May 2023 Secretary’s Report

+ Wolverhampton Strike News

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC info@wolvestuc.org.uk

next WB&DTUC meeting
Thursday 18th May
@7-15pm via zoom speaker @ 8pm

Join Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83579903831?pwd=TmxaRUZaM2xrQVBrZ1RIaGlHMVFwUT09

or phone 0330 088 5830 Meeting ID: 835 7990 3831 Passcode: 306081

all local trade unionists welcome

Strike dates:

RMT rail union have voted to continue their strike mandate for another six months and they and ASLEF, train drivers’ union have both announced new strike dates – picket lines at Wolverhampton railway station.

  • Friday 12 May – ASLEF strike
  • Saturday 13 May – RMT strike at train operating companies
  • Wednesday 31 May – ASLEF strike
  • Saturday 3 June – ASLEF strike

NEU, PCS and UNITE ambulance workers all took strike action at the start of this month in ongoing industrial action.

Amnesty International are screening the film ‘Tanura’ (2022) challenges Israel’s narrative about the 1948 massacre of a Palestinian village and the ongoing denial amongst Isreali society that the event even took place. When: Friday 12th May 7pm. Refreshments from 6:30pm@Friends Meeting House, 8b. Summerfield Road, Wolverhampton. WV1 4PR

The Nakba not just as an historical event but as a continuing process of oppression enacted over the past 75 years though ongoing colonisation of land, enforcement of apartheid and military occupation. The Palestinian people need our solidarity now more than ever. Join the protest march and rally for Palestine taking place on Saturday 13th May in central London. Coach details: Walsall Aishah Mosque, Rutter St, WS1 4HJ at 8am and also picking up at Birmingham Moore Street B12 7UL at 8:15am. To book your place email: admin@westmidpsc.org or call Naeem on 07721 427690 Tickets waged £16, concessions £10.

Reel News workshop on videoactivism, May 23 On strike or in a campaign and want to make a quick campaign video? Or just want to find out more about what videoactivism is and how it works? This workshop might be for you … FREE –click here to reserve your place

Building unity: tackling the far right Saturday 3 June 10:30–14:00 TUC Midlands, 47 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3TH – Midlands TUC and Stand Up To Racism are once again jointly hosting an anti-racism workshop.


Silk Mill Festival, Derby Market Place Sat 17th June from 10.30am Commemorating the historic strike in Derby Silk Mill, the Silk Mill Festival features live bands, stand up comedy and rousing oratory. The event will include food, drink and community stalls. It’s for all the family!

TUC Women Chainmakers’ Festival Sat 1st July 11am to 5-30pm@ Mary McArthur Gardens, Cradley High Street B64 5BA, we will have a stall there.

2023 affiliations to Wolverhampton TUC from several branches are still awaited. Form at https://wolvestuc.org.uk/affiliating-to-wolverhampton-tuc-2023/

Workers Memorial Day

Over 50 in attendance; excellent speeches, you can listen to the recordings of them all at: https://wolvestuc.org.uk/wmday/ The plaque is in a sorry state.

Listed on eight websites, advert on Facebook, emails to our lists, paper mailings and 500 leaflets distributed to unions.

May Day

Around 250 attended the evening attendees in first physical event since 2019. Great success, all speakers and acts went well. 11 local labour movement stalls. Excellent food from IWA. Listed on eight websites, advert on Facebook, emails to our lists, paper mailings, Whatsapp and 1,000 leaflets distributed to unions, 4,000 distributed to homes in Whitmore Reans surrounding venue, by 12 volunteers.

Cost £1,942 donations from UNITE WM6150, ASLEF, CWU. £650 to raise. (promise of donation from UNISON City of Wolverhampton)