Italian workers strike against Government economic and immigration policies‏

A million workers from the public and private sector took part in a 4 hour general Strike yesterday in Italy. The protest led by the CGIL trade union confederation was called in opposition to the economic policies of the reactionary Berlusconi led Government. Italian workers are facing rising unemployment, punitive taxes. An end to the victimisation of migrant workers was a major demand at rallies held across many Italian cities.

TUC explodes public sector pay myths‏

The TUC has published a timely briefing for trade unionists 'exploding public sector pay myths' which looks at the implications of pay freezes in the public sector. It also takes on the pundits who say that pay restraint is justified on the grounds that public sector wages are outstripping the private sector: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/speakuppay.pdf

Being a Human Being by Tom Leonard‏

(for Mordechai Vanunu)
not to be complicit
not to accept everyone else is silent it must be alright

Support Notting Hill housing staff action‏

On Monday, UNISON members in Notting Hill Housing Group are taking industrial action, regarding changes to terms and conditions being imposed by their employer. The changes will save the employer very little money and appear to be ideologically driven - their chief exec is a Tory adviser.

Global e-petition on financial transactions tax‏

A global electronic petition in favour of the financial transactions tax addressed to G20 leaders is currently underway. Many trade unionists in different countries have signed on. The English version is below. The petition can be accessed in 12 languages and signed through the following web site: http://www.makefinancework.org/

TUC: International Inspiration – Joyce Moloi-Moropa

ANC MP, Chair, Parliamentary Committee on Public Services, Deputy chair, South African Communist Party:  Joyce was the international speaker at the Women’s TUC in Eastbourne, and spoke of the part that women played and continue to play in restructuring South Africa.

Venezuela: Another View‏

Letter carried in Scotsman yesterday in response to critical comment on Venezuela: In your vitriolic attacks on Venezuela, you seem incapable of accepting that another world is possible.

Women's TUC condemns far right misogny and racism‏

The Women's TUC condemned the BNP and other Far Right parties, such as the National Front and English Defence League's, politics of hate and division. The BNP's views on women are horrying - BNP London Organiser, Nick Eriksen says "rape is simply sex. Women enjoy sex so rape cannot be such a terrible physical ordeal. It's like being force-fed chocolate".

TUC: UNISON INTERACTIVE………

One of the traditions of the TUC Women’s Conference is the final evening social. Every union delegation graces the stage and performs a song. Anxious to ensure that the brothers don’t miss out on this experience, we print the words of the UNISON ditty below. You all know the tune, don’t you? So at nine o’clock tonight, sit in front of your laptop and join in, wherever you are.. You will be singing for socialism…..

Powerful protests against austerity measures in Greece‏

For the third time in a month, a 24 hour general strike has taken place in Greece – the FT reports that ‘the latest strike marked an unusual show of solidarity between ADEDY, the public sector union; GSEE, a federation of private sector unions; and PAME, the communist-led union, which together represent almost half the country’s 5m workforce. Public sector workers face across-the-board pay cuts of about 7 per cent this year including an unprecedented 30 per cent reduction in Easter, summer and Christmas bonuses’.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b1094090-2cfd-11df-8025-00144feabdc0.html?