… Enjoy 
Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.
Jeanne Moreau
21 Comments CherryPie on May 31st 2009
One of the sections at the PCS conference covered ‘International Issues’, which gave us the opportunity to hear guest speakers from a different part of the world. Fathi Naser and Hana Joma, representatives from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) gave us an insight into what it is like to be a Trade Unionist in their country.
Fathi spoke about trade union solidarity and the global crisis. He explained how Palestine were requesting self government but the new prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was denying the opportunity even to talk.
“He is trying to force Palestinians to leave the country and talks of a new Jewish state,” said Fathi, who told of 60% levels of unemployment in Gaza and the apartheid wall. “There are 600 checkpoints and families are separated from each other.”
He explained that the Jews would have to move but they would not be able to rebuild because Israel refuses the movement of building materials into Palestine and that families have been split due to the apartheid wall. He concluded by thanking the conference for their hospitality and wished the PCS success in its activities.
Hana’s speech was very moving and had a profound effect on everyone I spoke to. She is a project officer in the women’s department of the PGFTU and she explained the unique difficulties of women living under occupation. She gave a very moving account of how she felt when she arrived in Brighton. After seeing the sea for the first time since she was 15 she wanted to run to the sea and take it in her arms, enjoy the scent and take it home to her children, who have only dreamed about the sea. As a Palestinian in the West Bank they do not have the freedom to see it. She concluded her speech with the following message:
Dear friends I will return to Palestine with the message, your message. The message of the people who think globally, the message of the people who act lovingly. So thank you once again for your solidarity, for making our lives more bearable, for raising our spirits. Long live solidarity between nations and citizens.
Following the speeches from the guest speakers, a lively debate ensued regarding a motion that condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza last December and asking for solidarity. Speakers spoke up on behalf of Israel and Palestine. Hugh Lanning (Deputy General Secretary) pointed out that solidarity meant “their struggle is our struggle, a worker is a worker is a worker”. We should hold solidarity to all workers around the world, no matter what country they live in.
The full speeches can be viewed below:
5 Comments CherryPie on May 30th 2009
I am posting early this week because I am off to the Love Music Hate Racism festival tomorrow and I will be there all day. So there will be no chance for blogging, but probably lots of photo opportunities. Some of you may have seen the first picture before but I just couldn’t resist posting it again, hover over the picture to see the title I gave it 
The second is our big book of Conference motions all 251 pages long!!!
For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.
31 Comments CherryPie on May 29th 2009
After my hectic week of Union business I took advantage of the lovely weather at the weekend and went to visit one of my favourite gardens, Hodnet Hall. The garden has lots of features and and is a wonderful place to relax. It is only open some weekends and bank holidays so I was lucky to be able to catch it un a sunny day when I wasn’t busy. And I do so love the bluebells at this time of year
There have been gardens at Hodnet since the 11th century when the Heber-Percy family constructed their first house in the parkland, their serious development began in 1921 by the late Brigadier Heber-Percy. Today, the 60+ acres are renowned as amongst the finest in the country. Forest trees provide a wonderful backdrop for formal gardens planted to give delight during every season, woodland walks amongst flowering shrubs and a daisy chain of ornamental pools.
The Restaurant serves light lunches and afternoon teas.
Special Open Days 12 noon to 5 p.m.
You are going to have to wait for more pictures of my recent visit (although here is another), but for a taster some pictures from previous visits are here and the map of the gardens can be found here.
6 Comments CherryPie on May 28th 2009
James has challenged us to complete the 5 by 5 meme:
1. Five pet likes
Friendship, gardens, good conversation, boardgaming, visiting new places
2. Five pet hates
Lies/deceit, being kept waiting, grumpiness, disloyalty, new years eve
3. Five pet colours
Red, Pink, Lilac, White, Mint green
4. Five pet genres
Mystery, Romance, Action, History, Fantasy
5. Me in five words
Caring, professional, enigma, fun, lovable
So tell me about you
8 Comments CherryPie on May 27th 2009
On Wednesday morning national president Janice Godrich opened the 2009 annual delegates conference. She started by reminding delegates that we were meeting against the background of the worst economic crisis in living memory and that 11 million adults are now living below the breadline. She went on to say how this was affecting people with rising unemployment, bankruptcies, poverty and house possessions.
Following the opening speech, general secretary Mark Serwotka presented the annual report. He stressed the importance of the Make Your Vote Count Campaign (MYVC), which encourages members to find out their local election candidates views on public services. By getting involved in this way it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to vote and become part of the election process. He went on to say that the divide was not between private and public but betwee the haves and have nots and concluded by saying:
“I’m proud to be general secretary of this union because I think we get our priorities right. Let’s unite with other people in this country. The alternative is a decade of despair, where we offer a decade of hope.”
The first section of motions all related to the social and economic recession and how PCS members resolved to tackle these issues. The motions sought to provide better public services, regenerate the economy, defend the public sector and ensure that ordinary people don’t bear the brunt of the recession which is not of their making.
The Speeches can be viewed below, the video play time of the speech by Janice is 11 mins 57 secs and the one by Mark 31 mins 58 secs.
Comments Off CherryPie on May 26th 2009
