Despite torrential rain there were many successful pickets thoroughout the region. If anyone wants to send me photos or reports from the day I will post them here. dotoole (at) ucu.org.uk
Plymouth
From Vladimir Geroimenko, Chair Plymouth University.
Events
May 10 Action – Pickets, Marches, Stall, Leafletting
The success of the May 10 day of action will be, in part, down to how visible this is to the media and to the general public. Your are encouraged, of course, to picket your college or university but there are also opportunties to rally with other union members. Some of the pickets, marches, stalls and leafletting activities that have been organised within the South West Region are listed here. If you know of others please contact me at david.otoole (at) ucu.org.uk and I will update this page.
Bath
Royal United Hospital Bath Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG – from 7am
Bristol
Walk from Bristol Royal Infirmary rally from 11:30am, Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4BQ
Bristol Royal Infirmary Upper Maudlin Street Bristol – BS2 8HW – 7.30am
Frenchay Hospital main entrance Frenchay Park, Bristol BS16 1LE – 7.30am / 11.45am – 2pm
Southmead Hospital, (Monk Road) Southmead, Bristol BS10 5NB – 7.30am / 11.45am – 2pm
Cornwall
Cornwall Anti-Cuts Alliance have arranged a STRIKERS CAVALCADE through Cornwall on May 10.
8:30 – Minibus pick-up in Lemon Quay, Truro, by the Job Centre. Support the PCS picket there.
9:00 – (until 12:00) UCU activity in Falmouth.
9:00 – Support PCS picket at Pydar House in Truro. Picket outside ATOS premises in Pydar House with Cornwall Disabled People Against the Cuts.
10:00 – Cornwall College in Camborne, link up with UCU members and PCS members
11:00 – Penzance. Offer solidarity to Remploy (threatened with closure) and one other site as directed by Penwith ACA and unions.
12:30 – UCU from Falmouth, STRIKERS CAVALCADE and PCS meet up for the Unite Rally at Treliske Hospital.
13:30 – Truro College to support pickets and meet students.
14:45 – Arrive in St. Austell College.
16:45 – Arrive back Truro.
Howard Newlove Tel: 01872 270106 sterrenvor@aol.com
Exeter
Stall & leafleting 10:30-11:30, Bedford Square.
Rally from 12:00 noon, City Gate, Lower North Street, Exeter. Speakers, food available.
Royal Devon NHS Exeter Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW – from 7am
Plymouth
RALLY: 12 noon in the Lower Guildhall, Armada Way, Plymouth
Everybody welcome – whether you are on strike or not, join us. Organised by Plymouth Trades Council.
Taunton
Taunton Hospital Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton – TA1 5DA – Morning leafleting from 7am
May Day March
The second Exeter May Day March will be held on Monday 7th May, 2012 (11:00am. Assemble in Cathedral Yard.) If you are a UCU member why not march with others to demonstrate against the cuts being made in education, to our pay and to our pensions and to show solidarity with other union members in the South West region. The march will assemble at 11:00am in the Cathedral Yard. Contact Dave O’Toole at the Exeter Regional UCU Office if you want flyers or placards for the day. email: dotoole (at) ucu.org.uk
Download the poster here
UCU May Day Bash – Music Drinking and Dancing from 8:00 till late
“If I can’t dance, I don’t want your revolution!” said Emma Goldman.
Come along, let your hair down and celebrate May Day. The UCU May Day Bash will be held at Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AA. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Tickets are available from c.jury@bathspa.ac.uk or from dotoole@ucu.org.uk
Briefing at Bristol University on the new HE Negotiating Pack
Officers from South West Region, Wales and Gloucestershire recently attended a briefing at Bristol University on the new HE Negotiating Pack. The pack has been produced so that UCU lay officers are freed up to engage in local bargaining whilst having to hand clear guidance on National Policy. The packs were presented by Paul Bridge who developed the materials and Dominique Lauterburg (NEC member). Dominique will sit on the newly formed National Ratification Panel (NRP) which will consider where local negotiations impact on national policy. It is expected that the new resources and arrangements will considerably improve the speed and efficiency of negotiating at local level and allow lay officers to strike the best deals possible for their members.
