The long march

Fina preparations are on the way to ensure that the big march to protest against government policy goes well tomorrow Saturday 26 March.

ENB

The final episode of Agony and Ecstasy was shown on BBC4 last night justifying the fact that I have to pay my television licence fee. Good work from auntie BBC.

The 3 part series followed the English National Ballet company and looked at what happens behind the scenes as major productions are being prepared. Last nights final episode was about the production of Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling

Interview with Egyptian trade union leader Kamal Abou Aita

Kamal Abou Aita is President of the Real Estate Tax Authority Union (RETA), the first independent union established under the Mubarak regime, in 2009. He has lived through many years of fierce repression against free trade unionism. Having been arrested 21 times under Sadat and Mubarak, he told the ITUC about his action with the workers at the heart of the revolution. As new trade unions emerge across the country in all sectors, he outlines the needs and challenges facing this newly emerging independent trade union movement, the driving force for a new Egypt focused on social justice.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19360-f0.cfm

In a Forest dark and deep

to see this play, In a forest dark and deep, with a friend the other day at the Vaudeville theatre in the strand with Matthew Fox and Olivia Williams.

I was expecting to be bored half way through the play mainly because I am not too keen on spending 2 hours listening to two people talking to each other (sounds like a Convenors committee meeting..) but I was surprised that my interest was retained throughout.

The play is about the dysfunctional relationship between two people in the middle of a forest one rainy night who are related. The brother is what I understand to be a typical American 'I know it all guy' with firm beliefs in the nonsense he subscribes to. He thinks he is morally justified to hold racists and homophobic ideas and is basically someone who hates women even though he tries to play the big brother part. The sister on the other hand is a confused middle age woman who is obviously oppressed by the entire social system and has resorted to using her good looks to get attention from men that are basically using her? The brother is a nasty piece of work and has that typical problem of thinking that he can use his physical powers over those less powerful than himself. I hate that type of a person

Red nose day Comic Relief

Respect to those who got involved, helped and supported the events around Red Nose day organised by comic relief. We can all be cynical and say that the government should do more and use our taxes wisely so that others less fortunate can get more help but it is also good to have events like Red Nose to remind us that we all share the same planet and need to do more to help.

Call 03557 910 910 to donate or better still support one of the many charities

TUC statement on Bahrain

Security forces have launched a brutal attack on demonstrators in Manama, Bahrain's capital, just two days after the national union called a general strike. The TUC condemns the government's actions.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19333-f0.cfm

English national ballet

A fantastic above average in terms of content and general interest documentary for a change produced by the BBC and shown on BBC4 following the English National Ballet company over a one year period and the work they do on a day to day bases.

There are 3 episodes, called Agony and Ecstasy (nothing to do with recreational activities..) in the series which is shown over a 3 week period. Remarkable to see how hard the ballet dancers and those in supporting roles work to produce what is perhaps the most interesting and fascinating of all arts (matter of taste and opinion of course) Lenin was a keen follower after all...

Vadim Muntagirov, a 20-year-old Russian dancer started the first episode. He ends up saving the company by doing a good job in his first major role with 38-year-old Daria Klimentová, supposedly past her best. Enter director Derek Deane, the commander in Chief and disciplinarian director who manages to terrify everyone but also produces the results.

The second episode, which was shown last night, focuses amongst other things, on how the company is affected by the coalition government decision to cut the ENB grant by 10% with the dancers and the reps attending several meetings to negotiate the avoidance of redundancies. Lets hope the wreck less government does not manage to destroy what must be a example of excellence and creativity with their obsession to reduce costs. Who the beggar voted the Libs in?? I would like to see Vince Cable in a ballerina dress, see how he manages! (or maybe not..)

Back soon

Back soon...

Join Ken at the march

Join Ken Livingstone on the big march

Arab TU's

There is a lot of material on the web about trade union developments in the Middle East/North Africa region. As part of the TUC Aid MENA Appeal, we are sharing information with our international colleagues. Find out more.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19313-f0.cfm

Appeal from the TUC

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has launched an International Urgency Solidarity Fund to support independent trade unions in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, where democracy is spreading like wild fire, and unions are playing a key role. Donate directly online to the TUC Aid MENA appeal, or get your union to send a cheque (made out to TUC Aid MENA appeal) to the TUC.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19308-f0.cfm

Stop crackdown on Iraqi protestors says TUC

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has today written to the Iraqi Charge D'Affaires in London expressing alarm at the recent violent crackdown against demonstrators by the Government of Iraq, and the disappearance and likely detention of four media workers.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19305-f0.cfm

Hutton report on pensions

Hutton report on pensions

International Women's day 100 years

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

March 26

With just three weeks to go before the massive national demonstration against the cuts on 26 March, the TUC has been finalising travel and logistical arrangements for the day.
All the details are available on the March for the Alternative website, which is being updated regularly. The site includes travel information from the regions, information on the route of the march and details of the rally which will take place in Hyde Park.
The site also includes a section on how to apply to be a route steward on the 26 March. The TUC is keen to recruit more route stewards to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.
All you need to know @
http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/

Women in Zimbabwe

 have been empowered and I will educate other women”“I am no longer afraid, I have been empowered and I will educate other women, both formal and informal workers, to participate actively in the ZCTU and also in the community so that they are involved in decisions that affect their rights” Lucia Masekesa, ZCTU and ZICEA.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19239-f0.cfm

Barnsley by election

Everyone of course predicted that Labour would win Barnsley but what is significant is that the Liberal Democrats who are now in bed with the Tories came 6th.

This should be a signal to an unpopular and undesirable in many ways coalition government that the electorate is not happy with the regressive policies they are serving on our tables every day. Any sensible Liberal should now take time to think as to whether their 'flirt' with power is worth total defeat at the next general election? Time to remove Nick?

Two weeks left – Hyde Park Calling – get creative

The TUC invites you to make an awareness raising TV-style advert about the impact of the spending cuts. You have 60 seconds to get your message across.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/union/tuc-19236-f0.cfm

Operation Greek vote

The aim of the project, Operation Greek vote, is to identify where those who are in the community live and help them ensure that they understand the benefits of exercising their democratic right to vote and fully participate. There are of course good practice examples of other organised communities in London that have shown us how this can be done. The most successful of these has been Operation Black vote. We will of course aim to work with other groups and unify our endeavours. Anyone who wishes to volunteer and help can contact Nick on Nick@lgr.co.uk the next major election in London is the one to elect the Mayor next year. We must be ready for that.