A forum for trade unionists and union branches with members in the Eastbourne area. Meets and campaigns on unions' campaigns and the priorities of the TUC in Eastbourne.
Showing posts with label musicians union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label musicians union. Show all posts
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!
Parking charges from the City of Westminster Council may not seem of much interest to Eastbournetrades unionists, but, as raised by Musicians Union delegate to Eastbourne Trades Council Roy Martin at the last meeting, the decision to impose steep parking charges is having a hugely detrimental effect on gigging musicians and other entertainers from across the South East.
The London Evening Standard reported that an independent study by respected independent City forecaster the Centre for Economics and Business Research predicted that introducing the evening charges would cost the West End's economy £800m and would lead to the loss of 5,100 jobs. Tory-run Westminster council did not carry out its own economic impact research before it rubber stamped the new restrictions on 1 August.
A demonstration against the proposed Westminster Parking Charges took place in London’s West End on Thursday 2nd December. Despite the rain and the cold, MU members from West End shows such as Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Ghost, Blood Brothers together with orchestral players and BBC Concert Orchestra members turned out to leaflet the public and raise awareness of this imposed tax on employment and entertainment. Union officials were joined by Equity officials, casino workers and a defiant arrival from the Motorcycle Community all to join forces in this process. Lord Richard Bradford on behalf of the restaurant industry and Labour Leader Paul Dimoldenberg added their support.
All trade unionists are encouraged to show solidarity with their MU and Equity colleagues as well as the many other workers in the West End whose livelihoods are threatened by this move.
