Madiba - our tribute

NELSON MANDELLA - OUR HERO: THEIR HYCROPRICY

Members of Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) have reacted with great sadness at the announcement a couple of hours ago of the death of Nelson Mandela.

“Members and supporters of Rugby TUSC have been collecting their experiences and memories of Nelson Mandela and the fight against one of the most extreme forms of racism – apartheid in South Africa,” TUSC spokesperson Pete McLaren has informed us. “I set the ball rolling by describing how I watched the film 'Cry Freedom' with our then nine year old daughter Karla, and I think she was moved to tears even more than I was at the death of Steven Biko and the actions of the repressive anti apartheid regime. It certainly helped form her political views. I also went to the Wembley concerts in 1988 and 1990, the first organised in support of Mandela's release from prison, the second just after his release when it was so moving to be part of the audience, all 80,000 of whom gave him an 8 minute standing ovation before he spoke.”

Julie Weekes, Rugby TUSC Treasurer, and Trade Union Studies lecturer, told me about her memories. “The whole labour movement in the 1970’s challenged apartheid. We even ran special courses on it for union reps. I remember taking part in lots of pickets outside the SA embassy in Trafalgar Square and going to pop concerts too to raise awareness and then later to celebrate his release. I was also lucky enough to hear him speak in Birmingham when he visited.”

Local supporter Gerry White added, “Always having been active supporters of the anti-apartheid movement, my sister and I went to South Africa to celebrate her 50th birthday and to see for ourselves the changes that Mandela's recent election victory had brought about. There was a wonderful feeling of optimism everywhere we went in Cape Town, Jo'burg, Pretoria and the rural Eastern Cape. Our most moving moment was when we stood on the very spot at the parliament buildings in Pretoria where Mandela had so recently taken his oath as President! We probably will never see his like again - a great fighter for freedom as well as a great person.”

In his summary, Pete McLaren said “As socialists we have all consistently supported Nelson Mandela as a freedom fighter, but it will be interesting to hear what kinds of sentimental hypocrisy come from the Tory leadership when it is doubtful any of them supported Mandela during his imprisonment. Some were members of the Federation of Conservative Students, which produced "Hang Mandela" posters in 1985. David Cameron, in 1989, as a rising star of the Conservative Research Department, accepted an all expenses paid trip to South Africa funded by an anti-sanctions lobby firm whilst Nelson Mandela remained imprisoned by the Apartheid regime. This was described at the time as a ‘sanctions busting jolly.’ The Thatcher government of the day had opposed placing sanctions on the racist regime, with Thatcher, Cameron’s political heroine, calling Mandela’s Party, the ANC, ‘a typical terrorist organization.’ Let’s see what Tory MPs have to say today,” he concluded.
NOTES

TUSC expresses anger at Autumn Statement: further attacks on the working class

AUTUMN STATEMENT: MORE CUTS AND MORE SUFFERING
Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has reacted angrily to today’s Autumn Statement. “One again, the Tory/Lib Dem Government has decided to hit public services and ordinary working people, including those already in poverty”, TUSC spokesperson Pete McLaren claimed this afternoon, “and once again Labour has been conspicuous by its silence on these dreadful cuts

“The most vicious attacks outlined in the Autumn Statement are on those forced to rely on benefits. On top of the £19 billion per year already cut from the welfare budget, Chancellor George Osborne has today announced cuts of a further £3 billion over the next 3 years. The Tories had already announced that from April 2014, benefits and tax credits would only rise annually by 1% for each of the next 3 years, well below inflation.

“If forcing those already struggling to face further cuts in their living standards is not bad enough, the Government has stealthily slipped into today’s Statement a new plan to make unemployed young people work for their benefits. Those under 21 not reaching a required standard in English or Maths will have to undertake training every day or lose their benefits. All under 21 unemployed for over 6 months will have to do unpaid work experience, a community work placement or start a traineeship – at a time when youth unemployment has risen to 21% of the workforce – over 1 in 5 of those under the age of 25, one million young people. Unemployed people want to work, as they have been telling us as we leaflet outside Rugby Job Centre against Universal Credit. But there are no jobs – 5 people chase each one.

“The Autumn Statement also attacks pensions. Those in their 40’s and younger will have to work until they are 70 to get their state pension, 5 years longer than at present. People already struggling with health and fitness will be forced to work even longer – in order to save the Government £500 billion over the next 50 years.

“Public Services will also be hit by the announcement that most Governments departments face a collective cut of a further £1 billion a year for 3 years, leading to redundancies, loss of services and rising unemployment. It is a fact that the poorest suffer disproportionately from service cuts because of their greater need for them

“Today’s’ Autumn Statement is yet another attack on the poor and low paid. A TUC study shows that average household income has fallen to 2005 levels. Those in work are £1,600 a year worse off than in 2010 when this Government came to power. But the wealthy are not suffering. The collective wealth of the richest 1,000 people is the highest on record. Total pay for the directors of the UK ‘s top businesses has risen by a staggering 14% in the last year. As usual, there is one rule for the rich, and one for the poor – we are certainly ‘not in this together’ as the Tories keep claiming,” he concluded.

RUGBY TUSC BENEFIT GIG SAT NOVEMBER 2nd

RUGBY TUSC BENEFIT GIG
SAT NOVEMBER 2nd

Rugby United Railway Club, Spring St/Railway Terrace CV21 3HE

8pm – late (Bar until 12pm)

SUPPORTING LOCAL YOUTH TALENT


Tan.Trum
Rugby based Classic Rock Metal Punk
Covers and Originals band

Eve Singleton
Winner “Rugby’s Got Talent’ Exciting young
singer with a collection of her own songs

Original Pop Music Duo
Emilie Rackham and
Becki Morgan

DISCO by Mick, Tim and Adam

Tickets: £5/2 unwaged
Available on the door, or in advance
From Rugby TUSC PO Box 4123, CV21 9BJ
Or http://rugbytusc.blogspot.co.uk/
Email rugbytusc@gmail.com

Rugby TUSC members join protest march in Manchester outside Tory Party Conference against austerity and attacks on the NHS

LOCAL SUPPORT FOR TUC NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION AT TORY PARTY CONFERENCE

"Members of Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) joined around 100,000 other protesters today Sunday in Manchester to protest against the Tory Government public sector cuts and against any further privatisation of, or cuts to, the NHS," TUSC spokesperson and prospective Parliamentary candidate Pete McLaren told us today. “It was a lively but peaceful protest, with the noise reaching a crescendo as it passed where the Tory party Conference was being held.

"I was delighted by the numbers who, at relatively short notice, came to Manchester to voice their protests outside the Tory Party Conference. There were coaches from Rugby and Coventry and from all over Britain from as far away as Plymouth, Exeter, London, Newcastle and Glasgow. Thousands of us were prepared to give up a Sunday to let the Government know how strongly we oppose what they are doing. No one was ecxpecting these numbers to attend – most trade union estimates were for about 30,000.

"I was particularly impressed by the number of nurses, firefighters, local government workers and teachers marching to protect the NHS, welfare state, and public services generally. It was a family and carnival type atmosphere - but always tinged with the serious nature of the effects cuts have. Children and grandchildren joined the march with their parents, holding placards asking why their mothers, fathers and grandparents might lose their jobs. Others were demonstratively campaigning against closures of local A & E Departments, as in Rugby, and against other attacks on our public services

"We carried the Rugby TUSC banner close to the front of the march, and it was inspiring to watch for over an hour as those behind us slowly entered the park for the Rally which followed. Protection of the NHS and the Welfare State was at the centre of the speeches and musical contributions. It was a day to remember, a day when tens of thousands, representing many millions of people, vociferously told the Government 'Enough is enough - we are not going to continue to pay for a crisis we did not cause by further cuts to public services, including the NHS'.

"Let the Tories, and their Lib Dem supporters, be warned - we are fighting back", he concluded.

NOTES
• Rugby TUSC was set up in March 2011. It is part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition nationally - www.tusc.org.uk
• Rugby TUSC can be contacted on 07881 520626 or RugbyTUSC@gmail.com; PO Box 4123 Rugby CV21 9BJ
• Pete McLaren is a member of the TUSC National Steering Committee, and has recently been elected its Local Group Development Officer. He has recently been selected to contest the next General Election by Rugby TUSC

DIVIDE AND RULE: TORIES USE PARTY CONFERENCE TO ATTACK UNEMPLOYED AND TRY TO DIVIDE WORKING CLASS

Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has expressed its disgust at the proposals outlined today to force those unemployed for more than two years to work, train or attend their job centre every single day in order to qualify for any state benefits. “At a time of very high unemployment, this is yet another example of how out of touch the Tories are,” Rugby TUSC spokesperson Pete McLaren claimed today. “Two and half million people are unemployed, nearly 8% of the work force. The vast majority want to work. The number of people working part time because they can’t get full time employment – 1.45 million – is at an all time high since records began in 1992. Youth unemployment stands at 21% - more than one in five 16 – 24 year olds are out of work. That is a scandal, and these Tory proposals fail to address any of this

“There simply are not enough jobs to go round. Latest figures show there are 460,000 job vacancies in the UK being chaced by the 2.5 million unemployed. Jobs to unemployment ratios are much worse in some areas – we were told by a worker from Gateshead at the TUC Demo in Manchester yesterday that when a new restaurant advertised 20 new jobs, there were 5,000 applications! An annual survey by the Associate of Graduate Recruiters recently showed that many leading UK employers are receiving an average of 85 applicants per job . In July, a company called High Flyers Research reported that up to 160 graduates were chasing every job . This is despite many of these job vacancies offering very low wages

“The real strategy of this Tory Government is to divide and rule. A divided working class makes it easier for them to win elections. Their aim is to set workers against each other, encouraging those on low wages to support this Conference policy and turn against those who can not find work and instead are forced to claim benefits. If the Tories force people to work for their benefits, not only will this cheapen labour further, it will also mean even fewer real jobs will be available. Those on low wages will feel their own jobs are under threat as unscrupulous employers look to save costs by taking on those on benefits they do not have to pay. It is low pay that is the problem, not welfare benefits.

“What the unemployed need and want is full time jobs that are permanent and pay a living wage, or adequate training that provides the skills society needs. Cutting public spending and privatising virtually everything that breathes is doing the opposite. And to make the unemployed pay yet again for a crisis they did not cause is criminal. Only last week, a Task Group of Rugby Council reported that, when Universal credit is introduced in Rugby in October, some claimants with children in childcare will be worse off under the scheme. At the same time, the charity Christians Against Poverty suggested Universal Credit will lead to increased hardship and debt. Research by the TUC goes further, showing that, taken with other benefit changes, Universal Credit will make a massive 62% of those on such benefits actually worse off, and just 8 % better off.

“The Tories are once again hitting those least able to defend themselves, whilst hoping their divide and rule tactics succeed. We will be doing everything possible in the months ahead to prevent that,” he concluded
NOTES
• Rugby TUSC was set up in March 2011. It is part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition nationally - www.tusc.org.uk
• Rugby TUSC can be contacted on 07881 520626 or RugbyTUSC@gmail.com; PO Box 4123 Rugby CV21 9BJ
• Pete McLaren is a member of the TUSC National Steering Committee, and has recently been elected its Local Group Development Officer. He has recently been selected to contest the next General Election by Rugby TUSC

PUBLIC SPENDING REVIEW: MASSIVE ATTACKS ON OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, PAY AND WELFARE

The Public Spending Review announced by Chancellor George Osborne today (June 26th) sets out the Government’s plans for the economy up to and beyond the 2015 General Election. “This is more of the same, but worse,” Pete McLaren, Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) spokesperson, told us immediately after the announcement. "The Tory/Lib Dem government is imposing £11.5 billion of further cuts to recently decimated public services.
“These 'Savings' will mean
• Drastic cuts to all the services provided by local Councils like Rugby and Warwickshire with the announced 10% cut to the Communities budget
• A similar level of cuts to those public services administered by the Government - 10% cut to the Ministry of Justice; 10% cut to the Department of Work and Pensions; 10% to the Department of the Environment; 9% cut in Transport; 8% to the Department of Energy and Climate Change; 7% cut to Culture and Media; 5% to the Department of Museums, Community Sports and Arts
• Pay cuts to largely low paid public sector workers with the announcements of maximum pay rises of 1% with inflation running at 3%, and the ending of automatic progression in pay
• A massive additional cut of £4 billion to welfare payments with a series of measures including a new welfare cap for the system as a whole, to be set each year for 4 years, despite rising unemployment, and a '7 day wait' before new claimants can even 'sign on' for benefits. How can you live without any money?
• Further privatisation of education with money somehow being found for more Academies and Free Schools

"The effect of these cuts, on top of those that have already closed youth clubs, libraries, care homes and fire stations, will be to further take away the public services those who need them have grown to rely on and enjoy - including museums, sports facilities, and public transport. Cuts in provision for investigating climate change and environmental improvements fly in the face of creating the greener world we were all promised and strive for. For those who work in the public sector there will be massive job cuts and redundancies, and those fortunate enough to keep their jobs will face pay cuts. Those who are forced to rely on poverty level welfare benefits will suffer even more, if that is possible. These cuts are a disgrace.

"George Osborne began his Public Spending Review speech by repeating his lie that "We are all in this together." How can we be when, in terms of public services lost, the TUC estimates that the poorest 10% will suffer 15 times more than the richest as they have greater need for such services? Even the Institute of Fiscal Studies says the impact of tax and benefit changes reduces the incomes of lower income households by more than that of higher income families, with the biggest losers being the poorest 10% of families with children. It is no accident that the rich are getting richer whilst the rest of us are made to pay for the crisis - the collective wealth of this year’s 1,000 richest people has reached £450 billion, the highest on record, with the top 200 now worth £318 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to 2012. We are most certainly not in this together.

“The Tories are making these and other severe cuts, with the support of both the Lib Dems and the Labour so-called Opposition, despite knowing that their austerity policies are simply not working. In the last three years, unemployment has risen to 7.8%, with youth unemployment scandalously standing at over one million. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen by 2.8% since 2008. Inflation, at 2.8%, continues to outstrip wage rises which averaged 0.8% in the last year. Austerity measures have actually prevented the economy from growing, thus making it harder to reduce the economic deficit. .
“It is an absolute disgrace that Labour will not be opposing such attacks on the poor and ordinary working people. Addressing the Labour Party National policy Forum in Birmingham on Saturday, Ed Milliband promised to be ruthless about pursuing Labour’s public spending priorities, accepting the need for further cuts beyond the 2015 General Election. Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls had earlier committed Labour to keeping George Osborne’s spending cuts if it wins that Election.

“Spending cuts are not necessary, as Labour well knows,” Pete McLaren continued. “A 5% wealth tax on the richest 10% would, on its own, resolve the economic deficit. There is also £120 billion per year of unpaid tax that rich individuals or companies avoid or evade. Banks could be nationalized, with profits used to maintain and improve our public services. To cut public spending is a political decision by right wing governments to attack services won for and by the working class,” he concluded.

NOTES
• Rugby TUSC was set up in March 2011. It is part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition nationally - www.tusc.org.uk
• Rugby TUSC can be contacted on 07881 520626 or RugbyTUSC@gmail.com; PO Box 4123 Rugby CV21 9BJ
• Rugby TUSC stood anti cuts candidates across the whole of Rugby in this year’s County Council elections
• Pete McLaren is a member of the TUSC National Steering Committee, and has just been elected its Local Group Development Officer

TIMES AND DATES FOR RUGBY TUSC ELECTION LEAFLETING, STALLS AND CANVASSING - please join us!

DATE TIME DIVISION MEETING PLACE

Thurs Apr 18 3pm NEW BILTON Hollybush, Lawford Rd

Fri Apr 19 4pm STALL Along from Asda

7pm BROWNSOVER Crown, Newbold

Sat Apr 20 2pm EASTLANDS & HILLMORTON The Bell, Hillmorton Rd

Sun Apr 21 3pm CALDECOTT The Griffin, Kingsway

Thurs Apr 25 6pm EARL CRAVEN Half Moon, Warwick Rd, Wolston

Fri Apr 26 6pm LAWFORD Cauldecott Arms, Main St, Long Lawford

Sun Apr 28 2pm FOSSE Denbeigh Arms, Monks Kirby

Mon Apr 29 6pm ADMIRALS Black Horse, Main St, Bilton

Tues Apr 30 2pm NEW BILTON Hollybush, Lawford Rd

6pm BROWNSOVER Outside Merry Monk, Helvellyn Way

Wed May 1st 2pm STALL Rugby Clock Tower

TUSC campaign to save Sheaf & Sickle highlighted in local media

Rugby TUSC has been campaigning to prevent the Sheaf & Sickle pub in Long Lawford from being turned into a private dwelling. An on line petition has gathered over 200 names in less than two weeks, and a number have signed hard copies. Local TUSC supporter Gerry White was interviewed on BBC CWR following our media release, and the story featured at the top of page 5 in the Rugby Advertiser on April 18th - see http://bit.ly/15nfu5z

RUGBY TUSC TELLS THE TRUE STORY ABOUT THATCHER IN THE LOCAL MEDIA

Rugby Advertiser chose to use TUSC Secretary Pete McLaren's comments to put a socialist view on the contribution Maggie Thatcher to working class life in Britain. Phrases like "The people I have sympathy for today are those working class people whose families suffered tremendous hardship as a result of her policies,”.........“Firstly, as Education Secretary, Thatcher stopped free milk for school children........."she was determined to teach the working class a lesson for bringing down the Ted Heath Government of the 1970s, Thatcher attacked the trade union movement in a savage and brutal way as soon as she came to power......... "Publicly owned industries were destroyed. Working class communities were devastate....... "Such policies have echoes today, and her support for financial de-regulation, epitomized by the deregulation of the City of London, has contributed to the present economic crisis." were quoted in the April 11th edition

Rugby TUSC joins campaign to defend local music studio

From the Rugby Observer web site

CONCERN is mounting over the future of the Lampworks Studios – a mainstay of the Rugby music scene for many years.

The Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) have organised a gig this Saturday (April 6) to highlight the position of the 92 Lower Hillmorton Road recordings studios, which is located in a larger building currently occupied by Rugby Gymnastics Club.

But the long-term future of the studios remains unclear with the gymnastics club looking to move to share state-of-the-art new facilities at a planned indoor sports hall on Kilsby Lane.

TUSC candidate Steve Roberts – who regularly uses the studios – said :

“The gig is part of a series of events at the studios to highlight its possible closure.

“The studio and rehearsal rooms have been a mainstay of the Rugby music scene for many years and continue to play an important part in the development of young musicians and bands in the area. The studio is something which is much needed in the town.”

And fellow TUSC member Pete McLaren was equally alarmed at the possibility of the venue closing.

He added: “The studio is currently in use as a venue for music/art/film nights, recording, and rehearsal space for local bands and artists. It is the only asset of its kind in the Rugby area.

“Over the years just about every person involved in the Rugby music scene has used the studios at one time or another.”

The gig – which will also mark the launch of TUSC’s Warwickshire County Council election campaign – will feature folk/punk outfit Steve White and the Protest Family, alt/garage singer-songwriter Martin “Hungry Dog” Dowsing, and Nuneaton rockers The Hunting Party.

It starts at 7.30pm and entry is £5 on the door.

A facebook group Save 92 Campaign has already been set up.

Read more: Fears for future of Rugby’s Lampworks Studios | Rugby Observer

TUSC CHOSEN BY MEDIA TO COUNTERACT TORY MP

The Rugby Advertiser has used the Media Release sent in on the 2013 Budget and it features as the main item on its web site under the heading "How the budget will affect Rugby residents - different perspectives from MP Mark Pawsey and Rugby Trade Union and Socialist Coalition's Pete McLaren". You can find it at: http://bit.ly/XtdFfx

Rugby TUSC to actively support the European TUC Day of Action on March 13

The European Trade Union Confederation has called for “Action on 13 and 14 March against austerity and for jobs for young people” ahead of the European Summit on 14 and 15 March.
Rugby TUSC has agreed to organize a stall with leaflets, and a street meeting, in the town centre on13 March. On this day, the ETUC says that “delocalised actions will take place across Europe,” and Rugby TUSC supports this development.
Across Europe, austerity is wreaking havoc on the working class, causing poverty and destroying services in order to preserve the interests of capital. This day of action is our chance to prove that, just as the bosses’ attacks cut across borders and sectional interests, so does our solidarity and determination to act.
Pete McLaren, spokesperson for Rugby TUSC, said: “The 13th March needs to be a day when workers come together and act. More than that, it needs to be a catalyst for a sustained fightback against the austerity and class warfare of every employer and every government in Europe.”

RUGBY TUSC TO ORGANISE BENEFIT GIG ON APRIL 6th

Rugby TUSC has agreed to join the campaign to support and save the Rehersal Rooms/Studio on Lower Hillmorton Rd by organising a TUSC Benefit Gig at the Studio on Saturday April 6th. There will be four live bands using two stages, and a bar will be provided. Tickets are £5 each. A bar will be provided. Full details will be announced in the next couple of weeks

Rugby TUSC FUND RAISING SOCIAL- December 8th All Welcome

Organised jointly with Rugby Against the Cuts and the local Stop The War Coalition, this annual event takes place on Saturday December 8th, 8.30pm onwards at 25, Epsom Rd, Rugby CV22 7PF £4/2 entrance Foods from around the world, music, raffle, political conversation (!) all included. Please bring a bottle

NEW BILTON BY-ELECTION - details of last minute campaign

Sat Nov 10                  11am               STALL AND MASS CANVASS/LEAFLET by Co-op, Lawford Rd and leaflet from Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
SUN OCT 11 2.30pm CANVASS AND LEAFLET   Meet at Hollybush Pub, Lawford Rd
 
Mon Nov 12               6pm                                        Half Moon, Lawford Rd
 
Tues Nov 13               2pm                                        Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
                                    6pm                                        Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd

Wed Nov 14 TUSC Rally to support Europe Day of Action against Austerity 1pm Rugby Clock Tower
 
Wed Nov 14               2pm    Eve of poll leaflet                   Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
                                    6pm    Eve of poll leaflet                    Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
 
Thurs Nov 15                        ELECTION DAY!               Activity all day – Polling Day leaflet to deliver and door knocking all canvassed voters.
Meet at Hollybush at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm or phone 07881 520626 on the day whenever you are available
STREET MEETINGS/USE OF LOUD HAILER FROM 12 midday - phone 07881 520626 on the day if you can join us

TUSC SELECTS RUGBY SECRETARY PETE McLAREN TO CONTEST NEW BILTON BY-ELECTION ON NOV 15

The New Bilton by-election was called at very short notice. We have embarked on an ambitious campaign as we strive to put out our anti cuts message and build TUSC in the area. Please come and help us

SUGGESTED TIMES AND DATES FOR RUGBY TUSC ELECTION LEAFLETING, CANVASSING AND STALLS IN NEW BILTON

DATE TIME MEETING PLACE

Mon Oct 29 2pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd

Wed Oct 31 6pm Indian Community Centre, Edward St

Fri Nov 2 2pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
6pm STALL by Co-op, Lawford Rd and leaflet from Hollybush pub,

Sat Nov 3 11am – 2pm STALL AND MASS CANVASS/LEAFLET
Corporation St, along from BP garage
towards traffic lights

Tues Nov 6 2pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd

Thurs Nov 8 2pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
6pm Indian community Centre, Edward St

Sat Nov 10 11am – 2pm STALL AND MASS CANVASS/LEAFLET by Co-op,
Lawford Rd and leaflet from Hollybush pub

Mon Nov 12 6pm Half Moon. Lawford Rd

Tues Nov 13 2pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
6pm Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd

Wed Nov 14 2pm Eve of poll leaflet Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd
6pm eve of poll leaflet Hollybush pub, Lawford Rd

Thurs Nov 15 ELECTION DAY! Activity to be announced – phone 07881 520626

Please also phone if you want to take leaflets away to deliver in your own time – otherwise, hope to see you during the next couple of weeks as above

All of this will cost us money! We hope to do a follow up leaflet in selected areas, a limited delivery leaflet in Polish, and an eve of poll. All donations gratefully received. Please make cheques out to Rugby TUSC and send them to me preferably at home or to Rugby TUSC, PO Box 4123, Rugby CV21 9BJ

Pete McLaren TUSC Candidate New Bilton, Rugby

RUGBY TUSC GETS INVOLVED IN LOCAL ANTI ACADEMIES CAMPAIGN

Plans are afoot to turn both Newbold Riverside Primary and Oakfield Primary into Academies with very little consultation. An Action Group was set up at Newbold Riverside, and they contacted us to ask TUSC to get involved and, initially, to leaflet all parents at Oakfield Primary to inform them about a Public Meeting which has been organised for both Primaries on MONDAY OCTOBER 15th, 7.30pm, at The OAKFIELD CLUB, Bilton Rd
LEAFLETING WILL BE AS FOLLWS:
Tuesday October 9th 2.40pm Oakfield School Main Entrance on Oakfield Rd
Wednesday October 10th 2.40pm Oakfield back entrance, which is across Merttens Playing Fields, which is off Merttens Drive

Monday October 15th (Provisional - please check web site) Reminder Leaflet outside Oakfield School Main entrance

PUBLIC MEETING AS PART OF THE ANTI ACADEMY CAMPAIGN
MONDAY OCTOBER 15th 7.30pm Oakfield Club, 32 Bilton Rd

PROPOSAL ON TUSC’S STRUCTURE TO RUGBY TUSC, suggested by Pete McLaren

The structure of TUSC at present is as agreed at the Conference in July 2011 in the Framework document from the Steering Committee (SC) and the Motion from Rugby TUSC

Relevant extracts from the SC’s Framework Document

(v) We also confirm that, as a federal ‘umbrella’ organisation, participating organisations will continue to be able to produce their own supporting material, subject to electoral law, as has been the practise successfully adopted in our election campaigns to date, which allow different organisations and local campaigns to collaborate under a common banner.

2. Structure and election organisation

(i) TUSC shall continue to have a Steering Committee, comprised of one representative of the Socialist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, and the TUSC Independent Socialist Network, plus in a personal capacity, Bob Crow, Craig Johnston, Owen Herbert, Brian Caton, Nina Franklin, Chris Baugh, John McInally and Nick Wrack. The steering committee will operate by consensus.

(ii) The adherence of further organisations will be subject to the approval of the steering committee. The steering committee can also agree to expand its membership to other leading trade unionists as it decides.

(iii) TUSC supporters in Scotland shall continue to organise autonomously, with their own Scottish TUSC Steering Committee.

(iv) Local TUSC steering committees will be established, where possible, for local government areas and parliamentary constituencies where it is planned to contest seats on whatever broadly similar basis is appropriate for each.

(v) The participants in TUSC recognise that this structure remains only an interim arrangement and that discussions must continue to take place on the best way to organise the coalition as it develops in the future. Future conferences of TUSC shall make provisions to include debates on this issue.

3. Candidates

(i) Candidates from organisations participating in the Steering Committee and the Scottish TUSC Steering Committee can expect to have their nomination papers for elections authorised by the coalition nominating officer as TUSC candidates if they so request. They can also stand, if they wish, under the existing registered electoral name of their organisation.


Relevant extracts from Motion from Rugby on the future development of TUSC

TUSC has the potential to become a significant political force. This meeting confirms its determination to build on these (its) foundations, and ways of doing that should include:

* Building TUSC branches up and down the country.

In order to make the necessary progress and ensure further development, TUSC agrees to broaden out its structure at national level to welcome representation from local TUSC branches as well as trade union branches, political organisations and independents supportive of TUSC.


To summarise what was agreed:

• TUSC will have a federal structure which enables participant organizations to produce their own election materials and stand under their own existing registered electoral title if they so wish, whilst collaborating under a common banner

• The Steering Committee will include representatives of the supportive political organizations – the SP, SWP and ISN (to represent independent socialists) – and named individual trade union leaders/supporters

• The SC can decide whether to also give representation to additional political organizations and additional leading trade unionists

• The SC operates by consensus • Local TUSC Steering Committees will be established, where possible, in all wards/constituencies where TUSC is contesting elections

• TUSC should be building branches up and down the country

• TUSC will broaden out its structure at national level to include:

o Representation from local TUSC branches o Representation from trade union branches

o Representation from political organizations supportive of TUSC •

It was recognized these were interim arrangements and that discussions would continue to take place on the best way to organise the coalition as it develops in the future, with debates on the issue at all future TUSC Conferences.

To develop TUSC further, as a starting off point the structural position agreed at the July 2011 Conference should be implemented in full as soon as possible. This includes:

• Establishing local TUSC branches and/or local TUSC Steering Committees

• Devising methods to allow for representation of TUSC branches, trade union branches, and supportive political organizations on the Steering Committee
In concrete terms, this should include the following actions:

• In all wards/divisions/regions/constituencies that TUSC wishes to stand a candidate, the Steering Committee should do its best to ensure, through local organizations where possible, that a meeting takes place to discuss possible candidates, by inviting all local supportive trade unionists, political parties and independent socialists to attend. This meeting would be encouraged to make a recommendation to the Steering Committee

• The Steering Committee should actively encourage local political organizations, trade unionists and independent socialists to set up local Steering Committees. Achieving this should become part of the process of candidate authorization, and such local Steering Committees should subsequently be encouraged to become TUSC branches and continue campaigning between elections

• The SP, SWP and ISN and any additional groups represented on the SC, along with supportive local trade unionists, should be asked to open up informal discussions with each other at local level with a view to establish a TUSC branch, or at least a local Steering Committee, before the next General Election

• In terms of further broadening representation on the SC, as has already been agreed, the following steps should be taken:

o Those TUSC branches that do exist should be asked to meet together and elect two representatives to the SC to represent, and be accountable to, those local branche

o Local trade union branches should be encouraged to affiliate to local TUSC branches, where their rules allow, or nationally if no local TUSC branch exists. All such affiliated local trade unions should be entitled to representation on the SC, with a limit of two representatives per trade union

o The SC should make it clear all political organisations supportive of TUSC will be welcomed onto the Steering Committee and able to elect a representative to sit on it

At this stage of its development, it should be agreed that TUSC’s structure remain federal, and its SC continue to operate by consensus. Organisations represented on the SC would continue to have one vote/veto each, and it will be for the leading members of trade unions on the SC to decide whether or not their members would be likely to support actions and activity agreed

As TUSC evolves into a more permanent organization, the following steps will be considered over the next few months:

• Affiliation of trade unions and political organizations to TUSC nationally, with affiliation fees related to size of membership, with recognition made of ability to pay

• How the significant role individual leading trade unionists have played in the development of TUSC can be maintained within any developing structure

• Introducing individual membership of TUSC at national level, with fees set to an amount likely to encourage supporters to join

• The election of functional officers, answerable in the first instance to the SC, and through that to Conference, to ensure tasks agreed by Conference are implemented

• Suggesting to political organizations that are part of TUSC that, in order to build TUSC as a political organization in its own right, they should stand under the most appropriate TUSC registered electoral title unless local circumstances strongly dictate otherwise, in which case they should prominently promote TUSC and their support for it in election materials

The SC to report back to the next TUSC Conference the progress that has been made on all these suggestions

Pete McLaren 07/08/12

TUSC National Conference Sat Sept 22nd London

The Conference, which is open to all TUSC supporters, has the following provisional Agenda as agreed at the TUSC National Steering Committee on June 18th: SESSION ONE: Open Forum “Building working class political representation against the austerity consensus” Speakers: RMT (15 minutes) to promote their pro-TUSC Conference position; Mark Serwotka invited (15 minutes) to explain the implications of the PCS ballot decision to stand anti cuts candidates Political groups who are part of TUSC (7 minutes each): the SP, SWP and ISN SESSION TWO: For Councillors who will stand up to the Con-Dems – including local government policy Invited Speakers (all 5/7 minutes each): Kingsley Abrams (Labour councilor suspended for abstaining on cuts vote); Two Southampton Labour councilors who voted against cuts; Cllr Michael Lavelette (SWP); Tony Mulhearn (SP: TUSC Liverpool Mayoral candidate); Cllr Pete Smith (Walsall DLP) SESSION THREE: ‘Reviewing TUSC’s structures’: The structure commission report and plans for further discussion. Introduced by: Clive Heemskirk (SP) and Pete McLaren (ISN) The following actions were also agreed: • A four page broadsheet including the RMT resolution would be produced • There would be a pooled fare, capped at £10 • Deadline for resolutions/submissions on TUSC’s Structure or Policy would be midnight Monday Sept 3rd - send to cliveheemskerk@socialistparty.org.uk or wsmcmahon@yahoo.co.uk

Rugby TUSC plans ahead

Rugby TUSC met on June 14th and began its preparations for the 2013 County Council elections.  Candidates were selected, and it was agreed to liaise with TUSC supporters and anti cuts campaigners across Warwickshire, suggesting the setting up of a Warwickshire Regional TUSC Co-ordinating Committee.  In a separate, but related development, it was further agreed to launch a Rugby TUSC Newsletter for wide distribution, and a draft format was approved.  The Newsletter should be ready before the next Rugby TUSC Meeting on Thursday July 19th