Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival programme announced a busy and diverse line-up of music, politics, poetry, comedy and kids entertainment has been announced for this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 18-20 July. Speakers include Tony Benn, Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, Katie Allen from Amnesty International and Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary who is the TUC President for this year. International guests include Hasheiya Muhsin Hussein from Iraq and Elaine Bernard from the USA. It is a weekend full of stuff for everyone. Friday night will celebrate the 80th birthday of Nelson Mandela. On the Saturday you can chose from discussions on Robert Owen, food policy, and organising or you can enjoy the open-mic sessions or listen to the Bedouin Jerry Can Band or maybe watch the GMB sponsored majorettes. The Saturday evening show is a cracking line-up featuring Mark Steel, The Tones and the Flatville Aces. www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle

Zimbabwe solidarity - Trade unions in Southern Africa have helped turn away a Chinese ship carrying arms and ammunition to Zimbabwe. The An Yue Jian had attempted to dock in South Africa with the aim of transporting its deadly cargo overland to Zimbabwe, which is still awaiting the results of last month's General Election. Afraid that the weapons and bullets would be used against the Zimbabwean people by President Mugabe's troops, dockers in Durban belonging to the transport union SATAWU refused to unload the weapons. As the ship steamed along the coast looking for another destination, SATAWU contacted their counterparts in neighbouring countries and dockers from Mozambique, Angola and Namibia also refused to allow it to dock. Please sign the petition
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_arms_for_zimbabwe

If you are a paid up member of ALDTU I hope that you have received your copy of the latest newsletter - if not then please let me know.