Bridgwater Druids Friendly Society silk banner rescued from oblivion!

Those of you who are interested in Bridgwater's history may be interested in these photos of the wonderful silk banner of the Bridgwater Independent Druids' Friendly Society-made by George Tutill in East London in about 1890-which has been rescued from a local loft and is now in the care of Bridgwater Town Council at the Town Hall with a real chance it can be displayed for local people to see, if some basic conservation work can be completed.

 Friendly Societies-still existing today-were in some ways the 18th and 19th century precursors of trade unions and looked after working-class people with sick out of work and funeral benefits.

 

SPONTANEOUS WALK-OUT AT BRIDGWATER SORTING OFFICE

Bridgwater Posties on strike

CWU members at Bridgwater Sorting Office held an unofficial and spontaneous walk-out on Thursday 8th March, to show their anger over the sacking of a colleague.

The three and a half hour walk-out was successful. Management have agreed to bring the sacked man's appeal process forward, which increases his chances of reinstatement. There will be no victimisation of any of the workers who took industrial action, and a ballot will be held for official industrial action if their colleague is not re-instated.

Bridgwater Trades Union Council congratulates Bridgwater postal workers for their compassion and solidarity  - an inspiration to all workers.

MORE P.R PROBLEMS FOR E.D.F FOLLOWING HEAVY HANDED EVICTION

Anti nuclear protesters outside the court in Taunton

Hot on the heels of Sedgemoor District Councils  tussle with Energy giants EDF, when they delayed setting the Council Tax  due to the failure to come to an agreement with the company over 'Community Benefit' payments for the proposed construction of  a new power station at Hinkley point, the French Multinational are now in trouble over their heavy handed treatment of anti-nuclear protesters near the site.

After over 24 hours in custody Theo Simon of Shepton Mallet, and David Jesse of Taunton, appeared before Taunton Deane Magistrates court. Officials were stunned by the packed courtroom as well-wishers and supporters packed into the room to follow the proceedings, one official commented that “this was the most people we've ever seen here”.

Peaceful protest

Magistrates, after taking into consideration the time they'd spent in custody decided to release the defendants with just a conditional discharge, and no fines or court costs as they accepted that the defendants were men of good character and that they had been engaged in a legitimate peaceful protest for the last two and a half weeks.

Night time eviction

The defendent's solicitor told the protestors outside the court that the police hadn't favoured a night time eviction, but despite this EDF pulled the eviction time forward from the scheduled 7:30am to just before daybreak, said Shana Deal “ EDF are trying their hardest to keep local opposition from becoming visible not content with stitching up the legal processes they want to silence protest too. We are pleased that twice this week the courts of our land have upheld and respected our right to voice dissent at EDFs plans.”Defendant Theo Simon commented on his release “This was just one battle in the fight against new nuclear we'll be back on March the 10th & 11th with Stop New Nuclear to surround and blockade Hinkley Point, we're not going anywhere until EDF and the government get the message that nuclear power is not clean not safe and not necessary”.

SAVE OUR RAIL SERVICES

BRIDGWATER & DISTRICT TRADES UNION COUNCIL

Unions organising in the community

Join us for a PUBLIC MEETING on

MONDAY 12^TH MARCH

7pm

GWRSA Club, Wellington Road, TA6 5AH

 (next to Rail station)

·          

The  McNulty Review of British railways, represents the biggest threat to railways, passengers and rail workers since privatisation

·         Bridgwater is among the ticket offices recommended for closure.

·         We need to organise NOW if we are to defend this vital part of our local public transport service.

Chair:         Vicki Nash (NUT)

Speakers:  Glen Burrows (Trades Council)

Brendan Kelly (RMT, Regional Organiser)

Bill Monteith (TSSA, National TOC Cttee Chair)

Further details: ring Dave Chapple on 01278 450562

SAVE OUR

RAIL SERVICES!

BRIDGWATER TRADES UNION COUNCIL CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2012

Delegates’ meetings are held monthly, but every third month is a Trade Union Forum meeting, to which we invite local reps and activists, as well as members of the public.

Meetings are held in the GWRSA Staff Club, Wellington Road, Bridgwater, starting at 7pm

Mon 12^th March: Trade Union Forum:

“Save Our Railways”

Mon 16^th April:  Trade Union Council

Mon 14^th May:  Trade Union Council

Mon 11^th June: Trade Union Forum

Mon 9^th July: Trade Union Council

Mon 13^th August: Trade Union Council

Mon 10^th Sept: Trade Union Forum

Mon 8^th Oct: Trade Union Council

Mon 12^th Nov: Trade Union Council

Mon 10^th Dec: Trade Union Forum

BRIDGWATER TUC CALLS FOR RAIL ACTION GROUP

Bridgwater Trades Union Council is calling for a local action group to be set up to defend Bridgwater Rail Station ticket office from threatened closure, following publication by the Department of Transport of the tender documents for the new Greater Western Franchise.

These documents make it clear that the new franchise, to be put out for tendering in in 2013 ,will include closure of ticket offices recommended in the McNulty Review, currently being considered by Parliament. Bridgwater is one of the 29 ticket offices listed for closure.

“This threat to jobs and passenger services is being carried out before the review has even been through the parliamentary process and received parliamentary approval”, said Secretary Dave Chapple at the Council’s February meeting. “It is a mockery of our democratic system.”

A public meeting has been called for Monday March 12^th, to discuss this, and other threats to railway services posed by the McNulty Review.

The meeting will be at the GWRSA Club, Wellington Road, Bridgwater, and starts at 7pm.

For further details: contact G Burrows on 01278 450562/ glenburrows@btinternet.com

“The Government’ austerity programme isn’t working”

Nigel Costley SW TUC

“The Government’ austerity programme isn’t working”, said South West TUC Secretary Nigel Costley, addressing the January meeting of Bridgwater & District Trades Union Council. 

“Every pound they slash from our services should be matched by a similar reduction in the national debt. This isn’t happening. In reality, by increasing unemployment and deprivation, the Government is making our economic situation worse.”

Unemployment continues to rise – among young people unemployment has now passed the million mark  - and this is causing enormous damage to our communities. In the south-west, former areas of rural inequality and deprivation are re-emerging.

In Bridgwater, wages fell last year by 3.3% on average, while inflation rose to 5%. Meanwhile wages for top executives rose nationally by 49%!

But people are beginning to get angry about the obvious injustice of the “austerity” programme. They know now that we are not “all in it together””.

Well-organised trades unions are more vital than ever to defend the wages and living standards of working class people – whether in the public, private or retired sector. Trades unions must also educate, support and organise young and unemployed people.”

Bridgwater Secretary Dave Chapple called on all local trades union activists and representatives to support the work of the trades union council, by attending meetings, building unity and solidarity among local workers, and helping with local campaigns.

Next meeting: Monday 12^th March, 7pm, GWRSA Staff Club, Wellington Road, Bridgwater. This will be an open Forum, to discuss the threatened cuts to rail services in the area.

Further information about the work of Bridgwater & District Trades Union Council can be obtained from http://bridgwatertuc.blogspot.com , or by contacting Dave Chapple on 01278 450562/ 07776 304 276