Politics for the Many

Discrimination Law Conference 2023 (online)
2023-01-27 08:45 - 15:45 (Europe/London) | Online
Overview

An online event presented by the TUC and Michael Rubenstein Conferences Ltd.
The Discrimination Law Conference gives trade unions, law centres, Citizens Advice Bureau and other voluntary organisations the chance to hear from leading barristers about the latest legislative developments and landmark equality cases.
The event will be held online, tickets for trade unions and NGOs to be charged at a rate of £45. As per previous years, delegates will receive a full pack of presentations from our speakers, available for download prior to the conference.
Speakers include:

Paul Nowak, General Secretary designate, TUC
Ijeoma Omambala KC, Old Square Chambers
Rachel Crasnow KC, Cloisters Chambers
Deshpal Panesar KC, Old Square Chambers
Andrew Short KC, Outer Temple Chambers
Robin Allen KC, Cloisters Chambers
Karon Monaghan KC, Matrix Chambers
Rebecca Tuck KC, Old Square Chambers

To book your place at this high-profile annual conference, please visit our event page.

Greening our workplaces - 'Green Skills' for trade unionists - 3 day course
2023-01-30 - 2023-02-13
Overview:

Course duration:
3 days of learning (1 day per week spread over 3 weeks).
This course will take place online on 3 consecutive Mondays – the 30th of January, 6th and 13th February 2023 – learners will need to attend each session.
Course delivery:
Online group sessions, facilitated by a trade union education tutor via Microsoft Teams.
Who should attend?
This course is aimed at both new and experienced green/environmental reps as well as other trade unionists who wish to take action on the climate and nature emergency in their workplace. It is suitable for all union officers, branch officials, reps, health and safety reps, union learning reps and equality reps who wish to find out more about the trade union approach to sustainability.
Course description:
Workers across all sectors will be affected by changes and will be part of the efforts to decarbonise and move Wales to a more sustainable, zero-waste, circular economy. And trade union members have the knowledge and ideas to help deliver the changes needed.
Workers have a huge amount of knowledge that can help organisations looking to reduce their environmental impact. It’s often the workers on the ground who are most likely to understand how to do this effectively. Trade unions can play a key role in identifying and delivering best environmental practice at workplace level.
Unions can ensure that efforts to reduce an organisation’s environmental impact are developed collaboratively and in full consultation with workers. Involving workers can make sure that changes are fair, effective and have the full support of people in the workplace.
This course focusses on the practical skills needed to develop union-led sustainability initiatives in the workplace. It covers the core skills required for trade unionists who want to take practical action on the environment in their workplace or become a trade union environmental or ‘green’ representative.
Across Wales, union reps are already working with their members to make workplaces more sustainable. They are finding ways to cut carbon and reduce waste, campaigning for cleaner air and creating green spaces to support nature. This course uses the Wales TUC’s new Greener Workplaces for a Just Transition toolkit as a resource and aims to support all trade unionists who want to be involved in the movement to green our workplaces.
The course covers:
➔ Understanding the climate and environmental emergency and identifying the impact on your workplace.
➔ Working with the branch and members to identify sustainability issues that need to be raised with management.
➔ How to carry out workplace environmental audits.
➔ How to review and develop workplace environmental policies and agreements
➔ Awareness raising and promotion of green workplace practices.
How to apply: Fill in our application form or contact the course tutor, John James, directly on John.James@coleggwent.ac.uk or 07527 450276
Venue: online
Hours: 9.15am to 16.45pm
Time-off to attend training:
Guidance on paid release can be found on pages 8 – 9 of the Wales TUC education course directory.
ACAS guidance states that it is good practice for employers to offer time off with pay for specialist reps such as green or environmental reps to attend training and carry out their duties.
Please speak to your own union for advice about securing time off and for guidance on any relevant agreements/procedures agreed between your employer and your union.

LGBT+ History Month
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-28
Claiming our past – Celebrating our present – Creating our future
LGBT+ History Month is for everyone; whether you work in education, a museum, library or art gallery, a business, a service, are a member of a network/social group or an individual.
It is celebrated every February across the UK, and was founded in 2004 by Schools OUT co-chairs, Paul Patrick & Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders. It was first celebrated in February 2005.
Every year Schools OUT sets a different theme for LGBT+ History Month and provides free resources for education settings, businesses, services and organisations to help them celebrate and Usualise LGBT+ lives in their full diversity.
Follow us on social media, we’re on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
Our hashtags are: #LGBTplusHM, #Usualise, #educateOUTprejudice

Building the fightback in 2023 - online rally
2023-02-01 18:30 - 20:00
Online rally with: Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary // Richard Burgon MP // Helen O’Connor, GMB Southern Region & Peoples Assembly // Liz Cabeza, Acorn (Haringey) // Nabeela Mowlana, Young Labour // Holly Turner, NHS Workers Say No & more.
Now is the time to build the growing fightback, co-ordinate the resistance & popularise policies that put people before profit.
Hosted by Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas. All other pages listed on social media are kindly helping to promote the event,

Unison - 2023 National Higher Education Conference - Newcastle
2023-02-02
Members can now request to be register to attend the 2023 National Higher Education Conference. The Online Conferencing System (OCS) is now open to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements.

TUC Conference: Economics for workers not wealth - London
2023-02-02 09:30 - 17:00
After a year of economic turbulence, and a decade of pay stagnation, workers are once again being told that pay rises are unaffordable. This conference will examine the economic debates behind workers’ current demands, and set out an agenda for how to develop an economy for workers not wealth.

What do the current state of the public finances mean for public services, pay rises and an economy for workers?
Who are the winners and losers from the current pay crisis ?
Breakout sessions on the building blocks for a workers’ economy, including minimum wages, industrial strategy and addressing personal debt.
The international landscape for a workers’ economy.
Why central bank policy matters for working people.

We are honoured to have joining us the following distinguished speakers, each with a long background in the public debate around economic policy:

Andrew Martin Fischer – Professor of Inequality, Social Protection and Development at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, part of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Ann Pettifor chair of prime economics and winner of the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thinking
Filip Stefanović – senior economist at the Trades Union Advisory Committee to the OECED
Heather Wakefield – Women’s Budget Group
Randeep Ramesh – chief leader writer for the Guardian newspaper
Dr Phillip Turner – previously Deputy Head of the Monetary and Economic Department and a member of Senior Management of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS),
Stewart Lansley – visiting fellow at the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol who writes on inequality, wealth and poverty.
Dr Robert Calvert Jump (Greenwich University) and Dr Jo Michell (University of West of England) – authors of ‘The Dangerous Fiction of the “Fiscal Black Hole”’

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Sheffield
2023-02-02 19:30
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.
WORTLEY HALL
WORTLEY, SHEFFIELD S35 7DB

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Stafford
2023-02-03 19:30 - 21:30
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.

THE MET STUDIO STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
EASTGATE STREET, STAFFORD ST16 2LJ

PR and climate action - online or in London
2023-02-07 19:30 - 20:30
There’s an emerging consensus that we need to democratise to decarbonise.
Join us on Tuesday 7th February in central London and online for our upcoming panel event, ‘Democracy Loves Climate Justice’. Our distinguished panel of senior politicians and climate experts will be discussing how Proportional Representation can help us to tackle the climate emergency.
Speakers:

Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Party Peer
Clive Lewis MP, Labour Party MP for Norwich South
Liz Saville Roberts MP, Plaid Cymru Leader in the House of Commons and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Dave Timms, Head of Political Affairs at Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

TICKETING AND EVENT INFO

Recent months have reminded us how important solving the climate emergency is. As we celebrated the new year, temperatures across western Europe were hitting record highs, while extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency.

In the search for solutions to these problems, the evidence shows that Proportional Representation (PR) can be of significant benefit in responding to broad-based climate concerns. Compared to countries with majoritarian voting systems, countries with PR:

Score on average six points higher on the Yale Environmental Performance Index.
Reduce emissions more quickly, and are faster to take up renewable energy.
Embed the long-term approach to policy-making crucial to meaningful climate action.

That’s why, as part of MVM’s ‘Democracy Loves’ series, we are keen to highlight the tangible positive policy consequences of PR.

GET YOUR TICKET

The details

Event: Democracy Loves Climate Justice
Date: Tuesday 7th February 2023
Time: 19:30 GMT
Location: Godfrey Mitchell Theatre, One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA
Format: Hybrid (both in-person and online tickets are available)

The event will begin with short presentations from each panellist, followed by a Q&A.

You can buy tickets here.

HeartUnions week
2023-02-13 - 2023-02-19
HeartUnions week 13-19 February 2023. A chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and encourage them to join a union.

After working through a global pandemic, union members have been forced to navigate their way through a cost-of-living crisis this year. The trade union movement has risen to meet this immense challenge, campaigning for fair pay, demanding action to protect jobs and supporting members through thick and thin.

What’s HeartUnions about?
HeartUnions is a campaign week of activity where the trade union movement celebrates unions and the good that we do.
During the week we want to do two simple things:
1. demonstrate how brilliant unions are by showcasing all that we achieve for working people – especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
2. encourage as many people as possible who are already union members to ask someone they know to join one too.
So, during the run up to HeartUnions week – and during the week itself – we’ll be sharing stories that show unions’ impact and providing reps and members with resources to help them get more people to join a union.”

Get involved
We hope unions will run their own HeartUnions campaigns highlighting what they’ve won with and for their members, and encouraging more workers in their respective industries and sectors to join a union.
On social media we’ll be using the hashtag #HeartUnions. Use it to keep in touch with what the TUC and unions are saying, and to publicise your own activities.
We’ll soon be sharing details of our HeartUnions events and our HeartUnions materials and merchandise on this web page- check back soon.
Over the last year unions have demonstrated their relevance and effectiveness in helping working people like never before.
Use #HeartUnions to say loudly and proudly – unions are winning for working people, every worker needs a union.

Unison - 2023 National Women’s Conference - Bournemouth
2023-02-16 - 2023-02-18
Members can now request to be register to attend the 2022 National Women’s Conference. The Online Conferencing System (OCS) is now open to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements.

Scottish Labour Party conference
2023-02-17 - 2023-02-19
This year’s Scottish Labour Party conference will be taking place in Edinburgh from Friday, 17 February to Sunday, 19 February 2023.

How can I apply to attend conference?
The quickest and easiest way to apply for conference is online. Please note that you will be required to upload a jpeg photograph.
If you have any queries regarding conference or would prefer to receive a hard copy of the application form by post please contact scotconference@labour.org.uk.

Notwestminster 2023 - Huddersfield
2023-02-18 10:00 - 16:00
Do you want a citizen friendly democracy, where our organisations and institutions put their trust in citizens? Do you want to help others be listened to and actively involved?
Notwestminster is about finding the people, ideas and energy we need, so that we can grow our trust in each other and share our aspirations about what our everyday democracy can be. Together we find practical ways of working together to improve our lives and local places.
If you’re up for the challenge of renewing our democracy, please join us for a day of workshops, quick-fire talks, conversations and inspiration in Huddersfield. Notwestminster is a free event and everyone is welcome to take part. All we ask is that you are interested in making our local democracy better, and willing to do something to make it happen.

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - High Peak
2023-02-24 19:30 - 21:30
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.
SPRING BANK ARTS CENTRE
NEW MILLS, HIGH PEAK SK22 4BH

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Derbyshire
2023-02-25
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.

SPIRAL ARTS CENTRE DERBYSHIRE

Schools rep training - Dundee
2023-02-27 10:45 - 14:00
Are you interested in teaching young people about their rights at work? Come along to our STUC Unions into Schools rep training in Dundee next February, all welcome!

This training session in Dundee will take place on Monday, 27 February 2023 and lasts from 10:45am to 2pm.
Come along to hear about a bit background on STUC Unions into Schools over the last 17 years and our enhanced plans for the next 3 years to expand the programme even further.
We will look at how we deliver a classroom session in Scottish Secondary schools and we will provide a safe place for discussion on union reps ideas and suggestions on how we develop our trade union role in schools. Reps will be able to sign up to become a rep on the day or can agree to shadow a more experienced rep to gain some insight or you can just attend to find out more info
Draft agenda below:
10.45 Doors open – coffee/tea/biscuits provided
11am Introductions and start of session
11.20am Background to Unions into Schools
12Noon What a union/STUC classroom session looks like
BREAK at 12.30pm with lunch provided by STUC
1pm visits/events coming up
1.15pm STUC/rep role, introducing yourself and trade unions in a classroom.
2pm closing remarks
Please note you must have permission from your own workplace/union to attend this event. For more information please visit: https://stuc-schools.org/

TUC Pensions Conference 2023 - London
2023-03-01 09:30 - 16:30
Overview

Registrations are now open for the TUC Pension Conference 2023. This event is intended for trade union members and officials, pension fund trustees, and anyone with an interest in pensions policy.
The conference will explore how workers’ pensions can be protected from the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and recession.
Join us at Congress Centre in central London to hear from a range of expert speakers, including shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth.

Unison - 2023 National Community Conference and Seminar - Bournemouth
2023-03-03 - 2023-03-04
Members can now request to be register to attend the 2023 National Community Conference and Seminar. The Online Conferencing System (OCS) is now open to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements.

International Women’s Day 2023 #EmbraceEquity
2023-03-08
Get ready for International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme #EmbraceEquity
Learn about the International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme here.
We can all help forge women’s equality. Everyone everywhere can play a part.
Have you registered as part of the IWD community?

Mary Macarthur Lecture 2023
2023-03-09 19:00 - 21:00
Each year we hear from a number of leading women in the academia and trade unions, as we discuss what lessons we should learn from Mary’s experience organising vulnerable working women and how we build a more progressive future for working women.
For this lecture we are excited to have Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has proudly served as a Member of Parliament for Leeds West since 2010.

Building a trade union response to the far right - online meeting
2023-03-13 14:30 - 16:00
On Monday 13 March, 2.30-4pm, join the TUC’s online national meeting for trade unionists – Building a trade union response to the far right. The event will explore ways in which local trade union groups are organising and can oppose the far right. And it will provide a launching pad for a national UK anti-fascist network.

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Bristol
2023-03-15, 2023-03-16
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.
ALMA TAVERN BRISTOL

Support the Strike - Cardiff rally
2023-03-15 11:30 - 13:00
Join us in Cardiff to stand in solidarity with workers striking for better pay and conditions.
Public services have been devastated by 13 long years of Tory misrule. Public sector workers are overworked, underpaid, and trying to prevent public services from collapsing.
We will meet outside the UK Government Office in Central Square at 11.30. Bring your friends, colleagues, family and placards.
Let’s send a clear message to Rishi Sunak – workers in Wales need fair pay and Wales needs fair funding now!
Share the rally information with everyone you know.

RESIST RACISM - CARDIFF March and Rally for UN Anti Racism Day
2023-03-18 11:00 - 17:00
On Saturday 18 March join the annual Stand up to Racism Resit Racism march and rally at Cardiff City Hall from 11am.

Details

Event by Stand Up To Racism Wales, Wales TUC Cymru and 3 others

Cardiff City Hall / Neuadd y Ddinas Caerdydd

Public · Anyone on or off Facebook

RESIST RACISM
CARDIFF (London and Glasgow)
March and Rally for UN Anti Racism Day
Called By Stand Up to Racism Wales, Wales TUC, Race Council Cymru, EYST, Race Alliance Wales.
Get you organisation to back it!
Organise Transport!
DONT LET THEM DIVIDE US!
*Refugees Welcome
*Stop the Rwanda Plan
*Black Lives Matter
*No racism, no fascism
*Stand Up To racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism & Sinophobia
*Stop scapegoating Gypsies, Roma & Travellers

Lobbying for PR
2023-03-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Join our last online event before the local elections to find out what’s next in the #Labour4PR National Policy Forum campaign. When members return from canvassing in early May, we’ll be coming together to lobby key parts of the party for a commitment to electoral reform in the policy programme.
In early May we’ll be holding mass meetings between members and their elected regional NPF representatives all over the UK, to set out why the next Labour government needs to scrap First Past the Post.
And in late May, you’re invited to a mass lobby of Parliament – calling on MPs of all parties to sort out our political system by backing a fair voting system.
With the party’s consultation closing on 17 March, the L4ND team will talk you through this important second phase of the NPF campaign. Come along to find out everything you need to know.

MVM North Yorkshire and York at NEU Teachers Conference
2023-04-03 13:00 - 14:45
Please join us at our street event at the NEU Teachers Conference, Harrogate
MVM will be leafletting Teachers from all over UK in their lunchbreak from the NEU Conference. We will also have a display table, all being well. Please join us there if you can. All hands on deck to get teachers aware of the FPTP – PR issue; and to raise profile of MVM as an organisation opposing FPTP corruption.

Monday, April 3, 2023
12:00 AM 1:45 PM
Harrogate Convention Centre (map)
Meet at Entrance 1 between 12.00 and 12.15.

MVM North Yorkshire and York at NEU Teachers Conference, Harrogate
2023-04-05 13:00 - 14:45
Please join us at our street event at the NEU Teachers Conference, Harrogate
MVM will be leafletting Teachers from all over UK in their lunchbreak from the NEU Conference. We will also have a display table, all being well. Please join us there if you can. All hands on deck to get teachers aware of the FPTP – PR issue; and to raise profile of MVM as an organisation opposing FPTP corruption.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
12:00 PM 1:45 PM
Harrogate Convention Centre (map)
Meet at Entrance 1 between 12.00 and 12.15.

MVM Oxfordshire debate and Councils for PR announcement!
2023-04-13 20:00 - 22:00
Join the debate with Make Votes Matter and top speakers including Layla Moran MP for Oxford West & Abingdon Thursday 13 April 2023 at 7 p.m.
at The Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DH
Find out what your local councillors think of PR as we announce the results of our Councils for PR survey.

Straight to the Facts: In Conversation with Will Moy - Sheffield
2023-04-15 18:00 - 19:30
In partnership with the University of Sheffield
In the wake of a spate of high profile fake news stories and disinformation, calls for fact checking have reached new heights, but can fact checking really save public debate? Is it able to meet public demands? Or is political speech so polarised that it is no longer possible to establish commonly held facts? At this event, Will Moy, the Chief Executive of Full Fact, shares his insight from over a decade working at the forefront of the fact checking debate. Responding to new findings from a team of University of Sheffield academics, this event asks whether public debate is condemned to be inherently unhealthy, or whether fact checking can restore democratic debate.
Will Moy is the Chief Executive of Full Fact, the UK’s only independent fact checking organisation, which checks claims made by politicians, interest groups and the media. Full Fact work to counter bad information and expose the harm misleading claims can have. Will has worked at Full Fact since 2009 and is a leading voice in efforts to counter disinformation and bring about more informed public debate.
