Why the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) is not "Sexy" #uNDC14

The "Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership" (TTIP) is a proposed treaty between the European Union and the USA (and there is a separate one being negotiated with Canada).

UNISON London delegate, Lucy McLean, had this speech ready at our annual Conference (NDC) last week warning Conference about the dangers of TTIP and what to do about it, but was knocked off from speaking by a point of order "asking the question be put". 

It is an important speech and a shame it was not heard by conference. People generally just do not realise how awful TTIP could turn out to be... "the horror, the horror".
 

"President, Conference - Lucy McLean, Camden and Islington Health speaking in favour of Composite G.

Conference, I'll admit when I'm out and about talking to members in our NHS workplaces, talk often turns away from the local or national issue at hand, away from our pay challenges, our staffing issues and turns to the "water cooler moment" - RCN members said WHAT? about GP charges this week?! Or can you believe who died in Game of Thrones last night?!

Sadly, the "transatlantic trade and investment partnership” is not the hot topic of the day amongst my fellow workers nor our patients. It's just not... Sexy.

Yet, Conference, if this proposed agreement goes ahead as planned: this could mean that my NHS, your NHS, our public owned NHS could be completely privatised, beyond even, the wildest dreams of the far right extremists in UKIP and the Conservative Party.

Conference, TTIP is a Trojan horse to bring about permanent privatisation of all public services. I quote Professor John Hilary that its intention is “to create new markets by opening up public services to competition from transnational corporations”.

Even worse, if a British government in the future wanted to bring back in house, a fully privatised NHS, it would be in breach of the TTIP agreement and would face massive fines for doing so.

Conference, we have a huge job ahead of us to get our message out to all our members and their families; whether they work in health or not; we are all users of the NHS and we would all suffer if it was to be further privatised.

I will need help Conference from my union to make TTIP the "watercooler" topic of the day in my workplaces. All branches and activists will need information, support and guidance to get this message over.  

Conference, support the action on Saturday July 12th, get the message out to members on TTIP and let's take on this latest challenge to our NHS... and win.

Thank you and please support Composite G.

UNISON NDC14 - International rally and reception (and events)

Next week is the UNISON National Delegate Conference. The international relations sent out the following information for delegates.

"If you are going to NDC next week you may be interested in some of the international activities that have been planned. We will have visitors from Swaziland and Colombia as well as the general secretaries of PSI and EPSU.

TTIP

One of the big debates at conference will be on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a proposed free trade agreement between the EU and US, that could be disasterous for public service and for UNISON members if the agreement goes through. 

Part of the reason for this is that TTIP wants services to be opened up to competition, wants ‘harmonised’ regulations (which means getting rid of a lot of hard-won rights we enjoy in Europe) and wants an Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) incorporated into the agreement which gives corporations to right to sue goverments if their ‘interests’ are threatened. 

This has already happened in Ecudor, and in Australia where tobacco giant, Philip Morris, are suing the government because plain cigarette packaging means they will sell less cigarattes which in turn harms their ‘interests’ (ie profits). If you want to know more watch this very short video http://youtu.be/f8F0UmbcSwg or listen to this interview  http://tinyurl.com/mah7vm5

FYI War on Want are planning a national tour and day of action on TTIP – check to see if there is one near you. http://tinyurl.com/pjceyzp  

Rally and Reception

This year the rally and reception will take place on the same evening. The rally will start at 7pm on Monday evening in syndicate 3, followed by the reception at 8.30. Delegates will have an opportunity to hear about developments in Swaziland and Colombia as well as hearing about European-wide issues, all of which impact on us here. Dave Prentis will also address the rally. The guests and NEC international committee will attend the reception directly afterwards to chat to delegates.

Fringes

On Tuesday lunchtime there is a fringe on TTIP. Speakers include the general secretary of EPSU and Polly Jones who is now head of policy and campaigns at the World Development Movement..

There are also fringes on Cuba/Venezuela, Palestine (NEC member Helen Jenner will be speaking about her visit to Palestine) and Colombia over the course of the week.

Conference business

Before the international debate starts on Thursday morning, there will be a photo stunt (P&C for now)

Rosa Pavanelli, the general secretary of PSI, will address conference on Thursday morning as the international speaker.

There are also a number of international motions on the agenda including, TTIP, Colombia, Palestine and Bhopal.

With best wishes