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Minutes of the North West Region amicus-lgbt Committee held on Saturday 5th May 2007 at 6.30pm in the Lesbian & Gay Foundation's Meeting Rooms, Manchester
1. Attendees:
Peter Jewell, Peter Cookson, Mick Stott, Mark Burns, Andrew Wheatley, Anna Booth, Sarah Holden, Danny W and Graham Cain - Apologies: Mark Shickell
2. Introductions:
The chair asked all attendees to introduce themselves to all present.
3. Minutes Of The Last Meeting:
These were proposed as a true record by Andrew W and seconded by Peter C. The meeting agreed.
4. Matters Arising:
Mick S - Andrew W was asked to ask for merchandise from the National Committee.
Andrew W - There was some question about quality of literature and confusion around arrangements for Pride, Also, was not able to read minutes before the National Committee met, but was unsuccessful in any case.
Sarah H - Merchandise will be looked at as new logo needs to go on subject to ratification - Sarah will update us as soon as possible.
Mick S - A resolution was sent to NEC regarding a training establishment in the North, but we have still heard nothing. The nearest Amicus training facility is at Wortley Hall (Sheffield), but it has no equalities training programme. Only Amicus' Esher College in Surry has the full range of courses available and that's 200-300 miles away from the NW region.
There then followed a short discussion over website minutes being different from those distributed. Andrew agreed to sort this out for next time.
5. Reports from Delegates
(a) North West Regional Council:
Mick S - No reference to equalities training in brochures. Also, reminded when next meeting was and invited new equalities person Des Graham.
(b) North West TUC LGBT Forum:
Peter J - Advised the committee that only one meeting has been held since we last met.
He reported that they were hoping to organise events in the autumn and next February.
The Forum had held a discussion about monitoring in the workplace and the general view is that it is done by employers, but that there has to be a positive culture first. Peter advised the discussion had been quite informative
Peter C - Reported that there had also been a discussion around employer equality groups at the meeting.
Peter J - Said that North West TUC is looking to organise an event in the autumn that would be open to all Amicus/Unite members and the TUC are looking for examples of good practice from employers (Alan Manning has also asked for this).
Alan is also asking for good union practices before the end of May from website etc and he needs case studies if possible to be emailed to thenney@tuc.org.uk.
An email has been received from Tyne Henney advising the European Diversity Truck Tour will be in Liverpool on 24th and 25th July as part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.
Anna B - Asked what is on the truck?
Peter J - advised that he did not know, but an email could have been sent about this so we could get information.
Andrew W - Asked if copies of agreements were given to the union and was advised by Sarah H that they are and that all officers should have them.
Mick S - On National Committee Lesley was trying to do a tick system through the TUC.
Andrew W - will email Lesley on this.
Mark B - Advised that it needs to be ongoing and was advised by Sarah H that documented cases do exist.
(c) National LGBT Committee:
Andrew W - The last meeting was 3rd February 2007, but minutes are only given out on the day.
There had been a discussion on Pride events and a discussion on the forthcoming Policy Conference.
Anna B - Advised there was a Trans Conference on 15th June 2007 (before Policy Conference) organised by 'Transfabulous' with a theme of 'Trans With Pride', but this is not a union event.
Peter J - Advised application process has opened.
Graham C - Asked for details of the discussions on Pride events and Policy Conference.
Anna B - Advised she did not have the minutes available due to moving house.
Andrew W - Said National Committee minutes are not distributed.
Mick S - Said minutes should be given to Regional Committees. Sarah H will chase up.
Peter J - Agreed that we should write to National Committee requesting the minutes.
The meeting agreed that Sarah H would take this to Siobhan Endean next week.
(d) Other Events:
Anna B - Reported back on the Faith and Homophobia Conference which had been well attended and had included 24 workshops - there had been some good speakers, but it was only a 'talking shop' and the acoustics were not good so nothing really came out of it.
Andrew W - National Committee members were notified of two events, one on 2nd to 4th November and one next year both at Esher. One will be for reps and one for all LGBT members.
The TUC LGBT Conference is being held on 28th & 29th June. Our delegates will be staying in the Strand Palace Hotel. London Pride will be on 30th June.
Mick S - Asked why are courses only being announced to National Committee?
Sarah H - Advised that this was probably due to them awaiting confirmation.
Andrew W - Equalities Department is having to arrange their own training as the Education Department is being outsourced.
Mick S - Our motion asked that LGBT were included.
Sarah H will look into
Andrew W - Our meeting dates need to be included.
Sarah H will sort out (but she won't mention the venue).
Anna B - Said that two of the last forums were in the South West and East and were taken over by non-lgbt people.
Sarah H - Advised this needs to go into the melting pot of the merger and Siobhan is looking or a rule change on this.
6. Regional Activities:
MANCHESTER PRIDE:
Peter J - Asked if we were having a stall at Manchester Pride as last year was not very well organised. He also asked if the union will provide good materials and that the stall is booked.
Peter Purton from TUC has said TUC organising team from TUC academy will be available if we have a joint TUC/Amicus stall.
We could use Academy trainees to help staff the stall etc. The TUC may even contribute funding - in the past we have had interest from USDAW, but some other unions are not interested.
Mick S - Advised he was happy to be under the TUC banner - Pride has never been a major recruiting event, but more about educating people about the benefits of being in a union and the recent legislation covering LGBT workers. People could be directed to other unions if more appropriate.
Peter J - Said Peter Purton at the TUC will have literature available. This would mean that it would be less incumbent on Amicus.
Sarah H - Advised five of the TUC organisers are Amicus already, but that national policy was to have our own stall and she has asked Graham Goddard who the T & G counterparts are.
Mick S - TUC were going to agree to get the unions together.
Sarah H - Advised that this has not been agreed.
Mick S - Asked about the merchandise.
Sarah H - Replied she would be meeting in a week or two and the new merchandise with the new logo should be out shortly.
Mick S - Asked who is meeting to discuss equalities and to discuss merchandise specifically for Pride.
Sarah H - Advised that Pride stuff is on the agenda.
Peter J - Said that someone should have taken it up last year as Sarah was off sick as we need a stall booked with materials.
Sarah H - Said union policy is to have a stall and that it is already under way. She is in contact with Manchester Pride.
Peter J - Advised he will liaise with Peter Purton at TUC.
Sarah H - Advised TUC needs to start now.
Peter J - TUC relies on participant constituents.
Mick S - TUC used not to have and resources for Pride Events but understands that they now do.
Sarah H - Said she is in touch with the TUC LGBT committee.
Peter J - Asked if an email can be sent.
Sarah H - Advised T & G would come on board, but we are not allowed to talk to each other as we are going through national structures.
Mick S - We can approach T & G through LGBT.
Sarah H will seek permission to do that.
Peter J - Asked that Sarah H get feedback from Siobhan's meeting and Sarah agreed to do so.
Sarah H - Suggested that people give her a list of what people want in terms of merchandise (condoms, whistles etc).
Mark B - Asked if a deputy would be appointed and Sarah advised that Nancy Green would be her deputy.
BLACKPOOL PRIDE:
Sarah H - Advised a stall is still available on 19th and 20th May.
Mick S - This year the whole of the North Pier is being used.
Sarah H - Advised she can order stuff on Wednesday and also suggested putting together some appropriate literature.
Mick S - to forward copies of previously approved Amicus literature for Pride Events to Sarah.
Peter J - Asked for volunteers to help at Blackpool and four members said they were available.
Sarah H - Advised cost is £75.00 per stall. And it was agreed just to have a presence on the Saturday.
Andrew W - Said he will publicise this through Blackpool Trades Council.
Sarah H - will let us know what the arrangements are for the event.
Mick S - will contact amicus-lgbt members who live in the area to see if any can offer help on the day.
OTHER REGIONAL EVENTS:
There is an LGBT health summit on 20th and 21st August all day and evening at Manchester Town Hall.
7. Discuss Our Role and Involvement As A Committee:
Mick S - Said he has written to Equalities Officer, Regional Secretary, and National Committee asking that more information is distributed to Regional Equalities Committees and requested that we be more involved in the Equalities Agenda, but has had no meaningful response.
We would like to be more involved - e.g. we have only just found out about our planned presence at Blackpool Pride, just two weeks before the event.
EQUALITIES COMMITTEES STANDING ORDERS
The Regional Council had asked us at approve the Standing Orders issued by the NEC and these were put to the meeting. There then followed a lengthy debate around our Standing Orders and some amendments were agreed (please see attached for amended version). The amended Standing Orders were agreed unanimously by the committee and Mick will put them to the next Regional Council for their approval.
8. Reaching Out To New Members:
Sarah H - Training - 2nd June or 9th June This is a one-day event aimed at representatives and is going out by email and will include information about training and the Amicus equality strategy.
Also training for new LGBT member activists over the weekend of 21st and 22nd July or 11th and 12th August venues TBA.
This information is going out to all officers and will be in bulletins and in the magazine.
Anna B - Asked about if training was on diversity awareness.
Sarah H - Advised it was on general equalities.
9. Any Other Business
The chair advised that there would be a short agenda for our meeting on 1st December as it is World AIDS Day and committee members may wish to get involved in other local events that evening.
Our next meeting is 18th August in Manchester.
With no other business, the meeting closed at 9.05
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