BTUC Delegates Meeting 7 pm Thursday 6th May 2021 over zoom

May 3

Posted by Naeem Malik in Events | No Comments

BTUC is holding its monthly delgates meeting 7 pm on Thursday the 6th May 2021

The meeting will hear from invited speakers, including Andrew Murray from Stop the War and a speaker on the practice of blacklisting Trade Unionists. There will also be reports on workplace disputes by affiliated unions and their representatives.

Zoom details

Topic: BTUC Delegate Meeting
Time: 7 pm Thursday 6th May 2021
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89550888818?pwd=S2o3SWdhekxrRGc3WjMydit0Q3JoUT09

Meeting ID: 895 5088 8818
Passcode: 027430
To connect on your phone Dial 0203 481 5237 and enter the meeting ID and Passcode when requested.

Agenda:

1. Apologies

2. Welcome to New Delegates

3. Guest Speakers invited

4. Correspondence

5. Minutes of the Trades Union Delegates Meeting

6. Matters Arising from the minutes of Delegates meeting

7. Action reports from Minutes of the Executive Meeting

8. Officers/Other reports

9. Resolutions

         a. UNITE Community on Covid

         b. UNISON Birmingham Uni Affiliation to Strike Map UK

9. Important Workplace reports

10. Any other Business

Venue Zoom Meeting

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Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021: A Briefing for Trade Unionists

This briefing has been compiled by the Stop the Police Bill organising group – a network of trade unionists, MPs, climate activists, anti-racist groups and lawyers committed to campaigning against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The right to protest is a fundamental liberty in a democracy. Such actions have historically resulted in important social reforms, including the right to vote, equal pay and the right to form, and to belong to, a trade union. The Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC Bill) is a new set of proposed laws that would drastically limit the right to protest and campaign for a more progressive society.

The Bill is going through Parliament at the moment and, if passed, will apply in England and Wales. Some of the measures will also apply in Scotland.It is important for Trade Unionists to view this Bill in its broader context: it is part of a disturbing pattern of Government attempts to limit opposition and legitimise state suppression of progressive movements. The Trade Union Act 2016 severely undermined the right to strike by subjecting trade union members to unprecedented levels of civil and criminal penalties, regulations and technical monitoring requirements. The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 – the so-called ‘Spycops Act’ – allows the police and the security services to commit crimes against anyone in the UK without fear of facing prosecution.

The Act gives a licence to the police and MI5 to infiltrate trade unions and social movements – tactics which the police have admitted led to the illegal blacklisting of construction workers because of their trade union links.

Read more: https://is.gd/LD2hNB

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Attack on staff at Aston University.

Apr 30

Posted by Mary Wilkins in Industrial Action | No Comments

Defend staff at Aston University and the excellent teaching they provide.

Please sign the petition here.

Defend History and Language provision at Aston University

May Day Protest Rally Saturday 11 am 1st May 2021 Victoria Square Birmingham

Apr 26

Posted by Naeem Malik in Events | No Comments

Mark this May Day with a protest against the Police and Criminal Bill threatening our hard earned liberties achieved over centuries of struggle

Parliament

Apr 24

Posted by John O in Parliament | No Comments

The UK Parliament, is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, has two Houses, ‘Commons’ and ‘Lords’, that work on behalf of UK citizens to check and challenge the work of Government, make and shape effective laws, and debate/make decisions on the big and small issues of the day.

UK public elects 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons. MPs consider and propose new laws and scrutinise government policies by asking ministers questions about current issues either in the Commons Chamber or in Committees.

House of Lords members are not elected; they appointed by the Queen on the advice of the incumbent prime minister.

This section will show selected reports from sittings of the ‘Commons’ and the ‘Lords.’

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Online Petition: Access to Healthcare, Housing, Food For All Undocumented/Destitute/Migrant Peoples

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Grant an Urgent Amnesty to Undocumented Migrants Living in the UK

A petition for the regularisation of undocumented migrants in the UK has now reached over 72,500 signatures with just under 3 months to go until signing closes. This petition is powered by a network of grassroots activists and undocumented folks that have worked tirelessly sharing it and reaching out to different communities to support it.

Undocumented Migrants are suffering in silence, with no access to adequate Financial support, or any help. The Government should grant an urgent Amnesty of 5 years to those with no criminal record so that they could live their lives as normal human beings and pay tax to help the UK economy. The current pandemic has created a more hostile environment for undocumented migrants. The Government should grant an immediate Amnesty to the Undocumented Migrants with no criminal record, to enable them to live their lives as decent human beings and help the country economically. Since the migrants are already in the UK, it would not only be cost effective but would make sense to keep them in the UK and grant them citizenship so that they are granted their basic human rights.

You can add your signature here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/567681

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EDM 1732: Fire and Rehire Tactics
That this House notes with alarm the growing number of employers who are dismissing and re-engaging staff on worse pay and terms and conditions, a practice commonly known as fire and rehire;agrees with Government Ministers that such tactics represent an unacceptable abuse of power by rogue bosses, many of whom are exploiting the covid-19 crisis to increase profits at the expense of loyal staff who have risked their lives during the pandemic to keep businesses going;welcomes the Government’s stated commitment to tackle those shameful abuses;calls on the Government to publish the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service report into the practice received by Ministers on 17 February 2021;and further calls on the Government to commit to including proposals in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech to outlaw this form of industrial blackmail,as is the case in other European countries,and to bring forward this new legislation as a matter of urgency to protect UK workers from exploitation by unscrupulous employers. This motion has been signed by 20 Members. Parliament:

Tabled on 13 April 2021, https://is.gd/NDirba

ut Your MP to Work – Ask Them to Sign EDM 1732To find your MP go here: https://www.writetothem.com/

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EDM 973: Justice for Osime Brown – Deportation No Way

That this House acknowledges 21-year-old Osime Brown’s autism and the behavioural challenges that come with it; further acknowledges the Home Office’s plans to deport Osime to Jamaica where he has not lived since he was four years old and has never returned to; notes Osime’s mother’s words that if they deport him, he’ll die; further notes that, although a friend testified that Osime was not directly involved with the crime, Osime is currently in prison where he is self-harming to the point that he has hundreds of scars on his body; recognises the Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s advice which states that if one is detained despite being vulnerable, one should apply for bail; calls on the Government to acknowledge Osime’s autism, dyslexia, learning disabilities, and PTSD; further calls on the Government to release Osime on bail rather than being moved to a holding facility that is not properly equipped to meet his needs, remove the call for Osime’s deportation, and see that Osime finally receives the support he needs for his disabilities.

Parliament: Tabled 06 October 2020, https://is.gd/sCszvi

Put Your MP to Work – Ask Them to Sign EDM 973To find your MP go here: https://www.writetothem.com/
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EDM 1656:Undercover Policing Inquiry
That this House notes the ongoing independent public Undercover Policing Inquiry, set up to investigate undercover policing in England and Wales since 1968; recognises the concerns raised by Non State Non Police Core Participants (NSNPCPs) and interested campaign groups (including the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance and Police Spies Out of Lives) that the inquiry is not currently properly accessible to Core Participants or to the public; supports the principle of open justice including that public inquiries should be open and accessible to the public; believes that all Core Participants should be able to fully access and participate in the Inquiry; is concerned that the decision not to have audio and visual live streaming of the inquiry prevents full engagement from participants and prevents public and press access to proceedings; and Supports the calls from the NSNPCPs for full audio and visual live streaming, for the Inquiry to sit with a diverse panel of experts alongside the Chair throughout, for the names of groups subjected to undercover police surveillance to be disclosed publicly alongside the ‘cover’ names of undercover officers to allow those who were subjected to undercover police surveillance to assist the inquiry, for NSNPCPs to receive disclosure of their registry files in full and as a matter of urgency, for the terms of reference to be extended to include Scotland and Northern Ireland, and for trade unions, alongside all participating NSNPCPs to be given funding for legal costs so they are able to fully participate in the inquiry.

Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled on 17 March 2021
This motion has been signed by 22 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/58285

Put Your MP to Work – Ask Them to Sign EDM 1656 To find your MP go here: https://www.writetothem.com/

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May Day 2021 1 pm-3pm Saturday 1st May 2021

Apr 11

Posted by admin in Events | No Comments

The Birmingham Trades Council is as part of a long established tradition celebrating May Day as it has done over many decades. However, for the second year running the celebrations would be over zoom. In 2020, we were unsure how the pendemic would impact the Trades Council and its affiliates. In 2021, we are fairly sure about the direction of travel as far as the Trade Union movement and the communities BTUC serves. We have already seen the impact in terms of job losses, cuts in our affiliate members wages and detoriarating working conditions. We have seen the “Fire & Hire” by employers in the health and energy sectors. We have also seen the introduction of the Police Bill that aims to restrict our ability to organize and protest against some of the draconian measures the the employers intend taking against the various sections of the working classes over the next few years.

Zoom Meeting ID 853 2714 5707, Passcode 649171

Join the Zoom meeting

Speakers include

Radha D’SDouza Lawyer and Social Justice activist working in India and internationally, Missh Rahman Labour’s NEC member and Walsall activist, Chris Crean Friends of the Earth, Steve Turner Asst General Secretary UNITE the Union

We therefore, intend to use this May Day to reflect what we have faced over the last two years and what draconian measures we may anticipate against us as the movement here and internationally.

We have identified four areas of concern. They are

  • Jobs Crisis
  • Covid Zero
  • Violence against Women, state oppression and Equality issues
  • International and Neo Liberal policies

We have invited 4 key speakers one on each of the subjects above. Following their talks, we will split up into 4 Break out rooms where a discussion will follow for around 30 minutes. Each break out room will come back with suggestions of how the Trades Council should propose tackling these four areas of concern over the rest of 2021.

We will be publishing the names of those invited over the next few days once they are confirmed. We hope you will join us and be part of the discussion on how we can confront the draconian measures we can expect following the Covid-19 crisis.

Birmingham Workers Memorial Day
“Remember the Dead and fight for the living”

Apr 5

Posted by admin in Events, Home | No Comments

Zoom meeting 12.30pm Wed, 28 April 2021

Zoom Meeting ID 869 3191 1126

Passcode: 567742

Alternatively dial 0203 901 7895

When prompted enter meeting ID 869 3191 1126 & Passcode 567742

Speakers, including bereaved relatives:

Tracy Edwards, National Health & Safety Officer PCS

Su Lowe, Unite the Union, West Mids lead officer for Health

Ravi Subramanian, West Mids UNISON Regional Secretary

Lee Barron, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary

John Blunt, trustee Asbestos Support Central England

Kathy Gaffney, Sec West Midlands Hazards Trust

Ian Scott, President Birmingham Trades Union Council

Neil Bishop, manager Asbestos Support Central England

BTUC Delegates meeting Thursday 1st of April 7 pm (Zoom)

Mar 31

Posted by admin in Events | No Comments

BTUC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

The agenda for the meeting includes workplace reports, resolutions on Palestine, Indian Farmers action in Delhi, Jobs emergency in Britain and Birmingham, EU citizens Settled status and Peace & justice movement.

Topic: BTUC Delegate Meeting
Time: 7 pm Thursday the 1st of April 2021

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89550888818?pwd=S2o3SWdhekxrRGc3WjMydit0Q3JoUT09

Meeting ID: 895 5088 8818
Passcode: 027430
One tap mobile
+442034815237,,89550888818#,,,,027430# United Kingdom +442034815240,,89550888818#,,,,027430# United Kingdom

Dial by your location
+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
+44 203 901 7895 United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
+44 203 051 2874 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 895 5088 8818
Passcode: 027430

Heartless bosses at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham are firing and rehiring the porters on worse terms.

Mar 9

Posted by admin in Archive | No Comments

Click here for details
Click here to Sign a petition supporting the porters

BTUC Delegates Meeting 7 pm Thursday 4th March 2021

Mar 3

Posted by admin in Events | No Comments

The next Delegate meeting of Birmingham Trades Council will be 7 pm Thursday the 4th March over zoom

Birmingham Trades Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: BTUC Delegate Meeting
Time: 7pm Thursday 4th March 2021

Meeting ID: 895 5088 8818
Passcode: 027430
One tap mobile
+442034815237,,89550888818#,,,,027430# United Kingdom +442034815240,,89550888818#,,,,027430# United Kingdom

Dial by your location
+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
+44 203 901 7895 United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
+44 203 051 2874 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 895 5088 8818
Passcode: 027430

Click here to join the meeting

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY 2021 Film Screening and Q&A

Mar 2

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https://www.facebook.com/events/521059192192400/

Birmingham Trades Union Council (BTUC) invites you to our International Women’s Day (IWD) event. For this event, we aim to reflect on the origins of IWD by commemorating working women and their important role within the labour movement. We will also be discussing the importance of women not only as key organizers of the movement but their role in providing the bulk of reproductive labour for society. We invite you all to join the discussion.The event will first show the film ‘Norma Rae’ (1979) to later continue with a Q&A with key local speakers (TBC)The event will be on Sunday 7th March 2021 at 4pmJoin Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88021957251…Meeting ID: 880 2195 7251
Passcode: 986105
One tap mobile
+442039017895,,88021957251#,,,,*986105# United Kingdom
+441314601196,,88021957251#,,,,*986105# United KingdomDial by your location
+44 203 901 7895 United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
+44 203 051 2874 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 880 2195 7251
Passcode: 986105Please note that the Q+A portion of this event will be recorded. If you do not wish to be recorded please ensure your camera is not on and that you are muted. You will still be able to ask questions through the chat function.