Celtic’s Annual General Meeting, held at Celtic Park today, was a livelier event than usual. The board received a hostile response to their refusal to back a resolution to provide all staff with at least the Living Wage. Several impassioned points were made from the floor, which convinced chairman, Ian Bankier, to dispense with his prepared response and provide answers to specific questions.
The vote went against the resolution based on the proxy votes cast by the chairman but the board have never lost the floor so convincingly on any prior issue.
Resolution 12, encouraging the club to purse the game’s authorities on matters relating to the governance of liquidated Rangers was adjourned indefinitely by the requisitioners. On proposing the adjournment, a spokesman for the requisitioners (our own Morrissey23) explained that they had met the club and received information not previously known, and that further meetings were planned.
Fergus McCann made an unexpected contribution to the AGM by email through the chairman, extoling the virtues of financial director, Eric Riley, who he commended for 19 years’ service in pursuing Celtic’s interests. Fergus asked for, and got, an applause for Eric Riley, which resulted in the first unanimous show of hands to re-elect a director I have seen at a Celtic AGM.
AGM questions can be a tortuous affair but they were on the money this year. We had poetry, questions about financial governance including a question as to whether the club owns all of it’s perceived property assets. Ian Bankier confirmed it did, before planting his tongue in his cheek to insist “I’m not going to show you the deeds”.
When one shareholder expressed frustration that a new Scottish club is pretending to be a now liquidated club, chief executive, Peter Lawwell, retorted, “Rory Bremner can pretend to be Tony Blair”.
Many thanks for the many CQN Annual orders, which are now shipping. You can order here:
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Malone Bhoy in support of Wee Oscar
Lucky you. I do believe a guy “manning” a hot dog stall should receive the living wage.
HT,
No sure, think its got something to do with continued consultation on the licensing issue and the responses from the SFA, if anyone has any further info or if new info comes to light then a few will be kept in the loop but probably no be allowed to say anything, thats my reading of it and hence my reluctance.
“On proposing the adjournment, a spokesman for the requisitioners (our own Morrissey23) explained that they had met the club and received information not previously known, and that further meetings were planned.”
Will this information be put into the public domain, or will it remain hidden?
Is there an agreed timeline in which the meetings can take place. Will there be published minutes?
Is there an agreed timeline for the previously unknown information to come into the public
These are interesting times, a touch frustrating(I am a master of understatement), but interesting.
Feel like a song.
TherearemorequestionsthananswersCSC
Thanks to all , who kept us informed from the AGM, could
not make it as I was nightshift last night.
Having put my proxy behind the guys and Res 12,
I think that what has happened today re this issue, gives
me some hope that we might just be able to get some
clarity and maybe even justice.
On the living wage res , I am really gutted, feel as if another
little bit of what Celtic are about has been lost, I won’t name
names but some of our present custodians are not a good
fit for our special club.
HH
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
14:59 on 15 November, 2013
Lawell makes a joke about the Huns so all of a sudden the world’s a great place.
Meanwhile, we have employees who aren’t paid enough of a wage to actually go and watch the team on the park.
Disgusting.
—
Spot on .. Alot of soul searching for all us.
Hopefully this and what the fans went thru in holland rallies us all together to fight this until the end. Not sure if it will thou.
Lawell’s joke about the Orcs is about a year old now.
Was funny in pubs then, but not as funny coming from a CEO in a meeting where proper questions were being deflected more than any of Frank Lampard’s 10 shots ‘on target’ per game.
AllaboutcontextCSC
Quick update on the CQN Annual –
CQN Annuals in the post today to Celtic supporters in the following locations:
Condorrat
Perth
East Kilbride
Stewarton
Doune
Edinburgh
Pollokshaws
Lurgan
Kirkintilloch
Aboyne
Newry
Kibworth Harcourt
Doncaster
Gretna
Blantyre
Dessborough
Erskine
Blantyre
Livingston
Ardfert Co Kerry
Halls Head Western Australia
Glasgow area x00s
You can order your copy of the CQN Annual from CQN, just below Paul’s Blog.
Both Timland and Calton Books at the Barrowlands have special offers – buy the 2014 CQN Annual and get last year’s Annual for FREE!
You will be able to buy the CQN Annual from all Celtic stores and from the likes of WH Smith from next week. Watersones will also be selling the Annual this year.
At 228 pages it is a glorious read – 100% about CELTIC.
The latest edition of CQN Magazine is available to read at http://www.CQNMagazine.com
We have been paying over odds for players for years, time to pass that down line and pay higher wages than necessary to all the club employees, regardless of ability, market value etc
Hugh Bonkle fae Dallas
15:02 on 15 November, 2013
Bit harsh.
The reality is that if it went to a vote the result was inevitable.
At least this seems to keep the issue alive.
I think all those involved in bringing the motion are to be congratulated.
Big bones……
…time to come clean!
Are you a bookie or do you receive commission from them?
Saw sense this time………
james forrest is praying for the unconquerable oscar knox
14:47 on 15 November, 2013
————————————–
Marvelous post.
Hi Paul67,
Good to hear something from Fergus.
Is next year the 20th Anniversary of his timely Appariration
Next year could be a good time to commemorate in some way, most Celtic supporters didn’t appreciate what he did – I certainly didn’t.
Glad the Board were put on the back foot regarding a living wage, maybe they’ll thonk again.
For all the ghuys who worked hard and supported resolution 12 – well done for taking it so far and highlighting this issue – but it should remind us that we need to pick our battles.
Thanks to the ghuys for the updates.
Good luck to big Fraser tonight.
And good luck to Gordon and the Boys.
Hail Hail
How can paying the living wage to our catering staff make us uncompetitive?
Is there a cheaper alternative I don’t know about when I’m at Celtic Park?
Cheesed off at a’ you cliques keeping the info from me.
And a
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VIRGIE!!!!
Twenty one again,twenty one again…..
Auldheid
In respect of the Rangers license issue , expressed bluntly Rangers “lied / were economical with the truth in extremis” , the SFA were either happy to go along with the “lie” in a sort of self certification, paper-pushing sort of process or indeed they mal-administered the process.
If the Celtic Board have evidence that the SFA were duped , sorry lied to, by Rangers officials then surely the Rangers officials should be up on several charges and the current club heavily fined , as the SFA in some cases still see them as the same club, or indeed the SFA are forced to state there hands are tied, sorry it’s a different club.
If the Celtic Board (via Charlotte Fakes materials and other evidence) claim that SFA officials colluded with Rangers then SFA heads should roll , what do we want out of this bargaining position?
Seems to me that sacking a few Sandy’s and Forbes’ will simply see them replaced by like-minded individuals and sit back for more of the same old, same old.
If you take the view that the SFA are simply unable to be reformed, sorry changed, then you are led down the path of the SPFL assuming more of their responsibilities and using the SFA as some sort of appeal body.
Perhaps, there is bigger fish to fry with the SPFL being the first port of call for organising and managing all aspects of the professional game , including membership, licenses, referees …..
…. I suspect that I maybe making too many logical leaps from just another example of bungling incompetence but you never know a lot of clubs and fans are very unhappy, Longmuir trousering £100k in secret bonuses just seemed to represent the worst of the old boy network back scratching (-and who is to say where that money all ended-up, Airdrie?) ,
Perhaps the SPFL can takeover many SFA activities (act as subcontractors) and the Sandy’ s and Cuthbert’s can go through a formal interview process for their new jobs…. In a slim-downed professional outfit.
Backtoworkcfc
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
14:59 on
15 November, 2013
Meanwhile, we have employees who aren’t paid enough of a wage to actually go and watch the team on the park.
Disgusting.
===================================================
The cognitive dissonance is deafening.
Like the continued calls for charitable efforts – laudable perhaps, but in the case of Celtic PLC and honouring our founders it is a disgrace to ask for charity from fans while paying people a wage that will see some of them approaching the likes of SVdP or Foodbanks to see them through the winter.
If this had been a Union AGM and a similar motion was defeated it would feel like a defeat to me as a Trade Unionist. In fact, scrub the analogy, this is a defeat for those concerned with helping the poor, whether they be working poor or the poor in Thailand or elsewhere.
Charity is fine but it is much more important for people to work toward a time, place and system where charity is not necessary. Celtic missed a trick today. I feel a bit sick about it. In fact I am going to write to Mr Lawwell on the subject. Not much I know, but this Celtic Supporter does not accept Celtic paying poor wages to the people who work for my club.
I don’t have a SB nor am I a share holder but I have spent about £200 on matchday tickets this season so far, I will have spent nearly the same again on merchandise through the club shops in Glasgow and Belfast by the time Christmas is over.
I am
Just a wee bit off topic but it is International week.
I have often cited the facilities argument as one of the reasons that Youth Football in Scotland suffers. There was a wee snippet in the Herald article about Iceland’s so-called “Golden Generation” theory that confirmed for me that there are straightforward ways to improve our abilities.
it read:-
“The reasons for our success can basically be explained by two things – one is the quality of facilities and the other the high level of coach education,” said Omar Smarason, the Icelandic FA media officer. “In the past 10 years or so, more than 100 mini pitches have been built, located near schools all around the country, enabling children of all ages to play football whenever they want on a good surface. There are close to 30 full-size outdoors artificial pitches and close to 10 halls with full-size pitches, in addition to several smaller halls with training pitches, most half-pitch size. This makes it possible for us to train and compete in top conditions all year round.”
Whenever I am on a train in Holland or Germany, i am amazed at the number of well kept pitches and small stadia in villages and towns compared to the uncut grass or blaize surfaces we have that are then littered with dog mess and broken glass.
Ernie, will we ever find out what the “mysterious” new information was? I seriously doubt it.
I don’t know but I think Canamalar is disappointed with the outcome. When he started this process I don’t think he imagined this would be the result.
If and it’s a big if the board can show that the new information strengthens Celtic’s position then I’ll retract. If we’ve just rolled over to the SFA?
On resolution 12–if it’s good enough for Auldheid, Canamalar, and Morrissey, then it’s good enough for me.
iPaddy McCourt Supports Wee Oscar
14:50 on
15 November, 2013
If you ever get a chance to peruse threads about the Referendum on their sites you’ll see that they fear it because it’ll put ‘even more’ Catholics in positions of power.
The it’ll not be safe for Catholics/ they’ll be too many Catholics in positions of power arguments are being used so widely that I’m starting to think some of them are being placed by ‘No’ agitators. Although I’m not suggesting you are one.
ROW Z – Let Celtic Flourish By The Cleansing Of The ‘Den!
Can’t for the life of me understand why (if I’ve got the above right) it needs to be such a secret?
Its not. It just takes time to get an accurate reply together and at least two of the guys involved will still be around CP and they were closer to events.
I am just trying to reassure folk and hesitate , indeed will not, put words in their mouth.
===============================
Auldheid – thanks, that’s starting to look like the opening lines of an explanation. So, prior to the meeting the Board agreed to go back (allegedly they had already asked) to the SFA and seek further answers.
There is no allegedly, Celtic had asked questions of SFA before the resolution was a twinkle in Canalamar’s eye and got an answer which still is true in terms of granting the licence at 31st March. It was properly granted at that point.
========================
The SFA responded, but their responses were regarded by both the Board and the carriers of Res 12 to be inadequate.
Almost: As a result of looking into the background to the resolution and questions raised about the first monitoring point at 30th June, Celtic asked the SFA if there was case to answer. The SFA stuck to their 31st March granting stance but their stance on monitoring as I understand it, not having seen the actual words, was that this was UEFA’s province and UEFA were happy with what was submitted by Rangers which is confidential and cannot be passed on. Also that having granted a licence it would not be withdrawn, but any skulduggery would have gone against Rangers entry in 2012 had they not died.
It is what Rangers submitted at 30 June and how SFA checked it that is the eyebrow raiser based on the panic Regan’s suggested draft in Dec 2011 caused at Ibrox.
======================
Both the Board and the carriers of Res 12 have agreed to question further.
I am not sure if that is exactly the case. I would put it like this although there might be nuances. The Board are open to further points being made and Celtic are ready to look at them and advise on validity and put forward if valid.
======================
The carriers of res 12 are going to offer all the shareholders supporting res 12 (and therefore enabling it to come forward) a more detailed communication by e-mail.
I think that is the way this should be handled for lots of reasons but I have not had a chance to discuss.
…Get “Brandy Syphon” scourge ‘o’ the detail oan the case…………….
I don’t think that we appreciate how lucky we really are.
Peter Lawwell is doing a grand job in my opinion.
The club is in safe hands.
Robert tressell
On the living wage. Very we’ll written and deserves a positive response
As Charlie Rich said
‘No one knows what goes on behind closed doors..’
Have to disagree with your view of Q&A session. From would be stand up comedian to the totally bizarre. I understand Arsenal now adopt system whereby questions are submitted in advance. I appreciate the obvious flaws in such a system but it must be better than the embarrassment I witnessed today.
Jeanette Findlay was an absolute star. A well presented, passionate performance.
First off, thanks for the kind thoughts and genuine concerns re our well-being from the many CQN contributors…….. BTW, everything is ok. Again, thanks.
More than a club! Aye, insofar as it includes most of you good people on here and elsewhere…….
We cannot even pass a resolution entitling club employees to a (realistic) living wage…….
Embarassing beyond belief. Please spare us the guff about tax credits, allowances, blah blah. Dignity is not the preserve of the manky mob.
Never have I been ashamed to be a Celtic supporter, and that includes defending, fighting, arguing against all of the MSM propaganda attacks because in the main, we always knew there is/was an agenda but today’s lack of positive action in relation to showing the world that we are better than that in how we treat our people sickens me to the core……..
We have let slip a great opportunity to show what ‘CELTIC’ means………..
Ashamed!
It’s not only about the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Canamalar, thanks, that response to HT answered most of my questions.
The result today is obviously better than the resolution being voted down, at least it is still alive.
However, “a few being kept in the loop” makes me uneasy, we are being asked to take this on trust, and lacks transparency. Is a lack of transparency not exactly what we are trying to rid the governance of the game off.
Celtic should be paying all employees a living wage, there can surely be no argument about that, surely.
CULTSBHOY
Coupla chancers on trial right now for trying to find out!
THE BARCA MOLE
Firstly,tremendous to know that you and yours are well.
Secondly,well said.
WishidsaidthatCSC
“And lacks transparency” should have read “it lacks transparency.”
EKBhoy
15:13 on 15 November, 2013
Auldheid
In respect of the Rangers license issue , expressed bluntly Rangers “lied / were economical with the truth in extremis” , the SFA were either happy to go along with the “lie” in a sort of self certification, paper-pushing sort of process or indeed they mal-administered the process.
=======================================
That is the reading of it based on CF material but the fact is that at 31st March the wee tax bill had not been on the table to become overdue. It did not arrive until 22 May.
However the impression is that by 30th June HMRC thought it overdue and initiated recovery proceedings. It is around the treatment at this point that full disclosure is required. What suggests that that Rangers were economical with the truth is the tone and content of CF material.
It is crucial that to get answers to put the matter to rest that the CF stuff is read and understood and questions asked based on what it contains.
On your wider point about where this is going I hope for a situation where the SFA offer services to the clubs rather than dictate to them and with more to come on the SFA, who can tell where this will go?
I’m also disgusted at the living wage being voted down, leftclicktic …… This is not acceptable and needs to be rescinded before I renew my SB next season, or I will have a decision to make …………WE ARE MORE THAN A CLUB…….and if we do the right thing, other Clubs may follow this example……
THIS IS NOT OUR ETHOS…………GET IT SORTED, CELTIC, URGENTLY…..!!!!!!!!
Haven’t read back yet but, on Resolution 12, I don’t understand the ‘barrier’ to our Board asking the SFA to re-address this license decision on behalf of the Celtic Support…!!?? ….. It may, however, be linked to what I have been saying all along……NEVER DISTURB THE ENEMY WHEN THEY ARE DESTROYING THEMSELVES…..and, like other Boards, they are concentrating on moving our Club forward (and doing a great / commendable job ‘to boot’) ………. If needed at any stage, we have the evidence, and we had better use it, if we are to believe that ” We don’t need sevco ” …….
Bobby Murdoch
Continuing my Country and Western theme:
‘You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done’
‘
Barcamole..
Well said that man.
Jeanette Findlay gave the most impassioned speech I have ever heard from the floor, at any AGM today, extolling the virtues of the living wage.
Not only did she highlight the moral benefits, but also the business case too for our club.
She didn’t win the fight today, but such was the support from the floor, that this issue will not be swept aside. If we all have to stump up a fiver per season to achieve this then count me in.
Around 180 people at the club are affected by this, we were told. For many, it is not their primary job. So what ? I wonder if our board members, who have directorships with other companies take that into account when discussing their remunerations, somehow I doubt it.
And finally to Big Billy .. Have a great evening Sir, you deserve it.
HH
glasgowdave
15:38 on 15 November, 2013
SPOT ON….!!!!!!!
Raymac
15:17 on
15 November, 2013
On resolution 12–if it’s good enough for Auldheid, Canamalar, and Morrissey, then it’s good enough for me.
Amen to that, well said sir.
Re The Living Wage, if any full time employee was not on the living wage then I would certainly be up in arms but as said previously if we are talking about lads coming in for a few hours on match days basically earning a bit of beer money and they are on minimum wage rather then Living wage then I wouldn’t be too excited about it.