Another death threat against Colombian social leader Alfamir Castillo

Alfamir Castillo is head of the Women’s Sugar Cane Cutters Committee in South West Colombia. She visited the UK at the invitation of UNISON Northern and Northern TUC in March, and told activists around the country about her situation and that of thousands like her in Colombia. Alfamir’s son was murdered by the Colombian army in February 2008. She has campaigned fearlessly for justice for the murder. Her quest has made her the victim of armed attacks, persecution and threats.

On 17 May, Alfamir received another death threat. Tomorrow, Friday 24 May, two army generals will go on trial in Colombia for their alleged role in the murder. Please act on War on Want’s call for online action and send an email to the Colombian government, demanding Alfamir’s protection.

PK

UNISON in HE calls on members to reject 1%

UNISON members in Higher Education are being consulted on a derisory 1% pay offer from the employers' representatives UCEA. The service group executive is recommending rejection of the offer which is one third of the current Retail Prices Index (RPI). UNISON will be looking to build on last year's narrow vote in favour of industrial action (50.3%) - which didn't lead to a pay strike because other HE unions failed to secure yes votes in ballots:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=3063

NHS residential care under threat in Northern Ireland

Public opposition in Northern Ireland to plans to privatise NHS residential homes has led to a temporary reprieve, with the Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA delaying the Government’s 'transforming your care' proposals which would have closed 18 NHS care homes:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/northern-irelands-care-homes-fight-goes-on-29246739.html

The parallel universe of Barnet - privatisation of regulation

Barnet Council is taking privatisation to a new level with its decision to outsource regulatory services to Capita. It seems that even an enabling council is too much for the Tory right's flagship council:
http://falseeconomy.org.uk/blog/barnet-council-hands-another-tranche-of-services-to-capita

Austerity Economics and the EU’s Fiscal Compact are indivisible

How should trade unionists respond to Tory in-fighting on the European Union (EU), in particular demands of the Tory right for a referendum? The TUC’s Owen Tudor writing on the Stronger Unions blog suggests that the focus of the debate should be switched from the EU to pinning the ‘blame for the economic woes facing families and communities – higher prices, lower or stagnant wages, rapidly worsening public services – on austerity economics, growing inequality and a tax system based on one rule for us and no rules for the rich’
http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2013/05/europe-while-tories-burn-unions-must-do-more-than-fiddle

100,000 demonstrate against austerity in Rome

‘We can't wait anymore’ was a popular slogan at yesterday’s trade union led demonstration in Rome. Italy’s prolonged economic crisis has been worsened by severe cuts in public services and a weakening of workers’ rights. Youth unemployment currently stands at a record 38%. "We need to start over with more investment. If we don't restart with public and private investments, there will no new jobs" said Maurizio Landini of the metalworkers union FIOM:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22581759

Big London protest to defend NHS

Over 5,000 health workers, trade unionists and health campaigners marched through London yesterday in defence of the NHS. The march concluded with a rally at Downing Street where campaigners from Ealing and Lewisham handed in a petition against cuts and hospital closures:
http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2013-05-18/nhs-campaigners-head-to-downing-street/
http://defendlondonsnhs.wordpress.com/

Beginning of the Century by Dorina Brândusa Landén

In this part of the world there aren’t mismatches.
The king is returning from hunting.
The Prime Minister is dining.
I have catarrh.
My legs treading on snow
leave black traces on the diffusing white
like a war photograph
where all the dead are the young.

Mirror highlights victimisation of NHS Union Reps

Victimisation of union reps during and in the immediate aftermath of industrial disputes is not unusual. But it's rare that a mass circulation national tabloid puts the case of the trade unionists. Paul Routledge writing in the Mirror exposes the anti union actions of management at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, where UNISON members are taking industrial action to resist pay cuts:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-routledge-nhs-bosses-putting-1893521

The Coin by Christopher Reid

Being dead, I was ready for
the journey. They put a coin,
one obol, the standard fare,
under my tongue – now still,
but not yet cold.