Solidarity with BA workers

Solidarity with BA workers who are on strike, unfortunately I won't be able to make the demo this morning but I hope it all goes well.

It is scandalous the way BA and willie walsh are treating these staff.

Let's hope unite and Len McLuskey who is the chief negotiator in this keeps fighting all the way.

It was disappointing to hear talk of unite being willing to recommend a 2.6% pay cut and a 2 tier workforce to members.

Great to hear though that the cabin workers of Air France have offered solidarity.

The workers united.....

The Labour Representation committee have also issued a press release in support of the workers (see below)

Hopefully it will get picked up on nationally as the bias of the media over this dispute has been disgraceful, we need some pro worker media coverage.

Though my comrade Owen Jones did do a fantastic job on Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show in support of BA workers on Thursday :)

PRESS NOTICE:
Solidarity with BA workers

Unite members working at BA have started a three-day strike against the employer, after BA failed to table acceptable proposals on the issues of job cuts and crews' fears that management is driving down standards at the airline.

There will also be a demo* at Heathrow this morning (Saturday 20th March) at 10:30am in solidarity with the strikers. John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said:"

"This dispute is a prime example of the current industrial relations climate, with the employer not only seeking to win but to break the union too."This is an indication of the coming disputes, and requires maximum solidarity.
We need to learn the lessons and co-ordinate industrial action across the economy if we are to ensure ordinary people do not pay for this crisis."

-Ends-


Notes to Editors:Heathrow is part of John McDonnell MP's Hayes & Harlington constituency.

*The demo is at: Bedfont F.C, The Orchard, Hatton road, Bedfont, Middlesex
MarshaJane
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Caroline Bedale Disciplinary Appeal 6 and 8 April

Caroline Bedale Disciplinary Appeal 6 and 8 April

Report by Support Caroline Bedale
Published: 09/03/10

Certification Officer decision (PDF)
Certification Officer: UNISON breached union rules in national election

Support Group meeting 18th March

Dear Supporters of Caroline Bedale

Please do pass on the following information to anyone else you think may be interested.

Caroline has now heard that her appeal against the disciplinary action by UNISON will be heard on 6th *and* 8th April - she is not available on 7th April, so they are going to adjourn the hearing at the end of 6th April and reconvene on 8th April. Will the panel have a day off and an extra night in the hotel - on expenses? The appeal will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 70 Shudehill, Manchester.

You are invited to a meeting of the Support Group on Thursday 18th March, 6. 15pm, at the Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester (Mount St is off Albert Square - the Town Hall square - and opposite the back of the round Central Library).

The agenda will be to report on activities in support of Caroline so far, and how we will continue to support her up to and after the Appeal.

With Caroline's appeal only 4 weeks away, it is crucial that we step up the campaign to try to get the disciplinary charges dropped.

If you have not yet written to the General Secretary, Dave Prentis, and the NEC President, Gerry Gallagher (both at 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ) please do so.

You can find information about Caroline's case on the webblog: www.supportcarolinebedale.wordpress.com.

Also, either print off, sign and return the petition on that webblog, or on-line at www.ipetitions.com/petition/standupforcarolinebedale/

You may also be interested to read the decision of the Certification Officer in a complaint that Caroline took against the Manchester local government branch of UNISON. Caroline won the case - that the Manchester branch had used UNISON resources to promote particular candidates in the NEC elections in 2009, and so had broken UNISON rules.

We are waiting to hear if UNISON will take any action against those involved in organising and running the meeting: the senior regional lay officers Tony Caffery - Secretary of Regional Committee, and Diane Kelly - Regional Convenor, and NEC member Bob Oram.

Many thanks for your support.

Support Caroline Bedale group
MarshaJane
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Unison: Stay and fight

Please stay in Unison and help us fight for our rights

I understand how angry some - many - members will be in the branches which have been taken over by Regional officials.

I share the anger at the way in which the democratic rights of trade unionists have been denied on utterly spurious grounds, I was a member of the Greenwich branch and know from personal experience that it is one of the better run UNISON branches.

The manner in which these branches were taken into "Regional Supervision" is in my opinion nothing short of bullying.

I also know, from past experience of regional supervision in other branches, that the officials will not be able to strengthen or "improve" branch organisation as they claim, instead the branches can become weak and inactive and open to attacks from the employer.

We must fight to stop that happening in these branches and to do that we must remain members.

The union officials are not strong. They have behind them no wealth other than the subs paid by Unison members and no power other than that given them by the inactivity of Unison members - if we remain strong, active and united we can reclaim our branches.

However we should also remember that the paid officials of our trade union are not our main problem - they are at the moment a major and undemocratic obstacle to our organising ourselves as working people to deal with our main problem.

Our main problem, as public service workers, is the worldwide drive to make the working class in general and our public services in particular pay for the crisis caused by the financial sector.

This is already expressing itself in local government in the pay freeze and widespread job losses,

These will intensify after the General Election and be joined by a renewed assault upon our pensions.

To defend ourselves we need our trade unions. We need to fight to make our trade unions more effective - which means more democratic - to do that we need to get involved in the running of our branches, our regions, our service groups and stand for positions against the lay activists that are remaining silent whilst paid staff attack us.

Our officials follow the line of a leadership who have presided over widespread pay cuts whilst standing helplessly by as a Government over which they claimed influence took privatisation further than the Tories (and ignored their pleas to repeal the anti-union laws).

At a time of crisis the union leadership can choose to fight against the employers or to fight against the members. At present - in the branches unjustly and unreasonably subject to Regional control, they have chosen to fight the members.

Trade union members have faced these problems before and have organised to fight back, that's what we need to do now - organise a rank and file to fight back.

We need a unified, democratic rank and file organisation, at branch, Regional and national level which is independent of our trade union's official structures and which exists only to make our trade union better - more effective, stronger and more democratic.

Unison United Left has condemned the attacks on branch democracy (see http://bit.ly/auWaH4) and appeals to all those who care for trade unionism to fightback with us and save Unison for the membership.

The answer is not to leave, not to switch unions, but to return to the basic principles of trade unionism, and on that basis to organise the fightback against attacks from the employers and - when necessary - from the union officials.

Unity is strength.

We are many. They are few.

Marshajane
Chair Unison United Left

To find out more about Unison United Left email unisonunitedleft@gmail.com

MarshaJane
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Press Release - Dawn raids on UNISON Branches

 

---

From: Unison unitedleft <unisonunitedleft@googlemail.com>

Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:23:27 +0000

To: <unisonunitedleft@unionlists.org.uk>

Subject: Press Release - Dawn raids on UNISON Branches

dawn raids" on union branches.

Unison United Left, the rank and file organisation for members of the UK's largest public sector union today spoke out against the seizure of union branch offices by union staff.

Full time officials from Unison's London Regional Office led teams of staff into branch offices in Bromley and Woolwich in South East London taking control away from locally elected officials.
The Tenant Services authority branch was also placed under regional control.

This action followed the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on four Unison activists, including the Secretaries of the Bromley, Tenant Services and Greenwich branches.

"Evidence in a recent tribunal case shows that the Regional Secretary had wanted these activists suspended two years ago," said a United Left spokesperson, "now the Region is taking control of these branches in a blatant attempt to put in a local leadership who will do as they are told.

" John McDonnell UNISON MP who has consistently spoken up in support of UNISON activists, was outraged at this latest attack and said:

"This is a disgraceful attack on unison members and contrary to union democracy - members should choose their own representatives. It is also an appalling waste of the time and energy of Unison staff and activists at a time when our members face unprecedented job cuts"

Not content with wasting thousands of pounds of UNISON members money witch hunting activists over the last 3 years, UNISON staff are now openly flouting UNISON's own rules

UNISON united left encourages members and activists to voice their opposition to Dave Prentis General Secretary and Linda Perks Regional Secretary.

Paul Holmes candidate for UNISON General Secretary said "This is totally unacceptable. I have raised the issue, as an NEC member for Local Government, as a matter of urgency with the Head of Local Government, Ms H.Wakefield. I can't see how there can be a connection between suspensions relating to incidents over 2 years ago and any need to have raids and to put functioning branches into special measures."

Note to editors.

1. Unison United Left is the rank and file organisation for members of UNISON.

2. Unison United Left believes that UNISON full time officers have breached:
Rule B.2.2 which states that UNISON is a "member-led" Union in which decisions taken by members will be carried out.

Rule B.2.5 which promotes the rights of members to participate in decision-making.

Rule G.3.1 which confirms the rights of members to attend branch meetings

Rule G.4.1.2 which gives members the right to elect the officers of our branches

3. For more information email unisonunitedleft@googlemail.com

4.Paul Holmes is standing for UNISON General secretary more information can be found at www.paulholmeskirklees.blogspot.com

Further attacks on unison activists and democracy in our union

 update from this press release earlier - members of hackney unison received letters stating Brian is no longer the branch chair and the region will be organising an election to replace him and in Bromley the regional office have cancelled the AGM that was scheduled - preventing members from electing branch officers.

Mj

Urgent Dawn raids on Unison offices!

Ban imposed on four unison branch leaders

Following the mitigation hearings Glenn Kelly (Bromely), Suzanne Muna (Housing Association), Onay Kasab (Greenwich) and Brian Debus (Hackney) have all been banned from holding any office in Unison.

Early this morning (5th March) UNISON officials turned up at the UNISON offices of the Bromley, Greenwich and the Housing Association having given no notice; we are awaiting an update from Hackney. The officials have attempted to confiscate computer hard drives and other resources, which include important documents on on-going personal cases.

The officials intend to run elections for new branch officers but as has happened in other branches they may well try to run the branches themselves which has led to moribund UNISON branches.

The Four have conducted a determined and high profile campaign which has meant that it has taken nearly 3 years to get them banned from office. The mitigation hearings also concluded that the length of the bans will be reduced by between 1 and 3 years.

However, this morning's action shows the vicious reality of the UNISON leaderships attacks on socialist activists within the union.

The four are urging supporters to phone or e-mail UNISON Head Office now to protest against the ban and the raids of the branch offices.

What we need you to do:

1. Let as many unison members as possible know what is happening

2. E-mail letters of protest to:

• UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis: d.prentis@unison.co.uk
• UNISON London Region: greaterlondonregion@unison.co.uk

3. Phone UNISON Head Office to express your disgust on 0845 355 0845

4. Pass a motion at your next meeting to be sent to Dave Prentis.

5. Funds are urgently needed for leaflets, publicity and legal costs.

Cheques payable to: 'Stop the Witch-Hunt' and should be sent to: Defend the Four Campaign, PO Box 858, London E11 1YG.

6. Please let us know details of your protests - e-mail us at: info@stopthewitchhunt.org.uk.

Unison Gen Secretary - Campaign so far

Paul has on his blog a bit about hitting the campaign trail. www.paulholmeskirklees.blogspot.com

Today saw the first set of hustings with 3 taking place.
Bolton, Kirklees and Hammersmith and fulham branches.

Both Bolton and Kirklees voted to nominate Paul Holmes, whilst Hammersmith and Fulham didn't manage a quorum so the requests will be forwarded to the branch committee to deal with.

The Bolton branch vote was 45 for Paul and 0 for any other candidate.
The Kirklees vote was 78 for Paul and 29 for Roger.


This is a good sign for Paul obviously we should get his own branch, but the Bolton branch is a strong independently left wing led branch and the members voted to nominate Paul.

The fact that so far (admittedly just a couple) when the members hear the choice and get a vote they choose to nominate Paul is a good sign for the campaign - if only more branches would democratically let members hear candidates speak before nominations - of course what would help was if this had been planned to ensure members had access to democratic debates in regions and perhaps an online debate on you tube for us yoof n bloggers? - what let debates be heard by members? D'oh sorry forgot I was talking about unison.

Anyway back to the post, at the Kirklees branch surprisingly (last time he didn't to any branch hustings) Prentis did send a substitute speaker - Sue Highton - unfortunately for Prentis no one at the meeting was prepared to propose his nomination and the vote was split between Roger Bannister and Paul Holmes, with Paul Holmes being the clear winner.

I wonder if Prentis will send speakers along to the other hustings I mentioned in an earlier post - like Lambeth and Islington!

Talking of which a few other hustings that have been organised are:

Norfolk and east anglia branches 9th March - 4pm.

Derbyshire branch 24th March

And Birmingham 31st March.

Any others you know of feel free to comment.

MarshaJane
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Sponsor Manchester Hands off people of Iran

Manchester HOPI members are walking to raise money for Workers Fund Iran, and I'd urge all people to make a contribution if you can!

Marshajane


"On March 5th six members of the Hands Off the People of Iran Manchester branch will be walking the Bogle, a fifty six mile walk round Manchester.
We are walking to raise money for the charity Workers Fund Iran, which was set up in December 2005 with the aim to reduce and relieve poverty amongst Iranian workers (both employed and unemployed) who are victims of the economic policies of the Iranian regime, including mass non-payment of wages.

The charity is not aligned to any political organisation. Funds sent to Iran will be distributed amongst the most needy working class families who are facing destitution. We hope the funds will stop families sending their children to the streets as beggars or peddlers and selling their body parts, which is a common practice.

In Iran at the moment, hundreds of thousands of workers are being consigned to poverty by the oppressive Iranian state. Practical solidarity is one of the greatest things we can do for Iranian workers; it helps the revolutionary struggle against the Islamic Republic continue.

Give generously! We are hoping to raise over £300 pounds for the charity.

You can donate by going to our Charity Choice page here. (https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=154051)" 

www.hopoi.org 

This is a practical way to help workers and their families in Iran. 
Solidarity, 
Chris Strafford
Hands Off the People of Iran Steering Committee
MarshaJane
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Paul Holmes interview

Dave Semple over at though cowards flinch interviews Paul Holmes candidate for unison general secretary Http://bit.ly/a7s8IO

MarshaJane
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