TUCJCC 3rd meeting REPORT of 19-1-21
Registration deadline for trades union councils is Fri 22 Jan 2021
#heartunions Carl Roper TUC, defended criticism from TUCJCC reps that the campaign and trades councils particularly receive materials late each year for week. My suggestion that materials produced should be more generic around the UNIONS brand and less time specific, so to use throughout year, was not pursued. Assistance for any activity can be sought from Midlands TUC or Carl Roper.
General Council report to TUCJCC(circulated) 2nd full lockdown not as comprehensive as first with employers keeping half in workplaces now, whilst a third before. POA – Courts open this time and inter-prison transfers at pre-covid levels.
Government pay freezes; hire and fire tactics increasingly being used by employers, even on keyworkers who were being clapped for risking lives.
Campaign to keep £20 on Universal Credit being taken up by many TUCs.
NEU has asked all branches to affiliate to their TUCs.
More details of industrial action requested to be sent to trades councils by TUC.
Strike Map UK https://strikemap.wordpress.com/ is a new website listing industrial action on a map.
TUC Race Task Group – report attached – expectation that task group is replicated at regional TUC level.
Roger McKenzie reported he had been subjected to some unacceptable treatment by some trade unionists during his six-month General Secretary campaign in UNISON, highlighting that big problems still exist.
Last year's trades council conference motion asked the TUCJCC to find alternatives to the Unity Trust account that charges £6 a month. These are alternative free accounts:
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Barclays Community Account https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/accounts/community-account/
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NatWest Bank Community account https://www.business.natwest.com/business/bank-accounts/community-bank-account.html - need to confirm full free banking before opening
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Royal Bank of Scotland Community Account https://www.business.rbs.co.uk/business/bank-accounts/community-bank-account.html
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some other banks do similar accounts but are not all accepting new/switch accounts, see https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/bank-accounts-for-community-and-voluntary-organisations/
2021 Trades Councils conference will be in Leicester if not virtual. Patrick Roache to be invited as keynote speaker.
New Lucas Plan website https://thelucasaerocombineshopstewardscommittee.org/
by Nick Kelleher Midlands (West) TUCJCC Rep
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Trades Union Councils' Joint Consultative Committee report of meeting (24-11-20)
Reps from eight English regions met with TUC General Council reps Steve Gillian (POA), Dave Allen (UNITE), Roger McKenzie(UNISON) Simon Weller (ASLEF) plus reps from the TUC HQ.
Since last meeting the TUC registrations for Dudley, Walsall and Worcester have all been sorted out and we again have eleven TUCs in the West part of the Midlands.
£300 TUC Development grants - loads of money left in this year's pot held by the TUC, until 31st Dec, then a new round starts again (email me if you need a copy of form)
- send applications to Lee Barron at Midlands TUC, who'll then pass them straight to London and Kevin Rowan makes the decision (probably best to copy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in).
- Grants will be agreed for CAMPAIGNING (find something in the Programme of Work that links to your activities) NOT for administration costs (eg insurance, computers etc)
2021 Programme of Work has been agreed by TUCJCC reps and should be sent out shortly by TUC ( I have a copy if you cant wait!!). We will try and action those motions passed at conference that refer to the TUCJCC eg alternatives to Unity Trust. Registration forms will be copied to TUCJCC reps by national so we should be able to follow up any missing more quickly than before.
2021 Registration with the TUC – please send in forms or even just the details by 22 January 2021 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. even if you haven't had an AGM or cant send the £10 registration at the same time. (email me if you need a copy of form)
TUC Race Task Group – agreed at Congress first meeting in December, chair Patrick Roache NASUWT, structure is still being looked at but hoped it will have work streams to increase participation throughout movement. Lester Holloway new TUC support officer. Organising, bargainging, structures as well as TU as employers. Is our own structure within the trades councils movement encouraging diverse participation? Will be on our agenda so we can get direct reports.
TUC General Council report, Peoples Assembly and Unemployed Workers Centre reports (attached)
Trades Council conference 2021 will be in Leicester if it goes ahead physically.
Next year the TUC should send out a survey for trades councils to see if they have had any problems or need help due to Covid lockdowns etc, If you have any specifics needs now, let me know.
Next TUCJCC is on 19 January 2021
by Nick Kelleher Midlands (West) TUCJCC Rep
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