Launched by the initial signatories given below at a general assembly of the St Paul’s Occupation on the evening of the 27th October 2011.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘As trade unionists we express our support and admiration for the activists taking part in the occupation at St Paul's. We believe that they deserve the support of all those who think that we need a fairer and more just society.
‘The occupiers represent the rage against the bankers and a government that puts the interests of the rich before the interests of ordinary people.
‘We welcome the occupation’s statement giving support to the public sector pensions strike on 30th November. The support that the occupiers have given to the demonstrations by electricians facing huge attacks to their pay and conditions has also been magnificant.
‘We support Reverend Giles Fraser, a man of principle, forced to resign due to his opposition to the possible threats of violence against the occupiers. His resignation must not be taken as a green light for the police to step in to clear the occupation.
‘We pledge to stand with the occupiers against any attempt to physically remove them.
‘The right-wing media and politicians may seek to vilify the occupiers, but we stand firmly with them. We are heartened by the growth of a new, young and vibrant movement that, like us, seeks a better society - one that puts human need before bankers' greed'.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Initial Signatures (all in a personal capacity):
Mark Campbell, UCU National Executive Committee, and London Metropolitan University UCU
Jess Edwards, Assistant Secretary, Lambeth NUT
Ian Bradley, Unite London Rank & File Committee
Andy Reid, PCS National Executive Committee
Nick Grant, NUT National Executive Committee
Richard McEwan, UCU National Executive Committee, and Tower Hamlets College UCU
Simon Hester, Prospect, Vice-chair, HSE Branch
Jeni Reid, PCS, Asst Branch Secretary, HSE National Branch
Rachel Eborall, Unison East London Mental Health Branch
Matt Saywell, GMB Holborn Branch Secretary, and GMB London Regional Council
Keith Crane, PCS, DEFRA Group Executive
Craig Farr, Lambeth NUT LGBT Officer
Ursla Hawthorn, NUT Waltham Forest
Luke Evans, Goldsmiths UCU Executive Committee
Des Freedman, Goldsmiths UCU Executive Committee
Ken Muller, Islington NUT Assistant Secretary
Mandy Brown, UCU Branch Secretary, Lambeth College
Peter Coville, Vice-chair, Reading College UCU
Jake Douglas, Asst Branch Secretary, CONEL UCU
Jim Wolfrys, UCU National Executive Committee, and Kings College UCU
Kelvin Smith, Queen Mary University London UCU
Charlie Kimber, NUJ
Matthew Myatt, NUJ Hampshire Chapel
Richard Willis, GMB Redbridge
Maureen Taylor, GMB Redbridge
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Feed the world –without destroying the planet
A TALK WITH: MARIA NERI FROM CONZARRD, AN NGO FOCUSING ON AGRARIAN REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES.
7:15PM THURSDAY 17TH OF NOVEMBER
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, JESUS LANE, CAMBRIDGE.
OPEN TO ALL – FREE FOR ALL.
Rapidly rising food prices are one of the most immediate ways that the economic crisis hits the poorest people. It led to riots in many parts of the world in 2010 and was a significant factor in igniting the Arab Spring. Millions are dying of starvation in Africa and it’s easy to assume that this is because we aren’t
producing enough food to feed everyone. In fact food production has become increasingly globalised and distorted since the 1970s with the result that a handful of countries now dominate the trade in staple foods.
This leaves the most vulnerable countries at the mercy of those who dominate the trade. Global warming
compounds the problem through drought. The rich countries of the north have imposed so called “liberalisation” on poorer countries – often through institutions like the International Monetary Fund –
and subsidising agribusiness at the expense of the most vulnerable.
Agribusiness and GM crops have pushed up yields in a way that destroys the environment and denies food to hungry people. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez hit the nail on the head when he said that the food crisis is “the greatest demonstration of the historical failure of the capitalist model.
Socialist Resistance and Green Left argue for an ecosocialist approach to the problem where the people who produce food have the right to determine their own agricultural policies, free from interference from the
multinationals or international institutions with their neo-liberal policies such as the IMF and the World Bank.
These issues are not discussed enough on the left and this seminar gives us a unique opportunity to do so.
A Red/Green Forum Meeting
7:15PM THURSDAY 17TH OF NOVEMBER
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, JESUS LANE, CAMBRIDGE.
OPEN TO ALL – FREE FOR ALL.
Rapidly rising food prices are one of the most immediate ways that the economic crisis hits the poorest people. It led to riots in many parts of the world in 2010 and was a significant factor in igniting the Arab Spring. Millions are dying of starvation in Africa and it’s easy to assume that this is because we aren’t
producing enough food to feed everyone. In fact food production has become increasingly globalised and distorted since the 1970s with the result that a handful of countries now dominate the trade in staple foods.
This leaves the most vulnerable countries at the mercy of those who dominate the trade. Global warming
compounds the problem through drought. The rich countries of the north have imposed so called “liberalisation” on poorer countries – often through institutions like the International Monetary Fund –
and subsidising agribusiness at the expense of the most vulnerable.
Agribusiness and GM crops have pushed up yields in a way that destroys the environment and denies food to hungry people. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez hit the nail on the head when he said that the food crisis is “the greatest demonstration of the historical failure of the capitalist model.
Socialist Resistance and Green Left argue for an ecosocialist approach to the problem where the people who produce food have the right to determine their own agricultural policies, free from interference from the
multinationals or international institutions with their neo-liberal policies such as the IMF and the World Bank.
These issues are not discussed enough on the left and this seminar gives us a unique opportunity to do so.
A Red/Green Forum Meeting
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
TAX JUSTICE e-petition
Subject: [London] Sign the TAX JUSTICE e-petition started by Caroline Lucas
MP - cascade to all Greens and all others
Sign the TAX JUSTICE e-petition started by Caroline Lucas MP : Just 100,000 signatures and there will be ructions in the House - that is, a guaranteed debate in the House of Commons.
Use all your groups / email lists to share the link :
Sign the petition here:http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/18996
CoR had the story up and posted a few days back, and now has the direct petition link on the website : http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2011/10/tax-justice-epetition-by-car
oline-lucas-mp/
Romayne Phoenix
MP - cascade to all Greens and all others
Sign the TAX JUSTICE e-petition started by Caroline Lucas MP : Just 100,000 signatures and there will be ructions in the House - that is, a guaranteed debate in the House of Commons.
Use all your groups / email lists to share the link :
Sign the petition here:http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/18996
CoR had the story up and posted a few days back, and now has the direct petition link on the website : http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2011/10/tax-justice-epetition-by-car
oline-lucas-mp/
Romayne Phoenix
OLSX event "Your workplace: cuts, grievances and organising resistance"
From: Pete Firmin
Occupy London Stock Exchange (outside St Pauls Cathedral) are hosting an event on Thursday (27 Oct) evening entitled
"Your workplace: cuts, grievances and organising resistance"
The occupiers would like to invite as many trade unionists and workers to come along.
We would also like to get people from different trade unions speaking, in particular about Nov 30th strikes and the preparations for it.
It will go on from 5 until 6.30pm in front of the steps of St Pauls.
After which they would like to take anyone who would like on a tour of the camp.
Please come down and support the event, bring people from your workplace and union and if possible collections.
Occupy London Stock Exchange (outside St Pauls Cathedral) are hosting an event on Thursday (27 Oct) evening entitled
"Your workplace: cuts, grievances and organising resistance"
The occupiers would like to invite as many trade unionists and workers to come along.
We would also like to get people from different trade unions speaking, in particular about Nov 30th strikes and the preparations for it.
It will go on from 5 until 6.30pm in front of the steps of St Pauls.
After which they would like to take anyone who would like on a tour of the camp.
Please come down and support the event, bring people from your workplace and union and if possible collections.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
TV discussion on Occupy movement
Mike Shaughnessy
To: greenleftdiscuss@lists.riseup.net
Sent: Tuesday, 25 October 2011, 11:20
Subject: [greenleftdiscuss] Occupy London SX TV Debate
This is a short discussion on the Occupy movement, between an oaf from the Tax Payers Alliance, which is a right wing pressure group, close to the Tory party, and Guardian journalist, Polly Toynbee. In my view, Polly spoils it a bit with her talk of 'good' capitalism, which is rather a contradiction in terms, but she shows up the the bloke from Tax Payers Alliance as a shallow apologist for corporate capitalism.
http://haringeygreens.blogspot.com/
To: greenleftdiscuss@lists.riseup.net
Sent: Tuesday, 25 October 2011, 11:20
Subject: [greenleftdiscuss] Occupy London SX TV Debate
This is a short discussion on the Occupy movement, between an oaf from the Tax Payers Alliance, which is a right wing pressure group, close to the Tory party, and Guardian journalist, Polly Toynbee. In my view, Polly spoils it a bit with her talk of 'good' capitalism, which is rather a contradiction in terms, but she shows up the the bloke from Tax Payers Alliance as a shallow apologist for corporate capitalism.
http://haringeygreens.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Jean Lambert MEP, statement on Occupy London Stock Exchange
*** NEWS RELEASE ***
From the office of Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London
19th October 2011
Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has issued the following statement on the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest currently taking place in the City of London:
“The vast majority of people demonstrating over the last few days want to take part in a peaceful protest to voice their concerns about corporate greed and growing inequality, both at home and around the world. I wholeheartedly support their calls for an end to global tax injustice, independent regulation of the banking industry and concrete action to repair and protect crucial public services. Indeed, these are principles that many would support.
“With unemployment now at its highest level for almost twenty years and the financial system in crisis, it is no wonder that so many people feel betrayed and let down by the governments and the financial sector. The system has, for far too long, been unaccountable and irresponsible and now we are all paying a heavy price. I hope that the UK Government listens to the messages of discontent being aired and realise that the public demand positive change.
“Over the coming days, it is crucial that those participating in the Occupy London demonstration are able to exercise their right to peaceful protest, unhindered by inappropriate policing. I urge police and authorities to show restraint and maintain a low profile presence in the absence of any significant disorder.”
Notes to Editors
Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.
For an interview with Jean or for further information please contact: Anna Rutter, Media & PR Officer to Jean Lambert MEP: 020 7164 2152 / 07917 881648 / media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
From the office of Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London
19th October 2011
Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has issued the following statement on the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest currently taking place in the City of London:
“The vast majority of people demonstrating over the last few days want to take part in a peaceful protest to voice their concerns about corporate greed and growing inequality, both at home and around the world. I wholeheartedly support their calls for an end to global tax injustice, independent regulation of the banking industry and concrete action to repair and protect crucial public services. Indeed, these are principles that many would support.
“With unemployment now at its highest level for almost twenty years and the financial system in crisis, it is no wonder that so many people feel betrayed and let down by the governments and the financial sector. The system has, for far too long, been unaccountable and irresponsible and now we are all paying a heavy price. I hope that the UK Government listens to the messages of discontent being aired and realise that the public demand positive change.
“Over the coming days, it is crucial that those participating in the Occupy London demonstration are able to exercise their right to peaceful protest, unhindered by inappropriate policing. I urge police and authorities to show restraint and maintain a low profile presence in the absence of any significant disorder.”
Notes to Editors
Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.
For an interview with Jean or for further information please contact: Anna Rutter, Media & PR Officer to Jean Lambert MEP: 020 7164 2152 / 07917 881648 / media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
China Miéville at Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
China Miéville lives and works in London. He is three-time winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award (Perdido Street Station, Iron Council and The City & The City) and has also won the British Fantasy Award twice (Perdido Street Station and The Scar). The City & The City, an existential thriller, was published in 2009 to dazzling critical acclaim and drew comparison with the works of Kafka and Orwell (The Times) and Phillip K. Dick (The Guardian). The City & The City recently won the British Science Fiction Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award and was also shortlisted for the Nebula and Hugo prizes.
See http://www.panmacmillan.com/features/displayPage.asp?PageID=7881 for details of China Mieville's books.
China Mieville introduced By Ken Montague. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
China Mieville questions and discussion 1. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
China Mieville questions and discussion 2. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
See http://www.panmacmillan.com/features/displayPage.asp?PageID=7881 for details of China Mieville's books.
China Mieville introduced By Ken Montague. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
China Mieville questions and discussion 1. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
China Mieville questions and discussion 2. Brent CCC meeting 17/10/11
Monday, 17 October 2011
Caroline Lucas will visit London protest camp
Lucas speaks out in support of Occupy London protest
17 October 2011
The Occupy London Stock Exchange protest has entered its third day today, with a number of activists having established a tented encampment outside St Paul's Cathedral in the City.
Pavilion MP and Green party leader, Caroline Lucas, is planning to visit the camp later today. She commented:
"As awareness increases of the injustice and unsustainability of the global economic system, more and more people are taking to the streets in opposition.
"The camp that has been set up a stone's throw from London Stock Exchange is an opportunity to explore a different kind of future to the one the mainstream political parties have constructed.
"The authorities must now respect the right to peaceful protest.
"If they have any sense, they will also start to listen to the voices of those ordinary - and extraordinary people - who want to invest in a greener, fairer future rather than the stocks-and-shares house of sand that sustains corporate capitalism."
ENDS
17 October 2011
The Occupy London Stock Exchange protest has entered its third day today, with a number of activists having established a tented encampment outside St Paul's Cathedral in the City.
Pavilion MP and Green party leader, Caroline Lucas, is planning to visit the camp later today. She commented:
"As awareness increases of the injustice and unsustainability of the global economic system, more and more people are taking to the streets in opposition.
"The camp that has been set up a stone's throw from London Stock Exchange is an opportunity to explore a different kind of future to the one the mainstream political parties have constructed.
"The authorities must now respect the right to peaceful protest.
"If they have any sense, they will also start to listen to the voices of those ordinary - and extraordinary people - who want to invest in a greener, fairer future rather than the stocks-and-shares house of sand that sustains corporate capitalism."
ENDS
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Green Left statement supporting Occupy London
"Green Left commends those in London and elsewhere who are engaged in ongoing public protest against corporate greed and for a fairer world. They are an example to us all. We are proud to publish the initial statement of Occupy London"
#OccupyLSX initial statement
Posted on October 16, 2011 by occupylsx
At today’s assembly on the steps of St Paul’s, #occupylsx agreed the initial statement below. Please note, it’s a draft statement at this stage and it will always be a work in progress.
1 The current system is unsustainable. It is undemocratic and unjust. We need alternatives; this is where we work towards them.
2 We are of all ethnicities, backgrounds, genders, generations, sexualities dis/abilities and faiths. We stand together with occupations all over the world.
3 We refuse to pay for the banks’ crisis.
4 We do not accept the cuts as either necessary or inevitable. We demand an end to global tax injustice and our democracy representing corporations instead of the people.
5 We want regulators to be genuinely independent of the industries they regulate.
6 We support the strike on the 30th November and the student action on the 9th November, and actions to defend our health services, welfare, education and employment and to stop wars and arms dealing.
7 We want structural change towards authentic global equality. The world’s resources must go towards caring for people and the planet, not the military, corporate profits or the rich.
8 We stand in solidarity with the global oppressed and we call for an end to the actions of our government and others in causing this oppression.
9 This is what democracy looks like. Come and join us!
#OccupyLSX initial statement
Posted on October 16, 2011 by occupylsx
At today’s assembly on the steps of St Paul’s, #occupylsx agreed the initial statement below. Please note, it’s a draft statement at this stage and it will always be a work in progress.
1 The current system is unsustainable. It is undemocratic and unjust. We need alternatives; this is where we work towards them.
2 We are of all ethnicities, backgrounds, genders, generations, sexualities dis/abilities and faiths. We stand together with occupations all over the world.
3 We refuse to pay for the banks’ crisis.
4 We do not accept the cuts as either necessary or inevitable. We demand an end to global tax injustice and our democracy representing corporations instead of the people.
5 We want regulators to be genuinely independent of the industries they regulate.
6 We support the strike on the 30th November and the student action on the 9th November, and actions to defend our health services, welfare, education and employment and to stop wars and arms dealing.
7 We want structural change towards authentic global equality. The world’s resources must go towards caring for people and the planet, not the military, corporate profits or the rich.
8 We stand in solidarity with the global oppressed and we call for an end to the actions of our government and others in causing this oppression.
9 This is what democracy looks like. Come and join us!
A seminar on food sovereignty
Feed the world without destroying the planet
November 12, 11-5.30
Registration 10.30.
Registration 10.30.
University of London Union,
Malet Street, London WC1
Malet Street, London WC1
Organised by Socialist Resistance and Green Left
http://socialistresistance.org/ http://greenleftblog.blogspot.com/
http://socialistresistance.org/ http://greenleftblog.blogspot.com/
Agenda11- 1.30 Introductory plenary
1.30-2.30 Lunch
2.30-4.00 WorkshopsWomen and Food Sovereignty
Agribusiness and the supermarkets
Land rights not Land grabs
Food Sovereignty and Climate change4.15-5.30 Closing Plenary
1.30-2.30 Lunch
2.30-4.00 WorkshopsWomen and Food Sovereignty
Agribusiness and the supermarkets
Land rights not Land grabs
Food Sovereignty and Climate change4.15-5.30 Closing Plenary
with Maria Neri Pampilo
Maria has worked for CONZARRD since the mid 1990’s.
CONZARRD is a grouping of popular and non-governmental organisations working on agrarian reform and rural development in Mindanao, in the Philippines. For CONZARRD organic farming is not a luxury – but essential to the survival of the famers.Organic rice for example is more resilient against both disease and flooding as well as cheaper. Organic fertiliser, produced locally enriches the soil rather than depleting it in the way chemical fertiliser does.
Other principal speakers include: Graciela Romero War on Want International Programme Director and author of their report on Food Sovereignty
Rehad Desai: South African climate change activist and documentary film maker, visiting Britain to build support for the climate justice protests in Durban to coincide with the COP 17 summit in December
Derek Wall, Green Left – former principal speaker of the Green Party, author of the No Nonsense Guide to Green politics
Pierre Rousset : Noveau Parti Anticapalist (NPA), France, and Europe-Asia social forums – Editor of www.europesolidaire.com, has written extensively on Asia particularly the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan
Terry Conway: Socialist Resistance Editorial Board
Rehad Desai: South African climate change activist and documentary film maker, visiting Britain to build support for the climate justice protests in Durban to coincide with the COP 17 summit in December
Derek Wall, Green Left – former principal speaker of the Green Party, author of the No Nonsense Guide to Green politics
Pierre Rousset : Noveau Parti Anticapalist (NPA), France, and Europe-Asia social forums – Editor of www.europesolidaire.com, has written extensively on Asia particularly the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan
Terry Conway: Socialist Resistance Editorial Board
Food sovereignty not `food security’ is answer to world hunger
One and a half billion people are at risk from rising food prices. This is the dramatic conclusion of the report by UN food agencies; The state of food insecurity in the World today. The report talks of a triple crisis of food, climate change and depleted natural resources, which could affect 1.5 billion people across 10 countries. It says: “having 600 million people suffering from hunger on a daily basis is never acceptable”
But the way the UN agencies focus on the concept of “food security” is fundamentally flawed. They promote private investment and increased agricultural productivity – both of which are part of the problem. They have contributed to the development of widespread hunger, rising food prices and small producers being forced off the land by increasing power of agribusiness and the supermarkets.
Socialist Resistance and Green Left say that the answer is food sovereignty; that is the right of the people who produce food to determine their own agricultural policies, free from interference from either multinationals or from international institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF. The promotion of neo-liberal deregulation by these institutions has been one of the key factors leading to today’s food crisis.
We say no to the power of the supermarkets. Food producers are at the mercy of the supermarkets who dictate what is grown and what price they will pay. Tesco makes two thirds of its sales and profits in Britain. In the second quarter of this financial year like for like sales in British stores fell by 0.7% while profits increased by 12% in the first half of the year!
These are not issues that the left in Britain often addresses – we hope you will join us to hear Maria and other speakers discuss why they are vital to us all
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to register for the Feed the world without destroying the planet seminar
Name----------------------------------------------------
Address--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email-----------------------------------------------------------
Phone ---------------------------------------------------
Send £7 or £4 unwaged to PO Box 62732, London SW2 9CQ or by paypal.com to pay resistance@sent.com
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Vigil at Kensal Green Library
Dear Green Party members,
As you know we have supported the campaign against the closure of 6 out of 12 Brent libraries. Following the High Court ruling in favour of Brent Council earlier this week they have immediately closed all six
libraries and boarded up five of them. There is a community vigil outside Kensal Rise Library in Bathurst Road which has so far prevented council workers boarding that library up. I reproduce below an appeal
from the campaigners for support. I hope that you will be able to join in even if if is for only half an hour.
Martin Francis
Brent Green Party Communications Officer
http://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2011/10/sorry-for-any-inconvenience-caused-by.html
http://brentgreens.blogspot.com/2011/10/failed-by-high-court-sad-day-for-brent.html
Hi all,
Firstly thanks to everyone who has supported the vigil outside the library (especially all the brilliant kids). This support has sent out a very important message about how much we care about what happens to our library and community and its significance has gone beyond our own neighbourhood.
Lots of library campaigners throughout England have been heartened by our actions and we have received loads of messages of support.
Great stuff Kensal Green and Kensal Rise.
As you may know our legal team are in the process of lodging an application to appeal the decision handed down by Justice Ousley on Thursday. We should know the result of this application by next week (possibly Tuesday). We would like to maintain a presence outside the library until then, not only to prevent Brent boarding up the library but also because our presence is sending out a powerful message.
We really do care about our library and how much it means to this community. So, we need your support. For the next few days we need your help in maintaining a presence at the library. We need you there during the day for whatever time you can spare.
If you can be at the library from midnight to 5am that would be fantastic. We have people taking over at 5am.
Of course you are welcome to come at any time but midnight to dawn is when we really need help. I know this is a big, big ask but it is only for a few days.
If you do intend to come make sure you wrap up warm. IT IS COLD. We have a tent. There will be company. You could bring your car.
Kind souls have been supplying us with coffee and biscuits and chocolate.If you find that request irresistible see you at the library maybe?
Regards and thanks, Margaret Bailey
As you know we have supported the campaign against the closure of 6 out of 12 Brent libraries. Following the High Court ruling in favour of Brent Council earlier this week they have immediately closed all six
libraries and boarded up five of them. There is a community vigil outside Kensal Rise Library in Bathurst Road which has so far prevented council workers boarding that library up. I reproduce below an appeal
from the campaigners for support. I hope that you will be able to join in even if if is for only half an hour.
Martin Francis
Brent Green Party Communications Officer
http://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2011/10/sorry-for-any-inconvenience-caused-by.html
http://brentgreens.blogspot.com/2011/10/failed-by-high-court-sad-day-for-brent.html
Hi all,
Firstly thanks to everyone who has supported the vigil outside the library (especially all the brilliant kids). This support has sent out a very important message about how much we care about what happens to our library and community and its significance has gone beyond our own neighbourhood.
Lots of library campaigners throughout England have been heartened by our actions and we have received loads of messages of support.
Great stuff Kensal Green and Kensal Rise.
As you may know our legal team are in the process of lodging an application to appeal the decision handed down by Justice Ousley on Thursday. We should know the result of this application by next week (possibly Tuesday). We would like to maintain a presence outside the library until then, not only to prevent Brent boarding up the library but also because our presence is sending out a powerful message.
We really do care about our library and how much it means to this community. So, we need your support. For the next few days we need your help in maintaining a presence at the library. We need you there during the day for whatever time you can spare.
If you can be at the library from midnight to 5am that would be fantastic. We have people taking over at 5am.
Of course you are welcome to come at any time but midnight to dawn is when we really need help. I know this is a big, big ask but it is only for a few days.
If you do intend to come make sure you wrap up warm. IT IS COLD. We have a tent. There will be company. You could bring your car.
Kind souls have been supplying us with coffee and biscuits and chocolate.If you find that request irresistible see you at the library maybe?
Regards and thanks, Margaret Bailey
Defend Public Libraries: London Events
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Events
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:16:03 +0100
From: Preston Library Campaign
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Dear all,
The events page has belatedly been updated on our website: www.brentlibraries.wordpress.com/events
Although our library has suffered a spectacular act of vandalism, the hundreds of angry emails we have received shows you all still care. We plan to appeal this absurd decision, and continue to appeal to the government to intervene.
Kensal Rise residents have managed to stop theirs being boarded up for more than 24 hours with a wonderful guerilla library - read about it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/oct/14/protesters-resist-library-closures?newsfeed=true
Our library may be boarded up, but it is still there and we will do our best to recover it. Brent council has become famous up and down the country for its mismanagement and anti-democratic nonsense, and they thought libraries would be an easy option. Well no, there is everything still to play for and we haven't raised £30,000 (yes we did it in just 5 months) and gone this far to give up because of one narrow-minded judge.
There are some really good events planned, all detailed below, including a few from friends and supporters. Have a look and please come along - don't let the library-snatchers win!
Thank you all,
EVENTS:
SATURDAY 15 OCT - 2pm - our friends at Friern Barnet Library are having a Party on the Green to celebrate libraries - Free! It's near Arnos Grove (Friern Barnet Road, London, N11 3DS) - Go along and show your support, plenty of kids acitivites planned.
MONDAY 17 Oct 2011 - STAND UP FOR LIBRARIES (Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince, the legendary Robyn Hitchcock and others) - Queens Park Community School - Doors 6.30pm - show 7.30pm - Tickets £10 in advance (email us)
WEDNESDAY 19th OCT 2011 - our new neighbours, the IHCR bookshop on Preston Road are having a fab BOOK event: Kwame Nimako talks about his new book The Dutch Atlantic: Slavery, Abolition and Emancipation - 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Free entry.
MONDAY 24 OCT 2011 - PRESTON PUB QUIZ - The Preston Pub, opposite - 7.30 for 8pm - £5/3
SATURDAY 19 NOV 2011 - DISCO at Mall Community Centre - more information soon
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:16:03 +0100
From: Preston Library Campaign
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Dear all,
The events page has belatedly been updated on our website: www.brentlibraries.wordpress.com/events
Although our library has suffered a spectacular act of vandalism, the hundreds of angry emails we have received shows you all still care. We plan to appeal this absurd decision, and continue to appeal to the government to intervene.
Kensal Rise residents have managed to stop theirs being boarded up for more than 24 hours with a wonderful guerilla library - read about it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/oct/14/protesters-resist-library-closures?newsfeed=true
Our library may be boarded up, but it is still there and we will do our best to recover it. Brent council has become famous up and down the country for its mismanagement and anti-democratic nonsense, and they thought libraries would be an easy option. Well no, there is everything still to play for and we haven't raised £30,000 (yes we did it in just 5 months) and gone this far to give up because of one narrow-minded judge.
There are some really good events planned, all detailed below, including a few from friends and supporters. Have a look and please come along - don't let the library-snatchers win!
Thank you all,
EVENTS:
SATURDAY 15 OCT - 2pm - our friends at Friern Barnet Library are having a Party on the Green to celebrate libraries - Free! It's near Arnos Grove (Friern Barnet Road, London, N11 3DS) - Go along and show your support, plenty of kids acitivites planned.
MONDAY 17 Oct 2011 - STAND UP FOR LIBRARIES (Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince, the legendary Robyn Hitchcock and others) - Queens Park Community School - Doors 6.30pm - show 7.30pm - Tickets £10 in advance (email us)
WEDNESDAY 19th OCT 2011 - our new neighbours, the IHCR bookshop on Preston Road are having a fab BOOK event: Kwame Nimako talks about his new book The Dutch Atlantic: Slavery, Abolition and Emancipation - 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Free entry.
MONDAY 24 OCT 2011 - PRESTON PUB QUIZ - The Preston Pub, opposite - 7.30 for 8pm - £5/3
SATURDAY 19 NOV 2011 - DISCO at Mall Community Centre - more information soon
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Sparks De-Skilling And Pay Dispute Ballot Or No Ballot All Out To Defend Our Future
From: noel doyle
To: greenleftdiscuss@lists.riseup.net
Sent: Tuesday, 11 October 2011, 23:14
Subject: [greenleftdiscuss] Sparks against deskilling
Sparks De-Skilling And Pay Dispute Ballot Or No Ballot All Out To Defend Our Future
A sometimes angry and consistently passionate meeting of over 100 electricians, or sparks as they are known in the trade, took place at Conway hall central London tonight to discuss future tactics in their struggle against attacks on their pay and terms and conditions. The sparks are facing an entirely calculated and cynical attack by a cabal of seven construction firms Balfour Beatty, Crown House, Spie WHS/Matthew Hall, Shepherd Engineering Services and NG Bailey. The seven have given workers a stark choice either sign new contracts by December 7th or face the sack, the new contracts downgrade the sparks from skilled to semi skilled workers and includes a hefty 35% pay cut, from £16.25 to £10.50 per hour. With inflation running at 5% and food and fuel prices through the roof, the sparks have been left with no choice by their employers, they have to fight back.
This is quite clearly an attempt by the group of seven employers to take advantage of the current economic environment of high unemployment and falling wages, to drive down wages in order to increase profits, Balfour Beatty the biggest of the firms and the instigator of this initiative made profits of £50 million last year. These firms have seen the actions of the coalition government in attacking the pay and conditions of the public sector workforce and taken inspiration from that, if the Condems can get away with slashing the conditions of such a highly unionised workplace as the public sector then what's to stop the private sector doing the same to their less organised workforce.
The sparks are not taking this lying down though, they have not waited for the Unite leadership to direct tactics, the last month has seen protests outside building sites up and down the country with more planned over the coming weeks. This action seems to have upset some of the Unite leadership with Bernard McAuley - Unite National Officer, who was present at the meeting, coming under particular criticism for an email he sent describing the wild cat protest movement as “cancerous” and “divisive”. The militancy of the rank and file, who are crying out for a national ballot on strike action, was palpable at the meeting, and seemed to be completely at odds with the measured tone of Mcauley and Gail Cartmail Unite Assisstant General Secretary. The Unite leadership still seems to be hamstrung by the high court decision in May 2010 that ruled its strike of BA cabin crews illegal, McAuley stressed the need for Unite to have a proper membership audit before balloting, obviously the fear of another court case stalks them. This is no use to the sparks of course the clock is ticking for them and it looks likely they will have to take action without the explicit backing of the union.
It is clear that this dispute is a tester for the rest of the construction industry, these seven firms are dipping their toes in the water to test the temperature of union resistance. A defeat of the sparks here, who are a relatively well unionised and organised section of the construction workforce, would open the doors to a more general wage reduction for all skilled construction workers.
The sparks are determined to continue the fight with or without an official ballot, more protests are planned in the coming weeks which will hopefully build into wild cat strikes and targeted closures of high profile construction sites up and down the country, building into the biggest mass walkout of construction workers in years on November 30th to coincide with the public sector strikes. To do this the sparks are going to need bodies at the protests and picket lines and money fighting fund is being set up to support striking workers details of which can be found
On their blog http://jibelectrician.blogspot.com/
On twitter http://twitter.com/#!/JIBElectrician
On facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002827871645&sk=info http://www.facebook.com/groups/264935423529258/
Noel Doyle
To: greenleftdiscuss@lists.riseup.net
Sent: Tuesday, 11 October 2011, 23:14
Subject: [greenleftdiscuss] Sparks against deskilling
Sparks De-Skilling And Pay Dispute Ballot Or No Ballot All Out To Defend Our Future
A sometimes angry and consistently passionate meeting of over 100 electricians, or sparks as they are known in the trade, took place at Conway hall central London tonight to discuss future tactics in their struggle against attacks on their pay and terms and conditions. The sparks are facing an entirely calculated and cynical attack by a cabal of seven construction firms Balfour Beatty, Crown House, Spie WHS/Matthew Hall, Shepherd Engineering Services and NG Bailey. The seven have given workers a stark choice either sign new contracts by December 7th or face the sack, the new contracts downgrade the sparks from skilled to semi skilled workers and includes a hefty 35% pay cut, from £16.25 to £10.50 per hour. With inflation running at 5% and food and fuel prices through the roof, the sparks have been left with no choice by their employers, they have to fight back.
This is quite clearly an attempt by the group of seven employers to take advantage of the current economic environment of high unemployment and falling wages, to drive down wages in order to increase profits, Balfour Beatty the biggest of the firms and the instigator of this initiative made profits of £50 million last year. These firms have seen the actions of the coalition government in attacking the pay and conditions of the public sector workforce and taken inspiration from that, if the Condems can get away with slashing the conditions of such a highly unionised workplace as the public sector then what's to stop the private sector doing the same to their less organised workforce.
The sparks are not taking this lying down though, they have not waited for the Unite leadership to direct tactics, the last month has seen protests outside building sites up and down the country with more planned over the coming weeks. This action seems to have upset some of the Unite leadership with Bernard McAuley - Unite National Officer, who was present at the meeting, coming under particular criticism for an email he sent describing the wild cat protest movement as “cancerous” and “divisive”. The militancy of the rank and file, who are crying out for a national ballot on strike action, was palpable at the meeting, and seemed to be completely at odds with the measured tone of Mcauley and Gail Cartmail Unite Assisstant General Secretary. The Unite leadership still seems to be hamstrung by the high court decision in May 2010 that ruled its strike of BA cabin crews illegal, McAuley stressed the need for Unite to have a proper membership audit before balloting, obviously the fear of another court case stalks them. This is no use to the sparks of course the clock is ticking for them and it looks likely they will have to take action without the explicit backing of the union.
It is clear that this dispute is a tester for the rest of the construction industry, these seven firms are dipping their toes in the water to test the temperature of union resistance. A defeat of the sparks here, who are a relatively well unionised and organised section of the construction workforce, would open the doors to a more general wage reduction for all skilled construction workers.
The sparks are determined to continue the fight with or without an official ballot, more protests are planned in the coming weeks which will hopefully build into wild cat strikes and targeted closures of high profile construction sites up and down the country, building into the biggest mass walkout of construction workers in years on November 30th to coincide with the public sector strikes. To do this the sparks are going to need bodies at the protests and picket lines and money fighting fund is being set up to support striking workers details of which can be found
On their blog http://jibelectrician.blogspot.com/
On twitter http://twitter.com/#!/JIBElectrician
On facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002827871645&sk=info http://www.facebook.com/groups/264935423529258/
Noel Doyle
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Scapegoat: Why we are failing disabled people
Scapegoat:
Why we are failing disabled people
Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
11.00am – 13.00pm, Saturday 26 November 2011 with Katharine Quarmby, author, journalist and broadcaster
There is no charge for attending this event
Congress House is a fully accessible building
Please register in advance by contacting:
Email: sertucevents@tuc.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7467 1220
Post: SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Name
Email
Address
Contact Phone Number
Union, trades council or organisation
Any special access or dietary needs
Why we are failing disabled people
Programme:
10.30am onwards Tea and coffee will be provided
11.00am Introduction by the Chair of the event
11.05am Katharine Quarmby
Panel discussion and questions from the audience
13.00pm Buffet lunch/reception
13.30pm Close
Our society is poisoned by discrimination and prejudice against disabled people. Police crime statistics show that the number of disability hate crimes recorded increased by more than 20 per cent in 2010, to 1569, although that is probably a tiny fraction of the real number that occurred. A recent report by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission found that ‘many disabled people regard harassment as inevitable’.
Why we are failing disabled people
Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
11.00am – 13.00pm, Saturday 26 November 2011 with Katharine Quarmby, author, journalist and broadcaster
There is no charge for attending this event
Congress House is a fully accessible building
Please register in advance by contacting:
Email: sertucevents@tuc.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7467 1220
Post: SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Name
Address
Contact Phone Number
Union, trades council or organisation
Any special access or dietary needs
Why we are failing disabled people
Programme:
10.30am onwards Tea and coffee will be provided
11.00am Introduction by the Chair of the event
11.05am Katharine Quarmby
Panel discussion and questions from the audience
13.00pm Buffet lunch/reception
13.30pm Close
Our society is poisoned by discrimination and prejudice against disabled people. Police crime statistics show that the number of disability hate crimes recorded increased by more than 20 per cent in 2010, to 1569, although that is probably a tiny fraction of the real number that occurred. A recent report by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission found that ‘many disabled people regard harassment as inevitable’.
In a recently published and acclaimed book, Katharine Quarmby, asks what can be done to prevent hate crime being perpetrated against disabled people? In her book Katharine analyses the incidence of such crimes and the motivations behind them. And she finds that all too often the assaults were dismissed by social care agencies, before they culminated in murder. Consequently, she asks how and why we are failing disabled people in Britain? Then we must ask, “So where do we go from here? What concrete steps that we can take to achieve much needed and dramatic change”.
‘Scapegoat: how we are failing disabled people in Britain’, was published by Portobello Press on 6 June. It is the first British investigation into disability targeted violence.
‘Scapegoat: how we are failing disabled people in Britain’, was published by Portobello Press on 6 June. It is the first British investigation into disability targeted violence.
Katharine Quarmby is a writer, journalist and film-maker specialising in social affairs, education, foreign affairs and politics, with an investigative and campaigning edge. She has spent most of her working life as a journalist and has made many films for the BBC, as well as working as a correspondent for The Economist, and contributing to British broadsheets, including the Guardian, Sunday Times and the Telegraph.
Katharine was recently the joint winner of the prestigious 2010 Radar Human Rights Person of the Year award for her work on disability hate crime, with friends and colleagues Stephen Brookes and Anne Novis, for their online forum, the ‘Disability Hate Crime Network’.
More details of Katharine’s work can be found at www.katharinequarmby.co.uk
Seats for this event are limited. To reserve a place please register at sertucevents@tuc.org.uk, or call SERTUC on 020 7467 1220 or register by post at SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
____________________________________________
Seats for this event are limited. To reserve a place please register at sertucevents@tuc.org.uk, or call SERTUC on 020 7467 1220 or register by post at SERTUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
____________________________________________
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
China Miéville, "FOOD, FLOODS AND CLIMATE CHANGE: PAKISTAN, AFRICA, BRITAIN".,STAND UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE on Saturday 3rd December
BRENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Hi - We hope you can join us for our next local meetings and the national demonstration to "Stand Up for Climate Justice" on 3rd December (details at the end):
MONDAY 17 OCTOBER, 7.30pm, WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARY CENTRE: ENVIRONMENTAL WRITERS MEETING - Acclaimed fantasy fiction author, China Miéville, will be introducing his work and leading a discussion on how creative writers should respond to climate change. A flier with details is attached - please display and pass on.
THURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm, CHALKHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE, WEMBLEY: PUBLIC MEETING ON "FOOD, FLOODS AND CLIMATE CHANGE: PAKISTAN, AFRICA, BRITAIN". Speakers include Brent North MP, Barry Gardiner, who is Labour's international envoy on climate change, and speakers from the Green Party and the RMT trade union, plus a regional activist . The Chalkhill Community Centre is just across the road from Wembley Park tube station - buses 83, 182, 223, 245, 297, 644, PR2. Directions: http://www.imiddlesex.co.uk/profile/106985/Wembley/Chalkhill-Youth-and-Community-Centre/.
Anyone is also welcome to attend our next Steering Group meeting at 7.30pm on 1 November to help decide our future activities. Further details and confirmation of the venue will be circulated nearer the time.
Please put these dates on your diary and try to come along to one or all of them.
Ken Montague, for BCaCC
Campaign against Climate Change www.campaigncc.org
This year the floods in Pakistan have returned displacing 5 million and killing hundreds. Last year's floods were the worst in living memory with 20 million affected and 2,000 killed. Last year also saw record breaking temperatures in Russia with wildfires and crop failures while this year we have seen the latest in a series of exceptional droughts in East Africa causing famine in Somalia.
The frequency and severity of weather related disasters is on the increase and scientists tell us this is due to human-induced climate change caused overwhelmingly by the high emissions and high consuming lifestyles of richer countries like our own. Its the poorest and most vulnerable around the world - many of them in Africa where this year's climate talks are being held - who have done the least to cause the problem but who are suffering the most. And all this is set to get worse. Yet climate change and the conversion to a low carbon economy are routinely dismissed as minor concerns.
Join us and STAND UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE on Saturday 3rd December midway through the Durban Climate Talks. Put the date in your diary now. Watch out for more details at www.campaigncc.org/standupforclimatejustice
If you are up for spending the night (2nd -3rd December) out at a symbolic "climate refugee" camp email climatejustice@campaigncc.org
Download a fler for the 3rd December (pdf) here.
Download a Climate Justice information flier (pdf) here.
PLEASE PASS THIS EMAIL AROUND
Hi - We hope you can join us for our next local meetings and the national demonstration to "Stand Up for Climate Justice" on 3rd December (details at the end):
MONDAY 17 OCTOBER, 7.30pm, WILLESDEN GREEN LIBRARY CENTRE: ENVIRONMENTAL WRITERS MEETING - Acclaimed fantasy fiction author, China Miéville, will be introducing his work and leading a discussion on how creative writers should respond to climate change. A flier with details is attached - please display and pass on.
THURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm, CHALKHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE, WEMBLEY: PUBLIC MEETING ON "FOOD, FLOODS AND CLIMATE CHANGE: PAKISTAN, AFRICA, BRITAIN". Speakers include Brent North MP, Barry Gardiner, who is Labour's international envoy on climate change, and speakers from the Green Party and the RMT trade union, plus a regional activist . The Chalkhill Community Centre is just across the road from Wembley Park tube station - buses 83, 182, 223, 245, 297, 644, PR2. Directions: http://www.imiddlesex.co.uk/profile/106985/Wembley/Chalkhill-Youth-and-Community-Centre/.
Anyone is also welcome to attend our next Steering Group meeting at 7.30pm on 1 November to help decide our future activities. Further details and confirmation of the venue will be circulated nearer the time.
Please put these dates on your diary and try to come along to one or all of them.
Ken Montague, for BCaCC
Campaign against Climate Change www.campaigncc.org
This year the floods in Pakistan have returned displacing 5 million and killing hundreds. Last year's floods were the worst in living memory with 20 million affected and 2,000 killed. Last year also saw record breaking temperatures in Russia with wildfires and crop failures while this year we have seen the latest in a series of exceptional droughts in East Africa causing famine in Somalia.
The frequency and severity of weather related disasters is on the increase and scientists tell us this is due to human-induced climate change caused overwhelmingly by the high emissions and high consuming lifestyles of richer countries like our own. Its the poorest and most vulnerable around the world - many of them in Africa where this year's climate talks are being held - who have done the least to cause the problem but who are suffering the most. And all this is set to get worse. Yet climate change and the conversion to a low carbon economy are routinely dismissed as minor concerns.
Join us and STAND UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE on Saturday 3rd December midway through the Durban Climate Talks. Put the date in your diary now. Watch out for more details at www.campaigncc.org/standupforclimatejustice
If you are up for spending the night (2nd -3rd December) out at a symbolic "climate refugee" camp email climatejustice@campaigncc.org
Download a fler for the 3rd December (pdf) here.
Download a Climate Justice information flier (pdf) here.
PLEASE PASS THIS EMAIL AROUND
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Disability: The Impact of the Cuts. Workshop at Coalition of Resistance Europe Against Austerity conference 1/10/2011.
Introduction (Richard Farnos) and Roger Lewis (Disabled People Against the Cuts)
Speaker from Health Resistance
Richard Reiser, co ordinator for UK Disability History Month
Questions and discussion
Monday, 3 October 2011
Green Left statement on BAE redundancies
Green Left offers its support and solidarity to the BAE workers facing redundancy. We believe that everyone has the right to work in secure and rewarding employment and we actively campaign with others in the struggle to make this a reality.
However, we do not mourn the loss of jobs in the defence industry . Rather than producing weapons of war workers at BAE should be employed in the war against Climate Change. We support the policy of a Just Transition to a greener economy where workers wages are protected as they make their transition into new areas of industry - even if this covers a period of unemployment or retraining. Just Transition schemes have been shown to be cost effective and also prevent the destructive wider effects to families and within our communities.
The Green Party, at its recent conference, unanimously expressed support for the One Million Climate Jobs Campaign. The campaign booklet, which we recommend everyone to read, and which is available here "http://www.climate-change-jobs.org/node/14" sets out clearly and coherently how one million climate jobs could be planned and paid for as part of the UK’s contribution to dealing with the international climate change emergency. Employment would be secure and sustainable, in the transformation of the transport, power generation and housing stock. The initiative would dramatically reduce carbon emissions and dramatically increase employment.
We have no doubt that the skilled workforce at BAE would be valuable in various roles throughout the new and necessary green industries , as could members of the armed forces who are also facing redundancy.
Workers for the World Unite !
However, we do not mourn the loss of jobs in the defence industry . Rather than producing weapons of war workers at BAE should be employed in the war against Climate Change. We support the policy of a Just Transition to a greener economy where workers wages are protected as they make their transition into new areas of industry - even if this covers a period of unemployment or retraining. Just Transition schemes have been shown to be cost effective and also prevent the destructive wider effects to families and within our communities.
The Green Party, at its recent conference, unanimously expressed support for the One Million Climate Jobs Campaign. The campaign booklet, which we recommend everyone to read, and which is available here "http://www.climate-change-jobs.org/node/14" sets out clearly and coherently how one million climate jobs could be planned and paid for as part of the UK’s contribution to dealing with the international climate change emergency. Employment would be secure and sustainable, in the transformation of the transport, power generation and housing stock. The initiative would dramatically reduce carbon emissions and dramatically increase employment.
We have no doubt that the skilled workforce at BAE would be valuable in various roles throughout the new and necessary green industries , as could members of the armed forces who are also facing redundancy.
Workers for the World Unite !
Green Left and other banners at Manchester demo against cuts at Tory Conference 2/10/2011
http://video.ak.fbcdn.net/cfs-ak-ash4/348823/883/2437249854645_22.mp4?oh=411ff5c24d60876e6e52a9d090bca736&oe=4E8B6900&__gda__=1317759232_4df3c0e9ca3b91abecac3e0a5d3a1b44
PETER ALLEN WRITES
Howard and I carried the Green Left banner. Len McCluskey thanked Green Left for coming and took a copy of Watermelon from us. A good number of Greens from Manchester area marching with the Manchester GP banner. Lesley H came from Yorkshire with her local party banner.Didn't see any others. Green Left provided 10 "One Million Climate Jobs" and "No Public Service Cuts" placards. A noisy, lively march
Comprehensive report from local radical newspaper ; Manchester Mule http://manchestermule.com//?p=11133&preview=true"
Manchester GP banner
Parliamentary Rally to save Bombardier Jobs
Martin Empson
Treasurer, Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union group
www.climate-change-jobs.org
079 585 35231
swpmre@yahoo.com
Treasurer, Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union group
www.climate-change-jobs.org
079 585 35231
swpmre@yahoo.com
Subject: Support the Parliamentary Rally to save Bombardier Jobs, Wednesday 12th October, 12.30, Committee Room 10, House of Commons, London: PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY
Dear Colleague
Support the Parliamentary Rally to save Bombardier Jobs
Wednesday 12th October, 12.30
Committee Room 10, House of Commons, London
Bombardier trade unions are urging support for the Parliamentary rally to save Bombardier jobs on Wednesday 12th October.
It is vital that we keep up the pressure in the campaign.
At the Parliamentary Transport Committee on 7th September both the Secretary of State for Transport and representative of the European Commission admitted it was legally possible to reverse the decision to award the Thameslink trains contract to Siemens of Germany.
Last week the TUC unanimously agreed to back the campaign and there is now overwhelming political, media and popular support for the government to reverse their disastrous decision.
And we know if it is allowed to go ahead the impact of the government’s decision will go beyond Derby. Tens of thousands of supply chain jobs in nearly every constituency in the country will be affected. See attached list.
That is why every single MP in the country has been invited to the rally on 12th October to hear how the threat to Bombardier in Derby could also threaten the livelihoods of their constituents.
Answers to a parliamentary question last week (below) have further demonstrated the scandalous nature of the government decision. Ministers have admitted that almost £20m has been spent on consultants to provide advice on a process that could spell the end of UK train manufacturing
Please support the rally on 12th October and ask your MP to attend. Please also ask your MP to sign the parliamentary motion below tabled by Chris Williamson MP. You can check if your MP has signed by visiting http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2059
The contract is still at preferred bidder stage. There is still time to reverse this decision. Please support the rally on 12th October.
Yours sincerely
Bob Crow
General Secretary
Parliamentary Answer 14 September 2011
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which external consultants were contracted to advise his Department on the (a) design, (b) tendering and (c) award of preferred bidder status for the Thameslink rolling stock contract; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such contract. [R] [68716]
Mrs Villiers: The cost of each contract against the categories requested up to June 2011 is as follows:
£ million
| |||
Vendor
|
(a) Design
|
(b) Tendering (1)
|
(c) Award of preferred bidder status
|
EDM 2059 Tabled by Chris Williamson MP
“That this House notes the commitment given by the Prime Minister in Derby earlier in 2011 that his administration would support local manufacturing jobs; is therefore dismayed and appalled at the implications for UK manufacturing of the Government's decision to make Siemens of Germany the preferred bidder for the 1.4 billion Thameslink rolling stock contract and to reject the bid from Bombardier of Derby; is alarmed that this decision has already led to the announcement of over 1,400 job losses at Bombardier and also threatens at least a further 12,000 jobs in the UK supply chain; is further concerned that the decision could adversely impact on the prospect of a UK-based train manufacturer bidding to supply trains for Crossrail or for high speed rail; supports Bombardier's rejection of the Department for Transport's claim that jobs at the company were under threat irrespective of the destination of the Thameslink contract; acknowledges that EU competition law has not dissuaded the German or French administrations from awarding 100 per cent. of their lucrative domestic rail contracts to domestic bidders; further notes that the contract is still at preferred bidder stage; and calls on the Government immediately to review this decision to take into account the value for money implications of the loss of tens of thousands of UK jobs”
James Croy,
Political Officer ,
RMT,
Unity House ,
39 Chalton Street
London,
NW1 1JD
j.croy@rmt.org.uk
Tel: 020 7529 8822, Fax: 020 7529 8808
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