Notts TU News #05

4 Pages·1996·5.1 MB·English

by  Nottinghamshire Association of Trades Union Councils

ISSUE 5
Free or Donation
. May/June 1996
Y Published by the Nottinghamshire Association ofTrades Union Councils
WHY MAY DAY? oPasaran
1996markstwoimportantanniversaries. If Saturday 4th May
Before the Chicago May Day strike It is 69 years since the outbreak ofthe MARCH - Forest to Old
action began, the management at Spanish Civil War, and 70 years since
Market Square Assemble llam
McCormick Machine Co. (now the General Strike. Both events, in
Goose Fair Site for 11:30
International Harvester) had locked different ways, are classic examples of
departure
out 1500 workers over a wage workers in struggle.
dispute. On 3 May, when pickets lstMay l926witnessedthebeginningof RALLY - 12 noon Old Market
attempted to preventblackleg labour the General Strike when millions of Square
workers came out in support of the
entering the plant, the Chicago SPEAKERS
miners in their fight against wage cuts
police opened fire on the workers, J] Fast Food Strikers
and increased hours. The strike lasted
killing four and wounding many 1; Hillingdon Hospital Workers
nine days before it was called offby a
more. Outraged at this act ofnaked
leadership that was alarmed by the Freedom Network
aggression, radical newspapers
forces unleashed in the dispute. Despite i Mersey Dockers
called for armed resistance against
this “betrayal”, the General Strike was a
l MAY DAY FRINGE
the bloodthirsty Chicago police, and
momentous event in British Labour
Fancie Molloy
a protest rally was called for the history. It was an unparalleled
1 Sinn Fein Councillor
following day (4 May) atHaymarket demonstrationofrankandtilesolidarity,
2-4:30pm international Community
Square. Speeches condemning and one that - inthe longer term - made
Centre 61B Mansfield Road
police violence and capitalist many employers and the government
: Nottinsham
oppression were given by three think twice before attacking the
leading anarchists: Parsons, Spies conditions of organised workers. The
and Fielden. Asthemeetingcameto 19305, bad as they were, would have
i
1Il||$1—-—_-4i4- m-r— beenworseformanyworkingpeoplebut
an end, 200 police moved in on the
for the unity displayed in the General
crowd. Suddenly, a bomb was
Strike. with overwhelming odds, the Spanish
thrown and exploded in the midst of
in 1936 fascist, nationalist, and Republic was defeated eventually in
the police, who immediately opened
reactionary forces launched a coup March 1939. As one International
fire on the assembled workers.
against the democratically elected Brigadier, Dave Goodman, put it “The
Several police and many workers
PopularFrontgovernmentofSpain. The SpanishCivil Warwasthefirstbattleof
were killed. » coup was unsuccessful because of the the Second World War. In Spain we
In the hysterical aftermath of the tremendous efforts of anarchist, heldoutagainstFascismforthreeyears.
Hayrnarket tragedy five anarchists communist, socialist, and republican Thisgaveothercountriestimetore-arm
were convicted and sentenced to workers in centres like Madrid and and develop opposition to Fascism.
hang by a specially constituted Barcelona. While the western powers This is how the people of Spain and
tribunal. On ll November 1887 pursued a policy of“non-intervention”, International Brigades made their
Black Friday, the State murdered volunteers from aroundtheworldjoined contribution to victory in the Second
Parsons, Spies, Fischer and Engels. the International Brigades fighting World War”.
Ling had committed suicide the alongside the Spanish Republicans. 1996 sees workers in struggle again.
Over 2,000 went from Britain and Struggles against low pay, bad
previousday. Theywerelatershown
Ireland, aquartergavetheirlives. Faced conditions, unemployment, non-
to have had nothing to do with the
recognition, a yawning wealth gap,
bombings.
discriminatory laws, hostile employers
On July 14 1889, on the hundredth MAY AY
and authorities have always been with
anniversary of Bastille Day, an us. They may not be as dramatic as
American AFL delegate attending GREETINGS those of1926 and 1936, butthey are, in
the international Labour Congress in many ways, as important to ordinary
to all our ieilow workers
Paris proposed that l l\/lay be working people.
officially adopted as a workers’ from Worker solidarity, worker unity is the
holiday. This motion was onlydefence ofordinarypeople against
unanimously approved and since those who wish to exploit us.
TEFDOR This is what May Day, lnternational
then May Day has served as a date
Day, signifies;
for international working class PRRESS
No Pasaran.
solidarity.
l
CITY UNISON EDITORIAL VIEW
TOUGH TIMES
2,500 Members ofNottingham City Can I open by extending May Day
geetings to all our readers. As always This hard hitting anthology written by and
UNISON are undertaking a
Notts TU News continues to be put forthe local unemployed in Mansfield, tells
Consultative Ballot over the next ithowitis. ltsuccessfullycombinespoetry,
together on a limited budget, even less
fortnight against Nottingham City prose and photographs to talk about
time, but on a lot ofcommitment. Ifwe
Council’s proposals to introduce a unemployment from an unemployed point
have missed anything out it is due totwo
ofview. Nowhow oftendoesthathappen?
Compulsory Redundancy Policy. simplereasons. We don’thaveroom, or,
7-7anging fromthehumourandangerof
The proposals will introduce, forth nobody told us about a particular
David Hobbs“GoOnA Course”tothe
first time, the ability for the Council struggle. Both problems can be easily
simple and moving “Tomorrow’s
to make Compulsory Redundancies J;-an-t_‘___._4_*||:4-_q;:;;-q-1 solved by you. Write and tell us, and Meal” by Gabe Gordon, this book will
trade unionists across Notts about your
whenever they see fit. They also l makeyouthink. Proceeds fromsalesof
struggle. Secondlysendussomernoneyll
removetheprotection that Staffhave l ‘Efé.__r‘.r_A.—_A—IIIImIII|InIIn-fnIIuIlaIInIF._:= “_ the book will go towards a touring
As always thanks to the contributors,
been guaranteed over many years, I performance by unemployed people
distributors, etc. for their help in putting
which is currently in rehearsal.
including ending redeployment in
another issuetogether.
Copies will be shortly on sale in
many areas and a massive attack on
—1_—_u:._;p;__ Nottingham. Inthemeantimetheycan
protected pay. Deadline for Issue 6 will be Friday June
be purchased for£2.50 (inc p&p) from
Nottingham City UNISON has had 21st.
l Karen Peck,Tough Times, c/’oMUWC
General meetings and Workplace Notts TU News, c/o MUWC, 2 Beech
2 Beech Avenue, Mansfield Notts
Avenue Mansfield, Notts. NG18 IEY.
meetings over the issue with around 54;‘4;1-veIrz:,a4n‘‘MnKi.-can-i_5;-an-g:_:1e4
NGIS IEY.
i----—--——-———-———--—-—-———-———————
1,000 Members voting in favour of ‘
strike action and only a dozen
against.
So far the Council has not dropped
1-r;T2|._4nt:_:u~n\
the proposals despite delaying their Q
introduction, howevertheyhave said it
that they are unable to meet 118 W1DIRKSlliDP
UNISON until May 20, three weeks I
afterthe proposals go to CommitteFl’ Pesource and Research CentreforTrade Unionsa yGrains I
As such UNISON believes that
Strike Action will be necessary to
l
defeat the proposals.
118 Workshop is the local Resource and Projector, Badgernakers, Flip Chart, Loud
For more information please contact ,l Research Centre for Trade Union and I-lailcrand Gas Detector.
AndyBelfield on 0115 9412556 Community Groups located in Nottingham, 118 also provides training and advice in
Andy Belfield A serving a wide range of Trade Union, using all items of equipment available, in
;:.|-un4:@;4 CommunityandCampaigningGroups in the ordertohelpusersbecomeproficientintheir
Nottingham City UNISON. l
City and County. use. Inthisway, userscan acquiretheskills
The Centrewasestablished in I980 withthe necessarytoproducetheirownmaterialfrom
aim of linking the aspiration for a better startto finish.
societyin the workplace and the home, and The Workshop also has a Library and
the services it provides are designated to Information service, and maintains all
enablelocalGroupstoworkmoreeffectively publications and materials subscribed to by
towardspromotinggreatersocial, economic, Nottingham & District Trades Union
—~r1u-nwuuac
racial and sexual equality in the local Council,whichareavailableforreferenceby
community. users. ThisincludespublicationslikeLabour
1 .-- ' ' ‘I
working together il H8 provides a comprehensive range of Research, Hazards Bulletin and Searchlight,
l!1
resources for local Groups, from printing to and“hardcopies"ofthelasttwoyearsofThe
l l
MAY DAY = information resources. Among the wide Guardian,FinancialTimesandMorningStar
rangeofprintingresourcesarephotocopying are also kept. It is also planned to put the
GREETINGS
facilities, a Rotary Scanprinter for A3 Workshop on-line in the near futureto give
E_-rnmucmra_-uam__ to all members and printing, a Risograph Scanprinter for A4 users access to the Internet.
printing, Offsetprintingfacilitiesand aDark The Workshop is grant aided by
=-_-.—.__;.mun¢II-M; iriends from Room. Otherfacilities include aLarninator, Nottinghamshire County Council and
Typewriters, Word Processor, Headliners, Nottingham City Council, both of which
GMB (Mansfield Central) .T;T__:._.T..__..A_:,__.....-..-.-:44;
Collator, Guillotines, Folding Machine, have supported it since l983. The Centre’s
Contact GMB I Electric and Heavy Duty Staplers and a opening hours are from 12-5 Mondays, and
Plastic Ring Binder to allow effective from 10-5 on Tuesdays to Fridays. If you
68 Big Barn Lane
presentation ofprinted materials. would likefurtherinformation, orwouldlike
Mansfield NGIS 3LS Facilities to hire out include aNoise Meter, to have a look around the Centre, please
Display Boards, a 35 mm Compact Camera, phone [phone] and ask for John
[phone] "ii-|n;i:=;—..n=.nnnc_mnm_ml.nm-0j_m;rw44ej_-—|=__t:%_-|n:=||n_nna|x=Kfi_
4t:n.nl-—.1..-in;—5_..:—-;aTn_:-nQ-1:4-‘i:—; Carousel Slide Projector, Over-Head (practical services) or Ian (information).
NTUN page 2
ASESTS -- aistit?
disease, much the same as everyone who
smokes will not develop Lung Cancer,
butthere is nodoubtthatAsbestos isone
Asbestos is the general name given to a common uses involved the use ofsprays
of the most dangerous minerals ever
group of fibrous minerals with similar to apply it to steelwork, concrete walls
used, and its potential to cause serious
properties,whicharefoundinmanyparts and ceilings andas lagging on pipework,
health disorders must never be
ofthe World. boilers and air ducts. Other uses
underestimated. The use ofAsbestos of
These fibrous minerals are strong, included insulation boards, wall
anytypemust be banned, this is the only
resistant to heat, chemical attack and partitions, fire doors, ceiling tiles,
way that we can be -sure that future
have been used, in the past in a wide roofing sheets, drain pipes and many
generations do not inherit the terrible
range ofapplications. other Asbestos products.
diseases that are becoming more and
Three main type ofAsbestos have been Where is Asbestos used today?
more common every day.
used commercially in the UK and they White Asbestos is the onlytype that can
PREVENTION IS THE CURE
are:- be supplied and used, and the UK
Aims and Objectives
Chrysotile imports about 5,000 tonnes per year
The Asbestos Related Diseases
commonlyknown as whiteAsbestos. comparedwith around 190,000tonnes of
Association was formed in 1994 by a
Crocldolite alltypesofAsbestos imported in 1973. lt
group of sufferers, their families and
commonlyknown as blueAsbestos. has been estimated that the Asbestos
family members of sufferers who had
Amosite importedintotheUKin 1994wasusedin
died as a result ofcontracting Asbestos
commonly known as brownAsbestos. the manufacture of Asbestos Cement
Diseases.
Crocidolite has not been imported in to products, fiiction products, joints and
The aims ofthe Association are simp1e;-
the UK since 1972, and the use of gaskets and textile materials.
' To support, advise and counsel all
Arncsite phased our between 1980 and Are all Asbestos products dangerous?
those who have been affected by
1982. Materials containing Crocidolite No, the danger arises when Asbestos
Asbestos.
andfor Amosite can still be found fibres are released into the atmosphere,
' To hold regular meetings and
however, particularly in buildings. some Asbestos products are dustier than
coffee mornings which enable the group
Are all types ofAsbestos dangerous? others,andthelackofcarewhenworking
to offer support for each other.
Yes, they can cause serious, and often with these products can create a health
Contact:
fatal conditions such as Asbestosis risk, not only to the workers but also to
Nottingham ARDA 0115 9275108
(fibrosis ofthe lungs), Lung Cancer and others who maybe in the areawhere the
For details of the Construction Safety
Mesothelioma (a rapidly fatal tumour work is being carried out. The dustiest
Campaign Asbestos Conference to be
which affects the lining ofthe lung and activity is dry removal of old Asbestos
heldinSheffieldon lstJune 1996,please
stomach). Other Cancers are known to lagging and Sprayed Limpet Asbestos.
contact CSC, 255 Poplar High Street,
have been caused by Asbestos, and The H.S.E. vigorously promote
London. E14. Telephone [phone]
working with Asbestos products can removing these materials by using the
or0171 358 0322.
releasefibres intothe atmosphere, which controlledwet stripmethod, tokeep dust
can then be inhaled or ingested to a minimum. .._i_-._.N_--._..°__._Tv___T__ '._N____G__._H__ A____l__":_TA_‘....§__nD_._.'.;_$_.___T..___.R__..-.__'._°_....T.__,l
(swallowed). The tiny Asbestos fibres What are the current Asbestos
are too small to be seen with the naked regulations?
eye, except with special lighting, or by The Asbestos Licensing Regulations
using a microscope. It is these fine i983 require contractors who work with l11
i sends solidarity greetings
fibres that pose the most serious risk to Asbestos i.e. removal, renovating etc to ...-.._.-....._.--.-..¢._...,_.
health. Other Asbestos related obtain aLicencetodoso fromtheH.S.E. l through Notts Trade Union
conditions such as Pleural Thickening The Asbestos Prohibitions Regulations f News to workers &
_._....1...__......
and Pleural Plaque, are also the result of 1992 ban the import, supply and use of unemployed alike for 1996 l1l1l
inhaling Asbestos fibres, and, although the most dangerous types of Asbestos.
1 INTERNATIONAL
not immediately life threatening can The Control of Asbestos at Work
wommnsr nav. l
become progressivelyworse. Regulations i992 governs all work with
WhyisitdangeroustoinhaleAsbestos? Asbestos. Itisrequiredthatallworkwith Join our
When Asbestos fibres are inhaled, some Asbestos should be carriedourin such a
MAY DAY MARCH
ofthe finest fibres can reach the deepest manner so as to prevent exposure to 1
[11:30 am Forest Recreation
parts ofthe Lungs (alveoli) and because Asbestosfibres,bypreventingtherelease Ground & RALLY _ 12:00 1l..
it is so durable, it can lodge there for ofsuch fibres, orbyreducingthe release 12-4-
1 midday Nottingham Market
many years, to cause long term damage, to the lowest level reasonably
as described above. There is no known practicable. The Regulations are 1l1 Square] on
safe lower limitofexposure to Asbestos. designed to protect anyone at risk m__.___.__?__._,,4_4
Wfouhnedre? are Asbestos materials to be wlimoritksinagre lwaiidthdowAsnbie.es.tocso,ncaenndtratcioonnstroolf 1A withSAnTatUioRnaDlA&YlodctahlMspAeaYkers 11Fl1‘;1‘
supporting & celebrating 1
Many thousands oftonnes ofevery type Asbestos fibres in the air to which
,11}
of Asbestos has been used in heat and employees must not be exposed without l1 workers currently
noise insulation materials and fire wearing respiratory equipment.
5‘. IN STRUGGLE
protectionequipment,andmuchofthis is Not everyone who comes into contact
still in place in buildings today. lts most with Asbestos will develop an Asbestos 1 _...-.....--
1
NTUN page 3
LIVERPOOL DOCKERS
REBUILD THE WELFARE STATE!
EAST MIDLANDS CONFERENCE In the morning there are four key Since28thSeptember 1995,500Liverpool
10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, June 29th speakers. TonyBenn (MP on Pensions), Dockers have been locked out forrefusing
Central Suite, Exchange Street Derby Angela Palmer (PTC,Welfare Rights), to cross a picket line of 80 of their
Our Welfare State is being destroyed. It Malcolm Wing (UNISON, Health and workmates who had been sacked in an
was created by men and women who, Community Care), and Kevin Coyne earlierdisputeoverattemptsbytheMersey
having defeated Fascism were (Unemployed Workers Centre, Fight for Docks and Harbour Company to
determined that never again would there Jobs, Against the JSA). These are the reintroduce casual labour.
be a return to the insecurity, the themes that will fonn the programme for A recent offer to the men, negotiated by
unemployment and the poverty of the the afternoon workshops. their union the T&GWU, was roundly
rejected because it did not include
pre-war years. It was a monument to
reinstatement of all the dockers - the
theireffortsanditbecametheenvyofthe Whilstthis conference isbeingorganised
bottom line demand.
world. Yet now it is being deliberately by pensioners and unemployed, the
Daily picketing of all the docks, support
dismantled. TheNHSisconstantlyunder issues affect everyone from the cradle to
from other workers in this country, and
attack, the value of the state pension the grave. The T.U. Movement has a
from dockers in over 40 other countries
reduced everyyear, mass unemployment particularly important role to play,
has put tremendous pressure on the
is back, benefits are slashed and today’s workers could be tomorrowls
employer who continues to use scab
homelessness is on the increase. No unemployed, sick or pensioner.
labour. As a result of this pressure the
longer is it a question of simply Please ensure this conference is
companyhasbeen forcedtonegotiatewith
defending the Welfare State, it needs to discussed in your branch and that
the Union and the men’s Shop Stewards,
be rebuilt. delegates are elected. We have something they had refused to do in the
This is what has prompted the East deliberately kept the delegation fee as past.
MidlandsRegionoftheBritishPensioner low as possible to ensure no one is
andTradeUnionActionAssociation and prevented from attending for financial These dockers need our support.
the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers reasons. Send donations etc to Jim Davies,
Centre to organise this important Merseyside Port Shop Stewards, 19
conference. For furtherparticulars contact Scorton Street, Liverpool L6 4AS, and
The conference will discuss a campaign Ida Hackett, Conference Organiser support the National Merseyside Dockers
leadinguptothegeneralelectionwiththe 25, Bakewell Walk. SupportConferenceonSaturday25thMay.
aim of winning a pledge from every Mansfield NG18 3PY Details irom Alec Mc Fadden, Secretary,
candidate standing in the East Midlands Phone [phone]. MerseysideCATUC C/is 2b Cobham Road,
to support andrebuildthe Welfare State. Moreton, Wirral. Tel: [phone].
I I WO0 RS9 MEMORIAL DAY
CONTACTS LIST
About 500 people in the UK are killed fighting for stronger legislation and
NOTTS CATUC every year while doing their work by enforcement, publicising hazards at
Jon 0’Neill 12 Petersfield Close industrial or road traffic accidents. An work, organising for better and safer
Mansfield Notts NG19 6UA
estimated 20,000 more people die each working conditions V and protecting
MANSFIELD & DISTRICT
year from work related diseases. people at work - so as to ensure that
TUC (as Notts CATUC)
The purposeofWorkers’MemorialDayis those who have been killed or injured
I to commemorate these people. It is a part have not suffered in vain.
NEWARK TUC I
i ofthe campaign to makeworkplaces safer
Dave Bryant 27 Nicholson St II Ifyou think work has made your ill,
Newark Notts NG24 1RD and to reduce deaths, injuries and illness you need
caused by work.
Nottinghamshire Trade
NOTTINGHAM TUC The idea for the day started in Canada,
Ian Juniper 118 Mansfield Rd I| where 28th April has been recognisedas a Union Safety Committee
Nottingham NG1 3HL II DayofMourningforoveradecade. Inthe We offer FREE testing forHearing,
Vibration White Finger, Lung
USA it is the anniversary of their
RETFORD & DISTRICT TUC IIl Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Function and can offer advice on
Tommy Hirst 20 Northfield Way also commemorates the 28 workers killed compensation claims and Health and
Retford Notts DN22 7LJ Safety information.
in a construction accident in Bridgeport,
Connecticut on that day in 1987. Call us at 2 Beech Avenue Mansfield
STAPLEFORD, BEESTON &
[phone] and ask for Tony
DISTRICT TUC I Since 1990, I-iealth and Safety
campaigiers in Britain have used
Mick Worrall 6 Holden Gardens
Stapleford NG9 7GX Workers’ Memorial Day to raise , “Aiming
wareness about the danger facing people
$19
WORKSOP & DISTRICT TUC at work, and how groups ofworkers can M I to keep
Dave ?ressley 15 Thievesdale Lane r|| organise to win improvements.
I you Safes:
Worksop Notts SS1 ONG While we rememberthose who have died
this reminds us that we are still“
| age4 I leaseNote: Th view conaie witiu tis Newsletter arehlecesarilythose ofCATU