Wednesday, 17 August 2011
No to Britain's participation in "Ulji Freedom Guardian "-ASSPUK ,JISGE and UK KFA
We have just learnt ,with shock and anger , the Britain is participating in the so-called "Ulji Freedom Guardian " war exercises of the US imperialists and south Korean puppets as part of the so called "UN command forces " in south Korea. We , the UK Korean Friendship Association, the Association for the Study of Songun Politics of the UK and the Juche Idea Study Group, in a joint statement strongly denounce this.
The UFG exercises are nothing but war exercises aimed at a dry-run at invading the DPRK and destroying its socialist system. The so-called "UN command " in south Korea is a ghost like structure which simply aims at covering up US imperialist aggression in south Korea.
This gives an even more sinister complexion to the war exercises as the revival of the moribund "UN command " is an attempt to create 'multi-national force' as in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya . It is a disgrace that Britain is being reduced to a mere satellite state of US imperialism . Is the UK government planning to repeat the shameful past when Britain along with other satellite states of US imperialism sent troops to murder and oppress the Korean people and prevent the reunification of Korea.
We demand that Britain immediately withdraws its forces from these exercises and reiterate that the whole UFG exercise must be halted and cancelled immediately,
ASSPUK
JISGE
UK KFA
Monday, 8 August 2011
RIOTS IN LONDON
Underlying social tension, poverty, unemployment, austerity....police violence....the recipe needed to spark to ignite the flames sporadic rioting, that spread to others part of London following the cops' shooting and killing of a London resident.
FUCK THE LAW, NOT THE POOR
SMASH THE CAPITALIST STATE
Revolution!
Smash Capitalism!
See photos...(courtesy of Demotix)
Youtube
No doubt this action will continue
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
SUCCESSFUL SONGUN MEETING IN LONDON
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF SONGUN POLITICS UK
email juche007@yahoo.co.uk
London 26th of July Juche 100(2011)
Today the ASSPUK and JISGE issued a joint statement on the 58th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation war of the Korean people against the US imperialist aggressors. July 27th is the second day of liberation for the Korean people . Not only for the Korean people but for Juche idea followers, Songun idea followers and anti-imperialist fighters the world over ,from Bogota to Belfast.
The Fatherland Liberation War of the Korean was an unequal battle as the US imperialists threw in huge armed forces and the troops of 15 of their satellite countries as well the Japanese militarists . The US imperialists used barbaric methods of warfare exceeding those of the Hitlerlite nazis. They used germ and chemical warfare and carried out horrendous massacres. All these failed to subdue the Korean people who under the wise leadership of the great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim Il Sung achieved a great victory.
The forces of the heroic KPA defeated the so called "Invincible US 24th Divsion", taking its commander General Dean prisoner. Dean was the first US general to be captured by an opposing side. The KPA turned Height 1211 into a hill of heartbreak for the US imperialist aggressors.
The KPA and Korean people fought in the revolutionary spirit of self reliance. The great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim IL Sung stated“We must solve our problems no matter who is helping us and what help we get......Victory must be won by our strength”
"
It was their efforts that were primary in defeating the US imperialist aggressors. The US imperialists lost over : 1,567,128 men including 405,498 US soldiers, 1,130,965 south Korean puppet troops, and 30,665 soldiers of their satellite states were killed, wounded or captured; 12,224 airplanes including "air fortress B-29" were downed, damaged or captured, 7,695 guns, 3,255 233 tanks and armoured cars were lost; and 564 warships and vessels including the heavy cruiser Baltimore and the flagship of the Seventh Fleet Missouri were sunk or damaged. The loss suffered by the US imperialists was nearly 2.3 times greater than what they had suffered in the four years of the Pacific War during World War II.
The great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim Il Sung said
In this great struggle our people fought determinedly as one in
mind under the correct leadership of the party and government and thereby withstood the harsh trials of war honourably and won a historic victory inflicting an ignominious defeat on US imperialism and its running dogs"
In the Fatherland Liberation War commanded by the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung ,the reactionary bourgeois military theory was smashed by the Juche- orientated revolutionary military strategy and theory. It was a burning crucible of Songun. The idea of army-people unity was fully displayed during the war . The Fatherland Liberation War ended in victory due to the Juche orientated military tactics and Songun revolutionary leadership of the great leader supreme commander Marshal Kim Il Sung. The victory inspired national liberation and revolutionary movements all over the world and started US imperialism on its decline.
Today under the command of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il the KPA is many times stronger than it was in the 1950s and the KPA and Korean people are determined to defend the sovereignty of the DPRK and prevent the US imperialist from launching a second Korean war.
ASSPUK
JISGE
email juche007@yahoo.co.uk
London 26th of July Juche 100(2011)
Today the ASSPUK and JISGE issued a joint statement on the 58th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation war of the Korean people against the US imperialist aggressors. July 27th is the second day of liberation for the Korean people . Not only for the Korean people but for Juche idea followers, Songun idea followers and anti-imperialist fighters the world over ,from Bogota to Belfast.
The Fatherland Liberation War of the Korean was an unequal battle as the US imperialists threw in huge armed forces and the troops of 15 of their satellite countries as well the Japanese militarists . The US imperialists used barbaric methods of warfare exceeding those of the Hitlerlite nazis. They used germ and chemical warfare and carried out horrendous massacres. All these failed to subdue the Korean people who under the wise leadership of the great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim Il Sung achieved a great victory.
The forces of the heroic KPA defeated the so called "Invincible US 24th Divsion", taking its commander General Dean prisoner. Dean was the first US general to be captured by an opposing side. The KPA turned Height 1211 into a hill of heartbreak for the US imperialist aggressors.
The KPA and Korean people fought in the revolutionary spirit of self reliance. The great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim IL Sung stated“We must solve our problems no matter who is helping us and what help we get......Victory must be won by our strength”
"
It was their efforts that were primary in defeating the US imperialist aggressors. The US imperialists lost over : 1,567,128 men including 405,498 US soldiers, 1,130,965 south Korean puppet troops, and 30,665 soldiers of their satellite states were killed, wounded or captured; 12,224 airplanes including "air fortress B-29" were downed, damaged or captured, 7,695 guns, 3,255 233 tanks and armoured cars were lost; and 564 warships and vessels including the heavy cruiser Baltimore and the flagship of the Seventh Fleet Missouri were sunk or damaged. The loss suffered by the US imperialists was nearly 2.3 times greater than what they had suffered in the four years of the Pacific War during World War II.
The great revolutionary leader Marshal Kim Il Sung said
In this great struggle our people fought determinedly as one in
mind under the correct leadership of the party and government and thereby withstood the harsh trials of war honourably and won a historic victory inflicting an ignominious defeat on US imperialism and its running dogs"
In the Fatherland Liberation War commanded by the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung ,the reactionary bourgeois military theory was smashed by the Juche- orientated revolutionary military strategy and theory. It was a burning crucible of Songun. The idea of army-people unity was fully displayed during the war . The Fatherland Liberation War ended in victory due to the Juche orientated military tactics and Songun revolutionary leadership of the great leader supreme commander Marshal Kim Il Sung. The victory inspired national liberation and revolutionary movements all over the world and started US imperialism on its decline.
Today under the command of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il the KPA is many times stronger than it was in the 1950s and the KPA and Korean people are determined to defend the sovereignty of the DPRK and prevent the US imperialist from launching a second Korean war.
ASSPUK
JISGE
Friday, 1 July 2011
J30 Public sector strike hits across Britain
Between half a million and 750,000 public sector workers staged a 24-hour strike on Thursday against the coalition government’s attack on their pension scheme. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat government intends to raise the state pension age, increase employee contributions and link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).
reports
J30 1
DEMOTIX PHOTO REPORTS
J30 STRIKE WEBSITE
J30 strike: stop search and arrest pics
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Successful UK KFA AGM in London
Successful KFA Annual General Meeting
Report
The annual general meeting of the UK KFA and also a meeting to mark the month of solidarity with the Korean people and 47th anniversary of the start of work of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il at the CC of the WPK.
The meeting received greetings from International KFA president Alejandro Cao Benos , from Staffordshire KFA and from Councillor Carl Clark of Breckland Council.
Alejandro Cao De Benos said in his message:
Dear Comrades and friends,
I wish the UK-KFA national meeting will be successful and take measures to
serve as a launching platform for the KFA International Meeting to be held
in November in London , commemorating the 100th Birth Anniversary of
President Kim Il Sung.
Our recent opening of KFA branches in Venezuela , Argentina , New Zealand
and Bangladesh show once again the interest in the DPRK from the
progressive people's worldwide and further enhances the honor of our
organization as the biggest international entity supporting the country
and our Great Leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. For this reason to say
'I am member of the KFA' in Pyongyang , it means a honor of being part of
the Korean family and also a responsibility to proactively support and
defend our socialist system and way of life.
KFA UK was one of the very first branches that we established and since our very beginnings has been growing constantly due to your sincere
effort.
I would like to thanks our KFA officials in UK that have been working on a
daily basis and encourage everyone to do more work in the future to bring
greater knowledge about the DPRK to the world's people.
Looking forward to meet you and continue together our work,
Alejandro Cao de Benos
President of the KFA
=========================
Message from
STAFFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE KOREAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOICATION ( UK )
Dear Friends,
May I on behalf on the Staffordshire KFA sincerely wish everybody involved in the national KFA AGM great success in their important and vital tasks in building and consolidating the KFA throughout the UK . Although there were sectarian and opportunist elements who wish to destroy the KFA as a campaigning organisation on behalf of the Korean people, these individuals and their issues have been resolved by the mandate of the vast majority of the KFA (UK) membership. We as a solidarity and friendship body will achieve further success in the run up to the Glorious 100th Birth Anniversary of the Great President KIM IL SUNG, the Sun of Humanity.
KOREA IS ONE!!
yours fraternally
Shaun Pickford
Staffordshire KFA
==== =================
Mesasge from:
Councillor Carl Clark said in his message.
The portrayal of the DPRK by the western media is for one aim only, that is to wipe all the good things that are going on in the DPRK there is a rich culture which hopefully i will be privelliged to see in October, i applaud the tenacity of the DPRK in standing up against the western powers and the bullying by the U.S and Israel to try and gain control of your valuable resources
which they are running out of.
======================
The KFA Official Delegate opened the meeting . He said that the DPRK still
faced an intense threat from US imperialism and world imperialism and the south Korean puppets . The anti DPRK propaganda campaign continued unabated and had reached new levels . June 15 will be the 11th anniversary of the historic north -south declaration but the Lee Myung Bak puppets were trampling on the declaration . They had slandered the DPRK and gone to the extreme length of violently assailing the supreme dignity of the DPRK. The south Korean puppets had arrested pro reunification patriots such as the Rev Han. June 25th will be the start of the the month of solidarity with the Korean people and the anniversary of the provocation of the Korean (Fatherland Liberation War ) War by the US imperialists.
On a positive note , he said , June 19th will be the 47th anniversary of the start of the work of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il at the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea . Thus the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il has led the Korean revolution for nearly 5 decades. All the achievements of socialist Korea are associated with the leadership of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.
Next April 2012 will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung Sun of Juche . UK KFA must organise significant celebrations of this event and must organise a preparatory committee if others fail to do so. UK KFA will also host the KFA international meeting in November.
The Organisation secretary of UK KFA gave a report of the organisational work of UK KFA. He said many achievements had been made such as organising pickets and the succesful book exhibition, He said that we must focus on organising the KFA international meeting in November and on the preparation for the 100th birth anniversary of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung in April 2012.
Discussion was held on future activities of the UK KFA. It was stressed that a key role must to combat media disinformation.
A presentaton on the US provocation of the Korean War . The speaker said that it was clear that the US provoked the Korean War because John Foster Dulles visited south Korea only 5 days before the start of the war. The US saw the Korean War as the "rollback of communism" . They evacuated wives and children of US personnel only hours before the war started. The US imperialists killed 1,200,000 Koreans in the DPRK and used biological warfare.
Mention was made of the book "I fought in Korea " by Captain Julian Tunstall as well the reporting of Alan Winnington and Wilfrid Burchett.
Meeting concluded at 7pm
Report
The annual general meeting of the UK KFA and also a meeting to mark the month of solidarity with the Korean people and 47th anniversary of the start of work of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il at the CC of the WPK.
The meeting received greetings from International KFA president Alejandro Cao Benos , from Staffordshire KFA and from Councillor Carl Clark of Breckland Council.
Alejandro Cao De Benos said in his message:
Dear Comrades and friends,
I wish the UK-KFA national meeting will be successful and take measures to
serve as a launching platform for the KFA International Meeting to be held
in November in London , commemorating the 100th Birth Anniversary of
President Kim Il Sung.
Our recent opening of KFA branches in Venezuela , Argentina , New Zealand
and Bangladesh show once again the interest in the DPRK from the
progressive people's worldwide and further enhances the honor of our
organization as the biggest international entity supporting the country
and our Great Leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. For this reason to say
'I am member of the KFA' in Pyongyang , it means a honor of being part of
the Korean family and also a responsibility to proactively support and
defend our socialist system and way of life.
KFA UK was one of the very first branches that we established and since our very beginnings has been growing constantly due to your sincere
effort.
I would like to thanks our KFA officials in UK that have been working on a
daily basis and encourage everyone to do more work in the future to bring
greater knowledge about the DPRK to the world's people.
Looking forward to meet you and continue together our work,
Alejandro Cao de Benos
President of the KFA
=========================
Message from
STAFFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE KOREAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOICATION ( UK )
Dear Friends,
May I on behalf on the Staffordshire KFA sincerely wish everybody involved in the national KFA AGM great success in their important and vital tasks in building and consolidating the KFA throughout the UK . Although there were sectarian and opportunist elements who wish to destroy the KFA as a campaigning organisation on behalf of the Korean people, these individuals and their issues have been resolved by the mandate of the vast majority of the KFA (UK) membership. We as a solidarity and friendship body will achieve further success in the run up to the Glorious 100th Birth Anniversary of the Great President KIM IL SUNG, the Sun of Humanity.
KOREA IS ONE!!
yours fraternally
Shaun Pickford
Staffordshire KFA
==== =================
Mesasge from:
Councillor Carl Clark said in his message.
The portrayal of the DPRK by the western media is for one aim only, that is to wipe all the good things that are going on in the DPRK there is a rich culture which hopefully i will be privelliged to see in October, i applaud the tenacity of the DPRK in standing up against the western powers and the bullying by the U.S and Israel to try and gain control of your valuable resources
which they are running out of.
======================
The KFA Official Delegate opened the meeting . He said that the DPRK still
faced an intense threat from US imperialism and world imperialism and the south Korean puppets . The anti DPRK propaganda campaign continued unabated and had reached new levels . June 15 will be the 11th anniversary of the historic north -south declaration but the Lee Myung Bak puppets were trampling on the declaration . They had slandered the DPRK and gone to the extreme length of violently assailing the supreme dignity of the DPRK. The south Korean puppets had arrested pro reunification patriots such as the Rev Han. June 25th will be the start of the the month of solidarity with the Korean people and the anniversary of the provocation of the Korean (Fatherland Liberation War ) War by the US imperialists.
On a positive note , he said , June 19th will be the 47th anniversary of the start of the work of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il at the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea . Thus the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il has led the Korean revolution for nearly 5 decades. All the achievements of socialist Korea are associated with the leadership of the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il.
Next April 2012 will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung Sun of Juche . UK KFA must organise significant celebrations of this event and must organise a preparatory committee if others fail to do so. UK KFA will also host the KFA international meeting in November.
The Organisation secretary of UK KFA gave a report of the organisational work of UK KFA. He said many achievements had been made such as organising pickets and the succesful book exhibition, He said that we must focus on organising the KFA international meeting in November and on the preparation for the 100th birth anniversary of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung in April 2012.
Discussion was held on future activities of the UK KFA. It was stressed that a key role must to combat media disinformation.
A presentaton on the US provocation of the Korean War . The speaker said that it was clear that the US provoked the Korean War because John Foster Dulles visited south Korea only 5 days before the start of the war. The US saw the Korean War as the "rollback of communism" . They evacuated wives and children of US personnel only hours before the war started. The US imperialists killed 1,200,000 Koreans in the DPRK and used biological warfare.
Mention was made of the book "I fought in Korea " by Captain Julian Tunstall as well the reporting of Alan Winnington and Wilfrid Burchett.
Meeting concluded at 7pm
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
9 MAY SOVIET VICTORY DAY CEREMONY IN LONDON
Wreath Laying at Soviet War memorial in London
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Nazi German invasion of the USSR on 22 June 1941 and the 66th anniversary of the Soviet and allied Victory over Fascism in WWII. An Act of Remembrance took place at 11am at the Soviet War Memorial.
Embassy officials from republics of the ex-USSR, war veteran organisations and representatives of the Stalin Society, CPGB ML, NCP, CPB and others laid wreaths at the Soviet War Memorial. Speeches were made and followed by refreshments and a film showing of "Hurricanes to Murmansk", a one-hour documentary organised by the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund in co-operation with the Imperial War Museum tookplace after the ceremony.
============================
Thursday, 5 May 2011
AUCPB CLASS STRUGGLE UK 6 MAY
70% of courses cut- London Metropolitan University Occupied
The Graduate Centre of Holloway Road Campus is currently occupied by students in protest against Vice- Chancellor Malcolm Gillies’ decision to axe 70% of courses- including Performing Arts, Philosophy and History. Gillies’ decision came as a shock a couple of weeks ago.
A demonstration has been called by the National Union of Teachers and the University College Union in support of the occupation, which will take place at 12.30pm, tomorrow (Thursday 5th May) outside the occupation in the Tower Building , Holloway Road.
None of the university teaching staff was consulted about the cuts. A majority of the excellent, dedicated tutors are under imminent threat of losing their jobs. Students already enrolled on the courses face an uncertain future. There have been rumours about transfers to other universities with which WE DO NOT AGREE. This statement is our call for help to save our university, our future and our dreams: to keep London Metropolitan University open to everyone, regardless of their social class, wealth and chosen subject of study. The purpose of this occupation is to present the Vice-Chancellor with our demands:
THE DEMANDS:
1) Meeting with Vice- Chancellor
2) Transparent process and direct communication
3) University management goes back to HEFCE to renegotiate repayment terms
4) Vice- Chancellor to accept proposals put forward by staff in HALE
5) University retracts decision of cuts of ALL courses
6) Students on existing courses which are being deleted, WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED.
7) Free access IN and OUT of the Occupation
8) No student is victimized following action taken to occupy the space.
There is no other university which offers such a wide range of courses as London Metropolitan. We do not want to be transferred. We are proud to be London Met. Help us save our university and our future.
Claire Locke : Student Union President Elect
Agnes Panasiuk, Daniel Sado: Performing Arts students
Contact: Claire Locke
Mobile: 07957 540012
London Met Student Union President
Email: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Website: www.wearelondonmet.wordpress.com
wearelondonmet
e-mail: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Homepage: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Indymedia
========================================
Connexions Strike Birmingham
On a sunny May afternoon on Broad Street, Birmingham, Connexions workers walked out on strike. There were pickets outside the Connexions offices in Kingsheath, Northfield and Broad St. At around 2pm they planned to unofficially march to a rally in the city centre.
This is the second time Connexions have taken industrial action to prevent Birmingham City Council hemorrhaging jobs. Since the last strike, Connexions Unison members feel that management and the Council are starting to moot ideas about how to reduce the risk to 34 posts, but they obviously need a lot more prompting. 300 posts have been lost through compulsory redundancies elsewhere in the Council this year. The situation in other parts of the country for Connexions workers is a lot worse. We can't expect any political saviours, it's down to people like us to make the difference.
It's good if you can wrong-foot the employer and take action when you realise posts and services may be at risk, before people start serving their notices - because by then, demoralisation can creep in amongst staff. It would also be harder for the employer to back down and it would be more of a symbolic protest.
The lesson is, if you hit the ground running: agitate, organise, build support with the wider anti-cuts movement, take action, this will put your workforce in a stronger position to resist government attacks. It can also inspire others not to give up hope, but to fight back.
What you can do:
i) Draw people's attention to the struggle with the Connexions leaflets and petition, write to Councillors and the local press letters pages
ii) Use Connexions actions to inspire others
ii) Join future pickets and events, people are very welcome - bring colleagues, friends, young people.
Solidarity Forever
Source
================================
Hundreds march through Cambridge against cuts.
Cameraboy | 03.05.2011 17:08 | Public sector cuts | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Cambridge
On Saturday April 30th 2011, to mark the Mayday tradition of working class action, and in response to the latest round of public sector cuts, several hundred people gathered in Cambridge Market Square to to make it known that they don't agree with Clegg and Cameron's 'necessary' funding cuts.
The occasion was also marked and celebrated by several musicians and poets performing for all gathered (I don't know all the artists, please add in a comment if you do), including reknowned singer-songwriter Cosmo, who urged everyone (in sung form of course) to "Strike, Occupy Resist"!
This protest also came the day after we were informed that at least £30 million of public funds were spent on the wedding of one of our unelected royal figureheads, while in previous weeks Cambridgeshire County Council had cut funding for many projects and services by over £100 million.
In the circumstances, it should come as no surpise that there are many people who are feeling a bit peeved and are inspired enough to come out on the streets to make their dissent known.
The march did a single circuit of Cambridge city centre, arriving back at The Market Square in time for an hour of music, and before this many local representatives from the community spoke (further input/comments appreciated here), including an FBU rep, amongst many others.
There was a very broad cross section of the community present, including quite a few parents with their children, all of them concerned about the future their kids will face after our public sector has been so drastically (and forcibly) 'downsized' by a government intent on using the national deficit as an excuse to introduce 'market forces' into services where they really don't belong.
The police presence was very low key and there were no arrests.
Cameraboy
Homepage: http://www.cambridgeshireagainstthecuts.org.uk/
Photos
=================================
Staff strike over equalities cuts
Wednesday 04 May 2011
by John Millington in Birmingham
Printable
Email
Workers at the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s walked out today in protest at brutal budget cuts which would see regional offices close.
PCS members in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester co-ordinated a one-hour strike in a bid to save the essential service.
The union also accused the government and commission chief Trevor Philips of wanting to slash staff numbers from 460 to 200 and disconnect an advice helpline at the same time it is paying consultants more than £1,000 a day.
Striking workers in Birmingham received support from passing drivers as they donned yellow union t-shirts and held up placards outside their office.
Workplace rep Laura Ingram said the action was the first of four strikes set for the next four weeks.
But she explained that the action was limited to an hour so as not to “disrupt” the service for vulnerable people facing discrimination.
“We’re here to display our dissatisfaction with the cuts,” she said.
“But any strike action will affect people who face discrimination, so we have to take that into account.”
PCS campaigns officer Zahid Nawaz said workers at the commission performed a vital role in promoting equality “at the grassroots and in communities across Britain.”
Mr Nawaz said the cuts made no sense in the context of the “big society” rhetoric from the coalition.
“Our service is about community empowerment. We cannot do that if we are just based the other side of the Thames.”
Regional adviser Helar Shahid, who works in Nottingham, claimed bosses told them “to pack up their desks” with no discussion on what would happen next.
“I am worried about losing my job,” he said.
A commission spokesperson said: “We regret that the union has decided to withdraw from this process after issuing a list of unrealistic demands which the commission simply cannot meet.
“The entire public sector is having to take difficult decisions and we are cannot give untenable guarantees to staff here.”
johnm@peoples-press.com
Morning Star
=======================
The Graduate Centre of Holloway Road Campus is currently occupied by students in protest against Vice- Chancellor Malcolm Gillies’ decision to axe 70% of courses- including Performing Arts, Philosophy and History. Gillies’ decision came as a shock a couple of weeks ago.
A demonstration has been called by the National Union of Teachers and the University College Union in support of the occupation, which will take place at 12.30pm, tomorrow (Thursday 5th May) outside the occupation in the Tower Building , Holloway Road.
None of the university teaching staff was consulted about the cuts. A majority of the excellent, dedicated tutors are under imminent threat of losing their jobs. Students already enrolled on the courses face an uncertain future. There have been rumours about transfers to other universities with which WE DO NOT AGREE. This statement is our call for help to save our university, our future and our dreams: to keep London Metropolitan University open to everyone, regardless of their social class, wealth and chosen subject of study. The purpose of this occupation is to present the Vice-Chancellor with our demands:
THE DEMANDS:
1) Meeting with Vice- Chancellor
2) Transparent process and direct communication
3) University management goes back to HEFCE to renegotiate repayment terms
4) Vice- Chancellor to accept proposals put forward by staff in HALE
5) University retracts decision of cuts of ALL courses
6) Students on existing courses which are being deleted, WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED.
7) Free access IN and OUT of the Occupation
8) No student is victimized following action taken to occupy the space.
There is no other university which offers such a wide range of courses as London Metropolitan. We do not want to be transferred. We are proud to be London Met. Help us save our university and our future.
Claire Locke : Student Union President Elect
Agnes Panasiuk, Daniel Sado: Performing Arts students
Contact: Claire Locke
Mobile: 07957 540012
London Met Student Union President
Email: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Website: www.wearelondonmet.wordpress.com
wearelondonmet
e-mail: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Homepage: wearelondonmet@gmail.com
Indymedia
========================================
Connexions Strike Birmingham
On a sunny May afternoon on Broad Street, Birmingham, Connexions workers walked out on strike. There were pickets outside the Connexions offices in Kingsheath, Northfield and Broad St. At around 2pm they planned to unofficially march to a rally in the city centre.
This is the second time Connexions have taken industrial action to prevent Birmingham City Council hemorrhaging jobs. Since the last strike, Connexions Unison members feel that management and the Council are starting to moot ideas about how to reduce the risk to 34 posts, but they obviously need a lot more prompting. 300 posts have been lost through compulsory redundancies elsewhere in the Council this year. The situation in other parts of the country for Connexions workers is a lot worse. We can't expect any political saviours, it's down to people like us to make the difference.
It's good if you can wrong-foot the employer and take action when you realise posts and services may be at risk, before people start serving their notices - because by then, demoralisation can creep in amongst staff. It would also be harder for the employer to back down and it would be more of a symbolic protest.
The lesson is, if you hit the ground running: agitate, organise, build support with the wider anti-cuts movement, take action, this will put your workforce in a stronger position to resist government attacks. It can also inspire others not to give up hope, but to fight back.
What you can do:
i) Draw people's attention to the struggle with the Connexions leaflets and petition, write to Councillors and the local press letters pages
ii) Use Connexions actions to inspire others
ii) Join future pickets and events, people are very welcome - bring colleagues, friends, young people.
Solidarity Forever
Source
================================
Hundreds march through Cambridge against cuts.
Cameraboy | 03.05.2011 17:08 | Public sector cuts | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Cambridge
On Saturday April 30th 2011, to mark the Mayday tradition of working class action, and in response to the latest round of public sector cuts, several hundred people gathered in Cambridge Market Square to to make it known that they don't agree with Clegg and Cameron's 'necessary' funding cuts.
The occasion was also marked and celebrated by several musicians and poets performing for all gathered (I don't know all the artists, please add in a comment if you do), including reknowned singer-songwriter Cosmo, who urged everyone (in sung form of course) to "Strike, Occupy Resist"!
This protest also came the day after we were informed that at least £30 million of public funds were spent on the wedding of one of our unelected royal figureheads, while in previous weeks Cambridgeshire County Council had cut funding for many projects and services by over £100 million.
In the circumstances, it should come as no surpise that there are many people who are feeling a bit peeved and are inspired enough to come out on the streets to make their dissent known.
The march did a single circuit of Cambridge city centre, arriving back at The Market Square in time for an hour of music, and before this many local representatives from the community spoke (further input/comments appreciated here), including an FBU rep, amongst many others.
There was a very broad cross section of the community present, including quite a few parents with their children, all of them concerned about the future their kids will face after our public sector has been so drastically (and forcibly) 'downsized' by a government intent on using the national deficit as an excuse to introduce 'market forces' into services where they really don't belong.
The police presence was very low key and there were no arrests.
Cameraboy
Homepage: http://www.cambridgeshireagainstthecuts.org.uk/
Photos
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Staff strike over equalities cuts
Wednesday 04 May 2011
by John Millington in Birmingham
Printable
Workers at the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s walked out today in protest at brutal budget cuts which would see regional offices close.
PCS members in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester co-ordinated a one-hour strike in a bid to save the essential service.
The union also accused the government and commission chief Trevor Philips of wanting to slash staff numbers from 460 to 200 and disconnect an advice helpline at the same time it is paying consultants more than £1,000 a day.
Striking workers in Birmingham received support from passing drivers as they donned yellow union t-shirts and held up placards outside their office.
Workplace rep Laura Ingram said the action was the first of four strikes set for the next four weeks.
But she explained that the action was limited to an hour so as not to “disrupt” the service for vulnerable people facing discrimination.
“We’re here to display our dissatisfaction with the cuts,” she said.
“But any strike action will affect people who face discrimination, so we have to take that into account.”
PCS campaigns officer Zahid Nawaz said workers at the commission performed a vital role in promoting equality “at the grassroots and in communities across Britain.”
Mr Nawaz said the cuts made no sense in the context of the “big society” rhetoric from the coalition.
“Our service is about community empowerment. We cannot do that if we are just based the other side of the Thames.”
Regional adviser Helar Shahid, who works in Nottingham, claimed bosses told them “to pack up their desks” with no discussion on what would happen next.
“I am worried about losing my job,” he said.
A commission spokesperson said: “We regret that the union has decided to withdraw from this process after issuing a list of unrealistic demands which the commission simply cannot meet.
“The entire public sector is having to take difficult decisions and we are cannot give untenable guarantees to staff here.”
johnm@peoples-press.com
Morning Star
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