NEWS Xxx EQUALITIES SUPPLEMENT

Autumn 2018

Sponsored silence for Elaine

Members the CWU Women’s Advisory The fund- Committee (WAC) recently took part raising idea in a sponsored silence to raise money was initially for CWU rep and multiple sclerosis floated by NEC sufferer Elaine Dagliesh WAC member Lynn Simpson, who postwoman in Preston for is a very good friend the past 20 years, Elaine was of Elaine’s. A diagnosed with MS three years The event, held at ago. Sadly her health has deteriorated the North Lancs and further over the past 12 months, to the Cumbria Postal Branch, extent that she now needs assistance with saw the theme/hashtag many everyday tasks. ‘Silence of the WAC’ and She was due to fly Pioneering stem cell treatment is there was no doubt that the out to Moscow in September and, available, but not currently in the UK - so group had immense fun on the day, albeit after treatment, will be in isolation for a in order to get treated Elaine needed to in an eerily silent way! few weeks before flying back to the UK. go to Moscow. The sponsored silence, Elaine came along to give the WAC a which took place on August 14, was part much-needed lift and it was great to see n The fund-raising page can still of the ongoing effort to help fund Elaine’s her in high spirits despite her personal be found on JustGiving treatment in Russia. health issues. (search Elaine Dagliesh).

How an exiled Indian princess joined the suffrage movement Sharon Pratt, BAME officer in elections. Most of the involved with the women’s Indian heritage in the British of the South West No.7 Branch, women were members of the Tax Resistance League when suffragette movement. tells the story of Sophia Duleep Women’s Social and Political she refused to pay her taxes She also led one of the big Singh – an unusual fighter Union (WSPU). This year in protest at not being able suffrage demonstrations for women’s suffrage we celebrate 100 years of to vote. The Tax Resistance in 1910, known as the Black women getting League Friday march, along with et me ask you a the vote. reasoned quite Emmeline Pankhurst. question. Have you Sophia Duleep rightly that if Sophia was quite rich and L heard of Emmeline Singh will be women didn’t privileged, but this did not Pankhurst or Emily Davison? a less familiar have the right stop her getting involved with You probably have, as name. to vote, then a cause she strongly believed Emmeline was one of the She was from they shouldn’t in. I feel resolutely that we leaders of the Suffragette a privileged have to pay must not forget women of movement and Emily was the background – their taxes. Their colour and working-class suffragette who sacrificed the daughter of rallying cry was: women who contributed to her life by standing in front an exiled Indian Princess Sophia “No Taxation the suffragette movement. of King George V’s horse at Prince, Maharaja Without It has been 100 years since the Derby. Duleep Singh, who was a Representation.” women got the vote, but the The Suffragette movement favourite of Queen Victoria. In her defiance of not fight for equality goes on and was set up in the late 19th In fact, she was one of the paying her taxes, Sophia women like Sophia are an century, advocating the Queen’s god-daughters. soon found herself as the inspiration to me to fight for right of women to vote Sophia found herself most prominent woman of what’s right, just and diverse.

n CORRECTION: In the last edition of The Word an article about Matchwomen’s strike hero Sarah Chapman was wrongly credited to Karen Bosson. The story, headlined ‘Save the Grave of Sarah Chapman’, was, in fact, written by Chris Ingram, editor of the www.cwunorthwest.org website, where the article was first published.

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Our Credit: TraffordHealthcare Trust NHS Natalie Flemming gives a passionate defence of the NHS, as it passes its 70th anniversary

n 5 July 1948, the NHS was launched by the O then Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, at Park Hospital in (known today as Trafford General Hospital). For the first time hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together under one umbrella to provide services for free at the point of delivery. The initial budget for the NHS was £437m – about £15bn at today’s prices. The editorial in the Daily Mirror the day after the launch noted: “The National Aneurin Bevan at the opening of the NHS at Park Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester, 5 July, 1948 Health Service has got off to an encouraging start … an example of how the nation can have given personal accounts cooperate in a great enterprise.” The NHS has always been revolutionary... about what the NHS has meant The NHS has always In 1958 vaccinations were introduced to them and the important role been revolutionary. In 1958 that it has played in their lives. vaccinations were introduced for polio and diphtheria to reduce DAC chair, Tony Sneddon, has for polio and diphtheria to deaths from both diseases... spoken of his own experience reduce deaths from both and the help and support that diseases. some parts of the world, and Highlighting the issue he received from his medical Babies began being there remains a very small risk of massive profits being team, especially the scientists vaccinated against it could be brought back to the made by the NHS’s major at King College Hospital, pneumococcal meningitis in UK.” drugs suppliers, Judy London. “You always hear 2006. We all need the NHS and the Griffiths of Coventry Branch the worst about the NHS, but Ten years ago, girls aged 12 CWU has always been vocal in pointed out: “The NHS is the they’re the best service in the and 13 were offered jabs to its campaign to stop the cuts. most monumental of the world, despite the pressures on protect themselves again the A motion declaring the achievements of the working them,” said Tony. human papilloma virus, which need to “campaign vigorously class and the labour movement Fellow DAC member Lee causes most cases of cervical against NHS cuts, outsourcing in the UK, and it’s our job as Starr-Elliott, backs this, cancer. initiatives and Private Finance part of that movement to explaining: “Without the NHS Vaccination has become Initiative (PFI) projects that are protect, sustain and grow the and my hearing aids, I would a key part of NHS health effectively privatising parts NHS. be lost in the world of silence, prevention work. According to of the health service,” was “We have to end the so thank you to all the amazing NHS.uk, “cases of polio in the UK overwhelmingly reaffirmed disgraceful development of staff for everything you do.” fell dramatically when routine at this year’s CWU Annual private companies making The CWU has and will vaccination was introduced in Conference - the only bone of billions out of our health continue to campaign against the mid-1950s. There hasn’t contention being an associated service.” cuts in the NHS and members been a case of polio caught in demand to bring the NHS’s Throughout the years, many must continue to support the the UK since the mid-80s. But big pharmaceutical company of the CWU’s Disability Advisory service - one that is rightly the infection is still found in suppliers into public ownership. Committee (DAC) members envied the world over.

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Confronting fascism on the streets

Karen Gower of Essex Amal, Essex Amal was the reports from the front line of only CWU banner on the struggle against fascism the demonstration. A union of our size, and n June 9 I attended the the labour movement counter-demonstration to as a whole, can do O the “Free Tommy Robinson” better. The Labour protest in London,. Party has more There, myself and a colleague than 500,000 witnessed thugs clashing with the police members and trying to get to our demonstration. We the trade union saw men making Nazi salutes, with shouts movement directed at black and Asian people more than 6 nearby of “go back to your own countries.” million. We have The protest was clearly racist and to mobilise before contained a large fascist presence. This things get worse. had nothing to do with free speech, as the The real target of fascism has always UNITE AGAINST FASCISM - organisers had claimed. been the left and the labour movement. CWU members march in London The contrast with our demonstration Using the scapegoat of the day (Jews, was stark. We had banners from Blacks or Muslims, or ), once been around fascism for a number of local trade union branches, including they reach a sufficient size, their true years. The idea that he is standing up for Unison and the NUT, held by a diverse colours are revealed. women against grooming is laughable. range of people. It was clear who really Finsbury Park terrorist, Darren The thugs trying to break police lines to represented the working class. Osborne, said that his initial plan was to get to our demo certainly weren’t there But there were not enough of us. Our murder Jeremy Corbyn. And tragically we with a view to protecting women like me. demonstration was in the hundreds but saw the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox at It’s essential for all trade unionists to deal far greater numbers are needed to defeat the hands of fascist Thomas Mair. with this latest fascist offensive while we this latest threat. Tommy Robinson is well aware of such still can, so I’ll be back at the We brought our local union banner but tactics; starting as a BNP member, he has next demonstration.

Trade unionists Helping refugees in Calais rally in defence Care4Calais is of the EU, in its refusal to help ahumanitarian charity migrant boats arriving from of Bookmarks based in Northern France. Libya, is unacceptable. Trade unionists joined a The organisation has been Day in and day out solidarity action day in working tirelessly, since 2015, Care4Calais hears stories August, after Bookmarks to help the many refugees of torture and violence in bookshop in central London that reach Calais. Most of lawless Libya – people fleeing was attacked by fascists the the refugees have escaped are doing so because they preceding weekend. from war torn and politically have to. The TUC helped rally trade unstable environments to *Please sign the petition unionists in defence of demo- which they can’t return. to get the EU to reverse its cratic freedom, following Hundreds of volunteers position - http://petitions. the attacks. The solidarity have helped along the way care4calais.org day held outside Bookmarks and Care4Calais continues Care4Calais is always in Bloomsbury Street on 11 to thrive, despite the looking for volunteers and August was well attended, deteriorating conditions for fundraisers - if you think you with members of the CWU refugees in the region. can help then please get in and GMB Race playing a Some of those representing The news that the UK has touch. To find out more visit the CWU prominent part. supported Italy and the rest www.care4calais.org

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CWU members come out in force for Pride

Members of the CWU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and (LGBT) Advisory IN THE NAME OF LOVE: Pride, nationwide Committee joined local CWU members in Northern Ireland the CWU included : and the Midlands. The u Cornwall Pride (in to celebrate Belfast Pride on u Liverpool Pride, where an CWU laid on its very own Newquay) – joined by Saturday August 4 impressive CWU contingent Samba band, organised and members of Plymouth and joined Liverpool’s biggest performed by CWU assistant East Cornwall Branch, and the rganisers of the Pride event yet. An estimated branch secretary Angela South West Regional Equality colourful parade 50,000 people took part, Teeling, her three children and Committee O event – now in its with the 10,000 people who Mersey Branch young worker u London Pride – joined 27th year – estimated that commenced the march at St officer Erin Brett. “The band by members from Greater 50,000 people took part or George’s Hall joined by around played non-stop for over 2 London Combined Branch watched the parade on the 40,000 more as the joyous hours and were amazing,” u Canterbury Pride – joined streets of Belfast. Also joining parade made its way through North West regional secretary by members from the CWU’s the parade were groups from the city. “We’ve already been Carl Webb told The Voice. “My Meridian and South London, BT and the Royal Mail. in contact with the Liverpool regional assistant secretary Surrey and North Hampshire The LGBT Advisory Pride organisation with a Karen Kendrick also did a branches Committee members in view to offering even greater brilliant job organising our u Croydon Pride – joined by attendance wore badges in support in 2019,” said Emma participation and our specially CWU members from across support of the ‘Love Equality’ Garner, of Preston Brook, Bury themed ‘Circus of Acceptance’ South London campaign, which aims to bring and Retail Branch. t-shirts.” u Edinburgh Pride – joined by marriage equality to Northern u Manchester Pride, where u Plymouth Pride –joined members from Scotland No.2 Ireland and is a key campaign no fewer than 45 CWU by CWU NEC member Carl Branch that the advisory committee is activists and family members Maden, members of Plymouth u Grampian Pride (in supporting. from across the North West and East Cornwall Branch Aberdeen) – joined by Other Pride activities took part, joined by special and the South West Regional members from Grampian and enthusiastically supported by guests from Northern Ireland Equality Committee Shetland Branch.

to support the miners’ and some dissent amongst In 1985 South Wales coal Proud strike in South Wales. both communities they miners and their families, In the early 80s, an era forged a remarkable union. together with LGSM, led the of prolific and Vilified as “the pits and parade that would become roots union bashing, and perverts” by The Sun London Pride. They were Gays Support the Miners newspaper, they responded asked to lead the march of Pride (LGSM) was founded by Mark by raising over £5,000 for the because they were the Ashton and his friends. miners by organising the Pits largest group at the event. Emma Garner of Preston Mark, a gay rights and Perverts gig in 1984. This was just the beginning of Brook, Bury and Retail activist, and member of the One grateful South Wales NUM support for LGBT rights, Branch, looks at the roots Communist Party, wanted to miner Dai Donovan took to leading to a strong affiliation of Pride – beginning with show solidarity with another the stage to say: “You have with the Labour Party. an inspired LGBT link-up victimised community – the worn our badge ‘Coal not Thankfully society has with striking miners miners in South Wales. Dole’ and you know what changed, meaning that Pride The LGSM extended the harassment means as we events now can be more he film, Pride, tells the hand of friendship, unsure of do. Now we will pin your celebratory – but we should T story of how the Lesbian the reception that they would badge on us and we will never forget the origins of the and Gay community came receive. Despite uncertainty support you.” Pride movement.

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