interesting sites, by Nick Venedi

http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/

nick venedi

London Olympics, by Nick Venedi

All doom and gloom around us apart from the fact that we the citizens of London are going to have the Olympics here in our city one year from today! Good news at last!

Nick Venedi

ACT NOW: release the Iranian Two

The TUC and Amnesty International UK have launched an online appeal demanding the immediate release from detention of Reza Shahabi Zakaria and Ebrahim Maddadi of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed).

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19844-f0.cfm

Ed Hall by Nick Venedi

Great exhibition by Ed Hall in Manchester to do with banners.

http://www.phm.org.uk/changing-exhibitions-gallery/on-the-march-an-exhibition-of-banners-made-by-ed-hall/

Nick Venedi

Nick Venedi

Nick Venedi is a well known blogger. Nick Venedi started blogging in 2009 and has build a following since then. Nick Venedi was Branch Secretary for Lambeth Unison until March 2010.

Nick Venedi

other links of Nick Venedi include http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

Nick Venedi

Facilities

It is absurd that in times of massive redundancies and reorganisations employers do not allow for more time off for tu officials to represent those who are on the firing line. This is the time when more time off should be agreed and more activists should be given time off not less!

nick venedi

http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/

Cyprus by Nick Venedi

Supporters of the unification of the divided island gathered in London today to demonstrate against the continued occupation of the Republic. Lets hope that the latest round of talks will produce a positive result?

nick venedi

http://www.lawatwork.blogsot.com/

by Nick Venedi

good links

http://lambethunison.blogspot.com/2009/01/annual-report-of-branch-secretary-nick.html

nick venedi

interesting sites

http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/

nick venedi

Cyprus by Nick Venedi

The Republic of Cyprus was invaded in July 1974, the invasion by the huge Turkish army created 200,000 refugees, people who were forced out of their own homes, around 2,500 civilians were killed on both sides. Turkey occupied 37 % of the island and later on in the 1980s declared a state in the north part that no country recognises apart from Turkey.

The situation continues and the issue of reunification remains unresolved. There are numerous UN resolutions making it clear that there is only one Cyprus Republic and talks have been taking place but with no result.

It is my belief that the reason there hasn't been a solution is because of the immaturity of politicians on both sides and the intransigence of Turkish foreign policy. Turkey insists that their military should have control over the island something that is of course unacceptable to the Republic.

I am hoping that the two communities will be able to see that they can definitely live together in peace and harmony. I see members of the Greek and Turkish community forming close relations and friendships here in north London so there is no reason as to why that can't be done on the island. Remove the military occupation of the north part and unify the island. That is what all sensible people would want. The rule of international law must apply to the Turkish military as well!!!

Nick Venedi

http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

strike action

Jon Rogers is right to say that we need to ensure that we have unified action across all the unions if our efforts to stop the government over its attack on our pension scheme is to have any Chance of success. Dave Prentis is also correct to say that one day of action isn't going to be enough. I think we all know that!

But coming from the front line and having seen efforts that my own branch was involved with for more than 20 years I would say that 3 things are important for success.

nick venedi

http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

Cyprus

The President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom, Peter Droussiotis, is this week calling on UK Cypriots and friends of Cyprus to demonstrate their collective commitment to a free, united Cyprus. Mr Droussiotis is urging British Cypriots and friends of the island to remind Prime Minister David Cameron of the strength of opposition to Turkey’s continuing military occupation of Cyprus’s northern part, by joining a picket, march and rally in London on Sunday 17^th July 2011.

The annual rally, organised by the Federation to mark Turkey’s military invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, is the biggest opportunity for the UK Cypriot community and friends of Cyprus to voice their feelings on the tragic and scandalous division which still plagues the island 37 years after the Turkish army invaded and occupied its northern territory.  

Mr Droussiotis called for a renewed effort by UK Cypriots, saying:

“It is as important as ever that we demonstrate our support for a free and united Cyprus, as well as our opposition to the illegal Turkish military occupation. A solution is eminently achievable if the international community puts pressure on Turkey and encourages the right environment for a settlement. And our Government in the United Kingdom must be made aware that our community in this country will not give up on Cyprus.

“The ongoing dialogue on the island must not be allowed to break down on account of Turkish intransigence. The United Kingdom has particular obligations to Cyprus, as a Guarantor Power of the island’s independence and territorial integrity, to use its influence over Turkey to ensure that the latter works genuinely for a just and lasting settlement. Turkey must no longer block progress and that message must get through to Ankara. The Cypriot community in the UK must remind the British Government of its special responsibilities to Cyprus.”

Sunday’s actions will begin with picketing outside the Turkish Embassy in Belgrave Square from 3.00pm where a letter of protest addressed to the Turkish ambassador will be posted at the Turkish embassy. This will be followed by a march through central London to Trafalgar Square where a rally will be held at 4.30pm. A Federation delegation will hand in a petition to the British Prime Minster at 10 Downing Street immediately before the rally. 

The main speaker at the event will be Cyprus Government Spokesman Mr Stefanos Stefanou. Numerous British Parliamentarians and MEPs will join Mr Droussiotis, as well as representatives of Cypriot refugee organisations and occupied municipalities in Cyprus, on the platform in Trafalgar Square to show their solidarity with the Cyprus cause.

ENDS

nick venedi

b sky b

Well didn't take much of an interest in this take over before and why should I? But it now looks like Vince Cable was right. It is not healthy for a democratic country to allow for one individual to gain control over a large section of the media especially if what he or they take over can be influenced by their politics? This can't be right?

nick venedi

domestic abuse

 is still the case that most murder victims are killed by someone they know and more often than not by someone who lives with them or they know quite well. That has not changed.

But very little is done to help women who are often the victims of violent and abusive husbands or boyfriends. The police will rarely act when given information and they will more often than not wait until some major incident takes place. This is, more often than not, very late.

It would appear that even though we have matured and have moved on in many ways as a society our sophistication has not changed attitudes towards women in abusive relationships and I think much more needs to be done to change that balance.


http://www.womensaid.org.uk/?gclid=CMvtr_219qkCFdkz3wodfHPZaw

nick venedi

freedom of the press

A friend pointed out last night that the News of the World has been in business for 164 years so, according to him, it was sad that it has been closed down. I can understand why someone can feel sentimental about the death of a paper (I wouldn't call it newspaper) and I also feel that the proprietor is killing the journal to deflect the real issue in question.

Glad of course that the people who work for NOTW will be found other jobs and I hope they will be protected. The fact is that some news organisations have gone beyond what is sensible journalism and have abused the right of expression. A new law which ensures that ordinary people are not subjected to abuse is introduced quickly but at the same time we must not censor real and true stories.

Nick venedi

freedom of expression

We are all for having freedom of expression and indeed that is why and how some of us are able to write blogs such as this one, but the freedom comes also with the obligation to act in a responsible way and not to use methods that are wrong or unacceptable to get information.

It is good that the paper accused of wrong doings will be closing down but of course those who work there will be effected severely and pay the price once again.

nick venedi

euro

I was astonished to hear on Greek television a demand made by the Finland PM who wants Greece and the other country's that are getting the loans from Euro land that they would need to mortgage most of the property owned by the state as a form of a guarantee. The talk in Greece is that the country is slowly losing its independence and there are now questions over sovereighty. I do not think for a single minute that the Greek state does not need to implement reforms to improve systems for tax collection etc but at the same time it is not right that the country is now been told what to do? Is this what European Federalism means? And do the measures involve the poorest members of society having to pay for the mistakes? This cant be right?

Prentis

I reproduce below the statement from our General Secretary Dave Prentis on the NHS.

'Our National Health Service celebrates its 63rd birthday this week. It is one of our greatest achievements that has saved the lives and stopped the suffering of countless millions, regardless of their ability to pay.

We celebrate, too, this week the men and women who worked tirelessly from the very start to make the NHS what it is today.

But our NHS faces its greatest challenge yet. This coalition government’s Health and Social Care Bill still poses the serious threat of privatisation and a return to the bad old days of queue-jumping by those who can afford to pay.

So, in celebrating 63 years of a great success story, remember we have to do everything in our power to defend it from attack. '

lobby

we had a major event last week held by other unions. It is now important that we develop a strategy within our own union, Unison, which includes a programme of Industrial Action. I am reproducing below a letter written by Jon Rogers, NEC member, inviting branches and individuals to attend the lobby of the Unison NEC. I am sure Jon won't object to me publishing this:



Dear UNISON activist,

The first meeting of UNISON's newly elected National Executive Council takes place from 2pm on Tuesday 12 July to 1pm on Wednesday 13 July. I am sure that one of our main topics of discussion will be the current pensions dispute.

A number of UNISON activists, believing that it is important that we maintain the maximum unity, both between health and local government (and other sectors!) within UNISON and with other trade unions, intend to lobby the NEC members on their way in to the meeting on the morning of Wednesday 13 July.

I am therefore sending this message "unofficially" to UNISON branches in London for whom I have an email address to encourage you to attend this lobby next Wednesday morning, 13 July. I believe that if we are to avoid the trap of "divide and rule" tactics from the Government it is important that we plan now for unified action in the autumn.

The lobby will take place from 8.30am onwards outside the new Headquarters building in the Euston Road (nearest tube, Euston). Those of you on Facebook can access details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186388651414998.

banana time?

Picture this, February 2014 and all is not well in Euro land, more bail outs and the value of the Euro has collapsed, a return to the Mark, Frank, Drachma or Peseta is not possible as they are no where to be seen. English currency remains strong so there is no alternative other than to adopt the banana as the only reliable form of currency in the Euro zone. And of course if nothing else works you can always eat the banana thus getting the feeling of satisfaction...

Can this happen? Of course not but the situation right now in Europe is looking chaotic. Greece has gone down the Khyber pass with Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy waiting to join in.

I have always declared my support for the European project for political and not economic reasons but have never expected the current situation to arise. On the other hand how the hell can you have common currencies between states with completely different and unequal economies? And how do you have monetary union when there is no central bank regulating all economies in the zone with real powers? Call me old fashion but I would prefer to see the banana!!

leaders

Its nothing new and it always seems to happen. We always tend to end up hating those who lead us mainly because they make difficult decisions when in power that we disagree with.

I have a slight difficulty with this one as well. I have to confess that I am not too keen on the man as he displayed a huge level of arrogance following the biggest demonstration ever against the war in Iraq. He ignored all those voices and took us into an unpopular war. I don't think history will forgive him for that. But at the same time he did win 3 elections for the Labour party and he was quite dynamic.

I would say that all leaders are always disliked after they end their term in office. This is fuelled by those left behind who are paranoid about the level of influence an ex leader can exert. It happened to Thacher, Churchill, Blair and now Brown and it will continue happening for ever. It also happens in smaller organisations where a leader moves out, I have experienced that myself but I am big enough to know that's how it works. There are always those who appreciate what one has done and they are what matters.

Euro crisis

European Ministers agreed the 5th installment of loans to Greece. The Greek press has welcomed this move but the main opposition party ND (Conservative) made it clear that they will not be voting with the government when it comes to budget setting later on in the year. That vote would require 180 MPs to be in favor and the PASOK government can only rely on 155. Does this mean that there will be an election soon and if yes how would the 'agreement' with Europe work? Its a mess!

the banana?

I don't think there will be many tears shed if the euro was ditched in favor of a new currency, lets call it the banana? Its obvious the euro has not worked out so lets go for a banana? You can at least eat a banana if it's value goes down... just a thought..

strike action day

Community campaign groups and union activists gather around windrush square in support of those taking strike action to defend pensions in the public sector..

Athens crisis

Demonstrators and protesters are continuing action against the austerity measures passed by the government yesterday. Ruling party PASOK (A version of the Labour party) got 155 vote whilst 138 MPs voted against the proposals, it remains to be seen whether the government will be able to make people pay the huge tax rises, the privatisation of many public sector services will go ahead with the ports authorities (Greece has one of the most extensive port networks in Europe) to ho ahead as soon as. The port of Piraeus will be privatised, The government has 74% share in that right now. This will of course mean job loses and deterioration of terms and conditions of service.