TUNBRIDGE WELLS ASLEF BRANCH MINUTES
1970
TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH OFFICERS
1970
Chairman Bro. A. Brooker
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday February 8th 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and it was moved by Bro. R. Bridger and seconded by Bro. V. Rumley. “That they were a true record.”
Reports.
L.D.C.
Moved by Bro. Diplock seconded by Bro. Brown. “That a letter be sent to Head Office on New Pay Forms re Mileage hours to be shown separate from Frieght Bonus and Graduate Pension shown as full total paid to date
Moved Bro. Baldwin seconded Bro. Bridger. “That a letter be sent of to Area Shed Master re National Pay Roll to be shown as 4 different rates and not totalled as one, owning to men’s time not easily ascertained under present system.
Moved Bro. V. Rumley seconded Bro. W. Baldwin. “That L.D.C be instructed that an early consultation be obtained from higher management re electric traction and future of this depots future.
The Secretary of the L.D.C. A. Brooker reported on the failure to agree with management on early posting of Holiday Rosta and the work being done in the matter, Payment of one weeks Holiday Pay prior to Winter Holiday computorism of time and the system of Pay Checks in private envelopes.
Social Fund Report
Bro. R. Bridger stated that the above Funds consisted of £3.3.11 in the bank and in 16s. 8d.
Any Other Business
Bro. Baldwin raised the question of a fairer method to deal with the allocation of emergency work at the Depot for Rest Day Working such as when a man went sick and the interested members present instructed the L.D.C. to instruct the Running Foreman that they wished a man who is sent for his rest day and who declines to work is to have the day entered against his name as having worked.”
There being no other business the Chairman thanked members present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 12.50
Members present Bros. W. Baldwin, R. Bridger, F. Diplock R. Brown V. Rumley, A. Brooker
& K. Savage.
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday March 22nd 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and it was moved by Bro. R. Bridger and seconded by Bro. W. Baldwin. “That they were a true record.”
Correspondence
Death of General secretary Bro. Griffiths, Bro. R. Bridger proposed and Bro.Baldwin seconded endorsing Branch Secretary action in sending wreath to Bro. Griffiths.
Branch Secretary report telephone call from Bro. Andrews of Norwood and a letter received by L.D.C. from Bro. Andrews this was excepted as information.
District Council Report from Bro. A. Brooker, again a lucid report from our delegate consisting of items as
Death of General Secretary Bro. A. Griffiths, resignation of District Council Chairman Bro. A. Cowald of Feltham, collections for deceased members, District Council Fund standing at £74.2.6. compenstation as £30,823 paid for December quarter, resulting in a final payment for 1969 of £105,092.
Sectional council election, Industrial Diseases, The 10% claim, uniform, Passenger mileage Bonus, increase for mileage payment not made for A/O unless a shunt is made, new Stock, loss of earnings, claim for mileage lost to be made, Transport Closure, Stage 3 P&E etc.The L.D.C. report consisted of mileage bonus payment, payslips, driver tickets, electrification etc., Complaints of P.W. men not wearing jackets provided.
The minutes past at the last meeting re Rest Days that providing not to be applied if if have previously carried out minute re 3 days.
There being no other business the chairman thanked members present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 13.10.
Members present Bros. H. Love, W. Baldwin, R. Bridger, K. Savage & A. Brooker.
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday June 14th 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and as there were no two members from the last meeting to propose and second a true record. Bro. R. Bridger and by Bro. D. Ward. Seconded “The minutes as read.”
Correspondence were read.
Quite a good discussion followed in which several anomalies were ably explained by Bro. Brooker on Long Distance Mileage and Short Distance Passenger Mileage bonus scheme.
The new Superannuation scheme for salaried staff also met with good discussion.
Reports
Bro. A. Brooker in his L.D.C. report dealt with many items including meeting with Mr. Organ and Mr. Greenfield in March, sectional council at Southern house in April. Lighting of buffer stops, also Bay Road platform at Eridge, P.W. safety jackets, claim for extra prep. And disposal times in adverse weather conditions due to bad lighting and walking space between sidings at Tunbridge Wells West, noise on D.E.M.U.s, payment of odd minutes, supply of working late issue. L.D.C. consultative meeting with Sectional council . The Branch chairman then asked for an endorsement from the floor to allow the Branch Secretary to hire a car to tour the main routes of the town should the Sectional Council Representative arriving whilst the Branch Chairman is on annual leave. Carried.
There being no other business the chairman thanked the members for their attendance and brought the meeting to a close at 1.15 p.m.
Members present Bros. D. Ward, F. Diplock, H. Love, R. Bridger, K. Savage & A. Brooker.
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday July 26th 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and it was moved by Bro. R. Bridger and Bro. F. Diplock seconded. “That they were a true record.”
Correspondence was read
A good discussion developed over the abolition of Rest Day working and the Society’s policy was ably explained by the Chairman Bro. A. Brooker.
L.D.C. Report
The Chairman dealt with meetings recently held including Working Party Meeting at Redhill on 10th June over turns implicating Norwood, Redhill, Brighton & Stewarts Lane.
Working Party meeting held at Tunbridge Wells 13th July where the chairman and L.D.C. escorted same in Chairman’s car, to show bottlenecks at Road Junction at Tunbridge Wells re visiting of New Station. Working Party meeting held at Essex House 16th July. Notice posted by management over speeds; and reply to same sent by Chairman of L.D.C. of defective speedos and run down of D.E.M.U.s a further meeting at Tunbridge Wells with Mr. Edwards, Patterson and Ibbotson re future policy of depot where it was stated that it was anticipated to install £7,000 worth of lighting equipment for the future electrification program of Grove Junction to Birchden Junction in phase 1, Stage 1 in the installation of ------ --------------- for electric units from 1936 to ----- and the closing of Tunbridge Wells West as ----- ----------- when the Hastings line becomes electrified when services would change ------ electrified Depot
A letter had been written by secretary ----- to Head Office on behalf of Bro. P. Pepper
Needs re – photographing
There being no other business, the Chairman thanked the members for their presence and brought the meeting to a close at 1o/c p.m.
Members present Bros V. Rumley, R. Bridger, F. Diplock, W. Baldwin, R. Brown, A. Brooker
& K. Savage.
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday October 11th 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and it was moved by Bro. V. Rumley and Bro. W. Baldwin seconded. “That they were a true record.”
Correspondence was reading, consisting of acknowledgement letter from Head Office re inquiries into medical examinations including Hearing Tests, and B.R.B. Pension Fund deductions were received.
Nomination for one candidate L.D.C.
It was moved by Bro. V. Rumley and seconded by F. Diplock “That no action be taken re nominations from this Branch for L.D.C. vacancy.”
A vigorous discussion took place again over Rest Day Working and the posting of topical and vital Society correspondence to be posted in case at depot, it was pointed out to members that without their attendance at Branch meetings to instruct the officers to do same, no individual officer had the power to do this.
Reports
The Secretary of the L.D.C. reported on various items taken up recently with Management including letters on lighting at Tunbridge Wells West, Oxted Mess Room & Sidings, noise level on D.E.M.U.s, diagrams alterations and new colour proposed for same.
Bro. A. Brooker then reported on the last District Council No.4 meeting including many other interesting items a questionnaire supplied by Bro. W. Williams for guidance to members and established status membership.
There being no other business, the Chairman thanked members for their presence and closed the meeting at 12.50
Members present Bros. V. Rumley, W. Baldwin, F. Diplock, A. Brooker, K. Savage & D. Ward.
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday December 13th 1970 at 10.30 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station
Before opening the meeting, Chairman Bro. A. Brooker apologies for the unintended implication that Bro. D. Ward was not fitted for L.D.C. duties.
The chairman then opened the meeting at 10.30 p.m. The minutes of the last were read by the minute secretary and it was moved by Bro. V. Rumley and Bro. F. Diplock seconded. “That they were a true record.”
Correspondence was then read.
Reports
Bro. A. Brooker gave an L.D.C. report with various items including Christmas Period Roster, letter to Bros. Dickenson & W. Haywood re line closure, meeting with Mr. Greenfield and Mr. Russell C.M.E. and the terrible maintenance state of D.E.M.U.s 9 units but for the good grace of drivers could be failed immediately and a further meeting and same which would take place in January 1971.
Bro. A. Brooker then gave his previous District Council meeting report including items on Regional percentage Rest Day working, a disturbing letter from Hither Green re men who suffer ill health, E.C. report, road learning payments, uniform clothing and compensation claims.
There being no other business the Chairman brought the meeting to close at 1 o/c p.m. thanking all members present for their attendance.
Members present Bros. R. Bridger, V. Rumley, F. Diplock, K. Savage & A. Brooker.