Eastbourne Trades Council: March 2019

Thursday 21 March 2019

Len Caine Prize goes to NEU's Jane

The Eastbourne Trades Union Council presented its annual Len Caine Memorial Prize to local music teacher Jane Humberstone at its AGM last night.

The annual prize seeks to recognise outstanding service by a local union representative. Jane Humberstone was the National Education Union rep for the East Sussex Music Service, and was at the forefront of the campaign against proposals to close down the instrumental teaching service last year. The campaign saw over 10,000 people sign a petition against closure, and last year's May Day March was proudly led by the campaign- including a musical delegation of pupils and teachers playing Sussex By The Sea!

Trades Council Secretary, Dave Brinson said: "When the disgraceful plans to axe instrumental teaching were put forward, Jane, as the NEU rep led from the front in a vigorous and imaginative campaign that saved this important service. Over many years, thousands of local children have benefited from Jane's inspirational music teaching, and thanks to her leadership of the campaign, many more will continue to enjoy the huge educational and personal benefits of learning music. Jane is off to pastures new in the summer- we will miss her!"

The prize was inaugurated to remember Len Caine, a leading local trade unionist and Labour activist, who served as a Councillor and later an honorary Alderman on Eastbourne Borough Council. Len passed away in 2008, aged 81.

Monday 4 March 2019

Trades Council AGM 2019: Tuesday 19th March

The 2019 AGM of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 19th March, at the View Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited, although only delegates from affiliated unions may stand as officers or vote.

A G E N D A

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the AGM from 2018

3. Adoption of Rules for 2019 (proposal is same as for 2018) and new affiliates.

4. Officers' Reports and Accounts

5. Election of Officers for 2018 (following a resolution of the 2018 AGM, nominations for officer positions must be received before the meeting. Deadline will be 12th March)

a) Chair
b) Vice Chair
c) Secretary
d) Assistant Secretary
e) Treasurer
f) Additional non-officer members of the Executive Committee, if required

6. Affiliations for 2019

7. Guest Speaker: TOMMY ANDERSON, London and South East Representative on the TUC/Trades Council's Joint Committee.

8.MAY DAY PARADE, WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY and EASTBOURNE PRIDE: to briefly update preparation for these events and agree any arrangements and funding.

9. Dates of meetings for 2018-9

10. Presentation of the Len Caine Award to Jane Humberstone

Trades Councils in the Community

Your union branch speaks up for your members and potentialmembers in the workplace. Whether it’s pay, rights at work, healthand safety or lifelong learning, your branch exists to get a better dealfor your members.

Unions also need to raise their voice in the world beyond the workplace when:
• the public services delivered and used by union members come under threat
• racists and fascists try to divide local communities
• local authorities seek to reduce democratic control of education or housing.

That’s where your local trades union council comes in. Trades councils bringtogether local union branches to campaign across a community on issuesthat matter to working people.

Facing closure?: Your trades council can provide practical support and solidarity.
Tackling racism? Your trades council can help unite local people against the haters.
Privatisation problems? Your trades council can help campaign for public ownership and democratic control.

Eastbourne Trades Council represents workers in public and private sector employment across the Borough of Eastbourne and the parish of Willingdon and Jevington.