November 2004

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC November 2004 Secretary’s Report www.wolvestuc.org.uk wolves.tuc@unisonfree.net

next delegate meetings: Thurs 18 Nov, Thurs 16 Dec Next EC Thurs 9 Dec

• PCS union strike – 200,000 nationally took part in the union’s first national strike for 11 years. Several workplaces are under threat in Wolverhampton including Wednesfield Job Centre. Members of UNISON, FBU, NUT & WBDTUC joined the strikers at their lunchtime rally.
The Labour Government has embarked on an attempt to cut 104,000 jobs in the civil service. These are direct front line services that affect all of us. PCS has committed to use all of its national resources to oppose this attack. It is essential that we get as much wide spread support as we possibly can to add impetus to the political and industrial pressure in order to reverse the Government’s decision. When we have an ageing population and the Midlands is suffering from job cuts in manufacturing. The front line services, that a lot of your clients or members depend on, will disappear. In the Inland Revenue, this can only mean the deterioration in the delivery of tax credit and tax advice. The cuts will also decimate services in other sections of society such as winter fuel payments, pensions and benefits, education and skills; services that touch everybody’ lives from cradle to grave. The loss of 1 in 5 civil servants, can only make your work harder in representing sometimes the most vulnerable in society.

• Sat. 20th Nov demo, Lambeth – themes anti racism and for the reinstatement of a shop steward who won his job back at tribunal, Movement For Justice – a UNISON minibus is due to be hired and places are available. Contact Malkit Sahota 554004

• Support the campaign against the BNP in Sandwell — they are contesting the Old Warley ward by-election in Sandwell on Thursday 25th November.
Leafleting against them at 11am on Sunday 21st November.
Black Country Unite Against Fascism 07960 553349

• TUC Women’s Committee event Domestic violence – a workplace issue
Thursday 25th November 2004 9.30 – 4pm free lunch at Jennie Lee Centre, Wednesfield
“This is an opportunity for open to men & women trade unionists and employers to work in partnership.“

• Save Jaguar campaign – TGWU and Amicus have announced plans for a major march and rally in Coventry place on November 27th to demand the retention of Jaguar car production at the historic Browns Lane plant.

• Wolverhampton Unemployment “Claimant Count” Aug 2004 (latest figures) decreased by 11 to 6,103. The current rate of Borough unemployment 6%; in the West Midlands County 5.6%; nationally 2.3%. Claimant count figures are no longer available for electoral ward boundaries.

• ALMO – having sprung a election without any notice, there was a 40% turnout, 84% voted in favour of privatising the estimated 400 UCATT and 200 UNISON members into the Wolverhampton Homes ALMO. Council tenants are no doubt eagerly awaiting the £287 million that Wolverhampton councillors have promised to deliver.

Some branches have still not registered THIS year. TU branches affiliated for 2004
Amicus Bilston, Amicus 13/D Craft, Amicus 0758, ASLEF
CWU (W.Mids&Worcs.), CYWU FBU,
GMB (B’ham General), GPMU ISTC (Hall Palm),
NASUWT, NATFHE (University), NULMW, NUT
TGWU 5/748, TGWU 5/836
UNISON General, UNISON Primary Care Trust (13,238 affiliated trade unionists)
Affiliation forms are now being sent out to branch secretaries.
Please raise re-affiliation at your branch meetings.