Minutes of 20 April Meeting

Anti Cuts Network Meeting notes 20 Apr 2011 (19 people in attendance)

1. Newcastle College reports
After the strike action against job cuts last week, people reported on the success of the strike supported by ACN
Lecturers were banned from holding union meetings on campus and a meeting of UCU members voted unanimously for no confidence in the College Director Dame Fisher and of full confidence in their branch sec Dave O'toole.
Stacy reported on the student Save Our Staff campaign and proposals to continue to build support from students, and a meeting with Student Union and the college.
It was proposed that we encourage ACN and other anti cuts group to show support for Striking Lecturers and UCU by using photo of people holding placards (Like the campaign to support vicitmised students at Sussex) will  liase with SOS and NFEN on this.
It was agreed that we will raise with UCU including ESOL campaign alongside opposition to job cuts, as we a aware that staff and students and community will be affected by both attacks.

2. May Day
Agreed to build the may day Anti Cuts secton:
- to have a leaflet supporting those taking action and including support for all those taking action including, strikes, walkout, demos and campaigns, also promoting the conference (Date and details to follow)
- to organise placard / banner making (meet outside Star and Shadow Wed 27 April 5.30pm, Ed to check venue)
- agreed to ask for speaker at May Day
- agreed to put out call for chants on the march and have megaphone (perhaps not right behind the brass band)
- agreed to have chants specifically aimed at Vodaphone, HSBC and Barclays and to make a big noise approaching these shops on the route.

3. Stall at Monument on Saturday agreed we would have two stalls one next to the Unite on St Georges day - anti racist music event, but also on other side of monument so people can talk about the cuts and not disrupt the music. Agreed on stall to have a ACN sign up sheet, HSBC three petion, ESOL and college petions and leaflet about may day and future meeitngs.

4. HSBC campaign. Tom showed the produced statement for raising funds for appeal and this was agreed
IT was agreed to aim for a benefit in June, possibly the date of conferecne

5. Conference to oppose the cuts
It was agreed to plan more for this 25 June conference at teh banner making on Wed 27 (meet at 5.30 outside Star and Shadow)

6. Pete gave report from NUS conference - pressure from left was evident, many students supported the Newcastle college strike

7. Stuart reported on ASOS week of action and will send stuff to list to be circulated

8. Ed reported that more on Chirton House campaign and leafleting about Saving Adult Care in NEwcastle and will circulate info,