Southend Trades Union Council

Minutes of Meeting held on 5th October 2005

1.1 Present:

1.2 Apologies for absence: Denis Garne TSSA, Des Heemskerk AMICUS

1.3 The meeting opened at 7.40pm and was chaired by Rachel Heemskerk.

2.0 The minutes of our meeting held on 7th September 2005 were agreed as a true record.

3.0 Campaign Event in support of Public Services and Pensions

The Public Sector Unions will be relaunching their campaigns on Pensions during November. The Government will be holding talks with the Unions on pensions, but it seems clear that they are intent upon increasing the retirement age to 65 and other changes. The PCS is holding a series of Regional Forums, at which pensions will be one of the issues discussed. It was agreed to defer further discussion of a campaigning event until our November meeting.

4.0 Reports

4.1 AMICUS

The Union has suspended 3 Officials from their jobs, without giving them an explanation as to the reason why. Des Heemskerk, Jimmy Warne and Cathy Willis are supporters of AMICUS Unity Gazette, which was instrumental in getting Derek Simpson elected as General Secretary. AMICUS’ GMB Staff Representative has now lodged a formal grievance on their behalf.

4.2 PCS

In HM Revenue & Customs, members are awaiting the ballot on the pay offer following the Group Executive Meeting on 28th and 29th September. It is understood that a 3 year deal is on the table but includes strings in terms of changes to terms and conditions.

The Department of Work & Pensions expects to lose 400 staff within its Eastern England through Voluntary Early Releases. Every remaining member of staff will be expected to apply for their own job.

4.3 Pensioners

The National Pensioners Convention will be holding a lobby of Parliament next Wednesday (12th October).

4.4 UNISON

The Employers have suggested that there should be a 1% increase in employees’ pension contributions. If in the event that this change is imposed, UNISON will ballot its members for industrial action.

5.0 Finance

6.0 Correspondence

6.1 Labour Research - magazine October 2005 issue

6.2 TUC Conference Organising Unions, Organising Communities 12th November 05 - It was agreed that IP should attend to represent the Southend TUC.

6.3 Fair-Trade Campaign - It was agreed that we should support any initiatives in a campaign for Southend to gain Fair-Trade Town status.

6.4 STUC Website - The Secretary had received an e-mail from a member of the PCS regarding the links included on our website. The member was concerned about the links to the websites of political parties. IP advised that the websites of the local Green and Labour Parties have ceased and therefore the links need to be removed anyway. It was agreed that links to the websites of organisations sympathetic to the aims of Trades Unions.

7.0 Other Business

7.1 Unite Against Fascism - UAF will be holding a Conference on 5th November 2005.

7.2 Next Meeting: Wednesday 2nd November 2005

7.3 The meeting closed at 8.25pm.