Summary of Branch Meeting 250724

15/9/2024

The July branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 25th July 2024 at 7pm on Zoom.

Below are the summary minutes of the meeting. A full copy of the minutes are circulated to attendees and available on request from the branch secretary

A PDF file copy of the July Summary Minutes are also here

Summary Minutes of the Branch Meeting held on 25th July 2024

Minutes of branch meeting held on the 27th June 2024
Agreed as a true record.

Matters Arising
Ongoing discussions with Verena regarding potential youth members meeting. Noted in Secretaries report.

Correspondence.

Report from Labour Party and new MPs to say thank you to the branch for our support.
Personal injury course – Neil to attend!
Thank you letter for financial contribution to young lad with prosthetic leg.
Constant flow of members requesting support and guidance from the branch for work related issues. Secretary expressed his concern at the growing number of cases coming through which needed to be monitored closely going forward.
Steel Town Tales – virtual reality of Corby and the steelworks. Secretary reported an excellent production and recommended it to the branch for viewing at the Savoy cinema for the next 6 weeks.
Correspondence from Rachelle – re. members.
Correspondence from Pat – Amazon and equality issues.
Regional Health Forum – 24th July 2024
Labour Party – rallying support for polling day.
Adele Atkiss – changes to the union rulebook since Congress.
Menopause Forum – 26th July 2024.
38 Degrees – various updates.
Regional Committee minutes. Jackie to report further.
Adele Atkiss – new President for the GMB Public Sector. Simon Day.
Durham Miners Gala 13th June 2024.
Correspondence from Nicaragua Solidarity Support – activity update on current campaigns.
GMB vacancies – Midlands
Dorothy Mills – Branch Secretary – passed away recently.
Cuba Solidarity – campaign update. Invite speaker in the coming months.
Correspondence from Adrian – website updates.
LP – request for local candidates for next 2025 local elections.
Pride – ‘wash up meeting’ to discuss recent event in Corby and next years event.

Secretary’s Report

Secretary raised concerns from members that have issues with their employers. Certain employers’ names keep reappearing…
Steel Town Tales – excellent production. Full report.
Meeting with our new MPs. Both looking forward to working in their respective constituencies and in the House. Thanked the branch for their support.
Amazon report – outcome of recent ballot.

Presidents Report

President reported on the Regional Committee May 2024 meeting.
No meeting in June 2024.
Disputes:
Amazon; ballot.
Wolverhampton City Council. Dispute settled with a pay offer 13.8%, over 2 years.
Special Metals – dispute still ongoing.
Compass Group – over seven different sites – ongoing.
Rolls Royce – industrial action (short of strike) work to rule update. GMB unhappy with outcome of negotiations.
Birmingham City Council – GMB school support staff – full report.
Correspondence – Some branches have still not completed their Development Plan. Region becoming concerned!
CEC Learning Group – Rebecca Tuck report. Lessons from the report.
Legal cases – industrial claims settled. Full report presented. President expressed her concern about cases that have been turned down by our union solicitors. Interesting debate from branch about the concerns raised by Jackie. It was suggested we get someone from region to talk to the branch about the services of legal department or to be guided to as to who might be appropriate to approach. Secretary to follow up.
Report on Youth Equalities.

Digital Communication Officer

Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 202 (+26) website visits (sessions) by 151 (+9) people (users).
News Items Added to Website:

WhatsApp Group has 39 (-1) members
The July Email Newsletter was sent out on Sunday 21st July to 1,637 members (June members list) and has been opened by 355 members, a 41% opening rate
X / Twitter: 812 Followers.
Facebook: 401 Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Appeared (Impressions) 192 (+7.9%) seen (reach) 90 (-17.4%)

Equality Officers Report
No report – apologies given.

Youth Officers Report
Verena reported on the potential youth forum – Hopefully, sometime in the Autumn. It was discussed about setting up a registration link to ascertain numbers and how many we might expect if this is to proceed.

Regional Organisers Report
No report. Apologies given.

Accompanying Reps Report (ARs)

Secretary reported that there is a higher volume of cases coming through and that most are being dealt with via Teams where possible but concerned nevertheless about how much his workload is increased in dealing with members issues. Several members expressed concern about the direction and responsibilities of elected Reps and in particular the role of ARs from its initial conception.
Concern about the rise in cases of bullying and the anxiety this causes to members.

Workplace Report
No report.

Any Other Business

Update on the ‘Planks Gave Way’ - to be played at Regional Committee. Date to be given!
Gordon, request to have a union legal represented talk to the branch.

Date and Time of Next Meeting
26th September 2024 – Zoom.

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