May 2000

W’ton, Bilston & District TUC Secretary’s Report May ’00

2000 affiliations: ASLEF, CWU(W.Midlands), FBU, GMB(W70/Willenhall), GPMU, MSF Craft 13/D, MSF 0558, NASUWT, NATFHE(Bilston), NUT, POA, TGWU 5/748, TGWU 5/836, UNISON General, UNISON Health, UNISON Healthcare, USDAW. Affiliated membership: 11,352Re-affiliations are overdue, could delegates please chase up their own branches.
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Congratulations to our President Bro.Rob Marris who won selection as Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for W’ton SW in a convincing victory. He’ll be expecting us to turn out and help his campaign as the general election approaches.

JohnO’Groats toLandsEnd – unemployed workers’ march Thurs May 25th. Two marchers from Bury TUC are on route and will be passing through Pendeford, Tettenhall onto Wombourne. Some delegates will be walking with them and depending on arrangements still to be finalised we may be arranging a pub gathering in the evening. Anyone interested in joining the marchers, or are able to offer accommodation please contact Bro.Norman Brackenridge, (681397.

South African Trade Unionists visit – Thurs May 25th a group of four are expected to be hosted by UNISON that day and a Civic Reception is very likely in the afternoon. We may be able to link up with the JOGLE march either in the afternoon or evening. Delegates will be very welcome to come and meet them at both events. Full details will be available on or after the delegate meeting.

Workers’ Memorial Day – over 40 people attended, double last year’s record attendance and we attracted press and radio reports before and after the day.

International Workers’ Day – up to 200 over the evening enjoyed our celebrations in which was again the best event yet. The total bill of around £1000 will not be met by UNISON Region’s sponsorship so the May Day Committee will be writing to branches seeking donations. Reported in Morning Star