This event is being jointly hosted by Co-operativesUK, Unions21 and Ruskin College. It aims to provide trade union officials and activists with an opportunity to assess the contemporary relevance of co-operatives during a period of change in the economy, workplace and employment.

 

With delegates and keynote speakers from both movements, this is a rare chance to debate and explore how trade unions and co-operatives can work together.

 

Friday 22 May 2009, 10.00am - 3.00pm

 

Mechanics Institute, Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD

 

Programme

 

10.00                Tea/coffee and registration

 

AM Chair:  Sue Ferns (Chair, Unions21)

 

10.30         Welcome

                        Dame Pauline Green, Chief Executive, Co-operativesUK

 

10.40         Opening comments, seminar programme

                        Sue Ferns

 

10:45                Setting the scene: trade union challenges in a changing economy

Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

 

11.15 Co-operative responses to change: how it can work

        Dame Pauline Green

 

11:30                Co-operatives & health and social care: mutually exclusive?

Health Union representative (TBC) and Mick Taylor, Mutual Advantage

 

12:00        Questions to the speakers

 

12:45        Lunch

 

PM Chair:  Ian Manborde, Thompsons Tutor in Trade Union Studies, Ruskin College, Oxford

 

1.30 How can the co-operative and trade union movements work together? Exploring common ground.

        Wales Co-operative Centre/Wales TUC representative (TBC)

        Neil Buist, General Secretary, NACO

 

2.00 Open debate

 

2.50          Concluding comments

Dame Pauline Green

 

To book your place at this free event please contact Laura Chillag on laura.chillag@cooperatives-uk.coop [1] or 0161 246 2953