Branch Minutes: Thursday 08th April 2010

Attendees: M Mujahid, A Thomson, A Finney, T O’Neill, R Millhouse, A Malik, S Melynk , M, Cronin, J McConville, A Garrett, L Kanazaria, W Safforres , L Guven, K Crosbie, J Booth,

Apologies: D Pittman, C Bluett, Glen Brown, Julia Latona,

1704 hrs Meeting opens Previous Minutes adopted: Prop AM, Seconded AT.

1. Matters arising

(a) TUSK Candidates & Jill Mansfield
JB raised issue that the COE had accepted the support of all TUSK candidates in the upcoming election. However the COE refused to back one of the branches recommended candidates Jill Mountford.
Jill Mountford is standing against Harriot Harman.

The Branch agreed that this decision was to be appealed. Action: TO’N to write to Regional council to appeal this decision.
(b) Toilet Damage: The branch discussed the intervention of the club manager during the last meeting, where damage caused in the men’s toilet was brought to our attention. It was raised at the last branch meeting; Sunesh Sivadasan was to report back to the branch after he had the opportunity to discuss the issue with a third party. A discussion was held on how to proceed with the issue. RM, AT, JMcC, AF, TO’N. Action: TO’N to write to the named third party and ask for his input and recollections.

Regional Council Motions : TO’N reported on the passage of all previous Motions to the region. All were carried.

Standing Orders Suspended 17.20Hrs:

J Booth presentations to the Branch.

1. Anti Fascism, JB reported on her recent trip to Nottingham stop the BNP and other issues surrounding the fight against Fascism. £100 Donation to The working class anti -fascist coalition, set up by the stop the BNP Nott’s.
2. Job Losses LUL: JB reported on the current dispute with LUL on Job losses and the implications for safety for drivers and stations. JB reported on the extra workloads for all staff and other risks to jobs now and in the future. The branch discussed the response from AsLEF and TSSA.
AG asked about the implications for reserve staff at Bank and other locations, AG asked about the proposed losses of job at Bank group.
RM asked if the station staff were on an overtime ban, JB stated that no OT was on offer from the company.
MC raised issue with the driver’s perceived position, AsLEF and on the moral of the drivers for Strike.
AF & TON said that the strike must be on our own merits, we must not depend on AsLEF as they were now filled with picket breakers, if all station staff come out then the railway will be suspended.
M, JMcC, AT,AM,WS,KC & AM all made contributions .
Action: The branch will arrange for volunteers to leaflet the Public with our concerns, Monday 12th of April 2010, 1630hrs.TO’N to e-mail activists and reps for support. Flags and hats to be ordered to help with the exercise.

Standing Orders re-instated: 17.55

2. Leavers and Joiners: Current total members

(a) AT, AF &TO’N were out recruiting, 2 new members by application forms. Great Interest shown at all
locations.
(b) Leaver and Joiner reports from H.Q. 11 new members , 6 leavers,
2(b) Organization, Recruitment & Retention.
TO’N, AT. AF & Malcolm Taylor recruited from Holborn to Leytonstone. New members recruited. Other members identified as in wrong branches’ and listed for attention by Branch members Secretary.
Branch Membership Secretary and Branch Secretary to attend Remote access course in Doncaster for Database training .Next Recruitment date: TBA

3. Committee Reports

1.Bus Drives: TUC & RMT, UNITE.
SM reported on the issues now affecting the Bus drivers who are members of the RMT.
JMc said it was a smack in the face and he had felt betrayed by the RMT. TO’N & AF discussed the political implications of having a dispute with the TUC and Unite. Lively debate, resulting in the branch voting to back P. Sheridans letter to Bob Crow .Action, TO’N to write to Bob Crow.
NIL

4. Correspondences

1. Job Cuts
2. Euro Rail privatization, Lille
3. Membership Lists (Train Ops)
4. Stop The BNP Barking
5. Cuba Garden Party
6. Political School (Still Open to attendees)

5. Members Cases

1. Wayne Sparks: Under appeal, AT reported
2. Levent Guyven: S Melynk, Reported, appeal yet to be done, then the branch will be addressed for assistance should the appeal fail.

6. Workplace Issues:
NIL

7 Motions previously given:
NIL

8 AOB

1. Face book Stratford No1: MC asked about going on face book like the Wimbledon branch. M.C to assess the needs and requirements around setting up an account, accessible only to Branch Members (or Other RMT members).The security implications and the controls needed for such an account.
2. Invite to Steve Hedley to discuss the bus drivers predicament.
3. Connect Radio & PPE: RM asked that consideration be given to the rule book no7 and the need to carry a Connect HHD as part of PPE. TO’N to contact Mark Walters (RMT Vic Line) for details of TETRA expert. TO’N to write to TSC for advice.
4. Walthamstow Trades Council. AF reported on a recent meeting of the Walthamstow Trades council, AF told the branch that the attendees at the Trades council were looking to the RMT for future actions.
5. Diaries: MM asked about future diary editions from the RMT.TO’N to forward GS reply to MM and then
make representation the G.S thereafter.
6. Branch food. TO’N informed the branch of the difficulty of sourcing food for the branch. MM was asked for assistance. AM & others made recommendations .Food to be sourced at £2 pp. First meeting with food will be next month.

Meeting Closed 1915 hrs