E-Mix at Annual Conference

Every year, E-Mix can send one delegate to the TSSA Annual Conference, but we were so pleased to have many E-Mix members attend as part of their branch delegations, Future TSSA and the Executive Committee.

Please see the report from two of our members, Vipul & Manjit.

Conference opened on the Friday at 3pm, albeit slightly delayed, with an opening speech from our General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, and President, Melissa Heywood. Housekeeping and the rules were covered with a few motions passed. A few adjournments as well. A Belfast city tour was arranged for us afterwards and we all went in an open top bus, with a guide whose commentary was excellent. Rain was the only dampener.

Friday evening was the highlight of the conference. E-Mix hosted a Palestine event along with many other local organisations including Jews for Palestine, Christians for Palestine, Mothers Against Genocide and the Palestinian community. There were speeches from three different people, including a nurse who had first-hand experience of Gaza. The other two were involved in the Palestine movement. Unfortunately we heard that the lady who spoke from Jews for Palestine was arrested the next day whilst campaigning. We heard a moving poem from a young girl followed by a Q&A with the panel. The night concluded with fantastic Dabke dancing, which we were all encouraged to join in with. A very enjoyable end to the night.  

Saturday’s started on-time however there a lot of issues with the Standing Orders Committee updating motions and adjournments. I spoke about our E-Mix motion, supported by the Lancs & Cumbrian delegate online, as well as an EC member who last minute decided he wanted to deliver a speech. Out motion was passed with full agreement. General Secretary, Maryam, personally came to me and said that I gave an excellent speech.

The rest of the day passed with a few stoppages and conference finished at 5:30. We were behind on hearing motions, but the request to extend the time was rejected as the hall was being prepared for the dinner.

During dinner, we had a very good speech from Mr Roger Mackenzie. Roger has a long history of activity within the labour and trade union movement and is well known internationally as a leading anti-racist campaigner and trade union organiser. He spoke about racism and how to tackle it, his life, growing up in the Black Country living in Walsall and the abuse/ racism he and his family were subjected to while growing up. He is a tutor on the Roots of Racism course being run by the GFTU and it's highly recommended. These courses are free for our members to attend and details can be found here.

We were able to start earlier on Sunday to make up for lost time but were still some issues with SOG updating motions. Mary our treasurer, also an E-Mix member, made her speech with Q&A and got a standing ovation. We had a brilliant talk from Professor John Barry, from Queens University Belfast. He spoke about the disease of racism, hatred and the growing threat of the far right infecting our beautiful communities, as well as other aspects of politics and its roles regarding migration.

Next, the conference was divided into groups with one new member and one EC member to contribute to the strategic plan of the union and feedback.  The conference ended at 1pm without finishing the motions, emergency motions and appeals. No result or information on election was declared. It was decided an online one-day conference is to be arranged to conclude outstanding business.

Conference presented a great opportunity for E-Mix. We managed to get more people to join and let them know about our aims and objectives. Our E-Mix Palestine fringe event, on Friday evening, was the highlight of the conference and a huge first for the TSSA. The Dabke dance was powerful - a huge thanks to Tina, Michelle and all who made this happen. We had speeches from three different people. One from nurse who had first-hand experience in Gaza. Other two were involved in the Palestine movement. One lady, from Jewish voices for Palestine, was arrested the following day while protesting in the town. We had poem from young girl and then Q&A with the panel.

Finally, there is a lot for new delegates to take in, but I am inspired by their enthusiasm. energy and solidarity. As you are aware, TSSA is going through a transitional process and I have huge respects for the incredible work being done by Maryam ,Melissa, Mary and Maria . Well done to all and let's spread the message of love, respect and humanity 🙏