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 Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE MID DEVON BRANCH OF UNISON HELD ON THE 1ST AUGUST AND RECONVENED ON THE 21ST AUGUST 2002

Present : B Williams, N Davies, B Cornes, P Evans, C Thorn, P Hall, J Hanson, L Chilcott, A James & PSaunders (part of meeting)

 Apologies : C Marlow

1.     Chairman welcomed Emma Dunn (Regional Organiser) to the meeting. Reported that Hon Secretary attending meeting at Taunton regarding organising for the second day of industrial action but should be back before conclusion of todays meeting.

2.     Minutes agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

3.     Matters arising  - 2. Monies now received.

4.     Pay Claim 2002 – Joint meeting at ACAS last Friday but no improved offer. Further talks tomorrow but as no apparent offer on table must make plans for 2nd day of action on the 14th August. Discussion on how we should inform members of the branch. Decided to use e-mail, noticeboards, and posters and circulate letter. No contact from management regarding action – cancellation of leave etc. Decided to picket main sites but for longer period of day. Discussed whether action would be more disruptive if it was selective. Prime areas would be the cash offices, telephonists and the refuse collectors. Members felt that paying the refuse collector’s time and a half for working on the Saturday should not happen again. Hon secretary proposed - That the branch  should not make any special deals and arrangements for refuse collection on the 14th August. This was seconded and AGREED. It was also agreed to pursue selective action in the three areas previously mentioned. Stewards to discuss with members concerned.

5.     Hardship Fund – Agreed that Hardship Fund be set up and that a separate bank account be opened. Agreed that 5% of branch funds be transferred into it. Letters should be sent to those members asking for donations to the fund who were on holiday or exempted from action etc on the 17th July. Need to design application form. Hardship Committee to be Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. E Dunn agreed to act as independent  arbitrator if needed.  MEETING ADJOURNED                                                                                                                                                                    

 

RECONVENED MEETING 21 ST AUGUST 2002

 

6.     Present : B Williams, C Marlow, C Jones, C Thorn, L Chilcott, N Davies, A James & P Saunders

7.     Apologies : P Hall, P Evans & E Dunn

8.     Pay Claim – Secretary reported that there had been an improved offer made by the national employers and the three unions were recommending acceptance. Every member needed to be contacted to ascertain his or her views and this information needed to be fed back to regional office by the 16th September. Secretary reported receiving various e-mails from branch secretaries  in the region informing him that their branches were recommending refusal of the offer. However, the secretary was of the opinion that as each member had been balloted on industrial action it was up to him or her to decide whether or not the improved offer was acceptable. So far over 90 members of our branch had voted to accept the improved offer. The secretary reported on one instance where an incorrect assumption had been made that an member had been on strike when in reality they had been on leave. It may not have been an isolated case so if any member has pay deducted in error chase up salaries & wages straight away. Concern expressed that not all donations had been made. Chairman promised to e-mail all members regarding donations and depending on results chase up individuals.

9.     JCC Meeting 9th July 2002 & meeting with Chief Executive – Chairman reported that the pay claim had been discussed. The revenue services profit share buy out had been debated at length and the end result was an unconstitutional  decision being made. A report had been prepared for the Resources Committee but no one was aware of its contents. Meetings had been held with M Cox and Chief Executive to discuss progress with job evaluation. Revised timetable agreed – pilot in September 2002 moving to implementation of actual scheme in January 2003. Secretary concerned with both branch and MDDC resources. Need for revision training but this could be arranged when agreement reached on actual scheme to be used. Chairman referred to alterations to some of the ‘pilot’  type posts – increase in number of lower paid posts. C Marlow produced a useful leaflet from Bristol City – Secretary to copy and circulate. Discussion regarding size of panels,’grade’ protection and implementation date. Chairman to produce paper on pay grades.

10.            Management Restructure – problems with post in Community Regeneration. Agreed difficult to find solution but report to Chief Executive.

11.            Officer’s Reports – a. Secretary asked steward to distribute leaflets re pay claim. Details of Unison Travel web site distributed. Letter of resignation received from Mary Flanagan – vacancy for post of Education Secretary. Details of various Unison sports competitions received. Unison diaries – agreed not to purchase ant

b. Health & Safety – L Chilcott referred to post still being received for Lynn Baldwin. c. Education – chairman referred to TUC learning services rep to talk at future exec meeting. d. Treasurer – written report circulated.