Alistair Hulett died suddenly last week after a short illness.
He was an acclaimed songwriter, guitarist and singer, and a committed socialist, anti-war campaigner and community activist.His songs demonstrate not only his passionate loathing of a system that kills and maims its way to profit but also his delight at the resistance that springs up in response.
One of his best known songs, recorded by June Tabor, Roy Bailey and Andy Irvine, is “He Fades Away”, about a former blue asbestos miner who is dying of asbestosis.In “Don’t Sign Up for War”, Alistair celebrated the anti-war stand of the Scottish revolutionary John Maclean with the lines “Betray your country. Serve your class. Don’t sign up for war my friend. Don’t sign up for war.”
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
Events Calendar
DEMONSTRATE - NO RACISM IN EDINBURGH
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: 
