MINUTES GPTU meeting 12/1/2011 .

1. Apologies: J.Healy, A.Wheatley,S.Tibbles
2. Minutes of 14/12/2010 & 24/11/2010: Agreed for Accuracy
3. Matters Arising
   1. Andy Hewett delegated to European GP meeting in Brussels 15/1/11, will support GPEW policies re Green New Deal and work-life balance, needs briefing from policy Committee.
   2. Teresa Delaney has sent statements of support to Students and Young greens.
   3. Peter Murry has sent statement of support to Peter Allen re Oldam & Saddleworth by-election (13/1/11), (ALSO BLOG POSTS ).
   4. Low turnout in Tower Hamlets by-election. Reported that canvassing in TH was begiining to build public awareness of GP presence.
   5. Teresa Delaney to draft pledge for GLA & Mayoral candidates with other GPTU members via email, if possible in tme for London Federation meeting (17/1/11).
   6. no change in GPTU financial position.
   7. More Info needed on Unison ballot.
   8. Joseph Healy drafted statement to Green Islands Network re Irish Crisis
4. Conference Motions:members are recommended to vote in the prioratisation ballot for motions C23 Cuts & Local Public Services, D36 Hardship Fund, C26 Declarations of War. Mebers attention is drawn to D 34 Capitations, C 20 High Speed Rail & D37 Policy Making Process as these may have serious impications for GPEW and it´s policies.
5. Possiblity of inviting Welsh Unionist to GPTU fringe discussed.
6. Anti Cuts campaigns
   1. Council of the Coalition of Resistance 15th National Council meeting January 2011 ULU, pre meeting for GPEW members 14/1/2011 (Stockwell Arms, 83 Lansdowne Way (just a couple of minutes from Stockwell Tube) booked from 7p.m
   2. CoR engaged in discussions with other Anti Cuts camapaigns
   3. Library Closures seem to be attracting public suppport and media coverage for resistance camapigns (see You Tube video re Brent cuts, Libraries for Life for Londoners, estimate of possible library cuts nationally
   4. National Campaign against Fees and Cuts : NATIONAL CONFERENCE: 22 JANUARY, WALKOUT AGAINST EMA CUTS: 26 JANUARY, REGIONAL DEMOS AGAINST EMA CUTS: 29 JANUARY see http://anticuts.com/.
   5. Zain Sardar to write to Tom Penghelly (Kent Uni) sending GPTU solidarity.
7. New Gp server/site
   1. Concerns expresssed re possible changes to email lists, will they remain as accessible and uncensored as is currently the case?
   2. Peter Murry to look into redesign of website with a view to link to new GPEW site.
8. GPTU Report to GPRC
   1. 10,000 Rhonda Cynon Taff council staff facing Section 188 "Lock outs" and imposed terms and conditions cuts. GmB website lists 6 0ther public sector employers imposing cuts in this manner (+ many others imposing straightforward cuts). Emergency motion to confeence.
   2. 700 London Fire Service facing Section 188 (Darren Johnson supporting FBU).
   3. Currently the highest ever level of rail disputes (ASLEF & RMT).
   4. BA ballot pending?
   5. About 2,000 jobs are to go at Manchester City Council because of government spending cuts, the authority has said.
   6. Green Party involved in Coalition of Resistance (http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/), numerous Greens on CoR national council, steering committee to be elected this weekend(15/16 Jan).
9. Next meeting agm at Conference , The Angel Hotel, Cardiff Friday 25th - Monday 28th February exact venue and time tba.