TUC Events

Across the country, trade unionists will be commemorating 1st May, International Workers' Day, with marches, rallies and events. Here are a number of events being organised by trades councils and local union groups, taking place in the days around May Day.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/union/tuc-19518-f0.cfm

Against AV

We are asked to vote for an alternative system on May the 5th this year and the Lib Democrats are pushing the idea as far as it can go. But it is a complex to understand and pointless system that will, at best, produce more coalition governments that we do not need. In addition to that it does not pass the ' my mother test'. Which means that since my mother and her friends don't understand how it works then its no good. I am against the AV system as it is being proposed come up with something simpler and I will think about it. Vote against AV.

TUC protest at initial signing of EU-Colombia trade agreement

In the face of a campaign by Colombian unions, Justice for Colombia and unions across Europe the EU has initialled a free trade agreement with the Colombian Government. The campaign however continues as the European Parliament will have to give its formal consent before the Treaty can be considered as fully ratified. The TUC calls on all MEPs to consider the appalling levels of violence still suffered by trade unionists and other human rights defenders in Colombia before they vote.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19494-f0.cfm

Unions call on EU to support positive transition in Tunisia

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, along with his European and International counterparts, has written to the Foreign Secretary William Hague, calling on him to back an EU-wide approach to supporting democracy and decent work in Tunisia. This includes granting Tunisia preferential access to EU markets, writing off part of its debt, and supporting fundamental rights at work and good governance.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19488-f0.cfm

ITUC condemns anti-union reprisals in Bahrain

The Bahraini Government has engaged in massive sackings, and threats and violence against workers and their trade union representatives in response to their participation in strikes and protests for greater democracy in the country. The ITUC and the global trade union movement have condemned these vicious reprisals.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19481-f0.cfm

TUC backs Zimbabwe Vigil

The TUC is supporting the lunchtime Vigil organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) outside the Embassy of Zimbabwe, 429, the Strand, London WC2, from 13.00 to 14.00 on 18 April 2011 on the occasion of the Independence Day in Zimbabwe. The TUC joins the ACTSA in its call for democracy, justice, the rule of law and an immediate end to violence.
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19465-f0.cfm

Public against the cuts

Public against cuts

On the eve of the March for the Alternative, the TUC released results of a YouGov poll showing that a majority of the British people backed the aims of the demonstration.
Some 52 per cent of those questioned said they supported the mobilisation against the cuts, while just 31 per cent disagreed.
Full details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-19397-f0.cfm

Half a million on the march

As many as 500,000 people joined the TUC's March for the Alternative on 26 March, making it the largest and most successful trade union mobilisation in living memory.
People from all walks of life and every part of Britain joined the march, which started on the Embankment and culminated with a rally in Hyde Park. Over 800 coaches and 12 special trains brought protestors to London. One person walked from Cardiff to protest against the cuts.
The event attracted a huge amount of coverage on television, radio and internet media, as well as in newspapers. Prominent throughout was the TUC's message that there is a credible alternative to austerity, based on growth, jobs and tax justice.
More on this @
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/26/march-for-the-alternative-government

Ivory trade

Elephants are in more danger from poachers than ever. Recently the international ivory trade has begun flourishing again, leading to more and more illegal killing of elephants. Countries with stockpiles of ivory continue to vie to legally sell it abroad. Recent sales to Japan and China have created huge incentive for poachers to continue slaughtering elephants for their ivory, selling it into the market created by legal stockpile sales. Poaching is devastating to elephant packs, throwing apart their complex social structure and ravaging elephant population. Twenty years ago international outcry halted the trade of ivory, letting elephant herds start to recover. We need to act again to protect wild elephants.

referendum

A reminder that all eligible voters should have received a poll card by now allowing them to vote at the Referendum which is scheduled to take place on Thursday 5 May 2011. It is important for all members of the community to take part in all elections including this one. Its all about whether we change the current system.