The NSSN sends our solidarity and support to the British Gas workers and their union, the GMB after the first action taken against the ‘fire and re-hire’ tactics of Centrica.
As the union says, “GMB conducted a strike ballot of 9,000 members in December 2020. An overwhelming 89% voted in favour of industrial action. This vote was after parent company Centrica said it would impose ‘fire and rehire’ cuts to workers’ pay and terms and conditions on pain of dismissal.”
We call on all our supporters and the whole trade union movement to continue to build support for the action. If British Gas bosses aren’t prepared to properly engage with the union, the next strike dates will be January 20th and 22nd.
Management’s methods show why public utilities such as this need to be brought back into public ownership.
BREAKING NEWS!! GMB announce new British Gas strike dates (12 Jan) – British Gas should recognise that the only way to end the disruption they provoked is to take fire and rehire pay cuts off the table. GMB members in British Gas have announced five more days of strike action over the company’s fire and rehire pay cuts. The new dates, for 24 hours each day, are Wednesday January 20, Friday January 22, Monday January 25, Friday January 29 and Monday February 1. British Gas workers rejected the company’s fire and rehire pay cuts with an overwhelming 89% ‘yes’ vote for strike action read more
GMB: Only way to stop British Gas boss-provoked strike is to end fire and rehire
GMB: National five day British Gas strike over fire & rehire begins Thurs 7 Jan
Support the GMB strike against ‘fire and rehire at British Gas – send a message of support and donate to the GMB British Gas ‘Fire and Rehire’ Strike Fund
Reinstate sacked Unite London bus rep Judith Katera: appeal hearing this coming Friday!! – Judith a longstanding union rep and activist in Battersea garage in South London has been dismissed by Abellio. Judith is adamant that false claims are being alleged against her. Judith and Moe Muhsin Manir, the rep at Walworth garage in the same company feel that they are both being targeted. In October, she was facing a disciplinary meeting and possible dismissal. A solidarity protest was organised and then postponed because the disciplinary process wasn’t completed. However, she has discovered that the company sacked her on December 4th! She even had to contact the company to find out that she had been dismissed! Just a few weeks before Christmas, Judith was dismissed with no income. An online appeal has been set up to support Judith and her family. Unite the union are ran a consultative ballot before Christmas to launch the campaign to get Judith reinstated. We understand that there was an overwhelming vote of support, which sends the message to Abellio that bus drivers in Battersea will fight to for Judith’s job and stop attacks on the union. We hope that such a vote will force management to reinstate Judith but if they still refuse, the union are now able to launch a full industrial action ballot. The NSSN sends our support and solidarity to Judith, her members and her union Unite and pledge to do everything we can to get her reinstated. We will keep our supporters and affiliates fully informed of developments and any protests and action that are called.
Judith’s fellow Abellio rep in Walworth garage Moe Muhsin Manir is also suspended awaiting an imminent disciplinary meeting, which could see him facing dismissal. Stop union busting!
Fight together against the Tory Pay Freeze
Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a public sector pay freeze last November. NSSN Chair Rob Williams said, “Just as the Tories are exposed over giving COVID contracts to their cronies and a day after a big rise in defence spending is announced, millions of public sector workers face yet another pay freeze. After standing on the front line, putting their lives at risk, they face sinking further into poverty. This is on top of a decade of Tory pay cuts that saw workers lose up to 14% of their income. Sunak cynically ‘exempts’ NHS workers from this pay cap but they won’t be fooled. Any rise will go nowhere close to the 15% rise demanded this summer by protesting health workers to close the gap on what has been lost on the last 10 years. The NSSN sends our solidarity to public sector workers and their unions. This announcement will take place virtually on the 10th anniversary of George Osborne’s brutal austerity offensive. That cuts blizzard led to 2 million public sector workers walk out together on the November 30th N30 pensions strike. Workers need to fight together now to send the clearest message to the Tories and the employers: we won’t pay the price in terms of our jobs and income for your total mismanagement of the COVID pandemic and any economic crisis. Especially when the super-rich increase their wealth at our expense. The NSSN calls on the TUC and the unions to organise protests in towns to start the mobilisation of workers that can lead to the co-ordinated industrial action that we need to defeat the Tories and inflict on them yet another U-turn.”
Support the NHS pay protests – last year, there were demonstrations and rallies in many towns and cities. Workers in the NHS and care sector workers demand an immediate 15% pay rise that starts to close the income gap caused by a decade of pay freezes. Details of some of these events can be found here in the Nurses and Midwives say NO! to Public Sector pay inequality Facebook group and on the Keep Our NHS Public website. Also visit the website of Health Campaigns Together. We support the call of many health workers for industrial action ballots, co-ordinated across all the health unions and linking up with all other workers in public services. We are confident that this would be supported by workers in the private sector and all those who benefit from health and social care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic where so many staff put their lives on the line. Sign the petition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak – ‘We demand a pay rise for key workers’
The NSSN is continuing to report on how workers are organising during the coronavirus pandemic
The NSSN is opening up our weekly email bulletin, website and social media platforms of Facebook and twitter to provide a public forum for workers during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis. We want to be a place where we can all share queries and experiences that workers are facing in their workplaces. These include reports of action taken by workers to defend themselves from their employers.
You can read about many of these actions in our weekly bulletin and out social media groups, especially our Facebook group: NSSN – defend workers’ rights under Coronavirus.
You can also send the NSSN your reports and queries via our website, twitter – @NSSN_AntiCuts and email – [email protected]
We welcome the information being sent to union members concerning the spread of coronavirus, including the Accord, Advance, AEP, AFA-CWA, ASLEF, BDA, BECTU Sector of Prospect, BFAWU, BOS-TU, College of Podiatry, Community, CSP, EIS, Equity, FBU, FDA, GMB, HCSA, MU, NAHT, NASUWT, National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), Nautilus International, NEU, NGSU, NUJ, PFA, Prospect, RCM, SoR, TSSA, TUC, UCU, UNISON, Unite, URTU, USDAW, WGGB and the RCN
But it is absolutely vital that unions retain their ability to organise and act independently in defence of their members and workers generally. This includes the right of unions to take industrial action. We are already aware of workers being forced to take unofficial action on health and safety grounds. We also believe that unions should have oversight of any government bans on protests and picketing. This is the same Tory government that tabled more new anti-union laws in December’s Queens Speech last December and cannot be trusted.
We believe that it is essential that workers are protected during this worrying period and are not impacted, whether in terms of their safety as well as their pay and employment rights. The Tory government have announced measures that include some workers receiving 80% of their wages. This furlough scheme was due to end but has now been extended because of the 2nd lockdown.
However, we believe that no worker should pay the price for any spread of the virus. We say: work or full pay. Any worker who is required not to attend work or is unable to do so because of COVID, childcare or transport closures should receive full pay and not be forced to take annual leave. But unions have to remain vigilant that any government payments actually happen and also covers all workers, including those in precarious employment such as zero-hour contracts and in the gig economy.
We have drafted this model motion which we’ve made into a bulletin that can be downloaded and printed off to be distributed. Feel free to use in your union and trades council, in totality or partially to highlight the issues that need to be addressed.
Keep an eye out for other Facebook and social media groups and pages that are being created. The Coronavirus Support Group for Workers has been set up on Facebook and is a useful forum.
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. Feel free to use this affiliation letter
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]
Watch The NSSN pre-TUC Rally and follow us on twitter via @NSSN_AntiCuts and Facebook
Union News
RMT
RMT demands urgent action to protect TfL workers as new Covid variant runs rampant (11 Jan) – TRANSPORT UNION RMT is demanding immediate action by Transport for London amid the surge in London’s cases of Covid infection and the rise of new variant Covid and the deaths of at least three TfL workers in recent days. The union has written to both the Mayor of London and London Underground calling for an urgent upscaling of safety measures to protect staff read more
RMT London Transport mass meeting: ensure a safe workplace and fight against any attacks on our pensions, jobs and conditions – 4pm Thursday 14th January. Speakers include: Steve Hedley – Senior Assistant General Secretary, John Leach – London Transport Regional Officer, Jared Wood – London Transport Region National Executive Member details
RMT declares dispute on Cross Country trains over failure of company to recognise lethal implications of new COVID variant (8 Jan) – RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has declared a dispute on Cross Country trains over the failure of the company to revise its procedures and risk assessments in light of the emergence of the new COVID variant. Cross Country’s approach is that little has changed and that revenue duties should continue in conjunction with previous risk assessments which the union says are wholly inadequate in the face of the new highly virulent COVID strain that has triggered the current lockdown. RMT has requested a cessation of revenue duties pending a review and possible amendments to risk assessments, this has been flatly rejected by Cross Country and it is this cavalier and irresponsible attitude from the company that has provoked the dispute read more
RMT announces dispute with Stena Line over pandemic sick pay (7 Jan) – FERRIES Union RMT today confirmed that it was in dispute with Stena Line over the company’s failure to address seafarers’ and dockers’ long standing concerns over sick pay which have been ongoing since the start of the pandemic read more
Support RMT strike on SERCO Caledonian Sleeper – Email messages of support via [email protected] and send donations to RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD read more Sign RMT petition demanding Transport Scotland takes action over worker fatigue on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper
RMT launches global on-line petition to halt jobs carnage at Trump’s Turnberry resort
Sign this petition: RMT steps up campaign for TfL funding
Sign petition: to The Mayor of London and the London Assembly – End the privatisation of cleaning at Transport for London
Please Support RMT Members With No Wages! – RMT London Transport Region Zero Hours & Self-Employed members need our Solidarity Now! Many of our regions self-employed members and those on zero hours have not any had wages for 2 months since March. They have been abandoned by London Underground, TfL, the London Mayor and their agency employers. They MUST NOT be abandoned by us too; their RMT sisters and brothers! The RMT London Transport Regional Council and LU Engineering RMT branch are calling out to all branches, members and friends to dig deep and give meaningful solidarity to our hard pressed members facing poverty and possibly eviction from their homes. To help support by donating to the fund or to ask after support for yourself, please email: [email protected] read more
TSSA
Vaccinate essential transport staff as next priority, says TSSA (11 Jan) – Transport and travel union TSSA has today written to British transport ministers calling on them to ensure that essential transport workers are next in line for vaccination against coronavirus read more
Travel Covid tests welcome but delay “absolutely disgraceful” says TSSA (8 Jan) – Transport and travel union TSSA welcomes today’s government announcement that people travelling to Britain will need a negative Covid-19 test, but blasts the delay and cost on lives as “absolutely disgraceful” read more
Unite
BREAKING NEWS!! London bus drivers ‘once again in eye of coronavirus storm’ need vaccine and protection priority (12 Jan) – Commenting on Transport for London (TfL) figures that 57 staff, including 42 bus drivers, have died from coronavirus, and that around 10 per cent of TfL staff are currently either on sick leave or self-isolating, Unite lead officer for buses in London John Murphy said: “London’s bus drivers, who are truly essential frontline workers, paid a tragically high price during the beginning of the pandemic. These disturbing figures show that once again, bus drivers and other transport workers are in the eye of the storm as they keep London moving…” read more
BREAKING NEWS!! Councils urged to take back of control of gyms and pools, as leisure centre giant ‘sheds 2,000 jobs’ (12 Jan) – An estimated 2,000 staff on zero hours contracts have been shed during the pandemic by controversial leisure services giant Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) reinforcing the case for the gyms, swimming pools and sports halls it operates to be taken back under local authority control. The call has come from Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union, which claims that the more than 500 jobs that GLL has cut since last March are just the permanent posts and does not take into account the 2,000 workers on zero hours contracts who have been told there is no longer work for them. Unite said that, instead of authorities bailing out GLL with council taxpayers’ cash, according to media reports, the money could be better used by councils ‘taking back control’ of GLL’s 230 leisure facilities across the UK. Unite said that an example of GLL’s continuing poor stewardship is the closure of The Bridge leisure centre by Lewisham councillors, with no consultation with Unite from either the council or GLL about the fate of its members working there. Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “Instead of GLL hawking the begging bowl around cash-strapped local councils asking them to prop up its flawed business model, council bosses should instigate a programme ‘to take back control’ of their leisure centres…” read more
Hope on the horizon for Rolls-Royce at Barnoldswick as Unite strikes landmark deal (8 Jan) – Nine weeks of strike action has been suspended at the Rolls-Royce factory in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, as the members of Unite the union consider a landmark deal that would save 350 jobs and give the site a bright future. Unite suspended the strikes today (Friday) to allow the workforce to consider proposals which have been hammered out by the union with the unanimous backing of the plant committee, the shop stewards and convenors. If agreed, the deal will give the historic site, which has sat at the heart of the community for 80 years, a new lease of life as the company’s centre of training and excellence and cement Rolls-Royce as a key player in green and emerging technologies. The future of the factory, home of the Lancaster bomber, was thrown into grave doubt last summer when Rolls-Royce announced that it was transferring the production of its Trent jet engine blade work to Singapore. Unite members feared that the removal of the work from the site without equivalent work to replace it would signal the end of the Barnoldswick site. They mounted a huge campaign to defend it and protect the local economy, which is heavily dependent on the plant. The workforce will meet next week to decide on acceptance of the deal read more
Support the #BattleforBarnoldswick – More Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick strikes announced as company set to be quizzed by MPs over offshoring plans – Please send messages of support to: [email protected] #BattleforBarnoldswick #SaveOurSite. Sign this petition to Rolls Royce and the UK Government: Save Our Site – Battle for Barnoldswick (Rolls Royce)
Jenrick urged to follow Scotland’s footsteps and extend ban on evictions for renters (7 Jan) – Thousands of renters are only days away from homelessness unless the government extends the ban on evictions due to end on Monday (11 January), Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, warned today (Thursday 7 January). The union is calling on the Westminster government to do ‘the decent thing’ and follow the example of the Scottish Government which has extended the evictions’ ban until 31 March read more
Industrial action at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council suspended after management proposal tabled (Jan 8) – Joint Communication on behalf of the Management (MS) and Trade Union Sides: Following a period of intense negotiations between Management and the recognised Trade Unions within Newry Mourne and Down District Council, a proposal has been tabled that has facilitated the suspension of industrial action with immediate effect read more
Hull Croda workers to strike over years of missing holiday pay – Hull workers at chemical giant Croda Europe Ltd will take industrial action, including strike action, over years of missing holiday pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Tuesday 22 December). Around 90 Croda workers, who are members of Unite, were balloted for strike action in November over the company’s failure to incorporate holiday entitlement into their shift rotas at its Oak Road site. In a ballot with an 80 per cent turnout, nearly 90 per cent voted in favour of industrial action, which will take place in January. Shift workers at the factory have suffered miscalculations in their annual leave for as long as 21 years, with long serving staff owed thousands of pounds in holiday back pay read more
Workers at International Paint in Gateshead to vote on pay offer – Unite the union members employed at International Paint in Gateshead will be voting on a pay deal, the result of which will be known in the new year. As a gesture of goodwill, Unite members have dropped an overtime ban due to start on Monday 4 January, but dates for two 24-hour strikes on Wednesday 27 January and Wednesday 10 February remain in place, depending on the outcome of the ballot read more
Security guards at Reading hospital to stage second wave of strikes in ‘David and Goliath’ pay battle – Security staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, locked in a ‘David and Goliath’ pay battle with their employer, will be striking over 20 days during January and February. The 23 security guards are striking from 07.00 on Monday 4 January over the failure of their employer Kingdom Services Group Ltd to make a decent pay offer for 2020. Their strike action will end at 19.00 on Friday 12 February. They have already taken five days of strike action which ended on Friday (18 December). The security personnel, members of Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, provide security for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust read more
Sign petition: St Mungo’s brutal treatment of BAME worker opposed by Unite – Without income for twenty-one weeks. Female worker comes to the end of a period of sickness during the pandemic. Health conditions put her at raised risk. She is also older and from a BAME background. Her normal job would expose her to further increased risk. Rather than furlough her or find her alternative work the employer simply stops her pay without going through any personnel procedure. Management reject appeals to senior levels from Unite leaving the worker without income and desperate for twenty-one weeks
Stop the BA Betrayal! – This groundswell has been mobilised by reps and the campaign #BAbetrayal – a ‘crisis leverage campaign, which is part of Unite’s Leverage strategy. ‘Crisis leverage’ applies many of the same principles and takes a similarly robust, muscular approach but in a much more streamlined, nimble way. In a crisis like the current coronavirus pandemic, with a company behaving like British Airways, we have to move fast and to scale. Find out more and support the #BAbetrayal campaign by Joining the #BAbetrayal Facebook campaign and follow the @BAbetrayal campaign on Twitter. Sign the petition today
Sign this petition: Please sign and share: Extend the bereaved family payment to UK bus workers now
MTVHA – Stop the Sackings! Sign petition: To: Geeta Nanda, Chief Executive Officer, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association – Please cease all compulsory redundancies during the recruitment freeze caused by Coronavirus restrictions which would make it impossible for anyone to find alternative employment read more from Unite Housing Workers branch
PCS
PCS launches OCS security officer industrial action ballot (7 Jan) – PCS has today (7) launched an industrial action ballot for all members working for OCS on the HMCTS security contract over the failure to improve pay, terms and conditions. Our industrial demands are clear and achievable:
- The payment of the real living wage as determined by the Living Wage Foundation
- A supervisors allowance with a pay differential of £1.50 an hour
- Sick pay from day one at company rather than statutory rates
- 30 days annual leave per year
- A one-off bonus in recognition of the hard work amidst the Covid-19 pandemic read more
PCS calls on civil service to instruct government workers to work from home (6 Jan) – PCS is calling on the UK Civil Service to urgently instruct all UK government workers, contractors and agency staff to work from home wherever they can as the latest national lockdown measures are introduced read more
PCS launch petition and pledge to fight redundancies at National Museums in Liverpool – We have launched a public campaign and petition to fight redundancies at National Museums in Liverpool. Management at the museums warned that there might be compulsory redundancies next year but not before negotiations took place. However, the commercial arm of the museums, National Museums Liverpool Trading immediately moved to make workers in the cafés, shops and events, redundant with just 4 weeks’ notice. These employees have been working and supporting the running of museums as “essential staff” since July. The union understands that over 20 employees are being made redundant but the company which doesn’t recognise trades unions is refusing to engage with PCS read more
Keep supporting ISS HMRC strikers – PCS members who clean HMRC’s Merseyside offices for multinational company ISS returned to work following a solidly supported four weeks of strike action through August. The strike is part of the members’ long-running fight for the living wage, improved working conditions and job security. Because of the demand for full occupational sick pay from day one, it is also directly linked to PCS’s Dying for Sick Pay campaign, which aims to secure occupational sick pay for all workers across the government estate…The members are meeting this week to discuss their next steps. Under the Tories’ 2016 Trade Union Act, a further postal ballot is required before they can take any more strike action, and members will need to discuss where the campaign goes next. In the meantime, you can continue to support the campaign by signing the e-action to Jim Harra on the TUC’s Megaphone site and donating to the strike fund: account name: PCS Liverpool/Bootle Campaign Account, sort code: 60-83-01, account number: 20415772
Please sign this PCS petition to Save Ealing Tax Office – we ask that you sign this eaction to the Chancellor calling on him to intervene urgently, to halt the office closures and redundancies, and consult fully with the union and work to retain the experience and vital knowledge contained within Ealing Tax Office. Support our call to SAVE JOBS, SAVE SERVICES and STOP THE CLOSURES
GMB
Almost two thirds of NHS staff ready to walk (11 Jan) – GMB, the union for NHS staff, has demanded the Government move heaven and earth to support demoralised health staff on the international day of thanksgiving. The stats reveal the lack of support from staff after chronic underfunding of the health service since the Tories came to power a decade ago. Today GMB joined 13 other unions in launching a fair pay campaign for NHS staff and urging the public to use social media to champion the vital work of all health staff by supporting a decent pay rise read more
Conservatives’ £38m cleaning cuts left NHS woefully underprepared (11 Jan) – New figures show almost 1,000 fewer NHS cleaners in 2019/20 compared to 2010/11. GMB, the union for NHS workers, has called for urgent investment as new figures expose the extent of cuts to cleaning services over the last decade. Regular cleaning of wards and equipment is an essential part of the public health strategy for controlling coronavirus. However, new figures published by NHS Digital show that the full-time equivalent of almost a thousand NHS cleaners have been cut in England since 2010/11. The figures include both directly employed and outsourced workers read more
GMB say change of Facilities Management contract at Epsom & St Helier Hospital a missed opportunity (8 Jan) – “Considering the high numbers of BAME workers undertaking the roles concerned, we believe that this failure may amount to discrimination”, say GMB Southern. GMB, the union for NHS workers, today applauded the decision to bring soft FM services back in-house, while declaring that it is a missed opportunity to harmonise all workers on to the same terms and conditions of employment read more
NHS Trusts trousered £90m in one year from staff car parking charges (7 Jan) – Hard-up nurses, cleaners and midwifes forced to shell out up to £2.50 an hour just to park at work. NHS Trusts in England pocketed a whopping £90million from staff car parking charges last year, shock figures show. The official NHS Digital stats released today show in 2019/20 trusts raked in £90 million from staff parking charges – up £4 million from the year before read more
Sign the GMB petition against the academisation of these Sussex schools! – We oppose the plans to turn Peacehaven Heights and Telscombe Cliffs Primary Schools in to academies. Sign our petition below if you oppose them too! GMB, the union for school support staff, oppose any plans to turn state schools into academies. That is why we have set up a petition against the academisation of Peacehaven Heights and Telscombe Cliffs Primary Schools in East Sussex. Please sign and share our petition if you agree, at https://www.gmb-southern.org.uk/stop-the-academisation-of-peacehaven-heights-and-telscombe-cliffs-schools. Our flyer for distribution is also available to download on this page too! Read more
Unison
UNISON plans fightback against staff cuts to Sheffield Hallam students’ union (11 Jan) – Redundancies facing permanent staff at Sheffield Hallam students’ union will have a major effect on students, and UNISON members plan to fight back. A total of 32 full-time workers – employed by the Sheffield Hallam University students’ union – have been told they could lose their jobs because of plans to close the students’ union bar, café and help desk. The students’ union, which is funded by the university but independently run, argues a reorganisation is necessary and will reduce costs. But these proposals will reduce face-to-face contact, affect student wellbeing and the quality of their university experience read more
Thank NHS staff with proper pay rise, say health unions (11 Jan) – Celebrities back call for wage increase read more
Education unions need answers from education secretary (8 Jan) – Safety concerns for staff about increased pupil numbers. The National Education Union and UNISON have today (Friday) written to education secretary Gavin Williamson raising concerns about the effect a significant extension to the number of pupils allowed back into school will have on Coronavirus transmission rates read more
Support the Birmingham NHS Unison Heartlands Porters Dispute – UNSION members who are Heartland Hospital Porters are currently taking strike action about the proposed imposition of a new rota. This will result in them working detrimental rotating 8 shifts pattern. The proposed rota impacts on our members health and well being; their caring responsibilities; their work/life balance and results in a significant cut in wages for many read more on Facebook page
Carmarthenshire County Unison Branch Members Bulletin 37 | Trade Union Action needed – Mass Co-Ordinated Trade Union Action Needed To Smash the Pay Freeze read more
Support the Tower Hamlets Unison workers – Read more here and on Tower Hamlets UNISON Facebook page and follow @UNISON_TwrHmlts on twitter
CWU
Royal Mail Pathway to Change: Key Principles Framework read more
BREAKING NEWS!! Betrayed by BT: Individual redundancy injustices that unmask management’s lost moral compass (Jan 12) – In the first of a series of articles exploring the devastating impact of BT’s new found enthusiasm for compulsory redundancies on individuals who find themselves at the sharp end, we look at how management’s shunning of tried and tested redeployment mechanisms has led to a gruesome postcode lottery read more
Industrial action ballot in Openreach as repayment planners’ patience finally snaps (Jan 8) – Formal notice has been served to Openreach that a statutory industrial action ballot will commence next week as a result of management’s steadfast refusal to engage with the CWU over the deep-seated concerns of Repayment Project Engineers (RPEs) about imposed changes to the grading of their role. Furious RPEs took the highly unusual step in September of asking the union to register their readiness to take strike action against the belligerent new management approach they were experiencing, voting ‘Yes’ by nine-to-one in a 92% consultative ballot turnout. At the time it was hoped that would force Openreach to reconsider. Such expectations, however, have proved futile – with complete management intransigence setting the scene for the forthcoming statutory industrial action ballot. Yesterday (Thursday), Openreach was served notice that voting papers will be issued to the union’s entire RPE membership on or about January 14, with the result to be declared on or about Thursday February 4. At that point, assuming a ‘Yes’ vote and the company’s continued refusal to change tack, notice will be served for industrial action to commence on or about Thursday February 18 read more
FBU
FBU members raise money for family of fallen colleague Chris Page (7 Jan) – Brother Chris Page, Bedfordshire firefighter and FBU member, has died after contracting Covid-19. The 58-year-old passed on Tuesday evening and will be remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues. The FBU is raising money to support Brother Page’s family using a new text-to-donate platform, DONATE, from the National Funding Scheme. Chris Page was based at Sandy Fire Station in Bedfordshire and served in the fire and rescue service for more than 19 years, spending 15 also delivering the Fire Cadet Scheme. FBU members can donate and support Chris’s family by text using the details below or via this link. Fundraising closes on 7 April 2021 read more
NAPO
Covid crisis- Unions demand a new safety action plan (11 Jan) – Following our representations with employers and mailout report last week on health and safety in relation to the Covid crisis, we have continued to receive reports from members and reps about a worrying lack of action in some areas. It has become clear that the overly complicated guidance and RAG rating based EDMs are not working and that NPS Regional Directors and CRC Leaders are not always taking enough decisive action to protect staff, clients and communities from Covid infection. We, along with our sister trade unions, have therefore written to Amy Rees again today with our action plan for Covid safety, you can find the contents of that letter in the latest Joint Union Bulletin. We will continue to update members as we make progress on this read more
Unions demand action on new Covid risks (6 Jan) – Important information for trade union members: In yesterday’s mail out, we advised members that Napo had been involved in urgent contact with employers following the new Lockdown announcements on Monday. Since then we now had an opportunity to consult with our sister trade unions and consider the information that has been reaching us from our activists who have been working extremely hard to respond to members enquiries across the NPS, CRCs, Prisons, Courts and Police Stations. The attached Joint Unions’ bulletin sets out a number of concerns that are contained in a joint letter to the Director General Probation READ MORE HERE. News on developments in Probation Northern Ireland and Cafcass will be cascaded via Napo NI Branch and the Napo Family Court Section respectively read more
Covid Lockdown – Napo demands urgent action from all Employers (5 Jan) – As you would expect Napo Officers and Officials have been in touch with senior management across all employers where we are recognised, to press for urgent action in light of yesterday’s announcements of further lockdown measures across the UK read more
POA
National lockdown (6 Jan) – Enclosed is the latest update from Gold that has been forwarded to all Governors. It is essential that local committees review all Risk Assessments, Safe Systems of Work and Exceptional Regime Management Plans to ensure members are working as safely as possible and no regime expansion takes place during level 4 conditions. Committees in the YCS Estate are encouraged to secure facility time so they may conduct a full workplace inspection to ascertain if a level 3 regime can ensure the safety of staff and prisoners. Particular attention should be paid to the movement of prisoners in communal areas to facilitate face to face education and indoor gym. Branches are reminded to contact their area NEC Representative if they are experiencing difficulties reaching agreement with their SMT’s about safe delivery of regimes read more
BFAWU
Sign ‘War on Want’ petition: END SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT MCDONALD’S – McDonald’s has a sexual harassment problem. Women from across the world are joining together and speaking out about the harassment they have faced whilst working at the company. Workers in the USA have even been on strike about it. But still McDonald’s is refusing to take the action needed to end sexual harassment in its restaurants. The evidence is clear: a formal complaint submitted by workers in May 2020 shows at least seven countries where McDonald’s has failed to properly address harassment complaints, and the company’s global CEO even had to resign because of inappropriate relationships with employees. Please email McDonald’s UK CEO today and demand that the company listens to its workers and takes steps to end sexual harassment
NEU
Education unions need answers from education secretary (8 Jan) – The NEU and UNISON have written to Gavin Williamson about the effect a significant extension to the number of pupils allowed back into school will have on Coronavirus transmission rates read more
ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey (8 Jan) – The Government can’t seem to decide whether schools are safe or unsafe. Let this data end their confusion read more
Wales school closure (8 Jan) – NEU Cymru welcomes proposed closure of schools and colleges until February read more
SATs Cancelled (6 Jan) – Teachers and parents will be relieved that Gavin Williamson has faced up to reality and cancelled this year’s SATs tests read more
Sign petition and support the strikes to Reinstate Sharon Morgan LONDON DESIGN AND ENGINEERING UTC Newham – At the start of this term, teacher and NEU rep Sharon Morgan was summarily dismissed from her job by London Design and Engineering UTC. Sharon was sacked without due process, with no formal investigation or a hearing where she could put her case. At an employment tribunal the judge described LDE’s behaviour as “morally reprehensible” and LDE subsequently agreed to reinstate Sharon. But the next day LDE changed their mind and refused to reinstate her. In reality, Sharon was sacked for helping NEU members stand up for better working conditions for staff, in the interests of the whole school community. This is trade union victimisation and it’s unacceptable. The sacking of Sharon is an attack on all trade unionists at LDE, in Newham, and everywhere. There are further strikes this week from Tuesday to Thursday
Support Newham Little Ilford School strikes against unsafe expansion – NEU members are taking strike action at the enormous comprehensive in Manor Park, east London, which already teaches 1,470 students. Labour-run Newham Council wants it to take 1,800. Sign petition: Newham Council is trying to force Little Ilford School to expand to 1800 pupils. But expanding will mean an overcrowded school and an overwhelming environment for all staff and pupils. It will undermine the quality of education and care that can be provided to pupils. And the expansion is opposed by virtually the entire staff body
NASUWT
Parents need more support to keep pupils at home during lockdown (9 Jan) – Responding to comments from leading scientists that lockdown restrictions need to be stricter in order to get Coronavirus levels under control, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said: “A failure to implement in full the latest national lockdown restrictions risks further disruption to schools unless urgent action is taken by the Government…” read more
EIS
EIS Raises Safety Concerns with Colleges Implementing Face-to-Face Teaching (7 Jan) – The EIS has learned today (Thursday) that some colleges plan to deliver face-face teaching next week, whilst other colleges have confirmed that there will not be any face-to-face teaching until at least mid-February. The EIS has raised safety concerns with the colleges as it does not believe that these colleges have carried out revised risk assessments for the new variant of COVID19 read more
UCU
Petition calling for fair funding and online learning
East Durham College slammed for forcing staff on-site to teach remotely (11 Jan) – University and College Union (UCU) has today (Monday) condemned the push by East Durham College for the majority staff to attend in-person whilst the country is in lockdown, even when teaching remote lessons read more
UCU says students must not lose out due to digital poverty during lockdown (6 Jan) – UCU said that all students in post-16 education must be supported so they can learn remotely during the latest lockdown. The union was responding to the secretary of state for education Gavin Williamson’s statement on the impact of the lockdown on the education sector and measures to support students over the coming months read more
Move to online learning is a victory, but latest lockdown leaves staff and students in limbo (5 Jan) – UCU said it was a victory for the union that the government had finally listened to it after months of campaigning and moved learning online in colleges and universities. But the union warned the government’s belated decision still falls far short of what is required for the duration of this pandemic read more
UCU fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes. As always, members are asked to contribute whatever their circumstances allow. A donation in solidarity of any amount will be gratefully received by members taking action.
NUJ
(See International section)
Prospect
easyJet execs get bonuses while laying off workers (6 Jan) – Executives at easyJet have agreed to accept bonuses of tens of thousands of shares on top of their already large salaries read more
Equity
Equity, the Musicians’ Union and Keep Streets Live have released a joint statement regarding the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s proposal (7 Jan) – Equity has serious concerns about these proposals and the effect it will have on busking and street performance within this borough. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) are currently consulting to increase the number of pitches where busking could be controlled by way of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). If agreed, this further draconian attempt at regulation could devastate busking in the Borough at a time where realistically the streets are the only place performers can make a living. We have tried to encourage a collaborative approach with the Council and have suggested numerous viable alternatives. We also predicted the issue of displacement, amongst others, in the previous consultation but our experience and understanding were dismissed. Busking is not illegal nor is it anti-social and should not be made so. Busking brings vibrancy, culture, dynamic and art to the streets of London. Furthermore, without busking the UK would arguably not have some of the big headline artists that contribute culturally and economically to the UK read more
USDAW
Shopworkers’ concerns grow – Usdaw calls on all retailers to reinstate full lockdown safety measures in stores (8 Jan) – Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has made an urgent call on supermarkets and food retailers to immediately revert to the stringent safety measures in stores that applied during the first lockdown. The union has been inundated with complaints from members deeply concerned about their safety as customers blatantly flout the rules read more
Mandate (Ireland)
Support striking Debenhams Workers: Email messages of support to the strikers via [email protected] and Mandate through [email protected]. Also, follow Stand with Debenhams Workers Facebook page
UVW
Save the date, 15th–17th January, the Sage strike is on! (8 Jan) – After several months of attempting to negotiate with their employers in good faith, care workers and cleaners at Sage nursing home in North London have been left with no choice but to go on strike, and will walk off the job for the first time ever, on the 15th – 17th of January. They have risked their lives to care for the elderly and vulnerable throughout this pandemic, but despite their efforts and their sacrifices, Sage’s trustees have repeatedly refused to countenance the possibility of meeting their more than reasonable demands of a living wage of £12 per hour and parity in sick pay and annual leave with NHS rates read more
Facebook event: Online Sage Nursing Home Workers Solidarity Rally this Thursday 7pm
“Our courts are not Covid-secure” says Legal Sector Workers United as it calls for immediate halt to possession proceedings (11 Jan) – The government has announced a nationwide lockdown due to the rapid increase of Covid-19 across the UK. Still, courts remain open and contrary to the comments of the Secretary of State for Justice on Twitter, they are not Covid-secure. On 6 January 2021 LSWU released a statement (full text can also be found below) outlining court safety concerns and calling for a second stay on all possession proceedings, an extension to the eviction ban and recommitment to ‘Everyone In’. On 8 January the government announced an extension to the ban on evictions until at least 21 February 2021. However, this ban does not protect tenants with arrears equivalent to six months’ rent accrued at any stage, including during Covid-19. The first ban excluded tenants with rent arrears equivalent to 9 months accrued only prior to 23 March 2020. The significance of this change cannot be ignored. Tenants now face eviction as a result of arrears which may have been accrued as a result of the pandemic read more
Architectural workers are walking out over Covid-19 safety concerns (8 Jan) – This morning, UVW-SAW members from two architectural offices exercised their legal right to individually refuse to return to their respective offices over COVID-19 safety concerns. They did so pursuant to Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 because of their belief of the very serious and imminent risk COVID-19 faces to their safety that they cannot reasonably be expected to avert. UVW-SAW demands that all architectural employers immediately cease compelling workers to travel and work in unsafe offices – directly contravening recent Government instruction to work from home in all reasonable circumstances read more
IWGB
Outsourced University of Greenwich workers vote to strike for equality – The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) Universities of London Branch voted for industrial action at the University of Greenwich today. Outsourced cleaners, porters and security officers are demanding trade union recognition for the IWGB, a commitment to end outsourcing and equal terms and conditions. 69 percent of workers voted “Yes” to the strike, with 31 percent of workers voting “No”. University of Greenwich workers are outsourced via multi-billion pound company Sodexo and therefore denied the basic rights that university employees are entitled to, including equal pay, pensions, sick pay, annual leave and parental leave. Those who kept the university open working overtime through lockdown are also demanding Covid-19 bonus pay, which they report was unfairly paid to some workers but not others. The strike hardship fund has already raised over £1,000 and the ballot follows victory for the IWGB’s flagship #EndOutsourcing campaign at the University of London read more
Other news
From Caerphilly Trades Council – Support the ‘the Free Siyanda campaign’
Secretary: Mariam Kamish President: Clare Gibbs Treasurer: Jaime Davies Email: [email protected]
Dear Comrades,
Siyanda Mngaza is currently serving a four and a half year prison sentence for defending herself against a racially motivated hate crime.
Siyanda worked for South Wales Fire Service in HR – recruiting fire fighters. She had never been in trouble before.
In May 2019 at a camping site in Brecon, she was attacked, without provocation, by a family group she was socialising with. Siyanda defended herself, resulting in a slight cut to the forehead of one of the attackers. Siyanda herself was beaten badly and knocked unconscious – with stamps and kicks to her head and upper body.
I should note that Siyanda is 4 foot 10 inches tall and has suffered since childhood with health problems. For her, running away was not an option. Two of her three attackers were men nearly twice her age.
Siyanda’s attackers called the police. When they arrived, Siyanda explained what had actually happened, but instead of protecting her, the police treated Siyanda like a criminal. They did not investigate the hate crime. They even allowed her attackers to continue to verbally abuse her after she’d been arrested.
At Siyanda’s trial, it emerged that the police had not provided the CPS with photographs of her injuries – including a footprint on her face. The investigating officer told the court that his supervisor had told him not to obtain Siyanda’s medical records and not to continue to investigate the hate crime.
Self-defence is no offence. Siyanda does not belong in prison. We are building a campaign to get Siyanda released – and to ensure that no one else has to suffer from institutional racism in future at the hands the police, the CPS and the judicial system.
Please help us to get affiliations from trade union branches, trades councils and trade unions nationally. Contact the Free Siyanda campaign. http://freesiyanda.com/
You can also email Siyanda’s mother, Cammilla Mngaza – [email protected] Thank you very much for your support.
Mariam Kamish,
Secretary, Caerphilly Trades Council.
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
#SPYCops Inquiry exposes state surveillance of workers movement
The NSSN sends our solidarity and support to all those taking part in the Undercover Policing Inquiry who have suffered from state surveillance into the labour and trade union movement and a whole number of campaigns from anti-racism to environmentalism.
Watch video: ‘You’re Muted’ – What’s Up at the #SpyCopsInquiry? – Five minutes of highlights from the ‘Public’ Inquiry hearing evidence in secret about undercover policing in England and Wales since 1968
Keep up with developments and read and watch campaigners’ statements on the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) and Undercover Policing Inquiry websites and spycops info Facebook group
Blacklist Support Group opening statement to the public inquiry – Dave Smith posted this message on the BSG Facebook page:-
“I’d like to publicly thank everyone from around the globe who has sent messages of support after our opening statement at the undercover policing public inquiry. I was proud to deliver the speech on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group; but this is a collective endeavour. We got to this point by blacklisted union members working together with investigative journalists, campaigning lawyers, world class researchers, MPs, unions, anti-racist campaigns and rank & file activists. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all the non-state, non-police core participants in the public inquiry, especially our sister campaigns; Police Spies Out of Lives, Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance and the family justice campaigns. This is what solidarity looks like”.
Full text of the BSG opening statement is now online via the Hazards magazine website: https://www.hazards.org/blacklistblog/2020/11/17/blacklist-support-group-opening-statement-for-ucpi-dave-smith/
It can be watched via this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JegrwaVKRfs&feature=youtu.be
Some of the media coverage:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-urged-union-members-to-bomb-shop-ll0mv8bs7
http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/2020/11/17/ucpi-daily-report-17-nov-2020/
To support the ongoing campaign for justice, please share some of the press articles on social media
Builders Crack: The Movie
In the current situation, this long lost film from the 1990s about rank and file union organising in the construction industry is intended to lift the spirits, but also to spark a debate in our movement. Hope the youngsters in this film put a smile on your face.
Watch – Share – Discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VZ-QMA1FMg
Blacklist Support Group
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
Reinstate sacked Unite London bus rep Judith Katera – Judith a longstanding union rep and activist in Battersea garage in South London has been dismissed by Abellio. Judith is adamant that false claims are being alleged against her. Judith and Moe Muhsin Manir, the rep at Walworth garage in the same company feel that they are both being targeted.
In October, she was facing a disciplinary meeting and possible dismissal. A solidarity protest was organised and then postponed because the disciplinary process wasn’t completed. However, she has discovered that the company sacked her on December 4th! She even had to contact the company to find out that she had been dismissed! Just a few weeks before Christmas, Judith was dismissed with no income. An online appeal has been set up to support Judith and her family.
Unite the union are ran a consultative ballot before Christmas to launch the campaign to get Judith reinstated. We understand that there was an overwhelming vote of support, which sends the message to Abellio that bus drivers in Battersea will fight to for Judith’s job and stop attacks on the union. We hope that such a vote will force management to reinstate Judith but if they still refuse, the union are now able to launch a full industrial action ballot.
The NSSN sends our support and solidarity to Judith, her members and her union Unite and pledge to do everything we can to get her reinstated. We will keep our supporters and affiliates fully informed of developments and any protests and action that are called. Stop union busting!
Sign petition: St Mungo’s brutal treatment of BAME worker opposed by Unite – Without income for twenty-one weeks. Female worker comes to the end of a period of sickness during the pandemic. Health conditions put her at raised risk. She is also older and from a BAME background. Her normal job would expose her to further increased risk. Rather than furlough her or find her alternative work the employer simply stops her pay without going through any personnel procedure. Management reject appeals to senior levels from Unite leaving the worker without income and desperate for twenty-one weeks
Sign petition and support the strikes to Reinstate Sharon Morgan LONDON DESIGN AND ENGINEERING UTC – At the start of this term, teacher and NEU rep Sharon Morgan was summarily dismissed from her job by London Design and Engineering UTC. Sharon was sacked without due process, with no formal investigation or a hearing where she could put her case. At an employment tribunal the judge described LDE’s behaviour as “morally reprehensible” and LDE subsequently agreed to reinstate Sharon. But the next day LDE changed their mind and refused to reinstate her. In reality, Sharon was sacked for helping NEU members stand up for better working conditions for staff, in the interests of the whole school community. This is trade union victimisation and it’s unacceptable. The sacking of Sharon is an attack on all trade unionists at LDE, in Newham, and everywhere
Security guard seeks ‘groundbreaking’ injunction to stop his ‘unlawful’ sacking in what his union UVW describes as the first case of its kind for a low paid worker (23 Nov) – A security guard at the Francis Crick Institute in London is set to face off against his employer Wilson James in an injunction hearing in what his trade union, United Voices of the World (UVW), has described as an “unprecedented legal showdown”. On 11th November after only 3 weeks in his new job Cetin Avsar, the security guard from Turkey bringing the legal action, received a letter inviting him to a probationary review hearing stating “[his] conduct has not reached the required standards” citing only his membership of his trade union, his previously having participated in a strike and his views, shard by his union, that outsourcing is ‘discriminatory’. The letter warned him that he might be dismissed after the hearing read more
FCC dismiss Tony Smith Hull Unison Activist
Trade Unionists and activists will be outraged to hear that Unison activist Tony Smith’s dismissal has been upheld by FCC. As previously reported, Tony’s dismissal on trumped up charges was because of his trade union activities. It took nearly five weeks from the appeal to the outcome for FCC to confirm the sacking. Tony has faced the mental torture of not knowing whether he has a job or not, but the time taken reflected that dismissing him was not a simple issue because of the high profile that Tony has in the local Labour movement. Unison will be seeking compensation and the campaign focuses on Hull City Council to end its contract with FCC. Mick Whale Chair Hull Trades Council
PCS: Trade unionists asked to send solidarity to PCS rep dismissed after blowing the whistle (25 July) – Trade unionists are being urged to send solidarity messages to a PCS rep dismissed after whistleblowing at the Department of Work and Pensions. Enrico La Rocca, who had worked for the DWP for more than 27 years, lost his job in May after highlighting serious concerns with management over a number of years. His complaints resulted in questions being asked about the department’s handling of Carer’s Allowance overpayments by the National Audit Office (NAO) and raised by in a Work and Pensions Select Committee report read more from Union News
RMT: SUSPENSION OF RMT REPRESENTATIVES, FRATTON – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY – Following my previous Circular (IR/171/20) dated 14th May 2020, as you are aware, two of our representatives, Mark Gamble and Brian Perren, were suspended from duty using unscrupulous charges. South Western Railway’s actions throughout this dispute have been appalling. The company have clearly targeted our members as they are hardworking and effective representatives. The callous action of South Western Railway has been abhorrent from the very start of this dispute. Our members recently had their disciplinary hearings and after successful representation Brother Brian Perren has been reinstated to his substantive role. However, Mark has been left in limbo by the company and still faces these ridiculous charges. This means that the ballot that was due to close today (4th June) has been cancelled. As one of our members has been reinstated, this changes the basis of the original ballot. Unfortunately, because of the anti-trade union laws we would not have been able to use any mandate we received from this ballot. Therefore, we have to run a fresh ballot and this will be to continue to defend our suspended Brother Mark Gamble. The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and has congratulated our members and all those who assisted Brian in proving his innocence and ensuring he is reinstated to his substantive role. The NEC has also instructed me to run a fresh ballot in defence of our Brother Mark Gamble who still remains suspended. It is incredibly disappointing that the company has failed to see sense and instead have chosen to drag on an unnecessary dispute. It is disgraceful that Mark remains suspended and we have no choice but to stand shoulder to shoulder and defy SWR’s callous and distasteful decision. I have written to the company today to advise them of this union’s position and they have been left in no doubt that we will not allow them to pursue outrageous charges against our from democratically elected representatives (from RMT general secretary Mick Cash)
Clara Paillard PCS victory – We are delighted to announce that the threat of dismissal has been lifted and Clara, PCS president in the Culture sector, is ‘back at work’ (although from home during the current pandemic).
Reinstate Percy Yunganina UVW union – Percy is a cleaner at King’s college with 5 years on the job, and a UVW executive committee member, who’s just been sacked after a disciplinary hearing he refused to attend due to observing the government’s social distancing guidelines but which King’s College proceeded with anyway in his absence without even letting him know or inviting him to attend via phone. The hearing would have had 8 people cramped together in a small room in complete disregard of the government’s instructions about social distancing. Percy has explained the reaons for not attending and asked for the decision to be overturned and the hearing to be reconvened via phone or in person after Lockdown. However, King’s have scandalously refused this request and have insisted on upholding his dismissal which now leaves Percy out of work and out of pocket in the middle of a pandemic! He will formally appeal but it could take months to hear and deliver an outcome. We will also take King’s to tribunal but that could take over a year. This is utterly shameless conduct by King’s HR team, led by Nigel Smith, the Head of People Services. They need to be held to account. Everyone deserves the right to a fair hearing and should not have that right denied them for respecting the government’s public health guidelines about social distancing. Please repost this and write to Nigel Smith at the following address telling him to reinstate Percy – [email protected]
Sign the petition: Reinstate Ezra Christian RMT – We, the undersigned, are appalled at the treatment and summary dismissal of our Bakerloo Line colleague Ezra Christian. Ezra has been treated very harshly and does not deserve to be sacked. We call on London Underground to do the right thing in this case and Reinstate Ezra back into London Underground Employment immediately
Reinstate Clive Walder Unite: the campaign continues – Unfortunately, we have to inform you that the appeal by Unite against Clive’s dismissal by National Express in Birmingham was unsuccessful. In the hearing on 5 March, the company downgraded his offence from gross misconduct to misconduct and altered the penalty from summary dismissal to dismissal with four weeks’ notice. We believe dismissal is totally disproportionate and Clive should be reinstated. Clive and his union Unite the union will shortly decide the next steps in his campaign against his sacking. Clive would like to thank all those who have expressed solidarity with him, including supporters of the National Shop Stewards Network who took part in the protest leafleting of his workplace before the appeal hearing. It was successful enough for National Express to report it to the Unite full time official. Please continue to send protest emails to [email protected]. The NSSN has produced a flyer which can be downloaded and printed off to give to National Express employees and customers in support of Clive. We are appealing to our supporters to take photos of any solidarity protests and post on social media
Support Danyal Aziz Unite – Daniel was a Unite rep at London City Airport, who was recently sacked. Labour MP Sam Tarry has tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion in support of Danyal. Email your local MP to get them to sign the EDM
Defend Paul Williams PCS – Stop the victimisation of senior PCS rep Paul Williams – Paul Williams has a long and proud history of defending his colleagues at the Department for Transport, and predecessor departments, for nearly 40 years but as a result of his union activities is facing compulsory redundancy even though there are vacancies at his grade read more
Sign the petition: Reinstate UNISON rep Peter Moorhead and stop victimising trade unionists at Alternative Futures Group (AFG)
Support the ASDA workers and reinstate Michael Hunnum – 12,000 workers faced being sacked before Christmas by scrooge bosses ASDA, who are now owned by US superstore giant Walmart. This threat hanging over them was unless they agree to the new ‘Contract 6’ which will see them lose all their paid breaks and forced to work bank holidays. The same employer is sacking North East GMB member Michael Hunnam. Michael’s fight is part of the same struggle to resist the offensive of the ASDA bosses. Michael’s supporters believe that his determined opposition to Contract 6 is what has put him in the ASDA firing line. Support the ASDA workers and reinstate Michael!
Guardian: Ricky Tomlinson’s criminal convictions to be re-examined
Appeal court to look again at case of Royle Family actor after claims he may have been unjustly jailed
The criminal convictions of actor Ricky Tomlinson, who starred in the TV comedy the Royle Family, are to be re-examined by appeal court judges after an official body suggested he may have been unjustly jailed. Tomlinson and other trade unionists have been campaigning for years to clear their names after they were jailed during a strike in the 1970s. On Tuesday, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the public body that scrutinises alleged miscarriages of justice, announced it had asked the court of appeal to review the cases of Tomlinson and others. Tomlinson, 80, said it was “good news” and an opportunity to prove that he and 23 other men were prosecuted in what amounted to a politically motivated attack on the trade union movement by the government, police and managers read more in Guardian
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
International
USA: NUJ statement on attacks on press during riots by Trump supporters read more
Turkey: NUJ – Women journalists imprisoned during protests in Ankara read more
Diary
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
