Present: Dean O'Hanlon, Jon Abdullah, Andy Izard, Clive Protheroe, Vaughan Thomas, Lewis Peacock, Carol Foster, Josie Toussaint-Pinnock, Glenroy Watson, Jackie Darby, Mark Harding

In attendance: Oliver New (Council of Executives), Steve Hedley (Regional Organiser)

Apologies for absence: Janine Booth

1. RECRUITMENT AND ORGANISATION:

As he was unable to attend the meeting in person, Dave Rayfield submitted the following written report:

On the days that we’ve been out talking to the membership it has, in my opinion, been a resounding success.

• We’ve managed to educate staff on the reasons why the pay deal is no good and why they need to support the RMT’s decision to reject the latest offer
• There are still a lot of non’s out there and they are happy to join when you give them a form and help them fill it in
• There are members of staff that think they’re members who , for whatever reason, have lapsed in membership
• Staff are not in the correct groups and therefore correct branch

We have a Regional R & R plan that is not being adhered to so please can you ask people at the meeting today if they have any suggestions for 2010 to make us stronger in the workplace by recruiting even more members, then a few of us can get together, draft something up, and submit a proposal for January’s regional meeting.

Agreed: Regional Council Secretary to write Branch Membership Secs/Branch Secs to request their attendance for a recruitment meeting to be arranged for 12th Jan 2pm (before next LTRC EC).

2. COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES REPORT:

Olly New reported on:

• Re-ballot of EDF members and appeal of legal decision from first ballot to go through European Court.
• Alstom ballot result
• Bakerloo Train Drivers and Finsbury Prk ballot requests
• CoE decision to not organise Bus Workers in the London Region. Bus Workers will only be represented on an individual basis. GS to write letter to each bus worker member regarding this decision.
• Union Finances - New Pension Scheme accepted at SGM
• Appeals on finance issues rejected

Questions and answers followed.

3. REGIONAL ORGANISER'S REPORT:

• EDF Dispute
• Alstom Dispute - Management want to meet TU for talks
• Bus Workers
• LU Ballot
• TFL pay update
• Mass Meeting 21st Dec

Questions and answers followed.

4. REGIONAL COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

Last month's resolutions forwarded to HQ, no response received.

5. IMPROVING ATTENDANCE AT REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETINGS (referred from last meeting)

The following suggestions were made:

• branches to be structured to feed in to Regional Council meetings
• branches to elect delegates
• branches to advertise Regional Council meetings and encourage attendance
• meetings in Unity House?
• reports to be snappier
• regular guest speakers
• themes for meetings eg. climate change, energy services, social housing, attacking the Tories

6. THE FUTURE OF MONTHLY TRAINING WORKSHOPS (referred from last meeting)

It was agreed to continue with these workshops and for Executive members to take more responsibility for organising, attending and building them.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

LTRC Christmas Social linked to Finsbury Prk Event on the 18th Dec. Request for other branches to contribute money to the event.

Legal Representation problems discussed. Resolution from Finsbury Park calling for Special General Meeting on legal services - to be discussed at January EC.

Proposal to invite John McDonnell MP to January LTRC meeting - agreed.

Suggestion to establish a panel of representatives, to relieve functional reps of some CDIs. Ask branch secretaries for information on which reps have particular experience in which areas.