Why Trade Unions are important

Have a look at this great video from UNISON Eastern region on why unions are important.

UNISON is campaigning to Remain in the EU

On 23 June the UK must make a decision. The referendum gives you the chance to decide whether to remain part of the European Union (EU) or whether to leave.

It is an important decision for the UK and our future. We know UNISON members will look carefully at all the issues before having their say, but we thought it was important to let you know UNISON’s view too.

We know the EU isn’t perfect - far from it - but we have looked in detail at all the evidence from both sides and have come to the view that our members’ interests are best served by remaining part of the European Union.

As your trade union, UNISON is here to protect your job your standard of living and the public services that we rely on every day. We believe that leaving the EU will make it harder for us to do that.

Protecting you at work

The regulations we rely on to protect you at work are enshrined in EU law and upheld by the European Court of Justice. Leaving would mean that hard won rights like paid holiday, fair working hours, equal rights for part-time workers and maternity and paternity leave would no longer be guaranteed.

Protecting your standard of living

Leaving the EU would put our standards of living at risk by creating economic uncertainty. This risks investment in jobs and damages consumer confidence. It also makes the pound vulnerable, which can push up prices and interest rates.

Protecting public services

We see every day how a weaker economy leads to cuts in public spending on everything, including the NHS, local services, policing and education. We can’t afford to risk any more cuts, especially as our public services are already under increasing pressure.

These are all issues we are asking UNISON members to consider before voting on 23 June.

Please make your voice heard on this important issue and use your vote.

Find out more at: https://www.unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/eu-referendum-23-june/

Junior Doctors All Out Strike at Weston General Hospital

Junior Doctors were picketing at Weston General Hospital today, and also were on Weston High Street demonstrating CPR.

Protest against the Education White paper - 27th April

27th April at 5 pm

The NUT have organised a protest outside Weston super Mare town hall at 5pm on Wednesday 27th April.

The protest is to build momentum in the campaign against the Education white paper, and also to highlight the attacks on both education and health. The Junior Doctors are also on strike that day and will join the protest.

Please attend to show your support - it's only for half an hour.

26th and 27th April - Junior Doctors Strike

Junior Doctors all out strike - picket lines at Weston General Hospital from 9 am to 5 pm on both days. Please pop down to show your support.

The Divide at the Curzon Clevedon on 27th April

On 27th April at 7 pm the Curzon will be screening the new documentary film The Divide inspired by the acclaimed book The Spirit Level - Why Equality is Better for Everyone by Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson. This groundbreaking book, based on years of research, provides hard evidence to show how in developed countries almost everything - from life expectancy to mental illness, violence to illiteracy - is affected not by how economically prosperous a society is, but how equal it is, and that societies with a bigger gap between rich and poor are bad for everyone in them - including the well-off. It also suggests how we can find positive solutions and move towards a happier, fairer future.

The Divide film tells the story of 7 individuals striving for a better life in modern day US and UK - where the top 0.1% owns as much wealth as the bottom 90%. By plotting these tales together, we uncover how every aspect of our lives is controlled by one factor: the size of the gap between rich and poor.

The Divide will be preceded by Richard Wilkinson's TED Talk on How Economic Inequality Harms Societies, and will be followed by a Q&A chaired by Paul Dunn from North Somerset Labour Party with:

· Katharine Round, Director of The Divide

· Stewart Lansley, economist and author of many books on poverty, wealth and inequality including: Breadline Britain (2015); The Cost of Inequality (2011); Top Man (a biography of Philip Green, 2007); Rich Britain (2006) and Poor Britain (with Joanna Mack, 1985)

· Paul Wheeler, Equality Bristol

A number of local organisations will have information stalls in the Oak room and foyer areas ahead of the screening, from 6 pm. They include:

· Citizens Advice Bureau
· Equality North Somerset
· North Somerset Green Party
· North Somerset Labour Party
· Somerset Savings and Loans
· Transition Clevedon

Tickets: www.curzon.org.uk

More information on inequality and poverty: https://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/

More information on the film at: http://thedividedocumentary.com/

Watch the trailer

Junior Doctors Strike dates in April

The Junior Doctors will be on strike again for 48 hours starting at 8 am on 6th April.
In Weston, there will be Junior Doctors picket lines at Weston General Hospital on:

6th April - 8.30 am to 5 pm
7th April - 8.30 am to 5 pm

Unless anything changes there will be a further 48 hour strike starting at 8 am on 26th April and again there will be picket lines at Weston General Hospital starting around 8.30 am on 26th April and 8.30 am on 27th April.

Please show your support for the Junior Doctors and our NHS.

Coach from Weston super Mare to People's Assembly Demo on 16th April

Coach from Weston super Mare to the People's Assembly Demo for Health, Homes, Jobs and Education on 16th April.

Leaves Locking Road car park in Weston at 8 am, and back by 10 pm.

To book a seat please contact Richard Capps, Weston & North Somerset TUC - rickpcs55@btinternet.com

More information at: http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/