June 2004

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC JUNE 2004 Secretary’s Report www.wolvestuc.org.uk wolves.tuc@unisonfree.net

There have been poor attendances for the last couple of meetings. Last month four TGWU DAF Electricians came from Manchester to speak to six delegates – our worst turnout for years.

DAF Electricians’ dispute – We are skilled electricians locked outside of our place of work since MAY 2003. We were dismissed for organising a TGWU shop on site to challenge our employer, DAF Electrical, from Cheltenham. Our employer freely ignored the right to consultation, European law on Holiday Pay, Health and Safety laws, and our National Agreement – and replaced us with sub-contract agency labour.
We have 3 tribunals against our employers, supported by the TGWU, now set for this month.
Donations/letters of support to: “DAF Hardship Fund”, TGWU 6/1400/7 Branch Secretary, 13 Thompson Close, Dane Bank, Denton, Manchester M34 2PQ

Europackaging Dispute – speaking at this month’s delegate meeting.
175 GPMU members at Europackaging in Sparkbrook have been in dispute for the past month due to an unsolved grievance regarding proposed redundancy of half of the plant workforce. Management have now taken this one step forward by trying to remove machinery from the plant. They produce paper packaging for Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Woolworths etc and have a £200million turnover.
The picket line is at Europackaging, Highgate Road on the corner of Queens Street, B12.
Working conditions include 60-84 hr weeks @ £4.50/hr, no overtime rates, min. holidays – 12 days + 8 bank hols. Workers have demanded a 37.5 hr week to save the proposed redundancies.
Send messages of support to/get more details from: GPMU, 9 William Street North B19 3QH

LEEDS Festival dates for 2004 – urgently needed trade unionists willing to become bar worker volunteers in our teams for 27/29th August. Deadline to apply 18th July
TUC `Pay Up for Pensions’ demonstration in London on Saturday 19th June
the Government is planning to lessen your enjoyment of retirement by making you work longer for less pension. It’s time to take to the streets again.
Wolverhampton NUT has booked a coach for the TUC pensions demo on June 19th. We will be pleased to take anyone who is interested in defending pensions. But please let us know in advance if you are coming.
 01902 429591 e-mail wolverhamptonnut@btconnect.com £10.00 a seat.

Sat 10th July afternoon/evening Garden Party for Cuba&Palestine Real Ale, good food, Cuban music at “Pendle”, Richmond Road, Wolverhampton organised by Wolverhampton Cuba Solidarity & Palestine Solidarity

17/18th July Tolpuddle weekend
Sat. 17th July Ken Livingstone’s London anti-racist annual Festival

From Birmingham TUC:
Troops Out Movement 2004 Delegation to Belfast Thursday 5th – Sunday 8th August
The delegation will : Attend discussion workshops, Meet with campaign and community groups, Visit an area under attack from Loyalists, Participate in the West Belfast Community Festival, Take part in the annual march and rally
Costs :-Registration (£60 unwaged, £75 waged, £90 high waged) includes hostel accommodation, breakfast, supper and a sandwich lunch Fare to Belfast – (e.g. £55 from B’Ham if booked now on the internet, returning Mon)
Interested ? Contact us at address below. Troops Out Movement
0121 773 8683 mob: 0797 017 4167 email: TOM@sparkle123.freeserve.co.uk
TU branches affiliated for 2004: Amicus Bilston, Amicus 13/D Craft, Amicus 0758, ASLEF, CWU (W.Mids&Worcs.), CYWU, FBU, GMB (B’ham General), GPMU, ISTC (Hall Palm), NASUWT, NULMW, NUT, TGWU 5/748, TGWU 5/836, UNISON General, UNISON Primary Care Trust (12,888 affiliated trade unionists)