28 June 2013

Saturday 6 July: Sussex Trade Union Network conference, Uniting the Resistance


We now have the programme for the Saturday 6 July Sussex Trade Union Network conference, Uniting the Resistance, which Phil Mellows is sponsoring as NUJ branch sec.

With the Tories this week stepping up their attack on working people and public services, there couldn't be a better time to come together to discuss how Sussex trade unionists and campaigners can step up our resistance to cuts and austerity.

In addition to the speakers listed in the programme (see below for a link to the brochure), Ronnie Margulies, a Turkish trade union activist, is flying into the UK on the morning of the event, and will bring an eyewitness report and solidarity greetings from Turkish workers' struggle against their own right-wing government.

Above all, the majority of time at the event will be for activists and trade union members from across the region to share their experiences, and debate the practical steps we can take to build up the local opposition that can feed into a national movement of resistance.

It's at The University of Brighton, Pavilion Parade, BN2 1RA 

Advanced booking is advised - email n.edmond@brighton.ac.uk

11am - 12.30 The fight against austerity

12.30 There is such a thing as a free lunch!

1pm - 3pm Workshops

3pm Uniting resistance across Sussex

This event is designed as a launch of the Sussex-wide network of trade unionists fighting austerity and privatisation.

What is a network for, and how will it work? These are questions to be addressed on the day. The answers to them will emerge from discussions at the various meetings; they do not exist in advance.

Some of the things that a network could do are clear, however.

• It can provide information across Sussex about disputes that are happening, or are about to happen.
• It can link up those in dispute or are campaigning across the counties,
• It can mobilise solidarity across two counties (from collections to picket support and demonstrations).
• It can provide a Sussex-wide perspective on defending the NHS, municipal services, and public education and postal services, etc.
• It can seek to predict where future disputes are to occur on cuts and privatisation, and prepare for them.
• It could run a Sussex-wide press and publicity operation to explain and raise support both within the trade union movement, and amongst the public.
• It could do much more than this but that is for the inaugural meeting to determine. It is not an alternative to any other organisation resisting the austerity programme. It is the trade union part of the movement against austerity, and focussed on supplementing and supporting the work of Trades councils and union branches, and local campaigning groups, in developing a programme of resistance.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT OFF A PDF OF THE PROGRAMME:
Colour: http://bit.ly/18iKo0w
Black and white: http://bit.ly/19yl2wO

Contact Sussex Trade Union Network:
EMAIL: sussexunionnetwork@gmail.com
PHONE: Tom Hickey 07816 921105
Facebook: Sussex TU Netwrk
Twitter: @SussexTUResist

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