TURC Creation Sub-committee

MS 1591/B/3/3

TURC Creation Sub-committee

1981 - 1982

This file charts the development of TURC from a concept promoted by WMCC and BTC in the face of TUC opposition, to the practical matters of recruiting staff and establishing an office and centre, with an ongoing rumble of criticism from staff. It reveals the difficulties of a small number of individuals occupying a range of roles simultaneously: Alan Gunter: 1st Chair of TURC Mgt Cttee, but also related to Sue Gunter (first appointed librarian – allegations of nepotism); Sir David Perris Secretary of BTC, Secretary of WM Regional TUC, Company Secretary of TURC & (briefly – until legal advice was received) a member of TURC Management Committee. The contents include: 02/11/81 Telephone Message taken by BTC staff, recording apologies presented for meeting of BTC Resources Centre Sub Cttee meeting of 3/11/82; 04/01/82 [23/12/81] Copy letter from Lionel [Len] Murray (LM), General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to Sir David Perris (DP), Secretary of Birmingham Trades Council (BTC) re: 'Birmingham Trade union Resources Centre'. This refers to TUC Circular No. 71 (1981 – 82) and calls on BTC (and also the TUC West Midlands Regional Council [of which DP is also Secretary] not to participate in the establishment of the proposed Birmingham TURC; 04/01/82 [23/12/81] TUC Circular No. 71 (1981 – 82) 'Trade Union Resource Centres'; 12/01/82 Copy Letter from DP, Secretary of TUC WM Regional Council to DP, Secretary of BTC advising that the Regional Council's Executive Committee declared that it is fully committed to the establishment of TUC Regional Resource Centres, and asked to be kept informed & in due course offered a place or places at any discussions which may be held with the TUC; 13/01/82 Copy Minutes of BTC Resource Centre Sub-Committee, together with copy of BTC Resources Centre Sub-Committee recommendation prepared by Alan Gunter that the BTC Executive responds to TUC Circular No.71 & TUC letter of 23/12/81. This recommendation provides the text for the response attached to DP’s letter to LM dated 26/01/82 (see below.) Note: This recommendation has one addition in pencil handwriting (possibly by PM), which is incorporated into the response sent on 26/01/82; 18/01/82 Hand written letter from PM to DP, detailing action points for DP [some of which result in DP’s letter of 26/01/82 to LM]. Attached to PM's letter are hand written minutes of Resources Centre Sub-committee minutes dated 13/01/82 [for DP to have typed & circulated]. Note: A copy of the Resources Centre Sub-Committee recommendation [as at 13/0182 above] is attached, with certain areas highlighted; Jan 82 Hand written notes [by PM] TUC's Objections; 20/01/82 Copy of calling notice from DP to all members of TURC Mgt Cttee to meeting on 25/01/82; 21/01/82 Copy of amended Calling notice confirming that TURC Mgt Cttee meeting will be 26/01/82; 21/01/82 Copy letter from Mick Rice (MR) to DP, Secretary of TUC WM Regional Council, advising that WMCC may fund a Black Country TURC that could also provide research services for the Regional TUC. (This copy is attached to letter 26/01/82 below); 23/01/82 The Guardian 'Union resource centres banned by TUC after pledge of aid' cutting; 26/01/82 Copy letter from DP, Secretary of TUC WM Regional Council to Mick Rice (MR), in response of MR’s letter of 21/01/82 (copy attached) see above. DP reminds MR of the TUC instruction for TUC bodies not to proceed with resource/research centres; 26/01/82 Copy Letter from Sir David Perris (DP), Secretary of BTC to LM re: TURC. Attached is a response to LM's letter of 23/12/81, the response expressing the BTC Executive's support for TURC and its surprise at the TUC’s objections. A meeting with LM or his representative is requested; 26/01/82? Copy cutting 'End ban on centre TUC told' nd nor newspaper recorded; 26/01/82 Copy of Signed TURC Mgt Cttee Minutes – signed on 18/02/82 Note: This copy is annotated with the name of David Perris as a member of the Management Committee, possibly PM's handwriting; 17/01/82 Birmingham Evening Mail 'Lift ban on centre – TUC told' cutting; 02/02/82 Birmingham Evening Mail 'Union centre such a waste' letter from Alan Law, TGWU (retired); ??/02/82 Copy letter from DP, Secretary of BTC to all members of TURC Mgt Cttee confirming the composition of the Short listing & Selection Cttees; 03/02/82 Copy letter from DP, Secretary of BTC to all members of TURC Mgt Cttee confirming the arrangements for the meeting with Ken Graham TUC on 05/02/82; 05/02/82 Copy of Calling notice from DP to all members of TURC Mgt Cttee to meeting on 18/02/82; 18/02/82 Copy agenda for & Minutes of TURC Mgt Cttee meeting 18/02/82 Note: Both have annotations in PM's handwriting; 19/02/82 Typed note justifying a decision of the TURC Management Committee of 18/02/82. The author is not stated, and neither is the intended audience. The note contains information on a meeting [on 05/02/82] between TURC Management Committee and Ken Graham, Assistant General Secretary of the TUC with Don Groves of the WM Regional TUC supporting the idea of TURC, [16/02/82] the selection (but not appointment) of a co-ordinator for TURC, [18/02/82] TURC Mgt Cttee decisions with reasons for decisions, [19/02/82] Statement that decision to proceed is not defiance of TUC. 'We either grasp the nettle and go ahead or forget the whole project and probably the possibility of obtaining a grant for the Centre for the Unemployed as well'; Hand written notes (by PM) re: interview for [co-ordinator’s?] post, nd. Note: Copy Application Form for Patricia Davis (successful candidate for co-ordinator's post) received in BTC office 08/01/82; 23/02/82 Birmingham Post 'Trades Council in clash with TUC' Copy cutting sent [by DP?] to PM; 01/03/82 Copy Agenda for & minutes of TURC Mgt Cttee Note: Agenda has annotations in PM's handwriting; Handwritten list [by PM/] of names [for Media post] nd; 16/03/82 Interview Questions / Research Workers form (completed for Frank Gaffikin) [PM’s handwriting] Note:Copy Application Form for Frank Gaffikin (FG) received in BTC office 11/01/82 & Reference for FG from WEA Northern Ireland District dated 08/03/82 attached; 16/03/82 Typed Note by PM 'Information for Interview Candidates' (with amendments) with blank question & assessments form, map & JD for Researcher Worker; Copy Letter from Tricia Davis (TD) to Mgt Cttee re: Office & Showroom Premises, 75 Pershore Street; 19/03/82 Letter from DP, Secretary of BTC to PM re: TURC Note: Attached is Copy Letter from AUEW to DP, Secretary to TUC EM Regional Council expressing concern that TURC was going against TUC wishes – 08/03/82; 22/03/82 Copy Letter (original 19/03/82) from KG, TUC to DP, Secretary of BTC reiterating the TUC General Council's opposition to the TURC proposal in present form; 08/03/82 Copy calling notice from DP, Secretary of BTC to TURC Mgt Cttee for meeting on 30/03/82; 25/03/82 Copy calling notice from DP, Secretary of BTC to TURC Mgt Cttee for meeting on 30/03/82, referring to DG's letter of 19/03/82 (TUC opposition to TURC); 25/03/82 Copy Letter from DP, Secretary of BTC to Trade Union Regional & district Secretaries in the Greater Birmingham Area bringing them up to date on TURC Note: undated version of this letter does not have BTC heading; 30/03/82 Copy Agenda for & minutes of TURC Mgt Cttee & Expenditure Sheet fo March 1982 Note: Agenda & Expenditure sheet have annotations in PM's [?] handwriting; 01/04/82 Letter from DP to PM re: TURC Contract of Employment; 07/04/82 Copy Letter From TD to PM re: meeting to discuss media post. Note: Attached are copies of JD for Media Officer & Adverts for Media Worker & Research Worker; 20/04/82 Copy Agenda for & minutes of TURC Mgt Cttee & Expenditure Sheet for April 1982 and Co-ordinator's report Note: Agenda & co-ordinator's report have annotations in PM’s handwriting; 23/04/82 Copy Letter from TD to PM re: Short listing meetings for research officer & Media Worker; 02/5082 File Copy Letter from PM to DP calling for early meeting of TURC Mgt Cttee; 02/05/82 File Copy Letter from PM to TD explaining background to Women's Festival disagreement on 01/05/82, 07/05/82 Copy cutting from the Birmingham Post 'A working class hero beats controversy to aid the jobless' – Tricia Davis; ??/??82 Typed note from PM to TD giving ideas for her co-ordinator's report to TURC Mgt Cttee; 12/05/82 copy of Co-ordinator's Report to Mgt Cttee Meeting; ??/??/82 Report by TURC staff to BTC delegates

English

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