A-Infos (en) SchNEWS 198, 22 January 1999

["SchNEWS" <schnews@gn.apc.org>]

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WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER BED-PAN...
CLEANED OUT!
"How can you have partnership with management that can sack you? Sure when
we can sack the manager, or personnel, then we can talk about partnership.
Partnership is between equals."
- Carolann Duggan, assembly-line worker and trade union activist

Hillingdon hospital workers who were recently told by an Industrial
Tribunal that they should have their jobs back - on their old terms and
conditions - are still waiting to be re-instated.

Fifty three, mainly Asian women, were sacked in September 1995 for refusing
to accept worse pay and conditions, such as a #40 a week pay cut (they were
already earning less than #7,000 a year). The media ignored them, their
Union kept trying to abandon them, but they carried on fighting. Eventually
their former employees Pall Mall admitted unfair dismissal, then the
Tribunal ruled in their favour.

The problem now is that the hospital contract has been taken over by
Granada Services who say that the women have been 're-structured' and that
their jobs no longer exist. Which in plain English means that Granada have
got people doing the same work for less pay.

Strange then it would seem, that Granada's Stephanie Monk has a seat on the
Governments Low Pay Comission - you know, the people that said the minimum
wage should be #3.60 an hour. However a spokesperson from the Public Sector
Privitisation Unit (!) told SchNEWS, "Even though Granada are on the Low
Pay Commission, they're actually fighting hard to keep the minimum wage as
low as possible."

But while the Hillingdon Hospital workers' fate is uncertain, Granada's
fortunes are blooming thanks to their Labour chums. Aside from a #4 billion
turnover from hotels, service stations and Cornonation Street, they've
recently been given a whopping #60 million Millennium Dome catering
contract, 49% of the Post Office's catering arm, and permission to sell
cream teas at the British Library.

As usual, New Labour talk of partnership and labour flexibility, but behind
the sound bites its big business that they really work for.

   * Wed 27th January: Meeting at Parliament to discuss Granada's role on
     Low Pay Commission.
   * Wed 17th February: Lobby Granada HQ 12 - 2pm 13 Cleveland Row, off
     St.James St., SW1.

Send urgently needed donations to Hillingdon Strikes, c/o 27 Townsend Way,
Northwood, Middx, HA6 1TG Tel : 0956 135311

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ARMS UNITED

"When the dust has settled, the result will be a company even more
aggressive in peddling death and repression around the world."
- Campaign Against the Arms Trade

British Aerospace, everyone's favourite dealers in arms and torture
equipment, is to take over GEC Marconi electronics division, to become the
biggest arms seller in Europe and third largest in the world. This will
give them even more power to lobby the guv'ment and dilute even further
Britain's "ethical foreign policy". This is the Company that sells Hawk
jets to Indonesia, and assault rifles to the Turkish military which is
involved in brutally repressing Kurdish people in disputed land in the
south.

The Merger precedes calls by activists for an immediate arms embargo in the
Public Gallery at the House of Commons yesterday after it was confirmed
that British-built tanks and armoured vehicles have been used in East
Timor,Indonesia. This information came from the dim-witted Indonesian
defence attache,Col.Halim,admitted to allegations of torture and the use of
UK equipment in East Timor on Mark Thomas Comedy Product after Mark posed
as a rep from a PR company.

BAe is holding an AGM, 28 April, QE2 Conference Centre, Victoria Street,
London (nearest station Westminster) There will be a protest and vigil
outside, and direct action inside. You won't be able to get in unless
you're a shareholder, but shares are available from Campaign Against the
Arms Trade (donations very welcome as shares cost #15 each).

Open planning meetings for AGM actions: 6.30pm, 13 Jan, 10 Feb, 10 & 24
March, 7 April @ CAAT Office, 11 Goodwin Street, Finsbury Park, London N4.

Web: http://www.gn.apc.org/caat/ Email: enquiries@caat.demon.co.uk

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SchNEWS QUICK-FIRE TV REVIEW

Mark Thomas's Comedy Product, Wed 10:55pm, Channel 4. If Bill Hicks was
right that TV's function is to keep us all stupid, this programme kidnaps
the screen and wrests it from its purpose_ A new series in which Mark
tricks his way into the corridors of power and exposes those who are
shafting us all (all hail the slayer of Indonesian officials' dignity).

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DOIN' IT IN THE NORTH

Beware of power-dressed executives who have mates with dreadlocks_ as staff
at construction firm Amec learnt the hard way, when on Monday a couple of
apparently respectable business visitors let in through the window about 50
activists who engulfed the beautiful Cheshire country house headquarters.
But the company responsible for building Manchester airport's second runway
were already entertaining, so as the new guests mingled with those who had
been invited, pommes frites were washed down with wine. Amec managers could
only stand by and mourn their lost nibbles.

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CRAP ARREST OF THE WEEK

For wearing a khaki shirt! Earth First! activist Melissa Fridlin was nicked
at an anti-Forest Service demo in America on the grounds that she was
impersonating a Federal official during some street threatre.

Goes to P.C. Fudge of West Mercia for assaulting a disabled hunt sab in a
hail of punches, breaking his camcorder, arresting him for possession of an
offensive weapon (the camcorder), and stealing his woolly hat! The sab was
released without charge and is suing with support of a Staffordshire
Inspector! Earlier, P.C. Fudge informed 2 sabs he'll fucking kill them if
they didn't get out of their car, as well as threatening sabs with C.S. gas
if they tried to follow the hunt. Meanwhile in Berkshire 3 sabs had 60
police to contend with, while on Salisbury Plain sabs were followed in hot
pursuit by an Air Support Unit helicopter! Hunt Saboteurs Ass. P.O. Box
2786 Brighton BN2 2AX Tel: 01273 622827.

CRAP RAID OF THE WEEK

A law-abiding Newcastle high-rise resident woke at 8am to the sound of
mysterious clanks and thumps. Looking through his spy-hole he saw
Northumbria constabularies' finest. He opened the door and 3 Keystone Kops
fell in a heap through the door, along with their hydraulic ram. After they
had searched his laundry basket, he checked the warrant more closely. The
kops became red-faced when he pointed out they had the right flat number,
but the wrong block of flats. Doh!

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NO GREENWASH IN THE GREENHOUSE

On Tuesday the genetiX snowball campaign rejected the Green Ribbon award
for 'Best Political Campaign by an Environmental Organisation'. The awards
are sponsored by Norsh Hydro. GenetiX spokesperson Andrew said at the
Awards Ceremony "Norsk Hydro is continuing to exploit new oil reserves
despite concerns over Global Warming, and manufactures PVC despite concerns
over human health and pollutants; and is the largest manufacture of
artificial fertilisers, which have no part in sustainable agriculture.
There is a fine line between promoting environmental good practice and
being a showcase for corporate 'greenwash'. That line has been crossed with
these awards."

   * Iceland has decided to become the first country in the world to sell
     the rights to the entire population's genetic code to a biotechnology
     company. Roche Holding Ltd. has signed a $200 million, five-year deal
     to develop new drugs and tests from the data

   * Activists in Hulme, Manchester have called off a supermarket sweep
     planned at their local ASDA store after the supermarket agreed to fund
     independent testing of their own brand of baked beans to ensure that
     they are free of genetically modified orgasms [hey, good typo - online
     editor].

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1-2-3 OUT?

The World renowned 121 Autonomous Centre in Brixton, South London has been
given its marching orders by Lambeth Council .

The doors could finally close on the squatted info-shop next Thursday which
has been based at Railton Road since 1981.

The Centre is also used for local squatters aid, regular cafes, community
meetings, regular parties and music shows, a print resource, and an
archive. It's eviction seems to go hand in hand with the on-going
gentrification of Brixton. Currrently mass evictions are taken place, two
community arts centres along the Wandsworth Road are being sold off,
short-life housing co-ops are being hassled and a #50 a night hotel and
indoor shopping centre is planned which will destroy the outdoor market.

   * Next Monday there will a meeting about the evicition 6.30 pm at 121
     Railton Road, Brixton, SE24. Tel: 0171 2746655 Crash space is
     available.

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R.I.P.

Eric Mattocks was one of the best loved activists in the squatting movement
in London for 25 years until his sudden death on Monday, aged 70. The
struggle for housing in the '70s, where there were thousands of squats, was
conducted under the full gaze of the media. Whilst others vied for
"leadership", engaged the bureaucracy in arguments over the future of empty
homes, or contested court cases, Eric just got on with the practical
necessities. An expert "cracker", he opened innumerable squats, connecting
services and taking endless time and trouble to help the most vulnerable
homeless people who turned to the squatting movement when all else failed.
Many others received brisk advice on how to do it and the loan of a
crowbar.

He was a unique, deeply-loved, spikey character who lived his life for
others, and one of the unassuming, genuine heroes of our time. The Guardian
newspaper will print a full obituary on Monday 25th January 1999, the day
of his funeral..

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SCHNEWS IN BRIEF

   * Teachers at almost 1400 schools across nine regions in Russia are
     currently on strike after authorities in Novosibirsk tried offering
     some teachers three bottles of vodka in lieu of their wages! (Shurely
     not from Yeltsin's copious stash_?)

   * About 500 anti-fascists in Barcelona broke into a Nazi bookstore and
     dumping and burning fascist material in the street, before being
     dispersed by the police.

   * If you can prove that you are being spied on from your TV by the
     security services then #5,000 could be yours. "I am making a pledge
     for information directly leading to the exposing of the BBC Newscaster
     Conspiracy. The exposing would specifically need to lead to a legally
     binding admission from Martyn Lewis or Michael Buerk" Check out the
     Web site at http://www.five.org.uk/ [graphics heavy site - online
     editor].

   * Denis Halliday, former UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq is touring
     the UK from 23-28th Jan. He resigned, calling the sanctions "a totally
     bankrupt concept" and says 5 to 6 thousand kids die each month because
     of them . For a list of venues ring Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq
     01223 507858

   * i-Contact are in the process of listing video activists/journalists so
     people can get in touch with them if they want an event covered. If
     interested send info to i-contact@gifford.co.uk

   * Benefit Ceilidh for Ashton Court Quarry Campaign 30 Jan, St. Werbughs
     Community Centre, Horley Rd, Bristol.8 - 12pm #3/2 More info 07970
     423834

   * The next National Demo at Hillgrove cat vivisection farm is Sat 20th
     Feb, 12 noon. More info 0121 632 6460

   * There's a new Travellers Legal Advice Team emergency 24hr Helpline
     0468 316755

   * Happy Birthday to Swedish Anarchist Magazine Brand, 100 yrs old! Box
     15015, S-10465, Stockholm, Sweden.

   * The Hillsborough Justice Campaign is issuing an urgent appeal to
     survivors of the Hillsborough tragedy to contact their office in
     Liverpool after a Stoke man was awarded #50,000 in the High Court
     after originally being paid only #3,000.The Hillsborough Justice
     Campaign are urging survivors or families of victims to come forward.
     For details call the campaign on 0151 260 5262.

   * Corks are being pulled, replaced by plastic ones. Cork is the stripped
     bark of the Quercus Suber tree from the Mediterranean, a sustainable
     crop. The end of cork would see these forests disappearing. U.S.
     manufacturers Supremecorq claim their Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)!
     are recyclable. Put a cork in it!

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REBEL ALLIANCE

Wednesday Jan 27th upstairs at the Hobgoblin Pub, London Road, 7.00pm

Come and meet new friends and hear what your local direct action groups are
up to...

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VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE

This Valentine's Day Trident Ploughshares 2000 invite you to a weekend of
fun and frolics in Glasgow, culminating in a mass blockade of the nuclear
base at Faslane on the 15th. The action is part of TP2000's aim to disarm
the Trident weapons systems by the year 2000 through non-violent direct
action.

While there, blow a big sloppy Valentines kiss to the MOD who have
complained about the "inappropriate" use of woodland at TP2000's occasional
Coalport peace camp_ Hmmmm, not as inappropriate as their next door
neighbours from Hell_ Contact TP 2000, 42-46 Bethal St., Norwich, NR2 1NR
email tp2000@gn.apc.org

   * 3 Swedish peace activists that have been held on remand for
     Ploughshares actions in Barrow were released on bail yesterday,
     despite refusing bail conditions. The judge complained he didn't "like
     people holding a gun to the courts head"!

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INSIDE SCHNEWS

It's Satpal Ram's birthday this coming Monday. He will be 33 years old.
He's been in prison since he was 20, after being given a life sentence for
defending himself in a racist attack in a restaurant, when one of his
attackers died after refusing medical treatment. Send birthday cards
(recorded delivery) to Satpal Ram E94 164, HMP Belmarsh, Western Way,
Thamesmead, SE28.

   * Martin Wright, one of the Birmingham Relief Road protest prisoners has
     been released. The other three remain inside (see SchNEWS 197 for
     details) and will be back in court in the next couple of weeks. To
     visit any of them, phone the site mobile on which they are
     co-ordinating solidarity, as well as welcoming newcomers at the sorted
     visitors camp. 07970 301978

   * Attention all prisoners! Haven Distribution have a new eight-page
     catalogue out, available for an SAE or 2nd class stamp. The
     distribution service exists on a shoe-string budget (just one monthly
     standing order and one donation last year) so if your feeling flushed
     send dosh/stamps to 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3XX.

   * Two years ago, Michael Manson a 30-year old black man was set on fire
     by youths in North London. He remained conscious for almost a week but
     died on 13 Febuary 1997. The jury later ruled that he had been
     unlawfully killed in an unprovoked attack, but due to police blunders
     the exact details aren't known. Yet again the Met police admitted
     fundamental errors in their investigation including assuming Michael
     set fire to himself and that his injuries weren't life threatening.
     Contact: The Michael Menson Family Campaign, C/o SMG Unity, PO Box
     304, Southhall, Middlesex, UB2 5YR. Tel 0181 8432333

   * Following the Stephen Lawrence outrages a major National Civil Rights
     March on Sat 6th Feb will go from Brixton to New Scotland Yard and
     Downing St .Assemble at noon opp. Lambeth Town Hall. For info: 07957
     696636

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ALL FIRED UP

The Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) have claimed responsibility for an
arson attack on Boxing Day, resulting in over $500,000 worth of damages. A
communique from the E.L.F. stated, "To celebrate the holidays we decided on
a bonfire. Unfortunately for U.S. Forest Industries it was at their
corporate headquarters office_This was retribution for all the wild forests
and animals lost to bloat the wallets of greedy fucks ".

This latest action by the E.L.F. comes just two months after the arson
attack on Vail Associates' ski resort expansion site in Colorado where they
caused over $12 million damages in protest at a development of the last
habitat for the endangered lynx in Colorado. For more info on the Vail
arson and the usual debate over nonviolence/violence of property
destruction read Earth First! Journal at PO Box 1415, Eugene, OR 97440,
USA. Tel: +44 (541) 344-8004 Email: earthfirst@igc.org.

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AND FINALLY

A company in America became all flustered after anti-drug messages on its
pencils seriously misfired. A sharp-eyed ten year old in New York noticed
that when the pencils are sharpened the slogan: 'Too Cool to Do Drugs',
turns into 'Cool to Do Drugs' . A bit more sharpening and it becomes 'Do
Drugs.'

The company, The Bureau For At-Risk Youth, have now recalled the pencils.

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DISCLAIMER

Ooh, Matron! SchNEWS warns all readers not to rummage around in Granada's
dirty washing. You'll only come out stinking rich and have to hang around
with Tony Blair and his cronies (a pint of Tony's Kronie please Mickey).

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SchNEWS

Published in Brighton by Justice? - Brighton's Direct Action collective



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