Notes from Regional Council Executive, 11 January 2011

Attendance: Vaughan Thomas, Adrian Finney, Janine Booth (Council of Executives member), Mac McKenna, John Reid, Arwyn Thomas, John Kelly, Andy Littlechild, Peter Hartshorn (for first item), Roy Carey, Steve Hedley (Regional Organiser), Ross Marshall, Bob McMunn, Jackie Darby, Glenroy Watson, Val Barzey, Neil Hodgson
Apologies: Adrian Rowe, Lewis Peacock, Paul Jackson, Unjum Mirza, Becky Crocker

1. PETER HARTSHORN

Peter addressed the meeting about his victimisation; his CDI takes place tomorrow. Branch leaflet circulated.

2. NEXT LTRC MEETING

Resolution from LU Fleet branch on education cuts accepted, amended as agreed between branch secretary and LTRC secretary.

3. COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES / REGIONAL ORGANISER REPORT
Janine reported on:

  • her appointment to Executive subcommittees - Equal Rights, Olympics, General Finance, Staffing, Health & Safety
  • RMT grades and equalities conferences
  • Black & Ethnic Minority Members Advisory Committee anti-slavery event in September
  • campaigns against victimisation: Peter Hartshorn has his CDI 12/1/11; one-day strikes of Bakerloo and Morden drivers on Saturday 15/1/11 (starting Friday night)
  • Docklands Light Railway - good industrial action ballot result - reps to meet 12/1/11 - GGC decision Thursday
  • Power Control Room / TACs - LU offer on grade progression is unacceptable - following discussion with members, MATS rep recommends referendum (recommendation No), followed by industrial action ballot - GGC decision Thursday
  • Victoria Line drivers senstive edge dispute - ballot for action short of strikes currently being prepared
  • LU pay - RMT has not yet submitted a claim, not yet considered the resolution passed by the Regional Council in August
    other disputes and campaigns around the country
  • London Underground job cuts - decisions of GGC on 7/1/11 and 11/1/11 circulated to meeting [detailed report on this issue given; written report circulated to reps & activists]
  • press coverage: BBC 11/1/11 reported 'no strikes in January' despite this being opposite of GGC decision - correction arranged - good media coverage of job cuts issue achieved over past week

Janine proposed that the Executive propose to next LTRC that we set up an LTRC Olympics sub-committee. Agreed.

Steve reported on:

  • LU job cuts campaign - explained his view on the way forward
  • TUC national demonstration against cuts - RMT aiming for big mobilisation - each branch should get at least 15 people there
  • London Overground Gospel Oak line - good agreement reached on pay - 5.7% pay rise + 1 hour off working week - reps recommend accepting
  • campaigns to reinstate Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas
  • National Shop Stewards Network Conference, Saturday 22 January - all branches should try to send a delegate

Steve proposed that for the next two months, the LTRC agenda include reports from branches on progress in building for the TUC demonstration. Agreed.

Points raised in discussion:

  • anti-slavery event - include fact that slavery had not been abolished, and the press-ganging of Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh people into slavery
  • anti-victimisation strikes - Saturday or weekday better?
  • pay - suggest demand 6%, or £2 - 2.5k if flat-rate claim
  • extensive discussion on LU job cuts dispute - majority approved C of E members' actions; many criticisms of conduct of dispute over previous months

Agreed to hold open meeting for all RMT members about the LU job cuts dispute on Monday 17, with vote to be taken to determine majority view of meeting. Financial Secretary to arrange venue.

4. OTHER BUSINESS

Request from LU Engineering branch for Emergency Regional Council meeting - no decision to call this taken at this meeting, and so far insufficent branch secretaries agreed - LU Engineering branch to reconsider

Counter-demonstration against EDL, Luton, Saturday 5 February - agreed to fund coach/minibus as appropriate