May 2015

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District Trades Union Council Minutes 21 May 2015

 

1. Welcome and Introductions to delegates and visitors plus apologies:

Present – Sis Taylor(UNITE-CYW). Bros Martin (MU), Brackenridge (FBU), Kelleher, Pugh, Cooper & Deacon (UNISON Gen), Childs (CWU), Campbell (ITSOE speaker)

All were welcomed and introduced. Apologies: Sis Battell (NASUWT), Halfpenny (NUT) Bros J Grant (UCU), Rahimi & Marris (UNITE),Juss (GMB), Everall (UNISON)

 

2. Minutes of Meeting:16 April 2015 agreed with correction of addition: “AOB Shrewsbury College TUC courses under threat, contact Mike Edwards as possible July speaker”.

Matters arising: 3.5] 2,000 anti-ukip leaflets were distributed in the election in Wolverhampton in Whitmore Reans and Wednesfield. Anti-fascist rally was organised by Dudley TUC on May 9^th in against England First group that assembled. Football hooligan fascist groups threatening to come to Dudley June 13^th and a counter rally will be organised by Dudley TUC.

 

3. Executive Committee inquorate. Correspondence of note:

1. 2015 affiliations to WB&DTUC received with cheques; NASUWT, UNISON Police Staff & UCU College. Further affiliation requests sent to still unaffiliated branches: UCU University, PCS (West Mercia), RMT, UNISON Acute

2. help requested by MSc student research TU & equality – to respond

3. Sis Taylor written to Art Gallery/Paul Quigley re John Harris exhibition

4. International Brigades Memorial Trust reaffiiation £30 agreed

5. Peoples Assembly coach 20 June from Wolverhampton £100 donation agreed

6. Wolverhampton May Day Committee £200 donation agreed

7. Midlands TUC Chainmakers £100 donation agreed – free stall

8. Peoples Assembly reaffiliation £20 agreed

9. Birmingham Pride – this Saturday unions marching at front

10. message of thanks from Industri Energie Norweigian union

11. Workers Beer Company places Glastonbury 4 extra places offered and filled, 8total; 8 places offered and filled of 11 requested for Latitude

12. Amnesty Garden Party; Sunday 14th June 2–5pm at 23 Newbridge Street, Wolverhampton WV6 0EE; All proceeds to Amnesty – Admission free – bring cash to spend!! Children welcome

13. Block the Factory! 6 July Elbit Factory in Shenstone is not an official PSC event

14. sent:TUCJCC ballot form, Hope not Hate reaffiliation £50, PO box renewal £312

 

4. Reports:

1. General Election – congratulations were expressed to Rob Marris our Vice-President and newly elected MP and to Pat McFadden and Emma Reynolds who increased their majorities and to Labour council that increased it’s majority by two. A new form of campaigning will be required else TU will decline. Further cuts expected.

2. Secretary’s written report circulated and discussed.

5. Speaker (postponed from last month) Greig Campbell, Project Coordinator ‘In the Shadow of Elisabeth’ project, exploring the union fight to save Bilston Steelworks

New generations are unaware of Bilston as a steeltown, the project aims to reinstall some civic pride. Despite eventual closure of the still profit-making site, the unionised steelmen of Bilston engaged in a well organised fight which prolonged closure and the loss of the lat 2,400 jobs for 3 years. Helpfrom the Indian Workers association at the time was noted. The struggle not only caught the imagination of industry insiders, the Works Action Committee recruited the local community into their campaign, 800 Bilstonians marched on London.

Possibility of a reproduction of our previous Centenary banner by Bilston Yarn Stars – subject to funding, our support offered.

Agreed to donate copies of WB&DTUC History book to the 24 young volunteers trained to interview for the project. Copy presented to Greig.

 

6. Any Other Business – none.