Lucas Plan conference 26 November

Lucas Plan conference 26 November

celebrate Cable Street's resistance

As xenophobia rises celebrate Cable Street's resistance tomorrow. They shall not pass! (acknowledgements to Wembley Matters)

From Cable Street 80

Assemble 12 noon at Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel Road, London E1.

March to a rally @ St George’s Gardens, Cable Street. Speakers before and after the march include: Max Levitas (Cable Street veteran), Jeremy Corbyn MP, Rushanara Ali MP, Frances O’Grady (General Secretary, TUC), Unmesh Desai (GLA member, City and East London)

Speakers confirmed to date: Max Levitas (Cable Street veteran), Jeremy Corbyn MP, Rushanara Ali MP, Frances O’Grady (General Secretary, TUC), John Biggs (Mayor of Tower Hamlets), Unmesh Desai (GLA member, City and East London), Michael Rosen, Gerry Gable (Searchlight Research Associates), Weyman Bennett (Unite Against Fascism), Manus O’Riordan (Ireland IBMT), Glyn Robbins (United East End), Julia Bard (Jewish Socialists’ Group), Roger Mackenzie (UNISON) Alex Kenny (East London NUT), Shahriar Bin Ali (Bangladesh Workers Council), Amelia Womack (Green Party), Matt Wrack (FBU), Mick Cash (RMT), Sarah Sackman (Jewish Labour Movement), Tony Donaghey (Connolly Association), Mary Davis (Marx memorial Library), Leon Silver (East London Central Synagogue), Richard Humm (Cable Street Group) Moshfiqur Noor (TH Labour Party TU officer, Julie Begum (Swadhinata Trust), Jean Geldart (Hope not Hate); Sardar Aziz, (Council of Mosques), Nasir Uddin (East End Together); Liz Payne  (Communist Party); Susan Matthews (UNITE)


Chairs: (Altab Ali Park) David Rosenberg, JSG; (St George’s Gardens) Megan Dobney, SERTUC
Plus marching bands including the Great Yiddish Parade and Udichi

Bring family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours! Bring Banners!

IMPORTANT TRANSPORT UPDATE: There are lots of engineering works this weekend that particularly affect travel to East London so if you are coming from further away please check the TFL site for alternative routes, set out a bit earlier, and also use rail replacement buses.

CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUCAS PLAN NOVEMBER 26TH, BIRMINGHAM

CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUCAS PLAN

NOVEMBER 26TH, BIRMINGHAM

The Lucas Plan was a pioneering effort by workers at the arms company Lucas Aerospace to retain jobs by proposing alternative, socially-useful applications of the company’s technology and their own skills. It remains one of the most radical and forward thinking attempts ever made by workers to take the steering wheel and directly drive the direction of change. Read the Plan here.

Today, in 2016 — 40 years after the Lucas Plan — we’re facing a convergence of crises: militarism and nuclear weapons, climate chaos, and the destruction of jobs by automation.

These crises mean we have to start thinking about technology as political, as the Lucas Aerospace workers did.

Our conference will aim to re-open the debate about industrial conversion and democracy.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS.  IT’S IN OUR HANDS: WE HAVE TO SHOW THAT ALTERNATIVES ARE POSSIBLE.  TOGETHER WE CAN START CREATING THE LUCAS PLANS OF THE FUTURE.  IT COULD BE THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE WE STILL HAVE A FUTURE.

AT THE LUCAS PLAN ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE IN NOVEMBER 2016:

• Hear the story of the challenges and breakthroughs in the original Lucas Plan first-hand – from shop stewards who played key roles
• Learn from leading, inspirational figures in the trade union, left, peace and environment movements
• Take part in workshops, where you’ll connect with other changemakers and tackle issues that are close to you – from local community plans, to union action on industrial conversion, and much more.

The conference will provide fresh impetus to the discussions and plans taking shape around the idea of a ‘Just Transition’.  We’ll be talking about existing approaches, such as the ‘One Million Climate Jobs’ plan, and also bringing in plenty of grassroots voices.

THE CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

• The Lucas Plan story and its relevance today
• Trident and arms conversion
• Climate change, renewable energy and transition issues
• Alternative and local community plans
• Robotics, automation and the future of work
• Practical ways to develop the Lucas Plans of the future

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lucas Plan! Veteran trade unionists and younger activists see Nobel prize-nominated plan as inspiration for the future Leading figures from the left, trade union, environmental and peace movements are coming together at a conference on November 26th with a fresh perspective on tackling current crises, using the ideas of socially useful production pioneered in the Lucas Plan. The Plan, produced by workers at the Lucas Aerospace arms company, showed how jobs could be saved by converting to make products that answer a social need, rather than weapons. See www.lucasplan.org.uk, or the notes below for more information on the Lucas Plan.

The conference will focus on 5 key themes: • The Lucas Plan and socially useful production. • Arms conversion and peace. • Climate change and a socially just transition to sustainability. • The threat to skills and livelihoods from automation. • Local/community economic and industrial planning. Linking all these issues is the need to rethink how we can produce what people and society actually need and overcome corporate domination through their control of technology.

 Highlights of the conference will include: • Talks by Phil Asquith, Brian Salisbury and Mick Cooney (Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards Combine). • Screening of a new film on the Lucas Plan by Steve Sprung. • Contributions from: Chris Baugh (PCS), Suzanne Jeffery (Million Climate Jobs Campaign), Hilary Wainwright (Red Pepper), John McDonnell (tbc), Natalie Bennett and Molly Scott-Cato (Green Party), Romayne Phoenix (People’s Assembly Against Austerity), Mary Pearson (Birmingham Trades Council), Jim Wyke (Young Scots for Independence), Philippa Hands (Unison), Stuart Parkinson (Scientists for Global Responsibility), Dave Elliott (Open University), Dave King (Breaking the Frame), Tom Woolley (Rachel Bevan Architects), Simon Fairlie (The Land magazine), Karen Leach (Localise West Midlands), plus more speakers to be announced.

 The conference on the Lucas Plan 40th anniversary will be held at Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR) on November 26, 2016. See www.lucasplan.org.uk. The conference is being organised and sponsored by: former members of the Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards Combine, Breaking the Frame, PCS, UCU, Million Climate Jobs Campaign, Green Party, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Campaign Against Arms Trade, and Red Pepper.

Tickets are £10/£5 concessions: To book for the conference, visit www.lucasplan.org.uk/tickets. For more information, email info@breakingtheframe.org.uk

BACKGROUND INFO: The Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards Combine’s Alternative Corporate Plan (‘The Lucas Plan’) was launched in 1976 and became famous worldwide, sparking an international movement for socially useful production and workers’ plans. Facing the threat of redundancies, the Combine collected 150 ideas from shop floor workers about alternative socially useful products that could be produced by the company, instead of relying on military orders. Many of the innovations in the plan, such as hybrid car engines, heat pumps and wind turbines were commercially viable and are now in widespread use. Although the Alternative Plan was rejected by Lucas Aerospace managers, it was instrumental in protecting jobs at Lucas in the 1970s. The Combine was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and Mike Cooley received the Right Livelihood Award in 1982. More information about the Plan, including the 53-page summary of the five 200 page volumes, can be found on the conference website, www.lucasplan.org.uk.

Please help us by asking your trade union or organisation to sponsor the conference and, if possible, make a donation towards the organising costs yourself.

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IF YOU THINK YOU CAN HELP, WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED, OR WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US ATINFO@BREAKINGTHEFRAME.ORG.UKLIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, OR FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

STAND UP TO LAMBETH

STAND UP TO LAMBETH

UCU London Retired Members A Branch meeting, a Member's Book Event & London Underground ticket office closures

Branch Meeting October 13th 2016 - 2pm - 4pm Items on the agenda so far include Sybil Cock will report on The Freedom Ride 2016, organised by The Freedom Theatre based in Jenin  Refugee Camp. This tour, brought performing Freedom Theatre actors to Palestinian communities, alongside a group of internationals sharing their talents. The TUC, Airport Expansion and Climate Change The UCU Retired Members Annual Meeting Victimisation and redundancy at London Metropolitan University Meetings take place in the union office in Carlow Street NW1 7LH, nearest tube Mornington Crescent. All retired academic staff are welcome (as well as those about to retire). If you have items for the agenda please let me know.s.cushion23@gmail.com The Language Of Silence by Merilyn Moos Free | 3pm on Saturday October 15th at Archway Library, Highgate Hill, N19 5PH The novel 'The Language of Silence' provides a remarkable exploration of how the effects of exile continue to have a profound personal impact on following generations. Anna's parents opposed the Nazis and fled for their lives to the UK. Anna uncovers the fate of her German extended family as she tries to piece together her parents' unspoken hidden history, in part from the files of MI5. The library is right next to the tube’s upper exit but is so to speak in the underpass, down a ramp/stairs. Review of London Underground ticket office closures As the independent body representing passengers, London TravelWatch has been asked by the Mayor of London to carry out a review of ticket office closures on the London Underground. Follow the link to complete the survey on your experiences in London Underground stations This survey is open until Monday 24 October 2016.

Copyright © 2016 UCU London Retired Members Branch, All rights reserved.  UCU London Retired Members Branch - members and supporters  UCU London Retired Members A Branch meeting, a Member's Book Event & London Underground ticket office closures

Will you help UCU stand up for EU staff and students?

Will you help UCU stand up for EU staff and students?

I continue to receive very worrying messages from members who are EU nationals expressing concerns about their future in the UK.  As you know, I have raised this issue at the highest level with government demanding that the position of EU staff and students be protected and that any lost funding as a result of Brexit be matched.

More than that however, we urgently need a clear message from the government to the world beyond these shores that the UK remains a place not just where people should want to come and study or work but also want to live and bring up a family. The social and economic contribution made by EU nationals and indeed those from further afield is obvious and if the impression currently being given that the UK is pulling up the drawbridge is allowed to take hold it will be a disaster not just for us who work in education but for the UK itself.

I will continue to make this case but I need your help.

Please click here to send a message to your MP asking them to protect the rights of our colleagues who are EU nationals.

Thank you.

Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary

PS. I am passionate about Care for Calais. Will you donate today to help refugees?

SERTUC activities and news

SERTUC activities and news

Cable Street 80 Sunday 9 October

12 noon rally in Altab Ali park, march, rally in St George’s Gardens plus many other community and political eventshttps://www.facebook.com/events/1727212247542774/ and www.cablestreet80.org.uk and https://battleofcablest80.squarespace.com/events/and https://www.facebook.com/events/1218619244864376/

Cable Street Daredevil rides to Jarama

Townsend Productions’ play by Neil Gore Monday 10 October 7.30pm, details here http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/feedback/testbook here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/townsend-productions-daredevil-rides-to-jarama-by-neil-gore-tickets-26854689098

SERTUC Creative & Leisure Industries Committee

Is supporting the following events:

·        Imperial War Museum, PCS petition to end the use of private security contractors https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/end-privatisation-at-the-imperial-war-museum/

·        Ritzy Cinema, BECTU struck over pay negotiations 24 September, follow progress on https://www.bectu.org.uk/news/2628https://www.facebook.com/RitzyLivingWage

·        NUJ at Newsquest south London titles are taking industrial action https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/newsquest-south-london-staff-declare-14-day-strike/

·        Unison and PCS demonstration Saturday 5 November 12 noon opposing cuts to libraries, museums and gallerieshttps://www.unison.org.uk/events/librariesdemo/ https://www.facebook.com/events/282708008768589/

Celebrating 50 years of the 1967 Abortion Act

SERTUC Women’s Rights Committee is supporting Abortion Rights’ events January 2017 to October 2018. http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/the-abortion-act-turns-50/

Trade union actions

NUT Ipswich and Banner Theatre

Ipswich NUT with Ipswich trades council present “The Great Chicago Teachers Strike” with Banner Theatre Tuesday 18 October 7pm, contact secretary@ipswich.nut.org.uk and see http://bannertheatre.co.uk/portfolio/chicago-the-great-teachers-strike/

NUT World Teachers’ Day Wednesday 5 October

With Amnesty International and Day-Mer 6pm London. Free, info here https://teachers.org.uk/news-events/events/world-teachers-day

ASLEF day for International Brigades – Dulwich Hamlet FC

Saturday 8 October “Dulwich Hamlet FC v Bognor Regis Town FC” Sponsored by ASLEF and HnH. £4 with a TU membership card seehttp://dhst.org.uk/trade-union-day-2016/

Unite supporting a film for a piano to Havana

“In spite of everything” Friday 28 October 7pm, London http://cubanos.org.uk/eventos

Trades Council actions

Peterborough trades council

·        Townsend Productions with play Dare Devil Rides to Jarama Wednesday 19 October 7.30pm £10/£8 book atpeterboroughtuc@gmail.com and info here http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/feedback/test

·        Peterborough Women’s Festival Saturday and Sunday 4-5 March Women and Education peterboroughtuc@gmail.com for more information

Battersea & Wandsworth Workers Beer Company

Celebrating 30 years of the Workers Beer Company https://player.vimeo.com/video/180201091

Redbridge trades council annual fundraising dinner

Tuesday 8 November 7pm with Sarah Jackson (co-author of Voices from History: East London Suffragettes) £15 detailsrtucsecretary@btinternet.com 07956 656 086

Hastings trades council with Unite

“STRUGGLE, a festival to celebrate the people’s fight for justice with music, speakers and poetry” Sunday 23 October 2pm with Ian Woodland Unite, Thee Faction and many more. Details from mccarthy790@btopenworld.com

Waltham Forest discussion forum

Monday 10 October 7.30pm “After the Labour leadership election, what next for trade unions” with Manuel Cortes TSSA, Linda Taaffe WF TC, Tom Taylor LP, Niki Fitzgerald BMA lidataaffe66@btinternet.com

Barnsley trades council Festival of Labour

Friday 14 to Sunday 16 October https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/union-history/regions/union-issues/barnsley-festival-labour-history

TUC

HSE review of chemical regulations

The survey is here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hazardsub closing date Tuesday 18 October

ETUC

Statement against CETA

https://www.etuc.org/press/civil-society-groups-call-european-governments-reject-ceta-agreement#.V_ECTvkrKM8 and useful website herehttps://stop-ttip.org/

Other actions/events

Equality & Human Rights Commission

Published a quarterly research newsletter, subscribe here research@equalityhumanrights.com

ASLEF day for International Brigades – Dulwich Hamlet FC

Saturday 8 October “Dulwich Hamlet FC v Bognor Regis Town FC” Sponsored by ASLEF and HnH. £4 with a TU membership card seehttp://dhst.org.uk/trade-union-day-2016/

Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign

·        Trade union briefing on Wednesday 2 November 5.30pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trade-union-briefing-tickets-28221202376?utm_term=eventurl_text

·        Briefing on Nicaraguan elections (6 November) http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/news/article/202/nicaraguan-elections:-why-combatting-poverty-is-a-decisive-factor

Support the People of Turkey (SPOT) conference

Saturday 29 October 10am NUT HQ, London cagdas.canbolat@gmail.com

Ruskin College, Oxford

·        BA International Labour & Trade Union Studies cholmes@ruskin.ac.uk and MA Global Labour & Social Change imanborde@ruskin.ac.ukcourses starting in January 2017 https://www.ruskin.ac.uk/courses2/labour-and-social-change-2/international-labour-and-trade-union-studies-ba-hons-2

·        Open day on Wednesday 19 October 6pm https://www.ruskin.ac.uk/about/open-days/

Prostate Cancer UK quiz night

Saturday 12 November, Wembley £10 including buffet https://www.facebook.com/A-J-Fundraising-Quiz-Night-for-Prostate-Cancer-UK-1434507526565972/?hc_ref=SEARCH

Venezuela Solidarity Campaign

Volunteers wanted for the AGM Saturday 15 October, Latin American Conference Saturday 26 November, and mailings Thursday 15 and 29 September email info@venezuelasolidarity.co.uk and see http://www.venezuelasolidarity.co.uk/

Labour Behind the Label activist training

Saturday 29 October Birmingham, sign up here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/activist-training-2016-tickets-27147105724

NPC lobby Wednesday 2 November

Lobby of parliament Wednesday 2 November 12 noon plus rally in parliament info@npcuk.org

Marx Memorial Library events

·        Course “Trade Unions & Power” 1, 8, 15 November 7pm £30 http://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/education/trade-union/trade-unions-power-course

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

·        Tolpuddle Martyrs: save our history fundraising to preserve the Dorset papers covering the Martyrs 1834 to 1836 http://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/support-us/tolpuddle-martyrs-appeal