Midlands News 46

Our most recent enewsletter, Midlands News 46 is now available on the TUC website here

NAPO special conference Bham

Rob Johnston, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, today addressed the NAPO special conference. 

400 delegates packed Birmingham Town Hall and heard stories of how privatisation in the probation service has failed.

As well as debate delegates took to Victoria Square for a public campaigning session at lunch time that was covered by the press and tv.

Rob Johnston said:

"Figures from NOMS in 2012 showed that all 35 probation trusts in England and Wales were showing either good or excellent performance. Indeed the service won British Quality Foundation medal for excellence in 2011.

So why does the government brand it failing? Why the rush to privatisation? Privatisation has failed before, it has failed across the whole publi sector and it is our job to defend our quality public services. 

So a message to government - hands off our probation service. Public services, not for profit."

West Midlands Wage Summit Friday 4th April

Midlands LGB & T Network and Disability Forum support Trade Sexual Health

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Rob Johnston, and Secretary of the Midlands LGB & T Network Alex De Winter present the cheque.

2013 again saw a huge response to the LGB & T and Disabled members forums fundraising in support of HIV charities. Events were held in Leicester, Lincoln and Birmingham around World Aids Day which raised another huge amount to support those charities which are often struggling to make ends meet.

Pictured are the staff and volunteers from Trade Sexual Health in Leicester who received a cheque for £970.46 from TUC activist Alex De Winter who organised the fundraising events, and Rob Johnston, TUC Regional Secretary.

Trade Sexual Health have been running since the year 2000 and now see over 1,000 people a year. The services offered include rapid HIV testing, counselling and one to one sessions, as well as an outreach scheme.

The centre takes an holistic approach to its work, and includes Well Man work and stop smoking sessions.

Most of the work currently undertaken is aimed at men, so the centre is seeking funding to target women’s work too.

Trade Sexual Health is the local Lead Agency for HiV Prevention England and is based in Leicester which has the 6^th highest infection rate outside London.

Trade also run group sessions for men living with HIV, talking about anything and everything to do with the effects of living with HIV – including work based issues. Alex De Winter said, “Where HIV affects you in the workplace you have the right to raise this with your employers. We encourage people to ensure they get appropriate support from their employer and say this is best done through your union.”

Future funding for the centre is uncertain as like all voluntary groups and charities funding is increasingly difficult to secure.

East Midlands Wage Summit Friday 28th March