Support trade unions and defend and improve public services
| 07:00 PM | 1 | Attendance and apologies |
| 07:05 PM | 2 | Review minutes of September meeting |
| 07:10 PM | 3 | Matters Arising from the Minutes |
| 07:15 PM | 4 | 20th of October Climate Strike |
| 07:30 PM | 5 | Planning for Nae Passeran screening |
| 07:45 PM | 6 | Proposals for end of year social |
| 08:00 PM | 7 | Industrial reports |
| 08:30 PM | 9 | Meeting Ends |
Latin America Conference 2019. Saturday 23 November 2019, Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
www.latinamericaconference.co.uk
US warmonger John Bolton has called Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua a ‘Troika of tyranny’ and is making increasingly dangerous threats of intervention against these countries.
The Trump administration is using military aggression, ‘lawfare’ and economic sanctions to try and force a broader reactionary agenda from Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, to Honduras, Ecuador and Mexico.
Yet people across the region continue to organise and fight back, developing progressive mass movements to struggle for independence, sovereignty and resistance to the vicious US onslaught and attempts to dominate national resources and economies for the benefit of the multinationals.
Features films, stalls, music and discussion on:
– No to Trump’s ‘regime change’ agenda in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua
– 20 years since Chávez’s election – a spark for 21st century socialism
– Cuba 60 – standing firm under the eye of the empire
– Art, Protest and Change
– Populism and stopping the far right Fighting back: Honduras, Brazil, Argentina
Nathalie Olah talks about the impact of austerity on the culture industries and how a new generation has emerged to challenge it- with a Q&A
The 2010s have been a double-edged decade. Socioeconomic factors have led to the widespread and increased disenfranchisement of poorer people from the mainstream media and the institutions shaping it. This has coincided with a growing number of people from low income backgrounds also receiving better educations than ever before, and having the means at their disposal to both name and resent it.
Steal as much as you can is the story of how this bright generation came to be, and what effective means are still at their disposal to challenge the establishment and ultimately win. By rejecting the established routines of achieving prosperity, and by stealing what you can from them on the way, this book offers hope to anyone who feels increasingly frustrated by our increasingly unequal society.
On September 20th, 4 million people across the world took part in the biggest climate mobilisation in history.
What next?
For two weeks in October, Extinction Rebellion and allied movements will continue to rebel in major cities across the globe against the criminal inaction on the Climate Crisis. On Saturday October 12th, we are calling for UK trade unionists to rally in London against the government and sound the alarm for the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
Trade unions have always shown solidarity to those fighting for change and facing oppression. Many trade unionists have already shown solidarity with the school climate strikers.
The government has failed to protect our families and communities. Now it’s time to recognise the scale of the environmental catastrophe. Join us at Trafalgar Square on October 12th.
Congress notes the recommendation by the Committee on Climate Change that the UK move to a net zero target for emissions by 2050 and the UK parliament’s declaration of an environmental and climate emergency following a motion tabled by Jeremy Corbyn. The Earth’s temperature has already risen by one degree above pre-industrial levels. The autumn IPCC report warned that we only have 12 years to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees. Net zero cannot be achieved without urgent investment in new, low-carbon energy generation Congress believes climate change is a trade union issue. The future of our planet is at risk if we don’t organise now to force governments to cut emissions in line with the IPCC report.
Congress welcomes Jeremy Corbyn’s acknowledgement that it cannot be
workers and communities that pay the price for changes to the energy system
and commitment that the next Labour government “will guarantee that all
energy workers are offered retraining, a new job on equivalent terms and
conditions, covered by collective agreements and fully supported in
their housing and income needs through transition”. The challenges of
just transition will have greatest impact in regions and localities
without equivalent employment opportunities.
Congress commends trade unions for the work they have done in promoting and developing an understanding of what a ‘just transition’ means, including the views of workers in the industries affected.
A just transition means:
i. a balanced low-carbon energy mix
ii. investment in skills and infrastructure
iii. education and training must be reviewed to ensure young people and
workers are equipped to live and work in a just transition towards a
sustainable future iv. protecting and creating high-quality jobs and
employment
v. no community left behind
vi. unions must be at the heart of a reinvigorated industrial strategy.
Congress welcomes the principles developed in the TUC’s statement on a just
transition published in July 2019, namely:
a. A clear and funded path to a low-carbon economy, taxing the very
wealthy and closing tax loopholes in line with Labour Party manifesto
commitments.
b. Workers must be at the heart of delivering these plans.
c. Every worker should have access to funding to improve their skills.
d. New jobs must be good jobs.
Congress calls on the General Council to put these at the forefront of addressing the climate crisis and moving to a greener, fairer economy.
We must keep the pressure up. Greta Thunberg and the school students have led the way but educators and the trade union movement as a whole must now act to ensure that they don’t fight alone.
Congress resolves:
1. that the TUC calls for a 30-minute workday campaign action to coincide with the global school strike on 20 September.
2. to campaign for national and regional Just Transition Commissions including
full union and education representation to develop, monitor and implement
the process.
| Thursday 19 September 2019 18:30 – 20:30 TUC Congress House, 23-28 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS |
| Amigo
Month is a five-week period that celebrates the shared cultures and
experiences of the three million people who are resident in UK whose
first language is Spanish or Portuguese. It starts each year on 7 September, which is significant as the ‘independence day’ of Brazil and Mozambique, where 90 per cent of the world’s 260 million Portuguese speakers live. And Amigo Month ends on 12 October, which is significant as the international Day of the 600 million Spanish speakers, and of the indigenous people of the Americas. Amigo Month promotes awareness, joint working, friendship and solidarity between communities. It promotes cultural, artistic, social, economic, tourism and educational links between communities and cultures too, on the basis of shared values. During these 35 days of Amigo Month many events are being organised and the importance of the event will be recognised by many key institutions, such as the Mayor of London, national Embassies and of course, the trade union movement. This event is hosted by the TUC region that is responsible for London, the East and the South East of England, where nearly two million trade union members live and work. The TUC believes that every worker in Britain should have a good job, high-quality rights at work, and fair pay. And we are confident that the best way for every worker to have a voice at work, to be respected, and to secure their full employment rights is for them to join a union and to organise to defend themselves and their workmates. If you are not a trade union member already there is a facility on the TUC website to help you identify which union might be the right one for you to join. https://www.tuc.org.uk/why-join-union |
Stand Up To Racism has launched a statement for a major campaign to defend EU migrants rights in the wake of a racist attack by Boris Johnson’s cabinet, signed by Diane Abbott, Alf Dubs, several trade union leaders, MPs, MEPs, local politicians, faith group leaders and anti racist activists
See the Guardian letter HERE
Sign the statement online HERE
Download the statement as a petition HERE to use in workplaces, colleges and communities
This week we’ve witnessed a spectacular pace of events unfold, with Boris Johnson proroguing parliament, losing a vote against him over his plans for a Tory No Deal Brexit, and expelling 21 Tory MPs for defying the whip and voting with the opposition.
For all who are horrified to see this hard racist in Number 10—who is following in the footsteps of Trump and deliberately launching a vicious intensification of the ‘hostile environment’ and racism—it has been uplifting to see tens of thousands taking to the streets to get him out of office and to oppose the Tories. Stand Up To Racism has joined demonstrations, such as the People’s Assembly protests at parliament and around the country, outside Downing Street as Johnson made his announcement last Wednesday, and at the Home Office last night to challenge his shocking attack on over three million EU migrants living in Britain.
We say, whether you voted Leave or Remain, it is urgent that we unite to oppose all racist division, Islamophobia and Antisemitism, challenge the ‘hostile environment for migrants and refugees, and build a mass campaign to defend EU migrants whose rights are under attack by Johnson’s Tory cabinet.
It is clear that Boris Johnson is using his office as prime minister to go on the offensive in intensifying the ‘hostile environment’ and is also pushing a level of racism from the heart of the establishment that aims to turn the clock back, normalising racist rhetoric.
That’s why Stand Up To Racism has launched this statement, signed by Diane Abbott, Alf Dubs, several union general secretaries, MPs and MEPs, faith groups and anti racist campaigners, to defend EU migrants’ rights.
In every local area, in union branches, colleges and communities, Stand Up To Racism groups and activists should use the petition version of the statement, and the online version, to garner widespread support for its demands.
Stand Up To Racism is also calling a national day of action to defend EU migrants on Wednesday 2 October. We encourage local groups, affiliated unions and supporters to take round the statement in their workplaces, colleges and communities, take selfies showing support, and protests in town centres on the day as well as take part in social media promoting the day of action. We want everyone to use the statement and upload the signatures from their campaigning via the online petition too.
Stand Up To Racism is encouraging it’s local groups to call public meetings in localities over the campaign to defend EU migrants. See template for artwork for public meetings HERE
On 29 September (if the Tory party conference is still going ahead that is!), Stand Up To Racism is encouraging everyone to join the People’s Assembly demonstration in Manchester. We will be marching as a bloc to End the hostile environment and defend EU migrants.
The theme of defending EU migrants and more generally challenging the hostile environment will be the focus of the Stand Up To Racism and Love Music Hate Racism gig and fringe at this year’s TUC Congress. The event is on Sunday, 8 September, at The Arch in Brighton. See full details HERE
To discuss any issues around the campaign, or what you are planning locally or in your union branch or college, contact us as the office at info@standuptoracism.org.uk
Young people in the UK who have been striking for the climate are calling on adults to join them on Friday 20 September as part of a massive global day of action.
“This is not a single-generation job. It’s humanity’s job… Let’s all join together, with your neighbours, co-workers, friends, family and go out on to the streets to make your voices heard and make this a turning point in our history.” Greta Thunberg and 46 youth activists from the international school strike movement
Spread the word! This can be online – for example, share the Facebook event – but face to face conversations are best. Lots of energy and mobilising will take place in existing campaigns, communitiy groups etc. But this is a day where there will also be actions organised from workplaces, whether that’s a strike, a short walkout to join young people a stoppage or some other solidarity action. There’s a guide here for adults wanting to get involved.
You can talk to people in your workplace about why this is so important. Think about holding a meeting to discuss what action you can take. If you can, invite a school striker or climate activist. Be creative and imaginative. Tell your employer about the strength of feeling in support of backing the young people.
Find out about what’s happening in your area.
There will also be planning events organised throughout the summer (see below, this page will be updated with details of new events as we find out about them). Thinking of organising one yourself? Remember to contact not just climate campaigners, but trade unions, activist groups concerned with other social justice issues, and of course, school strikers in your area. There will be lots of ways people can get involved.
If you are a trade union member, there are more details on our trade union group website about organising through trade unions.
Check in for general updates: There are weekly online meetings, currently 6-7pm each Thursday (join by video link or dial in from a phone) to bring together people and organisations interested in making 20th September happen. In the calls we discuss the ways in which we’re organising our communities and groups, how we can collaborate, event logistics, sourcing resources, supporting one another and so on. To join via your computer, phone or tablet, click on the link https://wwf.zoom.us/j/571969920 and download the Zoom app when prompted. Or call 020 3051 2874, enter the Meeting ID (571 969 920) when prompted.
In September UCU are bringing a motion to the TUC Congress for the TUC to call a 30 minute workplace stoppage on the day of the strikes – the first time in over 30 years that the TUC has issued such a call on any issue. To get this motion passed UCU will need to demonstrate how widespread the support for it is – please sign up and share, whether you are a trade union member or not.
We are meeting at the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, Britannia Road Fincley, 7pm as usual.
| 07:00 PM | 1 | Attendance and apologies |
| 07:05 PM | 2 | Review minutes of 2018 AGM |
| 07:10 PM | 3 | Matters Arising from the Minutes |
| 07:15 PM | 4 | Barnet Stand Up to Racism Launch |
| 07:30 PM | 5 | Launch of Barnet Stand Up to Racism |
| 07:45 PM | 6 | 20th of September Climate Strike |
| 07:55 PM | 7 | Proposal for End of Year Music Night |
| 08:10 PM | 8 | Industrial reports |
| 08:30 PM | 9 | Meeting Ends |
You might have heard that the only walk-in centre in Cricklewood is under threat of closure. 24,000 people use this walk-in centre every year.
It is one of only four walk-in centres in Barnet.
Over 100 walk-in centres have closed since the Tories came into power, making it increasingly difficult for patients to get an appointment and putting huge pressure on A&E units.
Can you help us spread the word?
We will be canvassing the area surrounding the walk-in centre to speak with residents and encourage them to come along to a public meeting to organise and save the walk-in centre.
Thursday 5th and Wednesday 11th of September
Meet at Cricklewood station at 6.30pm.