East Midlands Unite LGBT Activists

At the branch meeting last night (22 May 2012), it was advised that Nottingham City Council operates an Employers Hub where employers advertise job vacancies.

This includes Technical posts and apprenticeships for the Nottingham Tram.

The site also provides guidance and assistance for those seeking employement.

The address is here:

Unite the Union has agreed new rules, one of which is that representatives of members should be elected every 3 years and requiring these elections to take place prior to the end of June 2012.

Therefore, the Nottingham Branch of Unite is holding it's TGM and elections on Tuesday 22 May 2012 at 7.30pm at the Whitemoor Pub on Nuthall Road, Nottingham.

Any members wishing to attend should present their credentials to avoid being turned away.

The march/parade started off from Forest Recreation ground and comprised mostly of handfuls of people from each union and community groups. Unite was absent from the march. Ian and Adam carried the KONP banner and had a Unite flag.

Photo’s: http://frontline-photography-60.posterous.com/

The route went from the Forest and down Mansfield Road, through to the Market and on towards Congregational Hall on Wheeler Gate.

Speeches were given and when Alan Meale was introduced, the Anarchists marched down and stood in front holding placards aloft and shouting to prevent him speaking: “Scab” and “War Monger” were their two terms of endearment.

After about 10 long minutes, other people were given the floor and the Anarchists stood peacefully in the wings.

I listened to a few speeches before leaving.

Generally well organised, but for the censorship imposed by the Anarchists.

A reminder that May Day is on Saturday the 5th of May 2012 and the march starts from the Forest Recreation Ground off Gregory Boulevard from 10am.

You can get more info on the event and speakers at the Nottinghamshire Trades Council Website: Notts TUC

Vice Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that the Chair was not enjoying good health and had to tender his resignation. Apologies from the Secretary also reported to the branch.

Reports & Business

Ian attended the NHS Lobby on 7th March 2012 organised by Unite. A lobby of parliament was organised by the union in addition to a rally at Westminster Hall (packed out). Activists also demonstrated support for NHS by holding hands all around St Thomas hospital. Ian lobbied Chris Leslie MP (Nottingham East) and discussed the East Midlands ‘At Risk Register’.

With respect to the E-On Asbestos policy, Trevor advised the branch that Unite keeps a database for workers to register with if they have come into contact with asbestos during the course of their work.

Workers Memorial Day Ribbons and Raffle prizes had been purchased for campaign at E-On. Receipts to branch in due course.

Donation to Unilever Pension campaign: thank you letter received from Jennie Formby of Unite.

TUC Workplace Manual: purchased and delivered – will come to next branch meeting.

Branch Financial Return 2011 has been signed off and sent to head office.

Donations

Ian requested a donation to Spinwatch, a research group based out of Strathclyde University who map the lobbying and funding activities of corporations and individuals and the influence it has upon the UK parliamentary system. Unite does make use of research in their campaigns, particularly on the NHS. Donation proposed by Graham, seconded Neil and agreed by branch with one abstention.

Notts Trades Council has requested a donation for May Day proposed by Adam and seconded by Trevor. Approved by branch.

Hazards Conference has requested sponsorship for 2012. Adam proposed, seconded formally and approved by branch.

Nottinghamshire Pride (28 & 29th July 2012) is seeking funding to enable the two day local community event. Paul explained how the money will be used and the intentions of the committee and proposed a sponsorship donation. Two main concerns raised by branch: firstly would the branch name appear as a sponsor in the program – Paul confirmed it would.

Secondly, what does the Regional Office contribute – Adam responded that the Region does support 3 prides (Derby, Nottingham and Leicester), spending at least several thousand pounds on hiring the stall and stocking it with information and merchandise, not including the costs of the Equality Officer. Graham proposed an initial part donation with an additional part to be considered at the next meeting. Seconded by Dennis and approved by branch.

Secretary, via email, proposed that she organised a gift and card to say thank you to the outgoing Chair and his wife who supported his attendance. Seconded by Adam and approved unanimously by the branch.

Elections

The Vice Chair advised the branch that it would need to re-elect a new Chair and the most appropriate time to do that would be at the next AGM. The branch understands that the AGM needs to be held by June 2012, which means that the meeting of 22 May 2012 would be the date of the AGM and this would need to be announced in the paperwork for the April 2012 meeting.

Treasurer Report

In addition to information given elsewhere in the meeting, Treasurer informed the branch that the final quarter allocation had been received by the branch on 2nd February 2012

Alstom - Neil

Wage negotiations almost finalised at 3%. 3 Technician (electro-mechanical) vacancies coming up in the immediate future at Alstom, with more jobs to follow in associated trades and office work.

Nottingham South CLP Delegate

Graham informed the branch that he was standing down from this delegacy with effect from the next AGM and advised the branch to choose a new delegate. The MP for Nottingham South is also the Shadow Transport Minister.

East Midlands Trains (EMT)

Undergoing a ballot over a pay offer that covers three sites (Nottingham, Derby and Leeds), which if rejected, will turn into a ballot for industrial action.

Pensions are also becoming an issue with the company reducing it’s pension contributions, moving from RPI to CPI inflationary measures. ASLEF have already called for industrial action on this issued and Unite FTO to be instructed to ballot members.

E.ON

Recognition for Unite was achieved in December 2011 but E-On has stopped recruitment and appointment of new union reps whilst a review is carried out. Both the training of reps and their movement between sites has been restricted. FTO, Andy Faughnan, appears to be negotiating without reference to reps at E-On and supporting the employers review process.

Meeting ended 21:35

Next Meeting 19:30, 24 April 2012

Alex O'Brien, former UNISON Workplace Representative, is also an experienced photographer of local, regional and national social, political and trade union events.

You can view his work here: http://frontline-photography-60.posterous.com/

Click the banner to find out more about Families Against Corporate Killers.

Branch Event - Keep Our NHS Public

Report from Ian produced to branch, which received warm thanks for efforts in organising.

The Rally to be held at the Mechanics Institute, North Sherwood Street in Nottingham on 22 September 2011, doors open at 6.30pm.

Right to Work

“March Against the Tories” Sunday 2 October in MANCHESTER.
“March against the Lib Dems” is Sunday 18 September Birmingham.

For seats on the buses provided the contact telephone number is 07940 958 825, email info@righttowork.org.uk Website for further information is www.righttowork.org.uk.

Annual (Biennial) General Meeting

The branch needs to notify it's membership of the BGM and election of officers. The regional office had been contacted but the notice period was too long with no guarantee of assistance.

Decided to go the route of a private company, with Retired Members not receiving a mailing. Also decided to email members at known workplaces as this too would save money.

Donations/Affiliations

Confirmed affiliation to the National Pensioners Convention.

Secretary to seek confirmation of Union approval of 'Families Against Corporate Killers' aka FACK. They have produced excellent educational DVD.

Workplace Reports

Report of concluded negotiations at NCHA with regard to cuts to project staff salaries and terms and conditions. Unions had reduced the severity by at least 50%. Detailed reports sent to National Officials and local Labour Party MPs (Chris Leslie and Lillian Greenwood).

Report from E-On that Unite is now recognised and reps will be commencing a recruitment campaign.

Reports given of Pride and BICON. Thanks also noted to Regional Equalities Officer, Maureen, for making the necessary arrangements.

Hazards Conference 2011

Branch to fund 4 members to attend the Hazards conference.

TUPE Course

Branch agreed to fund cost of a TUPE course for a leading rep whose workers are being transferred to another organisation.

Organisational Materials

Second half of organising materials for E-On recruitment programme to be ordered and paid for when second allocation of branch funds is paid.

Campaign Event "Keep Our NHS Public"
The above was proposed and is being organised and progressed by one of the branch members. The event to be held at The Mechanics Institute in Nottingham and the Regional Officer with responsibility for members in the NHS. Speakers identified but confirmations to be sought. Letter to the Regional Secretary for Regional support was drafted and approved, as was the proposal entirely. Branch has made available a budget of £250 to set up the event.

Two other branch members have agreed to assist in the organisation of the event and will be able to facilitate the printing of promotional literature.

Reports

NCHA Convenor provided meeting with report and update on NCHA Housing with Care & Support workers. Branch suggested report be sent to Nottingham MPs explaining the situation in detail.

TUC LGBT Conference report – PCTs are pulling funding for charities including GALLOP (support victims of hate crime) is looking precarious. Motion from Unite called for pressure to be put on UN to promote LGBT human rights, monitor abuses and for sister unions and NGO's in other countries to lead a culture change on LGBT rights. South Africa are leading the way at the UN and have fulfilled part of the motion, though they have problems in townships with attacks against Lesbians. Raised the profile of BiCon - held in Leicester this year with Unite having a stall.

Reported that Bombardier Nottingham Tram contract has been awarded to ALSTROM. TUPE is underway with Technical staff. Trams are to be made in France. Bombardier has lost 4 contracts now. UNITE is involved, Services Division will move to Bonn and Derby closes approximately 6 months time. Branch member commented that on Wikipedia website ALSTROM HQ is Berlin and more likely that Germany and France will work together cutting the UK out of any potential work. Branch proposed that a Motion be sent to the General Secretary.

Next Branch Meeting 06 September 2011

On behalf of, and in solidarity with, Council Workers and Service Users of Southampton City Council.

Council workers will take industrial action from Monday 23 May against their employer Southampton city council which is sacking thousands of workers and re-engaging them on substantially lower terms and conditions.

The unions involved in the dispute are Unite and Unison. The workers consist of care workers, street cleaners, refuse collectors, social workers, parking enforcement officers, building trades and a range of different services throughout the whole council.

The actions of the council will affect 4300 employees. The council intends to sack workers then re-employ them on the 11th July on substantially lower terms and conditions.

Industrial action will begin just after midnight 23rd May, consisting of targeted or selected full strike action and action short of strike. 108 refuse workers will take full strike action for a week starting on Monday 23rd and ending on 27 May. The remaining workers taking part in industrial action will take action short of a strike consisting of a work to rule, an overtime ban, no private car used to provide services and no mobile phone use among other actions. The union's joint strike committee will meet on Monday and consider future actions.

Rather than negotiate with the union to resolve the dispute Cllr Royston Smith the Conservative leader of Southampton council would rather tour the country addressing Conservatives and distributing scare stories to the press.

Unite assistant general secretary, Gail Cartmail who will be in Southampton on Monday showing her support for the staff taking industrial action said:

The tactic being deployed by Southampton city council is possible because UK employment law reinforces the medieval 'master-servant' principle that has no place in the 21st Century. Our members are standing up for basic human rights against bullying tactics and should be condemned by all decent people.

Mark Wood, Unite Convenor at Southampton city council said:

It’s clear that this action along with more planned strikes throughout the summer months will cause major disruption, but it does not have to be this way. Unite and Unison have offered talks using the conciliation service ACAS. Rather than engage in dialogue the council have been posturing in the local press.

Council employees have been given no option but to take this action by an unreasonable employer more intent on breaking their will than working together and it’s the public of Southampton who will suffer.

Ian Woodland, Unite regional officer said:

Rather than engage in proper negotiations the leader of the council prefers to drip feed his political point of view to the press and ignore the concerns of his employees.

These attacks on our members' terms and conditions are being driven by a personal political agenda. The Tories have wanted to attack our member’s terms and conditions ever since they won control of the council in 2008. Our members are united, angry and determined.

A picket will be held outside the town depot, Albert Road from 5.30 am on the morning of the 23 May and will continue through the week. A picket will also be held outside 1 Guildhall Square , Southampton from 7.30am on Monday 23 May.

Contact: Ian Woodland, Regional Officer, Unite The Union . 07770704480.