Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 30th - Worthing solidarity with the strikes UPDATED
Worthing Solidarity Network is calling on everyone possible to support the workers taking strike action and make sure the community is connected to the strikes taking place:
- If you work, take the day off and go to a picket line to show support, and/or join union- and WSN-organised activities through the day.
- If you don't work, if you're at school or college, just come and join in with the Day of Action
Details have still to be finalised, and your ideas are *very* welcome, but local PCS, NUT and WSN have agreed to stage:
** A march through Worthing for striking teachers and civil servants and their supporters.
** A rally with speakers, info stalls etc.
Book the day off/stick it in your diary!
The strikes if they go ahead will be big national news, and - taking the lead of Spanish workers and young people at present - we want to make sure that everyone in Worthing hears about the alternative to cuts, and sees for themselves the unity being created between workers under attack and everyone else facing cuts to their benefits, EMA and services.
Worthing Solidarity Network
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Message from Portsmouth UAF. "All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing."
Say No to the EDL Rally at Portsmouth's War Memorial in Guildhall Square
No Hate groups at our memorial!The EDL have sieg heiled, defecated and vomited their way across the country.Now they want to rally at our war memorial.They have defiled every town centre they have been allowed near.This is a war memorial for those who fought for freedom ,including those who fought the nazis in WWII.
Within the bowels of the EDL are groups like the BNP, Combat 18 and the Racial Volunteer Force. Considering the high numbers of Nazi Sympathisers in their ranks they should rename themselves The Luftwaffe Solidarity Campaign !
Remember their disgusting behaviour outside our local Mosque.Never again.EDL we want no more of you.Portsmouth is a brilliant vibrant Multicultural city.Don't let the EDL wreck it. Pompey is a town where gay people walk the streets and the nazis are in the closets.
Let's keep it that way.This outrage has not been officially sanctioned yet.We hope the council will not give them permission.
Do your bit.
Get your Trade Union ,faith group, community group and friends and neighbours to write to Portsmouth Council ,our MPs and the local paper expressing their concern.
Write yourself.
We can stop this.
...We will also be organising a protest on the same day against the EDl, location to be confirmed.
"All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing."
Simon Magorian
Portsmouth Unite Against Fascism.
16 July · 14:00 - 16:00
Within the bowels of the EDL are groups like the BNP, Combat 18 and the Racial Volunteer Force. Considering the high numbers of Nazi Sympathisers in their ranks they should rename themselves The Luftwaffe Solidarity Campaign !
Remember their disgusting behaviour outside our local Mosque.Never again.EDL we want no more of you.Portsmouth is a brilliant vibrant Multicultural city.Don't let the EDL wreck it. Pompey is a town where gay people walk the streets and the nazis are in the closets.
Let's keep it that way.This outrage has not been officially sanctioned yet.We hope the council will not give them permission.
Do your bit.
Get your Trade Union ,faith group, community group and friends and neighbours to write to Portsmouth Council ,our MPs and the local paper expressing their concern.
Write yourself.
We can stop this.
...We will also be organising a protest on the same day against the EDl, location to be confirmed.
"All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing."
Simon Magorian
Portsmouth Unite Against Fascism.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Real Democracy Now Brighton – Press Release
The Assembly has agreed to lift up the Camp during Sunday 12th June, but the revolution does not end here!
At the General Assembly of the 8th of June 2011, the people that compromise the stronghold of the movement decided to lift up the Camp located for almost three weeks at Old Steine. We thereby inform of our decision and opinion on the issue at hand.
We can partly take blame for not providing a coherent message across to the wider community, therefore we clarify that even though many of us were inspired by Revolutions that have taken place in Northern Africa, Iceland and currently Spain; our Camp was not established exclusively in support of such movements. We are aware of a global situation whereby citizens, regardless of their ideological background, have been disenfranchised by our current political and economical system. Thus the retaking of a public space by citizens of all sorts was an exercise to explore wider perspectives on the current global crisis, and aims at creating citizen assemblies for democratic dialogue. Manchester, London and Bristol amongst others have also organised similar movements
At the Camp we aimed to create an open space of debate and discussion; where people could share their opinion and be informed in the meantime. This has been an exercise of inclusiveness, since we aimed to call for citizens to join us regardless of their ideological perspective. It has also been an exercise of inclusive and participatory democracy, because our procedure was based upon the notions of minimal consensus and everyone’s opinion was voiced and taken into account. With this in mind, every single person that has participated has benefited from an important learning experience that will never be forgotten. All in all, and regardless of our backgrounds, we seek to reach a consensus on how what needs to be done by and for the people to deal with the current global crisis; whether we find ourselves in the UK, Iceland or Greece.
The Assembly would therefore like to inform of the following:
· Taking public squares, which is happening across Europe and the UK in this day and age, is just a symbolic exercise of popular will and expression. Despite lifting up the Camp, the decision to keep mobilising citizens to push for a democratic renewal has been unanimous.
· Under the democratic right to peaceful protest, we will have regular gatherings at Old Steine which will be notified soon. We also note that at some point in the future, and under more favourable conditions, the Camp may be set up once again if citizens decide to do so.
· Finally we wanted to thank all of those that have showed support in any way during the last three weeks as well as the patience and understanding of the Council and Police. We would like to emphasise the support and understanding of local businesses, citizens who freely shared their knowledge with the wider community and all those who donated valuable resources to the Camp. The latter will be soon informed of how to get back these resources that were kindly shared with all of us.
· We will have a minute of silence on Sunday 12th of June at 8pm at the current location of the Camp (Old Steine). In loving memory of all those human beings that have risked their lives in Northern Africa for the sake of achieving the Democracy they wanted, and also in solidarity with other Revolution that are taking place such as in Spain, Iceland and our fellow Assemblies that have been created across Europe and the UK. Everyone is once again welcome to join us.
At the General Assembly of the 8th of June 2011, the people that compromise the stronghold of the movement decided to lift up the Camp located for almost three weeks at Old Steine. We thereby inform of our decision and opinion on the issue at hand.
We can partly take blame for not providing a coherent message across to the wider community, therefore we clarify that even though many of us were inspired by Revolutions that have taken place in Northern Africa, Iceland and currently Spain; our Camp was not established exclusively in support of such movements. We are aware of a global situation whereby citizens, regardless of their ideological background, have been disenfranchised by our current political and economical system. Thus the retaking of a public space by citizens of all sorts was an exercise to explore wider perspectives on the current global crisis, and aims at creating citizen assemblies for democratic dialogue. Manchester, London and Bristol amongst others have also organised similar movements
At the Camp we aimed to create an open space of debate and discussion; where people could share their opinion and be informed in the meantime. This has been an exercise of inclusiveness, since we aimed to call for citizens to join us regardless of their ideological perspective. It has also been an exercise of inclusive and participatory democracy, because our procedure was based upon the notions of minimal consensus and everyone’s opinion was voiced and taken into account. With this in mind, every single person that has participated has benefited from an important learning experience that will never be forgotten. All in all, and regardless of our backgrounds, we seek to reach a consensus on how what needs to be done by and for the people to deal with the current global crisis; whether we find ourselves in the UK, Iceland or Greece.
The Assembly would therefore like to inform of the following:
· Taking public squares, which is happening across Europe and the UK in this day and age, is just a symbolic exercise of popular will and expression. Despite lifting up the Camp, the decision to keep mobilising citizens to push for a democratic renewal has been unanimous.
· Under the democratic right to peaceful protest, we will have regular gatherings at Old Steine which will be notified soon. We also note that at some point in the future, and under more favourable conditions, the Camp may be set up once again if citizens decide to do so.
· Finally we wanted to thank all of those that have showed support in any way during the last three weeks as well as the patience and understanding of the Council and Police. We would like to emphasise the support and understanding of local businesses, citizens who freely shared their knowledge with the wider community and all those who donated valuable resources to the Camp. The latter will be soon informed of how to get back these resources that were kindly shared with all of us.
· We will have a minute of silence on Sunday 12th of June at 8pm at the current location of the Camp (Old Steine). In loving memory of all those human beings that have risked their lives in Northern Africa for the sake of achieving the Democracy they wanted, and also in solidarity with other Revolution that are taking place such as in Spain, Iceland and our fellow Assemblies that have been created across Europe and the UK. Everyone is once again welcome to join us.
Crawley taxpayers bankrolling Southampton Tories' union bashing
The strike action by Unison and Unite members against the City Council's massive attack on their pay and conditions has reached a critical phase.
So it was quite a surprise to hear on the BBC News tonight that Tory-controlled Crawley Borough Council has made a low-interest loan of £5 MILLION to its Tory friends at Southampton City Council. It was clearly a surprise to opposition councillors (who are asking a lot of questions), and to the council taxpayers of Crawley.
Given that the union action at Southampton is directed at the council's revenue-raising powers, Crawley Council's "loan" looks a lot like a donation to its strike fund!
Of course, if the workers at Crawley Council were to strike in sympathy with their colleagues in Southampton, this would be regarded as unlawful "secondary action".
Unison Branch Secretary Mike Tucker reports
On Monday 13 June, 70 UNISON / UNITE members working as street cleaners will start a 7 day strike. They will join 170 UNISON / UNITE members already on strike, 40 Parking Enforcement, 20 Itchen Bridge Toll Collectors and 110 Refuse Collectors. The 13th June will be the one day that all four sections will be on strike. Also on 13 June, 250 Cleaners working for Medirest at Southampton General Hospital start a 7 day strike.
To mark the day all 5 strikes are taking place, a joint UNISON / UNITE march is being held on 13 June, starting from 12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park, marching to the Civic Centre. Support from outside Southampton is more than welcome.
The Conservative controlled Council have called on UNISON to call off the action short of strike in Children's Social Care due to the effectiveness of not covering vacant posts, non-use of cars and working to contract. The Council is having to spend £40,000 a week on taxis in the Children's Contact Centre alone. UNISON members in Children's Social Care have reacted angrily at the suggestion and are determined to carry on with the industrial action. See our Branch web site for more information on the use of agency social workers. Also the web site of the Southern Daily Echo. No date has been fixed for talks with ACAS. The Council are now offering 16 June.
Our dispute is reaching a crucial stage. We need financial support, also support on our picket lines and at the demonstration on 13 June.
Best wishes
Mike Tucker
UNISON National Executive Council Member /
Branch Secretary
UNISON Southampton District Branch
e-mail: branchsecretary@soton-unison-office.org.uk or m.tucker@unison.co.uk
Joint UNISON / UNITE Demonstration
Monday 13 June
12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park
March to the Civic Centre for Rally
Thanks to Peoples' Republic of Hove for this
So it was quite a surprise to hear on the BBC News tonight that Tory-controlled Crawley Borough Council has made a low-interest loan of £5 MILLION to its Tory friends at Southampton City Council. It was clearly a surprise to opposition councillors (who are asking a lot of questions), and to the council taxpayers of Crawley.
Given that the union action at Southampton is directed at the council's revenue-raising powers, Crawley Council's "loan" looks a lot like a donation to its strike fund!
Of course, if the workers at Crawley Council were to strike in sympathy with their colleagues in Southampton, this would be regarded as unlawful "secondary action".
Unison Branch Secretary Mike Tucker reports
On Monday 13 June, 70 UNISON / UNITE members working as street cleaners will start a 7 day strike. They will join 170 UNISON / UNITE members already on strike, 40 Parking Enforcement, 20 Itchen Bridge Toll Collectors and 110 Refuse Collectors. The 13th June will be the one day that all four sections will be on strike. Also on 13 June, 250 Cleaners working for Medirest at Southampton General Hospital start a 7 day strike.
To mark the day all 5 strikes are taking place, a joint UNISON / UNITE march is being held on 13 June, starting from 12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park, marching to the Civic Centre. Support from outside Southampton is more than welcome.
The Conservative controlled Council have called on UNISON to call off the action short of strike in Children's Social Care due to the effectiveness of not covering vacant posts, non-use of cars and working to contract. The Council is having to spend £40,000 a week on taxis in the Children's Contact Centre alone. UNISON members in Children's Social Care have reacted angrily at the suggestion and are determined to carry on with the industrial action. See our Branch web site for more information on the use of agency social workers. Also the web site of the Southern Daily Echo. No date has been fixed for talks with ACAS. The Council are now offering 16 June.
Our dispute is reaching a crucial stage. We need financial support, also support on our picket lines and at the demonstration on 13 June.
Best wishes
Mike Tucker
UNISON National Executive Council Member /
Branch Secretary
UNISON Southampton District Branch
e-mail: branchsecretary@soton-unison-office.org.uk or m.tucker@unison.co.uk
Joint UNISON / UNITE Demonstration
Monday 13 June
12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park
March to the Civic Centre for Rally
Thanks to Peoples' Republic of Hove for this
Monday, June 6, 2011
ECO-SOCIALISM PUBLIC MEETING
PUBLIC MEETING : ECO-SOCIALISM - NOT DESTRUCTION
WITH DEREK WALL: GREEN LEFT, ENVIRONMENTALIST & SOCIALIST.
TUESDAY 28TH JUNE
7.30-9.30 p.m.
FRIENDS
MEETING PLACE, QUAKER HALL,
MEETING PLACE, QUAKER HALL,
34 MILL ROAD, WEST
Global warming, climate change, populations starving and indigenous peoples under attack.
The environment and the future of our planet is facing a crisis. Our economic system is in a state of collapse. Capitalism has failed internationally, with cuts in public services, austerity measures and unemployment affecting all of our living standards across the globe.
On June 30, joint industrial action by public sector workers represents a fight back against the Con Dem coalition. We are told that there is no alternative to their budget plans and we must simply accept it.
From Spain , Greece and the Middle East , people are saying there is an alternative which does not involve protecting bankers, dictators and corrupt politicians. The old solutions are being rejected in favour of international solutions based on people not profit and alternative environmental policies.
Come and hear the arguments and discuss the alternatives. Join us. All are welcomed.
Meeting organised by local eco-socialists .
Bookstalls from various groups will be available.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sussex Socialist Resistance: Fourth International in Britain.: Ed's call for plan B fails to put his finger on th...
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