Get the Asbestos out of East Sussex Schools!

A new petition calls on the government to introduce and implement a policy for the phased removal of all asbestos from schools to be completed by 2028, starting with the most dangerous asbestos. MP's recommended this in 2012 but no action has been taken.

Despite the dangers, over 160 East Sussex schools still contain asbestos. In 2009 retired Eastbourne teacher Clive Beck died from mesothelioma. A court case determined this was due to exposure to asbestos shelving in his classroom, and East Sussex County Council was ordered to pay compensation to his widow.

The petition's author,  Lucie Stevens adds: "My Mum died on Sunday 26th June from mesothelioma. Mum believes she was exposed to asbestos in the schools she taught in. Before she died I promised her that I will do my best to make sure no-one else has to suffer like she has."

Sign the petition by clicking here!

 

Let Billy Go to School

The NUT Strike Rally on July 5th rally heard the story of local teacher and NUT member Leanna Forse, who faces having to give up her teaching job, as the local authority will no longer fund his specialist transport to school.

Billy Forse was born with a rare- possibly unique- chromosome disorder which has left him with profound disabilities. He has thrived at a local special school, however since turning 16, while the County Council expect him to attend school, they will no longer provide transport, leaving mum Leanna- a single parent- either having to find in excess of £500 per month to pay for specialist transport, or giving up her job as an English teacher in an Eastbourne school.

In the climate of cuts to adult and children's services, transport for disabled youngsters over 16 is considered "discretionary"; and in an extraordinary judgment, the council has determined that Billy's profound disabilities and thus the need for specialist transport, do not constitute an "exceptional circumstance"  They also concluded in a letter that they did not consider that Leanna faced "financial hardship" as a result.

AND NEARLY EVERYONE AGREES!...

Leanna and Billy's 's case is one of those rare occasions where nearly everybody seems to agree- apart from the County Council, of course! Local political figures have joined together to express their support:

Former Lib Dem MP for Eastbourne, Stephen Lloyd said: "...what really gets my goat is the county council accept that under 'exceptional circumstances' they do have a duty to provide school transport but somehow it doesn't apply here. This is plain wrong in my view and the reason is simple; Billy's mum - Leanna - cannot remain in employment AND take Billy to and fro school every day but if support is not forthcoming, she'll have no choice but to give up her job. Ehhh!? Are the council seriously suggesting that she should become unemployed so her disabled son can still attend his school, which he needs to for his own progress and is also legally bound to do?"

Dave Brinson, vice-chair of Eastbourne Labour Party wrote to local County Councillors, expressing amazement that the authority appeared to be suggesting that an additional £500 per month would not cause 'financial hardship' to the single mum: "It seems ludicrous that a panel could make this assumption of a single mother on a main-scale teacher's salary. Is it the policy of the County Council to ensure that our disabled youngsters receive the support to which they are entitled, or does the authority actively seek technicalities to save money by depriving them of this ?!"

Even our local Tory MP was critical of the Conservative-run County Council. Caroline Ansell MP said: "I understand the need for policy, but this young person turning 16 has no real bearing on his ability to get to school due to the level of his disabilities, and I have made this clear. “Flexibility must be applied so Billy can attend his classes and Leanna can continue her important work as a teacher. I know Leanna wants to take this case to the ombudsman and I have pledged her my support in her doing this."

Eastbourne Buzz have given this case some excellent coverage- you can see more below.

RMT fight for jobs and safety

RMT members in Eastbourne have maintained their fight for jobs and safety, against plans by failing rail operating company GoVia to remove properly trained conductors from local services.

Many local trade unionists and others, including the Eastbourne People's Assembly took solidarity greetings to Eastbourne RMT members on the picket lines.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash, took the fight to the TUC Congress in Brighton earlier this month with a scathing attack on the company and its cheerleaders in Parliament. In a scathing attack on Govia Thameslink, and their cheerleaders in Government, he said:

"We are facing the most concerted attack on rail workers and passengers in living memory. The government and train operators have declared war on the rail unions and they don’t give a damn if passengers are collateral damage

"How else can we explain the scandal that is GTR southern, the worse performing train company in the country? "Rammed out, late, expensive and so unpopular that passenger protests in Tory shires are a regular event. So toxic that even Tory MPs have called for the service to be nationalised. So corrupt that Southern were given the green light by Government to tear up the franchise agreement and create chaos by cancelling 350 trains a day.

"So rotten that instead of taking responsibility they have taken out adverts in newspapers attacking their own staff and telling lies about staff sickness, So despicable that even the rail minister resigned in shame."

Cash launched an attack on the Government announcing a £20 million taxpayer bail-out of the Sou‎thern operation just 24 hours before the parent company confirmed profits of £100 million.

"We don’t want politicians playing politics with our bus and rail industry. We don’t what half measures. We want a national, integrated transport system and we want all our buses and railway under public ownership."

RMT are proudly affiliated to the Eastbourne Trades Council. Come along to the next meeting for updates on the campaign.

Next Trades Council Meeting: 27th September

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 27th September, 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 any new affiliations.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (August) and matters arising. 
4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer
5. NHS Campaigns Focus:  To include GMB Passenger Transport situation, Junior Doctors' Action and DGH Update.  A speaker from the GMB and/or BMA may be able to report (awaiting confirmation)
6. Any other Union and related campaigns, including Rail campaigns.
7. Any other business

The bar will be open afterwards !