May 2005

Secretary’s Report MAY 2005 www.wolvestuc.org.uk Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC info@wolvestuc.org.uk

TU branches affiliated for 2005: 11,100 affiliated trade unionists
Amicus-GPM, Amicus 13/D Craft, Amicus 0758, ASLEF, Community (Hall Palm), CWU (W.Mids & Worcs.), CYWU, FBU, GMB X13, NASUWT, NATFHE(Wulfrun), NUT, TGWU 5/748, TGWU 5/836, UNISON General, UNISON PCT – no new affiliations this month
Previously affiliated branches still to affiliate this year:
Amicus (Bilston), CWU (W’ton), GMB (Rover), GMB(Bilston), NATFHE (Bilston), NATFHE (University), POA, RMT, TGWU(NULMW), UNISON Health, UNISON University. Can delegates help chase these up?

The next delegate meeting is Thurs 19th May 2005. There will be a speaker from the Black Country Living Museum, who will speak on the 1910 Women Chainmakers’ dispute and their Workers’ Institute. It will include a video presentation (which is excellent).

Workers Memorial Day Thursday 28th April -Speeches made & wreaths were laid by FBU, UNISON, TGWU and WB&DTUC. Industrial Chaplain, gave a service of remembrance to Remember the Dead, & Fight for the Living. Civic flags were flown at half mast. 30 people braved the rain, among them representing trade unions, safety campaign & religious groups as well as civic leaders, Labour candidates and Labour councillors.

11th Wolverhampton annual May Day Festival, 11th Annual Wolverhampton May Day Festival was celebrated by over 200 people on Sunday 1st May 2005. It all went very smoothly all speakers and entertainment came and was enjoyed by all the diverse audience.
Not as much money has come in as donations this year and the event cost £700 more than came in, so about £400 in debt after using up all reserves. Any branches able to make a donation to secure the future of May Day will be very welcome.

Congratulations to Rob Marris, Ken Purchase & Pat McFadden on their election as Wolverhampton’s new 3 Labour MPs. Delegates and supporters distributed 2000 Searchlight anti-fascist newspapers including the whole Ryefield estate. The BNP got 2.4%, over 900 votes. (7% W’ton average at the Euro election)

NEED NAMES NOW FOR NATIONAL ADVENTURE SPORTS 8-10 JULY & LEEDS FESTIVAL (26-28 Aug) – BAR VOLUNTEERS – deadline has been brought forward

Palestine demo (details enclosed) Saturday 21 May
Birmingham Coach -Albert street off Dale End – 8.30am £10 + £6