Events

"A necessary documentary for these historical moments of Venezuela, and the greater homeland of Latin America, since it shows what unilateral sanctions mean. The interviews with women are particularly powerful and that makes me proud as a Venezuelan woman."  - Maruvi Leonett Villaquiran, Venezuelan Filmmaker.  Filmmaker Rodrigo Acuna will discuss the film and the situation Venezuelans are facing today in the face of US military deployed off their coast and US threats, bullying and attacks.  Hosted By:   Blue Mountains Unions & Community  -  Blue Mountains Peace Collective  bluempeace@gmail.com

Join us for a film screening and submission writing workshop. Voices for the Valley is a powerful short film about the small but mighty community of Wollar, near Mudgee, who have spent over 20 years resisting the relentless damage of coal mining. It focuses on the Moolarben coal mine, NSW’s largest producing coal mine. Told through the eyes of Manjot Kaur, a young person from Mudgee, the film weaves together stories from long-time residents, young people and migrants. “It’s a story of courage, connection and what happens when we refuse to give up on the places we love.” The Independent Planning Commission is set to decide whether Moolarben is allowed to expand even further - harming Wiradjuri cultural heritage, clearing 113 hectares of koala, Regent Honeyeater and microbat habitat, and bringing mining within 100m of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve. It would also add an estimated 64 million tonnes of climate pollution — when NSW is already failing to meet its legislated climate targets, and our communities are facing climate-fuelled disasters.  Strong public opposition right now can stop this project. Public submissions are due 17 February. We will equip you with info & tips to make a quick submission on the spot. BYO laptop if you can. FREE event, but please consider purchasing a drink or food at the bar before start time to thank The Metropole for providing a free venue to the community. This event is co-hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community, Green Left, and Blue Mountains Rising Tide on unceded Dharug & Gundungurra land - always was, always will be. Accessibility info: We apologise that this venue is not wheelchair friendly. There are approximately 10 steps to access the both the front and rear doors. The rear steps (off the carpark) have better handrails. More info: 0408704276  

What do we want from our criminal justice system?  The obvious answer is “justice” but what does that look like?  We know jailing is not a deterrent or reformative because the imprisonment rate has doubled under governments of both persuasions over the last thirty years and 61% of prisoners have been there before.  Who are the people in prison and why are they there?  What could be done to prevent crime and reoffending, make our communities safer and to support victims?  Why do we spend, as a nation, $6.3 billion per year on a system which fails victims and disadvantaged people, and doesn’t address the causes of crime?  Join us at Politics in the Pub –  Is Jailing Failing? to recognise the problems but, more importantly, identify and push for solutions.  A ticket is not necessary and doesn't guarantee a seat but booking a ticket allows us to contact you if there's unforeseen changes and you can also choose to be notified of future events. Media and other enquiries: D Smith 0408 238 586    Blue Mountains Unions and Community have been hosting Politics in the Pub in the Mountains since 1998.   

Join Blue Mountains Unions & Community for a special Labour Day screening of the award-winning documentary UNION! Shortlisted for the Oscars and named one of the best films of 2024 by the New York Times, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Indiewire, and Rotten Tomatoes, witness the incredible story of how a group of Amazon workers led by the charismatic but underestimated Chris Smalls stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world. A gripping human drama about the fight for power and dignity and the enduring possibility of unions in today's world.  "Astounding, rebellious...brilliant" New York Times Watch the trailer & learn more here With an introduction by Blue Mountains Unions & Community & tasty food available by donation. Limited capacity. Tickets available on the door if not already sold out. On unceded Dharug & Gundungurra country.

Global trade could be all about solidarity and meeting human needs. Instead it's a game of bullies, billionaires, bullets, and embargoes. How do we stand up - as nations, as people - for something better? Join us on Cuban National Rebellion Day for a powerful discussion with world class speakers (right here in person!) over a drink or a coffee: Dr Rodrigo Acuña - journalist, filmmaker, teacher, Latin America expert Dr Pat Ranald - Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network (AFTINET) Convener. Dr Ranald has published and advocated widely on trade justince for 20 years. Unfortunately Dr Ranald is unable to come because of illness. The event is still going ahead with Dr Acuña. All welcome! Free entry but donations appreciated. Raffle & prizes. We collect your contact details when you book your ticket so we can let you know if there's any changes to the event you need to know about. You're also offered the option of being added to a mailing list for future Politics in the Pub functions. Tickets aren't necessary for admittance and don't guarantee a seat - they just help us with planning. Image credit: 'Trump' by Isaszas CCO 1.0

A plan to bring the idle Lithgow Locomotive Workshop and Yards back into operation and ignite an engineering renewal for Lithgow is the focus of this free public meeting being held at Lithgow Workies at 6 pm on Thursday 20 February. Speakers: Steve Murphy - National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Dr Michelle Ziebots - Transport Planning Specialist, University of Technology Sydney and Lithgow resident, Alex Claasens - National Secretary, Rail Tram & Bus Union, Mick McGrath will talk about his experience in the loco yard when it was in its heyday and what it could mean for local jobs in Lithgow today. The Lithgow Community Power Project believe it would be possible for new rail manufacturers to take possession of the site before the end of the year. A range of trades would be needed. Prospects of apprenticeships are involved and TAFE training would need to expand to the demand. Tracey Graves, a member of the Lithgow Community Power Project group, when announcing the meeting said "The rail workshops are ideal for an engineering renewal. A third of Lithgow's industrial land is idle, which is a huge wasted resource." "The railway has been part of our local history and can be part of our present and future. With the loco yard and workshop open again it can pave the way for local industry to take up the challenge. We've identified government funding mechanisms at state and Federal level to get the project moving." "What it needs now is a community push to get the government moving. The workshops could be echoing to the sound of multiple trades working on rail jobs by the end of 2025." Tickets don't reserve seats, and no one will be turned away if they don't have a ticket They just help us with planning the event. We collect your contact details when you book your ticket so that we can contact you if there are any changes to the event that you need to know about. When you book we offer the option of having your data deleted from our records after the event, or added to a mailing list which will be passed on to the Lithgow Community Power Project so they can keep you up to date with the progress of the campaign and let you know if there's anything you can do to help.