NSSN supporters all over the country visited the FBU picket lines at fire stations giving solidarity to these workers and their union when they took the absolutely solid action last Thursday.
Fire Brigades Union members are striking again against attacks on their pension scheme which will mean they pay £4000 more for the same or worse pension.
Making matters worse, the same attacks from Fire Minister Brandon Lewis mean firefighters towards the end of their working lives will be drummed out on ‘capability’ grounds for being physically unable to do the job of a 20-year-old! After national negotiations, the government has confirmed it will plough ahead with its pensions proposals without further discussions.
Thursday’s 24-hour strike is an escalation of previous action, because it will be followed by action short of strike for over a week until Saturday 21 June, when a 7-hour strike from 10am will be followed by action short of strike through until 9am the next day.
On the picket lines, many fire-fighters supported joining the planned mass pay strike on July 10th which could see up to 1½ million public sector workers on strike together.
Victory to the fire-fighters and the FBU!
See FBU video www.fbu.org.uk/?p=10225
Messages of support www.fbu.org.uk/?p=10226#more-10226
FBU responds to Brandon Lewis’ letter to firefighters (June 13) – In a circular to members Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, has responded to fire minister Brandon Lewis letter to firefighters www.fbu.org.uk/?p=10236
NSSN News
Come to the 8th Annual NSSN Conference on Saturday July 5th – ‘What recovery? We want our share! Fight Together for a Pay Rise! – Break the pay freeze, fight for a real living wage, oppose zero-hour contracts, fight for PAYE’. Leaflet – http://www.scribd.com/doc/221151679/NSSN-2014-conference-leaflet
It will be on from 11am-5pm in Conway Hall – 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1R 4RL – delegate/visitor fee £6. Confirmed speakers include Ronnie Draper BFAWU bakers’ union General Secretary, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan, Janice Godrich PCS President and Peter Pinkney RMT President.
Confirmed workshops include:-
Fast food rights/zero-hour contracts/living wage/$15Now
Fighting NHS cuts
Construction: fighting the umbrella scam and blacklisting
Political representation for workers after the Collins Review
Housing workers fighting back
REGISTER TODAY! Email us now if you want to come as well as if you want leaflets – [email protected].
If you want to put yourself forward for the NSSN steering committee, email us by 12noon on Thursday July 3rd
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE. Affiliation letter here shopstewards.net/2014/02/nssn-affiliation-letter/
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Linda on [email protected]
Union News
RMT
RMT slams ISS bullying and intimidation of tube cleaners (16 June) – Tube union RMT today slammed moves by underground cleaning contractor ISS to lock out and send home any staff who refuse a union instruction not to book on for shifts using Biometric Fingerprinting Machines read more www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-slams-iss-bullying-and-intimidation-of-tube-cleaners/
RMT declares new wave of Heathrow Express action (13 June) – Rail union RMT today confirmed a fourth wave of industrial action across Heathrow Express after the company sabotaged ACAS talks and resorted to issuing blanket threats to sack hundreds of staff if they don’t call off their fight over a package of multi-million pound cuts which amount to an all-out assault on pay, jobs and safety read more www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-declares-new-wave-of-heathrow-express-action/
Unite
EDF Energy pay strike today prompts call for ‘urgent talks’ (16 June) – Unite called for ‘urgent and constructive’ talks with EDF Energy, as nearly 500 workers took strike action today (Monday 16 June) in a three-pronged pay dispute. The employees in the London, South Eastern, South West and Eastern regions started their 24 hour strike at 00.01 today which will mean delays in fixing and installing meters for customers read more www.unitetheunion.org/news/edf-energy-pay-strike-today-prompts-call-for-urgent-talks/
Tyneside Safety Glass workers strike for a real pay rise (June 16) – read more www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/18772/16-06-2014/tyneside-safety-glass-workers-strike-for-a-real-pay-rise
New strike ballot for Yorkshire ambulance staff in patient safety dispute (13 June) – Yorkshire ambulance service workers, members of Unite, the country’s largest union, are being balloted for strike action in the long-running dispute over patient and staff safety issues. The new ballot is being held to renew the mandate for strike action following the continual refusal of the management of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust to negotiate on these issues read more www.unitetheunion.org/news/new-strike-ballot-for-yorkshire-ambulance-staff-in-patient-safety-dispute/
Ex-Tesco drivers stage Sheffield demo at ‘unfair dismissals’ hearing (12 June) – Former drivers, who used to work on the Tesco distribution contract in Doncaster, will stage a silent demonstration outside their employment tribunal (ET) hearing in Sheffield tomorrow (Friday 13 June). The crux of their case is that Eddie Stobart Ltd (ESL) and Tesco had together agreed to make 184 drivers redundant well before the workers had been consulted read more www.unitetheunion.org/news/ex-tesco-drivers-stage-sheffield-demo-at-unfair-dismissals-hearing/
Glasgow transport workers hold ballots for strike action (12 June) – Transport workers across Glasgow will be balloted for industrial action after management at two of the city’s key transport operators for the Commonwealth Games moved to impose derisory pay and working practices on its employees. 150 engineers at First Group Glasgow have been outraged by the company’s 2014 pay offer of 0.5 per cent with a further 0.4 per cent on the basis of accepting an inferior sick pay allowance, making them the poor relations of the First Bus family in Scotland. 300 workers across the Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Glasgow Subway have been told they will receive no payment for the increased work and flexibility demands during the Commonwealth Games, while pushing-on with unpopular shift patterns in the face of long-standing unrest. Both ballots will run until Monday 30 June read more www.unitetheunion.org/news/glasgow-transport-workers-hold-ballots-for-strike-action/
PCS
PCS calls rolling action in HMRC (16 June) – Our HMRC members are holding a 1-day strike as part of a rolling programme of action against job cuts, office closures and privatisation. They have been pushed to breaking point. Despite our best efforts to get HMRC to see sense they are continuing with their despised performance management system, office closure plans, privatisation and job cuts agenda read more www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/pcs-calls-rolling-action-in-hmrc
Vote yes to join 1.5m in action over pay (13 June) – Our members are facing the tightest living standards squeeze for nearly a century so we are asking them to take action over pay. We are holding a consultative ballot from tomorrow (12 June) until 30 June asking members to back our ‘We all need a pay rise campaign,’ which calls for a concerted campaign of joint action with other public sector unions, starting with a 1-day strike on 10 July. Action is aimed at breaking the pay freeze, and winning a fair settlement on pay, jobs, pensions, outsourcing, and terms and conditions such as performance management read more www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/vote-yes-to-join-1-5m-in-action-over-pay
BFAWU
Trades Councils Conference passed a motion to support the Fast Food Rights Campaign which was moved by Cardiff TUC president & NSSN vice-chair Katrine Williams
UCU
Lambeth College indefinite strike:
Lambeth College boss gets 13% pay rise – biggest pay hike in London (13 June) – Lambeth College gave its principal a massive 12.9% pay rise last year – the highest increase for any London college, according to government figures read more www.ucu.org.uk/7108
Lambeth College blog lambethcollegestrike.wordpress.com/
Unison
Vote YES in NJC local government pay strike ballot – open May 23-June 23 read more www.unison.org.uk/campaigns/pay-worth-it/600-000-local-government-members-to-be-balloted-for-strike-action-over-pay
Aberystwyth University unions vote for strike action over pensions (June 13) – The result of an indicative ballot which at Aberystwyth University shows that trade union members are overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action to oppose changes to their pension scheme. The university’s planned changes to pension arrangements would lead to a large number of the workforce, including many low paid workers, being significantly worse off during retirement read more www.unison.org.uk/news/aberystwyth-university-unions-vote-for-strike-action-against-pension-plans
Doncaster Care UK workers – Send messages of support to [email protected] and donations/cheques made out to: “Doncaster, District & Bassetlaw Health Branch” and sent to: Jenkinson House, White Rose Way, Doncaster, DN4 5GJ.
NUT
Lobbying for education – 10 June was a great success. Now lobby your AM/MP locally and march with the People’s Assembly against austerity on 21 June
IWGB
Mitie at the Royal Opera House issue intimidating letter to all staff (June 13) – Mitie, the Royal Opera House’s cleaning contractor, has reacted to the IWGB raising problems over holiday pay and relating to bias by seeking to intimidate its staff out of striking and attending demonstrations read more iwgb.org.uk/2014/06/13/mitie-at-the-royal-opera-house-issue-intimidating-letter-to-all-staff/
John Lewis responds to our letters (June 13) – find below the reply we received from John Lewis and also the second letter we sent today here iwgb.org.uk/2014/06/13/john-lewis-responds-to-our-letters/
BECTU
Ritzy Brixton Cinema workers on strike again this Saturday – for more info https://www.facebook.com/RitzyLivingWage
Strike action at BBC if pay offer is not significantly improved (12 June) – BECTU is working together with the NUJ and Unite to secure an above RPI increase for BBC staff in 2014/15. Picture shows BBC staff on strike in March 2013. The BBC’s management is coming under severe pressure to make a significant improvement to its pay offer to staff for 2014/15. BECTU is warning that strike action is highly likely unless the current pay offer is substantially revised read more https://www.bectu.org.uk/news/2195
NAPO
Napo calls on NOMS to put the TOM on ice (June 13) – Last Friday, Napo expressed serious concerns around authority to practice and access to information as a basis for halting the Target Operating Model read more https://www.napo.org.uk/news/napo-calls-noms-put-tom-ice
POA
Durham Miners’ Association Press Release: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Great Miners’ Strike 1984/1985 – On Saturday June 21st the Durham Miners Association is inviting all its friends and supporters and particularly those miners who took part in the 1984 conflict to come to its headquarters in Red Hill to renew old friendships and celebrate the spirit that endured a year-long battle for the preservation of jobs and communities. A copy of the Press Release and the Report can be downloaded here www.poauk.org.uk/index.php?breaking-news&newsdetail=20140613-118_durham-miners-association-press-release-celebrating-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-great-miners-strike-19841985
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
Other News
People’s Assembly Against Austerity National Demonstration Saturday 21 June 2014 – Assemble 1pm, BBC HQ, Portland Place, London W1 1AA (Tube: Oxford Circus) March to Parliament Square http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/national_demo_21_june
London Hazards —– Mesothelioma Day July 4th
Thousands die in the UK every year from exposure to asbestos, mainly construction workers but increasingly in schools now teachers and pupils. We want to establish a London Asbestos Support Group to help victims and families. Please come and support this event. Refreshments will be supplied, specialist speakers from the schools asbestos campaigns and Guys Hospital specialists are just some of the campaigners who will contribute to the discussion on how to make this happen – 12:00 midday—2:00pm
Priory House (Leigh Day Offices)
25 St John’s Lane
London
EC1M 4LB
(3minutes walk from Farringdon Station)
Hope to see you there Pete Farrell Chair London Hazards Committee
International (also see Labourstart)
Brazil: World Cup opening coupled with continuing protests and strikes read more www.socialistworld.net/doc/6817
Turkey: Stop union-busting at M&T Reklam read more www.socialistworld.net/doc/6817
Diary (see & use false economy)
June
21 “No to Austerity” demo at the BBC, 21st June….No More Austerity – Demand the Alternative National Demonstration + Free Festival, Sat 21 June 2014 – Assemble 1pm BBC HQ, Portland Place London W1 1AA Then march to Parliament
Hurrah for the Luddites: challenging the myths about Luddism – 2-4pm at the Red Shed, Vicarage Street, Wakefield WF1.
The event is about seeing the Luddites in their proper historical context. Contrary to myth, they weren’t a bunch of head bangers. Luddism was a genuine social movement made up of normal working people fighting for justice. They had immense support, were well organised and for a time were immensely successful. Come along and hear more about the true Luddites!
Speakers are:
Ken Rowley: Ken is a former Vice President of the National Union of Mineworkers. He is a member of the Wakefield Socialist History Group. He has spoken widely on the Luddites and their West Yorkshire connections to both the University of the Third Age and to local history groups.
Shaun Cohen: Shaun is a member of the Ford-Maguire Society. The Society is named after two notable Leeds socialist pioneers Isabella Ford and Tom Maguire. Shaun’s particular interest is the radical history of Leeds. He has researched widely into the Luddite revolutionary tradition.
Admission to the event is free and there will be a free buffet.
Fraternally
Alan Stewart
Convenor, Wakefield Socialist History Group
01924 360565
July
4 London Hazards —– Mesothelioma Day July 4th
Thousands die in the UK every year from exposure to asbestos, mainly construction workers but increasingly in schools now teachers and pupils. We want to establish a London Asbestos Support Group to help victims and families. Please come and support this event. Refreshments will be supplied, specialist speakers from the schools asbestos campaigns and Guys Hospital specialists are just some of the campaigners who will contribute to the discussion on how to make this happen – 12:00 midday—2:00pm
Priory House (Leigh Day Offices)
25 St John’s Lane
London
EC1M 4LB
(3minutes walk from Farringdon Station)
5 8th Annual NSSN Conference – Conway Hall – 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL
12 Durham Miners Gala 2014 visit Durham Miners’ Association official website here durhamminers.org/
18-20 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival – Tolpuddle, near Dorchester, Dorset visit Tolpuddle Martyrs museum here www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/
October
18 TUC demonstration in London – ‘Britain Needs a Pay Rise’. It will begin with a march through central London, culminating in a rally in Hyde Park read more here www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/britain-needs-pay-rise-%e2%80%93-tuc-mass-demonstration-autumn
CONTACT US
PHONE 07952 283 558
EMAIL mailto:[email protected]
TWITTER – https://twitter.com/NSSN_AntiCuts
FACEBOOK NSSN GROUP or STOP The CUTS Likes page
ADDRESS NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE
