June 2012

 

Anti Academies Alliance – motion to affiliate – on agenda 21 June

We note the government’s Academies programme and the passing of the Education and Inspections Bill 2006 which makes provision for Trust schools.

We oppose the creation of Academies and Trust schools because:

They are not democratically accountable. The sponsor appoints the majority of governors and controls the school’s curriculum. Ownership of the schools buildings and grounds are transferred to the private sponsor. They break up the family of local schools.

They create more selection. Academies and Trust schools set their own admissions policy. As former Secretary of State for Education Estelle Morris put it, “Show me a school which has changed its admissions policy to attract more children from poor backgrounds with uncooperative parents.”

They reinforce competition based on school league tables. This will further divide schools into winners and losers, and add to the segregation of students on the basis of race and class.

Academies are outside the maintained sector of schools and so they are not bound by education law that protects the rights of students and parents.

Academies also set their own pay and conditions outside of national frameworks.

We resolve to affiliate to the Anti Academies Alliance at £40 per year 

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We have  3 places to work at Latitude festival 12-15 July Suffolk to raise money for us. Contact Nick immediately if interested 07932 797139

 

Tolpuddle Martyr`s festival – Friday 13th July to Sunday 15th July

The TUC is to organise a mass demonstration in London

under the banner of ‘A Future That Works’ on Saturday 20th October 2012

A march through central London will culminate in a rally in Hyde Park.

 

After a number of high profile crane collapses resulting in tragic deaths, the Construction Safety Campaign and others were instrumental in getting Health and Safety legislation established in 2010. These were the Tower Crane regulations and they act as an MOT for cranes and cost the industry £51,000 per year.

Now, two years later, Lofstedt and the Health and Safety Executive want to review the legislation and put it back out to consultation! He intimates that Crane Regulations are somehow not needed! The aim is to get rid of them.  www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm before 4th July or see www.wolvestuc.org.uk

 

TUC Shop Stewards – for courses based in Bilston

contact mikee@shrewsbury.ac.uk  01743 342531

This year’s 1st May event cost £1,400.  £810 raised so far

Sunday 7 Oct March for Alternative – Birmingham – speakers announced details www.wolvestuc.org.uk

24 Branches that have affiliated for 2012: 

New affiliation of UNISON Acute Health,  plus ASLEF, ASPECT, ATL, Community (Hall Palm), Community 17000, CWU (West Midlands), CWU (Wolverhampton), FBU, GMB X13, NASUWT, NUT, PCS(West Mercia) , POA, UCATT, UCU City College, UNISON General, UNISON Police Staff, UNISON University, UNITE 5/836, UNITE 5/998, UNITE 3120M, UNITE 0758M, UNITE-CYWU,

4 not re-affiliated:    PCS (Midlands CPS), RMT, UCU University, UNITE 5/748