Activists will congregate at Terminal 3 of Manchester Airport this Saturday, 4 August, as part of a day of protest against domestic flights between Manchester and London. Later on there will be an evening of party and music as part of the connected campaign to save the Hasty Lane cottages, threatened with demolition by the proposed expansion of the airport.
Teenager threatened with deportation after Home Office blunders
Sixteen year old Rabar Hamad has lived in Oldham for the last two years, having fled Iraq due to fears for his safety after his parents were killed in targeted explosion at their home in 2008. Upon arriving in the UK – hidden near the wheel arch of a truck – his age was incorrectly [...]
Bulldozers arrive unannounced in Hulme
Chaos reigned in Hulme this morning as residents occupied Spider Park during demolition work ordered by the Council.
More jobs expected to go at United Utilities as bosses up own bonuses
Bosses at water giant United Utilities (UU) have seen their bonus payments double the same year the company shed 500 jobs due to “financial pressures”. Meanwhile, as UU prepares the way for investment and lower prices in the North West demanded by industry regulator Ofwat,
That Sukks: Blacklisted company targets Manchester
The Tata Group, currently on the Burma “dirty list” for selling services and equipment to the Burmese government, has been using Manchester as a testing ground for the release of its latest product. Through subsidiary Tata Global Beverages and a front company, Clever Jelly, it has been marketing its Sukk drink to young people through [...]
Chat Moss climate activists found not guilty
Two environmental activists who chained themselves to machinery at a peat bog extraction site at Chat Moss, Salford were acquitted by Salford magistrates court yesterday.
Manchester College staff strike back
Members of the University and College Union at The Manchester College (TMC) were on strike today in the latest stage of the row over new contracts. Pickets lines were held at TMC buildings around the city from 7.30am, before moving to a rally at the Mechanics Institute at midday.
Activists corner Minister in Town Hall
Protesters from the Disabled People’s Direct Action Network (D.A.N.) hit the streets of central Manchester last Wednesday as part of a national day of action against the Flexible New Deal.
Dallas Court attacked by migrant solidarity protestors
Manchester and Salford’s immigration reporting centre for people seeking asylum was attacked in the early hours of this morning by protestors. A group broke into the car park at Dallas Court where they sabotaged the vehicles used by the UK Border Agency’s notorious ’snatch squads’.
Manchester College cuts off contact with UCU as staff vote for strike action
Principal of The Manchester College (TMC) Peter Tavernor yesterday severed ties with the University and College Union (UCU), accusing the union of “underhand tactics” and trying to “agitate staff” in the row over contracts.
Refugee and Migrant Justice facing collapse
Leading legal aid charity Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) is warning that it faces collapse due to changes in government funding. Up to 10,000 asylum seekers, including 900 unaccompanied children, may be left without representation.
University of Manchester falls again in Guardian rankings
For the second consecutive year the University of Manchester has fallen in the Guardian’s league table of satisfaction levels among undergraduates.
New contracts strictly imposed on Manchester College staff as principal raises own pay
Staff at The Manchester College (TMC) are having new contracts imposed under little or no consultation, with significant changes to working conditions. Meanwhile, much criticised principal Peter Tavernor has awarded himself a 10 per cent pay rise and now earns more than the Prime Minister.
UK’s first LGBT FM radio station Gaydio to launch next month in Manchester
This summer will see the launch of the UK’s first lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans radio station, transmitted from Portland Tower in the city centre of Manchester. The station will launch on June 18 and will be broadcast on 88.4FM.
Plane Stupid breach security at Manchester Airport
Local activists from the direct action group Plane Stupid broke through the perimeter fence of Manchester Airport just after 7 o’clock this morning. Six people have formed a human ring round one plane using lock-on arm tubes while six others have simultaneously erected tripods to blockade the World Freight Terminal.
When they said ‘We will end child detention,’ they meant ‘Keep on arresting babies’
At 11.36 this morning the mother of an 8-month old baby made a desperate plea for help on her mobile. “I told them please don’t send me and my baby in the van for nine hours, she is too young, I asked them to speak to my lawyer. But she just told [...]
Council Peddling Stupid Laws
For three years Manchester City Council have been persistently trying to legally restrict the rights of pedlars in the city. They were delighted then in early April when the Manchester City Council Bill squeezed through the Houses of Lords and Commons just before Parliament was dissolved. Pedlars have been fighting the legislation for years and [...]
Incapacity benefit claimants under scrutiny in ‘fitness to work’ trial
Manchester Incapacity Benefit claimants are set to undergo invasive ‘fitness to work’ tests as part of a new pilot scheme. The scheme comes as part of the recently imposed Welfare Reform Bill which seeks to goad people into work by imposing benefit sanctions.
“Mods v Knockers” as campaigners engage last ditch attempt to save former Odeon cinema from demolition
Campaigners fighting to save the former Odeon Cinema on Oxford Road from demolition gathered on Tuesday night at the art-deco style venue for an evening of popcorn and projections called “Let’s Meet at the Odeon”.
Griffinwatch II
Recently MULE looked at Nick Griffin’s career in the European Parliament since he was elected last summer, and concluded that it was less than illustrious. Things haven’t really got much better for the North West’s beloved MEP since, and it seems that his ill-fated attempt to dump the European Parliament and get elected MP for [...]