John Vasey, a CWU postal rep in Wakefield, West Yorkshire has been sacked on what his work colleagues recognise as stitched up charges.
John was suspended by Royal Mail during the general election on allegations connected with the non-delivery of election material.
Since John’s suspension, the Wakefield office has been run by an increasingly threatening management, who have driven through cutbacks placing unmanageable workloads on a reduced number of postal workers.
John, with 25 years’ service has good support from fellow workers and the CWU in his battle for reinstatement.
Currently awaiting an appeal, his reinstatement campaign is gathering pace with the help of the local National Shop Stewards Network.
The NSSN calls on all our supporters and affiliates to support John’s campaign for reinstatement and his union the CWU:-
Messages of protest to Jon Millidge, Royal Mail Group HR Director, c/o Tallents House, South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.
(Copies to Paul Clays, CWU Regional Secretary, 6 Concept Court, Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, YORK, YO30 4XF – e-mail: [email protected])
Please sign the petition and like Reinstate John Vasey on Facebook
NSSN news
NSSN ‘KillTheBill’ rally & lobby of TUC Congress 1pm-3.30pm Sunday September 13th in Brighton – The NSSN are pleased to announce that union General Secretaries Mark Serwotka PCS, Mick Cash RMT, Matt Wrack FBU, Ronnie Draper BFAWU, Dave Ward CWU and Steve Gillan POA will be speaking alongside rank & file union reps such as Suzanne Muna Unite EC at our #KillTheBill rally at this year’s TUC Congress in Brighton. There is a Facebook event www.facebook.com/events/396898687168095/ – please share.
The rally will be part of a lobby called by the NSSN. We will be calling on the TUC and its affiliated unions to organise a demonstration when the Tories debate their trade union bill in Parliament. The lobby will also push for preparations to begin for mass co-ordinated strike action if the laws are passed and against the Tories’ brutal cuts.
It will be in the Grand Hotel from 1pm-3.30pm in the Charlotte Room 97-99 King’s Rd BN1 2FW (next to the Brighton conference Centre).
Email us on [email protected] if you want to attend and need transport.
The NSSN encourages all union branches and trades councils to organise #KillTheBill rallies, public meetings and protests to help build opposition to the Tory Trade Union Bill – email us the details of your events and we’ll publicise them
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 ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
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
PCS
Come to the rally when 130,000-strong ‘No Privatisation at National Gallery’ petition handed in on Thursday Sept 3 – 1pm-1.30pm at National Gallery. End gallery sell-off say 130,000 people (2 Sept) – There will be a protest outside the gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square from 1pm before we deliver it to the new director Gabriele Finaldi. A copy will also be handed to culture minister Ed Vaizey. Help share the petition here read more
PCS determined to defend members’ interests in ‘motoring revolution’ (2 Sept) – PCS has reiterated that it will oppose all attempted privatisations of our members’ jobs as the Tories reportedly plot a ‘motoring revolution’ which includes closing test centres and cutting jobs at motoring agencies read more
Swansea workers unite to fight back – RMT and PCS members co-ordinate rally with trades council read more about August 29 strike rally
RMT
London Underground disputes update (2 Sept) – Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service and Night Running – London Underground Every Job Matters – Defending Jobs on London Underground read more
Solid FGW strike solid in all areas (29-31 August) – RMT pickets were out in numbers in all areas on their 3-day strike over Bank Holiday weekend Bristol Plymouth Reading Paddington Exeter
Unite
Capping tips will legalise raid on waiting staff’s wages, Unite warns (30 August) – Proposals floated by the government to cap the amount in tips that a restaurant can deduct from waiting staff have been firmly rejected by the union representing hospitality workers, Unite read more
EDF energy workers walk out over £6,000 ‘pay loss’ (27 August) – EDF Energy staff in London, southern and western England will be taking part in a 24-hour stoppage next Wednesday (2 September) following a breakdown in talks over proposals which could see some staff lose up to £6,000-a-year in income. Nearly 500 members of Unite, the country’s largest union, including meter readers and fixers, office staff and managers will be walking out hitting the roll-out of a Smart meter installation programme read more
GMB
Stoke Housing 1st September Strike (August 28) – Further GMB Official Strike On Tuesday 1st September At Aspire Housing In Stoke In Dispute Over Cuts To Pay And Conditions. Some workers are losing over £5,000 per year, face cuts to sick pay, removal of paid allowances, and on top of that are being asked to work extra hours. GMB members employed by Aspire Housing will take further strike action on Tuesday 1st September over plans to dismiss maintenance workers and re-engage them on worse terms and conditions. Members took action on 20th July after they had voted for action in a ballot that closed on Friday 3rd July read more
Unison
Picket and donate: support the NSL strike! – The strike by our branch’s low-paid members on the NSL parking enforcement contract for a decent pay increase is set to start Wednesday (2 September) running through to Saturday 5 September. Here is how you can support the workers more info here
BFAWU
We’re Hungry for Justice: Fast Food Rights National Organising Day: 16 September – On 16 September the Bakers union are holding a National Organising Day hosted by the Trade Union Congress. The organising day is a space for fast food workers, union activists and community campaigners to find out more about the Fast Food Rights campaign. It will be about drawing in activists from across the movement to discuss practical ways to help win better pay, job security and respect at work in fast food sector read more
Fast Food Rights campaigning in Manchester
Dear Comrades
The BFAWU is holding an exciting event at Moston miners club Manchester on the 9th of October. The Fast Food Rights Autumn Party will be an evening of Comedy, Music with the added bonus of a live discussion with the American fight for $15, Reflecting on their astounding success in doubling the minimum wage in cities all across the States.
The aim will be to use this event to draw in fast food workers from across the city for an evening that shows the value of being a member of a union. And to have a great time along the way.
In the build up to this event the BFAWU and the Fast Food Rights campaign are looking for people to help us speak to fast food workers across the Manchester area and beyond. We have arranged days of action in Manchester with the TUC and ask local trade unionists and members of the public to join us.
The Days of action are as follows:-
Saturday 12th September FC United vs Corby Town. 1pm-3.15pm Meet Moston Miners club car park.
Tuesday 22nd September. 4-6pm Meet escalator outside Arndale food court.
Tuesday 29th September. 12-2pm and 5-7pm Meet escalator outside Arndale food court.
Friday 2nd October. FC United vs Worcester city 6pm-8pm Meet Moston Miners club car park.
Thursday 8th October 12-3pm Meet escalator outside Arndale food court.
Friday the 9th October. 12pm-5pm meet escalator outside Arndale food court.
Friday 9th October Live link up with US Fight for 15 6.30pm Bands Start at 7.30pm
Please can you email me at the address below and let me know what time and days you are available. If you cannot make any of these times don’t worry email me or give me a ring and we can talk about how you can support.
Feel free to call me on 07739326006
Gareth Lane – BFAWU community Organiser Northern England
Follow me on Twitter @gar1ane
Email [email protected]
Reports of Fast Food Rights protests on Youth Fight for Jobs and Fast Food Rights websites – Please send details of any local actions to [email protected] / [email protected]
FBU
Public safety threat as fire engines axed in North Yorkshire (Aug 28) – This week the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in North Yorkshire stepped up their campaign against cuts to the local fire and rescue service which would see six fire engines replaced with smaller ‘tactical response vehicles’ which carry fewer firefighters and less equipment. The union plans to distribute 30,000 leaflets to the public and launch a dedicated website (www.no2firecuts.com) to raise awareness of the cuts they say will increase emergency response times and see firefighters turn up to emergencies without full life-saving equipment read more
POA
Ashworth Secure Division to take Strike Action (August 20) – The POA have balloted its membership in the secure hospital in Mersey Care trust and the result was overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. The ballot was enacted after two members were dismissed for restraining a violent patient who had assaulted staff. The facts surrounding the case demonstrates a complete lack of duty of care towards employees in the secure division who keep the public safe from some of the most dangerous patients in the country. Steve Gillan General Secretary stated: “The POA have given Management every opportunity to rectify this decision by not making our ballot public or commenting on this issue until the internal appeals had been heard. They have now been heard and Management upheld the dismissals. I can confirm that we intend to take strike action or action short of strike action so the general public know the surrounding issues pertaining to this case.” read more
NUJ
Anger as BBC chief calls Asian Network strike a jolly (19 August) – Helen Boaden, head of the BBC’s radio division told staff at a meeting in Birmingham’s Mailbox that those working for the Asian Network should stop playing the victim. The BBC executive, who is paid £420,000 a year, told the NUJ rep: “If the strike’s not a jolly, then why don’t you call it off?” The 24-hour strike is over the axing of one out of two editor posts in Birmingham and moving a third of the Birmingham based-output, the Bobby Friction Show, from Birmingham to London. Three years ago the Asian Network’s budget was halved and around 30 members of staff were sacked. At the time Bob Shennan, director of music, who earns £244,565 a year, gave staff a commitment that the Asian Network would not have to make any more savings. He now denies this read more
UCATT
Fresh strike action called at troubled Aspire Housing (27 August) – Fresh strike action has been called at Aspire Housing, the troubled housing association based in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Workers will be involved in a 24 hour walkout on Tuesday 1st September after the company refused to meet unions or to seek meditation via ACAS. The dispute concerns the company’s plans to cut workers’ terms and conditions from 1st October. The cuts include a reduction in sick pay, an increase in hours and the ending of tool allowances and insurance guarantees read more
United Voices of the World
Reinstate the Sotheby’s 2! – www.facebook.com/unitedvoicesoftheworld Protest outside Sotheby’s Battersea Car auction – 6pm Monday September 7th Battersea Evolution Battersea Park London SW11 www.facebook.com/events/967757346578854/
Other News
“We Shall Overcome” weekends
More than 200 gigs have now been organised as part of the anti-austerity campaign. Entrance is free but those attending are asked to make a donation towards a “good cause” or bring a contribution towards a food bank.
Full details from campaign website – here: http://weshallovercomeweekend.com/
It includes the Thee Faction show on 2 October. Full details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/391583374377373/
Trade union courses at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London
Dear colleague
Please find details of trade union courses starting Sept 2015 here. For further information please email us at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or call us on 02084420375 or look at our website www.conel.ac.uk
We are encouraging all union and health and safety reps to support by attending union courses at Conel. These courses range from the union reps stage 1 to the employment law certificate, union health and safety reps stage one and stage two.
We are still offering diploma courses at no charge including employment law and occupational health and safety.
Employment Law Diploma
This course will develop your understanding of current Employment Law relating to work, and includes modules on employment relations, equality law, work life balance/protecting workers, representation and union recognition, Research, communication, problem solving and Project writing. We are offering this course as an evening course.
Start date: 15th Sept 2015 Start time: 6-9pm
Occupational Health and Safety Diploma
This Diploma will help experienced safety reps develop their understanding of health and safety principle and practice. The course gives an opportunity to question development and function of health and safety law, to build health and safety organisation within the workplace; tackle health, safety, welfare and environmental issues and undertake detailed project work; and develop key skills. Start date: 17th Sept 2015 Start time: 9.30am -4.30pm
Thanking you for your continued support.
Best regards
Jonathan Jeffries
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Buy the book ‘Blacklisted: The Secret War between Big Business and Union Activists’ Author: Dave Smith and Phil Chamberlain. Blacklisted tells the controversial story of the illegal strategies that transnational construction companies used to keep union activists away from work. See the official trailer from ReelNews
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)
DEMO THIS FRIDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2015 STARTING 6.00am NEW LIVERPOOL ROYAL HOSPITAL – CROWN STREET TURNSTILE ENTRANCE
Message from the Blacklist Support Group/Construction Rank & File:
Dear Colleagues,
The Blacklist Support Group and the Liverpool Construction Branch NW/0541 are seeking trade unionists and activists to support our demonstration at the New Royal Hospital Site.
The main contractor Carillion has a history of being anti-union and a blacklisting company. We feel that our union full time officers are not getting the full co-operation from the contractors on site. There are now several hundreds of workers on site by the end of 2015 there could be up to 1,500 workers engaged on site.
We understand that no company on site as an elected shop steward or safety rep. No national agreement on site so no one is sure what type of employment is being used it varies from direct employment to bogus self-employment, agency, umbrella scams and other tax avoidance schemes.
Can we trust the companies on site to give proper audits of workforce employment arrangements, percentages of local labour, ratio of skilled to non – skilled workers, apprenticeships, and not to carrying out the practise of de-skilling the electrical trade along with other craft trades.
We therefore are calling for you to support and inform as many of your colleagues to attend the demo even for an hour before going to your own work place. We will have some of our members there leafleting from 6.00am to 9.00am, then move to the main entrance to leaflet those who need to attend the hospital.
WE MUST SHOW THOSE ON THE BOARD OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL TRUST THAT THIS PRESTIGIOUS HOSPITAL IN THE CENTRE OF LIVERPOOL IS A HOSPITAL THAT MERSEYSIDE CAN BE PROUD OF AND NOT DONE BY GREEDY EMPLOYERS THROUGH THE EXPLOITATION OF WORKERS.
DEMO FRIDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2015 STARTING 6.00am NEW ROYAL HOSPITAL CROWN STREET TURNSTILE ENTRANCE
SOLIDARITY PLEASE PASS ON
Blacklisted book http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70
blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
International (also see Labourstart)
Poland: Stop sackings and union busting at port read more
Diary (see & use false economy)
September
6 Burston Strike School Rally – Church Green, Burston, near Diss, Norfolk IP22 5TP https://burstonstrikeschool.wordpress.com/the-rally/
13 NSSN rally & lobby of TUC Congress in Brighton 1pm-3.30pm Grand Hotel
October
4 No to Austerity, Yes to Workers Rights – National demonstration at Conservative Party Conference in Manchester more info
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
