Northants county council workers protest at cits

Northamptonshire county council workers are protesting outside County Hall this morning against cuts to their conditions of service. A sham of a consultation process is leaving staff with the chive of accepting changes or being sacked and re-engaged on new, poorer contracts. No choice, yet another council taking their staff for granted, and slashing services to the public they are supposed to support.

Back at Uni of Birmingham Jobs Fair

It's late September and that means talking to students at the University of Birmingham about their rights at work. As you would expect, lots of students enquiring about work, and interested particularly in the change to the minimum wage next week.

Update on Coaches to the TUC March and Rally in Manchester - 29th September

We have had further coach details sent to us for the TUC march and rally in defence of the NHS in Manchester on Sunday 29th September:

Coaches from Derby:

To book places on coaches leaving Derby email unison@derby.gov.uk or suearg1@yahoo.com (NUT) or diane.norton@unitetheunion.org or you can call

01332 643216/7; 07929043415 or 01522 300084 

Coaches from Nottinghamshire:
Notts TUC
Free
Pick up:
Nottingam, Maid Marion Way, 8am
Mansfield, Walkden St (outside Argos), 8.30am

Contact: Nottstc@gmail.com

Notts UNISON
Free
Pick up: County Hall
Contact: Martin
martinsleath@yahoo.co.uk

Nottingham Univeristy Hospitals
(City hospital and QMC)
Free
Contact: julia.stanley@nuh.nhs.uk

Ashfield & Mansfield Unison
Free

Pick up: Hucknall, Kirkby in Ashfield, Sutton in Ashfield, Mansfield
Contact: unison@ashfield-dc.gov.uk

PCS
Pick up: 8.30 am outside the Royal Centre, South Sherwood Street, Nottingham.
Free
Contact Rachel rachelshouse@gmail.com

Celebrate the TUC's education proramme in Solihull

Solihull Trades Union Education Centre are delighted to be able to invite you to an event to celebrate the TUC's Education Programme in Solihull.

The Centre will be working with Solihull College to deliver a programme of courses intended to support the needs of trade unionists and the trade union movement in the area.

There are many exciting developments taking place that we would like bring to your attention and we’d like to welcome you on Wednesday 25 September 2013 at the Trade Union Studies Centre, Solihull College, Blossomfield Road, Solihull B91 1SB from 2.30pm until 4.00pm.

The keynote speaker will be Rob Johnston, the Midlands TUC's Regional Secretary.  There will also be contributions from Trade Union Studies Centre Programme Manager Julie Matthews and Andy Probyn, Solihull Colleges’ Senior Director Creative and Professional Faculty. The event includes a tour of the Trade Union Studies Centre facilities, and a buffet lunch will be provided.

To book your place for this free event please contact Louise Power via lpower@tuc.org.uk

Facility Time Briefing

Defending our right to represent members

5.00pm – 7.00pm, Thursday 24^th October, UNISON, 24 Livery Street, Birmingham, B3 2PA

How can unions respond to the attack on facility time? And defend the ability of reps to represent members individually and collectively?

These practical sessions, with TUC national organiser Carl Roper, will look at the legal position of reps in respect of paid time off for union duties and activities and the attack from the political right. Discuss how reps and unions can respond by promoting the value of the work that union reps do, argue effectively against attacks on facility time and update current agreements.

These facility time sessions are for all reps working in both the public and private sectors. Please register as soon as possible. To guarantee your place please email Michelle Kesterton at mkesterton@tuc.org.uk

Austerity Uncovered tour video launched at Congress

In June of this year the TUC took a bus across England and Wales to listen to people talking about the affects of austerity on them and their families. The short video is a snapshot of the coalition government's Britain. It's not easy listening.

Rally for Education 2013 - Nottingham Saturday 14th September at 11.00 a.m.

The NASUWT and NUT have announced a series of joint public rallies. Teachers, parents, governors and families are welcome.

You are not alone in having serious concerns about the Government’s education policies and the damage being done to children and young people and to our schools and colleges.

Your support can make a real difference. Teachers, parents/carers, school governors, pupils and other members of the public have made clear that they have serious concerns about the Government's education changes. We think it is time for the Government to listen.

Help us spread the word by talking to your friends, family and colleagues:

• CONTACT YOUR MP and let them know why you are concerned about the Government’s education policies.
• If you use Twitter, spread the word to your followers - don’t forget to include the hashtag #rally4edu
• If you use Facebook, you could also post information on there to your friends
• Write to the letters pages of your local newspapers or post a comment on an internet forum about what you heard at the rally
• Find out more by watching the short film below
• Keep in touch with Rally for Education news, events and future activities and how you can remain involved by following us on Twitter at: @nasuwt

Thousands of teachers, parents, pupils and members of the public have been taking part in packed rallies across England and Wales.

The NASUWT/NUT ‘Rallies for Education’ in April and May were so popular that the venues weren’t big enough to accommodate all those who turned up; testament to the strength of feeling and will people have to defend public education.

Ordinary members of the public gave up their Saturdays and thronged to hear moving testimonies about the damaging impact of the Government’s education policies.

They heard harrowing stories from headteachers about the devastating impact on staff and pupils of being forced into Academies. They heard teachers talk about how demoralised they feel by the damaging reforms that have been imposed upon them. They heard from parents of disabled children fearful that the valuable support they rely upon is under threat.

The collective mood was one of anger, but defiance, and a determination to stand together and fight for the future of public education.

Come and show your support at one of the September rallies - the east midlands rally is being held in Nottingham on Saturday 14th September from 11.00 a.m. with speakers Chris Keates, General Secretary, (pictured, above) NASUWT and Kevin Courtney, Deputy General Secretary, NUT.

Crowne Plaza
Wollaton Street
Nottingham
NG1 5RH
(map)