Party Notes

22nd June 2015

Sign up now for Marxism 2015 at http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/ — and ask everyone who came on Saturday, and everyone you know to come

After the great march
It’s just over two weeks until Marxism starts. Follow up immediately everyone who left their contact details on Saturday. Do it today! If you have not yet booked your own ticket – please do so on www.marxismfestival.org.uk or call the Marxism office on 020 7819 1190.

Day tickets are available as are tickets for the debate on Syriza between Stathis Kouvelakis and Alex Callinicos.

The 250,000-strong People’s Assembly demonstration on Saturday in London shows the potential to throw back the Tories’ assault.

Less than 50 days after the general election, a quarter of a million took to the streets in a lively, young and angry protest. There were tens of thousands of people on their first demo, as well as campaigners and trade unionists. It was a very significant day.

It was a statement of intent. We will try to make it impossible for the Tories to govern us for five years. We will not meekly let them destroy our lives. Considerable numbers of marchers agreed we must fight for a socialist future of people before profit.

See the SW article at http://tinyurl.com/n9tvwhh —and lots more in this week’s paper.

We sold around 1,000 SWs on the London demo, and hundreds more on the coaches. Just a flavour:
Birmingham SW sales 10, 3, 3, 7, 8 on its five coaches.
Manchester 40 SWs on the coaches
Norwich 24 on four coaches,5 on the Great Yarmouth coach
York 35 SWs on the way to London
Chesterfield 25 SWs on two coaches

31 people joined the SWP on the demo, including eight on direct debit. Nearly 40 people left their details to find out more about the party. There are many others who are interested! Go back to everyone you have details of from Saturday for Marxism 2015 and the party.

Meanwhile Scottish comrades sold over 330 papers at the Glasgow STUC/PA demo of up to 10,000 over the day (it was a static protest rather than a march).

Now we need to follow up the demo:

1. Build People’s Assemblies everywhere: we need a PA in every town and city. If there is one in your area, get centrally involved in it. If there isn’t one, set one up with the people who marched on Saturday. Every PA needs an organising meeting in the next couple of weeks to draw in the new people who took to the streets. The PAs will build the national initiatives but also be a focus for the networks of resistance in your locality and forum for discussion about the way forward.

2. Protest on Wednesday 8 July when George Osborne announces his emergency budget. Events are already announced in:
Bristol 8 July, Protest 5:30pm, The Fountains
Cardiff 8 July, Pots and pans protest 5.30pm, Castle Lawn, Duke Street
London 8 July, Protest 5.30pm Parliament
Newcastle Tuesday 7 July, Protest 5pm, Grey's Monument

Make sure there is a protest in your area. Contact others involved in the PA or from the coaches on Saturday, organise it now and spread the word far and wide.

3. Demonstrate at the Tory Party conference, Manchester, Sunday 4 October, followed by week of action. This will be a major focus. Already some areas have people booked up for it. Plymouth had meetings on the coaches home on Saturday and 49 people say they want to come—even though it means leaving the day before!

4. The demo needs to be the launchpad for the fightback we need—militant resistance to cuts, local assemblies to coordinate the struggle, explosive action by young people. All of these are important. But the most powerful weapon we have is strikes. If Tube workers strike, it could effectively bring the capital to a halt just as Osborne announces his latest assault. We have to put pressure on the union leaders. The resistance also needs a political face, which is why we push for a more united left. And we need a stronger revolutionary core to all the fightbacks—come to Marxism 2015, join the debates, build the SWP.

5. We can grow: the thousands of young people on Saturday are looking for political ideas that explain the world and help to change it. Marxism 2015 is the obvious focus, but we can also build our meetings and branches.
A new branch is being created in Scarborough! Kim reports, “Ten people discussed 'Arguments for revolution' at Scarborough's first SWP meeting for about a decade last week. A lively discussion ranged from austerity to animal rights, and two papers and two copies of Arguments for revolution were sold. A small collection was raised for the National Gallery strikers. Attendees said they would like to come again. Just as important, our four members here feel consolidated as a group. We plan to meet regularly”.

Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader: There was real support on Saturday for Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign for Labour leader. We should push our unions to back him. We are for an alternative to Labour, not trying to “reclaim” Labour, so we are not signing up as Labour supporters. But we want a major political argument that the affiliated unions must vote for the most left-wing candidate.

Marxism 2015—two weeks to go!
Marxism 2015: Ideas for revolution
A five day political festival: 9-13 July 2015, Central London
Book up www.marxismfestival.org.uk
Just over two weeks to go!
• Follow up every contact from the People’s Assembly Demo asap
• Ring every member and non member you know
• Ring every member and non member who has booked for Marxism to check on practicalities.
Marxism takes place just three weeks after the magnificent People’s Assembly demo. It will be the place for activists to come together and discuss what next? How can we build resistance against the Tories? What sort of left do we need? What can we learn from the experience of other countries?

We gave out thousands of Marxism timetables on the demo. We will be contacting all those who joined the SWP, left their contact details for more information or on a petition today about booking. Make sure you do the same with all local contacts.

Keep building Marxism and pushing out: This is a big week for bookings. With only two weeks to go districts outside London need to chase up every contact, new member or student so that practicalities can be arranged. And London districts need to think big and wide. Poster your area, get publicity into shops, cafes and bars. Set up ring rounds of new members, members who pay subs and non-members who came last year plus new contacts.

Don’t forget students There is still time to go to your local 6th form. Again follow up any contacts straight away.

Strikers Rate – we are offering a special rate for Marxism for anyone on strike – use the attached flyer on picket lines

Stalls and crèche at Marxism 2015 We ask every comrade to help in some way at Marxism to enable the smooth running of the event. Please check out the attached stall rota and an updated crèche rota. Please get names of comrades who can help on an SWP stall to Ben in circulation and names for those helping with the crèche to Antony on amth4@hotmail.co.uk

Picnics at Marxism 2015 Every district needs to make sure there is a picnic set up for lunch time and in the evening break. This is crucial in making sure those on low incomes can eat, but also means activists and members can come together. It needs to be organized in advance with comrades taking responsibility for each meal time. Why not do what Leeds is doing and bring your own gazebo and tables for it. There is plenty of room on the grassy areas around the Institute of Education. Districts should decide where they will have their picnic and make sure everyone knows. Make posters to advertise it at Marxism.

Transport and other practicalities – ring every person who has booked this week The Marxism Organiser and Branch Secretary in every branch should ring everyone booked for Marxism to check how they are getting there. Unless we do this there may be some people who don’t end up coming. Plus check if their accommodation is sorted and if they know where to meet comrades at Marxism. We will send full lists of bookings out to each district this week.

Fundraising for Marxism 2015 In order to ensure that students, unemployed, those on benefits, low paid workers and asylum seekers to come and participate in Marxism every branch and district needs to think about money for travel, food and other things that are needed in London. Every area should have a fundraising event to make sure that people can be supported at Marxism. Why not hold a BBQ and charge for food or drink? Or a curry night? Please let us know any planned event.

Accommodation at Marxism 2015: have you got any room at all? In order to enable people to attend Marxism from around the country (and indeed the world) comrades very generously open up their houses to provide space for people to stay. Without this we could not run Marxism in the way that we do. Thank you to all comrades who have already said they can accommodate someone.

Although we book community centres where many people will stay, this is not appropriate for older people, or those with specific requirements.
Please note the deadline for accommodation for those with specific requirements has gone. Any accommodation requests will now be in the community centre.
But we desperately need more spaces – please let us know if you have any space at all – be it a bed, sofa or floor space. Email sarahb@swp.org.uk or call 020 7819 1190

No the anti-union laws: UTR forum Thurs 2 July
London “Defend our unions” Unite the Resistance forum, Thursday 2 July, 6.30pm, The Venue, Student central (previously ULU), Malet Street, WC1E 7HY.

Following Saturday’s brilliant demonstration the mood to take the Tories on is building.

A growing number of unions are signing up to a fight against the new anti-union laws with calls for a mass demonstration on the day legislation comes to parliament winning support (see report on Unison conference).

As part of the push to oppose the laws Unite the Resistance is holding a major meeting with PCS General secretary Mark Serwotka, John McDonnell MP, Chris Stephens MP (SNP), NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet, Green Party Deputy leader Amelia Womack, Dave Smith (author of Blacklisted), National President of BFAWU Ian Hodson, sacked National gallery rep Candy Udwin and Sean Vernell from Unite the Resistance.

Key disputes like the Glasgow Homelessness caseworkers strike will also be represented. It’s crucial that we are fighting to make this meeting as big as possible.
Download the latest leaflet at http://uniteresist.org/2015/06/latest-line-up-and-colour-leaflet-for-def...
Branch meetings in London are cancelled on Thursday 2 July because of this meeting. Those on 1 July will go ahead. London branches will receive meeting leaflets this week.

Come to London Pride, this Saturday, 27 June
Pride will be even more important this year because of the film Pride, the focus on Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners and the anger that corporations will be at the head of Pride rather than LGSM and the unions. See the letter to the Guardian at http://tinyurl.com/nldb5d8

Every London branch must send at least two comrades to join our participation. Meet at 10.30am at the corner of Baker Street and George Street—just down from Baker Street station.
If you are coming, please email charlie@swp.org.uk

A message from Nicola Field, one of the “original” Lesbians ands Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group
“Pride in London on 27 June will be absolutely crammed with trade unionists and young people determined to overturn the commercialisation of the march and put the boot in the Tories who have used their power to twist our movement into a money-making hedonism zone for corporations.

“SWP comrades are warmly invited and requested by me to come to Pride and help turn that anger into a political force.

“Can you help? I think you will really enjoy it, so please come and help. Nicola Field nicola@nicolafield.co.uk”

No to privatisation, defend Candy Udwin
STRIKE CALENDAR
22-27, 30 June, 1-2 July Picket lines 9-11am everyday

Debate in Parliament on National gallery dispute, Thursday 25 June There will be a debate in the House of Commons about the National Gallery Dispute between 4 and 5pm on Thursday. Join the strikers at 3.15pm opposite the Houses of Parliament for a lobby and then attend the debate. Strikers are asking everyone to email their MP urgently to ask them to attend the debate and if they are sympathetic to intervene. Find your MPs email address here. Model email at http://tinyurl.com/qbl327o

FRIDAY 26 JUNE PROTEST AND STRIKE PARTY There will be a protest on Friday night 5pm at the Gallery followed by a Solidarity Strike Party, 6.30pm Temple Bar, the Strand.

SATURDAY 27 JUNE LONDON PRIDE Join strikers on the LGSM contingent on the march and afterwards at a Picket Line Party outside the National Gallery

REINSTATE CANDY UDWIN Day of Action Thursday 2 July, the date for Candy’s Appeal against dismissal - watch this space. Outside London organise a solidarity protest or a collection. Director Nicholas Penny who received a knighthood last week will hear Candy’s Appeal against dismissal. You can click to send a Freedom of Information request to ask the same question Candy was sacked for!

Collections Please help collect money to support the strikers (Collection sheet attached). Let us know if you would like strikers to help.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KYY...
Other ways to donate here

Tube strike can be a major focus
London Underground strike set to shut down the capital on 8 July! Last week saw an incredible strike vote returned by tube drivers in the ASLEF union. Over 97 percent voted for strikes (on an 81 percent turnout) in a dispute over the company’s decision to try to force through new night-shift and weekend rosters for no extra pay.

ASLEF’s has announced a 24 hour strike from 21.30 on 8 July that will see the entire tube network shut down.
Drivers in RMT are also balloting to take part in the strike—their ballot ends 30 June.

The strike is not just about the pay and conditions of tube drivers, though these are obviously important. The strike can be a very important development ideologically as millions are questioning how we can take on the Tories.

That means in London, every SWP branch and member need to start thinking about how we can create the broadest solidarity on the day as possible. We need to transfer the spirit of the “Solidarity breakfasts” from the NHS strikes and take similar initiatives on the day, inviting local trades council activists, community campaigns, students, trade unionists and Unite the Resistance and People’s Assembly contacts to join solidarity events.

Outside London, comrades should raise solidarity for the strike in every union branch and workplace, doing collections, sending messages of support, getting people together on the day for “solidarity selfie” pictures etc.

Strikes in FE colleges TOMORROW
UCU members strike for jobs, Tuesday 23 June
UCU members at FE Colleges across London are set to strike tomorrow (Tuesday 23 June) against job losses. Lambeth, Hackney, CoNEL, College of North West London, Westminster Kingsway, South Thames (Merton branch), Greenwich, Croydon and LeSoCo are all taking action.
There will be a London-wide demonstration assembling at LeSoCO Waterloo site, 1pm, 25 The Cut, London SE1 8LF

Demonstrate against the fascists
The fascist group Britain First, has announced that it will demonstrate in Luton on Saturday 27 June.

Luton UAF is calling a counter-protest against Britain First, assembling at 12 noon, Saturday 27 June, at Luton station. See http://uaf.org.uk/2015/06/luton-antifascists-urge-support-for-demo-again...

On Saturday 4 July, a group of hardcore Nazis is planning an anti-Semitic demonstration in Golders Green, which has a substantial Jewish population. UAF has called a counter-mobilisation at 12 noon at Golders Green. Go to www.facebook.com/events/1605505026359940/

Also on Saturday 4 July, antifascists will be mobilising in Sheffield against the English Defence League. There is also a unity event on 27 June.

Unison conference—a mood to fight
Unison conference: Delegates express the mood to fight
The Unison Local Government and National Delegate conferences were infected by the anger against Tory austerity and by the presence throughout of both the Glasgow Homelessness Caseworkers and the sacked SECC (the conference venue) Unison rep Robert O’Donnell.

The mood to resist Tory attacks grew over the week. An emergency motion calling for a national protest at the Tory party conference and for protests against the anti-trade union laws at parliament on the first reading of the bill was passed.

Over 80 delegates attended a Salford City Unison initiated emergency meeting on pay on Saturday night, up to 100 came to an SWP fringe meeting on “Why did Labour lose?” on Sunday and 200 attended a Tower Hamlets Unison initiated fringe meeting (backed by 20 branches) on the fight against austerity on the Tuesday night.

A big Reclaim the Union meeting of conference delegates voted to select a united left candidate for a possible upcoming General Secretary election.

With Socialist Party candidate Roger Bannister stating that he would not abide by any decision the meeting took the vote was between Karen Reissmann and Paul Holmes. After a constructive debate Karen was selected.
• Around 70 delegates attended a TUSC fringe meeting, we sold 418 SWs and ten delegates joined the SWP.

Sisi, the butcher of Egypt is coming to London!
Disgustingly David Cameron has invited Egypt’s blood-stained president Abdel Fateh El-Sisi for talks in Britain. The date has not yet been announced, but it could be as early as next month. There will be protests around the theme of “Wanted for murder, torture and abduction. No red carpet welcome for Egypt's dictator.” A statement against the visit will be out soon. For updates go to http://egyptsolidarityinitiative.org/

Day of action against benefit cuts & bedroom tax
Osborne’s emergency budget on 8 July will announce where the axe will fall on the £12 billion of benefit cuts. As well as protests on the day called by the Peoples’ Assembly, last weekend’s Tenants and Housing summit in London, called for a national day of action on Sat 25 July against what will be devastating cuts and the bedroom tax. We should contact bedroom tax activists, local DPAC supporters and ask the local People’s Assembly to back it. Go for local protests, mass leafleting with megaphones etc

Manchester: Protest the Tory Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, 12noon, Thurs 25 June, The Conference Centre, Manchester (GMex). Hosted by the Anti Bedroom Tax Federation and supported by Manchester Peoples Assembly & Manchester Trades Council

Workplace Notes
Ninewells Solidarity: To make a contribution to the Dundee porters strike fund, please send it to: Porters Strike Fund, Unite Office, 110 Blackness Road, Dundee, DD1 5PB, cheques made payable to Unite. Facebook Support Ninewells Porters

Glasgow Homeless Caseworkers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlasgowHomelessCaseworkersStrike?fref=ts Send messages of solidarity and invite a striker to speak at a trade union or campaign meeting enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk Donate to the strike fund: Unity Bank, Sort code 08-60-01, Account number 20275792, Account name “Industrial Action—Income”.

Support Robert O’Donnell Over recent years the SECC (venue for several union conferences), which is 91 percent owned by Glasgow City Council, has refused to recognise trade unions. Now it has sacked union member Robert O’Donnell. Send protest emails. Details at http://tinyurl.com/qgbcfwe

NUJ Newsquest strike: 12 days starting this Thursday! The NUJ chapel at Newsquest titles in south London has called a 12-day strike over redundancies, staffing levels and pay. The strikes continue until 23.59 on Wednesday 1 July. PICKET LINE: The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS (Very near Sutton train station)