Saturday May 1st is International Workers Day – planning is underway for 2021. If we can we we hold a march and rally – if not we will hold an online rally. Watch this space for updates and other events that will be organised in the days leading up to the 1st May
Calum Baird played the final set at the 2020 rally. Here he’s introduced by Susan Morrison who also rounds off the event.
Quan Nguyen is active in Extinction Rebellion and Climate Camp Scotland. In his contribution to the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day rally he stressed the importance of the climate movement and the trade union and workers movement working together to combat the climate crisis.
Kate is an actor and socialist. Many of you will recognise her from films like Ken Loach’s ‘I Daniel Blake’ and Mike Leigh’s ‘Peterloo’. Here’s her speech from the 2020 rally.
Here’s the video of Penny’s set at the 2020 May Day rally.
The second speaker at the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day Rally was Mary Senior. Mary is a full time official for the UCU union and vice president of the STUC. Mary is introduced by Susan Morrison.
Unfortunately Gary couldn’t speak live at the rally because he was called to an emergency union meeting. Here’s his prerecorded talk:
Here’s a written statement that Gary has published outlining the battle over jobs and conditions facing our posties.
As you are aware your postal workers have been continuing working through this pandemic, they have tried to provide you with the best service they can whilst facing high levels of sick, lack of protective equipment and social distancing and parcel levels on par with Christmas but without the extra resourcing to cope. Your postal workers are very appreciative of the support they’ve received from you all, with the posters, the thumbs up, the thank you’s and the gifts and will always do their best to provide you with a great service, but now they need your help.
Royal Mail, a day before ‘National Postal Workers Day’ announced that they will be stopping letter delivery on Saturdays. They said that it was what the postal workers asked for and that it was being done to help them. This is simply not true.
What Royal Mail have announced is what they’ve wanted all along, it was originally part of their 5 year strategy plan and it was part of the reasons we balloted for industrial action this year. Royal Mail have said it’s only a temporary removal but we believe this is not the case, once it’s removed it will be very hard if not impossible to get back and will result in 20,000 job losses, performance management and the loss of duty structures that offices have fought hard to keep.
The CWU have announced their strategy:
-There will be no engagement from representatives or members with the business
– They will utilise all legal options to make a challenge against the actions of the company and the reduction of the Universal Service Obligation
– Members will not carry out duty changes as management instruct and will continue to work their regular duty
– The union will draw up the relevant notices to send to Royal Mail that will result in calling members to take industrial action as per the active ballot.
To be clear, postal workers DO NOT want to take industrial action but when a company disrespects their employees, put their jobs at risk, won’t provide a safe environment for them to work in, focuses on profit alone and refuses to work with a legally recognised union they have no choice. Unfortunately the only thing left is to speak with actions and not words.
Please support your postal workers and the great British service that you’ve all come to know and love
Asad Rehman the Director of War on Want was the first speaker at today’s Edinburgh #MayDay2020 rally for Climate Justice
Thanks to all of the organisations that have provided financial support to this years May Day events.
We are going ahead with the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day Festival but we have moved the events online.
Please note the change of date – the event is now on May 1st.
The speakers are: Asad Rehman (War on Want), Quan Nguyen (Climate Camp), Mary Senior (UCU and STUC) and Kate Rutter (actor/socialist). The compere will be Susan Morrison and there will be music from Penny Stone and Calum Baird.
There are two ways you can join the rally.
Go to Edinburgh and Lothians May Day Face Book Page – we will be live streaming to the page from just before 1pm.
Join the rally via Zoom – see details below. Be sure to start logging in a few minutes before 1pm to avoid missing any of the event.
If you haven’t used Zoom before – here’s a a link to a short guide to how to link up. https://scote3.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/how-to-join-a-zoom-meeting-1.pdf
Topic Edinburgh and Lothians May Day Rally
Time: May 1, 2020 01:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/720340993
Meeting ID: 720 340 993
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Edinburgh and Lothians May Day 