Education on Trial at ULU. Tickets now on sale

Another fantastic line up of discussion, poetry, video and totally Sh!t Theatre are lined up for your debating pleasure.

Set a week before the NUS, UCU & UNISON national demonstration 'Education Cuts: Fund Our Future' this event hopes to build for the demo and beyond. With LSE now announcing they are looking into privatisation these discussions are more than ever important.

Click on the images for provisional lineup and agenda. Feel free to print off and put up round your campuses and workplaces.

Buy your advance tickets HERE before they sell out. And bring slogans to paint on your very own banner at Sky Yarlett's Banner and Placard Making Session :-)

Email, facebook and twitter away this post and feel free to invite anyone you like...

Palestine 'Supermarket Sweep' action - Sainsbury's, Kensington, 11th October 2009

Supermarket Sweep action - Sainsbury's, Kensington, 11th October 2009

Video of action:

http://current.com/items/91154940_boycott-settlement-goods-protest.htm (by Fil Kaler)

On 11th October 2009, a swarm of activists descended upon Sainsbury’s on Cromwell Street, West London to highlight the sale of Israeli and illegal Settlement produce by both Sainsbury’s and other major supermarket chains. Coming from a diverse range of campaign organisations, around 40 activists stood in solidarity with the Palestinian call for a global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.

Enterring the store, protestors held up an array of settlement and Israeli produce demanding that the supermarkets put a halt to their sale and reminding consumers of their capacity to effect change by not buying these goods.

Popping up a tent and claiming it to be an “Israeli Settlement”, the actions demonstrated the ridiculous ease at which Israeli Settlements pop up around the West Bank, protected by the military and evicting Palestinians from their land and homes.

They proceded to chant against the occupation and the sale of Israeli goods, following this they went on a tour of the store so that all staff and customers were made aware of Sainsbury's role in supporting illegal settlements. Handing out leaflets and engaging with customers, many of which were supportive, the actions communicated the need for greater citizen action.

Management and security were keen to encourage the protestors to leave but with no success. After twenty minutes within the store, demonstrators left of their own accord, clapping hands and chanting "Free Free Palestine", feeling that their efforts had been succesful in communicating to the store and the general public.

Police arrived soon after and despite a brief interaction with protestors there were no arrests and no signs of aggression.

Activists then left the scene and were followed for some time afterwards, however no further action by the police was taken.

------------------------

This non-violent initiative seeks to challenge the economic and political infrastructure that supports the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Similar to the efforts against Apartheid South Africa, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign hopes to undermine the apartheid in the West Bank and Gaza whereby checkpoints, Israel only roads and the Apartheid all segregate and impoverish Palestinians. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 60% of Palestinians live below the poverty line, and in Gaza the figure sits at 70%.

Illegal Israeli Settlement produce is on sale in most of the high street supermarket chains, including Tesco’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Marks and Spencers, and Asda as well as Sainsbury’s. According to the 2004 judgement by the International Court of Justice, Settlements are illegal and in violation of the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Sale of produce from these Settlements reinforce their existence and financially contribute to Israel’s theft of Palestinian land and violent oppression of Palestinians themselves.

This mass action follows a number of smaller protests that have taken place across in London and across the UK which make explicit public opposition to the sale of Settlement goods in British stores. It also follows the September 2009 decision by the Trade Union Congress to commit to building a mass boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.

SOAS director Paul Webley's pathetic and disgraceful response to UNISON's vote to strike

IMPORTANT: please read Richard Seymours excellent overview of the sheer shabbyness of this case, if you haven't done so already, before you go on-he puts it much better than me...Read it HERE

INTERNAL MESSAGE FOR STAFF REGARDING INDUSTRIAL ACTION BEING TAKEN BY UNISON MEMBERS ON THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009

Members of UNISON have voted to enter into a one-day strike following a failed appeal to reinstate a former member of staff  (unfairly SACKED) for gross misconduct. UNISON have informed the School that this strike will take place on Thursday 28th May 2009.

At a recent ballot, 31 members out of 110 voted in favour of going on strike – that’s a third of UNISON members (what a disgusting reponse-45 people were at this meeting. This is well over quoracy and is 2/3rds of the meeting. And a higher percentage than most uni's union turnouts)

The decision to take industrial action is regrettable particularly at such a crucial time of year for our students as they prepare for exams, and in light of all the correct processes being followed. We will do all we can to ensure students are not inconvenienced by this action (How dare he try to play students off the staff-we have policy after policy supporting this campaign and we stand in solidarity with Jose Stalin)

The School takes seriously any complaints made by our colleagues (erm, how come they refused the ONLY witness statement then? And how about the racist and derogatory comments made by the complainant to Stalin-witnessed by a student whose statement was also not allowed ).

We have strict procedures and guidelines in place to investigate such allegations in a fair and reasonable manner which have been agreed in consultation with both UNISON and UCU.

Throughout the process, these guidelines and processes were followed to ensure this particular case was not prejudiced in any way (is this why they sneaked Stalin out to a change of venue for his last hearing. If I hadn't seen them leaving no-one would have known. When i then proceeded to follow them Charles Perry, Human Resources tried to take back routes and trips to the toilet to lose me. When I kept on their heels he told me he didn't want my sort at the meeting. He told me to go away. All i wanted to do was know where they were taking him without telling the Union reps-I didn't even say anything. Rude, vile man).

The welfare of our staff is of utmost importance and we have a duty of care to provide a safe and secure workplace for all employees (Why, then, did they place Stalin back in a tiny broom cupboard of an office with someone who had already been through an employment process with Stalin? that, my friends, is un-acceptable). 

A (warped) questions and answers sheet about this strike is attached.

Professor Paul Webley

Director and Principal

Thursday 21st May 2009

Questions and answers about UNISON one day strike to be held on Thursday 28th May 2009

Why are UNISON members going on strike?

Members of UNISON are taking strike action following the dismissal of a member of staff for gross misconduct. The decision to strike was taken after a disciplinary hearing and a failed appeal.

Who voted for strike action?

A ballot was held of the 110 members of UNISON who work at SOAS. 45 ballot papers were returned - 14 voted against strike action and 31 voted in favour. SOAS employs just under 1,000 people so this is around three per cent of the staff population and just 28 per cent of UNISON members. 

Is the School able to disclose details of the case?

The School believes that internal disciplinary and grievance complaints should remain confidential and not be made available. That is why the School is deeply disappointed that individuals participating in the disciplinary process, including the complainant, have been named by union representatives.

Was the disciplinary process carried out in a fair manner?

SOAS’s disciplinary and grievance processes have been agreed with UNISON and UCU. The disciplinary procedures were fully complied with and UNISON regional officers were involved throughout the process.

Was the appeal carried out in a similar way?

The appeal against dismissal was conducted according to the process agreed with UNISON. The same UNISON regional officer represented the member of staff at this hearing. The representative confirmed from the outset that she was happy with the hearing panel.

How will a strike affect staff and students?

The School will do all it can to minimise disruption. Some library and IT services may be affected which will inevitably impact on staff and students. 

Can anyone take strike action?

No. Only members of UNISON who voted for action will be protected by law. Staff who take ‘sympathy’ action (not in unions and in unions other than UNISON) will be in breach of their contract.

Do I have to take strike action if I’m a UNISON member?

No. UNISON members are entitled to take strike action but are not obliged to do so.

What are the consequences of going on strike?

UNISON members who go on strike will be in breach of their contract and as a result, the School will deduct a day’s pay.

Does the School have a policy on pay deduction?

Yes and it can be found on the SOAS website http://www.soas.ac.uk/hr/procedures/ 

Will there be a picket line?

UNISON is organising pickets at the main entrance to SOAS premises. There will be no more than six official pickets at the entrance to the building and they will be identified by armbands. Pickets will be respectful and not in any way threatening. Members of staff are not obliged to speak to those taking part. 

What if I am on leave on the day of the strike?

Staff who have already booked annual leave will not be affected. However we have advised managers that any further annual leave requested on the day of the strike will not be agreed to ensure adequate staffing levels.

What if I am working from home or away from the office on SOAS business?

Staff who normally work from home on this day or those away on School business should confirm their arrangement with their line manager to ensure pay is not deducted.

What are the consequences of strike action?

Taking strike action will inevitably lead to students not being able to access all the services they need and staff may have to cover for colleagues who are on strike. It will also lead to UNISON members losing a day’s pay. 

What next?

SOAS is disappointed that strike action is going ahead despite all the proper processes being followed. It does not wish to suspend its internal processes, which were agreed with unions, on the basis of one case. The School remains committed to working with unions to ensure that all policies and procedures are implemented effectively and that similar action is avoided in the future.

Human Resources Department

May 2009

Assed Baig is with Aid workers who are to go on hunger strike at Rafah-Gaza border

18/05/2009

British, Belgian and Greek doctors, nurses and aid workers will go on hunger strike tomorrow over the Egyptian Authorities’ refusal to allow entry into Gaza.

After constant attempts aid workers, doctors and nurses, have been refused entry in to the Gaza strip by the Egyptian authorities. Some doctors have been waiting for forty days. Out of utter desperation and witnessing the treatment of Palestinians by the Egyptian authorities, aid workers and activists have been left with no choice except to go into hunger strike and stay at the Rafah crossing until they are allowed through into Gaza.

Although the Egyptian authorities had said the border was open for two days the fact is that non-Palestinians were not allowed to enter, even though some were Palestinian but held different nationalities.

Contact Dr Omar Mangoush
Tel: 0020193764783

Assed Baig
0020178126819

Student Occupations spread to Croatia

Read about it here

On Monday (20/04/2009) an independent student initiative for the right to free education started a peaceful occupation of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia. They organized this action demanding the right to free education for all and the elimination of all tuition fees, at all levels of higher education: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate. During the occupation, everyone is free to enter and leave the Faculty building, but regular classes will not be held. Instead, students have organized an alternative educational program, which consists of lectures, public discussions, workshops, movie screenings and other happenings. Everyone is free to attend these happenings, whether they are students or not.

Every evening, a plenary session will be held, at which students will decide whether they will continue with the occupation the next day. Everyone is free to attend these sessions, participate in discussions and vote, whether they are students or ordinary citizens. The issue of the right to free education is not one that concerns only the students, it is an issue of relevance for the future of the entire society, therefore every member of the society has the right to participate in decision making at the plenary sessions.

On this page you will find information about the initiative for the right to free education, as well as translations of some of our important documents into several languages.

For more information about the reasons for the protest and why the students chose to carry it out in this manner, see frequently asked questions.

So far, we have received numerous letters of support from individuals and organizations, both at home and from abroad. Among those who have expressed support for our cause are Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek. Full list of who supports us can be accessed here.

SOAS sacks key activist

From Lenin's Tomb

Employers have a number of ways of getting back at successful strikers, and one of them is to target militant trade unionists. Recently, after a high-profile campaign by SOAS Justice for Cleaners, which was ultimately victorious in its demands for decent pay*, the SOAS Unison Branch Chair, Jose Stalin Bermudez, was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. This was presumably good news to the management at my alma mater, Birkbeck College, where Bermudez was supporting the Living Wage campaign by cleaners there - a campaign that continues to this day, and which involves staff and students at Birkbeck.

The charge against Bermudez was that he had made a "death threat" to a colleague in 2007. The charge has not been substantiated, and was rejected by an earlier grievance hearing, but nonetheless Sharon Page of the SOAS directorate resuscitated the charge in order to justify his sacking. This was the same Sharon Page who had, in 2008, conceded that there was "no evidence or witness to substantiate" the claim that there was "any verbal threat" to the life or safety of the complainant. This was subsequently confirmed in correspondence from the Human Resources manager Charles Perry.

Following the initial decision to sack Bermudez, an appeal was launched. SOAS selected a panel to hear the appeal, rejecting the arguments from SOAS Unison, UCU, NUS and several members of the Academic Board for an independent review. That panel, under the direction of the HR advisor, affirmed the original decision. The basis of the decision was the perception of the complainant, Norman Riseley, of the Estates and Services staff (Estates and Services manages the facilities at SOAS). But there was an independent witness, Pablo Grisales, who - instead of being given the opportunity to testify - was brought before three managers, who read to him a prepared statement and asked him to confirm it. He was given no chance to read the statement, or qualify it in any way. He was prevented from offering his own independent version of events. And the statement, never signed, became the official "witness statement".

Grisales subsequently attended the disciplinary hearing earlier this year, and supported Bermudez's recollection that there had been no threat of any kind. However, Sharon Page dismissed the evidence as a fabrication, declaring that "on the balance of probabilities" she would prefer to believe the managers' claim that Grisales had "verbally confirmed" the unsigned "witness statement". Further, the complainant's version of events was deemed "far more credible" than that of either Bermudez, the accused, or Grisales, the sole independent witness. This absurd judgment reeks of prejudice. In their statement on the decision, SOAS Unison and SOAS UCU, say: "To say that this borders on downright racism would be an understatement. Sharon Page made her decision to dismiss Stalin on her perception of the complainant's perception. One white manager's perception of a white complainant's perception of a black employee. No contest in SOAS."

*The SOAS Living Wage campaign successfully sought to raise cleaners' wages to the modest London Living Wage level of £7.45 per hour, set by the Greater London Assembly to account for the high costs of living in the city. This campaign continues at the other Bloomsbury colleges.

On the Practice of Communism: we have an idea...

The On the Idea of Communism conference being hosted by Zizek's department and Birkbeck college has attracted more that a murmur of criticism over the £100 (£45 if you are a Birkbeck student) entrance fee. 

The mass intellect, argues Toni Negri (one of the speakers), needs to appropriate the general intellect and it was by this argument that the 'On the Commodification of Communism' motion I submitted to the recent UGM was passed unanimously. 

I couldn't believe we didn't get a single vote against-not even a snigger from the Tories about 1) communism, 2) education not being for the masses or 3) educational institutions needing to cover their costs by charging. 

The motion resolved to challenge Birkbeck and for the SU exec to back any action that may result if the mass intellect is not listened to.

As far as I know none of the speakers are getting paid. Having organised fundraisers in the Logan Hall before and only charging £7 entrance I am fully aware of the cost of hiring said hall. If we say that 50% of the 933 attendees are paying £45, and allocate £1,000 speaker expenses per speaker, by my generous calculations Bbk will be making around £45,000. And that's without even taking into consideration the money made from undoubtable postconference book deal.

We understand that goverment cutbacks have left these institutions with massive financial holes but it  should not be us who are paying for their crisis. They could at least offer some concessions to those who really cant afford it.

Rejoicing in our smoking area I was talking about peoples plans to disrupt the conference. It turned out that I was chatting to someone from the Zizek department. Ooops! 

Whilst I am totally in favour of direct action under most circumstances (being the first uni to occupy and having a hand in the Queen Mary occupation, occupying NUS stage at conference and BBC HQ's), I am not in favour of storming the stage at this prestigious 'left-wing' conference. Not only is it not a good idea to attack the left, which, even though we would be critising Birkbeck, is how it would appear, but I would prefer positive action to come out of our protests. 

So, it is on this basis that we are proposing for academics to take affirmitive action. We call all academics to commit to allowing their publications to be available online for free. 

We would like to invite participants of the Communism conference to attend our Internet for Activists conference where we will be launching the Free Our Books Campaign. 

Police WILL be on Campus-join the protest.

I cannot believe what the school have done. A couple of months ago the City of London Police, working through the CEMS department, approached the Students' Union to co-host an event with them.

They posed it like this:

The SOAS Centre for Ethnic Minority Studies (CEMS) is hosting a chance for students to ask these questions and discuss contemporary policing with experienced and senior police from the Metropolitan and City Police.

We didnt believe that it was this innocent so asked for more information. 

In further proposals they said they wanted to establish "lasting partnerships" with "senior members of counter-terrorism operations" for "future collaboration" with SOAS students through the Home Office's PREVENT programme and SOAS's CEMS.

The SU exec saw this as an attempt to introduce undercover and not-so-undercover police informants on campus as they have done in many other universities. So they voted against it.

The Police and Paul Webley took one of the Presidents out to a posh lunch to try to win them over.

I submitted a motion to UGM but  unfortunatley due to bureaucratic reasons it didn't make it on the agenda. Read it HERE.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID WITH THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE EXHIBITION THAT WE OCCUPIED THE BRUNEI GALLERY OVER. See initial blog post HERE

We invite you to join us in a protest outside the room.

Date: 9th March 2009

Time: 7.15-9pm

Where: G52

SOAS activist disgracefully sacked. Other staff threatened with dismissal if they take industrial action

I don't have any more information about the threats to dismiss staff for taking action but will update this post once i do.

When Paul Webley was appointed to SOAS most people were pleased. I could not help but see his expertise title as a bit of a give away: 'Economic Psychologist'. He knows how to fuck over the finances without you noticing. He gives £50 in one hand to do a little party or something whilst slashing thousands from somewhere you are not looking. at his previous college, Exeter, he closed entire departments against the wishes of the staff. 

Well, Paul Webley-we ARE looking and we will not be intimidated by your threats. This is completely outrageous. Strike action is a wholey legitimate form of protest and we will use it at the request of the majority of union members.

One further thing that concerns us is that Sharon Page, second in charge of SOAS, has resigned YET she was chairing the panel which dismissed Stalin. Now, no-one can be held to account. 

Please email Paul and Sharon expresing your concerns 

We the undersigned condemn the sacking of José Stalin Bermúdez, SOAS Union Branch Chair, by SOAS management. We believe this to be a victimisation due to his prominent role in the successful SOAS Living Wage Campaign. We call on SOAS management to immediately reinstate Stalin!

Please send messages of complaint to Paul Webley, Director and Principal of SOAS, at pw2@soas.ac.uk

Julia Rapkin, Birkbeck Unison
Liam Taylor, Institute of Education student
Johnny Darlington, SOAS UCU
Ben Sellers, co-president, SOAS SU
Janet Lucitt, Birkbeck law student and London teacher
Dermot Bryers, English for Action
Luke Stobart, campaigns officer, Birkbeck Students Union
Katie Boothby, SOAS student
Sam O'Neill, UCL student
Richard Carabine, Birkbeck UCU
Sebilio Lillo, SOAS student
Naomi Bain, Birkbeck UNISON
Jesse Oldershaw, Birkbeck student and UCL UCU
Christophe Josiffe, Senate House Unison

Another New York uni in occupation

Take back New York occupation blog

Occupation in BBC HQ update

Yesterday i was going somewhere by tube and was shocked to see we were in ALL the free papers and the Evening Standard. And, the reporting was favourable to say the least! They evenn OVER reported the number of people doing the occupation!! And it was even weirder to see it actually in print rather than these online links.

Evening Standard
Our picture was also used in the New Statesman, but no reference to who it is and the oline version does not have the pic!!

Hang on a sec...i'll find more links.

Well, as usual, i have been distracted by a brand new shiny article about anti-anti-feminism. See post above in a bit...

So, here's simply the link to my previous post.

Please email me or post below any further links you find.

Jewish-israeli teens refuse to join the IDF

From a group on Facebook...."We are a group of Jewish- Israeli teens who are refusing to join the IDF for it has been occupying the Palestinian territories since 1967. In Israel, the law ruled that every 18 year old- healthy, Jewish, Israeli, teenager is to join the military (this varies between 2-3 years and sometimes more). Our group is refusing for political reasons, standing up against the occupation and declaring: we will not support it! The Six Day War broke out on June 5th, 1967 and Israel has not left the West Bank since. Gaza strip was conquered too, and military forces still rule the place. We are saying END THE OCCUPATION IN THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Join our struggle and support our cause. Here we will be available to provide you with more information about the subject. We want and need your support. Sign the petition, join and support us and spread the love we are trying to promote! We want to end occupation, we want to change the face of the militaristic Israeli society to make it a better place, WE WANT PEACE."

Contact Info: Facebook group

Location:

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

See the full letter at Jews for Justice for Palestine

People before Profit stunt at Eurostar.

Just after lunch on Friday 15 August ten comrades armed with props, banners and leaflets descended upon the entrance of Eurostar terminal at St Pancras to protest about the treatment of its' cleaners. Eurostar cleaners get just £6.37 an hour even if they work nights and for however long they have worked for the contractor, OCS, with no pay rises EVER. They are not entitled to sick pay for the first three days and do not get the statutory bank holiday pay. Like the Tube cleaners they are demanding dignity at work and proper rights.

We put on a small visual stunt to show the Eurostar bosses that we will stand by the cleaners in their struggles. What ensued slightly freaked us out!

St Pancras station, once publicly owned, is now private property belonging to Eurostar so we knew we wouldn't have long before the police turfed us off. A comrade donned a fat cat outfit complete with greedypig mask and we gathered behind the People Before Profit banner for a speedy group photo. We then began to quickly hand out leaflets to unsuspecting staff and customers, particularly targeting people with luggage. The reception was very warm and immediately other St Pancras staff, security, cafe and shop workers took notice of what we were doing and came out to give us their full support.

A few Eurostar staff came over to us from the other side of the barriers, grabbed a stack of leaflets and took them back through the barriers. We could see them surreptitiously handing them out to all the staff within the Eurostar offices. They then re-approached us, gave us their phone numbers and expressed their gratitude that we are taking up these issues The were very angry about the treatment the cleaners receive and continued to describe how all the staff are also treated appallingly. They are looking forward to coming out on strike with other RMT members on Wednesday, and they will also be attending the rally on Tuesday.

A couple of Community Support Officers (the lesser paid plastic police with bugger all power but who generally strut around as if they do) walked slowly towards us. We tried to ignore them but we could not help noticing them staring at the banner; they smiled, nodded in agreement then went on their merry way leaving us to carry on-which we did in total bewilderment.

The goodwill continued to flow: Carole Vincent (infamous Big Brother contestant) got into friendly banter, as usual, another member: he said he was a fan of hers and had wanted her to win BB-he was only too pleased to he had talked to the police because he totally agreed with the cause and wanted us to continue.

In the end, after a full 50 or so minutes (bearing in mind that we had prepared to be removed within 2 minutes) and after running out of leaflets we gathered our kit, wished everyone solidarity for the impending strike actions and bid our farewells. We left with a resounding feeling of confidence that next weeks strikes are going to be lively, angry and no doubt will impact in a big way.

We send a clear message to the government and the big bosses that we will not stand for further cuts and demand the reinstatement of the most basic rights that should be afforded to every human being.

What can i say: It's been emotional...

Clare Solomon

Read more about the People Before Profit charter

Read more about the industrial battles on London transport scheduled for next week