NORTHERN IRELAND COMBINED BRANCH

[Captain Swing]

Norbert, just because we know it's there doesn't mean we sit back and simply accept it!

[norbert]

Norbert, just because we know it's there doesn't mean we sit back and simply accept it!

I was being ironic about the CWU being over-centralized and how people get p*s*ed off about " the corrupt right wing old guard " - Sawyer mentions it in his RM IR report - when people do get p**sed off - it's where the extreme left take over or hi-jack things - however with the way RM go about some things - some issues don't need the SWP to stir things up .

Too many old duffers and/or buffoons ? who can be too used to a time when RM management was "relatively " benign - so the CWU can get accused of being out of touch .

Naturally it's going to make the likes of the " Pie Connoisseur " very defensive and things don't get handled very well & matters get out of hand . Billy's a good tub- thumper , Ward is a good organiser but RM have got cleverer people who can run rings round them .

[Big Daz]

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

Yes its still used but Alvescot is the offical education and training centre, I belive it came to us through the NCU at the the time of the merger with CWU.

Its now been redeveloped, which obvisouly will have cost money, just dont tell anyone the CWU been spending money again, its not very popular on this site!

[marky]

big daz no reply for me then,

[Big Daz]

Give a man a chance!

[marky]

[Big Daz]

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.

"they" who exactly are they? National level officers of the union? Branch officers before the suspension of your branch?

What has led you to your beliefs above as being what happens?

What CWU needs to ensure if not already happening is that when conference comes around every year is that as many ordinary hotels are utlised as possible first before moving on to the more expensive ones. Giving that so many cwu bods are in town the CWU should look to get discounts due to the sheer amount of custom being put the way of the hotel in the town/city where conference is being held. For example more than one CWU branch was in the hotel I was staying at for conference but presumably we would have booked as separate entities so then we should look at booking as a combined entity to get a discount.

Perhaps we need to look at the terms and conditions of staff and any union reconition aggrements in place when deciding which hotels to stay in.

Ive done two TUC courses both at a regional college on day release no fancy posh hotel or staying away for me! My computer course was at alvecsot but thats hardly luxury out in the ricky old chalet with RAF jets overhead in the middle of the night.

the cheapest might not be the most ethical in terms of the t and c of their workforce.

I dont paticulary want to smell coffee its bloddy revolting!

[marky]

thats a piss poor reply big daz, what about them still taking our money when they call us out on strike and what about them still taking home a wage during the strike.
i agree with you on them taking up the cheap hotels first but they never do.
what do you mean about terms and conditions?? a bed is a bed ect ect,

i have seen it all thats where it comes from, they think everything has to be 1st class all the way because its not there money they are spending.

welcome to the cheap seats.

come on big daz you can do better than that,

[bartlet]

Come on Marky are you telling us you have never been to a conference or briefings, were you also have spent the members money on overnightsetc etc, and eaten from the pie table and had a few FREE drinks from the membership subs . ,

And anyway going to conference or briefings are a necessary evil needed to help and advise our membership, or perhaps you would prefer that your members are treated as in the mushroom scenario.

[Big Daz]

Marky

I think a new topic to debate ALL CWU expenditure might be needed rather than slagging off the expenditure of certain senior CWU bods is needed.

[marky]

Come on Marky are you telling us you have never been to a conference or briefings, were you also have spent the members money on overnightsetc etc, and eaten from the pie table and had a few FREE drinks from the membership subs . ,

And anyway going to conference or briefings are a necessary evil needed to help and advise our membership, or perhaps you would prefer that your members are treated as in the mushroom scenario.

i have been to conference but on my money and if you read the thread again its not about overnites ect ect, its when they spend the members money it always has to be on the best of everything best hotel best food live like kings there are cheaper alternatives that could save money.
must laugh at your briefings crap have u ever went to a briefing and reported back to the membership,, think not.
and as for the mushroom scenario take a long look at yourself it was not me hiding from the members,

[marky]

Marky

I think a new topic to debate ALL CWU expenditure might be needed rather than slagging off the expenditure of certain senior CWU bods is needed.

big daz go on you start it.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Marky

I think a new topic to debate ALL CWU expenditure might be needed rather than slagging off the expenditure of certain senior CWU bods is needed.

big daz go on you start it.

He did - look around the board and you'll find it I am sure.

[marky]

found it tbt.

[Captain Swing]

Can anyone advise me how i can get hold of detailed accounts in regard to individuals spending, allowances, etc.?