Merseyside ARMs representative: Steve Ion

Treasurers report 

There is £3815 in the account

A few donations where then agreed to Palestine Support Groups and the Save the Women’s Hospital Group.

On affiliations there are currently 20 paid up so far but the Treasurer was confident that would increase and another 3 unite branches were expected to affiliate as we approach the AGM. There were 3 retired groups affiliated and the Treasurer would like to see working branches affiliated from those unions which where PCS, UCU and the RMT.

There was a first-time delegate from a newly affiliated Unite branch covering a section of members in Levers in Port Sunlight.

The Treasurer asked if delegates had any friends or colleagues they could contact to affiliate to please do so.

Our affiliation was recorded as paid.

Industrial reports

Possible Closure of Cereal Partners in Bromborough who make both branded cereal and cereal aimed at supermarket brands only. The company is looking at producing only branded cereal as there is a drop in the market the company claims as less people eat breakfast cereal with a change in habits. They intend to invest in a plant down south but are still considering options for the Bromborough site. Failing that the plant will close with a loss of over 300 highly skilled jobs. The GMB represents the workforce, but it is unclear what proposed action there is at the moment to try and save the plant. 

Wirral Council Budget

• £25 million worth of cuts agreed at the council meeting on 3 March

• The decision was unanimous 

• Council Tax to go up by 4.99%

• There is a threat of between 100 to 200 job losses Unison are discussing voluntary redundancy at the moment, but the council still hasn’t ruled out compulsory redundancies

• The details of how the cuts are to be implemented are still being looked at as options 

• One of the big concerns was the closure of Libraries 

• Extra money has been allocated to the council from central government, but it appears to be in the form of loans

As the details of the cuts emerge, I will attempt to update.

Date of next meeting 

The next meeting is the AGM on Thursday 17 April. Nominations are being sought for the various positions. Closing date is Tuesday 15 April by 5pm.

Any other business 

There was a lengthy debate on the recent decision to cut disability benefit payments. The Trades Council agreed to circulate the following:

• Encouraging delegates to write to their councillors and MPS in protest these actions.

Advertising two demos one on Saturday 22 March in Liverpool organised by CRIPS AGAINST CUTS and another rally at the Liverpool Town Hall on the 2 April at 4.30pm. This is to unite against Labours cuts to Welfare and is called Welfare not Warfare.