CARLISLE CITY RMT

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Carlisle City Branch (0299)
www.carlislecityrmt.org
Chair: Craig Johnston
From Mark Eilbeck – Branch Secretary
3 Blundell Road, Harraby, Carlisle, CA1 3BQ
Telephone – 07908 521 392

Minutes of the meeting of the Carlisle City Branch of the RMT held in the Kings Head, Fisher Street, Carlisle on 2 September 2008 at 19.00hrs

Members Present: Craig Johnston (Chair), Alan Johnson, Paul Ferry, Harry Storrow, Iain Cavanagh, Kevin Roach, Stephen Troughear, George Coulthard, Mark Eilbeck (Secretary), Peter Jeffery and Maurice Walker (Retired)

Apologies: Scott Nelson, Donald Coupland and Karl Norendal

The Minutes of the meeting of the Carlisle City Branch of the RMT held on 5 August 2008 were agreed.

Matters Arising – Paul Ferry raised the issue of the Babcock Rail proposed transfer of staff from Carnforth depot to Preston – Regional Organiser Andy Warnock-Smith had attended the meeting with staff and management – a consultation document had now been issued regarding the transfer. The branch recorded its thanks to Andy Warnock-Smith for his involvement and efforts so far, Paul Ferry would keep the branch officers up to date on any developments that took place before the next branch meeting.

Letters from Head Office – were read and noted.

It was agreed to write to Head Office asking for clarification of whether Eurostar had withdrawn reduced rate travel on their services.

It was agreed to write to Head Office asking for guidelines for housekeepers obtaining staff travel concessions.

It was agreed that following receipt of a letter from the General Secretary, Bob Crow, the branch would submit its resolution on the re-nationalisation of the energy and fuel industries to the next available meeting of the Manchester and North West of England Regional Council.

Letters from Regional Offices – were read and noted

Elections -

Nominations from Carlisle City Branch
RMT Political School – Brother Karl Norendal – Carlisle City Branch
Election of Delegates to the TUC Conference 2009 – held over to next meeting
Northern TUC Regional Council 2009 – Brother Craig Johnston – Carlisle City Branch
BTUC Black Workers Conference 2009 – held over to next meeting
BTUC Women’s Conference 2009 – held over to next meeting
TUC LGBT Conference 2009 – R. Wolfe – Doncaster Branch

Resolutions –

“This branch calls for the original railway industry conditions of service books to be re-printed and for them to be accessible on the RMT national website – the branch also seeks clarification on whether the conditions of service book apply to Network Rail.
The branch believes that the conditions of service books form the backbone of our work life standards and contain key conditions, many of which have not been negotiated away by subsequent employers since privatisation and fragmentation – but are being overlooked and ignored by some unscrupulous employers that we deal with. We need those conditions of service books accessible to members and staff representatives so that they are equipped to argue our case and defend our hard fought for conditions”

Carried Unanimously

“This branch notes the letter circulated to us, and no doubt other branches in the Manchester and North West Regional Council area from Brother Trevor Jordan from Preston No 1 Branch regarding the forthcoming Council of Executives election.
We note the paragraph where Brother Jordan states “I do know about the meeting held among branches to support another candidate but I do not think democracy is served by having a one horse race, I also do not like the pressure put on me not to stand and I would remind those who took part in this meeting that the RMT is first and foremost a Democratic organisation, I find it rather sad that some members resorted to tactics that were synonymous with one of the Train Operating Companies and should never have been entertained in this trade Union”
Carlisle City Branch notes that the only other declared candidate we know in this election is Brother Craig Johnston,
Our Branch and Brother Johnston know nothing of the meeting of branches referred to by Brother Jordan and would ask him to clarify if he knows who attended the meeting, which branches they represented and when and where was this supposed meeting held?
The branch would also like details of what pressure was placed on Brother Jordan not to stand?
The branch believes that many members of other branches may gain the wholly wrong impression from this letter that Brother Johnston and Carlisle City Branch were in some way involved in an attempt to undermine the democratic processes and rules of this Union – Both the branch and Brother Johnston refute this scandalous allegation,
We confirm that we have not been involved in any joint branch meetings that have discussed the forthcoming Council of Executives election neither have we put any pressure on anyone not to stand,
Carlisle City Branch welcomes an election and the mandate that will then be given to any successful candidate, however no election process should be tarnished with untruths, false allegations and defamatory innuendo,
We seek an assurance that no election statement issued by the Union on behalf of Brother Jordan will contain such features,
We also express our disappointment that an election that should be about ideas and optimism has been tarnished in this negative and tawdry way”

Carried Unanimously

Grievances – Nil

Treasurer’s Report – was accepted by the Branch

Any Other Business – It was agreed to try and get as many contact details of local and second stage staff representatives on the branch website.

Karl Norendal had sent a message asking members if there was anything they would like added to the website if members have any ideas they can get them to Karl through the website.

Letter from Russell Brown Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway – confirming he will sign EDM 1862 opposing privatisation of the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Letter from John Egan – Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Carlisle City Council – Our request to use the City of Carlisle Coat of Arms on our branch website, branch tie and new banner is being considered by the City Council.

Scott Nelson has asked us to mention an event which is part of the TUC contribution to Liverpool’s capital of culture events 2008, an event is to be held in Liverpool from Friday 19 September 2008 to Sunday 21 September 2008 the event is priced at £25 and Scott assures the branch there will be some excellent bands!
More information from www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/others2008/workingclass

Convention of the Left debate 08 – Manchester 20 –24 September 2008 – more information on this at www.conventionoftheleft.org

Network Rail issues – members employed by Network Rail have requested an open meeting be arranged with a leading union official about harmonisation, the recent dispute and the state of industrial relations at Network Rail – they have requested that the meeting be open to all infrastructure members of the RMT – the Chair will contact Senior Assistant General Secretary Mick Cash with a view to getting him to attend a meeting as soon as possible.

Mark Eilbeck had received a verbal request from Emanuel Boeteng to address the branch on council youth services in the city – it was agreed that we would accept a formal request for him to address the branch and in addition we have no problem giving a link on our website to their website.

It was reported that Craig Johnston had written to the Settle and Carlisle Development Company asking them to ensure that risks assessments be carried out for staff crossing the lines at Appleby in Westmorland with catering trolleys.

Carlisle Group Cleaning Services – Redundancies have been avoided following a meeting with the management, Craig Johnston and the staff at Carlisle – there may be some alterations to links and posts and the union will continue to offer support and guidance to the members through this process.

The next meeting of the Carlisle City Branch of the RMT will be held at 18.30hrs upstairs in the Walkabout Bar, Botchergate, Carlisle on Tuesday 7 October 2008
* Note the change of time and venue * -
Guest Speaker - Mick Cash – RMT Senior Assistant General Secretary
“Network Rail Infrastructure Members Update”
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND
Please display these minutes on your workplace RMT Notice Board…
Keep our members advised and involved. www.carlislecityrmt.org