TRADE UNIONS AND COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CUTS !

REPORT FROM THE MEETING TO SET UP ‘RUGBY AGAINST THE CUTS’ 22/09/10

IN ATTANDANCE: Julie Weekes (ULU); Marcus Giles (FBU); Steve Roberts (FBU); Roy Sandison (Green Party); Pete McLaren (Socialist Alliance); Martin Eversfield (Rugby TUC); Peter Reynolds (Green party); Geoff Dewhirst (Unite); Dave Griffiths (Socialist Party)

Roy Sandison offered to Chair the meeting

APOLOGIES – Liz Peck; Dave Nellist

       

MAIN DISCUSSION: SETTING UP A LOCAL ANTI-CUTS GROUP

After a lengthy discussion about the role and title of a local group, it was agreed to set up Rugby Against the Cuts

         

ELECTION OF FUNCTIONAL OFFICERS

THE FOLLOWING WERE ELECTED:

CONVENOR and PRESS OFFICER – Pete McLaren                

TREASURER – Julie Weekes

TRADE UNION LIAISON – Martin Eversfield and Roy Sandison

It was agreed to rotate the Chair

CAMPAIGNING IDEAS 

It was generally agreed that we needed Public Meetings and other activities once the detail of the cuts became known, which would be after the Governments’ Public Spending Review was announced on October 20^th.  It was agreed to encourage attendance at the Rally Against the Cuts in Coventry on September 28^th where FBU Gen Sec Matt Wrack was the main speaker (Central Methodist Hall, 7.30pm), and, on October 20^th, to encourage participation in protests outside Coventry Council House (5.30pm) and in London (Downing St 4.30 – 7pm).  There was also a possibility of a national demonstration in London on October 23^rd. 

FINANCE

FBU and UNITE members present suggested their Unions may have finance available.  Julie Weekes and Pete McLaren agreed to draft a standard letter for trade union, community and political donations

AFFILIATIONS 

It was agreed to affiliate to the Coalition of Resistance which had been set up nationally by Tony Benn and others on the left, and to consider other affiliations to national anti cuts bodies positively.  It was suggested we ask local organisations, including trade unions, to affiliate to Rugby Against the Cuts – this to be discussed, along with affiliation fees, at the next meeting

WEB SITE

Roy Sandison offered to set up Rugby Against the Cuts Blog

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed to meet again on Thursday October 7^th.  The meeting was subsequently booked at the Three Horse Shoes, 7.30pm.  Pete McLaren volunteered to circulate a report from this meeting, establish an email network, and issue a Press Release announcing the formation of Rugby Against the Cuts to broaden attendance.  These were agreed.                       

                                                                                               

Pete McLaren 24/09/10