Harrow and District CWU

Next Generation Labour: Austerity isn’t working

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:19:17 +0000

The attached document will be of interest to all CWU Branches.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office quoting GS14.0.

Download (PDF, 286.49KB)

Labour MP Jim McGovern

Can Strikes Build Unions?

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:11:21 +0000

The attached document “Can Strikes Build Unions?” will be of interest to Branches.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be sent to the General Secretary’s Office quoting the reference GS 17.0

Can Strikes Build Unions? (27)

HARROW UNIONS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE ‘DEMOLITION’ GOVERNMENT CUTS

EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL UNFAIR DISMISSAL CLAIMS

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:21 +0000

Branches will be aware that the Coalition Government are in the process of introducing a number of significant changes to the legislation that will affect the Employment Tribunal process.

The first significant change is to the qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal. The current situation is that an employee with 12 months continuous service has the legal right to make a claim to Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal.

Forthcoming Legislation

The qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal is to be extended to 2 years for employees starting a new job on or after the 6^th April 2012. For employees employed before or on the 5^th April 2012 the qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal will remain at one year.

Further reports will be given to Branches detailing future changes.

NB : The Legal Services Department in conjunction with its Panel Solicitors, Irwin Mitchell LLP will be holding an Employment Law Update Fringe meeting Monday lunch time the 23^rd April 2012 during Annual Conference. Further details will be published in due course.

If you have any enquiries regarding the above then please contact Tony Rupa, Head of Legal Services, CWU Legal Services Department.

CWU Festival of International Solidarity 6th Annual International Solidarity Fund Raising Event

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:44:49 +0000

For several years now the Education & Training Department has organised International Solidarity fund raising through its Annual “Cyclo-Sportive” event.

This year arrangements are in progress to broaden the event out to encourage greater awareness and wider participation.

The much larger “festival” will consist of the usual popular cycle rides for all abilities through the Cotswolds on Saturday 15^th September 2010 but will also include:

Live music in staged marquees
High profile national and international guest speakers
Workshops
Formal International Solidarity debates
Family entertainment
Great food
Inside and outside bars
CWU Clarion Motorcycle Club event
Open mic sessions
B&B availability on site
Camping and on site facilities

In 2011 we raised over £1000 for the CWU International Development Fund and we intend to far exceed this figure this year.

Confirmed acts so far include “White Noize” whose line up include our very own Area Rep; Stewart Hardie. We are very aware that there is a huge pool of untapped talent within the CWU and to this end and in preparing the schedule for the day we are keen to hear from people who would like to help support the event by taking part in our open mic sessions. This could be in the form of bands, individual singers, speakers, poets, dancers, magicians etc. etc…

We would be very pleased if talented groups and individuals could support the event and to move this forward please contact Lee Wakeman on 020 8971 7441 or lwakeman@cwu.org in the first instance to discuss further and make any necessary arrangements.

CWU TV News | Dangerous dogs e-petition launches

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:15:49 +0000

A broad range of organisations – from the Police Federation to the RSPCA and our own CWU – have launched a Downing Street Petition aimed at winning a government commitment to announce new dog laws in the next Queen’s Speech. Sign the petition now at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22631

CWU response to DEFRA Public consultation On Dangerous Dogs

CWU TV Matters | Looking Ahead to 2012 with Billy Hayes

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:10:05 +0000

There can be no doubt that, along with society in general, the union faces some challenging times in 2012. In this interview Billy Hayes looks ahead at some of the difficulties and opportunities that face the union going forwards. (created Feb 2012)

CWU TV Matters | Looking Ahead to 2012 with Dave Ward

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:06:31 +0000

There can be no doubt that, along with society in general, the union faces some challenging times in 2012. In this interview Dave Ward looks ahead at some of the difficulties and opportunities presented by events such as the the seperation of Royal Mail group and Post Office limited, European State Aid, privatisation, pay talks and the progress of the Postal Services Act that face the union and postal sector going forwards. (created Feb 2012)

CWU TV Matters | Looking Ahead to 2012 with Andy Kerr

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:03:26 +0000

There can be no doubt that, along with society in general, the union faces some challenging times in 2012. In this interview Andy Kerr looks ahead at some of the difficulties and opportunities presented by events such as the Communications Act, the Digital Britain roll out, recruitment and negotiations over BT pay that face the union and telecoms sector going forwards. (created Feb 2012)

Outdoor Department Monthly E-Bulletin Issue 3 Feb 2012

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:51:17 +0000

Download (PDF, 726.3KB)

International Women’s Day

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Women, men and children came out in force to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2011 with Women for Women International’s Join me on the Bridge campaign. There were 55 events across the UK, and 464 in 70 countries on 6 continents worldwide.

Watch the highlights from 2011 in this short clip.

2012 promises to be even bigger! We will be leading the charge in making sure that the 21st century is the woman’s century, and we’ll be doing this by growing a bigger and better global movement that joins together in calling for PEACE and women’s EQUALITY.

The idea for this bridge campaign first came about in 2010 when the Women for Women Country Directors for the Congo and Rwanda called for all women, whether they were Hutu, Tutsi, Rwandan or Congolese, to join them on the bridge that connects their two countries, which was the scene of the mass exodus when people were fleeing the genocide that tore Rwanda apart in 1994. Many more people wanted to join them in taking this stand for peace and hope in 2010, not only in other war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Sudan, but also from Australia to Hawaii, where women stood in solidarity with their sisters.

Your involvement really strengthens and inspires women in war-torn countries. As Faiza, a woman who stood on a bridge in Iraq last year said: “Today I felt there is a change for women. Women expressed their feelings and the importance of their role in the community.”

To join us is very easy. Simply select a bridge, get together with a group of friends, and promote your event to your wider networks. Last year, 75,000 people joined forces with other groups in their area, and this made a great impact in building wider support and solidarity locally as well as globally. Women for Women can give you full support in organising your events, providing you with a campaign toolkit, publicity, and ongoing advice in organising your event.

Getting started:

Join the global movement and leave your message of peace
Find a bridge event near you
Or organise your own bridge event
Be part of the London march across Millennium Bridge, and launch of the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World festival!

Women for Women is honoured to be in partnership with the SERTUC Women’s Right Committee members for the Join me on the Bridge event, and on behalf of all the women who will be standing on bridges in war-torn countries we say thank you and ‘We Stand Together’.

CWU Festival of International Solidarity 6th Annual International Solidarity Fund Raising Event