March 2016

 

Secretary’s Report March 2016 Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC

 

www.wolvestuc.org.uk info@wolvestuc.org.uk 07538 045376

 

Thanks to branches that have re-affiliated and newly affiliated for 2016:

ASLEF, Community W’ton Craft, Community Region 4 Associates, CWU W’ton, FBU, GMB X13, NASUWT, NUT, PCS Midlands Valuation, PCS West Mercia, RMT, UCATT, UCU University, UNISON General, UNISON Black Country Health, UNISON Police Staff, UNITE Faith workers, UNITE WM6150, UNITE WM6151

5 branches still to re-affiliate

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Engagement with Parliament Workshop Wed, 16 March 10am, WOLVERHAMPTON to book contact SNanan-Sen@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk

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Following the launch last year, the first Midlands Region TUC Health & Safety Forum: Thursday 17^th March, 11am CWU Offices, Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3TH. All affiliates are welcome to attend – no restrictions on numbers, please register your attendance at mkesterton@tuc.org.uk

Stand up to Racism demo London Sat 19 March

Trade union courses in Wolverhampton – sign up now…for April 2016 start mikee@shrewsbury.ac.uk Beckminster House, Birches Barn Road, Wolverhampton WV3 7RJ

Union Reps Stage 1 ten weeks 9 am – 4 pm on Mondays

Health & Safety Stage 1 ten weeks 9 am – 4 pm on Tuesdays

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Workers’ Memorial Day Thursday 28th April https://www.facebook.com/events/171489779900607

12.30pm at the WMD Tree, Cenotaph, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1TS

speakers: Stuart Baker, UCATT, Warinder Juss, Thompsons; Black Country Urban Industrial Mission Chaplain; Nick Kelleher, Wolverhampton TUC + wreath laying ceremony ~ everyone welcome

colour A4 flyers now available for branches to circulate ~Remember the Dead,   Fight for the Living

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Sunday 1st May 2016 from 7pm@Pegasus, Whitmore Reans WV6 0QQ

Gary O’Dea to perform, Phil Goalby FBU speaking more to follow

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Letter of support and solidarity with Wolverhampton TUC received from Frances O’Grady TUC General Secretary

“Many thanks to you and delegates for the letter and the beautiful 150th anniversary badge which I’ll wear with pride. Thanks also for your words of encouragement – means a lot.

My sincere thanks to you and everyone at Wolverhampton, Bilston & District trades union council for all the brilliant campaigning work you do. You’ve got a great reputation as real organisers and ace campaigners – from anti-fascism/anti-racism to anti-austerity and bringing our railways back under public control. In fact, I mentioned you specifically at the President’s working group in respect of the campaign to protect the right to strike and heart unions week – handing out red carnations was inspired.

Needless to say, unions and the working people we represent have been through some tough times and it doesn’t look set to get any easier over the next period. But, as always, ultimately the best possible response we can make to the attacks we face is to get bigger and stronger. If we can spread a little of the spirit and determination Wolves TUC has shown around the movement, I reckon we’ll crack it.

All best Frances” General Secretary TUC 29 Feb 2016

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The TUC’s analysis of official figures shows that more than 370,000 West Midlands workers did unpaid overtime in 2015 worth, on average, £5,940 each., 8.2 hours of unpaid overtime a week. See www.wolvestuc.org.uk

CHAINMAKERS’ FESTIVAL:SATURDAY 2nd JULY 2016 Cradley Heath High Street