1 2/13 PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL GMB 22 Stephenson Way ...

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
GMB
22 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
2/13
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MINUTES of a meeting held on TUESDAY 12
MARCH 2013 at 9.30AM in the COUNCIL CHAMBER of CAMDEN TOWN HALL,
JUDD STREET, LONDON WC1H 9JE
PRESENT:
President: Mary Turner MBE (London Region)
Vice-President: Malcolm Sage (Midland & East Coast Region)
Birmingham & West Midlands: Brian Adams (Commercial Services), Richard
Clarke (Public Services), Gordon Gibbs (Public Services), Gordon Richardson
(Manufacturing), Viv Smart (Public Services)
London: Brenda Fraser (Manufacturing), George Fraser (Public Services), Lena
Sharp (Commercial Services)
Midland & East Coast: Liz Blackman (Public Services), John Hall (Public Services),
Kath Slater (Commercial Services), Paul Wheatley (Manufacturing)
Northern: George Emmerson (Manufacturing), Gerry Ferguson (Manufacturing),
Mary Hutchinson (Manufacturing), Peter Kane (Commercial Services)
North West & Irish: Margaret Gregg (Commercial Services), David Hope (Public
Services), Eddie Marnell (Manufacturing), John McDonnell (Manufacturing), Andy
McGivern (Manufacturing), Ron Waugh (Manufacturing)
GMB Scotland: Kevin Buchanan (Commercial Services), John Dolan
(Manufacturing), June Minnery (Public Services), Cathy Murphy (Commercial
Services)
Southern: Jean Foster (Commercial Services), Bryan Hulley (Manufacturing), Bill
Modlock (Public Services)
GMB Wales & South West: Sheila Bearcroft (Manufacturing), Ken Daniels (Public
Services), Gwyn Evans (Commercial Services), Brian Farr (Manufacturing), Ann
Leader (Manufacturing), Michael Lock (Public Services), Lorraine Parker (Public
Services)
Yorkshire & North Derbyshire: Martin Jackson (Public Services), David Noble
(Public Services), Nicola Sharpe (Commercial Services), James Stribley
(Manufacturing)
Race Reserved Seats: Dana Bruno (Public Services), Audrey Harry MBE
(Manufacturing), Sharon Harding (Public Services), Warinder Juss (Commercial
Services), Evelyn Martin MBE (Public Services)
General Secretary: Paul Kenny
IN ATTENDANCE:
Regional Secretaries: Paul Hayes (London Region), Andy Worth (Midland & East
Coast Region), Tom Brennan (Northern Region), Paul McCarthy (North West &
Irish), Harry Donaldson (GMB Scotland), Paul Maloney (Southern Region), John
Phillips (GMB Wales & South West Region), Tim Roache (Yorkshire & North
Derbyshire Region)
National Secretaries: Jerry Nelson, Brian Strutton
National Officers: Rehana Azam, Allan Black, Justin Bowden, Mick Rix
National Organiser: Martin Smith
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National Office Personnel: Ida Clemo, Rose Conroy, Kamaljeet Jandu, Paula
Keane, John McClean, Phil McEvoy, Alex McMillan, Eamon O’Hearn-Large, Steve
Pryle, Steve Short, Cath Speight, Allan Wylie
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
(a) Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Roy Dunnett (London Region), James
Jones (Northern Region), Ann McLaren (GMB Scotland), Dave Clements (Southern
Region), Michael Lock (GMB Wales & South West Region), Sandra Berwick
(Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region)
(b) Sheila Bearcroft, GMB Wales & South West Region
The President read out a message from Sheila Bearcroft thanking CEC members for
all the messages of sympathy and cards sent to her following the sad death of her
husband.
(c) Appointment of Northern Regional Secretary
The General Secretary reported that following interviews for the Northern Regional
Secretary the Regional Committee could not decide between two candidates. Both
would be re-interviewed, but if the deadlock remained the process will be referred to
the CEC. He also reported that a grievance had been received in relation to the
interview process, therefore no appointment will be endorsed until the internal
grievance procedure has been completed. NOTED
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2013
Item 11
Noted that the minute should read 7th of the 37 arrested Cammell Laird workers, not
11th. AGREED to amend the minute accordingly.
RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting of
the Central Executive Council held on Tuesday 12 February 2013, be agreed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Item 3
Eddie Marnell, North West & Irish Region stated he had never claimed that Cammell
Laird Freedom of Information requests had been rejected and what the National
Officer for Legal and Corporate Affairs had said was she would speak to an
acquaintance of hers to ascertain if it was normal for all FOI requests to come back
negative. What the National Officer for Legal and Corporate Affairs has said about
Professor Keith Ewing finding a way to progress this matter was incorrect.
The General Secretary responded that the implication GMB had done nothing is
totally incorrect. The National Officer for Legal and Corporate Affairs had told the
truth. It was in fact Professor Keith Ewing who had changed his position from saying
he would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights to instead saying
making FOI requests was the best route and this had caused the CEC to be at cross
purposes. All Government Departments were sent FOI requests and all had
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esponded that they held no records or documents. He suggested Eddie Marnell
contact the National Officer direct to discuss. GMB had not given up fighting this
case, the problem was finding the evidence or information in order to formulate a
case. GMB had had several meetings over the years on this matter including with
two Prime Ministers, a Minister of Justice and a QC. GMB will keep pursuing this
issue.
Paul McCarthy, North West & Irish Regional Secretary reported that a meeting had
been arranged in April 2013 with MEPs who were willing to support this case through
the European Parliament.
4. GMB CONGRESS 2013
(a) Congress 2013 Preliminary Agenda and Draft CEC Position on Congress
Motions and Rule Amendments
The CEC AGREED its stance on Motions and Rule Amendments to Congress 2013,
save those deferred to the April 2013 CEC meeting.
(b) Appointment of CEC Observers to the Standing Orders Committee
It was AGREED that Andy McGivern, Manufacturing Section; Lena Sharp,
Commercial Services Section and Liz Blackman, Public Services Section would act
as CEC observers to the Standing Orders Committee at Congress 2013.
(c) List of Exhibitors
The CEC AGREED the list of exhibitors and sponsors to Congress 2013. The CEC
recorded their thanks to Robert Badlan, Congress Sponsorship & Exhibitions Officer
for his work in raising sponsorship to help offset Congress costs.
5. SECTION REPORTS
(a) Commercial Services
Minutes of Commercial Services Section National Committee – 10 June 2012
Minutes
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Commercial Services Section
National Committee held on 10 June 2012, be received.
Matters dealt with
Update on Motions to the 2012 Commercial Services Section Conference
Final Arrangements for the 2012 Commercial Services Section Conference
(b) Public Services
(i) Public Sector Update
Brian Strutton, National Secretary reported on the NHS staff side vote on Agenda for
Change. GMB had opposed the changes to terms and conditions, but were in the
minority as both Unison and the RCN had voted for the changes which are effective
from April 2013. GMB would be campaigning against these changes locally.
Brian also reported that Local Government Employers had made two pay offers, both
variations on a theme of a 1% increase. GMB will consult our members on these
offers when they are finalised. Unison had already rejected the offers without
consultation and were planning for an Industrial Action Ballot. A joint Trade Union
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side meeting was scheduled for Friday 15 March at which GMB would seek to carry
on negotiations with Local Government Employers and then put the final offer or
offers to all three Trade Union’s members on the same basis. The Trade Unions had
already achieved a number of concessions including stopping a cut in sick pay and
should not risk losing these by taking Industrial Action unless we were sure that
action would be successful.
(ii) Living Wage Campaign
Brian Strutton reported that since the campaign was launched in January 2013 fortyeight
Councils in England and Wales were paying or had agreed to pay a Living
Wage. All Councils in Scotland had agreed to pay a Living Wage. This campaign
must be used as an organising platform. A full written report would be bought to the
April CEC Meeting.
The CEC were notified that Leicester City Council had agreed to pay the Living
Wage, and an agreement was close in Nottingham Council, Leeds Council and
Sheffield Council had adopted living wage levels and contractors were now being
targeted, and Barking and Dagenham Council were implementing a £9.00 per hour
living wage.
(iii) Contractors Update
Justin Bowden, National Officer reported that Enterprise was being sold by for a loss,
by private equity company 3i, to Spanish giant Ferrovial who would merge it into
Amey. GMB had a joint recognition agreement along with Unite and Ucatt. A
GMB/Unite National Reps meeting was to be held later in March.
Justin also reported that the Carillion pre-hearing review outcome was expected
soon. One GMB shop steward had recently been dismissed and another offered
redundancy under threat of disciplinary action.
The blacklisting campaign continued to throw up surprises as GMB had uncovered at
least 200 environmental and green activists were amongst the 3,213 people on the
blacklist. The 200+ names included senior people from organisations such as
Friends of the Earth, Sustrans and Greenpeace. The legal, media and public
services sections were working carefully to develop this front and see whether the
apparent links to a secret police unit and the security services could be established
in relation to the blacklisting of these individuals. GMB's lawyers were exploring the
possibility of including the blacklisted green activistss in the impending High Court
action against Carillion on behalf of our construction workers. For both legal actions
as many people as possible were needed to come forward.
Reports suggested that the use of the public procurement process to blacklist the
blacklisters from getting any more public contracts may be starting to have an effect
and for that reason every part and level of the Union was asked to push this policy
even harder.
In response to comments the General Secretary stated that construction workers
were on the blacklist, but journalists and solicitors were also appearing on the
blacklist. Also activists who had opposed the Heathrow expansion or protested over
the M11 Link Road or Twyford Down were on the list along with others active on
environmental issues. The only conclusion that could be drawn was that names were
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exchanged between security agencies. The Information Commissioners Office had
only retrieved 10-15% of the material it could have done. No-one knows whose
names were on the other 85-90% of the material nor where this matter will end up,
but it has serious implications for civil rights and Trade Union rights.
(iv) Social Care Sector Update
Justin Bowden, National Officer reported that following the signing of the Recognition
Agreement with Four Seasons a spheres of influence protocol had been agreed with
Unison to give a 60/40 nationwide split of Homes. This package gave GMB "Lead
Union" status in just under 300 Care Homes, Units and small Hospitals in Four
Seasons, giving GMB direct access and organisation and recruitment rights over
18,000 staff. In addition the protocol with Unison also covered future acquisitions to
give GMB a 60/40 split except where a prior recognition agreement was already in
place. It was now full speed ahead in Four Seasons for Regions to get into the
Homes and recruit and organise.
Justin advised of concerns over the possible viability of HC-One where GMB had
4,500 members. HC-One had picked up 250 care homes from Southern Cross when
it collapsed but occupancy levels were currently lower than when Southern Cross
folded. Justin had written to the CEO of HC-One offering GMB's support and
assistance
6. FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
(a) Minutes of Finance & General Purposes Committee – 11 February 2013
Minutes
Item 3
In response to a question on what Congress policy was in respect of affiliating to
Unite against Fascism the General Secretary he was still trying to establish what this
was and the position is still unclear.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance & General Purposes held
on 11 February 2013, be received.
Matters dealt with
Affiliations
Donations
Benefit Claims
Industrial Action
Action on Congress Decisions
Contribution Income
Budget 2013
Employment Matters
VAT
Property Matters
(b) Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Allan Wylie, Finance Director reported that Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs
(HMRC) had begun inspecting GMB by visiting the National Admin Unit as part of a
programme targeted on Trade Unions. They are particularly looking at expenses
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they believe are taxable and had revoked the GMB’s long standing dispensations
covering expenses payments. In particular they had intstructed that lump sum
allowances should be taxed. This will affect employees, lay members and branches.
HMRC has advised they will make visits to Regional Offices in June, and will also be
contacting selected Branches. The CEC will be kept up to date on discussions with
HMRC and any changes that need to be made to the expenses payment system.
7. MEMBERSHIP & RECRUITMENT 2013
Martin Smith reported that membership was not growing as fast as it was, however
retention had improved and we would continue to focus on both recruitment and
retention. Between now and Congress resources will be redirected to five targets
which have given GMB access to 75,000 people. These targets were in Asda, Four
Seasons, PCT Trusts, Academies and Securitas.
The General Secretary reported that a lot of hard work had gone into agreeing
canteen access in Asda stores. GMB now had direct access to 40,000 non-members
in Asda who could now take time off to speak to us in store. This was a massive
opportunity which should lead to recruiting enough members to push for bargaining
rights. Our performance in recruiting in Asda is disappointing, now there were no
more excuses given the access we now had and performance will be measured.
National Agreements such as this must be taken advantage of.
In Four Seasons GMB now had access to 18,000 non-members with no restrictions.
In Academies GMB must follow the members when schools change to academy
status.
8. ORGANISATION COMMITTEE
(a) Minutes of Organisation Committee – 11 February 2013
Minutes
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Organisation Committee held on 11 February
2013, be received.
Matters dealt with
Congress 2012 – Report on Actions on Decisions of Congress referred to the
Organisation Committee
GMB Congress 2013
Organisation
Departmental Reports
Financial Services
(b) National Equality Forum Term of Office
The General Secretary reported National Equality Conference had discussed the
length of the term of office for National Equality Forum members and decided it
should remain as a two year term of office. The Conference had also discussed
arrangements for future Conferences and had decided it should remain an annual
event, to be a day longer from 2014, and would be a motion based and organisation
based Conference from 2014.
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In response to comments the General Secretary reported how impressed he was by
the Conference and the enthusiasm of new delegates.
9. TUC
(a) General Council Report – 27 February 2013
The CEC AGREED to accept the written report of the TUC General Council meeting
held on 27 February 2013
(b) Consultation on 2012 TUC Congress Resolution No.5 – Resisting
Austerity Measures
The General Secretary reported on the TUC consultation on Motion 5 to TUC
Congress 2012 calling for TUC to consider the practicalities of a general strike.
Following discussion it was AGREED the GMB position to submit to TUC would be a
midweek March against the Government should be arranged to bring central London
to a standstill and joint action with other Unions to maximise opposition built on a
TUC campaign.
(c) Pre-budget Rally – 13 March 2013
Eamon O’Hearn-Large, National Organising Department reported that TUC had
arranged a pre-budget rally on 13 March. GMB was being represented at the rally by
Maggie Hughes who campaigns for the rights of victims of crime abroad. GMB
members were meeting at Westminster Tube Station at 5pm. He asked for as many
people as possible to attend.
10. LABOUR PARTY
NEC Report
Andy Worth, Midland & East Coast Regional Secretary reported no meeting had
been held since the last CEC meeting.
11. ANTI-BEDROOM TAX DEMOS
Bryan Hulley, Southern Region reminded the CEC of anti-bedroom tax demos being
held on Saturday 16 March.
MARY TURNER
PRESIDENT
PAUL KENNY
GENERAL SECRETARY
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