Please don't vote BNP

Voters get the chance to vote for MEP's and some municipal and county councillors this Thursday June 4th. These elections take place against the backdrop of the current MP's expenses scandal. People are understandably angry with members of our ruling political class and some will no doubt vent their anger by voting for anyone else but the three main parties. Please do not vote for the fascist racist BNP and do everything you can to persuade others not to. The CWU has produced campaign literature which has been distributed at events including Love Music hate Racism in Stoke. If you would like some please contact my department.

Countdown to Annual Conference

June 7th sees the start of the CWU Annual General Conference in Bournemouth. The agenda items for the industrial and general conferences highlight the concerns of our members and the many challenges which we face as a Union. Hot topics include Royal Mail privatisation and Labour Party funding. There will also be a debate at General Conference as to how we can make the Union more representative of it's membership profile. Specifically as to how we increase the numbers of black and minority ethnic group members at all levels. Should we have reserved seats on the NEC? Please take part in my poll? The Equal Opportunities Department will have a stall on the first floor of the conference centre. Please call and say hello. We are also having a disco details of which will be posted shortly. I look forward to seeing you all in Bournemouth.

Keep the Post Public Demo in Birmingham

This Saturday sees our fight to stop the privatisation of Royal Mail arrive in Birmingham. A demonstration will take place opposite the Council House in the city centre from 12-2pm. Guest speakers include CWU General Secretary Billy Hayes, Paul Kennedy and Lee Barron. Please come along and support our campaign. A big thanks to all at Birmingham & District Amal. branch for organising this event.

Love Music Hate Racism in Stoke

Enjoy the Love Music Hate Racism festival in Stoke-on-Trent this Saturday 30 May. Confirmed acts include Pete Doherty, lead singer of Babyshambles and R&B star Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child. This is shaping up to be one of the year's hottest musical events. It also provides the opportunity for all of us to send out a powerful anti-racist message prior to the June 4 elections. For more information log on to http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/

It's National Family Week

Today marks the start of National Family Week. This is a new initiative which has one objective - to bring families together. The week is supported by a variety of community and voluntary organisations, charities and sports associations. For more information log on to www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk.

First gay minister appointed by Church of Scotland

Yesterday, May 23rd, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland endorsed the appointment of the Rev Scott Rennie who is openly gay. The decision provoked protests from traditionalists in the Kirk and has led to fears about a split. let us hope that such divisions are healed. Congratulations to the Rev Rennie and to members of the General Assembly.

My readers think MP's look after their own interests

My first online poll has now closed. One hundred per cent of participants agreed that MP's put their own interests in front of those of their political parties or the country. A sad reflection on the current state of our parliamentary democracy. What do you think?

National Equality Officer's First Invite Into a Call Centre

Monday the 18th May I was invited to a BT call centre in Plymouth to have a drop in day by the South West & Thames Valley Branch. It's the first time I've been to a call centre where I met with our members and had a chat about a variety of topics which concerned them. Lyn Hart Equality Officer for South West Thames assisted me. Thanks to Lyn and all at the branch for their warm welcome. If you want me to visit your branch or workplace please get in touch.


Linda Roy

Fevzi Has a new member of the family

Congratualtion to Fevzi and Serief on the new arrival weighing in at just under 7lbs.

Welcome Denize.

Mother and baby are doing well. Fevzi is over the moon.

Linda & Alex

TUC DISABILITY CONFERENCE

The TUC Disability Conference is taking place this week Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st.

A report will be given on the conference later

Linda Roy

Indian Embassy protest

On Sunday May 17th, IDAHO DAY, members of the Unions LGBT committee and I handed in a letter at the indian Embassy asking for chnages to a justice sytem which denies lesbian gay bisexual and transgender citizens equal rights.

First Women elected to Kuwaiti parliament

Kuwaiti women gained the right to vote and run for office in 2005 but they have failed to be elected in two previous elections. Yesterday it was announced that four Kuwaitis have become the first women to be successfully elected to the country's 50 seat parliament. We can only applaud this development in a country where the legislature has been men-only for almost half a century.

MP's - Can we ever trust them again?

What a week it's been for the people we elect to represent us in Parliament and for us all. Words fail me. Who do you think they represent? Take part in my poll.

Royal Mail doubles profits. The case for public ownership is made.

Royal Mail made £321 million profit in the year to March 31st. Significantly all four businesses were profitable. This is a credit to the commitment and dedication of our members who work in Royal Mail Group. It also vindicates CWU arguments to retain Royal Mail in public ownership. Join our fight to stop the Government part privatising Royal Mail by signing our petition at http://www.cwu.org/.

Celebrate IDAHO Day

The CWU has a proud record of campaigning against the persecution of LGBT people and promoting equal rights. The Union continues to be involved in positive initiatives and campaigns nationally and internationally. This Sunday May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the WHO removed homophobia from the list of mental diseases. It is needed because: 86 member states of the United Nations still criminalise consensual same sex among adults. In 7 countries the death penalty is the punishment. This Sunday members of the CWU LGBT committee and I will be handing in a letter to the Indian Embassy calling on the Indian Government to repeal the existing legislation in the Indian Penal Code that denies lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens equal rights to commemorate IDAHO Day. There are other events throughout the UK. Please get involved. For details visit http://www.idaho.org.uk/

BT job losses

BT has announced that 15000 jobs will go over the mext year on the back of the publication of reported £134 losses to March this year. This follows profits of £2 billion the previous year. The Finacial Times reports that the company has no plans for compulsory redundancies as it hopes to eliminate positions through voluntary redundancies and natural wastage. CWU Deputy General Secretary, Telecoms, Andy Kerr said "We're working closely with the company to ensure any losses are voluntary and we're looking at new ways of finding new work and retaining permanent employees, including secondment agreements."

Red Arrows appoint first female pilot

Flight Lieutenant Kristy Moore has become the first woman pilot in the 46 year history of the Red Arrows display team. Kirsty currently flies Tornado jets and is based in Qatar. She is one of only ten women jet pilots in the RAF. This is a magnificent acheivement as competition for a place is fierce and only 60 out of 2040 trained pilots are women. Well done Kirsty.

Menopause factsheets ready

The CWU Equal Opportunities Department produces factsheets on a wide variety of issues. Our latest issue contains information on coping and dealing with the male and female menopause. members can obtain copies through the Equal Opportunities page of the CWU at http://www.cwu.org. You can also subscribe to our Equality e-Bulletin by contacting the department.

Minimum Wage increased

The government has announced that the minimum wage will rise by 7p to £5.80 an hour from October. The rate for 18-21 year olds will rise by 6p to £4.83 and the rate for 16-17 year olds will rise by 4p to £3.57 and hour. The rise represents a 1.5% increase and was welcomed by the CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce who wanted the rate frozen. Perhaps they'd change their minds if they had to live on £5.80 an hour.

Dave Walton's a Grandad

Congratulations to Dave Walton & Karen on becoming Grandparents. On Saturday morning little Alfie arrived weighing in at 5lbs 13oz. Now the fun begins.

Linda

May Day Rally in Leeds

Today Saturday 2nd May I went to the Leeds May Day Rally it was well attended. Nice to see Ted Stead and Des Carney from Oldham and Rochdale. Dave Wiltshire from Bristol, Pete Keenlyside from Manchester NEC,Steve Fishwick, Jane Loftus Vice President, Midge from Bradford and Dave Walton, Branch Secretary, Andy Lea Branch President and all the postmen and women from the Leeds No 1 Branch The rally had about 150 people marching and shouting "Royal Mail not for sale". We have to gather momentum and really get the arguments accross to stop the privatisation. Jane Loftus addressed the rally, Afterwards there was a meeting held in the art gallery were Fabian Hamilton MP and John Crogan MP spoke of how important the comming weeks are in writing to our MPs and putting pressure on the Government.

Anyone looking at the blog is welcome to pass comment.

Linda