Willesden Bus Garage Union Representation

Brent Trade Union Council Chairperson Peter Firmin writes:

Brent Trade Union Council

Dear Colleague,

 

The saga continues. Robert Chung is facing his third disciplinary hearing on Wednesday 27th November after the last hearing was adjourned due to lack of evidence from the management.

 

Therefore following our two successful demonstrations and leafleting of the busworkers at the garage I'm asking you again to support another on the above date at the usual time 9am to 10am.

 

It is important that we continue to show our solidarity to Robert now that is come to a critical last hearing.

 

Thank you for your support

 

In Solidarity

Roger Cox, Secretary

Pete Firmin, Chair

You are receiving this update because you signed Jayne Linney and Debbie Sayers' petition: "Work & Pensions Committee: Hold IDS to account for his use of statistics" Alan - Monday 9th December - mark your diaries! - that is the day that Iain Duncan Smith will appear before the Work and Pensions Committee to face questions over his use of statistics.  This week we delivered our petition for IDS to be held to account -- which included your name -- to Parliament. Liz Kendall and Kate Green MP officially accepted it and placed it in the green bag behind the speaker's chair, as is the tradition.

It was a big day for us, to finally see all 105,000 names on our petition printed out and to take the campaign to Parliament. We have lived with disabilities for many years and have had to hear Iain Duncan Smith use dodgy statistics to justify changes to the benefit system. Now finally, we have been listened to and have had our voices heard. The Work and Pensions Committee say they will question IDS when he appears before them in three weeks time and examine how his department release benefit statistics to the media. It is a huge relief to finally tell you our petition has been a success! You can read all about it in The Mirror! From both of us thank you so much for the support, Jayne Linney and Debbie Sayers Picture credit: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror

CENTRE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CLAIMS POOR PEOPLE  NEED HELP WITH THEIR DEBTS; QUITE SO BUT THE POOREST NEED HELP WITH THEIR INCOMES TO PREVENT DEBT. 

Centre for Social Justice has just discovered that  "Problem debt can have a corrosive impact on people and families" in a report called "Maxed Out".  

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) was set up by Iain Duncan Smith while he was in opposition and recommended the welfare reforms we now experience and that are in the pipe line with the Universal Credit. 

Like all government reports the CSJ refuses to acknowledge in "Maxed Out"  incomes must be raised to meet the a minimum cost of living in order to prevent poverty related debts and their consequent "corrosive impact". An otherwise very useful report is spoilt by "This vision rested on recognising that using money alone to combat disadvantage, as important as income is, is too narrow an approach". 

There is a point at which money alone must combat disadvantage and prevent debt. That point has been passed when an unemployment benefit of £71.70 is not only 42% of the Joseph Rowntree minimum income standard but is also being hit by the council tax, the bedroom tax, the £500 overall benefit cap and the 1% freeze in annual increases. . 

The coalition was warned by others time and again in 2012 that caps, cuts and council tax would create debt.

During the passage of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Local Government Finance Act 2012, which started the taxation of benefits with the council tax by local authorities, the attention of Lord Freud was drawn to the Government Office for Science in 2008 report  "Mental Capital and Well being". I quote

"Debt. There is a strong case for Government to work with financial organisations and utility companies to break the cycle between debt and mental illness. Recent research has indicated that debt is a much stronger risk factor for mental disorder than low income. A range of possible interventions are suggested: a greater awareness of the link between mental health and debt by banks and financial institutions; and measures by utility companies to handle arrears better."

I was present on behalf of Zacchaeus 2000 Trust when the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned Lord Freud about the relationship between debt and mental illness. 

The coalition would not change their policies in 2012 to prevent the misery now reported by the CSJ. 

Caps, cuts and council tax are now wreaking havoc in the lives of the poorest citizens. 

FROM THE BBC NEWS WEBSITE. 

"BBC home affairs editor Mark Easton said the poorest people could often access banking and credit only at a premium, with onerous terms making it more likely they would go overdrawn and suffer penalty charges.

Mr Christian Guy (Director of CSJ) said the poorest people in the UK were "cut off from mainstream banking and have no choice now but to turn to loan sharks and high-cost lenders".

The report says payday lenders have increased business from £900m in 2008/2009 to more than £2bn in 2011/2012.

It says more than 26,000 UK households have been accepted by councils as homeless in the past five years because of mortgage and rent arrears.

Mr Chris Pond (a former Labour Work an Pensions Minister) said that "with falling real incomes and increasing costs of basic essentials, many, especially the most vulnerable, are sliding further into problem debt.

"The costs to those affected, in stress and mental disorders, relationship breakdown and hardship is immense.

But so too is the cost to the nation, measured in lost employment and productivity and in an increased burden on public services."

Rev Paul Nicolson

Taxpayers Against Poverty

93 Campbell Road,
Tottenham, 

London N17 0BF

0208 3765455

07961 177889

also at www.z2k.org 

also at www.prohousingalliance.com

www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/Taxpayers-Against-Poverty/299911526728884

*Event:* *'Building our Green Economic Future' conference 

with London's Green MEP Jean Lambert, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady, EU Commissioner Laszlo Andor and Andrew Raingold of the Aldersgate Group

*When: Friday, November 29th, 10.30am – 4.45pm

*Where: TUC Congress Centre, London, WC1B 3LS*

*THE ROLE OF THE GREEN ECONOMY IN PROMOTING JOBS AND INDUSTRIAL REVIVAL IN THE UK: TRADE UNIONS AND LEADING INDUSTRY FIGURES JOIN GREEN MEP FOR CONFERENCE


LONDON'S Green MEP Jean Lambert is to host a public conference on the role
of the environmental sector in job creation and UK economic revival next
week.


The 'green' sector is already worth £25.4bn a year – and employs more than
163,000 people in London alone, according to a recent report from the
London Assembly. (1)


“*Ensuring the UK's speedy economic revival and responding to the climate
crisis present a double challenge – but the solutions are linked,”* said Ms
Lambert.


“*We need to create good, skilled, well-paid jobs – but a truly
sustainable economic recovery must tackle climate change.*


“*The answer must lie in investing in key industries and the new skills –
required to make the UK a world leader in the renewable energy and 'green'
construction industries.*


“*How this investment is funded – directly by Government or via a
so-called 'Green Investment Bank' - is a debate we need to have, but it's
clear that this Government is failing to promote the discussion – or,
sufficiently, green jobs and environmental industries.*


“*That's why I'm hosting a day conference with trade unions, European
policymakers and leading industry figures to discuss how we can work
together to meet the economic and environmental challenges we face here in
the UK and help deliver the EU commitment to a low-carbon future.”*


Other speakers at the event include TUC General Secretary *Frances O'Grady*,
EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion *Laszlo
Andor*and Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group *Andrew
Raingold*.


The event, which will take place at the TUC Congress Centre in London next
Friday, November 29, is free – but places are limited, so it's necessary to
register in advance at www.greeneconfuture.eventbrite.com


Ms Lambert, a member of the European Parliament's Employment and Social
Affairs Committee, added: *“We have the potential here in the UK to create
thousands of new jobs and lead the way in tackling the great environmental
crises the world faces in the 21st Century. I hope we can rise to the
challenge, and that this conference can play a role in that.”*



*ENDS*




*Notes to Editors*


*1. *ht
tp://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Low%20Carbon%20Market%20Snapshot%20-%202013%20Update_1.pdf<http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Low%20Carbon%20Market%20Snapshot%20-%202013%20Update_1.pdf>
>
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Low%20Carbon%20Market%20Snapshot%20-%202013%20Update_1.pdf




*For details of the event, and to sign up, see:**
www.greeneconfuture.eventbrite.com
<http://www.greeneconfuture.eventbrite.com/>*


*Journalists and photographers are welcome at the discussion: please
contact Ben by email or on any number below to arrange.*


*Jean Lambert* is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK
Green representatives in the European Parliament. *Jean was first elected
Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999
European elections and was* re-elected in 2004 and 2009.

KILBURN UNEMPLOYED WORKERS GROUP

DRAFT MEETING AGENDA,
THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2013

VENUE: KINGSGATE COMMUNITY CENTRE,
107 KINGSGATE ROAD, NW6 2JH,
TIME: 3-5:30PM

1. Gather as soon after 3pm as possible — NO LATER THAN 3:15PM — and appoint/select facilitator/chairperson and minute-taker
2. Present
3. Apologies: Brian, Lexie, Marie, Nygell
4. Cases and Members' Wellbeing (Pt 1)
5. Break
6. Draft Minutes of group meetings held 7 November 2013 an 14 November and any matters arising not addressed below.
   • "History is made by those who control the minutes"?
7. Reports and discussion of recent actions and current and emerging campaigns:
   1. Report from Thursday 14 Novemver screening and discussion of short film 'Dear Mandela' about shanty dwellers in South Africa
   2. Report from Kilburn Jobceentre leafleting Monday 18 November
   3. Report from Tuesday 19 November Willesden Bus Garage 'Defend Willesden Unite Rep Robert Chung' demo called by Brent Fightback
   4. Mark's anti-eviction progress
   5. Light relief and fundraising or more hard work? Preparing for Christmas / Winter Fest party and carol parodies — eg, "Oh, IDS, oh, IDS/ We're fed up with your lying" (Melody: 'Oh, Christmas Tree')
   6. Next KUWG jobcentre leafleting, logo, leaflet and placard design matters and prospect of KUWG flags
   7. How we use our stewardship of increased KUWG finance. Alan proposes that KUWG
      1. Considers a budget for running costs including
         1. stationery [printouts of minutes],
         2. campaigning materials,
         3. room hires for workshops
         4. travel costs,
         5. training
      2. Starts an investment a/c with Nationwide Building Society that will earn us more generous and more ethical interest than available through the current Barclays current a/c or anything hedge-fund owned Co-operative Bank could offer us. Co-operative Bank customers include human rights abusing and corporation tax-dodging G4S!
      Alan recognises that setting budgets may require consideration beyond this one group meeting!
   8. Forward planning to Boycott Workfare Week, Monday 2 December to Sunday 8 December
      • Possibilitiy of liaising with allied organisations toward a Boycott Workfare Week demo at Hammersmith Jobcentre, where Universal Credit is now being piloted.
   9. Other events and campaigns
8. Finance issues
9. AOB, incl Cases (Pt 2) if necessary, and prompt exit by 5:30pm, with tables and chairs put back in storage space.

Update on Robert Chung's situation

I am very sorry for the short notice but Robert Chung the Unite rep at Willesden garage is facing his adjourned hearing tomorrow, Tuesday 19th.

 

Following our very lively demo of supporters outside the garage two Fridays ago he asks if we can have another gathering to support him.

 

We will leaflet the Garage at the Pound Lane side, as before from 9.00am tomorrow and I hope that you can come.

 

Solidarity

Roger Cox < Secretary

Pete Firmin, chair

 

Brent Trades Union Council

 

See also

Defend Willesden Unite Rep Robert Chung!

UN Special Rapporteur on Disability - Testimony Session

Just Fair

Monday, 25 November 2013 from 13:30 to 16:00 (GMT)

London, United Kingdom

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/un-special-rapporteur-on-disability-testimony-session-tickets-9341062369

http://welfaretales.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/un-expert-to-hear-disabled-peoples-austerity-testimony/