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TUESDAY 18 November 2003 @ 1:00 PM IN THE PICASSO ROOM St CLEMENTS HOSPITAL
Present: Georgia Murray, Arthur White, Philip Bloyce, Sandra Smith, Val Hayer (Medicash), Cliff Dawson, Ian Talbot, Julie Harrison, Andy Willcox and Annette Petty (Minutes) Apologies: Kay Dawson, Julie Cracknell, Paul Taylor, Glyn Reynolds, Jamie Starling, Ted Moore, Sue Fryer, Steve Cook, Margarita England and David Edginton
1. Minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the last meeting held on 21 October were agreed as a true and accurate record.
2. Presentation by Medicash Val Hayer from Medicash gave a short talk on the benefits of joining Medicash, the UNISON endorsed health cash plan money back scheme. Only UNISON members can join the scheme of which there are five levels of benefits for members and monthly subscriptions are paid by Direct Debit. Medicash was founded in 1871 in Liverpool and it pays members on receipt of invoices/receipts for treatment received. Normally there is a six month waiting period for members but no waiting period for new joiners at the meeting. The Branch and Medicash will be launching this promotion to members wishing to join scheme at the follow-up Recruitment Drive Meeting, to be held on 20 January 2004 - leaflets will be distributed to Stewards for members/posted as required. Annette to liaise with Val Hayer who will be attending the meeting.
3. Matters Arising a) Page 1 2a - it was agreed by all that the £2000 (cancellation of affiliation to the Ipswich Labour Party) should be used indirectly for the members benefits i.e. Diaries etc. b) Page 1 3b - Annette to write to Pat Burgess acknowledging her resignation letter as Steward at Aldeburgh Hospital.
4. Urgent Correspondence a) Learning Disabilities Philip has spoken to Darren Clarke, Service Manager for Learning Disabilities who is keen to set up regular monthly manager/staff side meetings with reps in this service area which has been welcomed. b) Applications received from Carol Mitchell, H&S Rep at Southwold and Andrea Boakes, Steward, Night Site, Lothingland. Both have been nominated and were ratified at the meeting. Annette to write to Service Managers confirming appointments and send relevant information out to the stewards/welcome letter. c) Foundation Hospitals Annette has distributed Branch Guides to the above to all stewards/reps and will order further publications. d) Staff Group/Trust Council Meetings 2004 Philip has emailed everyone with next year’s dates for their diaries. Annette has emailed the Branch/Health & Safety meeting dates to all.
5. Steward/Officer Reports Felixstowe Hospitals Ray and Paul have completed the inspection at Ransomes Europark at Central Stores. The Bartlet/Annexe inspections to be carried out next. Black Members Conference - Cardiff 18-20 February 2004 Annette to forward Sandra’s application/visitor application to Unison Headquarters in London. Patrick Stead NVQ payments to Nursing Auxilliaries - staff have to be on the top increment for a year before they can receive the NVQ payment. Arthur to report back to the relevant staff. He also queried at what level is a member’s pay protected under AfC - there is a 5 year pay protection on the lower level of the new pay banding. WSDAS Georgia has spoken to Debbie Smith at Region with regard to how much time she can take off to attend Unison courses as an IWL Assessor and an enquiry regarding indemnity insurance (better to take cover with RCN rather than Unison). She is currently on a six month secondment for Lifelong Learning three days per week and will be going to see all the reps/officers during her secondment with the intention of recruiting one more adviser which is required. The advisers are aimed for those who have been out of education learning for some time. Georgia will be searching around the area to find out what is available – it is a good time at present to promote new learning advisers. Annette to send Georgia Lifelong Learning Branch Guide and information on the Unison Open College/National Extension College (and Sandra Smith). Ian to contact Marilyn Wright for her DD form (to remain a member of Unison) and current update on the Branch Education Officer. UNISON Suffolk Healthcare Website Ian reminded everyone that minutes of all branch meetings are posted/emailed monthly to all reps for copying re-distribution to members within their work places. They are also posted onto the branch website www.suffolkhealthcare.com and follow the links. Easton Ward, St Clements Hospital Philip read out Steve’s report to the meeting regarding his representation with a member from Central Equipment Store dealing with a grievance under the bullying and harassment policy. In addition Steve is also quietly recruiting new members and highlighting the benefits of joining Unison. Priory/Sutton Wards, St Clements Hospital Andy reported that one of the ceilings fell down in a bathroom on Priory Ward – Estates are carrying out repair works. Inspections have been carried out on Sutton Ward. There are concerns amongst staff that both wards are to be closed down in the future. Philip to write to Margaret Little asking for an update on the situation.
6. Conference Feedback Ray attended the National Delegate Conference in Brighton in June this year which was very informative and enjoyable and produced a 47 page report which he distributed at the meeting. Next year’s Health Conference will be held in Glasgow and the National Conference in Bournemouth. Any proposals to be fowarded to Ray to take to conference.
7. Review of the Branch Rules Ian has amended the first draft to the Branch Rules and explained the proposals to the meeting. The changes made were as follows:-
The remainder of the rules remained unchanged. David Edginton forwarded an email to Ian with comments on the above and received a reply - he is satisfied with the changes being put in place. The proposed amended Branch Rules were discussed at the meeting and changes will be approved to the second draft at the December meeting (changes will be highlighted) and implemented on 1 January 2004 before the AGM in March. Any comments please to Ian one week before the next meeting. 8. AOB Trade Union CND - Affiliation Request The meeting voted No to the above request but agreed to donate £50 to the following bodies - Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Anti-Hunting Campaign. Follow-up Recruitment Drive Meeting Planned for 20 January 2004 (1030-1300), Monet Room, SCH. Branch Meeting to follow in Picasso Room. Annette to forward details in December to all. Peter Wellum has produced photos for the recruitment campaign drive - Ian to publicise. 4. Date/Time Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 December, 1:30 pm, Picasso Room, St Clements Hospital (Lunch provided) See here for all 2004 branch meeting dates Apologies from Philip Bloyce & Paul Taylor. Georgia Murray arriving late. David Beechener from UIA attending to give a short presentation on its services to members.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 3:30 pm.
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| ADP 24/11/03 |