June 2000

Trades Council condemns new "Terror" bill (16 June 2000)

Unions set to exploit new employment law (June 6, 2000)

Aerial spectacular washed out (June 3, 2000)

Trades Council condemns new "Terror" bill

Delegates to Bradford Trades Council last night condemned the government's new Terrorism Bill, which is currently winding its way through parliament and is expected to become law later this year.

The bill replaces the "Prevention of Terrorism Act" - a temporary act first introduced in 1974 to combat the IRA. The first person arrested under the PTA was Paul Hill of the "Guilford four".

The new Terrorism Bill will broaden the definition of terrorism to include "domestic" groups who threaten "serious violence against property". Consultation papers produced by the government focus on "Animal rights, and to a lesser extent environmental activists" as engaging in "terrorist activity".

Veteran Trades Council delegate Lou Baruch condemned the proposals saying:

"This is the slippery slope to fascism."

Bradford TUC is to write to the Home Office expressing its total opposition to the bill, and will quiz local Labour MP's on their position.

See the full story: "Terror bill to target dissidents"

Unions set to exploit new employment law

Trade Unions in Bradford and elsewhere are preparing to take advantage of new provisions in the 1999 Employment Relations Act which came into force today.

The new "Trade Union Recognition Procedure" forces major employers to recognise unions which have majority support in the workplace.

Andy Hogg of the print union GPMU said that they would initially focus on companies where they already organised at least 60% of the workforce. It is believed the GPMU are targeting around a dozen employers. Mr Hogg told KDIS that he expected most companies would now deal without recourse to the law:

"We're currently in exploratory meetings with a number of local companies, with a view to reaching a voluntary agreement on recognition".

These include Bradford & District newspapers - owners the T&A - who "de-recognised" print and journalist unions 5 years ago. The NUJ won back recognition last month, before the new rules came into play, when the company agreed to hold a ballot. More than 85% voted in favour - an overwhelming verdict.

In a statement Bradford & District Newspaper's manager Tim Blott said:

"We look forward to a constructive relationship with both the National Union of Journalists and the GPMU".

Welcoming the new provisions, Alan Johnson, government Minister for Competitiveness, said:

"This legislation is a further important step towards giving workers in the UK basic minimum rights.

"It is fair because it gives individual workers the right to be collectively represented where a majority of them wants it. And it is balanced, because it safeguards the legitimate interests of business".

But American anti-union "consultants" are preparing to advise companies on how to thwart the new rules. They have already set up office in South Yorkshire.

See the Dti Explanatory notes on the new Procedures
See also the Central Arbitration Committee

Aerial spectacular washed out

Rain stopped play in Centenary Square last night when Bradford Festival organisers were forced to cancel this year's first major event due to bad weather. A small but determined crowd had turned up to watch the French street theatre group Jo Bithume. They were due to perform an aerial act above and around the square and the heavy rain made the slippery wires just too dangerous.

One of the Festival stewards told KDIS

"I watched them rehearse this afternoon and they are fantastic. It's one of the riskiest acts I've ever seen"

People leaving the square were entertained by a bit of home made Bradford street theatre as a posse of Asian youths led the police a merry dance following the closure of a Manningham youth centre the night before.

Jo Bithume are determined to go ahead tonight if they possibly can. The act depends on a good crowd so wrap up and get down there. You'll regret it if you don't.

See this years Bradford Festival Program 

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