Workers Memorial Day Commemoration

Tuesday 28th April from 10:45-11:45
Every year on April 28th, all around the world the trade union movement unites to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Waltham Forest Trades Council is organising an online event. Invited speakers include John Cryer, MP (Leyton & Wanstead), Matt Wrack, (General Secretary, Fire Brigades Union) and Sam Gurney, (Secretary, TUC London, Eastern and South East Region). More speakers will be announced when they are confirmed.

Register here…

The coronavirus pandemic has affected every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place.

We could not have a starker reminder of the important role of trade union health and safety reps in saving and protecting workers’ lives, than the current crisis we are living through.… Read on ...

Meeting with CWU

Just a little report of the special meeting we held on Tuesday this week for those who couldn’t make it. I think it was generally agreed that it was a very worthwhile meeting. Around 20 attended, and had a full discussion.  We not only had the branch sec of East London CWU, who made a great contribution, but also a young Unite worker who had been sacked from City Airport, basically for organising the union. See photo attached.
It’s quite clear that, with the banning of the CWU strike action, the gauntlet has been thrown down to the unions. CWU is just the first.
Yesterday in the London Evening Standard Boris Johnson was quoted as saying that, if he wins, the queen’s speech is scheduled for December 19th – a mere one week later –  and in it there will be proposals to outlaw train strikes. He even added that he wanted “proper thresholds” in ballots!
Read on ...