CoR Europe Against Austerity

Europe Against Austerity action conference
Sunday 21 October, 11am - 4:30pmAcross Europe millions of people are taking to the streets to demand an end to austerity. There is an urgent need to link up these struggles.

On the 21st October there will be a Europe Against Austerity conference organised by the Coalition of Resistance and hosted by Unite at their London headquarters.

This will be an important opportunity for trade unionists and anti-cuts activists to discuss plans for future common action. The conference is nearly full so please us know immediately if your organisation would like to send a delegate. The provisional agenda for the day is below.

We will be livestreaming this event from our website for those that cannot make it.

Reel News will be showing a series of films from the recent demonstrations in Spain and Greece and the Greece Solidarity Campaign will be showing the film of their delegation visit to Athens. Award winning campaign photographer Guy Smallman will present an exhibition of his work. Breakfast is being provided by the Communication Workers Union.

There will be an international bloc on the TUC demonstration with COR, the GSC and others linking up with CND and Stop the War Coalition.

If you can provide homestay accomodation for the Saturday night for one or two of the international delegates please contact us.

There will be a post-demo social with food and music at the new radical venue, Firebox, on Saturday evening.

11am - 12pm Breakfast and welcome by UNITE and CWU
with Jim Kelly and Steve Bell

1) 12 - 1pm: Eurocrisis - Into the abyss?
Elisabeth Gauthier, Transform/PCF
James Meadway, New Economics Foundation
Stathis Kouvelakis Syriza
Myriam Bourgy CADTM
Chair: Andrew Burgin / Myriam Djegham

2) a: 1.15pm - 2.30pm: The shape of the resistance
Dimitris Gkinis OLME
Christophe Ventura / Danielle Obono Front de Gauche
Kevin Courtney NUT
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Vladimir Nehu SUD Sante
Chair: Chris Nineham / Attac France

b: No to neoliberal education
Alex Kenny NUT
Haralambos Kokkinos DOE
Student representatives
Chair: Jane Shallice

3) 3 - 4.15pm: Actions, co-operation and the the timeline to Athens 2013
Marisa Matias Bloco MEP [European Left Party]
Fred Leplat CoR
Dot Gibson NPC [personal capacity]
Natalie Bennett Green Party UK
Felipe Van Keirsbilck JSC
Chair: Kate Hudson / Anders Svesson [Sweden]

7 Oct 2012,:URGENT - -help The Ecosocialist APPEAL FROM GREEN LEFT

7 Oct 2012,:URGENT - -help The Ecosocialist APPEAL FROM GREEN LEFT

Dear GL members,

Thank you to everyone who has pledged their support for the production of our first tabloid  THE ECOSOCIALIST planned for distribution on OCT 20TH at the TUC march and rally.

We want our first paper to be attractive and well laid out ! 

We are nearly there (thanks to Doug for all his late nights) - but with more space it will look a lot better.

We need a few more donations of £20 / £10 / £5 so that we can make this tabloid really good looking)

Give us your money - now !  (as they say). We have a lot of work to do and only so many hours left to complete this project !

Please send donations to Doug Rouxel who is acting for Green left as Treasurer/co-ordinator of this project

account name    Douglas Rouxel

sort code             30-96-35

account number  15534368

If you prefer you can make your donations to Green left (please specify clearly that they are intended for THE ECOSOCIALIST planned for distribution on OCT 20^TH.)

send a cheque, made to Green Left to: Peter Allen(GL Treasurer) , 8 Slatelands Rd, Glossop, SK13 6LH.

OR payments can be made directly into the GL bank account (details below):

acc name GREEN LEFT Co-operative bank, PO Box 250 , Delf House, Southway, SKELMERSDALE WN8 6WT sort code 089299 acc 65284751

Thank You !

Romayne Phoenix Green Left Co-Convenor
Howard Thorpe     Green Left Co-Convenor
Pete Murry             Green Left Secretary   

Doug Rouxel         Green Left Media Officer
Martin O' Beirne    Green Left Website Editor

PS A full financial report on “The Ecosocialist” will go to the next general meeting.

Derby Climate Coalition:all day event in Derby on Saturday the 13th of October

Dear Friends

Derby Climate Coalition have organised an all day event  in Derby on Saturday  the 13^th of October at St Peter’s Church, Derby, 10 am to 4 pm. This will be  supported by a  fascinating array of local and national organisations, and isn’t just about the climate. It’s about the economy, and the alternative to austerity. It is about massive investment in renewables. While we will have some extremely highly respected speakers, including the economist Ann Pettifor, there will be plenty of opportunities to swap experiences and learn from, and indeed inspire.

The Alliance for Jobs and Climate and Move  Your Money and the Midlands Co-operative and the Million Climate Jobs Campaign are supporting this event. For more details see  http://jobsandclimate.org/news/ and to book a place contactderbyclimatecoalition@gmail.com.

The Alliance for Jobs and Climate  and Move  Your Money are also asking people in other areas if they would like to organise similar event.  For further information go and seehttp://jobsandclimate.org/invitation-to-set-up-meetings-in-your-area/ (which is also included below).

All the best

Peter Robinson

UK Regional Event Program: An Economy for the 99%

Background: The Alliance for Jobs and Climate was created in the Houses of Parliament in January 2012 with a mandate for pursuing decent jobs for all, and a massive shift to a renewables based economy.

Move your Money UK was launched in February 2012 on the back of a hugely successful campaign in the USA which saw 10 million customers switch their bank accounts from major banks to credit unions, building societies, mutual, and ethical banks. Since the campaign was launched, half a million UK customers have moved their money.

The Alliance for Jobs and Climate and Move your Money with support from the co-operative movement, UK Uncut and activists within the Trade Union movement are proposing a series of regional events to discuss the alternatives to the Governments ideologically driven austerity program, and to showcase positive economic alternatives accessible to UK citizens looking to make positive change in their communities, whilst tackling the urgent threat of climate change.

The Economy for the 99% event(s) will form new, and consolidate existing social-networks, establishing the basis of a continuing national conversation on alternative economic models, job creation, and solutions to the climate crisis involving the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies.

The Economy for the 99% events are expected to draw between 50-150 people, featuring speakers from a range of organisations including trade unions, the co-operative  movement, ethical finance, and local organisations and campaigns.

Objectives: The objective of the Economy for the 99% events are to explore the social and environmental consequences of austerity, and to articulate and debate the alternatives – providing case studies and resources to empower people to take effective action and make a positive difference within their own communities. The intention is for the major national organisations to share their agendas, establishing a template for a series of regional events.

Building from below: here is a need for national organisations to generate and find local supporter and a primary motive  is to to foster support networks and to stimulate local actions. In addition we are concerned with translating local action into leverage over the key ‘upstream actors. This will require engaging people not just with local actions, but with the question of what a movement bridging different sectors might  look like.

The Economy for the 99% events would call upon local organisations to network and facilitate event(s) and to run workshops and set up stalls.The Alliance and Move your Money will be only too happy to help plan the events with you.

Organisational Support:

We expect participating partner organisations to publicise events, provide their logos, provide speakers and literature, and to identify people in the regions who are prepared to build the events. Financial contributions are being sought.

Publicity: A template leaflet is attached.

Publicity: For further information and liaison emailalliance@jobsandclimate.org  or phone Peter Robinson on 07876595993. 

Greens support Barnfield FE College UCU strike

Two Green Left members, Marc Scheimann and myself, joined striking teachers on the picket line this morning at a Luton college, Barnfield FE College. We were the only political support on the picket, and have got excellent local media coverage including local radio. The official UCU picket, with about 50 lecturers, covered all access routes to the campus. I was on the picket from 7.00 to 10.00 am. Students were extremely supportive, taking our leaflets and stickers, with motorists honking support. The strike is over new contracts with increased teaching hours, imposed by a vicious predatory management, working directly with Gove, aiming to set up a privatised federation of the college, academies and free schools. The principal has just been knighted. Recent attempts to sell off a large Luton playing field around Barnfield College have been temporarily halted, after tremendous local community opposition, supported by Luton & Bedfordshire Green Party. I fear the government are using Barnfield as a showcase and template to roll out elswhere. Malcolm Bailey

An opportunity for ALL opponents of NHS cuts and closures

An opportunity for ALL opponents of NHS cuts and closures to come together to defend our health services. London Keep Our NHS Public is calling for this to be a London wide protest. For us in NW London, it is a chance before the consultation ends to show our solidarity. We will NOT give in to pressure to choose one A & E department over another or one hospital over another. Yes, we need better services out of hospital. Yes, we need services which will support people so that they don't need to be admitted, but we need our hospitals too. Please join the demo.

MONDAY 8th OCTOBER - PRESENTING OUR PETITION 12.30 pm Outside the Department of Health in Whitehall, then to NHS NW London HQ in Victoria St. BRING BANNERS or COME IN BANDAGES: Don't make a Casualty of our NHS This will be an opportunity to get more publicity for our campaign and to tell NHS NW London that our campaign is not over yet. We will keep on fighting for our health services.

On Saturday 20 October trade unions and anti-cuts campaigners will be marching for 'A Future That Works'. The Green Party is supporting and taking part in this demo. Many Greens have been involved in anti-cuts campaigns across London. We have also been calling for 'Green New Deal' investments to create jobs, steer the economy onto a sustainable path whilst addressing the climate and energy crisis. But is a Green voice getting across on these issues? Do we need to talk more about job creation, public investment and mutual models for the economy? The meeting will discuss these issues, share anti-cuts campaigning experience from across London, and help to build a strong, visible Green presence for the demo on 20 October. Contributions from Green Parties across London - especially on local anti-cuts campaigning. Hope to see you there ie at London Green Party, 56-64 Development House, Leonard Street, EC2A 4LT on Monday, October 15, 2012, 6:00pm - 7:20pm. Danny

Solidarity with the workers of Greece on General Strike,

Comrades and friends This Wednesday, 26 September, the Greece Solidarity Campaign asks you to bring your banners and stand in solidarity with the workers of Greece on General Strike, at 5.30, outside the Greek Embassy, 1A Holland Park, Notting Hill, London W11 3TP (nearest tube Holland Park on the central line). Aλληλεγγύη και φιλία - solidarity and friendship ~paul~