November 2003

Secretary’s Report Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC November 2003
wolves.tuc@unisonfree.net

George W. Bush state visit week:

Monday 17th November 7.30pm – Wolverhampton Stop the War Coalition, convened by WB&D TUC, Bagot Arms, next to Avion Centre, Whitmore Reans.

Tuesday 18th November – a little bird tells us that it may be worth looking out on Wolverhampton bridges, for welcome-messages for George W. Bush

Wednesday 19th November 7.30pm – WHY WAR? Free film showing, plus speakers and discussion at Lighthouse cinema, organised by W’ton STW/TUC

Thursday 20th November demonstration in central London, no transport organised from Wolverhampton, though members of the group are travelling down by train quite cheaply. Contact me if you want to go down with them. Starts at Mallet at 14.00. Route to Trafalgar Square.
Or coach from Cambridge St, central Birmingham 10am £10/£5  0121 643 8668 (B’ham TUC)

Thursday 20th November 7.15pm WB&D TUC delegate meeting, Civic Centre Committee Room 2

Thursday 27th November Cuba Solidarity – at 12 Richmond Road, Wolverhampton. 7.30 pm

Thursday 4th December Palestine Solidarity meeting, 7.30pm Dudley Road Community Centre, next to Gudwara at top of Dudley Road and opposite Billa’s Bar.

www.wolvestuc.org.uk is now getting 400 hits/month, double that this time last year and four times the number when we were first launched. 4,500 hits in first 17 months.

Wm. Cooks dispute, week 130 – they are still picketing the Sheffield factory. A new appeal will be heard on the 12th November 2003 to appeal against the decision not to allow an appeal. New remedy hearing dates: 12th Feb. – 6th March 2004 are now booked, providing the appeal against the appeal is not successful.

TU branches already affiliated for 2004: Amicus-MSF 13/D Craft, CWU (W.Mids & Worcs.), GPMU, TGWU 5/836, early affiliations are much appreciated.

The number of unemployed people claiming in Wolverhampton increased by 65 (1.0%) to 6,822 in August (latest figures), an increase of 212 (3.1%) over the last year. These figures are likely to rise further with the loss of jobs at Goodyear. The current rate of Borough unemployment is 6.7%.

West Midlands increased by 1,811 (2.6%) over the last year. The current rate of unemployment is 6.1%.
Nationally, a decrease of 13,094 (-1.4%) over the last year. The current national rate for unemployment is 2.6%.

now booking for next intake of TUC Courses at Jennie Lee Centre, Lichfield Road, Wednesfield WV11 3HT,
apply to: Sandwell College, Trade Union Studies Dept, Pound Road, Oldbury, Warley B68 8NA 0121 253 6874 9am-4pm

Advance notice:
WB&D TUC AGM, Thursday 15th January 2004
Holocaust Memorial Day, Tuesday 27th January 2004 – event being planned by us for evening, TUC Development Grant applied for.
Workers` Memorial Day, Wed 28th April 2004
10th Wolverhampton annual May Day Festival, Saturday 1st May 2004