Hi, I am slowly getting the hang of writing blogs, but please bear with any errors of format and style!

Events

Wed 20th March: Please support the PCS action by calling in on a picket line. They will be in the usual places, including Northgate House in Sheep St, the MOJ Bulk Centre in St Katherines St, the Job Centre in the Lower Mounts and the courts from 7.30. There will be a gathering for a photo call at some stage - we'll try and get more details out later.

Sat 23rd March am: Help is needed for the NHS action on staff shortages, bed shortages etc at NGH, planned by Northampton Reclaim Our NHS group and supported by NADS and NTUC. There will be some street theatre with people dressed as doctors, nurses and patients, but if you don't fancy that, people will be needed for the stall and giving out leaflets. Please contact Ron Mendel or Ben King. Details of event tbc.

Also on the 23rd :

The Labour Party has a conference on Education Policy 10 -12.30 at University of Northampton, Park Campus Sulgrave Building. Target participants are Labour Party members, Labour Party supporters, local educators. The purpose of the seminar is to consider current trends in education 5 - 19, and consider a Northampton contribution to national policy.There will be speakers and workshops on academies, the

Gove curriculum, University Technical Colleges and Cooperative schools. Book

your place by contacting John Palethorpe or Danielle Stone at northamptonlabour@gmail.com

June 29th: National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) 7th national annual conference 11am-5pm, Saturday June 29th, Camden Centre, Judd Street, London, WC1H 9JE – initial speakers confirmed: union general secretaries - Mark Serwotka PCS, Billy Hayes CWU and

Steve Gillan POA. The entrance fee is £6. Cheques can be made payable to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’ – either email info@shopstewards.net or reply to PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE

Other union news

Unite members: there will be a General Secretary Election Meeting at the Cotton Club, Main Rd Far Cotton, NN4 8EN on Wed 20th March at 7.30. All members welcome.

The FBU is campaigning against the Public Public Sector Pensions Bill which will raise the age of retirement for firefighters to 60. Yet its own report published earlier this year shows most firefighters cannot work safely until that age. More info from the FBU website.

TUC

Vacancies

Campaign Manager - Community, issued 07 Mar 2013. Salary/Hours: £27,919.87 P/A & Benefits. Full time. Location: Earls Barton, Northampton. Closing date: 22 Mar 2013 23:59 For details click here: Campaign Manager

Midlands Regional Organiser - The Musicians Union, issued 15 Mar 2013. Salary/Hours: £45,000 incl car (a full driving licence is an essential requirement). 37.5 hours per week. Location: Birmingham. Closing date: 08 Apr 2013 23:59. For details click Regional Organiser

Health and Safety

Risks 597 - 16 March 2013 Health and safety newsletter 16 March 2013

Hazards at Work – get your copy now! The new edition of the TUC's best-selling guide to health and safety at work it out now. It is used by reps, officers, employers, professionals in the field and even enforcement officers. Find out more, including how to get hold of your copy click here: Hazards at Work

Burnout bigger heart attack risk than smoking, says new research. For details click Burnout