LTB 318/15 - The Co-Op

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LTB 318/15 - The Co-Op

No. 318/15
Ref: TK/DW/la
8th May 2015

To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues

THE CO-OP


We have been contacted by Karin Christiansen, General Secretary of the Cooperative Party in relation to changes being proposed by the Co-op Group regarding the Co-op position on political funding. They are asking for eligible members to vote yes to all sections of motions 9 and 10 on political funding.

As Karin has highlighted, we in the union movement have long had a partner in the Co-op, through the Co-operative Party. From votes for women to credit unions and employee ownership, for 98 years we have worked together to create a fairer society where profits and power are more equally shared.

The Co-op Group is trying to break that historic link. The new bosses (which include ex-Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton) do not seem to understand that the Co-op is not just an ordinary supermarket, that the co-op movement needs a strong voice in Parliament, and that turning its back on politics would be a historic mistake.

That is why the Co-operative party is asking that anyone who is eligible to vote should vote yes in Co-op ballot motions 9 and 10.

They are asking us to do whatever we can to make contact with anyone who may be eligible to vote in the Co-operative’s AGM. They are asking us to urge such members to VOTE YES TO ALL SECTIONS OF MOTIONS 9 AND 10. These motions refer to political funding. If people vote no, the Co-op Party – and almost 100 years of historical links to co-operatives, working people and trade unions – are under threat.
We are asking Branches to do whatever they can to publicise this issue, we acknowledge that deadlines are extremely tight but we were only contacted by the Co-operative party today on this matter.

The message we are trying to get across to eligible members is if you’ve recently received a voting pack from the Co-op by post or email, vote YES to all parts of Motions 9 and 10 – click on the link below to learn more about how to vote.http://www.keepit.coop/how_to_vote/?rec ... d=30263%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Whether you are eligible to vote or not, please lend your support by signing up at: http://www.keepit.coop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

If you are eligible to vote and have received a voting pack yourself, please vote YES to all parts of Motions 9 and 10 (using sections B and D). Online voting closes at midday on 13th May.

If you’re on Twitter please join the twitter thunderclap for Monday 11th May:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/257 ... -operative" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you’re on social media, pleasefollow @letskeepitcoop and like facebook/keepitcoop.

Any assistance Branches can give would be greatly appreciated.

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.


Yours sincerely
Tony Kearns
Dave Ward
Senior Deputy General Secretary

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)