This week’s NSSN bulletin starts with the news that the CWU, one of our oldest affiliated unions, has launched a national strike ballot in Royal Mail. The NSSN will give them our full support and solidarity. The CWU General Secretary Dave Ward will be speaking at the NSSN TUC Rally in Brighton on Sunday September 8th.
This is from Gary Clark, secretary of CWU Scotland No.2 branch who was at the union’s national reps meeting last week:-
“Over the last 2 days, the CWU have held briefings around the national situation. These where held firstly with the Parcelforce reps and then with all the senior Royal Mail reps. The mood for both meetings was extreme anger.
The CWU have taken the decision to ballot all members across the whole group due to the fact the Royal Mail senior leadership led by Rico Back who has built his reputation in the business world on non-unionised low cost model to such an extent in his GLS company an undercover investigation reporter who worked there called it slave like conditions. It’s clear that’s his vision for Royal Mail but he has not banked on the CWU in his calculations. He actually said to Terry Pullinger the PDGS of the CWU “I am the CEO I can do what I like !!” Clearly he’s in for a shock as there is an army of 100,000 CWU postal workers getting ready to take him on.
Under the 4 pillars national agreement we are due another hour off the working week this October. But they have stated that will only be given if every office makes 5% savings to a workforce already pushed to its limits with a culture of bullying management which has led to a serious of walkouts over the country.
It’s very Clear that Rico Back was appointed CEO with a golden hello of £6 million not to just and keep a steady ship but to take on and break the CWU for his capitalists friend and the hedge funds. They see the CWU correctly in their way to making millions upon millions out of our hard work. It’s also clear this is going to be a bitter dispute. But the CWU have now taken the gloves off and we will be addressing every single member in the coming weeks and preparing for a massive yes vote unlike we have ever seen. Followed by industrial action unlike we have seen for several years.”
If anyone needed any proof that striking works, look at the victory of Unison’s NHS workers in Bradford. Last week we headlined our bulletin with their impending indefinite strike, following three weeks of action in July and August, against being transferred to a ‘wholly-owned subsidiary’ – in reality, backdoor privatisation. Just days before the action was due to start, the trust has been pushed back. The NSSN is committed to continuing our support should the management’s plans be revived. We invite the workers and their reps to also speak at our TUC Rally
Unison: Bradford NHS members suspend strike action (23 Aug) – UNISON to present its case to trust for services to remain in-house. UNISON has agreed to suspend the indefinite industrial action that was due to start on Monday at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, after successful talks at the conciliation service ACAS. Some 300 UNISON members were preparing to escalate industrial action if the trust didn’t halt plans to transfer them to a wholly owned private company it is setting up. Regional organiser Natalie Ratcliffe said: “The trust has agreed not to proceed with a 1 October transfer date. The board of directors will meet on 12 September read more
Unison: West Midlands Ambulance Service wins back contract
Support these other indefinite industrial actions:-
Unite and GMB
Support the Harland & Wolff occupation – renationalise to #SaveOurShipyard! The NSSN gives our full solidarity and support to the workers in the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, in Unite and the GMB, who have gone into occupation to fight to secure their future. We support their call to re-nationalise the shipyard to save jobs. 10 years ago, Belfast Visteon workers occupied their plant when the company went into administration. They fought for their jobs alongside their brothers and sisters in Enfield and Basildon but won enhanced redundancy when facing mere statutory terms. In 1971, workers in Upper Clydeside Shipbuilders in Glasgow undertook a working occupation, supported by a demonstration of 80,000 trade unionists and forced a Tory government to intervene to keep the yards open.
Follow #SaveOurShipyard on social media and send messages of support via twitter to @UniteunionNI and @GMBNI
Harland and Wolff deal set to safeguard jobs at historic shipyard (16 Aug) – At last there is some light at the end of the tunnel for these embattled Harland and Wolff workers, says GMB Union. A deal struck by unions will safeguard all jobs at iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard. More than 100 workers have occupied the Belfast site 24-hours a day for almost three weeks as part of GMB’s campaign to save the famous Titanic yard. “This is a testament to the workers’ bravery and tenacity in occupying the yard non-stop for nearly three weeks.” Denise Walker, GMB Senior Organiser. The shipyard went into administration last week after its troubled Norwegian parent company, Dolphin Drilling, failed to find a buyer. Administrators BDO today announced an extension of a temporary unpaid lay-off of the workforce to facilitate ongoing “positive discussions” with would-be buyers. The deal struck by GMB alongside Unite means when a buyer is found, the jobs will be transferred to the new owner under existing terms and conditions. GMB said the unions had done what government failed to do by underwriting the security of employment of this workforce read more
Unite
Bromley library workers to lobby council on September 3rd – Unite the Union members working in Bromley Libraries have been at the forefront in defending the service. We stopped the Council handing the service over to failed privatisers Carillion. We stopped the Council replacing professional staff with unpaid, untrained volunteers. We pointed out what would happen if the Council ignored its own consultation exercise (where over 80% opposed the proposal) and handed the service over to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). Our predictions very quickly became true when last year we had to take strike action to ensure that libraries had adequate staffing. Now GLL are again attacking the library service by again refusing to fill vacant posts. They expect workers to provide an improved service with fewer staff. This is the reality. Both Bromley Council and GLL have misled the public. GLL claimed that they can provide an even better service for 25% less cost. They refused to say how – claiming commercial confidentiality. Bromley Council said that there would be no loss of professional staff – yet there are now so many vacancies that managers are running form library to library just to keep them open. On 3rd September the Council will be discussing how GLL have performed. Unite will be demonstrating outside the meeting. The demonstration will be led by Unite members who have been on strike since 6th June in defence of the Library Service.
JOIN US AT THE DEMONSTRATION – MAKE SURE THE COUNCIL AND GLL GET THE MESSAGE. WE WILL FIGHT ON, WE WILL DEFEND OUR LIBRARIES, WE WILL WIN!!
6pm Tuesday 3rd September, Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, BR1 3UH
Sign the petition to defend Bromley Library Service Call and support the indefinite strike. Please send messages of support and any financial assistance via Unite regional officer Onay Kasab [email protected]
Pharmacy support workers to strike amid ‘interference’ by health minister – Pharmacy support workers at NHS Tayside will take continuous strike action commencing Monday 19 August amid claims of ‘interference’ by the cabinet secretary for health and sport, Jeane Freeman MSP. The dispute relates to a flawed job evaluation process which Unite believes has led to a number of grading issues leaving pharmacy support Workers being paid at a lower grade than they should be. NHS Tayside admitted that the job evaluation process was not followed through to its rightful conclusion and Unite’s members were not given a right of appeal. A previous ballot of pharmacy support workers held in June resulted in a 90 per cent turnout with 100 per cent indicating support for industrial action including strike action read more
PCS
Tell the government you support PCS BEIS strikers (21 Aug) – Call on secretary of state Andrea Leadsom to resolve our members’ pay dispute at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, which is now in its sixth week of indefinite strike action. Our members, who are cleaners and caterers working for contractors Aramark and ISS, have been campaigning for over 9 months for the London Living Wage and have taken part in a series of stoppages. We want people to show support for the strikers and demand that Andrea Leadsom intervenes to resolve the dispute by using our e-action to email her today. You can also support the workers on social media using the hashtags: #LivingWage #PCSstrike and donating to their strike fund and sending messages of support to [email protected] receptionists, working for ISS have voted 100% to strike and will be taking action for 5 weeks in September read more BEIS receptionists, working for ISS have voted 100% to strike and will be taking action for 5 weeks in September
A BEIS striker will be speaking at the NSSN TUC Rally
You can support the workers on social media using the hashtags: #LivingWage #PCSstrike
Please donate to the strike fund and send messages of support to [email protected]
Come to 2019 NSSN TUC Rally Brighton Sunday September 8th – 1pm in the Holiday Inn Kings Rd, BN1 2JF. All welcome
- Boris out! Fight together for a General Election to get all the Tories out
- Support the strikes
- Why unions should support the September 20th climate strike
This year’s TUC Congress in Brighton takes place in the aftermath of the Tory leadership contest. It’s already clear that Boris Johnson will act in the interests of big business not workers and their families. We need to mobilise for a general election that can oust this weak and divided government. Workers are showing on a daily basis in the increasing number of disputes that they are prepared to fight, particularly if a lead is given.
TUC Congress must be a council of war to set out a strategy of collective action across the labour and trade union movement to resist the bosses’ offensive and force out their Tory government.
Also, just 12 days after TUC Congress starts, there will be the September 20th global climate strike. Unions need to relate to this movement on a programme of public ownership to re-tool industry for green jobs without loss of employment, pay and pensions.
The annual public NSSN Rally on Sunday September 8th will as usual be held just before the start of TUC Congress. It is open to TUC delegates but also anyone involved in the trade union, anti-cuts and climate change movements. Come and hear leaders of militant unions alongside union reps and members involved in some of the increasing number of industrial disputes.
Confirmed speakers so far: Len McCluskey Unite General Secretary, Amy Murphy USDAW President, Dave Ward CWU General Secretary, Ronnie Draper BFAWU General Secretary, Mick Cash RMT General Secretary, Steve Gillan POA General Secretary plus union reps leading disputes
NSSN news
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
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]
Follow us on twitter via @NSSN_AntiCuts and Facebook
Union News
More PCS
Great support for Stockport UC strike (27 Aug) – Spirits were high on a well-supported picket on the first day of a 2-day strike by PCS members at the Stockport Universal Credit office. PCS members at the Stockport Universal credit office are demanding the DWP:
- Recruits 100 new staff members
- Limits calls to 30 a week for case managers
- Increases the one minute time allowed for after-call work
- Allocates time for case work to be completed
- Ends the attack on flexi
- Ends the unnecessary restrictions on breaks and lunches
- Ends the victimisation of a local PCS representative and a PCS member and the dropping of cases against them.
In a ballot declared earlier this month, members voted 91.9% in favour of strike action and 95% in favour of action short of strike on a 71.4% turnout read more
Show your support by attending the picket line at Millennium House in Stockport from 7.30am on both Tuesday (27) and Wednesday (28) August or by donating to the PCS Stockport and Tame Valley Branch Hardship Fund: Sort code 60-83-01, account number 20260684. Send messages of support to [email protected] and all will be forwarded on read more
DVSA members show their anger during first days of strike (23 Aug) – IT staff working for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in Swansea and Nottingham have completed the first two days of their planned month-long strike. The turnout in the first two days of strike action at DVSA demonstrates just how angry members are with their employer. Around 80% of members took strike action yesterday and today, and the majority of them turned up on the picket line in Nottingham to show their employer and the public their strength of feeling…Visit the picket line which will be held every day (except bank holiday Monday) outside The Axis Building, Nottingham from 7am – 9.30/10.00am each day Monday – Friday. Donate to the strike fund online using account number: 20331490, sort code: 608301, quoting the reference “DVSA Strike Fund” read more
20 September – PCS solidarity with climate strikers (23 Aug) – PCS supports the climate strikers taking action on 20 September and is calling on branches to show solidarity with them on the day. The UK Student Climate Network is calling on everyone – young, old, communities, trade unionists – to come out in solidarity with them on 20 September. This is part of a global mobilisation to highlight the need for urgent action on climate change ahead of UN talks in New York on 23 September. All PCS workplaces are encouraged to support the day of action in whichever they feel appropriate without risk to members read more
RMT
Get a RMT anti-fascist ‘No Pasaran’ t-shirt – All sizes . £10 per T-shirt including postage . Bulk orders are fine . Email to [email protected] or text 07932 576 955. Payment by bank transfer or cash
RMT confirms four days of strike action on SWR goes ahead from Friday over guard safety guarantee (27 Aug) – Rail union RMT has confirmed that a further four days of strike action will go ahead from friday on South Western Railway as the company continues to drag its heels and delays talks over the safety critical role of the guard on the train. RMT has accused the company of deliberately trying to mug off staff, who have stood firm in the fight for rail safety, by making a mockery of the talks process. The company’s unremitting failure to give assurances that their new operational model won’t move to Driver Controlled Operation – with the role of the guard butchered completely – means the union has been left with no alternative but to call further industrial action. The company made it quite clear in talks with the union earlier this year that the protection of their profit margins is a determining factor in their future operational model proving that this is all about putting profits before passenger safety. As a result of SWR’s failure to move forwards on an agreement RMT members will be taking action exactly as planned as follows:
We instruct our SWR Guard, Commercial Guard and Driver members to not to book on for duty between:-
- 0001 hours Friday 30th August 2019 and 23.59 hours Monday 2nd September 2019 read more
RMT announces strike action by Tyne & Wear Metro Skilled Maintainers over lack of parity (23 Aug) – Rail union RMT has confirmed members working as Skilled Maintainers for Nexus (Tyne & Wear Metro) will be taking strike action in September. The action has been announced following an overwhelming vote in a ballot in favour of industrial action in pursuance of a fair regrade for skilled maintainers who are calling for parity with technicians who are currently on a higher grade. RMT is instructing all Nexus Skilled Maintainer, Electrical/Mechanical Grade 4 members to NOT BOOK ON FOR SHIFTS THAT COMMENCE BETWEEN:-
- 21:00 hours on Friday 6th September 2019 and 20:59 hours on Sunday 8th September 2019 read more
RMT suspends first three days of strike action on Merseyrail starting Saturday (22 Aug) – Following a positive meeting with Steve Rotheram Metro Mayor, MerseyTravel and the RMT fresh proposals have been made which represent significant progress in regards to addressing RMT’s concerns. In order to allow for further detailed discussion the RMT has agreed to suspend industrial action called for 24th August, 3rd and 5th September 2019 read more
RMT shifts strike dates by train operators on Central and Victoria Lines over breakdown in industrial relations (20 Aug) – TUBE UNION RMT has announced that it has made a tactical decision to alter strike action by Train Operators working on the Central and Victoria lines arising from a breakdown in industrial relations in two separate ongoing disputes. RMT Members working on the Central and Victoria Lines as Train Operators, Night Tube Train Operators and Instructor Operators at Hainault, Leytonstone, Loughton, West Ruislip, White City, Brixton and Seven Sisters Traincrew Depots will now take strike action by not booking on for any shifts that commence between:-
- 20:00 hours on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 to 20:00 hours on Wednesday 4th September 2019 read more
RMT announces strike action at engineering firm Wabtec Faiveley UK (Rail Doncaster) (22 Aug) – RAIL UNION RMT has announced strike action at engineering firm Wabtec Faiveley UK (Rail Doncaster) in a dispute over pay. Wabtec build and maintain rolling stock for train and freight operating companies. Following a strong mandate for action in a recent ballot, the National Executive Committee (NEC) has decided to take action to send Wabtec a clear message that their current stance on pay is totally unacceptable. Members are instructed to take the following strike action by not to booking on for any shifts that commence between:-
- 06:00 hours on Wednesday 4th September 2019 and 05:59 on Wednesday 11th September 2019
- 06:00 hours on Monday 16th September 2019 and 05:59 on Monday 23rd September 2019
Additionally members are instructed to take the following industrial action short of a strike in the form of an overtime ban:-
- 06:00 hours on Wednesday 11th September 2019 until 05:59 on Monday 16th September 2019
- 06:00 on Monday 23rd September 2019 until further notice read more
RMT announces further strike action by rail renewals workers at Clarke Chapman Facilities Management – Rail union RMT has announced further strike action by members employed by rail renewals contractor Clarke Chapman Facilities Management in their fight for pay justice. Clarke Chapman Facilities Management are a contractor carrying out work across the UK for Network Rail. Previous strike action on the weekend of 27th and 28th July resulted in all the contractor’s scheduled work being cancelled. RMT members employed by Clarke Chapman Facilities Management are instructed to take the following strike action:
- 48 hour strike action commencing at 00:01 hours on Saturday 24th August 2019 until 23:59 hours on Sunday 25th August 2019.
- 48 hour strike action commencing at 00:01 hours on Saturday 31st August 2019 until 23:59 hours on Sunday 1st September 2019.
Additionally, the continuous overtime and rest day working ban remains in force until further notice read more
More Unite
Unite London Bus Drivers Demonstration: ‘Why do London bus drivers deserve better?’ – 10.30am Thursday 29 August City Hall, London SE1 2AA TfL must tackle bus driver exhaustion demands Unite following shock report
BREAKING NEWS!! Week-long strike by Lincolnshire health visitors, as bosses ‘starve’ them of pay rises (28 Aug) – Lincolnshire health visitors are ratcheting up their campaign for pay justice and maintaining their professional standards by staging a week-long strike next month, Unite announced today (Wednesday 28 August). Unite accused the hardline county council bosses of failing in their public duty by making no constructive efforts to resolve the impasse and of ‘starving’ the health visitors of legitimate pay rises. The dispute centres on Unite’s calculation that its 58 health visitor members have lost more than £2,000 a year since they were transferred from the NHS to Lincolnshire county council in October 2017. The week-long strike will run from Monday 9 September to Friday 13 September inclusively – and will be on the top of the 17 days already taken or scheduled read more
Cleaners gain union recognition at Amazon warehouse in Peterborough (23 Aug) – Cleaners working at the Amazon warehouse in Peterborough have signed a landmark recognition agreement with their employer, Mitie Limited. Unite said the partnership agreement covered its 34 members who work as cleaners for outsourcing giant Mitie at Amazon’s Flaxley Road site read more
Unite holds ballot at First Glasgow to protect public safety (22 Aug) – Unite the union has today (22 August) officially informed First Glasgow that it intends to ballot drivers for industrial action, including strikes, to protect public safety. First Glasgow has registered service changes beginning in October, which will result in significant cuts in running times and recovery times for drivers. Unite believes the introduction of the changes, without any consultation, will be a direct threat to public safety and are motivated by a drive to further increase profits. This is the first time that no consultation has taken place, which Unite believes can only be viewed as a suspicious development. In addition, it is believed that as a result of slashing running times there will be a reduction of buses available to the public. Unite’s consultative ballot will take place during September. It is anticipated that drivers will support Unite’s continued stance of supporting members, supporting public services and supporting those most vulnerable in our communities read more
Drax Power station faces major disruption as scaffolders take strike action (22 Aug) – Member of Unite, the UK’s construction union, working at the Drax power station in north Yorkshire are to take strike action next month in a dispute over the recognition of national agreements. The 29 workers are employed by Altrad-Hertel at the power station. The dispute is a result of the company refusing to register the scaffolders under the relevant industrial agreement the National Agreement for the Electrical Construction Industry (NAECI). The vast majority of other construction workers on the site work under the NAECI agreement. Unite has called two 24 hour strikes, the first beginning at 06:00 on Thursday 5 September with a further strike beginning at the same time on Thursday 12 September. Continuous strike action is then scheduled to begin on Wednesday 18 September at 06:00 read more
Unite members to hold industrial action at Scottish Borders council – Unite the union has today (14 August) confirmed that its membership in the roads department at Scottish Borders council (SBC) will hold 24 hours of industrial action on the 29 August. In June, 86.4 per cent of Unite’s members voted for strike action, and 95.7 per cent for action short of a strike, in a 78 per cent turnout. The day of industrial action coincides with a full council meeting where a rally and protest will take place outside SBC headquarters at Bowden Road, Newtown St Boswells. The dispute follows a series of detrimental changes being imposed by SBC to the terms and conditions of Unite’s membership in the local authority’s roads department. The changes include a reduction in pension accrual as a result of cuts to pensionable overtime rates, and the removal of paid travel time read more
More Unison
University of Birmingham branch: A further round of TWO DAYS of strike action will be taken by our branch on the 2nd & 3rd of September – strike rally 12noon on Monday 2nd September in Victoria Square, Birmingham read more
Blackpool hospital staff begin two-day strike (27 Aug) – Private company Compass claims it can’t afford an 82p pay rise despite generating £1.7bn in profit and paying their boss £4.6m. Underpaid employees of Compass, a private health contractor, began two days of strike action in Blackpool today. Blackpool NHS Teaching Hospitals, St Helens Hospital and Whiston Hospital will all be affected. Strikers are calling for pay parity with NHS colleagues. The cleaners, caterers, porters, receptionists and security staff employed by Compass are paid the minimum wage of £8.21 per hour, whilst colleagues employed by the NHS are paid an hourly minimum of £9.03. The difference of 82p an hour is worth £1,600 a year for full-time staff read more
More GMB
John Lennon Airport strikes cancelled after new offer (27 Aug) – A series of strikes at Liverpool’s John Lennon airport have been cancelled after GMB members accepted a last ditch offer. The airport was bracing itself for a summer of disruption after 200 members working on the Swissport Easy Jet contract and Swissport Mainline voted for industrial action. On the eve of the first strike, Swissport made a new offer addressing the health and safety issues and working practices, which has now been accepted by both groups of members read more
Diageo must ‘get real on pay’ as members vote for strike action (23 Aug) – GMB Scotland members in whisky and spirits giant Diageo have today (Friday 23 August) voted in favour of moving to strike action against their employer’s failure to put forward an above inflation pay offer. 80.5 per cent of GMB members supported moving to strike action after months of pay talks ended with the Diageo tabling a 2.8 per cent ‘final offer’ for over 3,000 staff across it’s Scottish operations read more
Wage row Hairmyres staff seek public support ahead of strike action (23 Aug) – With just over a week until strike action at Hairmyres hospital, GMB members will be campaigning in East Kilbride this weekend to make the public aware of their dispute with PFI contractor ISS and to seek support for the return of wages owed to staff. A twenty four hour strike is scheduled for 00.01 hours on Monday 2 September until 00.01 hours on Tuesday 3 September, affecting key services such as cleaning, portering, maintenance, housekeeping and security at the East Kilbride hospital. The dispute arose after three hundred staff received just two weeks’ pay for three weeks work in May after ISS bulldozed through its new “Project Greenfield’ payroll model, resulting in fortnightly paid staff waiting an additional week for the receipt of their wages read more
Support the striking Hull Karro workers – As Karro workers their 8th week of strike action, every Monday, for fair and equal pay. Hull and District Trades Council held a rally yesyerday evening in support of their cause see more on Hull and District Trades Council Facebook group
Please send messages of support to:
[email protected], GMB strike committee
[email protected], GMB official
Cheques to GMB Hull Branch No 7, c/o Shaune Clarkson, Karro Food Strike Committee, GMB Offices, 62 Russell Street, Hull HU2 9AD
FBU
#RescueSuffolkFire demo – 1pm Thursday September 12th Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
NEU
Support strikes at Peacehaven Community School in east Sussex against academisation – Send messages of support to: Phil Clarke 07709696561 [email protected] and Jack Tyler 01444 894500 [email protected] Hands Off Peacehaven Community School Facebook group
UCU
Employers’ strike ban rejected by UCU in pensions dispute (23 Aug) – UCU has rejected an offer from the university employers that would have forced the union to ban any strike ballots over pensions for two years read more
Autumn pension strikes more likely as universities impose higher costs (22 Aug) – The likelihood of another round of strikes has increased after universities backed measures that will increase costs for staff in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) read more
Support sacked Sandwell College lecturer Dave Muritu read more
USDAW
Usdaw members at Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Distribution Centre to take strike action on Thursday 22 and Sunday 25 August (21 Aug) – Tomorrow morning from 6am and on Sunday morning also at 6am, Usdaw members at Sainsbury’s Waltham Point will take part in further 24-hour strike action. The dispute has already seen two one day stoppages and relates to changes to the attendance policy which are being unilaterally implemented by the company read more
TSSA
Delays expected on ScotRail as TSSA members begin industrial action (21 Aug) – TSSA has warned ScotRail passengers to expect delays to journeys as their members begin indefinite industrial action from 00:01 tomorrow (Thursday) in a dispute over who drives trains. Delays are expected to particularly affect journeys in the Edinburgh area where TSSA members involved in the dispute are concentrated. Driver Team Managers (DTMs) are in dispute after being instructed to drive trains to make up for driver shortages, on top of their normal jobs. This will leave the DTM role uncovered and cause more problems for ScotRail, and their passengers, down the line as DTMs carry out driver training read more
NUJ
Photographers warned not to sign unfair contracts for covering Ariana Grande concerts (23 Aug) – The NUJ has warned photographers not to sign ‘copyright grab’ contracts to cover Ariana Grande concerts. Grande, now on a world tour to promote her latest albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next, is headlining Manchester’s Pride weekend on Sunday (August 25). By restricting the photographers’ rights of use, she is severely compromising photographers’ livelihoods. According to Business Insider and Celebrity Net Worth, Grande is said to be worth an estimated $50 million. In addition to handing over images and copyright, the highly restrictive terms and conditions limit photographers to seek prior approval for single use of their images and only with news items relating to the performance. In a letter to Ariana Grande’s representatives, the NUJ said the terms are “a deeply unfair copyright grab from photographers, the majority of whom will be self-employed individuals… the livelihoods of entertainment photographers who work ethically are being compromised read more
Prospect
Tate sets the pace on pay in the heritage sector (21 Aug) – Prospect reps at the Tate have helped to secure one of the highest pay increases in the public sector read more
Science Museum Group staff announce strike date over pay – Prospect union members in the Science Museum Group (SMG) are to take industrial action this summer over an ongoing pay dispute. The action will be in two stages:
24-29 August 2019 – action short of strike including work-to-rule and the withdrawal of good will.
30 August 2019 – 24 hours strike.
The action is taking place after SMG failed to come up with an improved offer after imposing a below-inflation pay rise of 1.5% for most staff earlier this year – the latest in a series of below-inflation pay rises which have left workers across the sector with a 13% real terms pay cut since 2010. Members voted to reject that deal and subsequently voted overwhelmingly for industrial action read more
NIPSA
Pay Day Lunchtime Protests on 28 August – As part of the ongoing dispute in relation to Pay, Terms and Conditions the Civil Service Executive Committee have agreed to organise lunchtime protests across Northern Ireland to demonstrate to the public and others the meagre pay increases received by civil servants for 2018-19 read more
BALPA
BA pilots to strike in September (23 Aug) – The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has today given notice to British Airways that it will call on its members to strike on 9th, 10th and 27th September 2019. Over several days of ACAS talks BALPA put forward a number of packages that we believe would have resolved this dispute without a strike, and which we could have recommended to our members for acceptance prior to strike action. BA did not accept any of these packages, and it is clear following discussions with members over the last few days that BA’s most recent offer will not gain the support of anywhere near a majority of its pilots. In these circumstances, with a 93% vote in favour of taking industrial action, and with no prospect of any further meaningful talks, we have no choice but to call this action read more
Ryanair Pilots walk out in strong message to management (22 Aug) – Ryanair pilots have downed tools today causing huge cost to the company after Ryanair managers again refused to enter talks to end the long running dispute. Pilots, whose argument is with the company and not passengers, are showing their resolve with the action after Ryanair declined time and again to negotiate on issues within the company which arise from years of non-recognition of unions. The strike comes after Ryanair unsuccessfully attempted to legally bludgeon its workforce by trying to seek an injunction to stop the strike in the High Court. The company then snubbed its staff and appears to have ignored the needs of its passengers by refusing to accept BALPA’s offer to enter constructive negotiations, an action which would have prevented immediate strike action. The pilots have walked out today as a wake-up call to the company. They are calling for a consistent and transparent pay structure, adequate pension provision, loss of licence insurance and more appropriate maternity benefits
BALPA members in Ryanair will be asked to take strike action as follows:
From 0001 on 22nd August until 2359 on 23rd August
And
From 0001 on 2nd September until 2359 on 4th September read more
PFA
Bury expelled from the Football League (28 Aug) – It is with great sadness to hear that Bury have been expelled from the English Football League after a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk collapsed. We have been in regular communication with the players, the EFL and the club over the last eight months to try and protect our members and secure a long-term future for Bury FC. Unfortunately, despite our efforts to support the process, the club has been unable to fulfil its financial commitments or complete a possible take-over deal. This will be a desperately sad time for Bury’s players and staff. We will continue to support all our members who have been impacted by the current situation, including former players, the remaining players who are contracted at the club and also those who were hoping to sign contracts. Our thoughts in particular go out to the supporters, the town and the wider community who will be devastated by this news read more
Other news
Burston Strike School Rally 2019 – Sunday September 1st 9am to 6pm Church Green, Burston, near Diss, Norfolk read more
TUC Courses for Summer 2019 that are being delivered in Tottenham by the Trade Union Education Department of the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CoNEL).
If you, or any of your colleagues would like to apply for any of the 10 day Certificate courses you can do so online at www.tuceducation.org.uk/login/index.php. If you have any issues applying online, please give us a call on 020 8442 3075 with your email address and we can send you an application form. For the Diploma courses, please contact the Trade Union Education Department directly (details on the Diploma flyers).
It would be appreciated if you could also speak to your branch secretary or other branch officers and reps to promote these courses.
Many thanks colleague.
Kind regards
Mark Andrew
Lecturer
Trade Union Studies
College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London
Tel. 020 8442 3097
Blacklisting & Victimisation
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)
Blacklisted t-shirts available at: https://shop.hopenothate.org.uk/component/hikashop/product/78-blacklisted-t-shirt
Book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
International
Indonesia: Tell Chicken of the Sea to take action on human rights violations in its supply chain! Read more
Diary
2019
September
1 Burston Strike School Rally 2019 – 9am to 6pm Church Green, Burston, near Diss, Norfolk read more
8 NSSN TUC Rally Brighton – 1pm in the Holiday Inn Kings Rd, BN1 2JF Facebook event
29 End Austerity Now! Protest the Tory Party Conference – hosted by Unison North West, The People’s Assembly Against Austerity and Manchester People’s Assembly Facebook event
November
16 Undercover Policing and the Trade Unions conference: Saturday 16th November 2019 Eventbrite
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
