Minutes of the Regional Retired Members Association Committee Meeting. held on Tuesday, 13 th October at Grove Hall

Transcription

1 In the Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region Minutes of the Regional Retired Members Association Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 13 th October 2015 at Grove Hall 1. PRESENT: George Tutill, Jackie Tutill, Steve Huckerby, Sandra Berwick, Dick Hazel, Bill Hinsliffe, Steve Jennings, Trudy Frampton (part), Lita Southam, Morgan Pugh, Graham Benton and Neil Moore. 2. INTRODUCTIONS: TF, SB and SH introduced themselves and were welcomed onto the committee. As previously advised GB explained that SJ would be taking over responsibility for the RMA following this meeting, TF would do SJ s admin but LS would retain responsibility for the trips and continue to liaise with NM & SJ to ensure continuity. 3. APOLOGIES: Rita Knowles, Jane Ford & Iris Crummack. 4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING 20/7/15: Agreed. 1

2 5. MATTERS ARISING: a) LS confirmed that the minutes of 10/2/15 had been sent out. b) Paper copies of the PULSE magazine that had only been sent by were sent out to those requesting them. JT to raise at national committee that only sending things out by disenfranchised those without access and the majority of retired members did not have PCs. c) Since identifying Bill Booth with 71 years GMB membership, Horace Bolton had come forward with 76 years membership starting with the Blacksmiths Society. The latest PULSE magazine would have an article on both and ask if there were any members with more service. d) SH invited and present. e) SJ to invite the new GMB national pensions officer to the next meeting to speak about the changes to the state pension scheme with effect from f) GB supplied a GMB bottle of whisky per trip for the raffles. g) Delegates and motion sent to national office for the national RMA conference. h) Regional TUC forum paperwork sent out. i) Result of the General Secretary and CEC elections due on 6 th November j) GB confirmed that out of 39 accompanying reps, 15 were retired members. 6. CORRESPONDENCE a) Minutes of the national RMA committee 10 th September 2015 tabled. b) Copy of article re Horace Bolton and Bill Booth (see above) circulated. 7. TRIPS: NM reported on another successful series of visits to Whitby, Blackpool and Bridlington where 350 retired members in 7 coaches from across the region enjoyed a day out with a 3 course lunch on arrival and hot & cold buffet before departing. LS had received many thank you s with no complaints at all. NM given authority to start organising for 2016 and he reported he was thinking about changing the destinations after receiving feedback. SJ confirmed the trips would go ahead albeit with the need to increase ticket costs which would remain under 20 but would still represent excellent value for money. SJ and NM to liaise before December LS confirmed she would still be responsible for the admin for the trips and TF would take on the remaining secretarial duties for the RMA on behalf of SJ upon GB s impending retirement. Following a question it was confirmed that all retired 2

3 members in the region received invitations for the trips which always sold out within 2 weeks. For logistical reasons all payments were non refundable unless LS could resell tickets and this is made clear on the invites. Due to falling numbers and increased costs there was no prospect of organising overseas trips. NM and LS were thanked for their work in organising the trips which were always well received. 8. REPORTS: a) National RMA Committee - JT gave a full report on the last meeting held on 10/9/15 as per the minutes previously circulated. Over 1,000 was raised on the RMA raffle at Congress in Dublin which the GS matched. Confirmed that the national RMA conference was taking place on 29/10/15 in Manchester, GB sent apologies as on PRL. Due to DH s recent throat operation it was confirmed BH would speak to the region s motion and speaker s notes were supplied. b) Regional TUC Forum meeting held on 12/10/15 in Leeds with 3 of our delegates in attendance. SH gave a full report on all the discussions and circulated a flyer for the next quarterly meeting of the Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention on 26/10/15 in Leeds, copy attached, where the GS of the National Pensioners Convention, Dot Gibson, would be speaking. c) Political Report SJ circulated copies of a document regarding the tories Trade Union Bill currently going through Parliament which was an overtly political attack on trade unions and their funds which would also affect the Labour Party, copy attached. Apart from draconian restrictions on organising industrial action, the main attack will be abolishing check off arrangements in public services taking away members voices unless they transferred on to direct debit which will be a major task. Recent experience of a public service union resulted in them losing 22% of their membership which in turn led to officer and staff redundancies due to the decrease in funding. SJ emphasised that without their unions, pensioners had little or no voice as organisations such as the NPC were largely funded by union affiliations. Although it was hoped the Bill might be amended as it goes through the Lords, the Parliament Act meant government could force their Act through. 3

4 Sep-14 Oct-14 Nov-14 Dec-14 Jan-15 Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr-15 May-15 Jun-15 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar REGIONAL FINANCIAL MEMBERSHIP Current Month Change on last month Last Month 12 months ago Sep-15 Aug-15 Sep-14 Change on 12 months ago % change Sept-14 to Sep-15 LONDON 101, , , % SOUTHERN 83, ,876 79,797 3, % NW & IRISH 82, ,356 82, % WALES & S. WEST 71, ,679 71, % NORTHERN 66, ,695 66, % YORKSHIRE 63, ,738 63, % MIDLANDS 58, ,851 58, % BIRMINGHAM 56, ,375 52,442 3, % SCOTLAND 55, ,209 56,335-1, % NATIONAL 638, , ,729 6, % 900 Yorkshire Region- Actual & Average Recruitment 2014/ Actual Linear (12 month avg) 4

5 YORKSHIRE Actual Moving Avg over 12 months Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep ANY OTHER BUSINESS: It was asked if GMB were considering introducing a funeral plan as seen in Sunday newspapers as part of the benefits package. SJ pointed out these were merely savings plans by another name and reminded colleagues they could join GMB s credit union, TCU Money, where they could save money at the same time receiving an excellent annual dividend which financially was far more beneficial. Colleagues were also advised the region had recently introduced Uniec Prestige as financial services providers and a speaker could be invited to a future meeting, (see attached leaflet). GB reminded the meeting that there remained in force a TUC wide boycott on Coop Funeralcare due to them de-recognising GMB for its workers MEETINGS: SJ to confirm the three meetings in due course. 5

6 12. VOTE OF THANKS: On behalf of the committee, GT moved a vote of thanks to GB and wished him all the best on his forthcoming retirement and to LS for her work. GB

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