Today is Workers' Memorial Day

April 28^th is marked by trade unionists and others around the world as International Workers’ Memorial Day- dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives whilst carrying out their job; and campaigning to ensure safer workplaces and an end to deaths at work.

Never has it been more vital to remember and honour those who have fallen in the course of simply doing their job than this year- when so many front-line and other working people have fallen victim to Covid-19-  like MICHAEL WINCHESTER-  housekeeping supervisor at the DGH, taken at just 51 years old.

NHS and social care services, education, retail, fire and policing services- in fact every sector of our economy, every industry, every community has had to mourn those taken too soon by this dreadful virus. 

Trade Unionists in Eastbourne will be raising awareness of this day, and asking local people to remember all those who have died in the pursuance of their job- whether those who fell to Covid-19, or in other workplace accidents or related illnesses- such as 

• JACK PHILLIPS-  workman, 24, killed after being struck by a heavy object falling from Eastbourne's South Cliff Tower in 2019.
• STEPHEN PENRICE - Maintenance worker, killed in a fall whilst working on repairs to Eastbourne Pier in 2014;
• ROY TRUNDELL- Eastbourne Buses employee- killed in a workplace accident in 2008;
• DANIEL HAFFENDEN – Self-employed tyre fitter, killed whilst working on a tourist coach when a jack collapsed, in 2012
• CLIVE BECK - former Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos at the school;
• BOB TOLLY - Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mesothelioma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life.
• GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory near Lewes in 2006. (Their families had to wait for almost 10 years of court wrangling to receive justice

We are respectfully asking if local workplaces, churches and places of worship would be willing to spare a moment of their thoughts and prayers on 28^th April or near to that, to remember all those, both locally, nationally and worldwide, who have lost their lives at work.

Remember Workers Memorial Day

April 28^th is marked by trade unionists and others around the world as International Workers’ Memorial Day- dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives whilst carrying out their job; and campaigning to ensure safer workplaces and an end to deaths at work.

Never has it been more vital to remember and honour those who have fallen in the course of simply doing their job than this year- when so many front-line and other working people have fallen victim to Covid-19-  like MICHAEL WINCHESTER-  housekeeping supervisor at the DGH, taken at just 51 years old.

NHS and social care services, education, retail, fire and policing services- in fact every sector of our economy, every industry, every community has had to mourn those taken too soon by this dreadful virus. 

Trade Unionists in Eastbourne will be raising awareness of this day, and asking local people to remember all those who have died in the pursuance of their job- whether those who fell to Covid-19, or in other workplace accidents or related illnesses- such as 

• JACK PHILLIPS-  workman, 24, killed after being struck by a heavy object falling from Eastbourne's South Cliff Tower in 2019.
• STEPHEN PENRICE - Maintenance worker, killed in a fall whilst working on repairs to Eastbourne Pier in 2014;
• ROY TRUNDELL- Eastbourne Buses employee- killed in a workplace accident in 2008;
• DANIEL HAFFENDEN – Self-employed tyre fitter, killed whilst working on a tourist coach when a jack collapsed, in 2012
• CLIVE BECK - former Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos at the school;
• BOB TOLLY - Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mesothelioma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life.
• GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory near Lewes in 2006. (Their families had to wait for almost 10 years of court wrangling to receive justice

We are respectfully asking if local workplaces, churches and places of worship would be willing to spare a moment of their thoughts and prayers on 28^th April or near to that, to remember all those, both locally, nationally and worldwide, who have lost their lives at work.

Say NO to Fire Service Cuts: Sign the petition!

East Sussex Fire Authority are consulting with the public on plans that will decimate local Fire & Rescue Services in East Sussex.

Planned cuts include:

• Remove 10 fire engines from towns and villages across the county. Affected stations are Bexhill, Battle, Crowborough, Lewes, Newhaven, Rye, Uckfield, Seaford, Heathfield and Wadhurst.
• Cut dedicated crews for aerial appliances in Hastings.
• Cut wholetime jobs at Lewes, Newhaven, Uckfield, Crowborough, Battle and Bexhill.
• Downgrade The Ridge fire station from 24hr immediate response to only daytime immediate response.
• Cut staffing levels of wholetime firefighters at all shift stations across the county.

These will impact heavily on a critical lifesaving service. They will negatively impact public safety as well as firefighter safety and will also impede firefighter's ability to respond quickly to emergency calls. 

The FBU point out that these plans were drawn up before the Covid-19 crisis, and do not take into account the different situation we will face when lockdown is finally over.   Firefighters locally and nationally have taken on significant extra duties as part of supporting communities during the crisis. 

Ten years of austerity cuts saw 11,500 firefighter jobs lost nationally.  The service is already overstretched!

Eastbourne is represented on the East Sussex Fire Authority by Meads Tory councillor Barry Taylor, and Lib Dem Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, David Tutt.  Shamefully both voted for the cuts package. 

Please sign the petition here, download and print the FBU's information leaflet by clicking here,   and spread the word: Fire Cuts Cost Lives!

Covid-19 Scandal at Cavendish School

The NEU and GMB were very concerned to discover that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the Cavendish Hub where a staff member tested positive last weekend (9-10th May). The Cavendish School  Hub has had children in from Cavendish School, Stafford and Roselands ESCC schools as well as smaller numbers from other Eastbourne schools. 

East Sussex NEU Branch said:

"Thankfully we understand the member of staff is not seriously ill but the potential infection that may have taken place given the size of the hub represents a serious and imminent threat to heath.

We are particularly concerned as despite this being known by some of the senior leadership on Monday 11th May all staff and parents were not made aware until late Friday 15th May. This was only disclosed at all after the unions were informed of the case on Friday 15th May and contacted management to say we would tell staff and parents if they did not.

Allowing staff and children to attend the hub for a whole week without informing them, shutting, allowing testing to take place, and doing a full school deep clean is unacceptable. There has clearly been a series of failures here and as advice was sought by leadership from East Sussex County Council and Public health England it raises serious questions about the quality of that advice.

The NEU has met virtually with its members across Stafford, Roselands and Cavendish to give advice and discuss the situation. It is clear that there are extremely serious questions to be answered: 

• Why were all staff and parents not told of a confirmed case and what advice was given to the leadership? 
• Given the unions had already been raising concerns with ESCC that the hub was too big how will the council and school leadership respond to having potentially having Covid-19 present in a building which had up to 100 people present in it? 
• How quickly can tests be provided for all those who have been on site and families? Why was such a large hub allowed to open and what assessments of the risk were done? 
• How is a school wide deep clean on Monday 18th be sufficient response to a case identified on Monday 11th when people have been in the building all week potentially spreading the virus?
• How can a reopening of the hub on Tuesday be justified? 

Indeed, how can there be faith from school staff and parents that any East Sussex schools can open more widely from 1st June when even with limited opening an outbreak in a school has been handled so badly?   The National Education Union will be continuing to advise its members directly and will be looking for an urgent meeting with East Sussex County Council and school leaders."

You can also read the press statement from the GMB by clicking here.

Workers' Memorial Day 2020

April 28th is International Workers' Memorial Day, when we remember those who have lost their lives in the course of doing their job. 

Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living" and unions are asked to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorial to remember all those killed through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. That can best be done by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws. Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.

Marking Workers Memorial Day in 2018.  Unite's Phil Mills,
Unison's Roy Noble, Ann Iordan from Unite Community and
Dave Brinson from National Education Union. 

In previous years, Eastbourne Trades Council has always had a visible street presence on WMD, raising awareness and asking the people of Eastbourne to remember.  In these difficult times, we will not be able to do this for 2020, but there is a great deal we can do to commemorate those who have lost their lives.

In particular this year, let's honour those NHS staff who have died from Covid-19, some of whom returned to work from retirement to help others during the crisis. And fight like hell for other staff in the NHS and Care sectors to get the proper PPE they need.

Please support the TUC's call for a minute's silence to remember those who have lost their lives in the course of doing their job. The Government is supporting this initiative, and many open workplaces are doing so too.

You can find out more about International Workers Memorial Day at the TUC's Website here. 

Corona Virus: What can trade unionists do?

Although the trades council, and most union branches will not be meeting at the moment, there is a lot that can be done to support union reps, members and other working people at this time.

The TUC has published detailed guidance for trade unionists on many aspects of the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation- including information for workers on zero-hours contracts.  You can read and download the guidance here.

Other unions have provided guidance specifically tailored to their members.  Unite the Union here; UNISON, here;  GMB here;  RMT here,

PCS have secured assurances that no civil servant will suffer a pay detriment as a result of following government health advice for managing the virus. However, many PCS members and potential members are employed by outsourcers on precarious employment contracts which do not provide them with the same protections as civil servants, and the union is seeking urgent talks with these employers.  More information on this here. 

Shop Workers' union USDAW has hundreds of thousands of workers on the front line, and sadly, many of those have faced abuse and threatening behaviour in recent days.  Labour and Co-operative MP Alex Norris brought foreard a Bill last Monday to legislate for additional protection for frontline retail staff- read about it here.

The creative industries will be hit hard: many arts companies will not survive without external support, and many Equity members will face hardship- especially those working on a gig-by-gig basis.  Detailed advice and support from Equity can be accessed here.

Megaphone.org.uk are hosting a petition to call for increased sick pay, and its extension to all workers, including the self-employed.  At just £94.25 a week, statutory sick pay in the UK isn't enough to live on - and 2 million people don't earn enough to qualify.  Click here to sign and share the petition.

Change.org has an equally important petition, highlighting the absurdity of the fact that NHS frontline staff are not being tested for Corvid-19.   The petition's author, hospital doctor Rebecca McCauley states that she has set up the petition "for prioritisation of testing for NHS staff... so that those who need to stay away do so, with a clear conscience, and those who can work can do so, with a clear conscience!"   Sign the petition here: 

Thank You to our FBU Brothers and Sisters

A big shout out to our FBU brothers and sisters in the Fire and Rescue service, and the many others in the other emergency services and NHS for their swift and brave response to the dreadful fire at the Claremont Hotel on Friday.

The Claremont, viewed from the pier, in happier times.

 © Johanna Cuomo | Dreamstime.com

It is down to their skill and professionalism that the fire was brought under control, and no lives were lost. We extend our solidarity to the workers at the hotel, some of whom also lived in. 

The owners of the Claremont have assured the town that they have "comprehensive" interruption of business insurance. We hope that this means that their dedicated workforce will be looked after properly, and will not be left without pay (or, in some cases, accommodation) over the festive period.

We are disappointed at the sloppy journalism from The Guardian, which suggested that there was a two-hour wait from the fire being discovered to the fire brigade arriving. This was a dreadful and untrue slur- Eastbourne's firefighters were on scene within minutes. The Guardian has printed a correction, but no apology Read the article here.

Workers Memorial Day 2019

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. 

Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) commemorates those workers. Workers' Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, all over the world workers and their representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day. the day.

Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living" and unions are asked to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorial to remember all those killed through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. That can best be done by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws.

Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.


The theme for 2019 Theme for the day is: “dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace”. The focus will mainly be on carcinogens but you can adapt the theme to whatever is most relevant in your workplace or area, as many substances can also cause illnesses such as asthma or dermatitis.

Two important issues are of course asbestos and diesel exhaust, and the TUC has useful guides on both of them, but other ideas may be cleaning fluids or dust in general - Asbestos - time to get rid of it (pdf), Diesel exhaust in the workplace (pdf), Occupational cancer (pdf)

As always, Eastbourne Trades Council will be leafleting the Town Centre on the day, and also writing to all of the places of worship in Eastbourne, asking them to commemorate the day.

Find out more at the TUC National Website by clicking here.

'No confidence' in Fire Service Senior Leadership: FBU

At an emergency meeting, members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) East Sussex Committee, unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the senior leadership team of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS). 

East Sussex FBU members working on the frontline, have continually raised concerns over ESFRS’s senior leadership’s plans to implement changes that seek to reduce both public and firefighter safety. 

In the latest in a series of judgement errors, the senior leadership team recently agreed to introduce small appliances, which carry less life-saving equipment. This latest decision has led to the vote of no confidence.

Mark Brown, FBU brigade secretary said:

“This is an ill-conceived plan that has not been properly thought-through. We have repeatedly raised concerns with senior leadership over many months, unfortunately rather than listen to the FBU, our safety reps and our members, they have instead chosen to agree a plan that will reduce the service’s ability to deal with emergencies effectively. The senior leadership team need to assess the risk posed to the public, before contemplating any plans that seek to reduce fire cover and/or reduce equipment available to frontline staff.” 

In June 2018 East Sussex FRS’s own staff survey, showed that only 13% of wholetime firefighters in East Sussex had confidence in the principal officers leading ESFRS. Since then the leadership team have failed to take on board the findings and have instead agreed plans and changes that further reduce confidence in them.

Mark Brown continued:

“This apparent lack of learning has left the FBU membership in East Sussex with no option other than to pass a ‘vote of no confidence’. Despite the ‘vote of no confidence’ the FBU remain committed to working with management to find solutions that enable ESFRS to provide a safe and efficient service for its staff and the public.”

Next Trades Council: Tuesday 9th October

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 9th October, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (July) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Campaigns Update:
(a) Derecognition of NEU at East Sussex College Group
(b) RMT ongoing safety dispute at Southern
(c) Retail Update
(d) NHS Update including pay settlement and DGH parking
(e) IndyCube and Community Union self-employed workers' campaigning.

6.  Anti-Cuts campaigns: including East Sussex Save the NHS, People's Assembly and campaign against Social Care Cuts in ESCC.

7. Events:
(a) Modern Slavery campaign- possible link with the Co-op Party campaigning
(b) Engels Plaque update
(c) Pride Report

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Workers Memorial Day

A big thank you to those who came along and supported us in commemorating Workers Memorial Day in Eastbourne on Saturday 28th April.

We shared information about those we had lost as a result of their work locally, and on how unions and others are campaigning locally, nationally and worldwide to improve safety at work.

We are also proud that our banner was prominently carried in the May Day March last weekend.

Bigger and better next year- "Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living!"

Workers' Memorial Day 2018

APRIL 28TH IS INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY.

The purpose behind Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living" and unions are asked to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorial to remember all those killed through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated.

Eastbourne Trades Council wants to make sure that we make a big commemoration of the day in our town. We'd like to distribute literature remembering those who have lost their lives at work, and about current campaigns by unions and others to prevent future deaths through safer workplaces. 

We will be holding a Street Stall at Bankers' Corner, Terminus Road, on Saturday 28th April, from 10.00am to 12 noon. All welcome to join us.  Let us know you're coming by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2282997531927210/

More info on Workers Memorial Day from the TUC at https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/national/workers-memorial-day

Next Trades Council Meeting- Tuesday 14th November

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 14th November, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne.

All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited.

A G E N D A

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (October) and matters arising

4. Treasurer's Report

 5. CAMPAIGNS:

            (a) CWU Royal Mail dispute

            (b) RMT Southern Rail dispute

            (c) USDAW Respect for Shopworkers Campaign

            (d) Other Union Campaigns

 6. EVENTS:

Bill Ball from Lewes Trades Council will speak about possible joint work, including possible coach to Tolpuddle 2018, plus any early planning needed for May Day, WMD, Prides etc.

7. Any other business

The bar will be open afterwards!

Solidarity with RMT

Eastbourne Trades Council send solidarity again to Eastbourne RMT members taking action to retain a safety-critical staff member on all rail services. It is a strike for jobs, for disabled passengers' rights, for safety of all passengers- and all trades unionists should support it!

Make sure that you are armed with the facts regarding this dispute!  Download:

Southern Rail Driver Only Operation Dispute- THE FACTS

GTR Dispute- THE FACTS

The Safety Critical Role of the Guard: A dossier on the Dangers of  Driver Only Operation

Not about pay- about SAFETY!

ASLEF members are to be balloted for strike action on Southern Rail – just as RMT members announced a new strike date on the same company.

Responding to Southern Rail’s comments about the union’s ballot for industrial action ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said:

"It is no surprise that the management of Britain’s worst performing train company is disingenuous and deceitful when it comes to industrial relations and the honouring of ...agreements." Mick added, "our ballot reflects a complete loss of faith and trust in Southern Rail as the company has shown no respect for agreements we spent years negotiating. We are balloting because of the company’s inept attempt to conflate pay and changes to working practices."   He concluded, "I again give notice to the government and the rail industry that if any train driver is verbally abused, threatened or attacked as a result of the lies peddled by Southern Rail, we reserve the right to do whatever is necessary to protect our members, on Southern or nationally."

Keep up to date with the latest on the dispute from ASLEF at http://www.aslef.org.uk/

RMT confirmed that guards and drivers on Southern Rail will strike again for 24 hours between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Monday 10th July 2017 in the on-going disputes over the safety impact of the extension of Driver Only Operation and the removal of guards from services.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

“RMT members on Southern Rail have been fighting for safety and access for well over a year now.   The franchise continues to lurch from crisis to crisis as the real impact of hacking back on safety and access hits home. We have seen absolute chaos at Victoria and East Croydon this week in the hot weather which has reinforced the need for safety critical staff on our trains and platforms. The Government cannot spin their way out of this chaotic situation which is wholly of their making.   It is now down to Southern/GTR, and the contract holders in the minority Government, to face up to their responsibilities and engage in genuine and serious talks that address our issues.” 

Back and Marching on May Day!

After nearly 30 years, we brought back the May Day union parade today- marching through Eastbourne to a rally at the Wish Tower slopes. Our banner proudly joined by NUT, RMT, Unite and Musicians' Union, plus East Sussex Co-operative Party and Workers' Memorial Day.

Setting off from NUT HQ

Dave Brinson, Trades Council and NUT Secretary compered the proceedings, noting that it was nearly 30 years since we'd had a May Day march in Eastbourne.  Paul Howard of Eastbourne People's Assembly (also an NUT member) spoke about the campaign against Austerity, and linked up the effects of this on a range of services.

Len Caine at the centre of our banner

Lucette Davies, a journalist and NUJ member  spoke about the newly formed East Sussex Save the NHS campaign, and how the STP plans are the latest attempt by the Government to run down NHS services to soften them up for full-on privatisation. She urged trade unionists to support the local campaigns.  There was a shout out for the Save the DGH campaign too- with stalwart committee members Jake Lambert and Lee Comfort in the crowd.

Line up at the Lawns!

Keith Mitchell of East Sussex Coastway RMT talked about the ongoing struggle from his members against Driver Only Operation and the removal of a safety critical member of on-board staff.  He contrasted the two days of training for the new, cheaper On Board Supervisors, compared with the months of training and then year of probation for the properly trained and licensed conductors.  He also raised the scandal of disabled passengers potentially having to request assistance 24 hours in advance if they want to travel from unmanned stations- scandalous and potentially illegal under Equality Act 2010.

Finally, Betty Gallacher, veteran Unite activist and Chair of Bourne Out LGBT spoke about her years of campaigning for equality work as the first female union secretary on London Transport buses, and then as Convenor of 6 major garages. Betty has organised the Eastbourne Mardi Gras festival which will be Eastbourne's first Pride in July.  Local trade unionists are urged to support and attend a celebration of diversity.

The sun came out for our picnic afterwards, too. A big thank you to those who braved early rain to join us. Let's make it bigger and better next year!

It was great to get such comprehensive coverage from the Eastbourne Buzz news website- Sharon and Dave came with us all the way on the march.  Watch their report below- and please share!

Today is Workers Memorial Day

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) commemorates those workers.

Eastbourne TUC's new

Workers Memorial Day banner

Workers' Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, all over the world workers and their representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day.

The day is also intended to serve as a rallying cry to “remember the dead, but fight for the living”.

In 2017 International Workers’ Memorial Day will have the theme Good health and safety for all workers whoever they are and will focus on inequalities in occupational health and the role unions play in narrowing the inequalities gap. The TUC will particularly want to focus on the hidden and new GIG economies, the risks faced by migrant workers and the issues of gender and class.

Workers’ Memorial Day is not just symbolic- it is a time to remember real working people in our local area who have died as a result of accidents or illnesses caused at work.

On 28^th April- we urge you to remember:-

ROY TRUNDELL (Eastbourne Buses employee-  killed in a workplace accident in  2008)

CLIVE BECK  (former  Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma. The shelves in his school cupboard were made of asbestos.)

BOB TOLLY (Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mesotheleoma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life. )  

SIMON JONES  (Student killed by a Crane at Shoreham Port, on his first day.)

GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE (East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory- Lewes)

AND ALL THE OTHER LOCAL PEOPLE KILLED AT WORK.  REMEMBER THE DEAD… FIGHT FOR THE LIVING !

Eastbourne will have our Workers’ Memorial Day banner and information at the May Day March.

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!

 

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.

Today is Workers' Memorial Day

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer, a contractor or even a manufacturer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Today, Workers’ Memorial Day commemorates those workers.  Find out more by clicking here

Workers’ Memorial Day is not just symbolic- it is a time to remember real working people in our local area who have died as a result of accidents or illnesses caused at work. On 28th April- we urge you to remember:-

• ROY TRUNDELL (Eastbourne Buses employee- killed in a workplace accident in 2008)
• CLIVE BECK (former Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma. The shelves in his school cupboard were made of asbestos.)
• BOB TOLLY (Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mes...otheleoma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life.)
• SIMON JONES (Student killed by a Crane at Shoreham Port, on his first day.)
• DANIEL HAFFENDEN (Eastbourne tyre fitter, killed in a work accident in 2012)
• GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE (East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory- Lewes)

 and all the other local people killed whilst doing their job.

 

 MOURN FOR THE DEAD… FIGHT FOR THE LIVING !