Saturday, October 10, 2009

UNISON International Seminar: Leeds 2009

Yesterday evening the UNISON International Seminar began in the Queens Hotel in Leeds. There are 93 delegates registered from all over the Country. Most are BIRO’s (Branch International Relation Officers).

Unions love jargon and I can remember the first time I heard the term BIRO's I could not for the life of me work out what the term stood for.

I’m here as a delegate from the London Regional International & European Committee with our Chair Ray Mouratsing. At the “Introduction to Weekend” there was an “ice breaker” group quiz. We split into groups of 2 or 3 and had to answer questions on posters with geographical themes put on walls around the conference room.

Some of the questions – (and surprising answers). FRANCE - What percentage of workers in France are members of trade unions? Is it 70%:40% or 10%? (Answer 10%). True or False - until 2009 did some trade unions in France have special rights due to their resistance work against the Nazi during World War 2? (Answer True)

SWAZILAND – How much money did the 13 wives of the King of Swaziland spend on a recent shopping trip to Europe? Is it £500,000: £1 Million or £4 Million? (Answer £4 million). How many political Parties contest elections in Swaziland? (Answer None – there are no elections in Swaziland as it is an absolute monarchy).

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