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Monday 12 November 2012

UNISON warns of cuts in Southend's library service


Libraries review a cover for cuts?

Southend Council are undertaking a review to ‘consider the future direction’ of their library services but a trade union warns that when estimated savings of £32.5 million need to be made by the council over the next three years, this review may be used as a cover to make drastic cuts or even close libraries.
Southend Local Government branch of Unison, which represents workers in the library service, points out that though the purpose of the review is “ensuring libraries to be fit for the future” this is to be done “whilst reducing cost to assist in meeting the required Council spending reductions”.
Libraries across the country have faced severe cuts to services and opening hours over the last few years. For instance, Surrey County Council is already advancing plans to staff 10 libraries solely with volunteers whilst 13 branch libraries across Leeds were closed. This is the kind of consequence that Unison wants to avoid for the people of Southend.
Southend UNISON believes that libraries offer a host of vital free services to local communities such as access to books, information and computers. The union also says that the key to libraries being able to deliver a quality service is having knowledgeable, well trained staff to hand with access to adequate resources. Libraries are a free service, used by many, which local communities can be proud of and should fight for. The Councils ‘fact finding’ consultation asking the public what they want from their Library Service began on Monday 1st October and ends on 6thJanuary 2013.
The union is encouraging library users to play a full part in the consultation. They urge people to make sure there really is a representative response and, of course, to make clear that the public supports a free, well-funded and professional library service.

Claire Wormald, secretary of Southend UNISON Local Government Branch said:

“Libraries are an important free service that is open to the entire community. That’s why we are urging all residents to stand up for Southend Libraries by taking part in Southend Council’s upcoming public consultation and firmly state that they will not accept reductions in opening times, staffing levels, or the resources used to provide this key service. Cutting library services will be yet another false economy that will store up problems for the future.”


Southend Borough Council Webpage – information on the process and option to participate part in review online:http://www.southend.gov.uk/info/10109/librariesnews_and_events/1409/library_services_review



Monday 1 October 2012





WHY WE’RE MARCHING
Austerity isn’t working
Our country faces long-term economic problems. But our political leaders have failed to face up to them.
For the next five years or more, unless policies change the economy will not grow, incomes will not rise, and there will be almost no new jobs.
If the government keeps on with big spending cuts and austerity  we face a lost decade. Even on their own terms government policies are failing. To close the deficit we need a healthy growing economy that generates tax income. But austerity has led to a vicious circle of decline.
Instead of just letting the banks go back to business and bonuses as usual, we need policies that promote new and old industries.
This new approach would create jobs, especially for young people.
It would encourage companies to raise average pay, penalise big bonuses and invest in training and new industries. It would crack down on tax evasion by big companies and the super-rich. It would tackle the growing inequality between the super-rich and everyone else.
Rather than deep, rapid spending cuts, we need to reverse our decline and build an economy that works for ordinary families.
We need a future that works. Will you join us?

Monday 24 September 2012

Next Southend TUC meeting



NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :  Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Time :   6.30 pm
Venue :    Labour Party Office, 268 Sutton Road, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 5th September & matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm


Ian Pope
Secretary

Tuesday 11 September 2012

March & Rally - Saturday 6th October



Austerity isn’t working – Fight the cuts! Defend our services!


Southend Area March and Rally

Saturday 6th October. Meet 12am top of Pier Hill then march to rally at Victoria Circus at 1pm.
Speakers from local and national organisations

Monday 3 September 2012



The Southend TUC banner on display at the Burston Rally, Suday 2nd Septemeber 2012

Sunday 19 August 2012

Notice of our next meeting


Southend Trades Union Council
registered with the TUC



Dear Comrade,

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :             Wednesday 5th September 2012
Time :             6.30 pm
Venue :         Labour Party Office, 268 Sutton Road, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 4th July & matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm



Yours fraternally
Ian Pope
Secretary

Friday 3 August 2012

Chelmsford - Celebration of Unity - 18th August

united chelmsford
says
we don’t want the racist edl in our city
join our celebration of unity
ON
Saturday 18th August

assemble: Tindal Square, Chelmsford
CM1 1LX at 11.30am.

We will then
march through the town at 1pm and return
to tindal square for speeches.
a wide range of speakers has been
invited


Supported by Chelmsford TUC, Chelmsford Amnesty
International, other local organisations and Unite Against
Fascism PO Box 68229 London SW1P 9WZ

Thursday 5 July 2012



The unveiling of the brand new Southend TUC banner at our meeting yesterday evening. It has already made an appearance at the Leigh Folk Festival, and doubtless be seen at marches, rallies and picket lines in the coming months.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Leigh Folk Festival



The Southend TUC is pleased to be a sponsor of the Folk Festival again this year. Trade Unions are now recognised as the major sponsors, with RMT, PCS and UNITE making contributions.

The event is completely free. A great time is guaranteed! More information can be seen on the Folk Festival's website




Saturday 2 June 2012

Next meeting - 6 June

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :           Wednesday 6th June 2012
Time :           6.00pm
Venue :        Bar Vic, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 2nd May & matters arising
4.         Venue for future meetings*
5.         Campaigning activities
6.         Urgent Branch Reports
7.         Financial Report
8.         Correspondence
9.         Any other urgent business**
10.       Close of meeting - by 7.00pm

*  Bar Vic is no longer opening in the evenings. They have kindly agreed to open for an extra hour, so we can hold our meeting.
** Must be notified to the Chair prior to the meeting

 
 

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Public Sector Pension Strike - Thursday 10th May


The Southend TUC expresses support and solidarity to all trade union members striking in defence of their pensions. We understand that in Southend, there will be picket lines at the following workplaces:
 
- Alexander House in Victoria Avenue,
- Kingswood House in Baxter Avenue,
- The DWP at Dencora Court
- The County Court in Tylers Avenue
- South Essex College in Luker Road.
 
[Alexander House will be picketed from around 5am, the others from around 7-7:30am]
 
Please visit the picket lines and express your support!

Sunday 6 May 2012

Public Meeting - Thursday 31th May 2012



Venue: Southend Central Library, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6EX
Starting at 7.30pm
Speakers:
Derrick Marr - RMT Executive member
Rachel Heemskerk - Southend TUC

Come to the public meeting and discuss how we can save our railways and campaign for a rail network fit for the 21st century.

Sunday 29 April 2012

Next meeting - 02/05/2012

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :             Wednesday 2nd May 2012
Time :             6.30pm
Venue :         Bar Vic, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 4th April & matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities:
·        Union recruitment
·        Southend Against the Cuts
·        Leigh Folk Festival
·        Public Meeting - 31st May 2012
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm

Saturday 31 March 2012

Next Southend TUC meeting - 04/04/12

Dear Comrade,

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :             Wednesday 4th April 2012
Time :             6.30pm
Venue :         Bar Vic, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 7th March & matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities:
·        Union recruitment
·        Southend Against the Cuts
·        Leigh Folk Festival
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
·        Ballot for the TUCJCC East of England member*
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm

*The 3 candidates for the TUCJCC election are:
Michael Fletcher (nominated by Colchester & District TUC)
Colin Gale (nominated by Cambridgeshire CATC)
Teresa Mackay (nominated by Suffolk CATC)

Yours fraternally
Ian Pope
Secretary

Monday 27 February 2012

Next meeting of Southend TUC

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :             Wednesday 7th March 2012
Time :             6.30pm
Venue :         Bar Vic, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 1st February & matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities:
·         Union recruitment
·         Southend Against the Cuts
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm

Ian Pope
Secretary

Thursday 23 February 2012

Lobby - Southend Council Budget Meeting on 01/03/12

Thursday, 1 March 2012 @17:30 until 20:30

Protest called by Southend Unison.

Councillors will be setting this year's cuts budget, hitting jobs and services across the board.

Meet at Southend Victoria Station then join short march to rally outside Civic Centre for 6pm.

Monday 6 February 2012

A trip down memory lane


The historic Southend TUC banner, pictured in Clifftown Road in the mid 1980s. I think the march was to the Labour Hall which was then in Cambridge Road.

We are currently looking into having a new banner made based on the original design.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Next Southend TUC meeting - 01/02/12

Dear Comrade,

NOTICE OF NEXT SOUTHEND TRADES UNION COUNCIL MEETING

Date :             Wednesday 1st February 2012
Time :             6.30pm
Venue :         Labour Party Office, 268 Sutton Road, Southend on Sea

AGENDA

1.         President's opening remarks
2.         Apologies for absence
3.         Minutes of last meeting held on 4th January& matters arising
4.         Campaigning activities:
·         Union recruitment
·         Southend Against the Cuts
5.         Branch Reports
6.         Financial Report
7.         Correspondence
8.         Any other business
9.         Close of meeting - by 8.00pm

Yours fraternally
Ian Pope
Secretary

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Annual Report for 2011

Southend Trades Union Council
registered with the TUC

Secretary’s Report for the year ended 31 December 2011
Introduction
During the year the Southend TUC:
·         Held 11 general meetings with an average attendance of 7 delegates
·         We received affiliation fees from 11 branches from the following unions :
ASLEF, CWU, PCS, RMT, UNISON, UNITE, TSSA
·         Affiliated to the Essex County Association of Trades Councils

Work of the Year
·         Cuts and Public Services
·         Throughout the year we have supported the activities, including the street stalls and public meetings organised by the Southend against the Cuts campaign group, which was set up by the Southend TUC in 2010.
·         On 30th June, we supported the strike action by PCS, UCU, NUT and ATL in defence of public sector pensions.
·         We assisted with the preparations for the March and Rally in support of the Public Sector strike over pensions on 30th November.
·         Trade Union Solidarity
·         During the year we send a number of messages to trades unionists in struggle, both in the UK and internationally.
·         We organised a coach to the Burston March and Rally on 4th September
·         On 2nd October, I attended the March and Rally to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.
·         Community Involvement
·         In the run up to the local council elections, we called upon our supporters to vote for the candidates of the Southend Labour Party on the basis of their opposition to spending cuts by the Borough Council.
·         We maintained our support for the Leigh Folk Festival, and held a stall at the festival over the weekend of 18th and 19th June. The Trades Unions have now become the major sponsor of the Festival, which is appropriate as folk music originated from the working class over the centuries and Trades Unions are the representatives and voice of working people today.

Summary
During 2011, the Southend TUC has been very active in supporting the campaign against the austerity policies of the Government. We have raised our profile both within our local community as well as in the labour and trade union movement. We stand ready to continue our campaigning activities during the coming year.

Ian Pope
Secretary