The wrong target - Public sector pay cuts in EU states

A study by LRD looking at cuts in public sector pay across the European Union (EU) shows that the impact of the cuts has been very substantial.

Govenment defeat on AV Bill

The Government has suffered a defeat on the issue of a threshold for the AV referendum. Tory and Labour peers - plus one bishop - joined forces to win by one vote an amendment calling for a 40% threshold for any vote.

Bosses lobby moving in for the kill

As part of a package of an attack on individual and collective employment rights, the right wing bosses organisation the Institute of Directors (IoD) has launched an attack on collective bargaining in the education and health services: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12378565

TUC protest in support of Egyptian workers - Tuesday 8 February

On Saturday demonstrations were held across Britain in solidarity with the Egyptian peoples demands for democracy and social change: http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/news/173-news/9857-solidarity-with-egyptian-revolution-protest-reports-images-and-video

The People of the Woods ARISE!

A growing revolt is in full swing in the English Countryside. Rural Communities are banding together to take direct action to prevent the Tory/Lib Dem privatisation of England's great forests. http://country-standard.blogspot.com/2011/02/people-of-woods-arise.html

North West regional council meets in Preston

At yesterday UNISON's North West, union President Angela Lynes launched a blistering attack on the Con Dem's destruction of public services, speaking movingly of the massive damage they are doing across the country to working families. She also blasted David Cameron’s attempt at building harmony by attacking multiculturalism.

Hands off May Day

The FT Westminster blog reports that the Con Dem Government is proposing to scrap the May Day bank holiday: http://blogs.ft.com/westminster/2011/02/coalition-proposes-moving-may-1-bank-holiday-to-the-autumn/

Leeds fight to save centres that save lives

UNISON is campaigning to save two mental health day centres and a crisis centre in Leeds from closure. A public meeting against the cuts has been organised for Tuesday 8 Feb, 2pm at the Civic Hall in Leeds with a demo on 11 Feb.

Solidarity with the Egyptian people

The Scottish Council of UNISON, representing 160,000 workers in the public services in Scotland, meeting in Glasgow 5 February, has declared its support for, and stands with, the people of Egypt, in their demands for an end to repression of legitimate protest, in favour of democratic rights and political reform. See below for Edinburgh and Glasgow demos...

Sometimes, the Heart Yearns for Mangoes by Jose Maria Sison

March 30, 1994
Sometimes, the heart yearns
For mangoes where there are apples,
For orchids where there are tulips,
For warmth, where it is cold,
For mountainous islands,
Where there is flatland.