The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition says:
“No to Cuts and Privatisation!
Make the Bosses pay!”
TUSC stands in opposition to public spending cuts and privatisation, calls for investment in publicly owned and controlled renewable energy, the repeal of the anti-trade union laws, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Read more ...
TUSC has had hundreds of declarations of support. You can sponsor TUSC as an individual trade unionist or socialist, or apply for your organisation to join TUSC.
Read more ...
TUSC has no big business sponsorship. TUSC is a coalition for the millions not millionaires. Every donation to TUSC strengthens our fight for a better future. Read more ...
Printed and published by TUSC, 17 Colebert House, Colebert Avenue, London E1 4JP
Telephone: 020 7702 8667
email: info@tusc.org.uk
Press: 07984 027754
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.29
23 January 2012
TUSC Election campaign Conference
Saturday 28 January 2012,
11:00am – 4:00pm, University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY:
ULU Contact page
11-00am to 1-30pm: How can local councillors fight the cuts?
Cllr Dave Nellist , Michael Lavalette and Nick Wrack to speak for ten minutes each, followed by a ‘Question Time’ format discussion, to try and answer the many questions that are continually raised around this issue and introduce the draft local elections policy platform (appended below).
2-00pm to 4-00pm: Organising an election campaign
Maxine Bowler, Hannah Sell, and Pete McClaren to speak for ten minutes each, followed by discussion...
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.28
9 January 2012
TUSC election conference
Saturday 28 January 2012,
11:00am – 4:00pm,
University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY: ULU Contact page
This is a conference open to all supporters of TUSC, candidates and agents, and those still considering whether to stand in the local elections on 3 May 2012. The conference will be divided into two sections:
How can local councillors fight the cuts?
To answer the many questions that are continually raised around this issue and as an introduction to the draft policy platform
Organising an election campaign:
To give some guidance to the prospective candidates and/or their agents
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.27
12 December 2011
This will be the last bulletin before Christmas. Have a good break. The first bulletin in the New Year will be out on Monday 9 January 2012.
The turnout on 30 November was magnificent. Public sector workers showed they are determined to resist the austerity plans of this government. Why should they pay more, work longer and get less?
The government wants to divide public sector and private sector workers over pensions, pay and working conditions. But we won’t allow them to pit one against the other in the race to the bottom.
Private sector workers in pension struggle too
Some 2,500 Unilever workers walked out on strike last week in protest at the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods conglomerate’s decision to close its final salary pension scheme, replacing it with a hybrid offering less generous benefits: http://on.ft.com/skJXWG
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.26
28 November 2011
TUSC News
All out on Nov 30th!
TUSC members, supporters and branches will be out in force on Wednesday supporting the public sector workers pensions strike – on the picket lines, and on marches and Rallies all over the country showing solidarity and giving out information about TUSC – the organisation providing both a political and trade union response to the cuts
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.25
14 November 2011
TUSC News
Preparing for 30 November – order your postcards now!
We want to have the biggest possible presence for TUSC on the 30 November picket lines and protests.
We will be printing tens of thousands of the TUSC Election postcard that proved so successful on the 26 March demo.
We do need donations to help pay for the cost of the cards so lets call it £2 per hundred. Make cheques payable to TUSC and send your orders to: TUSC, 17 Colebert House, Colebert Avenue, London E1 4JP
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.24
31 October 2011
TUSC News
Preparing for 30 November – order your postcards now!
Blue scholars sing proletariat blues ‘We never get paid what our labour is worth’: http://bit.ly/vkhgQZ
?Some physics and maths: The capitalist network that runs the world: http://bit.ly/qxqrTn
?51 per cent believe that the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy London Stock Exchange protestors are right to want to call time on a system that puts profit before people: http://bit.ly/vDxF6N
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.23
17 October 2011
Start planning now for next May’s elections - 30 weeks to go
As millions of public sector workers prepare for what could be the biggest day of strike action since the 1926 general strike, it is important that the political truth of N30 is driven home.
The attack on public sector pensions is being led by a Tory Chancellor, George Osborne, and a Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, working to a ‘reform report’ prepared by the ex-cabinet minister, John Hutton, who is still a Labour member of the House of Lords. Who is speaking up for workers?
RUGBY TUSC PUBLIC MEETING
THE FIGHT AGAINST ALL CUTS GOES ON - SAVE OUR SERVICES – FIGHT FOR THE ALTERNATIVE!
RUGBY UNITED RAILWAY CLUB, Railway Terrace (corner of Spring St)
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26 at 7pm
SPEAKERS:
BOB CROW General Secretary, RMT and TUSC National Steering Ctte
JANE NELLIST Secretary, Coventry NUT & Coventry Anti Cuts Ctte
STEVE ROBERTS Chair Warwks Fire Brigades Union (FBU) & Rugby TUSC
JODIE HANNIS Youth Fight for Jobs/Jarrow March for jobs
CHAIR: PETE McLAREN Prospective TUSC Candidate Lawford&Kings Newnham
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.22
3 October 2011
As benefit changes and economic crisis mean a sharp rise in people depending on charity to eat http://bit.ly/pkF5VT and new research showing that one in four earn less than a living wage http://gu.com/p/32atc/tw
Leading London RMT and FBU reps call for anti-cuts candidates in 2012 GLA elections
'Dear Sister/Brother, We believe that in next year’s Greater London Assembly elections there must be trade union and socialist candidates who oppose all the cuts being forced through by the Con-Dem government. We cannot support Labour’s policy that some cuts are necessary but should be implemented more slowly. We deplore Ed Miliband’s criticism of millions of trade union members who are ready to strike over pensions...' For the full letter on this website click here. If you live or work in Greater London download the petition and add your name.
Greater London Assembly elections May 2012
1 October 2011
A call to support anti-cuts candidates from Steve Hedley,
Ian Leahair,
John Reid and Ben Sprung, (RMT, FBU)
Dear Sister/Brother,
We
believe that in next year’s Greater London Assembly elections there must be
trade union and socialist candidates who oppose all the cuts being forced
through by the Con-Dem government...
- Download this appeal as a print quality pdf
- Download the petition
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.21
19 September 2011
Cartoon of the month: http://bit.ly/qRpMBe
November 30 – all out to defend pensions and the welfare state
Matt Wrack, (pictured left) General Secretary of the FBU writes: 'The attacks firefighters and other public sector workers face on pensions are truly unprecedented. We have had battles over pensions before, but the range of attacks we are facing today and the scale of the attack on our living standards has never been seen before.' For article see: http://bit.ly/rn9xre
TUSC will have a national leaflet for the day. An order form will be in an October bulletin.
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.20
5 September 2011
The TUSC fortnightly bulletin emerges from its August holiday break. We hope all our readers had a good rest and are ready for Autumn and everything it brings.
We welcome all new readers. Please distribute this bulletin to your e-mail lists. To subscribe to the bulletin directly, e-mail tuscbulletin@yahoo.co.uk To get involved with TUSC campaigns visit: http://tusc.org.uk/support.php
Can you help us with the bulletin and building TUSC?
We need lots of help to spread news of TUSC and what it is trying to do. Send us news and reports for the bulletin. Seen something in the media you think needs to be shared? Send it to us. tuscbulletin@yahoo.co.uk.
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.19
1 August 2011
TUSC News
The following resolution on the upcoming GLA elections was passed (unammended,as far as tuscbulletin knows when going to press) at the July Regional Council meeting of the London Transport Regional Council of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union:
GLA Elections - submitted by Neasden Branch
This branch/Region supports the growing anti-cuts movement and we realise that a successful movement will require an industrial political strategy. We realise that all three major political parties, including Labour, are making cuts in local authorities in London.
The London elections for the Greater London Assembly and mayor present an opportunity for a trade union based anti-cuts challenge involving community and trade union campaigns. This could take place under the name of Trade Unionists Against Cuts, a registered name of the Trade Unionists and Socialists Coalition (TUSC)...
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.18
22 July 2011
Report from TUSC candidates conference
60 people attended the TUSC conference on 16 July called for candidates and campaign organisers to review the local election campaign and look ahead to next year. A consultative vote was taken on a ‘framework plan for developing TUSC into 2012’ and on a motion from the Rugby branch of TUSC. Both were passed without opposition. Both can be found here: http://www.tusc.org.uk/framework.php.
It was agreed that there will be ‘a conference by the end of 2011 open to local TUSC steering committees, delegates from trade union branches and other local groups who are planning to stand candidates in the 2012 local elections’ to coordinate electoral challenges and plan the campaign. There may have to be a separate conference specifically to deal with the GLA/Mayoral elections.
A framework plan for developing TUSC into 2012
20 July 2011
The proposals below have been circulated amongst the TUSC steering committee with general agreement. However, some trade union members of the steering committee want to discuss them further amongst TUSC supporters within their unions before they formally endorse them. In accordance with the federal character of TUSC therefore, they are still draft proposals waiting for agreement by the constituent parts of the coalition.
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has now been in existence for 18 months.
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.17
4 July 2011
Serwotka flattens Tory Boy Maude on BBC Today programme on pension strikes. http://bbc.in/l1nY2j and Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, gave it to Miliband at Westminster Central Hall rally. She said:
‘I am pleased we are not affiliated to Labour, the response of Ed Miliband has been a disgrace. He should be ashamed of himself. If our strike is a mistake, what has he done to oppose this devastating attack on our pensions? If the opposition will not defend our pensions, we will.’
Hundreds of thousands went on strike and demonstrated on 30 June. City and town centres across the country saw large rallies against the planned pension reforms.
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.16
20 June 2011
Class struggle in Greece: ‘the slogan that is relevant and mature today is rupture, overthrow and disengagement from the European Union’ see here: http://bit.ly/iJKmxA
Agenda for the Conference of TUSC candidates
and campaign organisers
Saturday 16th July, 11am - 4pm, ULU, Malet Street, WC1E 7HY
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.15
6 June 2011
Greek protestors occupy finance ministry as general strike is called for June16 http://huff.to/lTS2fl and hold mass demonstrations http://bit.ly/iU36Tq
TUSC Conference
After May - anti-cuts campaigning and the elections.
What next for TUSC?
University of London Union
11am to 4pm
Saturday 16 July 2011
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.14
23 May 2011
Spanish square austerity protests grow by the hour.
Thousands of people have massed in city centres across the country in a swelling movement that began on May 15, the biggest spontaneous protests since the property bubble exploded in 2008 and plunged Spain into a recession. Click here for Youtube video. Click here for report and click here for pictures. Live streaming from Puerto del Sol can be found here.
TUSC calls conference on 16 July in London to plan strategy for year ahead to 2012 elections – 10.30 registration for 11am start.
12 May 2011
The following results for TUSC candidates in late-counting Town Council elections have now been received. With these figures included, the total vote for TUSC candidates in the English local elections on May 5th was 26,765.
South East;
Dover Town Council
Buckland ---
--- Peter McHugh ---
Lab 880; Lab 834; Lab 834; Ind 715; TUSC 366 (10.1%)
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No.13
9 May 2011
Well done to all trade unionists and socialists who campaigned and stood for TUSC at the 2011 local elections in England. We achieved some good results.
We also won respectable votes in places where TUSC had never stood before. Even where we scored low for the most part this was because comrades had stood as widely as possible to introduce TUSC to as many voters as possible - this itself is a platform to build on.
Below is a preliminary report on the election results. The results will be discussed at the TUSC Steering Committee on Monday 9 May. A report will follow that meeting.
The TUSC local election results - a preliminary report
6 May 2011
Total number of candidates: 143
In addition to the 143 Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates in the May 2011 UK local elections, there were 18 Socialist Alternative candidates in Coventry and eight Democratic Labour Party candidates in Walsall who have endorsed the TUSC local elections policy platform but are appearing on the ballot paper under their established electoral names.
In Leicester, there were also four candidates of the Unity for Peace and Socialism party, and a mayoral candidate, who stood on a common platform with the TUSC candidates in the city. Their votes are also recorded here.
Councils in which TUSC candidates contested a seat: 47
The political composition of the council before the May 5th elections is indicated in parentheses
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 12
Monday 25 April 2011
Andrew Lansley reacts to hearing that the PM has cooled to his proposed NHS reforms: http://bit.ly/hIG3aE
TUSC Election campaign news from around the country:
You can hear TUSC candidate Steve Score on local radio in Leicester arguing the case against the cuts and for socialism here: http://bit.ly/frCRkO and read about the launch of their election campaign here: http://bit.ly/htKD7v
2,000 doors knocked on in Sheffield Burngreave ward.
Maxine Bowler TUSC candidate in Sheffield writes ‘We have nearly finished putting out our second leaflet and have canvassed 2,000 houses in a ward that has 10,000 doors to knock on. We are getting there.’
Rugby TUSC report their meeting with Bob Crow and Alex Gordon on 14 April and that they ‘are a large way through delivering our first leaflet to 13,000 households, which will be virtually every house in the 7 wards...
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 11
Monday 11 April 2011
There will be 180 socialist and trade unionist candidates standing in over 50 council campaigns endorsing the TUSC elections policy platform.
The total number of TUSC candidates reached154 by the close of play. In addition, there are 18 Socialist Alternative candidates in Coventry and eight Democratic Labour Party candidates in Walsall who have endorsed the TUSC local elections policy platform. They are both appearing on the ballot paper under their established electoral names. There are also two Unity for Peace and Socialism ward candidates and a mayoral candidate standing on a common platform with the TUSC candidates in Leicester. TUSC candidates are contesting seats in 53 Councils.
Good luck to everyone…and remember, let us know about what is working in your campaign so we can learn from each other. E-mail tuscbulletin@yahoo.co.uk. You can click here to see the full list of candidates
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 10
Monday 28 March 2011
Short bulletin – less time due to the biggest working class show of strength in decades...Thanks to everyone who helped us to give out the TUSC postcard on the demo. They seemed to go down very well. If you would like some for your area please get in touch.
*Essential election information
*News of latest election results
*Bob and Matt get stuck into the opposition on Radio 4 and 5
*Help TUSC build a stronger Trade Unionist and Socialist electoral intervention
You’ve marched against the cuts – why not stand as an anti-cuts councillor in May?
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 9
Monday 14 March 2011
TUSC Flyer for TUC 26 March demonstration – get your order in
We have a flyer ready for the demonstration on the 26 March. It is postcard in size. Please let us have your order – there are at least 600 coaches already registered – you will need 50 for your coach. Let us have your name and address and we will send you what you need – please make a donation to cover costs at : http://www.tusc.org.uk/donate.php
We need volunteers to help us give the flyer out on the demo itself. CAN YOU HELP? Please get in touch via: tuscbulletin@yahoo.co.uk; 07812 063 408 or 020 8525 6616
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 8
Monday 28 February 2011
All over the world working people are revolting...
Wisconsin police join protest occupation inside State Capitol Read the background here, and an offer of solidarity from Egypt . The children of Lewes take to the streets (and Boots in particular) to : voice their displeasure at the tax dodgers
United Left Alliance makes break-through in Irish elections - Green Party vote collapses
The five newly elected TDs in the Alliance are Richard Boyd Barrett for the People before Profit Alliance, Joan Collins of the People before Profit Alliance, Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party, Clare Daly of the Socialist Party, and Seamus Healy of the Tipperary Unemployed and Works Action Group. Congratulations to one and all. Results here
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 7
Monday 14 February 2011
Egyptian workers striking for revolution: http://bit.ly/hduZuj - pictures
TUSC Election News
Standing in Southwark...
Brian Kelly is standing as a TUSC candidate in Brunswick Park ward in a by-election in the London Borough of Southwark. Brian is a well-known and respected trade unionist and socialist. As a Labour councillor (1982 - 90) he was prominent in the resistance to Thatcher’s cuts. He didn’t vote for cuts then and he won’t vote for cuts now. He is a life-long trade unionist and continues to represent workers in disciplinaries and grievances. Anyone in the London area is invited to come and help the campaign. All donations welcome. Visit http://southwarktusc.wordpress.com/
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 6
Monday 31 January 2011
The revolutionary wave reaches Egypt: http://bit.ly/gmUMHU - thanks to Tamer Shaaban
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) conference report: 'We need hundreds of challenges to job-cutting, services-axing councillors'
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition election conference on 22 January was attended by 150 people, and addressed by RMT transport union national executive member Owen Herbert, independent socialist councillor Michael Lavalette, and Clive Heemskirk.
Chaired by Coventry councillor Dave Nellist, it was agreed that TUSC needed hundreds of candidates to challenge job-cutting and services-axing councillors. Contributions from the audience included experiences from the 2010 election campaigns, discussion over how many seats TUSC should stand in this year and ways of promoting TUSC's profile.
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 5
Monday 17 January 2011
Students in Tunisia turn themselves into the word ‘freedom’: http://bit.ly/h2BuGj
TUC anti-cuts demo 26 March 2011
At its last meeting the TUSC steering committee agreed to produce a leaflet for the anti-cuts demo. This looks set to be the biggest Trade Union demonstration for many years. We need volunteers to help us distribute the TUSC leaflet both at the demonstration and on the transport to it. If you can help, please contact Will or Nick at TUSCbulletin@yahoo.co.uk
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Bulletin No. 4
3 January 2011
Happy New Year to all supporters and friends of TUSC - this first bulletin of 2011 is primarily a reminder about the TUSC conference on 22 January. We also need your help to get TUSC presence and programme out to all those who attend the TUC demonstration on 26 March:
TUC anti-cuts demo 26 March 2011
At its last meeting the TUSC steering committee agreed to produce a leaflet for the anti-cuts demo...
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition bulletin No. 3
22 December 2010
Happy New Year to all supporters and friends of TUSC - this first bulletin of 2011 is primarily a reminder about the TUSC conference on 22 January.
We also need your help to get TUSC presence and programme out to all those who attend the TUC demonstration on 26 March:
TUC anti-cuts demo 26 March 2011
At its last meeting the TUSC steering committee agreed to produce a leaflet for the anti-cuts demo...
TUSC Conference to discuss the 2011 council elections: registration form
21 December 2010
Saturday 22nd January
3-30pm to 6pm
St Pancras Community Centre,
30 Camden Street, NW1 0LG
There are limited places at the conference venue, and time will be very tight, so please try and return this registration form in advance.
Tuesday 20st April 2010
The working class and peoples
of Britain face a ruling class
offensive which will intensify over
the coming period.
It is an offensive against public services, incomes, living standards and trade union rights in order to boost monopoly profit. Not content with the banks receiving the biggest bail-out in the history of British capitalism, big business aims to make workers and their families pay to serve the interests, first and foremost, of the City of London’s financial institutions...