GFTU PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTU joins the General Federation of Trade Unions

The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) is proud to announce the affiliation of BOSTU- the union for British Orthoptists, part of British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS). BOSTU becomes the GFTU’s 30th national affiliate.

Founded in 1937, The British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) is the professional body for orthoptists. BIOS members in the UK are also automatically trade union members of the British Orthoptic Society Trade Union (BOSTU).

BIOS is affiliated with the Allied Health Professionals Federation, a group of 12 bodies representing more than 158,000 workers in the UK. BIOS is also a member of the International Orthoptic Association (IOA) and Orthoptistes de la Communauté Européenne (OCE).

Sam Aitkenhead, General Secretary of the BOSTU, welcomed the decision to affiliate:

“We are really looking forward to being part of the GFTU. Through the education of the educational trust and the wider support services, we believe this affiliation will strengthen our organisation and build further unity across the health sector.”

Gawain Little, General Secretary of the GFTU, also welcomed the affiliation:

“It is a real pleasure to welcome BOSTU as the 29th affiliate of GFTU. BOSTU plays a significant role in supporting members and delivering change for orthoptists in both the public and private sectors. BOSTU joins the GFTU’s growing health union section and we cannot wait to develop our relationship further.”

This new affiliation strengthens the GFTU’s growing and diverse membership, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to supporting specialist unions and promoting solidarity across the trade union movement.

Notes for Editors

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The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) was established in 1899 and is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. GFTU is a democratic federation responsive to the needs of its 27 affiliated trade unions, representing over half a million trade union members. It provides high quality online and residential education via our Educational Trust and training centre in Quorn. GFTU is the home of Strike Map, a worker powered and funded map of industrial action in Great Britain and the island of Ireland.

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