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SCOTTISH WATER BRANCH
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Minutes of the Scottish Water Branch Meeting held on Tuesday 17th January 2006, Albion Street, Glasgow
Present: Steve Scott (SS) Iain Diamond (ID) David Wilkinson (DW) Andy Nisbet,(AN) Fred Gibson (FG) Paul Hyles (PH) Fergus Allan (FA) Willie Fortune (WF) Elaine Noble (EN) Ravi Nathan (RN) W Rintoul (WR) Kevin O’Hare (KOH) Barry Allibone (BA) Craig Christie (CC) Donnie McInnes (DMcI) Dave Watson (DWat) (part) David Wilkinson in the chair JA refers to Jim Anderson (Shetland); and JSA refers to Jim Anderson (Edinburgh)) Apologies were received from:- Kate Brown, Jim Anderson (Shetland), Alison Yule, Steven Gordon. Minutes of previous meeting (December 2005) Minutes of previous meeting were approved (proposed DMcI, seconded BR) Matters Arising Accommodation is still to be arranged for 2006 Conference. SS to speak to JA. Equal Opportunities: Equalities policy group has been set up and EN to be contacted by HR. Forum page created by CC. DW to link to this from the website. WICS Final Determination / Retail Split Dave Watson, Senior Regional Officer, gave the committee an overview of the implications of the WICS Determination and likely issues around the setting up of SW Retail. DWat view is that there was very little change between the draft and final determinations and that political lobbying by UNISON and the other TUs fell on deaf ears. The Scottish Exec have passed powers to the WICS and now have little influence in the shape of the determination once the regulatory priorities have been set. There is still a feeling that the WICS favours the Welsh Water, outsourced model, and that we will be pushed towards this over the next 4 – 6 years. The underfunding of SW Retail is also an indicator that the WICS want to see this area privatised when it is opened up to competition in 2008. SW Retail will have to operate with restrictions not forced on its competitors and this will make for an uneven playing field for a period of time. SW Retail will not be able to diversify by offering alternative services but could enter a joint venture with other utility providers. The WICS have produced a consultation document on retail licencing and DWat is to put in a response assisted by SS/DW. It is clear that the Branch will face a number of difficult issues arising from the Determination and Retail split and this must be approached with a mixture of political lobbying, local bargaining and recruitment in the affected areas. Pensions It is anticipated that John Prescott will give his final verdict on the changes to The LGPS at the end of Feb 06. UNISON is continuing to negotiate via the Pensions Forum to protect the scheme as far as possible. Balloting on industrial action is a real possibility within the near future. DW to get pensions campaign posters sent out from the Alloa office. It was agreed that Bill Rintoul will go to the Pensions Conference in Blackpool in May 06. Branch Officers Reports Branch Secretary AGM - The venues and dates for the meetings were agreed. Stewards assigned responsibility for arranging venues in their areas i.e Fairmilehead – AN Castle Ho – SS Bullion Ho – SS Balmore Rd – KOH Kingshill Ho – DW Shetland – JA Dumfries – PH Nominations for Branch positions are to be submitted by 14th Feb. AGM papers are to be sent out by the end of January. AGM poster to be drawn up and circulated. Annual Conference – Delegates are – Steve Scott (Del), Fergus Allen (Visitor), Andy Nisbet (Delegate Sharer) plus 1 no female delegate sharer. DW to circulate invite to female stewards. Water Service Group – It was agreed that SS and JSA will continue as Branch Reps on this group. Negotiation Skills – This course in Birmingham is to be circulated to stewards to gauge interest. SWC Report Discussions have commenced on the cost of living award for 2006. A number of options are being explored with the employer emphasising the need to consider affordability. The TU view is that a reasonable settlement is required, even if this has to be funded from efficiencies. The employer is attempting to directly link the COL Award with the Differentials payments and this is being strongly resisted by the TUs. The TU view is that the Differentials issue must be dealt with in April in one stage and funded from efficiencies like any other essential business cost. The Policy Sub-Group have commenced discussions on a new Voluntary Severance Scheme with a view to having this in place for April 06. BUC Reports Solutions Forum – It was agreed that Steve Montgomery will replace DW on the SBF at least until an Aberdeen based replacement can be found. Treasurer ID confirmed that the draft budget will be circulated before the next Branch meeting. This has been delayed as ID took the opportunity to get the 05 accounts audited. ID also advised that Unity Trust have an internet facility to allow Branch Officers to view the account. This is to be explored. Service Conditions KOH advised that a member returning from maternity leave is being refused part-time work. KOH to pass details to DW. Health & Safety PH/AN are to produce a plan of workplace inspections for the year. Stewards are to advise is workplaces are due inspections. AN informed that Branch that some Facilities issues are taking a long time to be acted upon, mainly due to SW resourcing problems. AN/PH are to met with the HSE in the next 2 weeks to discuss general SW H&S issues. AN confirmed that the Working Time Group is to reconvene on 15th February to review and improve the WTR Policy. AN to report back. Publicity A newsletter is to be issued in early Feb notifying members of AGM dates and updating them on the pensions situation.. Welfare FA advised that one case has been referred to OHSAS. Recruitment Mary Scott is to be contacted to see if she will set up recruitment stands at selected AGMs. Date of next meeting The next Branch meeting will take place on 14th February 2006 at 10.30am in Bullion House, Dundee (updated post meeting). It was agreed that the March Branch meeting will be held in Dumfries on 7th March 2006 to fit in with the Dumfries AGM. |