Brent Trades Council Meeting on current crisis - Wednesday 23rd September 7pm

 

From Brent Trades Council

Don't miss Brent Trades Council'smeeting on Wednesday 23rd September at 7pm

WE WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR CRISIS, WE WILL FIGHTBACK

Sarah Woolley, Gen Secretary of the BFAWU and Vic Paulino, Unite Community Coordinator for LESE, will attend our meeting and will tell us about developments in their unions and their take on the developing situation. We welcome union reports from delegates.

COVID 19 infections are on the rise in schools, the hospitality industry, and communities resulting in new restrictive measures being imposed by a negligent government could mean more deaths, unless proper protective gear is available and testing, tracing and isolation is  given to all those who need it. The government's testing programme is on the brink of collapse as private companies fail to provide. Risk Assessments in the workplace become more urgent than ever to ensure there are no loss of lives.

The crisis will deepen with the end of furlough and the rise in demand for Universal Credit caused by the rapidly rising  unemployment are calling for fightback from all unions and trades councils.

Brent Trades Council has been campaigning for public measures in Brent to be systematically applied by the Council, met with community groups and workplace union reps and continues to work with unions to ensure health and safety measures are in place and agreed by employers. Not always the case.

I have sent agenda and minutes to delegates, but friends of our trades council are welcome to attend and contribute.

The zoom link for the meeting is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87013274851?pwd=WS8yQmJ5K1U3U1pMcFZmT2V4MWpBdz09

Meeting ID: 870 1327 4851

Passcode: 739183

In solidarity,

Mary Adossides

Chair

Brent Trades Council

Downloadable Covid-19 leaflet in Somali and Dari

This is artwork for a leaflet being produced by Brent Covid-19 Action Campaign sponsored by Brent Trades Council.

Thanks to Rhoda Ibrahim for the Somali translation, to Soodabeh Balali for the Dari and to Dr Jonathan Fluxman for suggestions and medical advice.

 

If you'd like to download the leaflets as PDFs to run off yourself here are the links:

 

https://1drv.ms/b/s!As12Pa4dpiTVitt-N7dczoUOdjLGOQ?e=VF6UMu

https://1drv.ms/b/s!As12Pa4dpiTVitt_WMF9RKVQbIoYsQ?e=ugZMhl

'Not a penny more to Serco' - Give Track & Trace cash to local public health

On the day the government decided to restructure Public Health England, in the middle of a pandemic with a new wave expected in the Autumn ,Brent Trades Council demonstrated against plans to give 'Track and Trace' cash to Serco rather than local councils' public health departments.

FULL STORY

Solidarity vigil against racist attacks on Dawn Butler - Saturday, Noon, Willesden Green Library

Brent Trades Council Covid19 Action Campaign launches on July 15th

BRENT TRADES COUNCIL - COVID19 ACTION CAMPAIGN

SAFER WORKPLACES, SAFER SCHOOLS, SAFER COMMUNITIES

 

The campaign will be launched at hte Zoom Meeting, 7pm, July 15th 2020

 

Meeting ID:  853 0416 7019 

Password: seeyou3

 

Contact:  BRC19AC@yahoo.com 

Facebook: LINK

 

The aim of the campaign is to bring together local unions, community organisations, councillors and other supporters to decide how we can best promote health and safety measures in the community and in the workplace. As you all know Brent has been in the papers as it is the borough with the highest numbers of deaths. 36 deaths were recorded in the Church End Estate where many members of the Somali community live. We have had an excellent response from community organisations and unions to our request for contributions and our campaign sub-committee is still working on inviting further representatives.

Pressure mounts on Brent Council as Brent TUC calls for schools to remain closed until NEU's 5 Tests satisfied

Brent Trade Union Council has sent the following letter to Cllr Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) and Cllr Krupesh Hirani:


Following a recent online meeting organised by Brent Trades Council at which Dawn Butler MP, Barry Gardiner MP, supported by Tulip Siddip MP, trade unionists from Brent branches of the GMB, Unite, NEU, RMT and medical and health and safety experts spoke of the risks in Brent from the spread of the virus. The high numbers of deaths caused by poverty, a densely populated borough could see a further a spike if schools re-open on 1st June.

I urge you as Chair of Brent Trades Council to ensure Brent schools remain as they currently are catering for small groups of vulnerable pupils or for children of frontline workers.
I note that the governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the authorities in Liverpool and Hartlepool are so deeply concerned that it is not yet safe for children, school staff, parents and our local communities to allow schools to do so that they have decided against this course of action. Some London local authorities have done the same. I believe Brent should do the same.

I believe that in proposing the phased return of primary pupils from 1st June onwards, the government has put forward a reckless timetable. The wider opening of schools should only go ahead when it is safe to do so. It is unconscionable to shift the responsibility for safety in schools and the wider community onto individual headteachers without a safe national framework.

The government has demonstrated a lack of understanding around the dangers of the spread of Covid-19 from schools to the family home, and from the family home to relatives and carers, and consequently the dangers of transmission to the wider community. There are too many clinical unknowns about how this virus impacts on children. The reports of a Kawasaki-like disease already linked to 100 cases in the U.K have caused great alarm to parents. The heartbreaking death of 8 month old Alexander Parsons has sent shockwaves across the nation. The death of one child alone is one too many.

Giving evidence to the Science and Technology Committee this week, the Department for Education’s Chief Scientific Adviser admitted the Government’s plan could risk spreading coronavirus since there is a "low degree of confidence" that children transmit the virus less than adults. It is simply impossible to apply social distancing to small children, who want to touch, play and hug. It is cruel to try to separate them, to tell them they may not touch each other, to take away their soft toys, and to not pick them up and comfort them when they fall.

Brent Trades Concil fully supports the National Education Union’s #FiveTests and believes there should be full disclosure of the advice relating to the re-opening of schools whether it is from SAGE, the schools sub division, some other combination of its members or from Public Health England (as suggested by the DfE’s Chief Scientific Adviser in his evidence) with any underlying scientific evidence, data or modelling on which that advice is based.
It makes little sense for children to return before September. It would be far better to be working collaboratively towards the implementation of safe conditions which would permit a safe 'wider opening.’ This should be the objective rather than a fixed date. This is what other countries including Scotland and Wales are doing.

Brent Trades Council welcomes your decision to support school staff who do not feel safe to return to work but as chair I ask you to support teaching staff and parents alike in insisting that schools remain closed until the NEU’s #FiveTests have been satisfied. I look forward to hearing your thoughts in response to the concerns raised in this email.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Adossides
Chair
Brent Trades Council

How Brent is coping with the Covid crisis and planning for the future

Hover over bottom line and click on right hand corner for full size version

Thanks to Dr Jonathan Flaxman for permission to post this presentation on Covid19

There were several strands to last night's Brent TUC meeting on Covid 19 zoom meeting: an awareness that Brent was one of the worst affected areas in the country, the disproportionate number of black and ethnic minority people who have lost their lives to Covid, a lack of faith in the government's ability to manage the crisis and a fear of a second wave of infections and deaths because of a premature relaxation of lockdown. On the positive side early ordering of personal protective equipment for care home workers by Brent Council and the return of infected care home residents to a special facility, rather than directly to the care home, had limited care home deaths in Brent. Many were keen to learn lessons from the crisis and rather than a return to old ways to support the 'Build Back Better' movement to put in place a better society which respects and values the public sector and retains some of the benefits of lockdown such as cleaner air and community cohesion.

Dr Jonathan Flaxman a retired GP and member of the National Covid Assessment Unit set the scene with the above Power Point presentation.

He was followed by Simon Hester, formerly of the Health and Safety Executive and now Haringey Trades Council, who spoke of workers' rights under the Employment Rights Act to remove themselves from danger. The government had moved the goal posts on construction workers, first insisting on a 2 metre social spacing, then relaxed that to a 15 minute limit on working in proximity to a co-worker, and followed that to approval of co-working as long as masks are worn.  The ability of the HSE to inspect construction site working for compliance has been severely limited by government cuts - there are only 20 inspectors to cover the whole of London.  The only alternative was for workers to organise collectively in order to protect themselves. Haringey TUC had set up a Covid Action Network.

Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Brent Cabinet member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure, said that at the beginning of the crisis Brent had the highest death rate. Croydon and Newham in London are high at present and rates in the North of England are mounting. On 8th May the figures for Brent stood at  446 deaths of which 362 were in hospital and 37 in care homes.  The R rate (spreading of infection) is now lower in London and there are prospects of regional variation in relaxation of the lockdown. The disproportionate rates for BAME residents are under investigation and will be followed up by public health outreach work in the community. Likely factors are deprivation, diet and physical activity. The major issue arising out of the crisis for the council would be the impact on its finances with the government backtracking on early compensation commitments.

Cat Cray of the RMT, a train driver, said that a survey had found that Londoner's had the pooresr knowledge of government guidance on Covis19 in the country.  There had been 4 deaths of London Underground workers - all black males. In response RMT had been able to have mitigation put in place.  There have been 8 incidents of spitting at staff by the public.  London has the lowest proportion of car owners in the country so are reliant on public transpoirt. Underground workers that going above 15% capacity on the tube will be unsafe for passengers. The withdrawal of concessionary fares was outright discrimination.

Lesley Stanfield of the GMB  spoke about the national situation regarding care homes and how the government had acted too late. She reminded people that most care homes are 'for profit' and this was the case in Brent. As a consequence workers were low paid. Many care hoem staff had not bee given PPE or that which was given was rationed. She said that there had been constructive work with other unions over school workers and that it was important that headteachers consulted with their staff. She was fearful about about mental health issues airsing from the crisis.

Sonia Morgan, a bus driver said that after deaths of bus drivers, protective measures had been put in place, isolating the driver from passengers.  There is now no swiping and the public are enjoying free travel but swiping is being introduced on the 'Boris' buses which have centre doors with swipe facilites. Currently TfL are running a Sunday service on most routes but the 98 is nownormal service and 260 will be normal from Saturday.

Jenny Cooper from Brent NEU spoke about the union's 5 tests to be met before safe re-opening of schools. These had not been met as cases were still not low enough and there was no detail on how 'test, track, isolate'  would be implemented in schools and no guidance from Brent Council.  Testing of staff had not been fully estabished and some teachers had been waiting for more than two weeks for results,  There was no proper plan to protect BAME school staff.  The union was adopting a 'safety first' approach and some schools had put back wider re-openung until June 8th or June 15th.

Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North said he supported the education unions' 5 tests and said that there was no compulsion for schools to go back until it ws safe to do so. He congratulated Brent Council on ordering PPE for care homes in February resulting in the second lowest care home death rate in London. On the furlough scheme he said that no one should be receiving less than the London Living Wage.  He had written to the Home Secerary about the plight of families not entitled to support from public funds and had heard that applications will now be considred. The government had not been following the science from the beginning - in fact they had asked what they should do after early failures and were still not following the advice,

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, said she was worried about a second peak in Brent - people were at risk as soon as they left the front door.  Harlesden with its high rate of infection was to be a pilot for testing, including testing for anti-bodies, with a centre in Robson Avenue. There was a huge time delay at present between having a test and getting a result, a rapid reponse was vital for effective implementation of track and trace,  She was concerned about rents, including for small businesses, domestic violence and post-Covid mental health provision for adults and children.

In discussion about the situation after Covid (the 'new normal') Pam Laurance of Brent Friends of the Earth said that people did not want to go back to pre-Covid times. She wanted to see investment in a Green New Deal. Dawn Butler supported this and said that bailing out companies such as aviation should be conditional.  Dawn was supporting action to ensure that people in Brent would have access to face coverings.

Barry Gardiner said that the Covid crisis would pale into insignificance compared with what we would face in the climate change crisis. It was important to move towards 'Building Back Better' post Covid. He said that it was not just a question of aviation companies being required not to pay dividiends or  go go off-shire but of taking an equity stake in them as had been done with banks in the credit crisis (there was disagreement over this in the 'chat' column with some feeling that this would mean the state colluding with the aviation industry in order to maximise its return on the investment).

Jenny Cooper said that over the past few weeks the NEU had held positive talks with Brent Council on how schools can be built into the environmental agenda.

Cllr Hirani said that closer work between unions and the council on a practical levels as a result of the crisis was something to build on.  There was a need for the council to be fully compensated by the government for its expenditure on protecting residents   - the government appeared to be going back on its initial pledge to local government.  The bail out of TfL had involved too many concessions and revealed the government's political attitude towards the London Mayor.  The government was being exposed in front of our eyes and it was important to keep up the pressure on them.

The meeting discussed a possible future meeting, to be confirmed by the Brent Trades Council Executive, to set up a Brent Against Covid Campaign.  On chat I suggested it would be more positive to call it Brent Build Back Better Campaign.

Fighting Covid19 in Brent Zoom Meeting May 27th

Zoom ID: 4648578247  Password: 274903

Background (Source:  ons.gov.uk)

Fighting Covid19 in Brent Rally to be addressed by local MPs, councillors & trade unionists - May 27th

Zoom ID: 4648578247

Password: 274903

Amid public sector Covid19 deaths please join in International Workers Memorial Day to pay tribute - Tuesday 28th April

You can download this image and print to display in workplace on your front window

Yesterday evening Brent Trades Council held a timely meeting about workers' rights during the Covid-19 crisis hearing from trade unionists representing workers on the front line. The meeting decided to take  part in the annual International Workers Memorial Day event which has added relevance at a time when there have been deaths of NHS staff, care workers, bus workers teachers  and others as a result of exposure to the virus and government failures to provide the necessary PPE (personal protection equipment).

Details will be published by the Trades Council  on Facebook later about any specific Brent events but this is information from the TUC:

Every year on April 28th, all around the world the trade union movement unites to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (#IWMD20).

We remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases. We renew our efforts to organise collectively to prevent more deaths, injuries and disease as a result of work.

Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.

We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.

Theme for 2020: Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic affects 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.

While we may not be able to attend the memorial events which usually take place on IWMD, as public gatherings around the world are not advised or allowed; there are many ways trade union members can take part in our collective day of remembrance and solidarity.

We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.

While we may not be able to attend the memorial events which usually take place on IWMD, as public gatherings around the world are not advised or allowed; there are many ways trade union members can take part in our collective day of remembrance and solidarity.

How you can take part…

Minutes silence

At 11am on Tuesday 28th April, take part in the minute's silence. 

It will be a moment to pay tribute to the sacrifice made of so many workers during the pandemic, to remember those who've sadly lost their lives, and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.

The initiative is supported by the government, and reps may wish to request employers mark it, by asking the workforce to cease work for one minute at 11am.

Help spread the word about the minute's silence, by encouraging as many friends and colleagues to take part, whether in their workplace of at home.

You can quickly spread the word by posting this tweet, sharing this Facebook status or asking your contacts on WhatsApp to join you in taking part in the silence.

Register for our video call

The TUC Education team will be hosting a video call at 2pm on the day, where you will be able to hear from speakers and submit questions and contributions in advance. Register for the video call.

Organise an online campaign

Think of digital tools you can use to call for stronger health and safety protections. Whether it a current call for urgent PPE, or a longer term demand for union recognition - you can make use of the TUC’s Megaphone tool to create a petition about the issues where you work, or email and call elected officials to demand that workers' safety is prioritised over corporate interests.

Host a video call or webinar

Where you might have ordinarily held a rally to mark IWMD, it could be done online, with union members having the opportunity to hear speeches. You could ask injured workers and family members who can talk first-hand about the need for strong health and safety protections, the important of campaigning and of strong and active unions. Consider inviting elected officials and community leaders to participate in the call.

Join Zoom Covid19 Solidarity Meeting with Brent Trades Council Wednesday April 22nd

To join the meeting follow this LINK and type in the  ID: 4648578247 followed by password 274903 when requested.

It is best to join a little early so that you can sort out any technical problems.

Brent Trades Council opposes lifting coronavirus restrictions too early

BRENT TRADES COUNCIL OPPOSES LIFTING CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS TOO EARLY.

THIS COULD SPARK A RESURGENCE ACROSS THE GLOBE WHICH COULD BE AS CATASTROPHIC AS THE CURRENT ONE.

Workers and trade unionists must publicise the WHO 6 key demands to be included in any exit strategy:

1) Transmission under control;
2) Health services able to cope;
3) Risks in care homes minimised;
4) Preventative measures introduced in workplaces and schools;
5) Virus importation risks managed;
6) Communities able to reduce future transmissions.

STAY AT HOME, SAVE LIVES, STAY SAFE

VIDEO: Brent Central election candidates battle it out at hustings

These days there are relatively few opportunities for the public to attend a hustings where they can listen to parliamentary candidates, question them and perhaps indulge in the old fashion political art of heckling. In the Brent constituencies there are more opportunities in the mainly Camden Hampstead and Kilburn seat, a few in Brent Central and often none in Brent North.

So it was welcome that Brent Trades Council, recognising this democratic deficit, organised a hustings for Brent Central voters. Unfortunately the Conservative candidate did not turn up. Candidates who originally agreed to attend: David Brescia (Conservative), Dawn Butler (Labour Party),William Relton(Green Party), Deborah Unger (Lib Dem),Chair:Mary Adossides,Brent Trades Council

Below you can find videos of the hustings featuring all the candidates introductions and responses to questions. Many thanks to Peter Murry for filming the meeting and making the video widely available.

Brent Trades Council hustings of Brent Central Parliamentary candidates in the General Election. Saturday 7th December 2019 Introduction by Chair: Mary Adossides, Brent Trades Council Opening remarks Dawn Butler (Labour Party) William Relton (Green Party) Deborah Unger (Lib Dem) url:https://youtu.be/1l6ZbnArhUY

Brent Trades Council hustings of Brent Central Parliamentary candidates in the General Election. Saturday 7th December 2019 Introduction by Chair: Mary Adossides, Brent Trades Council Questions: Climate change and pollution Dawn Butler (Labour Party) William Relton (Green Party) url:https://youtu.be/rkYTc9-3Wjw

Brent Trades Council hustings of Brent Central Parliamentary candidates in the General Election. Saturday 7th December 2019 Introduction by Chair: Mary Adossides, Brent Trades Council Questions: Austerity, Poverty, Arms exports,crime Dawn Butler (Labour Party) William Relton (Green Party) Deborah Unger (Lib Dem) url:https://youtu.be/tcpe1hD_O5M

Brent Trades Council hustings of Brent Central Parliamentary candidates in the General Election. Saturday 7th December 2019 Introduction by Chair: Mary Adossides, Brent Trades Council Questions: racism, refugees, migration, economics, education Dawn Butler (Labour Party) William Relton (Green Party) Deborah Unger (Lib Dem) url: https://youtu.be/8Uh1NYkyr-w

Brent Trades Council hustings of Brent Central Parliamentary candidates in the General Election. Saturday 7th December 2019 Introduction by Chair: Mary Adossides, Brent Trades Council Questions: NHS, closing remarks Dawn Butler (Labour Party) William Relton (Green Party) Deborah Unger (Lib Dem) url:https://youtu.be/RAPLNN1TPLs

Brent Central Hustings on Austerity Saturday December 7th

Capitalism cannot solve the Climate Crisis - John McDonnell & others address the issues

John McDonnell MP

 Cllr Roxanne Mashari

Many thanks to Peter Murry of Brent Green Party who filmed the meeting for Brent FoE and Brent Trades Council

Friends of the Earth is a non-party political campaign but in the current febrile atmosphere with expectations of a General Election in the Autumn it was perhaps inevitable that a bit of party politics entered last night's meeting on Green Jobs which was addressed by John McDonnell MP. The meeting was co-organised bt Brent FoE and Brent Trades Council.

In fact a consensus emerged about what was required to enable a transition to a zero carbon economy with much much shared by eco-socialists in the Labour Party, the Green Party and those affiliated to no party.

Perhaps the main point of agreement was that capitalism, based as it is on exploiting finite natural and material resources for profit, cannot solve the climate crisis. We should look to a different economic system to meet the climate emergency and transform society so that lives are actually better whilst not destroying the planet. The Green New Deal is a starting point for such a transformation based as it is on a just transition to a zero carbon economy and environmentally sustainable and socially useful production.

Aaron Kiely of Friends of the Earth

Green Jobs for Now and for Tomorrow - Public Meeting at Bridge Park September 11th

Please note that the meeting will be subject to a change of format if it falls within a General Election purdah period. Register for the meeting HERE

Hear about the PCS union's pay campaign Wednesday 26th June - civil servants fight back on pay & restriction on TU rights

FIGHTBACK IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES’

Speaker Cathy Cross – PCS officer

Brent Trades Council open meeting on

Wednesday 26^th June 2019 7.30pm

 

PCS pay campaign-Repeal the Trade Union Act

Hard working civil servants have seen the value of their pay fall through the floor over the past decade. They need a pay rise. 

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)  members in the civil service voted by four to one in favour of strike action and action short of strike over pay. The ballot turnout of 47.7%, was the highest ever achieved, but is still just under 3,000 votes short of reaching the required 50% threshold.

In a politically motivated attack on workers’ rights, the coalition government introduced an undemocratic restriction with the Trade Union Act 2016 requiring a 50% turnout threshold and other restrictions.

 

Willesden Trades and Labour Hall

375 High Road

London NW10 2JR

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Willesden Trades and Labour Hall

375 High Road

London NW10 2JR

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Barry Gardiner to address Momentum-Trades Council-Peoples' Assembly meeting on austerity on Thursday

Barry Gardiner MP has agreed to speak to Thursday's meeting on austerity.  With the political situation so fluid (this has been written at 16.20 on Tuesday) a General Election may have been announced by Thursday!

New Workers' Rights Support Group set up in Brent

A welcome initiative from Brent Unite Community, Brent Community Law Centre and Brent Trades Council.  With many having to claim benefits despite being in work and the erosion of worers' rights collective action in the workplace is essential.

Vigil in Harlesden over police 'over-reaction' during arrest of young black man

The West London Stand up to Racism and Brent Trades Council have called a vigil on Tuesday 9th October 6.00pm in Craven Park Road NW10 8Sh near the New Atlas Cafe following the arrest of a young man which involved six officers restraining him and the use of pepper spray to the outrage of passers by. Bystanders tried to intervene to stop the police from over reacting and there is a feeling of outrage that this could happen in Harlesden.