Free Film Showing for LGBT History Month

Eastbourne Trades Council is proud to mark LGBT History Month 2020 with a free showing of this important piece of Cuban LGBT history, 25 years after it became the first Cuban film to be nominated for an Oscar. We are also proud to be the first film showing in the newly re-opened Grove Theatre. 

“Diego, a cultivated, sceptical young gay man, falls in love with a young communist full of prejudices and doctrinal ideas. First comes rejection and suspicion, but also fascination. Fresa y Chocolate is a coming-of-age story, told through the development of a great friendship, which overcomes incomprehension and intolerance.”

Released in 1993 this was the first major film from Cuba to address themes of homosexuality- and in 1995 became the first Cuban film to receive widespread release in the USA since the Revolution.

The showing will be on Tuesday 25th February 2020. The film will commence at 8.00pm and runs for approximately 100 minutes. 

The Grove Theatre bar will be open from 7pm, and during and after the film showing. Certificate 18 for “brief strong sexuality” and strong language. Nobody under the age of 18 may be admitted. In Spanish with English subtitles,

Eastbourne Trades Council supports the Cuba Solidarity Campaign as our international affiliation.  You can find out more about their work here.

Come and See us at Eastbourne Pride!

We will be proudly supporting Eastbourne Pride/Mardi Gras tomorrow- come and visit our stall at Princes Park.

Pride, and the LGBT+ campaigns led by trade unions and others are just as needed now as they ever were- see the TUC's "The Cost of being Out at Work" here.

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 !

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" 

Equality training opportunity- Autism in the Workplace

Free! A one day briefing on  Autism in the Workplace  for reps, officers, and members of all trade unions sponsored by Simpson Millar Trade Union Solicitors, which will address;

           

• What is autism? Realities and myths 
• Autism issues at work
• Making the workplace more autism – friendly
• Workers with autism, carers and the law

 

Thursday 9th January 2014   -   9.30a.m – 4.30p.m, at WEA Trade Union Learning Centre,  96 – 100 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4TP  (short walk from Old Street/Moorgate/Liverpool Street/  Shoreditch stations and on lots of bus routes)     Sandwich lunch provided.

 

This one day briefing is for all union reps, officers and members who want to find out more about the Autistic Spectrum (including Asperger Syndrome) and become more confident in dealing with related issues in the workplace. The day will consist of a mixture of presentations and activities, speakers to include John McDonnell MP on autism, politics and the labour movement, and

Simpson Millar on the legal aspects.

 

Please note   -   this briefing is not aimed at people whose work is with clients with autism, but for trade unionists who are organising and representing members in the workplace.

 

To apply please contact  mgort@wea.org.uk  or for further information please contact Monica on email or 0207 426 1976 Autism in the Workplace.

 

Trade Unionists at Brighton Pride

Many Trade Unions will be marching proudly in the Brighton Pride Parade on Saturday 3rd August.

Dave Brinson, Secretary of both Eastbourne Trades Council and the East Sussex Division of the National Union of Teachers says:

"The NUT is proud of its long record on fighting for equality- especially for our LGBT members, and local NUT Divisions have been at the forefront of these campaigns. Former East Sussex Division Secretary and Executive member Tim Lucas highlighted the inequality faced by same-sex partners in teachers' pensions way back at NUT Conference 1983, and was the first Chair of the union's LGBT Working Party.

We will be continuing our celebration of equality and diversity with an open-topped bus as a float in the Brighton Pride Parade on 3rd August: why not join us ?" 

All NUT members are welcome, and I'm sure they could make room for other Eastbourne trade unionists !   Please meet at Madeira Drive, by Brighton Pier, no later than 10.30am on Saturday 3rd August. The Parade leaves at 11.00 and is expected to arrive at Preston Park about 90 minutes later. You will need to buy a ticket if you want to join the celebrations in the park.