November 2006

November 2006     Secretary’s Report WB&DTUC

For all the latest info on local labour movement events, visit www.wolvestuc.org.uk

Alec McFadden, president of Merseyside Trades Union Council, was almost blinded in a knife attack in front of his two young daughters in their Merseyside home in May. He had coordinated a campaign against the British National Party and his name, picture and address appeared on the Redwatch website together with hundreds of others.

This was just the latest of several attacks on people whose details appeared on Redwatch or other far-right websites that openly incite violence against those who oppose nazism and racism.

Angela Eagle MP in a Commons debate urged ministers to take action against Redwatch, pointing out: “There appears to be a pattern of violence which is aimed at individuals who are targeted by this website which cannot simply be a coincidence. … Hate websites do not deserve the protection of the principles of freedom of speech when they seek to prevent others from exercising their democratic rights.”

Most of the people who run the hate websites and provide information to them live in the UK. The authorities have been repeatedly informed about Kevin Watmough and others but no action has been taken. Watmough, a veteran nazi, runs Redwatch as well as the Blood and Honour site, which offers advice on how to make bombs similar to those used in the terror attacks of 7 July.

Demand action to shut down the peddlers of hate by writing to the Home Secretary. We also have postcards available.

Women & Pensions, SW LP Women’s Forum – Fri Nov 17^th 7-9pm, Friends Meeting house, 8b Summerfield rd, Chapel Ash

M084 Union Representatives Stage 1 (10 Tuesdays from 23-1-07)
M085 Stepping Up -Advanced Stewards course (10 Thursdays from 25-1-07)
M086 Health & Safety Stage 1 (10 Wednesdays from 24-1-07)
M087 Health & Safety Stage 2 (10 Mondays from 22-1-07)
M088 Union Learning Reps (5 Fridays from 26-1-07)

At City Of Wolverhampton College TO BOOK A PLACE: WEA Office, 78-80 Sherlock Street, Birmingham, B5 6LT. Tel: 0121 666 6101 

Anti-privatisation march & rally: several hundred people joined, linking Older Peoples Homes & Danesmore School with NHS campaigns. We got very positive coverage on WM, Wolf, Beacon & Saga Radio. Ex&Star, Morning Star, Adnews, & BBC Midlands Today. Went very well. Very lively and loud and brought Wolverhampton Centre to a halt.

Amicus petitions, Save British Manufacturing, need to be returned by 17^th November

2007 WB&DTUC Affiliation forms have been sent to branch secretaries – PLEASE FOLLOW THEM UP AT YOUR BRANCH MEETINGS