Apr 30 - Unite The Union May Day Message
This is the full text of Unite the Union's May Day message from its Regional Officer Victor Ochello:
May Day, also known as Workers’ Day, is a special date in the calendar for Trade Unions as we commemorate the struggle of all workers that have taken part in hard-fought battles in pursuance of workers’ rights.
Political Parties, organisations, pressure groups or any individual with a socialist Ideology will understand and support the importance of this special occasion.
We all share the ideal to protect these fundamental principals by maintaining ourselves vigilant that these hard won rights are not eroded.
Membership
Unite has secured a 4,500 membership mark and is still growing in the last two years. In organising our membership in their different workplaces, not only are we growing daily, but also retaining membership. Unite is a responsible Union and therefore works for its members. Not just on work related matters, but also on social related problems not only affecting its members but also those affecting the community at large. We will soon announce new and better-affiliated services, that without doubt will serve to further improve the service we provide to our membership.
Unite the Union Youth Committee
As Regional Officer, I am extremely proud that one of our main objectives since I was appointed in 2012 has been achieved.
The Youth Section of Unite is up and running. It has been recently formed and is now meeting regularly. They are being led and guided by our newly appointed Regional Officer Gillian Birkett. An initiative that we all welcome. A chairperson has been temporarily appointed until which time that a general meeting of our Youth members is arranged for the election of its Chairperson and committee members.
Young people are not only the future of the Trade Union Movement, they are the future of our society. Since the Tories came into power in the UK, it has been young people who have faced the brunt of their Ideological assault on the communities, but it is also young people who have led the way in the fight-back against austerity.
The aim of this section is to attract more youngsters to form part of the Union movement. Today’s generation of youngsters might have heard of the Unions, but not all know what the Trade union can offer. This young committee has already highlighted the importance of organising the Youth in different workplaces, in protecting their rights against unfair treatment. One of their main objectives will be to try and pursue a standard of training which will provide them with adequate qualifications which will then help them compete in the labour market and be acceptable within their field. Furthermore, an apprenticeship that secures a job at the end of its training period in a skill-based economy. Unite the Union if fully behind these objectives.
I look forward to this initiative consolidating itself into a reality and to having youngsters with progressive Ideologies succeeding all of us officers and committee members who have given many years of commitment to the Trade Union movement.
Achievements
Unite the Union has secured numerous good deals for workers throughout all Departments of the public and private sector in the last two years. Unite has also been instrumental with other key players in advances on issues like the anti bullying and harassment Bill and the Civil Partnership legislation. Although Unite holds a very good working relationship with the present Government administration, there are areas that need to improve and we are now working on them.
Trade Union Recognition
Unite has been requesting from the Government of Gibraltar, in two consecutive May Days, to legislate for the recognition of Trade Unions within the Private Sector on those instances were employers refuse to accept that employees have a right to choose representation of their choice. Unite intends to continue lobbying the Government on this requirement as employees should have the right to organise themselves through a recognised trade union.
Socio-Economic Forum
Unite does not intend to interfere with how our local economy is run, that’s entirely for politicians and economists to do.
Notwithstanding this though, being coherent with what we have stated in our May Day messages in past years, we propose that, in the event of “que nos reviente la burbuja economica” like we say in Union terms, a contingency plan is sought to allow us to diminish the crisis level, with a view to minimise the adverse effect currently being endured by ordinary people throughout other European Countries.
Unite believes that Gibraltar’s economy is stable in comparison to the affected parties. However, it is wholly aware that our economy is not reliant solely on our efforts there are many external factors that can actually dictate the growth or demise of it.
Therefore, we would need to become self sufficient by way of inward investment in relation to furthering training in all the sectors in which we depend, such as Catering, Tourism, Gaming, Bunkering, Finance, etc.
It is vital for all stakeholders to unite, in an endeavour to engage our collective efforts before it’s too late to find solutions.
Inter Frontier Group
Unite has also taken the initiative in creating the Inter Frontier Group joining forces with all the Unions and Commercial Associations from Gibraltar and the Spanish Campo Area. Forming an apolitical forum called the Cross Border Group to highlight and campaign against the measures adopted by the Madrid Government at the border.
The group produced and launched a Dossier which was sent to those responsible in the European Parliament in Brussels and later on travelled to Brussels giving a power point presentation to a group of MEPs representative of all political Ideologies.
Basic rights to family lives, freedom of movement and worker’s rights as enshrined by the European Union are being seriously breached by the Spanish Government with the effects being experienced first-hand by those same workers and European Citizens that the EU (and indeed Spain as a signatory) are duty bound to defend.
This Group has not only travelled to Brussels to highlight our concerns but later on travelled to Seville, where it also highlighted in the Andalucian Parliament its concerns and opposition to the measures imposed at the frontier. It was there, where Estibaliz Menoyo a Unite Shop Steward and Executive committee member gave a presentation to all Spanish political representative bodies. Unite UK also organised a number of representations for the group to meet ALL political parties in the UK House of Commons and also to meet with the Minister for Europe in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Unite is an International Union with many friends in the labour movement in UK and in Europe and will use all its resources to highlight the unjust treatment on citizens at the frontier with its consequent effect on neighbourly relations and to the economy of European Citizens.
Refurbishment of Unite Building
The full refurbishment of our Unite offices in Town Range will be finalized by the end of summer.
Internal Union Restructure
Unite the Union is an Organisation is over and above any individual. Always remember that paid officials come and go, but the Organisation is here to stay. I have no doubts that once we finalise the restructuring process with the inclusion of the complete refurbishment of our offices and building, Unite will be the Union that we all desire. It will give its members a much improved and professional service.
My main objective is to leave a stronger and united Union for all workers to enjoy with young blood leading its way into the future years.
Finally, as Regional Officer Leader of Unite in Gibraltar, I would like to invite Gibraltar to our May Day Rally and take this opportunity to wish all our members, workers in general and families, on behalf of the Gibraltar Area Executive Committee, a happy Workers Day.
Hasta La Victoria Siempre
