Green Left welcomes the move to discuss campaigning and electoral alliances leading up to the next General Election.

“Green Left welcomes the move to discuss campaigning and electoral alliances leading up to the next General Election.

Green Left has always promoted the idea of working together with the left, where we share values, and that, as much as possible the Green Party should be included in this, lending support to and endorsing Eco-socialists who are members of other parties. We did this by supporting Salma Yaqoob in parliamentary elections.

This needs further discussion with members and we welcome consultations, about it, taking place.

Green Left members with our positive standing amongst others on the Left are able to positively engage people outside the GPEW who share our values and therefore should take the initiative locally in promoting discussions with individuals, progressive groups and other left parties, such as the Jeremy Corbyn led Labour Party.

Any left alliance must be committed to introducing PR for all future elections and the’ Best Placed Left Candidate’ should be a consideration in marginal seats.”

motion passed 2/7/2016 

paaa demo 16 july Statement from the Committee of the University and Colleges Union (UCU) London Retired Members branch

up to Racism View this email in your browser

We shall be taking the branch banner on this demonstration We an arrange a meeting place next week. Statement from the Committee of the University and Colleges Union (UCU) London Retired Members branch Jeremy Corbyn was the only contender for the leadership of the Labour Party to support the Pensioners Manifesto issued by the National Pensioners' Conventionwhich was in August 2015:         A basic state pension for all, set above the poverty level of £175 a week         Increases in pensions to be linked to the best of RPI,CPI, earnings or 2.5%         Universal pensioner benefits (bus pass, winter fuel allowance, free TV licences for the over75s and free prescriptions) to be maintained without means testing         A National Health and Care Service which is free at the point of use and funded through taxation         A legally binding Dignity Code to improve the quality and standards of care for older people At a time when the Tory Party is riven with splits and infighting the whole of the labour and trade union movement , however they voted in the referendum, should be united in a campaign to oppose austerity and  racism along the lines indicated in the UCU NEC statement on the referendum result. [https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/8327/UCU-statement-on-the-referendum-result#.V3E2vb8lqbE.facebook]   Those MPs that are attempting to undermine Jeremy Corbyn’s democratic mandate have shown their contempt for the millions of working class people whose lives are being blighted by government austerity and deserve to be held to account by Labour Party members and supporters in their constituencies. Corbyn is alone among party leaders in taking a principled stand in support of refugees and migrants and was one of only 48 Labour MPs to vote against the Tory government's welfare reforms. He has always supported UCU industrial action. He has consistently supported trade union organisation, expansion and activity generally. The committee of the London Retired Members Branch of UCU call upon  the labour and trade union movement to unite behind Jeremy Corbyn and condemn the ongoing attempted coup by a section of the Parliamentary Labour Party. We further call upon the whole Labour Movement to unite in support of the Emergency Demonstration called by the People's Assembly and Stand up to Racism.

Copyright © 2016 UCU London Retired Members Branch, All rights reserved. UCU London Retired Members Branch - members and supporters

Chris Stephenson and Jeremy Corbyn

Academic Chris Stephenson Acquitted International Campaign of Solidarity You may recall a previous email in which we asked for your support for Chris Stephenson, a lecturer at Bilgi University in Turkey, charged with "terrorist organization propaganda". I am pleased to announce that the Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court has acquitted him completely on his first hearing. more details... I enclose a statement below from the UCU branch at the largest FE college in Jeremy Corbyn's constituency. I worked at London Metropolitan University, also in Islington, and can only endorse what they say about the fantastic support he gave us during our many disputes with management. Statement from City and Islington College The attempt by Labour MPs to oust Jeremy Corbyn is an act of betrayal.  He won 59% of the vote in the leadership contest last year, has attracted tens of thousands to the Labour Party and has inspired a new generation to become engaged in politics. Jeremy has been our MP for 32 years. He has been to every one of our picket lines and spoken at all our meetings and lobbies in defence of Further and Adult Education. He has visited the college many times to attend award ceremonies and debates and has always been inspired by the work the students and staff do here. At a time when the Tory Party is riven with splits and infighting the whole of the labour and trade union movement should be united in launching a campaign to drive them out of office to defend working people from the avalanche of attacks that are being prepared. Those MPs that are attempting to undermine Jeremy Corbyn’s democratic mandate have shown their complete and utter contempt towards the millions of working class people who see him as a breath of fresh air in an age of plastic politicians. Corbyn is alone among party leaders in taking a principled stand in support of refugees and migrants and was one of only 48 Labour MPs to vote against the Tory government's welfare reforms. We at City and Islington College UCU call upon all those in the labour and trade union movement to get behind Jeremy and condemn those who are trying to undermine him and all that he represents. City and Islington College UCU

Copyright © 2016 UCU London Retired Members Branch, All rights reserved. UCU London Retired Members Branch - members and supporters Our mailing address is: UCU London Retired Members Branch 53 Fladgate Road Leytonstone, London E11 1LX United Kingdom Add us to your address book

Green Party open letter to Jeremy Corbyn, Tim Farron and Leanne Wood urging talks about a progressive alliance

This is the text of the open letter that has gone from the Green Party to Jeremy Corbyn, Tim Farron and Leanne Wood urging talks about a progressive alliance.(Acknowledgements to Martin Francis)

 Dear all,

In a spirit of openness and transparency, we are writing to you as Leaders of parties which oppose Brexit, to invite you to a cross-party meeting to explore how we best rise to the challenge posed by last week’s vote to leave the EU.

Britain is in crisis and people are scared about the future. Never have we had a greater need for calm leadership to be shown by politicians.

We have a UK Government in chaos, an economy facing a crisis and people up and down the country facing serious hardship. There is an urgent need to make a stand against any austerity and the slashing of environmental legislation, human and workers’ rights that may come with Brexit.

With the growing likelihood of an early General Election, the importance of progressive parties working together to prevent the formation of a Tory-UKIP-DUP government that would seek to enact an ultra-right Brexit scenario is ever more pressing.

This is an opportunity to recognise that a more plural politics is in both the Left’s electoral and political interests. This crisis exposes the absurdity of our first past the post electoral system. Just 24 per cent of those eligible to vote elected the government that called the referendum. The only fair way to proceed is to have a proportional voting system where people can back the politicians who they believe in, rather than taking a gamble and not knowing who they will end up with.

The idea of a progressive alliance has been floated for several years, and proposals have once again been put forward in the context of the current crisis. We believe that the time has come to urgently consider such ideas together in the context of a Westminster Government. We recognise the very different political situation in Scotland, given the strongly pro-EU majority there. We hope that co-operation between progressive parties their can ensure that this mandate is respected, and we will support them to keep all options open.

We look forward to your response,

Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of Wales Green Party

Steven Agnew MLA, Leader of the Green Party of Northern Ireland

Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion

NUT & UCU STRIKES ON 5TH jULY

Kevin Courtney (Dep Gen sec & likely to be new Gen Sec) of the NUT has just sent this email re the strike scheduled for July 5th (UCU also strike on the same day)

E-MAIL TO NUT MEMBERS
Division secretaries have been sent the following, which, as you can see, contains the text of an e-mail that will be go to all members today.

Dear colleagues,
Thank you for all you are doing to build for the strike action. We have received a number of messages from members concerned about the efficacy of taking action given the current political turmoil but we are also experiencing a large spike in joiners and members reinstating.

Tomorrow, we will be emailing members in the ballot cohorts with the message below which has a link to a letter I have sent to Nicky Morgan MP setting out our concerns and reminding her of the steps she can take to avert the strike:

POST-REFERENDUM SUPPORT
Following the referendum we have being considering steps we need to take to support our members and our pupils.

• We are writing to our members from overseas - reassuring them of our support and determination to do everything we can to help.
• We are working on materials for teachers to use in schools at a time of increasing racial tension.
• We have decided that it is important to go ahead with the strike on July 5.

I'm writing to explain that decision and to ask for your support.

THE STRIKE IS ON
Firstly, it is important to know that under the UK's union laws there is no option of simply delaying action to September; action must be started within 28 days of the ballot closing.

Secondly, we believe the demands our strike is putting forward are now more important than ever.

Schools are facing a very difficult budget because George Osborne has FROZEN the money he gives schools, while INCREASING the money he takes from them.

As a result we are seeing:
• increases in class sizes,
• cuts to subjects especially Arts subjects,
• less individual attention for children,
• worsening of terms and conditions for teachers.

The referendum result makes this all the more important. If inflation now rises then George Osborne's funding freeze will damage education even more.

It is also vital for the Government to acknowledge that they bear the responsibility for increasing class sizes. They are not due to migrants, but due to a lack of funding and of school place planning. We are therefore calling  on Nicky Morgan and George Osborne to commit to investing in education, not cutting it. This is in the interest of our country as well as our children's education and our teachers and support staff. I have written to Nicky Morgan outlining some steps she could take which would allow us to suspend our action.

But in the meantime, if you can, please support our strike - in the best interest of education, teachers and the young people we teach.

1,000 new members have joined the union since last Thursday.

acknowledgements to Martin Francis

SERTUC activities and news

SERTUC activities and news

SERTUC Regional Council

Saturday 9 July Congress House, 10am to 1pm. All trade unionists in the Region are welcome to attend as visitors, but must register before the meeting at sertuc@tuc.org.uk Speakers are:

·         Richard Howitt MEP – EU update

·         Gerry Morrissey, General Secretary – BECTU update

Burston Strike School Rally

Sunday 4 September with Mick Whelan ASLEF, TUC President Liz Snape, Attila the Stockbroker, Steve White and the Protest Family, NASUWT Brass Band, Red Flag, Grace Petrie, Banner Theatre 1^st May Band and John McDonnell MP Shadow Chancellorhttps://burstonstrikeschool.wordpress.com/2016-rally/

Trade union actions

NUT strike: Standing up for Education Tuesday 5 July

East of England events h.bucky@nut.org.uk

·         Ipswich: 10.30 Giles Statue for rally and leafleting. 12 noon picnic for teachers, parents and children in Christchurch Park

·         Chelmsford: march and rally assembling from noon at the top of the High Street opposite Shire Hall

·         Cambridge: joint action with UCU Anglia Ruskin University. Assemble on Donkey Common at 11am for a rally, then march round the town back to the Common for a couple of final speeches

London event m.powell-davies@nut.org.uk

·         March and rally assemble from 11am at Portland Place, march at 12 noon, rally from 1.30 in Parliament Square

Unite Community Southampton

LeftFest Saturday 23 July 11am A celebration of local left and progressive activism https://www.facebook.com/events/459815010890091/

Unite Bromley march to save our services

Saturday 23 July 11am contact Onay.Kasab@unitetheunion.org 07771 818 637

Unite Community campaign for housing in Cambridge

https://www.change.org/p/cambridge-city-council-turn-mill-road-depot-into-100-council-housing-b4c34a89-5cb2-4ec8-902d-91866cc62e6d?recruiter=23363681&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink

Nautilus International supporting ITF

The International Transport Workers Federation’s petition to protect transport workers’ jobs – one million signatures needed https://www.fairtransporteurope.eu/

TUC

TUC comment on the European Referendum

http://strongerunions.org/2016/06/25/what-next-after-the-brexit-vote-defend-workers-rights/

http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2016/06/wont-believe-whos-proposing-pay/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/24/working-people-eu-britain-brexit

Midland Region TUC demo

Demonstration at the Conservative Party conference Sunday 2 October, Birmingham with Dave Prentis Unison, Tom Roache GMB, Owen Jones writer https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/austerity-has-failed-demonstrate-us-conservative-party-conference-october-2

Unionlearn annual conference Monday 4 July

Speakers include Frances O’Grady TUC, Simon Kirby HS2, Barbara Byrd AFL-CIO https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unionlearn-annual-conference-july-2016-tickets-24453008607?ref=ebapi

Trades Council actions

Lambeth at the Lambeth Country Show

16 and 17 July Lambeth trades council will be having their usual trades union marquee. Included are the Lambeth & Wandsworth Palestine Solidarity Campaign http://lambethcountryshow.co.uk/

Greenwich and Bexley street stall

Saturday 23 July at Charlton Community Day contact lynnechristinechamberlain@gmail.com

Barking, Dagenham and Havering is going to Tolpuddle

Free coach leaving Dagenham at 7.45am on Sunday 17 July, leaving Tolpuddle at 5.45pm. £5 returnable deposit will be returned on the coach. Contact s.aitouaziz@hotmail.com

Brent commemorates Grunwick 40

It’s 40 years since the Grunwick strike https://www.facebook.com/Grunwick40/

GLATUC briefing

All London trades council officers and delegates welcome Tuesday 19 July 7pm contact peterlspalding@yahoo.co.uk

Other actions/events

Day of Action against Personal Independence Payments

Wednesday 13 July Ipswich action 11.30am https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=1541475526160241

Palestine Youth Orchestra UK tour

Royal Festival Hall London Monday 1 August 7.30pm http://www.palmusic.org.uk/pyo-uk-tour-2016-dates-announced/

Penge Trade Union & Social Club

It does what it says on the tin… Bar, upstairs ballroom, and more http://theroystonclub.wix.com/roystonhalls

Redbridge Forest Farm Peace Garden

Sunday 10 July World Music Day, free and family friendly, 12 noon to 5pm https://forestfarmpeacegarden.wordpress.com/events/upcoming-and-recent-events/

Cuba Solidarity Campaign

·         Miami Five Freedom Walk Sunday 3 July 11am http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/events/67/miami-five-freedom-walk

·         Miami Five Freedom Tour Friday 15 July 6.30pm http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news/article/3057/miami-five-freedom-tour-dates

Thanet Labour Councillors public meeting

On WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality Saturday 9 July Ramsgate, more info Karen@karenconstantine.co.uk

Tolpuddle Festival

15 to 17 July 2016 the annual event commemorating the contribution of the Tolpuddle Martyrs http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/welcome

Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Lecture

Saturday 13 August 7pm at Wortley Hall, near Sheffield. Lecture by Ruth Taillon “Socialism, Feminism and the Women of 1916”http://sylviapankhurst.gn.apc.org/index.htm

Marx Memorial Library events

·         NOW: Exhibition: Socialist Opposition to World War 1 will be at Congress House 25 June to 11 July

·         Friday 1 July 7pm Ciaran Walsh will recite Heathcote Williams epic poem https://www.facebook.com/events/1605105069801540/

·         17-30 October Remembering the International Brigades, two week festival http://www.marx-memorial-library.org/education/festival-remembering-the-international-brigades

·         Appeal for a plans chest for posters http://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/support-us/plan-chest-appeal

·         Socialist Opposition to World War One exhibition http://marx-memorial-library.org.uk/ww1 At Congress House 25 June to 11 July

International Brigades Memorial Trust

London commemoration Saturday 2 July 1pm 80^th anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War, with Maxine Peake, Paul PrestonJubilee Gardens http://www.international-brigades.org.uk/content/2-july-london more from secretary@international-brigades.org.uk

Send a piano to Cuba

·         Gala concert Saturday 2 July 7.30pm https://billetto.co.uk/piano2cuba

·         Film showing Saturday 16 July 5.30pm https://www.evensi.uk/tuning-with-the-enemy-film-showing-soas-university-of-london/178245785

More music for the NHS

By Dr Rishi https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/stand-up-single/id1127300573?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Ada Salter Day

Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July Many events to celebrate this outstanding campaigner. Bermondsey https://www.facebook.com/Ada-Salter-184825278285812/

Sign our petition demanding no cuts to workers' rights

Many vital rights at work in the UK are derived from EU law, guaranteeing things like paid leave entitlements, protections from being forced to work excessive hours, discrimination protections and rights for working mums-to-be. Following the UK vote to leave the European Union, we now have to decide what happens to these rights. As the official Leave campaign's plan for managing Brexit said: “Parliament will decide carefully which areas of existing EU law should a) be kept, b) be amended and c) be removed.” Sign our petition demanding no cuts to workers' rights Prominent leave campaigners have called for a halving of regulations derived from EU law, or flexibility in interpreting rights, claiming that British business would benefit from a reduction in "red tape". What they call "red tape" is really rights and protections that are valued by millions of working people. Attempts to cut these rights, or to limit the range of workers they apply to (for example exempting staff of small businesses or temporary workers), would cause great harm to fairness at work and to working people's living standards. We need to keep a close eye on our MPs as they start to debate what happens to our rights at work, and hold them to account, whether they backed leave or remain. They must not cut or water down any of the rights that working people and their unions fought so hard to win. Can you help us get the message to your MP and their colleagues in Parliament? We have started a petition that we will use to show them how many of their own constituents support strong rights at work, and will publish their response. Please sign our petition and let our MPs know you're watching Thanks for all your support, John and the Going To Work team