We’re encouraging members to take part in these events over the summer:
National Shop Stewards Network conference
The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) is holding its conference on Saturday 24 June in Conway Hall, London between 11am and 4.30pm. From the NSSN’s bulletin:
The last year has proven that striking works, but the cost of living squeeze on workers is unrelenting. Alongside how to build solidarity with the current strikes, key questions for discussion at the Network conference will therefore include:
• How can we be better prepared for inevitable future strikes?
• It is possible to ‘all strike together’ in a 24-hour general strike?
• How can we fight the threat from the latest Tory undemocratic anti-union ‘minimum service’ legislation?
Hundreds of thousands of workers have been on strike for the first time. Many hundreds if not thousands have become workplace reps or stewards for the first time. Our conference will bring together active rank-and-file trade unionists – both new and longstanding – from across the whole of the trade union movement, including every union that has been involved in strike action. All union members are very welcome to attend and to fully participate in the discussion.
You can register on the day or by emailing info@shopstewards.net. Members of Unite London Digital & Tech who attend can claim their attendance fee and travel expenses from the branch.
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival rally
Unite London & Eastern Region has chartered a coach to take members to the Tolpuddle festival rally on Sunday 16 July. Contact our branch secretary if you’d like to book a place on the coach.
Troublemakers At Work conference
The Troublemakers at Work conference is being held in Manchester on Saturday 29 July. The organisers write:
We need to bring together workers who have won improvements at work, taken strike action, and transformed weak unions into a strong voice for workers. Our event has a rank-and-file orientation: the labour movement is built and owned by the workers in it, not the paid officials or leaderships of unions. Join this event if you want to: win a pay rise, change something about your work, start a union at work, or kickstart an existing union at work!
Places are limited and we want to involve a diverse mix of workers. Free professional childcare is available and we will make our event as accessible as we can.
Our conference is organised by a democratic committee, without affiliation to political parties or particular unions. We are proudly supported by some serious organisations trying to build the most powerful workers movement possible, initially including Workers Can Win!, Strike Map and Organise Now!
Any branch members that would like to attend can get assistance with their ticket and travel expenses.
Basildon Pride
Basildon Pride is taking place on Saturday 2 September and we plan to take delegation along from the branch so get in touch if you’d like to be part of it!