NORTHERN IRELAND COMBINED BRANCH

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 29 Nov 2008, 09:55

LTB 929/08 - NORTHERN IRELAND COMBINED BRANCH
28 November 2008

Issuing officer(s): Billy Hayes

No. 929/08

Ref GS 1.1

Date: 28/11/08

(ALL BRANCHES)

TO: THE BRANCH SECRETARY

Dear Colleague

NORTHERN IRELAND COMBINED BRANCH

Further to LTB 545/08, this letter is to advise Branches that the reconstituted Northern Ireland Combined Branch inaugural meeting took place on Sunday November 9th 2008.

The meeting was quorate and well attended.

Members of the National Working Party were in attendance viz:- Davie Bowman, John Bladwin, Head of International Affairs, Carl Maden, National Executive Council member, Lawrence Huston, Regional Secretary, Pat O’Hara, Branch Administrator and the General Secretary.

The meeting was presided over by the National President.

The General Secretary gave a brief report which was following by a short report from the Branch Administrator.

The General Secretary read out who had contested the Branch elections on behalf of the CWU.

Result of ballots:

BRANCH CHAIRMAN

Patrick McAuley

260

Gabe McCurry

323

ELECTED

Spoilt ballot papers

30

Total ballot papers received

613

35%

Total ballot papers dispatched

1731

BRANCH SECRETARY

Stephen Carabine

169

Fra Martin

181

Bobby Weatherall

252

ELECTED

Spoilt ballot papers

11

Total ballot papers received

613

35%

Total ballot papers dispatched

1731

BRANCH TREASURER

EAMONN COOKE

334

ELECTED

JOHN COYLE

238

Spoilt ballot papers

41

Total ballot papers received

613

35%

Total ballot papers dispatched

1731

BRANCH EQUALITY OFFICER

ROBERT COSGROVE

183

CIARAN LYNESS

143

MICKY O’NEILL

272

ELECTED

Spoilt ballot papers

15

Total ballot papers received

613

35%

Total ballot papers dispatched

1731

ELECTIONS UNOPPOSED:

BRANCH YOUTH OFFICER

Conor Campbell Elected unopposed

BRANCH WOMEN’S OFFICER

No nominations submitted

BRANCH UNION LEARNING OFFICER

Martin McMullan Elected unopposed

The ballot was conducted “in secret” to individual members’ home addresses by the Independent Scrutineer – Popularis.

Anne Hock, the Independent Scrutineer said:

“I am satisfied that the arrangements made with respect to the production, storage, distribution, return and other handling of the voting papers used in the ballot, and the arrangements for the counting of the votes, included all such security arrangements as were reasonably practicable for the purpose of minimising the risk that any unfairness or malpractice might accur”

She also stated:

“I can confirm that envelopes containing ballot papers remained unopened until the ballot closed, and that a representative for Paul Gates, member of the Central Arbitration Committee, was present throughout the process to open the envelopes, scan ballot papers and count of votes cast”

Following each result that was read out, a round of applause was given – congratulations offered to the successful and commiserations to those candidates that had not achieved office.

Would Branches please note that the Officers of the Northern Ireland Combined Branch are:

Branch Secretary Bobby Weatherall

Branch Treasurer Eamonn Cooke

Branch Chair Gabe McCurry

Branch Equality Officer Micky O’Neill

Branch Youth Officer Conor Campbell

Branch Union Learning Officer Martin McMullan

The Branch address and contacts are:

Bobby Weatherall

Branch Secretary

Northern Ireland Combined Branch

26 – 34 Antrim Road

Belfast

Northern Ireland BT15 2AA

Tel: (02890) – 757314

Fax: (02890) 757316

e-mail cwunicombined@btconnect.com

At the meeting the General Secretary also thanked the membership of the Northern Ireland Combined Branch for their loyalty during a trying time for all CWU members, but especially the difficulties encountered by the local CWU.

The General Secretary would also like to place on record his thanks to all the members on the National Working Party, together with his appreciation for both Presidents for 2007-2008 and the current President for 2008-2009 – both of whom have dealt with issues in an impartial manner.

Together with this, on behalf of everyone involved at National and Local level, I would like to thank Pat O’Hara, Branch Administrator. Pat took up the job, performed it with respect, dignity and fortitude in the best interests of the CWU./

Branches will no doubt be glad to see the reconstitution of the Northern Ireland Combined Branch and no doubt want to wish the local officials well.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Department quoting the reference GS 1.1

Yours sincerely

W HAYES

General Secretary

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 29 Nov 2008, 20:17

Marky's very quiet about this.

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 03 Dec 2008, 18:21

Thankyou for your viewpoint,

Unless there was hard evidence of the sort that stands up in a court of law then what can HQ do? Knowing something and proving it are two different things.

marky · Post by **marky** » 03 Dec 2008, 19:32

sorry big daz been of this thing for a while and never seen this thread.
big old bunter is telling a few porkys he doesnt say that the meeting was brought to a halt and those at the top table refused to answer members questions. but then again we now know what the cwu stands for.
see you all at conference this year yet again but with more numbers and more posters telling the real truth about bunter and co,

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 03 Dec 2008, 19:39

What questions were asked and answers refused?

Captain Swing · Post by **Captain Swing** » 03 Dec 2008, 19:51

Big Daz, why don't you ask big billy. if you get any answers to you questions i'll drop dead with shock... he doesn't like questions, not very good at answers, never seems to be able to substantiate his responses.

marky · Post by **marky** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:30

cant rem them all but a good 1 that had him running for the door was...who where the branch committee members he met with in the first place that asked for the branch to be suspended. another was about the books being Cooked and another was to some wee gimp about the flat he was renting out in belfast and who paid for it in the first place..
will see if my chums can help me out with some other questions he and co would not answer.

marky · Post by **marky** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:32

oh and another was who ate all the pies..

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 03 Dec 2008, 20:43

marky wrote:oh and another was who ate all the pies..

That will be these two :lfo :cfo pies made with the finest premium meat that money can buy after all they have plenty of it!

marky · Post by **marky** » 03 Dec 2008, 21:29

sure bunter and co are the same.. spending the memberships money are they not

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 03 Dec 2008, 21:43

Isnt that what we pay our subs for so they have money to spend on things that in theroy will benefit the mbrs.

If I travel to alvescot for a course or to the mail centre from my delivery office for a branch committee meeting the costs come out the CWU income/mbrs money.

What we need is more courses for ordinary members such as computer courses and something along the lines of introduction to the CWU and trade unions and thier issues, which in turn could be a springboard to getting more mbrs volunteering to be reps and officers in the CWU.

Youve mentioned in the past jaunts etc but but surley thats not a issue the issue being is the new found knowledge and skils being put to good use to benefit the rank and file mbrs and the CWU as a organasation?

Post by **wranglered** » 04 Dec 2008, 09:06

You want to look at how members money is spent in your own branch big daz - go on, I dare you!

johnnyp · Post by **johnnyp** » 04 Dec 2008, 10:06

Big Daz wrote:Isnt that what we pay our subs for so they have money to spend on things that in theroy will benefit the mbrs.

If I travel to alvescot for a course or to the mail centre from my delivery office for a branch committee meeting the costs come out the CWU income/mbrs money.

What we need is more courses for ordinary members such as computer courses and something along the lines of introduction to the CWU and trade unions and thier issues, which in turn could be a springboard to getting more mbrs volunteering to be reps and officers in the CWU.
Youve mentioned in the past jaunts etc but but surley thats not a issue the issue being is the new found knowledge and skils being put to good use to benefit the rank and file mbrs and the CWU as a organasation?

Mate does the union not use the Elstead hotel in Bournemouth for training for new reps anymore.I can remember a few years back our old rep went there and would come back a fountain of knowledge

marky · Post by **marky** » 04 Dec 2008, 10:11

big daz what you say is money well spent, but come on wake up and smell the coffee. why do they stay in the best hotels buy the biggest steaks and drink like fish, would they if they had to pay for it and not cream it of the membership.
oh yes spent money on courses and things that benefit the membership but thats it they dont!!they spend it on themselves and live like kings. i bet they still take money when they call the membership out on strike.!! go on say they dont.

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 04 Dec 2008, 11:50

marky wrote:big daz what you say is money well spent, but come on wake up and smell the coffee. why do they stay in the best hotels buy the biggest steaks and drink like fish, would they if they had to pay for it and not cream it of the membership.
oh yes spent money on courses and things that benefit the membership but thats it they dont!!they spend it on themselves and live like kings. i bet they still take money when they call the membership out on strike.!! go on say they dont.

is there junkets in trade unionism and politics at all levels ? - well I never !