Here are the Summary Minutes of the GMB Northants Union Branch meeting that took place on the 25th October 2017 in Corby
You can also download and print a PDF copy of the minutes here
You can also download and print a PDF copy of the minutes here
GMB Northants Community Branch
Summary Minutes of the branch meeting held on 25.10.17
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed to be a true record. The secretary apologised for not putting Maggie’s apologies in.
Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising.
Correspondence:
It was agreed to donate to the Campaign to keep Corby Urgent Care Centre open for the purchase of banners. Although the centre is being kept open for now this is only temporary and the banners had been purchased before the announcement was made.
It was agreed to donate to Hazards for the 2018 conference.
A shop steward in has been unfairly dismissed. The branch agreed to donate to help him and his family while his case goes to tribunal. We will pay more if it becomes necessary.
We will re-affiliate to Labour Research
Nominations for delegates and motions to congress will go on the November agenda.
Secretary’s Report:
The secretary said he will not be standing for election at the next branch elections in 2020. He feels it is time for someone younger to take over. The union must find ways for young people to get involved.
He had attended a branch activists week end course which had been very interesting. Region is looking at new ways of communicating with members and mounting campaigns. There is a great deal of variance about the way branches are being run especially financially. There had been misuse of union finances in some regions in the past. Although this has been brought under control there appears to be room for it to happen again. The secretary had expressed his doubts to David Castledine, Regional Finance Officer, and is waiting for a response. David is on holiday.
He is meeting Rachelle next month to discuss the branch development plan. Jackie will also attend.
There appears to be a possibility that Unison will try and poach some of our Kier members when Corby and Kettering Borough councils start operating services together. This must be resisted.
Financial Report:
The meeting was presented with a breakdown of branch finances for the past year and it was noted that finances are healthy. It was suggested that branch honorariums should be paid into credit union accounts. The secretary will open a consultation with recipients about this.
Presidents Report:
Jackie had nothing to report at this time.
Website/Social Media Report:
20.5% had opened the September newsletter sent by email, about average. Website visits were about average 131 visiting 491 pages in last 30 days. The website news pages are up to date.
The tweet concerning the Regional Women’s conference was top tweet with 190 impressions. This is the most impressions on a single topic we have had.
Adrian would like to tailor emails to suit members by age, gender, locality etc, but is not sure about data protection. The secretary will try and find out what is allowed.
Workplace Reports:
Kier: Although the merger of services between Corby and Kettering borough councils has been welcomed there is some apprehension about how Kier will react. Maggie said that talks between the two councils have started and there will be places for Union members from both councils. David doubted that Kier would cooperate. Maggie, who is a Kettering labour councillor and has been present at the talks, felt that they wouldn’t have a choice.
Matalan: Recruitment is ongoing. Management had adopted the Bradford system, David is unclear how this is being applied. He was advised to get a copy of the plan which should make it clear. The secretary will help if necessary.
Any Other Business:
Maggie made an appeal on behalf of Kettering Homestart, a charity which helps young families who are struggling to cope. The charity has had its funding stopped by the Tory Kettering Borough council and is finding it hard to cope. It was agreed that we would make a quarterly donation.
The meeting closed at 8.15
Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising.
Correspondence:
It was agreed to donate to the Campaign to keep Corby Urgent Care Centre open for the purchase of banners. Although the centre is being kept open for now this is only temporary and the banners had been purchased before the announcement was made.
It was agreed to donate to Hazards for the 2018 conference.
A shop steward in has been unfairly dismissed. The branch agreed to donate to help him and his family while his case goes to tribunal. We will pay more if it becomes necessary.
We will re-affiliate to Labour Research
Nominations for delegates and motions to congress will go on the November agenda.
Secretary’s Report:
The secretary said he will not be standing for election at the next branch elections in 2020. He feels it is time for someone younger to take over. The union must find ways for young people to get involved.
He had attended a branch activists week end course which had been very interesting. Region is looking at new ways of communicating with members and mounting campaigns. There is a great deal of variance about the way branches are being run especially financially. There had been misuse of union finances in some regions in the past. Although this has been brought under control there appears to be room for it to happen again. The secretary had expressed his doubts to David Castledine, Regional Finance Officer, and is waiting for a response. David is on holiday.
He is meeting Rachelle next month to discuss the branch development plan. Jackie will also attend.
There appears to be a possibility that Unison will try and poach some of our Kier members when Corby and Kettering Borough councils start operating services together. This must be resisted.
Financial Report:
The meeting was presented with a breakdown of branch finances for the past year and it was noted that finances are healthy. It was suggested that branch honorariums should be paid into credit union accounts. The secretary will open a consultation with recipients about this.
Presidents Report:
Jackie had nothing to report at this time.
Website/Social Media Report:
20.5% had opened the September newsletter sent by email, about average. Website visits were about average 131 visiting 491 pages in last 30 days. The website news pages are up to date.
The tweet concerning the Regional Women’s conference was top tweet with 190 impressions. This is the most impressions on a single topic we have had.
Adrian would like to tailor emails to suit members by age, gender, locality etc, but is not sure about data protection. The secretary will try and find out what is allowed.
Workplace Reports:
Kier: Although the merger of services between Corby and Kettering borough councils has been welcomed there is some apprehension about how Kier will react. Maggie said that talks between the two councils have started and there will be places for Union members from both councils. David doubted that Kier would cooperate. Maggie, who is a Kettering labour councillor and has been present at the talks, felt that they wouldn’t have a choice.
Matalan: Recruitment is ongoing. Management had adopted the Bradford system, David is unclear how this is being applied. He was advised to get a copy of the plan which should make it clear. The secretary will help if necessary.
Any Other Business:
Maggie made an appeal on behalf of Kettering Homestart, a charity which helps young families who are struggling to cope. The charity has had its funding stopped by the Tory Kettering Borough council and is finding it hard to cope. It was agreed that we would make a quarterly donation.
The meeting closed at 8.15
| summary_minutes_251017.pdf |
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