Branch Committee Minutes
Wednesday 16th December 2009
Present:
Peter Crews, Kevin Jouvenat, David Smith, Helena Watson, Anita Lewis, Graham Evans, Terry Evans, Mike Williams, Angela Pring, Ceri Mogridge, Gail Jones
1. Apologies
Belinda Jeffries, Kate Jeffries, Paul Rowlands, Andrew Conn, Graham Emery, Dean Price, Dilys Jouvenat, Glenn Jones, Jeff Thomas, Ron Eveleigh
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes were accepted for accuracy.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 PC reported that Kate Jeffries had been taken into hospital, her operation to take place on Friday. It was decided that flowers would be sent upon her return home. HW to organise.
5.8 Welfare Officer Training - Gail Jones interested in attending. App form to be completed and forwarded to admin for submission.
4.7 AGM
Still awaiting confirmation of booking at Rugby Club.
Proposed buffet to commence at 5.30-6pm followed by AGM and finished with a social event/ quiz etc.
4. Branch Secretary’s Report
4.1 Calendar of meetings/events for 2010
(Copies of forthcoming meeting dates for 2010 were handed out to those present)
4.2 Welfare Officer Training
RE previously expressed an interest in completing the training. PC had received confirmation from London that RE is eligible to attend the training but will not be eligible to carry out welfare work.
4.3 RCT Disciplinary Procedures
PC had received a copy of HR amendments to Disciplinary procedures. Copies to be sent out for comments.
4.4 Children’s Services Restructures
Staff had not been happy with the handling of Restructures of Assessment Care Management teams by Directors. PC arranged a meeting with the Service director who is to reconsider the proposed restructures as a result.
4.5 Integrated Social & family Teams – RCT and Merthyr had been chosen as pilots for the scheme. PC attended a meeting with the service director last week and requested that adverts due to go out in early Jan be postponed as they included some jobs that were not familiar.
4.6 Social Worker Grades- The authority is to pay compensation to all social workers whose job grades did not go through the bar (up to scp 40). No formal criteria had been set for this to be achieved over scp 38. All those affected will be written to with an offer letter.
4.7 UNISON Discount Scheme
Previous discussions had taken place regarding the branch purchasing the discount card for members. Committee discussed the possibility of purchasing the minimum quantity of cards to be distributed to members attending the AGM.
4.8 Hutchings Vauxhall Car Discount for members. PC had met with David Dodds of Hutchings and discussed the possibility of offering discounts to members on new and used cars and also MOT’s and services etc.
4.8.1 Hutchings Blue Card scheme was also discussed which offers members discounts in High St shops etc. PC and KJ to arrange a meeting with DD to discuss this option further. DD had offered to speak with committee on products and services available.
4.8.2 Committee discussed other discount cards and schemes available to offer to members. It was decided that KJ will look into the Total Garages Card which offers discounts at major petrol stations BP, Shell.
4.8.3 It was also suggested to invite Hutchings Vauxhall to AGM, along with UIA, Frizzel etc. to promote discounted services for members.
4.9 Project Group – Activist Recruitment
It was decided that Bi-monthly convenor meetings would be held during lunch hours rather than after work in an attempt to increase attendance. Lunch to be provided by the branch.
5. Branch Officer Reports
5.1 GE had attended the first TUC H&S Seminar in Cardiff. Main topic of discussion was mental health in the workplace. Info available at Branch Office.
5.2 Fast Team – PC had attended a meeting with contact team for Rhondda kids, no risk assessment had been carried out which was a major cause for concern. PC to liaise with Fast Team and GE to set up a meeting ASAP in the New Year.
5.3 Ceri Mogridge reported on the Disabled members Conference she attended in Blackpool. Full written report available at the branch
5.3.1 CM to liaise with PC and Lynne Hackett to arrange a Disabled members SOG.
6. Branch Convenor Reports
No Reports
7. Branch Project Report
7.1 The first combined group meeting took place yesterday. Most targets set for the group had been achieved.
7.1.2 DP had recruited 26 workplace contacts and 20 new members following his school visits campaign.
7.1.3 KJ had taken lead role in activist’s recruitment group, HW to take over.
7.2 Meetings had been set for last Tuesday of every month.
8. Membership and Recruitment Reports
9. Any Other Business
9.1 A discussion took place regarding Arriva Trains signal workers going on strike and the H&S implications of the work being carried out by agency workers with limited training.
A decision was made for PC to write a letter of support to RMT Union.
9.2 MW questioned committee if a decision had been made regarding the branch supporting the Caroline Bedale motion and the possibility of the branch writing a letter to Dave Prentis.
9.2.1 After a lengthy discussion it was decided that as the case was still in the appeal process the branch would not support the motion at that time.
9.3 AL informed committee that 27 members of MOW’s staff would be working for 4 hours on Boxing Day as they were given the option to work or take unpaid leave. Committee discussed on-going annual issues regarding closure days for public services at Christmas and how the authority should improve their advance planning for such times.
9.4 PC informed committee that HW would be seconded to the branch on a full time basis bringing extra support to the branch office.
9.4.1The move had been agreed with the authority as pensions section had been transferred to Capita due to current restructures.
UNISON office
31 - 33 Morgan Street
Park View
Pontypridd
CF37 2DS
Tel: 01443 400401
Fax: 01443 400288
e-mail rctunison@btconnect.com