tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67174157367392593092014-04-26T17:31:56.676+01:00This blog is about Ian Fleming (me) and my experiences, work and views as someone who is a Trade Unionist and Labour Party Activist in North Northumberland. I will attempt to comment on items of political, media or cultural significance and I write in a personal capacity.Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-74962152358611901742014-01-16T21:46:00.002Z2014-02-02T22:29:29.309Z

A group of major multinational companies that were involved in the recent blacklisting scandal announced a compensation scheme for those workers who were spied upon by the Consulting Association (which ran the blacklist and was funded by and reported to the construction companies). A statement for the companies said that they 'all apologise for involvement with TCA and the impact that its

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-27667117135233857172013-03-07T22:03:00.000Z2014-02-04T10:09:56.328Z

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Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-1367216706196991652013-03-03T21:09:00.002Z2014-02-04T10:10:13.929Z

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Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-20911769333998857552012-07-01T22:59:00.005+01:002014-02-04T10:13:04.196Z

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Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-9516255717891915632012-06-28T20:38:00.001+01:002012-06-28T20:40:24.540+01:00

UNISON has launched a campaign against 'reckless' council plans to sell-off services and over 1,000 jobs. UNISON’s campaign material makes a mockery of the councils Love Northumberland – Caring for our Community logo stating it cares very much for Northumberland and it’s council services. The "Northumberland is Not For Sale" campaign will work with other unions, community groups and the

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-89890276638017748852012-06-21T12:02:00.001+01:002012-06-21T12:02:38.991+01:00

Linda Hobson, Newcastle hospitals. "This is a crucial motion for the union. The northern region has a clear regional political strategy, exerting our influence to support our members and the vital services they provide." Linda successfully stood as candidate in the 2011 local election. "I'm proud to be part of a cohort of Labour councillors who returned Newcastle City to Labour. "It's tough

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-82331408557453349012012-06-21T11:24:00.000+01:002012-06-21T11:24:16.965+01:00

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Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-1079104480655933352012-06-20T16:07:00.001+01:002012-06-21T11:25:18.853+01:00

Earlier this year, Mick Bowman of the UNISON, Northumberland County Branch visited South East Asia with other Trade Unionists. Our branch UNISON Northumberland County Branch have a long established link with the Burmese Trade Unions. The Burmese Unions are one of the main bodies who have been fighting for democracy and justice for decades. We have supported their

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-1074309086895137452012-04-04T05:27:00.001+01:002012-04-04T05:30:51.474+01:00

Communities and Local Government select committee have called an inquiry into 'cooperative' council models. The inquiry will look at the framework and operation of "not for profit businesses owned and controlled, in full or part, by people who work for them to provide local services that local authorities traditionally provide". The committee has requested evidence

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-8678649470232629662012-02-04T15:09:00.000Z2012-02-05T15:17:34.350Z

North East Ambulance Service were reported in The Berwick Advertiser on 5th February to be looking at axing one of two emergency ambulances which serve Berwick and the surrounding areas, leaving peoples lives at risk. This caused fury amongst organisations within the Berwick area but represents just one of a whole selection of cuts the North East Ambulance Service are expected to cutback on as

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-33212544473031988742011-12-04T23:24:00.001Z2011-12-10T10:04:10.971Z

On 30th November we saw the Public Sector workers of Northumberland come together in an unprecedented show of solidarity with a total of 22 picket lines. Anyone passing picket lines seen the strength and solidarity we showed on the morning of the strike. At Gateshead, where we took 3 coaches of activists and members, there was a sea of purple and green, a tidal wave of flags and deafened by a

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-58583297146364344132011-10-06T12:00:00.001+01:002011-10-06T12:00:52.002+01:00

A symbolic procession is to be held at Jarrow Town Hall (front of the building) at 2:30pm prompt on Sunday, 9th October 2011, where people are asked to assemble at the Town Hall on Sunday and walk across to the Christ church, Jarrow alongside our comrades, community and voluntary groups. Trade Unions are encouraged to take their branch banners and flags. The commemorative church service

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-39296336346614904612011-10-06T08:30:00.001+01:002011-10-06T08:36:55.563+01:00

UNISON are hosting a series of meetings relating to the up and coming pensions dispute. See below a list of those meetings arranged for the Northumberland related branches. All members and non-members are welcome. Date Time Area Venues Tuesday, 4 October 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm Sunderland 1st Floor Meeting Room, Monkwearmouth Hospital, Newcastle Road,

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-58413084614310304682011-10-06T08:12:00.001+01:002011-10-06T08:48:01.376+01:00

The key task facing the union in the next few weeks is making sure members vote in the pensions industrial action ballot - and making sure there is a massive yes vote for industrial action. That was the single message from UNISON NEC when it met in London today. "We've got 10 days to get a massive vote out," the union's lay leadership heard. The ballot will be "the biggest ballot the county

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-73805713795001716662011-10-04T16:50:00.000+01:002011-10-04T16:56:56.504+01:00

STOP THESE CUTS is the message from disabled people across the North East as people are encouraged to demonstrate, along with their families and friends in the streets of Newcastle on 22 October 2011. The Hardest Hit march will start at 10:30am, from the Bigg Market to the Monument to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. Join the demonstration and help to make

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-7011715815337884822011-10-04T13:34:00.000+01:002011-10-04T13:54:08.614+01:00

Evidence that workers in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) get lower pensions than those in private sector final-salary schemes was highlighted by the Trade Unions recently in a report by High Pay Commission showing that private sector final salary pensions pay on average £5,860 compared with £ £4,119 under the LGPS. The Trade Unions have been saying this for months, but we have also

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-31688297051295577522011-10-01T10:09:00.000+01:002011-10-01T10:56:57.788+01:00

The previous regulations allowed employers to set a default retirement age (i.e. force employees to stop work) at 65 or higher.  However, it was unlawful to set a retirement age under 65 or retire an employee who is under 65 (or the employer's alternative selected retirement age if different), unless it was 'objectively justified' .  A default retirement age at which employers could force

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-86661056165103655712011-10-01T09:32:00.000+01:002011-10-01T10:34:20.385+01:00

From today 1 October 2011 the National Minium Wage hourly rates will increase as follows; the adult rate, from £5.93 to £6.08   for 18 to 21 year olds, from £4.92 to £4.98   for 16 to 17 year olds, from £3.64 to £3.68, and  for apprentices, from £2.50 to £2.60.  This is a long way off the Living Wage but never the less a slight improvement. Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:“

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-71584743490194665772011-09-30T08:56:00.002+01:002011-10-02T12:02:35.552+01:00

Following 3 days of industrial action ATL, NASUWT and NUT are organising a Community Demonstration to Save Kenton School turning into an Academy. The Governing Body of Kenton School have consulted of their intention to convert into an Academy and the staff, parents and local community are opposed to it. The Governors are meeting at the school next Tuesday, 4 October 2011 to make the decision.

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-73690730883301854272011-09-27T18:28:00.001+01:002011-09-27T18:28:13.337+01:00

This year the Conservative Party are having their annual conference in Manchester and the TUC is organising a march and rally to show opposition to the Coalition Government’s disastrous policies of pay freezes, cuts and attacks on public services that are producing rising unemployment, cuts in living standards and stagnation. The march will also show support for the Alternative. We

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-14763450887793346922011-09-27T17:53:00.000+01:002011-09-27T17:53:14.953+01:00

The Tory-led government claim there is no choice but to cut public spending severely and quickly – we say there is an alternative.  To find out more register to attend ‘A Bettter Way: Forum for the alternative’ which takes place in Newcastle from 11th to the 13th November (for full details see attached or download at http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/regions_info_northern.cfm) Programme in brief...

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-57598208853441181412011-09-26T22:27:00.000+01:002011-09-26T22:27:08.004+01:00

Northumberland County Council has today published on its website the report for the planning and environment committee on Tuesday, October 4. This includes the specialist emergency care hospital. This can be found at: http://committees.northumberland.gov.uk/aksnorthumberland/users/public/admin/kab14.pl?operation=SUBMIT&meet=46&cmte=PAE&grpid=public&arc=71 Jim Mackey, chief executive

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-15557568092671923562011-09-23T11:43:00.006+01:002011-09-23T12:08:50.252+01:00

Remploy Ltd is a government owned company in the United Kingdom which provides employment and employment placement services for disabled people. It was established in 1945 under the terms of the 1944 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, and opened its first factory in 1946. Over the following decades it established a network of factories across the UK making a wide variety of products, and in the

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-24483972153468454902011-09-23T09:06:00.000+01:002011-09-23T09:06:59.959+01:00

The Robin Hood Tax Campaign — Public

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717415736739259309.post-49745900862981705662011-09-21T12:13:00.000+01:002011-09-21T12:13:09.103+01:00

Please click on the link, flyer advertising the 'Hardest Hit' event which is taking place on Saturday 22nd October 2011 in Newcastle. The Hardest Hit coalition is over 30 different campaigning disability charities along with the TUC who are highlighting how disabled people are the hardest hit in terms of changes to benefits and loss of services. We want to make this the biggest disability

Ian Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02239706253090861787noreply@blogger.com0