Friday 5 July 2013
NHS - 65th Birthday Party on the beach at Weston super Mare
Here's a photo from today courtesy of Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary, South West TUC
Friday 21 June 2013
Weston Hospital Anti-Privatisation Campaign - Organising Meeting on 2nd July
In order to develop a strategy to fight the Privatisation of Weston General Hospital, we have arranged an organising meeting for all interested parties. The details are:
Tuesday 2nd July
7 - 9 pm
Upstairs room at Weston Working Men’s Club
6 - 10 Orchard Street
Weston-Super-Mare
BS23 1RQ
If you have any good ideas and want to contribute, or if you want to help oppose this threat, please come along.
Tuesday 2nd July
7 - 9 pm
Upstairs room at Weston Working Men’s Club
6 - 10 Orchard Street
Weston-Super-Mare
BS23 1RQ
If you have any good ideas and want to contribute, or if you want to help oppose this threat, please come along.
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Monday 3 June 2013
TUC Austerity Uncovered Bus in Weston super Mare on 29th June
COME ALONG AND TELL YOUR STORY ABOUT HOW THE CUTS ARE AFFECTING YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR COMMUNITY
SATURDAY 29th JUNE
WESTON SUPER MARE
9.30 am - 2.30 pm at Weston Football Club, Winterstoke Road, Weston super Mare, BS24 9AA
3 - 5 pm at the For All Healthy Living Centre, 68 Lonsdale Avenue, Weston super Mare, BS23 3SJ
Britain is hurting. Too many politicians have no idea just how tough life is for the many. Prices are rising while wages are held back. Service cuts are biting hard. And getting tough on cheats is used as an excuse to cut vital benefits and tax credits for millions who have played by the rules.
In June 2013, the TUC and Britain’s trade unions will be travelling across the country letting people tell their own story about life in Britain today. We are making videos, blogging what we find, and bringing journalists to report life on the front line of austerity Britain.
We are gathering the evidence to convict government policies. They are hurting, but they are not working.
Download the flyer here
More information at: http://austerityuncovered.org/
Thursday 30 May 2013
Unite the Resistance Bristol Event - 8th June
Unite the Resistance Bristol Event
Saturday 8 June, 12 - 4pm
Ashley Down Centre, City of Bristol College, Refectory, Ashley Down Road, Bristol BS7 9BU
Speakers include:
Jane Aitchison, PCS and Unite the Resistance Joint National Secretary
Anne Lemon, NUT National Executive
Liz Lawrence, UCU National Vice President
Kevin Beazer, CWU South West Regional Secretary (on behalf of the general secretary)
Andy Wilkes, Leading Unite rank and file electrician from the recent dispute that beat the BESNA pay attack
Kevin Doogan, Author of New Capitalism? The Transformation of Work
Phil Chamberlain, UWE academic and investigative journalist into blacklisting
Rob Murthwaite, Disabled People Against Cuts
Support Stafford Hospital, Leading organiser of 30,000 strong march to save the A&E
Some speakers are appearing in a personal capacity
Download the flyer here
Saturday 8 June, 12 - 4pm
Ashley Down Centre, City of Bristol College, Refectory, Ashley Down Road, Bristol BS7 9BU
Speakers include:
Jane Aitchison, PCS and Unite the Resistance Joint National Secretary
Anne Lemon, NUT National Executive
Liz Lawrence, UCU National Vice President
Kevin Beazer, CWU South West Regional Secretary (on behalf of the general secretary)
Andy Wilkes, Leading Unite rank and file electrician from the recent dispute that beat the BESNA pay attack
Kevin Doogan, Author of New Capitalism? The Transformation of Work
Phil Chamberlain, UWE academic and investigative journalist into blacklisting
Rob Murthwaite, Disabled People Against Cuts
Support Stafford Hospital, Leading organiser of 30,000 strong march to save the A&E
Some speakers are appearing in a personal capacity
Download the flyer here
Thursday 25 April 2013
Congratulations to our Secretary on his re-election as Chair of the South West TUC
Richard Capps, the Secretary of Weston & North Somerset Trades Union Council, has been re-elected as Chair of the South West TUC. Congratulations to Richard and also to Rosie McGregor from the White Horse Trades Union Council.
Friday 12 April 2013
Sign the petition for a Living Wage in North Somerset
The Weston & North Somerset Trades Union Council, which is a joint trade union group representing workers in transport, communications, local government, teaching and the civil service, has today launched a petition to urge North Somerset Council to adopt the Living Wage and use its influence as a community leader to encourage employers across North Somerset to pay their staff the living wage.
Research by the South West TUC released during Living Wage Week (November 4 – 10, 2012) showed that 26% of workers (22,463) in North Somerset earn less than £7.20 an hour – the lowest rate that campaigners believe supports a decent standard of living outside London. From November 2012 the Living Wage was increased to £7.45 an hour.
The Living wage has many benefits. First of all it lifts families out of in work poverty - it is a very depressing fact that of all the children living in poverty in the UK over half of them (55%) live in a family where at least one parent is working. Many of the people who regularly use our local foodbank are also in work. Paying the living wage will have economic benefits for the district and the country as a whole. The extra income in people’s pockets translates into extra spending in the local economy, thereby stimulating demand and ensuring local businesses remain sustainable. In addition paying the living wage results in massive savings to the costs of the benefits bill in terms of reduced spending on working tax credits, child tax credits, housing benefit and council tax benefit. Currently we have a situation where the taxpayer is actually subsidising employers who pay their staff low wages. Employers who have implemented the living wage have also found that it encourages higher quality of work, and makes workers more willing to implement changes in their working practices. Businesses who have implemented the living wage have seen benefits including: improved recruitment and retention of staff, less absenteeism, and increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer.
Sign the petition now by following this link: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/a-living-wage-for-north-somerset.html
You can also download paper copies of the petition to print out and take into your workplace here.
If you are an organisation who would like to sign up to our campaign please download our Campaign Statement here.
Signed campaign statements and petitions can be returned to Living Wage North Somerset Campaign, c/o UNISON Office, Town Hall, Weston super Mare, BS23 1UJ
Research by the South West TUC released during Living Wage Week (November 4 – 10, 2012) showed that 26% of workers (22,463) in North Somerset earn less than £7.20 an hour – the lowest rate that campaigners believe supports a decent standard of living outside London. From November 2012 the Living Wage was increased to £7.45 an hour.
The Living wage has many benefits. First of all it lifts families out of in work poverty - it is a very depressing fact that of all the children living in poverty in the UK over half of them (55%) live in a family where at least one parent is working. Many of the people who regularly use our local foodbank are also in work. Paying the living wage will have economic benefits for the district and the country as a whole. The extra income in people’s pockets translates into extra spending in the local economy, thereby stimulating demand and ensuring local businesses remain sustainable. In addition paying the living wage results in massive savings to the costs of the benefits bill in terms of reduced spending on working tax credits, child tax credits, housing benefit and council tax benefit. Currently we have a situation where the taxpayer is actually subsidising employers who pay their staff low wages. Employers who have implemented the living wage have also found that it encourages higher quality of work, and makes workers more willing to implement changes in their working practices. Businesses who have implemented the living wage have seen benefits including: improved recruitment and retention of staff, less absenteeism, and increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer.
Sign the petition now by following this link: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/a-living-wage-for-north-somerset.html
You can also download paper copies of the petition to print out and take into your workplace here.
If you are an organisation who would like to sign up to our campaign please download our Campaign Statement here.
Signed campaign statements and petitions can be returned to Living Wage North Somerset Campaign, c/o UNISON Office, Town Hall, Weston super Mare, BS23 1UJ
Saturday 16 March 2013
The Spirit of '45 at the Curzon Clevedon on 9th June
Ken Loach's new film The Spirit of '45 will be shown at the Film Club at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon at 7.45 pm on Sunday 9th June.
Trade Union members will be granted Honorary Film Club member status for the night and will get a discount - the ticket price will be reduced to £6.50 or £5.40 concessions.
The box office, exhibition and Lounge Bar will open at 6 pm, the auditorium will open at 7.15 pm, and the main film will start at 7.45 pm.
If you've never been to the Curzon Cinema before you're in for a real treat. The films start when they say they're going to start, the staff are really friendly, you don't get ripped off when you buy popcorn and if you're really lucky there'll be someone playing the organ.
For more information on the Curzon Cinema go to their website: www.curzon.org.uk
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Workers' Memorial Day - 28th April
Sunday 28th April 12.30-2.30pm
Bristol Cathedral
The South West TUC Executive has confirmed its support for a grand gathering of trade unionists and others who wish to remember those killed and injured at work and fight to protect the living. Plans are being developed for a short event in Bristol Cathedral involving the TUC, unions, people who have faced the trauma of accidents at work, various faith community representatives, those who have responsibility for public health and safety at work, etc. People will be invited to gather outside the Cathedral at 12.30 with as many union banners we can muster in order to join a gathering from 1 to 2pm. We hope to a have a good cross section of speakers along with music from Red Notes Choir. It will be important to reflect the international dimension and remember workers around the world killed to supply us with goods, services and news. The event will also highlight those who suffer for challenging dangerous conditions and confront the current attack on health and safety regulations. Following the event, wreaths will be laid at the Workers’ Memorial Day plaque in Castle Park. Plans are still taking shape so please let southwest@tuc.org.uk know if you have suggestions for speakers, music or guests to invite.
Friday 22 February 2013
People's Assembly Against Austerity - 22nd June
Weston and North Somerset Trades Union Council will be sending 2 delegates to:
People's Assembly Against Austerity
Saturday 22 June 2013, 9:30am – 5pm,
Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London, Westminster, London SW1H 9NH
The People’s Assembly Against Austerity was launched with a letter to the Guardian:
This is a call to all those millions of people in Britain who face an impoverished and uncertain year as their wages, jobs, conditions and welfare provision come under renewed attack by the government. With some 80% of austerity measures still to come, and with the government lengthening the time they expect cuts to last, we are calling a People’s Assembly Against Austerity to bring together campaigns against cuts and privatisation with trade unionists in a movement for social justice. We aim to develop a strategy for resistance to mobilise millions of people against the Con Dem government.
The assembly will provide a national forum for anti-austerity views which, while increasingly popular, are barely represented in parliament. A People’s Assembly can play a key role in ensuring that this uncaring government faces a movement of opposition broad enough and powerful enough to generate successful co-ordinated action, including strike action. The assembly will be ready to support co-ordinated industrial action and national demonstrations against austerity, if possible synchronising with mobilisations across Europe. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity will meet at Central Hall, Westminster, on 22 June.
For more information and to add your support follow this link:
http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2013/02/peoples-assembly-against-austerity-launched-in-the-guardian/
People's Assembly Against Austerity
Saturday 22 June 2013, 9:30am – 5pm,
Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London, Westminster, London SW1H 9NH
The People’s Assembly Against Austerity was launched with a letter to the Guardian:
This is a call to all those millions of people in Britain who face an impoverished and uncertain year as their wages, jobs, conditions and welfare provision come under renewed attack by the government. With some 80% of austerity measures still to come, and with the government lengthening the time they expect cuts to last, we are calling a People’s Assembly Against Austerity to bring together campaigns against cuts and privatisation with trade unionists in a movement for social justice. We aim to develop a strategy for resistance to mobilise millions of people against the Con Dem government.
The assembly will provide a national forum for anti-austerity views which, while increasingly popular, are barely represented in parliament. A People’s Assembly can play a key role in ensuring that this uncaring government faces a movement of opposition broad enough and powerful enough to generate successful co-ordinated action, including strike action. The assembly will be ready to support co-ordinated industrial action and national demonstrations against austerity, if possible synchronising with mobilisations across Europe. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity will meet at Central Hall, Westminster, on 22 June.
For more information and to add your support follow this link:
http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2013/02/peoples-assembly-against-austerity-launched-in-the-guardian/
Thursday 31 January 2013
Campaign for the Living Wage - Weston TUC Meeting - 13th February
The next meeting of Weston and North Somerset TUC will be held on 13th February at 7 pm in the upstairs room at the Bristol Hotel, 29 Locking Road, Weston super Mare.
Our guest speaker will be Kit Leary from the South West TUC who will talk about the Living Wage.
Research by the South West TUC released during Living Wage Week (November 4 – 10, 2012) showed that 26% of workers (22,463) in North Somerset earn less than £7.20 an hour – the lowest rate that campaigners believe supports a decent standard of living outside London. From November 2012 the Living Wage increased to £7.45 an hour.
All trade union members living or working in North Somerset are invited to attend.
Further information on the Living Wage can be found at:
Fair Pay Campaign South West
Living Wage Foundation
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Our guest speaker will be Kit Leary from the South West TUC who will talk about the Living Wage.
Research by the South West TUC released during Living Wage Week (November 4 – 10, 2012) showed that 26% of workers (22,463) in North Somerset earn less than £7.20 an hour – the lowest rate that campaigners believe supports a decent standard of living outside London. From November 2012 the Living Wage increased to £7.45 an hour.
All trade union members living or working in North Somerset are invited to attend.
Further information on the Living Wage can be found at:
Fair Pay Campaign South West
Living Wage Foundation
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Justice not for Sale - Email your MP now
The PCS is asking all PCS members, whether they work in criminal enforcement and fixed penalties or not to email their MP as soon as possible asking them to oppose privatisation and come to the Parliamentary briefing on 22 January. The letter to MPs has been updated so that it can be sent from any member of the union and not just enforcement members. Please email your MP now by using the following link:
http://pcslive.bluestatedigital.com/page/speakout/criminal-fine-enforcement
All of us are potentially at risk from privatisation as we know the aim is to sell off 'similar' work if they get away with privatising criminal enforcement and fixed penalties. This means all members have a role to play in helping to defeat privatisation.
The campaign to stop the privatisation of MoJ's enforcement services is reaching a critical stage as the Crime and Courts Bill reaches the House of Commons this month.
In the House of Lords there was some success with the introduction of an independent appeals system for people who have complaints about private bailiffs. However, the bill still allows for the work we do and our jobs to be handed over to private companies.
PCS is stepping up the pressure of our parliamentary campaigning and holding a briefing for all MPs on Tuesday 22 January at 2 pm. We will be telling them why they should vote against the privatisation.
MoJ are under considerable pressure on the issue of privatisation. MoJ procurement has been severely criticised over the court interpreters
contract and the electronic monitoring contract awarded to Serco who made record profits and ripped off the tax payer. Now is the time to step up the pressure.
Please take a moment to email your MP today to make sure they're kept informed and help us win support for our amendments to the Bill aimed at taking our clauses enabling privatisation.
You can download the full PCS document here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5j2lWfRXcIfbWY5YWZ2RHlGZzg/edit
http://pcslive.bluestatedigital.com/page/speakout/criminal-fine-enforcement
All of us are potentially at risk from privatisation as we know the aim is to sell off 'similar' work if they get away with privatising criminal enforcement and fixed penalties. This means all members have a role to play in helping to defeat privatisation.
The campaign to stop the privatisation of MoJ's enforcement services is reaching a critical stage as the Crime and Courts Bill reaches the House of Commons this month.
In the House of Lords there was some success with the introduction of an independent appeals system for people who have complaints about private bailiffs. However, the bill still allows for the work we do and our jobs to be handed over to private companies.
PCS is stepping up the pressure of our parliamentary campaigning and holding a briefing for all MPs on Tuesday 22 January at 2 pm. We will be telling them why they should vote against the privatisation.
MoJ are under considerable pressure on the issue of privatisation. MoJ procurement has been severely criticised over the court interpreters
contract and the electronic monitoring contract awarded to Serco who made record profits and ripped off the tax payer. Now is the time to step up the pressure.
Please take a moment to email your MP today to make sure they're kept informed and help us win support for our amendments to the Bill aimed at taking our clauses enabling privatisation.
You can download the full PCS document here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5j2lWfRXcIfbWY5YWZ2RHlGZzg/edit
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