June 2005

WOLVERHAMPTON, BILSTON + DISTRICT TRADES UNION COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING
16 JUNE 05

ATTENDANCE
Kelleher (UNISON),  Deacon (UNISON),  Grant (NAHTFE),  Taylor (CYWU),  Ceresa (UNISON),  Baynham (AMICUS),  Cole (UNISON),  Cole (NUT), Ash (UNISON),  Davis (UNISON),  Dodd (AMICUS).

Apologies.   Juss,  Farmer,  Clemments.  Halfpenny.

1. WELCOME
 Chair welcomed Sis. Cole as a new delegate.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING 19 MAY 05
 Agreed with these corrections:
1. Matters arising April Delegate meeting
Still waiting for Regional TUC proposals for discussion from Roger McKenzie – put on next agenda
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT & CORRESPONDECE ACTIONED
2.4  Make Poverty History postcards completed by delegates and sent
 Sec to contact UNISON re Lifelong Learning Scrutiny panel.
3. Correspondence
3.9.13 Sec to write to Ken Purchase supporting his stance against City academies
5. Agreed donate £200 May Day Committee
7. Women Chainmakers 1910 strike £100 donation to buy 10 bricks Trade Union festival planned for October 2005 at Black Country Museum.  Delegates encouraged to buy out individual bricks at £10.
8. A.O.B. – Employment Advice service – group to meet Marie, Nick, Warinder, Marion, Dave?
 
 MATTERS ARISING
 Suspended Colleague (Tom Lowe) is still suspended.  AMICUS Wolverhampton have not been  passed any information about the problems.

3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT & CORRESPONDECE
 No Executive Committee.
 Correspondence
 3.1 Arena theatre request for donation for Banner performance.  Event to be put advertised   on website.  Agreed to ask why more money is needed.
 3.3 Voice of the Unions – Agreed to reaffiliate.
 3.7 Scrutiny Panel (Lifelong Learning) Tracy Morgan of UNISON will be new delegate.    Nick to write to ask her to come to TUC meetings to give reports.
 3.13 Nick will ask about Trades Councils Directory
3.14 Make Poverty History.  4 coaches booked.

4. ELECTION
 Vacancy on West Midlands County Association.
 No volunteers.

5. REPORTS
 (a) Secretary
  Uncertainty over Corin Redgrave speaking at next meeting.  He has had a heart attack.
  Agreed to write to MPs, Leader of Council & Management of Robin 2 and to the   Bishop to protest at Bernard Manning appearing in August.
  Nick attended AGM of Peoples Press Printing Society.
 (b) Treasurer
  No report
 (c) Future of New Cross Hospital – UNISON Health
  Sam Cole reported.
  Agree to write to MPs to come to a meeting and discuss the matter.
 (d) Black Country Unite Against Fascism
  Nick attended a meeting last week. 
  Labour won the Darlaston by-election, BNP were ahead of the Tories.
  Nick will circulate details of the meeting
  23 June is election in South Staffs: the Freedom Party and English Democrats are   standing.  Paul Kalinaukas is standing for Labour

 (f) W’ton Cuba Sol. Campaign – Dave Cole reported on AGM of CSC
  W’ton Palestine Sol. Campaign – Bob Deacon reported.

6. RESOLUTIONS

7. SPEAKER
 Nick Kelleher on TU. Council Conference.
 Motions have to go to County Association and not directly to conference.  Bob Crow spoke at  opening rally.  127 Trades Councils were registered.  Venezuela motion from Wolverhampton  was passed.  Nick felt workshops were largely a waste of time.
 Nick presented a written report.
 Bob Deacon presented a paper of TUC Regional Structure.

8. A.O.B
 Some confusion (by newly – affiliated UNISON branch) about fees
 Agreed to offer the branch a warm welcome