Northern TUC Annual Conference celebrates success of union learning

The Northern TUC will be holding their ninth Annual Regional Conference on this weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April, at the Newcastle-Gateshead Hilton. Over 150 delegates from more than 15 trade unions will make come together to shape the regional trade union priorities, and who and how those will be taken forward for the next year. The second day of Conference (Sunday 3rd) will be dedicated to celebrating the achievements of trade union learning and maintaining this success into the future.

Regions’ trade unions show unity is strength once again at Northern TUC Annual Conference

The Northern TUC will be holding their ninth Annual Regional Conference on this weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April, at the Newcastle-Gateshead Hilton. Over 150 delegates from more than 15 trade unions will make come together to shape the regional trade union priorities, and who and how those will be taken forward for the next year. Kay Carberry, TUC Assistant General Secretary will be keynote speaker on the Saturday.

Patients and staff will be the losers of NHS ‘reforms’

Just days after half a million people marched through London on the TUC's March for the Alternative to protest against government spending cuts and public service ‘reforms', union members and supporters of the health service will be out in force again today (Friday), in defence of the NHS. Under the banner All Together for the NHS, unions, professional bodies and other campaigning groups are calling on the government to think again about the huge changes it intends to impose on the health service, as set out in the Health and Social Care Bill.

Health workers and users come ‘All Together’ to save the NHS

date: 31st March 2011 embargo: for immediate release Health workers and users come ‘All Together' to save the NHS The Government has recently published proposals which represent the most damaging attacks on the NHS since its inception. Under the banner of 'All Together for the NHS', unions and campaigning groups are coming together to call on the Government to think again. Friday 1st April will be 'All Together for the NHS day', with health workers and service users getting together to lobby key MPs in their constituencies and campaigning to raise the profile of the issue through events all over the country. There are events taking place all over the region, including the lobbying of Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs: Ian Swales, Alan Beith and Guy Opperman, as well as a leafleting session being held outside North Tees Hospital. Northern TUC Regional Secretary Kevin Rowan said: “Health services are already at risk in the north east and Cumbria. Jobs are being lost in what was supposed to be a ‘protected' service.Our region in particular relies heavily on the fantastic service it provides with figures well above the national average for main health indicators like heart disease, cancer and obesity. Unemployment in general is categorically bad for health as the ability to build a good jobs base is fundamental to good health in the region, but with 53,000 NHS job losses planned up and down the country, this is a double-blow. “These proposals were not in any manifesto, the Government has no mandate for these changes. The majority of the medical profession now oppose these plans and the more the public know what it will mean for them, the more pressure we can build to halt this devastating attack on the NHS.” For more information on what the proposed changes set out in the Health and Social Care Bill will mean for the NHS, its workers and patients – and what you can do to support the All Together campaign go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/NTUC_NHS.pdf NOTES TO EDITORS: - Northern TUC press releases www.tuc.org.uk/northern national releases www.tuc.org.uk and www.twitter.com/tucnews - Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre embargo releases and reports www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet - For TUC advice and information on the world of work www.workSMART.org.uk Media contacts: Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary T: 0191 227 5565; M: 07766250074; E: krowan@tuc.org.uk