Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

   Sunday April 22^nd  1979 10.30 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms Tunbridge Wells Central Station

The Vice Chairman reported that Bro. A. Brooker, Chairman of the Branch had died after an illness os some 9 weeks at 09.00 a.m. on Friday 13^th April 1979. Bro. A . Brooker aged 55 years was a long serving well respected member of the Branch. He was Branch Chairman for 18 years, L.D.C. member 27 years, L.D.C. Secretary for 18 years and had been associated with the branch in many other capacities. The loss to this branch was immeasurable and it was very rarely such a hard working man who worked for no reward, was to be found. Arnold was also involved with many other activities. Manpower Service commission Social Service, Trades Council, District council and others. The Vice Chairman asked members of the Branch to stand in silence, in memory of our departed colleague.

The Secretary read the minutes of the special meeting held on 14^th January 1979 and after amendment it  was moved C. Exley and seconded F. Diplock. That the amended minutes are a true record.

Correspondence

Letter from Waterloo Branch requesting support for D. Fullick in the E.C. elections. A reply has been sent in line with branch decision.

A letter from Tonbridge Branch re unofficial dispute, it was moved bty Bro. W. Baldwin and seconded by Bro. C. Exley. That the correspondence lay until called for. Carried Unan.

A letter from Bro. P. Plaine A.A.D. delegate asking for suggestions on items

A letter asking for support for Bro. A. Walkiden for Labour Party Conference

A letter from Bro. H. Love asking the branch to accept a donation for the branch funds in respect of the official strikes. It was moved by Bro. F. Diplock and seconded by Bro. C. Exley. That the donation be accepted and monies deposited in the branch bank and further a letter be sent thanking Bro. H. Love.

A voting paper for Labour Party conference  has been received and it was moved by Bro. W. Baldwin and seconded by Bro. C. Exley. That Bro. A. Walkiden be this branches nomination carried unan.

The collection for Bro. F. Diplock off sick six complete weeks and still off at the time, amounted to £24.30. Grateful thanks have been received. It was moved by Bro. C. Exley and seconded by Bro. F. Diplock. The the Branch Secretary’s report noted. Carried unan.

The Branch Secretary reported that as from this meeting and as soon as it was possible he would have to resign his position as due to him taking over as L.D.C. Secretary and being Health & Safety Representative also he would be unable to put enough effort into all three jobs. He thanked all branch members for their co operation during his two years in office.

It was moved M. Allen and seconded by Bro. W. Baldwin. That Bro. C. Exley be nominated for Branch Secretary. There being no other nomination Bro. C. Exley was elected.

It was moved by Bro. W. Baldwin and seconded by Bro. C. Exley. That Bro. M. Allen be nominated as Assistant Secretary. There being no ther nominations Bro. M. Allen was elected.

The L.D.C. secretary gave his report on

317 & 318 duties Sundays, Machinery of Negotiations, R.S.J.C. L574, Rest Days on Strike days. It was moved by Bro. M. Allen and seconded by Bro. F. Diplock. That the  Secretary’s report be noted. Carried unan.

There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 13.00. 

Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

Sunday August 19^th 1979 10.30 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms Tunbridge Wells Central Station

The meeting at 10.30 a.m. by acting Chairman and it was move that the normal branch procedure be suspended to accommodate the visit to this branch be suspended to accommodate the visit to this branch by Executive Committee number for Southern Region Bro. Derek Fullick.

The meeting was informed by Bro. Fullick as to all the ongoing affairs of Head Office an a very full information and question time followed.

The Chairman of the meeting asked for a vote of thanks to be pass to Bro. D. Fullick for his time spent at our branch. Moved by Bro,. M. Allen and seconded Bro. L. Stephenson carried.

Bro. Fullick replied that it was all part of his duties but he has enjoyed the visit to see how this branch was moving.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting closed at 12.30 p.m.

 Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

 Sunday September 23^rd 1979 10.30 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms Tunbridge Wells Central Station

The Chairman Bro. F. Diplock opened the meetings where requested to be read out by the Chairman. Bro. M. Allen asked rthat a full reading of the minute be carried out. This was backed up by the Chairman and duly carried out. The minutes were read by Branch Secretary Bro. C. Exley. Moved by Bro. M. Allen and seconded Bro. W. Baldwin. That all minutes that were read a true record. 

The Chairman, the asked the Branch Secretary to read any correspondence and any late Head Office Office circulars which were received after a reasonable time with which they could have been posted for scrutiny by members of the branch.

The first item was was a letter from Hitchin Branch which is an appeal for the family of the late Bro. D. Marshall of that branch who had suffered and died of a heart attack.

A full discussion was held as to the merits of the appeal, Bro. W. Balwin stated that their was a minute pass to cover this item and requested the Branch Secretary to identify the same. The branch secretary replied that he would do the same. Moved by Bro.?? and seconded by Bro. W. Baldwin. That the letter be held over until the required information could be found. Carried. Unan.

The next item of correspondence was a request by Bro. J. Carney that the Branch Secretary write to Head Office re railway hosing accommodation. At this date this item is still in motion. Moved by Bro. J. Carney and seconded W. Baldwin.

That a satisfactory conduction to above item be gained. Carried no abstentions

The next item of correspondence was the alledged traffic offence incurred by Bro. D. Nye of this branch. Bro. D. Nye as this item had been In progress for a period of 12 months. The branch secretary stated that he was in correspondence with Head Office over this matter and hoped to gain a reply to this item shortly and would reply to this item at the next meeting of this branch.

The next item was a letter from acting area Welfare Officer and was being dealt with by L.D.C. Secretary.

The final item was a letter from E.S.T.A. that a public meeting which was to be held in Uckfield town hall on Monday the 24^th September and requesting a member of this branch  to attend. Branch Secretary said he would be attending. Moved by Bro. M. Allen and seconded by Bro. F. Diplock. That the branch secretary attend the meeting and report at next branch meeting the proceedings. Carried

Bro. M. Allen moved a late item of correspondence  to the Chair regarding the payment of wages after leave at Tunbridge Wells West. His request was brought to light because of Bro. A. Ashdown refusal to sign the unclaimed wages book adding that it was not necessary under the national payrole scheme. Moved by Bro. M. Allen and seconded by Bro. W. Baldwin. That the Branch Secretary write to Head office to get their view on the matter.

The Chairman then moved onto L.D.C. report which was given by L.D.C. Secretary Bro. M. Allen. Bro. Allen then listed the following he was persuing which are as follows

Minute L574

This is a long standing problem between staff side and management side over  the interpretation out on L.D.C.  Minute 18 by management over the operation of L574 this matter is now been progress to Section Council ‘B’ and still unresolved at this date.

Recruiting of guards at T.W.W. he had an assurance that some new staff were being trained as guards from area station manager. 

Diagrams and their scrutiny, this was tied to L574 and its problem.

Engineering meeting with Chief Traffic Officer to be held in the very near future with the hope of getting advanced information for passenger arrangement during engineering possessions.

Minute 60 65 Booking on and off allowance was a new item and was been dealt with it was hoped to have more to say on the subject at the next meting.

Claims for loss of earnings due to cancelation of Sunday work. This was to test the new R.S.N.T. Decision on the same see circular 87/1979.

Fuel shortage

This was a very new item and was brought about by the cut back in fuel supplies to B.R. by its suppliers.

Ballot of over Sunday services.

The out come was a unanimous ‘Yes’ vote.

Establishment

The depot was to be given two extra spare turns which ment increasing the depot establishment by two new drivers.

L.D.C. claim for a extra Sunday turn to be given to the depot for C.M.E.E. purposes was still being persuade by this L.D.C. and Sectional Council.

Edenbridge   bank holiday extra trains because of Edenbridge and Oxted agricultural show to be held on bank Holiday Monday. The L.D.C. were awaiting the results of a management survey for that day.

Staff travelling by taxi

This was a item which had originate from a meeting by the South London joint L.D.C. Staff Side but it may have grave repercussions for T.W.W. staff.

Cover duties Monday to Friday

It was hoped that with the increase of  spare turns from October, that the 0500 spare and 1300 spare could be re-designated cover and the 0425 cover be made a preparation and running work turn.

Agenda for L.D.C. Meetings

This was another matter for which the local management were not prepared to give staff side a clear answer on this item was being pass to Sectional Council ‘B’ to be resolved.

Bro. R. Harper and accommodation of drivers on shunt work due to ill health or medical reasons. The ballot of the drivers at the depot to examine the possibility of finding work shunting at the depot a yes vot in favour of the same.

R.S.N.T. 52

This is tied up with Head Office circular 143/79 and this L.D.C. and branch were going to reply to this in due course.

Plug for electricity supply in mess room

Under the Health and Safety act, that a socket should be available for use in the mess room and it was a matter of urgency and the L.D.C. Secretary was in correspondence with the area depot manager.

This concluded the L.D.C. report.

The Chairman then asked for any other business

The Branch Secretary ask the branch’s permission to purchase a lever arch file. Moved Bro. C. Exley and seonded by Bro. M. Allen. That this branch purchase the necessary file from branch funds. 

Their being no other business the Chair man closed the meeting at 13.15 p.m.

Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting

Sunday November 18^th 1979 10.30 a.m.

at the Welfare Rooms Tunbridge Wells Central Station

The Chairman was Bro. F. Diplock and there were five members present

The minutes of the September meeting were read out and is moved Bro. M. Allen and seconded Bro. A. Young. That the minutes were a true record of the September meeting. Carried Unanimously.

The Chairman then moved on to a very pressing item which was the collection that had been held for Bro. V. Rumley of this branch. Bro. Rumley retired from railway service on the 21^st July, 1979. Their had been a collection held for him and £37.50 had been raised it was suggested by the Chairman that a function be held at a local hostery and that a gift as a token be presented to Bro. Rumley. Moved by the Chairman and seconded by Bro. J. Carney. That a presentation pen set be purchase and presented to Bro. Rumley. Carried Unanimously.

The Chairman went on further to suggest that invitation to attend the function be sent to Mr. Bagihole ex Sectional Council ‘B’ Representative and long time friend of Bro. Rumley. Moved by the Chairman. That the Branch Secretary be instructed to write to both Bro. Rumley and Mr. Bagihole to inform them of this branch’s intention. Crried Unanimously.

The Chairman then went on to suggest a venue for the function and a date for the same. The venue was the Lord Cornwallis public house and the date was 29^th November, which was a Thursday.

(The actual venue was changed to the Kelsey Arms, because the Lord Corwallis was already booked)

It was also moved that the branch Secretary write to Mr. Bagihole friend Bro. Rumley and also Sectional Council ‘B’ member be informed of the change. 

After the Chairman’s speech we were moved on to correspondence

National League for the blind were circulating a letter to all trade union branches in Great Britain which was a request for a collection they are holding to boast their funds. Move Bro. W. Baldwin. That this particular item was cover by a previous branch minute and therefore it should be held over till it could be cleared up.

After Circular the Chairman moved onto Items of correspondence.

Bro. John Carney, housing Albert road Tonbridge. That a letter been sent of to A.S.L.E.F. Head Office but  matters had progressed since this letter and been sent and the branches support was know longer required.

East Sussex Travellers Association, and a meeting which was held at Uckfield Town Hall and a further meeting at Brecon School, Crowborough.

That this branch would support the action of any association which as the stated aim of reinstating dismantled railway lines i.e .Lewes – Uckfield. Moved Bro. C. Exley and seconded by Bro. F. Diplock.

This concluded correspondence.

The Chairman then requested the L.D.C. Secretary to give his report, the report follows.

Staff travelling in taxis, Bro. R. Harpers accommodation on 312 duty, Christmas Holiday Arrangements.

The gaining of three claims for payment for drivers who were booked off duty to cancellation of the empty trains to St Leonards West Marina on Sundays.

Radio communication on trains between cab and signal box.

N.U.R & A.S.L.E.F.

The setting up of one party to negotiated for footplate staff.

That concluded L.D.C. and District Council report, the Chairman then called for nominations for two vacancies on the L.D.C.

That Bro. J. Carney of this branch be nominated as the official L.D.C. candidate for the same. Nominated by Bro. A. Young and seconded by Bro. M. Allen.

There being no other candidates, Bro. J. Carney was adopted as the official L.D.C. representative. This left one vacancy unfilled. The Branch Chairman stated that a request be sent to management asking that the closing date for nominations be extended to permit the branch to find a nominee.

The Chairman the asked for any other business.

Moved by Bro. C. Exley and seconded by Bro. M. Allen. That this branch in accordance with Society rule No.37 clause 11 shall adopt a set of standing orders. Carried Unanimously.

There  being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 1300