Solidarity with 30 June strikes: Build the Resistance

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From: "LRC Information" <info@l-r-c.org.uk>

Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:44:12 +0100

To: <info@l-r-c.org.uk>

ReplyTo: <info@l-r-c.org.uk>

Subject: Solidarity with 30 June strikes: Build the Resistance

LABOUR REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE

http://www.l-r-c.org.uk

 

Solidarity with 30 June strikes: Build the Resistance

Over three-quarters of a million trade unionists will be taking co-ordinated strike action on 30 June. Members of the NUT, ATL and PCS have voted to take action to defend their pensions (with PCS members also striking over pay and jobs). They will also be joined by UCU members who have already voted for and taken action in defence of their pensions.

The day is fast becoming a focal point of resistance with a range of local disputes co-ordinating with 30 June, including Unite and Unison workers at Southampton City Council, NUJ members at Newsquest in south London, Unison members at Birmingham City Council, Unite members at Fujitsu in Crewe, Unison members at Camden Council, and POA members across the country will hold lunchtime protest meetings over pensions.

The LRC wants members to join picket lines on 30 June and join in strike rallies and supportive activities to show solidarity with those on strike. Download the LRC 30 June flyer for distribution. Bring your local LRC banners, Labour Party and trade union banners. See details of 30 June strike day rallies across the UK. [continue...]

 

LRC pays tribute to life of Andy Viner

LRC National Committee member Andy Viner has died following injuries sustained in a car crash. The LRC wishes to pay tribute to Andy, who was an elected official of the ASLEF union and a hard-working trade unionist and socialist. We offer our condolences to his family and to all those who knew Andy as a friend and a comrade. Andy’s funeral will take place on Friday 1 July in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. Email us for more details [continue...]

 

 

Fight to defend Welfare goes on

The Welfare Reform Bill passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons on 15 June by 288 votes to 238. Although it passed, our campaigning helped ensure that Labour MPs voted against it, having abstained at 2nd reading stage. However, recent comments by Ed Miliband and Liam Byrne prove we have to fight to continue to move party policy away from the workfare model promoted by New Labour and now being developed by the coalition. [continue...]

 

 

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Camden unison strike June 30th

With apologies for not keeping blog updated during unison conference I was just too busy!

www.stevesunisonconference.wordpress.com

And

www.jonrogers1963.blogspot.com

Managed it for those who are interested.

Now the hard work begins those of us in unison need to push for Prentis to name a date we will start balloting our members and a clear timetable for the commencement of action.

Whilst of course supporting the strikes on June 30th and preparing our members for when we do ballot.

Camden unison have now joined Southampton and Doncaster unison who will also be striking on the 30th.

Information from George Binette:

Please see press release below - not quite on the scale of Birmingham, Doncaster or Southampton, but it does mark the start, just possibly, of a fightback against mass redundancies across Camden as a whole and, of course, the first day of action coincides with the PCS, NUT, ATL and UCU walkouts.
 
If anyone isn't picketing/protesting elsewhere on Thursday morning, there should be a picket at 33-35 Jamestown Road, NW1 (nearest Tube: Camden Town; Overground: Camden Road) from c 7.00 AM.
 
Messages of support can be emailed to the Camden UNISON branch office via Paul England (paul.england@camden.gov.uk)

Many thanks in advance,
 
George.

 
Workers in the repairs and improvements section of Camden Council's Housing & Adult Social Care directorate have voted heavily in favour of strike action in response to the threat of 10 or more compulsory redundancies among their workmates. An official strike ballot came in the wake of a controversial restructure, which in an unprecedented move where those losing their job were forced to stay at home even though the Council was continuing to pay them and they were willing to carry on working. They were also instructed to return their work ID passes and clear their workstations, and stripped of their access to the Council's IT network even though they remained Camden employees.
 
More than 80% of UNISON members said 'yes' to a strike in support of their colleagues on a 51% turnout. The national union's Industrial Action Committee has now approved an initial walk-out for Thursday 30 June. While this would be the first strike by Camden UNISON memebrs over a local issue since the 1998 library workers' dispute, it would coincide with widespread action by the main civil service union, the PCS, two of Britain's teaching unions (NUT and ATL) and the college lecturers' union, UCU, over attacks on public sector workers' pension schemes.
 
UNISON branch secretary George Binette said, "The overwhelming 'yes' vote reflects the anger felt by members at the dismissal of their colleagues, especially when two dozen or more agency staff are undertaking work those at risk could well be doing and when numerous posts in the new structure are still vacant. At a time when the Council has told  tenants that there isn't the money to carry out a wide range of repairs, it seems extraordinary that capable, experienced staff face redundancy. Meanwhile, Camden is paying substantial sums for agency staff and are now employing a consultant to oversee a review of the repairs service. While we believe that the cuts across Camden are the tragic result of the Labour group's decision to live within the financial straitjacket imposed by the Con-Dem coalition, there is also a widespread belief that in this case the Council has failed to meet its obligation to mitigate against compulsory redundancies."
 
Binette added, "The impact on black staff of this restructure and the cuts programme as a whole seems to have been very disproportionate. At least half of those at risk of redundancy in repairs and improvements are black." 
 
UNISON will be mounting picket lines at Jamestown Road on Thursday morning 30 June and striking workers will be joining UNISON members from across London on the demonstration called by other public sector unions as part of their day of action against the threat to public service workers' pension schemes. The march assembles from 11.00 AM at Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2, proceeding to a rally at Westminster Central Hall.
 
For further information please contact George Binette, Camden UNISON Branch Secretary on 07905 826304 or 07557 563044.

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First day at conference

 

First day at UNISON LG conference

Whilst our General Secretary was all over the telly getting our message out we were firming up pour commitment to defend our pension with the first big debate of conference. The highlight of the pensions debate was Sean Fox London regional delegates speech which brought cheers from the floor of conference. Conference decided to mount the strongest possible campaign including early coordinated strike action to defend our pensions.

 

It was pleasing that the service group executives early opposition to the word "early" in the above sentence had been dropped by the time we got to conference.

 

Conference heard about the particular impact of cuts to our pension scheme on women and low paid black women.

Conference then passed Comp A which was a composite from 10 different unison bodies and ran to 5 pages long! This set out a detailed response to the unnecessary public spending cuts being inflicted on LG by the coalition government.

The afternoon session continued hearing motions on cuts and conference passed motions on Women and Cuts LGBT and cuts.

 

Jon Rogers gave an impassioned speech on Motion 17 in opposition to privatisation when he called on the Labour Party to stand up for public services by reciting from heart to conference floor the old wording of Clause 4 (Many of us thought he was swearing allegiance eyes closed but not quite hand over heart lol)

 

I spoke on Motion 12 Defending LG Jobs and services for all (text of my of the speech at bottom of this post for those whoa re interested).

Conference also heard a passionate defence of our library's.

 

 

I have been live tweeting so follow me on @marshajane if you want updates throughout the day and the full text of all motions past will be available on UNISONs conference database www.unison.org.uk/conference

Off now for the second day where we will debate attacks on terms and conditions, Housing, Social Work and Education.

Mj

 

 

Speech on Motion 12

Conference for a generation we have been working to improve public service provision for LGBT people.

The cuts agenda from this condem coalition of millionaires seek to reverse the positive gains we have made in recent years.

Where I work in Havering, I worked closely with the employer and the Albert Kennedy Trust ( www.akt.org.uk who specialise in helping young LGBT people who are homeless) to ensure that our policies, housing procedures were LGBT friendly. So now we have some great policies but no houses.

Young LGBT people face particular issues on becoming homeless and are more likely to become homeless - even without an EIA its easy to see that LGBT youth are disproportionately disadvantaged by public sector cuts.

The motion highlights cuts in youth service provision and in Havering they are moving from a universal youth service to a targeted youth service, the LGBT youth service in particular is at risk of being cut as it is not deemed to need a targeted service, the employer has believes that LGBT services can be provided through other means

Yet it is not clear what those other means are, everyone here will know that young LGBt people are more likely to be bullies, more likely to suffer mental health issues and more likely to self harm., yet all over the country they will be denied the specialist help that they need.

They are cutting a service which quite simply saves lives.

In Havering as you'd expect we have been fighting against this and last month held a hugely successful lobby of the council with many young service users including young LGBT service users fighting alongside UNISON and our sister unions to defend our youth service.

It is hugely important we support this motion because in fighting the cuts we must keep faith with our commitment to equality.

I urge you to vote for this motion and go back to your branches and engage with young LGBT service users to campaign against the cuts.

Unison on strike over pensions? & Southampton update

I see Prentis has his left wing head on ready for this years UNISON conference (#uNDC11 (see you all in Manchester!))
Telling the Guardian that we are prepared for "sustained and indefinite" strikes in protest at the government's pension plans http://bbc.in/jmAxrl

Obviously good to hear and branches have been updating records ready for balloting for a while now - however whilst I'm fully confident there will be a yes ballot when we finally vote, there will be a job of work to do to get the turnout up.

Hopefully delegates will come to conference this week and be inspired by a unity call from Prentis and UNISON's leadership so that all parts of the union con concentrate on defending our pensions and protecting our members (working together and stopping witchhunts perhaps ....)

And finally below is an update from Southampton.

UNISON / Unite, the City Council and representatives from ACAS met at the Eastpoint Centre for 9 hours yesterday.  There was no joint meeting during those 9 hours, the day was mainly taken up with ACAS meeting both sides separately to see if there was a way forward.  The trade unions proposed that the unions would suspend their industrial action if the Council suspended the dismissal notices due to come into effect on 11 July.  "Corridor" discussions on these proposals were held between Andy Straker (UNISON Regional Organiser), Ian Woodland (Unite Regional Industrial Organiser) and Royston Smith and Alistair Neill.  Following these discussions, there did seem some prospect of agreement but the full management side did not accept the proposals.  The Council's counter proposal was that talks be held on Wednesday 23 June (and on 24/25 June if required) and if these made progress, then the dismissal notices would be withdrawn.
 
UNISON / Unite Response
The joint UNISON / Unite Strike Committee met this lunch-time (Friday 17 June).  It was agreed that:
 
1.  The trade unions would meet the Council in the week of 21 June, exact date still to be finalised.
2.  As the Council had not lifted the dismissal notices, the industrial action would continue.
3.  In the week starting 20 June, 7 days notice would be given to the Council of new selective industrial action.
4.  UNISON and Unite would support the activities being organised by the teaching unions and Civil Service unions in Southampton on 30 June.  This is the day that teachers and civil servants are striking over the government's attacks on their pension schemes.  Details will be sent to members once these activities have been finalised.
5.  Details of the new industrial action will be announced next week once the Council has been given the required 7 days notice of action.  Once the details of the new talks with the Council have been agreed this information will be sent to members.
 
Best wishes
 
Mike Tucker
UNISON National Executive Council Member /
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UNISON Conference - Reprioritise Motion 64- Education

Those who are regular attendees of UNISON conference’s will know that on Friday afternoon motion’s that have been prioritised by regions, SOG’s and NEC can be reprioritised I.E brought forward for discussion. I make no apology for getting in early and calling for motion 64 to be reprioritised.

Motion 64 is the only motion on education that is even on the agenda. However it is so far down the agenda that there is little chance of it being discussed, without it being reprioritised, on the Friday of conference. I am frankly very disappointed that UNISON activists have failed to prioritise this motion.

The current attacks on education are on a similar scale to the attacks on the NHS. Those attacks will see the Labour Governments disgraceful academy programme accelerated to an unprecedented level. Along with the creation of free schools, this is leading to a mass outsourcing of schools into the private sector.

To demonstrate this ideological and unprecedented attack the secretary of state for education, Gove has today announced a completely arbitrary number of 200 primary schools to be immediately converted to academy status (with more to come) on the basis that they are the worst performing schools. Along with the privatisation this attack will create a democratic deficit. This will have little if any accountability to anyone other the trust which is made up of three governors of the old school, the head teacher and the sponsor (private company).

UNISON needs to be at the forefront of defending education and campaigning for a comprehensive education system that will support all children. UNISON seems to be increasing leaving such a campaign to just the teacher’s unions. Delegates to UNISON conference should not go away from this year’s conference without having discussed what is happening to our educations system. Reprioritise motion 64 and vote for it and its amendments.

NUT and ATL to strike on Pensions

See NUT Press release below - fantastic result and turnout 92% on a turnout of 40%.

ATL also had an amazing result being as they have been around for 127 years and never balloted before! 83% yes on a 35% turnout

Its a shame unison won't be joining them on the 30th but as Prentis said yesterday we will be joining the next wave of action in the Autumn.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13755176

NUT press release

14 June 2011

NUT Pension Ballot Results

Today, (Tuesday 14 June), the NUT announced overwhelming endorsement by its members for strike action to defend teachers' pensions. In the NUT's strike ballot 92% voted in favour of strike action with a turnout of 40%

We will be campaigning alongside the ATL who have had similar strong results in their ballot of members.

The NUT executive will be meeting tomorrow to take the formal decision on a day of national strike action planned for 30 June.

The NUT believes that our pensions are fair and affordable. The Government wants teachers to pay more, work longer, and get less. They are pressing ahead with unnecessary reforms despite the changes already made to the Teachers' Pension Scheme in 2007.

The National Audit Office has confirmed that public sector pension costs are falling as expected due to the reforms already in place. Teachers are already paying more, the normal pension age has been raised to 65 for new entrants and employer contributions have been capped. 

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has also been highly critical of the Government's pension strategy which they say is based more on public perception of public sector pensions than on actual figures.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said:

"The Government's unnecessary attack on public sector pensions has convinced NUT members that there is no alternative but to support strike action.

"It is disgraceful that the Government is pressing ahead with its reforms which will affect teachers' pensions. The Government knows that they are affordable. This is a policy which has nothing to do with economics and everything to do with politics.

"The NUT is party to the TUC negotiations with Government to protect public sector pensions. It is not too late for common sense to prevail and for these unnecessary changes to be stopped. It is in no one's interest to create a whole new swathe of people who are a burden on the taxpayer in old age.

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UNISON CONFERENCE

UNISON Conference starts Sunday the 19th June here are a few of unison united left recommended conference fringe meetings

Saturday 18th June LG planning meeting 7.30pm

Premier Inn Lower Mosley Street

Monday 20th June NDC planning meeting 7.30pm

Friends Meeting House

UUL recommended fringe meetings

Tuesday 6pm

Pensions Fringe –

Sponsored by many UNISON branches

Speakers Paul Holmes NEC

Alex Kenny NUT

Hector Wesley PCS

Manchester Friends Meeting House

6 Mount Street (opposite back of circular library)

Also on Tuesday evening

UUL social (Tickets £5 buy early!)

9pm at Revolution (Deansgate Locks)

Reclaim the union meeting

Wednesday lunchtime

                                Friends meeting house

Speakers

Yunus Bakhsh

Glenn Kelly Bromley UNISON member pc

Dave Buxton Newham UNISON pc

Bernie Gallagher UNISON NEC pc

Friday UUL end of conference organising meeting

Friends meeting house 12.30pm

For more information email marshajanethompson[at]yahoo.co.uk

 

 

Regards
Marsha-Jane

xx

 

Last day to protest against them Moving May Day bank holiday

The governments "pre consultation" on moving May day bank holiday ends tomorrow - so please all send an email in to give your views  bankholiday@culture.gsi.gov.uk'

 

 Below is the copy of an email that a good friend of mine sent in! :)

 

Mj

 

DO NOT MOVE IT!!!

 

To move the Mayday Bank Holiday would be seen as an insult to all working class people and all workers in the country, and indicative of a governmental contempt for working people. It is OUR day and the only one we have in the calendar.

 

Mayday is an international bank holiday and therefore has special reason to be retained. The only other is New Year. (I exclude Xmas and Easter because although cross-national, they are restricted to one particular religion). If tourists come on Bank Holidays, surely those we share with other countries are most economically important.

 

All the other Bank Holidays around that time are related to Christian holy days Easter and Pentecost – as are two others (Xmas & Boxing day). This is surely over the top given the number of non-believers and supporters of other religions. The Easter holidays already cause major problems because they are not on fixed dates in the year. Already many schools have moved the holiday between term 2 and term 3 to a convenient date. So given that we already have three other Christian Bank Holidays it would seem fairer to shift the Easter days. It would also take two days from a time of year already overcrowded with holidays.

 

Losing Easter would leave the longest times without holidays  the January – April period and the September – December period. Sometime in the middle of these would seem best for alternative dates.

 

I would avoid the relevant Saint's days (David / Wales and Andrew / Scotland ) because 1) they are religiously divisive as Christian vs the rest and 2) there are no holidays for George or Patrick. I would also avoid commemorating military victories – again, we in Britain are seen (in my view correctly) as war-obsessed and particularly ww2-obsessed and such holidays serve to promote these divisive views. I think we should celebrate positive events when good and progressive things happened, or dates historically related to broader progressive events.

 

I would propose second Monday in March to recall March 8 (International Women's Day) as a suitable candidate for the January – April gap.

 

For the September – December gap I would propose the first Monday in November, to celebrate Guy Fawkes night, the night when elected officials are reminded of their mortality.

 

Update from Southampton strike

On Monday 13 June, 70 UNISON / UNITE members working as street cleaners will start a 7 day strike.  They will join 170 UNISON / UNITE members already on strike, 40 Parking Enforcement, 20 Itchen Bridge Toll Collectors and 110 Refuse Collectors.  The 13th June will be the one day that all four sections will be on strike.  Also on 13 June, 250 Cleaners working for Medirest at Southampton General Hospital start a 7 day strike.
 
To mark the day all 5 strikes are taking place, a joint UNISON / UNITE march is being held on 13 June, starting from 12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park, marching to the Civic Centre.  Support from outside Southampton is more than welcome.
 
The Conservative controlled Council have called on UNISON to call off the action short of strike in Children's Social Care due to the effectiveness of not covering vacant posts, non-use of cars and working to contract.  The Council is having to spend £40,000 a week on taxis in the Children's Contact Centre alone.  UNISON members in Children's Social Care have reacted angrily at the suggestion and are determined to carry on with the industrial action.  See our Branch web site for more information on the use of agency social workers.  Also the web site of the Southern Daily Echo.  No date has been fixed for talks with ACAS.  The Council are now offering 16 June.
 
Our dispute is reaching a crucial stage.  We need financial support, also support on our picket lines and at the demonstration on 13 June.
 
Best wishes
 
Mike Tucker
UNISON National Executive Council Member /
Branch Secretary
UNISON Southampton District Branch
e-mail: branchsecretary[at]soton-unison-office.org.uk or  m.tucker[at]unison.co.uk
 
Joint UNISON / UNITE Demonstration
Monday 13 June
12.30 p.m. Hoglands Park
March to the Civic Centre for Rally
 
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NEC results

http://www.unison.org.uk/file/2011%20NEC%20results%203June.pdf

Candidates backed by the left highlighted in yellow - commiserations to those who didn't win (inc me) but congrats to those who gained or held seats.
Inc 2 newbies Helen Davies (Barnet) a left gain in London and Kathy Smith a left gain in Local Government from Bromley - who had mention of one Glenn Kelly in her election address ;) and Karen Reissmann getting back on after dropping off last time around.

Huge victory for Tony Wilson in the North west beating Bob Oram (AKA Prentis Head boy) and also I can report that Carole Maleham has been knocked off the NEC again (see previous post www.unionfutures.blogspot.com/2007/06/unison-nec-results-braking-news.html ) this time by Vicki Perrin.

So the left have 17 of the seats following some gains, and one loss (commiserations to Hannah in the northern region who lost as the 2 seats went down to 1 leaving 2 incumbents to fight it out)

2011 National Executive Council - Election results

Regional seats

General

Female

Male

Reserved

Eastern

-

Katie Collins

Kevin O'Grady

Gill Malik

East Midlands

-

Jean Thorpe

Moz Greenshields

Chris Tansley

vacant

Greater London

-

Kim Silver

Helen Davies

Jon Rogers

Irene Stacey

Northern -

Josie Bird

Ian Fleming

Sue Forster

Northern Ireland

Lucia McKeever

Stephen Kennedy

Margaret McKee

North West

Tony Wilson

Bernadette Gallagher

Karen Reissmann

Roger Bannister

Vera Keary

Scotland

Jane Carolan

Angela Lynes

Sandra-Dee Masson

Gordon McKay

South East

-

Diana Leach

Kathy Symonds

Mike Tucker

Jean Butcher

South West

-

Lesley Discombe

Steve Warwick

vacant

Wales

-

Sian Stockham

Linda Sweet

Mike Hayes

Melanie Fender

West Midlands

-

Carol Sewell

Eleanor Smith

David Marsden

Mary Locke

Yorkshire and Humberside

Wendy Nichols

Helen Jenner

Sue Highton

John Campbell

Vicky Perrin

2011 National Executive Council - Election results

Service group seats

General

Female

Male

Community

John Gray

Isobel McVicar

Energy

Paul Glover

Angela Greenhalgh

Healthcare

James Anthony

Ann Moses

Christine Sullivan

Eric Roberts

Higher Education

Max Watson

Alison Shepherd

Local Government

Paul Holmes

Kathy Smith

Julie Robinson

Paul Gilroy

Police & Justice

John Mackfall

Mo Le Marinel

Water, Environment & Transport

John Jones

Black members seats

Female

Elizabeth Cameron

April Ashley

Male

Mark Clifford

Reserved

Abiola Kusoro

Young members

seat

General

Graham Smith