Chelmsford TUC

Monthly Reports

March General Meeting

At their monthly meeting delegates to Chelmsford TUC completed a programme of activity. The Workers’ Memorial Day Service led by Chris Bishop, Stansted Airport Chaplain, will be held on 28 April at 12.30pm in Central Park, close to the lake and bowling green. A special badge has been produced to mark the event. The annual May Day rally will be held at Friends Meeting House on Friday 1 May. The speaker will be Richard Howitt MEP and there will be music and poetry from local artists.

On 8 June, in conjunction with Thompsons Solicitors, a public meeting will be held to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. Delegates agreed to support the anti-racist events “Hope not Hate” Day on 15 May and Transport Tuesday on 2 June.

Delegates were pleased to hear that Chelmsford Borough Council has responded positively to our letter asking how it is proposed to implement the Sustainable Communities Act. A discussion took place on the way in which the Government has handled the part-privatisation of Royal Mail and delegates raised concern that it was initiated in the House of Lords where Ministers are not accountable to the public for their actions.

After delegates had reported on workplace issues they watched a film featuring the La Riojana Wine Co-operative in Argentina; this showed how the water supply to the village had been improved owing to the Co-operative Group purchasing their wine under Fairtrade conditions. To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight delegates then enjoyed a range of products donated by Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, The Co-operative Group and Thompsons Solicitors.