Wallace & Gromit Head For Gaza

On Sunday 22nd November a Bristol-based group unveiled a 44 ton articulated truck for a convoy to Gaza this winter. This truck has been decorated with Banksy-style murals and the much-loved Bristol characters – Wallace & Gromit. The convoy will travel 5,000 miles across Europe carrying badly needed medical and humanitarian aid. Also included are drivers & skilled professionals… Click here to read more on Bristol Indymedia, and here to go to the Bristol Gaza Link networking site.

[Photo credit: Bristol Gaza Link]

Nick Davies To Speak In Bristol

This year’s Tony Benn lecture will take place at The Arnolfini on Thursday 27th November: “Nick Davies, award-winning Guardian investigative journalist and author delivers the fourth in this series of annual lectures, hosted by the National Union of Journalists and Arnolfini, which aim to open up a public conversation about the most important media issues of our time. Nick has been named Journalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year for his investigations into crime, drugs, poverty and other social issues. His recent book Flat Earth News lifts the lid off falsehood, distortion and propaganda in the global media.” Click here for more information including booking.

Photo credit: Arnolfini

Jerry Hicks Announces Unite Candidacy

Local trade union activist Jerry Hicks has announced his intention to stand for the post of General Secretary of the Unite union. It’s unclear whether he will be the only left candidate in next year’s election – at the present time it seems likely that United Left will continue with their plans to stand Len McCluskey as a candidate. But with his grass-roots approach Jerry will certainly win significant support amongst sections of the rank and file. Last year his successful legal challenge resulted in a second place finish in the contest for head of the Amicus section of the union. You can read his campaign leaflet here.

South West NUJ Launch Petition

The South West region of the NUJ have launched an online petition protesting against job cuts and worsening conditions. The petition acknowledges the continuing importance of collective action, and goes on to call on local MPs and MEPs to support the journalists in resisting attacks by the bosses:

“We condemn the latest round of job and budget cuts in the region’s profitable media companies as a further erosion of the ability of journalists to properly serve their communities, and an attack on democratic accountability, media plurality and quality. For journalists the cuts not only mean a loss of jobs but longer hours, increased workloads and rising incidences of stress and bullying. For freelance journalists the cuts mean less work and lower rates.”

You can read the full text and sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/southwestmediapledge/index.html

Posties: London Division Calls For Strike

Various blogs are reporting the following news from the National Shop Stewards Network, which will be of interest to Bristol postal workers:

“At this afternoon’s meeting of the London Divisional Committee it was reported that after some six meetings with London Royal Mail they are still refusing to honour the full terms of the interim agreement. All they want to do is make more cuts and introduce “absorption” without re-engaging about the changes they have already imposed with regard to job cuts, revisions, part-timers, belated hours, rest day hours, 4-day weeks etc in line with the agreement.

It is clear that London Management want to continue to punish, bully, intimidate and harass our members for daring to stand up to them and defend our terms and conditions. The London Division has therefore unanimously agreed to demand that the national union, when it meets on Tuesday, announce national strike action. This is a national agreement they’re breaking, it’s a national union, therefore it requires national action.”

[Original source:  Solidarity Magazine Blog]

Bristol Airport Expansion On Hold

The Evening Post has reported that Bristol Airport’s environment-wrecking expansion plans have hit a slight delay:

“Bristol International Airport bosses will have to wait until February to hear whether their £150 million expansion plans will get the green light. A decision from North Somerset Council on the airport’s proposal had been expected on December 9. But councillors will now have extra time to digest the plans to increase annual passenger traffic to 10 million by 2016 from the current level of six million a year.”

You can read the full story here. Sounds like this is the perfect time to get involved in the campaign to stop the expansion in its tracks. You can access the campaign website here:  Stop Bristol Airport Expansion.

[Photo: Stop Bristol Airport Expansion]

Peace Vigil Marks 8th Anniversary

A vigil on Friday 13th November was called opposite the Hippodrome by Bristol Stop the War Coalition to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan.  The fact that so many people turned out on what was a filthy night accurately reflected the growing public revulsion for the continuing occupation of Afghanistan.  The arrest of Lance Corporal Joe Glenton a few days earlier for the “crime” of having told the truth about the war and led the recent march in London against the war also focused minds, and people spoke in warm support of his courageous stand, contrasting this with the cowardice of those top brass and political leaders who persist with the immoral occupation of Afghanistan.

[Thanks to Giles for this report]

Campaign Against Climate Change

Climate change affects all of us. Bristol Campaign Against Climate Change are meeting later this month to build for the national demo on 5th December. See below for meeting flyer – click on it to access a larger version, or see the Events page for more information.

Bristol Campaign Against Climate Change

Postal Workers – Update

Bristol Postal Workers Support Group met last week to discuss what to do in light of recent developments around the strike. It was decided that there would be a recall meeting in January to review the situation, but in the meantime the Group would be keeping a careful eye on local and national developments and will call an emergency meeting if things kick off again. For further information contact Jerry Hicks on 07817 827912 or Linda Nunns on 07806 772682. For the latest news on the national situation, visit the CWU website: http://www.cwu.org/.