Trade Unions; the next generation….

In the past 18 months there has been a surge in political activity by young people in the Occupy Movement, in student protests against tuition fees and withdrawal of EMA and in anti-workfare campaigns. At the same time, but less visible, there are a growing number of young trade unionists who are just as angry and are getting active in their unions . I spoke to two young people who are trade union members in Manchester.

Jane Warburton, member of PCS and chair of the National Young Members Network, is clear about her commitment to trade unionism. “I am from a working class background, my Dad is active in Unison and he took me on my first picket line when I was 8 years old”. She left school at 16 and it was only when she was ill at work that she realised how important trade unions are. “I joined PCS at 17 when I started work in the civil service. During my probationery period I wasn’t well and it was only through the support of the union that I kept my job.” Jane has now progressed through the union from being branch Youth Officer to Chair of the National Youth Members Network. Her work involves recruiting young people and encouraging them to get involved with PCS campaigns. The age range for young members is 16-27, and she has a growing number of young people in her branch, some 200 out of 1,500 members, with over 80% of all workers in her workplace now in the union. “We have an agreement with the management to meet with new members of staff and encourage them to join the union. In the past we have taken strike action to challenge the management over their heavy handed monitoring of staff, even checking how long people take over toilet breaks. We won, and this encouraged staff to join the union.”

Emma Chorlton is a member of Unite and a student on a Clinical Psychology course. She does not come from a trade union background. “I am educating my parents about trade unions.”, she laughs. At university she was not involved in student politics but when she went to work in the NHS Emma got involved in her union when there was an issue over pay scales. “I joined because it made sense, we got advice from the Union (I was then in Unison) and we won the dispute. I learnt how important unions are”. Emma has now joined Unite because they have a section specifically for psychologists, but due to the nature of her training programme, which involves being on a course and doing placements spread across the north-west she is finding it difficult to be active as she would like in the union. “I don’t feel able to become a union rep, but I am doing the job informally, I tell people about issues and keep them up-to-date.” She has some criticisms of Unite. “I organised for the union to come in and talk to the 24 people on my course. They were not very dynamic. Most students do not understand about unions, and they didn’t sell how important it is to be in a union.” Emma took part in the pension protest last November.”It was inspiring to see all these workers out on the picket line. It gave me a sense of how powerful trade unions can be. Many people on my course joined the union after the protest. It built their confidence in the union.”

Both Jane and Emma are aware that there are many young people who either do not know about trade unions or have a poor image of their role. Jane says, ”Unions need to advertise what they do. They need to involve young people at a school level. ” Emma agrees, ”The image of trade unions is of old men sat around a table. Unions need to be able to relate to young people.” At a time when more young people are flooding into non-traditional activist groups such as Occupy and UK Uncut, it will be up to trade unions to catch up with the young people and ensure that they not only speak the same language, but prove that in 2012 the unions can respond to the demands that young people are making.

Stop! Look! Listen! a weekly selection of some of my favourite films/books/people…

Watch…
Happy People (2010) A year in the Taiga by Dmitry Vasyukov. Siberia extends from the Urals to the Pacific and is one and a half times the size of the USA. 38 million people live in this area, but this film concentrates on 300 people who live in the heart of the Siberian wilderness, deep in the taiga and far away from civilization with no telephone, running water or medical support. Written and presented by Werner Herzog the story follows a trapper through the four seasons. It shows a way of life that has continued with little changes for centuries and celebrates its harsh, but beautiful, landscape and…its happy people.

Listen to…
angry people on the Inspiration EP by Easterhouse. Formed in the 1980s by brothers Andy and Ivor Perry together with Mike Murray, Gary Rostock and Peter Vanden,  they were Manchester’s only avowedly Marxist band. Whilst there were plenty of left wing bands in the 80s, few of them mentioned the conflict in Northern Ireland. The first song on the EP Inspiration is about Bobby Sands, one of the 10 men who died on hunger strike in prison in Northern Ireland in 1981, as part of a campaign to gain political status for Irish republican prisoners. Their deaths inspired many people, Irish and non-Irish, to join the campaign for a political solution to Britain’s rule in Ireland. It led to myself, and other second generation Irish people in this country, to open the debate about human rights abuses in Ireland and discrimination against the Irish in this country. Easterhouse had no time for the shortcomings of the Labour Party or the dalliances of the trade union leaders with the establishment. They were angry, highly politicised, and wanted other young people to join a workers’ movement to oppose the State and build a better society. At a time when there are over a million unemployed young people, and each person is chasing four jobs, the question has to be asked…where is the Easterhouse of 2012? As well as this EP, track down their other albums Contenders and Waiting for the Redbird“. You can find some clips of them on Youtube, including this brief interview.

Read...
Tom Paine A Political Life by John Keane(Bloomsbury, 1995) Thomas Paine (1737-1809) is a man for our times. A man of conviction, he wrote rebellious political tracts on citizenship, republicanism and democracy and, most importantly, he wrote them for the person in the street. His publications, Common Sense, The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason inspired political activists in Britain, America and France. Not just a writer and philosopher, he was also a soldier in the American Revolution and nearly died in a prison in France during the Reign of Terror in 1793. John Keane’s book is a fitting tribute to a man whose writings  are still seen as important in debating the relationship between citizen and state.

Visit...
Manchester Town Hall to gaze in wonder at the Ford Maddox Brown murals in the Great Hall. Started in 1879 and completed in 1893, they are a Victorian idealised version of the history of the city. I particularly like the story of William  Crabtree, usually described as a draper (but more likely a merchant), who was asked to observe the Transit of Venus in 1639, and went on to correct the faulty calculations of the scientist, Jeremiah Horrocks, and observe the transit on 4 December. Watch out for Eric Northey’s play on Crabtree The Transit  of  Venus, performed by Cul-de-sac theatre company,  to be premiered in July at Buxton Fringe Festival. (More information from Eric, e.northey@gmail.com).

Dirty Old Town Fights Back!

 Salford people marching from Bexley Square on 30 November 2011

The last time the Tories were in power they had a clear plan, based on what we now call a neo-liberal agenda. This involved the destruction of much of manufacturing, the privatisation of nationalised utilities and the promotion of the financial services industry. In the years following 1979 the battlelines were clear, with Labour councils from the GLC to Manchester, Salford and Liverpool lining up alongside the trade unions, the left and many community groups to hallenge the cutbacks.

In 2012 we are in the midst an economic crisis akin to the 1930s, in which the poor and unemployed are expected to pay the cost. This time round, however, there is a weakened left, the New Labour Government pursued its own privatisation agenda and now only feebly challenges the Tory cuts, whilethe main public sector unions have failed to organise themselves to oppose the large scale cuts. They did call a one day national strike on 30 November 2011,  but this was to defend pensions, rather than a rallying cry for opposing the Tory agenda of  wholesale privatisation of the public services.

Labour Councils have had their spending budgets cut by millions of pounds: in Salford a cut of £24 million in 2012-13. Salford Council has said it will “protect the most vulnerable who live in the City”,  but beyond such rhetoric it’s only response has been to manage the cuts, which  has included paying staff to leave through voluntary early retirement, cutting grants to the voluntary sector and privatising services and jobs.

So where has the opposition to the Tory government come from this time? One of the most dynamic local anti-cuts campaigns is in Salford which emerged from the local Trades Council. Trades Councils have struggled to survive in modern Britain but recently have shown their key role in bringing together not just trade unions but also individuals and groups to challenge the Con/Dem cuts.

Salford Against the Cuts, started in October 2011,  and which brings together  trade unions, community groups and individuals. Salford Unison, which openly opposes the Labour Council agenda of “managing the cuts”, is a key partner.

Vice chair of SAC Paul Gerrard explains, “Our agenda is to demand the Council challenges the government over the cuts. The council budget should be based on the needs of the local community and Salford Council should be demanding their money back.” Taking a highly political stance SAC have challenged the Labour Council to a debate on the cuts.  They produce regular newsletters and leaflets, funded by Unison, and cheekily have used the Salford council colours of magenta and black as their branding. From the outside the SAC looks like what the Labour Party used to be in its pioneering days of Keir Hardie.

SAC’s recent campaign to save two day centres involved publicising the threat of the cuts; building links with the staff, the users and local communities; lobbying the council – and winning. They are not under any illusion that if they win in one area, then the council will announce cuts elsewhere and the whole cycle starts again. As Paul says, “No sooner have we won a reprieve on the day centres then we are  onto our next battle.” That is why their overall strategy is about challenging the cuts on a national level. “Councillor Merry (leader of Salford Council) said he’d protect the vulnerable from the cuts. Why is the council just passing on Tory cuts, why aren’t they fighting the government?” Unison in Salford have managed to unite different groups within the borough including workers, user groups and the general population.

A recent survey by the Institute of Fiscal Studies showed that only 6% of public service cuts had been made so far. As the economy sinks into a recession, unemployment increases and people become more angry about the economic downturn, it will be interesting to see if they start to blame Labour Councils, as well as the ConDem government, for the deterioration in their living standards. In cities such as Salford where Labour used to be the natural opposition to a Tory government is that role going to be taken by organisations outside party politics? Increasingly in these anti-cuts organisations people who are natural Labour supporters asking “What are Labour Councils for?”

Stop! Look! Listen! a weekly selection of some of my favourite films/books/people…

Watch…
Ken Loach at the BBC. During the 60’s and 70’s at the BBC he directed some of his most innovative work with Tony Garnett and Jim Allen which is now collected on this excellent DVD. It includes Cathy Come Home, a heartbreaking account of homelessness; Big Flame, a hard hitting political drama which imagines dockers occupying the Liverpool docks; and Days of Hope which covers the political events of 1916-1926.

Listen to…
Hey Dreamer  by John Spillane, 2005. John is from Cork in Ireland and writes beautiful songs in English and Irish. This is the first of his CDs that I bought and still play for one track in particular, The Dunnes Stores Girl”. It sounds like it should be a punk track, its funny and heartfelt about a young man falling for a shopgirl.
Hey check out the Dunnes Stores Girl
She’s the one who rules my world
I’m gonna walk down the aisle with the Dunnes Stores Girl
I’m gonna waltz down the aisle with the Dunnes Stores Girl
She rules my world

Read…
The Life and Death of Mary Wollenstonecraft by Claire Tomalin. Written in 1974 it tells the story of a remarkable woman. Mary was a pioneer in terms of her radical views on womens’ lives , she lived the life she wanted to, including having a child outside wedlock, and living in France during the revolution. It was Claire’s first biography and it was groundbreaking in terms of the new material she unearthed concerning Mary’s life.

Book now….
One Big Blow at the Hyde Festival Theatre from May 15-19.Set in a coal mining village in the 1980s, One Big Blow portrays the two sides of the miners’ lives – the tough conditions under which they work and the effect this has on their health, and how they  escape from this when they play in the colliery brass band. To book for this production please go to the Hyde Festival Theatre web site page for this production and click on the “book tickets logo” or telephone 0844 804 2634.

St.Patrick and reflections on a day………..

Me, Auntie Margaret and Mum, 2010

Maureen, Mum and Margaret, 1940s, Manchester

St.Patrick’s Day is on 17 March, a day to celebrate Irishness. Growing up in 70s Manchester, it meant shamrock and family celebrations with our relatives. It was the backdrop to our parents’ definition of Irishness: Dave Allen, John McCormack, Dana and Val Doonican. I grew up on Dad’s stories of building sites and Irish pubs dancehalls in London and Manchester and Mum’s stories of her single life in the 1940s, buying lovely outfits to wear to visit friends and going boating on Platt Fields lake.

By the 80s being Irish had changed. The downturn in the economy of the Irish Republic meant that 40,000 Irish people were coming to England each year while others left the North of Ireland as the conflict there intensified. Second generation Irish young people like me were now redefining what it meant to be Irish, cultural and politically. We listened to Christy Moore, Sinead O’Connor and, above all, the Pogues. I chose to become very active in the Irish in Britain Representation Group, of which I was the first woman chair. Our politics were of being proud to be Irish, proud of a history of rebellion against the occupation of Britain in our country, proud of our parents and their struggle to live a decent life in this country and battle discrimination because of their Irishness.

In Manchester in the 80s the Labour Council had a policy on Ireland which included hosting an Irish week. At that time the Labour party had a progressive policy, opposing Britain’s occupation of the North of Ireland and supporting Irish groups which campaigned on a variety of issues from the Prevention of Terrorism Act to Irish studies in schools.

When it came to deciding the content of the Manchester Irish week in 1988, it came down to the Labour Council stepping in to ensure that IBRG events were included, as we came up against strong opposition from the “traditional” parts of the Irish community, fearful of any mention of what was happening in the North of Ireland.

To us celebrating St. Patrick’s Day meant remembering the bad and the good side of being Irish. So, in the Irish week, I and others organised an Irish Women’s Day, a meeting to highlight the Birmingham Six and various cultural events.

In the 90s thousands of Irish people (including second generation) left Britain and went back to Ireland to take jobs that had not existed when their parents were growing up. By 2012 the downturn in the Irish and global community has meant that “thousands are sailing” again, while Irish Ministers can call emigration a “lifestyle choice” as upwards of 300,000 people are leaving the country. And what has happened to St.Patrick’s Day/Irish Week in Manchester?

In the programme for Manchester Irish Week 2012, it is hard to find anything that reflects the harsh reality for the Irish. Instead we are told “2012 Manchester Irish festival gets ready for the world’s friendliest three day Non Stop St. Patrick weekend party” So the image of the Irish is back to drinking, music and friendliness. In other words we are just a brand to sell alcohol and entertainment.

For me St.Patrick’s Day is a time to remember all those Irish (including my mother and father) who never got to return home to Ireland. And to remember that whatever our background or ethnicity, we need to pursue human rights for all peoples who have to flee their home country.

To know more about the activities of the Manchester branch of the Irish in Britain Representation Group in the 1980s and 1990s, please go here and here.

Stop! Look! Listen! a weekly selection of some of my favourite films/books/people…

Watch…
Passion Fish(1992). A film by John Sayles (US equivalent of Ken Loach). The story of the relationship between a soap star, who is paralysed and returns home to rural Louisiana, and her care assistant. Not just the story of their relationship but of their men, their families and their search for happiness.

Read…

While there is Light  by Tariq Mehmood (2003). This is no “East is East”. Tariq is a political writer and activist. He grew up in Bradford and was a founder member of the Afro-Asian group; United Black Youth League. He was arrested alongside 11 other young people who were dubbed the Bradford 12. Charged with conspiracy Tariq conducted his own defence and was acquitted. The novel starts with the main character, Saleem, writing to his mother from his cell in a Leeds prison. “Mother I am now in jail, in this bitch of a country called England. I may never see you again.” Using Saleem’s story, the author takes us on a trip from urban Bradford to the villages of Pakistan and invites us to listen to the debates about what it means to be Muslim today.

Listen to …
Kaleidophonica by Spiro (Real World 2012) A Bristol based band producing music that takes in lots of genres, including folk and dance but are hard to pin down. The music is great on a Sunday morning,  eating your croissants!

Visit…
Working Class Movement Library  to see The Clarion – a Paper,a Movement, a Way of Life  The exhibition displays the Library’s extensive collection of Clarion material and tells the story of how a newspaper came to inspire a way of life. On 17 March at 2pm Bolton Clarion Choir will be performing and Denis Pye,  author of “Fellowship is Life;The National Clarion Cycling Club 1895-1995,  will speak about the Clarion movement.

Educate yourself…
Jailhouse Lawyers; Prisoners defending prisoners v.the USA by Mumia Abu–Jamal. (Crossroads Books)
Mumia has been in prison in the USA for over 25 years and his own trial and sentence has been challenged by Amnesty International. He has become an award winning journalist during his time in prison and in this book tells how prisoners in the USA have to learn the law in order to win justice for themselves and other prisoners.With introductions by activists, Angela Davis and Selma James,  it is a powerful demostration  of what even people in the most powerless situations can do if they get together and challenge the system.

Reclaim the Day!

German Socialist Feminist Poster 1914

What does IWD mean to women today? International Women’s Day was started in 1909 in America by the Socialist Party and was first celebrated internationally two years later. It was originally called International Working Women’s Day, its aim was to promote equal rights for women, and particularly the vote. In Britain it has been traditionally celebrated by trade unions and women’s groups including National Assembly of Women on  8 March .

In the 70s it was revived by the Women’s Liberation Movement and became a focus for women to debate what kind of society we wanted including  issues such as sexuality, childcare and  abortion. There was always a wider political dimension ie highlighting women such as the Miners’ Wives in the 80s, women in Northern Ireland and Palestine.

In 2012 IWD looks very different. We have somehow moved from events that challenged what it meant to be a woman to a lifestyle fest of pampering and cupcakes.

Stockport Council’s IWD event, for instance is a partnership event with the Women’s Organisation, an economic development agency, with the publicity proclaiming ”This is a FREE event sponsored by Stockport Council for women running their own business in Stockport”. Down the road in Manchester the Council has organised a day of “Inspiring Futures” with the emphasis on gaining skills and applying for education or jobs. But the role models offered include a barrister and the chief executive of Nuclear Enterprise.

It is hard to reconcile these events with the stark reality that the numbers of women out of work is the highest in 25 years. Of the 2.67 million people who are unemployed 1.2 million are women. And as women make up 65% of the public sector they are being disproportionately affected by the cuts. And if that is not bad enough the changes in benefits including housing and tax credits are having a massive effect.

I came into Socialist politics in the 70s and for me the spirit of IWD is remembering those women who have challenged the stereotype of what it means to be a working woman and been active in grassroots campaigns. This is why I am pleased to be chairing an event at the Working Class Movement Library which will involve discussing the life of Ethel Carnie Holdsworth. We will be bringing the discussion back to 2012 with input from trade unionist Karen Bosson of the Communications Workers Union. The event starts at 2pm . For more information go here

I have asked some women to contribute their views on IWD and this is what they wrote. What do you think? Please add a comment.

“During the 1970′s and 80′s, when women were organising for themselves and as part of wider movements in Europe and US (anti-war, Greenham Common, in trade unions, women’s health movement etc) we organised marches and events on March 8th that highlighted our issues (access to abortion services being a prime one, which no-one else was going to organise). The events were also a tribute to those unsung women who had struggled in many different spheres, before us. The events were joyous and celebratory. IWD still has meaning for many struggling women’s groups in S.America, the Caribbean, in Africa and the Middle East. But in Britain, most of the activities I have seen advertised are the overt posturing of an anti- working class Labour bureaucracy, trying to hide behind a feminist apron/ petticoat – and a far cry from any independent feminist voice. So I’m not planning to celebrate 8th March this year, although I say “Good Luck” to any women trying to do something.” Pia Feig, trade union activist

“For me International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate our strengh, our successes, our diversity and to focus on the need to continue fighting for rights and equality worldwide because if we don’t who will. It’s also an opportunity to meet inspirational women at a variety of events and re-charge the batteries so we can keep up the struggle for another year!” Claire Mooney, musician and activist.

Finally there is an excellent article by Louise Raw in the Morning Star about International Women’s Day which you can read here.

Stop! Look! Listen! a weekly selection of some of my favourite films/books/people…

Watch…
Shabby Tiger. Made by Granada TV in 1973 it’s the adaptation of  a novel by Howard Spring. Set in 1930′s Manchester,  it’s the love story between an artist and an Irish waitress,  and  the story of how the depression affects the lives of the lovers and as the city. Brilliant acting (especially by the late Christine Hargreaves as Communist Olga Kepple) and it’s well worth tracking down the book and its companion piece, Rachel Rosing. The author, Howard Spring was a journalist for the Manchester Guardian and in the books he describes the life of the city including the Irish and Jewish communities. The DVD is available from Network DVD.

Go to…

The Daughter-in-Law by D H Lawrence at the Lowry in Salford until 10 March 2012 Set in Lawrence’s home town of Nottingham in 1912 on the eve of the Miner’s Strike. Its class and passion writ loud. Its not just war between the couple, Minnie and Luther but the real battle is between wife and mother-in-law.Using the original script there is a wonderful Notts dialect but not too much or the real drama might be lost on us. It might be 100 years old but it seems very modern in its take on sexual politics. Further info here

Listen to …
radio plays by local playwright, Sheila Delaney. In  Baloney said Salome, for instance, four older women prepare for a farewell. Sheila was born in Broughton,Salford of Irish descent. Her first play and most famous drama was A Taste of Honey which she wrote at the age of 20 and in 10 days. Her plays depicted the working class she knew and valued. Even today her plays stand out for their freshness, courage and honesty. they can be heard for a short time on Radio Four extra.

Speech Project by Gerry Diver (OneFineDayRecords 2011) Over four years Gerry interviewed various musicians and singers and interwove   their words into the music and by doing so produced a heightened emotional experience for musician and listener. Some of the interviews are taken from the past and one of my favourites is that of Margaret Barry, singer. Her beautiful Cork voice tells the story of her Mum dying and  the effect it has on her. The  wonderful music and Margaret’s voice  will make you want to cry……

The Right Prescription for the NHS:talking to Dr.Chand

Protests against the NHS Bill on Westminster Bridge

Why do people get involved in campaigns? For Dr. Kailash Chand, Tameside GP and chair of the Tameside Glossop NHS Trust, it’s about saving a service to which he has devoted his life. “I came to this country over 30 years ago to work in what I believe is the best healthcare system in the world.” During those thirty years he has worked in all aspects of the health service and has also campaigned to ensure that the key principles of the NHS, including free universal healthcare for all, are maintained. “I work in Tameside which is a deprived borough and this will affect those who need the NHS the most. Elderly people, people with dementia and so on will suffer if this bill becomes law.”

Political parties know that the NHS is highly valued by most people in this country. Even the Tories at the last election promised not to undermine it, yet within weeks of taking office brought forward a Bill clearly years in preparation. Dr. Chand sees this Bill as entirely ideological. “It will take away the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that the health needs of the population are being met. It will create more bureaucracy and turn GPs from clinicians into business managers.” He questions why this Bill is being brought in now, at a time of austerity. The NHS was created in 1948 at a time when the country was recovering from the Second World War by a Labour Government. Health Minister Aneurin Bevan asserted; “The collective principle asserts that… no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means”.

Dr.Chand likens the NHS to tap water. “We expect it to be there when we need it”. But he admits that the challenges for the NHS are huge, including an ageing population, new technology, the affects of alcohol and obesity “I am not against reforms but the ideology that a privatised health service can deliver the answers to these needs is wrong” He has likened the fight over the NHS as comparable to Thatcher’s Poll Tax which led to rioting and civil disobedience across the country. He believes the NHS Bill could cause the demise of the Con/Dem Government.

Dr.Chand’s response to the Bill hasn’t just been writing letters and articles about why it is seriously flawed. He also started his own e-petiton because, as he says, “I felt that no one outside the NHS was listening. My aim was to broaden the debate amongst all sections of society.” And it has certainly worked. At time of writing the petition has over 160,000 signatures. It has inspired other activists and the opposition to the Bill has caused major ruptures in the Con/Dem government and forced the Labour Party to raise their game. Opposition has come from a wide spectrum including Dr Chand’s own organisation the BMA, most Royal Colleges, as well as trade unions and patient groups. This week the MPs on the Business Backbench Committee refused time to debate Dr.Chand’s petition. He responds, “What’s the point of e-petitions if they turn down for debate the one that got the most signatures of any so far? It’s an insult to the very democracy we’re so proud of.’”

Other groups such as 38 Degrees are taking the campaign to another level. This week they have been asking people to donate towards putting billboards to tell David Cameron that doctors and nurses oppose the bill. In less than a week over £250,000 has been raised through individual donations by more than 15,000 people. Thatcher won three general elections but was brought down by the campaign against the poll tax. Will Cameron too be stabbed in the back by his Cabinet as his poll ratings slump?

You can sign the petition here

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670

sign up to 38 degrees