This week NSSN bulletin headlines with a victory by bin workers in Brighton in the GMB and a campaign launched by Unite for HGV drivers.
Brighton bin strike over after council and GMB agree deal (20 Oct) – The Brighton bin strike is officially over after the council ratified an improved pay deal. GMB members had already voted to accept the deal – which will increase pay and end unilateral round changes – as well as improving pay of council workers across the city. The council’s policy and resource’s committee has now followed suit. HGV drivers in Brighton and Hove had taken 13 days of strike action; 30 more days – due to begin on tomorrow [October 21] will now be cancelled. Gary Palmer GMB regional Organiser said: “The council has now ratified the written commitment from the council to increase pay and end unilateral round changes. We are very proud of GMB members for standing up for themselves to win their own respect and fair treatment. They have also had amazing public support, despite the inconvenience the people of Brighton and Hove have had to put up with. We will also see all lowest paid council staff – predominantly women workers – across the city get a pay rise as a consequence of this GMB Cityclean campaign. GMB union has delivered for working people.”
Unite backs HGV drivers to ‘Take a Break’ in bid to restore ‘safety, decency and dignity’ to job (21 Oct) – Nationwide driver action set for 01-11-2021. Unite calls for sector bargaining to bring order to chaos. The country’s leading union for HGV drivers is today (Thursday 21 October) lending its support to a campaign by HGV drivers for safety, decency and dignity to be restored to lorry driving in the UK. A meeting called by Unite’s leadership at its conference in Liverpool will announce the union’s backing for the drivers’ grassroots campaign (#TruckedOff) set up to encourage drivers to take their statutory rest break at 11am on Monday 1 November. The date for Take a Break has been chosen as it will fall after another expected extension by the government to the daily hours drivers can work. Unite’s driver members have called the repeated extensions irresponsible and quite possibly illegal. They are also counter-productive, as the moves will exhaust the present workforce and deter others from joining. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham recently convened a cross-industry meeting of professional drivers, bringing together drivers from across the economy, including from the food, warehousing and fuel sectors. Sharon Graham has committed Unite to a resourced, long-term plan to drive up pay and conditions across the sector, vowing that it is time for ‘action, not words’. Leading the Liverpool meeting of Unite drivers and supporters, Unite’s chair and former HGV driver, Tony Woodhouse said: “HGV drivers are sick and tired, sick and tired of poor pay, no pensions and longer working hours. Truck stops in this country are a disgrace and the fantasy salaries being reported are a myth. “Drivers are urged to park up at 11am on Monday 1 November. By taking their legal break, they will highlight that nothing is being done to address the dreadful employment conditions in a sector that’s at the heart of our economy…”
Trucked Off Facebook page Twitter – #TRUCKEDOFF @TRUCKEDOFF1
NSSN COP 26 Online Forum: ‘Climate change – for a workers transition’ – 7pm Tuesday November 9th
Zoom link – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8398811682?pwd=ZFhUSEFFK0RUd1hmS2FlZ1d4dkZWdz09
Meeting ID 8398811682
Take part in the November 6th Global Day of Action – details of protests here
STAND UP FOR HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS. – ONLINE RALLY!
Hosted by Keep Our NHS Public, NHS Workers Say No and NHS Staff Voices
Thursday 4th November at 7pm
Andrew Wilkes RIP – the NSSN would like to send our deepest condolences and solidarity to Andrew’s family. Andrew was a fighting construction electrician ‘Spark’ in Unite from Wales who played a leading role in the victories against BESNA in 2011-12 and the ESO earlier this year
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
St Mungo’s: Unite will not tolerate victimisation and bullying
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!
Victimised Tesco warehouse USDAW rep fighting for reinstatement
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
Rail cleaners take their fight for justice to HQ (25 Oct) – Churchill rail cleaners take their fight for justice to company headquarters. Outsourced cleaners employed by Churchill and cleaning trains and stations across London and the Southeast will take their fight for justice to their company headquarters on Monday morning as they fight for a better deal for the people who have kept travel sae through the pandemic. The cleaners are employed by Churchill to clean trains and stations for the Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Southeastern franchises which run trains across London and the Southeast of England read more
ScotRail strike action during COP26 goes ahead (25 Oct) – Strike action during COP26 goes ahead as RMT AGM rejects latest “pitiful” pay offer from Scotrail. Delegates at RMT’s AGM in Leeds have voted to reject a “revised pay offer” from Scotrail and to go ahead with strike action alongside Caledonian Sleeper members throughout COP26 in a fight for pay justice for Scotland’s rail workers. Representatives from Scotrail slammed the proposed “new deal”, which has been driven by Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP and Transport Scotland, as poor, loaded with productivity strings and wholly unacceptable to the members who voted overwhelmingly for strike action to secure a fair pay deal read more
RMT Scotrail members continue their battle (24 Oct) – RMT Scotrail members continue their battle today after ticket examiners vote with conductors to step up the fight for pay justice and equality. RAIL UNION RMT said that Scotrail members are continuing their fight for pay justice and equality today after ticket examiners joined with conductors again this week to vote overwhelmingly to continue a battle which has now been going on for over seven months read more
RMT calls for Nicola Sturgeon ScotRail intervention (22 Oct) – RMT calls for the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to urgently intervene in RMT ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper fight for pay justice. Rail Union RMT has today written to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP to call on her to urgently intervene in RMT ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper members’ ongoing fights for pay justice and fairness. With the prospect of industrial action during COP26 that will close rail services across Scotland looming, RMT is demanding that the Scottish Government, which is directly managing the ScotRail franchise, steps in as a matter of urgency to drive the companies to the negotiating table and bring a fair resolution to the current disputes that shame Scotland read more
ScotRail COP26 strike action goes ahead (22 Oct) – RMT says COP26 ScotRail strike action goes ahead as planned as company fail to get serious in talks today. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said; “There was a golden opportunity for Scotrail to make serious progress in talks today but instead they offered nothing of any consequence and as a result our action throughout COP26 goes ahead as planned. There can be no climate justice without pay justice and it’s about time Scotrail, the SNP and Transport Scotland woke up to that fact. The same message applies to our Scottish Caledonian Sleeper members. There is still time to avoid the chaos of a transport shutdown during COP26 if the key players get back with some serious proposals. We remain available for talks but the ball is firmly in their court” read more
Rail union RMT have confirmed strike action on both Scotrail and Caledonian Sleeper during COP26 in fights for pay justice for Scotland’s rail workers – staff at the sharp end of providing green transport alternatives. Scotrail staff will take the following strike action;
- 0001 hours Monday 1st November 2021 until 2359 hours Friday 12th November 2021.
Sleeper staff will take the following strike action;
- Sunday 31st October 2021 from 1159 hours until 1158 hours on Tuesday 2nd November 2021
- Thursday 11th November 2021 from 1159 hours until 1158 hours on Saturday 13th November 2021 read more
Abellio Scotrail Ticket Examiner members will take further industrial action and not to book on for any shifts that commence between:
- hours until 23.59 hours on Sunday 31st October 2021
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
RMT calls on London Mayor (20 Oct) – RMT calls on London Mayor to lead fight against cuts to green jobs and services as he’s appointed chair of C40 climate change group. Responding to the The London Mayors appointment as chair of C40 the network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said “Harmful emissions from car congested cities are accelerating climate change and pollution, damaging our health and planet today and for future generations…” read more
Transport union RMT responds to Government net zero strategy (19 Oct) – Commenting on the Government’s Net Zero Strategy which includes investment of £620m in electric vehicle grants and street charging points, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “Transport is the highest emitting sector of harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and the majority of transport emissions come from cars. Urgent and far-reaching action is needed if we have any chance of meeting our climate change targets. Given the scale of the challenge, a switch to electric cars alone won’t be enough to deliver the radical reductions in transport emissions that are required. Instead, there needs to be a significant modal shift from private cars to sustainable public transport…” read more
RMT suspends Stagecoach South West strike action tomorrow (17 Oct) – RMT suspends Stagecoach South West strike action tomorrow to allow consideration of new offer. Bus union RMT has confirmed that all strike action on Stagecoach South West tomorrow has been suspended to allow members to have their say on a revised offer received from the company in last ditch talks today 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
TSSA
Save Scotland’s Railways Report Launch – you’re invited! (25 Oct) – Our campaign to Save Scotland’s Railways takes a big step forward this Thursday 28th October at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. We’ll be handing in a report, commissioned, by TSSA, along with our sister unions, ASLEF, RMT and Unite, which presents a positive future vision for Scotland’s railways rather than the deep cuts to services the SNP Government have planned once ScotRail comes back into public hands next April. The report outlines the environmental case for maintaining investment on the railway and comes as we build towards COP26 in Glasgow read more
Make Rail Travel Free for COP26 – Cortes (25 Oct) – Today (Monday) Manuel Cortes issued a call to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to demonstrate Scotland’s green credentials by making rail travel free throughout COP26. The call came as petrol prices across the UK hit a record high, and road closures for COP26 cause chaos and disruption around Glasgow read more
TSSA strike threat averted as members vote to accept ScotRail pay offer (21 Oct) – TSSA today (Thursday) called off their dispute with ScotRail after members voted to accept an improved pay offer. The offer amounts to a 2.5 per cent pay increase, backdated to 1st April 2021 and a 2.2 per cent increase, effective from 1st April 2022. There will also be a one-off £300 payment for all staff working during the COP26 climate change summit. The agreement brings all ongoing disputes and industrial action to an end, meaning that TSSA’s members in the Conductor Team Manager and Revenue Team Manager grades will no longer officially be participating in lawful industrial action with effect from 23.59 on Sunday 24th October. TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said, “The overwhelming majority of our members voted to accept the offer and we have written to the company to accept it. We are aware that the RMT are continuing with their industrial action, as is their legal right. We have made it clear to both ScotRail and Transport Scotland that we will not accept our members being instructed to cover the duties and responsibilities of other grades due to industrial action or staff shortages…” read more
Government Net Zero Strategy – ‘lacking ambition’ (19 Oct) – TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has described the Government’s newly launched Net Zero Strategy as “lacking ambition” for the railways and “ignores the urgency of the climate crisis” for the planet. The strategy, published today, sets our plans for a ‘net zero rail network by 2050’, with an ambition to remove all diesel-only trains (passenger and freight) from the network by 2040’ read more
Unite
Council workers across Scotland set to strike over pay (25 Oct) – Local Government unions have today issued notices of industrial action to local authorities across Scotland in a dispute over pay for council workers. The Joint Trade Unions have between them mandates to take action in half of Scotland’s local authority areas. Today they have notified COSLA that they have served notices to those authorities, and that they will be calling out members employed in school cleaning, school catering, school janitorial, waste, recycling and fleet maintenance services on the 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 November. It is understood that this could be the start of an escalating period of action if the employers do not change their position. The Joint Trade Unions have also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Local Government and Education calling on them to intervene saying that it is not credible for the Scottish Government to wash their hands of local government workers by arguing technicalities of the bargaining machinery read more
Unite engineering members accept latest Abellio Scotrail pay offer (25 Oct) – Unite the union can confirm today (25 October) that the protracted industrial dispute with Abellio Scotrail has ended following acceptance of the latest pay offer. Around 250 Unite engineering members who provide maintenance, overhaul and repair services for the railway rolling stock will now receive an increase over two years of 2.5% backdated to April 2021 followed by a 2.2% increase from April 2022. Unite’s members will also receive a one-off £300, and there is a commitment to provide additional jobs within the engineering section to assist with maintenance work being brought back in-house. The pay deal was supported by 75% in a 67% ballot turnout. The agreement now brings Unite’s industrial dispute with Abellio Scotrail to an end, and Unite members will not be taking further industrial action read more
‘Unsatisfactory’ Arriva pay offer likely to result in imminent bus strikes across North West (25 Oct) – Around 2,000 bus drivers across Liverpool, Manchester and the north west of England who have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action are likely to begin striking this weekend. Unite, the UK’s leading union, said Arriva North West was responsible for the likelihood of all-out strike action, which is scheduled to begin this Saturday (30 October), due to its failure to offer a decent wage increase. Pay negotiations between Unite and Arriva North West have been running since June. On Wednesday and Thursday this week members will vote on the company’s last minute offer of 2 per cent, which Unite believes will be rejected read more
Weetabix ‘fire and rehire’ protests held at supermarkets nationwide (25 Oct) – Protests against Weetabix’s plans to launch ‘fire and rehire’ attacks on its factory engineers will be held at supermarkets across the UK from today (Monday 25 October). The UK’s leading union, Unite, whose members at the company’s Kettering and Corby factories are striking over the plans, said supermarket shoppers should be aware of just how tarnished Weetabix’s reputation has become. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Weetabix’s disgraceful fire and rehire attacks leave a nasty taste in the mouth. Shoppers will want to know that Weetabix has tainted its good name by attacking our members’ living standards while raking in massive profits.” Over the next week, protests will be held in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England protests will be held in London, the East Midlands, South West, South East, North East and Yorkshire read more
Support the striking Weetabix workers – Weetabix are currently trying to fire and rehire a large group of Unite members working as engineers; they have now entered their fifth week of strike action. 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. If Weetabix get away with this it will green light a similar course of action for other firms across the Midlands to make workers in industry worse off. Unite is putting the call out for support, our members are available to attend branch meetings and speak about their dispute and any and all invitations, messages and donations would be gratefully received – email [email protected]
Unite leader brands Tory ‘Fire and rehire’ tactics a ‘disgrace’ but warns their blocking will not affect the battle on the ground (22 Oct) – Commenting on the failure of Barry Gardiner’s Bill on’ fire and rehire’, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The antics of the Conservative party today have been a disgrace. They have colluded to stand on the side of bullying bosses and against the interests of workers, showing their real colours. So the hypocrisy of the Tory party was on full display for all to see. They say one thing but do another. But their lamentable filibustering in the Gardiner debate will not affect our resolve in any way. They can say what they like in Parliament. On the ground Unite will fight every employer’s attempt to ‘Fire and Rehire’ relentlessly” read more
12 days of strikes over Stagecoach North East bosses’ ‘divide-and-rule’ tactics on pay (22 Oct) – More than 800 drivers, engineers, cleaners, supervisors and managers at Stagecoach North East have voted overwhelmingly to hold 12 days of strike action over the management’s ‘divide-and-rule’ tactics on pay, Unite the union said today (Friday 22 October). Stagecoach North East is the ‘trading’ name for Busways Travel Ltd and Cleveland Transit Ltd. There was a 92 per cent vote in favour of strike action and 94 per cent for an overtime ban. The 24 hour strikes are on 8,10,12,16 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 30 November and on 2 and 4 December. In the Newcastle area there are two depots at Slatyford and Walkergate with others at South Shields, Sunderland and on Teesside where there are sites at Stockton and Hartlepool read more
Unite hails trade union recognition agreement at TWI’s Cambridge headquarters (22 Oct) – Unite the union has negotiated a recognition agreement for its members working at the Cambridge headquarters of TWI, a global leader in technology engineering. The agreement will allow the union’s growing membership amongst the 400 employees at the Granta Park site to have collective trade union bargaining rights when it comes to pay and employment conditions. It is believed to be the first TWI site in the UK to have such an agreement read more
Oxford MINI production faces disruption over drivers’ pay dispute, warns Unite (22 Oct) – Production of the MINI at Oxford could be severely disrupted after drivers delivering components voted to go on strike for six days in a pay dispute, Unite the union warned today (Friday 22 October). The large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers employed by Imperial Logistics International (UK) voted by 94 per cent to strike for 24 hours on 9 November and 17 November; and then for 48 hours on 23/24 November and 30 November/1 December. There will also be a continuous overtime ban. The crux of the dispute is that, while the bosses have offered a pay increase to retain their depleted workforce, it is still just under £2 less than the hourly rate being paid to those employed on an agency basis. Strike action could hit MINI production at the Cowley plant running at a 1,000 vehicles a day read more
Billingham scaffold workers at Mitsubishi Chemicals to strike over ‘shocking pay disparity’ (21 Oct) – Scaffold workers employed by Altrad at the Mitsubishi Chemicals plant in Billingham, Teesside, will strike in November and December over a ‘shocking pay disparity’, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday 21 October). The basic pay for a scaffolder at the plant is just £12.36 an hour, when the rate for their job under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) is £17.45 an hour. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members perform a dangerous and difficult role working at height within a chemical plant, which is reflected in the NAECI rate…” read more
South Yorkshire bus passengers face serious disruption if strikes at ‘penny pinching’ Stagecoach go ahead (21 Oct) – South Yorkshire bus passengers face serious disruption this autumn and winter if Stagecoach bus drivers and depot workers vote for strike action over a pay dispute, Unite said today (Thursday 21 October). Unite, the UK’s leading union, said Stagecoach, which operates as the Yorkshire Traction Company in South Yorkshire, is refusing to offer the more than 560 workers at depots in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham a reasonable pay rise read more
Return to mask wearing needed on public transport as Covid rates rise (20 Oct) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands of transport workers, has called for the return of mandatory face mask wearing on public transport after a surge in Covid-19 infections read more
Manchester Stagecoach strikes off as workers agree improved pay offer (20 Oct) – Threats of strike action on Manchester’s bus services have ended after over 1,000 bus drivers accepted a greatly improved pay offer. Having voted overwhelmingly for industrial action and with strikes due to begin later this month, fresh pay talks were held and a new offer of a 3.7 per cent pay increase backdated from 1 October 2021 as well as a £150 non-consolidated (one off) payment, was made read more
JLR car production threatened as DHL warehouse workers and drivers hold strike ballot over no pay rise since 2018 (20 Oct) – About 2,000 DHL logistics workers, who sort and deliver components at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sites across the UK, are being balloted for industrial action, including the option to strike, after receiving no pay rise since 2018, Unite the union said today (Wednesday 20 October). Unite understands that DHL has accepted about £95 million of taxpayers’ furlough cash. The company globally made profits of £1.2 billion. The ballot closes on Monday 15 November. The union warned that the impact of any industrial action at the sites at Castle Bromwich, Halewood, Hams Hall, Midpoint Tyrefort (West Midlands) and Solihull would be ‘serious and immediate’. DHL has offered 1.75 per cent to cover the two-and-a-half years from 2020, which was ‘grossly inadequate’, given the soaring cost of living and the RPI inflation rate at 4.9 per cent read more
Chesterfield bus strikes called off after drivers accept improved pay offer (20 Oct) – The threat of strike action involving bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in Chesterfield has ended after members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, accepted a vastly improved pay offer. The 50 bus drivers and cleaners, who are based at the company’s Stonegravels depot, have accepted a one year pay rise which will see wages increase by 4.5 per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a tremendous victory by members of Unite. By standing together they have ensured Stagecoach made them a new pay increase which was much improved on the initial offer…” read more
Unite warns of dock strikes if employers do not break wage freeze with better pay offer (20 Oct) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, is warning that the refusal of the nation’s port employers to make fair pay offers to their workers could result in industrial action, causing disruption to the nation’s supply chain. Over a 1,000 dock workers are currently preparing to be balloted for strike action. The workers are incensed that their employers are seeking to impose pay freezes or proposing pay increases that are so far below the current inflation rate it amounts to a pay cut in real terms read more
Co-op HGV drivers secure inflation-busting pay increase (19 Oct) – HGV drivers employed by the Co-op on its delivery contract have secured an inflation busting pay increase. The drivers, who are predominantly members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will receive a five per cent pay increase backdated from 1 February 2021 and a further five per cent increase payable from 1 November 2021 read more
Sainsbury’s must clarify its continued commitment to Northern Ireland retail market after management announces plans to close Craigavon store (19 Oct) – 109 workers based in Craigavon face threat of joblessness in mouth of Christmas; Sainsbury’s must guarantee alternative employment elsewhere as well as meet redeployment costs. Fears that Craigavon site closure may be a weathervane pointing to a wider retail threat posed as a result of Northern Ireland Protocol trade restrictions read more
Construction cement shortages averted as Hanson drivers agree pay deal (18 Oct) – The prospect of the UK’s construction industry grinding to a halt due to cement shortages has been averted after HGV drivers employed by Hanson accepted an improved pay deal. Over 200 drivers employed by the company had overwhelmingly voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, a high handed management style and a lack of dignity at work. Following extensive negotiations, a new pay and conditions offer was proposed. It was accepted by the drivers following a consultative ballot, with 77 per cent of members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, supporting the offer read more
NHS delivery drivers ballot for strike action over low pay (18 Oct) – NHS drivers who make nationwide hospital deliveries are being balloted for strike action over low pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday 18 October). Unite warned that the around 200 HGV and van drivers, who are employed by Unipart on the outsourced contract and deliver general equipment and supplies, could leave their roles for better paid positions elsewhere read more
Ford Halewood electric drive investment strongly welcomed but government must do more to ensure UK automotive success (18 Oct) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, has strongly welcomed the announcement today (Monday 18 October) that Ford will build its new electric drive units at its factory in Halewood, Merseyside. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This investment is excellent news for the highly skilled workforce at Halewood as it secures the future of the plant. “It is absolutely imperative that the government does not see this investment as a one off but supports similar schemes to ensure the entire UK automotive industry experiences a smooth transition in the move to build electric vehicles” read more
Strike action at Stagecoach Wales to proceed after ACAS talks fail – Unite Wales members at Stagecoach are now set for significant industrial action following a breakdown in talks with ACAS. After two rounds of talks with mediators, Stagecoach refused to move towards a fair pay rate of £10.50 per hour. The company also maintained that cuts to sick pay, paid breaks alongside the introduction of destructive new starter rates would be required to achieve even a rate of £10.10 per hour read more
Evonik workers at historic Manchester chemicals site strike over pay – Evonik workers at a 130-year-old Manchester chemicals site are to strike over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday 13 October). Around 25 production and warehouse operatives at Evonik’s Clayton site, which has been a chemical plant since 1892, are taking industrial action after rejecting a 1.5 per cent pay offer read more
Unite members at Goodfish to strike over 2 year pay freeze – Unite members working for Goodfish at their St Asaph site in North Wales will tomorrow take industrial action over a 2 year pay freeze imposed on them by their employer. Goodfish employs over 50 people at the plant which produces PVC mouldings. The company took over the site from Honeywell in 2019 read more
Striking Scunthorpe scaffolders hold march as fair pay battle continues – Striking scaffolders working on the British Steel site in Scunthorpe will hold a march on Monday (11 October) as part of their campaign for fair pay. The scaffolders are employed by Actavo and have been fighting to be paid the recognised rate for the job since 2019 read more
Donate to strike fund:-
Either via bank transfer – sort code: 60-83-01 account number: 20173962, account name: Unite North East Region 1% Fund, reference: Actavo Limited and your branch number
Or by cheque made payable to ‘Unite the Union’ and forwarded to the Leeds Regional Office, Unite the Union, 55 Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BW marked for the attention of the Regional Secretary (Actavo Limited Dispute). Letters of support can be sent to the Regional Office
Unite members back strike action at University of Dundee over ‘pension poverty’ proposals – Unite Scotland can confirm today (5 October) that its members at the University of Dundee have voted to support strike action in a dispute over workers being plunged into ‘pension poverty’. Unite’s members at the university supported taking strike action by 78 per cent in a ballot turnout of 67 per cent. Unite can also confirm that its members will now be on strike from 25 October 2021. The University of Dundee propose to replace the existing Defined Benefit Pension Scheme with a Defined Contribution Pension Scheme for those on the lowest grades (i.e., grades 1-6). Workers in grades 7 and above will have their pensions protected through the existing UK wide Superannuation Scheme, which has a Defined Benefits element. The pension proposals will mean that a clerical worker on a lower grade could lose up to 50% of their pension across the expected term of retirement. This could result in an amount of up to £150,000. The trade union also estimates that around 70 per cent of its members in the existing Superannuation Scheme are female read more
Unite announce Abellio Scotrail strike action days in response to ‘reckless’ management – Unite the union can confirm today (4 October) that a series of 24 hour stoppages will take place in the coming weeks due to the ‘reckless’ actions of Abellio Scotrail management. In response to the failure by Abellio Scotrail to make a meaningful pay offer, despite industrial action short of a strike taking place since 24 September, Unite’s engineering members will now take part in a series of 24 hour stoppages on days which also coincide with the COP26 climate change conference being held in Glasgow (31 October-12 November). The days scheduled for 24 hour strike action are as follows: 18-19 October, 1-2 November, 10-11 November, and 12-13 November. A number of rail depots, workplaces and stations will be impacted by the strike action. This includes Bathgate Depot, Corkerhill (Glasgow) Depot, Dalmuir, Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh Haymarket Depot, Edinburgh Waverley, Inverness Depot, Motherwell, Perth, Shields (Glasgow) Depot, and Yoker Depot. The strike action will commence at different times on the aforementioned dates at the various locations read more
5,000 sign petition in support of Lancashire biomedical scientists in back pay dispute – 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)
Support the GKN Birmingham workers – 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
St Mungo’s: Unite will not tolerate victimisation and bullying – support Unite rep Vicko Plevnik. Unite organised a protest in support of victimised union rep Vicko Plevnik and handed in a letter to St Mungo’s management today. The letter makes clear that the union will not tolerate victimisation of its reps nor a culture of bullying within the organisation. Vicko faces the possibility of being sacked for offences such as causing distress to senior managers by highlighting bullying by senior managers and, allegedly, eating a biscuit during an online meeting! To send messages of support and invite Vicko to speak at your union branch/trades council – email [email protected]
PCS
HMPO Customer Services Campaign (25 Oct) – PCS demands that members working in HMPO counters; local print services and customer service offices are remunerated fairly for Saturday shift working. PCS members working in public facing roles in HMPO, specifically the counter, local print room, CSMT and customer service offices (CSOs) are required to work fixed shift patterns across the week, including working either 2 or 3 Saturdays every 4 weeks. Across the Home Office this is not an unusual situation, with many Home Office staff required to work shifts including weekends. But, in contrast to all other areas, members in HMPO do not receive a shift allowance or any other allowance for this read more
HMPO Evening Shift Allowance (25 Oct) – PCS demands that members working in HMPO evening shifts be assimilated to the Home Office Evening working allowance. PCS members contracted to work on the evening shift patterns in HMPO are currently in receipt of the HMPO evening shift allowance, 20% enhancement of hourly salary between 20:00 and 22:00. Following assimilation to the Home Office in 2015, there were no provisions made for the evening shift teams within HMPO to be assimilated to the Home Office evening working allowance, which is a 50% enhancement between 19:00 and 21:00 read more
PCS to launch Dispute Resolution Process in challenge to Common Platform (22 Oct) – PCS has given notice to HMCTS of our intent to launch the Collective Engagement Framework dispute resolution procedure (DRP) with a view to calling a halt to Common Platform. Despite the overwhelming evidence from the pilots, the earlier adopters and from those in the following tranches of the rollout that the system does not work HMCTS this afternoon made it clear that their efforts would remain focussed on making it work rather than accept that the system is fundamentally flawed and pulling the plug read more
Festive Leave in Retirement Services Directorate (22 Oct) – GEC negotiators met with RSD management on 19 October to discuss leave arrangements over the Festive period and to look at the levels which RSD believe that they can operate with and still provide a good service to the public read more
Join the debate on the Comprehensive Spending Review (22 Oct) – We are hosting an online discussion after Chancellor Rishi Sunak has presented the autumn budget and his plans for the next 3 years. The chancellor of the exchequer will unveil the autumn budget and spending review on 27 October. The Spending Review 2021 will set departmental resources and departmental expenditure limits budgets from 2022-23 to 2024-25 and the devolved administrations’ grants for the same period, and will also include the autumn Budget. The Spending Review is likely to contain major announcements that will affect your pay, pensions and jobs. This is on top of the 2% pension overpayments, 1.25% National Insurance increase, 2% rate of inflation and the cuts to Universal Credit. We are holding a Facebook Live/Zoom event at 6pm on 27 October to talk about what was announced in the Spending Review and to start planning our response. Our general secretary Mark Serwotka and president Fran Heathcote will be joined at the online event by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP. Please join us to help shape our next steps. Just go to the PCS Facebook page at 6pm on 27 October or to join by Zoom, register in advance on Eventbrite read more
Royal Parks strikers rally to lobby Trustees (21 Oct) – 23 strikers, many attending their first protest, were joined by supporters from across PCS and the labour movement, to protest outside the Royal Parks headquarters in Hyde Park on Wednesday, ahead of the Royal Parks trustees’ meeting. We were then told that the Royal Parks management had changed the location of the Trustees’ meeting at the last minute to avoid our protest. This meant that we could not engage with most of the trustees, but shows that our presence was having an impact read more
Join the “end of strike rally” taking place at 11.00 am on Friday 29 October in St James’ Park at the Marlborough Gate entrance
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
Tax Specialist talks progressing (21 Oct) – In the wake of the Pay and Contract Reform (PaCR) agreement, PCS and ARC have been jointly negotiating with HMRC around the transitioning of all Band T staff to their appropriate pay grade (either HO or SO). These discussions have encompassed pay arrangements for all former Band T staff, and the unions’ main objective in these discussions has been to ensure consistency, transparency, and fairness across all former Band T programmes read more
CSCS Age Discrimination: Deadline for Claims (21 Oct) – PCS is taking forward members’ cases that challenge the legality of the capping and tapering provisions of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. In January 2020, PCS launched legal action against the government over the capping and tapering provisions affecting redundancy payments under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) read more
DVSA dispute – member consultation begins (20 Oct) – PCS will begin consultation with driving examiners and driving test centre managers in DVSA on an agreement to end the dispute over the introduction of an additional eighth car driving test to the daily schedule. Nearly 400 members attended a members meeting yesterday, chaired by PCS National President, Fran Heathcote, and was addressed by General Secretary, Mark Serwotka and DfT Group President, Paul Williams. Members heard how, in 11th hour talks, union negotiators managed to move DVSA from a position of planning to impose the eight test schedule in November to an agreement. The agreement includes:
- A guarentee the eight test schedule will not form part of DVSA’s planning for a minimum of 12-months
- DVSA working with the union to prioritise work on the issues of trust flagged by the DVSA commissioned occupational psychology study
- DVSA working with PCS on commissioning a new timing study
There is no doubt this agreement would not have been reached without an overwhelming mandate for industrial action from members. PCS will shortly be balloting members on our recommendation to accept the agreement with more detail to follow read more
Prison pay uplift of £250 is an insult to PCS members (20 Oct) – Justice Secretary Dominic Raab made the announcement, saying: “Prison staff make an essential contribution to public service and their ongoing efforts, particularly in the challenging context of the Covid-19 pandemic, have been greatly appreciated.” However, the warm words do not pay bills or feed families and the government has a responsibility to deliver our members a proper pay rise, not a derisory £250. PCS has been pushing for the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) to make its recommendations on pay for the 2021-22 pay award that covers Fair and Sustainable Non-Operational Grades represented by PCS. This includes prison admin staff and instructional officers who run workshops for inmates. A further announcement for Closed Grades is pending read more
COP26 climate talks – Join our online event on 26 October to discuss why the climate talks matter to PCS members and to plan for the Global Day of Action read more
Vote against hate in National Trust elections (19 Oct) – PCS culture group is urging all members of PCS who are also members of the National Trust, to vote against candidates standing under the banner of “Restore Trust”, whose platform is racist and anti LGBT+. Following the recent racist attack on an exhibition at an English Heritage property and the announcement by a far-right group of National Trust members, Restore Trust, that they will be standing on an ‘anti-woke’ platform at the upcoming governing council elections, the PCS Culture group stands in solidarity with the marginalised workers of both these heritage institutions read more
Unfair impact of British Council cuts (19 Oct) – The organisation’s plans to cut jobs are having a disproportionate impact on lower grade staff. The British Council is planning to close some overseas offices and reduce staffing numbers by 2,000 globally, in order to reduce its pay bill by 15-20% overall. Large numbers of employees in lower paid roles are facing either redundancy or being outsourced to a private service provider, however the number of highly paid senior roles is increasing or staying the same in some areas. The Third Sector’s Charity Pay Study 2021 puts the British Council 11th on the list of the highest earners and top of the list for employees earning more than £60k. 627 people earned more than £60k in 2021, compared to 511 in 2019 and 339 in 2015. The redundancy consultation began on 5 July but PCS has still not seen the business case for the restructuring of British Council read more
CWU
From CWU rep: *******Llanelli DO Update*******
It gives me great pleasure to announce that I’ve had confirmation that Gary Evans has been reinstated. I’m not sure when he will be returning to work as yet but I will update everyone as soon as I know
Union’s ‘firefighting’ intervention mitigates impact of another BT outsourcing decision (22 Oct) – New roles negotiated for workers in BT following its decision to outsource its customer broadband equipment test & refurbishment work to CTDI a company in Fife, have mitigated against potential redundancies upon transfer, but CWU demands earlier notifications in future and a changed company strategy read more
Good news for BT Centre security staff amid wider HQ move upheavals (21 Oct) – Representations on behalf of ISS security guards, who had wrongly been told they would have to reapply for their current jobs to secure employment at BT’s new London HQ when BT Centre closes in December, has resulted in swift clarification by their employer. Amid urgent union efforts to secure badly needed assurances for all ISS employees at BT’s historic Newgate Street headquarters – following the shock announcement that the outsourced housekeeping, security and ‘front of house’ provider had not been successful in all of the tenders it had lodged to replicate such services at BT’s new ’One Braham’ HQ – confirmation has been received, removing the confusion for impacted security members read more
GMB
Ambulance service faces ‘utterly unprecedented’ crisis (25 Oct) – The ambulance service faces an ‘utterly unprecedented crisis’ this winter, GMB Union paramedics have told the Government. In letters to Secretary of State, Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt MP, Chair of the Health Select Committee, the union raises ‘serious concerns regarding the untenable workplace pressures that our members are facing in the ambulance service’ read more
GMB to ballot NHS workers over ‘miserable pay cut’ (25 Oct) – GMB is to ballot tens of thousands of NHS workers for strike action over the insulting 3% ‘pay cut’ offered. The industrial action ballot will open on November 10 and close December 15. Any strikes would take place in the new year. More than 9 out of 10 GMB members in the NHS have rejected the Government’s pay offer of 3% – which is below inflation and amounts to a real term pay cut read more
Cleaners, porters and caterers to strike at four Berkshire hospitals (25 Oct) – Facilities staff at King Edward VII, Wokingham, Upton and St Marks Hospital sites to walk out over forced changes to contracts, says GMB Union. Cleaners, porters, caterers and other facilities staff are set to strike at four Berkshire hospitals over forced changes to their contracts. Facilities staff at King Edward VII, Wokingham, Upton and St Marks Hospital sites voted overwhelmingly to take strike action. The dispute is over fears that recently tupe’d facilities staff, including housekeepers face detrimental contractual changes, as their new employer forces changes to job titles and roles. NHS Property Services are implementing changes as part of their organisational review by seeking to make changes under the umbrella of required efficiencies and cost savings read more
GMB to ballot all Ambulance Service and NHS members across southern England for strike action over pay (22 Oct) – A total of 55 NHS Trusts across South East, South London, Dorset and Wiltshire face GMB member’s strike ballot after rejecting pay cut. GMB is to ballot all members in 55 NHS trust across the south of England after workers overwhelming rejected a ‘miserable’ pay cut. The industrial action ballot will open on November 10 and close December 15. Any strikes would take place in the new year. More than 9 out of 10 GMB members in the NHS have rejected the Government’s pay offer of 3%. GMB has been campaigning for a restorative increase of 15%, or £2 per hour – whichever is highest – to replace what has been lost from NHS pay packets over the last decade. GMB was the only union to reject the last NHS pay deal in 2018 read more
GMB reaches landmark agreement with Dorset Council for disabled workers (21 Oct) – More than four thousand Dorset Council workers now protected by reasonable adjustment passport policy. GMB has struck a landmark deal for Dorset Council to sign up to the union’s ground-breaking disability passport. The passport – developed by GMB and the TUC – is a straightforward, worker owned process, that removes the stress and uncertainty many disabled workers face around reasonable adjustments. Dorset Council employs 4,617 employees who will now be covered by the policy – which agrees the adjustments disabled employees need to enable them to stay in work read more
CQC warning shows care sector ‘could implode’ (21 Oct) – GMB, the union for care workers, says today’s warning from the CQC shows the car sector ‘could implode’ unless worker pay, terms and conditions are improved read more
Oil refinery issues highlight UK’s precarious energy infrastructure (22 Oct) – GMB, the energy union, says financial problems at the UK’s oil refineries highlights the precarious nature of the country’s energy infrastructure read more
Care workers rally at Holyrood to “fight for fifteen” (21 Oct) – Care workers rally at Holyrood to “fight for fifteen” as pay campaign ramps-up ahead of national care service consultation close. Care workers will rally at the Scottish Parliament this weekend (Saturday 23 October) as they step-up their fight for £15 an hour social care minimum wage read more
Sheffield refuse collectors vote to strike over pay (20 Oct) – GMB members at Veolia Sheffield have voted to strike over pay and ongoing attacks to their terms and conditions. More than 80% of the refuse collectors voted for industrial action in anger at a below inflation pay offer from Veolia – amounting to a real terms pay cut. Strike action – which could affect more than 200,000 homes – will now take place on Monday November 1 from 06:30am until 10:30am, with further days planned for November and beyond read more
GMB calls for political leadership to avert COP 26 strike (20 Oct) – Responding to Glasgow City Council Leader Susan Aitken’s call, in her column in the Glasgow Times, for national government to support local authorities in financially rewarding local government workers, GMB Glasgow Cleansing Convenor Chris Mitchell said: “Last year, politicians were clapping their hands for key workers, now they are pointing their fingers at each other. Low paid workers across Scotland will be wondering why no one will take responsibility for paying us what we know we deserve. It is right that Susan Aitken has now backed GMB’s longstanding call for Scottish Government intervention to reward frontline heroes who, as she says, have gone above and beyond over the past 18 months…” read more
Unions urge Goodfish to reopen talks (20 Oct) – Striking workers at Goodfish’s North Wales plant have renewed calls for the company to come back to the table as a second 24 hour strike gets under way. The move comes after a rocky dispute that saw the plastics manufacturer cancelling staff bonuses before previous day of action on the 13th of October. Last Friday the company informed workers that they intend to implement a pay increase without agreement of the onsite unions, GMB and Unite. Both unions have criticised the move, claiming that the below inflation pay rise will fail to meet the cost of living for striking workers read more
GMB union to ballot NHS members on Welsh Government offer (19 Oct) – GMB members in Wales are to be balloted on an improved pay offer from the Welsh Government. After firm representations from GMB and sister unions to Welsh Ministers, the Welsh Government came back last week with an improved pay offer. The union is organising meetings with members to discuss the offer over the next few weeks, with the ballot expected to run before Christmas. GMB has already balloted members on the 3% pay imposition, with an overwhelming majority rejecting the pay award read more
GMB call for urgent meeting over Asda £500 million debt reports (19 Oct) – GMB, the union for Asda workers, has called for an urgent meeting with the Issa Brothers over reports the company is planning to take on half a billion pounds in extra debt and stump up about £250m of its own cash after plans to sell its petrol stations collapsed read more
Derbyshire Dales refuse collectors strike over pay and ‘disresepct’ – GMB members at Serco in the Derbyshire Dales have taken industrial action following ‘a pattern of disrespect and low pay’. Dozens of workers downed tools today for the first of two strike days. A second strike takes place on Monday October 18. Derbyshire Dales refuse collectors overwhelmingly voted for strike action after the company refused to improve on a below inflation pay offer – amounting to a real terms pay cut. Meanwhile workers feel disrespected after management were heard describing them as ‘just legs and arms’ read more
West Midlands bin strikers’ fury over Sandwell Council ‘snooper cameras’ – More than 100 striking refuse collectors are furious at a proposal by Sandwell Council Leader Rajbir Singh to mount cameras on bin lorries. The council claims mounting Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras on council vehicles, including bin lorries, will help prevent anti-social behaviour. Refuse workers, more than a hundred of whom have been on strike this month, were equal parts baffled and angered by the idea, with one worker branding it ‘nonsense’ read more
Workers are picketing at the Shidas Lane site in Oldbury, B69 2BP. 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]
Staff to walk out as Panasonic pull plug on pay rise in Cardiff – Staff at Panasonic’s depot in Pontprennau are set to walk out on strike action after the company withdrew from pay talks. The dispute arose after the company failed to offer a substantial pay increase for 2021, in return for staff taking a pay freeze last year to combat the worst of the covid19 pandemic. Staff overwhelmingly rejected the company’s initial 1% offer, which with inflation soaring equated to a real terms pay cut. Panasonic then responded by withdrawing the 1% and closed pay negotiations, in effect implementing a pay freeze. Infuriated members have now voted for strike action, which could see staff downing tools this autumn. GMB is consulting on strike dates soon, with action expected in the next few weeks read more
University of the Arts London Cleaners demand equal treatment after five day strike – GMB, the union for higher education, is demanding members who work as cleaners within the University of the Arts London are offered pay parity with workers directly employed by the university. Bouygues, who directly employ the cleaners, do so on a contract which offers the workers inferior pay, terms and conditions than their colleagues – cleaners have just completed five days of industrial action in protest 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
Pay freeze will continue “in all but name” unless government departments get extra money (25 Oct) – Holding down public sector pay was height of folly. Commenting on the announcement that the government is to end the public sector pay freeze UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “There’s never a good time to freeze public sector pay. Doing so at the peak of a pandemic was the height of folly…” read more
H&S survey reveals members feel less safe now than a year ago (25 Oct) – UNISON call for more inspection and enforcement of workplace health and safety as results of a new survey are released. Last month, UNISON surveyed its health and safety representatives to understand more about the issues members are facing in their workplaces. Nearly half of respondents said that their employer had not improved ventilation and air circulation in their workplace, with 36% saying that they feel less safe in the workplace now, than they did 12 months ago read more
Care sector pushed to brink by staffing catastrophe (21 Oct) – Care employees have been undervalued and ignored for too long. UNISON and the National Care Forum (NCF) have written jointly to Sajid Javid today (Thursday) calling for urgent action over the staffing crisis engulfing the care sector. The letter to the health and social care secretary says they’ve taken this “unprecedented step” in response to daily reports from care providers and staff of serious worker shortages read more
Tell the chancellor you’re #ForOurServices (19 Oct) – Before the three year spending review next week, UNISON’s petition piles the pressure on the chancellor to end the pay freeze. In just seven days’ time, on 27 October, Rishi Sunak will deliver the autumn budget and provide details of the government’s spending priorities for the next three years. UNISON is concerned that he will find a way of continuing the pay freeze in public services – which is why the union has created a petition to pile pressure on the chancellor to invest in public services and the people who provide them read more
Hundreds of school staff march on Downing Street to save nursery schools (19 Oct) – Funding for maintained nursery schools must secure their future. Around 150 representatives from maintained nursery schools in England will gather in London’s Parliament Square today (Tuesday), alongside parents, campaigners and MPs, before marching to Downing Street to deliver a petition to the chancellor, calling on him to ‘take urgent action’ over funding. The petition has been signed by 1,400 school leaders, staff and educators from almost every maintained nursery school (MNS) in the country. MNS are funded and controlled by local authorities and provide high quality pre-school education, usually in deprived areas read more
Council decision helps mark 20 years of the real living wage (18 Oct) – North Northants council announce they’ll pay staff the real living wage in the run up to Living Wage Week 2021. Living Wage Week 2021 will run from 15-21 November and mark 20 years of the ‘real living wage’ (RLW). Through the week, events will be held across the UK to celebrate the successes of the wage over the last year. Currently over 7,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the RLW which currently stands at £10.85 in London and £9.50 elsewhere in the UK 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
RCN
Organising for change: RCN London members’ successful drive for improved shift patterns (25 Oct) – Critical care nursing staff have secured multi-million investment for additional staff posts and ensured fairer shift patterns read more
NIPSA
Guidance on Menopause and the Workplace (18 Oct) – The guide was first published in October 2018 in furtherance of Comprehensive Motion No.79 which was adopted at the 2018 NIPSA Annual Delegate Conference. The guide has been revised to emphasise more the terms of Resolution No.8 relating to sickness absence, which was adopted at this year’s Annual Delegate Conference. The guide has been produced for branches and activists to assist female members in the workplace and to bring about improved working conditions for women who are going through the menopause read more
NIPSA Responds – Public Service Employers Proposing to Return Staff to the Workplace Despite NI Executive Guidance (18 Oct) – NIPSA, in response to a number of member concerns around Public Service Employers’ proposals to return staff to the workplace despite the NI Executive ongoing “work from home” guidance in place by the NI Executive, continues to express concerns around the necessary balance between safety of both service users and staff, particularly at a time when infection rates and associated deaths remain high and we are entering the time of year when seasonal associated infections will also be circulating. NIPSA has advised members to raise their concerns and ensure any proposals are in line with Government Guidance and Public Health Advice, while also ensuring that all necessary updated risk assessments and, in cases of individual concern, Individual Risk Assessments have been completed along with Occupational Health advice read more
POA
POA warn Government over pay award (19 Oct) – The Prison Officers Association have issued a stark warning to the Government after they released the recommendations today for the pay award relating to operational Prison staff some 6 months overdue. In a scathing attack National Chair Mark Fairhurst commented; “This announcement is a missed opportunity by the Government to reward the heroics of frontline Prison Officers and related grades for their herculean efforts during a global pandemic. On top of the spiralling costs of living and the inevitable rise in National Insurance contributions this insulting award for those who receive it will further condemn our members to a dwindling standard of living whilst the lowest paid will continue to live in poverty. Our most experienced staff have once again been overlooked and will feel demoralised, forgotten about and unappreciated. This pay award, or rather lack of, will further encourage a mass exodus of staff to better paid, less violent and more family friendly jobs. We need a complete pay overhaul that makes our salaries competitive, attractive, and fit for purpose, whilst incentivising staff to remain in the service. If we had the right to strike, I would be balloting my members to take strike action over this insulting award. Morale is at an all-time low and staff goodwill has gone. When my members adhere to their contracted hours the service will crumble, and the Government will have to address their concerns. We are heading for a staffing crisis that if not addressed, will never be recovered”.
General Secretary Steve Gillan stated: “Warm words and applauding our courageous POA members will not pay bills or put food on the table. Let me be very clear this is not a pay pause it is a pay cut and Government should be ashamed treating a professional work force in this manner. The pay model is broken and this will further add to a crisis in our criminal justice system” read more
NAPO
Napo AGM authorises ballot for Industrial Action on Probation pay and workloads (22 Oct) – At last week’s hugely successful Napo Annual General Meeting, members instructed the General Secretary and National Chair to initiate a campaign of industrial action to reject the government pay freeze, the 2021 pay offer and excessive workloads. Motions calling for a trade dispute to be registered and a statutory ballot of our Probation members should the employer fail to engage in further negotiations, were overwhelmingly carried. In some highly emotional debates at AGM, members explained the impact of low pay and excessive workloads on their health and wellbeing. At a time when we are facing soaring fuel bills, the prospect of a hike in National Insurance and continuing inflation rates, a pay freeze is a pay cut and members deserve better. These decisions followed the outcomes of recent indicative ballots across Napo, UNISON and GMB which recorded votes of 99%,98% and 86% respectively in opposition to the pay freeze and pay offer read more
NEU
Rally for Oaks Park, Redbridge strikers – 5.30pm Monday 15th November outside London City Hall
Strikers are calling for support for a mass picket on the morning of Tuesday 2 November, when they go back out after half-term. Join the picket any time from 7 to 9, and bring trade union banners if possible.
Please also sign and share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/redbridge-council-end-the-culture-of-bullying-at-oaks-park-high-school
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]
Public Sector Pay (25 Oct) – The Chancellor must make good on this latest pledge to drive up pay for the public sector. Commenting on the Chancellor’s intention to end the one-year pay pause in his Spending Review this week, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This is big on promises but short on detail. Teachers, support staff and school and college leaders will not have a clear sense this week of what is in store, and there is no prospect of clarity until 2022. The Chancellor must do more than win a day’s headlines. He must make good on this latest pledge to drive up pay for those who kept this country on its feet throughout the pandemic…” read more
Chancellor’s announcement on post-16 education funding (23 Oct) – Post-16 education needs £6bn more in funding over the next three years read more
Education unions call for urgent action on climate change crisis (23 Oct) – NASUWT, NEU, UCU and UNISON have written to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to take action to ensure climate change education becomes fully embedded in the system read more
Hundreds of school staff march on Downing Street to save nursery schools (19 Oct) – 150 representatives from maintained nursery schools in England march to Downing Street to deliver a petition to the Chancellor, calling on him to ‘take urgent action’ over funding read more
NASUWT
Education unions call for urgent action on climate change crisis (23 Oct) – The NASUWT, along with NEU, UCU and UNISON has written to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to take action to ensure climate change education becomes fully embedded in the system. As chair of COP 26 it is essential for the UK to lead by example to bring about the changes needed for a more sustainable future, the education unions urge read more
Urgent Investment Needed in Teachers’ Pay (22 Oct) – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has today released a report criticising the Department for Education’s School Funding system which is adversely affecting schools serving deprived local areas and the Government’s failure to deliver their commitments on teachers’ pay. The report reveals that the Department for Education (DfE) is now “unable to say when it will implement its commitment to a starting salary of £30,000 for new teachers” despite the Government originally committing to achieve this goal by September 2022. Over the last decade, teachers have experienced a 17% decline in the value of their pay leading to a crisis in workforce morale, recruitment and retention. The Government’s decision to delay improvement to starting salaries and enforce a pay freeze on the overwhelming majority of teachers this year has been met with deep anger across the profession, according to the NASUWT – The Teachers Union read more
Government urged to restore school covid safety measures (20 Oct) – As the Scottish Government announces it is to continue with mitigations to try and prevent the spread of Covid in schools the NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union is calling on the Government in Westminster to follow Scotland’s lead read more
NASUWT welcomes decision to continue Covid-19 safety measures in Scottish schools (19 Oct) – Commenting on the decision to continue existing Covid-19 safety mitigations in Scottish schools, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to continue existing health and safety mitigations in schools read more
EIS
Strike action at Scotland’s Rural University College (SRUC) enters 4th week (25 Oct) – Lecturing staff at Scotland’s Rural University College (SRUC) will take their fourth day of strike action today (Monday) as a programme of industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay and grading enters its 4th week. Members have already taken three days of strike action, with further strike days planned together with an ongoing programme of action short of strike read more
Extension of School COVID Safety Mitigations (19 Oct) – The EIS has welcomed today’s announcement by the Scottish Government that current school Covid safety mitigations are to be retained following advice from senior clinicians. Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The EIS has argued for great caution in any easing of school mitigations, especially in light of continuing high levels of infection and the incomplete roll out of vaccinations for pupils” read more
UCU
Don’t make £141bn student debt nightmare worse, university staff warn government ahead of spending review (22 Oct) – University staff have urged the new secretary of state for education to be a ‘voice for students’ and to press the chancellor to halt plans to hit more students with loan repayments as the student loan debt pile hits £141bn. The call comes ahead of the Treasury’s spending review. In a letter to Nadhim Zahawi, UCU says any move to lower the salary threshold at which students repay would be ‘regressive’ and would risk putting off ‘less privileged students’ from entering higher education. Reportedly, the Treasury wants to lower the salary threshold to reduce its exposure to the £141bn of student debt read more
Royal College of Art staff enter second week of strike in fight against casualization (11 Oct) – UCU members at the Royal College of Art (RCA) will begin their second week of strikes today in a fight against casualised contracts, to protect the terms and conditions of established academic staff and to push back against the use of unfair contracts for new staff. In total, staff are on strike for fourteen days across four weeks. Management at the RCA are shockingly reliant on precarious employment practices. In the last two academic years there have been more than 1,000 visiting lecturers working on zero hours contracts with no guaranteed work and limited employment rights. The action began with two days of strikes last week, and continues with three days of action this week (Tuesday 12 October, Wednesday 13 October and Thursday 14 October), and will also include continuous action short of a strike for six months from 4 October, entailing:-
- boycotting all graduate and postgraduate assessments and marking
- refusing to reschedule work cancelled due to industrial action
- and/or to share materials in relation to such action
- not undertaking any voluntary activities read more
Support the FE college strikes – The dispute has arisen following a pay offer of just 1% from the further education employer body, the Association of Colleges, in December 2020. Staff working in the sector have suffered real terms pay cuts of over 30% in the past decade. Strikes were suspended at City of Bristol College, Weymouth College and New College Swindon after late deals and action at South Thames College, Merton College, Carshalton College and Kingston College has been suspended whilst further negotiations take place. UCU said that if employers 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 that currently stands at £9,000, and after more than a decade of below inflation 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 read more
Donate to the City of Liverpool College UCU hardship find – UCU members have been on strike fighting for fair pay for all staff at The City of Liverpool College. This action has been escalating over the last three weeks and many staff have sacrificed pay in order to fight for the principle of fair pay as the last ten years has seen cuts and deteriorating conditions. There have been picket lines on the 5 sites and we need your support to help the hardship fund for the strikers
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.
NUJ
NUJ Photographer Andy Aitchison receives an apology from Kent Police (21 Oct) – He received a full apology from the Chief Constable of Kent Police, Alan Pughsley, which includes admissions that Mr Aitchison’s arrest, the search of his property and the imposition of bail conditions and Fixed Penalty Notice were all unlawful. Andy Aitchison was arrested at his home on 28 January 2021 on suspicion of criminal damage hours after he had taken and shared photographs of activists demonstrating against conditions at Napier Barracks. Officers searched his family home and seized his mobile phone and memory card from his camera. He was then held in custody for over five hours before he was released with bail conditions which prohibited him from going near Napier Barracks. A week after the arrest the case was dropped, however a week later he was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. This was only withdrawn after his lawyers threatened legal proceedings read more
COP26: advice for NUJ members (21 Oct) – The union has published guidance, health and safety tips and emergency legal numbers for those covering the climate change climate in Glasgow. NUJ members covering the climate change conference need to plan accordingly and take appropriate health and safety precautions read more
Prospect
Joint statement from Prospect and HIAL on future of air traffic management system (25 Oct) – HIAL and Prospect have agreed a framework for discussion to establish a new way forward for the implementation of HIAL’s air traffic management strategy (ATMS) read more
Elements of Net Zero Strategy are welcome but there is not enough urgency (19 Oct) – The government has today published its long awaited Net Zero Strategy, setting out how it intends to get achieve its Net Zero goals read more
Equity
Sign the petition to save Stratford Circus! https://www.change.org/p/save-stratford-circus
USDAW
Government should support a much needed anti ‘fire and rehire’ law – Usdaw calls on MPs to back the Bill (22 Oct) – Retail trade union Usdaw welcomes proposed new legislation to provide safeguards for workers against dismissal and re-engagement on inferior terms and conditions, known as ‘fire and rehire’ read more
Mandatory face coverings and Covid safety measures must return to shops says Usdaw (20 Oct) – Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is calling on the Government to make important in-store safety measures mandatory to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, in light of rising Covid-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths read more
Morrisons buyout: Usdaw looks to meet the new owners to seek further assurances for members (19 Oct) – Retail trade union Usdaw has responded to shareholders giving the go-ahead to the £7 billion takeover of Morrisons by private equity giant Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) read more
BCM Fareva, Nottingham: Usdaw members to take further industrial action over the slashing of terms and conditions – Members of Usdaw at BCM Fareva will begin a further stoppage on Sunday 10 October, which will continue into Monday. The strike follows five previous stoppages in July and August. Nottingham based manufacturer of consumer pharma and beauty products for leading brands including Boots and The Body Shop has imposed through ‘fire and rehire’ cuts to staff terms and conditions read more
Victimised Tesco warehouse rep fighting for reinstatement read more
Community
Industrial action begins at Clarks (Oct 4) – Employees at iconic shoe firm Clarks have today began industrial action in a dispute over fire-and-rehire. 88% of staff voted in favour of industrial action. The reduction of terms & conditions at Clarks UK is primarily targeted at legacy members of staff, who were employees before Lion Rock became majority shareholder in March 2021. Clarks UK had been in discussions with unions on terms but failed to reach an agreement. The company pushed for their employees to accept far-reaching reduced conditions, with everything from a reduction in hourly wage, sick pay and annual holidays, to a removal of 10-minute coffee breaks and complimentary hot drinks read more
MPs write to Clarks Shoes (22 Oct) – Today, Members of Parliament have written to Clarks Shoes CEO Victor Herrero calling on him to end their use of fire-and-rehire at their distribution centre in Street, Somerset read more
UVW
SAGE workers: “the bosses are the second virus” (22 Oct) – “The workers at Sage have given their absolute all, under impossible conditions, to take care of elders in my community. It’s extremely important that these workers are treated with dignity.” With flags billowing, banners waving and music blaring, UVW members at the Sage Nursing Home in North London were joined by dozens of supporters on a vibrant and noisy picket line on Thursday. The staff are on strike over the poverty wages at a care home which is short-staffed and mismanaged. Addressing the picket line Bile, a senior care worker at Sage and UVW executive committee member said: “They say there’s a pandemic, they say there’s Covid-19, but there’s a different Covid, the bosses are the second virus” read more
UVW members declare victory as GOSH commit to full equality – “We won the fight because we voted yes for strike and GOSH gave in to us.” Gora Diop, GOSH cleaner, UVW member. Domestic staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital celebrated their campaign triumph on Friday after NHS bosses conceded to their demands for full NHS workers’ rights. Having already won a string of concessions, such as NHS pay, sick pay, pensions last year in an historic fight to end outsourcing, workers then found out that GOSH had failed to give them full NHS parity
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. They are striking for the month of October – 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
SIPTU (Ireland)
SIPTU members seek engagement with FAI management on industrial relations issues (18 Oct) – SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the continued refusal of the organisation to engage with the union in order to resolve a number of industrial relations issues read more
Other News
‘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
Protest works! Turkish political prisoner is freed on bail but still faces trial with over 100 other leaders and activists of the left-wing HDP read more in Morning Star
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
NSSN COP 26 Online Forum – ‘How do we get a workers’ Just Transition’ – 7pm November 9th
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
