E-Bulletin Issue 26, April 2009
Welcome from Unite North West Regional Secretary, Paul
Finegan
It is with the greatest sadness that I must advise you that Jack
Jones, former general secretary of the Transport and General
Workers Union, died on Tuesday 21st April.
We have lost the greatest trade unionist of the entire post-war
era, a man whose name will be forever associated with the finest
achievements and highest values of our movement. Indeed, the
entire history of trade unionism in Britain yields few comparable
figures.
Our first condolences are of course extended to Jack’s family,
above all his sons Jack and Michael. We share their sorrow
and also their pride in the life of their remarkable father.
Jack Jones led the T&G to become the strongest working-class
organisation our country has ever seen, more than two million men
and women united to secure a better life both at work and in the
wider society.
When he was general secretary, no great question of industrial
policy or economic management could be addressed without the
T&G’s input. Nor did the smallest detail of union
organisation or industrial negotiation in any of the industries in
which our union represented working people escape his
attention.
In all this work he was guided by a profound concern to improve
the lot of the ordinary people of this country whose only strength,
he understood, lay in collective organisation. From his
earliest days as a T&G organiser in Coventry, he placed the
organisation of the union in the factories at the heart of his
work, developing and promoting the shop stewards movement.
Jack’s greatness as a leader rested above all on his belief in
the instincts and outlook of the membership. He was always a
partisan of lay democracy, of the union being run by the men and
women who joined it, and with authority being devolved to the
districts and the workplaces. Building on the achievements of
Frank Cousins, he entrenched progressive values and democratic
tolerance at the heart of the T&G.
At the same time he led from the front, animating the whole of
our union with his broad conception of the role of trade
unionism. While a master of industrial detail, he never lost
sight of the wider socialist perspective which had motivated him
from his earliest days working on the Liverpool docks. This
informed his commitment to full equality for working women, his
opposition to all forms of racism and injustice, and his
unflinching support for workers fighting oppression in all
lands.
He was loyal to the Labour Party, knowing that only a Labour
government could both protect working people from the worst ravages
of capitalism and also work towards that brighter future. He
always fought his corner within the Party and always urged it,
sometimes most vocally, to remain true to its roots.
Jack will also be forever linked with the struggle for democracy
and against fascism. As a young man he put his life on the
line to go to Spain to fight in support of the elected government
of the Republic against the fascist insurrection, and was wounded
in that struggle. The people of Spain and all
internationalists across the world have lost a comrade.
Older workers in Britain also have cause to give particular
thanks for Jack’s campaigning zeal, since he devoted most of his
post-retirement years to championing the case for justice for
pensioners and in particular to see the state pension secured at a
decent level. Not for Jack a life of cosy retirement.
Every breath he gave to the struggle.
Jack strongly supported the formation of Unite, the merger of
the T&G and Amicus, as being the best way to carry forward in
new circumstances the values of the union he had built.
Disappointed, of course, at the setbacks of the last generation, he
never lost his optimism and was delighted to see our union recover
its organising and fighting back spirit.
For thousands of us still active in the movement, Jack was a
friend and a mentor, always ready to offer wise counsel when it was
sought, right down to the last months of his life. Always sharp in
his understanding of our problems, modest in his lifestyle,
uninterested in any honour beyond serving the movement, he embodied
everything a trade unionist should be.
Dockers and car workers, bus drivers and engineering workers,
white-collar employees and farmworkers, those driving a lorry or
working in an aircraft cabin – we are all today bereft. For
millions of working people, the comforts we enjoy, such security as
we have established and the social gains we have secured, all of
these stand on the shoulders of the organisation that Jack Jones
developed and of the leadership he gave. As he took forward
the work of Bevin and Cousins, so shall we carry forward the legacy
of Jack Jones into the future, the unbroken tradition of
working-class solidarity and struggle.
Today, with profound emotion, Unite dips its banner in memory of
the greatest amongst us. Tomorrow, as Jack Jones would have
wished, we shall put our shoulders to the wheel once more, working
as he did for justice for workers, for internationalism, peace and
socialism.
Tony Woodley
Joint General Secretary, Unite
General Secretary – T&G section
Unite for Jobs, March for Jobs – Birmingham, May 16th
2008
As you are aware on 16th May 2009, Unite will hold a march
through Birmingham city centre. This will be the centrepiece of the
'Unite for Jobs' campaign. The March for Jobs will spotlight the
need for urgent assistance to defend jobs.
It is really important that we get a good turnout from the North
West and that is why we are organising several coach pick up points
at Salford, Prestwich, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Preston, Wigan and
Crewe but others can be arranged if needed.
North West Pick Up Points:
Unite Office, Prestwich at 8:30am
Unite Office, Salford at 8:30am
Liverpool City Centre (outside the Empire theatre) at 8:30am
Preston bus station at 8:30am
Crewe bus station at 9am
Birkenhead, Woodside Terminal at 8:30am
Wigan, Wallgate Train station at 8:30am
Leaflets and posters for the march are now available from all
North West offices and I would be grateful if you could display
these in your workplace. If large numbers of members wish to
attend from their workplaces then we can arrange transport for
you.
For transport details from the North West contact Alison Jones
at Alison.Jones@unitetheunion.org
or call Alison on 0161 798 8976.
To see what the Unite for Jobs demands are or for information on
the march visit: www.action.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/uniteforjobs
Labour – winning the fight for Britain’s future in
Europe
European Elections: Vote Labour on June 4 – A
message from Theresa Griffin
Unite’s endorsed European Candidate
On June 4th in the North West Region – Every Vote Counts. Please
encourage your friends and family to use their vote and stop the
BNP winning a seat. Vote LABOUR and return committed Trade
Unionists to the European Parliament
Labour’s record in Europe - what we have achieved:
• Four weeks paid annual holidays, longer rest breaks and
shorter working hours.
• Full time rights for part-time and fixed term workers
• Better health & safety rights
• Right to return to work, discrimination against pregnant
women outlawed
• Improved information and consultation rights.
• Vital rights and protection for Agency Workers.
• An end to rip off mobile phone charges
abroad.
• Compensation for airline and rail passengers who suffer
cancellations or long delays.
• New food safety measures and clearer labelling.
• Climate change package to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
20% by 2020.
• Renewable energy target set at 20% by 2020.
• A European Arrest Warrant to speed up extraditions and make
it easier to bring suspects to justice.
And what Labour will continue to fight for:
• Support for the car industry and manufacturing.
• Tighter regulation of European and global financial
markets.
• Recovery programme to help jobless people get back to
work.
• Healthier and safer workplaces.
• Further rights to collective bargaining and industrial
action.
• Measures to close the gender pay gap.
• Strengthening of EU law against discrimination.
• More cross-border cooperation, fighting crime and people
trafficking, especially children.
• Continuing action tackling climate change and promotion of
green jobs.
• Reform of the EU energy market to give consumers a better
deal.
• Proper balance between Europe’s social and economic
goals.
• Greater protection for customers against dodgy goods and
more rights for consumers.
• Action to combat illegal migration.
• Renewal of EU efforts to tackle global poverty.
|
Workers’ Memorial Day 28th April, 2009 – Remember the Dead: Fight
for the Living
Tomorrow is Workers’ Memorial Day please try and support a local
event near you. We ask those who are unable to attend to
observe one minute’s silence this Tuesday at their place of work at
12.00 noon.
Ahead of the event in Liverpool, Unite Senior Industrial
Organiser, Tony McQuade said: “Too many people are
killed or injured at work each year by incidents that are wholly
preventable.
“We urge workers to take a moment to think
about those who have lost their lives through their work, and to
think what you can do to protect yourself and your work colleagues
from harm.”
North West Events include:
Chorley
A service is being held at the Unite memorial tree, Astley Park,
Chorley on Friday 24th April. Meet at the park gate (Park
Road) at 5.50 pm.
For further information please contact Steve Turner on 07838
402614.
Liverpool
An event is being organised on the South Piazza of George's Dock
Building (corner of Mann Island and the Strand), Pier Head,
Liverpool L3 1DD on Tuesday 28th April at 12.00 noon. For further
information please contact Tony McQuade on 0151 728 2200.
Manchester
A Joint Trade Union Rally at the Peace Gardens 11.30am – 12.30pm on
Tuesday 28th April sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors. Music by
Claire Mooney; Speakers at the event include - Tony Lloyd MP,
Regional trade union officials, TU safety reps, Linzi Herbertson,
founder member of Families Against Corporate Killers.
Refreshments and Workshop for safety reps on how to raise
profile of WMD, how to publicise the need for more regulation and
enforcement to make work safer at Mechanics Institute afterwards:
http://www.gmhazards.org.uk/Manchester%20flyer%202009.pdf
Preston
A march and rally on Saturday 25th April 11.30 am at Preston
Flag Market for more information about it, please contact: WMD c/o
Trade Union Education, 5th Floor, Buckingham House, Preston PR1
3LS, Chair: Andy Birchall, 01772 223112 http://www.lancashiretradeunions.org.uk/.
United Biscuits workers lobby MPs to save jobs and
secure their futures
Unite members at United Biscuits’ Liverpool Binns Road site took
their fight to Parliament last week to stop plans to move their
jobs to India.
Around 170 workers across United Biscuits (UB) UK sites,
including Liverpool, are facing job cuts if proposals to move UK
jobs to India, go ahead.
Union members from the site made representation to local
Merseyside MPs including Jane Kennedy in Westminster in a bid to
save jobs and secure their futures.
The union wants United Biscuits to review their proposals and
says it and the workers will pursue every avenue in fighting to
keep these jobs in Liverpool.
Unite says the proposed jobs cuts will not only have a
devastating effect on the local area but also future skills and
jobs in the UK.
Unite Regional Officer, Debbie Brannan said: “We
need as many MPs as possible to voice their support to keep these
jobs in Liverpool.
“Management has been telling workers they have been
doing a good job and that the company is profitable. Workers have
delivered sales growth of 12% some £5.2 million over budget and
achieved 98% efficiency in collecting company debts, the best ever,
last month. Yet at the same time the company decides to pay back
its loyal workforce with job cuts. It does not make sense. There is
a wealth of skills and experience that will be lost if UB presses
on with outsourcing plans.”
Over 3,000 people across Merseyside
have already signed up to support the campaign petition to stop
United Biscuits moving Liverpool jobs to India.
Support the workers and sign the petition today at: www.unitetheunion.org/northwest.
Unite tells students 'let’s stand
together'
The National Union of Students’ (NUS) conference, supported by
Unite in Blackpool this month was a huge success with our student
members.
Unite representatives had the chance
to talk to student delegates from across the UK and Irleand about
the role Unite has in the workplace and in wider society. Over 1000
delegates received Unite's student booklet and application
forms. The Unite fringe event discussing how the economic
downturn is effecting working students and graduates was well
attended with a healthy question and answer session. Delegates on
the conference floor were also treated to recent episodes of
UnionTV.
Unite National Co-ordinator, David Braniff-Herbert, said:
''Our support and effective presence at this conference
continues to express Unites strong campaigning and innovative
nature to Student activists''.
Officer Duties
Kevin Coyne is now the National Officer for the MOD
and Government Departments
Ian Waddell now has responsibility for our members in the
Offshore sector.
Support the Visteon Workers
Workers at the Visteon car plants in Basildon, Enfield and Belfast
have been occupying and picketing their plants after they were
sacked with no notice, no redundancy pay and with their pensions
frozen. They produce components for Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford
and others. Many have worked at the plants for 20 years or
more, but have been thrown on the scrapheap. They used to be
part of Ford and most are still on Ford contracts, but these have
been ignored. Visteon workers have show how to fight for jobs
and justice.
They need the support of everyone.
• Please send text messages of support to Frank Basildon
(07535 417418), John (Belfast) 07816 590 380, Kevin (Enfield) 07956
375 410.
• Email messages of support to visteonoccupation@gmail.com
and raise the issue in your union or community organisation.
• Please help by signing the e-petition. Ask your
colleagues, family and friends to do the same. The e-petition
can be found at: http://www.savemanufacturing.co.uk/sayno
Protest March, Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May – The right
to work for All
Manchester TUC, RAPAR, MCDAC and Love Music Hate Racism are
organising a protest march on Monday 4th May. All
welcome. Assemble at 12 noon, All Saints Park, Oxford Road,
Manchester and 2.00 pm onwards at Castlefield Arena, Liverpool
Road. Contact: mayday2009@btinternet.com or
call 0778 7089 117.
Africa Oyé 2009
A celebration of African music and culture is being held at
Sefton Park, Liverpool on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2009
from 12:30pm to 9:30pm on both days.
Admission: Free
Africa Oyé is the UK's largest free celebration of African music
and culture and takes place annually in Liverpool. Beginning in
1992 as a series of small gigs in the city centre, the event has
gone from strength-to-strength, moving to its present Sefton Park
home in 2002 to cope with demand. Now in its seventeenth year,
Africa Oyé continues to grow. In 2008 the event attracted an
audience of over 20,000 people and even more are expected to attend
Oyé 09.
With too many negative representations of Africa entrenched in
images of war, disease, poverty and famine, Oyé seeks to redress
the balance and highlight the fantastic range of cultures, foods,
music and artists that make this great continent one of the most
vibrant and inspiring in the world. The festival is also a truly
international event that harnesses the spirit of multiculturalism
and tolerance. It has played host to artists from nations right
across Africa and also programmed music from South America and The
Caribbean with Salsa, Soca and Reggae always a popular addition to
the festivities.
But Africa Oyé is about more than music. Over 40 stalls selling
the best food, drink, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and
beyond will again be present at the Oyé village along with face
painting, bouncy castles and workshops to keep the kids happy.
Africa Oyé will also have a beer tent in the festival grounds for
the first time to keep the adults entertained too!
Oyé's subsidiary company Oye touring and trading will organise
two UK tours this year including Reggae superstar Freddie McGregor
from Jamaica in June and July who you can see at Oyé 09, and Odemba
OK Jazz All-stars from DR Congo in September and October with a
Liverpool date to be confirmed.
Oyé will also organising a special educational project around
schools in the Liverpool area during the autumn of 2009 and more
details on this will also be available soon. To launch Oyé touring
and trading, an event will take place at The Picket on Sunday 5th
April with a live Performance by reggae legends The Mighty Diamonds
from Jamaica. Also confirmed for Oyé
09 is the ever-popular Kanda Bonga Man from DR Congo who last
played Oyé in 2003.
Please check http://www.africaoye.com/ for tour
update, ticket info, and festival information.
For more information contact:
Another Media
info@anothermedia.org
ali@anothermedia.org
0151 708 2841
Find us on Facebook - Africa Oye Festival http://www.africaoye.com/ www.myspace.com/africaoye
Rally for Europe with Caroline Flint MP, Minister for
Europe
LGBT Labour North West in
collaboration with the NW Euro Team, Young Labour North West,
Labour Students, Manchester Labour Party and Liverpool Labour Group
would like to invite you to kick off the final month of the
European election campaign with us in Liverpool.
Saturday 9th May
10am - 7pm, Liverpool
The Casa, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BQ
Let us know if you can make it. You can sign up to the event on
Facebook by visiting http://tiny.cc/eurorally
|
This bulletin has been produced by Karen Viquerat, if you
have any stories or contributions please email karen.viquerat@unitetheunion.org
or telephone Karen on 01704 546 500.
|
|
