Liverpool TUC Open Meeting

Fight the Cuts Open Public Meeting

10^th February 7.30 at The Green Room, Duke Street, Liverpool

The ConDem government plan to make ordinary workers pay for an economic crisis caused by the greed of Bankers, spivs and speculators. And while we suffer cuts in jobs and vital services, as well as attacks on our pay and pensions, we see company directors enjoying pay rises on average of 55%.

Multi millionaire government ministers tell us we’re all in this together but their rich friends cost this country over £100 billion in lost revenue as a result of tax avoidance, tax evasion and tax loopholes every year.

Come to our Public Meeting for a Discussion about the Alternatives to the Chaos of Capitalism

Speakers include:

RICKY TOMLINSON Jailed Shrewsbury Picket, Actor and Socialist

KEN LOACH Socialist Film Director

TONY MULHEARN Surcharged Socialist Councillor

LIZZIE O’ROURKE – College Student – Suffering from Government Cuts in Education Maintenance Allowance

EMILY KELLY Public & Commercial Services Union National Executive Committee (Invited)

UCU Hope University – Speaker on University Job cuts

MARK HOSKISSON – Secretary Liverpool Trades Union Council

Chair: Daren Ireland President Liverpool Trades Union Council

Come and listen to the speakers and join the debate. Ask your branch to affiliate to your local Trades Union Council and send a delegate. This is how we can coordinate the activities of all our trade unions and help build a mass movement which can fight for a better future for us all. All trade union representatives and activists are urged to attend.

Job losses at Liverpool Hope University

Around 100 staff at Liverpool Hope University are to lose their jobs by September 2011.
The university announced that one in 10 staff would be made redundant as it attempts to slash annual costs by £6m in response to government funding cuts.
Redundancies will hit across the board, affecting the university’s 300 academic staff as well as administrative staff at its Childwall and Everton campuses.
A small number of courses will also be cut, while some departments will be merged.

• Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/01/13/liverpool-hope-university-to-axe-100-jobs-by-september-100252-27977789/2/

Merseyside United Against The Cuts, March and Rally

Merseyside United and Fighting

1000s on the street is a mandate for change

MARCH & RALLY

SATURDAY 5th FEBRUARY

Assemble 11am at

         Exchange Flags (back Liverpool Town Hall)

March through city centre to the

ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL FOR RALLY

Merseyside Public Sector Alliance have called a march and rally through Liverpool City Centre (details above), this will feature a number of speakers for the event:-

Chair  Alec McFadden:President Merseyside TUC

Speakers  

TONY BENN

   GAIL CARTMEL    Unite Assistant Gen Secretary

  AVIS GILMORE     Secretary NUT NW Region

 ALAN MANNING     Secretary NWTUC

 JUSTIN WELBY       Dean of Liverpool

  CHRIS BAUGH       Assistant General Sec PCS    

  DAVID PRENTIS     General Sec Unison (tbc) 

  

Fight the Job Cuts

If People Aren't Working They're Hurting

TUSC Meeting

TRADE UNIONIST & SOCIALIST COALITION    Merseyside

Next meeting to take place   THURSDAY  27^TH  JANUARY   7.00PM   In the CASA  (cellar bistro)   Hope St   L,pool 1

RtW AGM

Wed 26th Jan 2011: Merseyside Right to Work AGM

The meeting will be mainly to ratify our constitution (to follow in later email) and to establish a steering committee. We need people to nominate themselves (or others if they agree) to sit on the steering committee and help with planning events, coordinating groups and generally helping out.  The more people who are involved in the committee the less work there will be!  There are also some named positions that need to be filled; treasurer, secretary, convenor, deputy convenor, publicity/media.  If you would like to be involved in the steering committee in a general sense or as a specific position can you please email me by next Monday (11th January)?  Also if you would like to put something on the agenda for the AGM let me know by Monday 11th Jan.

AGM: 7.30pm, upstairs in the Crown Pub,

Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JQ

Keep Our NHS Public, Meeting

Subject: Keep Our NHS public meeting about the Royal

The meeting is at 7:30 pm on Thurs 3 Feb, in the Kensington Fields Community Centre. Map:

http://www.imerseyside.co.uk/profile/106728/Liverpool/Kensington-Fields-Community-Centre/#map

on Hall Lane , by the Royal.

Merseyside RtW AGM

The Merseyside Right to Work annual general meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th January, 7.30pm upstairs in the Crown Pub, Lime Street, Liverpool.  I have attached the proposed constitution which is based on the national Right to Work constitution.  Any proposed amendments should be submitted to me by Tuesday 25th January.  Once the constitution is agreed we can set up a bank account.  The bank account must have at least two signatories, so if you would like to be a signatory or would like to propose someone to be a signatory, again please let me know by Tuesday 25th Jan.  Likewise, if you would like to be on the steering committee or would like to nominate someone to be on the steering committee, let me know by 25th Jan.

 

Agenda for the AGM

 

1) Constitution

2) Steering committee election

3) Bank account signatories

4) Report back form last 6 months

5) Future events

6) AOB

 

In solidarity,

 

Debs Gwynn

Convenor, Merseyside Right to Work

 

Merseyside UAF Newsletter

Merseyside Unite Against Fascism

liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006 / http://www.uaf.org.uk/

 

In this issue :

 

1. Stop the Racist EDL in Luton : Saturday 5 February
2. Kensington Remembers : Holocaust Memorial Day
3. Love Music Hate Racism DJ night : Mello Mello Friday 21 January
4. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Steering Committee : Wednesday 26 January 
5. Calling all Tranmere Supporters
6. Unite Against Fascism National Conference : Saturday 26 February
7. Liverpool Anti Fascism Conference : 2 April

 

Stop the Racist EDL in Luton : Saturday 5 February

The EDL plan to march in Luton on Saturday 5th February.

Luton is the birthplace, about 18 months ago, of this anti-Muslim movement.  They are asking their 'divisions' - local groups from across the country - to assemble in different parts of Luton.  The EDL are openly refusing to cooperate with the police.

We cannot allow the EDL to rampage through our cities.

Unite Against Fascism is working to organise the biggest possible public protest against any such gatherings by the EDL.  UAF is also organising an anti-racist rally in the town centre.   

Merseyside Unite Against Fascism is running a coach to Luton and urges all our supporters and friends to come and stand alongside us and Luton's community and say No to the EDL.

 

Coach Tickets are £20 waged / £10 unwaged and coach will be leaving at 8am. If you'd like to go then book at place by emailing liverpool@uaf.org.uk or phone 07908 202 006. Alternatively get a ticket from News from Nowhere Bookshop, 96 Bold Street.

 

The protest is now backed by the Southern & Eastern Region TUC.

 

2. Kensington Remembers

 

Kensigton Remembers is hosting a series of events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

 

On Sunday 24 January an afternoon of Jewish Klezmer Music and Film has been organised at the Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, Gardner's Drive, Liverpool L6 7UR.

 

Featuring the Klatsh Klezmer Band and showings of 'The Passenger' and 'Deane Road Jewish Cemetery'.

 

Entrance is by invitation only so people wishing to attend should contact laura.pover@liverpool.gov.uk or 0151 233 6136.

 

3. Love Music Hate Racism DJ nite @ Mello Mello, Slater St

 

Friday 21 January sees Mello Mello playing host to DJs the Coconut Twins, a mean mash up between Dr Vomit and Tohmmy Ohm and the the return of the big chill with the Sausage DJs. Masters of Ceremony for the night are the fine lads from Toxteth Rebel Alliance. Doors 7pm - entrance is free but a donation would be super!

 

4. Merseyside Unite Against Fascism Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday 26 January

 

Our next meeting is at 7pm on Wednesday 26 January at the new UNITE the Union building, Islington, Liverpool (just near the Empire Theatre). The meeting is open to all UAF members and supporters.

 

Meetings will be monthly from then on the last Wednesday of each month at the UNITE building.

 

Next meetings are

 

7pm 26 January

7pm 23 February

7pm 30 March

7pm 27 April

 

 

5. Calling All Tranmere Supporters!

 

Yeah we know some exist! Merseyside Unite Against Fascism will be joining forces with Tranmere Supporters Anti Fascist group to leaflet the home game against Rochdale on Tuesday 1 Feb. Come and lend a hand if you can - contact Alan 07908 202 006 for further info.

 

6. Unite Against Fascism National Conference : Saturday 26 February

 

Registration is now open for UAF’s 2011 annual conference, which takes place on Saturday 26 February in central London. It is organised jointly with our sister organisation, Love Music Hate Racism, which will host a special session.
It will bring together people from across the country, from all sections of the community and from trade union branches, student groups and community organisations to discuss how we can defeat the fascists of the British National Party and counter the growing threat of the English Defence League – racist thugs with fascists in their midst.

Conference sessions and workshops

* strategies for stopping the BNP in the forthcoming elections
* where next in the campaign against the EDL?
* resisting the rise of the far-right across Europe
* Islamophobia, immigration and racism
* tackling homophobia and fascism
* how to bring anti-fascism into the workplace and onto campus

Speakers

Speakers will include representatives from trade unions, the student movement, artists, politicians and the international antifascist movement.

Special offer for students

The conference is open to delegations from trade union, student and community groups – and to individuals.
Registration costs £10 per ticket. But we will issue free tickets to the first 100 students who call UAF on 020 7801 2782.

check : http://uaf.org.uk/2011/01/register-now-for-uaf-conference-saturday-26-february/ for up to date details and how to register.

 

 

7. Liverpool Anti Fascism Conference Saturday 2 April

 

Following on from last years highly successful conference we are pleased to announce that the conference this year will be held on Saturday 2 April in conjunction with UNITE the Union at its new building in Liverpool. The event is is being supported by the Anthony Walker Foundation.

 

Sessions will include amongst others:

• The Battle of Cable Street
• Islamophobia : The new face of racism
• Stopping the EDL
• Trade Unions in an era of cuts
• Rock Against Racism

More details will follow shortly but put the date in your diary now!

 

 

peace, love and unity

 

Alan

 

Merseyside Unite Against Fascism

liverpool@uaf.org.uk / 07908 202 006 / http://www.uaf.org.uk/

 

Statement on Merseytravel Website

Budget cuts hit Merseyside hard

 

14 December 2010

 

Merseytravel’s block funding grant from the Department for Transport has been slashed by two thirds, with the Chairman of the transport authority Councillor Mark Dowd warning of severe repercussions on future transport projects.

Councillor Dowd said:”Never in our most pessimistic forecasts did we anticipate such a crippling and savage cut.

“Having already dealt with a 25% cut of our £17million allocation during this financial year, we had made realistic budget predictions of receiving just over £13million next year. We now know we are going to get only £5.74million and this is going to have a severe impact on our future plans.

“Currently we are reviewing all projects for next year, but my immediate reaction is that it will be difficult enough to maintain and operate what we have let alone think about improvements.

“During my 28 years as a councillor I have never experienced such a financial savagery, these cuts are vicious”.

Key Dates

Hi All

After a lull in activity over the festive period, there is plenty of campaigning, lobbying and demonstrating to be done in the first few weeks of 2011.

As mentioned in the previous bulletin it is important that as a group we are properly constituted and transparent which is why it is important that we have a constitution and bank account.  The initial date for the Merseyside RtW AGM has had to change from 11th January to 26th January (details below in key dates).  A proposed constitution will be sent out next week and any nomination received for positions on the steering committee.

Key dates for your diary

Wed 12th Jan 2011: Lobby St Helen's Council Meeting

Councillor Fletcher (Labour) has tabled the following motion for discussion at the council meeting:

"This Council condemns the Coalition Government’s abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance provision without providing an adequate substitute and calls upon them urgently to provide a realistic alternative. The removal of this allowance will severely damage the education and employment prospects of many of the most disadvantaged young people in St Helens at a time when they are already facing many other challenges. Because of those challenges it is essential that young people be supported in improving their prospects for education and training."

I think it is vital that we get as many people there from RtW to show that we support him and that a fightback is possible.  I have emailed Councillor Fletcher to give him our support and I will also be contacting union reps in high schools and colleges in St Helens to get them to join us and get students there too.  Furthermore on the St Helens council website Deputy council leader Councillor Grunewald has launched an attack on the Tory government and the local government spending cuts calling them "shameful" and "devastating". 

Action: Assemble 5pm at St Helen's Town Hall,

Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP

Merseyside Right to Work will be leading this but I hope there will be other groups there to support us.

Wed 26th Jan 2011: Merseyside Right to Work AGM

The meeting will be mainly to ratify our constitution (to follow in later email) and to establish a steering committee. We need people to nominate themselves (or others if they agree) to sit on the steering committee and help with planning events, coordinating groups and generally helping out.  The more people who are involved in the committee the less work there will be!  There are also some named positions that need to be filled; treasurer, secretary, convenor, deputy convenor, publicity/media.  If you would like to be involved in the steering committee in a general sense or as a specific position can you please email me by next Monday (11th January)?  Also if you would like to put something on the agenda for the AGM let me know by Monday 11th Jan.

AGM: 7.30pm, upstairs in the Crown Pub,

Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JQ

Saturday 12th Feb 2011: Right to Work People's Convention

Convention called by Right to Work nationally to discuss strategies for campaigning and alternatives to cuts.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to go so that we can organise a delegation from Merseyside.  For more information see: http://righttowork.org.uk/2010/11/peoples-convention/

Saturday 26th Mar 2011: TUC national demonstration against the cuts

National demonstration against the government's cuts organised by the Trades Union Congress.  If you are in a union your union should be organising transport - please let us know what your union is doing.  Merseyside Right to Work will also be organising transport for those not able to take advantage of union organised transport.  There is also the possibility of organising an event on the same day in Liverpool for those people who are unable to travel to London.  Please let me know if you would be interested in RtW transport or a Liverpool based event.

When they say cutback, we say fightback

In solidarity,

Debs Gwynn

Convenor, Merseyside Right to Work