Branch Minutes: Thursday 11th March 2010

Branch Secretary: Terry O’Neill.
Branch Chair: Adrian Finney

Attendees: M Mujahid, A Thomson, A Finney, T O’Neill, R Millhouse, A Malik, D Pittman, P Heyes, J Booth, V Thomas, Tony Rowntree (Revenue Dist), G Brown, Chris Bluett, Julia Latona, S Sivadasan, D Fitzpatrick, J Aboulainaf.

Apologies: Mike Cronin, B Witham, John Latona, Vic Morgan, M Varley, Mark Wheeler,

1709hrs Meeting opens Previous Minutes adopted: Prop GB, Seconded MM.

1 Matters arising

(a) Leyton Group.
DM raised issue with last month’s procedures when the branch suspended standing Orders to facilitate the election of two new reps for Leyton Group. TO’N accepted DM’s comments and minuted his concerns.

(b) Previous Motions to the Region
AF reported that all previous motions to the region were vote upon in agreement with the branch’s wishes and that all those motions were carried at the regional meeting in February.

(c) Payments
TO’N reported that all payments as mandated by the branch have been completed.

2. Leavers and Joiners : Current total members 592 as of 1/1/2010

(a) Leavers: TO’N reported on the recent membership lists and Local reps agreed to chase up certain individuals.
Joiners: M Benson T/op Loughton

(b) Organization , Recruitment & Retention.

JB requested the branch give consideration to Organization, recruitment & Retention as discussed at the LTRC.
JB asked that the branch formulate a plan and set a date for recruitment.

• April 8th 2010 @ 10am branch members, reps and activists to meet for recruitment drive.
• At Least 1 rep from each group to be in attendance during recruitment on their respective group.
• New membership list to be made available
• Branch Sec to order some badges, pens etc for the recruitment activist
• All current members to be posted application forms with a covering letter
• Local Branch publicity Drive before recruitment days
• Activists to report back to the Branch.

3. Standing Orders Suspended 17.30

Charlie McDonald & Nigel Prendergast of the PCS union (Hackney) attended the Branch. Charlie McDonald was invited to address the branch with regards to recent 2 days of Strike and shared similarities between the Unions.

Q&A session, JB, AF asked questions

4 Committee Reports

1. AF reported that branch membership moves will result in members being informed prior to any move.
2. Tracking systems to be established to follow leavers.
3. Central London Recruitment April 25
4. Anti-Euro Rail Privatization Lille, 13/4/2010
5. Cleaners transfer from GBM to Initial
6. Canvassing for John Mc Donald (Hayes & Harlinghton)

Item 5 resulted in a strong debate about Initial using emigration procedures in the immediate aftermath of transfer of cleaners to their organisation.
PH, JB , DM, AF, AT, GB, all contributed to the debate

3 Members Cases

1. Wynn Maynard. JL reported that Wynn Maynard is stalled due to Wynn not communicating with Julia.
2. Wayne Sparks: Wrong side door operation, TON reported that Wayne lost his job at LDI, an appeal is pending.

(4) Motions previously given:

1. £5 Minimum top up ( Mike Cronin ) Carried
2. Emergency Resolution : Job Cuts Carried
3. Opposition to LUL grievance Procedure Carried
4. Adverse Weather Conditions Carried
5. PTAC (Lul Engineering) Carried
6. Privatization of LUOH( Amended) Carried

Should the amended motion fall at the LRTC, Then the original motion is carried.

(5) AOB

1. AM reported on difficulties with transport and accommodation expenses for the RMT AGM 2010, TO’N will write to H.Q for detailed information on expenses for the upcoming AGM in Dundee.
2. DM raised issue wit new Initial cleaners wearing Hi-vis similar to LUL, H&S reps to raise at the Line meeting.
3. MM raised issue with the current RMT diary (2010) MM wants lunar phases & religious dates included to assist with members personal planning. TO’N to write to H.Q
4. AM Raised issue of the broken Toilet pan (Servicemen’s Club) : Staff have made a report of a toilet been broken , SS will investigate.
5. JB want to have agenda item of Workplace added to branch business, accepted.
6. JB reported JB displacement of CSA’s at Bank/Monument. JB reported that management allowed half the staffs at bank who were under threat of displacement to take up vacant positions, while the other half of the staff under threat will enter the SRT lists based at Bank.
7. PH Asked that the branch write to a station members informing them of the issues with job losses on the stations and the consequences for the future, TO’N to arrange a mail shot, TO’N volunteers to stuff envelopes(Inserting a membership form to recruit any non members)
8. DM raised issue with management using OT ban’s, to cut costs
9. AT asked that Stations Function reps attend the branch recruitment day, TO’N to e-mail SFC Members.
10. DM Branch catering, DM wanted some food provided , Branch agreed TO’N to arrange
11. TO’N reported on Loughton Platform refurbishment.
12. Election of Joe Aboulainaf as Industrial Rep Barkingside, Nom by SS sec By JA.

Meeting Closed 1915 hrs