Thousands of trade unionists came to London yesterday to lobby their MPs as part of the TUC rally against the Trade Union Bill. Many couldn’t get into the event at Westminster Central Hall but the FBU saved the day by bringing their fire engine round to the front of the venue for the rally speakers to address the crowd.
NSSN national chair Rob Williams also spoke from the FBU platform, calling on everyone to come back to London on November 10th when the Bill gets its 3rd and final House of Commons reading before it goes to the Lords. Rob said, “If everyone brings 10, 50, 100 people with them on November 10th, we could fill Parliament Square and really put the Tories under pressure.”
The Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) of left unions organised an evening protest last night outside Parliament and announced that they have called a demonstration at 6pm on November 10th at Parliament Square. The NSSN appeals to all its supporters and affiliates to join it. https://www.facebook.com/events/1154483631247431/
But if you can’t get to London, please join any protests in your local area or organise one through the NSSN, a Trades Council or your union branch.
Make November 10th #KillTheBIll day!
Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) rally: ‘After Corbyn’s victory, build the fight against austerity’ – Saturday, 21 November from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in Central Hall Westminster Storey’s Gate SW1H 9NH London more info info from PCS website
TUCG statement on the Trade Union Bill here
NSSN public meetings – “How can we fight the Tories’ anti-union laws?”
Tuesday 3 November:-
Manchester, 7pm, at the Britons Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5LE.
Liverpool, 7.30pm, at the Casa Club, 29 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BQ.
Rob Williams NSSN chair was interviewed live on BBC’s Daily Politics at TUC Congress watch here at about 30 minutes
NSSN news
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE. Affiliation letter here
Download the ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Linda on [email protected]
Union News
CWU
Reinstate sacked Royal Mail rep John Vasey now! – John Vasey, a CWU postal rep in Wakefield, West Yorkshire has been sacked on what his work colleagues recognise as stitched up charges. The NSSN calls on all our supporters and affiliates to support John’s campaign for reinstatement and his union the CWU:-
Messages of protest to Jon Millidge, Royal Mail Group HR Director, c/o Tallents House, South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.
(Copies to Paul Clays, CWU Regional Secretary, 6 Concept Court, Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, YORK, YO30 4XF – e-mail: [email protected])
Please sign the petition and like Reinstate John Vasey on Facebook
Peace deal in Plymouth post row (Oct 30) – Plymouth post dispute walkout strike A dispute over the use of agency workers by Royal Mail in Plymouth appeared to be reaching a solution last night following several days of discussions between local CWU representatives and managers. Spontaneous protests took place at the city’s West Park and North Central delivery offices earlier this week after the business brought in several agency staff without the agreement of the union and the situation had “remained tense” for the past few days, according to local branch secretary Ralph Ferrett read more
Unison
Support Sandy Nicoll – On Wednesday 28th October 2015 Sandy Nicoll SOAS Unison branch secretary and SOAS J4C activist and a long standing and steadfast activist and trade unionist, was suspended by SOAS management on grounds of alleged gross misconduct.
The allegations are not only false but have been fabricated in an attempt to victimise him and undermine the trade union support for the student’s occupation of SOAS against massive cuts and course closures. Sandy Nicoll has worked tirelessly at SOAS for over 21 years during which time he has represented and supported thousands of mainly low paid support staff in the Higher Education sector more info Sign petition
POA
POA announce 24 hour strike for Ashworth Hospital on 13th November (Nov 2) – The POA have sent a notice to Merseycare Trust informing them that a 24 hour strike will take place on the 13th November 2015 from 07.00 hours to 07.00 hours on Saturday 14th November 2015 after its members in the trust voted overwhelmingly for strike action. This follows the dismissals of Kevin Gregson and Peter Hilton following the restraint of a violent patient read more
RMT
RMT strike on DLR rock solid this morning (3 Nov) – RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said; “Our members on DLR are rock solid in their action this morning and I want to pay tribute to their unity and determination as they fight to defend safe operational practices and the basic principles of workplace justice read more
RMT making preparations for ballot to defend brother Glen Hart (Oct 30) – Following a resolution submitted earlier this year by Morden & Oval Branch regarding possible disciplinary action against Brother Hart, the Lead Officer has been keeping the case under review and the General Grades Committee took the decision to prepare for a ballot for strike action if Glen Hart receives a disciplinary warning for carrying out trade union activities read more
Unite
Crane company urged to revise ‘pitiful’ pay offer in last ditch talks (3 Nov) – Last ditch talks to avoid an escalating pay dispute at the UK’s largest crane hire company, Ainscough, are set to take place this Thursday (5 November) after members of Unite the union rejected a ‘pitiful’ two year pay deal. Over 500 crane operators employed by the company, which hires cranes to the construction industry, have rejected a two year pay deal of 1.5 per cent and 1.75 per cent read more
‘Victory’ for low paid workers as Unilever becomes living wage employer (2 Nov) – Unite hailed Unilever UK’s accreditation as a living wage employer (Monday 2 November) as a victory for low paid workers on the road to better pay, but warned the move could be undermined if the government presses ahead with controversial cuts to tax credits read more
East Kilbride logistics dispute over as pay deal agreed (30 Oct) – Hundreds of logistics and warehouse workers at DHL’s Langland’s Park depot in East Kilbride have ended a long-running dispute with their employer following the agreement of a new pay deal for 2015/17. Workers at the South Lanarkshire site, which is a major contractor for supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, secured a deal worth a total of 6.7 per cent over the agreed period which will also be backdated to April 2015. An earlier industrial action ballot saw 80 per cent of members vote in favour of strikes read more
PCS
DVSA ballot over terms and conditions attacks (28 Oct) – PCS is starting a ballot today for action in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency against attacks on members’ terms and conditions which ignore road safety and include forcing driving examiners to carry out additional tests. DVSA also intends to introduce a new flexible contract which introduces inferior terms and conditions for staff, including driving test examiners and operational staff across the UK. We are opposed to this and have made it clear that previous full stress studies and previous research have indicated and shown that increasing the number of tests conducted during a day is likely to adversely affect the outcome of those tests read more
FBU
Video | Why plans to close Leicestershire central fire station are dangerous watch here
GMB
Job losses fears at Newport City Council (Nov 3) – GMB Fear Heavy Job Losses At Newport City Council With Prospects Of Move To Three Weekly Bin Collections For Residents read more
UCU
UCU members vote for FE strike action on Nov 10 in pay dispute – UCU members in further education will be taking strike action on Tuesday 10 November in a row over pay read more
#SaveOurSteel
Demonstrations to stop closures & redundancies:-
Motherwell – Saturday 7 Nov, Assemble 10.30am, Dalzell Plant. March to Ravenscraig
Scunthorpe – Tuesday 10 November. Assemble 12pm Church Square
Saturday 21 November – rally in Sheffield City Hall. Start 2pm and finish at 5pm.
Families will be welcome at the event, which is aimed to celebrate our steel and metal industry and send a strong message to the government to ‘Save Our Steel’. There will be speakers, music and face painting for the children
Junior Doctors / BMA
The NSSN sends solidarity to the Junior Doctors who are fighting the Tories’ imposition of a new contract. We appeal to all our supporters to support their demonstrations and protests. For latest news and protests follow #JuniorContract and #NotFairNotSafe on twitter. Latest updates on BMA website here
Nov 18 – Dundee 4pm City Square
BFAWU
Fast Food Rights / Hungry for Justice are taking part in a global day of action on November 10th more details
Bradford – 12 noon outside McDonalds on Kirkgate
https://www.facebook.com/events/1634460746814360/
Leeds – 4.30pm outside McDonalds on corner of Briggate and Boar Lane
https://www.facebook.com/events/119561148405313/
Watch BFAWU videos!! What’s on the menu at the Chancellor’s bakery? Work? Under 25? You need to see this That awkward moment when you’re paid less because you’re 19
Reports of Fast Food Rights protests on Youth Fight for Jobs and Fast Food Rights websites – Please send details of any local actions to [email protected] / [email protected]
NUT
Supply Teachers – the NUT Lobby of supply agencies on Wednesday 28 October in Central London was a great success. NUT members gathered outside the headquarters of Protocol Education and then moved on to Hays plc to voice their concerns about working as a supply teacher through an agency read more
NUJ
NUJ membership rockets at Alpha Newspapers (30 Oct) – The NUJ has dramatically increased its membership in Alpha Newspapers. In just over 6 weeks, union membership rocketed from an initial density of 29 per cent to a whopping 80 per cent with new members continuing to sign up. The company owns nine flagship titles in Northern Ireland including the Coleraine Chronicle, The Ulster Gazette, the Antrim and Ballymena Guardian, the Newry Democrat, the County Down Outlook and the Tyrone Courier read more
BECTU
BECTU to protest outside James Bond premiere (Oct 26) – As the James Bond film Spectre premieres at the Royal Albert Hall later today, Hall chief executive Chris Cotton has invoked a previous James Bond classic by appointing himself as The Man With The Golden Vote by refusing union recognition. Cotton is refusing to honour an agreed staff ballot which ACAS certified as showing support by 117 votes to 109 for recognition of media and entertainment union BECTU read more
United Voices of the World & Unite Hotel Workers
Service Sector Solidarity Social November 14th at SOAS – United Voices of the World and Unite Hotel Workers Branch are coming together for a fundraiser! We’re organising in difficult terrain. The Service Sector – primarily contract cleaning and hospitality – has historically been neglected and un-unionised and characterised by low pay, long hours and the exploitation of migrant workers. We’re dealing with Zero Hours contracts, hostile employers and appalling conditions for mostly minimum wage workers with ever decreasing employment rights and access to justice. But we’re changing this. We are working with many migrant workers speaking a diverse number of languages who are coming together to fight for their interests. We are fighting back and we need fighting funds to help us do it! https://www.facebook.com/events/600838456724230/
Other News
Save London Met University – Stop moving The Cass and Guildhall to Holloway – no education cuts! Sign petition
Protest Thursday November 5th 12.30pm – London Metropolitan University (Sir John Cass College of Art) 59-63 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PF London https://www.facebook.com/events/947910488579810/
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Buy the book ‘Blacklisted: The Secret War between Big Business and Union Activists’ Author: Dave Smith and Phil Chamberlain. Blacklisted tells the controversial story of the illegal strategies that transnational construction companies used to keep union activists away from work. See the official trailer from ReelNews
Blacklist Support Group financial appeal: the Blacklist support group is desperately short of funds, to continue the incredible work in 2015 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)
Blacklist Support Group update – 30 October 2015
- Blacklist event at Scottish parliament
6pm Wednesday 4th November
Holyrood parliament building (please get there early as it takes time to get past security).
Speakers: Neil Findlay MSP, Dave Smith (BSG), Jackson Cullinane (UNITE)
Everyone welcome but please contact [email protected] as soon as possible in order get your name down.
Daytime ‘Blacklisted’ book event:
1pm, Wednesday, 4 November at Word Power Books
43-45 West Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9DB
- Pitchford public inquiry
Blacklist Support Group and many individuals on the Consulting Association blacklist have been granted core participant status within the Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing. There is now a specific category within the public inquiry.
Reel News video talking to people who were targeted by the undercover police: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8GsY7yM3F8
Full list of core participants: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/151021-UCPI-list-of-core-participants.pdf
http://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2015/10/24/conrad-landin/blacklisting-and-undercover-policing/
http://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com/
http://policespiesoutoflives.org.uk/
- Blacklisting at the High Court in December
The next date for the High Court case management hearings is 7-8 December 2015 at Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand.
This is the first court appearance since the major firms admitted their guilt and apologised for their involvement in the Economic League and the Consulting Association. We are yet to hear what the remaining contractors involved in blacklisting decide to do. The biggest construction companies in the UK are falling out with each other and scrambling to protect their corporate brand. On our side, all the legal teams representing the blacklisted workers are united in our desire to see real justice. Blacklist Support Group (BSG) publicly state our desire to continue all the way to the High Court trial. We want to see the directors who orchestrated this unlawful conspiracy give evidence under oath about their human rights violations.
BSG want to make Monday 7th December a big one. It is the first High Court session since the firms have admitted their guilt and we hope to generate some publicity for the campaign. Come with your Blacklisted t-shirts.
Monday 7th December
9am – assemble outside the High Court
10am – 4pm – High Court blacklisting trial case management hearing
6pm BSG parliamentary meeting (all welcome)
Speakers include: John McDonnell MP (shadow chancellor), John Hendy QC, Chris Stephens MP (SNP trade union spokesperson) and many blacklisted workers.
9pm – Pre-Xmas celebratory drinks
- Michael Meacher R.I.P.
Graham Bowker, blacklisted electrician and constituent of Michael Meacher commented on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group :
“Michael Meacher was a respectful gentleman who put in endless work on behalf of all blacklisted workers since 2004, long before the Consulting Association database was discovered. It was picketlines in Manchester that led to the scandal being exposed and Michael supported us throughout, later raising the issue in parliament, on his blog and was a keynote speaker at the Blacklist Support Group AGM in March 2013. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Michael’s family and close friends at this sad time”.
Obituary from Morning Star: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-2273-The-Michael-Meacher-I-knew-was-a-giant-of-our-movement-and-friend#.Vi5FP37hDs0
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-2190-Tributes-pour-in-for-leftwinger-Meacher#.Vi5FUX7hDs0
Michael Meacher at BSG AGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jZegxaljmM
- Carillion admit guilt, apologise and then chase blacklisted worker for legal costs
https://usilive.org/blood-money-blacklisted-worker-stunned-by-legal-bill/
http://www.hazards.org/blacklistblog/
The story also made the Daily Mirror thanks to Andrew Penman and Private Eye.
- Ex-senior police officer who attended Consulting Association meetings has the front to criticise John McDonnell in the press. Blacklisted workers stand shoulder to shoulder with John McDonnell.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-e345-McDonnell-defended-after-attack-in-the-press
To hear a retired senior police officer who actually attended the blacklisting meetings claim that his future career prospects have been harmed because an MP raised the issue somewhat sticks in the throat of the thousands of honest hard working construction workers who were denied employment over decades by this illegal conspiracy.
Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Mills was the liaison officer for the National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU), a police unit tasked with spying on organisations such as CND, trade unions, leftwing journalists as well as activists within environmental and animal rights campaigns. In his official role, DCI Mills attended and gave a Powerpoint presentation at a meeting of an organisation called The Consulting Association. The Consulting Association is the secret body responsible for the illegal blacklisting of 3213 trade union and environmental activists by major construction firms and the audience at the 2008 meeting included senior managers from the following companies: Vinci, AMEC, Skanska, Costain, Sir Robert McAlpine, Emcor, and Sias Building Services. The protest DCI Gordon Mills was so upset about was organised by the GMB and amounted to 6 trade unionists carrying flags and someone dressed up in a furry crocodile suit (photo attached).
- Dates for the diary
Fri 30th October – Benefit gig at Kings Arms in Salford – all proceeds to campaigns against fascism http://kingsarmssalford.com/?id=9#10/30/2015
Mon 2nd Nov – Trade Union Bill – TUC mass lobby of Westminster parliament (12 noon onwards)
2nd – 14th Nov – United We Stand – the story of the Shrewsbury Pickets at Bussey Building, Peckham, tickets £12 (£10 concessions). http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/productions/united-we-stand
Wed 4th Nov – Holyrood blacklist 6pm meeting & Edinburgh lunchtime 1pm meeting
Sat 7th Nov – National construction rank & file meeting – Newcastle Labour Club (12-3pm) – all construction workers welcome
Sat 7th Nov – Socialism 2015, Institute of Education (blacklisting in the ‘Big Brother is watching you’ workshop). http://socialism2015.socialistparty.org.uk/
Saturday 14th November – Unite the Resistance – Defend Our Unions (Blackisting & Teesside #PayTheRate) http://uniteresist.org/2015/08/unite-the-resistance-conference-2015/
15th November – 6th December – Film maker Lucy Parker Blacklist exhibition in Edinburgh http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1451e9af82bc98b746394f078&id=8ee7960ca1&e=d1d86825e4
- Ongoing victimisation & blacklisting
Reinstate Sandy Nicholl, SOAS Unison Branch Secretary
Glen Hart, RMT rep victimised by London Undergraound for his TU activities
Peel Ports Liverpool
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/row-over-peel-ports-construction-10340532
Pay The Rate camapign at Wilton Complex in Teesside is now in its 8th month – follow by searching #PayTheRate on social media.
BSG activists at Dismaland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSY8oYqV4k8
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/blacklisted-birth-letter-langston-hughes
- Appeal from Reel News
The Reel News collective are an integral part of the Blacklist Support Group campaign, they have been with us for many years and their photos & videos have spread the story around the world. Reel News are currently running an appeal to allow them to carry on their work with the trade unions, environmental campaigns and refugees. We urge all our supporters (especially union branches) to donate to the appeal or better still take out an annual subscription to Reel News.
http://reelnews.co.uk/donationssubscriptions/
Blacklisted book http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCa8yQmZ70
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
International (also see Labourstart)
Victory in Colombia: SINTRAVALORES signs agreement with Prosegur read more
Diary (see & use false economy)
November
5 Barking Dagenham and Havering Trades Council Presents the Award Winning Film Screening: Still the Enemy Within 6-7.30pm
The Council Chambers Dagenham Civic Centre
More info: [email protected]
7 Croydon Trades Council Fighting the Tories – a manifesto for action
10.30 – 4.30pm (registration from 10am)
Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon CRO 1BD
Eventbrite.co.uk (Croydon Assembly) / Facebook: Croydon Assembly / Twitter: @croydonassembly
Email: [email protected]
10 TUCG protest against 3rd reading of the Trade Union Bill – outside Parliament 6pm
14 East London Trades Councils Conference – 11am “Defeat anti-union laws! Stop austerity” with Steve Hedley RMT, Michelle Cook Unite, Mick Houghton GLATC, Rob Williams NSSN
contact 07486 047 978 or 07506 733 392
17 Wisbech, March & District Trades Council
Film “Tony Benn: Will and Testament” 7.30pm
Wisbech £5 Q&A after the film, more info: [email protected]
21 Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) rally: ‘After Corbyn’s victory, build the fight against austerity’ – from 1.30pm to 4.30pm in Central Hall Westminster Storey’s Gate SW1H 9NH London
Barking, Dagenham and Havering Trades Council
Housing Crisis in Barking and Dagenham Public Meeting
Midday St Margaret’s Hall (opposite Barking Theatre)
More info: [email protected]
December
Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils
Conference: “London against austerity” 10am
http://www.glatuc.org.uk/news_detail1.php?id=240
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
