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Minutes of the AGM held on 24th January 2001 at 11.00am at the GWRSA Club, Temple Meads Station, Bristol.
 
IN ATTENDANCE:
 
Kevin Beazer (Regional Secretary) Fred Simpson (Regional Chair)
South West Engineering Taunton Swindon Clerical
Solent West Exeter Engineering
Bournemouth & Dorset Amal Worcester & Hereford South Devon & Cornwall Engineering
Guernsey South West Clerical & Computing Cornwall Amal
Bristol & District Bournemouth Clerical Plymouth & East Cornwall
South West No 1 Somerset & West Wilts Wessex South Central
 
APOLOGIES
 
       Matt Gillett Assistant Secretary, Western MT, Jersey, Southampton Clerical.
 
BRANCHES NOT IN ATTENDANCE
 
Gloucestershire Amal, South West No 7, Goonhilly / Maritime South, Madley CC,
Swindon Supplies, Gloucestershire Combined, Southampton, Swindon.
 
ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS.
 
These were agreed. However, in future a “role call of all Branches” would take place at the start of Regional Committee meetings.
 
 
SECTION 3: NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL POLICY
 
a)            Globalisation of the Telecom Industry
 
A discussion took place on the need to combat the threat of competition in the telecommunications industry by organising workers into the CWU. The wider issue of recruitment in “non core business” was left to section 5 of the report.
 
b)            European Commission / Liberalisation of Postal Services
 
Postal Branches voiced their concern on how deregulation within the Postal Markets across Europe could be hugely damaging to the UK universal service and, if left unchecked, major job losses could occur. It was agreed that as a Trade Union we must keep the pressure on the Government to deliver an acceptable agreement on this issue.
 
c)         Postal Services Commission
 
Postal Branches raised concerns on the circumstances in which the PSC will give licences to our competitors over the coming months and years. No doubt, the Union and the employer will have to look at a future strategy for defending our industry against competitors. To that end, it was recognised that if the amount of industrial action continues then this will ultimately effect how the PSC issues licences. The PSC will not be interested in who is to blame for the breakdown of industrial relations, but will act purely with the customer in mind.
 
Also, the Committee discussed how Postal Branches could learn from the experiences of Engineering and Clerical Branches brought about by the regulator in the telecommunications industry.
 
d)         South West TUC
 
Nothing further to report.
 
SECTION 3 WAS AGREED.
 
 
SECTION 4: FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
 
Documentation on setting up a Regional Committee Fund to be discussed at the next meeting.
 
SECTION 4 WAS NOTED.
 
 
SECTION 5: ORGANISATION & TRAINING – COMMUNICATION
 
a)            Membership & Recruitment
 
Branches raised a number of concerns on how CWUHQ deal with Union membership records and recruitment packs etc. This led into a wider discussion on how Branches needed more information on “leavers & joiners” to the CWU. Consequently, it was agreed that the Regional Secretary would write to Eric Lovett, National Organising Secretary, inviting him to attend the next Regional Committee meeting to discuss these matters further.
 
Separately, it was agreed due to recent cross constituency recruitment problems that a Regional Recruitment Sub Committee comprising of the principle Regional Officials be set up, [Kevin Beazer, Matt Gillett, Fred Simpson]. Finally, Branches have been requested to set up their own Recruitment Sub Committee’s to identify targets in “non core business and a strategy to recruit those potential members.
 
b)         Training & Education
 
Postal Branches asked if any future Regional Weekend Education Schools would take place. The Committee was advised that it was the intention of the Regional Secretary to set up a weekend school in January 2002. However, the content of the school would have to encompass the wishes of all Branches throughout the constituencies.
c)            Communication
 
Branches were advised that the Regional Website would be up and running before the next Regional meeting.
 
SECTION 5 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 6: EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
 
a)            Advisory Committees
 
CWUHQ’s response to the Regional Secretaries letter on the issue of funding for Advisory Committee’s was discussed, [the correspondence was later copied to Branches]. There was general concern about the decision by CWUHQ not to agree further funding for the various National Equal Opportunities Committees. At the time of writing I am still awaiting a detailed report from the General Treasurer on this matter.
 
b)            Regional Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee
 
It was agreed that a Regional JWP would take place to set up a Regional Equal Opportunities Sub Committee. The Sub Committee should reflect the views of Black & Asian, Gay & Lesbian, Youth, Disabled and Women workers. Subsequently, a letter has been sent out to Branches for nominations.
 
c)         CWU Women’s Conference 2001
 
A report on the conference will be circulated at the next committee meeting.
 
d)         CWU Black Workers’ Conference 2001
 
A report on the conference will be circulated at the next committee meeting.
 
SECTION 6 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 7: STRUCTURE & RULES
 
a)         Future structure Conference
 
Nothing further to report.
 
b)            Regional Committee Constitution & Standing Orders
 
A motion from South Devon & Cornwall Branch was debated. However, there was disagreement over the content of the motion from Branches. Consequently, consensus was not achieved, and the proposition fell.
 
SECTION 7 A) WAS NOTED / SECTION 7 B) MOTION FELL
 
 
SECTION 8: HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
 
a)         Motions to General Conference
 
Nothing further to report.
 
SECTION 8 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 9: POLITICAL FUND MANAGEMENT
 
a)            Regional Political Committee
 
Nothing further to report
 
b)         South West Political Forum & Political
 
Nothing further to report.
 
c)         Labour Party Spring Conference
 
 A report will be given at the next committee meeting.
 
d)         South West Political Committee AGM
 
Minutes of the AGM meeting have been sent to Branches accordingly.
 
SECTION 9 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 10: RETIRED MEMBERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 
a)         South West Forum
 
It was agreed that Mr Les Searle, a member from the National Retired Members Advisory Committee, would attend the next Regional Committee. Furthermore, it was agreed that Branches could bring their Retired Members Section Secretaries. The Committee discussed the issue of setting up a cross constituency Regional Retired Members Sub Committee. Consequently, I have written to Branches requesting information on their retired members sections.
 
b)         Retired Members Conference
 
Conference report sent to Branches, nothing further to report.
 
SECTION 10 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 11: GENERAL & REGIONAL ISSUES
 
a)            Regional Committee Delegation
 
Nothing to report.
 
SECTION 11 WAS AGREED
 
 
SECTION 12: CONFERENCE ISSUES
 
a)         South West Regional Committee Motions to General Conference
 
Three motions were received.
 
A motion was received from the Bristol & District Branch on the percentage levy for the Political Fund. The committee rejected the motion.
 
Two motions from the Plymouth & East Cornwall Branch were received. The first motion was on the percentage levy for the Political Fund. However, this motion was subsequently withdrawn. The second motion dealt with Employment Tribunals and was agreed by the committee. The South West Region has forwarded this motion for the Annual Conference 2001.
 
The motion is enclosed for your information.
 
SECTION 12 - MOTION TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE AGREED
 
 
SECTION 13: FUTURE VENUES
 
The issue of future venues was discussed at length. It was finally agreed that the GWRSA club, Temple Meads Station was the most convenient venue for the foreseeable future.

SECTION 13 WAS AGREED

SECTION 14: GUEST SPEAKERS
 
a)         South West TUC
 
Two officials from the TUC gave a report and information on bargaining for skills within the South West area. Although, the old Postal Constituency Regional Committee have previously had presentations from the TUC on this subject. I believe the exercise was helpful to Branches across all constituencies.
 
b)         Future Guest Speakers
 
Due to the forthcoming General Secretaries Election it was agreed that a “hustings meeting” of candidates for the GS position takes place.
 
SECTION 14 WAS AGREED.
 
 
KEVIN BEAZER
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL SECRETARY
 

 
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Last modified: March 06, 2001