Minutes of Coalition of Resistance National Council Sunday 10 February 2013

Session 1. The anti-austerity movement today. Chair: Romayne Phoenix – Chair of CoR

The chair welcomed all and introduced the initial speakers and welcomed international guest: Derek O’Keefe Co-Chair of the Canadian Peace Alliance.

1. Alex Kenny NUT Executive on Education – NUT strategy is to attack Gove’s single term revolution in education. Highlighted some recent successes – EBAC withdrawal, press reports of Gove’s ‘humiliation’, forced into U turn by campaigning, debacle of his ‘special advisors’. NUT concentrating on fight against deregulation of terms and conditions, pay tied to performance and pupil progress, school based pay bargaining. Discussing with other teacher unions strike action on pay in the summer. Hope CoR will support. Part of the context for the People’s Assembly. NUT also campaigning against Gove’s dismantling of education for children with disabilities/special needs.

London NUT are organising a Protest against Gove March 13^th, 5.30pm Westminster Cathedral to Dept of Education, then joining TUC protest rally at 6.30

Discussion: Benefits cap and bedroom tax will have severe impact. Example of one Brent school where 63 pupils have had to leave because of the benefit cap. The NUT is working with child poverty action group to monitor this.

2. Derek O’Keefe Co-Chair of the Canadian Peace Alliance – outlined the Canadian campaign ‘Peace and Prosperity not War and Austerity’ working with trade unions and building alliances. He described the Maple Spring, the 2012 student strike in Quebec against student fees increase and austerity policies with monthly marches of 250,000 and nightly protests in Montreal of thousands. Government attempts to restrict and criminalise the protests was met by ‘casserole protests’ – noisy neighbourhood street protests involving thousands in support of the students and protesting against austerity and anti-democratic measures. The protests spread across Canada. The education minister resigned, the premier called a snap election, the government was defeated and the new government was forced to withdraw the education fees bill.
3. Sam Fairburn, Secretary of CoR gave an overview of government austerity measures and the recent growing strength and activity of the anti-cuts movement around the country: Library campaigns eg.Friern Barnet, Manchester, Newcastle ; Campaign to save the NHS eg.Lewisham demo of 25,000, Whittington Hospital, Week of Action for London Hospitals, Manchester demonstration March 3^rd; Protests against bedroom tax eg. Glasgow, Sheffield ; Newcastle and the North East region Anti-Austerity demonstration 16 February; Sussex university occupation.

Latest You Gov poll shows 29% of people think all cuts are unnecessary – so still a lot of work to do in convincing people and there is a need for united national coordination of anti-austerity campaigns. Building the People’s Assembly provides the opportunity for creating a united coordinated national movement.

Dr Ron Singer of Keep Our NHS Public on the NHS – gave an overview

The failures at Mid Staffs Hospital were the result of pressure to become a Foundation Trust, the pressure led to the dehumanisation of care, quality care failed. The impact of the introduction of PFI and the Health and Social Care Act – the government has decided to shrink what the NHS provides; PFI is part of the motor for the shrinking eg.Lewisham; bankruptcy of local NHS and re-organisation.

There is huge and growing anger that what has been available under the NHS is now no longer, that sections of the service are being hived off and privatised, that foundation trusts can invest and that employees’ terms and conditions are being worsened.

The Health and Social Care Act allows hospitals to substantially increase the proportion of private practice which means waiting lists will grow. The local GPs consortia are a fig leaf or a Trojan horse. The NHS is being destroyed.

Points from discussion

– The government did not suggest renegotiating PFI contracts burdening hospitals.

– It is vital that Keep our NHS Public and local anti-cuts committees work together

– The trade unions have been thrown centrally into the campaign with the tearing up of terms and conditions, health and safety issues and the move to retirement at 65.

– Very difficult times – NHS now coming up against EU, national and international competition regulations

– The impact of even a small NHS protest was emphasised by the example of the local people and patients’protest against Andrew Lansley’s visit to the Royal Free Hospital (on Youtube) – nursing and medical staff welcomed the protest and were encouraged by it.

– Glasgow CoR – growing success – holding meetings of 75+ every two weeks, impact in every public sector work place in the city, growing support among young people. The bedroom tax – easy to organise meetings of 200+ on key issues which inevitably involved discussion of the broader austerity policies. Organise a local people’s assembly – a coalition of all local trade unions and anti-cuts groups etc – and send a delegation to the June National People’s Assembly.

– DPAC Some good news: DPAC had aimed to make ATOS a toxic brand and had succeeded. Parliament audit committee had slammed the ATOS contract. Students had thrown ATOS out when ATOS were discovered running recruitment sessions during Warwick University’s Disability Awareness Week. DPAC is challenging the Bedroom Tax – Two thirds of people affected by it are disabled. It has also taken out a legal challenge to the closure of the Independent Living Allowance Fund. DPAC is working with Right to Work on a Campaign for Benefit Justice.

– Local people around the country being drawn into mass protest campaigns and community occupations – retaking what is ours. The government is weak and vulnerable. Community protests will encourage and support people in work to take action with their trade union.

– Newcastle Anti Cuts and Libraries Campaign – CoR – The broad libraries campaign organised a meeting of 400, spearheaded by Lee Hall (writer of Billy Elliot). Holding 2 meetings a week on the different public services being cut. Preparing for a big anti cuts march on Saturday – very important for the whole North East region

– Derby Trades Council – McNulty Report means cuts in rail provision and staff and price rises. The joint trade union campaign ‘Action for Rail’ organised a picket of the Minister in Derby. CoR must tie into industrial trade union campaigns. Trades Councils need to be involved in the People’s Assembly.

– The Campaign for Benefit Justice has called for a Benefit summit – London, March 9^th A letter to go in the Guardian February 12^. The summit can support People’s Assembly. The benefit cuts will impact on many in full-time and part-time work. The benefit cuts are a trade union issue which will affect all low paid members

– PCS is balloting for strike action with a view to strike action on March 20^th. Very important to support PCS members on strike so that they are not isolated. A Budget Day Protest on March 20^th is being organised.

– Mental Health Resistance Network – waiting for result of a judicial review. Difficult for people in the network to be involved in campaigning since they are ill and fragile. The judgment of fitness for work must be by your own doctor, not by ATOS.

– Councillors against the Cuts – a national movement has been established with 27 councillors. A website has been set up. Conference planned March 16^th Birmingham.

Session 2. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity Chair: Clare Solomon – Co- Vice Chair CoR.

John Rees introduced discussion on the People’s Assembly by outlining the process of building the initial broad support which was reflected in the signatories to the Guardian letter Feb 5^th 2013 launching the PA (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/05/people-assembly-against-austerity). Support for the PAAA continues to grow. Unison had now asked to be included in the initiative. He stressed the importance of working to get delegations to the PAAA from the trade unions, anti-cuts groups, political and community organisations. Speakers on the People’s Assembly would be offered to meetings around the country. He presented the Draft Framework for the PAAA which would evolve with the input from PAAA partners. The first planning meeting would be hosted by Unite the Union shortly. Unite is proposing a Rage against Poverty march in June which would coincide with the PAAA. Local meetings to build for the PAAA were being organised and Notts TUC is holding its own local PA with Tony Benn to build for it. There is also much international interest.

Points from discussion

The model motion needs to be taken to trade union branches, trades councils, local organisations, community campaigns to get support. Local networks need to build for the PAAA. The PAAA has to be an Assembly for the movement. It has to have its own identity with representatives from different organisations. The PAAA is not a one day event, but a long term bringing together of the movement. It is important to reach out and make links and include communities across the country. The Stop the War movement included the black and muslim communities; the PAAA must too. Must involve the women’s movement. The PAAA is after the mobilisation for the G8; need to involve those mobilising for the G8 and NGOs. The NUS must be involved

The PAAA must show that Cuts are not necessary and that there is an alternative. It must provide a forum for the disenfranchised. CoR wants the PAAA to lead to a national coordinated movement against Austerity. Establishing local People’s Assemblies could be one of the key outcomes of the PAAA. Important to recognise the different styles of organising and reflect this in the PAAA. It has to be democratic. It should include a cultural aspect. It should have sections eg. Health, the Hardest Hit. Need to consult to ensure accessible for all disabilities. The PAAA could be recalled every 3 months.

More organisations ready to support the PAAA were mentioned: Barnet Alliance for Public Services, Stop the War, Right to Work, CND, IHOOPS. There was an appeal for people not to organise alternatives, but to organise for the PAAA to be inclusive, reflecting the diversity of the movement. The PAAA must continue to be built in an open non-sectarian way.

Initiatives like the Benefits Summit and the Rage against Poverty march must be integrated

What alternatives are we demanding? People’s Charter should form the basis. The People’s Charter will encourage affiliates to support the PAAA. Need to work with journalists to develop messages to counter Condem spin

Developments in the European anti-austerity movement. Andrew Burgin gave a report.

AB started with an overview of direct action, occupations and road blockades in the UK and stressed that the PAAA must be a real People’s Assembly. He referred to the November 14^th Europe wide strikes and protests which would be repeated in March – European-wide protests against austerity. The Greece Solidarity Campaign ( http://greecesolidarity.org/) is growing in strength; the situation in Greece is dire. Solidarity work on health is being developed. The Alter Summit in Athens will take place 2 weeks before the PAAA. Discussion covered the European Citizens Initiative organising against water privatisation and the 100,000 demonstrating Ireland. Tsipras of Syriza is calling for the cancellation of the debt. The PAAA should raise a solidarity demand – cancellation of the debt for Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal etc.

The meeting agreed that an International Meeting should be held the day after the PAAA.

Final points

• Funding is needed and a properly resourced office for the organisation of the PAA. An updated leaflet is being published
• Union branches can use the Guardian letter signed by their General Secretary to help organise support and delegations for the PAAA.
• Must get high profile figures, GPs, cultural figures to sign their support. The cultural aspect needs developing eg. Meetings with Ken Loach’s latest film – ‘Spirit of 45’ to build for PA.
• A national advert needed

We must aim to push the 29% against all cuts to over 50% – for national political change

Session 3. CoR Business Chair: Andrew Burgin – Co- Vice Chair CoR

• Officers elections.

The Chair, vice chairs, secretary and treasurer were elected at the AGM in December. Nominations for other officers had been called for prior to the NC.

• The National Council recorded its thanks to the outgoing NC Officer and website editor Joseph Healey.
• Nominations for 2013 CoR officers had been received and were circulated at the meeting. These were: -Alex Kenny, Andy Bain, Bob Archer, Bronwyn Handyside, Cherry Sewell, Chris Bambery, Chris Nineham, Fred Leplat, James Meadway, John Rees, Jude Woodward, Kate Hudson, Lindsey German, Mick Burke, Neil Faulkner, People’s Charter, Peter Murry, Scotland CoR, Steve Turner, Terry Conway.

TC highlighted the new people nominated – Alex Kenny NUT Exec, Jude Woodward, Mick Burke, People’s Charter representative, Pete Murry (Green Party Trade Union Group), Scotland CoR representative, Steve Turner ( Unite the Union).

The National Council approved all the nominations unanimously.

• Affiliations and finance
• The Treasurer was unable to be at theNC. A report would be presented at the next meeting.
• Affiliated organisations are reminded that their 2013 affiliation fee is due.
• Website development
• The web team needs strengthening. Volunteers requested – contact Terry Conway
• Affiliated organisations – send your press releases, news, content for website to CoR [email protected]

Announcements

a) 11 Feb 9.00am Protest at Woolwich Crown Court – Alfie Meadows re-trial

b) Saturday 6^th April Northern Defend NHS demo in York. Assemble 12.00 midday at York Minster – anniversary of the Health and Social Care Act

Solidarity to the Freedom Bookshop – firebombed by fascists last week

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