been achieved to a substantial degree and the time is opportune to re-visit this area of our activities.  A number of affiliated unions have developed useful and interesting sites and many recognise that on-line activity will grow in importance as more and more members have access to the Internet and, increasingly, use the Internet for information and communication.

The next stage of our progress should entail a strategic review in respect of the opportunities that the Internet makes available.  For example the Federation now has expertise in promoting on-line education and training.  How we develop this should be the subject of consultation with our affiliates.  As we in the GFTU secretariat review the ways in which the Internet may impact upon research and training we should also discuss the requirements of our affiliated unions.

Our Conference in 2001 affords an ideal opportunity to talk not only affiliates but also to our partners like Ruskin and Northern Colleges about the ways in which we can utilise the power of the Internet for the benefit of all connected with the Federation.  For example we will be placing on our website the results of our research into funding opportunities for trades unions; are there other documents you would like to be able to access on-line?  Please let me know your views, contact me on mike@gftu.org.uk.

MSF News

MSF Craft Sector, a GFTU Affiliate, is in the thick of the fight at Vauxhall Luton to save the plant. The impressive demonstration on January 20 included trade unionists from across Britain with delegationsfrom GM plants in Germany and Spain.

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A service from The General Federation of Trade Unions
Central House
Upper Woburn Place
London WC1H OHY