Sunday 6 April 2008

Oxford Love Music Hate Racism update

Our three events over the last week have brought us donations and more importantly new supporters who want to help with the campaign. We now have students looking to organise gigs in local universities, and a local DJ planning a post-carnival fund raising night. Trade Union support is also growing with over £200 pledged from the Oxfordshire branch of the National Union of Teachers , the Public and Civil Service Union, and the Oxford & District Trades Council .

We have also been donated two tickets to Truck festival which we are going to raffle. Please contact us if you would like tickets and they will also be on sale at the gig next Friday.




Ticket sales for the coaches have started to take off so please encourage others to buy soon to make sure we have enough coaches booked to avoid turning people away at the last minute. Mail back for a supply of tickets to sell or to buy your own or pick them up from stalls.

Tickets are also available online at http://www.wegottickets.com/evenue/1536.

Below is our calender for the next three weeks. Mail back if you can help with any events not marked as "covered". The stalls involve leafleting for our events, selling coach and raffle tickets and signing new supporters to the campaign. Entrance to gigs to do stalls is free - but we have to get you on the guest list in good time. The end of tolerance event should be an interesting talk on racism in the 21st century for those who want to explore the ideas more.

9th Apr 2008 17:30Street leafleting - stall outside Tesco Cowley Road

9 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR Stall - Nat Johnson & guests @ Jericho Tavern (Covered by Ash & Alison)

11 Apr 2008 20:00Quickfix @ Wheatsheaf (people only need to volunteer to leaflet this event if they are planning to go anyway).

11 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR Fundraising gig @ The X , Oxford Road. InLight; Shirley, Asher Dust, Jessie Grace, Mr ShaoDow, Provokal, Tha Fuz, and Sean

12 Apr 2008 14:00LMHR Stall outside HMV, Cornmarket

12 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR Stall @ The Winchell Riots @Wheatsheaf

16 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR Stall - Shirley single launch gig @ Jericho Tavern (one extra person needed)

18 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR stall - The Stanley Blacks gig @ Jericho Tavern @ Jericho Tavern (Covered by AJ & Julia)

23 Apr 2008 17:30Street leafleting, Tesco Cowley Road

24 Apr 2008 17:30Stall - "End of Tolerance" Real Oxford Union Address by Arun Kundnani @ Oxford Town Hall (Julia & AJ)

25 Apr 2008 20:00LMHR fundraising gig @ the X @ Not My Day, Bethany Weimers, Reason 6, Smilex

26 Apr 2008 12:00Leafleting International Workers Day march @ Broad Street

27 Apr 2008 8:00London Love Music Hate Racism carnival @ Coaches leave Taylorian St, Giles at 8 a.m.

Wednesday 2 April 2008

Oxfordshire teachers gear up for day of action on 24th

Oxford Respect activists will be working hard to make the important day of action on the 24th April a success. Check the blog for updates on the campaign

From the Oxford Mail:
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2163673.0.strike_likely_to_close_some_schools.php


There is a strong chance' some Oxfordshire schools may close on April 24 after one of the country's largest teaching unions today voted for a one-day strike.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) voted three to one in favour of strike action in what will be its first national stoppage for 22 years. It wants the government's 2.45 per cent pay rise lifted to at least four per cent to be in line with inflation.

Oxfordshire NUT president Chris Blakey said members were not prepared to put up with below inflation pay rises any longer.

Although it was too early to say how many Oxfordshire schools would be affected, he said it was "highly likely" some might have to close.

Mr Blakey added: "This strike demonstrates the frustration and anger felt by many teachers who are struggling to pay off price rises brought about by soaring energy, fuel, food, travel and mortgage costs.

"This comes at a time when workload has risen out of all proportion. Stress-related illness among teachers has never been so high."

He said the strike on April 24 would "only be the start of the fight over pay", adding: "We do not do the job for money, but we cannot do it without."

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Oxford post activist reinstated

Postal workers in Oxford have been celebrating victory as leading union activist Steve Gill was returned to work after months of suspension.

Steve, the CWU union’s sub-area processing rep for Oxford, faced a number of serious disciplinary charges following last year’s national strike. An appeals panel threw out all the serious charges and allowed Steve to return to work.

CWU branch secretary Paul Garraway commented, “This is a fantastic victory. Not only has Steve returned to work, but we have also won our case on John Doran, another union member who was suspended following the strike.”