1) Present: Kevin Morley USDAW, in the chair, Geoff Brown UCU, Sharon Green PCS, Joe Bailey TGWU, Jeno Menezes PCS, Derek Wise AMICUS, Ian Tomlinson CWU, David Swanson UCU, Barrie Eckford TGWU, Bartley Willcock Manchester TUC Pensioners, Tony Jones TGWU, Ted Stead CWU, Alan Knowles NUJ, Christian Bunke NUJ

2) Apologies: Viv Best UNISON, Cherie Bailey EQUITY, Geremy Phillips EQUITY, Yvonne Joseph EQUITY, Bob Pounder NUJ, Ian Allinson AMICUS, Lynn Hodge AMICUS, Gerard Collier AMICUS, Bill Gulam UCU, Dave Beale UCU, Karen Reissmann UNISON, Jimmy Thornton TGWU

3) Minutes of council meeting, 21 February 2007 accepted as a true record. Minutes of executive, 7 March 2007 noted

4) Matters arising. All matters arising covered by agenda

5) Reports
a. UNISON Manchester Mental Health strikes in defence of jobs and services.
Apologies from delegates due to ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ meeting tonight. Significant victory achieved with withdrawal of all compulsory redundancies and other major concessions.
b. NHS Together campaign, national day of action, Saturday 3 March
800 marchers. Coach from Merseyside. Excellent spirit on demonstration with strong contributions from trade union speakers at rally in Albert Square. Proposed that delegates to NWTUC conference should support case for national demonstration in June.
c. AMICUS Fujitsu dispute and strike days 7, 12-14, 20 March
Strikers have continued to visit Fujitsu sites and other trade unionists across the country to build support fro the dispute. The core of activist in the branch has increased significantly. 20 March strike day suspended because of intervention by MPs. Dispute due to be debated in parliament. Letter received from strikers thanking Trades Council for support.
d. Organising Fighting Unions regional rally with solidarity buffet for Fujitsu strikers, Mechanic’s Institute, 14 March
170 present. Billy Hayes speaking. Serious, comradely debate on trade union link to Labour Party. Agreed to contribute £75 to costs.
e. Stop the War national demonstration, London, Saturday 24 February
Five coaches from Manchester. Well attended with very wide range of trade union speakers from platform
f. Action Mesothelioma Day, 27 February. Successful event showing strength of campaign.
g. UCU and Trade Unions for Refugees ‘Right to Education’ lobby of parliament, 28 February. A thousand people took part. Government has made some concessions. Campaign continues.
h. Rethinking Education conference, Bolton, 10 March. 120 participants. Lively discussions. National campaign against academies now under way.
i. MANCAT 5. Tribunal hearings due to conclude 22 March.
j. Proposed merger of FE colleges in Manchester. No consultation by users and related interest. Main issue is now if MANCAT management take over merged college in 2008. UCU City College balloting for action in defence of contracts for new starters.
k. Trade Union Freedom Bill. Together with Agency Workers bill, talked out of time by govt ministers. Agreed to write to Euro MPs and Tony Lloyd. Delegates to raise at NWTUC conference. Secretary reported that GMATUC is also planning activity. Agreed to co-ordinate.
l. National Civil Service strike, 1 May 2007. To be confirmed 29 March. Agreed to support lunchtime and other protests on the day.
m. May Day march, Monday 7 May, assembling All Saints at noon. Publicity forthcoming.
n. MRI contract electricians strike. Successful tribunal case winning unfair dismissal. Logic Control directors admit there is a black list of electricians. Agreed to donate £50. Collection from delegates raised £52.
o. Protest over 2% public sector pay cap, 12 noon, Friday 30 March, Peace Gardens, St Peters Square. Called by PCS. Agreed to support.

6) Correspondence
a) May Day Greetings. Agreed to put greetings into Socialist Worker and Morning Star
b) Banner Theatre in Wythenshawe, June 2007. Agreed to make financial contribution and invite affiliates to do so as well.
c) University of Manchester: redundancies announced. Agreed secretary to write to vice chancellor.
d) ‘Citizen 32’ poetry magazine, issue on ‘Class’. NUJ branch is supporting. Agreed to help publicise launch event on 3 May.
e) Campaign against Climate Change. Agreed to help publicise national day of action on 30 June.
f) Mechanic’s Centre Trust. Agreed to re-affiliate.

7) Any other business
a) National Pensioners Parliament, Blackpool, 8 - 10 May 2007. Agreed to circulate details to affiliates
b) Construction workers lobby of parliament, Wednesday 28 March 2007.

8) Presentation: ‘Disability Champions’. Ted Stead, CWU. Lively presentation of project now running in the North West. For further information contact Ted Stead, CWU Room, Rochdale Delivery Office, Progress House, Rochdale OL16 1AA