Sunday, 27 December 2009
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
London Federation Of Green Parties' debate on Barking
Last night after a passionate debate, the London Federation of Green Parties voted to call upon Barking Greens not to stand a candidate in the general election in Barking constituency against Nick Griffin. Several speeches were made both for and against the motion and, Larry O’Hara’s comments on this list were read out by Noel Lynch in his contribution. It was not an easy decision as many contributors stated that they were sympathetic to some arguments made in opposition and, I think the decision made affirms the view that a Labour victory in Barking would be the lesser of two evils.
P.Murry (personal capacity)
P.Murry (personal capacity)
Climate Change: Copenhagan cock-up and contrarian conspiracy theory.
Climate Change: Copenhagan cock-up and contrarian conspiracy theory.
By Steve Durrant (Manchester GP) on Green Left blog.
By Steve Durrant (Manchester GP) on Green Left blog.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Barking: Should the Greens stand?
Green Left statement
"Green Left welcomes the decision of the London Federation of Green Parties to call for no Green Party candidate to stand in the forthcoming general election for the constituency of Barking, in order to maximise the anti-Fascist vote. We regard this as a decision in favour of all progressive groups campaigning against the BNP in Barking and we pledge our full support for all efforts to defeat Nick Griffin and the BNP there. Despite wishing to provide voters with a progressive alternative, under the circumstances we consider it the best strategic decision not to stand a candidate in this election. We call on all voters in Barking to vote against the politics of hate and the BNP"
"Green Left welcomes the decision of the London Federation of Green Parties to call for no Green Party candidate to stand in the forthcoming general election for the constituency of Barking, in order to maximise the anti-Fascist vote. We regard this as a decision in favour of all progressive groups campaigning against the BNP in Barking and we pledge our full support for all efforts to defeat Nick Griffin and the BNP there. Despite wishing to provide voters with a progressive alternative, under the circumstances we consider it the best strategic decision not to stand a candidate in this election. We call on all voters in Barking to vote against the politics of hate and the BNP"
Joel Kovel speaking at meetings in the new year
As many of you are aware, Joel Kovel will be visiting the UK in the New Year.
Joel is an academic and leading member of the Green Party of the United States who has been active in the peace and anti nuclear movements since the Vietnam War. He was part in the Pastors for Peace Friendship movement which broke the US blockade of Cuba in 1994, was Green Party candidate for Senator from New York and ran for the Party's Presidential nomination in 2000. Although originally a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, since 1980 Joel has academic, teaching and researching in the fields of politics and communication, but last year was witch-hunted from his post of Distinguished Professor at Bard College as a result the publication of his book, Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Single Democratic State in Israel-Palestine.
As well as the London conference on Zionism on Jan 16th and the Manchester conference on Capitalism and Climate on Jan 23rd, Joel will also be speaking to members of London Green Party and friends as per below. The meeting is, of course, open to all Green Party and GL members and friends.
Joel Kovel will be speaking on the situation in the United States post-Copenhagen and on his book, The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or The End of the World? at an open London Federation of Green Parties discussion meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 25th January at the Lucas Arms, Grays Inn Road (three minutes walk from Kings Cross Tube Station).
This will be a fascinating meeting and a good introduction to the width of current green politics. Bring your friends as well as your fellow members!
Joel is an academic and leading member of the Green Party of the United States who has been active in the peace and anti nuclear movements since the Vietnam War. He was part in the Pastors for Peace Friendship movement which broke the US blockade of Cuba in 1994, was Green Party candidate for Senator from New York and ran for the Party's Presidential nomination in 2000. Although originally a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, since 1980 Joel has academic, teaching and researching in the fields of politics and communication, but last year was witch-hunted from his post of Distinguished Professor at Bard College as a result the publication of his book, Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Single Democratic State in Israel-Palestine.
As well as the London conference on Zionism on Jan 16th and the Manchester conference on Capitalism and Climate on Jan 23rd, Joel will also be speaking to members of London Green Party and friends as per below. The meeting is, of course, open to all Green Party and GL members and friends.
Joel Kovel will be speaking on the situation in the United States post-Copenhagen and on his book, The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or The End of the World? at an open London Federation of Green Parties discussion meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 25th January at the Lucas Arms, Grays Inn Road (three minutes walk from Kings Cross Tube Station).
This will be a fascinating meeting and a good introduction to the width of current green politics. Bring your friends as well as your fellow members!
“Hands of my Workmate”
MOTION to the next GL meeting an almost identical motion also to be taken by the next Green Party Trades Union meeting and another almost identical motion was passed NEM CON by London Federation of Green Parties on 21/12/2009
“ Green Left agrees to support the “Hands of my Workmate” campaign, which aims to prevent the use of Immigration law and the Borders Agency by employers to intimidate migrant workers, especially those who seek to exercise their rights to join and organise Trades Unions.”
Aims of HOMW
We believe:
1. That the introduction of immigration checks and immigration raids in the workplace is divisive and damaging to union organisation and is designed to create pressure on migrant workers not to organise or to take part in action.
2. That companies who operate outsourced services such as cleaning, wish to operate in a non union, low wage, environment and are using immigration checks as a weapon to drive down pay and conditions. If they succeed in lowering conditions for one part of the workforce—then all are damaged.
3. An injury to one is an injury to all. Workers of all countries of origin require unity to fight for secure jobs, decent wages and safe working conditions and immigration checks at work simply divide and weaken us.
4. Fascist groups like the BNP have grown on the back of a climate of fear about migration generated by politicians seeking to lay the blame for economic crisis at the door of working people from other countries.
5. That the students and staff of SOAS who launched immediate protests, including a student occupation, to win protection for their migrant workmates/students are to be congratulated for forcing their management to request the immediate issue of papers to the cleaners held in detention, the return of those detained and to acknowledge the lecturers UCU policy of non co-operation with immigration controls as well as agreeing to reconsider the outsourcing of cleaning contracts.
6. That immigration raids in the workplace risk the health and safety of our members by bringing the potential for violence into our workplace through the entry of riot style squads hunting down workers and also create stress for all staff who witness such raids or who have colleagues & friends detained in them.
7. Employers do not need to, and should not, facilitate such raids.
“ Green Left agrees to support the “Hands of my Workmate” campaign, which aims to prevent the use of Immigration law and the Borders Agency by employers to intimidate migrant workers, especially those who seek to exercise their rights to join and organise Trades Unions.”
Aims of HOMW
We believe:
1. That the introduction of immigration checks and immigration raids in the workplace is divisive and damaging to union organisation and is designed to create pressure on migrant workers not to organise or to take part in action.
2. That companies who operate outsourced services such as cleaning, wish to operate in a non union, low wage, environment and are using immigration checks as a weapon to drive down pay and conditions. If they succeed in lowering conditions for one part of the workforce—then all are damaged.
3. An injury to one is an injury to all. Workers of all countries of origin require unity to fight for secure jobs, decent wages and safe working conditions and immigration checks at work simply divide and weaken us.
4. Fascist groups like the BNP have grown on the back of a climate of fear about migration generated by politicians seeking to lay the blame for economic crisis at the door of working people from other countries.
5. That the students and staff of SOAS who launched immediate protests, including a student occupation, to win protection for their migrant workmates/students are to be congratulated for forcing their management to request the immediate issue of papers to the cleaners held in detention, the return of those detained and to acknowledge the lecturers UCU policy of non co-operation with immigration controls as well as agreeing to reconsider the outsourcing of cleaning contracts.
6. That immigration raids in the workplace risk the health and safety of our members by bringing the potential for violence into our workplace through the entry of riot style squads hunting down workers and also create stress for all staff who witness such raids or who have colleagues & friends detained in them.
7. Employers do not need to, and should not, facilitate such raids.
The Green Party Trade Union Group supports members of Unite who are striking against Fujitsu,
The Green Party Trade Union Group supports members of Unite who are striking against their employer, Fujitsu, in protest about recent job cuts, pay freezes and the closing of a final salary pension scheme. We note that a Union spokesperson suggests that Fujitsu is using the recession as cover for cost-cutting at the expense of its employees. The Fujitsu strikers should be supported by other Trades Unionists and Fujitsu management should cease their unjust strategy.
--- On Fri, 18/12/09, Andy Hewett wrote:
From: Andy Hewett
Subject: [GP-TU] Fujitsu workers on strike
To: "gptu list"
Date: Friday, 18 December, 2009, 14:26
FYI
Support the Fujitsu workers striking over job cuts, pay freeze and closure of their final salary pension scheme:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8419879.stm
more info:
http://www.kable.co.uk/fujitsu-public-sector-contractors-strike-15dec09
--- On Fri, 18/12/09, Andy Hewett
From: Andy Hewett
Subject: [GP-TU] Fujitsu workers on strike
To: "gptu list"
Date: Friday, 18 December, 2009, 14:26
FYI
Support the Fujitsu workers striking over job cuts, pay freeze and closure of their final salary pension scheme:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8419879.stm
more info:
http://www.kable.co.uk/fujitsu-public-sector-contractors-strike-15dec09
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