The Appeal Court in Edinburgh ruled today that Mohammed Atif Siddique, jailed for eight years for "terrorism" offences, had suffered a "miscarriage of justice" and that it was "minded to quash" his conviction. The Crown now has an opportunity to decide whether to launch a fresh prosecution against Atif Siddique, who has already served 4 years of his sentence. There will be a further hearing on Tuesday 9 February. Atif Siddique was refused bail pending that hearing.
Campaigners from the Lorne Street Community Centre
Trade unionists and community activists braved the cold and the wet on Thursday 28th Jan to demonstrate their opposition to Glasgow City Council’s proposed budget cuts.They gathered outside the City Chambers as councillors met inside to set the city’s budget for 2010/11.
The lobby had been organised by UNISON Glasgow City Branch to protest at a series of cuts that will attack jobs and services.
The protestors cheered when Brian Smith, UNISON Branch Secretary of the citywide union branch declared that “neither the citizens of Glasgow nor council workers should be asked to pay for the bail out of banks and the mistakes of bankers.”
Amongst a raft of cuts the council propose to close school kitchens, reduce support to disabled people, close 12 community centres, introduce charges for school breakfast clubs, close day care centres for people with learning disabilities, reduce welfare rights officers, slash in half the number of community workers, reduce grants to voluntary organisations and lose up to 600 council jobs.
Brian Smith UNISON Branch Sec
The Glasgow UNISON Branch has started a campaign to defend jobs and services that will involve trade unionists and community activists working together along with the ordinary people of Glasgow to fight the council’s plans.
Last Saturday, (January 23rd) a meeting was organised by the union at which over 100 people attended to put in place plans to oppose the council. (For a full report click here)
Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Grants to community organisations are also to be slashed. The 2010 cuts include:
12 Community Centres, a Pool and Library to close
Cuts in home care services and support to disabled people
Welfare Rights jobs lost and Community Workers cut by 50%
Grants to voluntary and community organisations slashed
Over 600 jobs in the city lost.
The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of bankers. We need to fightback and defend Glasgow’s services. No cuts in services!
Protect vital council and community services
Protect jobs in the city during the recession
For a united campaign of workers, service users and local communities
OPEN MEETING
Saturday 23 January @ 11am
UNISON Branch, 4th Floor (lift)
18 Albion Street, Candleriggs
A meeting for Trade Unions, public services workers, community organisations and the citizens of Glasgow
LOBBY OF COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING
Thursday 28th January 12.15pm
CITY CHAMBERS, GEORGE SQUARE
Organised by UNISON Glasgow Branch, Public Services Trade Union
At our November conference, Solidarity passed a motion of support for the 5 members of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign who have been charged with racism following a peaceful protest during a performance by the Jerusalem Quartet in Edinburgh. We would urge as many people as possible to get along to the court n Edinburgh on Thursday and Friday and show solidarity with the SPSC 5.
Saturday 30 January, Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester 11.30am-5pm
* Fight for every job * Organise to stop the cuts * Defend services and pensions * Unite the public and private sectors * Demand a million green jobs * Jobs not bombs * Defend migrant workers – jobs for all
speaker(s):
Mark Serwotka (PCS), Sally Hunt (UCU), Tony Kearns (CWU), Jeremy Dear (NUJ), et al
On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, thousands of people from across Scotland, from all walks of life, will flow through the streets of Glasgow to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all. The Wave is organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.
Join The Wave - Scotland’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change.
We want the UK Government to Share Scotland’s Ambition, Protect the Poorest and Act Fair & Fast. (key messages)
Please assemble at Bellahouston Park (north side, near the Palace of Art Centre for Sports Excellence) at 10.30am on Saturday 5th December.
The Wave will start at 11am in Bellahouston Park, south of the River Clyde and finish in Kelvingrove Park in the West End where there will be a live music, speakers, a kids tent with activities and other marquees with members of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition waiting to greet you.
More pictures of the STUC’s St Andrews Day Anti-Racism March in Glasgow can be found here
Solidarity Conference
Solidarity members from across Scotland came together in Glasgow last Saturday (November 28th) for the party’s 3rd Annual Conference. After attending the STUC’s Anti-Racism march in the morning the party met to discuss an array of important motions and amendments.
Included in the motions that were agreed were support for the Postal Workers, a call to help build for the 2010 Right to Work Conference, a call to bring the Whisky Industry into public ownership, opposition to council cuts, support for an Independence Referendum, calls for troops out of Afghanistan and no to an attack on Iran.
Also passed were motions in favour of continuing Solidarity’s involvement in the discussions led by the RMT union aimed at ensuring a socialist and trade union challenge at the 2010 General election and to continue the party’s principled support for the building of left unity here in Scotland and beyond.
Conference was addressed by speakers including Ronnie Stevenson Convenor of UNISON Shop Stewards at Glasgow City Council’s social work department, (in a personal capacity) and Vanesa Fuertes and Kevin Connor from the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.
Strathclyde Student Association & Love Music Hate Racism
Friday 27th November
An exciting mix of local talent and rising stars are set to perform in Strathclyde to show Scotland’s solidarity in opposing racism.
The NASUWT has teamed up with Strathclyde Student Association, Love Music Hate Racism and the Scottish TUC to stage the gig that will raise awareness of Love Music Hate Racism and the STUC St Andrew’s Day Anti Racism march
Events Calendar
Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. Grants to community organisations are also to be slashed. The 2010 cuts include: 
Solidarity members from across Scotland came together in Glasgow last Saturday (November 28th) for the party’s 3rd Annual Conference. After attending the STUC’s Anti-Racism march in the morning the party met to discuss an array of important motions and amendments.
Friday 27th November
