Newcastle Workfare Picket

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 14:00 to 17:00

Location

Holland and Barrett
11 Bigg Market
NE1 1UN Newcastle
United Kingdom
54° 58' 16.2372" N, 1° 36' 52.0956" W
See map: Google Maps
Event organiser: 
West Yorkshire Solidarity Federation

The Solidarity Federation (the UK section of the International Workers Association) is launching days of action
against the governments controversial Workfare scheme.

In Newcastle members of the Solidarity Federation are concentrating on health food chain Holland and Barrett,
who are to benefit hugely from the scheme.

local, network, collective: 
West Yorks
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
http://www.facebook.com/westyorkshire.solidarityfederation?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/269157206502016/

Pro-choice protest at Westminster Cathedral

On Sunday 25th March members of the South London Solfed Gender working group, Femcells and others went to church. In response to 40daysforlife harassing women outside abortion clinics, we decided to harass one of their main proponents, Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster cathedral. The basic message, in chant form, was “Bishop Hopes shame on you, come to us we’ll come to you!”. We won’t let the pro-lifers get away with harassment and intimidation.
 

Read a full report here

Drop-in session - Brighton

start: 
Sun, 29/04/2012 - 10:00 to 13:00

If you're having trouble with the boss or landlord, or just want to find out more about the Solidarity Federation, we're holding a drop-in session this Sunday morning from 10am at the Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton. Drop in for a coffee and a chat. We are a revolutionary union initiative - we're not legal experts but we can help you find out your rights and suggest direct action tactics to get what you deserve.

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public

Anti-workfare action - Hastings

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:00 to 14:00

As part of the International Workers' Association days of action, Solidarity Federation Locals across the country will be taking action against workfare on Saturday 31st March. In Hastings, we'll be meeting at Hastings Railway Station at 11am. Target to be confirmed, as firms are pulling out regularly at the moment.

The following Monday (2nd April), there will be a communications blockade (target tba) to keep up the pressure.

 

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/230977526999890/

Anti-workfare action - Brighton

start: 
Sat, 31/03/2012 - 11:00 to 14:00

As part of the International Workers' Association days of action, Solidarity Federation Locals across the country will be taking action against workfare on Saturday 31st March. In Brighton, we're joining with the Brighton Benefits Campaign. We will be meeting at the Clock Tower on the junction of Queens Rd and North St at 11am. Target to be confirmed, as firms are pulling out regularly at the moment.

The following Monday (2nd April), there will be a communications blockade (target tba) to keep up the pressure.

local, network, collective: 
Brighton
Access Layer: 
Public
URL: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/383880374969967/

Academy workplace issues - a worker's voice

In Jan 2011 my school became an academy, as set out by the government that outstanding schools could become academies. As a staff we were duped into this. There was some consultation with unions, but as previous headships broke the unions in the school with their “divide and rule” regime, consultation was limited. We were sold the lie that we were now free of the thrall of the LEA, HMI inspections and, due to an outstanding status, free from OFTSED inspections for at least 5 years. This has not been the case , in fact being taken from LEA control now subjects us to far more stringent work practices, where union guidelines are not applicable or at the very least are bent to suit the requirements of management. Also being out of LEA control means if the school hits any financial difficulties, it will be teaching staff who suffer.

Fighting Academies: Bournville School, Birmingham

Bournville School, Birmingham. Stories of successful attempts at defeating academy coversions seem to be thin on the ground at the moment, with over 1,200 new or conversion academy schools being created since Conservatives/LibDems came into power, so it was inspiring in autumn 2011 to hear that staff and parents at Bournville School in Birmingham defeated governors plans to convert the school into an academy. After a forceful parent campaign against the conversion, and the threat of united strike action by NASUWT and NUT the school's governors shelved plans to convert to an Academy, for at least a year. This means the fight is not yet over though this was a huge victory and an example to all other schools fighting academy conversions.

Fighting Academies: Oasis Community Learning

Oasis Community Learning, a christian educational trust currently running 14 academies in England, is typical of the theological style of industrial relations promoted by the cheerleaders of the Academy sector. Back in November, in the middle of the school year, 13 teachers at its Media City (Salford) Academy were sacked, sparking 5 days of strikes as well as a walk out by year 10 and 11 pupils in the run up to christmas. Ultimately, the campaign to defend the teachers did not win.

Fighting Academies: Montgomery School Public Meeting

On the 26th of January in Sparkbrook, Birmingham- Montgomery Primary School  held a public meeting at a local mosque. The meeting was well attended by the local community, parents staff and trade unions involved in the fight to stop Montgomery Primary School becoming an academy. The speakers included Rich Hatcher from the Alliance Against Birmingham Academies and speakers from all the trade unions involved in the campaign (NUT,NASUWT and GMB) as well as parents. The speakers made clear that the academy programme is an ideological attempt to further privatise education.