1 7/12 PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL GMB 22 Stephenson Way ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6. FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE – 15 OCTOBER 2012 Minutes Item 11 In response to a question from Eddie Marnell, North West & Irish Region on whether discussions between the GMB Pension Fund Trustees and the Pensions Regulator meant GMB were considering shutting down the pension scheme Allan Wylie, Finance Director reported that the Pensions Regulator is responsible for all pension schemes including our own 1961 Pension Fund. The Regulator was questioning the strength of the Union’s covenant as the employer who supported the scheme. The GMB Pension Trustees belief is that the covenant is strong but the Regulator’s view is different so the Trustees were seeking independent advice to present to the Regulator. The advice would be reported to the GMB Pension Trustees on 18 December 2012. Whilst it was possible the Regulator may press for changes to the scheme it was categorically no part of the Union's intention to weaken or damage the scheme. The General Secretary stated how annoyed he was that such an accusation could be made that the Union was somehow slipping through an attack on employees’ terms and conditions in the Minutes of a Committee meeting. The scheme could have been shut back in 2003 but was not. GMB has continually increased its employer contributions into the scheme which currently stood at 34%. The GMB has always supported the pension scheme and is fully committed to the pension scheme. The President re-iterated the commitment of Regional Secretaries to ensure the scheme was kept open, and asked for the question to be withdrawn. Eddie Marnell apologised for any misunderstanding of the minute. RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance & General Purposes held on 15 October 2012, be received. Matters dealt with Affiliations Donations Benefit Claims Industrial Action Action on Congress Decisions Boilermakers’ Superannuation Management Accounts Budget 2013 Pensions Regulator Employment Matters Property Matters 7. ORGANISATION COMMITTEE – 15 OCTOBER 2012 Minutes RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Organisation Committee held on 15 October 2012, be received. 6
Matters dealt with GMB Congress 2012 TUC Congress 2012 Organisation Departmental Reports Financial Services 8. POLITICAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE – 15 OCTOBER 2012 Minutes RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Political, European & International Committee held on 15 October 2012, be received. Matters dealt with European Policy Issues Section / regional European & International Reports International Solidarity Issues Political Issues Congress 2012 Action on Decisions 9. TUC General Council Report – 17 October 2012 The CEC AGREED to accept the written report of the TUC General Council meeting held on 17 October 2012. 10. LABOUR PARTY (a) NEC Report Andy Worth, Midland & East Coast Regional Secretary reported on the first meeting of the newly elected NEC which had discussed the one nation agenda, by-election results, the recruitment process for staff to work in Regions, falling party membership, growing 1000 club membership, a new policy hub launched to allow people to leave comments and views, membership of Policy Forums, and the abolition of the Agriculture Wages Board. The NEC debated at length the selection process for the Rotherham by-election. The NEC were unhappy with the process which had a selection panel with a majority of MP’s with no CLP representation. Consequently no Trade Union candidate was short-listed, even though all TULO affiliates had backed the same person. The NEC is to review the arrangements for by-election short listing and a more evenly balanced selection panel must be guaranteed in the future. In response to a question of why party membership was falling it was reported that whilst there was no analysis, it was felt that one reason might be a lack of policy's and if people do not have to be members to give their views they don't need to join. It was also pointed out that Trade Union members cannot join by Direct Debit via the Labour Party website. 7
Page 1 and 2: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL GMB 22 Steph
Page 3 and 4: The President thanked Phil for his
Page 5: sites; regular access to all sites
Page 9 and 10: (b) Midland & East Coast Region RES

1 7/12 PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL GMB 22 Stephenson Way ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?