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Annual General Meeting 2023

The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be held on Tuesday 21st March, at the Tesco Community Space within the Tesco Extra, Lottbridge Drove, BN21 3PA. The meeting will commence at 7.30pm

All local trade unionists are encouraged to attend and take part in the meeting.  Only delegates from affiliated unions may be nominated for officer posts, or vote on these. 

THE AGENDA SHALL BE:

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the last AGM from 2022

3. Adoption of Rules and Subscription Levels  for 2023 (proposal is to remain unchanged) and new affiliates.

4. Officers' Reports and Accounts.

5. Election of Officers for 2022-3 (following a resolution of the 2018 AGM, nominations for officer positions must be received before the meeting, and will be circulated on Monday 20th 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. External Affiliations for 2023  (Last year:  East Sussex CATC, National Pensioners' Convention, Cuba Solidarity Campaign,  Stand up To Racism)

7.. Dates and venues of meetings for 2022-3

8. Any other urgent non-AGM Business

(a) Campaign Updates from unions

(b) Workers' Memorial Day 2023

(c) May Day 

9. Presentation of the Len Caine Award 

Next Trades Council Meeting, Tuesday 12th July

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 12th July at 7.30pm, at The Railway Club, Hampden Park. All local trade unionists are invited. 

 A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence and approval of any new affiliations. 

2. Minutes of previous meeting (January 2022)  and matters arising. 

 3. Treasurer's Report 

 4. Campaigning reports from affiliated Unions 

 (a) Wealden Bin Strikes and ongoing legal action 

 (b) UCU dispute 

 (c) Equity Jekyll's issue in Hastings 

 (d) CWU action in BT 

 (e) Any other campaign reports from affiliates 

 5. Other Campaigning Reports 

 (a) Climate Campaign including motion from Carol Mills 

 (b) "Join the Union" Stall proposal 

 (c) Paul Robeson commemoration update 

 6. Any other business

Trades Council AGM: Tuesday 29th March 2022

The 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be held on Tuesday 29^th March, at 7.30pm at The Eastbourne Railway Club,  by Hampden Park Station, Station Approach, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, BN22 9ND.  

THE AGENDA SHALL BE:

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the last AGM from 2021

3. Adoption of Rules and Subscription Levels  for 2022 (proposal is to remain unchanged) and new affiliates.

4. Officers' Reports and Accounts.

5. Election of Officers for 2021-2 (following a resolution of the 2018 AGM, nominations for officer positions must be received before the meeting, and will be circulated on Monday 13^th May)

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

6. External Affiliations for 2022  (Last year:  East Sussex CATC, National Pensioners' Convention, Cuba Solidarity Campaign,  Stand up To Racism)

7.. Dates of meetings for 2021-2

8. Any other urgent non-AGM Business

(a) May Day March and Rally

(b) Stop the War in Ukraine

(c) Any Urgent Campaign Reports from affiliated unions

9. Presentation of the Len Caine Award to Pat from GMB

Victory for GMB in Eastbourne Bin Dispute

The Eastbourne bin strike has ended today in a ‘massive win for GMB members’. Refuse collectors in the town had already taken six days of strike action including today and were set for eight more walk outs in the coming weeks. But GMB members this morning formally accepted an improved, above inflation pay offer of almost 19 per cent from the council. 

The offer includes a minimum rise this year of 11 per cent and a guarantee their hourly rate will reach a minimum of £13.50 per hour in April 2023 – a 19 per cent rise in total.   In October, GMB refuse collectors in nearby Brighton won an above inflation pay rise after long-running strike action. 

In addition, there will be steps to replace to improve the old and outdated welfare facilities at the depot, including new shower and rest facilities. 

Gary Palmer, GMB Organiser, said: “GMB members have flexed their industrial muscle and got the above inflation pay rise they deserve. "The people of Eastbourne have backed them all the way – despite the inconvenience they've had to face. "Other employers should take note, GMB members know their own worth and are not scared to take bosses on."

The GMB members were joined on the picket line this morning by Lloyd Russell-Moyle the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown (pictured) 

Next Trades Council Meeting: 18th January- SOLIDARITY with the Eastbourne Bin Strikers

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.00pm, on Tuesday 18th January 2022, via Zoom.  All Eastbourne trade unionists are welcome to attend. 

Please register in advance by clicking here

The main item of business for the meeting will be hearing from the GMB about progress in the bin strike.  It is really important that we get the workers' case across, and other local union reps are in a great position to spread the truth in their workplaces and communities.  Please come along at least for this part of the meeting, even if you can't stay for later items. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence and approval of any new affiliations.

2. EASTBOURNE BIN STRIKE:  Update from GMB Union representatives, how do we build solidarity, and what are the next steps for challenging low pay, poor conditions and bullying management in Eastbourne? 

3. Minutes of previous meeting (September 2021) and matters arising.

5. Treasurer's Report

6. Campaigning reports from affiliated Unions and other campaigning organisations.

7. Len Caine Award 2022

8. Any Other Business

Solidarity with Eastbourne Bin Staff

Trades Unionists in Eastbourne are standing firm in solidarity with GMB members employed by Eastbourne Borough Council (through an "arms length company owned by the council)  who are striking against poverty pay and appalling work conditions.

HGV drivers are on wages well below the industry standard, whilst other collection staff are on poverty pay, and pounds an hour below staff doing the same job in Lewes- employed by the same managers in the same council-owned "arms length" company.

After three days of strike action, the Lib Dem controlled Eastbourne Borough Council has resorted to issuing misleading statements and using their councillors to push anti-union lines to try and belittle the strikers' case, demonise the union, and turn the people of Eastbourne against their low paid workers.

Disgracefully, we have seen so-called "progressive" local councillors like former People's Assembly supporter Lib Dem Helen Burton now issuing Thatcher-like anti union statements, whilst Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Josh Babarinde issues weasel words about having met with "the workers" whilst then attacking the union officials.  Oldest union-bashing trick in the book! 

The elected councillors can't shift the blame to the "officers" or the "negotiators".  They need to show some leadership and direct the council managers-  managers directly accountable to the elected officials to negotiate seriously and in good faith. 

Today, the GMB announced that they would press on with 11 days of further strike action. 

"Ending walk-outs and stopping rubbish pile up was within the grasp of the council if they showed real willingness to meet," says GMB Union 

"Eastbourne refuse collectors will go ahead with a further 11 days of industrial action after the council refused to meet with GMB Union. The union says a face-to-face negotiation is vital to talks as the lead representative, Mark Turner, is visually impaired and struggles to use Zoom and similar online platforms."

Eastbourne Borough Council has so far ignored requests for a meeting on 12 January and a request for a meeting on 13 January has also thus far been left unanswered. Mark Turner, GMB B50 Branch Secretary said:

'The council’s only focus appears at this time is to try to break the strike and blames GMB for the inconvenience to the residents of Eastbourne. We hoped they might take responsibility for this mess - given they’ve moved the service back towards being in-house through an arms-length company. Since then they have done nothing to improve the poverty pay rates or welfare, health and safety of their workers. 

My visual impairment means that online meetings can be difficult for me and in person conferences allow me to be properly involved in the discussions - especially when they are so important.  Unfortunately this simple request appears to be beyond the council, so we have to waste our time chasing them to meet rather than resolving the dispute and bringing the strike to a conclusion. 

Ending walk-outs and avoiding rubbish piling up in the city’s streets was within the grasp of the council if they only showed a real willingness to get back around the negotiating table.'"

Next Trades Council Meeting: 28th September on Zoom

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, on Tuesday 28th September 2021, via Zoom.  All Eastbourne trade unionists are welcome to attend. 

Please register in advance by clicking here

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (July 2021) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. NHS CAMPAIGNING:  To update on affiliated unions' campaign for a decent pay rise for NHS workers, and against privatisation.  Speakers to include Lib Whitfield from GMB. 

6. Other Campaigning reports from affiliated Unions and other campaigning organisations.

7. Any other business

STOP "FIRE AND REHIRE"- support Barry Gardiner's Private Members' Bill

Thousands of British workers are threatened with being fired and rehired on worse pay and conditions to do the same job. It’s not dodgy backstreet companies doing this, it’s the biggest names on our high street. Will you and your colleagues be next?

Tesco and Sainsbury’s are both at it. From your morning Weetabix and coffee to your holiday snack at the airport, fire and rehire is everywhere.  Many household names have made billions during lockdown, but greedy bosses want even more and it’s the workers who have to pay. British Gas, Clarks Shoes and Heathrow Airport are just some of businesses forcing families into poverty with no regard for loyalty or years of service.

Over the years cost cutting employers have copied money-grabbing bosses in other industries. Many unions across Britain are asking will their members be next. Even teachers are being fired and rehired in schools, no one seems safe.

Labour MP Barry Gardiner has introduced a Private Member’s Bill to outlaw this practice. It’s wrong that workers who have given their lives to companies now can’t pay their rent, go on holiday or sleep because of worry. This is the human cost of telling a worker, your pay is cut by 25%, you’ll work longer hours and your pension is under threat. Fire and rehire is everywhere.

Workers are being bullied, sacked and told they will only be re-employed to do the same basic job if they accept less money and poorer conditions. It’s an issue that affects every constituency, every industry – a social evil that is afflicting hundreds of thousands of families. As if the pandemic was not bad enough, companies are now threatening people with the sack so they can pay them less or take their pensions.

At food giant Jacob Douwe Egberts in Banbury, coffee consumption was up 40 per cent during the lockdown and JDE made record profits, but that didn’t stop them threatening their workforce with the sack unless they accepted a cut in wages of up to £12,000.

No family should have to put up with that. How do you pay your rent or your mortgage with a cut like that? How can you support your family? Every pound cut is a pound less to pay your rent, to pay your mortgage and the fear of eviction or repossession is very real.

It’s just plain wrong and the Government SAYS it agree
s. Leading Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg told MP’s fire and rehire was “bad practise” and no respectable employer would do it. Even the Prime Minister says it’s unacceptable. But it remains to be seen whether Boris will support our campaign to outlaw this evil practise.

Tory Business Minister, Paul Scully, promises he will “issue guidelines” but many unions believe those guidelines won’t protect anyone.

Right wingers may say bosses should be left to do as they please in a free market, but the proposed Bill will not stop struggling firms restructuring or changing outdated practises. Instead, it will stop bad bosses sacking workers to avoid redundancy rules and other workers’ rights.

So come on let’s support the Bill and visit the campaign website at www.StopFireAndRehire.org follow it on Instagram and Facebook and tell your friends about fire and rehire.  

NHS "Data Grab": We hear from the National Pensioners' Convention

The Trades Council meeting this month heard from a National Pensioners Convention member about their concerns regarding the NHS "Data Grab".  The article below comes from the NPC.  You can read more about how you can get involved in the campaign at their website here. 

What’s this NHS Data Grab I’ve heard about? 

Photo 117291219 © One Photo | Dreamstime.com

The government wants to collect the confidential health records of every GP patient in England and put them into one huge new data pool. It says “third parties” will be able to access this pool, including commercial companies, but won’t say who or how. 

•  The scheme’s official name is GPDPR or ‘General Practice Data for Planning and Research.’
•  It will take 55 million people’s cradle-to-grave health records and put them in a central database – to be used by many different parties, for many different purposes. 
•  This is new. Under today’s system, requests for GP data are made on a one-off basis. GPDPR is far bigger and broader. It puts 55m health records in a single place that updates in real time. In the government’s words, it will ‘collect [your data] once, [but] use [it] many times’. 
•  A similar scheme, ‘care.data’, was tried in 2013, only to collapse over widespread concerns over privacy and corporate access. We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes today.

What’s wrong with that – surely the NHS using data better is a good thing? 

It isn’t just the NHS who will access data. You can’t pool the cradle-to-grave health records of all 55 million people in England without telling people and giving them a meaningful say in how the new system works. It’s undemocratic and could damage trust in the NHS. 

•  This huge change wasn’t explained to patients. Matt Hancock told Radio 4 that his aim was for patients to control their own data and “consent should be at the heart of it”. He also said he was “not against” writing to everyone in the country, or sending everyone a text message, like with the COVID vaccination programme, to inform them of the change. 
•  But this is the opposite of what’s happened so far. Instead, the change was posted on one NHS Digital website. How does that reach the millions over-65s who aren’t online, for example? 
•  The government needs to tell us why it wants to build this new data pool - and what it plans to do with the data. It should urgently explain who the “third parties” are who will have access to our data, and what standards they will need to meet. 
•  Matt Hancock needs to explain what alternative models he has considered for managing NHS data research. For example, openSafely, the data platform developed by Ben Goldacre during the pandemic takes research queries to the data itself - instead of grabbing the entire GP record. This might solve some of the problems with maintaining public trust.  

But NHS Digital says that “Data saves lives?” 

No-one is opposed to using health data for research that saves lives. But the data can also be used for profit. The plan must benefit the NHS and, crucially, maintain the faith and trust of patients. 

• Of course, data can save lives. But it can also make people a lot of money – and those goals don’t always support one another. 
• The government should be honest about this. Research shows that, compared to the NHS, people are less comfortable with private companies using their confidential health records to make a profit. 
•  Matt Hancock must set out in plain English on what terms companies could access this massive new pool of our GP data – and give people a choice. 

Isn’t this data anonymous? 

This data is not anonymous. It is pseudonymous. This is a really important distinction and is practically and legally different to anonymous. 

•  Government spokespeople have repeatedly mixed these up. It is pretty easy to identify people from pseudonymised data - often with only a few bits of information about you. 
•  The government says they may re-identify your data in certain circumstances - without fully explaining when they might do this. 
•  As for companies, to identify someone from pseudonymised data is illegal in most cases. But the body who handle those offences, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is understaffed, underfunded, and unable to enforce against major breaches. 

There must be safeguards in place already to protect this data? 

The safeguards aren’t strong enough yet – there’s one expert body that doesn’t explain its decisions clearly, and the ICO hasn’t got the resources to police the law. And the government may be about to dilute the laws that protect your health data. 

•  A body called IGARD considers requests for data access. The minutes of their meetings are online, as is a record of requests for data. But the records of their meetings aren’t easily understood by the average person – nor are the standards they judge private companies on.
• Watchdog group medConfidential has published a list showing lots of third parties have broken the rules when they used medical data. And the ICO, as we said, just hasn’t got the resources to follow up every time the law is broken. 
•  The government’s also considering weakening legal protections for your health data. 

Is it biased to refer to GPDPR as a “data grab”? 

What would you call taking the personal information of 55 million people – without asking for permission, presenting an informed choice, or, until our case, giving fair warning at all? It doesn’t seem an exaggeration to call that a data grab. 

•  Millions of people still haven’t heard about this system. Originally, NHS Digital set a deadline to opt-out of June 23. We think the new deadline is August 25. If you haven’t opted-out by then your GP data will be gone forever and you can only prevent future data being shared. Does that seem like a reasonable and fair system to you? 
•  Again – where is the public information campaign? Matt Hancock admitted that a “proper national debate” is needed but has done little to create one. We know the government can text the nation, can address the nation daily at teatime on BBC One. Why haven’t they? 
•  It’s not too late. The government could repair damage by slowing down and making a much bigger effort to consult people. Our data is there for the asking, not the taking. 

If giving private companies access to my data helps the NHS, what’s the problem? 

The question we always need to be asking is: who benefits? The collected data of the NHS is the most valuable resource of its kind in the world – but only because it has been created and paid for over decades by taxpayers and ordinary British people. 

•  Companies requesting access to health data tend to promise “innovation”. But there is evidence that using data in this way can make unfairness in healthcare worse, not better. 
•  “Innovative” medicines are often priced too high for the NHS to buy them, so how does that benefit the NHS? What if instead, access to our data meant the NHS got the final product for free or a share of any financial gain? Or the product could be made open source, so everyone can benefit. 
•  Most of all – we need to make sure that introducing a major profit motive in our health service doesn’t undermine the core value of the NHS: a universal service free at the point of delivery, with care of patients at its heart.

Find out more about how you can support the NPC's campaign on this, and other issues, by visiting their website here. 

Why Fuller Must Fall

The toppling of Edward Coulston's statue in Bristol was a visual reminder of the ongoing campaign to tell the real story of Britain's slave trading history, and to tell the truth about those figures who grew rich and influential  (and their descendents to this day)  on the profits of this vile trade. 

Many local people may not know of the role played by our own local slave master...

We're not calling for the follies and monuments to be pulled down, incidentally, but for the real story behind these visible and living pieces of history to be told. 

Eastbourne Trades Council has added its name to this statement from Sussex Stand Up To Racism: 

"John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller (1757-1834) was the wealthy Squire of Brightling near Battle in East Sussex and Tory MP for Sussex from 1801 to 1812. Fuller still currently enjoys a reputation as an eccentric and philanthropist, and his nickname of ‘Mad Jack’ originates because of a number of follies he constructed around his estate, the most famous being a large pyramid shaped mausoleum which dominates Brightling’s churchyard. (Photo 127559593 © David Dennis | Dreamstime.com) 

 Less well recognised and appreciated about Fuller is that he was a slaveowner and in many ways ‘East Sussex’s Edward Colston’ as a large section of his wealth (and that of the wider Fuller family) came from the profiteering from the barbaric exploitation of forced labour on two plantations in colonial Jamaica, the Knollis estate in St Thomas-in-the-Vale [now St Catherine] and Grange Pen in St Catherine (more information here)

A vociferous anti-abolitionist he used his position as a Tory MP to try and prevent the end of slavery. Fuller belonged to the West India Interest, a powerful lobby group that financed racist pseudo-science to show that enslaved Africans were degenerate and sub-human. When he died in 1834, he left an estate of £160 000 (£20 million in today's terms) which included about 270 enslaved people (more information here) 

While some institutions like the Church of England, National Trust and the Royal Institution have begun to distance themselves from Fuller when informed of his role in colonial slavery, with for example the Royal Institution recently ending their Fullerian Professorship scheme, there are still other institutions and organisations that continue to retain their links to this slaveowner. 

We therefore call upon all such institutions and organisations to fully and unequivocally accept that any scientific, cultural and social advances attributed to Fuller result from money gained from the exploitation of thousands of enslaved Africans, and publicly end their association with Fuller. "

What's Going on in Cuba?

The Eastbourne Trades Council is an affilate of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, and supports its work in opposing the internationally-condemned US trade bkockade of the island, and seeks to defend the social gains of the revolution in areas such as health and education.    We are also mindful that TUC trade unions, and many of their members have a variety of different views and opinions of areas of policy in Cuba including human rights and freedoms, and the role and operations of independent trade unions.  We welcome comradely discussion on all of these matters.

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign published the statement below on 12th July 2021. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign calls on the US government to suspend the blockade of Cuba to allow emergency medical and humanitarian aid into the country in order to ease the economic and health crisis the island is experiencing. 

The current emergency is a result of the ongoing US blockade, an additional 243 sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Cuba has shown incredible resilience in the face of six decades of economic warfare by the US government in the form of a blockade intended to strangle the economy and create hunger and hardship in an attempt to destabilise the country. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign opposes any calls for foreign intervention coming from those in the US who seek to exploit the current difficulties and provoke unrest. The solution to the challenges Cuba faces must be resolved by the people of Cuba and we support the efforts that the Cuban people and their government are making to fight the pandemic in the face of ongoing sanctions and provocations from the US. 

On Sunday 11 July, some street protests took place against the scarcity of food, medicines and power supplies. The vast majority of these protesters have genuine concerns regarding these shortages. President Miguel Díaz-Canel travelled to San Antonio de los Baños, site of the original demonstration, and spoke to people about their grievances. 

Some groups are seeking to exploit and provoke this difficult situation. They called for people to protest in other locations, resulting in protests in some towns and cities. In response, thousands of Cubans supporting the government have taken to the streets across the island in counter-demonstrations against US interference. 

Now right-wing, pro-blockade, and regime-change politicians and groups in the US are also seeking to manipulate the situation. They have called for a so-called “humanitarian corridor” (a pretext for US intervention) to be set up. Anyone genuinely interested in helping the Cuban people at this time should instead be calling for the US government to ease the crippling sanctions. 

The calls for US aid delivered through a US-imposed “humanitarian corridor” are disingenuous and fraudulent. These are the same people who hypocritically call for humanitarian intervention while supporting blockade policies which have caused shortages of food, fuel and medicines. 

CSC condemns those in the US and internationally who are cynically using the situation to destabilise Cuba, and supports Cuba’s right to self-determination. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign appeals to the Biden administration to observe the recent United Nations General Assembly vote on 23 June 2021 which voted 184-2 for an end to the blockade of Cuba. It is immoral and dangerous to seek to exploit the current struggles of the Cuban people to serve the political objectives of a few hardliners in Miami. 

Genuine efforts to support the Cuban people are welcome. Individuals and organisations can directly help by becoming members of CSC Donations can also be made to CSC’s COVID-19 Medical Appeal. 

Background information 

In recent days Cuba has experienced its worst increase in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with a severe outbreak in the Matanzas which has stretched capacity in hospitals and isolation centres to the limit. Five hundred medics from other parts of the country have been deployed in the province to help. It is important to note that while the situation is severe, the numbers of cases and deaths are far below those in most other countries of the region including the United States itself which as of 10 July had a death rate of 1,870 per million compared to Cuba’s 139 per million. 

At the same time Cuba is in the midst of its most severe economic crisis for more thirty years. The sixty year-old US blockade was tightened by the Trump administration by imposing 243 extra sanctions – all of which remain in place. These measures had already resulted in grave food, medical and fuel shortages before the pandemic struck. In addition, increasing numbers of banks are refusing to transfer funds to Cuba for fear of US fines, and it is now almost impossible for Cubans living abroad to transfer money to family on the island. With the onset of COVID-19, Cuba has also lost vital income from international tourism, which was down 94 per cent in the first four months of 2021. 

Fuel shortages are causing many power cuts, which in the height of summer mean that air conditioning and fridges don’t work. There are long queues for food, medicines and basic goods. Without doubt the Cuban people are experiencing incredible hardship. People with friends or family in Cuba will have heard how difficult things are. 

Last year the US blockade even prevented delivery of a consignment of COVID-19 medical aid for Cuba, including PPE, ventilators and testing equipment. Despite having two home-grown vaccines, Cuba’s vaccination roll-out programme is hindered by a lack of syringes and raw materials as a direct result of the blockade. Solidarity organisations around the world have had funding sites raising money for COVID-19 medical aid closed down because of blockade measures. CSC itself receives numerous enquiries from people who can’t find a way to transfer money to friends and family in Cuba. Meanwhile, the US government spends millions of dollars every year on so-called “democracy promotion” on the island, funding groups and individuals who work undercover attempting to build US-supported opposition. 

If those calling for humanitarian aid to Cuba were genuine in their intentions they would start with calling for the blockade to be lifted to allow medical and other supplies to be sent to Cuba. However their true objectives are those of the blockade itself. As the infamous US State Department memorandum on the blockade of 1960 laid out: 

“The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship… every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba… a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.”

You can donate to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign's Medical Aid to Cuba campaign by clicking here.  

We Stand with our Three Lions!

 

Tonight's meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council sent a message of solidarity via the PFA to Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho; and all their colleagues who are standing against the vile racism they have been subjected to this week.

We stand with our Three Lions!

The PFA today said: 

"Over the past few weeks, our England team have demonstrated courage and class, on and off the pitch.  

They have been principled and dignified, and their determination to succeed and their performance got us to the final. Most importantly though, they have shown us what the best of England can be.

If you watch a football match, see players - who have stepped up to try and win the match for their country - miss a penalty, and you feel compelled to go on social media and racially abuse those players, you represent the worst of us.

When you abuse any of our players, you abuse all of us.

Racist abuse causes trauma. It will impact the targeted players, their teammates, and we know it will also affect their peers. It causes hurt to all the other fans who view online hate, and it will inevitably live with the next aspiring generation of young players. 

Unfortunately, the abusive messages were all too predictable. However, the intervention from social media companies is insufficient, and it is allowing racist abuse to thrive on the platforms.

Social platforms must permanently ban all offending accounts and proactively compile evidence to give to the police to pursue prosecution.

We have collectively called out unsatisfactory policies and action around racist abuse for years – and still, it continues. 

There has been talk of strong commitments and tough measures from the social networks. Based on the evidence so far, we’re not buying it. 

Social networks, we need you to do better."      (Source: The PFA)

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday July 13th

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, on Tuesday 13th July 2021, via Zoom.  All Eastbourne trade unionists are welcome to attend. 

Please register in advance by clicking here

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Campaign Updates from local Union branches and from online Trades Council Conference

6. Other Campaigning activity:

     (a)  The Future is Female- demonstration 24th July

     (b)  Eastbourne Stand Up to Racism- update

     (c)  Other Summer campaigning, post-lockdown

7. Any other business

Trades Council AGM Tuesday 11th May

The Annual General Meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be held on Tuesday 11^th May, at 7.30pm via Zoom. Please register here

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the last AGM from 2019 (2020 was cancelled due to Covid)

3. Adoption of Rules for 2021 (proposal is same as for 2019) and new affiliates.

4. Officers' Reports and Accounts

5. Election of Officers for 2021-2 (following a resolution of the 2018 AGM, nominations for officer positions must be received before the meeting, and will be circulated on Monday 10^th May)

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

6. External Affiliations for 2021  (Last year:  East Sussex CATC, National Pensioners' Convention, Cuba Solidarity Campaign,  Stand up To Racism)

7. Guest Speaker- TBC striking teacher from Peacehaven Heights invited

8.. Dates of meetings for 2020-1

9. Presentation of the Len Caine Award to Julie Hart

If you would like to stand for election as an officer, pplease let the Secretary know by Monday. 

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.

Demonstrate to "Kill the Bill": May Day

Although we are unable to hold our full traditional May Day parade and picnic to celebrate International Workers' Day, the Trades Council is proudly supporting a socially-distanced demonstration against the dreadful Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The Bill, the first attempt to amend the Public Order legislation for nearly 18 year, will severely curtail civil liberties around the right to peacefully demonstrate, to protest and to picket.  There is a detailed explanation as to why the Bill should be opposed from the Good Law Project here. 

Join us on May 1st at 1.00pm

We will gather at Hyde Gardens at 1p.m. and march to the Wish Tower slopes for a rally where we are hoping to have a range of speakers and performers. Those attending should wear face masks and adhere to social distancing - keeping a 2m distance, in line with current COVID-19 guidelines. Let’s stand together and defend our right to protest. Bring your banners and whistles, family and friends and let’s make some noise!

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.

Next Trades Council Meeting: 30th March

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, on Tuesday 30th March 2021, via Zoom.  All Eastbourne trade unionists are welcome to attend. 

Please click here to register.

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Campaign Updates from local Union branches

6. Other Campaigning activity:

     (a)  Stand Up to Racism- conference and banner display and future work.

     (b)  Workers' Memorial Day arrangements 28th April

     (c)  Trade Union presence at Eastbourne Pride

     (c)  Summer campaigning, post-lockdown?

7. AGM arrangements and nominations for the Len Caine Memorial Prize

8. Any other business

Proud to Support UN Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day

Eastbourne Trades Council are proud to have supported the United Nations  Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day on Saturday.

Carol and Louise from the Sussex Unite Community branch proudly led the socially-distanced banner display on Eastbourne beach-   our banner was there alongside affiliates PCS and Unite, and other campaigning organisations such as Eastbourne People's Assembly. 

The Trades Council is proud to be supporting the Eastbourne Branch of Stand Up to Racism, and looks forward to continuing to promote its campaigns.