Notes from Regional Council Executive meeting, 14 September 2010

Present: Vaughan Thomas, Adrian Finney, Paul Jackson, John Kelly, Clare Reilly, Gary Lazell, Carol Foster, Bjorn Bradshaw-Murray, Janine Booth, James Wong McSweeney, Lewis Peacock, Glenroy Watson In attendance: Phil Boston (Organising Unit), Olly New (Council of Executives member), Steve Hedley (Regional Organiser) Apologies for absence: Andy Littlechild, Adrian Rowe, Dean O'Hanlon

1. RECRUITMENT AND ORGANISING

Phil reported that he had visited several LU stations and heard good feedback about the dispute. Phil is available to visit workplaces: reps please invite him.

Janine circulated the new 'Anything Changed?' poster. Reported that Organising Team and 'spheres of influence' meeting would take place next month.

2. NEXT LTRC MEETING

Only resolutions are those remitted from last month's meeting. Janine to seek advice from Neasden branch as to whether they accept the amendments.

H&C had agreed resolution at meeting but had not submitted it. Taxis had agreed resolution at their meeting, but are to submit it direct to national Executive.

Agreed two speakers at next LTRC meeting: Bob Crow and Faryal Velmi (Transport for All).

3. DECISIONS OF LAST LTRC

Resolution on LU pay submitted to GS.

4. COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES REPORT

Olly reported on:

  • Union Learning Agreement
  • education plan
  • new learning centre in Clapham
  • cleaners' training course
  • DLR ballot re sackings
  • Tube Lines - Company Council tomorrow
  • LU dispute: strike was great; strategy correct; introduce new action short? next strike 'down tools' on stations?; problem with OT ban in engineering

Points raised in discussion:

  • LU dispute: strike was v strong; add £5 minimum boycott; stronger case for 'down tools' on stations than previously; union must be seen to be demanding talks; political campaigning; coordination with TSSA; HGW ban except in ticket offices; national leadership need to mention effect of job cuts on drivers when speaking to media; need to address TSSA re breaking OT ban; need more literature, targeting particular grades.
  • LU dispute (engineering): mood low-key; 24-hour strike has no impact; relationship between engineers and station staff not good; changing tactics would look weak; dispute can not be sustained.

Janine proposed establishment of dispute hardship fund; agreed.

5. REGIONAL ORGANISER'S REPORT

Steve reported on:

  • sexism in Council of Executives election
  • LU dispute: against new ballots of different grades; TUC vote for coordinated action; GLA Tories' walkout
  • LU Company Council: machinery of negotiation; 'RMT London Calling'
  • Alstom dispute: meeting next Monday

Points raised in discussion:

  • withdrawal of release from tier 2 h&s reps
  • drivers' reps' numbers - Trains Council reps want to reallocate rep from Morden to Barking H&C, in line with Regional Council policy; Regional Organiser disagrees

6. UNION LEARNING REPORT

Bjorn reported on:

  • history of ULR legislation
  • 1998: Union Learning Fund
  • ULRs promote learning, negotiate Learning Agreement
  • mixed results; little response from branches
  • half day release per month - not enough -> have lost some reps
  • new Learning Agreement only came about because Metronet returned to LU
  • current activities: learning surveys; computer course; finance seminar
  • new right to request time off for learning, similar to flexible working

Points raised in discussion:

  • amount of release is by company agreement, not statutory
  • release now up to 12 days per year, plus 3 days for conferences, plus 10 days for training
  • need to integrate ULRs more into LTRC work; develop skills useful to TU activity
  • more publicity to branches, please
  • ConDems to attack ULRs?

Agreed to hold new election for LU ULR Co-ordinator due to new Learning Agreement. Deadline for nominations: October LTRC EC meeting. Election if necessary at October LTRC meeting.

7. GUEST SPEAKER

Martin Powell-Davies (NUT) addressed the meeting and requested that the LTRC Executive agree to call a demonstration on Saturday 23 October, assemble 11am at Unite House, march to TUC Congress House.

Agreed.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

  • Need more picketing materials.
  • Agreed printing of 40,000 more leaflets for the public re. LU dispute
  • 40-50 people to be transferred from Balfour Beatty to Lu
  • Agreed to refund to Glenroy loss of earning for representing two cleaners - this is not to set a precent