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.

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 14th January

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, on Tuesday 14th January 2020, 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 and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. UNION CAMPAIGNS:  especially in light of the General Election result and implications from the current Queen's Speech. All attendees are encouraged to bring information about their union's current campaigning activity.

6. Other Events:  Cuba film showing, and early preparation for May Day, Workers' Memorial Day and other events in 2020.

7. Any other business

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.

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 15th January

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 15th January 2019, 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 (November) and matters arising.
4. Treasurer's Report

5. GUEST SPEAKER: SAM GURNEY- TUC Regional Secretary for London, East and South East

6. Other Union Campaigns:
(a) ESCC Core Offer cuts
(b) Education Update
(c) Retail Update
(d) NHS Update
(e) Other campaigns

7. Events- including Trades Councils National Conference
8. Nominations open for Officers for March AGM and Len Caine Prize
9. Any other business

Next Trades Council: Tuesday 20th November

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 20th 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. EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL- THE IMPACT OF THE "CORE OFFER" CUTS 

6. Other Union Campaigns:

(a) Derecognition of NEU at East Sussex College Group

(b) RMT ongoing safety dispute at Southern

(c) Retail Update

(d) NHS Update

(e) Other campaigns

7. Events

(a) Tony Benn film- report

(b) Engels Plaque etc. update

(c) Early Planning for 2019 events

8. Any other business

National Unity Demonstration Against Fascism and Racism

Internationally we face the biggest threat from the far right since the 1930s.  The disturbing rise of racist and fascist activity across Europe exemplified by events in Chemnitz, Germany and the confidence given to the far right globally by the Trump presidency.  The coalescing of racist and fascist groupings from the Democratic Football Lads Alliance through to UKIP and the fascists around the ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ campaign have resulted in mobilising on a scale not seen for decades..   The TUC are supporting the ‘National Unity Demonstration  Against racism and fascism. The demonstration makes an important public statement that trade unions and other organisations are opposed to the increasingly racist and xenophobic directed against some of the most vulnerable members of our communities   Join us a and help build a massive turnout on the day. There is a coach going from Brighton- contact their organiser here.

Marching with Pride

Eastbourne Trades Council were proud to be represented at the Eastbourne Pride march and festival this summer.  A number of union banners took part in the parade, and we had a stall at the park, where information about the work of the trade union movement supporting LGBT+ workers was available.  Thanks to members of NEU, Unite, UCU, GMB and Unison for their help with the stall.

Pride will happen in Eastbourne next year- lets make sure EVERY union with members in Eastbourne is represented on the march!

Next Trades Council Meeting: 3rd July

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 3rd July, 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 (May) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Anti-Cuts Campaigns: Updates on the various campaigns including the Unison campaigns at ESCC and NHS, the campaign to save the Music Service, the East Sussex Save the NHS Campaigning, and the demonstration against cuts to SEN Children's Services.

6. Other live union disputes and campaigns:
(a) GMB Dispute at Eastbourne DGH
(b) Teachers' Pay Dispute
(c) RMT safety dispute at Southern
(d) Retail Update

7. Events:
(a) Eastbourne Pride: To agree arrangements for the stall on the day, and to encourage trade unionists to march.
(b) Modern Slavery campaign- possible link with the Co-op Party campaigning
(c) "Will and Testament"- proposed Eastbourne showing of the Tony Benn film by local Labour Party
(d) Engels Plaque update

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

March with us on May Day!

Commemorate May Day (a bit late, but using the May Day holiday!) with workers around the world. March with our trade union banners through Eastbourne Town Centre and up to the Wish Tower Slopes for speakers and a picnic.
 
Following last year's success, let's make this year even bigger! Assemble on the grass outside the NUT office on Hyde Gardens for an 11.00am start, If your union branch has a banner (or flags etc. but please no balloons) bring it along!

Speakers will include Eastbourne People's Assembly, East Sussex Save the NHS, Bourne Out LGBT and a striker from the current teachers' dispute.

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!

Nature of the Beast

Eastbourne Labour Party will be presenting the first showing of this acclaimed documentary film about Labour and trade union stalwart Dennis Skinner MP at the Curzon on Saturday 30th September. The event has been sponsored by the Trades Council, Unison East Sussex Hospitals branch and Usdaw Sussex.

Tickets are £6 with £5 for concessions, and can be booked in advance through Eventbrite by clicking here.

You can find out more about the film at the filmmakers' website by clicking here  and there is a trailer for the film viewable on YouTube by clicking here.

Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 22nd September

The next meeting of Eastbourne Trades Council will be on Tuesday 22nd 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 new affiliations.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (July) and matters arising. 
4. Treasurer's Report- Gordon Dyer
5. Eastbourne Campaigns: Report from the People's Assembly launch, Eastbourne Welcomes Refugees and other local campaigning initiatives.
6. Keep Justice in Eastbourne: update on campaign to keep magistrates court open.
7. Update on East Sussex County Association of Trades Councils
8. Delegates to SERTUC Trades Councils Conference, 31st October. We can send 2 delegates who will have their travel fully funded.
9. Any other Campaigns: Colleagues invited to provide information on their Unions’ local and national campaigns, and any support that the Trades Council could give.
10. Autumn Newsletter- draft to be tabled for approval (or not !)
11. Any other business. The bar will be open afterwards !

Join us at the Tolpuddle Festival

Lewes and Crawley Trades Councils are organising a coach to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival Rally this year, on 19th July, and trade unionists from Eastbourne are warmly invited to join them. This is a fantastic event with music, political speakers, and thousands of people processing with their banners.

The Tolpuddle Festival commemorates the Tolpuddle Martyrs- farm labourers who were tried and transported to Australia in 1834 on trumped-up charges, as a result of their forming an early trade union. Three years later, the government capitulated, and the men returned home as heroes. Find out more about their story here.

The fare will be approximately £10, and you will need to get to Lewes to join the coach.  If you are interested, please contact the Lewes Trades Council secretary Bill Ball by emailing here.