
Below is a copy of the Summary Minutes of the Meeting.
You can also download a PDF copy of April 2022 Summary Minutes here.
GMB Northants Community Branch
Secretary, Alan Irwin
www.gmbnorthants.org
Summary Minutes of the Branch Meeting held on 27th April 2022
Once again, the Secretary pointed out that most of the correspondence received is now relating to member cases. Raised slight concern that some correspondence was still not going to the right address.
Political Officer – delegation briefing 29th April 2022 in preparation for the next GE
WoW, consistent flow of correspondence – big issues on food poverty.
East Midlands Pensions – AGM mins.
Correspondence from region, re. Workers Memorial Day.
Ukraine humanitarian appeal in Corby – update in Secretaries report.
Regular Nicaraguan updates via email.
Banner Theatre continue to produce lots of good work and have a new album coming out shortly.
International Transport Workers – P&O update.
Secretary’s Report
Branch agreed support E and his family who have now arrived in Corby. E recently attended an informal meeting of the branch.
Contact with Corby Great Oakley Community Centre who have been organising support work for refugees crossing the border into Poland. Money had been raised for food, clothes and other essentials to be shipped over. The initiative came from the Great Oakley Community Centre who were looking for a donation. The branch agreed to make a donation to the Community Centre, specifically for supporting their work with families. Question raised about money going directly to Christian aid groups without following the links on how the money is dispensed and accounted for. Secretary to contact their person at Great Oakley responsible for organising this work and report back.
International Workers Memorial Day, 30th April 2022, organised with CBC. Branch suggested that in the future we look to support events not just in Corby but within the branch boundaries. Thanks to CBC for their support. It was agreed that we should do something ‘special’ for the 25th anniversary event. Agreed to pay for buffet on the day.
Update on candidates for the forthcoming GE. Secretary has been in touch with the constituency officials. Still no clarity or confirmation on candidates. Secretary has met one prospective candidate for Corby who is a GMB member.
Cuban Solidarity – reported poor communication and Secretary expressed his frustration. V suggested that if CS are non-responsive to branch communication, we should consider future financial support.
Secretary suggested that the branch might want to think about education support to members. Item for discussion at a future meeting.
Secretary raised the issue of remuneration to our Digital Officer being raised. Agreed by the branch.
Update for member on earlier discussion re, Great Oakley Community Centre and he was involved in engaging them in discussion regarding their humanitarian work, he was advised on the branch outcome for financial support. He suggested that the branch should still consider giving support to organisations like UNHCR. Secretary to follow up and report back.
Financial Report
Balances reported
Presidents Report
Report on the successful ASDA campaign and pay deal. This following a fantastic GMB campaign from the union.
Digital Communications Officers Report
Website activity for last 30 days: we had 142 (+24) website visits (sessions) by 117 (+23) people (users) and they viewed 562 432 (+130) pages.
News Items Added to Website: P&O FERRIES SACKED 800 SEAFARERS UKRAINE - NO TO NUCLEAR WAR BECOME A LABOUR MP: GMB LABOUR PARTY BRIEFING NO3 SAY NO TO NEW TRADE DEAL WITH APARTHEID ISRAEL INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CORBY AND KETTERING FOODBANKS WAR ON WANT BUILDING BRIDGES FROM UKRAINE TO SYRIA WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY EVENT 2022 SUMMARY OF BRANCH MEETING 300322 APRIL 2022 BRANCH MEETING
The website domain name gmbnorthants.org is due for renewal
WhatsApp Group has 30 members (-1)
The April email newsletter was sent out on 23rd April to a total of 1,595 members and has been opened by 605 members, a 38% opening rate
Twitter: 702 (+0) Followers. Last 28 days: Tweets viewed (impressions) 147 (-46.5%) Profile visits 108(-33.3%)
Facebook: 208 (+8) Likes & 243 (+10) Followers. Last 28 days: Posts seen by (reach) 92 (-21%) people. Page views 8 (-43%). Post engagements 4 (-71%)
Equality Officers Report
Reported on what region is doing for International Workers Memorial Day.
Youth Officers Report
No report
Race Officers Report
No report. Secretary reported that he has spoken to officer recently
Accompanying Reps Report
Once again, the Secretary reported that he was still busy representing members, mostly on disciplinary cases in workplaces and the number of these have been going up in recent weeks. He said given how busy these cases are becoming we need to consider how best we can utilise our accompanying reps in the future.
Noted no takers for a full-time position in Hull.
Workplace Reports
No reports
Any Other Business
Concern raised about the poor attendance for the dates we have our monthly meeting and it conflicting with other meetings members have. Secretary reported that other members had raised the same concern, especially with local Councillors. Agreed, trial our next meeting for the last Thursday of the month.
Next meeting: Thursday 26th May 2022.
Yours fraternally
Alan Irwin
Branch Secretary
27/April /2022

summary_minutes_270422.pdf |