Transport Salaried Staffs' Association

23 January 2012

The Executive Committee approved a request from the Midlands Retired Branch to establish a National Retired Self Organised Group (SOG) and it was agreed that a meeting should be held to assess the need and demand for such a new SOG and to establish working arrangements.

This Inaugural Meeting is to be held on 27th February 2012 at the Nettlefold Room, Nicolson Building, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham University, B15 2RT

The meeting room will be available from 10.30 am for tea/coffee and biscuits with a plenary session starting promptly at 11.00am.  A working lunch will be provided and it is intended that the day will end no later than 3.00pm when tea/coffee will be available.

Manuel Cortes General Secretary will give the keynote address.  Members of the Midlands Retired Branch will be making a presentation as will Peter Rayner, a former senior manager at British Rail, long standing member of the Association and Vice President of the National Pensioners Convention.

The planned main purposes of the meeting are:-

• To explain the proposal to establish a National Retired Members SOG
• To establish an interim national co-ordinating committee
• To authorise the interim committee to submit a formal application to Executive Committee for recognition as a Self Organised Group.
• Above all to give all Retired Members a voice on the discussions.

All branches have been written to asking them to pass on details of the meeting to all retired members and all Association members over state retirement age have been written to with details of the meeting.  If you have not received notice of the meeting, but if you are entitled to attend and would like to do, so contact Steve Whitehead at Walkden House or via email whiteheads@tssa.org.uk for details.

The closing date for applications is 6th February 2012 to enable us to fix careering numbers.  I look forward to seeing you in Birmingham on the 27th February for what will be a very worthwhile meeting.

Manuel Cortes

General Secretary