The National Shop Stewards Network gives full solidarity and support to this Saturday’s demonstrations in support of the NHS as it reaches its 70th anniversary.
The NSSN has been to the fore in supporting health campaigns on a national scale against Tory cuts – including the demo in March 2017 and the one earlier this year – as well as in local areas such as in Huddersfield, Leicester and Mansfield where victories have been won plus many others.
We have also played our part in building solidarity for health workers in struggle, including the Junior Doctors in 2016, the Serco workers in East London last year and current disputes in the North West and Yorkshire. We also send support to GMB members who have rejected the NHS pay offer and are preparing to consult members over possible industrial action.
We hope that Saturday’s marches can be the platform for a massive campaign that can link NHS workers with the millions who depend on the health service and all those who are determined to fight for it.
March for the NHS on its 70th anniversary: Free, for all, forever – #OurNHS70 – Saturday June 30th assemble 12pm Portland Place, London W1A.
See Health Campaigns Together website and Peoples Assembly Facebook event for more details of this and other events, including in Belfast and in Wales this Sunday, where campaigners will be rallying in Tredegar, the birthplace of Aneurin Bevan the founder of the NHS as the Health Secretary in the Labour government that was elected in 1945.
The NSSN steering committee decided to put our annual conference back a week from its original date of June 30th to July 7th to avoid a clash of dates with a this weekends events. We will be holding a workshop on defending the NHS and supporting healthworkers at our conference.
Unite agrees to affiliate to the NSSN
Unite has been a major supporter of Saturday’s demonstrations. We are delighted that the union has agreed to affiliate to the National Shop Stewards Network and become the 10th national union to officially support the NSSN.
Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey welcomed this decision of the union’s Executive Council:-
“Unite really is a fighting back union. In an age when the Tories have dished out brutal austerity and employers have felt on the front foot. I am proud of the fact that virtually every week, in some part of the country, there will be a picket line or protest decked out in Unite flags and banners. The NSSN is often there standing shoulder to shoulder with us. It plays an important role in getting the word out and helping to build support and solidarity when a hostile Tory media is attacking us for defending our members. I spoke at the NSSN rally at the TUC in September alongside our striking binworkers from Birmingham. I look forward to our union developing a relationship with the network for the benefit of our members.”
Unite Assistant General Secretary Howard Beckett is speaking at the NSSN Conference on July 7th
Unison healthworkers
Mid Yorkshire hospitals strike action suspended (26 June) – The strike action of UNISON Estates and Facilities staff at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals against the setting up of an Wholly Owned Subsidiary company planned for 2nd July has been suspended. The Trust management have agreed to investigate keeping the staff in the NHS pension scheme and employment. They have also suspended a committee looking at Inferior Terms and Conditions and a potential two tier workforce. In a statement to members Mid Yorkshire Health UNISON branch said “Our strike action is suspended but the dispute and strike ballot result remains in place until 12th December. We will update you regularly on the talks and if they break down strike action will be reinstated immediately.” Adrian O’Malley, Branch Secretary UNISON Mid Yorkshire Health (Personal Capacity)
North West hospital workers second strike over outsourcing – Hospital workers in Wigan, Leigh and Wrightington, in north-west England, mounted picket lines again on Friday 8 June at the start of their second 48-hour strike. They first took action against the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS trust’s plans to transfer their jobs to a wholly owned private company, WWL Solutions, on 23 and 24 May read more Unison: NHS outsourcing is bad for staff and bad for patients
Today June 27th – NHS solidarity with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh strikers – from 9.30am outside HQ Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Wigan Lane, WN1 2NN Wigan Facebook event
NSSN news
The 2018 National Shop Stewards Network Annual Conference is from 11am-4.30pm on Saturday July 7th in Conway Hall – 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
The attendance fee is £6 and it is open to all trade union and anti-cuts campaigners. Affiliation letter and conference appeal letter is here Facebook event
We also want to give advanced notice that once again we will be organising a rally at TUC Congress. This year it will be in Manchester on Sunday September 9th.
Yorkshire NSSN public meeting: Fight Austerity in Harrogate – Unite to defend jobs and services. Wednesday 27th June, St Roberts Club, Robert St, Harrogate, HG1 1HP – 7.30pm. Harrogate is facing the impact of austerity, with cutbacks across the town, from redundancies at Harrogate College, to closure of the Briary Wing at Harrogate hospital and the privatisation of staff into a ‘Wholly-owned Subsidiary’ and the threats to remove guards from Northern Rail services. Join us to discuss how we can unite struggles of staff, trade unions and community campaigns. Speakers from UCU and other campaigners Facebook event
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE
Download the ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Linda on [email protected]
Follow us on twitter via @NSSN_AntiCuts and Facebook
Union News
PCS
The National Shop Stewards Network gives full support and solidarity to the PCS who voted at their recent annual conference to move to a national strike ballot on pay that opened on June 18 and closes on July 23rd
“Broken promises” as Treasury publish pay remit without consultation (25 Jun) – Despite two assurances to the contrary, the Treasury today published the 2018 pay remit guidance, without consultation with the unions. PCS has expressed anger and disappointment that the Treasury has failed to consult our union before announcing government departments would be able to make average pay awards above 1-1.5%, but only in exchange for further cuts. The remit provides a framework within which all civil service departments will set pay for 2018 to 2019. It details that departments “will be able to give average awards higher than the 1- 1.5% range in exchange for plans to improve workforce productivity”. Departments will additionally not be permitted to reduce their performance-related pay pots to provide additional funding for the consolidated pay bill, for example to fund an across-the board increase in excess of 1.5%, but “must be targeted to address recruitment and retention pressures”. This “improvement in productivity”, otherwise known as further cuts, is being proposed despite the fact there have been 180,000 jobs cut in the civil service, making it the smallest civil service since the Second World War. Our members have lost an average of £4,400 in wages in real terms and face ever growing workloads. Our 2018 pay claim calls for a fully-funded 5% pay rise, a Living Wage of £10 an hour, pay equality across the civil service and a common pay and grading structure. We feel that our claim for this year is the right place to start to redress the balance read more
Join 29 June payday protests – tell us you’ve voted (22 Jun) – With a week to go until our next day of payday activities on 29 June it is crucial all PCS members are getting involved and getting the vote out in our pay ballot. Our pay ballot which started on Monday aims to force the government into paying our members in the civil service and related grades a fully-funded 5% pay rise. As soon as you get your ballot paper vote yes, put it in the pre-paid envelope and return it to the independent scrutineers. Once you’ve voted urge your colleagues to vote yes, too. We’re encouraging members to use the I’ve voted yes photo opp cards to pose for photos, post them on social media and email them to [email protected] read more
Sign our petition to defend veterans’ services (25 Jun) – Sign our petition to urge the government to withdraw plans to outsource veterans’ services and carry out a public consultation on any future plans to privatise any work related to the delivery of military human resources or veterans services. The government is looking to outsource veterans’ services, including the administration of the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, MoD Medal Office and Veterans Enabling and Supporting Services, without public consultation read more
Campaign for ex-Carillion staff to be brought in-house at the British Museum Sign our online petition
Unite
HCA Members Vote Yes to Strike! (22 June) – Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have overwhelmingly voted for strike action in protest at years of real-terms pay cuts and pay inequality. The organisation is home to the Regulator of Social Housing and Homes England brands, and Unite is the largest of three recognised trade unions read more from read more on Unite LE111 housing workers branch website
Unite urges Sheffield Supertram bosses to make improved pay offer to avoid strikes (21 June) – Unite called on Stagecoach bosses running Sheffield’s Supertram to table a revised pay offer to avoid industrial action after drivers and conductors overwhelmingly backed strike action in a dispute over pay. Unite is set to meet with Stagecoach’s Supertram bosses on Monday 2 July amid rising anger over a two year pay offer which would see drivers and conductors get just a 26 pence an hour pay rise in year one and in year two. Over 200 drivers and conductors took part in the industrial action ballot which saw 91.7 per cent back strike action and 95.8 per cent industrial action short of a strike. The turnout was over 83 per cent read more
Catalyst housing staff submit grievance on harsh sickness policy: Harsh and possibly discriminatory (19 June) – Over 200 staff at Catalyst Housing have submitted a grievance to the board of the association objecting to a harsh and possibly discriminatory new sickness absence policy which was introduced without consultation last year read more on Unite LE111 housing workers branch website
Hackney drivers face summer meltdown as traffic wardens announce fresh strike dates – Motorists in Hackney, north London, are facing a summer meltdown as the boroughs traffic wardens, members of Unite the UK’s largest union, have announced six days of strike action next month. The 40 traffic wardens who are employed by private contractor APOCA Parking (UK) Ltd on an outsourced contract tendered by the council, will take six days of strike action beginning at 00:01 on Monday 9 July and ending at 23.59 on Saturday 14 July read more
Messages of support for the strikers can be sent to [email protected]
We also need financial donations. Cheques made payable to Hackney Unite and sent to Onay Kasab at 33 – 37 Moreland St, London EC1V 8BB.
Messages of protest to the Mayor of Hackney ( APCOA run the contract for Hackney Council) and also to the Head of Parking and Markets, 136 – 142 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 OQJ
Support the Unite strikers at TGI Fridays’ – workers recently took four days of strike action over tips and minimum wage abuses read more. Tweet support to @RwUnite
Support Ian Allinson: Protesters accuse Fujitsu of victimising whistleblowers read more. Keep up to date with Unite: Our union in Fujitsu website
RMT
RMT drivers on Piccadilly Line to strike over appalling working conditions (26 June) – TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that driver members on the Piccadilly Line will be striking over a series of attacks on working conditions and staffing levels that have turned the line into a pressure cooker. RMT members will strike between 21.00 hours on Wednesday 11th July and 01.00 hours on Saturday 14th July 2018 read more
RMT demands a permanent end to privatisation of East Coast Main Line at Edinburgh protest today (25 June) – General Secretary Mick Cash said; “The protest in Edinburgh this morning, coinciding with our AGM in the City, is sending out the clearest possible message to Chris Grayling that the fight for public ownership of our railways is stepping up a notch read more
“Chicken Grayling” located in Manchester this morning as RMT Protest demands an end to the Northern franchise scandal (25 June) – Having pulled out at the last minute from the opportunity to meet Northern rail workers and passengers in Manchester this morning rail union RMT has claimed that it has located the Transport Secretary “Chicken Grayling”. RMT was holding a protest outside the Regional Transport Summit in Manchester this morning demanding an end to the franchise chaos on Northern Rail and an end to the threat to axe safety-critical guards from nearly half a million trains a year to fatten up profit margins read more
RMT strike action rock solid on Northern Rail this morning in fight for rail safety (19 June) – RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said; “RMT members on Northern Rail stand rock solid and united once again this morning in this long running dispute which is about putting public safety and access before private profit on our railways. “RMT is angry and frustrated that while we are making some progress in discussions in similar safety disputes Arriva Rail North refuse point blank to engage with the union in any meaningful fashion. That is a disgrace and speaks volumes about the attitude of this company…” read more
National dispute fund (DOO disputes) – If you would like to donate to the RMT National Dispute Fund which makes payments to support their striking members taking part in National DOO disputes then you can donate via PayPal using the donate button below or make a cheque payable to RMT National Dispute Fund and send it to the address below. Alternatively, you can ring their Freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706 who will be happy to process a credit card payment for you, or, if you would like to pay via internet banking, please email [email protected] for further details. Vicky Thompson, Finance Manager RMT, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD. Tel: 020-7529-8843
FBU
Campaign launch to halt cuts to Merseyside Fire and Rescue (26 June) – Launch of anti-cuts campaign in Merseyside: The Boardroom, Jack Jones House, 2 Churchill Way, Liverpool L3 8EF at 6:30pm, Friday 29 June 2018
A campaign is being launched by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to stop alarming budget cuts to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service which has seen the number of firefighters and fire appliances fall dramatically. Current spending plans mean that between 2010 and 2020 firefighter numbers will reduce by 37% from 927 to 580 and almost half of all fire appliances will be axed. From 42 to 22. Since 2010, there has been an overall upward trend in fire deaths in Merseyside. Between 2010/11 there were five fire deaths. This increased to 16 during 2015/16 read more
Interim agreement and cancellation of notified strike action in West Midlands (25 June) – I am pleased to be able to tell you that today I have authorised the signing of an interim agreement (which is a collective agreement) which represents significant progress in resolving some of the issues in the trade dispute. A copy of the document is attached to this circular. The agreement was reached using the NJC mechanisms for assisting local parties. I am sure you will join me in thanking your local officials for the work they have carried out that has resulted in this achievement. Accordingly, the strike action planned to take place on 30 June 2018 and 4 July 2018 is cancelled. The trade dispute is not resolved and it has been agreed with the West Midlands Fire Service that further talks will take place to try to find a resolution to the trade dispute in its entirety. Further strike action may be called in the future, but only in circumstances where, when and if it is required. Members will be kept informed of future developments.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
NEU
Support the NEU strikes this week. Send messages of support to the union contact:-
Springfield Primary School/Birmingham – Tuesday 26 June Wednesday 27 June Thursday 28 June David Room [email protected]
Hall Green Infant & Nursery School/Birmingham – Tuesday 26 June Wednesday 27 June Thursday 28 June David Room [email protected]
The John Roan School/Greenwich – Tuesday 26 June Wednesday 27 June Tim Woodcock [email protected]
Connaught School for Girls Wednesday – 27 June [email protected]
Baxter College/Worcestershire – Wednesday 27 June [email protected]
Langdon Park/Tower Hamlets – Wednesday 27 June Thursday 28 June [email protected]
East Sussex Schools Bourne Primary Central CE Academy Hailsham Community College Pashley Down Infant Ocklynge Junior Cavendish Ratton – Wednesday 27 June [email protected]
Strikes are being held at schools across Sussex as a dispute over pay rages on (22 June) – The National Education Union (NEU) has called strike action on Wednesday, June 27 at Pashley Down Infants (Eastbourne), Ocklynge Junior School (Eastbourne), Cavendish School (Eastbourne), Ratton School (Eastbourne), Hailsham Community College, Bourne Primary School (Eastbourne) and Central CE School (Chichester). This is to be followed by a three-day strike on the July 3 to 5 at 12 schools; Priory School (Lewes), Uckfield Community Technology College, St Catherine’s College (Eastbourne), Peacehaven Community School, Seaford Head School, Pashley Down Infants, Ocklynge Junior, Cavendish School, Ratton School, Hailsham Community College, Bourne Primary and Central CE School read more in Brighton & Independent
Fair pay for London teachers: all London reps briefing – Saturday 30 June 10.30am-1pm at NEU, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD
Strike vote at Royal Mail Swansea (June 27) – Swansea Delivery Office members will be balloted on strike action after a member was sacked on the basis of a “flawed conduct case” undertaken by local management. Martin Henwood, who has worked for the company for 32 years with no previous disciplinary record, was sacked last month after bosses accused him of not following a procedure on door-to-door (unaddressed) mail, despite him following the protocol of the office read more
Support the Ferndale Royal Mail delivery walkout (June 27) – posties walked out on Tuesday and were still out today over unfair treatment by management
GMB
GMB Scores Landmark Win Against Hermes (June 25) – GMB union scores another landmark win in Hermes workers’ rights case. This is yet another ruling that shows the gig economy for what it is – old fashioned exploitation under a shiny new facade, says GMB Union. GMB, the union for lifestyle couriers, has scored a landmark legal victory against Hermes after an employment tribunal ruled their couriers are entitled to basic workers’ rights. The win is the latest GMB Union legal triumph against bogus self-employment following ground-breaking successes against Uber [1] and Addison Lee read more
BFAWU
Support the McDonalds strikers who took their 2nd day of action on May 1st – Keep sending solidarity to the BFAWU, post cheques to BFAWU, Stanborough House, Great North Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 7TA and donate to the strike fund. Also help the fund by buying a #McStrike t-shirt. More info on the Fast Food Rights/Hungry for Justice website
UCU
UCU members start new wave of FE strikes over pay and jobs – read here for information about strikes at Hull, Tower Hamlets College, Hackney Community College, Epping Forest College, Lambeth College, Lewisham Southwark College, City and Islington College (CCG), College of Haringey Enfield and North East London (CCG), Westminster Kingsway College (CCG) and Havering College
Unison, GMB, Unite East Dunbartonshire
East Dunbartonshire council strike is ‘biggest in a generation’, says Unison (22 June) – UNISON have warned East Dunbartonshire Council that they will continue to fight for local services in the area and say support for their strike can only strengthen following last night’s extraordinary lobby of East Dunbartonshire Council. Hundreds of workers joined one of the biggest rallies ever seen in East Dunbartonshire to mark the first of four days of strikes. Local businesses have been donating money, food and treats. And strikers have been getting messages of support from across Dunbartonshire, even further. Today is day two of strike action read more on Unison Scotland website See photos from the strikes
Send solidarity messages to:
Email: [email protected] Phone 0141 578 8058
Donations to: Industrial Action Account East Dunbartonshire Unison
Sort Code: 086001 Account No. 20075332
Email Janice Campbell to let them know of your [email protected]
More Unison
Support Hull recycling workers striking for sick pay – Branch appeals for donations to hardship fund. Recycling workers working for FCC Environment in Hull have been striking for decent pay sick pay, and are asking for donations to their hardship fund. Please send messages of solidarity and financial support to the Wilmington Strikers c/o Adrian Kennett Hull City UNISON 39, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU1 2AG. Please make cheques payable to UNISON Hull City Branch read more
BECTU
Support the Picturehouse workers who have recently taken more action – BECTU members at the Ritzy cinema in Brixton and 4 other Picturehouse venues in East Dulwich, Central (Shaftesbury Avenue), Hackney and Crouch End renewed their official strike mandates earlier this month. This second phase of the now historic dispute over the Living Wage started in September 2016 after the employer reneged on a previous agreement to pay the Living Wage at the Ritzy and refused to negotiate on the union’s pay and conditions claim. Since September 2016 more sites have joined the campaign to appeal to the company, which trades on a progressive image, to pay the Living Wage and to recognise BECTU for collective bargaining. Read the latest on Brixton Ritzy Facebook Page and those of Hackney, Crouch End, Central, Dulwich East and Duke of York Brighton
Donate to the Picturehouse Cinema strike fund: https://www.crowdpac.co.uk/campaigns/250/picturehousestrike
NUJ
Back BuzzFeed NUJ recognition (19 June) – Ballot papers have been posted out to a group of staff at BuzzFeed in a vote for NUJ trade union recognition at work. The NUJ chapel at BuzzFeed first asked its management to recognise the chapel’s right to independent, collective NUJ representation in autumn 2016. More than 18 months later, after swingeing redundancies and a lengthy, statutory legal process, staff working in the News and Buzz sections will be asked to confirm they want the NUJ to represent them read more
POA
Privatisation announcement (26 June) – The announcement today by the Prisons Minister that all new build prisons will be subject to competition and the public sector will not be allowed to bid is a slap in the face for hardworking public sector Prison staff. It seems this government is determined to obliterate the public sector in an attempt to satisfy their corporate party donors read more
Mandate (Ireland)
Mandate Trade Union condemn Lloyds Pharmacy for forcing workers to strike (22 June) – Lloyds workers thank public for support. Mandate Trade Union has criticised management in Lloyds Pharmacy for leaving their workers with no option but to participate in a two hour strike today (Friday, 22nd June 2018) from 10am-12noon in 34 stores across Ireland. Last Thursday 29 Lloyds Pharmacy stores took industrial action for one hour after their company refused to accept a Labour Court recommendation and negotiate with their trade union Mandate. Today up to 230 workers are escalating the strike with an additional five stores joining the picket lines for an extra hour. This brings the total striking stores to 34, along with delivery drivers. Mandate say the company has left the workers with no alternative but to strike read more. Send messages of support via the strikers’ Facebook page
IWGB
End outsourcing at Birkbeck: petition and demonstration (June 20) – The campaign to end outsourcing at the University of London is picking up momentum. Birkbeck had decided to start its own in-house campaign beginning with a demonstration on 26 June, and a call to sign the ‘Birkbeck Justice for Workers’ petition as detailed read more
United Voices of the World
Kensington & Chelsea cleaners demand Living Wage (June 23) – Cleaning staff are threatening to strike for the London Living Wage and believe their campaign could have a domino effect on neighbouring boroughs. Cleaners of town halls in Kensington and Chelsea say they will strike unless their minimum wage of £7.83 an hour rises to £10.20. The United Voices of the World union, representing the cleaners, said the strike could happen in July unless Amey – the outsourced company employed by Kensington and Chelsea (K&C) Council – agrees to its demands read more www.facebook.com/uvwunion
Other news
Stop Trump – support the protests on Friday June 13th when the racist, sexist, billionaire president of the US Donald Trump visits the UK
Walk-out against Trump! Socialist Students Facebook event
Together Against Trump: national demo – assemble 2pm BBC Portland Place, London W1A 1AA Facebook event
Blacklisting & Victimisation
Blacklist Support Group financial appeal: the Blacklist support group is desperately short of funds, to continue the incredible work we need more finance, would you please consider making a donation, raise it at your branches and trade councils. Please make cheques payable to Joint sites committee and send to 70 Darnay Rise Chelmsford Essex CM1 4XA. Please forward onto your contacts many thanks Steve Kelly (JSC Treasurer)
Sign the Lush petition to Home Secretary Sajid Javid: Support victims of police spying get access to justice
Blacklist Support Group Update: Victoria Derbyshire LIVE – Special Branch collusion in blacklisting
Massive ‘thank you’ to everyone at the BBC Victoria Derbyshire Live programme, especially investigative journalist Simon Cox for the coverage of police involvement with blacklisting this Monday. Steve Acheson, Roy Bentham, Justin Bowden, Peter Francis, Dave Smith & Rebecca Long Bailey all featured. Even Julia Mulligan the Tory Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Yorkshire called the Met’s approach ‘a cover up’
Various BBC clips:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06c1693
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-44581662/i-m-a-trade-unionist-not-a-terrorist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAbJQDQRkh4&feature=youtu.be
Watch the videos and if you’re angry, circulate to your contacts as well as your MP and PCC and ask them what they are doing about this national scandal?
Use the hashtags #VictoriaLive #SpyCops #Blacklisting on social media
FULL DISCLOSURE OF EVIDENCE
STAND ALONE BLACKLISTING PUBLIC INQUIRY
PUT AN END TO POLITICAL POLICING
Blacklisted t-shirts available at: https://shop.hopenothate.org.uk/component/hikashop/product/78-blacklisted-t-shirt
Book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklistSG/
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
International
India: That’s terrible, that’s Tetley! – tea workers denied their human right to safe drinking water read more
Coca-Cola is becoming a serial human rights offender – in Haiti, Indonesia, Ireland, the Philippines and the United States read more
Diary
2018
June
30 NHS 70th anniversary rallies in London, Belfast
July
7 National Shop Stewards Network 2018 Annual Conference 11am-4.30pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London
September
9 NSSN TUC Rally in Manchester
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
