Saturday 22 November 2014

MARCH ON SATURDAY 29TH- SAVE OUR DGH

Eastbourne Trades Council is proud to be supporting the march and rally led by the GMB union but not just for GMB members: every member of the public, every patient and every member of staff should really be involved in fighting back to Protect our Hospital, to protect East Sussex community health services being lost during any forthcoming tendering process, and to protect the under-resourced and over-worked healthcare professionals who despite being treated appallingly never fail to provide the very best patient service delivery they possibly can.

There is now a real and present threat that the Accident and Emergency Department could be downgraded to a cottage hospital-style Minor Injury unit, and not available at night.



COME AND MARCH FOR OUR DGH- SATURDAY 29th NOVEMBER

The march will set off from Eastbourne Pier at 10.30am for a march through the town centre, followed by a rally at the Wish Tower green.  

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Tell Stephen Lloyd to oppose NHS Privatisation this Friday

An important campaign from 38 Degrees:

Urgent: on Friday, MPs will vote on a new law to rein in NHS privatisation. If it passes, it would scrap the worst parts of the Health and Social Care Act - the terrible law which is forcing the steady privatisation and break-up of our health service.

The new law will also keep the NHS out of TTIP - the US-EU trade agreement that threatens to lock privatisation into public services. It’s simple: this new law would be great for our NHS.

Can you sign a petition to your MP asking them to turn up and vote the right way on Friday? MPs aren’t used to being the target of petitions: the last thing they want is hundreds of their constituents banding together. So the bigger this petition is, the more likely your MP is to listen.

Click here to tell Stephen LloydMP to vote to save our NHS on Friday:

Since the Health and Social Care Act passed in 2012, 38 Degrees members have watched in horror as health privatisation has gathered pace. In just one year, over £10bn of NHS funding ended up in the hands of profit-hungry companies. Our health service is under threat.

And now, with the government refusing to keep the NHS out of TTIP, it’s in even more danger. If TTIP goes through, and the NHS stays in the deal, it’ll be open season for private healthcare companies.

It’ll be a hard vote to win. But our NHS is worth fighting for even when the odds are against us. And win or not, politicians need to know that 38 Degrees members haven’t given up or gone away - we’re still here, we still care, and we’ll take every opportunity to get rid of privatisation in our NHS.

So let's send each and every one of our MPs a clear message: we believe in a public NHS that provides decent care for everyone, whenever we need it. We will never sit back while our health service is under threat - and we will take every chance we have to try and save it.

Please click here to sign the petition to your MP now, calling on them to turn up this Friday and vote to save the NHS


Thanks for being involved,

Susannah, Elizabeth, Rachel, Blanche and the 38 Degrees team


PS: This Friday's vote is on a "Private Members' Bill" - a law proposed by a backbench MP. In this case, it's proposed by a backbench Labour MP called Clive Efford. That means it will be particularly hard to get enough Lib Dem or Conservative MPs to vote for it! But public pressure has persuaded MPs to break ranks with their own party before, so let’s give it a go. Please sign the petition to your MP now:

Tuesday 18 November 2014

March for our NHS- 29th November

There is a GMB-organised march against cuts at Eastbourne DGH, on Saturday 29th November at 10.30am. Help them send a clear message that we want to protect services at Eastbourne DGH. Please share.  Meet at the pier.

Gary Palmer, GMB Organiser, said
“Union members and staff are worried about the Trusts on-going program to remove beds from the EDGH. There is concern that if the Trust removes a further 20 or more beds the numbers will fall to below 400. That is the point that the Trust could be allowed to look to downgrade A&E from the current 24/7 provision, to minor injury or cottage hospital status.Downgrading this hospital’s A&E services would be an absolute disaster for the people of Eastbourne and East Sussex. It could possibly be the real beginning of the end for EDGH."
"Only the Trust and it’s Chief Executive know for sure if the concerns of staff are founded in truth and whether any further cuts in beds could potentially lead to the trust being able to change the hospital’s status in Eastbourne"

Read the GMB Press Release here

Next Trades Council Meeting: November 2014

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 18th November, 7.30pm at the View Hotel (formerly known as the Unite/T&G Eastbourne Centre, Grand Parade, Eastbourne. 

All local trade union members, including retired trade unionists, are welcome to attend the meeting.

THE AGENDA WILL BE:



1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of new affiliations.


3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer

5. CAMPAIGNS FOR 2015- what issues should the Trades Council be pushing locally during the General and Local elections ?  (to include introductory comments from Jake Lambert, NUT delegate and Eastbourne's Labour Parliamentary candidate)

6. GMB Hospital march, 29th November- arrangements and publicity

7. Any other Campaigns: Colleagues invited to provide information on their Unions’ local and national campaigns, and any support that the Trades Council could give.

9. Any other business.

The bar will be open afterwards !

Friday 31 October 2014

We Marched !

Eastbourne Trades Council were very proud to be well represented at the TUC's Britain Needs A Pay Rise demonstration in London on 18th October.

The trades council once again funded train tickets for local trade unionists (with special thanks to the NUT for their sponsorship) , and others made their way there with their own unions' transport. Eastbourne trade unionists were well represented from Unite the Union (a superb turnout), NUT, Unison, Equity, CWU and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists amongst others.

Tens of thousands of trade unionists joined from all over the country to march through central London, and to hear from a range of speakers, compered by comedians Andy Parsons and Amy Lamé.

TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady said:
"Our message is that after the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery.  The average worker is £50 a week worse off than in 2007 and five million earn less than the living wage. Meanwhile, top directors now earn 175 times more than the average worker.  
“If politicians wonder why so many feel excluded from the democratic process, they should start with bread and butter living standards.  
“An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system –that any of us might need – is no longer working for the many.”  

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Remembering the Dock Strike of 1889- Hastings Event

To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the London Dock Labourer's strike,
Hastings District Branch of Unite the Union SE/6253  is holding a meeting to celebrate the strike which along with the Matchwomen and Gas Workers strikes launched the New Union movement.

Speakers include:
 
Louise Raw:  Author of the ground breaking book  Striking a Light which gives a detailed account of the 1888 strike at Bryant and Mays and the working women who led and took part in it.
 
Terry McCarthy: Author of Dock Strike 1889  Terry is also the former Director of the National Museum of Labour History.

 
The meeting is to be held at the White Rock Hotel Hastings in the Sea Front Lounge 2.30pm till 6.00pm on Saturday  the 25th of October. The White Rock Hotel is on the Seafront  opposite the Pier, the Postcode is TN34 1JU.

There will be plenty of time for debate. Anyone who can sing can contribute ! This is an open meeting all are welcome
Contact 'hastings@unitetheunion.org' for further details
 

Monday 22 September 2014

March in London on 18th October- transport from Eastbourne

The TUC has called a mass march and rally in London as part of our campaign against cuts and so-called austerity-  for an economic recovery that benefits us all, not just those at the top.

Eastbourne Trades Council will once again be arranging some free train tickets from Eastbourne Station to the event on 18th October, for local trade unionists and their families.  We will depart on the 9.31 train, changing at Haywards Heath to a train to London Blackfriars, near to the start of the march.

If you would like to book a ticket, please sign up by clicking here.

For more information on the march, and the TUC's Britain Needs a Payrise campaign, visit the TUC site here.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

URGENT: DGH Public Meeting Tomorrow ! (Thursday)

URGENT !

There is a public meeting TOMORROW EVENING (21st August) organised by the GMB Union about the future of our District General Hospital, entitled: "Is Eastbourne Hospital being 'managed' to ruin ?"

The meeting is at 7.00pm at the Unite Eastbourne Centre, Grand Parade, Eastbourne, BN21 4DN.

The GMB, which represents a large number of staff working for the hospital and the wider NHS, says:
"Do you feel that Hospitals, Community Services and Staff are just not safe in [East Sussex Hospitals] Trust hands ?  With wards closing, services diminished and moved, staff redeployments without consultations, enforced down-bandings and pay cuts.  We feel that Eastbourne, Hastings and East Sussex deserve better. We must not allow the continued EITHER/OR option of delivering healthcare within the ESHT.  
Your Hospital, Your Services, Your Jobs.  It needs you now to help save it. Come along and help the fight back."

All local trade unionists and their friends and family are urged to attend.

Thursday 7 August 2014

Justice for Firefighters Geoff and Brian !

As we salute those firefighters who battled to save our Pier, it's time for justice for the families of late East Sussex firefighters Geoff Wicker and Brian Wembridge, who lost their lives battling another tragic fire in 2006. Despite a ruling of negligence against the fire service, their families are still awaiting the compensation ordered.


In 2006 Geoff and Brian lost their lives tackling a fire at Marlie Farm. After investigation, this was found to be down to negligence on the part of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Despite a court ruling that compensation must be paid, the fire service is refusing and stopping the bereaved families recovering from this traumatic event.

The High Court identified a number of failings by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service:
  • Failure to train staff on the risks of a significant explosion with fireworks stored in bulk and the correct manner in which to approach explosives incidents.
  • Failure to pre-plan (ie carry out standard inspections and build their findings into an emergency response plan) for an explosives incident at Marlie Farm, despite warnings about the site, the evidence of poor water supplies and ESFRS’ knowledge of the widespread, bulk storage of fireworks in Sussex.
  • Failure by the fire and rescue service’s Mobilisation and Communications Centre to pass on information received in calls they received, for example, that a “huge explosion” or “large explosions” had taken place.
  • Failure to order an evacuation once the presence of large fireworks in the shipping container was strongly suspected.
  • Failure to execute the evacuation properly once it was belatedly ordered.
After a string of rulings and appeals, a high court judgement ruled that East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service must pay compensation to the bereaved families. They are refusing to drop the appeal against liability and are yet to pay any compensation.  Until they do their families simply cannot move on.

We want justice for Geoff, Brian and their families. We want East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to honour the ruling of the court and accept their responsibility and liability for compensation.

Please click here to sign the petition

The Fire Authority is comprised of elected councillors from the City of Brighton and Hove, and from East Sussex County Council.  There are members of all parties (Tory, Lib Dem, Labour, Green, UKIP and Independents) on the authority.  You can find out who your local members are by clicking here.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

UPDATE: A word about our MP

A few people have said that I was a bit harsh on our MP Stephen Lloyd in yesterday's post about the Pier staff affected by the fire. Reading it back, I don't think there is anything that isn't pertinent or true in there. But I am happy to elaborate.

I am a political opponent of Stephen Lloyd, although the Trades Council itself does not endorse or oppose individual party candidates.  I disagree with Stephen on many things, although there are also many areas where we agree, and, indeed have campaigned together.

Stephen has spoken to the Trades Council's meetings on several occasions, as has David Tutt, as have several delegates who are not just trades unionists, but also Lib Dem members or supporters. Stephen has supported a number of trade union campaigns in Eastbourne- speaking at rallies and meetings, and even, unashamedly,  to members on picket lines. We value our relationship with our MP, even when we vehemently disagree with him.

And so to the Pier. I make no apology as Secretary of the Trades Council for speaking out for a fair deal for Pier workers. I make no apology for pointing out that their employment law protections have been weakened as a result of detrimental changes in the law brought forward from the Government of which Stephen Lloyd is a member. 

However, I am assured that, as our constituency MP, Stephen is actively pushing for an outcome that is fair and just for those staff who face losing their livelihood, and, especially noting his past record of working with us, and with working people facing injustice, I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt- for the moment.

I, the Trades Council, and every trades unionist in Eastbourne will be watching carefully to make sure that the Pier staff get a decent deal that respects their importance to the local economy, and their dedicated service. If there is any suggestion that they are going to be screwed over- we will not hesitate to tell the world.  Let's see what happens !

Dave Brinson- Secretary, Eastbourne Trades Council.


 
Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.

Monday 4 August 2014

UPDATE: Pier workers- deafening silence

Stephen Lloyd MP has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions on his website, which you can read here. However, on the issue of the Pier staff, there remains a deafening silence, other than the repeated assurance that they will get help with their benefits. Mr Lloyd assures them:
"What about those who have lost their job on the Pier?   Eastbourne Borough Council have a team of benefit advisors [sic] who should be able to assist. Their address is 1 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4TG. Additionally, the MP has contacted the Job Centre Plus to ensure that they are fully aware of the situation. Their address is 2 St Annes Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3XX."

So, to those who have lost their livelihood, the MP offers the address of the nearest dole office.

What Stephen Lloyd SHOULD be asking is:-

How many staff were employed in total on the pier, and how many individuals (including seasonal, casuals etc.) were employed by different companies ?

How many of these staff had more than two years service (under reforms that he voted for, only staff with two years service can apply to an Employment Tribunal for a decision on unfair dismissal. So, a staff member with 23 months service has virtually no rights, and Mr Lloyd thinks that's fine.)

Those staff with two years service will be entitled to redundancy money. However, if there are 20 staff in any one company facing redundancy, there should be a paid 30-day consultation period with staff, to ensure that all options are considered fairly. Is this happening ?

Those staff without two years service will be entitled to be paid until a decision is reached about their jobs, and then they should be paid their contractual notice.  How many staff are in this position, and what is their notice entitlement ?

How many affected staff were on the notorious zero hours contracts ?  If there are any, the chances are they have stopped being paid already (a bit like White Star line did at the point the Titanic sank) and will continue in unpaid limbo. Are there staff in this situation, and if so, what does Mr Lloyd think about it ?

The additional funding to support the economy will help the small traders on the pier, and quite rightly so. But, again, not a single word about how this funding will be used to alleviate hardship or support the move to alternative employment for Pier staff.  Why no answers ?



 
Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.

Sunday 3 August 2014

Eastbourne Trade Unionists marching with Pride

Trade Unionists from Eastbourne were well represented in the Brighton Pride parade, yesterday.

As trade unionists we are proud of the work we have done, and continue to do in fighting for equality- and Pride is a visible celebration of this.

The NUT South East region had an open topped bus, decorated with artwork from students at several local schools, highlighting the history of the equality struggle, and those parts of the world where LGBT people are still persecuted. Dave Brinson, secretary of Eastbourne Trades Council proudly waved his flag on this float.

Unite the Union had a bright float, featuring the Trades Council's very own Sharon Wentworth, and members of East Sussex FBU marched with the East Sussex Fire and Rescue service's brightly decorated fire engine. We were especially pleased to see them, to thank them for their work on Thursday.


The RMT Union marched proudly with their branch banner, and members of the POA were well represented in HM Prison Service's walking float.  Usdaw members marched proudly with the Tesco LGBT network, and GMB had a well-stocked information stall at the park.

It was great to be joined by students from Sussex Downs College- some proudly wearing t-shirts from the college's LGBT and Supporters network.

Maybe, with 4 active Trades Councils in East Sussex, we should consider our own float for next year- to represent the other trade unions active in our area, and to celebrate the work the that Trades Councils do every day of the year, in fighting for equalities and rights. Let us know !





Friday 1 August 2014

UPDATE: Support package unveiled, but what about the Pier Workers ?

Pic by Sophie Lewis
Not a phrase that a lot of trade unionists would use often, but it was a good thing that David Cameron was in Eastbourne today.  The PM and chancellor visited the scene of the Pier fire, spoke to those involved in the rescue, and announced that up to £2 million, apparently from the coastal communities fund, would be made available to support the local economy. At face value- very good, but, as always, the devil will be in the detail.

Cynics point out that Eastbourne is a key marginal seat, and the election is only months away. This is undoubtedly true, but any government of any political hue should be taking this disaster for Eastbourne's community seriously. While Cameron managed to get a swift plug for the Tory candidate in on his social media within hours of the visit, the main thrust appears to be focused on being supportive. His political opponent, Stephen Lloyd, our Lib Dem MP has also seemed to be extremely busy on this issue.  Commendable, and indeed, no less than our community should expect of an elected representative, again, whatever their politics.

First of all, and this seems to have been made clear today, the money should not be for the restoration of the pier itself. This was a privately owned building, and should have paid for adequate insurance.  If there are additional costs around the accuracy and quality of a rebuild, there are grants available from sources such as English Heritage that would be more appropriate.

The small, usually sole traders with concessions on the Pier have been specifically mentioned as being targeted from this fund, and we should support that. These people are  not "big business"- they are very much part of the working people's movement, and many face ruin.  Already suggestions of stalls at Airbourne and pop-up shops in empty units have been mentioned, and this is quite right.

But- and this is the big but- what about the people who worked on the Pier- in the arcade, in the bars, in Atlantis, on the maintenance and management of the Pier ?  Support for them seems an unanswered question at the moment.

We know that many of these staff were on relatively low wages, and there were no union recognition agreements in place (although we believe that there were individual union members working on the Pier.) They have lost their livelihood too.

As trade unionists, we should be demanding, first of all, that the employers (and their insurers) meet their obligations, both contractual and moral. If there are to be job losses, there should be a consultation with the staff and representatives, plus contractual notice. Staff on temporary contracts will not have accrued the right to redundancy money, but should still be paid their notice period.  We don't know how many, if any, staff were on the notorious zero-hours contracts, but if this is the case, they should be given a deal based on the hours they would have expected to work, and the employers should be publicly shamed if this is not offered. Those staff who are individual members of a Union should contact them right away for advice and support.

Even with their contractual rights however, many of the workers will face hardship. Already on fairly low wages, some may face as little as a week's notice, and then the task of seeking alternative employment at this late stage in the season, where most high-season vacancies will have been filled.  The Chamber of Commerce has been heavily involved in the talks in the past few days- they should strongly urge their members to offer any vacancies to staff displaced by the fire.

And, of course, the money to support "the local economy". This must include support to alleviate the hardship of ordinary working people who gave their services to the Pier, and find themselves facing uncertainty through no fault of their own.  The fund must be used to help them too.

We are informed that the MP and the task group that has come together, are looking very seriously into the plight of the Pier workers, and that an announcement is due very soon. To help them, we provide this useful graphic (we have started from 4.00pm yesterday, when it became clear that the Pier would be closed for business for some time.)  We will take it down when Pier staff get the fair deal they so rightly deserve.


 
Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.

Thursday 31 July 2014

Eastbourne Pier Tragedy: A trade unionist's perspective

Every trade unionist, resident, worker and visitor to Eastbourne was horrified by the blaze which devastated our Pier yesterday afternoon. Today, the full extent of the damage becomes more visible- with the old ballroom/blue room/arcade building reduced to an iron shell.

As trade unionists, our first mention must be to our brothers and sisters in the Fire Brigades Union, who bravely and expertly fought the fire- in particular managing to stop the blaze spreading to other buildings along the pier. Had that happened, we would probably be joining the ranks of those seaside towns whose piers were lost for ever.

Next, we think of the effect on jobs and working people in our town. While much has been made of the "decline" of the English seaside holiday, tourism remains buoyant in Eastbourne, supported by the conference and language school trade.  Hotels remain popular, and day trips swell the numbers throughout the season.  Thousands of jobs depend either directly or indirectly on that flow of visitors to our town- in shops, hotels, arts and historical venues, restaurants, the transport industry- and those services that support all people in Eastbourne, whether resident or visitor.

Eastbourne's seafront has been key to the town bucking the trend as far as seaside resorts go.   The well maintained Victorian façade has given us an edge over many rivals- and the Pier is central to that. Look at any brochure, magazine article, even many of the signs in the town, and the Pier is genuinely iconic.  Even the film industry has drawn on the town- Brighton Rock was actually filmed using Eastbourne's Pier !

So, what needs to be done ?

First of all- Eastbourne is open.  Many community leaders have been quick to talk up the town. MP Stephen Lloyd has been a highly visible figure: while we don't always agree with him, it is right that he, and all representatives of the town keep making that point.

However, we need to try and avoid some of the wilder speculation that has been going on- whether about how quickly or otherwise the pier will be reopened, right down to some of the stranger conspiracy theories doing the rounds on social media (I won't insult your intelligence by linking to them) .  The experts from the police support and  fire service (many of them our members) will be carrying out the most thorough investigations, and we should support them in doing that.

Already, some cynical comments have been made about how the re-opening of the Pier will be affected by "'elf and safety" rules.  Well, as trade unionists, who every year remember our brothers and sisters who are injured or killed at work, we know the value of safety rules at work.  Given that the Pier will carry hundreds of people, over water, with limited exits, it seems reasonable that safety is a top priority ! We should be pushing for the Pier not just to be reopened in the quickest way possible, but also in the safest way.

There are many people who directly rely on the Pier for their livelihood.  Staff who are employed on the Pier will face an uncertain time, and we should be available to give whatever support and advice we can (both to union members and not) to make sure that they are treated both in line with their contract, but also in a way that is fair and values their service to the company.   Many of the small outlets are run by small, sole traders, who potentially face ruin: and we should welcome the fact that the first priority of the fundraising efforts being set up is to support these people- many of whom could not get insurance for a pier-based business. If there are staff facing hardship, especially any short term staff who have not accrued employment rights (now requiring 2 years thanks to the coalition's attack on workers' rights) then the fund should look at how to support them too.

Then, of course, comes the need for the Pier to be properly restored.  The Pier is owned by a private company, and we assume that they have adequate insurance to cover such an iconic Grade 2* building.  However, insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out more than they deem necessary, and the community needs to ensure that no half-measures are taken or corners cut in restoring it.

I can draw on a bit of convoluted experience here.  I was a director of the company that runs  Stoke Rochford Hall, the NUT's training centre, in a Grade 1 listed building in Lincs. A few years ago, we suffered a devastating fire, which seriously damaged the building.  As well as us and the insurers, the local authority, English Heritage and others all took an interest, in ensuring that the building was not just restored, but restored in the highest quality manner.  It was not always easy, but the end result was an award-winning restoration that employed some of the most skilled (and scarce) artisans in the country.  Nothing less should be good enough for Eastbourne Pier !

Dave Brinson is Secretary of Eastbourne Trades Council, an official of the National Union of Teachers, and an Eastbourne resident of more than 30 years.

Trade Unionists are encouraged to join the Twitter and Facebook groups for the friends of Eastbourne Pier- @EBPier  and on Facebook here.  Pier workers who would like informal advice about their employment rights should contact the Trades Council, in confidence, by clicking here.

Photo: Sophie Lewis

Sunday 27 July 2014

We Marched for our NHS !

Eastbourne Trades Council members were proud to join hundreds of others in marching for jobs and services at Eastbourne DGH today.

Lee Comfort and Sharon Wentworth (Unite) marching proudly
through Eastbourne with the Trades Council banner.
GMB members led a march to highlight the agenda of cuts, closures and downgradings at our local hospital, in a march around Eastbourne town centre, followed by a rally on Eastbourne Seafront that heard from Union officials, staff at the hospital, a speaker from Sussex Save our NHS, Liz Walke from Save the DGH, and even Eastbourne's coalition MP, Stephen Lloyd.

Eastbourne Trades Council Secretary, Dave Brinson, spoke on behalf of the Trades Council. He highlighted the culture of suspicion and fear that the current DGH management has instilled in staff, and referred to the oft-quoted claim about the difficulties of recruiting to Eastbourne's hospital: saying: "if you want to recruit staff, why not stop screwing over the working people you already have ?!"

"Trade unionists in Eastbourne come from all backgrounds- public and private sector. Socialists, people who vote for Stephen [Lloyd], even the odd Tory. But as trade unionists, we are united by one thing: we know that we are stronger when we stand together, fight together and win together."

"To quote the late, great Bob Crow. If you spit on your own, you can't do much. If we all spit together, we can drown the bastards !"

The campaign goes on. You can find out more at the Save the DGH campaign, the Trades Council's Eastbourne Trades Unionists for our DGH site, or GMB Southern Region.

Saturday 26 July 2014

MARCH TODAY with GMB for our hospital

GMB, representing many staff at Eastbourne DGH. has called a march and rally in Eastbourne today (Saturday)  Eastbourne Trades Council is proud to be supporting the march, and urges all trades unionists to join.

Following on from two extremely successful lunch time demo’s outside Eastbourne General Hospital, the GMB union have today announced a march and rally on Saturday 26th July through the town centre of Eastbourne to highlight the latest unfair and unreasonable redeployments of over potentially 200 staff from around the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to other areas within the county without undertaking meaningful consultation with unions and staff.

The march will start at 10.30am from the Eastbourne Pier, travel through the town centre and make its way back to the seafront for a rally at the Wish Tower.

Read more about the march, and GMB's campaigns on behalf of staff at the DGH, by clicking here.

Monday 14 July 2014

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 22nd July

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 22nd July, 7.30pm at the Unite Eastbourne Centre (T&GWU), Grand Parade, Eastbourne. The meeting will hear from invited guests about the recent public sector action, and have a chance to discuss the next steps in the campaign, including planning for the TUC National Demonstration in October.

All local trade union members, including retired trade unionists, are welcome to attend the meeting.

THE AGENDA WILL BE:



1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of new affiliations.


3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer

5. PUBLIC SECTOR DISPUTE (10th July Action etc.)  Guest speakers from Unison and NUT, plus PCS and FBU invited, followed by discussion.
6. DGH Campaign Update

7. Any other Campaigns: Colleagues invited to provide information on their Unions’ local and national campaigns, and any support that the Trades Council could give.

9. Any other business.

The bar will be open afterwards !

Saturday 12 July 2014

July 11th- Eastbourne on Strike

Eastbourne trade unionists joined over a million colleagues in strike action, against the attacks on pay, conditions and pensions from the coalition Government.

The majority of schools  in Eastbourne were either fully closed, or severely limited, as NUT teachers joined support staff from Unison and GMB.  PCS members walked out at the DWP/Job Centre, local government staff from Unison and GMB took action- with picket lines at St Mark and St Mary's House, and firefighters at Eastbourne Fire Station took action against absurd proposals to make them work to 60 (or be sacked on medical grounds before)

Representatives from Eastbourne Trades Council proudly carried our banner in a mass march in Brighton and Hove, where over 3,000 people took to the streets.






Tuesday 8 July 2014

ALL OUT on July 10th

Teachers from NUT, School and Local Government staff from Unison, Unite and GMB, Civil Servants from PCS and Firefighters from the FBU will be taking strike action for pay, conditions and workload on Thursday.

Most schools in Eastbourne will be partially or fully closed, and there will be picket lines on the ESCC buildings at St Mary's and St Marks' House from Unison. Services at Eastbourne Borough Council and the Job Centre will be severely disrupted, and Eastbourne Fire Station will be closed.

Public servants do not take strike action lightly: we came into these jobs because we believe in public service. However, the assault on our jobs at the hands of this coalition government cannot continue.

The 1% pay increase after three years of pay freeze (when bills are rising: that was year on year of real terms CUTS) has hit public servants harder than the average in the private sector.

Pension hikes and the extension of retirement ages threaten the spectre of firefighters, teachers and frontline staff working into their 60's, or being sacked on health grounds after years of dedicated service.

Thousands of jobs (yes, including front line jobs) have been slashed in the most essential services.  Civil servants have been bullied into "sanctioning" claimants who are entitled to support, on the most spurious technicalities.

Eastbourne trades unionists will be on the picket line on Thursday morning, followed by mass rallies in Brighton (over 2,000 expected to march) and Hastings. Show them your support !

Monday 14 April 2014

Save our Fire Services

Please see below a letter from our FBU colleagues who are fighting cuts in our local Fire service. You can find out more from their campaign site by clicking here


Dear Local Trade Union Members,

 
I am contacting you on behalf of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to inform you about proposed cuts to your Fire and Rescue Service.  The East Sussex Chief Fire Officer has agreed to make £7.1 million of savings. His proposals are to achieve these savings by cutting front-line emergency services.  By cutting fire fighters, cutting numbers of fire engines and closing fire stations. 
 

One of the proposals is to cut a fire engine from the City of Brighton and Hove. Reducing the number of fire engines within the City from five to four will lead to slower response times, less personnel, less equipment and fewer home and school fire safety visits.  This will leave potentially just 16 firefighters protecting 250,000 residents and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit each year.  These proposed cuts will cost lives.  Even East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's own management team recognise this!  These cuts must not be allowed to go ahead. 
 

Savings must not be made by putting the public and firefighters lives at risk.  The decision whether to accept these proposals and make these cuts lies with a group of elected councillors, 6 from Brighton and Hove and 12 from East Sussex County Council, who constitute East Sussex Fire Authority.  These councillors are elected by you, the local residents, and they want to hear your views before making a final decision in June 2014.

 
The FBU are asking union members members to support our campaign to protect front-line services across East Sussex. To find out more about proposed cuts in your local area please visit our website at http://saveeastsussexfireservice.co.uk/. You can also find links to our campaign’s Facebook group, Twitter feed, and petition on 38degrees.
 

Please sign the petition and tell them NO! Ask the Fire Authority to instruct East Sussex Chief Fire Officer to make necessary budgetary savings without cutting fire fighter numbers, closing fire stations and cutting fire engines. Savings can be made by sharing services and back office staff, improving procurement, and by sharing of principle management and staff.  The Service should look to voluntary amalgamations between services and to utilise reserves to offset savings.
 

The FBU are organising public meetings (details below) to give you the opportunity to ask questions.  Please make every effort to attend and voice your opinions about the proposals.

 

Strength in Unity,
Jake Kaye
FBU Branch Secretary (Preston Circus Station)
Our nearest public meeting will be the
Brighton and Hove Public Meeting, Brighthelm Centre, 29th May 2014,  19:30 onwards.














Tuesday 1 April 2014

AGM- Priorities for 2014

The Eastbourne Trades Council held its AGM on Tuesday 1st April, at the Unite Eastbourne Centre.

The meeting welcomed new and old delegates and supporters, and also stood for a minute's silence in honour of the recently passed Tony Benn and Bob Crow.

Val Thomas (NASUWT) was re-elected as Chair, with Georgina Hazeldine (Unite) as Vice-Chair.  Dave Brinson (NUT) was re-elected as secretary, and Gordon Dyer (Unite) as Treasurer.

The meeting welcomed new affiliates CWU (Southdowns, Weald and Rother branch) and RMT (East Sussex Coastway branch) to the Trades Council.

The meeting discussed priorities for the year- including support for:-

Workers Memorial Day, 28th April.  We will again be collecting signatures for a remembrance card in the Town Centre during the weekend before, and will be writing to all churches and places of worship in Eastbourne, asking them to mark the day.

Hastings Trades Council's Five Days in May joint event with trade unionists in Dieppe, France.  We will ensure that our banner is at the Hastings end, and will circulate information to all of our workplaces.

Supporting the Save the DGH- Option 7 campaign. The "consultation" being carried out at the moment does not allow respondents to support maternity and paediatrics being multi-sited at both Eastbourne and Hastings. We will expose this sham of a consultation, and urge our members and supporters to actively campaign for consultant-led services at both sites.

The meeting also awarded the Len Caine Award to long-standing former  Unite steward, health and safety officer and branch chair Ray Goree.  Ray is unwell at the moment, so arrangements will be made to present him with his prize soon.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Frances slams "short-term" budget

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget today, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“This was a pre-election Budget, with its give-aways aimed at the better off rather than lifting the living standards of the many. It will be paid for by further years of austerity, public services brought to near collapse, public sector pay cuts and a welfare cap that bites into the safety net that any of us might need
There was nothing for the young who continue to face the worst job market in decades and unaffordable housing.  Nor was there any relief for low and middle earners who, after years of falling living standards, have no spare cash to take advantage of the help for savers, and who now face year on year cuts in benefits for working families as the welfare cap bites. 
The best news for the long-term health of the economy is the genuine help for manufacturing, but it was the exception in this highly political short-term Budget that continued the Chancellor’s project to shrink the state and help the rich.”

And the real effect on the poorest people in society was summed up by Katy Wright, head of policy for Oxfam:
"We're living in a deeply divided Britain, where just five families have the same wealth as over 12 million of the UK's poorest people. We'd be surprised if any government would be comfortable with this disparity, especially at a time when half a million people are being forced to visit foodbanks. 
The increase in personal tax allowances will actually do little for the working poor - who will see the majority of any gains taken away as benefits are clawed back - and they will make higher earners even better off" 

Monday 3 March 2014

Hands off our Hospitals- film from 38 Degrees


Campaigning group 38 degrees have contacted us today regarding the Care Bill and Jeremy Hunt's plans to seize powers to fast-track hospital closures:

Jeremy Hunt’s ‘hospital closure clause’ is dangerously close to becoming law. [1] It could put all hospitals across England at risk and it has just been announced that the crucial vote is only a week away. If we’re going to win this we’ve got to move quickly.

Our best chance to stop it is if David Cameron and Nick Clegg see that the reputation of their party is at risk if the plans go ahead.

Luckily we’ve got exactly what we need! Over the last few days, award winning filmmakers have been working at break-neck speed to pull together a hard-hitting video. Everyone watching will see why Jeremy Hunt’s plans need to be stopped.

If all 2.5 million of us who get this email share the video with a few friends it will be seen by more people than the X-factor, Eastenders or the Great British Bake-off! So please check it out below and then forward it on and share with your friends, family and colleagues.


Already 150,000 of us have signed our names to the petition against the hospital closure clause. Now we need to make sure that everywhere they turn, Cameron and Clegg see that the public outrage about the hospital closure clause. Please watch and share thevideo now


Tuesday 25 February 2014

Tell Stephen Lloyd to Oppose Clause 118- Hands OFF our hospitals !

Campaigning group 38 Degrees have contacted us about their current campaign to oppose Section 118 of the Care Bill:

"Jeremy Hunt, the health minister, is pushing through a law which would give him the power to close any hospital in England without listening to local people. No hospital is safe. [1]

Over the last 24 hours 38 Degrees members have voted in our tens of thousands and the result is clear: 97% of us want to launch a big campaign against the law and protect our hospitals. [2]

Your MP, Stephen Lloyd, is an influential government MP. He’ll be under pressure from party bosses to support the sweeping new law. But he’s also been a vocal supporter of the local campaign to save Eastbourne's District General Hospital. [3] So he’s in a tricky position.


There are lots of things we can do together to make sure Stephen Lloyd does the right thing and stands up against this dreadful new law. He won’t want to go against his voters on such a key local and national issue such as the campaign to protect the NHS.

What do you think? Stephen Lloyd MP could be key to winning the campaign against this law. Would you take part in a local campaign to push Stephen Lloyd to stand up for hospitals across the country? Help decide the next steps by filling out this quick poll:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/hospital-closure-clause-poll


Our NHS is precious. And it’s important we know that hospitals, A&E and maternity services are there for us when we need them. It’s terrifying to imagine the government having the power to close any hospital without hearing the wishes of the local community.

38 Degrees members in other areas of the country - where MPs have been vocal supporters of a campaign to save their local hospital - will also be voting to help decide next steps. If 38 Degrees members vote to put pressure on enough key MPs to come out against the new law, it would be a huge blow for Jeremy Hunt, and could result in the whole plan being scrapped."

Monday 24 February 2014

Remembering the Miners' Strike

Brighton Trades Council and the Sussex Labour Representation Committee present an afternoon of music, politics, memories & laughs,  1.30pm-4.30pm, Saturday 8 March (doors 1pm)  at Friends' Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton 

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike and mark International Women's Day with Sussex LRC, Brighton & Hove District Trades Council, representatives of the Kent miners, Women Against Pit Closures, and some top speakers, musicians and comedians at Brighton's Friends' Meeting House from 1.30pm - 4.30pm on Saturday 8 March.  Doors will open at 1pm when Anne's delicious refreshments will be available - a great start of an afternoon of music, politics, memories and laughs.

Our headliners include Bob Crow (RMT), Manuel Cortes (TSSA) and Simon Weller (ASLEF) – reflecting the great solidarity shown by railway workers to the miners during the strike, representatives from Betteshanger NUM and Women Against Pit Closures, with Joy Hurcombe from Labour CND, as well as singer/songwriter Robb Johnson, comedian and activist Kate Smurthwaite, and the Malthouse Duo with Don Walker on sax and Robert Deering on keyboards.

As this event is a fundraiser for the Kent Miners' Festival and the Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign, we want to ensure the Friends’ Meeting House is full to capacity.  Wherever possible, please email us to buy your tickets in advance - only £5 waged or £3 unwaged.  Tickets will also be on sale at the Brighton & Hove LRC meeting on Thursday 27 February and can be bought in person from Sussex LRC's Chair, the President of B&H Trades Council, Andy Richards, and some others.

If you are coming from outside Brighton and aren't familiar with the Friends' Meeting House, you can find directions to it and much more information via  http://www.brightonquakers.co.uk/about-the-building-2/map-directions  If you are travelling from outside Brighton, I strongly recommend buying your tickets in advance.


 


Tuesday 28 January 2014

Act now to oppose Clause 118- No English hospital will be safe !


NO English hospital is safe

Dubbed the 'hospital closure clause' no hospital in England will be safe from financially driven closures if we don't act now.
Following the High Court ruling against the secretary of state, Jeremy Hunt’s decision to close the successful and solvent Lewisham Hospital, he is now trying to get the law changed.

Clause 118 is being rushed through Parliament. If it becomes law the secretary of state will have won. Hospitals will be shut at the whim of Whitehall bureaucrats, without full and proper consultation with patients and the public, and without even any agreement from the new GP commissioning groups (CCGs).

This means that even if a local hospital is successful and financially viable it can be shut if a neighbouring NHS trust is failing - no matter how vocal local opposition is to the plans. 

We can’t let him get away with it ! Our local MP, Stephen Lloyd  has a vote – the Care Bill will have its third reading in the House of Commons at the beginning of February 2014.  Click here to send (and customise) a prepared email letter urging Stephen Lloyd to oppose this clause, which has potentially grave implications for the DGH and other local health services !

Sunday 19 January 2014

Next Trades Council Meeting- January 28th

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 28th January, 7.30pm at the Unite Eastbourne Centre (T&GWU), Grand Parade, Eastbourne. The main focus of the campaign will be supporting DGH and wider NHS campaigns.

All local trade union members, including retired trade unionists, are welcome to attend the meeting.

THE AGENDA WILL BE:



1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of new affiliations.


3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer

5. DGH AND HEALTH CAMPAIGNS- including update on the Save the DGH Campaign and the Unite NHS campaigns.
6. Possible future events- Spirit of '45 and Hastings May Dav events

7. Nominations for the Len Caine Award 2014

8. Any other Campaigns: Colleagues invited to provide information on their Unions’ local and national campaigns, and any support that the Trades Council could give.

9. Any other business

Monday 13 January 2014

Keep Tax Advice Local- decision day !

Eastbourne Trades Council sends its solidarity with PCS members and supporters in their fight against the closure of local tax advice offices.

On Tuesday 14 January 2013, executives from Revenue and Customs will meet to decide the fate of 281 tax advice offices. If they decide to close these offices over 2.5 million pensioners, vulnerable workers and tax credit claimants will lose a vital service, and place over 1,300 low paid, skilled workers at risk of compulsory redundancy.

PCS has led a highly visible campaign which has received widespread support from politicians, media, trade unionists, pensioners groups and anti cuts campaigners.

At a time when the 300 richest people in the world are £319 billion better off than this time last year, there's no justification to cut a service that provides support for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Protest to Keep Tax Advice Local

Tuesday 14 January 2013,  9am 100 Parliament Street, Whitehall. Bring banners, flags and placards!

Any trade unionist, campaigner or worker outraged at what this government is doing to our welfare and benefits system is invited to attend this important demonstration. If you can't make it messages of support can be sent to r&ccampaigns@pcs..org.uk