Solidarity with Egyptian workers
Formation of new union movement
30 January 2011
Egyptian workers form new union
The TUC has received the following press release from the independent trade union organisation CTUWS, whose website has been blocked by the Egyptian government as part of the repression of dissent in Egypt.
Press Release
Date: Sunday, 30 January 2011
Today, representatives of the Egyptian labor movement, made up of the independent Egyptian trade unions of workers in real estate tax collection, the retirees, the technical health professionals and representatives of the important industrial areas in Egypt: Helwan, Mahalla al-Kubra, the tenth of Ramadan city, Sadat City and workers from the various industrial and economic sectors such as: garment & textiles, metals industry, pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, government employees, iron and steel, automotive, etc... agreed to hold a press conference at 3:30pm this afternoon in Tahrir Square next to Omar Effendi Company store in downtown Cairo to announce the organization of the new Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions and to announce the formation of committees in all factories and enterprises to protect, defend them and to set a date for a general strike. And to emphasize that the labor movement is in the heart and soul of the Egyptian Peoples' revolution and its emphasis on the support for the six requirements as demanded by the Egyptian People's Revolution. To emphasize the economic and democratic demands voiced by the independent labor movement through thousands of strikes, sit-ins and protests by Egyptian workers in the past years.
Translation of original in Arabic into English
ITUC statement here: http://www.ituc-csi.org/egypt-ituc-condemns-police.html
Romayne
07985 053 907
Monday, 31 January 2011
Solidarity with Egyptian workers
Solidarity with Egyptian workers
Formation of new union movement
30 January 2011
Egyptian workers form new union
The TUC has received the following press release from the independent trade union organisation CTUWS, whose website has been blocked by the Egyptian government as part of the repression of dissent in Egypt.
Press Release
Date: Sunday, 30 January 2011
Today, representatives of the Egyptian labor movement, made up of the independent Egyptian trade unions of workers in real estate tax collection, the retirees, the technical health professionals and representatives of the important industrial areas in Egypt: Helwan, Mahalla al-Kubra, the tenth of Ramadan city, Sadat City and workers from the various industrial and economic sectors such as: garment & textiles, metals industry, pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, government employees, iron and steel, automotive, etc... agreed to hold a press conference at 3:30pm this afternoon in Tahrir Square next to Omar Effendi Company store in downtown Cairo to announce the organization of the new Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions and to announce the formation of committees in all factories and enterprises to protect, defend them and to set a date for a general strike. And to emphasize that the labor movement is in the heart and soul of the Egyptian Peoples' revolution and its emphasis on the support for the six requirements as demanded by the Egyptian People's Revolution. To emphasize the economic and democratic demands voiced by the independent labor movement through thousands of strikes, sit-ins and protests by Egyptian workers in the past years.
Translation of original in Arabic into English
ITUC statement here: http://www.ituc-csi.org/egypt-ituc-condemns-police.html
Romayne
07985 053 907
Formation of new union movement
30 January 2011
Egyptian workers form new union
The TUC has received the following press release from the independent trade union organisation CTUWS, whose website has been blocked by the Egyptian government as part of the repression of dissent in Egypt.
Press Release
Date: Sunday, 30 January 2011
Today, representatives of the Egyptian labor movement, made up of the independent Egyptian trade unions of workers in real estate tax collection, the retirees, the technical health professionals and representatives of the important industrial areas in Egypt: Helwan, Mahalla al-Kubra, the tenth of Ramadan city, Sadat City and workers from the various industrial and economic sectors such as: garment & textiles, metals industry, pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, government employees, iron and steel, automotive, etc... agreed to hold a press conference at 3:30pm this afternoon in Tahrir Square next to Omar Effendi Company store in downtown Cairo to announce the organization of the new Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions and to announce the formation of committees in all factories and enterprises to protect, defend them and to set a date for a general strike. And to emphasize that the labor movement is in the heart and soul of the Egyptian Peoples' revolution and its emphasis on the support for the six requirements as demanded by the Egyptian People's Revolution. To emphasize the economic and democratic demands voiced by the independent labor movement through thousands of strikes, sit-ins and protests by Egyptian workers in the past years.
Translation of original in Arabic into English
ITUC statement here: http://www.ituc-csi.org/egypt-ituc-condemns-police.html
Romayne
07985 053 907
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
UCU Left Statement - We are in the Fight of our Lives
The UCU Left is a national organisation of University and College Union activists. It is committed to ensuring that the new union has a democratic structure through which members can determine policy, and elected officers and professional officials can be held accountable. It seeks to defend educational equality, and to oppose the consequences of neo-liberal marketisation. It is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, oppression and imperialism.
choose a section Homepage FE sector HE sector Conference reports Resources Register About UCU LeftLinks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UCU Left Statement - We are in the Fight of our Lives
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Strategy to Defeat the Cuts
Defend Education - Time to Fightback
Some of the over 1,000 school, FE, and university students demonstrating in support of EMA in London on 19/01/2011
The student protest movement has shown that there is now a real potential to roll back the huge assault on workers and the most vulnerable that the Con-Dem coalition has unleashed. The protests before Xmas inspired millions and have helped create a new confidence to fight back.
Over the next couple of months we in UCU, alongside our students and other workers, can play a central role in helping to shift labour movement resistance to the cuts into an even higher gear.
This is the backdrop to the discussions and decisions made at the NEC meeting on 17th December and overwelmingly reconfirmed at the NEC meeting on 14th January. Now, having agreed these essential motions, our union needs to move forward in a united way to defeat the education cuts that are set to blight current and future generations of our young people if not successfully challenged.
The demonstrations and national industrial action ballots for which the union is mobilising can help set the pace in creating a national movement against the Con-Dem inspired cuts. Every UCU member should play a part in this. We are on the verge of a national fight to defend education across Higher, Further and Adult Education. There is now an itinerary of events which can build towards the major TUC demonstration on March 26th and towards the kind of coordinated industrial action which we will need in order to defeat the Coalition's cuts. We need to make sure that every one of our branches is part of the action and that we encourage all college and university workers to get on board.
Vote for Action
It is crucial that we win the coming industrial action ballots which will begin in early February and run through to March. If we vote Yes then HE and FE members could take joint strike action in the week running up to the 26th March TUC demonstration, which is also Budget week.
Defending our jobs, our pensions, and ensuring our pay is protected, are inextricibly connected, and the following UCU Left leaflet sets out very concretely what each of us can do in the coming weeks to win the ballots associated with each, and to build the most effective action we need to take in order to combat these cuts and to defend education for all. Members in HE should also use the following National UCU leaflet to help build for a strong 'YES' vote in the imminent ballots.
NEC Elections
Of course none of this would be happening on this timescale and in this coordinated way if UCU Left supporters were not well represented within the elected lay leadership on the National Executive Committee and elsewhere. We have won those elections because our supporters have reputations for defending education, standing up for members, and leading many successful disputes.
It is therefore important that we ensure we continue to have an elected leadership committed to building a member-led, democratic union and which is prepared to encourage the kind of action we need. UCU Left are supporting a number of candidates in the NEC elections which start on 5th February and close on 4th March.
See here for UCU Left supported candidates.
UCU Left – Steering Committee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
choose a section Homepage FE sector HE sector Conference reports Resources Register About UCU LeftLinks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UCU Left Statement - We are in the Fight of our Lives
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Strategy to Defeat the Cuts
Defend Education - Time to Fightback
Some of the over 1,000 school, FE, and university students demonstrating in support of EMA in London on 19/01/2011
The student protest movement has shown that there is now a real potential to roll back the huge assault on workers and the most vulnerable that the Con-Dem coalition has unleashed. The protests before Xmas inspired millions and have helped create a new confidence to fight back.
Over the next couple of months we in UCU, alongside our students and other workers, can play a central role in helping to shift labour movement resistance to the cuts into an even higher gear.
This is the backdrop to the discussions and decisions made at the NEC meeting on 17th December and overwelmingly reconfirmed at the NEC meeting on 14th January. Now, having agreed these essential motions, our union needs to move forward in a united way to defeat the education cuts that are set to blight current and future generations of our young people if not successfully challenged.
The demonstrations and national industrial action ballots for which the union is mobilising can help set the pace in creating a national movement against the Con-Dem inspired cuts. Every UCU member should play a part in this. We are on the verge of a national fight to defend education across Higher, Further and Adult Education. There is now an itinerary of events which can build towards the major TUC demonstration on March 26th and towards the kind of coordinated industrial action which we will need in order to defeat the Coalition's cuts. We need to make sure that every one of our branches is part of the action and that we encourage all college and university workers to get on board.
Vote for Action
It is crucial that we win the coming industrial action ballots which will begin in early February and run through to March. If we vote Yes then HE and FE members could take joint strike action in the week running up to the 26th March TUC demonstration, which is also Budget week.
Defending our jobs, our pensions, and ensuring our pay is protected, are inextricibly connected, and the following UCU Left leaflet sets out very concretely what each of us can do in the coming weeks to win the ballots associated with each, and to build the most effective action we need to take in order to combat these cuts and to defend education for all. Members in HE should also use the following National UCU leaflet to help build for a strong 'YES' vote in the imminent ballots.
NEC Elections
Of course none of this would be happening on this timescale and in this coordinated way if UCU Left supporters were not well represented within the elected lay leadership on the National Executive Committee and elsewhere. We have won those elections because our supporters have reputations for defending education, standing up for members, and leading many successful disputes.
It is therefore important that we ensure we continue to have an elected leadership committed to building a member-led, democratic union and which is prepared to encourage the kind of action we need. UCU Left are supporting a number of candidates in the NEC elections which start on 5th February and close on 4th March.
See here for UCU Left supported candidates.
UCU Left – Steering Committee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support the BA Cabin Crew strikes!
David 'dbh' Braniff-Herbert sent a message to the members of I support the BA Cabin Crew strikes!
David 'dbh' Braniff-HerbertJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:56pm
Subject: British Airways cabin crew ballot result
Hiya, Sorry for the delay but here is the latest news from the dispute. I will find out how we can support the negotiations so that the anti-union tactics are withdrawn as soon as possible.
In Solidarity,
David Braniff-Herbert
http://www.facebook.com/l/6e27dxXr3iLAM3Pp7vhaUyP93_A;www.twitter.com/the_dbh
21 January 2011
British Airways cabin crew members of Unite have voted in support of industrial action by a huge margin.
Unite balloted 10,220 cabin crew. They voted as follows on the question “are you prepared to take part in strike action”:
Number of ballot papers returned = 7,335
Number of ballot papers found to be invalid = 5
Total number of papers counted = 7,330
Number voting YES = 5,751 (78.5% of valid vote)
Number voting NO = 1,579 (21.5%)
Turnout for the ballot was 75 per cent.
Unite general secretary-designate Len McCluskey said today: “For the fourth time in 13 months British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in support of their union and expressed their dissatisfaction with management behaviour. Indeed, the turnout and the majority on this occasion are much greater than in the last ballot.
“Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of its skilled and dedicated employees. This dispute will be resolved by negotiation, not litigation or confrontation, and it is to negotiation that BA management should now apply itself. We are ready.”
David 'dbh' Braniff-HerbertJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:56pm
Subject: British Airways cabin crew ballot result
Hiya, Sorry for the delay but here is the latest news from the dispute. I will find out how we can support the negotiations so that the anti-union tactics are withdrawn as soon as possible.
In Solidarity,
David Braniff-Herbert
http://www.facebook.com/l/6e27dxXr3iLAM3Pp7vhaUyP93_A;www.twitter.com/the_dbh
21 January 2011
British Airways cabin crew members of Unite have voted in support of industrial action by a huge margin.
Unite balloted 10,220 cabin crew. They voted as follows on the question “are you prepared to take part in strike action”:
Number of ballot papers returned = 7,335
Number of ballot papers found to be invalid = 5
Total number of papers counted = 7,330
Number voting YES = 5,751 (78.5% of valid vote)
Number voting NO = 1,579 (21.5%)
Turnout for the ballot was 75 per cent.
Unite general secretary-designate Len McCluskey said today: “For the fourth time in 13 months British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in support of their union and expressed their dissatisfaction with management behaviour. Indeed, the turnout and the majority on this occasion are much greater than in the last ballot.
“Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of its skilled and dedicated employees. This dispute will be resolved by negotiation, not litigation or confrontation, and it is to negotiation that BA management should now apply itself. We are ready.”
Friday, 21 January 2011
IER Conferences: Equal Pay Act at 40 Conference & Resisting attacks in the workplace Saturday 5th March
Reminder from the Institute of Employment Rights-
(1) Equal Pay Act at 40 Conference Wednesday 23rd February
(2) Unions at Work: resisting attacks in the workplace Saturday 5th March
Free conference in association with SERTUC
I would be grateful if you could distribute this message to colleagues, activists, networks and members. Find out more and book places here
If you have any queries concerning the seminars, please contact me at the details below.
Best wishes
Phelim
(1) Equal Pay Act at 40 Conference
Wednesday 23rd February
9:30am- 4:30pm
At NUT Hamilton House London WC1H 9BD
with contributions from: Baroness Gould; Sheila Wild, Equalities and Human Rights Commission; Marian Scovell, Prospect; Ben Cooper, Old Square Chambers; Barry Smith, GMB; Amanda Brown, NUT; Anna Bird, Fawcett Society; Alison Humphry, Unison; Caroline Underhill, Thompsons; Sally Brett, TUC
Topics include: Inquiry into Sex Discrimination in the Finance Sector; Length of service as a determinant in pay: Wilson v HSE & Cadman v HSE; When objective justification is required: Gibson v Sheffield Council; Demonstrating disparate impact: Pike v Somerset Council; The road to equal pay: a new approach; TUPE and Equal Pay: Sodexo Ltd v Gutridge; Farewell Equal Pay Act: future prospects for narrowing the gender pay gap
(2) Unions at Work: resisting attacks in the workplace Saturday 5th March
Free conference in association with SERTUC
10:00am- 3:00pm at TUC Congress House London WC1B 3LS
with contributions from Gail Cartmail (Unite) on facility time arrangements; Prof Aileen McColgan (Matrix Chambers) on Equality Impact Assessments and the Equality Agenda; Alan Bogg (PCS) on victimisation; Prof Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC on collective rights. Chaired by Megan Dobney (SERTUC) and Carolyn Jones (IER)
Phelim Mac Cafferty
Projects and Events Officer
Institute of Employment Rights
179 Preston Road
Brighton East Sussex
BN1 6AG
t: 01273 330819
e: phelim@ier.org.uk
www.ier.org.uk
We are proud of our ongoing work but recognise more needs to be done. Show your continued support by taking a subscription and joining our debate. Go to www.ier.org.uk
(1) Equal Pay Act at 40 Conference Wednesday 23rd February
(2) Unions at Work: resisting attacks in the workplace Saturday 5th March
Free conference in association with SERTUC
I would be grateful if you could distribute this message to colleagues, activists, networks and members. Find out more and book places here
If you have any queries concerning the seminars, please contact me at the details below.
Best wishes
Phelim
(1) Equal Pay Act at 40 Conference
Wednesday 23rd February
9:30am- 4:30pm
At NUT Hamilton House London WC1H 9BD
with contributions from: Baroness Gould; Sheila Wild, Equalities and Human Rights Commission; Marian Scovell, Prospect; Ben Cooper, Old Square Chambers; Barry Smith, GMB; Amanda Brown, NUT; Anna Bird, Fawcett Society; Alison Humphry, Unison; Caroline Underhill, Thompsons; Sally Brett, TUC
Topics include: Inquiry into Sex Discrimination in the Finance Sector; Length of service as a determinant in pay: Wilson v HSE & Cadman v HSE; When objective justification is required: Gibson v Sheffield Council; Demonstrating disparate impact: Pike v Somerset Council; The road to equal pay: a new approach; TUPE and Equal Pay: Sodexo Ltd v Gutridge; Farewell Equal Pay Act: future prospects for narrowing the gender pay gap
(2) Unions at Work: resisting attacks in the workplace Saturday 5th March
Free conference in association with SERTUC
10:00am- 3:00pm at TUC Congress House London WC1B 3LS
with contributions from Gail Cartmail (Unite) on facility time arrangements; Prof Aileen McColgan (Matrix Chambers) on Equality Impact Assessments and the Equality Agenda; Alan Bogg (PCS) on victimisation; Prof Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC on collective rights. Chaired by Megan Dobney (SERTUC) and Carolyn Jones (IER)
Phelim Mac Cafferty
Projects and Events Officer
Institute of Employment Rights
179 Preston Road
Brighton East Sussex
BN1 6AG
t: 01273 330819
e: phelim@ier.org.uk
www.ier.org.uk
We are proud of our ongoing work but recognise more needs to be done. Show your continued support by taking a subscription and joining our debate. Go to www.ier.org.uk
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
gmb redundancy update
News from the Socialist Unity blog re council redundancies. Working in the voluntary sector in Lambeth, we are waiting for the announcement by Lambeth Council there on the 24th - many voluntary sector organisations are expecting to have to close, including many dealing with older and disabled people.
Joseph Healy
As the Prime Minister met business leaders in Downing Street on new private sector jobs the terrible news is that the official total of redundancy notices by councils in Britain is over 100,000GMB's latest list shows that a total of 102,289 posts are under threat of being made redundant at 131 councils across Britain. In nearly all these councils a 90 day statutory consultation period is underway on how to deal with these job losses. Councils have given notice that they plan to delete vacant posts and seek volunteers for early retirements and redundancy. See Notes to Editors for list of authorities by region.
Under the Trades Union and Labour Relations(Consolidation) Act 1992 employers are required to give the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills an advance(HR1) notification of potential redundancies and to send copies to recognized trades unions. Section 6 of the HR1 form sets out the number of possible redundancies and the date on the form triggers the 90 day consultation period. The information below on the levels of posts under threat is mainly drawn from this source. Section 4 deals with timing of redundancies and the most common date on the HR1 forms is 31 March 2011. Some volunteers have already left.
Since the GMB press release of 22 December listing 107 councils another 24 councils have been added to the list. These are - with number of posts threatened - Bolton Borough Council;2000; Argyll and Bute Council;637; Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea;165; East Sussex County Council;150; Devon and Cornwall Police;700; Blackburn with Darwin;600; Derby City Council;750; St Helens Borough Council;400;
Bristol City Council;740; Kent County Council;1,500; Wyre Forest District Council;24; New Forest District Council;40; Peterborough City Council;180; Cleveland Combined Fire Authority;180; Tyne and Wear Fire Authority;170; Durham Police Authority;86; Middlesbrough Borough Council;400; Stockton on Tees Borough Council;350; North Yorkshire Combined Fire Authority;130; North Yorkshire Police Authority; 210; Kent Police Authority;1,500; Sussex Police Authority;1,010; Aberdeenshire;900 full time equivalent and Flintshire Council; 68.
There are a total of 353 councils in England, 22 in Wales and 32 in Scotland plus a total of 90 other authorities including national parks, police, fire and waste. For a total of 366 authorities GMB has not yet established the number of posts under threat.
Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said ""As the Prime Minister meets business leaders on new private sector jobs the terrible news is that the official total of redundancy notices issued by
councils in Britain has now gone over 100,000.
This still only covers less than half of councils so this figure is going to go far higher. The job losses stem from the budget reductions imposed by the coalition government on councils who are therefore having to chop local
services. No job in local government is safe from these swingeing cuts.
Meanwhile the bankers who caused the financial crisis still have their snouts in the trough. There is one rule for "the haves" and another for the rest of us. The Government is even setting up a new "bankers free school" in
Battersea for them at a cost of tens of millions as the job losses mount.
Not one government minister has shown any comprehension of the human tragedy of all these job losses. It's sickening that council workers are taking the rap for other people's mistakes. Home care helps, social workers, teachers, school dinner ladies, refuse collectors and street cleaners are all desperately worried about their future and asking - why us?
Joseph Healy
As the Prime Minister met business leaders in Downing Street on new private sector jobs the terrible news is that the official total of redundancy notices by councils in Britain is over 100,000GMB's latest list shows that a total of 102,289 posts are under threat of being made redundant at 131 councils across Britain. In nearly all these councils a 90 day statutory consultation period is underway on how to deal with these job losses. Councils have given notice that they plan to delete vacant posts and seek volunteers for early retirements and redundancy. See Notes to Editors for list of authorities by region.
Under the Trades Union and Labour Relations(Consolidation) Act 1992 employers are required to give the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills an advance(HR1) notification of potential redundancies and to send copies to recognized trades unions. Section 6 of the HR1 form sets out the number of possible redundancies and the date on the form triggers the 90 day consultation period. The information below on the levels of posts under threat is mainly drawn from this source. Section 4 deals with timing of redundancies and the most common date on the HR1 forms is 31 March 2011. Some volunteers have already left.
Since the GMB press release of 22 December listing 107 councils another 24 councils have been added to the list. These are - with number of posts threatened - Bolton Borough Council;2000; Argyll and Bute Council;637; Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea;165; East Sussex County Council;150; Devon and Cornwall Police;700; Blackburn with Darwin;600; Derby City Council;750; St Helens Borough Council;400;
Bristol City Council;740; Kent County Council;1,500; Wyre Forest District Council;24; New Forest District Council;40; Peterborough City Council;180; Cleveland Combined Fire Authority;180; Tyne and Wear Fire Authority;170; Durham Police Authority;86; Middlesbrough Borough Council;400; Stockton on Tees Borough Council;350; North Yorkshire Combined Fire Authority;130; North Yorkshire Police Authority; 210; Kent Police Authority;1,500; Sussex Police Authority;1,010; Aberdeenshire;900 full time equivalent and Flintshire Council; 68.
There are a total of 353 councils in England, 22 in Wales and 32 in Scotland plus a total of 90 other authorities including national parks, police, fire and waste. For a total of 366 authorities GMB has not yet established the number of posts under threat.
Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said ""As the Prime Minister meets business leaders on new private sector jobs the terrible news is that the official total of redundancy notices issued by
councils in Britain has now gone over 100,000.
This still only covers less than half of councils so this figure is going to go far higher. The job losses stem from the budget reductions imposed by the coalition government on councils who are therefore having to chop local
services. No job in local government is safe from these swingeing cuts.
Meanwhile the bankers who caused the financial crisis still have their snouts in the trough. There is one rule for "the haves" and another for the rest of us. The Government is even setting up a new "bankers free school" in
Battersea for them at a cost of tens of millions as the job losses mount.
Not one government minister has shown any comprehension of the human tragedy of all these job losses. It's sickening that council workers are taking the rap for other people's mistakes. Home care helps, social workers, teachers, school dinner ladies, refuse collectors and street cleaners are all desperately worried about their future and asking - why us?
Monday, 10 January 2011
ELECTION OF UNITE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011 – 2014
From: dearunitecom@googlegroups.com [mailto:dearunitecom@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of mailings@dearunite.com
Sent: 09 January 2011 03:54
To: dearunitecom@googlegroups.com
Subject: Grass Roots Left - Executive Council Elections
The brand new 'Grass Roots Left' has formed after Jerry Hicks' campaign in the General Secretary Election. We are running candidates for the forthcoming Unite Executive elections. Website coming soon.
If you are in London and Eastern Region please would you ask your branch to nominate David Beaumont
and Mark Evans, details below. David is the editor of dearunite.com. Nomination period is period 10
January 2011 to 7 February 2011.
'Grass Roots Left - reclaiming Unite for the members'
Thanks
ELECTION OF UNITE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011 – 2014
David Beaumont
NEC CANDIDATE
London & Eastern Region
Dear Colleague
Unite National Executive Elections 2011 – London and Eastern Region
I want to return our union to its members from the self serving bureaucrats who currently run it. I want to revitalise branches and member democracy, and help make Unite a truly left wing, member run union. Please would you nominate me for a London and Eastern seat on the unions’ Executive.
My back ground is left wing and an activist. I was a key supporter of Jerry Hicks in the recent General Secretary election. I run the website www.dearunite.com which, with its predecessors since 1999, has been exposing the union’s failure to support left wing policies and, quite frankly, to expose corruption like the ‘Baylissgate’ affair.
As treasurer of London region I was suspended from office along with the Secretary Hugh MacGrillen and President Sue Michie. This was for supporting Ken Livingstone in the first Mayoral election. That witch-hunt was organised by the then General Secretary Roger Lyons. I later removed Lyons from office by establishing that he had illegally extended his term without an election. I have a background of taking on the most highly paid officials who currently run our union.
Unite failed to hold Labour in government to account. We have been dragged into the High Court on
balloting technicalities, witnessed our members being victimised by BA because of the anti-union laws. Repealing those laws was official union policy but was sidelined by the leadership. That failure has left us vulnerable and angry as we now face the Con-Dem onslaught.
I want to help transform a top down union, run like a business, to a bottom up one where ‘members decide, the union provides’. I support Jerry Hicks’ principles:
• Election of all union officials.
• Empowering the grass roots - workplaces, branches, combines, sectors and regions,
• Becoming a fighting union, not just campaigning,
• Scraping Trident saving £75 billion. Instead spend £25 billion on schools, hospitals, houses, providing 100,000 jobs. £25 billion on green energies creating a million jobs. £25 billion on pensions. Save money and lives by bringing the troops home from Afghanistan.
• Confronting anti-union laws and supporting unofficial action when necessary.
• Making the Equality and Diversity structures a model for genuine involvement.
• Ensuring retired members, a prized asset, have equal rights in the union.
My name is David Beaumont and I have been an active member of the union for over 25 years. I am
currently secretary of Hounslow and Feltham branch. Previously I have been chair of that branch and
treasurer of London Region.
To nominate me you will need the following information. My Unite membership
number 30163927 my Branch, Hounslow and Feltham and the seat I am standing for, London and
Eastern region.
I am happy to address workplace and Branch meetings. Please contact me by email david@dearunite.com
or on my mobile 07973 809527.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours fraternally, David Beaumont
ELECTION OF UNITE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011 – 2014
Mark Evans
NEC CANDIDATE
London & Eastern Region
7th January 2011
Dear Colleague
Unite National Executive Elections 2011 – London and Eastern Region
My name is Mark Evans and I have been an active trade union member for 20 years. Over this period of time I have been privileged to support members by carrying out a number of Union roles including Shop Steward and Works Convenor at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge. I am also the Branch Secretary of the Unite Cambridge Central Branch and Chair of the Cambridge & District Trades Council, from which I am delegated to the County Trade’s Council Association and SERTUC.
After careful consideration and with encouragement from numerous members within the Region, I have
decided to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming NEC election and am asking for your support.
We now find ourselves in unprecedented times of severe cuts to jobs, services and conditions with the current coalition government turning back the clock and dragging us back to the dark ages. In such times we cannot afford to sit back and let all the Trade Unions hard work be unravelled. We need a strong organised union capable of providing effective support and correct advice to members as well as a fighting union that will battle successfully for our member’s jobs and conditions.
The new Unite leadership should be directly confronting anti Union legislation that has criminalised workers who simply seek to defend themselves and support others against attacks. Disgracefully, despite members’ donations funding thirteen years of three Labour Governments, these same laws still permit the suspension and sacking of countless Convenors, shop stewards and activists.
Our relationship as a union with the Labour party needs to change from one of unbridled support to one of payment by results. I believe we should only fund those MPs or councillors who support our members.
I also believe in the election of all Unite officers, it should be for the members to decide who represents them, not an individual or a panel. Until this happens Unite will never be truly democratic and encourage full lay member participation.
Nominations must be made at a meeting held in the period 10 January 2011 to 7 February 2011. To nominate me you will need the following information. My Unite membership number, which is 31415325 and my Branch, is Cambridge Central 1859.
I would be delighted to be offered the opportunity to address workplace and Branch meetings. For further information, please contact me on my mobile 07967325363, or by
email
centralbranch@ntlworld.com
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours fraternally, Mark Evans
On Behalf Of mailings@dearunite.com
Sent: 09 January 2011 03:54
To: dearunitecom@googlegroups.com
Subject: Grass Roots Left - Executive Council Elections
The brand new 'Grass Roots Left' has formed after Jerry Hicks' campaign in the General Secretary Election. We are running candidates for the forthcoming Unite Executive elections. Website coming soon.
If you are in London and Eastern Region please would you ask your branch to nominate David Beaumont
and Mark Evans, details below. David is the editor of dearunite.com. Nomination period is period 10
January 2011 to 7 February 2011.
'Grass Roots Left - reclaiming Unite for the members'
Thanks
ELECTION OF UNITE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011 – 2014
David Beaumont
NEC CANDIDATE
London & Eastern Region
Dear Colleague
Unite National Executive Elections 2011 – London and Eastern Region
I want to return our union to its members from the self serving bureaucrats who currently run it. I want to revitalise branches and member democracy, and help make Unite a truly left wing, member run union. Please would you nominate me for a London and Eastern seat on the unions’ Executive.
My back ground is left wing and an activist. I was a key supporter of Jerry Hicks in the recent General Secretary election. I run the website www.dearunite.com which, with its predecessors since 1999, has been exposing the union’s failure to support left wing policies and, quite frankly, to expose corruption like the ‘Baylissgate’ affair.
As treasurer of London region I was suspended from office along with the Secretary Hugh MacGrillen and President Sue Michie. This was for supporting Ken Livingstone in the first Mayoral election. That witch-hunt was organised by the then General Secretary Roger Lyons. I later removed Lyons from office by establishing that he had illegally extended his term without an election. I have a background of taking on the most highly paid officials who currently run our union.
Unite failed to hold Labour in government to account. We have been dragged into the High Court on
balloting technicalities, witnessed our members being victimised by BA because of the anti-union laws. Repealing those laws was official union policy but was sidelined by the leadership. That failure has left us vulnerable and angry as we now face the Con-Dem onslaught.
I want to help transform a top down union, run like a business, to a bottom up one where ‘members decide, the union provides’. I support Jerry Hicks’ principles:
• Election of all union officials.
• Empowering the grass roots - workplaces, branches, combines, sectors and regions,
• Becoming a fighting union, not just campaigning,
• Scraping Trident saving £75 billion. Instead spend £25 billion on schools, hospitals, houses, providing 100,000 jobs. £25 billion on green energies creating a million jobs. £25 billion on pensions. Save money and lives by bringing the troops home from Afghanistan.
• Confronting anti-union laws and supporting unofficial action when necessary.
• Making the Equality and Diversity structures a model for genuine involvement.
• Ensuring retired members, a prized asset, have equal rights in the union.
My name is David Beaumont and I have been an active member of the union for over 25 years. I am
currently secretary of Hounslow and Feltham branch. Previously I have been chair of that branch and
treasurer of London Region.
To nominate me you will need the following information. My Unite membership
number 30163927 my Branch, Hounslow and Feltham and the seat I am standing for, London and
Eastern region.
I am happy to address workplace and Branch meetings. Please contact me by email david@dearunite.com
or on my mobile 07973 809527.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours fraternally, David Beaumont
ELECTION OF UNITE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011 – 2014
Mark Evans
NEC CANDIDATE
London & Eastern Region
7th January 2011
Dear Colleague
Unite National Executive Elections 2011 – London and Eastern Region
My name is Mark Evans and I have been an active trade union member for 20 years. Over this period of time I have been privileged to support members by carrying out a number of Union roles including Shop Steward and Works Convenor at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge. I am also the Branch Secretary of the Unite Cambridge Central Branch and Chair of the Cambridge & District Trades Council, from which I am delegated to the County Trade’s Council Association and SERTUC.
After careful consideration and with encouragement from numerous members within the Region, I have
decided to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming NEC election and am asking for your support.
We now find ourselves in unprecedented times of severe cuts to jobs, services and conditions with the current coalition government turning back the clock and dragging us back to the dark ages. In such times we cannot afford to sit back and let all the Trade Unions hard work be unravelled. We need a strong organised union capable of providing effective support and correct advice to members as well as a fighting union that will battle successfully for our member’s jobs and conditions.
The new Unite leadership should be directly confronting anti Union legislation that has criminalised workers who simply seek to defend themselves and support others against attacks. Disgracefully, despite members’ donations funding thirteen years of three Labour Governments, these same laws still permit the suspension and sacking of countless Convenors, shop stewards and activists.
Our relationship as a union with the Labour party needs to change from one of unbridled support to one of payment by results. I believe we should only fund those MPs or councillors who support our members.
I also believe in the election of all Unite officers, it should be for the members to decide who represents them, not an individual or a panel. Until this happens Unite will never be truly democratic and encourage full lay member participation.
Nominations must be made at a meeting held in the period 10 January 2011 to 7 February 2011. To nominate me you will need the following information. My Unite membership number, which is 31415325 and my Branch, is Cambridge Central 1859.
I would be delighted to be offered the opportunity to address workplace and Branch meetings. For further information, please contact me on my mobile 07967325363, or by
centralbranch@ntlworld.com
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours fraternally, Mark Evans
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
UNCERTAINTY FOR 130 WORKERS AT THREATENED WIND TURBINE FACTORY
acknowledgements to Martin Empson CCCTU
UNCERTAINTY FOR 130 WORKERS AT THREATENED WIND TURBINE FACTORY
By Lucinda Cameron, Press Association Scotland
A company which makes wind turbine parts has gone into administration.
Skykon Campbeltown suffered when its Denmark-based parent company Skykon suspended payments to creditors in October.
Around 130 people work at Skykon’s factory in Machrihanish, Argyll.
Colin Dempster and Andrew Davison of Ernst & Young are the appointed administrators.
Mr Davison said: “We are currently reviewing the facility’s financial position and order book with a view to assessing its immediate trading prospects.
“Some initial expressions of interest have been made and all options will be explored to find a future for the site.”
Danish firm Skykon bought the plant, which makes towers for wind farms, from Vestas in 2009.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scottish Development International and HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) are working with the administrators and their various stakeholders to achieve a positive outcome, and every effort is being made to secure the viability of the asset and long term, low carbon jobs for the area.”
Douglas Cowan, Argyll and The Islands area manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “HIE and our partners have been working hard to avoid this outcome for Campbeltown.
“We will now do all we can to assist the administrator to identify and negotiate with a new operator.
“Investment in this site over the past 10 years has created a great asset for Argyll and I have no doubt it will attract international interest from potential tenants.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute Alan Reid said he had been in contact with the administrators as well as Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Alex Salmond after the announcement.
Mr Reid said: “The Scottish Government must do all that it can to ensure that the Machrihanish factory resumes production as quickly as possible and that a buyer is found to give the factory a secure future.
“As well as the many jobs that are at stake, the towers being made there are important to help meet our renewable energy targets.
“Without this factory, future employment prospects for people in Kintyre would be grim. Everything possible must be done to keep the factory going.”
end
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
SERTUC day of action against the cuts SATURDAY 15 JANUARY
Sent: 22 December 2010 18:31
Subject: SERTUC day of action against the cuts SATURDAY 15 JANUARY
To TU officers and trades councils in the SERTUC Region
Dear Colleague
The SERTUC Executive Committee is calling for your active support for street level action in every community on Saturday 15 January – organised by you!
The challenge is to counter the government’s lies about
· the economy has never been in such a state
· spending on public service are the cause of this
· deep cuts to public services are essential
· these are difficult decisions – but they are fair
Millions of media pounds and constant political repetition has given the public a diet of lies and half truths – so the Executive Committee believes we have to use our considerable human resources (our members and our commitment) to talk to our communities and win an understanding about the depth of the government’s political attack on working people.
What can you do?
The invitation is to all affiliates, trade union branches and trades councils:
make your voice heard locally on Saturday 15 January
Can you organise a street meeting, workplace activity, a street stall, a demonstration, a media-worthy stunt, community leafleting, press release, street theatre – or any kind of event that will attract people to talk to you, that will attract local media coverage, and that will ensure that our neighbours understand that cuts are not the answer – and, we can make a difference.
Can you involve and work with local organisations – whether organisations campaigning on a specific issue such as a library closure, or broader groups such as Pensioners’ organisations or Tenants’ Associations?
We are producing A5 leaflets and briefing documents – available shortly
In the meantime, please let me know what you’re doing and where so we can map the activity across the Region
Attached is a short and simple outline of the TUC’s opposition to government policy – arguing against putting the burden on working people through cuts in public services, and for a policy of growth, closing tax avoidance and evasion loopholes, and a Robin Hood tax on the banks – there is much more on http://www.tuc.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme=alltogether and www.falseeconomy.org.uk
The pamphlet also contains (on the inside back page) a black and white poster for the TUC’s national demonstration on Saturday 26 March.
Speaking of which:
TUC National Demonstration, London , Saturday 26 March 2011
SERTUC carries a major responsibility for mobilising for this demo as it takes place in the heart of our Region.
Already Unison and Unite have told us that they are planning coaches from all major towns.
This demonstration will not win the fight against the government’s attack on working people – but it must make a considerable contribution into demonstrating that people understand that their attacks are political, and not economic.
So please spread the word!
Please note the following action points:
Saturday 15 January
SERTUC day of action to bust the government’s economic lies
Monday 14 February
Oppose the St Valentine’s Day massacre of our services
Tuesday 8 March
Expose the impact of the cuts on women on International Women’s Day
Saturday 26 March
TUC National Demonstration in London
Sunday 1 May
Celebrate International Workers Day
Thursday 5 May
Kick out the ConDems in the South East and East of England local elections
Wednesday 1 June
Expose the injustice to our children on International Children’s Day
Megan Dobney
SERTUC Regional Secretary
SERTUC is the TUC in London , the South East and Eastern Region
SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street , London WC1B 3LS
020 7467 1291
07932 87 38 38
Subject: SERTUC day of action against the cuts SATURDAY 15 JANUARY
To TU officers and trades councils in the SERTUC Region
Dear Colleague
The SERTUC Executive Committee is calling for your active support for street level action in every community on Saturday 15 January – organised by you!
The challenge is to counter the government’s lies about
· the economy has never been in such a state
· spending on public service are the cause of this
· deep cuts to public services are essential
· these are difficult decisions – but they are fair
Millions of media pounds and constant political repetition has given the public a diet of lies and half truths – so the Executive Committee believes we have to use our considerable human resources (our members and our commitment) to talk to our communities and win an understanding about the depth of the government’s political attack on working people.
What can you do?
The invitation is to all affiliates, trade union branches and trades councils:
make your voice heard locally on Saturday 15 January
Can you organise a street meeting, workplace activity, a street stall, a demonstration, a media-worthy stunt, community leafleting, press release, street theatre – or any kind of event that will attract people to talk to you, that will attract local media coverage, and that will ensure that our neighbours understand that cuts are not the answer – and, we can make a difference.
Can you involve and work with local organisations – whether organisations campaigning on a specific issue such as a library closure, or broader groups such as Pensioners’ organisations or Tenants’ Associations?
We are producing A5 leaflets and briefing documents – available shortly
In the meantime, please let me know what you’re doing and where so we can map the activity across the Region
Attached is a short and simple outline of the TUC’s opposition to government policy – arguing against putting the burden on working people through cuts in public services, and for a policy of growth, closing tax avoidance and evasion loopholes, and a Robin Hood tax on the banks – there is much more on http://www.tuc.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme=alltogether and www.falseeconomy.org.uk
The pamphlet also contains (on the inside back page) a black and white poster for the TUC’s national demonstration on Saturday 26 March.
Speaking of which:
TUC National Demonstration, London , Saturday 26 March 2011
SERTUC carries a major responsibility for mobilising for this demo as it takes place in the heart of our Region.
Already Unison and Unite have told us that they are planning coaches from all major towns.
This demonstration will not win the fight against the government’s attack on working people – but it must make a considerable contribution into demonstrating that people understand that their attacks are political, and not economic.
So please spread the word!
Please note the following action points:
Saturday 15 January
SERTUC day of action to bust the government’s economic lies
Monday 14 February
Oppose the St Valentine’s Day massacre of our services
Tuesday 8 March
Expose the impact of the cuts on women on International Women’s Day
Saturday 26 March
TUC National Demonstration in London
Sunday 1 May
Celebrate International Workers Day
Thursday 5 May
Kick out the ConDems in the South East and East of England local elections
Wednesday 1 June
Expose the injustice to our children on International Children’s Day
Megan Dobney
SERTUC Regional Secretary
SERTUC is the TUC in London , the South East and Eastern Region
SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street , London WC1B 3LS
020 7467 1291
07932 87 38 38
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Oldham east and Saddleworth Parliamentary by-election campaign - help needed
As January 13th the polling date for this high profile Parliamentary by-election draws nearer it leaves the Green Party with very little time left to campaign, so we desperately need all the help that we can get.
Green Party Candidate Peter Allen and our Green Party campaign team will be leafleting in the Saddleworth area of the constituency on the following dates:
Sunday, 2nd jan meeting 11.00 at Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery
High Street (A670),Uppermill ,Oldham OL3 6HS.
Lifts available on Sunday from Greenfield Station by prior arrangement
10.43 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 11.06.
From Monday 3rd Jan to Friday 7th Jan we will be meeting daily 11.00 at Greenfield station, Shaw Hall Bank Rd, A669, Uppermill ,Oldham.
10.27 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 10.51.
Saturday 8th to be arranged, if you would be available please contact us.
Sunday, 9th Jan meeting at 11.00 at Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery
High Street (A670),Uppermill ,Oldham OL3 6HS.
Lifts available on Sunday from Greenfield Station by prior arrangement
10.43 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 11.06.
For any Green Party members from other regions who may able to come and help there will be overnight accommodation available by arrangement if required.
For further details, directions or if you are available to leaflet on other dates or in other areas of Oldham east and Saddleworth please contact:
Ian Barker Tel 0161 637 7543 Mobile 07540652752
Nigel Rolland Tel 0161 339 3979 Mobile 07709056079
email nigel@paxmundi.info
Green Party Candidate Peter Allen and our Green Party campaign team will be leafleting in the Saddleworth area of the constituency on the following dates:
Sunday, 2nd jan meeting 11.00 at Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery
High Street (A670),Uppermill ,Oldham OL3 6HS.
Lifts available on Sunday from Greenfield Station by prior arrangement
10.43 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 11.06.
From Monday 3rd Jan to Friday 7th Jan we will be meeting daily 11.00 at Greenfield station, Shaw Hall Bank Rd, A669, Uppermill ,Oldham.
10.27 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 10.51.
Saturday 8th to be arranged, if you would be available please contact us.
Sunday, 9th Jan meeting at 11.00 at Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery
High Street (A670),Uppermill ,Oldham OL3 6HS.
Lifts available on Sunday from Greenfield Station by prior arrangement
10.43 train from Manchester Victoria arrives at Greenfield at 11.06.
For any Green Party members from other regions who may able to come and help there will be overnight accommodation available by arrangement if required.
For further details, directions or if you are available to leaflet on other dates or in other areas of Oldham east and Saddleworth please contact:
Ian Barker Tel 0161 637 7543 Mobile 07540652752
Nigel Rolland Tel 0161 339 3979 Mobile 07709056079
email nigel@paxmundi.info
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