GMB North West and Irish Region Connect Magazine May 2018 | Page 16

R BANNE N O I T I T COMPE BOMBARDIER GMB North West & Irish Region were still Lobbying MEPs from Northern Ireland as well as the mainland, in relation to issues around Bombardier when the news came through that it was found that the Tariffs were wrong. The International Trade Commission (ITC) has overruled the punitive tariffs installed by US President Donald Trump’s administration after a complaint from multi-billion rival firm, Boeing that it has engaged in anti-competitive practices over its new C series planes was upheld. Bombardier was facing an additional 80% penalty tariff — taking it from 220% to 300%.The tariff could have jeopardised up to 14,000 Northern Ireland workers across Bombardier and the supply chain. We have also offered to meet Owen Smith MP in the Belfast Office to discuss the way forward for Northern Ireland in general in relation to Brexit. GMB North West & Irish Region took part in a WASPI Rally outside Manchester Town Hall on Friday 19th January at 4-00pm as the Town Hall was Lit up Purple in support of the WASPI campaigners. DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A GMB BANNER? GMB North West & Irish Region lobbied North West MPs to support @Tyreduk campaign as the second reading was held on the 19th January and voted out again by the Tories! We are looking for a new regional banner and need your help. GMB North West & Irish Region is supporting the RMT in their on-going dispute with Mersey Travel to save the Guard on the Trains, and took part in a Rally outside Liverpool Town Hall where shareholders were meeting. We need members or activists to come up with a design for a new Regional banner that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our region. We are running a competition for the best design and the winner will receive a Samsung Tablet and be invited to attend GMB congress as a visitor in Plymouth in June to see their banner displayed. GMB North West & Irish Region had a speaker at Hornby Library Liverpool on Thursday 26th January to commemorate World Holocaust Day as well as a day’s event at the Preston Office which had great feedback. GMB North West & Irish Region is staging a play about Cammell Lairds at the Casa Club on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th March. Tickets are £10 You don’t need to have particular g raphic design skills and we will accept your design in any format whether that be sent online or hand drawn. GMB North West & Irish Region held a very successful Councillor Training session at Bill Smith House Regional Office on Friday 26th January which was well attended Maybe you are a budding artist, have a talent for design or just have a general idea that you can get down on paper. (Please note due to the production process the final banner design may change, although we will keep this to a minimum and seek to incorporate the spirit of your design) Send your ideas to: GMB North West & Irish Region is looking at taking a delegation from United Utilities to see MPs in Parliament to Lobby for support in relation to changes to their pensions being imposed on them GMB North West & Irish Region supported a NHS Crisis rally outside Royal Liverpool Hospital on Friday 2nd February Europe (working, selections, elections) Terry Mellor Unit 10 Turnstone Business Park Widnes WA8 0WN Brexit has already seen an increase in hate crime right across the country, with attacks becoming more regular and more venomous. Brexit could also be the downfall of the Tories going forward as no one seems to know exactly what Brexit means one way or the other. It is more important than ever that members and activists get more involved in the GMB! We have a proud history of fighting for what is right whilst others stand aside and the Region believe this could be our LAST chance to Save the NHS. This Region has a proud history of being a campaigning Region and we need to carry that forward [email protected] 16 17