STOP PRESS!! St Mungos Broadway – Strike Off! Following a day locked in talks at ACAS, the Unite SMB reps and Regional Officer, Nicky consider that they have received an offer from SMB management which is reasonable enough to be put to the membership. On this basis, the strike has been called off. – See more here from Unite LE1111 website (see more under Unite below in Union News)
Follow @SMBUnite and @UniteHousing and #SMBstrike on twitter for latest info plus Unite LE1111 website http://www.housingworkers.org.uk/
Also follow NSSN twitter @NSSN_AntiCuts for photos of today’s victory rally
The decision of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to sack FBU Executive council member, Ricky Matthews, is yet another attack on firefighters in the county.
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue service have already attempted to starve firefighters back to work with ‘lock-outs’ during previous strikes. When the FBU have taken shorter periods of strike action, Buckinghamshire FRS have docked firefighters a full day’s pay and refused to allow them back to work when the action ended.
This week the FRS further threatened Buckinghamshire firefighters with the sack if they participated in the legal strike. They claim this is because they do not have an accurate list of union members. This is because they ended check- off as a method of collecting union subscriptions – one more attack on the union. The bullying tactics off the FRS has put pressure on local firefighters and the FBU to call off this period of strike action. Ricky has been sacked as a result of this.
However, the outpouring of anger of FBU members in Buckinghamshire and around the country (as well as many other trade unionists) shows members aren’t cowed. FBU members locally and nationally will be working out the best way to respond to this blatant act of victimisation. The NSSN gives full solidarity to Ricky and the FBU both in Buckinghamshire and nationally and will support whatever action is decided on.
The fantastic pension strike over the last few days should give FBU members confidence that the attack on pensions and the victimisation of Ricky Matthews can be defeated. Solidarity!
Firefighters lost around £600 of pay due to the strike. The National Shop Stewards Network appeals for hardship collections to be taken to local fire stations in support of the dispute. The national FBU hardship fund bank account details are: Sort code 08-60-01 Account number 20034726 FBU solidarity & financial appeal From FBU website: firefighters strike continues – union challenges victimisation in Buckinghamshire
NSSN News
The famous pink NSSN £10 minimum wage t-shirts are still available. Email us to order – £8 each. We have the following sizes: women – small, medium, large, XL and men – small, medium, large, XL, XXL
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
Yorkshire NSSN Conference – Saturday November 22nd Cosmopolitan Hotel Lower Briggate, Leeds, Yorkshire LS1 4AE
Midlands NSSN Conference – Saturday March 14th 2015 Unite Offices, Birmingham download leaflet
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
NHS strikes November 10th and 24th – Eleven trade unions representing NHS workers including nurses, midwives, cleaners, pharmacists, scientists, porters, secretaries, paramedics, occupational therapists, radiographers, dieticians, healthcare assistants, kitchen and maintenance staff will stage a four-hour stoppage in the morning on Monday 24 November 2014. There will also be action short of strike around this date. Welsh Unison members in the NHS will also be striking on November 10th
See the following websites: Unison Unite GMB Royal College of Midwives Society of Radiographers UCATT British Association of Occupational Therapists British Dietetic Association Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association The POA and MiP are also on strike
Unite
Unite members at St Mungo’s Broadway call new 10-day strike from November 5th read more from Unite website
St Mungo’s 7-day strike – read strike report from Unite LE1111 website Please donate to the campaign as follows:
- By BACS: Account Name: Unite Housing Workers Branch LE1111, Account No: 20040639, Sort Code: 08-60-01.
- By cheque made out to the Unite Housing Workers Branch LE1111, Unite LE1111, and sent to PO Box 66701, London E11 9FB.
Follow @SMBUnite and @UniteHousing and #StMungosFraudway on twitter for latest info plus Unite LE1111 website http://www.housingworkers.org.uk/
To get a Unite member from the strike to speak at your union branch meeting, shop stewards committee, trades council etc email – [email protected] Download collection sheet here
Unite secures ground breaking tribunal victory over holiday pay (4 Nov) – Unite members, who have been short changed by over a half of their holiday pay, have won a ground-breaking employment appeal tribunal today (Tuesday 4 November), which means all UK employers now need to include overtime pay when calculating workers’ holiday pay. The case brought by Britain’s largest union, Unite against Amec and Hertel could lead to pay outs worth thousands of pounds and paves the way for similar cases after the appeal tribunal ruled that people obliged to work overtime should have overtime pay and other bonuses and allowances included in their holiday pay read more
London bus drivers willing to take strike action to end pay disparities, warns Unite (4 Nov) – Nearly 100 per cent of bus drivers across London’s 17 bus operators have said they are willing to take strike action to end ‘glaringly unfair’ pay disparities across the capital’s buses in a campaign to secure one London wide agreement covering pay, terms and conditions. The consultative ballot run by their union, Unite, saw 96 per cent vote in favour of action as frustration mounts over the ‘farce’ of 17 separate pay negotiations. In contrast to tube drivers, there is no one collective pay deal for bus drivers in the capital whose pay is negotiated on a company by company basis leading to pay inequality and pay gaps of over £2 an hour for new starters. Starting rates for drivers vary from £9.30 to £11.46 an hour depending on the bus company. The consultative ballot paves the way for a formal industrial action ballot of London’s bus drivers if the Capital’s bus operators continue with their refusal to establish a collective negotiating forum that covers the pay and conditions for all London’s bus drivers read more
Unite hails ‘victory’ in Greenwich library dispute (31 Oct) – The dispute over pay and staff cuts affecting Greenwich’s 12 libraries has been settled in what Unite, the country’s largest union, described as ‘a great victory for employee solidarity and for the preservation of an important public service’. More than 80 senior library assistants and library assistants were taking strike action yesterday (Thursday 30 October) when they agreed to suspend their action after the new deal was hammered out. Today’s (Friday 31 October) strike has been suspended and Unite members are working normally read more
Staff cuts at army training ranges ‘could put lives at risk’, warns Unite (30 Oct) – The lives of the public could be put at risk due to staff ‘being cut to the bone’ at Britain’s military training ranges, Unite, the country’s largest union, warned today (Thursday 30 October). Unite is calling on its 325 members at Landmarc Support Services, which runs the ranges for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), to strike for 24 hours from 00.01 on Monday (3 November) in a dispute about proposed redundancies, safety issues and lack of consultation read more
UCATT
Construction sites set for shutdown on Friday as crane drivers begin strike action (3 Nov) – Major construction sites are set for severe disruption from this Friday (November 7th) as crane drivers employed by HTC Plant Limited begin industrial action. The 180 plus crane drivers have overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay. Three 24 hour stoppages have been called for successive Fridays (7th, 14th and 21st November). Due to how construction sites operate this is set to cause a huge amount of disruption. A large number of sites across London and the rest of England are set to be affected including: Crossrail, the London Bridge redevelopment, Nova Square Victoria, the Elephant and Castle redevelopment and the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermarston. Major construction contractors set to be affected include: Kier, Lend Lease, Bam, Costain, Mace and Vinci read more
BECTU
Massive U-turn saves 34 jobs at Ritzy (Oct 30) – In a massive u-turn by Picturehouse management, today (30 October) the threat to 34 jobs at the Ritzy cinema was lifted. At lunchtime the London Evening Standard reported that the CEO of Cineworld, Mooky Greidinger, stepped in to order that the consultation process which got underway two days ago, should be ended with immediate effect and that the formal notice to cut 34 jobs should be rescinded. The decision follows a phenomenal upsurge of support for workers at the Ritzy cinema after management tabled substantial job cuts just weeks after a peace deal was agreed following 13 strikes for the Living Wage over five months read more www.facebook.com/RitzyLivingWage Victory Party 7pm-1am Thursday November 6th Effra Social Club, Brixton
Living wage victory at Curzon cinemas (Oct 29) – BECTU and Curzon Cinemas have today confirmed that staff at the chain will be paid the Living Wage from January 2015. Curzon is the first cinema operator to adopt the Living Wage read more
GMB
See Blacklisting section for ‘Crocodile Tears’ Tour
Remploy: a year since factories closed (Oct 30) – GMB survey shows majority of ex-Remploy workers did not get another job one year on from last of 51 factory closures. Disabled charities aided and abetted Government so that a huge percentage of those made redundant now sit at home depressed and isolated from any forms of social interaction or inclusion says GMB read more
PCS
Back the lobby against TfL cuts (3 Nov) – Don’t cut jobs and ticket offices, is the message from PCS members who are joining a lobby of Transport for London Board on Wednesday. TfL Unions Together, an alliance of recognised trade unions in TfL and Better London Transport, a community alliance campaigning for affordable, safe and accessible transport services for all across London, are lobbying the board meeting, headed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson read more
RMT
Northern rail catering staff to be balloted on strike action (Nov 3) – Staff employed by the Settle and Carlisle Railway Development Company – providing at-seat catering on Northern Rail services between Carlisle and Settle – are to be balloted for strike action later this week in a row over the compulsory redundancy of a long standing member of staff who manages the service read more
TfL staff to lobby board meeting at City Hall (Nov 3) – RMT – along with sister unions TSSA and UNITE – will be holding a lobby of the TfL Board meeting at City Hall on 5th November between 09.00 and 10.00am over an all-out attack on pay and pensions that would condemn to staff to a life of poverty in retirement. The lobby will also draw attention to the continuing threat to jobs, services and safety across the TFL network and London Underground read more
Photos of NSSN supporting sacked RMT reps victimised by Sodexo Mo Aslam and Petrit Mihaj
RMT News October edition here
Unison
National meeting called to campaign for a REJECT vote of the Local Government pay offer by Reclaim the Union – 2-4pm Saturday 8th November Room B04 Birkbeck University, 43 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PD
Care UK workers call for funds – Care UK strikers in Doncaster have launched a new appeal for solidarity funds. The workers – who were transferred from the NHS to private company Care UK – will have been on strike for a total of 90 days. Messages of support or donations should be sent to: Yvonne Butcher, branch secretary Doncaster District and Bassetlaw Health Branch, 20511 UNISON Office – Jenkinson House, White Rose Way, Doncaster DN4 5GJ. Make cheques out to ‘Doncaster, District and Bassetlaw Health Branch’.
CWU
Post Office workers set for pay strike ballot (Oct 31) – Post office campaign logo Some 2,000 Post Office workers will be receiving their strike ballot papers next Saturday (8th November) following the breakdown of last-ditch pay talks between the CWU and company chiefs. The union’s executive is recommending a ‘Yes’ vote and if members back the call, strikes could start in December read more
UCU
Open letter to the VC of the University of York (Oct 30) – Petition that condemns the decision of the University of York to stop paying staff who take part in legitimate industrial action. The following letter was sent today to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, who yesterday threatened to stop paying their staff if they participated in legitimate industrial action. If you agree with the sentiment of the letter, please do sign the petition below the letter text please read petition and sign
BFAWU / Fast Food Rights
November 21st – BFAWU lobby of Parliament to support private members bill by Ian Mearns MP on zero-hour contracts: assemble 12noon Old Palace Yard opposite House of Commons
BFAWU’s Foodworker magazine read here
Reports of Fast Food Rights protests on Youth Fight for Jobs website and Fast Food Rights website
Please send details of any local actions to [email protected] / [email protected] see BFAWU video
Other news
Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign: IPCC demo in London 14 November – 2nd anniversary of the South Yorkshire Police ‘s self-referral to the IPCC is 14/11 and we plan to have a 50 seater coach to take us to their head office in High Holborn, London , Friday 14/11 , picking up at the White Bear, Barnsley, 7.30 am and then the Showroom 8am, getting to London mid-day
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Blacklist Support Group update – November 2nd
- Videos:
Blacklisting: High Court conspiracy trial begins: Blacklisting: High Court conspiracy trial begins
Reel News video of blacklisted workers and
Steve Rotheram MP
outside the High Court calling for directors to be jailed and a public inquiry to expose the role of the police: John Bryan, Mickey Guyll, Alan Rayner, Dick Grey & Richard represent blacklisted workers (amnay others in attendance).
Next hearing date for the High Court trial is 17th December – put this in your diary. Seems a good date for a pre-xmas BSG meet up.
Blacklisting Bristol: “Blacklisting Bristol”
Bristol Cable video about blacklisting in Bristol with blacklisted shop-steward Jerry Hicks and investigative journalist Phil Chamberlain
- Dates for the diary:
Wed 12th Nov 6-8pm
Undercover police spies and blacklisting – public meeting
London Metropolitan University, Henry Thomas Lecture Theatre, 166-220 Holloway Road, N7 8DB
Speakers: Helen Steel, Merrick Badger, Dave Smith
all 3 spied on by undercover police – all 3 on the construction industry blacklist
http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2014/10/25/cops-public-meeting/
Thurs 13th Nov 7:30pm
Reel News night in London:
new videos on Blacklisting plus
Veterans for Peace in Northern Ireland
Ryans Bar
181 Stoke Newington Church Street
London N16 0UI
https://www.facebook.com/events/781480288564328/
Sat 15th Nov 1-4pm
Construction Rank & File national meeting
Speakers include: Frank Morris, Steve Kelly, Steve Acheson
Newcastle Labour Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE14
https://www.facebook.com/events/741533262577799/
(all construction workers welcome)
Sun 16th Nov 11am start
Defend the Right to Protest Conference
Session on: Undercover cops and the secret state
speakers: Helen Steel, Rob Evans (Guardian), Jenny Jones (GLA), Merrick Badger & Dave Smith
SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG London
http://www.defendtherighttoprotest.org/national-conference/
- GMB Crocodile Tears Tour – targeting senior managers involved in blacklisting continues:
Tuesday 4th November
Shelia Knight,
HR Director of Drake & Sculls (EMCOR) and Deputy Director of ACAS
Reading University
Wednesday 5th November
Paul Raby,
Balfour Beatty, Group HR Director,
130 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1LQ.
Monday, 10th November
West Midlands
details to be confirmed
Tuesday 11th November
Arnold Nestler
Human Resources Services Director,
AMEC: Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ.
Note: all Crocodile Tears protests start at 11am
For more info contact: [email protected] or http://www.gmb.org.uk/campaigns/blacklisting
- Pre-employment vetting – the new code name for blacklisting
http://www.ucatt.org.uk/ucatt-fear-employee-screening-could-lead-blacklisting
The euphemism of ’employee screening’ prompted the Blacklist Support Group Artist in Residence to produce a new work of art (inspired by Ezekiel 25:17 from Pulp Fiction)
- United We Stand – play about the Shrewsbury Pickets
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/27/united-we-stand-ricky-tomlinson-picketing-prison-play
http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/productions/united-we-stand
- Finally, in a blatant attempt to get the issue of blacklisting debated as part of the Scottish Labour Party leadership election, here is a video of Neil Findlay MSP supporting blacklisted workers in Dundee in March 2013: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GlmfLUswhqI
Please support the Blacklist Support Group justice campaign by circulating your favourite videos and links with your networks and via social media.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
International (also see Labourstart)
Diary (see & use false economy)
November
5 Leeds Youth Fight for Jobs branch meeting
15 National construction rank and file meeting – at Newcastle Labour Club
Unite the Resistance conference
11 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle. NE1 4PF 1.00pm until 4.00pm
19 National student demonstration for free education and against austerity – assemble at Malet Street, London WC1E 7HZ 12noon
21 BFAWU lobby of Parliament
22 Yorkshire NSSN Conference – Cosmopolitan Hotel Lower Briggate, Leeds, LS1 4AE
December
1 Trade Unions Against TTIP – A Campaign for Trade Union Freedom meeting mobilising trade unionists for the campaign against TTIP, CETA, TISA and the new generation of “trade” treaties. 6pm Diskus Suite, Unite House, 128 Theobalds Road, London, WC1X 8TN https://www.facebook.com/events/728967470486256/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
3 Leeds Youth Fight for Jobs branch meeting
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
