Events
31st Oct Thurs: UCU and Unison strike action. Picket line on both campuses from 8 to 12 depending on numbers. Please support!
2nd Nov Sat Daventry Protest March. ‘Like everywhere else in the country, Daventry has been hit hard by the Tory attacks on the public sector. In the last few months the local cardiac unit and ambulance station have closed. Now we have been told a local nursing home will be closing down, with a loss of thirty beds. On 2nd November there will be a public march and rally through Daventry to protest against the attacks on our NHS. Having had the pleasure of campaigning with you all in the past, it would be great if you and some of
your members could join us. The march will start at 10:00 am and finish at 11:00 am. Labour Councillor Wendy Randall is in charge of arranging the march and can be contacted on 07840747348 or wendyrandall121@hotmail.co.uk’
4th Nov Monday CWU strike. We will let you know picket line details as and when. http://www.cwu.org/postal-workers-vote-4-to-1-for-strike-action.html
5th November Tuesday: Bonfire of Austerity. The People’s Assembly is calling for protest in every town. http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/5nov/ Have we any plans for Northampton? Please let me know.
5th/6th Nov Wed: NAPO strike (probation and family court staff union) 12 noon on 5th Nov to 12 noon on the 6th in response to the government’s plans to sell off 70% of the probation service. More details to follow.
9th November Sat Labour Assembly Against Austerity 9am – 5pm, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX The Labour Assembly Against Austerity will provide a forum for Labour Party members to discuss alternatives to austerity and the policies Labour needs to stimulate growth, jobs and rising living standards. http://labourassemblyagainstausterity.org.uk/
14th November Trades Council 7.15 Old Black Lion. Please could as many delegates attend as possible for an important discussion on the way forward. Non-affiliated unions welcome to come and join in.
16th Nov Sat: The Campaign For State Education’s Reclaiming Education Conference. Reclaiming Education flyer No 2
30th Nov Sat National Shop Stewards Birmingham
Conference: http://shopstewards.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Midlands-Conference-2013-Flyer-A5.pdf
Feb 2014 Women’s Assembly Against Austerity: Following the success of the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, which saw over 3,000 people fill Central Hall Westminster, the National Assembly of Women is working with other women from Stop the War, CND, People’s Charter and Charter for Women to organise a Women’s Assembly Against Austerity.
This event will take place in London in February 2014 and a call has gone out for support to women’s organisation, women-led organisations, leading women from trade unions, anti racist and anti discrimination struggles, plus other influential women in public life. The only criteria
is that they must be anti austerity and support the founding statement of the People’s Assembly. The purpose of the Women’s Assembly is to:
· Give voice to the impact that policies of austerity and privatisation are having on women in Britain
· Develop thinking about the alternatives to austerity from women’s perspective
· Encourage women in resisting through linking up and learning from each other, including between women’s organisations and women in the labour and trade union movement
· Ensure that women are at the front and centre of a UK movement against austerity and in developing the alternative
The aim is not to set up a new women’s organisation, but rather bring together existing organisations and women to work together against austerity.
Contact details: http://www.sisters.org.uk/2contactus.html
Other issues
Blacklisting. We have been sent a transcript of Hansard of the blacklisting debate in October. Blacklisting debate 16th OCtober
Solidarity Shopping. A new initiative begun in Australia I believe. They are looking for crowd sourcing and asking unions and Trades Councils to subscribe: http://www.notamazon.co.uk/bulletins/TUCs.html
Stories in the local press:
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/ngh-to-be-inspected-as-a-priority-by-care-quality-commission-1-5618396
Also, parish councils and residents groups are being asked to take on maintenance work for some rural roads! Could include verges, hedges and clearing ditches!! Please take a look at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Northamptonshire_Asset_Management