Branch Committee Minutes
Wednesday 16th September 2009
Present:
Peter Crews, Kevin Jouvenat, David Smith, Helena Watson, Anita Lewis, Gail Jones, Dean Price, Angela Pring, Ceri Mogridge, Glenn Jones, Terry Evans
1. Apologies
Dilys Jouvenat, Belinda Jeffries, Kate Jeffries, Andrew Conn, Ron Eveleigh, Graham Emery
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes were accepted for accuracy
3. Matters Arising
4.4. Motion re attendance protocol at conference will be put to Regional AGM
4.4.1 A meeting is to be convened to discuss National Conference issues.
4.6.3 APSE National Seminar - DS expressed disappointment that no names were put forward for the seminar.
5.2.2 Training Room – KJ discussed importance of having training room completed and ready for promoting. Would like to provide feedback to Regional Pool on how the donation was used to refurbish the room. SET are due to complete the room next week. Date to be confirmed.
It was suggested that GJ and DJ liaise re brochure
9.2 Unite against Fascism
PC discussed developments amongst the possibility of BNP taking Welsh seats and urged branch to support anti fascist work with every branch within Cymru /Wales having a lead contact for anti-fascism. PC to discuss further with Mike Williams. Info to be distributed in due course.
6.8 Diaries 2010
1000 diaries have been ordered for members for 2010 and 25 Branch officer diaries at a total cost of £900 including branch logo.
6.8.2 3000 Desktop Calendars have been ordered as agreed at last branch committee and in conjunction with members’ demands last year.
4. Branch Secretary’s Report
4.1 Branchline September Issue
PC urged all officers to take copies with them and to arrange for collection/delivery at their workplaces ASAP.
4.1.2 PC thanked DS for organising the printing and thanked those officers who contributed articles.
4.1.3 DS explained that the draft copy went to print before the sad news of Billy’s death and unfortunately he was not able to include an article, however there will be an article included in the Christmas issue.
4.2 Justice for Columbia Campaign
PC had received info from JCC urging branches to contact MPs. As MW absent it was agreed that info be passed to him to organise support on behalf of the branch.
4.3 UNISON – ‘A Million Voices for Change’ Campaign
PC explained that this was the main campaign at Regional Policy weekend tackling how Wales will respond to current issues. Information available on website and hardcopy at branch office.
4.4 Pay Settlement
Following the recent ballot results the pay settlement offer had finally been accepted. 21 out of 25 branches voted to ‘ACCEPT.’
4.4.1 The offer consisted of 1.25% increase in scale point 4-10; 1% in scale point 11-49 and 1 extra annual leave day for staff with less than 5 years service.
4.4.2 PC had contacted RCT to suggest RCT give staff with 5+ years extra day too.
4.5 Pensions
Consultation on pensions schemes still on-going. As pension issues are in-depth it was agreed that HW will contact David Williams, pensions advisor, to give a presentation at branch office on topics for discussion such as Investments, Governance of funds and 2008 regulations.
4.6 Independent Safeguarding Authority
(copies handed to committee)
Ongoing issues with local authority over CRB checks and renewals. RCT to cover costs of registration. Issues to be discussed at tomorrows Local Government Committee. PC to give feed back to officers.
4.7 Regional Council/Policy Weekend – Llandrindod Wells
PC reminded committee of Regional Council on Fri 16th Oct and Regional Policy weekend on 17th and 18th Oct.
4.7.1 Those attending- DS, GE, DP, KJ, HW, KJeffries, BJ, AL, GJ and Debbie Trick will be staying at Commodore Hotel.
4.7.2 Three motions received from Flintshire Branch on Equal Pay. Steffan Cross has withdrawn case against UNISON
4.7.3 Two motions received from Regional Black Members group and Blaenau Gwent re Travel expenses; should be one rate regardless of region etc.
4.8 Upcoming Seminars and Courses
4.8.1 Climate Change Speaker Training – 3rd October, Cardiff. GJ to attend, info available at branch office.
4.8.2 National joint Social and home Care Conference 24-25 Feb 2010, Manchester.
Committee agreed to send three delegates. AL to attend and anyone else interested who works in social care. PC to request that an increased number of delegates be allowed to attend this conference
4.8.3 IER- TUPE Regulations – Improving Understanding Feb2010
It was agreed that 2 people will attend.
4.8.4 IER – New Equality Bill – Liverpool 3rd Nov09
It was agreed for Paul Rowlands plus one to attend.
4.8.5 Understanding Environmental Issues in the workplace
DS, GJ and Janet Morgan attended this course on 15th and 22nd Sept, Cardiff. A second course being run in North Wales, info available at Branch office.
5. Branch Officer Reports
5.1 Finance Officer KJ informed committee that he will produce detailed finance and budget reports every quarter. Committee agreed.
5.2 Disabled Members Officer CM had recently attended Disability discrimination course in Wrexham. Full report to be given at next branch committee.
5.3 Environmental officer –GJ reported on the Global Day event at Dare Valley Country Park on August 30th – The event is run annually by students. Glenn produced ‘Green Team’ leaflets for the event including tips and ideas on how to save energy etc. GJ to obtain date list from RCT Events team of forthcoming events to raise UNISON profile etc.
5.3.1 GJ informed committee of Green Dragon Meeting with Paul Dukes of RCT on 17/09/09, feedback to be given at next meeting.
5.4 Womens Officer – Anita Lewis had written to Luisa Bridgman RCT for permission to hold Computer taster classes for members. Approval received to hold classes at Bronllwyn Homes, Ton Pentre, dates and times to be announced.
6. Branch Convenor Reports
No reports
7. Branch Project Report
7.1 Committee discussed action points such as Branch communications; updating website on a monthly basis and regular meetings with stewards and activists within workplaces to ensure information is circulated to members.
8. Membership and Recruitment Report
10.1 Applications for membership for the month of September so far was 14.
10.2 One new application from an employee within private company Ludlow Street Healthcare. PC to clarify with the region if residential or nursing.
10.3 PC informed committee that there had been few leavers to date for September. GMB have increased subscription fees and this should be used to UNISONs advantage to gain members.
9. Any Other Business
9.1 PC informed committee of Corporate Welcome on 9th October at Ystrad Sports centre. Volunteers needed to attend the event and set up the stall.
PR and DP to attend.
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Tel: 01443 400401
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e-mail rctunison@btconnect.com