May Day Celebrations 2020-21 

·      London, May Day and Rally online                                      HERE

·      Reading Trades Council, May Day Celebration online         HERE  

·      Waveney Two May Day Festival online                               Day 1 - HERE  /  Day 2 - HERE

2021

·      Ipswich Trades Council, May Day Festival                          Sunday 2 May 2021 – HERE

Friday 1 May 2020 @ 5.15pm 

Zoom Link                                   https://zoom.us/j/92107723224

Zoom Meeting ID                        921-0772-3224

Full meeting details                     HERE

NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY – WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2020

NATIONAL POSTAL WORKERS DAY – WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2020

Wednesday 29th April 2020 is National Postal Workers Day. This event is held annually to create an opportunity to promote the fantastic work our members do all year round, but it is particularly pertinent this year during this crisis. Postal Workers in the London, East and South East Region are working around the clock to make sure the customers  get their mail delivered.

This event will mark the ninth annual National Postal Workers Day, when the nation celebrates the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of postal workers, who collect, sort and deliver letters, parcels and packets to 29 million addresses, 6 days a week in every village, Town and City in the UK. 

We are living in unprecedented times, but one thing always remains constant – the significant role our members play in every community in the UK – let’s celebrate this on 29^th April.

This year we are calling on the public, media and politicians to give a greater level of recognition to postal workers than ever before. Despite hugely challenging times, CWU members are keeping the country connected. From delivering essential items, to checking on the elderly and taking shopping to the most vulnerable in society, we have seen thousands of examples of local postal workers stepping up. You can thank your postie when you see them or by using #PostalWorkersDay on social media.

During the crisis, Royal Mail have still forced them to deliver advertising mail, refuse to meet regularly with the CWU at the highest level and the CEO and COO are running the company from outside of the UK – when you acknowledge your local postal workers on Wednesday know they are serving you despite senior management and not because of them.

Commenting on the event CWU official Ian Murphy said Postal Workers here in the CWU London Region as well as across the Country are doing a fantastic job. It is sad that senior management have not recognised the efforts of our members, but the public have. The sight of posters in windows, drinks left on doorsteps or even a simple ‘thank you’ mean the world to our members. On National Postal Workers Day this Wednesday please let your postie know how appreciated they are by thanking them or posting on social media using #PostalWorkersDay – thank you for your support”

International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD)

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) commemorates those workers.

Download guide for unions (pdf)

What is IWMD?

Every year on April 28th, all around the world the trade union movement unites to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (#IWMD20).

We remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases. We renew our efforts to organise collectively to prevent more deaths, injuries and disease as a result of work.

Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.

We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.

Theme for 2020: Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place.

We could not have a starker reminder of the important role of trade union health and safety reps in saving and protecting workers’ lives, than the current crisis we are living through.

While we may not be able to attend the memorial events which usually take place on IWMD, as public gatherings around the world are not advised or allowed; there are many ways trade union members can take part in our collective day of remembrance and solidarity.

We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.

While we may not be able to attend the memorial events which usually take place on IWMD, as public gatherings around the world are not advised or allowed; there are many ways trade union members can take part in our collective day of remembrance and solidarity.

How you can take part…

Minutes silence

At 11am on Tuesday 28th April, take part in the minute's silence.

It will be a moment to pay tribute to the sacrifice made of so many workers during the pandemic, to remember those who've sadly lost their lives, and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.

The initiative is supported by the government, and reps may wish to request employers mark it, by asking the workforce to cease work for one minute at 11am.

Help spread the word about the minute's silence, by encouraging as many friends and colleagues to take part, whether in their workplace of at home.

You can quickly spread the word by posting this tweet, sharing this Facebook status or asking your contacts on WhatsApp to join you in taking part in the silence.

Register for our video call

The TUC Education team will be hosting a video call at 2pm on the day, where you will be able to hear from speakers and submit questions and contributions in advance. Register for the video call.

Organise an online campaign

Think of digital tools you can use to call for stronger health and safety protections. Whether it a current call for urgent PPE, or a longer term demand for union recognition - you can make use of the TUC’s Megaphone tool to create a petition about the issues where you work, or email and call elected officials to demand that workers' safety is prioritised over corporate interests.

Host a video call or webinar

Where you might have ordinarily held a rally to mark IWMD, it could be done online, with union members having the opportunity to hear speeches. You could ask injured workers and family members who can talk first-hand about the need for strong health and safety protections, the important of campaigning and of strong and active unions. Consider inviting elected officials and community leaders to participate in the call.

Coming Soon - downloadable #IWMD posters, social media graphics and video. 

Events and stunts

If you are working on the front lines during the outbreak, organise an event at your workplace to promote the issues of workers' right to a safe job and hold your employer accountable for keeping you safe. It could be a socially distanced stunt, a minute’s silence or a lunch time letter writing exercise. Reach out to the press to increase public awareness of the dangers working people face on the job.

Become a rep, recruit a rep

Every day, trade union health and safety reps in workplaces save lives and prevent illness and injury. Does your workplace have a health & safety rep? If not, contact your union about becoming one. If it does, why not train up more reps? Contact trade unionists you know who'd make great safety reps and encourage them to take on the role.

Read our guide on being a health and safety rep here.

Display a poster

Use the window of your home or your workplace noticeboard to raise awareness of #IWMD20, or share one digitally online.

Hazards Campaign have produced a poster, which you can download in high-res here. Brand new TUC posters coming soon.

Support for the bereaved

Trade unions have been crucial in securing bereavement and compassionate leave in workplaces. As we come together to remember those who have lost their lives, as union activists we can also reach out to support those experiencing grief.

There may be practical steps unions can take to remember colleagues, like a book of condolences or setting up an online memorial page. Some branches have established online fundraisers for a charity close to the heart of a colleague, or to raise money for the family to cover the cost of a funeral.

Experiencing a bereavement in isolation will be particularly tough. Attendance at funerals is currently restricted due to social distancing measures, but a minute silence or vigil could allow colleagues the opportunity to come together to remember collectively. Union branches may also wish to send a card, flowers or other tokens to the family.

Use and share resources

The International Trade Union Confederation has created resources, and these posters are available in a number of languages via http://28april.org/

Hazards Campaign have also produced a number of 'Exposed at Work' sharable graphics.

When sharing stats and stories, reference The Whole Story report from Hazards Campaign, which gives the full picture of work-related deaths based on research.

Reel News has produced an excellent video, featuring construction workers. Construction is already one of the deadliest jobs, with serious safety hazards - this video explains why their work is even more dangerous during the pandemic.

Further information

• TUC's guide to unions on coronavirus
• A guide for campaigning "10 tips for organising" in the crisis
• An e-learning tool on organising on coronavirus
• Previous TUC webinars on coronavirus

Hi  While migrants working in our NHS, shops and farms are risking their lives to feed us and fight the virus, their rights are being undermined and targeted by the Hostile Environment. Brexit means that 3.5 million Europeans are being forced to go through an applications process to get status in the UK. We are demanding a 'right to stay' , so that EU citizens are given an automatic right to remain here, without an application. But without being able to march or rally, what can we do under lockdown? Well, you can now get posters for your window delivered to your door.  Get your 'right to stay' window poster here The posters should arrive with you within a few days. If you've got time on your hands, you could also make a banner (like these), and if you send us photos over social media and we'll share them. Next week, we'll also be releasing a tool to allow you to write to your MP about the Right to Stay with a single click. Getting posters sent out all over the country isn't free, so if you can spare some cash, why not chip in to cover some costs.  Chip in for 5 posters Chip in for 10 posters Chip in for 30 posters Chip in for 100 posters Thanks, and hope you're well.

Cuba Update 28 March 2020 Help Cuba fight COVID-19 and the US blockade Sign our open letter here Dear friend, Please sign our open letter asking for the US blockade to be lifted to help Cuba fight the coronavirus at home and abroad. Cuba has shown international solidarity to Britain and other countries during this global pandemic. Now is our chance to show our appreciation. Join the call on the British government to make urgent representations to the Trump administration to lift the blockade today. Add your name to the open letter below: As the world fights an international battle against the coronavirus pandemic, Cuba has once again proved itself a paragon of internationalism and solidarity. In recent days the island has sent highly skilled medical brigades to many countries including Italy, Grenada, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Venezuela to support foreign health services overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. On 18 March the Cuban government offered safe haven to passengers of the stricken British cruise ship MS Braemar allowing it to dock in Havana when many other countries had refused. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab publicly thanked Cuba for this assistance in a statement to the UK parliament. It has also made its anti-viral drug Interferon Alpha B available to nations around the world to help in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19. The island’s altruistic response to the global emergency continues a long history of Cuban humanitarianism. In the last 56 years 400,000 Cuban health workers have responded to natural disasters and helped build health services in 164 nations. This includes sending medical brigades to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Kashmiri earthquake (2005), to Haiti to assist with the devastating cholera outbreak following the earthquake (2010), and to West Africa in the region’s fight against Ebola (2015). Cuba has also trained 35,613 health professionals from 138 countries at its Latin American Medical School since 1998. At the same time the island has suffered the effects of the 58-year old criminal United States blockade which causes daily shortages of food, fuel and other basic necessities. Last year the cost to the Cuban health sector alone amounted to more than $104 million. As we write, Cuba is itself combating the spread of coronavirus within its own population and needs access of medical equipment and resources to safeguard the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. Cuba has always put the humanitarian needs of people first, regardless or borders or politics. At this time of international crisis, the US blockade is criminal, not only for its impact on the Cuban people, but also for hindering their ability to assist in the worldwide battle against the virus. The Cuba Solidarity Campaign sends its eternal gratitude to the Cuban medical teams for their inspirational example of global solidarity. At the same time we call on the British government to make an urgent representation to the US to end its blockade immediately, or at the very least to temporarily suspend it to allow vital supplies of food, fuel and medical equipment to the Cuban people. The Cuban people supported the British people in a time of need. This is a chance to demonstrate our appreciation. Please add your name to this open letter here Coronavirus update Stories on Cuba’s international response to coronavirus At the time of writing Cuba itself has had 67 cases of coronavirus, resulting in one death, and more than 1,000 people in quarantine. Doctors and medical students throughout the country are taking place in door to door health check ups and reminding people of what symptoms to look for and the importance of social distancing. On 20 March, when the island had less than twenty cases, the government took the decision to close its borders, except for residents and foreign nationals wishing to return. Tourists in the country at the time were quarantined in hotels for fourteen days or until their flight home. At the same time the island provided inspirational international solidarity around the world. Cuban medical brigades were sent to help beleaguered health services in several countries including Italy and Jamaica, the island allowed a British cruise ship to dock so that infected passengers could be flown home. And Cuban anti viral Interferon Alpha 2B was made available to help with treatment. Cuba’s response was mentioned in the British parliament both by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, and by Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn who said: “The internationalism of the doctors from Cuba who have gone to fight the virus in Italy is inspirational." International praise also came from former president of Brazil, Ignacio Lula da Silva, who said “the Cuban people showed the world an example of solidarity.” In an embarrassing U-turn, Brazil’s health minister, begged for Cuban doctors to come back, less than eighteen months after they were expelled by President Jair Bolsonaro in 2018. Cuba’s inspirational humanitarian response to COVID-19 came despite the country facing shortages and difficulties at home as a result of the tightening of the US blockade by President Trump. On 26 March, the Cuban Foreign Ministry was forced to issue a strongly worded protest in response to “particularly offensive statements” and “lies” against Cuba’s international medical cooperation from the US Department of State which unbelieveably attempts to pressure countries to reject Cuban aid during the coronavirus pandemic. CSC joins the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other international organisations and groups, in calling for an immediate end to the US blockade in the light of the current global emergency. Further reading • Cuban doctors head to Italy to battle coronavirus • Cuba’s welcome to stricken cruise ship reflects a long pattern of global humanitarian commitment • BioCubafarma guarantees production of drugs for COVID-19 • Cuba faces squeeze on food production as US oil sanctions bite • Dominic Raab thanks Cuba for coronavirus assistance (CSC statement) • Cuba sends 144 health workers to Jamaica • Bolsonaro’s Brazil begs for Cuban doctors – after expelling them • Cuba welcomes UN demand to suspend sanctions • US pressures countries to reject Cuban aid during coronavirus pandemic • Cuba protests at offensive US statement Cuban doctors fighting COVID-19 We hope you and your loved ones stay safe and well during this difficult time. In solidarity The Cuba Solidarity Campaign team

STATEMENT passed BY GL & GPTU COMMITTEES Workers Rights and Coronavirus

STATEMENT passed BY GL & GPTU COMMITTEES

Workers Rights and Coronavirus

'Green Left and Green Party Trade Union Group (GPTU) call on all Green Party of England and Wales’ publicly elected representatives, MP, Assembly Members and Councillors, to seek out and work with trade unions and local and national authorities to ensure that

· all essential workers are provided with adequate protective equipment, sanitary measures and testing during the CV19 crisis. We note that this should not only include health and caring workers but also cleaners, food and pharmaceutical distribution and preparation workers, transport workers and security workers.

· no threats of dismissal, pay cuts or other means of coercion are used to compel workers to work when they are in danger of transmitting or contracting CV19.

· workers who take industrial action due to the unsafe attitude of some employers and government, are supported, so that they do not suffer financial and/or disciplinary sanctions for taking such actions

· attempts to organise non-unionised workers are supported.

*The Green Party of England & Wales (GPEW) is a significant political presence at local authority level with over 300 Councillors many organised in the Association of Green Councillors (AGC). They and other public representatives can play a positive role in defending workers rights at a local level.

We would also ask local Green Parties to stand shoulder to shoulder with workers over this issue at this very important time.

https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2020/04/brent-council-found-no-cause-for.html

http://greentulondon.blogspot.com/2020/04/london-bus-drivers-must-be-provided.html

https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/nurses-told-to-refuse-to-treat-coronavirus-patients-if-they-cannot-get-protective-equipment-as-criticism-of-government-mounts

https://www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19/rcn-position

End

London bus drivers must be provided protection against COVID-19

Join the Fight for a CoronaContract and Solidarity with Bus Drivers Please find below a mailing from the #CoronaContract campaign. Please share this widely and join their webinar this Thursday 9 April at 7pm. Dear colleagues and comrades, Apologies for this mass email. My name is Jordan, I’m a fixed-term postdoctoral researcher at Birkbeck, UCU member and one of the organisers of the #CoronaContract campaign to secure the livelihoods of precarious university staff during this crisis. Will you please consider sharing this email with your members and relevant lists? Our open letter has gathered over 1000 signatures and counting, and we were recently featured in a Guardian article calling out universities’ shameful treatment of casualised workers. This Thursday at 7pm we will be hosting a #CoronaContract webinar, featuring UCU President Elect Vicky Blake and a host of inspiring anti-casualisation organisers. We’ll discuss the background to our campaign and the practical ways we’re going to exert pressure on our universities, unions, and the wider public in order to secure our livelihoods during this crisis and beyond. Please join us by registering here... In order for our campaign to succeed we need to get the word out as much as possible. Please join us on the webinar, follow and RT us on Twitter @CoronaContract, and sign our open letter. In solidarity, Jordan London bus drivers must be provided protection against COVID-19  Petition... In light of recent disheartening news in relation to  the death of 8 London bus drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, I strongly believe measures need to be taken to protect our essential bus drivers, who are responsible for allowing key workers to complete their daily journeys. Bus drivers are not being provided with basic personal protective equipment such as gloves, hand sanitisers or face masks. This puts our essential workers at risk of contracting the virus and spreading it to everyone they interact with, including key workers travelling on the buses and their families when they return home. Please help our essential workers to stay safe and healthy while providing essential services. There is no doubt that leaving their houses is putting them at risk primarily but providing that extra protection may be the difference between life and death. They are doing their jobs to help you and your families. Please place yourself in the shoes of our essential workers and help them to stay safe during this pandemic. Petition...