EC Meeting November 2018

EC Minutes September 2018

Bro. Cortes (TSSA) reported that there were three disputes currently underway. Railway freight, Scottish railway dispute between the different treatment of staff and train drivers. Bro. Cortes reported campaigning on the political front against the sale of railway arches. Bro. Cortes reported on the likely set up of large chain shops in them and the displacement of small local business and the implications on the safety of the arches with their structure and failure of safety tests. Short term economic gain was again replacing a national asset.

Bro. Cortes reported on the campaign against Scotland ferries tender all ferry routes campaign against to put the Scottish government under pressure.

Bro. Cortes confirmed that TSSA would be moving into their new premises in November.

Bro. Elliott (Nautilus International) reported on the negative effect that Brexit would have on UK seafarers and how Brexit would put jobs at risk.

Bro. Elliott reported that in the first time in 20 years Nautilus had had two recent successful industrial action disputes. One dispute was with the Scottish government and northlink ferries they go out to tender and 15% increase in pay was achieved.

The other dispute was against Stenaline with RMT a sister union, Nautilus received a superior increase as a standalone union.

Bro. Simpson (POA) reported that during the TUC 17 assaults had taken place on prison staff and the injuries received. After negotiations with the Government had broken down, members were contacted on Thursday and 126 branches walked out. Emergency cover was put in place. Meetings were held and a press release was issued. Bro. Simpson discussed the talks and reported that last night at 6pm an agreement was finally made. Bro. Simpson stated that a drug reduction and violence strategy would be actioned. There is the possibility of contempt of court for the action but stressed this action was not against the court this was for the safety of prison staff and prisoners.

Bro. Simpson also reported on the issues faced at Birmingham Prison and hope to forge ahead for improvements.

Bro. Linn reported that he usually attended STC parliamentary meeting group but for the first time he attended a SMP meeting to campaign for collective bargaining however not a single SMP arrived to attend the meeting. Bro. Linn continues to campaign for diversity and inclusion. Bro. Linn confirmed that a webinar would be going ahead. Bro. Linn confirmed that a future pay increase was looking successful within the finance sector. Sis. Lawson (VOICE) Reported on the STRB’s pay increase announcement which was less than unions had asked for and would only begin to address the decline in teachers’ real pay in the last seven years. The government published 3.5% increase fully funded increase however this was a fabrication by the government is only paying the difference of what they should have been budgeting for. The actual pay rise would be between 1%- 2.5%. VOICE has pressed it should be 3.5% and this was only directed at England and not Wales, it has since been published Scotland would be included.

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