LCDTU East Midlands Meeting

LCDTU East Midlands Meeting
We have been sent this email by the Liasion Committee For The Defence Of Trade Unions regarding a meeting of shop stewards and union reps in Derby on March 8th.


On behalf of the LCDTU, we would like to invite you to an important Shop Stewards and Supporters Meeting of the LCDTU as follows:-

VENUE: Hallmark Hotel (formerly Midland Hotel) Midland Road, Derby. DE1 2SQ
DATE: Monday 8th March 2010
TIME: 6pm to 8pm
REPLY TO: bcamfield@mac.com (Please confirm attendance)

This is meeting is part of a series of meetings aimed at building support for the LCDTU and its campaign to re-establish Trade Union Freedom in the UK. These meetings are about ideas and involve open discussion.

The LCDTU is extending its work in 2010 with:

*Shop Stewards and Supporters Meetings (held in workplaces wherever possible).
*Regional Conferences being held across Britain.
*A regular LCDTU Bulletin, in colour and featuring key TU articles.
*Launch of a new Website.
*Working more closely with Individual Unions.
*Establishing Area LCDTU Groups.
*Developing campaigning materials around the anti-union laws, their repeal and making the case "Why Trade Union Freedom Matters".
*Four Point LCDTU Campaign.
1. Repeal and replacement of Britain's Anti-Union Laws.
2. Campaigning within the Labour Party to win trade union freedom policy.
3. Renewed focus on the importance of the Shop Stewards Movement.
4. Fighting for union rights and freedom in Europe.

Whilst being totally opposed to UK anti-union law as it stands today, the LCDTU nevertheless does not advocate breaking the law, but rather advocates changing the law. For the anti-union laws to be repealed, unions require clear Trade Union Freedom policies, a much stronger political influence within the Labour Party (especially at local level) and to focus greater resources on the development of an organised and powerful shop stewards Movement. Workers desperately need better trade union education on the background, extent and impact of the anti-trade union legal assault led by the Tories in the 1980's and 1990's, and retained by 'New Labour'.

The attack upon the Freedom of Association, the Right to Organise, and the Right to Collective Bargaining as set out in ILO Conventions 87 and 98 (and ratified by the UK) is a human rights issue.

Winning Trade Union Freedom will not be quick or easy, so we have to organise! If we do nothing, nothing will change.

YOU ARE THEREFORE WARMLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING, TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR IDEAS, VIEWS AND PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPING THE LCDTU, ITS CAMPAIGNING WORK AND THE BATTLE TO RID BRITAIN OF ITS ANTI-UNION LAWS.

We very much hope you will come to the meeting, and join others Stewards and activists for a good discussion and exchange.

Food and refreshments will be available and directions to the meeting are attached, along with an Agenda. Please confirm by reply to bcamfield@mac.com with your details, including trade union, workplace, postal address and email.


With all best wishes on behalf of the Liaison Committee.


George Wake, Secretary.
John Aitkin, Chairman.
Barry Camfield, National Organiser.