Hardworking demonstrators

Report from Manchester by Natasha Steel

Approaching the conference centre

The award for irony of the day must go to the Conservative Party. As a trade union march of 50,000 people whistled and booed their way past the heavily policed and fortified Manchester Central Conference Centre on Sunday, the Tory banners proclaimed their allegiance with “hardworking people”.

Strangely, a care worker from Chester I met who works fourteen hour shifts “wiping arses” and was on the demonstration was unswayed by the signage and showed no inclination for joining the party. 

“Half of the month I sleep over,” she said. “I don’t like it, having to get into a bed that someone else sleeps in, but you have to do it if you want to pay the mortgage. If there’s overtime I always say yes.

“It’s the only way we can make ends meet. 

“But you don’t actually get much sleep, there’s always someone up and you have to be up with them. I’ve done this for 25 years, what I really want to do is be an NHS nurse, but there’s no way I can afford to retrain and pay the mortgage. I just can’t take the risk.”

She recounted how her boss in the privately run company had told her that pay was low because ‘anyone can do care work.’

“Can you?” she’d asked. “Can you wipe shitty arses when it’s all up their back and on the walls? Can you do that?”

Unsurprisingly, he retracted.

She also described how work was made harder because the hoists that got boxes ticked on the inspectors’ rounds weren’t actually used because there wasn’t the time. “We just have to lift them in the old way,” she said.

 
Similar stories of overwork, low pay and worsening conditions could probably be told by many of the hardworking demonstrators on the march – over three times as many as were attending the party conference. However, according to the BBC’s chief political correspondent, Norman Smith, the Tories weren’t actually very interested in hearing from them after all.

“I was stopped from filming 'Live' for @BBCNews Channel from conf centre overlooking #nhs299 demo” he tweeted. 

Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, care workers, bakery workers, teachers, firefighters, journalists – the range of professions was vast, but the experiences were common. Not only do most people already work exceptionally hard, but pay is poor and housing expensive. Where regulation is weak, they are hit again. 

I think it’s safe to say – without irony - that on Sunday the hardworking people of Britain were on the streets of Manchester, not in the Conservative Party Conference.

Natasha Steel

Are we all journalists now? Report by Natasha Steel

The issue of standards and content has never been more important for journalists and the unions that represent them, members were told by guest speaker Aidan White at the Branch meeting on 24 September. White, who is director of the Ethical Journalism Network and a former general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, argued that there is a difference between the ‘free expression’ of members of the public sharing their opinions online and journalism.

“Journalism is ‘constrained expression’,” he said, explaining that it was constrained by “a framework of values” – accuracy, telling the truth, humanity, fairness and accountability – none of which applied online. However, he believes this is an opportunity for journalists and the union to share their values with teachers and parents as they and their children engage in the changing media landscape.

 
He told the members and guests gathered upstairs at The Mesmerist pub in Brighton that the traditional framework of print journalism was broken now that the audience had been brought into the process of newsgathering and dissemination of the news through social networks. 

“The industry has lost the capacity to make money,” he said, questioning whether it would ever return.
He pointed out that the journalism schools are bulging, but the only growth area for jobs for entrants is in the corporate sector and “precarious” freelance work. He said that in order to defend, enhance and promote “the craft of journalism”, the NUJ should work hard to recruit from these areas too.

He said that the Branch had a responsibility to deliver training and teaching of the craft – something that the national body has recently cut back on. 

Natasha Steel

The next NUJ meeting will take place on 21 October – venue and speaker to be announced.

Next meeting: Are we all journalists now?

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ Branch Meeting
Tuesday, September 24, 7pm
The Mesmerist (upstairs meeting room), Prince Albert Street, Brighton (next to Town Hall)*
Non-NUJ welcome

Aidan White

Are we all journalists now?
Speaker: Aidan White, director of the Ethical Journalism Network

The growth of digital technology and proliferation of ‘citizen journalism’ has raised important questions for journalists and the trade unions that represent them.

Guest speaker Aidan White will argue that we need to rethink who qualifies as a journalist and kick off a debate about how the NUJ can recruit more widely, defend the interests of people working in the media and play a role in setting and maintaining ethical standards.

Aidan White is a former general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists and is currently director of the Ethical Journalism Network. ((http://www.ethicaljournalismnetwork.org/)) Previously, he was an activist in the NUJ.

PROVISIONAL AGENDA

• Welcome to new members
• Speaker: Aidan White
• Branch officers’ reports inc correspondence
• Chapel reports
• Trades Council report
• September 29 TUC demonstration against austerity
• Other activities
• Future meetings, Chriismas party and preparations for 2014 Delegates Meeting
• AOB

*Apologies, but there is no wheelchair access to this room. If anyone has any ideas for licensed venues in central Brighton with full disabled access, please let us know about them!

Motions for DM and Save our NHS

Motions for DM
The 2014 Delegate Meeting will take place in Eastbourne 11-14 April 2014. The deadline for submitting motions is 11 November. If you have a motion please get it to Phil Mellows on philmellows@btinternet.com before then please.

More info on http://www.nuj.org.uk/about/union-democracy/nuj-delegate-meeting/

Save our NHS
There will be a public meeting on Wednesday 18 September at 7.30 in the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton. Speakers include Caroline Lucas MP and health economist Dr Lucy Reynolds. More info https://www.facebook.com/events/1417085491837254/

Brighton People's Assembly Undercover University

This Saturday, 7 September, join in Brighton People's Assembly Undercover University, in Steine Gardens 12 - 6pm. It's an afternoon of talks, practical workshops and discussion to help us make sense of the economic crisis, the impact it’s having on us and to explore the alternatives.

Workshops & Talks
12pm – Welfare Reform: Hurting but not working
1pm – Film-making workshop: How to create and promote your own low-budget film
2.30pm – A million climate jobs: The shift to a low-carbon economy
3pm – Let’s talk about Tax: Tackling poverty through a fairer tax system
4.30pm – The plot against the NHS: The privatisation of our health care services
5.30pm – A life of debt: The marketisation of education

Plus live music from The Bandana Collective and POG.

More info at http://freeuniversitybrighton.org/events/the-peoples-assembly-undercover/

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/157940194401182/

Demonstration against the cuts
A reminder too that the NUJ is backing a march and rally taking place in Manchester on Sunday 29 September to coincide with the Conservative Party conference. We shall be taking our banner and volunteers are needed to carry it.

Supported by the TUC and the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, tens of thousands of people are expected to travel from around the country to show their feelings about cuts to jobs, services and benefits and in support of the NHS.

A special train is being laid on from London, while Brighton Trades Council has organised a coach from Brighton - £10 waged £2 unwaged. For a place on the coach, book here http://brightonnhscoach-es2.eventbrite.co.uk/?rank=1#.

The march will assemble at Liverpool Road, near the Museum of Science and Industry, at 11.00 and at 12.30 the march will set off via Deansgate and John Dalton Street for the rally in Whitworth Park, opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary, at around 14.00.
http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/march-and-rally-sunday-29-september-2013/

Demonstration against the cuts and Mass sleep out

Demonstration against the cuts
The NUJ is backing a march and rally taking place in Manchester on Sunday 29 September to coincide with the Conservative Party conference. Supported by the TUC and the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, tens of thousands of people are expected to travel from around the country to show their feelings about cuts to jobs, services and benefits and in support of the NHS.

A special train is being laid on from London, while Brighton Trades Council has organised a coach from Brighton - £10 waged £2 unwaged. For a place on the coach, email BrightonTradesCouncil@gmail.com.

 The march will assemble at Liverpool Road, near the Museum of Science and Industry, at 11.00 and at 12.30 the march will set off via Deansgate and John Dalton Street for the rally in Whitworth Park, opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary, at around 14.00.
http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/march-and-rally-sunday-29-september-2013/

Mass sleep out in Brighton and Worthing
Campaigners in Brighton are joining a nationwide protest against the ‘Bedroom Tax’ and other benefit cuts by sleeping out overnight. The protest in Worthing takes place from 7pm on Friday 23 August, at Liverpool Terrace. The Brighton event is from 2pm on Saturday 24 August in Steine Gardens and is supported by Brighton Benefits Campaign. Information about both events can be found on Facebook.

NUJ Branch Summer Party and Social

A date for your diary! This year's Branch Summer Party will be in the beer garden of the Hobgoblin, 31 York Place, Brighton BN1 4GU (next to Aldi) on Thursday 8 August, starting at 7pm. Get there early for some free beer. You will also able to order some food, mainly burgers, but be aware The Troll's Pantry closes at 8pm. Watch this space for more news!

Brighton People's Assembly Against Austerity meeting

The next Brighton People's Assembly Against Austerity meeting will be at the Brighthelm Centre on 27 July. There are four sub-groups forming, including one for media and comms. The next full public meeting is on 7 August at the King & Queen pub (tbc).

To keep informed check out the Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1391795211038990/

Over 4,000 join People’s Assembly Against Austerity

Photo by Natasha Steel

The NUJ Brighton & Sussex banner made an appearance at a national meeting of over 4,000 people in London - and found its way onto News at Ten. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity, which took place at Westminster Central Hall on 22 June, was the largest gathering of individuals, unions and organisations fighting and resisting the Government’s austerity programme since the financial crash over five years ago.

Delegates, some of whom were taking their first action against the cuts, were buzzing after rousing speeches including plenaries from Frances O’Grady, Owen Jones, Mark Steel, Francesca Martinez and Tony Benn. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said anti-union laws should not get in the way of strikes against austerity and Mark Serwotka, who leads the civil service PCS union, called for co-ordinated civil disobedience, protests and strikes.

Packed sessions exceeded the organisers’ expectations and a marquee and extra accommodation was found to accommodate everyone. Recognising the energy, potential and hopes of millions of people affected by austerity, the People’s Assembly called for concrete action to be undertaken across the country.

This includes:

• Local People’s Assemblies to be established in every area possible 
• A mass protest at the Tory Party conference in Manchester on 29 September 
• A day of civil disobedience nationally on 5 November 
• A national demonstration in London in the new year 

At a session to create and build on local People’s Assemblies, about 40 people from Brighton and Sussex shared contact details and agreed to further the aims of the movement. A Brighton People’s Assembly Against Austerity Facebook page has been set up and a meeting is taking place at the King & Queen pub on 11 July, 7.30pm.

The national People’s Assembly follows more than 10 regional meetings, including one that was held at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton on 30 May.

To create an infrastructure that can support the local organisations and take forward the national initiatives that were launched at the assembly, the People’s Assembly has launched an urgent financial appeal to raise funds. This can be done on the website: http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/donate/

Natasha Steel

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

Cityclean workers demo, Saturday 15 June

Cityclean workers at Brighton bin depot, members of the GMB, are set to strike for seven days tomorrow against attempts by Brighton & Hove Council to cut their pay.

Some workers will lose up to £4,000 a year as a result of the proposed changes to allowances.

As part of their campaign the bin workers have called a demonstration on Saturday, which will march through the city from the Hollingdean depot to the council offices at Kings House in Hove for a rally with speeches. Trade unionists and service users are invited to join them.

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ branch committee is aiming to be on the march with our banner. It'll be great if you can join us.

Assemble 11.30am, Saturday June 15, at Hollingdean depot in Upper Hollingdean Road.

A meeting and social, May 14

Our next branch meeting will be on Tuesday 14 May at 7.30pm in the conservatory in the Prince Arthur pub, Dean Street, Brighton BN13EG Google map.

Agenda

1. Intro and apologies
2. Election of new members
3. Secretary's report including BBC dispute, Defend Our NHS campaign, Stop March for England
4. Treasurer's report
5. Election of new treasurer
6. Other reports including trades council
7. Future meetings and activities
8. Guest speaker(s): Brighton bin workers on their dispute and wildcat strike
9. Any other business
10. Branch social

We hope you can make it!

Next branch meeting on Tuesday 5 March

Our next branch meeting will be on Tuesday 5 March at 7.30pm in the 'lounge' at the Iron Duke, Waterloo Street, Brighton.

Agenda

1. Welcome & apologies
2. Election of new members
3. The fight for jobs at the BBC - Following last month's one-day strike, Paul Sawtell and Paul Siegert from BBC Sussex NUJ will report on the ongoing dispute
4. Defend the NHS - why we're supporting Thursday's public meeting with Caroline Lucas
5. Future meetings - please bring your ideas!
6. Communications
7. Treasurer's report
8. Other reports (including Argus, trades council)
9. AOB

We hope you can make it. The meetings are alway a nice informal opportunity for members to meet, catch up on NUJ news and bring ideas for branch activity.

Thanks to everyone who come to the Christmas party at the Mesmerist in December. It was great to see so many members out and about, and lots of people said how much they enjoyed the talk and social, particularly people who considered themselves 'lapsed' or 'out of the loop'.

We will be organising another social event soon, so if anyone would like to get involved, get in touch with Phil Mellows, Branch Secretary on nujbrighton@gmail.com

BBC on 24-hour strike

BBC Sussex picket line. Photo by Melita Dennett

On 18 February 2012, there was a 24-hour strike at the BBC. Full story as it unfolds at http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2815.

Michelle Stanistreet, said:

"NUJ members across the BBC are taking action to defend jobs and quality journalism at the corporation. They are angry and frustrated at the poor decisions being taken at the top of the BBC - decisions that are leading to journalists being forced out of their jobs and quality journalism and programming compromised.

"Instead of making sure that the redeployment process works properly in all areas of the BBC, managers are prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies and sacrifice the livelihoods of experienced and talented journalists, at the same time as advertising other jobs externally. It's particularly disappointing that the BBC has failed to engage meaningfully in attempts to resolve this dispute - an abdication ofresponsibility for a public service broadcaster."

NUJ members across the BBC - in Scotland, in BBC South, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, News, Five Live, the Big Screens, the World Service and English Regions - remain at risk of compulsory redundancy.

BBC jobs have been externally advertised while experienced and skilled staff, who face losing their livelihood, have not even been considered.

The NUJ has put forward constructive proposals to the BBC to resolve this dispute. The BBC has been asked for a moratorium on all job cuts for a six month period, to allow for talks and negotiation with the new Director General. So far the BBC has not responded to this request.

What you can do to help
- Visit your local picket line to show solidarity.
- Send messages of support by emailing: campaigns@nuj.org.uk
- Tweet your messages of support with the hashtag  #BBCStrike
- Email the BBC Trust to tell them you support the strike to stop the cuts: trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk or if you would like to make a general comments or ask a question about the BBC you can call 03700 100 222; textphone 03700 100 212
- Ask your local MP to sign the BBC redundancies early day motion

Brighton Branch Xmas Party!

Yes, it's that time of the year again. This year the Brighton Branch Xmas party is Upstairs at the Mesmerist on Tuesday 18 December at 7pm.

There will be a short meeting first to deal with branch business, then we have comedian Geoff Westby and a talk by Phil Mellows on The Politics of Drinking!

As the nation argues about minimum pricing, Phil Mellows, pub trade journalist and author of the Politics of Drinking blog, talks about the myth of binge drinking and the role the media plays in distorting the debate.

There's a free bar until the tab runs out (so get there early) and food. All welcome.

The pub is at 1-3 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HE. Contact: 01273 328542. See you there.