Summary of Branch Meeting 270225

The February branch meeting of GMB Northants Community Branch (C51) took place on Thursday the 27th February 2025 at 7pm on Zoom. 

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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 February Summary Minutes are here

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GMB Northants Community Branch Minutes 27th February 2025

Correspondence.

• 38 Degrees – NHS update.
• NAU,  Q3 audit.
• Pat – Regional Equalities Training
• Pat – MPs response to WASPI.
• GMB Education – Confidence building.  
• Members correspondence.
• Pat – Michelle Mc Crossen – Equality Award.
• Martin Allen – Future Strike Pay proposals.
• Team NHS – NHS privatisation.
• Adrian – website update.
• Adrian – Website invoice.

·         Jackie – foodbank – now setup!

• CEC minutes.
• Martin Allen – vacancies.
• Rachelle – school visit.
• Kettering LP.
• 38 Degrees – Royals charging the NHS.
• Special branch payments – submitted.
• Richard Taylor – tutors required.
• Adele Atkiss – delegates to Congress
• Wortley Hall.
• Neil – H&S Forum.
• Adel Atkiss- GMB vacancies.
• Preet Kaur – MP- Co-operative Party.
• Keir Starmer LP update.
• CEC – Region minutes.
• Adele Atkiss – Red Flag Festival, 30th May 2025.

·         Retired members – letter out by Secretary.
·         Richard Taylor – Case work systems – course.
·         East Midlands LP – election May 2025.
·         Nicaragua – update.
·         Gordon – Auditors Q3.
·         LGBTQI – Corby 2025.
·         Workers Memorial 2025.
·         Durham Miners – Refurbishment Fund.
·         Ian Cameron – Election.  Secretary – paper candidates.
 

 
Branch Secretary’s Report

• Secretary reported on the meetings he has engaged with during the month. 
• Workers Memorial Day – no response from other local unions on events that may be taking place.  Secretary to further report. 
• Branch election, June 2025.  Nominations to open in March and for the opportunity for prospective candidates to talk to branch officers. 
• Letter from the Regional Secretary – Martin Allen regarding future strike benefits/payments.  Branches, could potentially, be expected to contribute in the future.  General discussion around branch funding in other regions. 
• Retired branch members meeting – reasonable turn out.  The meeting concentrated on gaining better constitutional recognition in the future. 

 
Presidents Report

• The President gave a full and comprehensive report on the following items raised at regional committee:
• Branch Development plans.  Concerns expressed about the lack of reports coming through from the branches.   
• Jackie reported on her community work at Irthlingborough Food Bank. Very strongly supported in the area and very pleased that the branch are supporting them with funding. 
• Jackie reported that she is standing in Wellingborough in the forthcoming Unitary Council elections in May. 
• January regional committee. Report on ongoing disputes in the region. 
• Regional correspondence available on request.
• ‘Branch Development Plans – 42 received to date. 
• Time for Dads’ – time for dads following bereavement. 
• Will Thorne Award. Criteria to be decided in the coming months.
• Congress 2025 – 74 nominations – region allowed 64 delegates. 
• Legal cases; report on personal injury cases settled. 
• Report on employment case assessments.
• Equalities report from Sarah James.
• Report on regional recruitment and retention.
• Regional Secretaries report. Available on request.
• Report on industrial disputes in the region.
• Sponsorship and financial requests.

Jackie was thanked for her report. 
 
Digital Communication Office

• Website activity (GA4) for last 30 days: we had 218 (-52) website visits (sessions) by 167 (-20) people (users)
• News Items Added to Website:

1. Northants Community Branch Retired Members Meeting 20th Feb 2025
2. Confidence Building and Assertiveness Course
3. Young People Need Trade Unions
4. Alice Hawkins Event Monday 10 March 2025
5. February 2025 GMB Northants Branch Meeting

• WhatsApp Group has 49 (+4) members
• The February Email Newsletter was sent out on Friday 21st February 2025 to 1,685 members (January members list) and has been opened by 762 members, a 45.4% opening rate
• Retired members Email was sent 18th February 2025 to 103 members, and has been opened by 54 members, a 52.4% opening rate
• The Young Members email was sent out 18th February 2025 to 110 members, and has been opened by 48 members, a 43.6% opening rate
• X / Twitter: 787 (-5) Followers.
• Facebook: 446 (+0) Followers. Last 28 days: Posts Views 292 (+371%) Seen (reach) 65 (62.5%)

 
Equality Officers Report

• Pat reported on the recent equalities conference and all the themes that were covered, e.g. fighting the far right.
• Pat was re-elected regional committee.
• Pat thanked the branch for her recent award for tireless work in equalities.
• Promotion of the GMBs Motor Drivers Fund and the Credit Union.
• Jackie, spoke about WASPI campaign – Funding needed to keep the campaign going.  Branch agreed £200. Secretary to follow up.  There is a debate in Parliament on the 17th March 2025.  Locally, Lee Barron MP supporting the campaign. 

 
Youth Officers Report

• Verena reported on the scheduled young members meeting on the 3rd April 2025 via Zoom. 
• Reported on mental health training that is available on-line, mostly free of charge.
• Verena reported on recent pay claim within the NHS.

 
Accompanying Reps Report (ARs)

• Alan reported being extremely busy recently withing the branch areas.
• New system being developed for allocating cases withing the Midland region.
• Secretary reported on some excellent feedback from members represented.

 
Workplace Report 

• Abi doing short videos, as part of their recruitment drive, including quizzes about the history of the GMB, which was “incredibly popular” with members.
• Continuing to get information out to the members about union benefits.
• Health and Safety update in the store. 
• Report on a workplace inspection and issues raised in-store.
• More recruitment scheduled.
• Report on event for Workers Memorial Day 2025.

 
Any Other Business 

• Pat – feedback from WASPI – thank you for the proposed donation.
• Pat nominated to attend Women’s TUC conference.

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