December 2003

December 2003 Secretary’s Report Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC
wolves.tuc@unisonfree.net

TU branches already affiliated for 2004: Amicus-MSF 13/D Craft, Amicus-MSF 0758, CWU (W.Mids & Worcs.), GPMU, NASUWT, NUT, TGWU 5/836, early affiliations are much appreciated.

Wm. Cooks dispute, week 134 – THE POSITION SO FAR:
Wm. Cook first appeal heard on 11-9-03, 42 days after successful result at the employment tribunal. 19-9-03 appeal refused. No point of law identified.
 22-9-03 second appeal lodged to the President of the employment tribunal.
 12-11-03 hearing heard. Wm. Cook legal team added more substance than the first hearing with the outcome the appeal was allowed to continue.
 Consequently the new dates for the next hearing could be within 6 months possibly giving a date of May 2004. Both legal sides will be attending. If this is allowed to happen they will lose remedy dates already agreed to take place February/March 2003.
April 2004 will be the beginning of our fourth year in this dispute. Locked out after staging a one day official strike against massive pay cuts of between £80-£120 per week.

Holocaust Memorial Day, 7-9pm Tuesday 27th January 2004 Friends Meeting House, Summerfield Road, West Park organised by WB&D TUC. Plans underway.

Festival dates for 2004 – bar worker volunteers needed 14th March St Patrick’s Festival – London Southbank
29th May Homelands – Winchester dance all-nighter
24/27th June Glastonbury – there is a field in Somerset…
16/18th July Tolpuddle festival – Dorset.
17th July London Respect Festival
July National Adventure Sports Show
27/29th August, Leeds – the Reading of the North
September UK pop-shows

Advance notice:
Monday 12th January ’04, 7.30pm – Wolverhampton Stop the War Coalition, convened by WB&D TUC, Bagot Arms, next to Avion Centre, Whitmore Reans.

WB&D TUC AGM, Thursday 15th January 2004

Thursday 5th February ’04 Palestine Solidarity meeting, 7.30pm Dudley Road Community Centre, next to Gudwara at top of Dudley Road and opposite Billa’s Bar.
Workers` Memorial Day, Wed 28th April 2004
10th Wolverhampton annual May Day Festival, Saturday 1st May 2004