Branch Chair Report 2022

It is believe it or not now two years since the end of our Conference in Cardiff, the last event before the first COVID lockdown. Fortunately, this years conference was able to go ahead in Glasgow.

As a result the work of activists supporting members has never been harder or more needed. We have had to concentrate our efforts on the urgent needs of members faced with the unprecedented circumstances that the pandemic caused.   I make particular note of the to be or not to be vaccinated which caused a lot of worry.

We as a branch have tried to carry on as normally as possible substituting TEAMS meetings for normal face to face although it must be noted that as soon as restrictions were lifted last year the employees were requesting more face to face meetings putting extra pressure on the branches work force. Branch staff also worked from home and continue to do so.

Myself and James have continued to serve on Regional Committee and Service Group Committee together, myself on the latter in my capacity as Chair of Housing Associations Sector Committee so hint, hint there is a vacancy for the SGE.

Recruitment of members and especially Reps needs to be a priority over the next 12 months as many have been lost due to retirements, restructurings and sadly Covid.  I do concede that we as a branch have not been hit by this as hard as other branches.

We do need as a priority to recruit to the Branch Staffing Committee as other members of the Executive have had to pick up some very complicated issues during the last year.

Negotiating for our members is also important especially pay negotiations as the cost of living is rising and will continue to do so with inflation expected to reach as high as 8% ! We have just managed to obtain 3.1% with my employer but that is still far off all things considered.

Finally I would like to thank all Branch Staff and the Executive for their time and commitment this year and let’s hope that 2022 can finally bring back some sense of normality.

Lynn Gillespie

Branch Chair