March 09

WB&DTUC March 2009 Secretary’s Report

2009 affiliated branches: ASLEF, ATL, Community(Hall Palm), CWU (Wolverhampton), CWU (W.Mids & Worcs), FBU, GMB X13, NASUWT, NUT, POA, PCS (Midlands CPS), UCU City College, UNISON General, UNISON PCT, UNISON University and Unite branches 0758M, 3210M, CYWU, 5/748, 5/836 and 5/998. Still to pay affiliation fee ATL, NUT, POA, Unite 0758M
Branches NOT yet affiliated who affiliated last year: ASPECT, UNISON Health.

Apologies to anyone not on email who went to hear the Ghanaian agricultural workers union organiser speak at the BANANA LINK meeting organised by UNISON. The British government refused him an entry visa.

national demo Sat 14th March – Arthur St. Bilston, 11.30am bring your banners

Sat March 28th – The TUC has joined with a broad coalition of development, faith and environmental groups to organise a demonstration in London for the Saturday before world leaders jet in for the G20 summit. www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk
music and entertainers. At the other end of the march in Hyde Park, rally for 2 hours speakers, music and comedians. For local transport 07932797139

More activity in support of Gaza in last few weeks: The Gaza Humanitarian Appeal Bazaar raised over £10,000, an absolutely tremendous result for the one-day event. We and the local PSC group continue to meet regularly and work with the UKIslamic Mission mosque around the boycott, campaigning and future fundraising. Contact PSC450640
Sat 25th April TUC demo from Kings Cross for the 175th anniversary of the Grand Demonstration in 1834 when 100,000 people marched from Copenhagen Fields to Parliament and on to Kennington Common to demand the release of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.

Friday 1st May -15th annual workers’ day festival to be held at Pegasus WV6 0QQ – ring now to book stalls or offer help tel.07932 797139

Wolverhampton Trade Union Day of Action against BNP Saturday May 9th
20,000 Searchlight tabloid newspapers to be distributed – SIGN UP NOW.
Encourage your members to register to vote for the euro elections now. Searchlight has launched an email based campaign to get more trade union members to vote in the euro elections to stop the BNP getting elected – postcard included in mailing return to Searchlight or via Secretary – under the d’Hondt Euro electoral system, 11% could mean they get a £250k/year euro MEP to fund their racist activities.

Generate activity for your younger members – Festivals 2009 – enclosed flyer for our Workers Beer Company fundraising – these can be supplied with your union branch logo, ready for distribution to your branch – contact Secretary immediately if you require copies for distribution to your branch members. This work funds the bulk of our activity – more volunteers always needed.

TUC Stewards Stage1 course will start on Tuesday 12th May 09 and run over 10 weeks
H&S Reps course will start on Wednesday 13th May 09 and run over 10 weeks
This course will run in the Community Room City College, Wellington Road site, Bilston. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COURSES 0121 237 8120