The BFAWU bakers union and Hungry for Justice/Fast Food Rights have produced a Valentine’s Card. It sets out the demands that all workers would love:-
- Put an end to the exploitation of workers through zero-hour contracts
- Make work pay by introducing a £10 per hour minimum wage
- Abolish the Youth Minimum Wage
- Allow workers to join a union without fear of dismissal
Newcastle launch of the BFAWU £10now minimum wage animation:
Newcastle Hungry for Justice day of action – Saturday February 14th in Newcastle City Centre
Animation film show launch – Thursday February 19th TUC Commercial Union House – 5th floor, 39 Pilgrim Street Newcastle NE1 6QE details here
Manchester Hungry for Justice day of action – Saturday 21 February 1.30pm Piccadilly Gardens
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 here
NSSN News
‘Stop the union-busters!’ Advanced notice: this year’s NSSN conference, our 9th, will be on Saturday July 4th in Conway Hall in London. Confirmed speakers include Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary download leaflet
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
Download the new ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
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
Unite
Unite challenges London’s bus firms to Acas talks (11 Feb) – Britain’s largest union, Unite laid down the gauntlet to the capital’s 18 bus operators today (Wednesday 11 February) by challenging them to enter into talks at the conciliation service Acas. The call came as Unite postponed two 24 hour London wide bus strikes, scheduled for Friday 13 February and Monday 16 February, in an act of goodwill to facilitate talks over a collective forum covering the pay and conditions of London’s bus workers read more
London busworkers Feb 5 strike – In the face of attempted management intimidation and driving sleet, picket lines of 40-50 were still common across London on the second strike day on 5 February. Over two thirds of buses were not running watch NSSN video of Feb 5 strike follow #BusStrike on twitter for strike reports & photos
Transport for London in danger of acting unlawfully over bus talks, warns Unite (11 Feb) – Transport for London (TfL) must confirm that it is not interfering in the London bus dispute in what would be, if true, an unlawful bid to block a resolution to the London bus dispute today (Wednesday 11 February). With further strikes looming, the concerns emerged from Britain’s largest union, Unite, as the union sought legal assurances from TfL requesting that its board members sign a neutrality statement pledging not to block talks aimed at resolving the dispute between the union and London’s 18 bus operators. The extraordinary moves came as Unite also pledged to use freedom of information (FoI) laws to force TfL to reveal the contents of a secret meeting it believes was held in January, and which the union believes undermined any prospect of talks read more
Unite calls for clergy employment talks after landmark decision (9 Feb) – A landmark unfair dismissal case starting tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February) between a vicar and the Church of England at the Court of Appeal could pave the way for the UK’s faith workers finally being awarded basic employment rights said Britain’s largest union Unite read more
Workers at Greater Manchester’s Metrolink set to strike over ‘strings attached’ pay offer (Feb 5) – Around 400 members of Britain’s largest union, Unite will be taking part in a 24 hour strike next Wednesday (11 February) on Greater Manchester’s tram network, Metrolink over pay and changes to their terms and conditions. Unite members voted by 73.3 per cent for industrial action after rejecting a ‘strings attached’ pay offer. The company’s pay offer of 1.5 per cent for 2014 and 2 per cent for 2015 comes with cuts to terms and conditions attached which include new starters receiving no sick pay in their first year and the removal of at least one stage of the absence procedure. Workers at Metrolink Old Trafford and Queen Road depots, including tram drivers, customer service representatives, engineers, vehicle maintenance, technicians, electricians, controllers, managers and members working administrative roles, will be taking part in strike action from 00:01 on Wednesday 11 February. STOP PRESS!! The strike was suspended and workers will now be balloted on a new offer more
PCS
Download new NSSN leaflet supporting PCS from the government’s attacks: ‘Stop the union busters!’ here
Tens of thousands say no to privatisation (5 Feb) – Forty thousand people today told the government they want National Gallery staff to remain in public hands. On the third day of our strike at the gallery, strikers and supporters including Jeremy Corbyn MP marched down Whitehall to deliver our 40,000-name petition. In lively scenes at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, captured on Twitter, we attempted to hand it directly to the chair of trustees Mark Getty, but we were told he was unavailable. The five-day stoppage is over plans to privatise almost all staff, including those who look after the paintings and help the gallery’s six million annual visitors. On the eve of the strike, gallery bosses suspended Candy Udwin, one of our senior reps who is involved in ongoing talks at ACAS read more See NSSN photos from House of Commons public meeting here and here Great support at public rally against National Gallery sell-off (11 Feb) read more from PCS website
RMT
Staff on historic Settle/Carlisle rail line to strike again (11 Feb) – Staff employed by the Settle and Carlisle Railway Development Company – providing at-seat catering on Northern Rail services between Carlisle and Settle are to take two more days of strike action on the 14th and 21st of February in a continuing row over compulsory redundancies. The action follows three rock-solid 24 hour strikes in December and in January which attracted wide ranging support and excellent media coverage for the RMT campaign read more
Strike vote against London Underground victimisation (Feb 10) – here and here
Ballot opens at Edinburgh Waverley over sacked RMT member (6 Feb) – RMT will being balloting Cross Country staff at Edinburgh Waverley from today for both strike action and action short of a strike over the wholly unjustified dismissal of union member Charlie Letham. The ballot will close of Tuesday 24th February. Charlie Letham has been dismissed by Cross Country for allegedly missing his revenue targets despite the fact that the company procedure quite clearly stipulates that any underlying issues shall be taken into account when the “CRISP” assessment is applied. This was very clearly important in the case of Mr Letham who has suffered from medical and personal problems. In fact, both his GP and the company doctor made several recommendations to the company to assist them in aiding our member in the workplace read more
Ballot opens today on Hull Trains in redundancy dispute (Feb 6) – RMT will begin balloting staff across Hull Trains for both strike action and action short of a strike today in a dispute over the totally unwarranted redundancy of a staff member who the union believes is being forced out of the company by underhand means for challenging a senior manager who was verbally abusing a colleague read more
RMT to ballot staff on London Midland (4 Feb) – RMT has begun balloting members on London Midland from Euston to Tring for both strike action and action short of a strike over the victimisation of union member Steve Caldwell – a valued and senior member of platform staff at Watford with over 32 years unblemished service and a string of commendations for delivering top quality support to the travelling public and for saving lives read more
FBU
No More Lies | Protest in London Feb 25 over sham pensions ‘guarantee’ (Feb 6) – The FBU confirmed today firefighters will protest over a false ‘guarantee’ given to firefighters in a House of Commons debate on firefighters’ pensions by Westminster fire minister Penny Mordaunt. The minister told MP’s if a firefighter fails a fitness test through no fault of their own, and do not qualify for ill health retirement, they will get a redeployed role or a full, unreduced pension. However after the FBU wrote to all fire authorities asking them if they intended to implement the Parliamentary guarantee those who responded confirmed that after taking legal advice that they would not. The protest will take place from midday on Wednesday 25 February 2015 in Central London read more
Support locked-out Essex firefighters & hardship fund (Jan 16) – Essex Firefighters took strike action from 9am on Wednesday 14 Jan. The three days of planned partial actions have been escalated as the employers effectively chose to temporarily lock firefighters out rather than accept three days of more limited strikes read more from NSSN website
Essex FBU Hardship fund details: ‘Essex fire brigades union hardship fund’ Account no. 086001 20292568.
GMB
M&S Distribution Swindon 97% Yes for GMB (Feb 9) – members at Marks & Spencer Distribution Centre Swindon vote by 97% to be represented by GMB read more Demo At M&S Swindon Store
Strike Ballot at East Sussex Waste (Feb 5) – GMB Members to be balloted for industrial action in East Sussex Waste Partnership over inaction on hazards and Bullying. GMB members are rightly angry at the lack of response and the seeming disregard that Kier management have for the concerns and well-being of their staff says GMB. GMB, the trade union for refuse and recycling workers, is holding an industrial action ballot of 154 GMB members, employed over three contracts in the partnership, by Kier Environmental Services on the East Sussex Waste Partnership contract. The ballot will close on Tuesday 24th February 2015 read more
NUT
Support teachers striking to oppose academy status in Lewisham – On Thursday, February 12th, members of the National Union of Teachers will be striking at four Lewisham schools read more from blog of Martin Powell Davies NUT NEC & Lewisham NUT
ASCL, ATL, NAHT, NUT and Voice write to Sec of State and Nick Clegg re workload challenge – Please see attached a letter from five teaching unions ASCL, ATL, NAHT, NUT and Voice to the Education Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, about the response from Government to the Workload Challenge read more
NUJ
ITV pay talks to go to ACAS (5 Feb) – ITV has agreed to take negotiations on this year’s pay deal to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, after staff balloted to reject the 2 per cent offer and said they would move to a ballot for strike action. The unions, the NUJ, Bectu and Unite, have described the deal as “mean” and now have solid backing to move to action. Results of a consultative ballot showed 85 percent of NUJ members, 86 per cent of Bectu members and 78 per cent of Unite members were in favour. Programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale could be hit, plus live programmes during the run up to the general election read more
Unison
Northern Ireland ballot under way (Feb 10) – The strike ballot for UNISON members across health and education services in Northern Ireland is under way. The ballot, which is being conducted by the independent Electoral Reform Society, runs until 24 February. UNISON is calling on all members across health and social services and the education service to vote Yes for strike action which is scheduled for 13 March read more
NIPSA
Industrial Action Ballot: Info for Health Workers (4 Feb) – In an effort to maximise the turnout and the numbers voting “yes” in the ballot NIPSA have produced the following leaflets which health branches should utilise for engaging with members more
Industrial Action Ballot: Info for NIHE Members (4 Feb) – In an effort to maximise the turnout and the numbers voting “yes” in the ballot NIPSA have produced the following leaflet which NIHE branches should utilise for engaging with members more
NAPO
Defend Magna Carta: Save Access To Justice! – An alternative Justice Day – 2015 sees the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and Chris Grayling, is planning to celebrate this with a Global Law Summit due to be held in London 23 – 25 February at The Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster read more
IWGB
Victory at LSHTM!!!!! (Feb 6) – After receiving notice from the IWGB before Christmas, on 30th January, one day before the IWGB deadline expired, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine made an offer to its outsourced cleaners of up to 35 days holiday and 6 months sick pay (depending on length of service)!! The terms and conditions would apply retroactively from 1 January, 2015! The workers are currently considering the offer read more
Other news
Crossrail: a culture of fear and spying
The inquest into Rene Tkacik’s death who was killed on Crossrail is taking place at St. Pancras Coroners court Camley Street. Camden NC1 4PP. Monday 23rd February
We are holding a Silent Vigil outside as a mark of respect, we organised a protest outside the site when he was killed, and surprise! Management were hostile. They have learnt that we intend holding a vigil, I think by the HSE, they’ve contacted the Coroner, seems their concerned ? Wouldn’t like to disappoint them would seem a shame, were asking people to turnout and support this. Remember Frank Morris was removed for raising Safety issues in 2012 reinstated 2013 following a year long campaign.
A leaked report ” MIND SAFETY “commissioned by Crossrail highlighted ignoring Safety issues raised, Bullying workers. Near misses of the type which killed Rene had been reported. Workers too scared to report near misses & injuries for fear of being sacked, is reported in their own REPORT !
John McDonnell MP demanded urgent action 21st May 2014 in letter to Gov’t.
In Unity Pete Farrell Chair CSC / Lon/Hazards.
( for more info see London Hazards issue 109 August 2014 ) to request a copy 0207 527 5107
Aylesbury Estate campaign (Feb 11)
We are asking unions to help us in our struggle to save the Aylesbury Estate from demolition and social cleansing. Here is the statement of support that groups and branches are signing:
We are also asking if branches can pass resolutions condemning Southwark Council and Southwark Labour Party for ther refusal to respect the estate’s residents.
Unite London & Eastern Housing Branch have led the way at their meeting last night.
See also our blog here: https://fightfortheaylesbury.wordpress.com/
There is also lots on our Twitter: @fight4aylesbury
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Blacklist Support Group financial appeal: the Blacklist support group is desperately short of funds, to continue the incredible work in 2015 we need more finance, would you please consider making a donation, raise it at your branches and trade councils . Please make cheques payable to Joint sites committee and send to 70 Darnay Rise Chelmsford Essex CM1 4XA. Please forward onto your contacts many thanks Steve Kelly (JSC Treasurer)
Blacklist Support Group AGM
Saturday 7th March (3pm)
Jury’s Inn, Jamaica Street, Glasgow
Agenda items
1 apologies for absence
2 Report – treasurer
3 Report – secretary
4 Q&A
5 Election of officers
6 AOB
The AGM is being held in conjunction with the construction rank & file national meeting.
1pm – RnF national meeting
3pm – BSG AGM
All blacklisted workers welcome to attend and vote. All supporters welcome to attend.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
International (also see Labourstart)
Ireland: Protest against arrests of Anti-Water charge campaigners, including TD and councillors – assemble 4pm Irish Embassy 17 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HR read more
Greece: The Greece Solidarity Campaign, Syriza London and other organisations have called for a Mass Rally in support of the people of Greece on Sunday 15th February at 13.00 assembling by the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square as part of an international wave of protests in support of Greece taking place across Europe. Come along with friends and colleagues to show your support for the first anti-austerity government in Europe.
We are also calling an Emergency Protest against the ECB and in support of the anti-austerity movement in Greece with a display of banners on Wednesday February 11th at 6.30pm assembling by Churchill’s statue on Parliament Square in front of Big Ben
Don’t tarnish your love with Rio Tinto’s dirty diamonds and gold! read more
Sri Lanka: affiliate to the Tamil Solidarity Campaign here
Diary (see & use false economy)
March
14 Midlands NSSN Conference – Unite Offices, Birmingham
April
28 International Workers Memorial Day
July
4 ‘Stop the union-busters!’ 9th annual NSSN conference – Conway Hall in London
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
