Four Pillars: Presentation Slides from National Briefing 28th March 2017
Further to the National Briefing held at TUC Headquarters on 28th March 2017, attached are a series of presentation slides providing an update on the Pillars of Security negotiations with Royal Mail.
The presentation slides set out the latest position on each of the union’s four Pillars:
• A Pensions Solution for All;

• A Shorter Working Week and Pay Claim;

• Extension to our Legally Binding Agreements; and

• A Re-designed Pipeline.
As the DGS(P) and National Officers reported to the Briefing, the CWU are clearly disappointed that in response to the union’s positive, forward agenda, the company have looked backwards and set out a programme of managed decline designed to strip out costs and maximise future returns to shareholders. As well as savage cuts to our pensions, the company are also proposing significant cuts to members’ pay and conditions, unwanted changes to our current agreements and IR Framework and a future pipeline predicated on later acceptance times. 
While recognising that talks with the employer are still at an early stage and will continue, it is clear that we remain far apart. It is therefore critical that Branches continue their work to support the union’s campaign and use the presentation slides and other related material to alert members to the serious threats posed by Royal Mail’s short-term, cost driven approach and win maximum membership support for the union’s four Pillars of Security.
Further updates will be provided to Branches in due course.
Any enquiries relating to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis

Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Email Attachments – Click to download
· Attachment 1 – LTB 220/17 – Four Pillars: Presentation Slides from National Briefing 28th March 2017

· Attachment 2 – Hilary Salt (First Actuarial) Presentation Slides – National Briefing 28th March 2017

· Attachment 2 – CWU National Officers – Powerpoint Presentation – National Briefing 28th March 2017

CWU Consolidated Accounts 2016 
Further to LTB 191/17 dated 3rd April 2017 which invited questions to the 2016 CWU Accounts, at the closing time and date the following questions had been submitted by Harrow and District Branch:
Having looked at the financial statement 2016 for Trade Union Legal LLP (Unionline) the LLP owed CWU £2,159,347 for year end 2016 it was £1,099,440 year end 2015. This comprises unsecured loans and recharged operating costs. Where is this shown in the CWU accounts? There are no fixed repayments terms for the loan, how secure are the CWU funds loaned to the LLP what contingency plans are in place should the LLP continue to report trading losses.
In answer to the question “Where is this shown in the accounts” the loan is identified on page 22 note 17 and forms part of the “Other Debtors” figure note 8 page 18.
The recharge is not a cash transaction between the CWU and Unionline and as such dos not form part of the formal consolidated accounts, note 17 page 22 states “During the year the Union recharged for staff and administration costs incurred relating to the activities of the LLP”. This recharge is placed into Unionline accounts in order that when the company returns a profit and that profit is shared between the partners i.e. between CWU and GMB the recharge figures will be the basis for the profit to be calculated on for tax purposes.
The question regarding security of loans and any contingency plans are not questions to the published accounts, they are matters of policy and are and remain the responsibility of the Head of Legal Services to manage in conjunction with the NEC if necessary.
The Trade Union LLP (Unionline) has to date a trading loss of £6,458,139. There are currently around 8,300 live personal injury cases; whilst there is a probability that income will accrue on these cases it cannot be measured accurately however the contingent asset value for these cases is in the range of £4.6 m to 7m. Has there been any income from Legal Services this financial year and if so where is this shown in the CWU accounts. The contingent asset value of the current live cases does not have any timescales what contingency plans are in place regarding continuing funding LLP if future income is unclear.
Legal income in 2016 was £394,000 however the total cost of legal services provision outstripped this income and so the balance of income versus expenditure is shown in Note H on page 27 as an overall cost to the CWU of £55,215. The questions phrased around “contingency plans” is not a question to the CWU accounts 2016. It is a policy matter and is and remains the responsibility of the Head of Legal Services to manage in conjunction with NEC if necessary. 
The SDGS has done an excellent job in reducing costs at CWU HQ however the Trade Union LLP (Unionline) has increased both its staff and the subsequent cost from 33 staff at the cost of £786,366 to 54 staff at the cost of £1,275,339. The CWU accounts do not clearly show any income from Legal Services what input does the CWU have on the LLP operation and subsequent costs bearing in mind that the CWU and GMB have agreed to provide working capital and operating costs. If the costs continue to rise at the current rate and income continues to be unclear is there a timescale the CWU has for reviewing its involvement in the Trade Union LLP should the financial situation at the LLP become untenable. 
The first part of this “question” refers to internal matters within Trade Union Legal/Unionline, these are not matters pertaining to the published CWU Accounts 2016. The only question phrased here is around the CWU “input” to the LLP operation and future funding arrangements regarding working capital and operating costs and the question on a review of the CWU involvement in Trade Union Legal. Although phrased as a question again these are also not questions to the CWU Accounts for 2016. They are matters of policy and are and remain the responsibility of the NEC to deal with if necessary.
Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237, or email address sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
 
TONY KEARNS

SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 217/17 – CWU Consolidated Accounts 2016

THE old post-war settlements on education have been rolled back at an alarming rate by previous and current governments and are due to be further undone by a combination of this deeply ideological attack on education as the great leveller in society combined with a the decimation of funding for high-quality opportunities for all.

Starved, attacked and fragmented — the crisis for working-class education is acute and the impact of this may be felt for years to come as education becomes the preserve of a wealthy elite.

However, at a time when the prospects for working-class education have never really seemed so bleak, it is important to remain optimistic about our ability to respond to this climate as a class and to take inspiration for a history of overcoming a lack of access to education and a tradition of developing and delivering our own independent provision.

Trade unions have a particularly powerful role to play in this regard, as organisers of working-class education via learning in the workplace, political education for our activists, our ability to work at the heart of communities and our legacy of developing working-class leaders.

Ironically, the changes to funding for TUC courses have presented unions with an opportunity to look anew at what and how trade union activist education is carried out and what we really need.

I have been to more events and meetings in the last 12 months than in the whole of the previous decade where unions have genuinely and critically started to analyse and assess what we can do better, including working together and sharing resources and good practice.

There is a general acceptance that what has served us well for decades in terms of a reliance by the movement on further education funding has also largely depoliticised a lot of what we do and has in some ways reduced the role of the rep to the bureaucratic, procedural and legal functions that occupy so much time on an average trade union course.

This is not to say that we do not wish to have activists who understand the law or an agreement with the employer, but surely our aim is to create a rounded trade union activist who understands not only how the law functions but why it is configured the way it is, how our limited rights were won over centuries of struggle and how the system is rigged against workers generally and the mass of unorganised workers particularly.

The labour movement also has to recognise that education is not free or cheap, so funding education for our members and our representatives has to be a serious priority over the lean times ahead.

Certainly in this hostile climate, unions will have to ensure that our education is made much more available, accessible and relevant.

Part of this will be making far better use of technology that supports distance and online learning. This will also mean designing shorter courses with the flexibility, relevant content and clarity of vision that can appeal not only to the representative in a traditional collective bargaining environment, but also crucially to the young worker in the Amazon warehouse — bogus self-employed, zero hours, minimum wage, no union to be seen in many — and yet where injustice burns brightest is precisely where trade unions need to be to educate, agitate and organise.

It won’t be cheap and it won’t be easy — but if unions can grasp the opportunity to genuinely develop educational programmes for the next generation of trade union and community organisers, campaigners and leaders there is every reason for hope.

Trish Lavelle is CWU head of education and training.

SERTUC activities and news    Battle of Wood Green Sunday 23 April

Celebrating 40 years of multicultural diversity to counter the rising tide of racism. 12 noon onwards at Turnpike Lane with MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Catherine West, David Lammy https://twitter.com/BattleOfWoodGrn
SERTUC organising project with CGTP and OPZZ

The next workshop is for Polish workers and will take place in London on Tuesday 16 May – please see here for details and share widely with relevant colleagues https://sertucresources.wordpress.com/east-of-england-organising/
The final workshop for Portuguese workshop workers will be on Saturday 8 July in Ipswich. More details shortly
Levellers Day 2017

· Friday 19 May Levellers Night at the CWU’s education centre at Alvescot Lodge https://levellersday.wordpress.com/friday-seminar-2017/
· Saturday 20 May Levellers Day commemoration, march and debate at the Burford Recreation Ground https://levellersday.wordpress.com/whats-happening-2017/
Burston Strike School Rally 2017

Sunday 3 September – note the date now! First confirmed speakers: Len McCluskey Unite, John Hendy QC, John McDonnell MP, Megan Dobney SERTUC; music: Red Flags, The John Ward Band
SERTUC sub-group officers meeting – hold the date

Wednesday 31 May – all sub-group officers meet to discuss with the office staff their workplans and collaborative work. 2pm to 4pm, Congress House
SERTUC South East Trade Union Network AGM

Tuesday 6 June – 11am, Congress House

Workers’ Memorial Day events

London Friday 28 April 10.30am

Assemble at Tower Hill, speakers Mary Bousted TUC president, Gail Cartmail Unite acting general secretary, Gunde Odgaard Danish building union, Peter Kavanagh Unite regional secretary, Peter Farrell Construction Safety Campaign http://www.unitetheunion.org/unite-at-work/healthsafety/international-workers-memorial-day/
Chelmsford trades council Friday 28 April

12.30pm at Central Park (near the lake and viaduct at the Memorial Tree). Speaker: Dan McCarthy NASUWT Vice President
Hastings trades council Friday 28 April

Come to the unveiling of the plaque to dedicate a tree in Cornwallis Gardens, Hastings at 12 noon. “Remember the dead, and fight for the living!” Speaker: Megan Dobney SERTUC
Medway Unison Towns Local Government Branch Friday 28 April

Service at the UNISON Memorial tree 11.45am Rochester Castle Gardens. The theme for the day this year is “Good health and safety for all workers whoever they are” and will focus on inequalities in occupational health and the role unions play in narrowing the inequalities gap.
Waltham Forest trades council Friday 28 April

· 1pm at Waltham Forest Town Hall with speakers from Unite, WF trades council, London Hazards Centre, NUT, Thompsons Solicitors wftradescouncil@gmail.com
· 5.45pm at Low Hall to remember the worker killed on the A406 a couple of years ago
· After that: a commemoration to remember Marian Nemit, a building worker killed nearby

May Day events

Bedford Monday 1 May

2-5pm, Harpur Suite, 39 Union Street with music from Robb Johnson, speakers: Kelvin Hopkins MP, Tony Burke Unite AGS, Ian Thomas Unison https://www.facebook.com/events/1373741212681960/permalink/1385253351530746/
Chelmsford Wednesday 3 May

A musical celebration with Robb Johnson and Rick Christian at the Asylum Club. With speakers and raffle. acoburn@blueyonder.co.uk
Colchester Monday 1 May

Event and social at Firstsite Art Gallery, Lewis Gardens. R.pigott@levysolicitors.co.uk
Hastings Monday 1 May

Assemble in Cornwallis Gardens at 1.15pm. March at 1.45 to Harold Place for speeches and music, then at 2.30 to the end of the Pier for speeches and music to 4pm alan.mathison@unitetheunion.org 07776 397 995

Ipswich Sunday 30 April

12 noon to 6pm, Alexandra Park https://www.facebook.com/IpswichMayDayFestival/
London Monday 1 May

Assemble at Clerkenwell Green, march at 1pm to Trafalgar Square. Speakers in the square include John McDonnell MP, Mark Serwotka PCS, rally chaired by Eve Turner GLATUC, Tony Lennon SERTUC
Norwich Sunday 30 April

12 noon to 5pm, Chapelfield Gardens. https://www.facebook.com/events/691695524335242/
Southampton Monday 1 May

11am in Palmeston Park. March to the Peace Fountain in Andrews Park and back for rally with stalls in Palmeston Park. The theme is “Peace and Unity in our Community” ellarobertanoyes@gmail.com
Southend Monday 1 May

12 noon High Street stall, 2pm music at O’Neill’s Rachel.heemskerk@gmail.com
Waveney Sunday 30 April

Free festival 2pm with Alex Mayer MEP, Suffolk Pensioners Association, Elizabeth Hodgkin and evening event £5 7pm with The John Ward Band, Luke Wright Richard_chilvers@sky.com

Trade Union actions

NUT is supporting Fair Funding for All Schools

Public meeting Tuesday 25 April 7pm in Wandsworth with Rosena Allin Khan MP, Kevin Courtney NUT, Monica Kitchlew-Wilson Furzedown school headteacher, and parents https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fair-funding-for-all-schools-in-wandsworth-public-meeting-with-dr-rosena-allin-khan-mp-registration-32844371399?aff=erelexpmlt
PCS, Unite Community and Lewisham trades council

Public meeting Thursday 27 April 7pm “Save our Jobcentres – Lewisham jobcentre to close by March 2018”. Speakers include Heidi Alexander MP. Tony.reay@gmail.com or 07903 755 074
TUC

Updated guide for union reps on the Trade Union Act 2016

https://www.tuc.org.uk/union-issues/trade-union-bill/trade-union-act-2016-tuc-guide-union-reps
TUC conference on insecure work

Tuesday 23 May with Frances O’Grady TUC, Matthew Taylor (Taylor Review) and more. Booking (free) now open at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tuc-conference-on-insecure-work-tickets-33275288283

Other actions/events

General Election Thursday 8 June…

Sylvia Pankhurst statue…

Following the announcement today of establishment support for a statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett here’s a reminder of the campaign to raise a statue of feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sylviastatue
Solidarity and the miners’ strike

Oral history project, to get involved contact Diarmaid Kelliher d.kelliher.1@research.gla.ac.uk and first event is 3pm Friday 28 April at London Met Uni with Mike Jackson LGSM, Sally Davison, Liz French Betteshanger https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solidarity-and-the-1984-5-miners-strike-oral-history-project-tickets-32959702357
Culture Matters poetry award – £500

The Bread and Roses poetry award – submissions by 31 May. See here for details http://www.culturematters.org.uk/index.php/arts/poetry/item/2469-bread-and-roses-poetry-award
Solidarity and the miners’ strike

Friday 28 April 3-5pm London Metropolitan University with Mike Jackson (LGSM), Sally Davison and Liz French (Betteshanger women’s support group). Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solidarity-and-the-1984-5-miners-strike-oral-history-project-tickets-32959702357
Day-Mer Festival in the Park

Sunday 2 July Clissold Park – there will be a SERTUC marquee and affiliates are welcome to join us
Sylvia, a play about Sylvia Pankhurst

· Wisbech 29 April Rosmini Centre £5 http://www.lynxtheatreandpoetry.org
· Cranleigh 26 May Arts Centre £13.20/£11 http://www.cranleighartscentre.org
All in a day’s work from Britain at Work

Working lives and trade unions in West London 1945 to 1995 £10 https://www.britainatworklondon.com/ Dave Welsh dave@britainatworklondon.com
Ruskin House, Croydon – office space

Contact Garry Davis 01737 553 493 or Roy Aird 07941 890 756 http://www.ruskinhouse.org.uk/
Russian Revolution Centenary Committee

Commemorating the 1917 revolution; Revolution Centenary: marking 100 years since the October Revolution 4 November http://1917.org.uk/russian-revolution

If you want to know more about the TUC, visit us at http://www.tuc.org.uk

Royal Mail Private Prosecution Success – Owner Fined £1080 (Inc. Costs) After Dog Attack on Postman in Llanllwch (SA31 – Swansea Postcode Area):
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Dog owner Michael Gardiner appeared before Llanelli Magistrates Court on 31 March to face a private prosecution brought by Royal Mail for an offence under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (As amended in 2014).
The Court was told that a Carmarthen Delivery Office based Postman needed five weeks off work after being attacked and bitten by a customer’s Weimeraner dog whilst he was on his delivery round.
The Postman was delivering mail to a property in Llanllwch, a small hamlet in Wales approximately two miles west of Carmarthen and 29 miles from Swansea, when ‘Travis’ the householder’s Weimeraner dog pounced on him. The Postman tried to fend off the dog and retreat but he was bitten and injured.
Following an investigation by the Dyfed-Powys Police Force, the Police decided not to prosecute the owner Michael Gardiner over the incident after he agreed voluntarily to muzzle the dog and keep the dog on a lead in public.
However, both the CWU and Royal Mail believed this was a totally insufficient course of action to deal with the problem and ongoing risk to Postmen and Women delivering to the property concerned and generally in the locality and elsewhere. It also sent out the totally wrong message to irresponsible Dog owners. Royal Mail therefore took the decision to take the matter to court via a private prosecution which resulted in the conviction of the owner.
The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department welcomed Royal Mail’s course of action which is in line with the policy agreed between Royal Mail Group and the CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer.
Additionally, the Union has lodged a complaint with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) regarding the lack of action by the Dyfed-Powys Police Force in this case.
At Llanelli Magistrates Court, the Prosecutor for Royal Mail Mr Rhys Thomas told the court that “The incident happened on November 24 last year at Mr Michael Gardiner’s property in Llanllwch”. He added that; “This is no reflection on Mr Gardiner but this case is in the public interest because it is an issue for postmen and women. The message needs to go out to dog owners that people can’t allow their dogs to cause injury to postmen and women going about their duty.” He explained to the court that; “On the day in question the Postman had gone to the back door of the property to deliver a parcel. Mr Gardiner opened the door and walked out to greet the postman and collect the parcel from him. It was then that the Weimeraner dog, ran out of the house from behind Mr Gardiner, attacking the Postman and biting his left forearm as he tried without success to fend off the large dog. Mr Gardiner was shouting for the dog to come away and he eventually restrained the animal and immediately apologised to the Postman, offering him a hot drink and bandaging the wound. The Postman was subsequently treated at hospital for the bite puncture wounds and was given medication, following which he was off work for five weeks, along with follow up care.”
Mr Gardiner’s defence solicitor Mr David Williams said; “Mr Gardiner was very concerned at the attack and offered to take the injured postman to hospital. He also visited the sorting office in Carmarthen to speak to the Postman’s Managers and offered to put the dog down. However the postman did not want the dog destroyed and arrangements were made to fix a Post Box at the bottom of the driveway on the exterior of the property.” He added; Mr Gardiner and his wife had owned dogs for many years and Travis is the third Weimeraner they have had. He is an old dog of ten years and has no previous history of violence. This was an isolated incident.”
Retired Policeman, Michael Gardiner, aged 67, pleaded guilty to one count of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. The Magistrates fined him £300 for the offence, along with £750 court costs and £30 victim surcharge. Mr Gardiner’s son is a current serving Police Officer!
Separately from the Criminal case, the Union Solicitors are pursuing a Civil action personal injury damages compensation claim on behalf of the CWU member and a payment will be made separately to the victim via an ‘out of court’ settlement from the Dog Owner’s Insurers.
The Weimaraner is a large, grey coloured dog, that was originally bred for hunting large game such as boar, bear, and deer in the early 19th century. They can grow to around 2.5 ft. tall and weigh over 6 Stones. However, as with any breed of dog, they can be no problem if their welfare is taken good care of, they are socialised, trained and controlled responsibly by a good owner.
NOTE:
The RMG commissioned 2012 ‘Langley Report’, adopted by RMG in full, recommended RMG should give full backing to postal worker dog attack victims by firstly taking a more robust approach to the suspension of deliveries where dogs pose a danger to our postmen and women and secondly that RMG establishes a process where attacks on RMG workers are more likely to be the subject of legal action by actively pursuing dog owners whose dogs attack postmen and women and Parcelforce workers via private prosecution in cases where Police prosecutions are not progressed. Subsequently, Royal Mail in consultation with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department developed a procedure to respond better to incidents involving the risk of dog attacks and the pursuance of legal action where necessary against Dog owners.
The Health, Safety & Environment Department along with the Royal Mail Safety, Health and Environment Team hope this case and the series of successful police and private prosecutions that have preceded it, since the Dangerous Dogs Act law changes were achieved by the CWU ‘Bite-Back’ campaign, will act as a reminder to all members to report all dog attack incidents and near misses as there are still too many incidents that members don’t bother to report.
Would all CWU Area Safety Reps, Branches and IR Reps urge any member who is the victim of a Dog Attack to support the policy of reporting the incident to their manager and to the Police and Local Council Dog Warden and reassure them that the business will support them through every step of the process. Also, if there are any near misses these need to be reported as well as it helps Royal Mail record the Dog and the risk to other colleagues as well as helping the Police and Dog Wardens to build up a picture of Anti-Social Behaviour and take proactive steps before an actual attack.
The agreed Royal Mail policy is that they will not tolerate any sort of Dog Attack on our Postmen, Postwomen and Parcelforce delivery staff and Royal Mail will take action against anyone who fails to control their Animals, resulting in attacks and injuries.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB216/17 Royal Mail Private Prosecution Success – Owner Fined £1080

Workers’ Memorial Day Events – Friday 28 April 2017:
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Workers Memorial Day has become the focal point for an increasing number of commemorative events involving the bereaved, trade unionists and their families, the TUC, STUC, WTUC, ICTU, all UK Unions, Hazards Campaign, Government bodies and Local Authorities among others who participate.
All over the world workers and their Unions and Safety Representatives conduct events on WMD, Hundreds of thousands of people in up to 100 countries will be involved in thousands of activities on WMD, to mark the day, e.g. commemorations, demonstrations, vigils services, rallies, marches, meetings, seminars and educational activities.
The CWU has always publicised and promoted maximum participation in these events and once again this year the Health, Safety & Environment Department would urge all Reps to give support to local WMD events.
For the last three years CWU has commemorated Workers Memorial Day during the week of CWU Annual Conference as WMD has fallen during Conference week and a number of activities have taken place in Bournemouth, including a minute’s silence, pamphlets, posters, badges, pens etc.
This year WMD falls on the Friday of Conference week a day after Conference ends.
A list of events published by the TUC and added to by others notified to the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department are listed below for your information and consideration.
Please note that there will be many more events and commemorations than those listed and it is advisable that if one is not listed for your Branch area or Region then please make enquiries with the Regional TUC, other Branches and contacts from other Trade Union Branches locally and local Trades Councils, local authorities, Hazards and Asbestos Campaign organisers etc., who may have details of unlisted events. Regional TUC telephone contact numbers are listed below.
Please display the CWU and TUC Workers Memorial Day Posters, circulate LTBs and Branch Circulars/Newsletters publicising the day and events to generate participation and support.
The CWU WMD Posters have been circulated separately with LTB 201/2017.
The purpose behind Workers’ Memorial Day has always been to “remember the dead: fight for the living” and the CWU will continue campaigning for such tragedies not to be repeated. That can best be done by building a strong trade union organisation, and campaigning for high safety standards, stricter safety law enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws.
Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government. Over 20,000 people die every year because of their work.
This year the theme for the day is “Good Health And Safety For All Workers Whoever They Are”. So with the UK now having triggered Article 50 on 29 Mar 2017 to begin the process of departing from the European Union and Tory Prime Minister Theresa May telling the Nation that “Brexit will carry consequences for the UK” the risk of UK Health and Safety Legislation and protections for workers being dumped is a very real threat. Many leading members of the Tory Party and Bosses haven’t wasted any time in backing a Tory Press campaign calling for The Conservative Party to promise a ’Bonfire of EU Regulations, Rules and Red Tape, in its 2020 manifesto to put Britain on a radically different course, driving down Workers rights and protection.
The CWU and TUC will be campaigning on the general theme of protecting safety standards, demanding better regulation, greater inspections and enforcement of Safety Laws and an end to the anti-health and safety rhetoric from the Tory government and their allies in the press.
Below is the latest list of some of the events that are happening up and down the country on WMD. Please support your local events. Some of these events will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time. All are on Friday 28th April unless indicated otherwise. Some will take place before the 28th and some on the Weekend of 29th/30th April as indicated.
Events:
London
Central London Tower Hill – Friday 28 April, At the Building Workers’ statue, at Tower Hill next to the Tower of London, Assemble at 10:30am. Speakers: Mary Bousted TUC President), Gail Cartmail Acting G/S Unite, Speakers Safety Campaign organisations. Followed by wreath laying and release of black balloons. 
Leyton – Friday 28 April, 11am at Bakers Arms – a WMD commemoration for Marian Nemit who died whilst carrying our construction work on a shop site
Southwark – Friday 28 April, 10.45-11.15 at HSE, Rose Court, Southwark Bridge, London 
Walthamstow – Friday 28 April, 1pm – 2pm WMD Remembrance Event at Walthamstow Town Hall Forest Road, E17 4JF, food and refreshments available. Trade Union Speakers plus local MP John Cryer, one minute silence held. All welcome. Flowers and Wreath Laying. Then at 5.45am at Low Hall Depot – a commemoration for the worker who died in a dust cart crash a few years ago
East
​​Chelmsford – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm at Central Park, (near the lake and viaduct at the Memorial Tree). The guest speaker will be Dan McCarthy, Vice-President of the NASUWT
Colchester – Friday 28 April, 7.30pm at International Workers Memorial Tree in Castle Park followed by refreshments at the Forrester’s Arms in Castle Road, Colchester, CO1 1UW 
Milton Keynes – Sunday 23rd April assemble 11am-11.30 am event concludes 1pm – Meet in John Lewis car park, Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 3EP – Five minute walk to MK Rose and accompanied by a brass band. Event will include two minute silence, wreath laying and speeches. Free hot drinks. 
South East
Portsmouth – Friday 28 April, 11.45am Workers’ Memorial, Victoria Park, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth. Organised by Portsmouth Trades Council. There will be a minute’s silence at noon followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers then Speakers.
South West
Bristol – Thursday 27th April 2017, 6.30-8.30pm, – Bristol Hazards are hosting a WMD Event at CWU Offices, 20 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, BS5 9JA. Guest Speaker Phil Chamberlain UWE co-author of ‘Blacklisted the secret war between trade unionists and big business’ For tickets or further details contact: bristolhazards@gmail.com
Weston-super-Mare – Thursday 27th April, 12-2pm at North Somerset Council Offices, BS23 1UJ in the North Somerset Hall.
Midlands
Birmingham – Friday 28 April, Assemble at 12.30pm in the grounds of St Philips Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB There will be a number of speakers
Derby – Friday 28 April 2017, 8.30am – 8.30pm at the Intu Centre level 1, (Between Build a Bear and Patisserie Valerie), West Mall, Derby DE1 2PL – There will be a display of 3D artwork which highlights hazards in the workplace. It’s Interactive 3D artwork to raise awareness of Workplace Hazards. The Public and Visitors will be encouraged to come along and interact with the artwork and negotiate workplace hazards to get to a safe place of work.
Solihull – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm in Brueton Gardens B91 3EN (opposite the Barley Mow Pub). Speakers include the Mayor of Solihull Coun Mike Robinson.
Staffordshrie – Friday 28 April, Assemble 2.45pm, WMD Memorial service starts at 3.30pm, at the National Memoriam Arboretum Alrewas, DE13 7AR. Then an evening event follows at 7pm at the Burton Caribbean Association, Uxbridge Street, DE14 3JS, free admission, food and cash bar. 
Wolverhampton – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm. Meet at the Cenotaph, St Peter’s Square Wolverhampton WV1 1TS. Speakers & Wreath Laying Ceremony. Speakers from Mids TUC, Trade Unions. Everyone welcome. Further Info from WB&D Trades Council. Tel: 07932797139
Northern/North East/ North West
Ashington (Northumberland) – Saturday 29th April – 10am at upstairs function room of the Elephant, Newbiggin Road, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 0TB
Blackburn – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm at the Workers’ Memorial Tree at Sudell Cross, at Blackburn with a wreath laying, Speakers and a piper. 
Bolton – Friday 28 April, WMD Event – Assemble Victoria Square, Bolton 11:30 am – Sun April 30 2017 Chorley – Friday 28 April, Workers Memorial Day event, Assemble at the Astley Park Gates, Park Road, Chorley at 5:45pm – There will be a short walk to the “Workers Memorial Day Tree“ for 6pm start a WMD Service and speakers include – Lindsay Hoyle MP, Janet Newsham – Greater Manchester Hazards, Keith Martin – Unite Health & Safety Rep. Father Marsden. All welcome to join. Banners and flags welcome.
Cleethorpes – Friday 28 April, 3pm at The Workers’ Memorial and tree in the Pier Garden’s Alexander Road Cleethorpes
Grimsby – Friday 28 April, 1pm at The Workers’ Memorial and Tree in the grounds of the War Memorial Nunn’s Corner Grimsby
Halifax – Friday 28 April, 1pm outside Northgate House HX1 1UN
Hartlepool – Friday 28 April, There will be a remembrance service & wreath laying ceremony at 12.30pm, in Christ Church, Church Square, Hartlepool with speakers and wreath laying. That will be preceded by a Health & Safety Seminar on the morning of 28th April 2017 at Hartlepool College of Further Education (HCFE) to run between 09.00am to 12noon (buffet breakfast provided). Prior to the seminar, a wreath will be laid at the Tree of Remembrance in Hartlepool College of Further Education at 08.45 am. Also: An “Eve of WMD Gig” will be held at The Studio, Tower Street, Hartlepool, 7.30pm, Thursday evening 27th April 2017
Immingham – Friday 28 April, WMD Event at 10am at the Workers’ Memorial and tree in the Grounds of the War Memorium, Pelham Road, Immingham, Lincolnshire DN40 1QE
Keighley – Friday 28 April, 11am at the Cliffe Castle with student reps from Holy Family. 12pm at Keighley Town Hall Square with bugler
Leeds – Friday 28 April, 11.30am, meet at St Anne’s Cathedral, before a march down to the stone in Victoria Gardens at the Art Gallery for 11.45am, speeches from Hilary Benn MP and Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council.
Liverpool – Friday 28 April 11:30am – 12 Noon, South Piazza, Georges Dock Bld, Pier Head L3 1DD, (Dock Road bottom of James Stree), Wreath Laying and a Piper. Followed by a provided coach to the Unite Union Bld, Jack Jones House, 2 Churchill Way, Liverpool L3 8EF Liverpool L3 8EF for Speakers and seminar. 1.00-2.30PM

Merseyside – Friday 28 April, 10.30-11.30am at HSE Headquarters, Redgrave Court, Bootle, Merseyside 
Manchester – Friday 28 April 12 noon – 1pm at Lincoln Square, Brazennose St. , Manchester : Then on to the People’s History Museum for tea and speakers/meeting Chaired by Lynn Collins, Secretary of the North West regional TUC. Speakers include Debbie Abrahams MP, Andy Burnham MP, Tracey Steward FACK and representatives from trade unions, Hazards. Reading the names of those killed at work; Laying of wreaths; One minute’s silence. Music by Claire Mooney. Bring banners & wreaths. Organised by the North West trade unions, Greater Manchester Hazards Centre and FACK.
Preston – Sat 29th April -11.45-12.45 Meet at Preston Flag Market, 4 Cheapside, Preston, Music, minutes silence, short rally, March with banners to Corn Exchange, laying of wreaths, ​social gathering in the Black Horse afterwards.
Rotherham – 12pm at Rotherham Minster, on Church street/Minster Gardens 
Sheffield – Friday 28 April, 12 Noon -1 pm at Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield. 
Sunderland – Friday 28 April, 12 noon at Workers Memorial Garden in the Quadrant of Sunderland Civil Centre Burdon Road SR2 7DN
York – Friday 28 April, 12noon National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL. Personal appearance of Director Ken Loach
Scotland
Aberdeen – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm for Ceremony at 1pm at Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. 
Alexandria (West Dumbartonshire) – Sat 22 April – 10.30am at Christie Park, Alexandria G83 0DF at the memorial tree.
Bathgate – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm at Bathgate Sports Centre, Balbardie Park, Torpichen Road, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH48 4LA
Coatbridge – Friday 28 April, WMD Event – Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Heritage Way, Coatbridge ML5 1QD 
Clydebank – Saturday 29th April, 11am – meet at the International Asbestos Memorial Glasgow Road Clydebank 
Dundee – Friday 28 April, 12pn at the Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive, Dundee
Edinburgh – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm Ceremony at IWMD Tree and Memorial, West Princes Street Garden, Edinburgh 
Falkirk – Sat 22 April 11.45 for 12pm in the foyer of the Municipal buildings in Falkirk
Fife – Friday 28th April 11.00am, Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park, Abbotshall Road, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5LZ . Speakers Douglas Black (UNISON), local MSP’s and Councillors
Glasgow – Friday 28 April, 12pm at International Workers Memoriam, People’s Palace, Glasgow Green 
Hamilton – Friday 28 April, 11.30am at South Lanarkshire Council, HQ, Almada Stree, Hamilton, ML3 0AA
Inverness – Friday 28 April, 12.45pm for 1pm at Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street, Inverness, IL3 8LF 
Irvine – Thurs 27 April gathering in North Ayrshire at 6.30pm for workers memorial at the Memorial Garden, Kilwiinning Road, Irvine
Kilmarnock – Sat 29 April 10.45am at the Dower House in Dean Country Park, Kilmarnock
Midlothian – Friday 28 April, 12.30pm at George V Park, Bonnyrigg at IWMD memorial
Wales
Cardiff – Friday 28 April, Wales TUC WMD Event – All Welcome – 11am, the Unite Building, Cardiff CF11 9SD
Northern Ireland
Belfast – Thurs 27th April 2017 at 10.30am Event to mark Workers Memorial Day 2017, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions invites all Trade Unionists and the Public to join them at the WMD event to lay Wreaths and Flowers at the WMD tree in the grounds of Parliament Buildings, Stormont followed by a Minutes silence and Speakers.
Regional TUC Contact Telephone Numbers:-
South West TUC Tel: 0117 947 0521

Midlands TUC Tel: 0121 236 4454

North West TUC Tel: 0151 482 2710 
Northern TUC Tel: 0191 227 5565/5553
Southern & South Eastern TUC Tel: 020 7467 1220

Yorks & Humber TUC Tel: 0113 242 9696

Scottish TUC Tel: 0141 337 8100

Wales TUC Tel: 029 2034 7010

Northern Ireland Committee – Irish Confederation of Trade Unions Tel: 02890247940

Wear a Purple Forget-me-Knot Ribbon on the day £30 inc p&p per 100 ribbons. Order them from mail@gmhazards,org,uk G. M. Hazards Centre, Windrush Millennium Centre. 70 Alexandra Road Manchester M16 7WD Tel: Hazards Hilda Palmer 0161 636 7557 mail@gm,hazards.org.uk
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Please find below details of TUC related events coming up in our region soon. 

Please feel free to send it onto your networks and let me know if you are planning to attend the Burston Strike School Rally in September, we may be able to organise transport.

Solidarity,

Hazel.
Hazel Perry

PTUC Secretary 
SERTUC activities and news
Levellers Day 2017
· Friday 19 May Levellers Night at the CWU’s education centre and Alvescot
· Saturday 20 May Levellers Day commemoration, march and debate at the Burford Recreation Ground
Burston Strike School Rally 2017
Sunday 3 September – note the date now! First confirmed speakers: Len McCluskey Unite, John Hendy QC, Megan Dobney SERTUC; music: Red Flags, The John Ward Band
SERTUC sub-group officers meeting
Wednesday 31 May – all sub-group officers meet to discuss with the office staff their workplans and collaborative work. 2pm to 4pm, Congress House
South East Trade Union Network AGM
Tuesday 6 June – 11am, Congress House

Workers’ Memorial Day events
Chelmsford trades council Friday 28 April
12.30pm at Central Park (near the lake and viaduct at the Memorial Tree). Speaker: Dan McCarthy NASUWT Vice President
Hastings trades council Friday 28 April
Come to the unveiling of the plaque to dedicate a tree in Cornwallis Gardens, Hastings at 12 noon. “Remember the dead, and fight for the living!”
Medway Unison Towns Local Government Branch Friday 28 April
Service at the UNISON Memorial tree 11.45am Rochester Castle Gardens. The theme for the day this year is “Good health and safety for all workers whoever they are” and will focus on inequalities in occupational health and the role unions play in narrowing the inequalities gap.
Waltham Forest trades council Friday 28 April
· 1pm at Waltham Forest Town Hall with speakers from Unite, WF trades council, London Hazards Centre, NUT, Thompsons Solicitors wftradescouncil@gmail.com
· 5.45pm at Low Hall to remember the worker killed on the A406 a couple of years ago
· After that: a commemoration to remember Marian Nemit, a building worker killed nearby

May Day events
Bedford Monday 1 May
2-5pm, Harpur Suite, 39 Union Street. https://www.facebook.com/events/1373741212681960/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22page%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22page_upcoming_events_card%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D
Chelmsford Wednesday 3 May
A musical celebration with Robb Johnson and Rick Christian at the Asylum Club. With speakers and raffle. acoburn@blueyonder.co.uk
Colchester Monday 1 May
Event and social at Firstsite Art Gallery, Lewis Gardens. R.pigott@levysolicitors.co.uk
Croydon Saturday 13 May details to come
Hastings Monday 1 May
Assemble in Cornwallis Gardens at 1.15pm. March at 1.45 to Harold Place for speeches and music, then at 2.30 to the end of the Pier for speeches and music to 4pm alan.mathison@unitetheunion.org 07776 397 995
Ipswich Sunday 30 April
12 noon to 6pm, Alexandra Park. https://www.facebook.com/events/269899450119693/permalink/281199502323021/
London Monday 1 May
Assemble at Clerkenwell Green, march to Trafalgar Square

Stewards are needed – please contact Roger Sutton roger@hsm1.org.uk
Norwich Sunday 30 April
12 noon to 5pm, Chapelfield Gardens. https://www.facebook.com/NDTUC/photos/gm.691695541001907/1806311436297794/?type=3&theater
Oxford Saturday 29 April details to come
Southampton Monday 1 May
11am to 3pm in Palmeston Park. More details to come ellarobertanoyes@gmail.com
Southend Monday 1 May
12 noon High Street stall, 2pm music at O’Neill’s Rachel.heemskerk@gmail.com
Waveney Sunday 30 April
Free festival 2pm with Alex Mayer MEP, Suffolk Pensioners Association, Elizabeth Hodgkin and evening event £5 7pm with The John Ward Band, Luke Wright Richard_chilvers@sky.com

Trade Union actions
NUT is supporting Fair Funding for All Schools
Public meeting Tuesday 25 April 7pm in Wandsworth with Rosena Allin Khan MP, Kevin Courtney NUT, Monica Kitchlew-Wilson Furzedown school headteacher, and parents https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fair-funding-for-all-schools-in-wandsworth-public-meeting-with-dr-rosena-allin-khan-mp-registration-32844371399?aff=erelexpmlt

TUC
TUC conference on insecure work
Tuesday 23 May with Frances O’Grady TUC, Matthew Taylor (Taylor Review) and more. Booking (free) now open at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tuc-conference-on-insecure-work-tickets-33275288283

Other actions/events
Sylvia Pankhurst statue…
Following the announcement today of establishment support for a statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett here’s a reminder of the campaign to raise a statue of feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sylviastatue
Culture Matters poetry award – £500
The Bread and Roses poetry award – submissions by 31 May. See here for details http://www.culturematters.org.uk/index.php/arts/poetry/item/2469-bread-and-roses-poetry-award
Solidarity and the miners’ strike
Friday 28 April 3-5pm London Metropolitan University with Mike Jackson (LGSM), Sally Davison and Liz French (Betteshanger women’s support group). Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solidarity-and-the-1984-5-miners-strike-oral-history-project-tickets-32959702357
Day-Mer Festival in the Park
Sunday 2 July Clissold Park – there will be a SERTUC marquee and affiliates are welcome to join us
Sylvia, a play about Sylvia Pankhurst
· Wisbech 29 April Rosmini Centre £5 http://www.lynxtheatreandpoetry.org
· Cranleigh 26 May Arts Centre £13.20/£11 http://www.cranleighartscentre.org
All in a day’s work from Britain at Work
Working lives and trade unions in West London 1945 to 1995 £10 https://www.britainatworklondon.com/ Dave Welsh dave@britainatworklondon.com
Ruskin House, Croydon – office space
Contact Garry Davis 01737 553 493 or Roy Aird 07941 890 756 http://www.ruskinhouse.org.uk/
Marx Memorial Library classes
Labour, Value and Exploitation with Simon Renton. Alternate Tuesdays starting 18 April 7pm http://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/index.php?option=com_civicrm&task=civicrm/event/info&Itemid=218&reset=1&id=120
Russian Revolution Centenary Committee
Commemorating the 1917 revolution; Revolution Centenary: marking 100 years since the October Revolution 4 November http://1917.org.uk/russian-revolution

To add to this newsletter contact mdobney@tuc.org.uk