Item

Notes

Action by

Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from:

Steven Gordon, Kate Brown, Kirsten Helms, Bill Rintoul, Ravi Nathan, Jim Anderson, Kevin O’Hare

Minutes of previous meeting (18^th April 2006 )

Minutes Approved as correct record:   -   Paul Hyles

Seconded:   Willie Fortune

Matters Arising

Branch Recruitment Drive: SS emailed Mary Scott with a serious of dates, AN advised that we could help Mary out once WPI programme completed.

AN also advised that he has been invited to recent induction days at FMH, and that he thinks the branch should prepare a positive script.

Scottish Water Contracting

WF gave the branch an update on recent meetings with Jim McLean, a number of points were raised financial,SWC headed paper, negotiation on detriment.JTU to request Jim McLean is invited to next SWCouncil meeting to explain his acting’s.

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BUC Southeast Assets(correction) AN gave report on outcome from grievance with regard Standby issue, BA questioned whether this should have been raised to SWCouncil level.KS advised in his opinion it was a good enough case.

Health and Safety –Steven Horne going to Hazards

SS emailed Graeme Ferguson and spoke to him personally with regard facility arrangements for shift workers, ongoing issue to be explored further.

 Scottish Water Council

PAY : DW confirmed recently circulated email  with regard two year pay deal, 3% 2006,2% 2007 this would be on top of the bands,SW still await the nod from the Scottish Executive.IMcK asked why the branch did not consult members on pay increase, DW advised that the branch and JTU’s where all in support.

DIFFERENTIALS: DW advised that there would be an information circular on this process distributed shortly, DW gave the branch a brief of how it would be applied.EN asked whether there would be an appeals process –DW advised yes that the Rewards Steering group would act as an appeals panel.

DW advised that the IT Joint Venture had fell down, negotiations were ongoing now with BT.

Retail would require a TUPE protocol, with numbers likely to be affected in the region of 170,RM asked about negotiations.

BUC Stakeholder

DW was concerned about the remit and items being dealt with by this group, at team building event Graeme Ferguson asked the question about whether we required SWCouncil, maybe this is due to the recent wins by the joint Unions. It was thought that the JTU was operating successfully and that BUC’s should mirror SWC equal management to TU.

IMcK asked about why the 5 point STAR system was thrown out,HR said it could have went to 5 point but there would be no payment for 4/5, so TU said status quo.

WF asked question about timesheets , and that via comp/ben staff were operating on a trust basis and that there would be no recording of time, discussion took place on this issue.

Branch Officers Reports

Branch Secretary

Pensions:

The Branch Secretary gave a report of last Scottish Committee meeting, Cosla and the Trade Unions have reached an informal understanding which included protections for existing members, with a similar formula to the 85 Rule. Civil Servants were the ones dragging there heels.KS advised that nationally talks where ongoing, with a decision likely in June.

AN advised that the issue is loosing momentum,WF asked what information could be given to members and whether Scotland could make a separate decision, KS said they could as long as it meets with legislation. The branch debated the issue.

A report was issued with regard the Industrial Action group, a number of issues were debated, SS to add additional offices missed to list.

Conference :SS was arranging a meeting with branch delegates to discuss relative motions on the agenda for this year’s conference, with a view to reporting back to the next branch meeting.

Welfare : Training course coming up in Glasgow, RM to attend

JTU :DW gave an update on recent meeting, with Jim Anderson to write a letter to Scottish Water Contracting- new T&C’s.Disicplinary/Grievance procedures reviewed by Policy Group these will be issued to Stewards for comment. Also that Mileage group would look at policy again, PH asked to be involved if required and that it is important to agree a mechanism for change.

VR would be monitored.

Health and Safety Officer :

Paul Hyles handed out brief from the Joint Unions recent meeting with the HSE,with June Calder being the SW link. The purpose of the meeting was to assure two way communications between TU and HSE and to look at priority topics and issues within SW.As part of there strategic programme the HSE would be looking at Workplace Transport, Falls from height, slips and trips and construction. After a Qand A session , AN was nominated as the main contact for the JTU.One of the real concerns for the HSE after recent visit to Shieldhall was the Welfare facilities, and the are looking for real examples of other instances of this.

FA was still awaiting a resolution to facilities in Bullion.

AN advised that he was not happy about the main SW health and safety meeting being cancelled.

FG advised that cross functional working was sill on hold in Oban and asked what the branches view was on it, DW asked for list of were cross functional working was occurring, AN advised it was not happening in WRT in SE.

Treasures Report

Iain Diamond handed out report and gave a brief  on the Branch Accounts. DW still to separate email lists for newsletter to save on postage.

Equal Opportunities

Elaine Noble gave a brief of a result for the branch with regard members underpaid in the Lab, after a long hard slog and gathering of evidence, the case was won and will be backdated till 2004-Action DW put paragraph in newsletter.

Also an issue of 90 DAY notice threatened to samplers with regard contractual standby, this was not in the spirit of partnership and HR actually bollocked management for the threat.

BUC REPORTS

Assets SE

AN reported on heated debate with regard Consensus, there was a difference opinion between HR and TU’s.HR basically saying we need to reach agreements and move on, which TU’s advised was not consensus.DW mentioned that this was raised at recent team building event. This generated a good debate between the group , BA advised that John Rae admitted management had got it wrong with there numbers, DW advised that we need to look at the fact that the Unions have never won a grievance that has went to SWCouncil.

SWContracting

Willie Fortune advised of a member of 22 years service being suspended, investigation without Union Steward present, felt the member has been victimised, this was discussed by the group.

T&G member been diagnosed with HAVS(hand arm vibration) offered no training or alternative employment , HR want to issue with 90 Day Notice-this generated a debate as Unison have members with the same disease.

Labs

Elaine Noble advised the branch that there functional Business Plan has been rolled out without Union involvement, and would be going to SWCouncil,DW said there had been rumblings of moving or enlarging Inverness Lab-require to alley fears.

With regard STARS staff do not want to participate, and it has been questioned whether it is contractual?EN felt this would be good to take as a test case.

NW Assets

Fred Gibson told the group that they were still pressurising WRT to carryout cross functional working at BUC level, requires view from the branch. This was discussed at length , with a number of issues requiring to be looked at .AN asked for a copy of health and safety arrangements, DW said he had a meeting with Elgin members.

SWS

Fergus Allan had concerns over SWS staff moving back to SW also a problem at Leven House with regards management trying to move members on in procurement, Dave Hamilton(Amicus) had attended meetings on our behalf,and DW advised it would be best if Unison Steward such as Kevin O’Hare got involved.

AOCB

1)      WF raised a number of issues :

-          of spiralling branch costs in relation to accommodation etc, and asked if the treasurer could look at booking and keeping a list of accommodations which are relatively good value.

-          Make sure branch income increases due to the increase in membership.

-          Hazards a request was made for volunteers at the last branch meeting and WF did volunteer only to be advised that the branch officers was sufficient,SS responded with his views advising the branch that it was always good to encourage new reps involvement, but could not justify to the membership in terms of cost, a larger attendance than was necessary, AN mentioned that WF was very active and interested in H&S and this should also be encouraged.

2) FA advised the branch that a member at Balmore rd had a heart attack and that the branch should send a bowl of fruit.

Date of next meeting

It was agreed that the next Branch meeting will be held in ‘Belford house,Edinburgh starting at 11.00 am, (please note that there will be a Branch Health and Safety meeting at 10.00 am ) on 13^th June 2006.