UNISON NEC Elections - North West Region

Vote Tracey Delaney, Carol Lukey, Bob Oram and Glen Williams: All of UNISON - staff and activists - must make protection of members our number one priority in this coming period. We face unprecedented challenges as the Tories and their Liberal allies seek to roll back the state and forever change the face of public services in this country.

Libraries - amenities or necessities?

A many as 400 local libraries are at risk from closure as a result of Con Dem austerity cuts. See voices for the library blog for up-to date news on local library campaigns and closures:http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/

Ireland at austerity breaking point - ICTU

In a case of chickens coming home to roost, the europhile Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned that Ireland is close to exceeding the limits to 'political acceptability of austerity' and that the EU and European Central Bank are "not without responsibility" for the current crisis in Ireland:http://www.businessworld.ie/livenews.htm?a=2765357;s=rollingnews.htm

Joan Miró: The Ladder of Escape

Tate Modern in London has a retrospective exhibition of the works of the Catalonian painter Joan Miró running through the summer from 14th April until 11th September. One theme of the exhibition is the 'political engagement' of his work during the Spanish Civil War and the World Wars. The exhibition also shows later works from the long period of the Franco regime when Miro refused to contribute to or accept involvement with the dictator or his state and saw his role as "... untying of all oppressions, all prejudices and all false established values..."

I Would Like to Be a Dot in a Painting by Miro by Moniza Alvi‏

Barely distinguishable from other dots,
it's true, but quite uniquely placed.
And from my dark centre

Survey highlights shocking impact of poverty on school pupils

The BBC reports that more than three-quarters of 627 primary,secondary and college teachers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who responded to a survey believed they taught pupils living in poverty. And about 40% said the problem had increased since the recession. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/education-13081777

Tax Dodgers Alliance , Lies & Mileage Rates‏

Chris Tansley responds angrily to a one sided BBC piece today based on a press release from those tax dodgers the Taxpayers Alliance. The story was about council workers' car mileage rates. http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/home/2011/04/tpa-research-council-mileage-spending.html

Affiliated union members connect Labour to its support base

Seumas Milne, writing in the Guardian, reviews the balance of political forces in the Ed Miliband Labour Party. Rather than a recidivist embrace of New Labour's neo liberal agenda he argues that improved internal democracy can revitalise Labour - and enhanced rights for union members can be an essential component:

New Era begins for UNISON - report of NEC 13 April 2011

We christened the new UNISON building today with a National Executive Council, held days before the formal move of the staff from Mabledon Place. President Angela Lynes described it as "a stunning new centre for our organisation and one which will hopefully last for generations to come". An ambitious but financially prudent move, the new centre is already a landmark in the capital and a credit to everyone involved. http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=6762

Bay of Pigs 50th Anniversary celebrated in London

Commander Victor Dreke Cruz “ is one of the pillars on which I relied “ wrote Ernesto Che Guevara after a mission to Africa in the mid 60’s . An incredibly humble but passionate man, this outstanding veteran of the Cuban revolution shared his experience and thoughts in a rapturously received speech at the National Union of Teachers headquarters in London on Tuesday night.