EVENTS BRITAIN 22 FEB ONWARDS
25 FEBRURY
Dayx4 Student Protests in London - UCL Occupied
Hundreds took part in the latest Dayx4 student protests, with feeder marches from several different universities, meeting to protest outside the Universities UK Vice Chancellors meeting. From there, refusing to be stopped by police, they took Euston Road and marched down Oxford Street protesting against UKUncut targets. Deciding against occupying ULU, they demonstrated in solidarity with the people of Libya in Grosvenor Square, before protesting at a meeting at UCL where BP reps were speaking. After holding a meeting at UCL, they decided to stay and are now in occupation at the Old Refectory in the Wilson building. They have called a general meeting at 6pm Friday inviting all campaigning against the cuts to link up.
Source indymedia London
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7577
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23 FEBRUARY – LONDON - ANTI CUTS PROTESTORS STORM LAMBETH TOWN HALL AND COUNCIL CHAMBER
The protestors entered the building where voting was taking place over implementation of harsh austerity cuts to the budget. Councillers were forced to disband proceedings on the vote and leave the building. They managed to pass the vote elsewhere. Protestors continued occupying the building for some time afterwards and had a lively debate and discussion and they voted unanimously against making any cuts.
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22 FEBRUARY – TRAIN DRIVERS SET TO STRIKE IN WALES
Members of Aslef train drivers union at Arriva Trains Wales, voted in favour of taking strike action next Monday over pay. Drivers in the RMT union went out on strike last December 27 over pay and conditions.
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22 FEBRUARY – LORRY DRIVERS STRIKE IN FELIXSTOWE
Lorry drivers at Bawdsey in Felixstowe went on strike on Monday this week, demanding union recognition. If their demands are not met, the Unite union is planning a 5-day strike towards the end of March.
=====================
Friday, 25 February 2011
Thursday, 24 February 2011
UK KFA DENOUNCES WAR DRILL
UK KOREAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION
London 24th of February 2011
The UK Korean Friendship Association today issued the following statement in connection
with the decision of the US imperialists and south Korean puppets to go ahead with the
holding of the Foal Eagle/Key Resolve aggressive military exercises from the 28th of
February to 10th of March which involve a large number of US and south Korean puppet
troops.
These exercises fly in the face of the trend to relax the tension on the Korean peninsula and build confidence between the north and south of Korea.The holding of such
aggressive war exercises is tantamount to throwing a wet blanket over the magnanimous
peace proposals made by the DPRK.The holding of the exercises is an intolerable cchallenge to reunification and peace in Korea but also in north east Asia and the world.These exercises will result in greatly increased tension in Korea bringing the situation back to near war.
The independent and peace loving DPRK had several highly significant and constructive proposals for defusing tension,building confidence and for peace and reunification.These included the statement of DPRK political parties and organisations,
proposals for a meeting between lawmakers of the north and south as well military talks
between north and south.These proposals have been turned down by south Korea and
the military talks were abrogated by the south Korean side.Now the US imperialists and
south Korean puppets have shown their true faces as aggressors and war provokers to
the world by pushing ahead with holding such aggressive exercises as Foal Eagle/Key
Resolve.
These exercises not only threaten the independence and dignity of the DPRK,representing
an iinsidiousattempt to stifle Juche socialism by military force but vastly increase the danger of war and conflict in east Asia.If a war is started by these exercises it could
quickly become a 'nuclear exchange' and involved other countries in the Asia -Pacific.
UK KFA demands that these exercises are cancelled unconditionally and immediately.
The US and south Korea must refrain from provoking a war.
UK KFA
London 24th of February 2011
The UK Korean Friendship Association today issued the following statement in connection
with the decision of the US imperialists and south Korean puppets to go ahead with the
holding of the Foal Eagle/Key Resolve aggressive military exercises from the 28th of
February to 10th of March which involve a large number of US and south Korean puppet
troops.
These exercises fly in the face of the trend to relax the tension on the Korean peninsula and build confidence between the north and south of Korea.The holding of such
aggressive war exercises is tantamount to throwing a wet blanket over the magnanimous
peace proposals made by the DPRK.The holding of the exercises is an intolerable cchallenge to reunification and peace in Korea but also in north east Asia and the world.These exercises will result in greatly increased tension in Korea bringing the situation back to near war.
The independent and peace loving DPRK had several highly significant and constructive proposals for defusing tension,building confidence and for peace and reunification.These included the statement of DPRK political parties and organisations,
proposals for a meeting between lawmakers of the north and south as well military talks
between north and south.These proposals have been turned down by south Korea and
the military talks were abrogated by the south Korean side.Now the US imperialists and
south Korean puppets have shown their true faces as aggressors and war provokers to
the world by pushing ahead with holding such aggressive exercises as Foal Eagle/Key
Resolve.
These exercises not only threaten the independence and dignity of the DPRK,representing
an iinsidiousattempt to stifle Juche socialism by military force but vastly increase the danger of war and conflict in east Asia.If a war is started by these exercises it could
quickly become a 'nuclear exchange' and involved other countries in the Asia -Pacific.
UK KFA demands that these exercises are cancelled unconditionally and immediately.
The US and south Korea must refrain from provoking a war.
UK KFA
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
SONGUN UK DENOUNCES WAR DRILLS
SONGUN POLITICS UK
London 22nd of February 2011 Juche 99
The Association For the Study of Songun Politics UK together with the Juche Idea Study Group today issued a statement denouncing and opposing the "Foal Eagle " and "Key Resolve" aggressive military exercises,by the US imperialists and south Korean puppet
military, to be staged from the 28th of February 2011 to 10th of March 2011.
The scale of these exercises is large as they involve 12,800 US imperialist
aggression troops and some 200,000 south Korean puppet troops.These exercises are an intolerable challenge to the DPRK and seriously threaten peace and stablity in north east Asia.
It is shameful and beyond comphrension that the US imperialists and south Korean
puppets have called these exercises when the DPRK has made so many far reaching
positive and constructive peace and reunification proposals in January 2011 including the
joint statement of DPRK parties and organisations.The DPRK had also taken the intitative
to hold north-south military talks but the south Korean puppets caused these to collapse
without any tangible result.The US imperialists and south Korean puppets have answered
the peaceloving DPRK's proposals for peace and reunification by announcing war
exercises.
The outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula had been prevented by the DPRK's patience
and forebearance and tensions were being lessened by the DPRK's peace proposals but now the US imperialists and south Korean puppets are turning the situation back to the days of November and December 2010.We strongly condemn them for this.
The talk of the US imperialists and south Korean puppets of "removing the nuke,missiles
and chemical weapons of north Korea in case of a contigency" is just a mere sophistry
and a code word for destroying the Juche,people centred socialist system of Korean
style in the DPRK by force of arms.
The "Foal Eagle/Key Resolve" exercises threaten the independence of the DPRK and
and also threaten world peace by bringing the Korean peninsula back to a state of near
war.
We call upon the US imperialists and south Korean authorities to cancel the exercises at
once and stop threatening the DPRK.We call on peace loving and progressive forces of
the world to defend the DPRK,land of Juche socialism.
USA OUT OF KOREA!
HANDS OFF PEOPLE'S KOREA!
LONG LIVE JUCHE!
ASSPUK
JISGE,
London 22nd of February 2011 Juche 99
The Association For the Study of Songun Politics UK together with the Juche Idea Study Group today issued a statement denouncing and opposing the "Foal Eagle " and "Key Resolve" aggressive military exercises,by the US imperialists and south Korean puppet
military, to be staged from the 28th of February 2011 to 10th of March 2011.
The scale of these exercises is large as they involve 12,800 US imperialist
aggression troops and some 200,000 south Korean puppet troops.These exercises are an intolerable challenge to the DPRK and seriously threaten peace and stablity in north east Asia.
It is shameful and beyond comphrension that the US imperialists and south Korean
puppets have called these exercises when the DPRK has made so many far reaching
positive and constructive peace and reunification proposals in January 2011 including the
joint statement of DPRK parties and organisations.The DPRK had also taken the intitative
to hold north-south military talks but the south Korean puppets caused these to collapse
without any tangible result.The US imperialists and south Korean puppets have answered
the peaceloving DPRK's proposals for peace and reunification by announcing war
exercises.
The outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula had been prevented by the DPRK's patience
and forebearance and tensions were being lessened by the DPRK's peace proposals but now the US imperialists and south Korean puppets are turning the situation back to the days of November and December 2010.We strongly condemn them for this.
The talk of the US imperialists and south Korean puppets of "removing the nuke,missiles
and chemical weapons of north Korea in case of a contigency" is just a mere sophistry
and a code word for destroying the Juche,people centred socialist system of Korean
style in the DPRK by force of arms.
The "Foal Eagle/Key Resolve" exercises threaten the independence of the DPRK and
and also threaten world peace by bringing the Korean peninsula back to a state of near
war.
We call upon the US imperialists and south Korean authorities to cancel the exercises at
once and stop threatening the DPRK.We call on peace loving and progressive forces of
the world to defend the DPRK,land of Juche socialism.
USA OUT OF KOREA!
HANDS OFF PEOPLE'S KOREA!
LONG LIVE JUCHE!
ASSPUK
JISGE,
FB-AUCPB CLASS STRUGGLE UK 22 FEB
-----------------------------------------------------
BARNET COUNCIL WORKERS TO STRIKE OVER TORY PLANNED JOB CUTS
Last week, around 150 workers of Barnet council voted to strike against Tory council’s privatization plans. They are striking in protest at plans by the Tories to make job cuts.
-----------------------------------------------------
COPS DRAG PUBLIC OUT OF ISLINGTON COUNCIL CUTS MEETING
FEB 18 LONDON On Thursday evening police were called to Islington Council's budget cuts meeting and physically removed people from the public gallery, after they heckled and chanted "If you vote this budget through, that makes you a Tory too". See videos 1 and 2.http://www.twitvid.com/TVYL1
Earlier a march and rally had been held Islington Hands Off Our Public Services and local trade union branches. Inside a record 28 questions were tabled from members of the public many challenging the millions of pounds of budget cuts. Rowdy heckling included "You have a choice!" and "Shame on you", with more chants of "Labour council's gone berserk, doing all the Tories work" and "Whose Council? Our Council!"
In scenes being repeated across the country the council suspended the meeting and called the police to clear people from the gallery, dragging people out and arresting one (later de-arrested). The meeting then continued behind closed doors.
Protests like this are happening all the time - this saturday in london alone there are dozens of anticuts protests and actions: Lewisham Carnival Against Cuts - Hackney - Waltham Forest -UKuncut (7 london actions)
Reports:
http://pcseuston.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/islington-council-budget-meeting-is-this-what-democracy-looks-like
http://righttowork.org.uk/2011/02/islington-council-forced-to-pass-budget-in-secret-session/
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/police_called_to_islington_town_hall_as_council_meeting_descends_into_chaos_1_806216
See also: http://www.ihoops.org.uk
http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/campaign-resources/there-is-an-alternative-the-case-against-cuts-in-public-spending.cfm
Photos http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7421
===================================
ANGRY SCENES AS OFFICERS EJECT PROTESTORS FROM MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, Police ejected protestors from County Hall as politicians voted through £179 million cuts at an extraordinary budget meeting.
The tense meeting had to be halted twice, once when police were called to clear the public gallery and, again, when a fire alarm was activated an hour later, sparking a mass evacuation of the staff, councillors and members of the public.
It was the first time in 20 years that the gallery had been cleared.
During the meeting, Conservative county council leader Geoff Driver was involved in a spat with anti-cuts protestors, who he later branded “unruly louts.”
The decision means that thousands of jobs will now be axed from the authority and many services scaled back over the next three-years. One of the most controversial proposals voted through is the move to shut at least one respite centre for the families of disabled children within the next 12 months, sparking an angry response from the scores of angry protestors who gathered at the meeting. Before the start of yesterday’s meeting dozens of parents affected by the proposals made their feelings clear by staging a protest outside. Some told how important the county’s eight respite centres were to them.
After the meeting Manoj Majhi, 47, whose 14-year-old disabled daughter Amy attends Maplewood House respite centre in Bamber Bridge, which is one of the centres facing the axe, said: “I am totally deflated.
“I came here to see democracy in action and what I got was a sham. They didn’t care one iota what we had to say or how these cuts will affect our families.”
The county council budget was approved 42 votes to 23 after more than four hour
VIDEO
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/angry_scenes_as_officers_eject_protestors_from_meeting_1_3093737
Source- Lancashire Evening Post
========================================================
BARNET COUNCIL WORKERS TO STRIKE OVER TORY PLANNED JOB CUTS
Last week, around 150 workers of Barnet council voted to strike against Tory council’s privatization plans. They are striking in protest at plans by the Tories to make job cuts.
-----------------------------------------------------
COPS DRAG PUBLIC OUT OF ISLINGTON COUNCIL CUTS MEETING
FEB 18 LONDON On Thursday evening police were called to Islington Council's budget cuts meeting and physically removed people from the public gallery, after they heckled and chanted "If you vote this budget through, that makes you a Tory too". See videos 1 and 2.http://www.twitvid.com/TVYL1
Earlier a march and rally had been held Islington Hands Off Our Public Services and local trade union branches. Inside a record 28 questions were tabled from members of the public many challenging the millions of pounds of budget cuts. Rowdy heckling included "You have a choice!" and "Shame on you", with more chants of "Labour council's gone berserk, doing all the Tories work" and "Whose Council? Our Council!"
In scenes being repeated across the country the council suspended the meeting and called the police to clear people from the gallery, dragging people out and arresting one (later de-arrested). The meeting then continued behind closed doors.
Protests like this are happening all the time - this saturday in london alone there are dozens of anticuts protests and actions: Lewisham Carnival Against Cuts - Hackney - Waltham Forest -UKuncut (7 london actions)
Reports:
http://pcseuston.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/islington-council-budget-meeting-is-this-what-democracy-looks-like
http://righttowork.org.uk/2011/02/islington-council-forced-to-pass-budget-in-secret-session/
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/police_called_to_islington_town_hall_as_council_meeting_descends_into_chaos_1_806216
See also: http://www.ihoops.org.uk
http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/campaign-resources/there-is-an-alternative-the-case-against-cuts-in-public-spending.cfm
Photos http://london.indymedia.org/articles/7421
===================================
ANGRY SCENES AS OFFICERS EJECT PROTESTORS FROM MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, Police ejected protestors from County Hall as politicians voted through £179 million cuts at an extraordinary budget meeting.
The tense meeting had to be halted twice, once when police were called to clear the public gallery and, again, when a fire alarm was activated an hour later, sparking a mass evacuation of the staff, councillors and members of the public.
It was the first time in 20 years that the gallery had been cleared.
During the meeting, Conservative county council leader Geoff Driver was involved in a spat with anti-cuts protestors, who he later branded “unruly louts.”
The decision means that thousands of jobs will now be axed from the authority and many services scaled back over the next three-years. One of the most controversial proposals voted through is the move to shut at least one respite centre for the families of disabled children within the next 12 months, sparking an angry response from the scores of angry protestors who gathered at the meeting. Before the start of yesterday’s meeting dozens of parents affected by the proposals made their feelings clear by staging a protest outside. Some told how important the county’s eight respite centres were to them.
After the meeting Manoj Majhi, 47, whose 14-year-old disabled daughter Amy attends Maplewood House respite centre in Bamber Bridge, which is one of the centres facing the axe, said: “I am totally deflated.
“I came here to see democracy in action and what I got was a sham. They didn’t care one iota what we had to say or how these cuts will affect our families.”
The county council budget was approved 42 votes to 23 after more than four hour
VIDEO
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/angry_scenes_as_officers_eject_protestors_from_meeting_1_3093737
Source- Lancashire Evening Post
========================================================
Friday, 18 February 2011
UK WORKERS' MOVEMENT FEB 18
FB AUCPB UK EVENTS
EVENTS BRITAIN 15 FEB ONWARDS
18 FEBRUARY – BRITAIN- SOUTHAMPTON COUNCIL WORKERS STORM COUNCIL BUILDING OVER CUTS
Council workers stormed the Southampton council meeting on cuts earlier this week. Over 400 workers held a lively protest outside Southampton Civic Centre booing and jeering at the Tory and Lib-Dem councillers as they entered the building. The council has threatened the workers with pay cuts, and with plans to cut subsidies to allotments which will hit pensioners hard.
Photo Southampton Unison
Photo Guy Smallman
About 50 demonstrators then managed to storm the building. Protestors banged in the doors of the council chamber where the meeting on cuts was being held. Eventually the mayor ordered the public to be removed from the public gallery to stop the shouting by demonstrators who were chanting “Same on you!”, “No pay cuts”, and “Same old lying Tories”.
Council workers in Unite and Unison union are being balloted for strike action should the council carry out its threat to sack all staff and re-employ them on the new term
----------------------------------------------
17 FEBRUARY – LONDON, UNITE UNION- PICKET OUTSIDE MEXICAN EMBASSY- SOLIDARITY TO MEXICAN WORKERS
On 17 February, a picket was held outside the Mexican embassy in London in protest at the continued violations of the right to freedom of association. The Unite union said that since 2006, the Mexican government has escalated its illegal and violent attacks on the Mexican Miners Union, following a 2006 explosion at Grupo Mexico’s Pasta de Conchos mine that killed 65 miners.
“The Mexican government has systematically and repeatedly violated Mexican law and international standards in an attempt to crush the Mexican Miners Union” Unite said.
----------------------------------------
17th FEBRUARY - TEACHERS STRIKE TO SAVE STATE EDUCATION
Derbyshire teachers strike for second day in protest at plans to turn their school into an academy. Around 80 teachers joined the picket line of the county school. Some pupils stayed at home. Further strike action may be called in future over attacks on the teachers working conditions.
In some areas, pupils have been planning walkouts over the issue and in other areas, plans to turn schools into academies have be overturned.
----------------------------------------------------------
15 FEBRUARY – POST OFFICE COUNTER STAFF BEING BALLOTED FOR STRIKE ACTION
Almost 4000 workers at crown post offices across Britain are being balloted for strikes in a dispute over pay, job security and the future of the post office network. Despite increased profits, the post office bosses are refusing to consider a pay rise for counter staff. The ballot closes on 4 March.
CWU
-------------------------------------------------
15 February - POSTAL WORKERS ON ISLE OF MAN TO VOTE ON STRIKE ACTION
Postal workers on Isle of Man are to vote this week on strike action over pay. This is the first time they have voted on strike action in living memory. The Communication Workers Union which represents 250 workers on the island is seeking a pay rise, the post office bosses say they intend to continue their pay freeze.
----------------------------------------
WORKERS AT NOTTINGHAM COUNTY COUNCIL SET TO STRIKE
The workers are set to strike on Thursday 24 February over cuts in the council budget. A march and rally has also been called for on the same day the council announces its cuts to local services.
Some 2500 jobs are to go from the council. So far there are 1000 compulsory redundancies. The planned cuts by the local council include closing of libraries, closure of 25 adult care centres, the sell off of elderly persons’ homes and raising residents fees.
15 February - Port Talbot- South Wales
CLEANERS AT TATA STEELWORKS, STRIKE OVER PAY
Cleaners at the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot struck over pay on Monday and Tuesday this week. Members of the Community Union, they demand the same pay as the other contractors at the site. Talks have been underway since June last year, but with no results. Union scabs and other union busting methods have been employed by management. The workers are considering taking further strike action.
-----------------------------------------
LECTURERS OF UNIVERSITY OF WEST ENGLAND (UWE) GO ON STRIKE
The lecturers went out on strike last Thursday and plan to go out on strike this Friday 18 February. They are striking over plans by the university management to cut jobs and demote workers. Students at the university have also come out in support of the striking lecturers.
---------------------------------
EVENTS BRITAIN 15 FEB ONWARDS
18 FEBRUARY – BRITAIN- SOUTHAMPTON COUNCIL WORKERS STORM COUNCIL BUILDING OVER CUTS
Council workers stormed the Southampton council meeting on cuts earlier this week. Over 400 workers held a lively protest outside Southampton Civic Centre booing and jeering at the Tory and Lib-Dem councillers as they entered the building. The council has threatened the workers with pay cuts, and with plans to cut subsidies to allotments which will hit pensioners hard.
Photo Southampton Unison
Photo Guy Smallman
About 50 demonstrators then managed to storm the building. Protestors banged in the doors of the council chamber where the meeting on cuts was being held. Eventually the mayor ordered the public to be removed from the public gallery to stop the shouting by demonstrators who were chanting “Same on you!”, “No pay cuts”, and “Same old lying Tories”.
Council workers in Unite and Unison union are being balloted for strike action should the council carry out its threat to sack all staff and re-employ them on the new term
----------------------------------------------
17 FEBRUARY – LONDON, UNITE UNION- PICKET OUTSIDE MEXICAN EMBASSY- SOLIDARITY TO MEXICAN WORKERS
On 17 February, a picket was held outside the Mexican embassy in London in protest at the continued violations of the right to freedom of association. The Unite union said that since 2006, the Mexican government has escalated its illegal and violent attacks on the Mexican Miners Union, following a 2006 explosion at Grupo Mexico’s Pasta de Conchos mine that killed 65 miners.
“The Mexican government has systematically and repeatedly violated Mexican law and international standards in an attempt to crush the Mexican Miners Union” Unite said.
----------------------------------------
17th FEBRUARY - TEACHERS STRIKE TO SAVE STATE EDUCATION
Derbyshire teachers strike for second day in protest at plans to turn their school into an academy. Around 80 teachers joined the picket line of the county school. Some pupils stayed at home. Further strike action may be called in future over attacks on the teachers working conditions.
In some areas, pupils have been planning walkouts over the issue and in other areas, plans to turn schools into academies have be overturned.
----------------------------------------------------------
15 FEBRUARY – POST OFFICE COUNTER STAFF BEING BALLOTED FOR STRIKE ACTION
Almost 4000 workers at crown post offices across Britain are being balloted for strikes in a dispute over pay, job security and the future of the post office network. Despite increased profits, the post office bosses are refusing to consider a pay rise for counter staff. The ballot closes on 4 March.
CWU
-------------------------------------------------
15 February - POSTAL WORKERS ON ISLE OF MAN TO VOTE ON STRIKE ACTION
Postal workers on Isle of Man are to vote this week on strike action over pay. This is the first time they have voted on strike action in living memory. The Communication Workers Union which represents 250 workers on the island is seeking a pay rise, the post office bosses say they intend to continue their pay freeze.
----------------------------------------
WORKERS AT NOTTINGHAM COUNTY COUNCIL SET TO STRIKE
The workers are set to strike on Thursday 24 February over cuts in the council budget. A march and rally has also been called for on the same day the council announces its cuts to local services.
Some 2500 jobs are to go from the council. So far there are 1000 compulsory redundancies. The planned cuts by the local council include closing of libraries, closure of 25 adult care centres, the sell off of elderly persons’ homes and raising residents fees.
15 February - Port Talbot- South Wales
CLEANERS AT TATA STEELWORKS, STRIKE OVER PAY
Cleaners at the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot struck over pay on Monday and Tuesday this week. Members of the Community Union, they demand the same pay as the other contractors at the site. Talks have been underway since June last year, but with no results. Union scabs and other union busting methods have been employed by management. The workers are considering taking further strike action.
-----------------------------------------
LECTURERS OF UNIVERSITY OF WEST ENGLAND (UWE) GO ON STRIKE
The lecturers went out on strike last Thursday and plan to go out on strike this Friday 18 February. They are striking over plans by the university management to cut jobs and demote workers. Students at the university have also come out in support of the striking lecturers.
---------------------------------
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
UK WORKERS' MOVEMENT FEB 15
Today's Fightback
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Activism from around Britain
Disabled people to picket Clegg visit
PERTH: Hundreds of disabled people in Scotland are planning a protest when Nick Clegg visits next month to attend the Liberal Democrat conference in Perth.
Campaigners in wheelchairs will target him over the government's cuts to lifeline allowances, expected to hurt almost 80,000 people.
Locals set to turn out in force
SWINDON: More than 100 campaigners are set to swamp Swindon Civic Offices when the council meets to set its budget this week.
The protesters have pledged to turn out in force Thursday night to vent anger over cuts in council spending.
GMB Swindon and Wiltshire secretary Andy Newman warned that the council risks "breaking Swindon."
Council grabs axe despite protests
CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Angry protests outside the Shire Hall today greeted the start of a key Cambridgeshire County Council meeting to approve £161 million of cuts and ditching up to 450 jobs.
Activists from the Cambridgeshire Against the Cuts campaign group staged a demonstration as council members gathered for the budget summit.
Anti-cuts activists take on bankers
ISLINGTON: UK Uncut staged a protest outside the Islington branch of Barclays bank in London today, highlighting cuts to public services such as libraries while the banks are still announcing huge profits.
The protest was held on the day the banking giant revealed that staff costs rose by 20 per cent last year, which served to line the pockets of its investment bankers and cancel out a 12 per cent cut in the bonus pool.
The average bonus at Barclays Capital, not including salary, was £104,839.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101108
----------------------------------------
Disabled workers to ballot for industrial action
Tuesday 15 February 2011
GMB announced today that it will ballot disabled members at state-owned manufacturer Remploy for industrial action over plans to make workers redundant at workshops across Britain.
The union's central executive council gave its authority for a national ballot after GMB members in Remploy voted in a consultative ballot by a majority of five to one to take strike action.
Remploy told the union last month that proposals for voluntary redundancy were being rolled out across the company from Monday January 31.
The ballot will take place among GMB members at 54 Remploy factories across Britain.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "With this deliberate run down of employment in Remploy GMB member are fed up of being lectured on the big society by those in high society.
"It's come to a sorry pass when disabled workers have to go on strike to stay in work and stay off the dole. Eighty-five per cent of those who lost their jobs in Remploy in 2008 are still on the dole."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101139
Steelworks cleaners stay strong
Tuesday 15 February 2011
by Paddy McGuffin, Home Affairs Reporter
Printable
Email
Cleaning staff at a south Wales steelworks concluded their two-day industrial action over pay today still determined to win a rise.
Steelworkers union Community hailed the picket at the Tata plant in Port Talbot as a major success despite management's bid to undermine the strike by bussing in scab labour.
Cleaning staff employed by contractor Office Cleaning Services (OCS) at the Tata plant work in arduous conditions for the minimum wage.
In the face of rising inflation Community said that they were left with no option but to take a stand and demand a living wage.
The union's regional campaigns manager Susan Lewis told the Morning Star: "For many of our members this was the first time they had been involved in industrial action and they have responded magnificently."
Strike-breaking attempts by management had added to members' resolve, she said.
"Management brought a convoy of workers in before 5am this morning.
"We do know that we had support from our sister unions within Tata.
"Some of the areas were not prepared to have scab labour come in and take our jobs."
The union said that negotiations had been tortuous, with management withdrawing and reducing an offer once it had been rejected by members.
"Our members do hard, dirty work getting up at 4am to start their shift at 5am.
"They work eight-hour shifts for just £5.93 an hour," she said.
"Many of our members have kids and families to support, they have been very patient but with the inflation increases you cannot live on the minimum wage."
Community said it still hoped to reach a negotiated settlement but that if necessary it would engage in further actions to force management to the table.
paddym@peoples-press.com
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101145
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Activism from around Britain
Disabled people to picket Clegg visit
PERTH: Hundreds of disabled people in Scotland are planning a protest when Nick Clegg visits next month to attend the Liberal Democrat conference in Perth.
Campaigners in wheelchairs will target him over the government's cuts to lifeline allowances, expected to hurt almost 80,000 people.
Locals set to turn out in force
SWINDON: More than 100 campaigners are set to swamp Swindon Civic Offices when the council meets to set its budget this week.
The protesters have pledged to turn out in force Thursday night to vent anger over cuts in council spending.
GMB Swindon and Wiltshire secretary Andy Newman warned that the council risks "breaking Swindon."
Council grabs axe despite protests
CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Angry protests outside the Shire Hall today greeted the start of a key Cambridgeshire County Council meeting to approve £161 million of cuts and ditching up to 450 jobs.
Activists from the Cambridgeshire Against the Cuts campaign group staged a demonstration as council members gathered for the budget summit.
Anti-cuts activists take on bankers
ISLINGTON: UK Uncut staged a protest outside the Islington branch of Barclays bank in London today, highlighting cuts to public services such as libraries while the banks are still announcing huge profits.
The protest was held on the day the banking giant revealed that staff costs rose by 20 per cent last year, which served to line the pockets of its investment bankers and cancel out a 12 per cent cut in the bonus pool.
The average bonus at Barclays Capital, not including salary, was £104,839.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101108
----------------------------------------
Disabled workers to ballot for industrial action
Tuesday 15 February 2011
GMB announced today that it will ballot disabled members at state-owned manufacturer Remploy for industrial action over plans to make workers redundant at workshops across Britain.
The union's central executive council gave its authority for a national ballot after GMB members in Remploy voted in a consultative ballot by a majority of five to one to take strike action.
Remploy told the union last month that proposals for voluntary redundancy were being rolled out across the company from Monday January 31.
The ballot will take place among GMB members at 54 Remploy factories across Britain.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "With this deliberate run down of employment in Remploy GMB member are fed up of being lectured on the big society by those in high society.
"It's come to a sorry pass when disabled workers have to go on strike to stay in work and stay off the dole. Eighty-five per cent of those who lost their jobs in Remploy in 2008 are still on the dole."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101139
Steelworks cleaners stay strong
Tuesday 15 February 2011
by Paddy McGuffin, Home Affairs Reporter
Printable
Cleaning staff at a south Wales steelworks concluded their two-day industrial action over pay today still determined to win a rise.
Steelworkers union Community hailed the picket at the Tata plant in Port Talbot as a major success despite management's bid to undermine the strike by bussing in scab labour.
Cleaning staff employed by contractor Office Cleaning Services (OCS) at the Tata plant work in arduous conditions for the minimum wage.
In the face of rising inflation Community said that they were left with no option but to take a stand and demand a living wage.
The union's regional campaigns manager Susan Lewis told the Morning Star: "For many of our members this was the first time they had been involved in industrial action and they have responded magnificently."
Strike-breaking attempts by management had added to members' resolve, she said.
"Management brought a convoy of workers in before 5am this morning.
"We do know that we had support from our sister unions within Tata.
"Some of the areas were not prepared to have scab labour come in and take our jobs."
The union said that negotiations had been tortuous, with management withdrawing and reducing an offer once it had been rejected by members.
"Our members do hard, dirty work getting up at 4am to start their shift at 5am.
"They work eight-hour shifts for just £5.93 an hour," she said.
"Many of our members have kids and families to support, they have been very patient but with the inflation increases you cannot live on the minimum wage."
Community said it still hoped to reach a negotiated settlement but that if necessary it would engage in further actions to force management to the table.
paddym@peoples-press.com
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/101145
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
ASSPUK/JISGE MEETING LONDON
Report of ASSPUK and JISGE meeting held in central London
>On the 5th of February the Juche Idea Study Group of England and Association For the
>Study of Songun Politics held a succesful meeting to celebrate the 69th birthday of
>the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.It was attended by members and
>supporters of the group from London,Stoke-On Trent and Manchester.
>
>The meeting was introduced by comrade Dermot Hudson chairman of the
>group.He said that the DPRK was succesfully confronting US and world
>imperialism and at the head of the DPRK and Korean revolution is the
>great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.who is leading
>the DPRK to victory against imperialism.
>
>Comrade Shaun Pickford secretary of the group spoke about the revolutionary
>achievements of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.He said that
>chairman Kim Jong Il has wisely applied the Songun policy.In 2009 and 2010 many great achievements were made by the DPRK in the spirit of self reliance under the guidance of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il these included launching of the 2nd artifical satellite and the 2nd nuclear test as well great achievements in the field of industry.Many new apartments have been builtl,a new e library at Kim Il Sung university has come into being and also a People's Study house has been constructed in Sariwon city.secretary Pickford stressed the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il was carrying out on the spot guidance continously and leading the DPRK to victory.
>
>Dermot Hudson read a presentation on the famous work "Our Socialism Centred On the
>Popular Masses Shall Not Perish".He explained this year is the 20th anniversary of the
>work on the 5th of May.This work explained the durablity and invinciblity of Korean
>style socialism.The DPRK over the last 20 years has defeated all attempts to undermine
>and frustate its socialism whether by military pressure,sanctions or underhand methods.
>As the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il in the work says
>The secret
>of its durability and indestructibility is that it is centred upon the popular
>masses, that it has made the masses the genuine masters of society and that it
>has devoted everything to the service of the masses. Because our socialism
>serves the popular masse, our people regard socialism as the cradle of their
>lives and of their happiness, and they entrust their destiny entirely to
>socialism. Our people, who are enjoying unlimited happiness and a genuine life
>in a socialist society under the wise leadership of the Party and the leader,
>are working with devotion to safeguard the socialist system and accomplish the
>socialist cause
>
>The speaker went on to say that the work clearly explains the strength of Korean
>style socialism which is centred on the people.The work also excellently exposes the
>reactionary anti popular nature of bourgeois democracy and the deceptive nature of the
>so called welfare policies of capitalist countries.It also exposed the falsity of so called
>"ideological freedom" in capitalist societies and mentions that Juche idea followers in
>south Korea are suppressed.
> Comrade
>Shaun Pickford said that the work "Our Socialism Centred on the Popular
>Masses Shall Not Perish" was an excellent anti perestroika manifesto
>and an ideological
>"molotov cocktail ".
>The meeting heard that the Rev Han is south Korea had been jailed for 5 years for visiting
>the DPRK.
>The meeting heard the annual review of work and proposals for future work(see below).
>
>An exhibition of DPRK literature including
> biographies and books about the great leader'
>Kim Jong Il's activities was held.
>Participants in the meeting enjoyed light refreshments of sandwiches.
>
>Afterwards some leading members watched the documentary.
>
>APPENDICE
>1.
>010 was an active year for the JISGE and ASSPUK.
>
>We held the following meetings
>
>January 30 2010 meeting to celebrate Feb 16th.We spoke about the on the spot guidance
>of
>the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il as well as hearing a paper on
>"The DPRK is a Juche Orientated Socialist State with Invincible
>Might".A paper on the past 10 years of the
>Study group was presented.
>
>April 10 2010 meeting started with reading of the appeal Defend the DPRK.A presentation
>was made on the revolutionary activities of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung and
>a paper delivered on the work The Historical Exerience of Building The Workers Party of Korea"
>
>July a meeting and succesful social was held marking the July 27th victory day of the
>Korean people
>
>October 16th jointly with KFA
> and other organisations hosted a succesful book exhibition
>and seminar to mark the 65th anniversary of the WPK and election of the great leader
>comrade Kim Jong Il as general secretary of the WPK and the anniversary of the DIU.
>
>Meetings have been held in Stoke On Trent and a Stoke On Trent branch of the group
>formed.
>
>We have issued more 14 statements sometimes on our own and other times together
>we KFA.Some special articles have been issued.
>We have regularly updated the UK Songun website and also the Anglo Peoples Korea
>friendship blog,We have issued our journal "Independence Star" as well
>We have wherever possible supported and participated in the militant activites of the
>UK KFA.
>Some members have conducted their own "months of study"
>
>Unfortuneatly my regret is that we have not been able to send anyone to the DPRK
>homeland of Juche and socialist paradise.
>
>In the coming year we plan
> meetings in April ,July,September and October.December
>will see the 50th anniversary of the Taean work system and 20th anniversary of the
>election of leader Kim Jong Il as supreme commander I think we should plan an
>event around these anniversaries.I would like to know whether we should increase the
>frequency of meetings ?Also hold meetings in Manchester and Stoke ?
>
>We need to actively plan for April 2012 which will be the centenary of the great leader
>comrade Kim Il Sung. We should plan to send a delegation to the DPRK to participate
>in the celebrations.
>
>We need to improve collective action and disclipine in the group and make Juche the
>centre of our lives.
>We will consider the idea of a short introductory course on Juche for new members and
>also giving each new member a DVD free of charge(if financial resources allow).
>
>MESSAGE FROM THE JUCHE IDEA STUDY GROUP OF IRELAND
>We at the Juche Study Group
> of Ireland sends our regards to the
>meeting held today at Lucas Arms public house in London by the Juche
>Idea Study Group of England.
>We know today with the history proven to us that the Juche Idea have shown itself to be the most suitable way of socialism.
>
>Since the birth of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the
>people in the korean peninsula have been given a lead star. A lead star
>showing the way to socialism, independence and freedom. The Workers
>Party of Korea have lead the DPRK with the support of the korean
>people, fought of both right devotions and protecting socialism while
>at the same time holding up the front against imperialism. Juche is an
>invincible idea, shown to be the way to socialism.
>Long live the Juche idea!
>
>Long live the proletarian revolution!
>
>Long Live to the glorious Workers Party of Korea!
>
>On the 5th of February the Juche Idea Study Group of England and Association For the
>Study of Songun Politics held a succesful meeting to celebrate the 69th birthday of
>the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.It was attended by members and
>supporters of the group from London,Stoke-On Trent and Manchester.
>
>The meeting was introduced by comrade Dermot Hudson chairman of the
>group.He said that the DPRK was succesfully confronting US and world
>imperialism and at the head of the DPRK and Korean revolution is the
>great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.who is leading
>the DPRK to victory against imperialism.
>
>Comrade Shaun Pickford secretary of the group spoke about the revolutionary
>achievements of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.He said that
>chairman Kim Jong Il has wisely applied the Songun policy.In 2009 and 2010 many great achievements were made by the DPRK in the spirit of self reliance under the guidance of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il these included launching of the 2nd artifical satellite and the 2nd nuclear test as well great achievements in the field of industry.Many new apartments have been builtl,a new e library at Kim Il Sung university has come into being and also a People's Study house has been constructed in Sariwon city.secretary Pickford stressed the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il was carrying out on the spot guidance continously and leading the DPRK to victory.
>
>Dermot Hudson read a presentation on the famous work "Our Socialism Centred On the
>Popular Masses Shall Not Perish".He explained this year is the 20th anniversary of the
>work on the 5th of May.This work explained the durablity and invinciblity of Korean
>style socialism.The DPRK over the last 20 years has defeated all attempts to undermine
>and frustate its socialism whether by military pressure,sanctions or underhand methods.
>As the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il in the work says
>The secret
>of its durability and indestructibility is that it is centred upon the popular
>masses, that it has made the masses the genuine masters of society and that it
>has devoted everything to the service of the masses. Because our socialism
>serves the popular masse, our people regard socialism as the cradle of their
>lives and of their happiness, and they entrust their destiny entirely to
>socialism. Our people, who are enjoying unlimited happiness and a genuine life
>in a socialist society under the wise leadership of the Party and the leader,
>are working with devotion to safeguard the socialist system and accomplish the
>socialist cause
>
>The speaker went on to say that the work clearly explains the strength of Korean
>style socialism which is centred on the people.The work also excellently exposes the
>reactionary anti popular nature of bourgeois democracy and the deceptive nature of the
>so called welfare policies of capitalist countries.It also exposed the falsity of so called
>"ideological freedom" in capitalist societies and mentions that Juche idea followers in
>south Korea are suppressed.
> Comrade
>Shaun Pickford said that the work "Our Socialism Centred on the Popular
>Masses Shall Not Perish" was an excellent anti perestroika manifesto
>and an ideological
>"molotov cocktail ".
>The meeting heard that the Rev Han is south Korea had been jailed for 5 years for visiting
>the DPRK.
>The meeting heard the annual review of work and proposals for future work(see below).
>
>An exhibition of DPRK literature including
> biographies and books about the great leader'
>Kim Jong Il's activities was held.
>Participants in the meeting enjoyed light refreshments of sandwiches.
>
>Afterwards some leading members watched the documentary.
>
>APPENDICE
>1.
>010 was an active year for the JISGE and ASSPUK.
>
>We held the following meetings
>
>January 30 2010 meeting to celebrate Feb 16th.We spoke about the on the spot guidance
>of
>the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il as well as hearing a paper on
>"The DPRK is a Juche Orientated Socialist State with Invincible
>Might".A paper on the past 10 years of the
>Study group was presented.
>
>April 10 2010 meeting started with reading of the appeal Defend the DPRK.A presentation
>was made on the revolutionary activities of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung and
>a paper delivered on the work The Historical Exerience of Building The Workers Party of Korea"
>
>July a meeting and succesful social was held marking the July 27th victory day of the
>Korean people
>
>October 16th jointly with KFA
> and other organisations hosted a succesful book exhibition
>and seminar to mark the 65th anniversary of the WPK and election of the great leader
>comrade Kim Jong Il as general secretary of the WPK and the anniversary of the DIU.
>
>Meetings have been held in Stoke On Trent and a Stoke On Trent branch of the group
>formed.
>
>We have issued more 14 statements sometimes on our own and other times together
>we KFA.Some special articles have been issued.
>We have regularly updated the UK Songun website and also the Anglo Peoples Korea
>friendship blog,We have issued our journal "Independence Star" as well
>We have wherever possible supported and participated in the militant activites of the
>UK KFA.
>Some members have conducted their own "months of study"
>
>Unfortuneatly my regret is that we have not been able to send anyone to the DPRK
>homeland of Juche and socialist paradise.
>
>In the coming year we plan
> meetings in April ,July,September and October.December
>will see the 50th anniversary of the Taean work system and 20th anniversary of the
>election of leader Kim Jong Il as supreme commander I think we should plan an
>event around these anniversaries.I would like to know whether we should increase the
>frequency of meetings ?Also hold meetings in Manchester and Stoke ?
>
>We need to actively plan for April 2012 which will be the centenary of the great leader
>comrade Kim Il Sung. We should plan to send a delegation to the DPRK to participate
>in the celebrations.
>
>We need to improve collective action and disclipine in the group and make Juche the
>centre of our lives.
>We will consider the idea of a short introductory course on Juche for new members and
>also giving each new member a DVD free of charge(if financial resources allow).
>
>MESSAGE FROM THE JUCHE IDEA STUDY GROUP OF IRELAND
>We at the Juche Study Group
> of Ireland sends our regards to the
>meeting held today at Lucas Arms public house in London by the Juche
>Idea Study Group of England.
>We know today with the history proven to us that the Juche Idea have shown itself to be the most suitable way of socialism.
>
>Since the birth of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the
>people in the korean peninsula have been given a lead star. A lead star
>showing the way to socialism, independence and freedom. The Workers
>Party of Korea have lead the DPRK with the support of the korean
>people, fought of both right devotions and protecting socialism while
>at the same time holding up the front against imperialism. Juche is an
>invincible idea, shown to be the way to socialism.
>Long live the Juche idea!
>
>Long live the proletarian revolution!
>
>Long Live to the glorious Workers Party of Korea!
>
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