Branch AGM held at The Royal Wells Hotel Tunbridge Wells on 14/02/24
The branch AGM was held at the Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells on February 14th 2024. Being that the meeting was held on Valentines day meant that the numbers attending were down on what is normal, but there was enough to conduct the business of the AGM.
The AGM was privileged to have Karen Rose as a guest at our meeting. Karen Rose is currently the President of the CWU and will take over the role of Deputy General Secretary (Telecoms and Financial Services) at the the conclusion of the Annual Conference in April. Kare had flown from a meeting in Enniskillen, where 300 BT employees face redundancy (click here for details).
The branch finances were discussed, Conference Delegation agreed, propositions moved and passed and officers elected. With the retirement of Chris Power as branch secretary at the end of last year, meant elections were need for senior officers’ roles. Dave Kauffman was elected as branch secretary after Chris left, but it still left vacancies which were advertised to be concluded at the AGM. Steve Taylor resigned his Assistant Secretary and Financial Secretary’s role and was elected as the new Branch Chair. Steve Rhodes was elected as the new Financial Secretary. Ellisha (Lil) Davies was elected as branch Woman’s Officer.
Then a CWU Gold Badge was awarded to Chris Power. Dave Kauffman told the AGM how Chris had nurtured him through his early days of his union career and on one occasion, Chris had to kerb Dave’s combative enthusiasm! However, Dave appreciated his tutelage and guidance. Karen Rose spoke about how much she appreciated Chris’s longevity and how Chris was never afraid of sitting near the front in meetings nor, asking the awkward questions that needed to be asked. She then awarded Chris his gold badge.
After the business of the AGM was concluded, an open forum was held of which Karen’s knowledge was quizzed. Further discussions were had on the crises at Enniskillen, Artificial Intelligence, the possibility of random drug tests and cameras in the cab – in particular ones facing the driver.