Just over 12 months ago a Textile factory in

Bangladesh called Rana Plaza collapsed killing

over 1300 workers . This was not the first inci-
dent where poor standards had led to the death
of Bangladeshi textile workers .
For the thousands of workers who were in that
building on that terrible day, and the families of
the 1333 worker who never made it out, there is
little escape from the suffering they have en-
dured. They sustained terrible injuries, lost hus-
bands and wives, children and parents, brothers
and sisters and will bear the physical and emo-
tional scars for life.
This can never be compensated for, but these
families can and should be compensated for
loss of income and medical costs before one
year has passed.
Many of the companies the clothes made at Rana
Plaza were destined for british and US high street
companies WalMart, GAP, Next etc. These compa-
nies sought to avoid any or minimal responsibility
for the workers and families affected .
To these companies the $40 million estimated to
be needed is a drop in the ocean .
Fact - In factories in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia,
Cambodia and more, the people who make our clothes
live in poverty, usually earning just half of what they
need to meet their basic needs and care for their fami-
lies. In the UK at least, this is an industry that on paper
supports the principle of a living wage. Most high street
fashion brands have the commitment to pay a living wage
written into their ethical codes. But little is being done to
deliver this into the pay packets of workers who desper-
ately need it.

In January 2014 following sustained lobbying by
the international Trade Union movement ,the
Rana Plaza Arrangement was launched - an un-
precedented coordinated approach which will en-
sure all those who have suffered due to the col-
lapse will receive payments to cover loss of income
and medical costs. A Rana Plaza Donors Trust
Fund has now been opened to collect the money
needed to cover compensation for every affected
worker and family.
Labour Behind the Label ( which our region is af-
filiated to has had a key role in supporting gar-
ment workers and we would urge all branches to
affiliate at www.labourbehindthelabel.org.
PUBLISHED BY THE
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INTERNATIONAL
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On Friday 11 april a number of branch international
officers from the region made the arduous trip down
south to Croyde Bay for the annual UNISON Inter-
national seminar.
The nine of us (whom anoracks will know is the
same number as the fellowship of the ring which
as the oldest would make me Gandalf!)
comprised the second highest regional delegation to
Scotlland which is officially a country!
Over the weekend we heard a number of speaker
and sessions on
Palestine
Swaziland
Global organising
Bangladeshi trade unions
And a speed dating session on latin America
Which described Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia and
Nicaragua.
The sessions included a very poignant presentation
by Sam Maher, Labour Behind the Label, and
Nazma Akter, Sommilito Garments Shomik Federa-
tion, Bangladesh. We heard how workers were ex-
pected to survive on 38 euros a month.
A minutes silence was observed to remember
those who died at work over the last year.

On Saturday evening there was a showing of the
film Budrus.
Budrus is a documentary by J ulia Bacha that exam-
ines one West Bank towns reaction to Israels con-
struction of the security barrier. The town, with a
population of 1,500, was set to be divided and encir-
cled by the barrier, losing 300 acres of land and
3,000 olive trees. These trees were not only critical
for economic survival but also sacred to the towns inter-
generational history. The film tells the story of Ayed Mor-
rar, a Palestinian whose work for Fatah had led to five de-
tentions in Israeli jails, but whose momentous strategic
decision that the barrier would be best opposed by non-
violent resistance had far-reaching ramifications.
















Another particularly interesting session was on Swaziland
Swaziland

The landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland is the only absolute
monarchy in Africa. The country is ruled by King Mswati III
who rules by decree over his people. Swaziland has the
highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world and an esti-
mated 70% of people live below the poverty line.
Freedom of speech is restricted, all political parties are
banned and any opposition to the monarchy is heavily
punished. Swaziland is a beautiful country ravaged by
poor governance and HIV/AIDS.

Under apartheid, mining was South Africa's biggest indus-
try. Hundreds of thousands of miners worked under-
ground in appalling conditions, digging for gold. Produc-
tion levels were high, and profits were prioritised over the
safety of its workers. Black miners undertook the dustiest
jobs, and protective measures were often not provided.


Dave Auger &J ason Newton West mercia Police branch

This conference really brought home the need
to build stronger ties with our international
brothers and sisters. I have asked my branch
to affiliate with Labour Behind the Label
J ason Newton
This is not my first seminar, and I find meeting
other BIROs and talking about what we are doing
is just as important as the seminars
Sat Sagoo

LabourStarts annual Global Solidarity Confer-
ence took place in Berlin this year, and it was
by far the largest one ever held with 360 trade
unionists from many different countries coming
to Germany to take part in workshops, debates,
film showings and conversation.
The conference theme was Global Crisis
Global Solidarity and Opposing the Neo-
Liberal Agenda .
LabourStart conferences give something differ-
ent - no motions were voted upon, nor elections
held, and any trade unionist could come along
be they a General Secretary, a shop steward or
a member. Rather than being a formal decision-
making body, Global Solidarity Conferences are
an opportunity for workers from all over the
world to meet up, share their experiences and
discuss ideas.
The venue was the headquarters of the German
service workers union, Ver.di, situated next to
the historic workers quarter of Kreuzberg. Con-
ference participants enjoyed a walking tour, led
by Win Windisch or Gunter Regneri, taking in
the sights from Berlins political past.
Back at Ver.di HQ, conference opened with an
introduction to LabourStart. Derek Blackadder
of the Canadian Union of Public Employees told
participants about the online campaigns that
LabourStart runs in support of workers strug-
gles, as well as the comprehensive news ser-
vice we provide on trade union issues. He
explained how all of this was possible thanks
to a global network of hundreds of correspon-
dents and volunteers, translating, reporting
and publicising in their own free time.
Shortly afterwards, a plenary session was
held to discuss the topic of the global crisis,
and how best to build union power on a
global level.
Conference
was then ad-
dressed by
Kvan Eliak
of the Turkish
union federa-
tion DISK, who
spoke of the
repression
faced by workers in Turkey, and lead a minutes
silence to remember the miners killed in the
horrendous Soma disaster.
The plenary also heard Mag Wompel of Labor-
Net and Michael Bride of the United Food and
Commercial Workers union in the USA, who
discussed the difficulties of organising workers
along the supply chains of multinational enter-
prises, and how such a feat can be achieved.
We also had a speech by Mostafa Berrchid, a
sacked call centre worker from Casablanca
whose struggle for justice LabourStart has been
proud to support.
Plenary sessions continued on the Saturday
morning, opened by ver.di chairman Frank Bsir-
ske. A panel followed with six speakers, five of
them women. They included Myrtle Witbooi,
founding leader of the newly-formed Interna-
tional Domestic Workers Federation), Burcu
Ayan from the IUF, Petra Brannmark from In-
dustriALL, Nazma Akter from Bangladesh, and
Claudia Rahman from IG Metall (Germany).
Over the course of the weekend, discussions
were held on all sorts of different topics of im-
portance to the workers movement. Some of
these addressed technical questions, such as
how best to harness the potential of social me-
dia, radio and the mainstream press. Others
delved into political questions that face our
movement, such as how to support trade union-
ists struggling against autocratic and authoritar-
ian regimes.
Away from the heat of controversy, participants
were able to sit back and take advantage of the
warm weather on Saturday evening at J ockels
Beer Garden. This was a great opportunity to
chat with comrades and colleagues from across
the globe, as well as to sample Germanys fa-
mous range of beers. A klezmer band also put
on a raucous show to raise money for victim-
ised anti-fascists in Germany and Greece.
Throughout the con-
ference, copies of
LabourStarts new
book, Solidarity,
were on sale. The
book is a collection
of essays by Dan
Gallin, former leader
of the International
Union of Foodwork-
ers, and a critical
thinker on the tasks
of the labour move-
ment. Dan gave a
talk on his long and extraordinarily varied career
in labour politics, a career that began with het-
erodox Trotskyism in the United States, lead on
to involvement with the highest level of trade
union politics, and which included clashes with
CIA infiltrators and Soviet Bloc bureaucrats
alike. He shared his thoughts on how to rebuild
a labour movement with a campaigning spirit
and a political brain, and afterwards he signed
copies of his books for a long queue of people.
The conference ended with a session on La-
bourStart and the global labour movement, and
the speakers included Espen Loken from the
energy workers union in Norway, Martina Har-
tung from ver.di, Kirill Buketov from the IUF,
Sunghee Oh from the Korean Government Em-
ployees Union and Eric Lee, LabourStarts
founding editor. It ended with a rousing singing
of the Internationale in dozens of languages.
There were a total of 360 delegates from 48
countries at the conference, 46% of delegates
were women. There were 163 contributions
made (speeches and fa-
cilitating in plenaries and
workshops) 44% of these
by women.
Mukesh Patel
J ason Newton
The region recently hosted a visit from the Nicara-
guan health union FETSALUD , Camila Mejia.
Camila is a senior member of FETSALUD ,
and is a member of their National Executive. She
has worked as a doctor in the Ministry of Public
Health, specialising in general medicine, paediat-
rics and emergency.
She has been a member of FETSALUD since 1990,
and is substitute representative for FETSALUD in
the Govt's National Assembly.

UNISON and UNE (public sector workers union)
started working together in 1980s shortly after
Sandinista revolution
Following years of covert destabilization by the
US, The Sandinista government lost the 1990
elections to a right wing coalition. A Crackdown
took place on trade unions and public sector
workers, 66% of whom lost their jobs.
Unions were severely weakened

In 2007 Sandinistas regained power. Since then
UNE membership has increased 700% - 5,000 to
40,000
Theirs is a story of survival against the odds
They are succeeding in recruiting young people,
particularly in leadership roles average age of
UK TU member 54, in Nicaragua 33
The Nicaraguan story is one of hope, optimism
and outcomes that support working people in se-
curing a better life its a story we need to hear!









Current situation
Free health and education
Reduction of up to 50% in maternal mortal-
ity rates and malnutrition
Illiteracy virtually eliminated
Now the third most equal country in Latin
America, and ranks 10th in Gender Equal-
ity Index ,Education and health
privatisation reversed
Increases in minimum wage and other sala-
ries 5% public sector workers, 7% health.
Gradual reduction in poverty, but still more
to be done
Unions tripartite agreement with Govt
and private sector (social security reforms/
pensions) which have instigated Zero Hun-
ger and other campaigns

During her visit Camila visited several
events including May Day events staged by
Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Sand-
well TUCs.
Speaking at all 3 events she brought soli-
darity greetings from Nicaragua .
At the Birmingham event she met members
of the North Staffs Miners wives action
group, and was particularly taken by their
theme tune no going back which was the
slogan of the Sandinista movement.
She also made workplace visits including
South Birmingham Trade Union studies
centre meeting lecturers and students, and
health centres in stourbridge.

At Birmingham trades council with
members of North staffs Miners wives
With Gurdeep Singh
Discussing learning




At a working lunch at the regional office she
had the opportunity to talk to lay regional offi-
cers.
She also visited George Eliot Hospital and at a
meeting of UNISON officers and hospital clini-
cians . Discussion took place on the recent suc-
cessful fight against privatization and the les-
sons which the NHS could learn from the Nica-
raguan health service
The future
During discussions 2 clear proposals were
agreed
A joint project (funded by UNISON Interna-
tional Development fund ) aimed at developing
Women and young activists in FETSALUD
And a possible exchange visit by George Eliot
hospital.
Both these need much further discussion but
are a practical means of building international
solidarity.
In addition we need to ;
Encourage branches and regions to affiliate to
NSCAG (Nicaragua solidarity).
Revisit the Dormant twinning agreement with
FETSALUD (health union)
Support NSCAG in promoting and maintaining
links with Nicaraguan TUs
Learn more about Nicaragua and spread the word
Strengthen relationship with UNE
Help what is the second poorest country in the
Americas





Lunch and chat with Regional
Lay officers
Visit to Birmingham
Trade Union studies
Meeting UNISON officers and cli-
nicians at George Eliot Hospital
International report
Unfortunately last year two of our
key projects fell through.
plans to invite the Fatima Orea from
the Peruvian banana workers union
( with whom our region have built
links and engaged in a joint capacity
building project) failed when the
British Embassy refused her a visa.
our plan to stage a regional interna-
tional seminar jointly with the re-
gional women's group , which had
been sucessful in previous years had
to be cancelled due to lack of ex-
pressed interest.
Our work however continued in
building international links and rais-
ing awareness of these issues within
branches, which we see as a key aim
of our forum, continued.
As part of this Regional Council in-
vited a speaker from Labour behind
the Label, with whom the region
have built strong links, and whom ,
we are pleased to say are now en-
gaged in a joint project with UNI-
SON nationally with a project with
Cambodian Textile workers, who
recently had a nationwide strike bru-
tally suppressed.
Our region also jointly organised
public meeting on Chile , which dis-
cussed , 40 years on , the overthrow
of Allendes socialist government,
And following the tragic death of
Hugo Chavez, a meeting with Vene-
zuela Solidarity
Which both mourned his death but
recognised his legacy and further
progress of the BOlivarian revolu-
tion.
Within the forum , we sadly lost 2
enthusiastic long standing members
of the forum
Tonia and Ade, but have welcomed
newer BIROS which is a welcome
sign.

Plans for this year
Nicaragua building on our links a
member from FETSALUD the Nica-
raguan health workers union has
been invited over in May to meet
with (primarily ) health branches
To discuss common concerns and
issues.
Guatamala
This is now the most dangerous
place in the world to be trade union-
ist , and is a new priority for UNI-
SON and as such we hope to have a
delegate from Guatamala in the re-
gion this year.
Ghana
Yorkshire region have an ongoing
project supporting school building in
Ghana,
Following on from regional dona-
tions , a speaker has been invited
from Yorkshire
To talk to the forum about more di-
rect involvement from our region.
Regional seminar
Nationally the number of interna-
tional seminars has been reduced
from two a year to one, as such some
regions are organising joint regional
international seminar.
Initial discussion has taken place
with eastern region about staging a
joint regional event.
Labourstart
Is probably the key web based inter-
national solidarity organisation,
their annual conference took/ takes
place in May in Berlin . The region
agreed to send two delegates.
Mukesh Patel and Jason Newton
Finishing on another positive note,
the region sent 9 delegates to the
national international seminar in
croyde bay in May. This was the sec-
ond highest delegation , second only
to Scotland , which is actually a
country !


Dave Auger
Regional International Officer
Annual report



21 September International day of PEACE
25 November International Day for the elimination of violence against Women
29 November International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people
1 December World AIDS day
10 December Human Rights Day
18 December International Migrants Day

These dates are an opportunity to stage events in your branch ,( any support needed contact me )







Martha Diaz
leader of a Co-
lombian public
sector union
spoke at the
international
rally at NDC
in June.
Colombia is
one of the
most danger-
ous countries
in the world
for trade un-
ionists .
Since 1982
,3000 trade
unionists have
been mur-
dered for no
other crime
than being trade unionists!
In a country with the third highest level of ine-
quality in the world , the right use a variety of
means to oppress workers , kidnap, imprisonment
and murder.
At conference we also showed solidarity with
Huber Ballesteros a trade union leader impris-
oned last year after being invited to the TUC.
Martha similarly has suffered for her commit-
ment to the struggle.
As a public sector union , her union have con-
stantly challenged the fraud and criminal activity
of politicians and contractors.
She spoke of a branch who raised concerns about
public contracts bring run by paramilitary groups
, the ENTIRE branch were displaced from their
province , one worker desperate for work returned
and was subsequently murdered and according to
Martha "his eyes were torn out".
Martha spoke emotionally of her own kidnapping
in 2006 , she was told her daughter had been
murdered, distraught beyond words , she was
then shot and left for dead , but survived.
One if her daughters was subsequently kidnapped
sexually assaulted and threatened with death.
It was a truly humbling experience to hear an
emotional but extremely brave woman speak of
her experiences in continuing to promote trade
union rights.
A number of branch international officers had the
privilege to meet this inspiring woman and hear
her story directly
They were similarly touched by her combination
of strength and emotion.
As one BIRO said to me you are always telling us
about this issue, but when we hear it direct from a
Colombian it has so much more impact, and I will
certainly raise it at my branch
It is sad despite Colombia being a UNISON inter-
national priority ,to learn that although our re-
gion is affiliated ,only 8 branches NATIONALLY
are affiliated to justice for Colombia and that only
3 are from our region.
PLEASE encourage your branch to affiliate.
At www.justiceforcolombia.org
A motion is going to Regional Council (which will
hopefully be passed which includes the recom-
mendation that we invite Martha to our region
next year.