South West Regional Website

 

 
(Homepage)   (News)
 
 
SECTION 1 : MINUTES OF INAUGURAL MEETING
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL COMMITTEE
 
Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting held on 19 October 2000 at 11.00am at the GWRSA Club, Temple Meads Station, Bristol
 
 
Branches in Attendance:
 
Eric Lovett – National Organising Secretary, Steve Baguley – Executive Council, South West No 1, Plymouth & East Cornwall Amal, Bournemouth & Dorset Amal, Wessex South Central, Bristol & District Amal, Gloucestershire Amal, South West No 7,  Somerset & West Wilts, Jersey, Guernsey, Worcester & Hereford, Cornwall Amal, Bournemouth Clerical, South West Clerical/Computing, Swindon Clerical, Exeter Engineering, Goonhilly/Maritime South, Madley CC, Solent West, Southampton, South Devon & Cornwall, South West Engineering, Swindon, Swindon Supplies, Taunton, Western MT, Gloucestershire Combined.
 
1.                  APOLOGIES   -   Southampton Clerical.
 
2.                  ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS
 
These were agreed.  However, a number of branches challenged the new constitution and it was agreed that this issue would be dealt with at the next Regional Committee.
 
3.                  ADDRESS BY ERIC LOVETT, NATIONAL ORGANISING SECRETARY
 
Eric spoke on the importance of the new Regional Committees and how this had come about through the Joint Working Parties and the debates on the organisation and Training Committees.  The new Regional Committees will deal with business proper to General Conference, but in a regional context.  The new Regional Committees are designed to bring all constituencies together and end the mutual suspicions, which have existed in the past.  He went on to say that we face many challenges in the future, but if we all work together we can build a strong and effective regional organisation.
 
4.                  ELECTIONS
 
a)                Regional Chair – one candidate was elected unopposed – Fred Simpson, South West Engineering Branch.
 
b)               Assistant Secretary – one candidate was elected unopposed – Matt Gillett, South West Clerical & Computing.
 
5.                  ADDRESS BY KEVIN BEAZER, REGIONAL SECRETARY
 
We must use this opportunity to move away from the past and use the new regional structure to move the Union forward.  The Committee will be fully inclusive and all views will be taken on board.  We must all recognise the different views and cultures that we come from.  If we are pragmatic, I am sure we can move this new structure forward.  To that end, it is my intention to visit as many branches as possible to forge a closer working relationship. 
 
Furthermore, it is my intention to try and organise regular meetings with branch secretaries to obtain their views on the regional structure. 
 
We must also take into account the distances branches will have to travel to meetings and, therefore, we may have to review where future Regional Committees are held.
Finally, I would like to thank the Bournemouth & Dorset Amal Branch for their continued assistance and expertise in setting up the South West Regional Web Page.
 
6.                  ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
 
a)                 Election of Delegates to the Retired Members Conference 2001 – the following delegates were elected at the meeting:
Samuel Stoneman
Les Searle
Pat O’Connor
Jim Stewart
Roger Lawrence.
 
7.                  DATE OF NEXT MEETING
 
It was agreed that the first South West Regional Committee Meeting would take place on 17 January 2001.  However, due to difficulties in organising a venue, the meeting has been moved to 24 January 2001 and will be held at the GWRSA Club, Temple Meads Station, Bristol. 
   

SECTION 2:  RATIFICATION OF OFFICERS
 
The following officials have been elected to the South West Regional positions.
 
                        South West Regional Secretary – Kevin Beazer
                        Assistant Secretary – Matt Gillett
                        Regional Chair – Fred Simpson
 
Recommendation – that the above Officers’ positions are ratified.
 
 
SECTION 3:  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL POLICY
 
a)                 Globalisation of the Telecom Industry
 
Major players in the Telecommunication Industry throughout the world are ruthlessly continuing along the road of acquisition and merger in their attempt to take control of the telecommunication market.  It has also become apparent that the major players do not want trade unions as partners in these ventures and are using the mergers as a vehicle to remove effective representation.  Obviously this type of policy is not in the best interests of our members now and in the future and, consequently, we must take appropriate action to ensure that our members are fully protected.  The CWU continues to form worldwide alliances with other trade unions, in order to combat this real threat to trade union membership.  These alliances are vital if we are to succeed in maintaining our influence with employers.
 
b)                 European Commission/Liberalisation of Postal Services
 
The long running saga of deregulation throughout the European postal markets continues.  This was spelt out by Derek Hodgson, General Secretary, at Annual Conference.  He spoke about the dangers of proposals being forwarded by the EU and the necessity to continue opposition on unbalanced proposals that will be detrimental to the UK Postal Industry.  Obviously we must continue to lobby the Labour Government on this issue, until we have secured acceptable assurances.
 
c)                  Postal Services Commission
 
Martin Stanley, Chief Executive of the Postal Services Commission gave a presentation to the Postal Conference.  He made it abundantly clear that the PSC are very concerned about the Post Office Industrial Relations record and, more specifically, the amount of industrial action that takes place within the Industry.  He made it crystal clear that the PSC intend to use their powers to take whatever steps they can to combat the threat and consequences of industrial action.  Obviously this does not mean that we should now be frightened of using official balloted industrial action when the time and cause are right.  Furthermore, we should not be frightened of the PSC and we must continue to defend our members’ terms and conditions, but we must also recognise that changes within the Industry will take place.
  
d)                 South West TUC
 
In future, the Regional Secretary will be included on all Regional TUC delegations.  Therefore, I will be able to report back directly to this Committee from those meetings.
 
Recommendation – that Section 3 of this report be agreed.
 
SECTION 4:  FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
 
A number of regions have set up regional funds.  The funds are used for guest speakers to Regional Committees, web pages and donations to campaigns etc.  Therefore, it is my intention to obtain information and documentation on how this operates in other regions.  As soon as I am in receipt of this information I will forward them to branches for their views.  Obviously if a fund is set up it will have to go through the normal channels of the Regional Committee.
 
Recommendation – that Section 4 is noted.
 
SECTION 5:  ORGANISATION & TRAINING – COMMUNICATION
 
a)                  Membership & Recruitment
 
I believe that we must build a successful recruitment campaign within our Region and I would suggest that branches place recruitment/membership on the agenda of their branch committee meetings.  Call centre recruitment has already been discussed between myself, CWU HQ and the branches affected.  Consequently, it is imperative that we all work together on this issue to secure new members for our Union.  A verbal update on this matter will take place at the meeting.
 
Furthermore, can branches please furnish me with their up to date membership figures for the next Regional Committee Meeting.
 
b)                 Training & Education
 
You will be aware that the CWU Education Policy was debated in great detail at Annual Conference 2000.  Obviously this subject was very emotive and therefore needs to be handled in a sensitive way.  However, it is crystal clear that the current position is unacceptable and the whole education and training issue needs to fit the requirements of all our representatives, irrespective of which constituency they belong to.
 
c)                  Communication
 
The South West Regional web site will hopefully be up and running in January 2001.  If any branches would like further information incorporated into the web site, please contact me accordingly.
 
Recommendation – that Section 5 be agreed.
  
 
SECTION 6:  EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
 
a)                 Advisory Committees
 
I have written to Derek Hodgson expressing my disquiet that lack of funding has led to cancellation of Advisory Committee meetings and asking why CWU HQ does not take Equal Opportunities seriously.  At the time of writing, I am still awaiting a response.
 
b)                 Regional Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee
 
It is my intention to set up a joint working party to look into the issues of Equal Opportunities within the regional structure.  I very much hope that this group can report back to the next Regional Meeting with a view to setting up an Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee.
 
To that end, I propose that branches forward interested names for the joint working party to me by the end of February 2001.  However, the make up of the Committee should reflect groups of workers such as: Black & Asian, Gay, Lesbian and Women members.
 
c)                  CWU Women’s Conference 2001
 
Please note that the above Conference will be held on Saturday, 3 February 2001 at ULU, Malet Street, London WC1.
 
d)                 CWU Black Workers’ Conference 2001
 
This will take place on Saturday, 24 February 2001 at ULU, Malet Street, London WC1.
 
Recommendation – that Secton 6 be agreed.
 
 
SECTION 7:  STRUCTURE & RULES
 
a)                 Future Structure Conference
 
It is my understanding that Derek Hodgson, General Secretary, is in the process of sounding out the various constituencies as to what they require and on the basis of those submissions, will attempt to draw up a new Union structure to be put to a Special Conference.
 
b)                 Regional Committee Constitution & Standing Orders
 
Following the inaugural meeting, I received from the South Devon & Cornwall Branch propositions on the following:
 
                        Constitution:
                        Para 2 a):  Delete 7 and insert 6.
                        Para 5 a):  Delete January and insert March.
Para 5 b):  Delete 10.00am to 12.45pm and 2pm to no later than 4.30pm and insert 10.30am to 12.45pm and 1.30pm to no later than 4.00pm.
Para 6 b) Secretary:  Delete the whole of the first paragraph and insert the following:  “The Regional Secretary shall be the principal representative of the CWU in the Region for all non-occupational issues and shall co-ordinate all non-occupational activity in the Region.
Standing Orders:
Para 2 c):  Delete this paragraph and re-letter the subsequent paragraphs.
 
Recommendation – that Section 7 a)  be noted and Section 7 b) will be debated and consensus voting will take place.
 
SECTION 8:  HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 
a)                 Motions to General Conference
 
Health & Safety Forums will be able to submit 3 motions for consideration for admission to the General Conference agenda on Health, Safety or Environmental matters.
 
Recommendation – that Section 8 be noted.
 
SECTION 9:  POLITICAL FUND MANAGEMENT
 
a)                 Regional Political Committee
 
The NEC has decided that senior representatives attending the Political Committee is no longer appropriate.  Individual members of the CWU, who are not also members of the Labour Party, should not be allowed to attend Political Committee meetings. 
 
b)                 South West Political Forum & Political Event
 
This took place on 14 November 2000 and was attended by Derek Bourn, National Political Officer.  Derek gave an in depth report about the importance of the forthcoming Government Elections and the role the CWU needs to take.  Obviously over the coming months we will have to work closely with the Labour Party to make sure they are elected for a second term.
 
c)                  Labour Party Spring Conference
 
To be held on 16-18 February 2001 in Glasgow.  Includes Local Government, European, Women’s and Youth Conference. 
 
d)                 South West Political Committee AGM
 
This will take place on 31 January 2001.  The report for this meeting will be forwarded to branches shortly.
 
 
Recommendation – that Section 9 be agreed.
SECTION 10:  RETIRED MEMBERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 
a)                 South West Forum
 
It is hoped that Les Searle, who is a member of the Retired Members Advisory Committee, will be able to attend the next meeting to discuss the work he is involved in.  Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to set up a South West Regional Retired Members Forum, which incorporates members from all constituencies.  I will be discussing this matter further with the Assistant Secretary and Chair.  Input from branches would be appreciated.
 
b)                 Retired Members Conference
 
This will be held on 1 February 2001 at CWU HQ.  Our delegates are Samuel Stoneman, Les Searle, Pat O’Connor, Jim Stewart and Roger Lawrence.
 
Furthermore, a motion from the South West Regional Committee will be moved by Les Searle and is as follows:
 
“This Conference urges the Executive Council to campaign, through the TUC, for a National Prostate Screening Process, including PSA testing, to be made available, on request, for all men over 50 years of age on the NHS.”
 
Recommendation – that Section 10 be agreed.
 
 
SECTION 11:  GENERAL & REGIONAL ISSUES
 
a)                 Regional Committee Delegations
 
Can branches be aware of the delegation sizes to Regional Committees, the formula is set out below for your information and action:
 
            Up to 1,000 members                    = 1 delegate
            Up to 2,000 members                    = 2 delegates
            2001 members and over                 = 3 delegates
 
Recommendation – that Section 11 be noted.
 
SECTION 12:  CONFERENCE ISSUES
 
a)                 South West Regional Committee Motions to General Conference
 
Would branches wishing to submit motions for the Regional Committee to adopt, please send them, in writing, to me by no later than Monday, 15 January 2001.  I will then be able to publish them to branches in advance of the meeting.
 
Recommendation – that Section 12 be noted.
 
SECTION 13:  FUTURE VENUES
 
Previously under the old Postal Constituency Regional Committee, the venues utilised were predominantly Bristol and Exeter.  Therefore, I believe that a free and frank discussion should take place on future venues for Committee meetings and I would welcome branches’ input at the meeting.
 
Recommendation – that Section 13 be discussed.
SECTION 14:  GUEST SPEAKERS
 
a)                 South West TUC
 
An official from the South West TUC will be doing a presentation on Bargaining for Skills as soon as all relevant agenda business has been concluded.
 
b)                 Future Guest Speakers
 
I would welcome suggestions from all branches on future guest speakers for South West Regional Committee Meetings.  Therefore, can branches please write to me with their suggestions for future meetings.
 
KEVIN BEAZER
South West Regional Secretary
 
 

 
Send mail to webmaster@cwuswr.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2001 Communication Workers Union (UK) South West Region
Last modified: March 06, 2001