Wolverhampton, Bilston & District Trades Union Council
Delegate Minutes Thursday 20th JUNE 2024
- Present (2024 delegates in bold): Paulette Whyte, Simon Cardy UNISON City of Wolverhampton; Michael Vaughan UNISON Staffordshire; Penny Welch UCU University; Nick Kelleher, John Oakley, Robert Lipke, Thomas Mahon, UNITE WM/6150; Di Weaver UNITE WM/5203; Marie Taylor UNITE LE/372; Dane Cross UNITE WM/7132; Ali Rahimi Unite Community WM/5115; Graham Childs CWU
Apologies: Si Goode, Metka Potocnick, Tim Martin, Rob Marris, Sonia Wilkins, John Clark - Minutes of last Delegate Meeting (May) agreed & Matters Arising – talk on difficulties organising migrant workers in the care sector is now available on https://youtu.be/V8haDsueyPc?
- EC Report and urgent correspondence:
a) UNITE WM/7132(Buses) and NEU re-affiliations 2024 received; Invoice outstanding for WM5203; only GMB X13 not re-affiliated this year.
b) Speaker for July – post general election on Anti-union laws. MT to contact Fran Heathcote PCS Gen Sec.
c) WMDay Plaque – awaiting response from Urban Design & Conservation Officer
d) book on the history on UK trades councils has just been published £13.99 plus postage. https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/come-together-trades-councils-1920-50/
e) Tr Union Councils conf pooled fare £13.40 to be paid to TUC; May 1st still to apply for £300 TUC Development grant; Liberation affiliation £36/year to be paid and invite speaker to be done; Fbook adverts 28 April & 1st May to be paid; ream paper purchased £4.50 - strike updates:
- GMB Job Centre security staff strike full week of strikes Monday 17 June to Sunday 23 June. Last picket closed Wolverhampton office.
- RMT – 7th June Wolverhampton strike picket in response to Avanti West Coast’s cuts to jobs, enforced overtime and the implementation of new rosters
- other delegate reports:
- ASLEF – Si Goode’s written report to be circulated
- UNISON – national delegate conference ongoing PW and MV reported from there. Discussions of pay strategy, anti-cuts and the Palestine Ambassador speech went down very well with delegates. Pay consultation ballot until 28 June for industrial action.
- UNITE – TM reported that the Arcelormittal SSC UK sister factory in Bury which all joined Unite during Wolverhampton’s strike, have now achieved the same deal as their Wolverhampton colleagues. Still a Birmingham factory unorganised. TM and his colleagues congratulated on this victory which they inspired. DC reported that his branch is to discuss bus franchising
- Trades Union Councils conference report – circulated, only half attendance of previous years
- Secretary report circulated
- Trans-Atlantic Enslavement Links research update PW to liaise with MT and RM and pursue with Angelina Osbourne
- Wolverhampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign – SC reported that public support is massive and maintained, 175k on 15th national ceasefire demo since last October. No aid or medical supplies into Gaza since Israeli s closed Rafa border on June 7th. Deaths now due to malnutrition. Boycott/Divest campaign has had international successes Puma has not renewed its Israeli Football sponsorship. Pret-a-manger dropped its Israel expansion within a week of campaign. Literary festivals dropping links with Baille Gifford. Barclays have made public statement for first time, pulling out of links with music festivals after bands started pulling out; Wolverhampton protests attracting up to 50, next is 29 June.. Microchip company has also pulled out of Israel deal. Over 3,000 private accounts closed. The government’s Anti-boycott bill has fallen since the election has been called, which helps with the council pension campaign. National demo 6 July. Protest held at WMPF Committee, new UNISON observer raised issues well. Officers have made contact with arms firms raised by campaign.
- any other business
- speaker @8pm Adele Williams, Policy and Engagement Officer at Hope for the Future https://www.hftf.org.uk/ one of the leading UK organisations, working to equip people and communities across the UK to effectively communicate about the climate and nature crisis with politicians. Has funding for pilot project. Been speaking to local trades union councils. Executive to look at ways of working together and invite Adele to Sept EC.