The Regional Council Secretary wrote to all branches, asking for their assessment of their branch’s work during 2009, and suggesting that they might address the following points:
- whether your membership grew or shrunk during 2009, and why you think this is
- any problems you have had filling reps’ positions within the branch’s area
- how effective your branch was during any industrial action in your area last year
- what recruitment activities you have organised
- any comments on how the union, either nationally or regionally, has helped (or not helped!)
- ideas for future improvements

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- whether your membership grew or shrunk during 2009, and why you think this is
TFl no.1 membership has remained steady in figures. We lost quite a few LU managers just before the strike, but surprise surprise now there is a rumour that their jobs are on the line they are coming back and a few new ones as well.

TFL has been a struggle: we are losing around 30 due to TFL imposing they sign the pay deal or they will lose their 75% rail discount which they can’t afford to lose.

We recruit regular numbers in and lose after OCPs etc.

- any problems you have had filling reps' positions within the branch’s area

The Rep situation in LU is ridiculous, Roy Carey is the only MATS Rep according to the structure, to cover 376 people. I also represent members but I don’t have the release rights which means I have to fight to get to meetings for LDI's/CDI's if I'm on the schedule to train.
Paul Jackson and I have spoken about the ex Metronet Managers which are now LU Managers and we have agreed to leave them where they are until we can sort out an increase in the reps numbers.

In TFL we are entitled to 4 to cover 400 it’s not enough and particularly depressing when TSSA have 14 under the framework! We are constantly fighting with the help of Steve Hedley but we are hitting our heads against a brick wall. We went down to 3 after the sad loss of Andy Melvin but now have a replacement Peter Wicks, he going to take some training as he has no experience but he is keen to learn.

- how effective your branch was during any industrial action in your area last year

The LU side strike [managers] was terrible: there were around 20 managers on strike only. TFL was a good turn out but they received a lot of abuse from their TFL colleagues.

- what recruitment activities you have organised

We have tried email blitzing, mail drops with postcards and morning surgerys in local coffee shops. They work OK but not brilliantly.

- any comments on how the union, either nationally or regionally, has helped (or not helped!)
- ideas for future improvements

I know Steve is busy but TFL feel as they are treated as 2nd class to LU as there isn’t always a HO person to attend the 4 meetings a year. The branch support and believe that Steve is doing a good job and that he fights for them .