Glasgow City Council’s ruling Labour Group is proposing that the council’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provision is privatised to a Canadian based global corporation. Members of Glasgow Unions in ICT have been taking strike action to stop this. Please support the workers and pass this model motion in any trade union meetings that take place this week:-
Glasgow Labour council are attempting to recruit a scab temporary workforce to cover for striking ICT Unison members during their action against privatisation.
This declaration of all-out war and goes against every principle of trade unionism. The leaders of Glasgow City Unison and their 10,000 strong membership are being specifically singled out for attack by council officials and the Labour leadership. This is not a surprise as Glasgow Unison have been intransigent and uncompromising over a number of years in defence of members terms and conditions, pay and in opposition to Labour’s implementation of Tory austerity in the city. The privatisation of ICT is linked to the huge cuts Labour have implemented in the city with tens of millions more planned for early next year.
Glasgow Labour’s action would set a precedent for all other public sector employers to act in the same way when faced with a strike of workers fighting privatisation and cuts. Therefore this is fight for every trade unionist to engage in.
Unison Scotland Council and the Unison Labour Link have backed Glasgow City Unison’s campaign against ICT privatisation.
This trade union branch resolves:
To send motions to local constituency Labour parties condemning the actions of Glasgow City Council and demanding the withdrawal of these attempts to break a trade union strike and the plans to privatise ICT.
To send protest letters to the leader of Glasgow City Council [email protected] and the chief executive [email protected]
To send a message of solidarity to the strikers at Glasgow City Unison to [email protected]
UNISON Lobby of Glasgow Labour Group. Wed 7 Dec at 1pm, City Chambers. No to IT Privatisation https://www.facebook.com/events/1121915241259579/
Latest on Glasgow Unison janitors & ICT staff action disputes, including strikes next week and two weeks from January 9th – Unison Glasgow City Branch Facebook group
Other Unison news
Support the Durham Teaching Assistants from Unison and ATL who are taking strike action to stop wage cuts of 23% – TAs strikes force Council to suspend pay cuts
Durham teaching assistants strike suspended to allow time for talks, says UNISON (5 Dec) – Three days strike action this week (6 – 8 December) by Durham teaching assistants have been called off to allow time for further talks aimed at settling the dispute, says UNISON read more
Donate to the Durham TAs’ fund here
Durham TAs Facebook page here
Donate to Derby hardship fund here
Derby Unison branch Facebook page here
Sign petition to support the Kinsley School cleaners in Wakefield on indefinite strike since September 6th sign here. Facebook Group. Donate to strike fund – send to Wakefield Unison, 18 Gills Yard, Wakefield WF1 3BZ
Unite
Crossrail action in defence of victimised union rep – In response to a campaign by Unite to demand a second tier productivity bonus for electricians on Crossrail in London, which included an unofficial walkout on 25 November, notorious blacklisters Laing O’Rourke/Crown House has issued the Unite rep on the site a transfer to another job off the project. From 5 December, Terry Wilson was set to be off Crossrail, in a blatant attempt to intimidate workers, just as Unite starts a consultative ballot on the bonus payment and other demands.
Watch this new video by Reel News and subscribe and donate to this video activist collective that publicises workers’ struggles
As a result of this victimisation, on 30 November and 1 December electricians ‘cabined up’ and refused to start work. Then on 2 December, they picketed the site. Following this, workers were issued with a letter from Laing O’Rourke, ‘encouraging’ them back to work by threatening disciplinary action! But the electricians were back outside the site at the start of this week, fighting to get Terry back onto the site and Unite will be outside every day from 6.30am. We overheard workers who had been meant to install the lifts saying they were being sent home because the electricians weren’t working!
It is crucial that this dispute is won and it can be – not just for the Tottenham Court Road site but the whole campaign across Crossrail. A victory here would really build confidence that they could force Crossrail management to concede the bonus.
- Hardship fund for Tottenham Court Road electricians out in support of victimised shop steward Terry Wilson: Account name – Unite London Construction LE/0555 Branch, account number – 20276649, sort code – 60830, Unity trust bank
- Tweet support to London Construction Branch LE/0555 @unite0555
Trade Union Act to come into force on March 1st – TUC call a special conference
Tories confirm that the their anti-union laws, incorporated in the Trade Union Act, including new undemocratic industrial action ballot thresholds will come into force on March 1st. The NSSN calls on the TUC to implement the policy passed at this year’s TUC Congress which, moved by the RMT which includes:
“Congress believes the General Council needs to convene an urgent conference of affiliates to provide a practical forum, including workshops, as to how to best coordinate our legal and industrial response to the Act in line with policy already set by Congress.”
and an amendment from the FBU:
“Congress should discuss all options for challenging the new legislation. This should include stepping up the campaign to scrap the Act and other anti-union legislation as well as the practical steps to be taken to support any unions and groups of workers threatened by this anti-worker legislation.”
NSSN news
Early notice – the 11th annual NSSN Conference will be on Saturday July 1st 2017 from 11am in Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. It is open to all trade union and anti-cuts campaigners
This is a video of the NSSN TUC Congress Rally on 11 September – Tories Out! Keep Corbyn!
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 is below
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
RMT
Southern strike action remains rock solid on day Government threaten to hand company control of tracks (6 Dec) – General Secretary Mick Cash said; “Our guards members on Southern Rail remain rock solid and absolutely determined in their action in defence of rail safety this morning read more
RMT suspends industrial action on Piccadilly and Hammersmith and City lines (5 Dec) – Tube union RMT has confirmed that 24 hours of strike action from tomorrow evening on the Piccadilly & Hammersmith and City lines in separate disputes involving drivers has been suspended following successful talks with London Underground at ACAS http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/picc-strike/
RMT to lobby Chris Grayling speech in middle of latest Southern guards strike – RMT pledges to fight any moves to privatise Network Rail – RAIL UNION RMT is to lobby a major speech on rail policy by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in Central London tomorrow evening – 6th December – bang smack in the middle of the latest phase of action by guards on Southern Rail in their fight for safety read more Grayling’s rail plans threaten passenger safety, says Unite
ASLEF
Southern strike dates as members vote overwhelmingly for industrial action (28 Nov) – ASLEF’s executive committee has called strikes on Southern Railways after members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a trade dispute over the company’s decision to force through driver only operation on the franchise. Drivers will strike on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December, Friday 16 December and Monday 9 to Saturday 14 January read more
TSSA
Members vote for strike action on London Underground (29 Nov) in dispute concerning: Station Staffing and Staff Safety (post implementation of Fit for the Future) in connection with staffing levels, imposed displacements, inadequate staff training, staff safety and Transfer & Promotion policy read more
Unite
UPS parcel strike off after Unite secures significant commitments from bosses (5 Dec) – Strikes scheduled for Wednesday (7 December) and Friday (9 December) by UPS parcel workers at the delivery firm’s Camden depot have been called off, Britain’s largest union, Unite announced today (Monday 5 December). Over 140 workers had been readying themselves to go on strike over alleged bullying, harassment and racism, but called their action off after their union Unite secured ‘significant’ commitments from UPS during talks read more
Doncaster waste workers to strike over ‘bullying’ bosses and pay cuts (5 Dec) – Over 130 members of Britain’s biggest union, Unite working at the Doncaster waste transfer station will be taking part in a one day strike on Monday 12 December over a ‘draconian’ management style and a ‘derisory’ pay offer which will leave workers 30 pence an hour worse off in real terms. The one-day stoppage by the workers, who are employed by SITA UK Limited which trades as SUEZ, follows a massive 98 per cent vote in favour strike action on a turnout of 94 per cent read more
AWE workers to lobby parliament on 6 December over pension scheme ‘betrayal’ (5 Dec) – Workers at AWE plc – the Atomic Weapons Establishment – will be lobbying MPs over their pensions’ ‘betrayal’ at the Houses of Parliament tomorrow (Tuesday 6 December). The lobby will coincide with a second 24-hour strike on Tuesday (6 December) by members of Unite, the country’s largest union, in the dispute over the threat to close the defined benefit pension scheme and substitute it with an inferior alternative read more
Support Manchester Fujitsu workers – Unite members at Fujitsu in the UK are fighting job cuts and to protect their rights when the company terminates our works council in January. In Manchester members are striking over pay, pensions and job security, with the latest strike yesterday. Supporters can find the “appeal for support” leaflet and details of how to send messages of support and donate to the Manchester strike fund here: https://ouruniontest.wordpress.com/manchester-dispute/ Facebook Group
Solidarity Rally: Fujitsu, EHRC & Durham TA strikes – 2pm December 10th Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, M1 6DD Manchester,
NUJ
Unions protest over INM pension cuts (5 Dec) – The NUJ and SIPTU have organised a joint protest today, Monday 5 December, to highlight the scandalous decision of Independent Newspapers Ireland (Limited) to close the company’s defined benefit scheme. The protest took place at the O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel in Dublin as shareholders gathered for the Extraordinary General Meeting of Independent News & Media Plc at which shareholders were asked to vote for restructuring proposals which pave the way for the payment of dividends to shareholders read more
PCS
Watch Reel News video of November 5 National Libraries, Museums and Galleries demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUeRtq_1Ixs
Sign the petition to end privatisation at the Imperial War Museums sign here
CWU
PO Strike Three – and stronger than ever (% Dec) – Thousands of hard-working Post Office staff braved freezing temperatures on Saturday morning to come out on the high streets of the UK and show the company that their determination to win a fair deal is stronger than ever read more
Reinstate Clive Walder – Clive Walder, a longstanding leading rep in the CWU was sacked last November after 38 years of service with British Telecom. Clive is chair of the CWU Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester branch. Clive worked in a BT call centre and was dismissed after an aggressive customer reported him to management just 33 seconds into a phone call. The decision was made without taking stress into account despite the local CWU branch reporting that 7% of staff at the call centre leave their jobs each month, some walking out mid shift. Management took the decision without consulting any medical advice or taking into account any mitigation. Clive is a NSSN steering committee member and we will be supporting the campaign protesting the sacking and campaigning for his reinstatement. Contact Clive to send messages of support and invite him to your union branch, shop stewards committee, trades council etc – [email protected] 07771931185
GMB
St Georges Hospital Tooting faces embarrassment as Mayor intervenes in wages row (2 Dec) – GMB the union for workers in the NHS, welcomes the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s intervention in the St George’s Hospital dispute by writing to Sir David Henshaw, Chair of St Georges University Hospital Trust urging him to do everything possible to ensure GMB members working for G4S Patient Transport receive the London Living Wage. This follows on from a 3 day strike last week and a one day strike at the start of the month (see notes to editors for details) over poor pay and conditions relative to other workers at the site. The G4S workers at St George’s Hospital are the only workers at St George’s who do not receive NHS pay and conditions read more
FBU
Dec
Video: Firefighters tell MPs to put safety first (1 Dec) – Around 200 FBU activists from across the UK took to Westminster on 29 November 2016 to demand that cuts to the fire service stop and the safety of firefighters is prioritised. The lobby comes after the union published a 90-page report into the death of firefighter Stephen Hunt who was killed whilst attending a fire in Manchester city centre in 2013. The report identified a number of key lessons that need to be learned and implemented. In this short film, FBU officials and members speak about their experiences of dealing with firefighter fatalities watch here
BFAWU
Sheffield Fight for £10 living wage demonstration – 1pm Saturday December 17th Devonshire Green www.facebook.com/Sheff4Ten. Sheffield Trade Union Council has played a leading role in the calling of this protest. If your Trades Council wants to organise one on £10/hr minimum wage, contact BFAWU President Ian Hodson – @IanBFAWU on twitter
See reports from November 29th USA nationwide day of strikes and protests – follow #Fightfor15 on twitter
Reinstate Kumaran Bose – sacked by Samworths! The NSSN is supporting the BFAWU’s campaign in support of Kumaran Bose who was dismissed for speaking out and for organising a union in his workplace read more Facebook group
NUT
Reinstate sacked Waltham Forest NUT rep Tobias Hayden – A decision has been made by the Governing Body of Davies Lane Primary School to dismiss NUT representative, Tobias Hayden on charges of gross misconduct. Tobias was summarily dismissed without pay from his job at Davies Lane on 21st November at a disciplinary hearing held in his absence. We are shocked at this decision and believe that Tobias is being victimised for trade union activities, namely:
In the Summer term, Tobias invited junior doctors to speak to the school’s NUT group. Meetings such as this were encouraged by the NUT to show solidarity for our joint campaign.
Tobias was also vocal in his opposition to his school becoming an academy, in line with NUT policy. As part of his opposition he approached parents at the school to discuss the academy conversion.
We urge the governors to overturn the decision to dismiss Tobias at his impending appeal and ask that he be reinstated with immediate effect sign here
Support Simon O’Hara — victimised teacher at Small Heath School in Birmingham
UCU
Staff at Aberdeen University to walk out in dispute over job losses (5 Dec) – Members of UCU Scotland at the University of Aberdeen will walk out on Wednesday 7 December in an increasingly bitter dispute over job losses, downgrading of staff, and job security read more
Support the reinstatement of London Met union reps: Mark Campbell and David Hardman https://uculondonmet.wordpress.com/
Nationalise Tata – support the Steelworkers
For latest developments, follow Facebook group
BECTU
Living wage claim rejected at Picturehouse Central (1 Dec) – Senior managers at Picturehouse Cinemas are continuing to alienate their staff, the latest affront coming with the rejection of a living wage pay claim at Picturehouse Central in the heart of London. BECTU members at Picturehouse Central have joined the campaign led by fellow members at the Brixton Ritzy and the Hackney Picturehouse where a series of strikes have taken place since September in pursuit of the London Living Wage. The Living Wage Foundation set a new London hourly rate of £9.75 last month (£8.45 an hour outside London) read more
Support Brixton and Hackney workers – They have been striking for the London Living wage Brixton Facebook Page Hackney Facebook Page Support the Picturehouse Strike Fund – donate now
IWGB
IWGB Couriers and Logistics Branch Facebook Group Guardian: CitySprint faces tribunal over rights of freelance workers
Deliveroo riders take legal action for workers’ rights (28 Nov) read more
United Voices of the World
See photos of Justice for LSE cleaners demo on December 2 here
Cleaners at the LSE are poised to strike for the first time in the history of the prestigious university! Fed up with being treated like they are second class, the cleaners boldly put the LSE and their contractor Noonan on notice that if no response to their demands for equality was forthcoming by Friday 18th November then they would instruct their union UVW to declare a formal trade dispute. The LSE and Noonan did provide responses before the deadline given but unfortunately the responses were as vacuous as they were disrespectful. The cleaners’ are asking for nothing more than to be treated and paid as equals: they are asking only for equality. And yet the LSE and Noonan refused to confirm a timescale of implementation for the cleaners’ demands or even that they intended to implement them at all. In good faith and to demonstrate they are taking every possible and reasonable step to avert a strike, the cleaners have instructed UVW to extend the deadline to the LSE and Noonan, until Friday 2nd December following which the cleaners will, for the first time in history and to the LSE’s eternal shame, declare a formal trade dispute and commence the ballot for industrial action Read more on United Voices of the World Facebook Group
Check out the trailer to “The John Lewis Lie”, a new film coming to your screens soon. The film exposes the lies behind the claim that John Lewis is a partnership. John Lewis cruelly and inexcusably excludes the cleaners who are consequently denied the annual bonus that everyone loves and celebrates, and who the cleaners are forced to watch celebrate every year
Trade union victimisation: Topshop cleaners have been sacked! Support UVW’s legal proceedings – Two cleaners at billionaire BHS buster Philip Green’s flagship brand Topshop have been sacked for campaigning for a living wage. Their union UVW have started legal proceedings on their behalf for trade union victimisation. However, legal fees can cost several thousand pounds for two big claims like this and UVW runs on a shoe string budget. Therefore, if you would like to contribute towards the legal fees of the Topshop Two’s Tribunal claims then please do so via paypal by following this link http://www.uvwunion.org.uk/emergency-appeal (you’ll see the button at the bottom of the page) or just by transferring directly to UVW’s bank account: The Co-operative Bank Account title: United Voices of the World Sort code: 08-92-99 Account: 65755617
Other News
Defend the NHS
‘It’s Our NHS’ – National Demonstration to defend the NHS in London on March 4th 2017 – called by ‘Health Campaigns Together’ an umbrella organisation of different local campaigns against NHS cuts – supported by Unite https://www.facebook.com/events/1771664639725061/ http://www.healthcampaignstogether.com/index.php
Trade union courses at Sussex Downs College here
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 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 update – 4th Dec 2016
- Spycops
http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-e72d-Warping-justice-by-neither-confirming-nor-denying#.WERmBDKcY0R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RidYxAe3fRY
CONFIRMED: ”Carlo Neri’ who spied on picketlines was an undercover police officer.
http://www.union-news.co.uk/trade-union-spy-was-one-of-us-admit-cops/
- Crossrail hit by action over pay and bosses victimization of UNITE steward
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HOs3yWSTp_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8jK4zkMReI&feature=share
https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d795-Crossrail-Occupied#.WERrXzKcY0R
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-9928-Bosses-Fright-at-Crossrail-Strike#.WERmcTKcY0S
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/11/30/electricians-down-tools-on-crossrail-site/
Defend Terry Wilson – victimized UNITE steward
6:30am Monday 5th December
Tottenham Court Rd Crossrail site
- Laing O’Rourke
Early Day Motion
Motion S5M-02472: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11/11/2016
Denial of Union Access by Laing O’Rourke
That the Parliament notes the recent demonstration by the construction workers’ union, UCATT, at the site of the new £212 million Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in response to the reports that the principal contractor, Laing O’Rourke, has refused the union access; believes that this company has previously prevented union access from other publicly-funded infrastructure projects; understands that it was a member of the Consulting Association, which was reportedly involved in the blacklisting of construction workers; believes that the Scottish Government expects companies that are awarded public contracts to maintain high standards of business and professional conduct; considers that this type of activity by a contractor toward trade unions undermines the remedial steps called for in the government’s procurement note on blacklisting, does not support the aspirations of the Fair Work Convention to promote a fair and balanced economy and undermines workers’ rights and increases exploitation, and supports the freedom of trade unions to organise and represent workers across the economy.
- US blacklist of leftwing academics
- Thank you to Salford TUC, SNP Trade Union Group, PCS Independent Left, Unite Liverpool construction branch for invites in the past few weeks. Thank you John Bryan and Steve Acheson for representing.
Steve Acheson speaking at Salford TUC:
“I was blacklisted after a safety dispute at Pfizers in Kent. I was repeatedly sacked from jobs time and again. I appeared in the Royal Courts of Justice over terrorism. The High Court was not a full victory that blacklisted workers deserved. I will be relentless until we get justice”.
- Shrewsbury Pickets
Shrewsbury Pickets have engaged Mike Mansfield QC who has submitted papers to the Court of Appeal against the continued refusal to release the official government papers for the Shrewsbury trial.
- Ongoing:
Durham TAs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdhpN1itKX8&feature=youtu.be
Construction Rank & File – national meeting
Sat 10th December – Newcastle
London Hazards AGM
Tues 13th December
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/
Donate to ReelNews – http://reelnews.co.uk/donationssubscriptions/
International
Pakistan: protest mass arrest of union members at Quetta Serena Hotel! read more
Diary (see & use false economy)
2016
December
2017
March
4 ‘It’s Our NHS’ – National Demonstration to defend the NHS in London on March 4th 2017 – called by ‘Health Campaigns Together’ an umbrella organisation of different local campaigns against NHS cuts https://www.facebook.com/events/1771664639725061/ http://www.healthcampaignstogether.com/index.php
With Banners Held High – all day workshops, debates, exhibition gig in Wakefield in support of causes such as Justice for Mineworkers and Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign https://webmail.123-reg.co.uk/appsuite/#!!&app=io.ox/mail&folder=default0//NNIS%5B
July
1 11th annual NSSN Conference 11am in Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL
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