Solidarity News Release Sheridan calls for Scottish parliament to take the lead in restoring confidence after second homes scandalSolidarity co-convenor Tommy Sheridan today called for the Scottish Parliament to take the moral lead in restoring public confidence in the expenses and second homes scandals that have engulfed Westminster politics.
Mr. Sheridan, who, when a list MSP for Glasgow, was an early and persistent critic of the use of the Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance to purchase second homes for MSPs at public expense has called on the Scottish Parliament to revisit a potential solution to the problem he first raised a number of years ago – by publicly buying and retaining property which can be occupied by MSPs outwith travelling distance of Edinburgh during their time of tenure in the Parliament.
Campaigners from two very different campaigns converged to lobby the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th May. Parents from The Glasgow Save our Schools Campaign and supporters of The Today Group, a mental health advocacy group from Fife protested outside the parliament building.
The schools campaigners have vowed to fight on despite the New Labour controlled Glasgow City Council’s decision to close 22 schools and nurseries in the city. To find out more about the schools campaign click here
A spokesperson for Today said;
“The TODAY Group (Together Overcoming Discrimination Against you and me) is a Mental Health Advocacy Group based in Cupar and serves the whole of Fife. The group was set up in 1993 by people who used Mental Health services. The group supports the rights, views and opinions of over 300 members and 12 member groups in Fife. Fife Council decided to tender advocacy in Fife and awarded the contract to an English based group. This means the group will lose this local based service which will be detrimental to people who need the service, carers, staff and volunteers.”
(This article is taken from The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign here)
Boycott movement can oppose Israeli violence
The 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival organisers announced on Friday they were returning money donated by the Israeli Embassy. The return of the money was accompanied by an admission that it had been “a mistake to accept the £300 from the Israeli Embassy” and followed a torrent of angry letters expressing incomprehension, fury or sadness at the EIFF being associated with the Israeli State. Many pledged to support SPSC pickets of screenings throughout the 2009 Festival, and an initial public protest.
Glasgow Schools Campaigners take their fight to the Scottish Parliament
Campaigners from communities across City of Glasgow whose schools and nurseries face closure will take their case to a lobby of The Scottish Parliament this Thursday 14th May at 11.30am.
Despite massive protests Labour councillors have voted to close 22 schools and nurseries. These cuts, driven through by Glasgow City Council Leader Steven Purcell mean larger class sizes, fewer teachers, worse education and a loss of community facilities.
JOIN THE LOBBY.
PUT YOUR CASE TO THE MSP’s
DEMAND THE PARLIAMENT SIDES WITH PARENTS AGAINST PURCELL
SAVE OUR EDUCATION
For further information on the Save Our Schools campaign visit the campaign website here
For travel arrangement ring or text 07828 278 093
No2EU - Yes to Democracy at The GFT
On Sunday 17th May at 12.30pm the No2EU – Yes to Democracy political platform formed to fight the European Elections will be showing a screening of the RMT sponsored film “The EU Lisbon Treaty Privatisation and Workers’ Rights” at The Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street, Glasgow.
The film features Bob Crow and Tony Benn and following the screening, RMT Scottish Organiser Phill McGarry will be leading a discussion on the issues it raises.
All members of the public are welcome and there is no charge for the event.
Solid with The Posties
Members of Solidarity in Central Region join with North Lanarkshire Trade Union Council secretary Hugh Gaffney and John Milligan of the RMT to meet representatives from The CWU’s Keep the Public Posted Campaign at the Summerlee Industrial Museum in Coatbridge.
The Royal Mail and the Post Office are part of the fabric of British society. They provide a universal service to all. Postal workers deliver to every door regardless of the wealth that lies behind it. In its queues we are all equal citizens. Businesses of every size and shape rely on it. For elderly people, those with disabilities, parents, the low-paid and those in rural communities its services are essential. It works well and could work a lot better if it were modernised and properly invested in.
The CWU Keep the Public Posted Campaign
Tourists visiting the UK's iconic John O'Groats landmark gave the CWU nationwide Keeping the Public Posted campaign launch the big "thumbs up" yes on Tuesday.
Over the next two months, the campaign will visit every region of the UK, asking members of the public everywhere to sign our giant postcard to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, urging him to drop plans to privatise Royal Mail.
On the windswept extremity of Britain, CWU Scottish regional secretary John Brown, whose nation is hosting the first week of the campaign, said: "It's been a fantastic launch, what a great place to start and we've had support already from some of the tourists we've met.
11:00 AM Assemble Woodlands Centre Kilwinning Road, Irvine
There will be speakers on Palestine, Cuba, Post Office Privatisation and a special contribution from former North Ayrshire Provost Drew Duncan on the relevance of Robert Burns to the modern day.
Organised by Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council
Glasgow’s May Day 09 - Sunday 3rd May
Assemble 11 am George Square
Solidarity with Rob Williams
Solidarity, Scotland’s Socialist Movement joins the other socialists and trade unionists demanding the re-instatement of Rob Williams, the Unite Convenor of The Linamar car parts factory in Swansea Wales.
Rob has been very active in the campaign of the sacked Visteon car parts workers and has recently visited all three of their plants. His sacking is likely to be linked to his role in this struggle. The Visteon Unite convenors are demanding that Rob be reinstated and they, alongside many others, are calling on Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley to also back the immediate reinstatement of Rob.Linamar is feeling the economic pinch and recently announced 140 redundancies.
To read more on the campaign to defend Rob click on the link here
Justice for Ian Tomlinson
pic by Guy Smallman
The campaign to win justice for Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed by police at the G20 protests in London, sprang into action last week.
The United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) was set up in response to the behaviour of officers policing the G20 protests. Activists, including RMT transport union general secretary Bob Crow, went to Millwall’s football ground, The Den, last Saturday to talk to fans about the campaign, handing out over 1,000 leaflets.
Events Calendar
Solidarity co-convenor Tommy Sheridan today called for the Scottish Parliament to take the moral lead in restoring public confidence in the expenses and second homes scandals that have engulfed Westminster politics.
Campaigners from two very different campaigns converged to lobby the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th May. Parents from The Glasgow Save our Schools Campaign and supporters of The Today Group, a mental health advocacy group from Fife protested outside the parliament building.
“The TODAY Group (Together Overcoming Discrimination Against you and me) is a Mental Health Advocacy Group based in Cupar and serves the whole of Fife. The group was set up in 1993 by people who used Mental Health services. The group supports the rights, views and opinions of over 300 members and 12 member groups in Fife. Fife Council decided to tender advocacy in Fife and awarded the contract to an English based group. This means the group will lose this local based service which will be detrimental to people who need the service, carers, staff and volunteers.” 
The 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival organisers announced on Friday they were returning money donated by the Israeli Embassy. The return of the money was accompanied by an admission that it had been “a mistake to accept the £300 from the Israeli Embassy” and followed a 
Campaigners from communities across City of Glasgow whose schools and nurseries face closure will take their case to a lobby of The Scottish Parliament this Thursday 14th May at 11.30am.
On Sunday 17th May at 12.30pm the No2EU – Yes to Democracy political platform formed to fight the European Elections will be showing a screening of the RMT sponsored film “The EU Lisbon Treaty Privatisation and Workers’ Rights” at The Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street, Glasgow.
Members of Solidarity in Central Region join with North Lanarkshire Trade Union Council secretary Hugh Gaffney and John Milligan of the RMT to meet representatives from The CWU’s Keep the Public Posted Campaign at the Summerlee Industrial Museum in Coatbridge. 
The Royal Mail and the Post Office are part of the fabric of British society. They provide a universal service to all. Postal workers deliver to every door regardless of the wealth that lies behind it. In its queues we are all equal citizens. Businesses of every size and shape rely on it. For elderly people, those with disabilities, parents, the low-paid and those in rural communities its services are essential. It works well and could work a lot better if it were modernised and properly invested in. 
Edinburgh’s May Day 09 - Saturday May 2nd
Solidarity, Scotland’s Socialist Movement joins the other socialists and trade unionists demanding the re-instatement of Rob Williams, the Unite Convenor of The Linamar car parts factory in Swansea Wales. 
