Branch Minutes: Thursday 10th June 2010

Attendees: A Finney, T O’Neill, R Millhouse, A Malik, S Melynkh , D Pittman, C Bluett , Julia Latona, M Mujahid, J Booth, G Brown, Steve Hedley (R.O) Ash Malik, Vaughan Thomas, Mark Walters, Andy Constantine (Invitee)Martin Varle, Lee Kanazaria, Will Reed.

Apologies: John Latona A Thomson, A Carney, M, Cronin, Arief Danga, Anne Rose, L Guyven

1700 hrs Meeting opens.

Previous Minutes Adopted:

1. Emergency Branch Meeting, Pro AM Sec MM
2. Scheduled Branch May 13th, Pro GB Sec JB

Standing Orders Suspended 1710hrs

Andy Constantine (Independent) & Mark Walters ( Finsbury Park) Delivered a presentation On Tetra (Airwave Radio) Systems:

The main concerns.

1. No risk assessments, LUL have yet to provide any details on risk assessments
2. No Monitoring, the equipment is available, but LUL have not carried out in dept monitoring
3. LUL infrastructural differences (Tunnels) between LUL and other users of the system.
4. Effects of Tetra Waves on Hearth fibrillation
5. Current litigation with Lancashire Police
6. Station Staff exposure is deemed to be greater as they wear the radio at all times.
7. Tetra wave exposure limits, are higher in the UK than all other countries

GB, AM,MM,JB,DM,MV,TON,SH all contributed to the debate .

Action TO’N to write to all H&S reps to request that Tetra risk assessments are demanded and that a standing Item detailing Tetra wave Radio is placed upon the local Tier 1 meetings.

The Branch thanked Andy and Mark for their attendance and their assistance on this matter

Standing Orders Re-instated 1800hrs

1 Matters arising: NIL

2.(a) Leavers and Joiners: 22 Leavers, 6 Joiners, 4 retirees

TON reported that there were 22 Bus drivers left; they seemed to have departed after the recent letter from The GS.

2(b) Organization, Recruitment & Retention.

Branch Policy for reps: The Branch discussed a new policy for all reps elected in the future.
The branch recognizes that newer reps will need encouragement and assistance to get involved and active within the branch; however the branch needed a policy to ensure that our branch is well attended and the reps have the equipment and information to do the job.

Copy of the new policy is attached to the back of these minutes.

Action : Branch Sec & Chair to visit reps and explain the new policy and seek support

MM,MW.DM,JB.GB contributed to the debate.

The branch voted unanimously to adopt this new policy

3 Committee Reports:

AF reported on the Regional Council’s adoption of Our Emergency resolution to the Region. The regional council voted unanimously to accept the resolution

SH reported on the threat of 800 job losses, and the delay on delivering the Ballot.
SH wants the ballot out to members by June 19th, The R.O reported of the upcoming strike on Tube lines and the strikes effect on the operational effectiveness ERU. A notice is been sent out to all train operators informing them of the safety implications of the loss of the ERU and all drivers will be sent a pro-forma to complete.

JB,DM,TON,MM,MV all contributed.

JB asked questions on the Ballot and the reasons behind the delay.

Emergency Resolution the AGM Proposed by JB

This union notes that the decision of the GGC to ballot members on London Underground for industrial action against jobs cuts , has yet to be implemented. We strongly urge the union to commence this process as soon as possible.

The employer is proceeding with its job cutting plan:
Admin staff preferencing has already taken place.
LUL has already published proposed changes to drivers safety procedures
Station staff rosters with up to 800 fewer posts are due to be published very soon.

While staff see employer proceeding with job cuts, they also need to see their union fighting back.
We must not allow LUL get halfway to its destination before we are out of the starting blocks.

Whilst we understand the onerous requirements of the anti union laws, we believe that since the decision was taken in March, the union must be capable of preparing an adequate ballot notification by now.

Sec & Carried Unanimously

Other Reports
Vaughan Thomas reported on Management doing backroom deals with AsLEF, job losses and wages.
Will Reed reported on the current round of negotiations surround the Olympics, Will reported that the RMT were not going to agree with LUL and that some proposals were not in our members long term interest.

4. Correspondences
Re: Sphere of influence, Bob Crow
Annual Balance sheets 2009.
Young Members
LGBT Reps
COE decision report
Jobs
TUBE Lines

5. Members Cases
JB reported on DS case and asked for support for IT

Workplace Issues:

Waterloo and city Line

Glen Brown reported that there have been issues with structural problems in Waterloo depot. Den Fitz Patrick present as the issue arose, resulting in service suspension and staff evacuation.
Although all the risk is carried by LUL drivers, the infrastructure is owned by Network Rail.
Network Rail have been slow in dealing with the issue, GB will monitor and inform drivers of their rights to refuse to work on the grounds of safety.

7. Motions (as above)

8 AOB Standing (Orders Extended 19.15hrs)

1.Lee Kanazaria, reported that there are severe shortages of staff on the rosters on the Buckhurst Hill group, an incident occurred where a platform plunger was operated at South Woodford and a SS had to travel from Woodford to South Woodford, leaving Woodford with no supervisors, D Pitmann unaware , but DP will investigate and report back.

2. Lee Kanazaria, asked for more information and help re: Union Learning rep.TO’N to source more information.

Meeting Closed 1925 hrs

Branch account as of May 26th 2010 £ 1,288.48

Next Branch meeting 8th July 2010.

Original layout of minutes attached below