March 2002

W’ton, Bilston & District TUC Secretary’s Report March 2002

2002Affiliations Affiliated membership: 11,726
amicus-MSF 0558, amicus-MSF Craft 13/D, ASLEF, CWU(W.Mids&Worcs), CYWU, FBU, GPMU, ISTC(Hall Palm), ISTC(Monmore Tubes), NASUWT, NULMW, NUT, POA, TGWU 5/748, TGWU 5/836, UNISON General, UNISON Healthcare, UNISON South Staffs
GMB, NATFHE, RMT & UNISON Health branch affiliations are overdue.

The position of President is vacant, we are seeking nominations from branches

Our website is in production – details soon

Last month we hosted a delegation from the Friction Dynamics dispute. The dispute at Caernarfon-based car parts manufacturer Friction Dynamics, has been running since April last year when TGWU workers voted 91% for a week’s strike over proposed removal of statutory health and safety rights, cuts to holidays and shift changes. After the strike there was a lock-out and scabs were brought in and a pay cut proposed. In June 2001 they were sacked after voting to continue strike action.
We donated £150 and donations have also already gone from a number of our affiliated branches. We hope that branches are in a position to make donations to the dispute.
Sat May 25th W’ton TUC minibus to Caernarfon for solidarity demonstration. www.frictiondynamex.co.uk

Music Festivals – this year’s events are detailed in enclosed leaflet which has space for your union logo on the front and is for distribution.

It is now almost certain that the USA will go to war with Iraq this year. US army, navy and airforce commanders and 1000 command and control personnel are already in position in the Persian Gulf, ready to coordinate the 200,000 troops Bush plans to send there. The bombing raids against Iraq by US and British planes which have continued consistently since the supposed end of the war on Iraq, have intensified, Bush is about to demand that US weapons inspectors be allowed into Iraq where they were blatently caught spying last time. He also wants to make economic sanctions that our TUC has opposed even harsher. Bush’s plans will bring a further catastrophe of nightmarish proportions to a people who have suffered enough in the last decade, and could easily cause the whole Middle East to explode. We need to keep up the movement for peace here.

May Day Festival plans in progress Wed 1st May, Dunstall Community Centre doors open 7pm, eve of council election day.

• Afghanistan and After, teach-in 10am-4pm, Bordersley Centre, Camp Hill circus, Birmingham sat 23rd March, contact me or www.btuc.org.uk
• Conference to defend asylum seekers – Manchester Sat 23 March
• Sunday 24th March anti-fascist activity, Tipton contact me for details
• Workers’ Memorial Day Sunday 28th April 12.30pm wreath laying and speeches at the WMD tree. There will be a service in St Peter’s church at 11am directly preceding our event led by the Industrial Chaplain with a theme of WMDay. Please distribute the enclosed artwork in your mailings.
• Tolpuddle festival July 20/21

Next W’ton TUC delegate meetings: Committee Room 1, Civic Centre, 7-15pm: Thu21 March & Thu18th April
Next Executive Meetings: Briefing Room 1, 7-30pm Thu 11 April & Thu 9th May