Youth Fight for Jobs have organised a national day of action on Saturday October 9th as the Tories end furlough and take back the £20/week Universal Credit by £20 uplift. If you’re a young person or trade unionist, and you want to get involved or support any of the marches below in your local area, visit www.youthfightforjobs.com/get-involved. If you’re not in a union, join one – get organised.
- Birmingham: Victoria Square 1pm (West Mids regional demo)
- Leeds: Millenium Square, 12pm (Yorkshire regional demo) – speakers include Sarah Woolley BFAWU General Secretary
- London: Assemble outside Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), 1pm
- Liverpool: Top of Church Street (by Bold Street), 12pm
- Leicester: Meet at the Clocktower, 2pm
- North East Midlands, Mansfield: Westgate (near Market Place), NG18 1JA, 1pm
- Bristol: Outside McDonald’s, 101/105 the Horsefair, BS1 3JR, 1pm
- Plymouth: Meet at the Sundial Fountain, 1pm
- Cardiff: Outside the Capitol Centre, Queen Street, 12pm
- Swansea: Castle Square, 2pm
- Brighton: Meet at the middle circle of the Level, 1pm
- Southampton: The Bargate, 1pm
- Reading: Assemble at Reading Council Offices, RG1 2LU, 1pm
- Portsmouth: Guildhall Square, 12pm
United action against the Tories on public sector pay
Public sector workers, headed by those in the NHS and education, are rightly furious after the Tories finally made their pay announcements.
The 3% to be awarded to NHS staff, who have been on the front line risking their lives during Covid, is nowhere near what has been lost over the last decade. That’s why many health workers have been demanding 15%. But to rub salt in to the wounds, this rise must come out of the existing NHS budget. This means brutal cuts on top of all the Tory austerity we’ve already had.
It’s even worse for teachers, with a pay freeze. Local government workers have already been offered 1.75% and those in higher education 1.5%, further education staff 1% while many civil servants just a paltry £250 for lowest paid members and nothing for the rest.
The NSSN stands in solidarity with these and all public sector workers who are effectively receiving a pay cut as RPI inflation moves over 3%. After years of cuts to their income, the most effective way to get the pay rise they deserve is to fight together.
We support all demonstrations and industrial action that workers take. Workers are stronger when they take action together. The NSSN calls on unions and their members to reject these insulting offers and co-ordinate industrial action ballots so that if the Tories don’t back down, millions of public sector workers can take action together to get the pay rise they deserve.
Unison: Council and School pay offer rejected
Scottish teachers’ pay offer unacceptable to NASUWT (1 Oct)
Follow NHS Workers Say NO to Public Sector pay inequality on Facebook
Stop victimisation of union reps
Donate to the reinstatement campaign of Declan Clune RMT bus driver in Southampton (on behalf of Declan Clune and all RMT Southampton District Bus and Coach Branch members). Email message of support: [email protected]
Support GARY CARNEY, TRAIN OPERATOR – LONDON UNDERGROUND
Defend Adrian Mitchell RMT driver on London Underground
Donate to solidarity campaign of Moe Muhsin Manir Unite bus rep Email messages of support to Moe: [email protected]
Trade union rep victimisation at Woolwich Ferry reaches ‘obscene levels’, says Unite
Unite: Ealing’s Labour council ‘actively helping’ Serco ‘hound’ union rep from civil enforcement job
St Mungos management escalate dispute by suspending Unite rep – sign petition: End the culture of fear at St Mungo’s
Sign petition: Reinstate Gary Bolister sacked GMB rep at Islington Council
Sacked UCU member wins right to return to work (29 July)
Watch Reel News video: Victimised union reps: Act like it’s you and fight back
Reinstate John Boken Shropshire NEU rep – solidarity protest Saturday 20th November in the Quarry Shrewsbury. For more details and send solidarity messages, email [email protected]
Sign petition to support Redbridge NEU Rep Keiran Mahon
Watch Reel News video: Huddersfield teachers strike to defend Louise Lewis
Defend NEU Exec member Tracy McGuire. Stop the victimization of Tracy!
Reinstate Gary Boken
Support the NSSN
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 from last September and follow us on twitter via @NSSN_AntiCuts and Facebook
Union News
RMT
Campaign coalition calls on the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to block the proposed ScotRail service cuts (1 Oct) – Coalition of unions and passenger, environmental, pensioner and campaign organisations call on the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to block the proposed ScotRail service cuts. As the public consultation over Abellio ScotRail’s proposed timetable closes today, Friday 1st October, a coalition of unions and passenger, environmental, pensioner and campaign organisations have written to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to call on her to intervene and block the service cuts being proposed by Abellio ScotRail. The proposed timetable, which would be implemented from May 2022, proposes reductions in rail services of around 300 a day, or 100,000 a year compared to the pre-pandemic timetable, a cut of around 12%. The letter, which is signed by RMT, Aslef, STUC, TSSA, Unite the Union, Bring Back British Rail, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Get Glasgow Moving, Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and We Own It says: “We believe the proposed service cuts will negatively affect rail passengers and be disastrous for Scotland’s railway” read more
RMT confirms strikes on Stagecoach buses (1 Oct) – RMT confirms strikes on Stagecoach buses for 18th October as part of national campaign for pay justice. BUS UNION RMT confirmed today that it is serving notice for strike action on Stagecoach buses in the South West, East Midlands and Derbyshire/Yorkshire as part of the national fight for pay justice for bus workers. The union has reacted with fury to a sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation over the pay campaign pedalled by Stagecoach managers which has already led to members of the public confronting bus staff at the sharp end read more
RMT reiterates opposition to any pay freeze (1 Oct) – Correspondence has been received from TfL which sets out the terms of the funding deal the Company have made with the Government in the Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement on 1st June 2021. As part of this agreement TfL have with the government the Company have committed to implementing a pay freeze during the life of the deal except where previous multi-year awards have been collectively agreed with the relevant trade unions. Under the terms that TfL have signed up to with the Government (“Civil Service Pay Remit 2021/22”) there is provision for employees on an FTE salary of less than £24,000 to increase by £250 to £24,250. Your National Executive Committee have considered the matter, and reiterated the Union’s opposition to any pay freeze, and that we will seek to secure fair pay awards for all RMT members. It was noted that members employed by London Underground will continue to receive pay increases in-line with our existing multi-year pay agreement with LUL read more
RMT calls for Govia to be stripped of GTR franchise (30 Sept) – RMT says damning new financial investigation shows Govia should be stripped of remaining GTR franchise after government nationalises Southeastern. RAIL UNION RMT has called on the government to strip Govia of its Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise and nationalise it after the union published research today raising further questions about the senior management of the company. Govia’s subsidiary, London and Southeastern Railways, is rumoured to have been reported to the Serious Fraud Office following the government’s action this week in taking over the franchise in response to what it calls ‘a serious breach of the franchise agreement’s “good faith” obligation in relation to financial matters’ read more
RMT calls for UK crew on Dogger Bank support vessels (30 Sept) – MARITIME UNION RMT today responded to news that Alicat of Great Yarmouth has been awarded the £270m contract for three new offshore wind service ships to work on the giant 3.6GW Dogger Bank offshore wind farm under development in the North Sea by SSE Renewables and Equinor read more
RMT announces strike ballot on Scotrail over pay dispute (29 Sept) – SCOTLAND’S MAIN RAIL UNION RMT said today that it has served notice of an industrial action ballot on Scotrail in the on-going pay dispute. The union said that the schedule for the ballot would enable action to take place during COP26 if, as expected, members vote yes. Over two thousand RMT members across all grades are involved read more
RMT calls for new ScotRail timetable plans to be scrapped (29 Sept) – RMT calls for new ScotRail timetable plans to be scrapped as survey of company workers says proposals will have negative impact on passengers. RAIL UNION RMT is today calling for proposals to reduce ScotRail services by around 300 a day, or around 100,000 a year, to be scrapped, as a survey of RMT ScotRail members revealed that an overwhelming majority of these frontline rail workers believe that the proposals would have a negative impact on passengers read more
RMT calls for Fraud Office investigation (28 Sept) – RMT calls for Fraud Office investigation into Britain’s rail franchising racket. Britain’s main rail union today called for a Fraud Office investigation into Britain’s privatised railways after it emerged today that Govia SouthEastern had misused taxpayer money to the tune of £25 million – leading to them being kicked off the railway this morning read more
RMT demands full rail nationalisation (28 Sept) – RMT demands full rail nationalisation as SouthEastern collapses and is taken into public ownership. RAIL UNION RMT has demanded that the Government make urgent moves to bring the entire rail network into public ownership after it was announced this morning that the vital SouthEastern commuter service has effectively collapsed and is being taken over by the public Operator of Last Resort. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said; “This latest public sector rescue of a privately operated rail service should kill off the risky and expensive nonsense of rail privatisation once and for all…” read more
RMT warns of action over driverless trains (28 Sept) – RMT warns of action as Government places contract for driverless trains on London Underground. TUBE UNION RMT warned today of a campaign of action as it emerged that the Government has placed adverts for a consultancy contract to explore the introduction of driverless trains on London Underground read more
East Midlands Railways staff united again today (26 Sept) – East Midlands Railways staff united again today in fight for workplace justice and safety. RAIL UNION RMT said that East Midlands Railways staff are standing united and determined again today in their on-going fights for workplace justice and safety read more
ScotRail Ticket Examiners to take further action – ScotRail Ticket Examiners to take further action after reballot in fight for pay equality and justice. RAIL UNION RMT said that Scotrail Ticket Examiners who have been engaged in a six month fight for pay justice and equality will be adding further strikes after a massive 90% vote to continue their action in a reballot. Following yesterday’s ballot result RMT’s National Executive Committee has now considered the matter and has taken the decision to call on all Abellio Scotrail Ticket Examiner members to take further industrial action and not to book on for any shifts that commence between:
- hours until 23.59 hours on Sunday 10th October 2021
- hours until 23.59 hours on Sunday 17th October 2021
- hours until 23.59 hours on Sunday 24th October 2021
- hours until 23.59 hours on Sunday 31st October 2021
Existing strike action called for Sunday 26th September and Sunday 3rd October 2021 remains in place. Additionally Abellio Scotrail Ticket Examiner members have been instructed not to work any Rest Days or undertake any Higher Grade Duties remains in place until further notice read more
Action solidly supported again today on East Midlands Railways (19 Sept) – RAIL UNION RMT said that action by Senior Conductors and Train Managers on East Midlands Railways in two separate disputes remains solidly supported again today in on-going fights for workplace justice and safety. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said; “I want to pay tribute to our members who are standing firm again today on East Midlands Railways in the two on-going disputes as the company gambles on passenger safety instead of getting round the table for serious talks…” read more
RMT announces industrial action on Stagecoach East Midlands in national pay fight – BUS UNION RMT today announced industrial action on Stagecoach East Midlands as part of a national campaign to secure professional pay rates for professional drivers which includes RMT members in Yorkshire, the South West and Wessex. Members at the Mansfield and Worksop depots will be taking the following action after a massive yes vote which reflects the anger of this particular group of key transport workers;
Not to undertake overtime and not to undertake rest day working between the following hours:
- 00:01 hours on Friday 17th September 2021 and 23:59 hours on Friday 1st October 2021
- 00:01 hours on Friday 8th October 2021 and 23:59 hours on Friday 22nd October 2021
RMT members on Stagecoach Yorkshire, South West and Wessex services are also engaged in the dispute and are at various stages of the balloting process read more
RMT calls new Serco Caledonian Sleeper strike dates – RMT calls new phase of industrial action in Serco Caledonian Sleeper pay fight. RAIL UNION RMT has called a new phase of industrial action in its ongoing dispute over pay justice for Serco Caledonian Sleeper workers. The action has been called after negotiations with Serco, under the auspices of ACAS, failed with the company refusing to offer a revised pay award without a series of “efficiency savings”. RMT members employed on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper have already taken a number of rock-solid days of strike action in their ongoing fight for pay justice, after being subjected to a pay freeze, despite being key workers who have worked throughout the pandemic. The union’s National Executive Committee has taken the decision to call further action as follows:-
With effect from 00:01 hours on Friday 30th July 2021, until further notice, members are be instructed:-
- Not to work any Higher-Grade Duty
Additionally, the instruction to Serco Caledonian Sleeper members not to work any overtime and not to work on rest days remains in place until further notice read more
ASLEF
London & South Eastern Railway Announcement (28 Oct) – This morning the government announced that it will be taking over the running of the London & South Eastern Railway (LSER). This is due to a serious breach of the operator’s franchise agreement. An investigation revealed that more than £25million of taxpayers’ money was not declared by LSER. Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary, has called for the money to be paid and the company to be banned from running future franchises read more
TSSA
TSSA calls on Shapps to investigate other franchises after Southeastern scandal (29 Sept) – TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has written to Grant Shapps calling on the Department for Transport to investigate the accounts of all other rail franchises, particularly GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway). This follows the announcement (Tuesday 28 September) that the Government is taking over operations at London and Southeastern Railway (LSER) from 17 October, following an investigation which identified over £25million of taxpayer money was not declared by LSER read more
TSSA urges immediate end rail to franchises as Southeastern comes into public control (28 Sept) – TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has called on the government to immediately disband all Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in England and bring rail services into public hands following the failure of another franchise read more
TSSA warns travel trade jobs at risk as furlough ends on Thursday (29 Sept) – Holiday booking picture showing map, desk and people writing notes. TSSA has warned that workers in the travel trade face redundancies and a “bonfire” of terms and conditions as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme comes to an end today (Thursday). The union, which represents workers in Eurostar, and travel trade companies is calling on the government to extend a bespoke package of support to the industry which is still severely impacted by the covid-19 pandemic read more
Unite
Metrolink workers to strike on city marathon day in fight for fair pay (1 Oct) – Over 300 drivers and supervisors on Manchester’s Metrolink tram network – members of Unite, the UK’s leading union – will stage a one day strike on Sunday 10 October, the day of the city’s marathon. The strike action is in response to the poor pay offer put to the workforce. Talks held yesterday (Thursday 30 September) broke up when the contractor Keolis/Amey refused to improve that offer. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Metrolink’s workers have continued to keep Manchester moving during the pandemic. They deserve fair pay…” read more
Stingy Stagecoach pushes Lancashire drivers to strike over pay (1 Oct) – Bus services in south Lancashire face severe disruption later this month as drivers employed by the Ribble Motor Services Ltd, part of the Stagecoach group, take strike action over low pay. The 250 bus drivers based at the Preston and Chorley depots will take three days of strike action beginning on Thursday 14 October until the end of Saturday 16 October. There will then be a further 48 hour strike beginning on Friday 22 October read more
Booker drivers suspend strike to vote on pay deal (1 Oct) – Drivers employed by the Tesco-owned Booker Retail Partners at its Thamesmead site are to vote on a new pay deal. As a result, the strike action that could have disrupted supplies to convenience stores in London and the south east, due to have started on Monday (4 October), has been suspended. Unite the union said today (Friday 1 October) that its members will vote on the proposals, which remain confidential, with the result due to be announced on Monday 11 October read more
5,000 sign petition in support of Lancashire biomedical scientists in back pay dispute (1 Oct) – Five thousand people have signed a petition in support of the 21 Lancashire biomedical scientists currently on strike in a back pay dispute, which sees some of them owed up to £8,000. Unite the union said there had been ‘a fantastic wave of support’ from the community, as pressure builds on the Interim Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Martin Hodgson, to meet with Unite and settle this unnecessary dispute as soon as possible. The biomedical scientists, who have been on strike since May, are owed staggering amounts of back pay. That starts at several hundred pounds up to as much as £8,000, after managers failed to honour a 2019 agreement to upgrade their pay. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who was on the Blackburn picket line this week, said: “The fact is that the trust has reneged on a promised pay deal for these workers who have served their community, without regard to their own health, throughout the terrible pandemic. Fact. And what do they get from the trust for that loyalty? Broken promises that’s all. Unite is not having that. We are going to back these scientists of ours to the hilt. And now it’s clear the local community agrees with that” read more
Unite leader Sharon Graham joins striking Blackburn biomedical scientists on picket line (28 Sept)
Longer lorry driver hours dangerous and fail to address labour shortage, warns Unite (30 Sept) – Unite the union, which represents tens of thousands of lorry drivers, has greeted the news that the government will further extend the relaxation of lorry driver hours with anger and dismay. The government has today (Thursday 30 September) confirmed that the relaxation on the maximum hours that drivers can drive will be extended read more
Smart meter installation in homes could be hit as EDF Energy workers ballot for strike action over pay (30 Sept) – EDF Energy smart meter installers across London and southern England are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute, Unite the union said today (Thursday 30 September). Unite said that the impact of industrial action on EDF’s customers will be to slow down meter installation which allows for climate change reductions through reduced energy consumption. The ballot of the 282 smart meter installers and those involved in debt collection in London, the south east and south west opens tomorrow (Friday 1 October) and closes on Friday 29 October. Unite said the management’s pay offer of 1.5 per cent, due from April this year, was ‘totally inadequate’, given that the latest RPI rate of inflation has soared to 4.8 per cent. Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “Our members at EDF are among those who continued working with the public during the pandemic. Now the company wants to reward those same workers with what is effectively a pay cut – the 1.5 per cent on the table is totally inadequate given the rapidly rising inflation rate…” read more
Billingham scaffolders at Mitsubishi Chemicals balloted for strike over ‘outrageous pay discrepancy’ (30 Sept) – Scaffold workers employed by Altrad at the Mitsubishi Chemicals plant in Billingham, Teesside, are being balloted for strike action over an ‘outrageous pay discrepancy’, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday 30 September). Around 25 scaffolders, insulators and painters, who all work at height, will be balloted over low pay. The basic pay for a scaffolder at the plant is just £12.06 an hour, when the rate for their job under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) is £17.45 an hour read more
‘Shameful’ Virgin Money branch closures set to ‘disproportionately’ hit Scotland (30 Sept) – Unite the union has today (30 September) reacted with anger over the proposed closure of 31 branches across the UK with Scotland being ‘disproportionately’ hit. The trade union has warned that the ‘axe will fall the hardest’ in Scotland as remote island and rural communities, and town centres are set to be ‘left behind’ by Virgin Money read more
Serious HS2 safety failings a result of union busting tactics (30 Sept) – Unite, the UK’s construction union, has blamed a recent spate of serious accidents on the HS2 tunnelling and track laying project in London, on a refusal to allow the union to speak to workers and a resulting dearth of safety reps. The accidents have occurred on the section of the project which is being built by the joint venture company Costain/Skanska/Strabag. Unlike other sections of the project, the joint venture company has refused to allow Unite to freely speak to workers during their breaks in its welfare facilities. The latest accident occurred earlier this week when a worker suffered arm injuries after clay fell from height onto them, this resulted in a safety shutdown on the project read more
Crisis-hit UK: this is not the time to stop furlough, Unite leader warns (30 Sept) – With a fuel supply crisis, a mounting cost of living crisis and parts of the economy still operating under Covid-19 restrictions, the general secretary of the country’s leading union, Unite, says that ‘this is not the time’ to end the furlough scheme today (Thursday 30 September). Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Working people need more than platitudes from politicians. They need money in their pockets and jobs secured. Despite its faults, furlough has helped many through the crisis. This is not the time to stop furlough. As general secretary of Unite, I issue a warning to any bad boss who might seek to use the crisis as an opportunity to make workers’ pay for this pandemic: I will not stand by and allow you to cut the pay, terms and conditions of my members” read more
Fresh talks scheduled with Essar after Unite members vote overwhelmingly for industrial action in pay and pensions dispute (29 Sept) – Further talks are scheduled in the industrial dispute with Essar over pay, pensions and unpaid bonuses. The 400 plus workers, who are members of the Unite union, are based at the Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire. The result of the ballot, which was announced today (Wednesday 29 September), is an overwhelming 98 per cent in favour of industrial action. Union members are in dispute on three central issues:-
- failure of the company to honour the 2019 signed pay agreement,
- the failure of the company to pay the workers a bonus in 2019/20 and 2020/21,
- the proposed closure of the final salary pension scheme.
The company has now agreed to begin talks to resolve the dispute over the three issues and, as a result, has agreed to delay the proposed closure of the pension scheme read more
Unite calls on buyers to purchase Uttoxeter biscuit factory (29 Sept) – Unite the union today (Wednesday 29 September) called for potential buyers to step forward to purchase Elkes Biscuits in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, following the decision by its owner 2 Sisters Food Group to sell the company read more
Unite leader Sharon Graham joins striking Kettering Weetabix workers on picket line (29 Sept) – Today, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham will join Weetabix factory engineers who are striking over Weetabix’s brutal ‘fire and rehire’ ultimatum that will slash their wages and conditions. The workers, based at the company’s factories in Kettering and Corby, face changes to their shift and working patterns that would result in some engineers losing as much as £5,000 from their yearly earnings read more
Arriva risking North West bus travel disruption with subpar pay offer (28 Sept) – Nearly 2,000 Arriva bus drivers across Liverpool, Manchester and the north west of England are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay. If the Unite members, based at depots in Runcorn, Bootle, Birkenhead, St Helens, Liverpool, Southport, Winsford and Manchester, vote for strike action, bus services across the region will be seriously disrupted read more
Disruption expected as scaffolders at British Steel in Scunthorpe announce strike action over pay – Scaffolders employed by contractor Actavo (UK) Limited and working on the British Steel site in Scunthorpe, have announced all out strike action in a long running dispute over pay. The 60 plus scaffolders, who are members of Unite, the UK’s construction union, will begin strike action on Monday 4 October. The dispute, which began in 2019, is a result of the workers seeking to be paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI). The rates for the workforce are currently between 10-15 per cent (depending on specific roles) below these rates. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Employers cannot be allowed to undermine national industrial agreements in an attempt to create a race to the bottom on pay for construction workers…” read more
GKN Birmingham strikes suspended – Planned strike action at the GKN Automotive factory in Birmingham has been suspended. The workers at the factory in Chester Road were due to begin strike action next week (Monday 27 September), in opposition to the plans of the parent company Melrose GKN to cease production and close the factory, which produces drivelines for the UK automotive sector, next year. Following a meeting this week between representatives of Unite and Melrose GKN it was agreed that there would be an immediate moratorium on work and machinery being taken out of the factory. During this time Melrose GKN has agreed to attend a meeting of the key stakeholders involved in seeking a way forward to keep the factory open and ensure it plays a key role in the UK’s car industries transition to electric vehicles. As a consequence Unite has agreed to not begin industrial action before Monday 18 October read more
Workers at Wolverhampton lock makers Henry Squire to strike over pay – Workers at the historic lock makers Henry Squire and Sons, based in Featherstone, Wolverhampton, will begin strike action next month in a dispute over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Tuesday 21 September). The workers, who are members of Unite, were due to receive a pay increase in January but management refused to make an offer. Instead they have offered a 2.5 per cent increase for the period from July to December, which in real terms is worth just 1.25 per cent for the entire year. The derisory offer is a significant real terms pay cut with the RPI inflation rate currently standing at 4.8 per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Henry Squire are long due a decent pay rise. The current July to December offer for 2021, is a pay cut in real terms. Understandably that has not been accepted by union members. It’s simple Henry Squire can avoid industrial action by Unite members. How? By making a decent wages offer.” The first week long strike action will begin on Monday 4 October and there are similar week long periods of industrial actions scheduled to begin on Monday 25 October, 15 November and 6 December read more
Fire and rescue workers on the Clyde Naval bases set to start overtime ban – Unite members working for Capita at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde will start a continuous overtime from today (Thursday 16 September) in a dispute over cuts to fire and rescue crew levels, and a lack of consultation. Capita management reduced the specialist fire safety crew by eight positions at Coulport and Faslane, which represents a cut of 15% at the nation’s nuclear naval bases on the Clyde. Capita won the contract in 2020 for fire response services from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Unite members at Capita have supported taking action short of a strike by 100%, while 78% supported taking strike action in a ballot turnout of 91.1% read more
Delivery disruption to 1,500 convenience stores in London and south east on cards as Thamesmead drivers vote to strike – The threat of severe disruption to deliveries to more than 1,500 convenience stores in London and the south east has moved a step closer after 40 drivers, employed by Booker Retail Partners at its Thamesmead site, voted unanimously for strike action. Unite the union is poised to issue notice to the employer for strike action, but wants to allow time for crunch talks with the bosses on 21-23 September – and the union warned that any industrial action will deepen the supply shortage crisis hitting many parts of the UK economy because of the lack of HGV drivers. The Thamesmead drivers deliver to independent retailers under the Budgens and Londis brands. The crux of the dispute is that the company, part of the Tesco ‘empire’, put in place a temporary £5 an hour pay uplift for about 40 drivers at its Hemel Hempstead depot because of the HGV driver shortage, but then refused to implement a similar uplift for the 40 drivers at the Thamesmead site read more
Talks in Woolwich Ferry rep victimisation dispute break down due to TfL’s ‘bad faith’, says Unite – Crunch talks to resolve the long-running Woolwich Ferry rep victimisation dispute yesterday (Tuesday 10 August) between Transport for London (TfL) bosses and Unite the union broke down with the union accusing TfL of ‘bad faith’. Unite, which represents 57 ferry workers, had suspended industrial action as a goodwill gesture in the run-up to the talks – but its members were back on strike today (Wednesday 11 August) and will be striking on Friday (13 August). Prior to today, there has already been 24 days of strike action. Besides the victimisation of the two Unite reps, there has also been a failure to agree a new pay and reward scheme; the excessive use of agency staff; and the failure to provide adequate health and safety training to new employees – these are issues which have arisen since TfL took back control from the discredited Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd in January this year. Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “We were making good progress with the union agreeing to a proposal from TfL to meet through workshops to discuss a new collective agreement. However, the employers made their pay offer which was worse than the last offer – and they then refused to budge. “Our members had suspended strike action as a goodwill gesture, but feel that they have been badly let down by another abject example of TfL’s bad faith and, as a result, they are back on strike today. The management is game playing, which we feared would happen…” read more
Rolls Royce Barnoldswick protest to be held as strikes over site’s future resume – A protest at the historic Rolls Royce Barnoldswick plant will be held on Monday (9 August) as strikes resume over the company’s lack of concrete commitments to the site’s future. A group of 17 engineers began strike action in July after Rolls Royce bosses refused to provide tangible commitments to new work or to suspend work being sent elsewhere, which is taking place at an accelerated rate. A ballot for the site’s entire workforce to join the dispute closes next Friday (13 August). In January, Rolls Royce reached an agreement with Unite that guaranteed the future of the factory, including retaining a minimum of 350 workers and creating a training centre. The agreement was reached after workers and the local community mounted a huge campaign to save the factory, after the aerospace giant revealed plans to scale back production that would have spelled the plant’s closure. Following a meeting in May this year, however, Unite was forced to issue a failure to agree notice with Rolls Royce after local managers indicated that staff headcount could drop below 350 and orders would continue to be completed abroad. Unite has been attempting to resolve the matter and seek reassurances about Barnoldswick’s long-term future, which have so far failed to materialise. Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “This dispute could be put to bed very quickly if Rolls Royce’s leadership demonstrate to the workers that the agreement signed in January is still valid read more
Email messages of support via [email protected] and send donations online to: account name, Barnoldswick workers mutual society, sort code, 05 02 22 account number 36192613
DfI Roads workers at Woodburn depot to strike over inaction on management bullying – After 90.9 percent strike vote, workforce pickets to be deployed at Woodburn DfI Roads in Derry/Londonderry during twenty-four strike, which starts midnight on Thursday, July 22rd. Road Service workers’ union Unite warns first twenty-four hour stoppage at Woodburn likely to escalate in absence of Ministerial intervention read more
Reading hospital security guards renew strikes in July, as Unite calls on NHS bosses to take them back ‘in-house’ – NHS bosses should take the security staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading back ‘in house’, after the guards announced new strike dates for July against their outsourced employer Kingdom Services Group Ltd. Unite the union said the new strike dates would run from 07.00 Monday 12 July until 24.00 Saturday 31 July, after the 20 security guards voted by 84 per cent for strike action. The guards, who provide security for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, have been locked in a ‘David and Goliath’ pay and conditions battle with their employer, resulting in a wave of strikes since December last year. Because of the way that Kingdom Services has treated its staff, Unite is urging the trust to take the security guards back ‘in house’ under NHS management when the current three-year contract ends on 31 December this year. As the NHS celebrates its 73rd birthday on Monday (5 July), campaigners wishing to keep it out of the hands of profit-hungry companies, such as Kingdom, will be staging a march and rally in Reading on Saturday (3 July), starting at 12.00 from Royal Berkshire Hospital to Forbury Gardens in the town centre where there will be speeches read more
Support striking Reading hospital security guards – Text solidarity messages via Jessica 07718668497 and donate to strike fund: Acc. No.: 20173991 Sort Code: 60-83-01. Sign petition to Mark Wallace , Kingdom Service Group Managing Director: Pay Royal Berkshire Hospital security staff a wage they can live on
PCS
Members from Just Ask Services rally to launch first day of October strike action (1 Oct) – Cleaners and playground attendants at the Royal Parks gathered in St James’s Park on the first day of their month long strike. About 40 strikers and supporters held a rally today in St James’ Park to mark the first day of a month of strike action. John McDonnell MP gave a speech giving his unwavering support, and that of the PCS parliamentary group, to the workers. He committed to be with them all the way. The striking members were joined by PCS members from the culture group and representatives from the National Shop Stewards’ Network, among other supporters. Members will be meeting for a picket outside Royal Parks HQ at the Old Police House in Hyde Park at 10:30 on Monday 4 October. They are also planning a protest at the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 10 October. PCS is meeting Just Ask Services management next Thursday and are urging them to settle the dispute as soon as possible.
How you can help:-
- Contribute to the strike fund
- Send a message of support to [email protected]
- Email Just Ask and Royal Parks CEO’s using the PCS e-action
- Email your MP to support Early Day Motion 476
- Complain about any unclean facilities to [email protected]
- Tweet and tag Just Ask and the Royal Parks demanding they resolve the dispute
Check the PCS website and twitter account for updates and activities you can support throughout the strike read more
Watch Reel News video: Royal Parks key workers demand equality and respect – On August bank holiday Monday, cleaners and attendants working in the Royal Parks of London completed a two week strike with a rally and march through Hyde Park and Kensington Park
MOJ civil service people survey update (1 Oct) – PCS has received numerous questions in relation to the PCS MoJ group position on the civil service people survey. Members have raised concerns about the fact that failing to complete the survey means that they are unable to share feedback and comments about the difficulties faced in one of the most unprecedented years due to the Covid pandemic read more
PCS responds to HGV situation (30 Sept) – There have been attempts to pin the blame for the shortage of HGV drivers on the dispute at DVLA. However, a PCS spokesman has refuted this saying: “The dispute at DVLA has absolutely nothing to do with the shortage of HGV drivers. How you can help:-
- Donate to the strike fund. This fund supports members financially when they are striking and therefore not being paid by their employer. The details are: account name: Fighting Fund Levy. account number: 20331490 sort code: 60-83-01, reference: DVLA
- Sign the e-action. PCS has an e-action which asks transport secretary Grant Shapps to intervene to keep members safe.
- Messages of solidarity. Write a message of support for striking DVLA workers by emailing [email protected] read more
Work for DWP and get Universal Credit? Tell us what the cut means to you (29 Sept) – If you work for the Department for Work and Pensions and claim Universal Credit, PCS would like to know how the ending of the £20 uplift will affect you. The government has decided to end the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit (UC) from 6 October. The uplift was originally introduced as a support measure at the beginning of the pandemic read more
Calling all members working in Public Health England and NHS T&T (29 Sept) – As you are aware the transition from Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace occurs on 1 October and the new organisations of Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are launched read more
PCS boycotts civil service people survey in MOJ (29 Sept) – Following a debate and agreement of motion A8 at the 2021 PCS MOJ Group Conference we are recommending that Ministry Of Justice members boycott the civil service people survey. It is the PCS view that the employer desires a high participation rate to demonstrate that staff engagement is high rather than addressing the issues and concerns highlighted by the survey responses. On that basis we are asking members not to complete this year’s survey as a low completion rate forces the employer to accept that there are issues around staff engagement read more
Specialist pay proposal for interim arrangement for legal advisers update (28 Sept) – Following the legal adviser members’ meetings held last week PCS met with HMCTS representatives again to discuss the concerns raised. HMCTS listened to the concerns we raised and has now written to us with an improved interim arrangement proposal read more
CPS PCS members’ meetings (28 Sept) – PCS is holding members’ meetings for Crown Prosecution Service members to discuss excess flexi credits/deficits and plans for returns to the workplace for those working remotely read more
GMB
Fuel crisis ‘not national emergency’, Government says (30 Sept) – The fuel crisis which has left millions without petrol and emergency services unable to function is not a ‘national emergency’, according to a Government advisor. GMB Union had written to the Department for Transport calling for taxis to be classed as an essential service as the sector – which transports patients to hospital and children to school – crumbles under the fuel crisis read more
Fuel crisis: Taxis must be classed essential service (28 Sept) – GMB, the union private hire drivers, has called for taxis to be classed as an essential service as the sector crumbles under the fuel crisis. In a letter to the Department for Transport’s Policy Adviser for Buses and Taxis, the union says the industry was only just beginning to recovery from lockdown and needs help. GMB members working in private hire transport NHS patients, care and local authority workers, essential school services and are often the only form of transport for persons with disabilities – yet many are now unable to drive read more
National Insurance hike will snatch £120 million from carers’ pockets (28 Sept) – National Insurance tax hikes will snatch more than £116 million from care workers’ pay packets, Labour conference will be told today. Each of England’s 1.25 million care workers will pay almost £100 apiece as a result of the Conservative’s Social Care Levy, a GMB delegate will tell the event in Brighton today. The figures emerge as GMB Union moves a motion for Labour Conference to back its Fight for £15 campaign demanding care workers are paid at least £15 per hour read more
More Sandwell strikes loom over Serco bullying (27 Sept) – A 24-hour action from 00.01 hours on Wednesday 6 October will affect domestic waste collections for over 60,000 households in the local area. Following an initial strike action at the end of August, GMB suspended a further three strike dates in scheduled for September after Serco management requested fresh talks. However, Serco management have walked away from agreed dispute resolution meetings and are now refusing to engage with the union’s workplace representatives read more
Messages of support can be sent to the members via the Regional Secretary – Joe Morgan, GMB Regional Secretary Birmingham & West Midlands, Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, Halesowen, Birmingham B63 3HP or email to [email protected]
GMB University Cleaners to strike for fair pay in South London – The cleaners have long asked for the most basic of things – equal treatment with directly employed staff. It’s time they got it, say GMB Union
GMB members at the University of Arts in London will be on strike for five days starting 27th September. The cleaning is contracted out to Bouygues and staff are on less pay than they would be on the University’s payroll. They also have inferior terms and conditions, sick pay, holiday entitlement and other protections. They are based in the University’s campuses across London, mainly at Elephant and Castle, Chelsea and Camberwell, and picket lines will be organised outside each site on the following dates:-
- Monday 27th September, LCC Elephant and Castle.
- Tuesday 28th September, Chelsea College of Arts.
- Wednesday 29th September, Camberwell College of Arts.
- Thursday 30th September, Chelsea College of Arts.
- Friday 1st October, LCC Elephant and Castle read more
Manic Monday looms for Merthyr as bus drivers set to strike – GMB Drivers and engineers are set for strike action as the new school term gets underway, unless stagecoach address the pay disparity which sees Merthyr staff paid less than their colleagues in neighbouring Porth.
Drivers and engineers based at Stagecoach’s Merthyr Tydfil have announced their first strike date (Monday 6th September), the same date as the new school term begins. The move could see the county borough grind to a halt, as drivers refuse to work on what is traditionally one of the busiest weeks of the year. The strike has been called after GMB Members voted overwhelmingly for strike action at the company’s Merthyr Tydfil depot. Staff are simply asking to be paid the same rate as their stagecoach colleagues based at the Porth depot, only 16 miles away, for doing the same job. Currently they are being paid around a pound an hour less by the company for working in Merthyr Tydfil read more
Sign petition: Reinstate Gary Bolister sacked GMB rep at Islington Council GMB pulls funding for Labour Party in London after grieving caretaker sacked
Unison
Council and school pay offer rejected (1 Oct) – Despite your courage and sacrifice throughout COVID-19, council and school workers have been offered just 1.75%. But UNISON members have voted by 79% to reject such an unfair offer. UNISON will soon ballot members to see if they are willing to take industrial action, in an effort to improve the offer. Care workers, refuse collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, street cleaners and so many more went above and beyond during the pandemic. You kept communities safe, cared for the most vulnerable, and ensured schools remained open throughout successive lockdowns. You went out to work, so that others could stay home. Despite this, you have been offered 1.75%. With inflation running at over 3%, this is a real terms pay cut. Plus the value of local government pay has fallen by 25% since 2010. UNISON launched a consultation to ask members to vote whether to accept or reject the final pay offer, with 79% voting to reject – a resounding outcome, which indicates the strength of feeling amongst council and school workers. On 1 October the committee that members elect to make key decisions on their behalf, decided that UNISON should move to ballot members to ask if you are willing to take industrial action in an effort to improve the offer and send a clear message – Council and school workers deserve a fair and proper pay rise. Members will start to receive ballot papers in November or early December read more
UNISON urges MPs to act amid surging school COVID-19 cases (1 Oct) – Education unions have sent an urgent letter asking MPs to call the government to action. As COVID-19 cases among school-age children are surging, UNISON – along with other unions – has today sent an urgent letter to all English MPs urging them to call on the government to reintroduce additional measures in schools. The letter, which was also signed by GMB, UNITE, NEU & NASUWT, says that, according to the government’s own data, coronavirus cases in schools have surged and that over 100,000 children were absent from school on 16 September due to confirmed or suspected cases of the virus – the highest level seen during the pandemic read more
Dundee University members appeal for strike hardship donations – UNISON members at Dundee University appeal for solidarity donations ahead of strike action. UNISON members at Dundee University who are part of, or are eligible to be part of, the university’s superannuation scheme are taking strike action later this month over the employer’s plans to close and replace the defined benefit CARE scheme with a defined contribution scheme next year. Affecting around 900 staff on grades one to six, the proposals are set to leave many members in pension poverty and will see some losing up to 40% of their pension. Those on grades higher than six fall under a different, nationally negotiated, scheme. The university needs to make payments toward the deficit and wants to move all future financial pension risks to members, leaving their financial future uncertain. Action is initially planned, with 300 members striking, for five days across the start of the new academic year, with pickets each morning as well a rally in Dundee’s City Square at noon on the first day, 29 September read more
Sandwell leisure staff strike again over ‘fire and rehire’ tactics – Leisure trust that is set to run the aquatic centre for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is targeting staff while having millions in the bank. Swimming instructors, lifeguards, receptionists and other staff at the Sandwell Leisure Trust in the West Midlands took to the picket line at the Portway Lifestyle Centre this morning as they took further industrial action over changes to their contracts. The one-day strike on 23 Aug is the third this year by employees of the trust, in response to new agreements affecting the pay of around 280 read more
Tower Hamlets Unison: #BuildTheBallot for Further Action • Opens Thursday 24 June – By a thumping majority, our members rejected management’s most recent proposal to end the Trade Dispute on Tower Rewards. Shamefully, those terms were imposed on us last summer at the height of the pandemic, by our Labour council using “Sack and Re-engage” measures that have been widely condemned and that Kier Starmer says he will outlaw read more VOTE NOW! We made it on national news
RCN
NHS pay dispute in Scotland: members to be asked about willingness to take industrial action (29 Sept) – The consultation will launch on 12 October and close on 8 November. RCN members working for NHS Scotland are to be asked what industrial action they would be willing to take in support of their ongoing trade dispute with the Scottish government and NHS employers over pay. The trade dispute was lodged in June following the Scottish government’s decision to implement a single-year NHS pay deal for 2021-22 for Agenda for Change staff, without further discussing RCN members’ overwhelming rejection of the pay award. The indicative ballot will open on 12 October and close on 8 November. Eligible members will receive information on the different forms of industrial action read more
NHS pay deal consultation: vast majority of RCN members who voted say 3% is unacceptable – Members working for the NHS in England and Wales have had their say to inform our next steps. Eligible RCN members in England and Wales have voted in our consultative ballot on the 3% pay award for NHS Agenda for Change staff. A significant number of members took part in the consultative ballot, with 91.7% of those who voted in England saying they think the pay award is unacceptable, and 8.3% saying they think it is acceptable. In Wales, 93.9% of members who voted said they think the pay award is unacceptable, with 6.1% saying they think it is acceptable. Of those eligible to take part in the consultation in England, 25.4% turned out to vote. In Wales the turnout was 29.3%. The turnout in England is up by a third compared to the turnout in the NHS pay consultation in 2018 and is the RCN’s highest ever consultative ballot turnout read more
RCN launches ‘summer of action’ in protest against below-inflation NHS pay award – Events will be held across the UK as we prepare to consult members on next steps. Our fight for fair pay is picking up pace as a series of member events takes place this summer ahead of our biggest ever member consultation on NHS pay. The UK government finally announced the NHS pay award for England last week after months of delays. But with inflation, the 3% award is a real-terms pay cut and leaves experienced nursing staff £200 a year worse off. The government has since admitted that the money would be found from existing budgets, further upsetting the nursing profession as this funding will already be committed for patient care. Today we’ve launched an interactive map of events for nursing staff to protest against the 3% NHS pay award announced for England and Wales and discuss what action they want to take in response read more
NIPSA
Update for Members in NIHE (28 Sept) – These are unprecedented times as we continue along the path to recovery in the midst of the Pandemic. Liam O’Hanlon Chair of the NIHE Central Panel comments; “NIPSA would wish to not only acknowledge the commitment and role of all members during this dangerous and stressful time and feels it is important that members are fully informed of the ongoing work and commitment of NIPSA representatives in the NIHE”. NIPSA continues to campaign and negotiate on your behalf on a number of issues and crucial to this is communicating and listening to member’s experiences on the ground read more
FBU
Labour conference agrees to FBU motion to fight cladding scandal (28 Sept) – The Labour Party has backed action in relation to the building safety crisis that has arisen since Grenfell, calling for “sustained investment” in public services that could help resolve the crisis and prevent it continuing in new buildings. The party took the step through the passing of a motion at its conference on Sunday. The motion calls for “more sustained investment in local authority building control, in fire service fire safety teams, fire inspectors and in other public agencies required to ensure building safety”, and opposes “privatisation, deregulation and contracting out” of these services. These services will help detect building safety issues in existing buildings and help prevent them arising in future buildings read more
NEU
Please support the following NEU action:
| Action | Date | Contact |
|
Oaks Park High School Redbridge (victimisation of rep) |
Tuesday 5 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 October |
[email protected] |
Reinstate John Boken Shropshire NEU rep – solidarity protest Saturday 20th November in the Quarry Shrewsbury. For more details and send solidarity messages, email [email protected]
Joint unions submission ahead of Comprehensive Spending Review (30 Sept) – Education unions call for Prime Minister to ‘keep his promise’ on education in Comprehensive Spending Review. The NAHT and NEU joint submission to the 2021 spending review sets out the priorities that Government and the Department of Education must address as a matter of urgency. The challenges facing school and colleges are twofold – recovery from the damage caused to children’s education and tackling the legacy of underfunding since 2010 read more
NASUWT
NASUWT calls on Government to take action to end sexual violence, harassment and abuse (1 Oct) – Teachers are at the heart of securing the country’s recovery from the pandemic, but real progress won’t be achieved whilst women continue to suffer violence, harassment and abuse, says the NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union read more
Scottish teachers’ pay offer unacceptable to NASUWT (1 Oct) – The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is urging the Scottish Government and local authorities to commit to serious negotiations on the pay offer for teachers and come forward with a proposal which addresses the year-on-year erosion of salaries which teachers have endured over the last decade. Following a meeting of the SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) yesterday at which the Teachers’ Side declared a formal dispute over the pay offer for 2021, the NASUWT will be formally consulting with members on their views on the pay offer in order to inform our next steps read more
Salford teachers take strike action (28 Sept) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Co-op Academy Swinton will be taking the first of five planned days of strike action tomorrow (Wednesday). They will be taking strike action due to adverse management practices affecting workload, working practices, pupil behaviour, and failure to consult read more
EIS
Education Reform must Focus on Improving Support for Scotland’s Schools (1 Oct) – The EIS has called on the process to reform Scottish education bodies to focus its aim on improving support for the country’s schools read more
Formal Dispute Declared over pay Offer to Scotland’s Teachers (30 Sept) – The Teachers’ Side of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) has declared a formal dispute over the sub-inflationary pay offer made to Scotland’s teachers. The SNCT is the tripartite negotiating body for teacher pay, and involves teaching unions, Scottish local authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Government. Teachers were due to receive a pay award in April, but the current offer of 1.22% was rejected by teaching unions several months ago read more
EIS Members at SRUC Commence Strike Action (29 Sept) – Lecturing staff at Scotland’s Rural University College (SRUC) will commence a programme of industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay and grading. Members will take their first day of strike action today, with further strike days planned together with an ongoing programme of action short of strike read more
UCU
From Liverpool Echo: University of Liverpool strikes called off as union declares victory over jobs saved (1 Oct) read more
Support the Royal College of Art strike – (from Twitter) #RCAstrike is ON!!! 📢 We will be on the picket line Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 October. Striking because of unfair and precarious employment practices, unsafe workloads and equalities. ADD our twitter badge! See you on the picket @rca Kensington Gore, SW7 2EU
UCU criticises report calling for lower earning graduates to be hit with tuition fee repayments (30 Sept) – UCU has today responded the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report ‘Boosting higher education while cutting public spending’, authored by Lord David Willetts read more
Staff to strike at 10 colleges (27 Sept) – Staff at 10 English colleges will be walking out tomorrow in their fight for fair pay. The strike is the first of up to 10 days of walk outs in a wave of industrial action over pay. UCU members at five of the 10 colleges will also be out on Wednesday, in a two day strike. Pickets will take place at all affected institutions from 8am. The dispute has arisen following a pay offer of just 1% from employer body, the Association of Colleges, in December 2020. UCU members at three other colleges were due to walk out tomorrow but strikes have been suspended at City of Bristol College and New College Swindon after management made a late pay offer, which staff are considering. Strike action is also off at Weymouth College after staff accepted an offer from employers. UCU said that if colleges want to avoid further disruption they need to follow the lead of these colleges and get around the negotiating table. The union is demanding a pay increase of greater than 5% in an effort to close the school-college pay gap, and after more than a decade of below inflation further education pay increases. Staff at all affected institutions are taking action over pay, but at City & Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College and the College of North East London the dispute also includes other issues such as working conditions. The pay gap between college and school teachers currently stands at £9,000 as staff working in further education have suffered real terms pay cuts of over 30% in the past decade read more
| Employer | Strike dates |
| Capital City College Group: City & Islington College College of North East London Westminster Kingsway College |
28/29 September 5/6/7/11/12/13/14/15 October |
| City of Liverpool College | 28 September 6/7 October |
| Croydon College | 28/29 September 5/6/7/11/12/13/14/15 October |
| Lambeth College | 28/29 September 5/6/7/11/12/13/14/15 October |
| South Thames College Group: Carshalton College Kingston College Merton College Wandsworth & Tooting College |
28 September 6/7 October |
Updates on latest UCU disputes
Petition calling for fair funding and online learning
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.
BFAWU
Read BFAWU Food Worker Summer 2021 here
NUJ
Unions can help broadcasters reverse their “woeful” record on diversity (29 Sept) – More women are leaving broadcasting than joining and the representation of disabled people and diversity in senior positions is woeful, according to the UK’s industry watchdog Ofcom read more
BBC director general’s 16.6 per pay rise is “tone deaf and an insult” to staff (28 Sept) – Tim Davie’s rise – worth £75,000 and taking his pay to £525,000 – is a massive insult to BBC staff who have experienced pay freezes, budget cuts and redundancies read more
End impunity for the killing of Martin O’Hagan (28 Sept) – For 20 years the NUJ has campaigned for justice. The NUJ Belfast and district branch organised a vigil today to remember Martin O’Hagan, a former union rep, member and Sunday World journalist who was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force in September 2001. No one has ever been convicted of Martin’s murder read more
Prospect
Meet us to discuss pay, Prospect tell new civil service minister (30 Sept) – Prospect have written to Steve Barclay MP, the newly appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to ask for an early meeting focusing on pay. The new minister will have oversight of civil service pay and the reform agenda, and the letter from Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy makes clear that Prospect are willing to engage in discussions about reforms where these will benefit members read more
Prospect meet minister to discuss future of flexible working (30 Sept) – Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy met with business minister Paul Scully this week to make the case for a comprehensive approach to flexible working as the country recovers from the pandemic read more
Letter of solidarity with IATSE members seeking to end long hours culture in Film & TV (28 Sept) – Head of Bectu Philippa Childs has written to IATSE to pledge solidarity with their ongoing campaign for better working conditions in the film industry. The fight against long hours culture has reached a critical point, with crew on both sides of the Atlantic reflecting on their poor work-life balance and taking the necessary action to address the problem read more
USDAW
Forecourt staff share experiences of the fuel crisis, Usdaw finds around three-quarters have been abused (1 Oct) – Retail trade union Usdaw has been talking to members working in petrol stations about their experiences of this week’s fuel crisis. Based on their feedback, nearly three-quarters of petrol forecourt workers have been on the wrong end of abuse from customers and stress levels have been very high read more
BCM Fareva, Nottingham: Usdaw members to take further industrial action as company continues to refuse to talk – Members of Usdaw at BCM Fareva will begin a further stoppage on Monday 30 August, which will continue into Tuesday. The strike follows four previous stoppages in July and August. The Nottingham based manufacturer of consumer pharma and beauty products for leading brands including Boots and The Body Shop continues to press ahead with threats of ‘fire and rehire’ if employees do not accept significant cuts to their terms and conditions read more
Support striking Usdaw members at DHL/M&S Long Eaton – Members of the retail logistics trade union Usdaw will begin a third 24-hour stoppage at the Long Eaton DHL / Marks and Spencer distribution centre at 5.15am on Thursday 1 July. Alex Norris MP (Labour/Co-op, Nottingham North) and Paddy Lillis (Usdaw General Secretary) will join protesters supporting the picket line at 12 noon. Lilian Greenwood MP (Labour, Nottingham South) has also pledged her support. The continuing industrial action affects a Marks & Spencer third-party logistics contract, operated by DHL at Long Eaton in Derbyshire. Usdaw members voted by over 90% in favour of strike action in a dispute about the amount of redundancy pay that long serving staff will receive when the site closes at the end of July read more
UVW
CEO at Britain’s largest domestic abuse charity resigns amid allegations of institutional racism (1 Oct) – “I cried with happiness. I felt a sense of relief so great that it brought me to tears.” The CEO of Solace Woman’s Aid, Fiona Dyer, has resigned after a series of complaints by UVW members and other staff who accused the organisation of institutional racism. The announcement is being hailed as a victory by UVW’s Violence Against Women and Girls sector at Solace Women’s Aid who spent months campaigning against a culture of discrimination, bullying and racism in the workplace read more
Cleaners ballot to strike in ongoing dispute for equal work rights at Great Ormond Street Hospital – More than a hundreds cleaners who won an in-housing agreement at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) after launching a hard fought campaign against outsourcing to private contractors have vowed to return to the picket line after accusing GOSH of failing to keep their promises. The recently in-housed cleaning staff accuse the NHS Trust bosses of failing on their pledge to give full parity with the other NHS workers. While terms and conditions have improved for the workers, GOSH has denied them annual leave, maternity/paternity, and redundancy read more
Support the joint PCS-UVW Royal Parks strike – On Friday 30th July migrant park attendants across London’s Royal Parks who are dual carding with UVW and PCS will be kicking off a summer of strikes in a bid to end outsourcing and be treated as equals. They will need all the solidarity they can get and donating to their strike fund is a great way to show that solidarity. So if you can, please donate
From UVW Facebook page: Royal Parks workers are on lower wages and fewer benefits than others directly employed by Royal Parks. TODAY they start 14 days of strike action – because they deserve better. Help them fight for equal:
- sick pay ✔
- maternity pay ✔
- annual leave ✔
- pension entitlement ✔
United Voices of the World the union and PCS Union fighting together for dignity, justice and equality
IWGB
Key worker couriers protest Ocado over appalling treatment and poverty pay (29 Sept) – On Thursday 30th September, couriers who served as key workers for Ocado through the height of the pandemic will demonstrate at the Ocado Zoom depot in Acton from 1pm to protest poverty pay and poor treatment by the ‘ethical food company’. Workers spoke out over pay cuts of up to 50 percent when Ocado transferred them to work via the Ryde App. In what is essentially a fire and rehire process they are now being forced to accept even worse conditions or lose their jobs, all with no direct communication from Ocado. Members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) have launched their #ShameOnOcado campaign which has been backed by Black Lives Matter UK, Ealing Council and a number of MPs, including MPs Rupa Huq, Aspana Begum, Ian Byrne, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Barry Gardiner MP – who is campaigning against this exploitative practice of fire and rehire. More than 500 people have taken action by writing to Ocado and over £1000 has been donated to the workers’ strike fund. Despite Ocado’s promise to in-house all workers by the 4 October, no contracts have been offered. Workers have voted to ballot for strike action over key demands including an end to pay cuts, union recognition, fair process and workplace health and safety including safe load limits. CEO Tim Steiner, a major Conservative Party donor, was paid £60 million in 2019 read more
Mandate (Ireland)
Mandate Trade Union Position on Pandemic Recognition Payment (3 Oct) – The Covid19 pandemic hit hard and fast and many workers including those working in shops were expected to ensure the country functioned to the best of its ability. Shop workers, for their part, ensured everyone had food on the table and in doing so, they put their health at risk. In recent days it has emerged that retail workers were hardest hit by the second and third waves of the pandemic making up 6pc of all cases read more
SIPTU (Ireland)
SIPTU members outraged at potential closure of Shannon Heritage sites (1 Oct) – SIPTU members are outraged at the prospect that the historic sites operated by Shannon Heritage may close on 1st January 2022, as was implied at an internal webinar for employees yesterday (Thursday, 30th September). SIPTU members have campaigned since March 2020 to ensure that these important heritage sites would not be moth-balled, with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs read more
SIPTU says Living Wage increase confirms urgent need for collective bargaining rights (29 Sept) – SIPTU has said that the rise in the Living Wage, which provides for a minimal and socially acceptable standard of living, to €12.90 per hour, confirms the urgent need to give workers the right to collective bargaining. Announcing the increase, the Living Wage Technical Group, of which SIPTU is a member, said today (Wednesday, 29th September) that the increase was due to the steep rise in rental costs for working people over recent years read more
Other News
Ella Baker School in conversation with Jane Holgate, discussing her book: ‘Arise. Power, Strategy and Union Resurgence – 7pm on Zoom October 12th read more. Ella Baker School of Organising is delighted to announce that we will be in conversation with Jane Holgate, top-class scholar, union educator and activist discussing her book: ‘Arise. Power, Strategy and Union Resurgence
‘Boris Out!’ – an evening of socialist comedy and entertainment. 3pm Sunday 14th November, Tyneside Irish Centre – 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle NE1 4SG
Racism, privatisation of the NHS, the gig economy, our youth being charged exorbitant rents, Governmental corruption and total incompetence.
We are delighted to announce a 3pm show for Boris Out! – a feast of socialist comedy and entertainment.
The 7pm show has SOLD OUT. Tickets for the 3pm show are strictly limited to 130. Tickets (only £10) from: www.borisout.eventbrite.com. Contact Ed (0191) 4550608
Please note: If you are a Tory, racist or a supporter of the royal family this is definitely not for you.
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
Blacklisting Investigation (9 Aug) – Unite the Union has commissioned an independent investigation into alleged involvement of any past of present union officers or officials in the operation of blacklists in the construction industry. The independent investigation will be conducted by Jane McNeill QC in accordance with the attached Terms of Reference. Evidence for the investigation is now being compiled by Thompsons Solicitors LLP. Any documentary evidence which any individual wishes to provide should be submitted to Thompsons either by email to [email protected] or by post to Unite Blacklisting Inquiry, Thompsons Solicitors LLP, Congress House, 23-28 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LW, reference L213003/RH. All evidence to be considered for the purpose of the independent report must be received by Thompsons by 9 November 2021 read more
#SPYCops Inquiry exposes state surveillance of workers movement
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
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
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 news
Finland: Helsinki tram and metro drivers’ strike against incorporation read more
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 the Queens Speech in December 2019 and cannot be trusted and is now attacking the right to protest through its Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
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 finish but has now been extended because of the 2nd lockdown. But it’s clear that the Tories are looking to end it asap.
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 and you can catch up on disputes at Strike Map UK
Diary
Saturday October 3rd – 12pm People’s Assembly ‘Protest the Tory Party Conference’ national demo in Manchester. Assemble Oxford Road near Whitworth Park, M14 4PW read more
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
