Chelmsford TUC

Monthly Reports

JULY GENERAL MEETING

At their July meeting Chelmsford TUC delegates noted with pleasure that the campaign for the reinstatement of an employee at the Linamar Company, Rob Williams, had been successful. The Trades Council has been thanked for its efforts. As part of its autumn programme the Trades Council is planning to hold a conference to support the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on 5 December. It is hoped that a large number of community groups will participate.

As usual delegates reported on a number of issues affecting their workplace including the number of jobs lost on the railways. Arising from the Government’s decision to nationalise the National Express East Coast railway it was agreed that the Secretary write to Lord Adonis asking why he intends to return the franchise to the private sector when it is Labour Party policy to place all the railways in public ownership.

Jerry Glazier (NUT), addressed the meeting on the subject of the Anti Academies Alliance. He explained that the concept of the academies had originated with David Blunkett MP and outlined their development. Jerry focused on the progress of the academy schools in Essex highlighting the fact that Lord Hanningfield was a strong supporter of them. It was explained that the Government had a target of 400 academies and that approximately 150 had been established. However, many claims to justify them had not been met, and although some were successful there was insufficient evidence to show that this was the best way forward. Jerry then dealt with staff terms and conditions, the curriculum and the ethos of academies, the impact on other local schools and democratic input. After answering a number of questions Jerry was thanked for his excellent talk. Delegates agreed to affiliate to the Anti Academies Alliance.