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SOUTH WEST
unionssouthwest
e-newsletter of the South West TUC
May 2016 2
CONTENTS
Increase in trade union membership
100 job losses at City of Bristol College
Double standards in university pay
500,000 job losses make Brexit too big a risk
The EU and LGBT workers’ rights
Unionlearn’s tenth birthday party
Crunch time to retain valuable older workers
Harry Leslie Smith to speak in Yeovil
Another Europe is Possible
STRONGER IN Bradford on Avon Event
Asbestos eradication guide
Unite Community Learning Day
Meet Morning Star Editors
European project: developing workplace
learning
Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre
Convoy to Calais
Tolpuddle Martyrs
Small Axe Radical Short Film Awards
Walk for Southern Africa
Re-thinking Organising
Along the Exe for refugees
Torbay3Towns anti-cuts
Revolutions Per Minute
Schools fit for the future?
South West TUC Pensioners’ Conference
Increase in trade union membership
New figures for trade union membership published by the Office for National Statistics,
show that the number of trade union members has increased by 36,000 to 6.49 million
people. Union membership in the South West has risen to 481,000 from 477,000 in 2014.
The number of trade union members in private sector employment has increased for the
fifth consecutive year to almost 2.7 million members, a rise of 6,000 since 2014. The
proportion of trade union members amongst private sector employees, however, fell
slightly from 14.2% to 13.9%, reflecting employment growth outpacing the growth in
union membership. In the public sector, union membership increased by 29,000 to 3.8
million in 2015. Trade union density in the public sector rose from 54.3% to 54.8%.
Employees in professional occupations are more likely to be trade union members
accounting for 37.3% of all union members. 44% of professional workers are in a union.
Women are more likely to be a trade union member making up 55% of union membership
up from 45% in 1995.
100 job losses at City of Bristol College
UCU has urged managers at the City of Bristol College to rethink plans to slash
approximately 50 teaching jobs and a further 50 support staff posts, in a bid to reduce its
debt. UCU regional official, Nick Varney, said: “City of Bristol College has clearly been
mismanaged over a long period of time but we do not think that this slash and burn of
staff and provision is the answer to its problems. It will threaten the future viability of
the college, which is currently a major regional centre of further education. We call for
these proposed cuts to be halted, the immediate resignation of the governing body, and
for additional fresh start funding.”
Double standards in university pay
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UCU has accused universities of 'blatant double standards' as it emerged that
vice-chancellor pay rose around four times faster than pay for most academic staff in
2014-15. A survey by Times Higher Education, revealed that the average pay rise for the
majority of academic staff was just 1.3% while vice-chancellors received an average
increase in their salary and benefits of 5.1%. UCU members will be taking part in a
two-day strike at universities 25-26th May as part of an ongoing pay dispute over the
1.1% pay rise offered.
500,000 job losses make Brexit too big a risk
The Treasury has warned that Brexit would result in the loss of 500,000 jobs and trigger
a year-long recession. TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The forecast gives
us half a million good reasons to stay in the EU. Job loss can be devastating, especially if
you have to look for work in the middle of a recession. It’s too big a risk for working
people to take.”
The EU and LGBT workers’ rights
The European Union gives gay bi and trans workers vital protections which Brexit would
threaten warns TUC, the British trade union body. See more
Unionlearn’s tenth birthday party
Unionlearn is ten years old, and to celebrate they are pulling out all the stops to make
this year’s annual conference the biggest and best yet. The event is a chance for unions
and Union Learning Reps to get together and will take place at Congress House on
Monday 4th July and will include a mix of speakers, videos and practical workshops.
Speakers include TUC General Frances O’Grady, Comedian and campaigner Francesca
Martinez and award winning writer and commentator Dreda Say Mitchell.
Also addressing the conference will be Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of High Speed Two
and Barbara Byrd, Secretary – Treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO, with more to be
confirmed.
There will be a wide range of Workshop opportunities for delegate to share ideas and
experiences on themes around Apprenticeships, Supporting learners, Union Learning
Fund and Macmillan Cancer to name a few.
To book tickets for this year’s event go to the unionlearn Eventbrite page.
Crunch time to retain valuable older workers
With people living longer and fewer young people entering the labour market, Britain’s
employers are increasingly reliant on the skills and talents of older workers. However,
the ageing population also means that there will be an estimated nine million carers in
the UK by 2037, many of whom will be trying to juggle both care and employment. This
is according to new research by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people
development. With around 30% of the UK workforce currently over 50, compared to 20%
in the 1990s, the CIPD is urging employers to put the tools and culture in place now to
support older workers as they represent and increasingly significant proportion of the
labour market.
Harry Leslie Smith to speak in Yeovil
Thursday 2nd June 7.30pm
Unity Hall, Central Road, Yeovil BA20 1JL
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Harry Leslie Smith, the World War Two RAF veteran who electrified the Labour Party
Conference in 2014 with his moving speech on what life was like before the NHS, is to
address a public meeting in Yeovil on “Austerity – past and present”. Harry is the author
of a number of books including Love among the Ruins and Harry’s Last Stand
The meeting is organised jointly by Yeovil & West Dorset Unite Community Group and
Yeovil Trades Union Council.
Further information from Ken Keable, Press Officer, Yeovil TUC, (01935) 823121 or 0789
686 4925 (pm only please) email: keableken@yahoo.co.uk
Another Europe is Possible
Tuesday 31st May 7.30pm
Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, Bristol, BS2 0NW
With Owen Jones, author, activist and Guardian columnist; Caroline Lucas, Green MP;
Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP and Shadow DEFRA Secretary; Joanne Kaye, Unison South
West Secretary and Nigel Costley, TUC South West
Another Europe Is Possible is the campaign for a radical ‘in’ vote in the EU referendum on
23rd June 2016. We're growing and we're touring the country.
Register here
info@anothereurope.org @another_europe www.anothereurope.org
STRONGER IN Bradford on Avon Event
Thursday 2nd June 7-8.30pm
St. Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon
Prof. Neil Sammells, Better for Universities; Rosie Macgregor, Better for Workers;
Isabelle Reynolds, Better for Young People; Ashley Seath, Better for Pensioners; Prof.
Roy Jones, Better for the NHS; Sarah Gibson, Better for Architects; Richard Jotcham,
Better for Business; Oliver Dowding, Better for Farming; Julian Temperly, Better for
Cider Making; Vince Castellano, Better for Food Production; Tina Johnston, Better for
the Environment and John Potter, Better for Peace and Stability.
Asbestos eradication guide
The TUC has published a guide to the eradication of asbestos. The TUC wants to
encourage unions to negotiate the safe removal of asbestos in the workplace. To assist in
this the TUC has produced a guide aimed at workplace representatives on the issue
available on the TUC website here.
Unite Community Learning Day
Tuesday 7th June 10am-3pm
Tony Benn House Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6AY
A fabulous opportunity for the public to come along and find out what Unite learning and
community have to offer members including:
Taster sessions in IT and computers.
Information from our providers on back to work and employability courses
Campaigning skills – Do you want to make your community a better place? We can help.
Ruskin College – Higher education course for community campaigners.
Find out how we have made a change to communities.
Find out how you can take learning into your community.
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Meet Morning Star Editors
Wednesday 8th June 7.30pm
YHA Narrow Quay Bristol BS1 4QA
CPB Bristol Bath and Gloucester invites you to meet Ben Chacko, Morning Star Editor and
Kadeem Simmonds, sports editor.
bristoldistrictcpb@hotmail.co.uk
European project: developing workplace learning
Wednesday 1st June 10.30am–3.30pm
Peterloo Room, Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD
The TUC, Unite the Union and GMB’s involvement in a European Union funded project
supporting workplace learning is bringing an event for unions, shop stewards and union
learning representatives to Manchester to produce a trade union toolkit to help unions
develop workplace learning strategies Developing Workplace Learning. It is a
culmination of joint union work across Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and UK.
The toolkit follows work by union reps from the manufacturing, metal and chemical
sectors at a series of study visits in the UK and Germany. Copies of the new toolkit, which
includes a a six step approach to developing workplace learning will be available at the
event. Union reps will also be able to hear about workplace learning issues and
opportunities in the manufacturing sector and beyond and discuss and exchange ideas
with other reps in the UK. Union reps attending will be able to apply to the project for
their travel costs to be reimbursed after the event.
Book your place online via Eventbrite and see further event information here.
Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre
The Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre in Bristol is looking for trade union support.
The aim of the museum is to educate and raise awareness of Palestine's past and present
and to promote Palestinian culture to foster understanding between people from diverse
backgrounds. This summer it celebrates its third Anniversary having welcomed more
than 10,000 visitors. It is run entirely by volunteers and it relies on
donations. To donate please make cheques payable to Palestine Museum & Cultural
Centre and send to 27 Broad St, Bristol, Bristol BS1 2HG. Volunteers would be happy to
talk at branch meetings and to welcome members for a viewing at the museum.
FFI please contact Mr Peace Handovsky (Museum vice-chair and Unison steward) at
chashandovsky@yahoo.co.uk. http://palmuseumbristol.org/
Convoy to Calais
Saturday 18th June
Swindon Trades Council and Swindon People's Assembly will be joining with hundreds of
other trade unionists and activists from around the country to deliver much needed aid
and solidarity to the refugee camps around Calais. All money raised will go towards
tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food and other vital supplies for refugees living in terrible
conditions on the border of two of the richest countries in the world.
As well as individual donations, we are asking for donations from local community groups
and trade union branches. To donate by cheque, please contact swindontuc@gmail.com
The convoy has been organised by Stop the War Coalition, Stand up to Racism, People's
Assembly Against Austerity, War on Want, Unite the Union, Communications Workers
Union, Momentum and the Muslim Association of Britain and more information can be
found here or swindontuc@gmail.com or peoplesassemblyswindon@gmx.co.uk
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Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival
15-17th July
Check out the new web site www.tolpuddlemartys.org.uk
Small Axe Radical Short Film Awards
SMALL AXE - a short film competition for people with something to say.
No film can be too political.
We accept everything - from direct polemic, to experimental film, from original fiction
to observational documentary.
We want opinion, analysis, personal stories, ideology, vision and fresh perspectives.
Challenge, explore, celebrate, discuss…
In short, any film that you feel is radical is welcome. As long as it is short (under 30
minutes). Entry on the website
Walk for Southern Africa
Sunday 12th June
From Priddy in the Mendips
The Bristol ACTSA walk will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.
For details: Sheila Roberts sheilamaryroberts@btinternet.com
Re-thinking Organising
Wednesday 15th June at 5.30pm
Congress House, London
This session will discuss the challenges that unions face in organising young workers.
Register here
Along the Exe for refugees
Saturday 25th June 12-4pm
Refugee Support Group Devon is organising a self-guided excursion along the River Exe
with stalls and activities along the way to raise funds and awareness of the very difficult
circumstances in which refugees and asylum-seekers find themselves.
For more click here
Torbay3Towns anti-cuts
Saturday 25th June
The walks from Community Centres will be routed to join up key services that are
currently being threatened with closure including Paignton Hospital and St Kildas. The
three community led anti-cuts walks will converge on Preston Green Paignton.
Revolutions Per Minute
Wednesday 29th June 6pm
Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University
As part of Bournemouth University’s Festival of Learning, Bournemouth, Christchurch
and Poole TUC are hosting an evening exploring the history of protest music and learn
about its role in social change, drawing on key compositions from the 1930s to the
present day. This event will also feature a performance from protest singers.
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Tickets are free, but you need to book a place using this link
Schools fit for the future?
Friday 1st July 7 pm
The Conference Centre, Somerset College, Wellington Road, Taunton TA1 5AX
How safe is our children’s education in this government’s hands? Is ‘forced
academisation’ really dead – or has it just been buried? How should a Labour Government
make schools work for all our children? Taunton Deane Labour Party is hosting a public
meeting to give people the chance to answer these questions. Speakers: Steve Cleverly,
Regional Officer for the NAHT, Emma Dunn, former parent-governor at Archbishops
Cranmer C of E Primary school (now St James’ Academy) and Mick Lerry, formerly NUT
Representative, Somerset Division
South West TUC Pensioners’ Conference
Thursday 20th October
Weston College, Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare
Union retired member groups are invited to submit motions and send delegates to this
annual event. More details to follow.
Promoted by Frances O’Grady on behalf of the TUC, both of Congress House, Great Russell Street, London
WC1B 3LS.