NSSN 77 with Teresa Mackay

The silence from some the trade union leaders over further action against the
Government’s plan to make public sector workers work longer, pay more and get
less has been deafening! Support for N30 was phenomenal with all those
participating in the magnificent marches and rallies all over the country were
as one in looking to that day as just the beginning of the campaign – not the
end! April 1st is the Government’s implementation date, which coming
increasingly closer. But yesterday we have seen a light at the end of the
tunnel as the PCS and NUT National Executive Committees have agreed to launch a
consultative survey to build for on-going pensions action. This will open on
24 February for national strike on Wednesday 28 March! They do not see this
as winding down the campaign but giving it a new momentum where they will
re-group ‘a coalition of the willing’ to counter those right wing unions
who have decided to withdraw from the battle. Pressure must be increased the
other unions so that our General Secretaries hear the message loud and clear
– we need more action not less so let’s begin to build for 28 March!

With the FBU Executive Council recommendation that there is a rapid move to
prepare a strike ballot over fire service pensions & Unite balloting NHS
members on the offer, everything moves forward again.
http://www.fbu.org.uk/?p=5218
http://tinyurl.com/6utsxa5

As part of the campaign against pension cuts, Unions will be appealing against
the High Court on Feb 20th over moving from RPI to CPI (word play for working
longer and paying more!). This is affecting both public and private sector
workers such as BA, RSA and the Pensions Trust. Unite is calling for a large
protest in the morning.

Save the NHS! Under the Health and Social Care Bill self-governing Foundation
Trusts will be allowed to raise 49% of funds through non-NHS work so fee-paying
private patients will get priority over NHS patients. There will be increased
competition between hospitals for resources leading to more cuts and closures.
A leaked NHS report showed that private companies will direct the commissioning
of patient services when 80% of the health budget is transferred to GP
consortia!

Support the actions on Wednesday 7 March, but we would take this a step further
& demand that the TUC call a massive Saturday demo as a part of a determined
united campaign to save and rebuild our NHS, calling on trade unions to strike
against this Bill. The alternative will be to see its implementation after
Easter! Also sign ‘Drop the Health Bill’ - e-petition.
epetitions.direct.gov.uk

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NSSN 6th Annual National Conference: Saturday 9th June, London
NEWS: BOB CROW, RMT leader to speak! http://tinyurl.com/7y2vsx7
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DISPUTES & UPDATES…………………………………………………

Stagecoach South Yorkshire – Strike Day 11 – management getting desperate,
is doing everything to try to break this strike. Since November, they have
bussed in management and scabs. http://www.shopstewards.net/news.245.htm

Sparks and the law – As they are dragging it out in the local law court,
wasting £1000’s rank and file members and UNITE will taking part in a
national day of action next Wednesday 15th Feb. (And for all those who didn’t
get to put on their glad rags the night before, the ECA Awards dinner is also
on the 15th) http://jibelectrician.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/241483325933453/ Full details in ‘Diary’

RMT gets £500 Olympics payment for more workers & has secured a pay rise to
£8 for Eurostar cleaners. http://tinyurl.com/7kmlpdx 25,000 London bus workers
who are members of Unite are also being balloted over the £500 Olympic award.

Oil tanker drivers, employed by haulage firm Wincanton on the ConocoPhillips
contract to deliver fuel to Jet forecourts, began their second week of strike
action http://www.shopstewards.net/news.244.htm

Unilever management are now in talks with conciliation service ACAS, the
national officers of the joint trade unions - Unite, Usdaw and GMB - statement:
"We welcome the fact that Unilever has at last recognised its responsibility to
talk to us about a possible resolution to the dispute. However, it is very
early days and the dispute will continue until proposals have been put forward
that are acceptable to our members."

Following today's (9 February) announcement from Bombardier that its Derby
plant is secure for the next three years, Unite has called on the government to
learn lessons from its mistakes and ensure there is not a repeat of the
Thameslink fiasco. UNITE: "The Department for Transport must now construct the
bidding process for new train contracts so that UK based manufacturers can
compete on a level playing field.”

Private companies to profit from public debt - collecting the money owed to
government will mean more private companies profiting from public debt, PCS
warns. Take it this is not big corporate tax dodgers eh?
http://tinyurl.com/86zjn7r

RMT & Railways: A NEW REPORT commissioned by rail union RMT reveals that two
decades of private profiteering, alongside years of underinvestment in
infra-structure while fares have gone through the roof, and UK’s railways at
the bottom of the league compared to other parts of Europe.
http://tinyurl.com/7ctrdum

Bromley Council has announced that they intend moving away from the National
Agreement for Local Authority workers.

Bin Collectors across Stoke-on-Trent are planning to vote on strike action to
defend their pay. The council wants to tear up their contracts and force
workers to 'drop pay bands' which means they will lose up £90 a week!

Birmingham 40 years ago - 30,000 engineers walked out in solidarity with
striking miners over pay cuts. Bill Mullins, NSSN officer, then rep, was part
of this action report will be added to our website.
http://www.saltleygate.co.uk/

VICTIMISATION……………………………………………..

Len Hockey - Good News! Health bosses back off from attack on Unison rep joint
Unison branch secretary at Whipps Cross hospital in London, received a letter
from his employer Initial stating that there is no case to answer. As soon as
the threat to Len was raised, with a unanimous show of hands an emergency
meeting of Unison members agreed to prepare for strike action and to demand the
London region of Unison do everything in their power to defend Len. Emails of
protest flooded in to the employer from all over the country, and to Unison to
demand they defend Len.

Overwhelming votes for action on Heathrow Express over sacking of driver and
victimisation of RMT activist. Nearly 80% have voted to strike in a ballot of
drivers over the sacking of driver member Zahid Majid and over 80% for strike
action in a ballot of all Heathrow Express staff over the continued
victimisation of RMT rep Liaqat Ali.
http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=155156

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INTERNATIONAL…………………………………………………

GREECE
Greek workers have just begun another 48-hour general strike after 24 hours
earlier this week. http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/5571

IRELAND
Sat Feb 11 March with the Vita Cortex Workers 2:00pm until 4:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/160905400689547/
Campaign against household charges is growing http://nohouseholdtax.org/

BRAZIL
Police took strike action over pay last week & then occupied a key government
building. Over 300 have been surrounded by the army in a stand off.

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DIARY See http://tinyurl.com/79wpk2d for other dates & details
And please send us dates of budget meeting protests that are currently
happening.

Sat 11th Feb
Scottish Rank & File meeting Glasgow @ STUC Woodlands Rd 10am -1pm

Mon 13 February

NSSN Staffordshire "Solidarity with workers in struggle!" 7.30 pm
With workers from Unilever, Remploy, PCS & NUT –
Sacred Hearts Social Centre corner of Downey St & Regent Rd, Hanley ST1 3BY.

Tue 14 February
London Keep Our NHS Public meeting, Camden Town Hall, WC1 7:00pm
Save the DVLA Protest Trafalgar Street Office Brighton 12:30pm

Wed 15th Feb
Sparks National Day of Action
6am - Connoco Phillips in Immingham, Sellafield, Ratcliffe, Grangemouth
5.30pm - protest @ employers' awards - Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London

Southampton Unite & Unison lobby of the Council 1.00 - 2.00 p.m

Thurs 16 Feb
No Cuts! Barking against the Cuts Broadway Theatre 7:30pm

SAT 18th Feb
Health and Safety at Work with London Hazards Centre 13:00 - 17:00 Contact:
info@lawas.org.uk or a text: 07412 396713. (Spanish with English translation)

Mon 20th Feb
Unisons will be appealing against the High Court ruling over pensions moving
from RPI to CPI. 8.30am – 10am Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, WC1

Tue 22 February
Kirklees Save Our Services are organising a lobby of Kirklees Council 4pm

Sat 25 Feb
Protest against Tory Local Government Conference, Leeds

Wed 7 March
Save our NHS National rally and lobby of Parliament. London
http://tinyurl.com/7l6rqrq

Wed 28th March
Proposed STRIKE day of action over pension cuts – NUT & PCS

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Please donate or affiliate to support the NSSN.

Email: info@shopstewards.net

Phone: 07952 283 558

Post: PO Box 54498, London E10 9D


Web: www.shopstewards.net

Twitter: NSSN_AntiCuts

Main FB group http://tinyurl.com/4yckq5j
FB NSSN ‘Stop the cuts’ http://tinyurl.com/7esg2gp

MA Evaluation of the Practical Project Jan 2012

REPRESENTING RESISTANCE: PERFORMING RESISTANCE
REALWORLD CONTEXT & Relevance:

Whilst working on evaluation of the practical research, part of the over arching theme of representing resistance: performing resistance, I have also been updating and developing the documentary production. So this written evaluation is in 3 parts, a written report, an updated work in progress of the documentary and part of the Q & A after a screening.

The subject of political representation, which the 47 projects re-raise, and what are the potential alternatives to capitalism, is very current. Last week the General Sec of Unite, challenged the labour leadership over its over move to the right and acceptance of the need for ‘austerity’. Unite’s national policy is against all cuts and is one of the largest funders of the Labour Party.

Returning to the Liverpool location, with labour council cuts of £141 million over two years, a raging debate on what the council is doing and what impact that is having continues. "If Labour is saying it will continue with the same policies [as the coalition], why would you vote for them?

This weekend sees a newly formed coalition of Trade Unisons and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) meet in London to discuss standing in elections with trades unions such as the RMT and POA seriously considering fielding candidates.

The timely nature of this project does add more pressure on its development and completion. Overall this practical project is behind, in terms of deadlines, behind in terms of gathering and analyzing the research and the necessary academic process that could take the bridge from the practical project to a dissertation, whatever form that is. Question to self: Step up or Step back in the coming weeks?

PROJECT Method & Practice:
This MA has been an important step to develop a layered audiovisual project on the relevance of the 'Liverpool 47', surcharged councilors in local government office between 1983- 1987. It is a joint project with a long-term collaborator, Lisa Lonsdale, who had suggested it back in 2006. Her main role has been as editor.

This whole project challenges the idea any created medium is objective and that objectively and fair distribution representing a variety of perspectives and stories is balanced across the media. I will refer to this more in terms of how I tried get screening I Liverpool and also marketing support.

The overall methodological process fits within the Action Research model as described by Whisker (256: 2001) “ an opportunity to try out an idea...to assess and evaluate effects. then move to apply it further” it also fits a collaborative & reflective method of working which requires “working with other people to discuss, plan, test, retry, ensure validity”. (Whisker: 256: 2001).

The methods and process are part of a multi-layered approach that is hugely time consuming but for me, each medium with which I work, or process, another overlaps, expands, develops and contributes. No one idea, or process is sufficient. This is continually expressed in how I am marked within this MA. In May 2011 I gave in 3 pieces as my practical production, including a 40-minute documentary style project - skeleton verbal narrative, a 2000 word document to explore where the project was, aesthetics, collaborative challenges and debates, plus a recording of an hour presentation and feedback event for Cultural Memory students. Each part of the process is important to the work, methods, my learning style and project development.

However, looking back I spent several weeks in the digital gallery on two occasions and had not requested I be marked on that as part of the practical manifestation of the research, nor images I had created in the period of the MA which I had used & continue to use. Why? Perhaps my ongoing self-consciousness about being some kind of 'artist' meant that I didn't feel I could or should be marked in that way.

Almost to challenge this I will reflect on a picture which I think expresses this project and themes and still speaks to others and me one year after it was taken (Front Cover of this evaluation). A question arises, maybe one image, was all that was needed? And it was a lack of confidence and editing ability to strip down the essence of the work, which alone was able to open up a discussion, engage in debate around the struggles against cuts that have been ongoing.

The picture has been read as a reflection to the student occupations, as mass mediated images of the taking over Millbank by those attending the gallery and in discussions. It can, and has been, read externally by others as referring to the riots and the damage to property, which was again the main focus of mass media representation and discussion. The image, for me, also speaks of the internal and external crisis of capitalism, and the shattering of illusions that over and over again exposed themselves in small and larger scale ways. It is now placed inside the film as one interviewee talks about what made her get involved and the shame of being unemployed, being broken.

In a book written about the Liverpool 47 campaign, ‘The City that dared to fight’, refers to Trotsky writings, on the Russian Revolution and 'great months of slander'. As a reference to the way in which the mainstream and local media represented the campaign. "When it comes to a threat against their material interests, the educated classes set in motion all the prejudices and confusions which humanity is dragging in its wagon train behind it. " (Trotsky: 322: 1988). With this practice model of creating a project, which also had a Trotskiest political leadership within the 47 councilors, how much of this is applicable now? And particularly with new technologies which I heavy rely upon for research, production and research.

Between May and December last year, in the evaluation period the documentary project was further reviewed using some of the feedback we had gained. We needed more relevance of today, more archives of the mainstream press, evidence, local cutaways and general ‘movement’. All of which most mainstream campaign or campaign documentaries include but without them, it could easily be read as 6 individuals looking back a small event. The mainstream media archive material added credibility to the arguments that the tools of the state, as Marxists and Trotsky refers to, were used against a Labour council challenging the ideas of Capitalism.

I returned to Liverpool in August, to access some archives around the project that had been provided to Liverpool Libraries by a group of the Liverpool 47 councilors and supporters several years ago. These archives were still not publicly accessible or had been categorized and I had been in touch for over a year to request access. This again expressed questions around who puts this material in the public domain.

I also met several of the participants, one reminded me of the fact this city had a one off event called "CITY OF RADICALS' (CoR) and the Liverpool 47 were not featured or programmed within that. For the ‘Liverpool 47’ and those who supported them, this was another example of how that struggle was not recognized, suppressed or represented. It was an important opportunity to test out the idea of whether the 47 campaigns were being consciously hidden.

From this I contacted CoR via their website and despite several emails over 9 weeks I got no reply. I finally got a reply from the Artistic director of the Bluecoat who were the main organizers of the festival, forwarding one of the first emails and asked how work was programmed and why my email had not been responded to. (APPENDIX 1) I was told it was a self-selecting program and no one was being censored. However I am aware several elements such as the ‘Democratic Promenade’ had artists chosen, funded and marketed – Is this really a democratic model of curation and distribution of ideas?

Over the same period I contacted several organizations including Unity Theatre and FACT to hire or access screening and discussion space. Only Unity got back in touch, and that was in largely to do with a past connection with a member of staff and it was still a paid hire so unlike many of the other CoR events. Representing and Performing Resistance on the 47 was not on a level footing with other projects.

It then took several emails (and conversations) to get the project information onto the CoR website and finally via their social networking sites including twitter. So whatever is said about a democratic, self-selecting project, without the same financial resources as other works had and without significant promotion, representing and exploring controversial working class history was again going to be bubble beneath the surface. For those involved in the 47 that I had been in touch with, they were extremely pleased that something, however small and however late, was on this program, was acknowledging that struggle.

As I had some years online marketing experience, I made some use of the CoR website link via emails, Twitter and Facebook. Through past relationships (which I would argue has assisted throughout this project from participant access through to venues) Sheffield Documentary Festival & the Trade Union & Socialist Campaign re-tweeted information, both with significant followings. Attendance was important but raising the profile of the 47 and the an alternative to cuts was paramount to me. CoR finally did add something to their social networking sites but only in the last 24 hours prior to screening and after emails expressing concern about why this project was not given the profile via project marketing that other pieces had. (APPENDIX 2)

Space and impact (& possibility) I added some props to the space. So visitors could feel and see some more layers to the work. One of the interviewees had a t-pot of Thatcher and was encouraged to allow it out and give it a place on set. Books from other participants and papers were added, a clock with one of the children of an interviewee born in the midst of the campaign was hung up and recent campaign t-shirts. It was commented upon by several attendees that that worked and made sense to them to have them there.

Some FEEDBACK from the screening itself - 49 paid attendees came to the theatre screening, several apologies by text and some people could not get away from work.

1. Discussion recorded at screening after November screening:
This was mainly a discussion about what was happening now and some elements about what happened then and some small film specific feedback. Most of the film participants were on the platform, bar one who was sick and could not attend and another who was the most uncomfortable appearing on screen, though she did contribute from where she was seated twice, developing confidence building and understanding of her role in the struggles past. (Fuller Comments in APPENDIX 3)

Further responses after the work in progress Screening on 17th November 2011 In the pub 10.20-1am - I should have arranged for all those who wanted to go, to go to the same pub, in a city so small we ended up in 4 different pubs and some of the newer people to the event were not at the pub I went to. (APPENDIX 3.2)

2. Emails from audience attendees that I did not know - I have chosen those as that gives some sense of wider audience engagement, this expressed an interest, some critical comments on imagery and also that it had inspired them. (APPENDIX 3.3)

3. More: I also got a text from one of 47 councilors "Thank you for a thoughtful and beautiful film& I am re- inspired', so much so she also offered to bring round some additional material and information the following day. Material from 'not the echo' the local campaign magazine about race and Liverpool, also who else could be interviewed about city council and socialism.

I did email all participants a questionnaire about the project and sadly no one responded to that, to other conversations and stating they were interested in its development. I will need to call or meet them, which seem to be the most effective way to gain feedback and create engagement.

4.Since then I have been challenged by political representatives over who is in it and who interviewed. This will just be the start of a challenging defense of the project, that I also have to prepare for inside and outside of academia.

Project ETHICS specifically representation: Class & Gender
Working class representation has been key within this project, not generally but how have working class people in a period of time taken charge political leadership with a socialist programe and what that meant. The recent examples of demonizing the working class, part manifested through the use of 'chavs' and those deserving and undeserving 'poor' is more than just play, it expresses an ideological intention to show a grouping, however loose, however contested, as incapable of functioning in society properly, least of all taking it over! This was in contrast to bankers taking bonuses and gaining huge pensions despite causing the recent economic crisis. Within this article there is reference to a report within The Telegraph, "Many people have use chav as a smoke screen for their hatred of the working classes' he goes onto to argue this is used to justify inequality (Douglas: 2011: 18).

I consciously and practically ensured that women were within this piece, noting that if I had left it to just those who were keen to speak, that would have mainly been men but is it enough? Does it really make any difference in how women see themselves, working class women and what influence could and does that make on any struggle or campaign? This is still to be fully extracted from the participants.

Even at the post screening discussion it was men who were clearly more confident at speaking publicly so I worked hard to engage those from the floor more quickly so they did not just hear from those who had practice at contributing in a public space.

There is an ongoing need I have, to understand some basic and more complex concepts of editing and spatial montage, and though the project has a few moments where it could be said that the work displays this, the exhibition format manifested this more strongly. The updated version shown in Liverpool in Nov 2011, had more split screen work, much of it was more of the show and tell, based visualization of the story but using archive material such as legal documents and media articles to evidence and express the factors that were within this debate and have also influenced why this project has been created - to re- raise a invisible struggle against thatcher ideology. There is also some shots just allowing music and some words and names of those involved there, to give space and time for work to be considered so its not a bombardment of idea and argument after argument. There is huge amounts of work and consideration needed on the graphics and sound too.

As it was decided to use documentary as more accessible than a gallery project for audience access and diversity what was missing by not providing actual objects re-assembled, collected and added to day by day? Installation allowed for evolving, engaging, developing conversations and tactile layers.

WHAT NEXT? Documentary or MA dissertation or can one be both?

The Documentary needs more moving image material past and present, Archives from mainstream TV which have a huge cost implication if to be distributed, distribution strategy and marketing support, another editor, sound mix, fundraising strategy such as what is used in the trade union and campaign movement, which Mclibel – Spanner films now call ‘crowd funding’. This is almost a full time project, if I move forward with it but it will be limited, rushed and basic. So perhaps it’s a chapter, and other could be around housing and the current housing crisis and the 47.

The question also is what will take for me to complete this MA? How to critically analyze the use of social networks to debate and develop discussions around the Liverpool 47, and more wider discussions around a new workers party and socialist ideas. Or what difference can a film make? Can a film make a difference?


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Douglas: K 'Writing off the working class?' (2011) In Socialism Today Issue 153 : Socialist Party: London
‘How Ed Miliband's cuts policy is dividing Labour's heartlands’

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/20/miliband-labour-cuts-liverpool-reaction?newsfeed=true (Booth, R) 20.1.2012
‘Labour’s embrace of austerity fails working people and their party’

http://www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/labour_s_embrace_of_austerity.aspx Unite Press Release (16.1.2012)

Taafe, P & Mulhern T (1988) 'The months of great slander' in 'Liverpool City that dared to fight' Fortress books, London
The Postgraduate Research Handbook, G Whisker Macmillan 2011

‘What can Grounded Theorists and action researchers learn from each other?’ Bob Dick in ‘The sage book of grounded theory’ A Bryant, K Charmaz (SAGE)

Thain, M (2011) Art Mass Production’ Manny Thain in 'Socialism Today' Issue No. 153 Socialist Party, London
Williams, G (2011) Shafted: The Media, The miners Strike & the aftermath () Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom
ORAL - in Person, observations and discussions. Ongoing process of attending meetings of trade unionists, anti cuts campaigners, socialists 2-6 times a week that are part of the huge and ongoing oral process of exchanging ideas and develop process. I could not begin to name and note which ones have influenced this work but the combination of them all and the ongoing need for collective discussions and actions to make change. There have also been huge amounts of industrial actions from picket lines through to wildcat strikes and roadblocks instigated. All of these actively feed into this, here and now. 





APPENDIX 1.
Correspondence with City of Radicals Director







APPENDIX 2

Another Email Request for City of Radicals to market the film


APPENDIX 3
Summary Feedback at he Q & A (recorded)

One young woman whose parents were involved said it inspired her, but that she also would be willing to help in whatever what that was to develop and distribute the project.

Another representative of the Free University in Liverpool - said it was moving - they could do to assist in it being screened and distributed.

Several remarked on the role of the media in not presenting the struggle audience member asked how we were dealing with the media.

One person asked for more moving image and images of the achievements.

2. Conversations as feedback
One woman said it had inspired her as much as seeing a Michael Moores film - she had no time but was willing to contribute money.

- Another Felt that the work did not go into the controversial side about the redundancy notices, Sam bond and role of militant in the leadership. Felt it was propaganda for the Socialist party (formerly militant). Wanted to collaborate on project but on the basis of those elements being at the fore. This person is a well-established photographer who has profile and standing and could do this alone.

- Several reflected on the timely nature of the project and getting it screened in more places.
Requested watching the project and how to share this was by 3 under 25's via Twitter, noting the use of social networks to engage a new generation. One other who also had an interest but wasn't able to attend.

3. Emails feedback from unknown audience
" are you planning to interview any more of the 47?á … would have liked to have seen some of the houses that were built …to hear from people who live or lived in them, or were involved in the planning meetings. A One (very minor) where there was a lot of text I found that I was trying to read it and to listen at the same time, so I missed both.á But that's very minor.á Other than that I thought it was great..Do you plan to do any more screenings any time soon? " (GW by email 18.11.2011)

"I was thinking about financing support for completing the film … Heritage Lottery Fund as they are quite into supporting oral history projects which this film definitely could fall under& Obviously the film has a great relevance for our time, but that is another plus in terms of what they might support. " (B from TT 21.11.2011)

"Thanks a lot for sharing your fantastic project last night. I really enjoyed watching your film. It is informative, passionate and humorous. And it inspires me with hope."

The talk was an interesting experience for me. It was like a volcanic eruption of political passion, inspiring at the same time as intensely overwhelming If you wanted to show at the Occupy Tent City University, just go to their website and sign up or write them an e-mail http://tentcityuniversity.occupylsx.org/?page_id=6 I think, it would be of great interest to them." (BJ; 19.11.2011)

NSSN Bulletin - Striking together (1st July)

Yesterday was an amazing day for the fight-back against pension cuts and
beyond! A demonstration of what can be achieved when the unions move into
action!

There were picket lines, lunch time rallies, walkouts, occupations and support
from unions not even officially on strike but desperate to be involved in some
way, despite the vile and vicious propaganda from the government & media, &
sadly those you would hope to gain support from. Mary Bousted, general
secretary of the ATL, won the biggest cheer at a rally yesterday with: "The
response of Ed Miliband has been a disgrace – he should be ashamed of
himself. If our strike is a mistake, what has he done to oppose this
devastating attack on our pensions? If the Opposition will not defend our
pensions, we will."

You would think from looking at most of the main stream press this we are not
supported or that very little happened, but to be honest it impossible for us
to report the all of the details in one bulletin! In terms of demonstrations
there were: 4,000 Brighton, 5,000 Birmingham, Manchester & Bristol, 3,000
Liverpool, 500 Ipswich, 800 Cardiff, Exeter & Truro, 300 Chester & York, 1,000
Glasgow, Southampton & Hull, 200 Southend, 600 Preston, 1500 Cambridge, 350
Reading, 550 Plymouth, 400 Doncaster, 100 Lincoln, 200 Derby, 700 Norwich,
30,000 London & many many more! More area reports will be added to the website
over the next week, please send in yours & details of follow up meetings &
actions.

In some areas the NSSN joined forces with local unions to organise demos and
rallies. Outside Central Hall Westminster NSSN speakers addressed the overflow
crowd. With a one –day warning shot across the bows of this millionaire
coalition government, now is the time to prepare to step up the fight.
Thousands of our leaflets, bulletins and postcards were given out; placards
were held high. Our message to develop a general strike was welcomed &
supported. Tomorrow the new NSSN Steering Committee will be making an
assessment of yesterdays action and discussing a lobby of the TUC on September
11th in London in order to help ratchet up the pressure on these leaders to
follow up the March 26th demo with bigger joint strike action in the autumn.

We would encourage unions, campaign groups etc to follow up meetings of what
next, if you have visited a new workplaces then re-visit and develop union and
community actions for the future. If you were not on strike this time, look at
how your union and workplace can take part in the future, invite a local
striker & donate to the hardship funds.

Over the last 5 months we have been involved in a huge amount of work,
organising & speaking union meetings & conferences, anti cuts campaigns and
organising events and publishing different leaflets, stickers & cards. The cost
of this work adds up and we are in much need of finances right now! Please
could you consider donating by affiliating individually or via your trades
council or union. £5 per individual or £25 minimum for branches and local
trades councils. Online: http://www.stopcuts.net/affiliate.htm or cheques made
payable to 'National Shop Stewards Network’ NSSN PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE

DISPUTES:
UCU London Southbank University took strike action to defend pay and conditions
29th June. Lobby Board of governors 14th July.
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.113.htm

RMT Strike ballot on First Devon and Cornwall for strike action and action
short of a strike in a dispute over the axing of essential staff transport.
http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=146966

UNITE to ballot workers for strike action at Centrica (Hull) over pay
http://tinyurl.com/67d4sf8

NHS UPDATE: http://www.stopcuts.net/news.51.htm

DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sat 2nd July Bournemouth & Poole Anticuts Coalition
10:15am Broadstone Library, 10 Story Lane, Poole, Dorset BH18
info@bpacc.net

North Tyneside Public Services Alliance
11am North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields NE29
l.nelson@unison.co.uk

6:30pm Birmingham Against the Cuts open planning meeting, Unison Offices, 19th
Floor McClaren Building. B4 Planning meeting

Mon 4th
Save the Accord Centre, Parkhead Forge Shopping Centre, Duke Entrance 3pm

Tues 5th
5pm-6: 30pm Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) Lobby of council house
meeting.
Other celebrations & protests as part of the campaign to save the NHS on its
birthday will take place in Stoke, Preston, Manchester, Birmingham,
Wolverhampton, South Tyneside, Bradford, London & South Sea, & more!

Wed 6th
7.30pm Brighton Stop the Cuts, King & Queen
7:30pm Handsworth Anti-Cuts Group public meeting, St Andrews Sports and
Community Centre

Thur 7th July
12 – Manchester Central Conf Centre, M2
Protest outside the NHS Confederation National Conference with Langsley
speaking! https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101668313261415
7:30pm – Birmingham TUC meeting - rooms 3&4, Council House, B1

Fri 9th
Save Our NHS Day of Action. Nottingham SOS nottssos+doa@gmail.com

11th Sep – NSSN lobby TUC to actively develop national action against the
cuts! https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=222515987782045

Joint meeting of London NSSN, RMT, CWU, FBU - Trade Unions battle ConDem cuts:
Mon 18th 6pm Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, W1T
Some of the strongest & most militant unions in London will come together to
discuss what we can do now to help get all our unions up for concerted action
to stop ALL cuts.
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.110.htm

JOIN AFFILIATE & GET INVOLVED

Email: info@shopstewards.net
Phone: 07952 283 558
http://www.shopstewards.net/index.htm

NSSN 45 - Nothing unaffordable about public sector pensions

‘There is nothing unaffordable about public sector Pensions”, wrote the
Torygraph earlier this week. Well yes they would know, given the huge and
obscene pensions and bonuses those who have caused the economic crisis in the
country have accepted, and continue to take, whilst expecting us to pay for the
mess. If this government gets away with it, millions of public sector workers
will pay in more to their pensions, to get less out and to wait longer to get
it - all to pay for a crisis caused by the bankers!

Also, the current pensions proposals plan to steal another £2.8 billion from
us pushing 3.5 million pensioners into fuel poverty. This is totally
unacceptable; we already have 2.5 million pensioners who cannot afford to
adequately heat their homes. Is that the kind of society we want to bring our
next generations into? Is that what we want for those who have contributed to
our lives, work and of building the very homes and hospitals we use and live
in? We don’t want or need further cut backs, but a better distribution of
our collective wealth, which a tiny, tiny minority sucks up. And they call us
irresponsible!

On Thursday 30th of June, there is an important opportunity to take a stand and
strike as just under a million workers who have been balloted so far, will be
taking action. This is the first National co-ordinated strike action against
this government.

Sadly the largest public sector union, Unison is not taking part nationally in
this but has agreed at this weeks conferences that they will prepare for
co-ordinated action, as many of its members asked why aren’t we on strike on
the 30th. This should lead to another national strike in the Autumn - in the
words of PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka "to turn 750,000 on strike on June
30th into 4 million." NSSN supporters will be giving out our leaflet on June
30th calling for a 24-hour public sector general strike. You can download it
from our website or email us to get copies.

If your union is on strike - what can you do?

Hopefully you will have discussed this with your reps & officials, to set up
picket lines, leaflet and recruit new members, get inactive members involved,
discuss with other local unions for support and solidarity. Join/set up local
and regional marches to show this government that we will not accept this and
more importantly show each other, and those not yet on strike, there is an
alternative to the ‘cuts’. If you need any assistance or some material let
us know.

If your union is not on strike - what could you do?

Attend picket lines of those on strike
Send messages of support
Donate to the respective hardship funds
Assist in organizing locally; get your workmates, family, and friends to attend
Arrange meetings for after the 30th – what next
Move a resolution in your next union branch meeting calling on your union to
ballot for strike action and urging them to co-ordinate the action with the
other unions. Also, support the NSSN lobby of the TUC on September 11th in
London calling for co-ordinated action across the unions

Not in a union or workplace?

You might want to take part in walkouts or local protests with others.
For those not in work link up with strikers through your anti cuts campaigns,
share information, consider what actions you could take. Join the picket lines
and the local rally’s and marches. Students will also be looking to walk out
and support picket lines.
Support and visits to picket lines is most welcome as the con-dems try to
divide us!

STRIKES & DISPUTES

Two bits of Good news for RMT, Arywn Thomas has won the ET against unfair
dismissal and has now been reinstated! Workers on the Heathrow express have
suspended strike action following a better offer. Congratulations to all those
who were involved and took action.

We would also like to congratulate UCU members will also be celebrating as UCU
Wales Vice President has had his disciplinary action withdrawn after members
took unofficial action furious at the actions.
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.98.htm

Earlier this week 34 cleaners took part in 2 days of strike action in protest
over unpaid wages from Ocean in the city of London.

SOUTHAMPTON City Council Unison & Unite workers strike against cuts in jobs,
conditions and services continues as talks failed at ACAS. Workers will be
striking on the 30th of June to link up their issues with those nationally.
http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/newsletters.htm
http://southamptonanticuts.wordpress.com/

Birmingham Unison announced it would also be on strike on the 30th of June
given the £300 million cuts budget with over 37% to be cut by 2015.
http://www.birminghamunison.co.uk/
http://birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/mass-strikes-in-birmingham-on-30th-june/

NUJ Newsquest in south London will begin 4 day strike 27th – midnight 30th
June over redundancies.

Leeds Council UNISON will join GMB balloting over proposals for cutting up to
3,000 jobs over 4 years

NUT Forest Hill School took first day of strike action against compulsorily
redundancies.


DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sat 25th
Hampshire Stop the cuts & Hampshire Assoc of Trades Councils demo 11am
Oram’s Arbour, Clifton Road. Linking up the ongoing council strikes of Unite
& Unison members with Medirest .

Lewes March for the NHS 10.30
Nevill Green, BN7

Nuneaton Against the Cuts 10.30 meet outside specsavers for campaign activity.

Tues 28th - RMT demonstration outside Liverpool’s BT Conference Centre 08.30

Sir Roy McNulty the architect of the Governments “Rail Review” carve-up -
will be addressing a major railway industry conference.

THURS 30th JUNE – NATIONAL STRIKE Action against pension cuts!

Just a few rallies & marches on the strike day:

Aberystwyth Rally 12 Morian Centre, Queens Rd
Bangor 2 Meifod Hotel
Barnsley 9.45 March to Parkway Cinema
Birmingham at 12 Victoria Square
Bedford 10 Civic Centre
Bradford 10 Valley Parad Ground
Brighton 10.30 The level (opposite open market)
Bristol 11 College Green
Calerdale 10 Arden Rd, Social Club
Canterbury 10-2 Abbots Barton Hotel
Camberley 1pm Camberley station march. 2pm Rally@Theatre
Cambridge 12 Parkers pierce
Carlisle 12.30 Old Town Hall
Cardiff 11 Cathays Park & 12.15 Canton Bridge
Ceredigion 12 Morian Centre
Chatham 12.30 Command House, ME4
Chelmsford 11 High St
Chester 12.30 town hall
Chippenham 11 Town Hall
Colchester 12.30 Town Hall
Derbyshire 10.30 Market Hall Chesterfield
Doncaster 9.30 Council house, College rd
Dorchester 9.30 County hall
Dover 12 St Mary’s Church
Exeter 11 Corn Exchange
Glasgow 12 George Sq
Gloucester 10.30 Gloucester Park
Gravesham 9.30 Three Daws Pub DA11
Gwynedd Mefild 2 Hotel Bontnewydd
Halifax 10 Arden Social Club
Hastings 10.30 White rock hotel
Hertfordshire 10.30 Campus West, Uni
Huddersfield 10 St Pats Irish centre 12-12.30 rally Market X, HD1
Hull 10am Royal Hotel
Isle of Wight 10 St Georges Football PO30
Ipswich 10.45 Giles Circus, Princes Circus
Kirklees 10 St Patricks Centre
Lancaster 11 Market Sq
Llandrindod Wells 11am Pavilion, Spa Rd
Lincoln 1 Stags Head
Liverpool 11.30 William Brown St
Leicester 12 Victoria Park
Leeds 12 City Square
London 11 Lincoln Fields
Luton 12 Market Hill
Manchester 11 All Saints
Maidenhead 11-2 Walnut Tree & 4pm Outside County Hall
Maidstone 11 Village Hotel, ME14
Merthyr Tydfil 12.30 Civic Centre
Middleborough 4.30 Bottle sculpture
Milton Keynes 12 Campbell Park
Newcastle 12 Life Centre
Newbury 10 St Nicholas Church Hall
Newport 12 John Forest Sq
Norfolk 12 Outside Forum NR2
Norwich Noon Forum Amphitheatre
Northampton 12.30 Guildhall
Nottingham 11 Forest Recreation March to Albert Hall for rally
Oxford Noon Bonn Square 1.30 March
Peterborough 10am
Plymouth 10.30 Albion Rugby Club
Portsmouth 12 Guildhall, PO1
Preston 12 Flag Market
Powys 10.30 The Pavilion
Reading 11am RISC, London St, RG1
Rotherham 11am All saints Sq
Sheffield 12 Barker’s Pool to City Hall
Sheffield 11 Peace gardens to City Hall
Sittingbourne 11 Phoenix house, Central Av
Slough Queensmere Centre
Somerset 10 Taunton Rugby Club
Southampton 11 Guildhall
Southend 12.30 Victoria Circus
Staffordshire 11.30 Reardons, Adventure Place ST1
Swansea 11.30 Castle Sq
Swindon 10 Outside Swindon Library
Taunton 11 Rugby club
Telford 12 Southgate
Truro 1-1pm Lemon Quay
Wakefield 10 Outside Cathedral
Welwyn 10.30 Campus West, Roller City
Wembley 10 Torch Pub
Wigan 11-1 Market Place
Wolverhampton 10.45 Metro One
Worcester 11 St Peters Baptist Centre
Worthing 11 Steyne Gdns, BN11
Wrexham 11.30 Queens Sq
York 11.30 Parliament St & 4pm lobby Council

Tues 5th July East London NSSN – ‘All out together’ 7pm
Durning hall Community Centre, Earlham Grove E7

Join – Affiliate – Get involved!

info@shopstewards.net
http://www.shopstewards.net/

NO 44 Conference report & more

Results from the NUT, PCS and ATL ballots clearly show massive support for
strike action on the 30 June. ATL have never in the 100 odd years of being a
union taken strike action so their result is even more telling! It looks like a
sharpening mood against cuts and privatisation is developing. Under pressure
from his members, even Dave Prentis has stated that Unison will ballot for
strike action in the coming months!

As seven workers from Honda Swindon were leaving the National Shop Stewards
Network (NSSN) conference on Saturday 11 June, one car worker remarked: "I wish
we could have brought a coach-load!” This was a typical reaction amongst the
350 workers attending the best conference we’ve held so far, a regular event
that is rapidly becoming a feature in the calendar of the labour movement.

Alex Gordon, Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) president, reminded
delegates about the biggest ever trade union demonstration that was held on 26
March, showing what the TUC can do when it lifts its little finger. He urged
that attendees don’t squander that energy. The correct conclusions about the
way forward needed be drawn out – primarily, a general strike is needed. The
£81 million of cuts so far are only year one of the Tory programme.

Conference gave a very warm reception to Les Woodward from GMB Remploy who
reported on disabled workers fighting cuts & he appealed to the
"temporarily-abled" for solidarity.

The ‘Right to Strike' theme of the afternoon session was recognition that
whilst we are preparing for mass action, the bosses are too. The
representatives of the rich and powerful are ready to introduce even more
draconian laws to restrict strikes.

Frank Morris described his blacklisting from the Olympics site. Tube drivers
Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch outlined how they were sacked for participating
in legal industrial action.

John Hancock from the Prison Officers Association (POA) national executive
explained that POA is banned from striking, but that pressure is building up to
break those restrictions, especially because of the drive for privatisation.

Keith Gibson, who spoke at the NSSN conference two years ago about the victory
of construction workers at Lindsay Oil Refinery against all odds, gave us, in
his bold inimitable style, a vivid account of a recent battle at Saltend, near
Hull, where 400 construction workers were locked out. Despite a willingness of
the workforce to fight, the battle was eventually lost, leaving many questions
being asked of some trade union officials.

This theme was taken up in the many contributions from the floor, including by
Unite convener Paddy Brennan, who appealed to NSSN for assistance with current
problems at Honda. Unison member Kathy Smith also spoke, she had stood for the
NEC seat of her union colleague who was suspended from office by the right wing
union leadership and won! FULL REPORT, Motions & great video:
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.94.htm

The conference also included a rousing and in depth speech by Apostolis
Kasimeris, one of the leaders of the OASA bus workers union in Athens. Workers
in Greece were taking part in their 8th General strike and with bus fare
boycotts that linked trade unionists with the community. He clearly connected
the situations across Europe and the role of the EU & IMF and how they were
still making money on the backs of the workers despite having caused the
economic crisis. Full speech: http://www.shopstewards.net/news.93.htm

The energy and commitment of those attending to take a lead in the strike
action against cuts on June 30th and develop a wider movement in the coming
months is moving across Europe was clear. We have always been in a class war
but now we begin to flex our collective strength!

Join us! Affiliate - ONLINE: http://www.stopcuts.net/affiliate.htm

STRIKES & DISPUTES

SOUTHAMPTON City Council Unison & Unite workers strike action is escalating
action over wage cuts with members. Cleaners at Southampton Hospital also took
strike action on the same days this week and joined with Council workers at the
March against cuts on the
13th.http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/newsletters.htm
http://southamptonanticuts.wordpress.com/

RMT- Despite strenuous efforts by RMT, LU have refused to reach an agreement
that would reinstate Arwyn Thomas despite his successful appeal for “interim
relief” for unfair dismissal at the Employment Tribunal on the grounds of his
trade union activities. Strike action begins this weekend: 9pm on Sunday 19th
June then again on 27th June 28th June, 29th June, and 1st July.
http://tinyurl.com/3sbr9e2

NUT Shorefields Liverpool will strike on the 21st over plans to become an
academy.

Unite Fujistu – Defend Alan Jenney Deputy Chair of Combine over unfair and
unnecessary redundancy. Ballot closes 23rd June. Messages of support
support@ourunion.org.uk http://www.shopstewards.net/news.92.htm

UCU COLEG MORGANNWG Management has initiated disciplinary action against Guy
Stoate, President of UCU Wales and NEC member. On the day the disciplinary
action was announced over members of UCU at the college held a spontaneous
rally in support of Guy. http://www.shopstewards.net/news.96.htm

Jacqui Thomspon campaigner in Save Panticelyn School was arrested for breaching
the peace as she filmed council meeting in Carmthen. http://tinyurl.com/6lctls9
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/

DATES FOR THE DIARY
Mon 20th Waltham Forest Trades Council & Antic Cuts group public meeting 7.30pm
Harmony Hall, Truro Road, E17

Tue 21st SERTUC public services Open Meeting report on supporting action on the
30th June - 1.00am-1.00pm in the Council Chamber, 5th Floor, TUC Congress
House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B

Wed 22nd March & Strike against the privatisation at London Met University.
Over 198 job cuts proposed. Assemble at 2:00pm at Highbury Fields t march to
London Met, Tower Building, and 166-220 Holloway Road. Organised by UNISON, UCU
& London Met NUS. Lobby of Board at 4pm.

THURS 30th JUNE – NATIONAL STRIKE Action against pension cuts!
http://tinyurl.com/6jc4neg

Birmingham at 12 Victoria Square.
Bradford 10 Valley Parad Ground
Brighton 10.30 The level
Bristol 11 College Green
Cambridge 12 Parkers pierce
Carlisle 12.30 Old Town Hall
Chatham Noon Command House
Chelmsford 11 High St
Colchester 12.30 Town Hall
Dover 12 St Mary’s Church
Exeter 11 Corn Exchange
Glasgow 12 George Sq
Gloucester 10.30 Gloucester Sq
Halifax 10 Arden Social Club
Hastings 10 White rock hotel
Liverpool 11.30 William Brown St
Leicester Victoria Park
Leeds 12 City Square
London 11 Lincoln Fields
Luton 12 Market Hill
Manchester 11 All Saints
Middleborough 4.30 Bottle sculpture
Newcastle 12 Life Centre
Norwich Noon Forum Amphitheatre
Nottingham Trent Square
Oxford 1 Bonn Square
Plymouth 1 Plymouth Town Hall
Portsmouth 12 Guildhall
Preston 12 Flag Market
Sheffield 12 Peace Gardens
Tauntan 11 Rugby club
Worthing 11 Steyne Gdns

Join – Affiliate – Get involved!

info@shopstewards.net
http://www.shopstewards.net/

NSSN likes page - 315 people

Something I set up around 23rd October - NSSN - Fighting Cuts

NSSN was set up in 2007 and I have been more actively involved this year. So I help with the weekly Facebook group bulletins and also set this likes page up as a way of putting up daily info that can go onto peoples home pages and be shared. Within 10 days we have over 300 people.

Group page is also growing... that allows us to send a weekly bulletin and it also have the January conference event on it. Group has 555 people on it.

January conference event has 157 people attending, 233 maybes, 848 not replied yet and 328 not attending. Yesterday sent them all a reminder about conference and the bulletin. Wondered if that is why the Group page has grown.. who knows!

NSSN Bulletin 24

This went out to Facebook group of 550 and then main NSSN list today: (will put up others within this)

FBU London strikes continue this week on Friday 5th for 47 hours. The mood is still strong and determined with support from across the country. This is despite an avalanche of lies in the mainstream media, whilst Firefighters are run over by scabs and managers there is a stinking silence, to heard from them. http://www.fbu.org.uk/newspress/pressrelease/2010/11_02.php

This crucial battle is against the imposition of cuts, but also bullying management tactics and the use of legislation called a 188 legal notice used to sack the whole workforce. Similar tactics & threats are being used over in Councils in Birmingham, Sheffield, Greenwich and most recently Rhondda Cynon Taff, S Wales to make cuts.
1) Messages of support: ian.leahair@fbu.org.uk or ben.sprung@fbu.org.uk, matt.wrack@fbu.org.uk

2) Letters of complaint against the shocking violence against firefighters to: Ron.dobson@london-fire.gov.uk
3) Request a health & safety impact assessment at your workplace.

RMT London started strike on Tuesday evening to save jobs and ensure our safety action on with a lively lobby outside people question time of Boris, & 3 jobs Coleman. Shouting solidarity messages with 'Hands off the FBU'. Many workers chose not to work on the underground whilst the FBU were on Strike to maintain staff and public safety. http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/node/1803
Messages of support: S.Hedley@rmt.org.uk

NUJ - 48 Hour strike 5th & 6th November NUJ members are to strike in protest at plans to make them pay more, work longer and get significantly lower pensions at the BBC. Public meeting Thurs 7th Nov 7pm Salvation Army Hall, Princess St, SE1 6HH organised by Southwark Save Our Services with FBU & NUJ speakers. http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1788
Messages of support: campaigns@nuj.org.uk

UCU & NUS - 10th Nov National Demonstration: Fund our Future: Stop the Education Cuts. Assemble at 12noon Horse Guards Avenue (Westminster SW1A). March through Westminster to the rally. There will be an number feeder marches from different universities across London.
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4779

Local ANTI CUTS - update:
This weekend saw around a fantastic march of 2000 people in Brighton against the cuts, 100 in Portsmouth & 150 in Plymouth. 300 attended an anti-cuts meeting in Norwich and 50 at Hillingdon.

Please contact info@shopstewards.net with information about forthcoming events and reports about what you have done. Some reports have been posted on the news page.

3rd North Wales SSN - AGM 7-8pm Wrexham Lager Social Club, followed by NW Against Cuts meeting 8-9pm. Eileen O'Reilly (PCS) email brynidris2@aol.com
3rd Bracknell Defend our Services - 7pm Easthamstead Baptist Church. RG12 7NS
4th Solidarity with the striking firefighters: Waltham Forest anti cuts union meeting 7.30pm, William Morris community centre, Greenleaf Road, E17 6QQ
6th Taunton & West Somerset TC - March & Rally Assemble 10.30am. Contact Nigel 07833552340
6th Falkirk TC - 11am-3pm Saturday 6 November, Camelon Education Centre, Abercrombie Street, Camelon, Falkirk FK1 4HA. falkirktuc@blueyonder.co.uk
6th Wiltshire TC - Working Class Episodes, 0am-2.30pm Saturday 6 November, St Margaret's Hall, Bradford-on-Avon.Andy Newman 07764 563855, andydl1961@yahoo.co.uk
8th - Battersea & Wandsworth TC - Starts 7.30pm. PCS HQ, 160 Falcon Road, London SW11 2LN. 07958 125 128 or Spencer Barnshaw barnshaw@barnshaw.plus.com or Nadine: 07946 172 461 or nadine@bwtuc.org.uk
10th Nov Liverpool TC- 4.30 Mass lobby against City Council cuts. Liverpool5@rmt.org.uk,Tel 07585 268 607
10th Nov Bournemouth, Christ Church, Poole TC - Public meeting 7.30pm Woodlands Hall Labour club, 485 Ashley Road, BH14. 01202 529325 chairbcptuc@freeukisp.co.uk

H &S
Updates on the Young Review of cuts to HSE and local Authority budgets will be featured in the Morning star over the next six weeks. If you can pass on a personal experience of the importance of Health and Safety please contact: mail@gmhazards.org.uk http://www.hazards.org/votetodie/neutered.htm

NSSN Conference 22nd January
We are sending out invites to unions, trades councils and anti cuts groups to send delegates and visitors to the NSSN conference on the 22nd January. If you would like a copy of the invite letter please email us and also raise this in your workplaces and alliances, thanks. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159784320718030

We are conscious we are not reporting every march or dispute but need YOUR input to do this, short reports of even 50 words and a weblink & photo would be ideal otherwise major actions are left unreported and sometimes worse unsupported.

Some info is being blocked, these will be posted on the Group page and some daily on our new 'NSSN - Fighting Cuts & Privatisation' LIKES page.

Join us! Get involved and let's fight together!
info@shopstewards.net

No. 23 NSSN Bulletin 'Them & Us'

Without links as FB keeps blocking this message - noticed that was happening with FBU strike info and links too and some peoples profiles were dissapearing.. What was also good was that another support group with a wider audience cut and paste the whole bulletin and sent it round to their 1,514 members!

THEM:
The huge cheers as cuts were announced in parliment, spoke volumes of the real interests and concerns of this CONDEM government. With half a Million public sector jobs to be slashed, now a total of £18 million from Welfare, and more taken from benefits than will be collected in the bankers levy, this is not us all in it together!

The 'Debt' is not ours to pay, it has come from the Bankers bonouses, the wasted Trident spends, MP's expenses, and the uncollected taxes of the rich. The £6 million pound uncollected taxes of VODAPHONE, which provoked a protest this week, is just one example.

AND US:
When it became clear that the TUC Congress had pulled back from organising a demo in response to the ConDem Comprehensive Spending Review this year, the NSSN, along with RMT, FBU, PCS and NUT London representatives decided to go ahead and call one which was led by Firefighters and RMT members. Fuller reports on our website.

As the Scottish TUC took the initiative for a national demo 20,000 took to the streets. Over 2000 people attended the Bristol ANTI CUTS alliance protest from across the South West and were shamlessly attacked by Police. Great marches also took place in Manchester, York, Sheffield, Wrexham, Cardiff, Belfast and Lincoln. Inside the SERTUC rally Bob Crow raised the temperature and gained a standing ovation.

SO WHAT NEXT?
An NSSN model motion for united coordinated action and a national demo is now being circulated. The NSSN in London and elsewhere will encourage all its supporters to push for a 24 hour public sector strike and a national demo before Xmas! PCS at its recent NEC is also supporting this and will be pushing for this too. (PSC NEC Link disabled). This is alongside continued work within our unions, alliances and community campaigns. We will then follow up with an Anti-Cuts Conference on January 22nd.

INTERNATIONAL
TAMIL NADU - 500 workers jailed in dispute with FOXCONN. The company signed an agreement with a union belonging to the ruling party in the state -- a union which had no support at all among the workers. Messages of protest requested:
www.labourstart.org

PROTEST 2nd Nov, 4.15pm, Australian High Commission, The Strand, London: Ark Tribe is an Australian construction worker and trade unionist who faces jail for refusing to face an interrogation by the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), an anti-trade union body set up by the previous Howard government.

Friday 12 November 2010, Demonstration in memory of Jimmy Mubenga RIP Died while in the hands of G4S private security guards, , Assemble 10:30am @ the Angolan Embassy in London (22 Dorset Street, London, W1U 6QY). Nearest tube stations: Baker Street/ Marylebone. March to the Home Office (2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF)

GENERAL ANTI CUTS
Large Anti Cuts Lobbies & meetings took place this week in Hackney, Bromely & Greenwich.

30th OCT March
Hastings - Stop the cuts with a Halloween theme, fancy dress welcome. Robertson ST, HASTINGS
Brighton - 12 noon The LEVEL BrightonStopTheCuts-owner@yahoogroups.co.uk
Portsmouth - 11.30 Guildhall Square - louismacdonald@ntlworld.com
Plymoouth - 11am Plymouth Guildhall
Meeting WIGAN Trades Council Public 10.30am UNITE office, Wallgate.

Facebook LIKES PAGE
We will keep this group page going for now, and have set up a LIKES page as its becoming challenging to input all information into a weekly bulletin. With a this kind of page we can share information on a daily basis. Your thoughts and suggestions welcome. Please LIKE us :) NSSN - Fighting Cuts and privatisation.

NSSN WEBSITE
The new design is almost ready to go live which will be great to better navigate information and updates.

Join - Affilate - GET INVOLVED
info@shopstewards.net

Representing Resistance? Performing Resistance

Representing Resistance
(Doing it)
By Representing are you Performing
But can you, can I represent resistance whilst performing it?

Representing Resistance? PERFORMING RESISTANCE