The executive of the GMB union re-convened this week to discuss in detail the findings of the inquiry into allegations of corruption and fraud during the 2003 general secretary election. Some have argued that it is damaging to the movement to publicly display the corrupt practices that may have occurred in the past.
Aberdeen City Council Hundreds of school catering and cleaning staff in Aberdeen, overwhelmingly women, have voted in favour of strikes over equal pay.
Activists occupied the Dalston Theatre in Hackney, east London, last week in a bid to save the historic building from being knocked down by the council. The theatre, which used to house the legendary Four Aces reggae club, has been left derelict and uninhabitable for years by Hackney council. Other local campaigners trying to block the demolition plans won a high court judgement against the council last week. The Open Dalston group wants the area developed into facilities for the local community, rather than the high rise buildings favoured by private contractors. For more information on the campaign go to www.opendalston.net 04 March 2006
A private company is threatening to close ten nursing homes if workers don’t accept cuts in pay and conditions. This could result in hundreds of elderly, vulnerable people being left on the streets with no one to care for them.
The state of South Dakota in the US last week passed a law which outlaws abortion. The only exception is for women whose lives are at risk.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) this week delivered its review into the death of Christopher Alder to home secretary Charles Clarke.
The stories written, told and filmed for children pose some interesting questions about how we see ourselves. First, what are they for?
It says everything about New Labour that Tony Blair wants the destruction of comprehensive education to be his lasting legacy. And he’s relying on an alliance with the Tories to do it.
Fiona Millar, a local parent and journalist who has co-written A Comprehensive Future with Melissa Benn, spoke at a meeting opposing the White Paper on Thursday of last week in Camden, north London.
Fresh forces joined the battle for pensions this week, underlining the immense potential for united strike action by 1.5 million workers.
The Scottish Labour Party conference last week overwhelmingly passed a motion highly critical of the Scottish Executive’s decision to restrict pension rights for local government workers.
The framework deal agreed over pensions with civil service workers, NHS staff and teachers looks even worse after leaks about the detailed negotiations.
