CHESTERFIELD NO 1
- Branch Secretary
- Mr J Boyle
- Branch Email
- .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Work Tel
- 01246 380415
- Mobile
- 07827 490453
Branch Meeting Dates
11th January 2012
8th February 2012
14th March 2012
11th Aprl 2012
9th May 2012
13th June 2012
11th July 2012
8th August 2012
12th September 2012
10th October 2012
14th November 2012
12th December 2012
Meetings are held in the Chesterfield Labour Club - 113 Saltergate - Chesterfield - S40 1NF - There is ample free car parking. If you can’t attend because of shiftwork, alternative meetings can be arranged by contacting the branch secretary.
Branch Agendas & Minutes
Public Services Group Agenda.pdf
Minutes of March 2010 Extraordinary Meeting.pdf
Minutes 13th April 2010.pdf
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40th Anniversary of Saltley Gates
Following on from the successful demonstration outside Cineworld in Chesterfield that has stimulated debate at home and abroad about the legacy of the 1980s Government lead by Margaret Thatcher we will be holding a meeting and Social at the Chesterfield Labour Club on the 40th Anniversary of Saltley Gates on Friday 10th February at 7.15pm. The evening will include songs from the Miners’ strike performed by the band Toein’ in the Dark, film footage from Derbyshire area taken during 84/85 and a discussion regarding the lessons for today’s struggles for jobs and workers’ rights. Tickets are limited owing to the size of the venue and will be available to invited guests until Friday 27th January when tickets (should there be any left) will go on general sale. Tickets are £2 and available from DUWCs 70 Saltergate or by phoning 07870 387999
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Events & Campaigns
PETITION SIGNING IN CHESTERFIELD TO HELP SAVE REMPLOY FACTORIES
A petition signing took in Chesterfield on Saturday, 13th August 2011, to campaign against the proposed closure of Remploy factories and privatisation of Employment Services. All 54 Remploy factories are under threat with potential job losses of more than 2500 disabled people. Please visit the home page of this site for regular campaign updates.
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MARY TURNER, PRESIDENT, VISITS GMB STALL AT BAKEWELL SHOW
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GAGGED FOR SPEAKING OUT
John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Graham Baxter, leader of North East Derbyshire District Council, Toby Perkins, Chesterfield MP and Colin Hampton, Coordinator for Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre, Chesterfield and GMB member, campaigning against the planned closure of advice centres in Chesterfield. “People want to complain but are prevented from speaking out because of the cuts. Hence the gags”, said Colin, (holding the megaphone).
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WE DID NOT VOTE TO DIE AT WORK
That was the defiant message sent to the government by campaigners, including several members from the GMB Chesterfield No. 1 branch who made a stand against planned funding cuts to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and local councils in a demonstration in Chesterfield town centre on Workers’ Memorial Day in April.
“The health and safety of workers will be left to the ‘common sense’ of the employers” said Shay Boyle, GMB branch Secretary and development worker for the Trade Union Safety Team. “Try explaining that to the 600 people who were forced to contact us for advice.”
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DWP Nil Points as GMB Demonstrate Outside Chesterfield Job Centre
On 24th January, 30 people, including several GMB members from Chesterfield No. 1 branch, met outside the Jobcentre to give the DWP nil points as part of a campaign against assessments made to Employment and Support Allowance claimants. There was good media coverage. A similar demonstration is being planned in Derby. Colin Hampton, Chesterfield Unemployed Workerentre co-ordinater and GMB Auditor, has been helping the Derby Trades Council establish a Derby Unemployed Workers’ Centre and the Demo will be part of the launch of the group.
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Protest against Cameron’s cuts on Budget day
As David Cameron yesterday spelled out the scale and scope of the proposed cuts to be introduced on Emergency Budget day, the Chesterfield & District Trades Union Council were in there first with a planned Budget Day Protest in Chesterfield Town Centre. Colin Hampton and Shay Boyle, from Chesterfield GMB No.1 branch and James Eaden, Trades Council President and UCU member led the demonstration in New Square. Trade union banners were staged around the square. Table top information areas were set up and leaflets about the cuts were handed out to the public between 11.30am and 2.00pm. Passers by were invited to join the GMB as membership application forms were handed out by Shay.
Colin Hampton reminded everybody that all working people and their families are being lined up to take cuts in order to pay back the billions used to bail out the bankers in the financial crisis. The Budget Day protest and rally aims to bring together the widest possible coalition of resistance to the proposed cut backs. Speakers from UCATT, NASUWT, GMB, UCU and Bill Greenshields from th e East Midlands NUT came along and said Their bit. As well as a 16 year old student, protesting about the shutting down of college courses. (I gave him a GMB form as well).
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Chesterfield No 1 displaying their new branch banner!
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Chesterfield Challenging Poverty
A strong delegation from Chesterfield No. 1 branch joined the Unemployed Workers Challenging Poverty in Changing Times Conference in Congress House on Monday18th October.
Francis O’Grady, TUC deputy general secretary, led the conference which is meeting at a crucial time. As the economy continues to struggle, as regional disparities increase and as unemployment looks set to rise beyond 2.5 million.
The consequences of the cuts will be devastating. Not just on recovery, growth and jobs. Not just on the services most of us rely on. Not just on the jobs, pay and pensions of dedicated public servants. But also on the fabric of our society, on the glue that holds Britain’s communities together. GMB members attended several workshops designed to tackle making our voice heard better. Dispelling unemployment and benefits myths and deciding how we show there is an alternative to the cuts.
I stayed over for the massive turnout at the Westminster lobby yesterday. Westminster Hall was wall to wall with trade unions and community groups. Ordinary people like nurses, community workers and volunteers gave speeches to rapturous applause and whistle blowing. At one point in the afternoon, the chair, Francis O’Grady, said that there were so many people going across the road to lobby their MP that the security guards had to shut the gates!
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Binging Bankers Bail-out
Begging fat cat bankers were out in force in Chesterfield Market. A group of campaigners from ‘Coalition Against The Cuts’, including several GMB members, staged a protest against the government’s decision to cut public spending by slashing jobs and taking money from the poor. They were saying to passers by, “We’re the fat cat bankers and we’ve got all your money and now we want your jobs and services as well.”
Our bit of street theatre had a serious message as well,” said Shay Boyle from Chesterfield GMB No.1 branch. “The budget deficit was caused by the bailing out of the banks and now they want me and you to pay for their binge.”
After Chesterfield, the begging bankers will be appearing in towns throughout North Derbyshire. Look out for them!
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And Then There Was One
Ten little nonners working in the mine, one argued with the boss, and then there were nine.
Nine little nonners working till it’s late, one asked for shorter hours, and then there were eight.
Eight little nonners working nine till seven, one quoted working regs, and then there were seven.
Seven little nonners laying rows of bricks, one asked for safety gloves, and then there were six.
Six little nonners glad to be alive, one asked for holidays, then there were five.
Five little nonners sweeping up the floor, one asked for dust masks and then there were four.
Four little nonners lopping off a tree, one fell off the ladder and then there were three.
Three little nonners cleaning out a flue, one developed COPD and then there were two.
Two little nonners working in the sun, one asked for skin cream and then there was one.
One clever worker knowing what to do signed up with the GMB and then there were two.
Two union members liked the GMB, agreed time off and sick pay and then there were three.
Three union members seeing accidents soar, they trained up a safety Rep and then there were four.
Four union members saw safety boots arrive, held a workplace meeting and then there were five.
Five union members in spite of management’s tricks improved the workplace safety and then there were six.
Six union members (the safety rep is Kevin) brought in working time regs and then there were seven.
Seven union members upped the hourly rate, stuck together in the ballot and then there were eight.
Eight union members on the picket line, showing solidarity and then there were nine.
Nine union members all of them were men, impressed the women workers and then there were ten.