The General Election result has shocked the Tories and the media but it has confirmed that we’ve had enough of brutal cuts. Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto gave workers the opportunity to express their anger.
On the massive March 26th 2011 TUC demonstration, up to 750,000 trade unionists and anti-cuts campaigners marched against Cameron’s austerity plans. The NSSN produced a flyer that day that warned “This is the fight of our lives…literally.” The tragedy of Grenfell has laid bare the effects of cut-backs, privatisation and de-regulation that the Tories call ‘red-tape’ but actually protect lives. The likes of Boris Johnson praise emergency services workers, yet as Mayor he closed 10 London fire stations and sacked 600 firefighters.
Now workers have had their confidence lifted and many feel that this weak Tory Government, propped up by the DUP, can be defeated. One of the first targets is to break the 1% pay cap that has seen public sector workers lose 14% of their income in real terms. Teachers are fighting school funding cuts and NHS workers want the vicious £22billion STP attacks scrapped.
Workers will be asking: “If the Tories can find £1billion from their ‘magic money tree’ to do a deal with the DUP, why can’t we have a pay rise or why can’t the cuts be stopped?”
We cancelled our 11th annual conference on July 1st to build for the emergency Peoples Assembly demonstration that was called days after the election. We called for the TUC and the unions to put themselves at the leadership of the march to mobilise the strength of the organised working-class. We welcome the TUC London pay rally on July 17th but it must launch a real mass struggle of demonstrations and strikes.
The NSSN is again organising a rally at TUC Congress to fight for this strategy to take on the Tories and the employers. At the end of 2011, 2 million public sector workers went on strike together to defend their pensions. It shook Cameron and the Tories but the conservative union leaders let them off the hook and the cuts offensive stepped up a gear. We have to organise to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself in 2017.
Let’s finish off the Tories and their austerity.
‘Not one day more #toriesout national demonstration’ – Assemble 12pm, Saturday 1 July 2017 BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA. March to Parliament Square http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/not_one_day_more_toriesout_national_demonstration – see this website for transport details or contact your union
There will be a NSSN stage on Saturday’s demonstration – it will be in Whitehall near the Department of Health…come up and have your say!
NSSN TUC Rally Brighton – 1pm Sunday September 10th in the Arundel Suite in the Holiday Inn, 137 King’s Rd BN1 2JF. Confirmed speakers: Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary, Steve Gillan POA General Secretary
The NSSN supports Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘Workers Charter’ – We have produced a bulletin which we encourage our supporters to take into their workplaces. Email us on [email protected] to get some
Watch NSSN video on Jeremy’s ‘Workers Charter’
Grenfell
The NSSN sends its condolences and solidarity to the relatives, friends and associates of the dead in Grenfell Tower. The deaths of these working-class martyrs are the responsibility of those who have espoused austerity and privatisation over the years. In particular, housing, building and surveying departments of local councils, the fire brigades, the ambulance services and the NHS and other public services have been cut severely. The deaths in Grenfell Tower must be fully investigated and criminal prosecutions follow for those at fault. But the whole system lies guilty for the dead of Grenfell Tower and their deaths will not be in vain if cuts and privatisation are reversed and new council housing is built. This is a trade union issue. The NSSN supports the protests of the survivors and their representatives for justice. Trade unionists have been at the heart of campaigning against cuts in these services for years. Several trade unions have members in the Tower, in particular Unite, who had 28 members of whom 9 were missing. We support the call of the FBU that they be given core participant status in any inquiry. We think that the unions should lead an independent inquiry of residents and trade unionists. There is also a key role for unions to help tenants organise & build campaigns with them to put pressure on councils for immediate safety measures.
Below we give a series of links of trade union statements on Grenfell Tower:
http://www.housingworkers.org.uk/readnews.html?con_id=431
https://www.facebook.com/kevin.courtney.108/posts/10155685704648974
https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/statement-on-the-grenfell-tower-fire-0
http://www.pcs.org.uk/news/pcs-donates-to-grenfell-fund
https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2017/06/14/statement-grenfell-tower-fire
http://www.mpdnut.com/2017/06/supporting-schools-staff-and-families.html
Firefighters’ union has to be core participant in Grenfell inquiry, MPs told
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
PCS
Support Sheffield Eastern Avenue jobcentre – PCS members have been on strike over plans to close the jobcentre. Messages of support should be sent to [email protected]. Donations to the PCS Fighting Fund should be sent PCS DWP Group, 3rd Floor, Town Centre House, Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8LY or can be made online via the PCS website read full post on PCS website Shadow chancellor gives support to Eastern Avenue strikers
RMT
RMT confirms a further three days of strike action on Arriva Rail North in guards’ safety dispute (22 June) – Rail union RMT has confirmed that a further three days of strike action on Arriva Rail North will go ahead on Saturday 8th July, Sunday 9th July and Monday 10th July as the company continues to resist all efforts to make progress in the long-running dispute over rail safety and the head-long dash towards Driver Only Operation read more
RMT confirms new strike date on Southern Rail (22 June) – RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that guards and drivers on Southern Rail will strike again for 24 hours in the on-going disputes over the safety impact of the extension of Driver Only Operation and the removal of guards from services. Members will strike for 24 hours between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Monday 10th July 2017 read more
RMT confirms new strike dates on Merseyrail in fight to retain safety-critical guards (22 June) – RAIL UNION RMT has confirmed new strike dates on Merseyrail after the continued point-blank refusal by the company to make any progress whatsoever over the crucial issue at the heart of the on-going dispute – the future of the safety critical role of the guard. Drivers and guards will take action as follows: Members will strike between 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Saturday 8th July, Monday 10th July and Sunday 23rd July read more
Freightliner workers to strike over bullying and harassment (21 June) – RMT members at Freightliner Coatbridge are to strike in a dispute over bullying and harassment after voting overwhelmingly for action in a recent ballot. Members are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between 06.00 hours on Monday 3rd July 2017 until 05.59 hours on Tuesday 4th July 2017 read more
ASLEF
ASLEF ballot: Southern Rail (22 June) – Responding to Southern Rail’s comments about the union’s ballot for industrial action ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said, ‘It is no surprise that the management of Britain’s worst performing train company is disingenuous and deceitful when it comes to industrial relations and the honouring of agreements.’ Mick added, ‘our ballot reflects a complete loss of faith and trust in Southern Rail as the company has shown no respect for agreements we spent years negotiating. We are balloting because of the company’s inept attempt to conflate pay and changes to working practices.’ He concluded, ‘I again give notice to the government and the rail industry that if any train driver is verbally abused, threatened or attacked as a result of the lies peddled by Southern Rail, we reserve the right to do whatever is necessary to protect our members, on Southern or nationally.’ Ballot papers will be issued on 29 June and need to be returned by 10.00am on 13 July read more
Unite
Unite offshore catering members to be balloted on strike action (26 June) – Unite, Scotland’s biggest offshore trade union, will today (Monday 26 June) serve formal notice on each of the employers represented by the Caterers Offshore Trade Association (COTA) – Aramark, Compass, Sodexo, Entier and Trinity. Offshore catering members of Unite and the RMT had previously voted to reject a pay freeze. However 74 per cent of Unite’s membership demanded to be balloted for industrial action in pursuit of a pay rise. A pay rise which would be the first in two years after COTA reneged on an agreed pay rise due in September 2015 read more
Aviation authority urged to block British Airways leasing Qatari aircraft to cover Mixed Fleet strike (23 June) – Unite today (Friday 23 June) is calling on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to turn down an application by British Airways to charter or ‘wet lease’ nine Qatari registered Airbus that it wants to provide cover for a two week strike by mixed fleet cabin crew read more
M&S food store deliveries could be hit in fall-out from ‘equal pay for equal work’ row (23 June) – Deliveries to Marks and Spencer food stores in London and the south east will be disrupted if a strike over ‘equal pay for equal work’ at Hemel Hempstead goes ahead, Unite has warned. About 20 Unite members working for GIST Ltd at the Hertfordshire site, which supplies food deliveries to M&S stores, are set to stage twelve 24-hour strikes in a dispute that sees them being paid about £8,000-a-year less than the majority of the workforce. The first strike at the Three Cherry Trees site is due to start at 00.01 on Friday 30 June and will then be repeated on 7, 14, 22, and 28 July; and 4, 11, 18, and 25 August; and 1, 8 and 15 September read more
Unite steps up action in Mears Manchester housing dispute (22 June) – Unite is stepping up the pressure in an increasingly bitter dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working in a dispute concerning pay differentials and attacks on conditions read more
Birmingham council refuse workers to strike over job losses and ‘bullying culture’ (22 June) – Refuse workers at Birmingham city council are set to strike as the council swings the axe on 122 waste collection jobs amid claims of ‘a bullying culture’ and financial incompetence. The refuse workers, members of Unite will strike at 10:45 ending at 15:37 on Friday 30 June. There will also be a series of two hour stoppages commencing at 06:00 on: 3, 11, 19 and 27 July and 4 August. There will also be an overtime ban with workers adhering to their contracted hours (06.00 to 15.37), plus returning to depots for all lunch and tea breaks, also starting on 30 June read more
Massive 99 per cent of workers at Barts Health NHS Trust vote to strike for a proper pay rise (21 June) – Unite members employed by the private contractor Serco, working at Barts Health NHS Trust, have overwhelmingly voted to strike for a proper pay rise. 99 per cent of workers that took part in the ballot voted yes to strike action. Workers are now planning a three day strike starting on Tuesday 4 July, followed by a seven day stoppage starting on Tuesday 11 July and then a 14 day strike starting on 25 July. Further strike action will also be planned for August and September read more Send messages of support to Unite branch secretary Len Hockey [email protected]
Unison
Support ongoing Glasgow Unison janitors’ dispute – Facebook group and website
Support the Kinsley School cleaners in Wakefield on indefinite strike since September 6th – Facebook Group. Donate to strike fund – send to Wakefield Unison, 18 Gills Yard, Wakefield WF1 3BZ
RCN
Join the ‘Scrap the cap’ pay protests – London today 27 June 12noon outside Department of Health https://www.rcn.org.uk/nursingcounts/scrap-the-cap
CWU
Relief at Fujitsu rethink (26 June) – The sword of Damocles that has been hanging over the CWU’s entire Fujitsu membership since November last year has been dramatically lifted following a company about-turn on plans to outsource its repair operations in Belfast and Birmingham read more
BECTU
BECTU condemns Picturehouse sackings as trade union dismissals – Three union representatives at the Ritzy cinema in Brixton have been dismissed by Picturehouse in a move described by their trade union BECTU as trade union dismissals. A fourth representative has received a final written warning. BECTU, a sector of the 140,000 strong Prospect union, has warned that management’s action, confirmed to the representatives yesterday, Wednesday 14 June, could escalate the already entrenched industrial dispute between BECTU and Picturehouse. The reps were dismissed as a result of an email sent to union members reporting discussions at a union meeting. The disciplinary action comes after BECTU representatives renewed their high profile campaign to secure the Living Wage at Picturehouse, a leading art house cinema chain, which claims to be both progressive and ethical. More than 50 strikes have been held since September 2016 and the dispute has grown to include workers at six Picturehouse venues: Picturehouse Central, Hackney Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, East Dulwich Picturehouse, Brighton’s Duke of York’s and the Brixton Ritzy read more Sign the petition Brixton strikes again this Saturday – protest outside Cinema from 4pm Facebook event
Keep supporting the Picturehouse workers: read the latest on Brixton Ritzy Facebook Page and those of Hackney, Crouch End, Central, Duke of York Brighton and Dulwich East. Support the Picturehouse Strike Fund – donate now
UCU
UCU members at Ealing, Hammersmith &West London College are planning strike action on Thursday 29th June over the threat of compulsory redundancies of up to 10 lecturers – One of the people under threat is the Branch Secretary. The redundancies arise from cuts in a number of Departments and from the disgraceful closure of A Level courses at the College. Bully boy Management had tried to stop the threat of industrial action by threatening to withdraw enhanced voluntary redundancy payments unless the ballot was called off. UCU members refused to be divided and voted to go ahead to their credit. Pickets will be from 8.00 to 11.00 at all the sites and support is very welcome
MP and former Manchester Metropolitan student says university must halt redundancies (20 June) – As staff walk out on strike, Laura Smith MP urges Manchester Metropolitan University to halt redundancies and get back round the table with UCU read more
Strike at University of Leeds over new sacking rules (20 June) – Staff at the University of Leeds will take strike action on Thursday (22 June) to disrupt an open day in a row over plans to give managers new powers to sack staff. UCU members will be on picket lines outside 17 entrances to the university from 8am, including the main entrance via the Parkinson Steps on Woodhouse Road. They will also be speaking to prospective students and their parents as they arrive for the open day read more
Sign petition: reinstate Indro Sen immediately – Indro Sen, a maths lecturer and trade union branch officer at the College of North West London (CNWL) has been dismissed for actions in assisting a former colleague at an employment tribunal case. He was voted by students as the most popular teacher, 2014-15. We demand that the College Governors and Senior Management Team reinstate Sen immediately sign here
Support the reinstatement of London Met union reps: Mark Campbell and David Hardman https://uculondonmet.wordpress.com/
NUT
Fair Funding for All Schools protest: Sunday 16 July – Assemble: Victoria Embankment at Midday, Rally: Parliament Square at 1.30pm http://www.fairfundingforallschools.org/index.html
Support the NUT London school strikes against cuts at Forest Hill Forest Hill in Lewisham and Plumstead Manor in Greenwich – the ninth day of strike action took place on June 20th
NUT members at Dormers Wells High School have now taken 6 days of action and remain very determined. They were on strike again this week for 3 days
IWGB
Joint statement from Senate House Unison and UCU (June 23) – Thanks to everyone who came out in support of the security officers and the SOAS Justice 4 Workers campaign yesterday! The Senate House Unison and UCU branches have issued the following statement: Joint statement from Unison and UCU Senate House branches Posted: 21 Jun 2017 “We note with concern the ongoing dispute between Cordant and its security staff. As always, Unison and UCU’s long held position is to strongly oppose the outsourcing of workers in all circumstances. We are formally approaching the University to re-visit the issue of outsourcing with the aim of returning all staff in house.” https://iwgb-universityoflondon.org/2017/06/23/joint-statement-from-senate-house-unison-and-ucu/
Other News
Support the Irish anti-water charge protestors who are facing trial for a protest in Jobstown
Please send messages of protest: https://sites.google.com/view/jobstownnotguilty/ https://www.facebook.com/Jobstown-Not-Guilty-1056889327677242/
Action Mesothelioma Day Friday 5th July – London Commemoration Service for all those who have died from asbestos 12: 30 mid day, Stratford Old Town Hall, Newham details
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.
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)
Unite seeks answers after Crewe crane fatality (22 June) – Unite, the UK’s largest construction union, is seeking urgent answers after a crane collapse in Crewe killed two workers and injured several other people. The accident happened yesterday (Wednesday 21 June) at Dunwoody Way in Crewe on a residential construction site operated by Seddon. It is understood that a small tower crane which was being erected collapsed read more
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
Unions monitor criminal trial against journalists in Turkey read more on NUJ website
Diary
2017
July
1 Not one day more #toriesout national demonstration – Assemble 12pm, Saturday 1 July 2017 BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA. March to Parliament Square http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/not_one_day_more_toriesout_national_demonstration
8 Durham Miners Gala www.durhamminers.org
14-17 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival
September
10 NSSN rally at TUC Congress
30 Construction Safety Campaign (CSC) AGM is the 30th September – Ricky Tomlinson invited speaker
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
