Midlands TUC Annual Conference 26th February 2011

Lee Baron, left, the new Chair of the Midlands TUC

with outgoing Chair Gerard Coyne.

The Midlands TUC held its' annual conference on Saturday 26th February at the Communication Workers Offices, Summer Lane, Birmingham. High on the agenda was the planned March for the Alternative which will be taking place in London on the 26th March.

The conference was addressed by TUC National Organiser Carl Roper who gave the latest information on the march, including updates on stewarding and travel arrangements. Coach drop off points were of particular concern and the TUC was working hard to get coaches as close to The Embankment, where the march will assemble, as possible. However, there are constraints being imposed by the police on coach movements through the capital and not all drop off and coach parking sites had as yet been identified.

The call for stewards was reiterated so the march could be adequately supported on the day and unions were urged to get there nomination sin so the appropriate training could be arranged.

The conference elected a new Chair for the Midlands TUC, with Lee Baron of the Communication Workers Union taking the helm and succeeding Gerard Coyne of Unite. the Vice Chairs, also elected at the conference are Adrian Axtell of Unite and Eleanor Smith of UNISON.