Midlands TUC Pensioners Network June E-C Meeting Report.

The Excutive Committee met at the Unite Office in Derby on Monday June 20th and fully discussed the decisions that were taken at the March 18th Annual General Meeting, and the actions necessary to implement them. There was considerable discussion on the Network blog, the Chair reported that the site was now beginning to acheive a fair number of hits, inluding some from, France, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Ukrainne, Russia, India, Canada, and the USA. We are keen that all the trade unionists and retired members groups get into the habit of reading this blog, which will enable it to be used increasingly as an informational and organisational tool. It was agreed that the network Chair would be responsible for producing and editing the blog until the 2012 Annual General Meeting, It was also decided that Peter Last and Sheena would have the opportunity to be trained up on the blog by Alan Weaver TUC, when he is available. The decision was taken to ask for volunteers at the Next Network Regional Meeting on July 1st which will be held at the Spot Conference Centre Derby, to join our Regional panel of speakers, they will be offered training. It was also agreed that in the near future Sheena and Mike would seek a meeting with The TUC Regional Secretary (Cheryl Pidgeon) and Alan Weaver to discuss issues of mutual interest.

June 30th Strike Day to Defend Pensions

It was reported that in the West Midlands there will be many trade unionists out on strike on Friday June 30th, we have not as yet been informed of any planned supportive action by pensioner groups in support of the strikers. Peter Last Network Vice Chair stated that the Walsall Pensioners Action Group were not planning to take any action on July 30th, but were in the process of carrying out provisional planning for their Conference on care homes/care in the community/NHS, which will take place on September 14th at the Walsall Central Hall. This venue is a 10 minute walk from the Train Station, or travel on a 51 bus from the station.

Leicester - Activity on June 30th in support of the Strikers 

People will meet at 12 Noon on the Victoria Park, there will be speakers, bands, and a picnic, the events will close at 3.00 pm. Its important that as many retired people as possible turn out to support the events on Victoria park and be seen to support thse strikers who are campaigning to defend their pensions against the machinations of this Coalition Government, who are determined that the ordinary people in societry will pay for the adventures of the bankers, who still pay themselves millions of pounds in bonuses. .