Unions mobilise against public spending cuts in Spain‏

Earlier this week, many thousands of workers protested across Spain against both government spending cuts and plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 67.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8533244.stm

Breaking news - Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Council nominates Dave Prentis‏

The regional council of UNISON’s third largest region, Yorkshire & Humberside, met today in Wakefield. The AGM of the 130 000 strong region decisively backed Dave Prentis in the UNISON General Secretary election by a margin of 3 to 1.

Cuts dominate UNISON Higher Education service group conference

For the second week running a UNISON national conference convened in Gateshead in the Northern region. Yesterday 200+ delegates and visitors assembled for the annual conference of UNISON’s 38000 strong higher education service group.

The Doorbell by Adrian Mitchell‏

I was in bed, the silvery light of dawn
blessing our quiet suburban street,
when the window darkened,
and the doorbell rang.

UNISON condemns gas company super profits‏

This week’s announcement that British Gas retail business has made huge profits up 58 per cent at £595m has been condemned by energy unions GMB and UNISON.

Non-offer on pay sparks anger from Scottish council staff‏

Unions representing around 150,000 Scottish Council staff have reacted angrily to the employers' dismissal - without negotiation - of their pay claim for 3% for 2010-2011. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2010/janfeb/2502.htm

Higher Education service group nominates Dave Prentis for GS‏

The UNISON Higher Education service group executive today nominated Dave Prentis for General Secretary. The executive of the 38 000 strong service group was meeting in the north east ahead of its 2010 service group conference which is being held tomorrow in Gateshead.
Why we're backing Dave Prentis . Dave Prentis election website

Does Brown the (alleged) Bully Matter?

“The psychology of the men at the top has mattered more than any previous government” states Andrew Rawnsley, in defence of his new tome, “The End of the Party”. This is the book in which Gordon Brown is taken to task as a bully and a harasser, if the media headlines that followed are to be believed.

Social care members ‘give this union its ethos’, says Prentis as seminar speaks up for services

150 social care and home care members from across the UK gathered in Manchester over the last two days to share experiences, learn from each other and re-focus on the fight to protect services, the workers who provide them and the people who depend on them.

UNISON 2010 Women's Conference - setting the agenda for the election

National Women’s Conference 2010 helped set the agenda for UNISON’s priorities post the general election, with a strong emphasis on our core campaigning and workplace issues, and what they mean to our women members.

Stand up and whinge, says Bick

UNISON Lothian Health's e-newsletter carries a great report on a speech by Rodney Bickerstaffe, ex General Secretary of UNISON, at the Branch's 2010 Annual General Meeting  earlier this week. Rodney spoke passionately about his beliefs, the trade union movement, pensioners & pensions and international matters.

10 Skills of Organising - a response‏

Some thoughts about the recruitment process of UNISON area and local organisers arising from this debate:

Water, Environment & Transport Service Group backs Dave Prentis‏

Another UNISON service group leadership has backed Dave Prentis in the General Secretary election. The executive of the 12 500 strong Water, Environment & Transport Service Group unanimously agreed to nominate Dave at a meeting in London today.

More Gen Sec election posts . Dave's website

General strike in Greece and massive demonstrations‏

From the ETUC:  Europe’s unions fully support the general strike in Greece and ask Eurozone Ministers to go for realistic and socially acceptable plans.

UNISON pension scheme members mobilise for environmentally responsible investment‏

UNISON is supporting a nation-wide coalition of organisations to begin an unprecedented mobilisation of pension fund members and the public to petition their pension funds in support of oil sands resolutions due to be voted on at the BP and Shell AGMs this Spring.

Slough privatises libraries!‏

One of the few Labour controlled council’s in the south of England (and a much heralded ‘gain’ in 2008), Slough Borough Council, is demeaning its public service credentials by advertising a 5 year (extendable up to a total of 8 years) contract for £16.6 million for its Libraries (4 branch libraries and a home library service, with 2 more satellite libraries planned). http://www.publictenders.net/tender/48263
Let’s see who bids – Waterstones? Books ‘r’ Us? WH Smiths? Amazon?

Israel lobby counter offensive against Irish Palestine solidarity‏

The Irish trade union movement, north and south, has won international labour movement respect and the gratitude of Palestinian people for the leading role it has played in promoting boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) of Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

What Has Happened? by Bertolt Brecht‏

The industrialist is having his aeroplane serviced.
The priest is wondering what he said in his sermon eight weeks ago
about tithes.
The generals are putting on civvies and looking like bank clerks.

Scotland Utd Two Racists/Fascists Nil‏

TWO NIL TO SCOTLAND- THANKYOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Anti-fascist protesters march through Edinburgh Video: Scottish Defence League members forced to leave city by police.
http://video.stv.tv/?bcpid=37654293001&bclid=0&bctid=67644151001
Mike Kirby