Andy Burnham, whilst definitely an outsider in the race to be the next labour leader does have some good points to make about what the Labour Party has become and what it needs to do to make a difference again. He does actually talk about "inspirational socialism"; which is better than no mention at all, and a warning to the next leader to think about the socialist influences in the Labour Party in better times.
I reckon it will be a brotherly contest and with the major trade unions getting behind Ed Miliband, the chances are that he may just win it. i hope if it comes down to Ed or David, that Ed wins it.
]]>
Whilst I am not a Labour party member as I a have been Communist Party of Britain member since 1989 and proud to be so, I think that it is important that we all take note of who are standing in the Labour Party Leadership and the difference that could be made if one person won the election over another. Now it may be wrong to treat both of the Miliband brothers as identical in their objectives and views of the Party and the direction it is going. Also it is clear that Ed Balls is about as out of touch with the people of Britain as anyone can be short of Nick Clegg.
Andy Burnham, whilst definitely an outsider in the race to be the next labour leader does have some good points to make about what the Labour Party has become and what it needs to do to make a difference again. He does actually talk about "inspirational socialism"; which is better than no mention at all, and a warning to the next leader to think about the socialist influences in the Labour Party in better times.
I reckon it will be a brotherly contest and with the major trade unions getting behind Ed Miliband, the chances are that he may just win it. i hope if it comes down to Ed or David, that Ed wins it.
ray walker yesterday
Andy Burnham, whilst definitely an outsider in the race to be the next labour leader does have some good points to make about what the Labour Party has become and what it needs to do to make a difference again. He does actually talk about "inspirational socialism"; which is better than no mention at all, and a warning to the next leader to think about the socialist influences in the Labour Party in better times.
I reckon it will be a brotherly contest and with the major trade unions getting behind Ed Miliband, the chances are that he may just win it. i hope if it comes down to Ed or David, that Ed wins it.
]]>
Facebook is suing wee Teachbook over the term 'Book'. I just thought I'd blog about it, because I think this is a really great resource, and I wouldn't want to see it go through these problems!
Facebook is suing wee Teachbook over the term 'Book'. I just thought I'd blog about it, because I think this is a really great resource, and I wouldn't want to see it go through these problems!
]]>
Last Wednesday (August 18) the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union in its continued pursuit to ensure the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) and the Government of Guyana respect bauxite workers’ rights to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining made its case before the Black and Ethnic Advisory Committee of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) in London, United Kingdom. In the symposium organized by RMT to address this issue, Norman Browne, the Union’s UK representative made a presentation that highlighted the plight of the bauxite workers and the government’s response to the transgressions.
In presenting the Union’s position of the 10-month old dispute Browne pointed out the evident transgression of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act (1997) which expressly says "When a trade union obtains a certificate of recognition for workers comprised in a bargaining unit in accordance with this Part, the employer shall recognise the union, and the union and the employer shall bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining."
He highlighted the violation of the rights of the 57 workers who were placed on the breadline without due process. He also apprised the audience of the Minister of Labour’s responsibility under the Labour Laws of Guyana, Chapter 98:01 Section 4 (1) (a) (b) and (c) and the concerns of the Union at the tardiness of the Ministry of Labour in resolving the dispute, a dispute that has now become the longest running in the history of Guyana.
Dr Rupert Roopnarine, of the Working Peoples’ Alliance, was another main speaker at the event. In addressing the gathering he gave a historical perspective of the development of the trade union movement in Guyana and the political interference that saw a decline in the vibrancy of the Guyana Trades Union Congress and its umbrella unions.
Attendees at the symposium made known their concerns about the deterioration in Guyana and have given the commitment to the Union to stand by it in its struggle for the protection of rights and the upholding of the rule of law. Leaders and representatives from several organizations in the UK were in attendance; among them were Tongarara Danni of the Pan African Voice in London and Kwabena Gyakye of the UK’s branch of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP).
Meantime, the leadership of the Union, Messrs Leslie Gonsalves and Carlton Sinclair along with Mr. Norris Witter, General Secretary (ag.), Guyana Trades Union Congress met with Labour Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir to discussed the impasse. In the metting of August 13 the Minister reaffirmed that the GB&GWU is still the recognized bargaining agent for workers employ at BCGI. He also gave his commitment that he is prepared to fulfill the agreement he made on June 18 with the Geneva based International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) to convene meeting between the union and the company with a view to have the issue resolved.
In the meanwhile the Union continues to take its fight against injustice to every corner of the globe. It remains steadfast in ensuring that the rights of each and every worker is respected and will not relent until such is achieved.
Last updated 8 days ago by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union
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Last Wednesday (August 18) the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union in its continued pursuit to ensure the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) and the Government of Guyana respect bauxite workers’ rights to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining made its case before the Black and Ethnic Advisory Committee of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) in London, United Kingdom. In the symposium organized by RMT to address this issue, Norman Browne, the Union’s UK representative made a presentation that highlighted the plight of the bauxite workers and the government’s response to the transgressions.
In presenting the Union’s position of the 10-month old dispute Browne pointed out the evident transgression of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act (1997) which expressly says "When a trade union obtains a certificate of recognition for workers comprised in a bargaining unit in accordance with this Part, the employer shall recognise the union, and the union and the employer shall bargain in good faith and enter into negotiations with each other for the purpose of collective bargaining."
He highlighted the violation of the rights of the 57 workers who were placed on the breadline without due process. He also apprised the audience of the Minister of Labour’s responsibility under the Labour Laws of Guyana, Chapter 98:01 Section 4 (1) (a) (b) and (c) and the concerns of the Union at the tardiness of the Ministry of Labour in resolving the dispute, a dispute that has now become the longest running in the history of Guyana.
Dr Rupert Roopnarine, of the Working Peoples’ Alliance, was another main speaker at the event. In addressing the gathering he gave a historical perspective of the development of the trade union movement in Guyana and the political interference that saw a decline in the vibrancy of the Guyana Trades Union Congress and its umbrella unions.
Attendees at the symposium made known their concerns about the deterioration in Guyana and have given the commitment to the Union to stand by it in its struggle for the protection of rights and the upholding of the rule of law. Leaders and representatives from several organizations in the UK were in attendance; among them were Tongarara Danni of the Pan African Voice in London and Kwabena Gyakye of the UK’s branch of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP).
Meantime, the leadership of the Union, Messrs Leslie Gonsalves and Carlton Sinclair along with Mr. Norris Witter, General Secretary (ag.), Guyana Trades Union Congress met with Labour Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir to discussed the impasse. In the metting of August 13 the Minister reaffirmed that the GB&GWU is still the recognized bargaining agent for workers employ at BCGI. He also gave his commitment that he is prepared to fulfill the agreement he made on June 18 with the Geneva based International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) to convene meeting between the union and the company with a view to have the issue resolved.
In the meanwhile the Union continues to take its fight against injustice to every corner of the globe. It remains steadfast in ensuring that the rights of each and every worker is respected and will not relent until such is achieved.
Last updated 8 days ago by Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union
]]>
keep reading at www.StemCellsandAtomBombs.blogspot.com
]]>keep reading at www.StemCellsandAtomBombs.blogspot.com
]]>The Democrat, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, presided over new economic growth in the past year that saw the creation of 3,100 manufacturing jobs in mid-Michigan.
According to state government data, the return of mostly unionized manufacturing jobs to mid-Michigan outpaced job growth in all sectors. Industry analysts have been pleasantly surprised by the new jobs creation and link it directly to new growth in the auto sector. Right now, Bernero's city trails only Detroit in manufacturing jobs growth.
In the state as a whole, since the implementation of President Obama's recovery act, Michigan's high unemployment rate has fallen by more than 2 percentage points. Michigan Republicans uniformly opposed the recovery act, and other job-creating measures, claiming a "do nothing" approach would be better.
After a significant federally-financed bailout of two of the big three auto companies and the wildly popular "cash for clunkers" program last summer, Ford, GM and Chrysler have reported new profits in the billions. GM even has announced plans for a new stock sale to repay the government funds.
Clearly, however, the hard work and sacrifices Michigan working families have been most responsible for the turn around.
While some Michigan Republicans supported the auto bailout, most did not. As a potential candidate for the Republican nomination for governor last year, corporate executive Rick Snyder kept mum. In fact, he still has little to say, a stance that risks alienating the anti-bailout hysteria of the angry Tea Party base of the Michigan GOP.
On the other hand, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero earned a national reputation for his consistent defense of autoworkers and Michigan from attacks by the national mainstream media and the hacks who blamed workers for the collapse of the industry and Michigan's economy. Bernero criticized parts of the bailout plan that asked working families to take wage and benefit cuts to pay for bad corporate decisions that led to problem in the first place.
For this, the right-wing, big business media labeled him "America's Angriest Mayor," a nickname he now wears proudly.
In a recent interview on mid-Michigan talk radio, Bernero said, "What I was angry about was how the national pundits in news media were treating Michigan autoworkers."
"It really did get under my skin, they way they talked about autoworkers, the auto companies, and even the UAW," the son of a retired autoworker said. "I think there was just an unfair portrayal of our state."
Bernero pointed out also that during the crisis he helped organize a trip to Washington with other mayors whose towns and cities need a strong auto industry to fight for its revitalization.
Even as auto recovers, experts have noted that new job growth in Michigan hasn't been confined to auto. New jobs are being created in significant numbers in the bio-medical and renewable energy fields, both a special focus of outgoing Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D), who cannot run for reelection.
New economic growth has become increasingly diverse, reported Mark Bashore of East Lansing's WKAR radio. He cited the opening of plants in mid-Michigan that are making medical devices and wind energy products.
Meanwhile, GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder's record on jobs is less than appealing to Michigan workers still concerned about high unemployment. Michigan Democrats recently slammed Snyder for his role in sending jobs out of the country in the midst of Michigan's economic crisis. While an executive at Gateway Computers based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Snyder's company reportedly outsourced 20,000 jobs out of the country.
Even a report in the conservative Wall Street Journal recently questioned Snyder's own claims about his achievements in business, saying he didn't really create jobs as a venture capitalist and noting the "jury is still out" on the success of some of his business investments.
While Snyder correctly claims he can't be held responsible for every single one of the jobs outsourced by Gateway, he offered no criticism of his company for doing so. He has refused to provide a serious plan to recover those jobs, except to reward his old company, and others like it, with new tax breaks for killing jobs at the expense of an already overstretched state budget.
In fact, companies like Gateway Computers may have led the way in slowing economic growth on a national scale since the recession began. A new study out this week from the Commerce Department revealed that since the recession began in 2007, outsourcing companies have reduced the number of jobs in their U.S. operations by 2.1 percent while increasing their workforces in other countries by 1.1 percent. These small percentages add up to millions of lost jobs.
Fortunately, some of the loopholes in tax law that rewarded companies for moving jobs out of the country are being closed. As part of the recently passed state aid and teacher jobs bill - a bill opposed by every single Michigan Republican member of Congress - corporations will no longer be given tax breaks in the U.S. for creating jobs in other parts of the world.
While Michigan's working families aren't ready to sing "Happy Days are Here Again," the economy is pointed in the right direction, and they can ill afford to risk that future by voting for Snyder the outsourcer.
]]>The Democrat, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, presided over new economic growth in the past year that saw the creation of 3,100 manufacturing jobs in mid-Michigan.
According to state government data, the return of mostly unionized manufacturing jobs to mid-Michigan outpaced job growth in all sectors. Industry analysts have been pleasantly surprised by the new jobs creation and link it directly to new growth in the auto sector. Right now, Bernero's city trails only Detroit in manufacturing jobs growth.
In the state as a whole, since the implementation of President Obama's recovery act, Michigan's high unemployment rate has fallen by more than 2 percentage points. Michigan Republicans uniformly opposed the recovery act, and other job-creating measures, claiming a "do nothing" approach would be better.
After a significant federally-financed bailout of two of the big three auto companies and the wildly popular "cash for clunkers" program last summer, Ford, GM and Chrysler have reported new profits in the billions. GM even has announced plans for a new stock sale to repay the government funds.
Clearly, however, the hard work and sacrifices Michigan working families have been most responsible for the turn around.
While some Michigan Republicans supported the auto bailout, most did not. As a potential candidate for the Republican nomination for governor last year, corporate executive Rick Snyder kept mum. In fact, he still has little to say, a stance that risks alienating the anti-bailout hysteria of the angry Tea Party base of the Michigan GOP.
On the other hand, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero earned a national reputation for his consistent defense of autoworkers and Michigan from attacks by the national mainstream media and the hacks who blamed workers for the collapse of the industry and Michigan's economy. Bernero criticized parts of the bailout plan that asked working families to take wage and benefit cuts to pay for bad corporate decisions that led to problem in the first place.
For this, the right-wing, big business media labeled him "America's Angriest Mayor," a nickname he now wears proudly.
In a recent interview on mid-Michigan talk radio, Bernero said, "What I was angry about was how the national pundits in news media were treating Michigan autoworkers."
"It really did get under my skin, they way they talked about autoworkers, the auto companies, and even the UAW," the son of a retired autoworker said. "I think there was just an unfair portrayal of our state."
Bernero pointed out also that during the crisis he helped organize a trip to Washington with other mayors whose towns and cities need a strong auto industry to fight for its revitalization.
Even as auto recovers, experts have noted that new job growth in Michigan hasn't been confined to auto. New jobs are being created in significant numbers in the bio-medical and renewable energy fields, both a special focus of outgoing Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D), who cannot run for reelection.
New economic growth has become increasingly diverse, reported Mark Bashore of East Lansing's WKAR radio. He cited the opening of plants in mid-Michigan that are making medical devices and wind energy products.
Meanwhile, GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder's record on jobs is less than appealing to Michigan workers still concerned about high unemployment. Michigan Democrats recently slammed Snyder for his role in sending jobs out of the country in the midst of Michigan's economic crisis. While an executive at Gateway Computers based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Snyder's company reportedly outsourced 20,000 jobs out of the country.
Even a report in the conservative Wall Street Journal recently questioned Snyder's own claims about his achievements in business, saying he didn't really create jobs as a venture capitalist and noting the "jury is still out" on the success of some of his business investments.
While Snyder correctly claims he can't be held responsible for every single one of the jobs outsourced by Gateway, he offered no criticism of his company for doing so. He has refused to provide a serious plan to recover those jobs, except to reward his old company, and others like it, with new tax breaks for killing jobs at the expense of an already overstretched state budget.
In fact, companies like Gateway Computers may have led the way in slowing economic growth on a national scale since the recession began. A new study out this week from the Commerce Department revealed that since the recession began in 2007, outsourcing companies have reduced the number of jobs in their U.S. operations by 2.1 percent while increasing their workforces in other countries by 1.1 percent. These small percentages add up to millions of lost jobs.
Fortunately, some of the loopholes in tax law that rewarded companies for moving jobs out of the country are being closed. As part of the recently passed state aid and teacher jobs bill - a bill opposed by every single Michigan Republican member of Congress - corporations will no longer be given tax breaks in the U.S. for creating jobs in other parts of the world.
While Michigan's working families aren't ready to sing "Happy Days are Here Again," the economy is pointed in the right direction, and they can ill afford to risk that future by voting for Snyder the outsourcer.
]]>
ray walker
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Whilst I am not a Labour party member as I a have been Communist Party of Britain member since 1989 and proud to be so, I think that it is important that we all take note of who are standing in the Labour Party Leadership and the difference that could be made if one person won the election over another. Now it may be wrong to treat both of the Miliband brothers as identical in their objectives and views of the Party and the direction it is going. Also it is clear that Ed Balls is about as out of touch with the people of Britain as anyone can be short of Nick Clegg.
Andy Burnham, whilst definitely an outsider in the race to be the next labour leader does have some good points to make about what the Labour Party has become and what it needs to do to make a difference again. He does actually talk about "inspirational socialism"; which is better than no mention at all, and a warning to the next leader to think about the socialist influences in the Labour Party in better times.
I reckon it will be a brotherly contest and with the major trade unions getting behind Ed Miliband, the chances are that he may just win it. i hope if it comes down to Ed or David, that Ed wins it.
ray walker yesterday