Branch Committee Minutes
Tuesday 27th October 2009
Present:
Peter Crews, Kevin Jouvenat, David Smith, Helena Watson, Anita Lewis, Graham Evans, Gail Jones, Dean Price, Ron Eveleigh, Angela Pring, Glenn Jones, Terry Evans, Mike Williams
1. Apologies
Dilys Jouvenat, Belinda Jeffries, Kate Jeffries, Paul Rowlands, Andrew Conn, Graham Emery, Ceri Mogridge, Alex Clark
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes were accepted for accuracy.
Graham Evans was present at last meeting which was not stated.
4.1.3 Committee decided on the inclusion of article on Billy Liddon in Christmas Branchline.
3. Matters Arising
9.2 Unite against Fascism- Anti Fascism Demo Newport
TE and MW attended demo in Newport and Swansea the week before where fascist groups were in attendance.
Committee discussed recent events surrounding the BNP and the appearance of Nick Griffin on Question time which resulted in approx 30 protesters turning up at BBC Studios in Cardiff, and the importance of anti fascist groups within Unison.
9.2.1 PC explained that an agreement had been made via Regional Council to form anti fascist support groups. It was decided that PC will write to Paul O’Shea and PDC on behalf of RCT branch for info and updates.
6.8 Diaries 2010
It was decided that Diaries and Calendars be distributed from next week via officers and stewards. Limited amount of 1000 ordered and will be distributed on a first come first served basis. Calendars to be distributed amongst office workers and school contacts.
4.5 Pensions
HW informed committee that Dave Williams had agreed to attend Branch to discuss pension issues, pending permission from Philip Green (pensions Manager). Date to be confirmed.
4.7 Regional Policy/ Regional Council
PC reported on motions discussed. Anti BNP Movement – motion agreed
4.7.3 Motion to Regional Council from Blaenau Gwent re Regional Expenses Allowances 40p decided.
4.8.2 National Joint Home/social Care Conference 24-25 Feb 2010, Manchester
PC to attend Social Care meeting next week in London. He will request more places for delegates to attend and will report back to committee with decision.
5.3.1 Green Dragon Meeting 17/09/09
GJ to email copy of the minutes of the meeting to office admin.
5.4 Computer classes.
AL informed committee that the classes will go ahead, dates and times to be confirmed. Encouraged officers to inform members of the event.
9.0 Corporate Welcome Event
PC attended the event. There were fewer attendees than previous events due to reduction in recruitment by employer. PC stressed the importance of UNISON officers to make effort to attend such events in future.
4. Branch Secretary’s Report
4.1 Customer Services/Customer Care – Review of Environmental Support Unit.
4.1.2 Management Changes under full review. DS to study documents received from Colin Scammel
4.2 Polo Shirts
It was agreed that the branch will purchase polo shirts with UNISON logo for all committee members and lead officers to wear when attending UNISON events. Admin to obtain quotes for shirts
4.3 BASW
GJ had brought to PC’s attention concerns that BASW had contacted authority to offer services to social care workers.
4.3.1 PC wrote to Tony Wilkins RCT requesting that he does not recognise this organisation until a joint trade union meeting takes place as BASW not a Trade Union but a professional JCC Association.
4.4 The Wave – Stop Climate Chaos Coalition Demo, London and Glasgow 5/12/09
4.4.1 Committee agreed to send delegation from branch to attend UKs largest ever demo in support of action on climate change. Email to be sent out to notify members of the event
4.4.2 It was agreed to hire coach to London for anyone wishing to participate. Admin to obtain quotes for transport.
4.5 Branch Welfare Officer Training
PC notified committee of a formal accredited training course taking place in Bristol in March 2010.
4.5.1 Gail is the only trained welfare office at present and welfare cases have surged recently.
Anyone interested to liaise with Gail and admin.
4.6 NJC Pay 2010/2011
Decision had been made of a flat rate of £500 (or 2.5%) pay rise.
4.6.1 PC informed Committee that general opinion on the decision was negative. (info available at branch office)
4.7 Cymru /Wales Committee Elections
PC informed committee of vacancies available
No nominations were put forward.
4.8 Courses and Conferences
4.8.1 APSE Performance Management Local Authority Services, 3-4 Dec 09 Blackpool
DS expressed an interest to attend
4.8.2 Institute of Employment Rights- Single Equalities Bill Conference, London Dec 09
PC, AL, GJ to attend. HW – possibly
4.8.3 TUC Institute of Employment Rights – A free Conference ECJ European Rulings. London 28 Nov 09
It was agreed for 2 persons to attend
4.8.4 Institute of Employment Rights TUPE Regulations Conference (Improving and Understanding) Feb 2010 Liverpool
Anyone interested in attending to inform admin.
4.8.5 Wales TUC Equalities Conference, Public Sector Duties Wales Swansea 3/11/09
Anyone interested to inform admin
4.9 PC had received a thank you card from Stephanie Davies of Cardiff Mardi Gras LGBT SOG in recognition of the donation made by the branch.
4.10 Conference Issues
As previously agreed at branch committee a special meeting dedicated to conference issues was to be held on 09/12/09. PC proposed that the meeting be postponed until after Christmas. Committee agreed.
4.11 Amended Annual Leave Policy
Committee discussed issues surrounding new proposals by authority that A/L should be taken instead of sick leave for certain medical procedures such as laser eye treatment, breast enlargement/reduction, cosmetic surgery etc unless medically recommended.
PC to call a meeting upon receipt of draft docs for this policy.
4.12 Branch Office Secondment
PC discussed third secondment to branch office had been granted to DP on a 6 month review with the possibility of an alternative officer taking up the secondment after this period as previously decided by branch committee.
PC proposed that DP remain seconded to the branch as the authority is reluctant to swap secondments and also the because of the volume of education related issues received at the branch.
It was agreed that DP remain seconded to the branch for a further 6 months (or at least until AGM 2010)
5. Branch Officer Reports
5.1 Health & Safety
GE informed committee of a Zero Tolerance Policy he has submitted to RCT to combat violence at work. The authority had been contacted in an attempt to get the policy up and running via contact amongst staff through posters, emails, info included with monthly payslips etc. Business sized cards had been printed for distribution via officers and stewards.
5.2 No Smoking Policy
PC informed committee that a draft policy was to be expected giving clear indications that the policy had been reinforced and taken a stage further.
Meeting to be called upon receipt of the documents to scrutinise this policy.
5.2.1 Committee discussed that authority should recognise that employees working within home care etc should be protected from entering the homes of clients who smoke.
5.3 Women’s Officer
AL provided feedback on the Breakthrough Breast Cancer, ‘Westminster Fly-in’ event she attended in London. Full written report available at branch office.
5.4 Finance Officer
KJ produced detailed financial summary for the branch. (Copies were handed to committee) KJ discussed budget forecast and spending for the branch and encouraged those groups with un-touched budgets to spend.
5.5 International Officer
MW explained that the £50 donation to the Bolivia Solidarity Campaign had been rejected. MW to look into affiliating to an alternative Bolivia support group.
5.5.1 MW informed committee of the ‘Spurn the Dust’ campaign. A series of short films showing at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff in support of Justice for Columbia. 1-29th November. Info available on website.
5.6 Retired Members Officer
RE reported on the retired members conference in Scarborough that he attended in October. Topics of discussion were elder abuse and assisted suicide. A report had been emailed to the branch but incorrect format meant it could not be printed off. Report to be distributed at next meeting.
5.6.1 RE proposed to hold a meeting for Retired Members in November. Committee agreed, RE to arrange mail shot to go out to retired members.
5.7 Environmental Officer
GJ reported on the seminar he attended in Stoke last week.
5.7.1 GJ had contacted the Head of Welsh Council Strategy. He had put him in contact with PC to address Regional Secretary.
5.8 Welfare Officer
PC concerned over welfare cases where confidentiality clauses prevent certain details being revealed with regards to funding etc.
5.8.1 Gail Jones discussed welfare issues and explained that they deal specifically with debt problems and not counselling and therefore must remain confidential. Gail to produce brief reports on welfare issues.
5.8.2 It was agreed that an article on Welfare help will be included in Branchline and also an ad for Octopus lottery which helps fund Unison Welfare.
5.8.3 Gail informed officers of UNISON pre-pay card. Some members had confused it with a ‘credit-card.’
6. Branch Convenor Reports
No reports
7. Branch Project Report
7.1 Communications Group – Draft Protocol Produced. Points considered were:
7.1.2 Dealing with the press. Issue to be discussed for future meetings.
7.1.3 Communications Officer – Ad out for a new communications officer. MW currently running the website.
7.1.4 Newsletters – TE to compile
7.1.5 Emails- TE suggested all emails should be distributed from the branch directly, at least one per week, with urgent issues going out as and when needed. DS to liaise with ICT to organise this.
7.1.6 Website – MW suggested officers forward info to him to be include on specific pages such as H&S page, Women’s page etc. Any info to be sent directly to MW.
7.1.7 Notice boards – Officers and Workplace contacts to update notice boards regularly. Leaflets and Poster to be ordered.
7.2 Branchline – Committee discussed frequency and size of branch line. It was decided that a 4 page copy would be sent every 2 months. DS to liaise with HSW print for prices.
7.2.1 It was decide that the editor should have the discretion to edit articles due to limited space. Website articles can include larger volumes of info.
7.2.2 It was decided that Branch line be distributed via officers and stewards.
7.3 Protocol to be formalised and issued to branch committee.
7.4 Dealing with the Media- PC had contacted Gareth John about the possibility of courses in this subject being run by the region and if so organinsing a course at the branch.
7.4.1 TE to look into organising a course on dealing with the media also.
7.5 Merger of Project Groups
TE informed committee that 2 of the project groups (stewards and recruitment) had merged as there had been a lot of overlap in topics covered.
Meeting of the newly merged group to take place on 2nd Nov at 4.30pm Branch office.
8. Membership and Recruitment Report
8.1 PC informed committee of leavers and joiners from Jan to present from office based records. 100 New Members: 26 Leavers and 26 Retired Members
8.1.2 On-line joiners also to be included, official figures to be confirmed by RMS. (Awaiting email report).
8.2 New Member Prize Draw
Winner of the £25 prize draw was Julie Phillips of 28 Wordsworth Gardens, Rhydyfelin, CF37 5HG (recruited by Dean Price).
9. Any Other Business
9.1 Postal Strikes – Committee discussed current postal strikes and CWU. It was agreed that PC will write a letter of support to the Local CWU Branch Secretary.
9.2 TE discussed concerns over conflicting ideas regarding current Restructuring Plans within Environmental services. Head of Servs, Peter Cushion had confirmed that redundancies would be treated corporately and not individually
9.2.1 PC to clarify how authority will manage this restructure. Link Meeting planned DS to attend.
9.3 Ceri Mogridge – Disabled Members Officer
Ceri did not attend the meeting but had provided copies of her report on recent Disabled Members Conference and other events that she attended (copies handed to Committee).
UNISON office
31 - 33 Morgan Street
Park View
Pontypridd
CF37 2DS
Tel: 01443 400401
Fax: 01443 400288
e-mail rctunison@btconnect.com