October 2016

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District Trades Union Council

Delegate Minutes 20 October 2016

 

1. Welcome and Introductions to delegates and visitors plus apologies: Present – Sis Taylor(UNITE-CYW), Halfpenny (NUT), Dixon(UNISON), Lowe (UNITE). Bros Kelleher, Deacon, Pugh, Morris, Cardy (UNISON), J Grant (UCU), Childs (CWU), Marris, Rahimi, Burais (UNITE), Juss (GMB),

Apologies recieved from: Sis Weaver, Brealey (UNISON) Bros S Grant(NUT), Brackenridge (Labour Group, FBU), Martin (MU), Page (UNITE) and Barnsley (speaker). All were welcomed and introduced.

 

2.Minutes of Meeting: 15 September 2016 agreed a correct record. Matters Arising: 5(a) UNISON dispute settled. 5(d) Attendance Allowance – responses from MPs were shared.

 

3. Executive Committee and Correspondence:

Executive meeting was not held as the secretary was absent.

1) Midlands TUC Unity in the Community event now possibly cancelled in Stoke 11 November

2) Lucas Plan 40th anniversary November 26 Birmingham, day conference see website, ‘The Lucas Plan was the pioneering effort by workers at the arms company Lucas Aerospace to fight job losses by proposing alternative socially useful applications of the company’s technology and their own skills’.

3) Midlands TUC have produced a post Brexit presentation. Copies available by email from Secretary upon request. Thomson’s solicitors also have a presentation regarding Health and Safety issues.

4) MP Pat McFadden replied concerning attendance allowance and was supportive.

5) Wednesday 2 November ‘Stand up to Racism’ rally Priory rooms, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham 7pm.

6) Agreed affiliation to Stop the War £50 agreed. Treasurer to check whether donation has already been made,

7) ‘Wolverhampton Worker’ TUC 1913-15 newspaper purchased for £150 and collected may eventually send to TUC Library in Manchester, if copy not in Wolverhampton archives. Will be scanned and digitised on the website if possible.

8) Manifesto for Labour Law received from Institute of Employment Rights.

9) Show Racism the Red Card, GMB Friday 21 October Woodman Corner B70 7AB.

10) The unemployment figures for Wolverhampton South West were shared by Bro Marris.

11) Wolverhampton Palestine Solidarity film showing , ‘Where Should the Birds Fly?’ Friday 4 November 19.00 Friends Meeting House, Summerfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4PR,

12) Nicaragua Solidarity – Mend a Roof appeal

13) Cuba Solidarity hurricane appeal launched.

15) 24 October debate in parliament concerning the petition for a ‘Debate in the House the Local Government Pension Scheme Investment Regulations.’ This was promoted by UNISON. There was a discussion as to whether all local authorities are making employers contributions.

20) Bro Martin has resigned from the MU and retirement of Bro Heathcock RMT delegate; sec to write.

 

4. Reports/discussion:

a] Delegates’ workplace reports – UNISON next Wednesday is Health and Safety inspection day. It is European Health and Safety week, an annual event. It would be good if Trades Union delegates could do some workplace inspections and report back. On Monday at 12.00 any Health and Safety issues to be notified to UNISON “thunderclap” tweet and retweet tweet.

 

b] Secretary’s report – Wolverhampton Pride 2016 Saturday 1 October several delegates took part in the march with our banner, which was well supported despite bad weather. Stall inside went well. Bro Kelleher won raffle!!

Midlands TUC -‘Austerity has failed– Unwelcome the Tory Conference to Birmingham 2016. Sunday 2 October was attended by 10,000 our banner was again paraded.

Problems with the Pegasus Pub where the May Day celebrations are usually held. Appealing decision of loss of licence to Magistrates court. Pub still open. Also there is a petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-and-support-the-pegasus-pub-from-closure-and-losing-licence

‘Blacklisted’ new film of 7 year campaign to get justice for blacklisted workers and their supporters around the Blacklist Support Group, A settlement of £75 million was won by workers and their unions – UCATT, UNITE, GMB. Fight for real justice is still ongoing. The film can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRfVcfQWNE4

Axe The Housing Act Summit on 22 October 11.30 am, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD Presentation at Wolverhampton Tenants’ Association explained that Wolverhampton Homes Tenants must declare their income to the landlord or will have to pay full market rent. Items from Wolverhampton tenants will be put on website.

c] City of Sanctuary launch report – Bro Kelleher attended on behalf of the Trades Council. 70 present, many from religious groups. There are 790 asylum seekers in Wolverhampton. A booklet was produced about the City of Sanctuary There needs to be meaningful work undertaken by various groups. Bro Kelleher to circulate information about ‘wants’. The Trades Council will support campaigning for refugees with a Trade Union background who need assistance. Bro Kelleher will keep delegates updated.

d] Wolverhampton Palestine Solidarity Campaign – Bro Deacon mentioned film night – see 3. 11). There was a meeting with councillor Brookfield concerning the West Midlands Pension fund which was quite productive. Hewlett Packard are the target on 25 November week of action. They are providing the technology for biometric ID used to control the people of Gaza. A large data base for Israeli Intelligence Service and an aggressive supporter of Israel. The technology supports the Israeli occupation which breaches the Geneva Convention by controlling the movements of Palestinians.

e]Midlands TUC Regional Council – A report of the meeting in Derby 10 August was tabled by Sis Taylor. She commented that the venue was not conducive to note taking as it was a theatre setting. Coping with Brexit. Has Wolverhampton Authority signed up to the ‘Dying to Work’ campaign? we need to keep a watch on this. Bro Brackenridge to be asked to raise with Labour group. Also this could be raised at branch meetings. Terry Renshaw spoke about the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign

5. Speaker Sandwell UNISON, on ballot for action against privatisation of Children’s services – There was no speaker due to ill health. Instead those delegates which had knowledge of the situation had a discussion. Some of the points raised were as follows :- Parents etc kill children not social workers, austerity is having an effect on services, social work has changed no time to get to know families – tick box exercise, The Children and Social work bill with exemption clauses no public consultation. There is a petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-the-rights-of-vulnerable-children-and-care-leavers which was finished 8 November 2016. Will privatisation improve the children’s service? Lack of accountability of trusts, It was agreed that Trades Council will try to reschedule the speaker on this issue.

    

6. Any Other Business -a) 5 November Telford TUC antifascist rally 13.00 Telford Park against EDL.

   b) On Wolverhampton Trades Council Facebook – Pensioners and bedroom tax alignment.