EC Report April 2021

Report of the TSSA Executive Committee. April 2021

Industrial Relations

The Executive Committee agreed to authorise the ballot of members in Balfour Beatty and to instruct the General Secretary to authorise strike action and\or action short of strike in support of our members pay claim in the company should it become necessary.

Talks continued in the Rail Industry Recovery Group, which was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, on the financial issues which have beset the rail industry as it has seen passenger numbers fall and income drop.

TSSA Democracy

The Executive Committee considered a number of motions submitted by TfL Central on Covid-19, the mooted Silvertown Tunnel and People Before Profit. The EC agreed to respond to the branch in writing.

The Executive agreed to issue a circular to branches and SOGs reporting on TSSA democracy, subscriptions and Annual Conference elections, which was sent to branches and SOGs on 30 April.

The Executive Committee noted a report on developments for the commemoration and celebration of TSSA's 125th anniversary of its founding, which will take place at Annual Conference in Sheffield next year, and agreed to the funding of a film which will form part of this, at a cost to the association of £20,000. The working party which is setting a list of events has agreed activities including a celebratory dinner, an exhibition on TSSA's history and that commemorative merchandise being made available.

The EC noted and will respond as appropriate to a number of items of correspondence from Crewe & Cheshire General branch, Lancs & Cumbria General branch, Network Rail Anglia North branch, Kent branch, London Metropolitan branch and North West Divisional Council.

The Executive Committee agreed to take a number of actions following correspondence from Women in Focus on issues including Rail to Refuge, a Women’s Aid project, as well as responding in writing to issues raised about pay negotiations across the national rail network.

The EC agreed to the arrangement of elections for functional level reps in London Underground this September, with elections for local representatives to take place six month thereafter.

The EC also noted and gives its thanks to Frank Ellis for his report from TUC's North West conference, which took place on 20th March, to Cath Murphy, who attended the TUC Disabled Workers Conference which took place on 10th and 11th March and to Martin Harley (EC member for Scotland) who gave a report on the Scottish TUC conference, which took place from 19th to 21st April.

Political

The Executive Committee was addressed by Liam Robinson and Steve Rotheram. Steven is a Labour Party politician who is the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, while Liam is a TSSA member who is the Chair of Merseytravel. Steve is seeking re-election as Metro Mayor, and detailed some of his past and planned work if re-elected, including the introduction of direct trains between Liverpool and Scotland, fully staffed rail and bus stations and an aspiration to seize control of public transport in the city.

The EC agreed to instruct the General Secretary to write to the GS of the Labour Party to complain about the suspension of West Ham Constituency Labour Party, which has impeded our delegate to that CLP from engaging on behalf of the union.

The Executive Committee noted and gave its thanks to Andi Fox for her detailed reports on her work on Labour’s National Executive Committee. The EC also agreed to nominate Andi for a further term as TSSA's NEC member.

Campaigns and affiliations

The Executive Committee noted and gave its thanks to Steve Whitehead for reports from the National Pensioners’ Convention.

The EC was also addressed by Ramona McCartney of People’s Assembly. Ramona spoke on Covid-19, and their ‘Zero Covid’ charter.

Financial

The EC noted the minutes of Audit Committee meetings which took place on 18th November 2020 and 3rd February 2021. The Treasurer gave a report on the Investments Committee which took place in February and gave the news that TSSA's investment portfolio had reached a value which is higher than it was prior to the pandemic.

Donations

The Executive Committee agreed to donate to the following causes:

• Mark Thomas - £250 in support of his planned podcast, 'Key Words'
• Katy Clarke - £200 in support of her campaign to win Cunninghame North
• Alex Rowley - £100 in support of his campaign to win Cowdenbeath
• Richard Leonard - £100 - in support of his campaign to win Airdrie and Shotts
• Banner Theatre - £100 towards their essential care costs
• Scottish Hazards - £50
• National Assembly of Women - £50
• Manchester May Day - £25 for online event