Trade Union Bill: Government response to picketing consultation 

As you may have seen reported in the media today, the government published its response to its consultation on picketing provisions in the Trade Union Bill yesterday evening. This followed the TUC rally and lobby in Westminster on Monday, which was strongly attended by CWU branches across the country.

 

While the media have presented the government response to its consultation as ‘a climb-down’, it is important to be clear that the government has changed its position on just two issues.

 

• The government has tabled an amendment that relates to the picketing supervisor. Under the original wording in the Bill, the union would need to appoint a supervisor on a picket who would be required to show a letter of authorisation to ‘any person who reasonably asks to see it.’ The government is proposing to change this to require it to be shown to the employer, or someone acting on their behalf, only.

 

• Alongside the provisions on picketing within the Bill, the consultation asked for views on whether the government should create a new criminal offence of intimidation on the picket line and whether unions should be required to publish in advance their plans for protesting, using social media and picketing. The government has now stated that it will not take these things forward.

 

• However, in changing its position on the above two issues, the government has also announced that it will now strengthen the restrictions in the Code of Practice on Picketing to cover intimidation, the use of social media and wider protests around industrial disputes. We do not yet have any details about these proposals, but a failure to comply with the Code would have legal implications for the union.

 

It should be clear from the above, that while some progress has been made, the Bill remains a significant and wide-ranging attack on the trade union movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next parliamentary stage of the Bill will take place on 10th November, when it will be voted on by the House of Commons, and we are expecting the government to respond to two other consultations – on the use of agency workers as strike-breakers and on balloting thresholds in the public sector – shortly.

 

Following the strong CWU presence at the TUC’s rally and lobby on 2nd November, we would ask Branches to continue lobbying Tory MPs, writing to local media and campaigning against the Bill on social media. We will update Branches on any further developments on the Bill as these occur and any queries on the contents of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office at gsoffice@cwu.org quoting reference GS13.1/LTB 708/15.

 

Yours sincerely

 

​ ​

 

Dave Ward​

General Secretary

AGREEMENT BETWEEN CWU & PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE ON 2015 AUTUMN PRESSURE AND CHRISTMAS REMUNERATION PROPOSALS FOR ALL CWU GRADE DEPOT EMPLOYEES 

Branches and representatives will be aware that in previous years agreement has been reached with Parcelforce Worldwide in relation to incentive for volunteers to attend on the Saturdays and Sundays in the run up to Christmas.

 

IN LINE WITH THIS TRADITION PLEASE FIND ATTACHED FOR YOUR INFORMATION A COPY OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CWU & PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE ON 2015 AUTUMN PRESSURE AND CHRISTMAS REMUNERATION PROPOSALS FOR ALL CWU GRADE DEPOT EMPLOYEES, WHICH WAS ENDORSED BY THE POSTAL EXECUTIVE AT ITS MEETING ON THE 3RD NOVEMBER 2015.

 

IN RESPECT OF INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE OVER THE STATED PERIOD ARRANGEMENTS MIRROR THOSE ACHIEVED IN PREVIOUS YEARS. FOR 2015 HOWEVER THE WEEKENDS TO BE COVERED HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FROM 3 TO 4 AND INCLUDE THE LAST WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER WHEN BLACK FRIDAY FALLS. THIS OF COURSE AFFORDS OUR MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY OVER A LONGER TIME PERIOD TO ACHIEVE THE £36 INCENTIVE FOR COMMITMENT TO ATTEND FOR TWO OR MORE SATURDAY/SUNDAYS.

 

Clarification is also provided in respect of Saturday 26th December 2015 as the USO does not apply to Parcelforce operations.

 

You will also note that clarification in relation to seasonal cull arrangements has also been included in this year’s document. This ensures that the incentive arrangements for additional attendances for the dates outlined in the attached agreement will also be applied as appropriate at any cull site that is established.  

 

The department would be grateful if Branches and representatives would ensure that this LTB and its attachment are brought to the attention of our members.

 

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 106A.06

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Davie Robertson

Assistant Secretary

 

AGREEMENT BETWEEN CWU & PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE ON 2015 AUTUMN PRESSURE AND CHRISTMAS REMUNERATION PROPOSALS FOR ALL

CWU GRADE DEPOT EMPLOYEES

 

 

1. Introduction

 

This agreement has been reached to ensure that the expected increased volumes of traffic during the pre-Christmas and Christmas period can be delivered to meet customer requirements and to provide great quality of service performance. It also confirms the payment arrangements for December 2015 and the operating arrangements for the holiday period.

 

 

2. Pressure Period Working

 

It has been agreed between both parties that during the pressure period the following terms will apply for all CWU Graded Depot employees.  

 

Weekdays: Additional hours to be put in if necessary to handle increased workload, with scheduled attendance offered where appropriate and subject to normal conditions

 

Weekends: Local discussions will identify the requirement for scheduled attendance working on Saturday and Sundays for the period 28th November to 20th December 2015 inclusive. Where workload requires attendance for Saturday or Sunday working, employees will be invited to enter into an advance commitment to attend for any or all of the required Saturdays or Sundays. Upon the signing of this advance commitment, employees will be eligible for a special payment of £19.76 an hour for those days worked, equivalent to double the normal duty hourly rate, instead of the normal pre-scheduled or overtime rates. These arrangements will also apply to advance commitments for additional attendances performed on the Friday/Saturday, Saturday/Sunday and Sunday/Monday night shifts.

 

In addition, employees who sign for an advance commitment for two or more of the four Saturdays/Sundays highlighted previously and perform the work will receive a single payment of £36.00 in addition to the above rate.

 

The special payment will be offered for attendance of a minimum of six hours on each of the Saturdays/Sundays or night shifts as required.

 

Anyone committing under these arrangements to attend for more than one Saturday/Sunday who fails to fulfil their commitment will only receive the pre-scheduled rate of pay for any days attended and any previous payments made will be rectified accordingly on the next pay date.

 

Operations managers will meet unit reps to discuss the work and manpower plans required in each office. These meetings will identify the extent, if any, to which additional attendance over normal is required. Against this backdrop both parties commit to work together to ensure that the appropriate number of applicants required in each of the depots, on all of the days covered by this agreement, is fully met. In advance of signed commitments being made, volunteers will initially be sought on a without prejudice basis in order to gauge demand and assist in matching attendances to planned traffic levels on each of the relevant days.

 

 

3. Payment Arrangements

 

December salaries will be paid on 24th December 2015, and will include variable payments for the weeks commencing 16th November, 23th November, 30th November and 7th December. 

 

 

4. Attendance Arrangements

 

Exceptionally this year, Parcelforce Worldwide will be closed for business on Saturday 26th December. Depots will be open for business on all other days, including Saturdays where applicable, that are not designated bank or public holidays. 24th December, Christmas Eve, is a normal working day. Local discussions will take place over any necessary adjustments or reductions to duties, in line with previous agreements, on shifts either just before or just after the public holidays due to changes in network arrangements affecting the flow of work.

 

 

5. Seasonal Cull Operations

 

Arrangements in relation to seasonal cull activity, i.e. the Southern Cull, will be subject to a separate local agreement between the relevant Regional Organiser and AGM. Remuneration for additional attendances on the aforementioned dates will be on the same basis as detailed in this agreement, where applicable. Any variations to the remuneration package or standard terms and conditions as outlined in this agreement will be subject to negotiation at National level.

 

Any enquiries appertaining to this agreement should be referred directly to the respective Headquarters.

Davie Robertson​Sharon Sherriff

Assistant Secretary​Head of Employee Relations

Communication Workers Union​Parcelforce Worldwide

 

 

Date: 4th November 2015

National Youth Education Event 2015

Aston University Birmingham

 

Matt Bellamy – Youth Officer-Report Back

NYEE 2015 Report Back

Overview

Every year the CWU and National Youth Committee organise a weekend education event aimed at members and CWU activists under 30. This year the event was held at Aston University in Birmingham and saw members under 30 from across the country (as well as two members from CWU Ireland) come together for an intensive weekend of education and guest speakers. Below is an overview of the 3 day event.

Friday Evening

The evening started with a welcome from the chair of the Youth Committee Ben Adams followed by an ice-breaker session so everyone could get to know a bit about each other.

Saturday

The morning kicked off with a debate on the upcoming EU referendum and we was lucky enough to have two Labour Party MPs, one for and one against the EU to debate this issue. Before the debate started a vote was held with an overwhelming majority voting to remain within the EU. Emma Reynolds MP gave some very good arguments for the UK to stay as it is including, The EU arrest warrant, the new trade deal with Jaguar Land Rover to build it’s latest models in the UK rather than the cheaper option of India for the basis of easier trade within the EU, also, no other EU country has ever left the EU so it would be impossible to predict what would happen. Kate Hoey MP was against the UK’s membership with the EU and also gave some very good arguments including, trade would get better as it would be easier to trade with worldwide countries, the ability to secure our own trade deals, a Labour government would have the power to better human and workers rights, Royal Mail privatisation would have been potentially avoided, the billions it costs to be a member could go back into critical services like the NHS. I myself asked the question regarding the cost of membership and where did the money go? Emma Reynolds explained that although the true cost is unknown even to the government, money goes into poorer eastern countries in Europe as well as infrastructure and investment. Kate Hoey’s reply was that the UK public never sees a breakdown of money spent and explained that the UK usually is worse off and quoted that, ‘it costs the average family of four over £1,200 a year of their income to remain in the EU’. A vote was then held to see if peoples opinions had changed and the overwhelming majority were now ‘undecided’ over whether to stay or leave.

Afterwards the group was split into separate workshops. I attended the Generation Rent workshop, Generation Rent is a charity campaigning for better housing at an affordable rate. Betsy Dilner (director of Generation Rent) gave a very inspiring speech on the housing crisis that faces the UK, especially in cities and how the richer more densely populated areas of the UK are seeing renting and house prices spiral out of control and how a small box flat can cost more than a 4 bed farmhouse with acres of land in the country side.

Dave Ward (CWU General Secretary) gave an excellent speech on the Youth movement within the union. He expressed how he enjoys attending this event each year and is always left feeling confident of the future of the CWU from the passion and commitment young members have. He also said that the name ‘CWU Youth’ can be misleading and a bit demoralising and said that the name ‘CWU Next Generation’ would be more applicable and attract more young members into becoming activists. Dave also spoke about the Trade Union Bill currently being debated in parliament and how it will have a detrimental effect on all unions right to strike as well as terms and conditions negotiations with employers. I myself had a few minutes alone with Dave and used the opportunity to introduce myself and we talked about the social media campaign for his recent election and his commitment to the youth of the union.

Later in the day a round table discussion was held with Terry Pullinger (Deputy General Secretary Postal) and he spoke on the difficult challenge ahead for the CWU and the recent privatisation of Royal Mail. He said that the Agenda for Growth agreement was a first in the privatised sector and is a great agreement to secure our t&c’s if used correctly. He conducted a Q&A session which most questions were about people wanting to increase from PT to FT and how to go about doing that. Other discussions included, Bespoke D2D’s, Management pressure on members,  Management performing OPG work, New pay deal, Unrealistic budgets and targets. I myself did not get the opportunity to ask any questions but the questions raised by others showed problems that seem to be on a National scale.

Simon Sapper (National Officer for CWU and responsible for the Youth movement) gave a speech on the procedures of Youth and General Conference, he explained that motions submitted and debated have a real impact on the CWU and sets policy for the union. Simon gave us a small story on how CWU Youth started and explained how a young activist Dave Westbrook from Eastern Number 5 Branch in Peterborough submitted a motion to conference for a Youth Committee and this motion created what we see today regarding the youth movement within the CWU. He specified how one person created a whole new path for the CWU and how it as brought in new activists who have now excelled to national positions.

Saturday closed with a social event and dinner, the social included a set from Stephen Morrison-Burke a poet who speaks about his life and experiences. Although poetry is not personally my cup of tea, he did have a very good way with words and gave me a picture of his past life.

Sunday

Began with a Mock Conference where activists got up to speak and debate on motions submitted from the workshop groups from the Saturday. Some great debates and points were heard with first time speakers using the opportunity to gain confidence and experience of speaking at a conference. The day closed at 13:00.

The event was a brilliant way to connect with other young members and I recommend this event to other young members wanting to have more of a say within there workplace/CWU.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

Any Questions or Feedback?

 

Feel Free to contact me…                                          Matt Bellamy

YOUTH OFFICER

PO BOX 438

Peterborough

PE4 5PE             or email… mattbellamy.cwu@outlook.com

 

Useful Links

 

CWU

www.cwu.org

 

CWU Youth

www.cwuyouth.org

 

CWU Youth FaceBook Page

www.facebook.com/CWU-Youth-142657849100687/?fref=ts

 

Generation Rent

www.generationrent.org

 

Dave Ward

www.facebook.com/groups/davewardcwu/

 

Terry Pullinger

www.facebook.com/terrypullinger4dgsp/?fref=ts

 

Eastern 5 Branch Website

cwueastern5.wordpress.com

 

Eastern 5 Branch FaceBook Page

www.facebook.com/CWU-Eastern-No5-Branch-140817819301619/

Click on the link below to view the full report

NYEE 2015 Report Back

Election of: CWU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) – 2015 

• Postal constituency vacancy (1 position)

 

Following the successful election of Davie Robertson to the position of CWU Assistant Secretary (Postal) there is now a Postal Constituency vacant position on the NEC.  

 

Accordingly the NEC has agreed the election timetable and regulations for the filling of the vacant Postal Constituency NEC position.

 

The timetable for the election is as follows:

 

Nominations Open:​3 November 2015

Nominations Close:​17 November 2015 (14:00)

Dispatch ballot material from:​23 November 2015  

Close of ballot:​14 December 2015 (first post)

Result Announced:​16 December 2015​              

 

The Election Regulations stipulate that a copy of the regulations for these elections must be distributed to all branches in advance of the nomination process. A copy of the Election Regulations is therefore enclosed and I would be grateful if you could ensure that these are brought to the attention of the members of your branch.

 

The regulations will also be published on the CWU website and a copy will be issued to all candidates nominated to stand in the Election.  

 

Nomination Forms for this election are available on written request from the SDGS department.

 

Election Prize Draws

 

Branches are reminded that in order to protect the integrity of these very important national election’s and more importantly, ensure that the union is legally compliant with the relevant legislation covering such elections, that election prize draws should not be conducted under any circumstances unless written authorisation has been given by the Senior Deputy General Secretary.

 

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Senior Deputy General Secretary Department, CWU HQ, for the attention of Peter Metcalfe.

Telephone: 0208 971 7368, or email: pmetcalfe@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

 

UNI EUROPA WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AND UNI EUROPA CONFERENCE – 2016 

The UNI EUROPA Women’s Conference will take place on 12 March 2016 and the UNI Europa Conference from 14 March 2016 to 16 March 2016. The venue for both Conferences will be Rome, Italy.

 

Please find attached the election regulations, Nomination forms and Candidates consent and biographical details form. These must be completed and returned by 17th November 2015.

 

The nomination entitlements are as follows:

 

1.​Branches with members in the Postal Constituency:

• 1 NEC Member

• 5 Lay Members

(At least 2 delegates must be a women and at least 1 delegate must be under the age of 30 at the date of the conference)

 

2.​Branches with members in the Telecoms and Financial Services Constituency:

• 1 NEC Member

• 4 Lay Members

(At least 2 delegates must be a women and at least 1 delegate must be under the age of 30 at the date of the conference)

 

Please note that the women delegates elected above will form the CWU delegation to the UNI Europa Women’s Conference.

 

The timetable for the election is as follows:

 

Nominations open:​3 November 2015​

Nominations close:​17 November 2015 (14:00)

Despatch ballot papers:​24 November 2015

Ballot closes:​8 December 2015 (14:00)

 

Any enquiries regarding this LTB 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

Election of National Representative Positions – 2016 

• Women’s Advisory Committee

• Race Advisory Committee

• Lesbian and Gay Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee

• Disability Advisory Committee

• Members Auditors

• Independent Review Body

​

The NEC has agreed the election arrangements for the above National Representative positions listed above. Accordingly please find enclosed the regulations and nomination forms for these elections.

 

Branches will wish to note that the term of office for these positions is for a 2 year period commencing 1st January 2016.

 

The Timetable for the elections is as follows:

 

Nominations open:​3 November 2015

Nominations close:​17 November 2015 (14:00)

Despatch ballot papers:​20 November 2015

Ballot closes:​4 December 2015 (14:00)

 

Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Tony Kearns​

Senior Deputy General Secretary

 

Election of: 

• CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conferences – 2016

 

Please find attached the regulations, nomination forms and Candidate consent and biographical details forms for the above Conferences. The details of which are as follows:

 

TUC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

Date:​ 9 – 11 March 2016

Venue:​ Congress House, London

 

TUC BLACK WORKERS CONFERENCE

Date:​ 15 – 17 April 2016

Venue:​ Congress House, London

 

TUC DISABLED WORKERS CONFERENCE

Date:​ 19/20 May 2016

Venue:​ Congress House, London

 

TUC LGBT WORKERS CONFERENCE

Date:​ 23/24 June 2016

Venue:​ Congress House, London

 

 

The Timetable for the elections is as follow:

 

Nominations open:​3 November 2015​

Nominations close:​17 November 2015 (14:00)

Despatch ballot papers:​24 November 2015

Ballot closes:​8 December 2015 (14:00)

 

Reminders:

• All candidates for election to the TUC Women’s Conference must be women.

• All nominees require the nomination of their own Branch.

 

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Tony Kearns​

Senior Deputy General Secretary

 

CWU Death Benefit 

In accordance with the terms expressed in CWU Rule 4.1.11 Branches are advised that from the 1st October 2015 the CWU Death Benefit payment will be increased to £758.

 

This information will also be published in the Voice.  

 

Any enquiries relating to this LTB should be directed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department for the attention of Tony Kearns.

 

Telephone: ​0208 971 7237

Email: ​sdgs@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

The Workers’ Herald

Click on link below to view original

Workers Herald .20

Newsletter of Wisbech, March & District TUC Issue 20 October 2015

National Gallery Strikers say Thank You

 

Thank you for your fantastic solidarity. Our strike has shown that it is always worth campaigning and that workers who stand up and fight will get support and can win. We hope that we will encourage others to do the same and our success will help build a national movement against privatisation and for an alternative to austerity.

We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the National Gallery that will mean protection of terms and conditions for our members and a return to work for our senior rep Candy Udwin. Unfortunately despite all of our best efforts and yours we have not stopped the private contract at National Gallery going ahead on 01 November. However, the gallery have agreed to review the contract after one year.

 

We are still fundraising to be able to support our low paid members who have had no pay for 111 days so any donations will still be gratefully received!

DONATE VIA PAY PAL

Or you can donate to Sort code 086001 Account no 20169002 or cheques to PCS Culture Media and Sport Association, c/o PCS North West Region, Jack Jones House,1 Islington, Liverpool L3 8EG

 

Living Wage Week 1-7 November

This is held each year in the first week of November. On the Monday 2 November the Living Wage Foundation will announce the 2015/6 Real Living Wage which is presently £7.85 an hour outside London. Already well above Mr Osborne’s fake living wage. The real living wage is based on research by the Joseph Rowntree Trust in which members of the public identify what is needed for a minimum acceptable standard of living. This is then combined with the actual cost of living including essentials like rent, council tax, child care and transport, to produce the living wage figure. The fake living wage is just a figure plucked out of thin air.

This is also an opportunity to demonstrate to the public how Osborne and Cameron have lied to the public over being the party of hard working families and their fake “national living wage”. Despite many attempts to get support we have only enough volunteers to run one stall which will be in March Market Place between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday 7th. If you can help please respond to Martin field at martin.mkatfield@gmail.com

 

Tony Benn Film – tickets limited

Tony Benn Will & Testament will be showing at the Light Cinema in Wisbech at 7.30pm on November 17. Tickets are £5 from Light Cinema Box Office.

A member of the film crew will be present for the Q&A but Tom Watson is very doubtful, a substitute is being sought.

The film will be shown in the smaller of the two downstairs screens so early booking is advised to ensure a ticket.

 

BBC inadvertantly points way forward for Labour

Michelle Dorrell who emotionally exposed the Tories tax credit lies on Question Time on 15 October vindicates the new social movement of Jeremy Corbyn. In an interview for the Guardian she commented; “Corbyn is shaking things up and allowing our voice to be heard but there’s more to be done. We need more normal people like me that have been through the worst and have tried to better themselves.”

It is easy to criticise Michelle for voting Tory at the last election but what she says should make us all aware of how we need to campaign. Michelle is one of many “normal” people who didn’t vote Labour in May or put differently one of the many ordinary working class voters who didn’t identify with or felt betrayed by Labour. Some like Michelle now feel betrayed by the Tories but as she says can see a difference in Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. We all need to listen, learn and build on what Michelle has said.

 

Michael Meacher

 

The sad news of Michael Meacher’s sudden death came after I had written this month’s book review. I considered pulling the review out of respect for Michael but then I remembered the end of his forward to the book where he says “I believe this collection of essays opens up a new vision out of the tired and sterile arguments that have crippled politics over the last decade or more and point to…a profound transformation of our society that so many of our people long for.”

Michael has been a great friend of the trade unions and all who have held genuinely progressive political views over a number of decades. He will be greatly missed. I feel the best way we can pay tribute to his work in the labour movement is to actively support the social movement that Jeremy Corbyn is leading and which Michael Meacher so whole heartedly supported and helped to create.

 

News in Brief

 

SERTUC union learn annual conference

Tuesday 3 November at Congress House, register at Aryan@tuc.org.uk Agenda here https://sertucresources.wordpress.com/sertuc-events/

SERTUC Women’s Rights Committee training seminar

Friday 27 November at Unite House London, with TU Bill, Abortion Rights, workshops and comedian. Full agenda here https://sertucresources.wordpress.com/sertuc-events/

SERTUC health & safety reps conference

Trade unions campaigning for better health, safety and well-being at work and in the community Friday 5 February 2016 at Congress House. Registration details herehttps://sertucresources.wordpress.com/sertuc-events/

Theatre: United We Stand

Townsend Productions present the story of Des Warren, Ricky Tomlinson and the Shrewsbury Pickets – 2 to 14 November in Peckham http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/productions/united-we-stand

National Pensioners Convention

Parliamentary lobby on social care and pensions Wednesday 4 November 11.30 onwards, contact NPC 020 7383 0388

Schools Out UK: LGBT History Month

Theme: Religion, belief and philosophy Thursday 26 November Cambridge, all day and evening http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/showcase-set-for-november-26th/

 

Campaign to save mental health services in Norfolk & Suffolk

Public meeting Monday 2 November 5.30pm Norwich including Guardian columnist Owen Jones http://norfolksuffolkmentalhealthcrisis.org.uk/2nd-november-2015-norfolk-2nd-anniversary-public-meeting-with-guest-speaker-owen-jones-uea-lt1-1730-1930/

Stand up for your rights Hard hitting video: a powerful voice for the unemployed of Southwark https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIJPKxld-3UMp9O1qtaLUQ?feature=em-share_video_user

The Welfare Charter developed with Unemployed Centres Combine, PCS, Unite Community http://londonunemployedstrategies.com/2015/09/16/welfare-charter-launched-at-tuc-congress-2015/

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign

An afternoon of Nicaraguan films Saturday 21 November 3pm £11.50/£6.50 details here http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/shop/filmshowtickets.htm

Jobs at Ruskin College Oxford

More information here http://www.ruskin.ac.uk/work/other-vacancies.php

Trade Union Research and Curriculum Development Officer fixed term to 31 July 201

Trade Union Education Development Officer fixed term to 31 July 2017
Book Review

 

Published in February of this year this book was intended to influence a new Labour government on an economic policy that separated Labour from Tory Austerity . It is even more useful today since the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader. With contributions from David Blanchflower, Marianna Mazzacuto, Richard Murphy, Andrew Cumbers, John Mills, Ha Joon Chang and more this book of short essays is a useful introduction to the economics debate that Jeremy and John McDonnell have promised.

The book also destroys the arguments of the Blairite “no alternative to neoliberalism” hard right of the Labour Party. Some of the top economic thinkers explain the arguments as to why change is needed and suggest alternative economic policies. This is a handy, easy to read overview of the alternative to austerity and neoliberal free market economics. It is £9.99 and available through Searching Finance on the internet or via E-Bay.
Children’s Book Review (courtesy Tom Pride)

With Christmas coming we are reminded that all our book reviews so far have been for adults so this is the first of our suggestions for children.

Our first book as you can see is very topical and hot off the presses. This is a story about how thousands of children in a part of the country somewhere up north, and not near anything of importance, are saved from having to ask for Christmas presents or eat Christmas dinner because their Mum’s and Dad’s have lost their jobs after the steelworks closed and have no money.

Instead of a being forced to go to Santa’s grotto they have been able to join a million other children visiting a Foodbank this Christmas all thanks to kindly Dave and George who have also found a way of preventing many hard working people losing their tax credits next year.

The book is available from Tory Central Office and if you are able to afford the price of the book they will soon ensure you can’t.

Health and safety statistics 2014/15

Published online today (27 October) the latest statistics on work-related health and safety in Great Britain and includes the following key annual figures (2014/15):

• 1.2 million working people suffering from a work-related illness.

• 2,538 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2013).

• 142 workers killed at work.

• 76,000 other injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR.

• 611,000 injuries at work from the Labour Force Survey.

• 27.3 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.

• £14.3 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2013/14).
If you can be in London on 2nd November support the demonstration from 1pm in Westminster Central Hall . To lobby your MP e-mail him or her and say you want to lobby them you will be given a time. If you cannot why not e-mail them anyway.

1 – 3.30pm – rally Hear from some exciting speakers from 1pm – 3.30pm.

2pm – lobbying starts -The lobbying in Parliament will start from 2pm and throughout the afternoon groups will go over to the House of Commons to meet with their MPs to explain why they should vote against the bill.

Is comparing Tory Britain to Franco’s Spain too farfetched? (Editorial)

When Tory MP David Davies compared part of the TU Bill to Franco’s Spain he may have been much nearer the truth than he imagined. A quick check on Tory policies throws up some startling comparisons with authoritarian regimes.

This time last year, the Gagging Act had just come into effect. It prevented trade unions, charities and community groups from effectively participating in the general election. Did you notice how dull the election was when only politicians could contribute? Democracy is based on people being able to have a say, the Act seriously undermined the principles of freedom of expression, leaving the Tories open, with their massive donations from multi-millionaires and corporate business, to smear their opponents and frighten the electorate with Goebbels like propaganda.

The election success saw the Tories swiftly move on other policies they couldn’t get through when in coalition. The TU Bill introduced in parliament in July will seriously weaken trade unions, require strike leaders to register with police, undermine the right to strike and see the government interfere in the affairs of independent trade unions to an extent not seen in any other established democracy.

The Tories too have made no secret of their intention to scrap the Human Rights Act and effectively withdraw from the European Convention. These are rights, which are the cornerstone of any modern democracy, guarantee individual and collective liberties.

Then there is Individual Electoral Registration (IER) which is being rushed in against the advice of the Electoral Commission because the Tories want to influence the Boundary Commission review in a way that benefits the Tories even more. The Tories intention, thwarted under the coalition, is to ensure a built in Tory majority in England. IER is predicted to result in millions losing their right to vote especially those in Labour dominated constituencies. The Tory intention in rushing this in is to influence the boundary review into reducing the number of electoral constituencies which are more likely to vote Labour, by reducing the electoral roll in those constituencies.

Finally not only has the government decided to limit the ability of unions to support their members and significantly interfere in their internal affairs, but the government party is now rebranding itself as the Workers’ Party and setting up its own trade unionism. This is the nearest we have ever come to abolishing independent trade unions in this country and is behaviour reminiscent of some of the most obnoxious and authoritarian regimes of the 20th Century.

1 – 3.30pm – rally Hear from some exciting speakers from 1pm – 3.30pm.
2pm – lobbying starts -The lobbying in Parliament will start from 2pm and throughout the afternoon groups will go over to the House of Commons to meet with their MPs to explain why they should vote against the bill.
Where were the Black and Asian Suffragettes?

While the portrayal of the suffragette movement in the film from a working class perspective should be applauded it is sad that the role of Black and Asian women in the suffragette movement was ignored.

Black and Asian suffragettes were at the forefront of the Black Friday protest outside Parliament on November 18 1910 which resulted in two suffragettes being killed. It is even more regrettable that the film premiere should coincide with Black History month.

Nevertheless this film is an important reminder of how long it took for universal suffrage to be achieved and how important it is not to lose the vote. Individual Electoral Registration (IER) is threatening to remove up to 2million people from the roll on top of the already 8 million that are not registered. We must not let that sacrifice be wasted.

The photograph is of suffragette Ada Wright, beaten by British police on November 18 1910 outside parliament. For six hours women were batoned, beaten, punched, thrown to the ground, kicked on the floor and had their faces rubbed against railings in full view of the House of Commons.

 

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