Next Trades Council Meeting: 3rd July

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 3rd July, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (May) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Anti-Cuts Campaigns: Updates on the various campaigns including the Unison campaigns at ESCC and NHS, the campaign to save the Music Service, the East Sussex Save the NHS Campaigning, and the demonstration against cuts to SEN Children's Services.

6. Other live union disputes and campaigns:
(a) GMB Dispute at Eastbourne DGH
(b) Teachers' Pay Dispute
(c) RMT safety dispute at Southern
(d) Retail Update

7. Events:
(a) Eastbourne Pride: To agree arrangements for the stall on the day, and to encourage trade unionists to march.
(b) Modern Slavery campaign- possible link with the Co-op Party campaigning
(c) "Will and Testament"- proposed Eastbourne showing of the Tony Benn film by local Labour Party
(d) Engels Plaque update

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 16th January

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 16th January, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne.

All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited.

A G E N D A

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (November) and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report

 5. CAMPAIGNS:

            (a) CWU Royal Mail dispute

            (b) RMT Southern Rail dispute

            (c) Teachers' Pay dispute with East Sussex County Council

            (d) Other Union Campaigns

 6. EVENTS:

(a)   MAY DAY:  To confirm dates and provisional arrangements for the May Day march 2018. 

(b)   PRIDE:  To agree any financial commitments for Pride 2018, and how to encourage more trade union participation in the parade.

(c)   TOLPUDDLE: To update on possible transport to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Rally

(d)  WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY

7. NEWSLETTER:  To approve content and budget for the newsletter which will be sent out prior to the AGM to act as our “annual report”

8.   AGM- to confirm details of speakers, and nominee for the Len Caine Award

Next Trades Council Meeting- Tuesday 14th November

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 14th November, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne.

All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited.

A G E N D A

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (October) and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report

 5. CAMPAIGNS:

            (a) CWU Royal Mail dispute

            (b) RMT Southern Rail dispute

            (c) USDAW Respect for Shopworkers Campaign

            (d) Other Union Campaigns

 6. EVENTS:

Bill Ball from Lewes Trades Council will speak about possible joint work, including possible coach to Tolpuddle 2018, plus any early planning needed for May Day, WMD, Prides etc.

7. Any other business

The bar will be open afterwards!

Solidarity with RMT

Eastbourne Trades Council send solidarity again to Eastbourne RMT members taking action to retain a safety-critical staff member on all rail services. It is a strike for jobs, for disabled passengers' rights, for safety of all passengers- and all trades unionists should support it!

Make sure that you are armed with the facts regarding this dispute!  Download:

Southern Rail Driver Only Operation Dispute- THE FACTS

GTR Dispute- THE FACTS

The Safety Critical Role of the Guard: A dossier on the Dangers of  Driver Only Operation

Not about pay- about SAFETY!

ASLEF members are to be balloted for strike action on Southern Rail – just as RMT members announced a new strike date on the same company.

Responding to Southern Rail’s comments about the union’s ballot for industrial action ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said:

"It is no surprise that the management of Britain’s worst performing train company is disingenuous and deceitful when it comes to industrial relations and the honouring of ...agreements." Mick added, "our ballot reflects a complete loss of faith and trust in Southern Rail as the company has shown no respect for agreements we spent years negotiating. We are balloting because of the company’s inept attempt to conflate pay and changes to working practices."   He concluded, "I again give notice to the government and the rail industry that if any train driver is verbally abused, threatened or attacked as a result of the lies peddled by Southern Rail, we reserve the right to do whatever is necessary to protect our members, on Southern or nationally."

Keep up to date with the latest on the dispute from ASLEF at http://www.aslef.org.uk/

RMT confirmed that guards and drivers on Southern Rail will strike again for 24 hours between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Monday 10th July 2017 in the on-going disputes over the safety impact of the extension of Driver Only Operation and the removal of guards from services.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

“RMT members on Southern Rail have been fighting for safety and access for well over a year now.   The franchise continues to lurch from crisis to crisis as the real impact of hacking back on safety and access hits home. We have seen absolute chaos at Victoria and East Croydon this week in the hot weather which has reinforced the need for safety critical staff on our trains and platforms. The Government cannot spin their way out of this chaotic situation which is wholly of their making.   It is now down to Southern/GTR, and the contract holders in the minority Government, to face up to their responsibilities and engage in genuine and serious talks that address our issues.” 

Next Trades Council Meeting: January 17th

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 17th January, 7.30pm at the View Hotel (formerly known as the Unite/T&G Eastbourne Centre), Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade union members, including retired trade unionists, are welcome to attend the meeting.

THE AGENDA WILL BE:

1. Introductions and apologies for absence
2. Approval of any new affiliations.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (November) and matters arising.
4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer (apologies given, report sent)
5. RAIL CAMPAIGNS: Update on RMT, ASLEF and TSSA action and campaigns; ticket office action and linking to Action for Rail campaigning.
5. RECLAIM MAY DAY update on planning and grant application.
6. Ongoing Union Campaigns- all delegates are invited to update on their unions' current local and
national campaigning.
7. 2017 AGM: To include proposals for guest speaker and nomination for the Len Caine Memorial
Award.
8. Any other business