Oppose TTIP in principle – it has no redeeming features

#A18DoA #NoTTIP Today is a Global Day of Action against free trade and investment treaties. Over 25 protests are planned in Britain including a major event ‘Democracy vs TTIP’ at Shepherds Bush Common, London:
https://www.globaltradeday.org/
     Many trade unionists will have been disappointed to see Labour include in its General Election manifesto support for the 'principles behind the negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Treaty (TTIP)’. Although it goes on to say that a Labour Government ‘will hold the European Commission to account on issues of concern, including the impact on public services and the Investor to State Dispute Settlement Mechanism. And we will ensure the NHS is protected from the TTIP treaty’, this is a massive and unacceptable capitulation to the competition and deregulation agenda of the EU and US:
http://www.waronwant.org/news/latest-news/18306-ttip-where-the-parties-stand

As TTIP danger looms larger - take action on 11 October

#noTTIP Discussions between EU and US officials on the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are ‘making progress’ according to a BBC report. Widespread opposition to the inclusion of public services appear to be yielding concessions although the final outcome remains to be seen as the talks are clouded in secrecy and texts of the draft treaty are not available for public scrutiny. On Saturday 11 October there will be a European day of action against TTIP with protests organised in many places across Britain.

Austerity wrecks lives - Manchester march and rally tomorrow

North West unions are organising a demonstration against austerity in Manchester tomorrow. Assemble Castlefield Arena (off Deansgate) at 11AM. Speakers include Dave Prentis and Christine Blower NUT General Secretary. UNISON Regional Convenor Angela Rayner called on branches and members to support the mobilisation saying 'we know that austerity has a tremendously negative impact on our public services, welfare state, jobs and wages. We need to demonstrate to show the current Government (and any future Government) that we’re not prepared to accept permanent austerity'
http://www.unisonnw.org/sat6sep/
http://www.unisonnw.org/we-need-to-break-the-chains-of-austerity/

Stand up for Gaza Edinburgh Comedy Gig

Wednesday 20 August at 22:00: New Empire Bingo, 50 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DT
MC: Imran Yusuf
* Josie Long
* Paul McCaffrey
* Nick Revell
* Rob Deering
and more!!!
   FREE event. Donations accepted at the end of the show.
War on Want https://www.facebook.com/events/712696162158186/

Another anti austerity demonstration, another media blackout

Over 50,000 attended yesterday’s London demonstration organised by the People’s Assembly against austerity and speakers included media celebrity Russell Brand. Once again a protest against government cuts received minimal coverage from national broadcasters. Last September’s Manchester demonstration in defence of the NHS received the same censorship treatment even though news organisations were in town in force to cover the Tory Party conference.

There is a long history of structural bias in the UK media against trade unions and the left. It will not change unless unions work together to confront it argued Tom O’Malley at the recent UCU Congress: ‘all unions, in all sectors, have to work together to formulate communications policies that are coherent and workable and which can gain widespread popular support as well influence in mainstream politics.

 

'I also think that all unions should, even in these economically exacting times, support campaigning organisations such as the CPBF. History therefore tells us that we should work together to challenge the structural biases in the media, and seek a much more inclusive, open and accountable. In so doing, we will be building on the thoughts and struggles of women and men in the movement, who for the last 100 years have been forced by necessity to confront and challenge the media, and work for something better.’

TTIP - a transfer of power to transnational capital

#stopTTIP UNISON, War on Want, WDM, and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation are holding an event in London on 10 July to raise awareness of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) which threatens to be the greatest transfer of power to transnational capital in a generation. A new UNISON briefing explains the proposed trade deal between the US and the European Union and recommends actions to block its planned introduction in 2015:

Campaigning for Palestine - A trade union conference

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is organising a conference for delegates from trade unions, sponsored by the TUC, on Saturday 5 April. It will hear about the latest developments from speakers, including trade unionists, from Palestine and from the trade union and solidarity movement in Britain. It will take place at the TUC, Congress House, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3LS
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/events/campaigning-palestine-trade-union-conference/

Town Hall pay squeeze - enough is enough

#NJCPay2014 Today local government workers will be holding local protests across the UK to highlight the effects of a long term squeeze on pay and the catastrophic impact of austerity cuts on local services. Heather Wakefield UNISON head of local government, writing on the TUC stronger unions blog, said: 'The key aim of our Day of Protest is to draw attention to the 18% drop in basic pay faced by our members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2010. That's the consequence of a unique three-year pay freeze and below-inflation settlements in eight of the last sixteen years:
http://strongerunions.org/2014/02/03/fair-pay-in-local-government-local-public-servants-are-worth-it/

Remember Gaza, Break the Siege - Vigil 18 January 2014

At 12 noon on Saturday 18 January 2014 a protest vigil is being organised outside the Israeli Embassy in London to mark five years on from the end of Israel’s 2008/9 massacre in Gaza. The event has been organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and a coalition of organisations including trade unions, and will call for justice for the victims of Israel’s brutal aggression against a defenceless people and for an end to the continuing siege on Gaza:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/events/protest-5-years-from-the-end-of-israels-20089-massacre-in-gaza/

End Violence against Women

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. According to a 2013 WHO global study, 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence but some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime from an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights.
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women

Jack Jones' Annual Lecture

On 14 November (6PM) the National Pensioners’ Education & Welfare Centre will be holding the Jack Jones’ annual lecture in Unite head office, Holborn, London. TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will address ‘The Challenges We Face’ in the centenary year of Jack Jones’ birth. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Manchester remembers Peterloo

Progressive actor Maxine Peake led yesterday's commemoration of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre by reading out the names of the 15 protesters killed by the army at the Manchester demonstration for political rights. The massacre was a seminal moment in the peoples history of Britain and Maxine backed a call by local campaigners for Piccadilly Station to be renamed Peterloo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_jaLfyGrBI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/story/2013-08-15/peterloo-memorial-ceremony/#maxine-leads-tribute-to-massacre-victims_246683
http://www.peterloomassacre.org/index.html

UNISON deplores SDL festival march

UNISON's City of Edinburgh Branch has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the decision to allow an SDL march during the International Festival. Using its blog, facebook and twitter, the branch is campaigning to build the widest support among members, festival goers and artists for the counter demonstration this Saturday. The statement by Andy Barnett, branch secretary, is below.

Durham - a reminder of our collective strength

The massive turnout at yesterday’s 129th Durham Miners Gala proved once again why it is the key event in the labour movement calendar bringing together trade unionists, political activists and other campaigning organisations to show the collective voice and strength of ordinary people.
   We should never forget our collective history, whilst looking to change the future - the 'Big Meeting' is a political event which reminds us of our collective strength.
   Speakers including TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and Mirror journalist Kevin Maguire hammered home this point in well received speeches. A contingent of UNISON strikers from Future Directions in Rochdale received great support on the march:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10546842.Fun_in_the_sun_for_50_000_plus__as_police_hail_Durham_Miners__Gala_a_huge_success/

UNISON Eastern's Big Weekend

The union's 20th anniversary and the NHS's 65 anniversary is being celebrated in style by UNISON members in Eastern region this weekend. The UNISON Birthday Big Weekend (AKA The Big Weekend) – is taking place from today, Friday, July 5 until Sunday, July 7 on Parker’s Piece in honour of UNISON’S 20th birthday. Rodney Bickerstaffe the first elected General Secretary of UNISON is the keynote speaker to launch the event:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Whats-on-leisure/Choice/Your-complete-guide-to-the-Unison-Big-Weekend-20130703133541.htm
http://www.unisoneastern.org.uk/campaigns/events/unisons-20th-big-birthday-weekend

Save our NHS - all roads lead to MCR on 29 September!

#undc13 The Con Dem coalition poses the biggest threat to the existence of the NHS in its 65 year history - a theme which ran through many debates at conference and was fully addressed by Composite D on NHS Campaigning. The motion was moved by Debra Turner (pictured) of Central Lancashire health branch who called on members to 'work with other trade unions, patient groups, community organisations to fight for the future of the NHS. We need to take our message and our vision to our communities'.  Debra's full speech can be read below...
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news-articles/conference-says-nhs-privatisation-gravy-train-must-be-stopped

International Cleaners Day Sweeps the World

UNI Global union reported that its Action Day for Cleaners has brought out protests and actions all over the world as expected and some are still taking place now. The action was called by a network of shop stewards employed by ISS the Danish multi national (which has many cleaning contracts in the NHS)

Public meeting: Celebrating Ecuador’s Citizens’ Revolution - No to intervention

Tuesday 12 February, 7pm, Bolivar Hall, 54–56 Grafton Way, London, W1T 5DL (Nearest tube Warren St).
Speakers include:
• José María Guijarro, adviser to the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister
• Robin Blackburn, author and writer who recently interviewed President Correa for New Left Review

Support Palestinians Under Attack in Gaza

Protests are being organised across the UK against Israel’s inhumane bombing campaign against defenceless Palestinians blockaded in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign website provides details of the many protests taking place today and tomorrow: http://palestinecampaign.org/
index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=106&Content_ID=2890

14 November 2012: European Day of Action and Solidarity

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for a European Day of Action and Solidarity for employment and against austerity on 14 November.