This week, we headline the NSSN bulletin with the wave of strike action being taken by RMT members, including those in Scotland, London, Hull, East Midlands and Merseyside.
Also, Unite members are escalating their action this coming week on the Woolwich Ferry.
Please support all this action. Like all other workers, transport staff shouldn’t be made to pay the price for the Covid pandemic. The NSSN sends our solidarity!
RMT
Industrial action restarts on Hull Trains (29 July) – Industrial action restarts on Hull Trains on Monday in the fight to defend decent pension rights. RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today industrial action on Hull Trains will start again from Monday, with a wave of strike action kicking off on Sunday 8th August, in a fight to defend decent pension rights and to force the company to honour their long-standing obligations to staff. Despite talks at the conciliation service ACAS and RMT representatives attempts to resolve the pensions dispute amicably with Hull Trains management these discussions have now broken down without progress. As a result action is back on with members instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between:-
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 8th August 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 15th August 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 22nd August 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 29th August 2021
Additionally, the continuous rest day working and overtime ban will restart from 00.01 hours on Monday 2nd August 2021 and will continue until further notice read more
ScotRail Gateline Staff to take industrial action (28 July) – ScotRail Gateline Staff take industrial action in company-wide fight for workplace justice. RAIL UNION RMT announced today that ScotRail Gateline Staff are to take industrial action over pay justice for rest day working. They join with other Abellio ScotRail workers, including Conductors, Ticket Examiners and Cleaners, who are involved in separate long-running disputes over pay justice. The action has been called as follows:
Abellio ScotRail Gateline CSA members to take industrial action short of a strike as outlined below:
- No Overtime, Higher Grade Duty or Rest Day Working from 0001 Hours on Wednesday 11th August 2021 until further notice.
- A Rest Day Working ban in the form of only working booked Sundays from 0001 Hours on Wednesday 11th August 2021 until further notice read more
London Night Tube strike goes ahead – Strike action over London Underground plans to abolish Night Tube Train Drivers’ grade goes ahead next month as company block progress in ACAS talks. TUBE UNION RMT said today that strike action across the network over plans by London Underground to abolish the Night Tube Train Drivers’ grade will go ahead next month after the company refused to make any serious progress in ACAS talks this week. Following a solid vote for action late last month and subsequent talks that failed to resolve this issue RMT has instructed members as follows;
All LUL Train Operators are instructed not to book on for any duty:
- Commencing from 12:00 (noon) on 3.8.21 until 11.59 on 4.8.21
- Commencing from 12:00 (noon) on 5.8.21 until 11.59 on 6.8.21
- Commencing from 12:00 (noon) on 24.8.21 until 11.59 on 25.8.21
- Commencing from 12:00 (noon) on 26.8.21 until 11.59 on 27.8.21
LU propose to axe the grade in what the union says is a cash led move aimed at shunting staff around the combine at will which will threaten the loss of 200 jobs and destroy the work life balance of 3000 Tube drivers. RMT entered ACAS talks in good faith this week only to meet a wall of opposition from London Underground who refused point-blank to engage with any constructive proposals aimed at resolving the dispute. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “RMT is angry and frustrated at the Tube bosses’ refusal to engage in constructive discussions through the offices of ACAS that could resolve this dispute…” read more
RMT back at ACAS to discuss ‘abolition of Night Tube grade’ dispute (29 July) – RMT challenges London Underground to stand by lines in press release today as grounds for progress in Night Tube strike talks at ACAS tomorrow read more
Video: abolition of Night Tube grade dispute ACAS update 2 (July 26) – In this second update video, filmed after today’s ACAS meeting (26th of July 2021), regional organiser John Leach updates members on the dispute. In the video, John Leach explains our position and management’s response. At present the dispute remains on – more info, including strike dates read more
RMT will fight any attack on our pension rights (31 July) – Budget to cut £900m this year passed by TfL board. TfL announces commission to attack our pensions. RMT will fight any attack on our pension rights. We will not accept job losses or detriments to pay, terms or conditions read more
Merseyrail cleaners strike and protest in fight for pay justice – Rail union RMT Mitie station and accommodation cleaners on the Merseyrail Contract are taking strike action and demonstrating in support of pay justice tomorrow – Friday 23rd July. The demonstration, involving the cleaners and their supporters, will be outside Mitie and Merseyrail’s Liverpool Headquarters at Rail House, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool L1 1JF at 8am on Friday 23rd July. The cleaners voted by a massive majority for action over the offer of a pitiful increase in their poverty pay rates which would have still left them far short of the Real Living Wage and the absolute minimum of £10 an hour which RMT is campaigning for as recognition of these real heroes of the COVID pandemic who have worked throughout read more
RMT calls new Serco Caledonian Sleeper strike dates – RMT calls new phase of industrial action in Serco Caledonian Sleeper pay fight. RAIL UNION RMT has called a new phase of industrial action in its ongoing dispute over pay justice for Serco Caledonian Sleeper workers. The action has been called after negotiations with Serco, under the auspices of ACAS, failed with the company refusing to offer a revised pay award without a series of “efficiency savings”. RMT members employed on the Serco Caledonian Sleeper have already taken a number of rock-solid days of strike action in their ongoing fight for pay justice, after being subjected to a pay freeze, despite being key workers who have worked throughout the pandemic. The union’s National Executive Committee has taken the decision to call further action as follows:-
With effect from 00:01 hours on Friday 30th July 2021, until further notice, members are be instructed:-
- Not to work any Higher-Grade Duty
Additionally, the instruction to Serco Caledonian Sleeper members not to work any overtime and not to work on rest days remains in place until further notice read more
Edinburgh Rail Gourmet strike rock solid – Edinburgh Rail Gourmet strike rock solid again today (17 July) in fight to end bullying. RAIL UNION RMT said today that Rail Gourmet staff at Edinburgh Waverley are solidly supporting the latest round of strike action this weekend in a fight to end a culture of workplace bullying and harassment. RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “I am proud to report that our Edinburgh Rail Gourmet members are standing rock soild again this morning and are attacting widespread support for their action read more
Rail Gourmet members at Edinburgh Waverley are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between:
- 06.00 hours on Wednesday 14th July 2021 until 05.59 hours on Thursday 15th July 2021
- 06.00 hours on Saturday 17th July 2021 until 05.59 hours on Monday 19th July 2021
- 06.00 hours Saturday 31st July 2021 until 05.59 hours on Sunday 1st August 2021 read more
Train Managers to strike on East Midlands Railway – RAIL UNION RMT said that Train Managers on East Midlands Railway will be striking on Sundays in August and September as they escalate industrial action in their ongoing dispute over safety on Class 360 trains. East Midlands Railway has imposed new working arrangements on the multi-unit 12 carriage Class 360 Trains that the union believes are unsafe with only one Train Manager working on them. The industrial action will take place as follows:
The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and believes that we have no other alternative than to escalate the dispute and call strike action in the form of not working 12 car trains alone and strike action cross a number Sundays. Therefore, East Midlands Railway Train Managers are instructed to not book on for any shifts that commence between:
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 8th August 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 15th August 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 22nd August 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 29th August 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 5th September 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 12th September 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 19th September 2021
- 0001 hours and 2359 hours on Sunday 26th September 2021
Furthermore, you and your colleagues are instructed to take part in the following strike action in the form of:
- Not to work 12 car trains alone from 0001 Hours on Saturday 7th August 2021 until further notice.
Please Note: The above industrial strike action, is suspended during the Sunday strike action dates above, but will commence again immediately at 0001 hours on the Monday, following the Sunday strike action, and will be suspended again at 2359 on each Saturday, on the eve of the Sunday action read more
Support East Midlands Railway senior conductors strike – RMT are set to strike every Sunday throughout the summer as part of the long running dispute. RMT have confirmed that nearly 200 Train Managers have also now voted overwhelmingly for action in a parallel dispute. EMR Senior Conductor members are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between:
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 27th June 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 4th July 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 11th July 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 18th July 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 25th July 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 1st August 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 8th August 2021
- 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 15th August 2021 read more
United action against the Tories on public sector pay
Public sector workers, headed by those in the NHS and education, are rightly furious after the Tories finally made their pay announcements.
The 3% to be awarded to NHS staff, who have been on the front line risking their lives during Covid, is nowhere near what has been lost over the last decade. That’s why many health workers have been demanding 15%. But to rub salt in to the wounds, this rise must come out of the existing NHS budget. This means brutal cuts on top of all the Tory austerity we’ve already had.
It’s even worse for teachers, with a pay freeze. Local government workers have already been offered 1.75% and those in higher education 1.5%, further education staff 1% while many civil servants just a paltry £250 for lowest paid members and nothing for the rest.
The NSSN stands in solidarity with these and all public sector workers who are effectively receiving a pay cut as RPI inflation moves over 3%. After years of cuts to their income, the most effective way to get the pay rise they deserve is to fight together.
We support all demonstrations and industrial action that workers take. NSSN chair Rob Williams spoke at the recent ‘NHS Workers Say NO’ parliamentary protest to bring solidarity from the Network. He said that if NHS workers took action, it would get massive support.
Workers are stronger when they take action together. The NSSN calls on unions and their members to reject these insulting offers and co-ordinate industrial action ballots so that if the Tories don’t back down, millions of public sector workers can take action together to get the pay rise they deserve.
GMB to ballot NHS members over ‘real terms pay cut’ (30 July)
RCN launches ‘summer of action’ in protest against below-inflation NHS pay award (28 July)
NIPSA: Health Pay 2021/22 (30 July)
Unison: Council staff who kept local services and schools running deserve a real pay rise (27 July)
Unite on local government pay (28 July)
GMB: Local Government pay offer ‘woeful reward’ for pandemic efforts (27 July)
Unison: Police staff unions angered by employers’ offer of a pay freeze (28 July)
GMB: Police staff pay ‘offer’ is massive real terms cut (28 July)
Unite: Police staff pay offer is massive real terms pay cut – unions (28 July)
Follow NHS Workers Say NO to Public Sector pay inequality on Facebook
Sunday September 12th – 12pm NSSN TUC Rally
This year’s TUC Congress will again be virtual due to the Covid pandemic. Therefore, like last year, the NSSN will be holding an online rally. More details to come
Confirmed speaker: Sarah Woolley BFAWU General Secretary Facebook event
Zoom details:-
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86116774093?pwd=OVNvZldISGozKzd6U0QvL1hBWEI3Zz09
Meeting ID: 861 1677 4093
Passcode: NSSN2021
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: Reinstate Gary Bolister sacked GMB rep at Islington Council
Watch Reel News video: Victimised union reps: Act like it’s you and fight back
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!
NSSN sends our solidarity and congratulations to Kirstie Paton, her members in John Roan School and the NEU in Greenwich and nationally after successfully defending her job – watch Reel News video: NEU rep Kirstie Paton wins dismissal case: School safety matters..
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
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
Union News
RMT, ASLEF, TSSA: Online Public Meeting – ‘The Future of Eurostar, how can we save out green link to Europe?’ 6.30pm Wednesday 4th August details
More RMT
Pandemic profiteering has to stop (30 July) – ‘Pandemic profiteering has to stop’ says RMT as FirstGroup announce £500 million shareholder payout and boasts that new National Rail Contracts will ‘support attractive dividends’. RAIL UNION RMT has called on the government to stop FirstGroup paying out a planned £500 million to shareholders this year, a sum it increased recently in part as a consequence of its franchise termination agreement with the government for the TransPennine Express being £50m ‘lower than anticipated’ and its new National Rail Contracts with the DfT. The union has warned that the government’s National Rail Contracts are ushering in a new era of risk-free profiteering as FirstGroup’s investor presentation shows that it expects to pay ‘regular dividends commencing in 2022’ on the basis of an operating model it in which the balance of risk and reward has been ‘totally transformed’ freeing the company from ‘revenue risk’ and which will ‘support attractive dividends’ read more
£9.3m in fees handed to Scottish private rail operators (29 July) – RMT analysis reveals that the £9.3m in fees handed to private rail operators Abellio and Serco by the Scottish Government in just 6 months could have instead funded a pay award for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper workers. RAIL UNION RMT today condemned the Scottish Government’s continued refusal to fund a pay award for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper workers, as the union published research which found that the fees, totalling over £9.3m, paid to operators Abellio and Serco for their initial 6-month Covid-19 Emergency Measures Agreement would be more than enough to fund an annual pay award for these essential workers. The Scottish Government has been managing the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises since March 2020, when it transferred the private operators Abellio and Serco onto Covid-19 Emergency Measures Agreements (EMA). The terms of the EMAs permit the payment of performance and management fees to the operators. At the same time, the Scottish Government continues to refuse to fund a pay award for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper workers, despite the key role they have played throughout the pandemic and the soaring cost of living. RPI inflation currently stands at 3.9% and RMT analysis reveals that the fees paid to Abellio and Serco for just six months would be more than enough to fund a pay award for their workers at this level read more
RMT statement on accessibility measures (28 July) – RMT statement on the Government’s new public transport accessibility measures. Commenting on the announcement of new public transport accessibility measures as part of the Government’s new National Disability Strategy, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “It is absolutely vital that the UK’s public transport networks are fully accessible for disabled passengers. Currently disabled people make fewer trips by public transport and are less likely to find it easy to access public transport than non-disabled people. It is therefore clear that urgent Government action is needed to make all forms of public transport truly accessible, yet it is actively pursuing policies across that will only make public transport less accessible for disabled passengers…” read more
RMT statement on Seafarer Workforce Report (28 July) – RMT statement on International Chamber of Shipping BIMCO’s Seafarer Workforce Report. SEAFARER Union RMT today responded to the International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO’s Seafarer Workforce Report 2021 read more
Add your voice to calls to stop the axe of services from Morpeth and to increase them in Pegswood by contacting the train companies Chief Executives – Less than a week to go!
TSSA
TSSA warns strike action in ScotRail likely (28 July) – Rail union TSSA today wrote to ScotRail warning them to expect industrial action after TSSA members working as Team Managers in ScotRail voted for strike action in a dispute over staff shortages. TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, said: “Abellio have been raking in huge management fees throughout the pandemic. Now they expect our members to cover shortages caused by industrial action by the RMT, when they should be getting round the table and sorting the problems out read more
“Listen up and act now” for driver managers, says TSSA on RAIB near miss findings (27 July) – Rail union TSSA has called for better terms and conditions for train driver managers, following the findings of a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report which identified “high turnover of driver managers, insufficient driver managers in post and their high workload” as a contributing factor to a near miss. On Sunday 21 June 2020, a near miss occurred between two passenger trains at London Underground’s Chalfont and Latimer station. A Chiltern Railways train stopped about 23 metres before reaching a London Underground train, which was stationary. There were no reported injuries, but there was minor damage to signalling equipment and a set of points read more
Unite
Don’t end furlough, adapt it to avoid a bleak autumn and provide longer-term support for workers, urges Unite (31 July) – On the eve of the government’s contribution to the furlough scheme reducing to 60 per cent of wage costs, the country’s leading manufacturing union, Unite, has today (Saturday 31 July) called for the government to rethink its plans to end the scheme altogether in September read more
Ealing Serco parking strikes suspended as hopes of peace deal rise (30 July) – The first two days of the latest Ealing parking enforcement strikes have been suspended, as hopes of a deal to end the dispute increased. Forty five civil enforcement officers (CEOs), who are employed by troubled outsourcing giant Serco on the Ealing council parking enforcement contracts, have been taking strike action since early May in a dispute over the company’s attempts to undermine Unite, by offering severance agreements to Unite representatives and lay members, in order to undermine collective consultation and also over the company’s refusal to negotiate on their absence policy. The latest two week period of strikes were due to begin on Monday (2 August), but the first two days of strike action have been suspended read more
Ballot over parity pay for HGV drivers could hit deliveries to 1,500 convenience stores in London and south east, Unite warns (30 July) – The national shortage of HGV drivers is behind a forthcoming ballot for strike action that could impact on deliveries to more than 1,500 convenience stores in London and the south east, Unite the union warned today (Friday 30 July). Booker Retail Partners, the wholesale supplier to independent retailers under the Budgens and Londis brands, put in place a temporary £5 an hour pay uplift for drivers at its Hemel Hempstead depot because of the HGV driver shortage, but then refused to implement a similar uplift for the 30 drivers at the Thamesmead site. The Thamesmead drivers will now be balloted from mid to the end of August for strike action and industrial action short of a strike. Unite is seeking a similar uplift to that the Hemel Hempstead drivers are receiving read more
Passenger Transport public meeting (hosted by Solidarity Shouts): The new bus strategy, TfL’s plans, and Health & Safety 7pm Tuesday 3rd August – all being discussed our next event. Open to Unite passenger transport members, plus comrades in sister unions with an interest. Help spread the word about action and plan for the future. Register here
NHS staff march on Downing Street to protest at ‘grossly inadequate’ three per cent pay recommendation (29 July) – Unite the union is strongly supporting its health service members who will be marching on Downing Street tomorrow (Friday 30 July) to vent their anger at the ‘grossly inadequate’ three per cent pay recommendation by the Pay Review Body (PRB) for NHS workers in England. Members of the Unite Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital branch will be assembling at 17.00 tomorrow at St Thomas’ with other health workers to march to Downing Street to protest that the PRB recommendation is an insult for an exhausted workforce who have battled Covid for the last 18 months and have seen, in many cases, a 19 per cent pay drop in real terms since the Tories took power in 2010 read more
Gloucester UPS strikes suspended as peace talks progress (28 July) – The immediate threat of severe delays to parcel deliveries in the Gloucestershire area have been temporarily averted as negotiations between UPS and Unite, the UK’s leading union, have made some initial progress. As a consequence the first strikes announced last week in the dispute over bullying, health and safety and dignity at work at the company’s Gloucester Business Park depot have been suspended. The strikes which were scheduled for Friday 30 July, Monday 2 August and Tuesday 3 August will not now take place, to allow for further negotiations. However, if the dispute is not resolved strikes will begin on Wednesday 4 August with further strikes scheduled throughout August and into September read more
Police staff pay offer is massive real terms pay cut – unions (28 July) – Unite, Unison and the GMB have reacted with anger after police staff were ‘offered’ a pay freeze that amounts to a massive real terms pay cut. Employers – the National Police Chiefs Council, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office – told police staff in England and Wales to expect a 0 per cent pay increase – with £250 for those on less than £24,000. With inflation running at 3.9 per cent the offer represents a hefty pay cut read more
Sheffield Forgemasters nationalisation met with huge sigh of relief across our steel communities (28 July) – Welcoming the news today (Wednesday 28 July) that the government will bring Sheffield Forgemasters into public ownership, Unite’s assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Steve Turner said: “This is the news we’ve waited two years to hear. Unite has been engaged in a long battle with the Ministry of Defence and the UK government to protect UK steel supply to our defence and nuclear programmes so today’s news will be welcomed with a huge sigh of relief right across our steel communities…” read more
Council staff who kept local services and schools running deserve a real pay rise, say unions (28 July) – Staff working for councils and in schools are worth more than the 1.75 per cent pay offer put forward by employers after working though the worst of times, say unions representing local authority workers. Unite, Unison and the GMB are urging local government employers to rethink their revised pay offer of a 1.75 per cent pay rise (with 2.75 per cent for those on the bottom pay point) for 2021/22 by awarding an increase that will properly and fairly reward council and school support staff. The unions say the offer falls well short of the 10 per cent claim they put forward for this year. Last month, the unions offered to work with the Local Government Association (LGA) on a joint campaign to make the government provide additional funds to finance the wage rise. However, the LGA rejected the move, refusing to put pressure on the government to improve pay. Unite national officer Jim Kennedy said: “Local government workers will see right through the employers’ false claims that this is a pay rise. It is nothing of the sort. It’s yet another miserable real-terms pay cut…” read more
Construction: Amended SEO will ensure stability as sector recovers from Covid (July 28) – Unions seeking 4% annual pay rise over three years. Unite, which represents workers throughout the construction sector, today (Wednesday) said that the amended Sectoral Employment Order being sought by unions will ensure stability as the sector recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, while also providing employers with a level playing field. Unite is a member of the ICTU’s Construction Industry Committee which has made a submission to the Labour Court seeking an amended SEO read more
Bexley’s bin strike extended as contractor Serco fails to negotiate – The long hot smelly summer of bin strikes in the south London borough of Bexley is set to continue as Unite the union, which represents the workforce, announced further industrial action. Unite issued the additional strike dates as the contractor, controversial outsourcing giant Serco has failed to enter into negotiations. The strikes involving 140 refuse workers began on July 12 and the workers are now in their third week of strike action in a dispute over pay and the victimisation of workers. The fresh strike dates will see the workers walk out from Monday 9 August until Sunday 22 August. If these strikes go ahead as planned then the workers will have been on strike for a total of six weeks. Strikes are continuing despite Bexley council stripping Serco of the refuse collection contract which will be transferred to Countrystyle Recycling in October 2021 read more
Support the Bexley bin strike – Send messages of support to [email protected]. To donate to the hardship fund, you can pay online to Unite LE/649 – sort code 60-83-01 and account number 20441911 read more
Four-day strike action set to begin by Aberdeen housing services workers – Unite Scotland has announced that around 40 of its members in Aberdeen city council’s housing services department are set to take four days of strike action from today (Tuesday 27 July). The four-day strike action which represents a ‘major escalation’ in the dispute will commence at 08.30 on Tuesday 27 July and will continue until 08.29 on Saturday 31 July. There will be pickets at Marischal College (Aberdeen city council headquarters) on these dates. Unite’s members have already taken several days action in relation to a dispute over cuts and reorganisation in the council’s housing services department. Housing officers and support officers have repeatedly warned that they have reached ‘breaking point’ due to the damaging effects on work morale resulting from cuts to the housing support service, and plans to merge the housing officers and support officers roles together read more
Unite protest against union-busting on HS2 – 12pm Friday 6th August, corner of Hampstead Road/Roberts Street (near Euston Station), London NW1 3EL
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
Barnoldswick workers to begin strike action as battle to save historic Rolls Royce plant is renewed – A group of specialist engineers employed at the Rolls Royce plant in Barnoldswick, Lancashire will begin strike action tomorrow (Monday 19 July) after fears for the long term future of the site resurfaced. Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, held a long running strike before Christmas in opposition to plans to scale back production at the factory, the cradle of the jet engine, and which workers believed spelt the long-term demise of the factory. Following the industrial action an agreement was reached between Rolls-Royce and Unite which guaranteed the future of the factory. Crucially, as part of the deal it was agreed that Barnoldswick would continue with a minimum headcount of 350 workers and a centre of excellence would be built to train the workers of tomorrow. However following a meeting in mid-May Unite was forced to issue a failure to agree notice with Rolls-Royce as local managers made it clear that they were not planning to reach the 350 headcount figure and the offload of work had been accelerated. Unite has been attempting to resolve the matter and seek reassurances about Barnoldswick’s long-term future, without success. This has left Unite and the workforce no option but to take strike action to end the fears that the site is once again under threat. The initial ballot of 17 engineers will lead to targeted strike action beginning on Monday 19 July with the final day of strike action on Friday 23 July which will affect the planned annual shutdown at the factory. Further strike action involving the engineers is scheduled to begin on Monday 9 August and ending on Friday 20 August, which will continue to cause major disruption at the factory. Unite will now ballot for strike action all of the remaining workers in the factory and manufacturing engineering staff who validate work at Barnoldswick and throughout the world. If they vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin late this summer. Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “Our members have been forced to take strike action as the long-term viability of Barnoldswick is once again under threat 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
Trade union rep victimisation at Woolwich Ferry reaches ‘obscene levels’, says Unite – The victimisation of two Unite trade union reps by the management of the Woolwich Ferry has reached ‘obscene levels’, the union said today (Tuesday 6 July). Unite the union said the case of the victimisation of reps at Woolwich Ferry, at the epicentre of a long-running industrial dispute, was one of the worst currently on Unite’s ‘books’ and called on the Transport for London (TfL) bosses at the ferry ‘to drag themselves into the 21st century in terms of progressive employment relations’. A total of 57 Unite members are taking part in a rolling programme of strike action this month over the victimisation issue; 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. The next 24 hour strikes are scheduled for 9,12,16,19,23,26 and 30 July. Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “Unite now has two reps representing our members at the ferry operation who have been through a gruelling – and unjustified – disciplinary process…” read more
Production at historic Shropshire wheel factory will ‘roll to a halt’ during pay strikes – Production at an historic Shropshire wheel factory will ‘roll to a halt’ during strikes over pay and redundancy packages, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday 23 June). Unite members employed at GKN Wheels and Auto Structures in Telford will strike in July over the company’s refusal to implement a pay rise without workers first accepting detrimental changes to a collective redundancy agreement. The strikes, conducted in conjunction with GMB members at the site, will impact wheel production at the factory, which produces off road wheels for clients such as JCB. Unite members will hold three 24 hour strikes at GKN Wheels and Auto Structures in Telford on 5, 12 and 19 July. The historic factory, which is more than 100 years old and produced Spitfire planes during the Second World War, was bought by private equity firm Aurelius in 2020. Unite regional officer Jason Richards said: “Our members are incensed at being offered a pay rise only on the condition that the collective redundancy agreement is weakened…” read more
Sullom Voe Terminal talks break down as industrial action set to begin – Unite Scotland can confirm that talks to prevent industrial action at Sullom Voe Terminal have ended with no movement on the part of Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to resolve the dispute. Around 40 towage workers employed by SIC are set to begin an overtime ban on 5 July which will continue over a seven-week period (see notes to editors). Unite has confirmed that if no progress takes place in the coming weeks, then strike action remains a possibility which would represent a major escalation in the dispute. The overtime ban will ‘hugely disrupt’ the multi-million pound contract to bring oil tankers on to the shore for oil processing and also on production for the Brent and Ninian fields. In April, Unite announced that towage workers on a return of 86.5 per cent voted by 87.1 per cent to take industrial action. The dispute revolves around workers being denied a ‘service award’ after their transfer to SIC in 2006. The towage workers have been told by SIC that they will not receive the long service award if they fulfil 25 years’ service, which is the equivalent of one month’s salary like other council workers. Instead, the workers will continue to receive a flat rate of £250 read more
Engineers at Leicestershire’s Brush Electrical strike over fire and rehire cuts of up to £15,000 – Engineers employed by Brush Electrical Machines, owned by venture capitalists Melrose and based in Ashby de-la Zouch, will stage summer strikes in response to ‘fire and rehire’ pay cuts of up to £15,000, Unite said today (Tuesday 11 May 2021). Unite, the UK’s leading union, said the 30 engineers, who service generators around the world, voted overwhelmingly in favour of striking and will stage industrial action every day from 25 May to 16 August. The proposed contracts include reductions to overtime rates, allowances, holidays and other terms and conditions that would result in a pay cut of between £10,000 and £15,000 a year. The engineers’ jobs have been threatened if they do not sign the new contracts, which will leave them on pay rates ‘well below the industry standard’. The union said the strikes will ‘cause havoc to the firm’s worldwide servicing schedule and serious inconvenience to its international clients’. Parent company Melrose has a reputation for targeting workers and viable operations to boost short-term profits read more
Support striking workers at JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts) in Banbury – Email messages of support and donate to the hardship fund via [email protected]
Lancashire biomedical scientists to hold second strike ballot in pay upgrade dispute – Biomedical scientists at a Lancashire NHS trust are being re-balloted for strike action in an upgrading pay row, after bosses failed to ‘meaningfully engage’ in talks with Acas, the conciliation service. The 21 biomedical scientists at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have been on strike since 31 May and that action is due to end on Wednesday 28 July. The strike ballot opens on Wednesday 21 July and closes on Tuesday 27 July and could result in industrial action into the autumn. The crux of the dispute is the ‘bad faith’ that the trust management has shown when it reneged on the 2019 pay upgrade deal that it originally agreed to read more
Reading hospital security guards renew strikes in July, as Unite calls on NHS bosses to take them back ‘in-house’ – NHS bosses should take the security staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading back ‘in house’, after the guards announced new strike dates for July against their outsourced employer Kingdom Services Group Ltd. Unite the union said the new strike dates would run from 07.00 Monday 12 July until 24.00 Saturday 31 July, after the 20 security guards voted by 84 per cent for strike action. The guards, who provide security for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, have been locked in a ‘David and Goliath’ pay and conditions battle with their employer, resulting in a wave of strikes since December last year. Because of the way that Kingdom Services has treated its staff, Unite is urging the trust to take the security guards back ‘in house’ under NHS management when the current three-year contract ends on 31 December this year. As the NHS celebrates its 73rd birthday on Monday (5 July), campaigners wishing to keep it out of the hands of profit-hungry companies, such as Kingdom, will be staging a march and rally in Reading on Saturday (3 July), starting at 12.00 from Royal Berkshire Hospital to Forbury Gardens in the town centre where there will be speeches read more
Support striking Reading hospital security guards – Text solidarity messages via Jessica 07718668497 and donate to strike fund: Acc. No.: 20173991 Sort Code: 60-83-01. Sign petition to Mark Wallace , Kingdom Service Group Managing Director: Pay Royal Berkshire Hospital security staff a wage they can live on
PCS
Support the joint PCS-UVW Royal Parks strike
PCS: Strike action and rally at Royal Parks (30 July) – PCS members at Just Ask Services, employed as cleaners and toilet attendants at the Royal Parks, took strike action today in their dispute over pay, pensions and terms and conditions. The striking members held a good natured, noisy and energetic rally outside the Royal Parks headquarters in Hyde Park this morning. PCS assistant general secretary, John Moloney, spoke at the rally, which was also addressed by six of the striking members and the president of PCS’s culture group. Members of the culture group attended the rally with their group banner and members of the United Voices of the World union also came along in support read more read more
UVW: 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
87% of Scottish Government workers support a four-day week (30 July) – Most workers want to see a four-day working week pilot implemented across all business areas of Scottish Government, according to a scoping project of over 2000 employees. These results are included in a new report out today by the independent think tank Autonomy and supported by PCS in Scotland read more
HMCTs Beating Crime plan (28 July) – A multi-agency plan called “Beating Crime” has been formally launched today. Part of the plan proposes the introduction of “Temporary Operating Arrangements” in the Crown Court. This would appear to be flexible operating hours by another name. The announcement would appear to sit alongside a statement in HMCTS’s annual report that the Lord Chancellor “wants to set a record number of sitting days alongside extending court hours, continuing the Current Crown Court, Nightingales beyond June 2021 and potentially extend further”. Extended court operating hours would include evenings and weekends. PCS was given advanced notice of the announcement, but there is no information available as to what the hours or the frequency would be or how long it is intended that they will last. PCS expressed concern that we had not been consulted on issues surrounding terms and conditions for any TOA. HMCTS has acknowledged that detailed consultation will need to take place with PCS regarding staffing but has been clear that any staff member who took part would have to be a genuine and willing volunteer read more
DVLA strike action: the road ahead – Following a series of weeks of successful targeted strikes PCS has served notice of a further 4 weeks of targeted industrial action at the DVLA with members in the drivers medical group set to walk out from 2 to 31 August. We are asking all PCS members in drivers medical, the department which decides whether drivers who have medical conditions are fit to drive safely, to take strike action over Covid safety read more
GMB
Sign petition: Reinstate Gary Bolister sacked GMB rep at Islington Council GMB pulls funding for Labour Party in London after grieving caretaker sacked (27 July)
GMB to ballot NHS members over ‘real terms pay cut’ (30 July) – GMB Union has no hesitation in recommending members reject the 3% pay proposal and no hesitation in supporting members if they want to take action.
GMB Union is to ballot members on the 3% NHS pay increase – which amounts to another real terms pay cut. The announcement on pay, which comes four months late, is just 3% – far below the current inflation rate of 3.9% read more
National disability strategy an ‘historic missed opportunity’ (28 July) – GMB Union has described the Government’s disability strategy as a ‘historic missed opportunity’. The ‘scattergun’ document failed to set out the radical new policies that would improve the world of work for disabled workers, the union said read more
TfL congestion charge changes ‘still prohibitive for private hire drivers’ (28 July) – GMB Union will seek a removal of this charge for low paid workers and private hire drivers in London. GMB, the union for private hire drivers, has responded to TfL’s consultation on the congestion charge read more
Police staff pay ‘offer’ is massive real terms cut (28 July) – Workers stunned, disgusted and deserve better say GMB, UNISON and UNITE.
GMB, UNISON and Unite have reacted with anger after police staff were ‘offered’ a pay freeze that amounts to massive real terms pay cut. Employers – the NPCC, APCC and Home Office – told police staff in England and Wales to expect a 0% pay increase – with £250 for those on less than £24,000. With inflation running at 3.9% the offer represents a hefty pay cut read more
Local Government pay offer ‘woeful reward’ for pandemic efforts (27 July) – GMB Union will offer members full support if ballot leads to industrial action. GMB, the union for local Government workers, has said today’s ‘woeful’ pay offer falls well short of the pay claim submitted on behalf of 1.4 million workers read more
Staff who kept local services & schools running deserve real pay rise (27 July) – Staff working for council and in schools are worth more than the 1.75% pay offer put forward by employers after working though the worst of times, say unions representing local authority workers. GMB, UNISON and Unite are urging local government employers to rethink their revised pay offer of a 1.75% pay rise (with 2.75% for those on the bottom pay point) for 2021/22 and award an increase that will properly and fairly reward council and school support staff. The unions say the offer falls well short of the 10% claim put forward for this year read more
Hundreds of England fans strike at Spitfire company over pay dispute – GKN needs to show the sense of English fair play embodied by the Three Lions and respect the hard-won rights of their workers says GMB Union. Hundreds of England fans will go on strike today at a famous spitfire company in a dispute over pay. More than 200 long-service workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike at GKN Sankey in Telford after months of attacks on their onslaught on redundancy packages and pay read more. The strike will begin on Monday July 5, with more dates to be announced
Unison
Police staff unions angered by employers’ offer of a pay freeze (28 July) – A freeze would mean a pay cut in real terms, as inflation is rising by all measures. UNISON, Unite and the GMB have reacted with anger after police staff in England and Wales were ‘offered’ a pay freeze yesterday. The employers – the National Police Chiefs Council and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners – told police staff to expect a 0% pay increase – with £250 for those on less than £24,000. Inflation is currently running at 3.9% RPI, so this would be a substantial pay cut in real terms read more
Council staff who kept local services and schools running deserve a real pay rise (27 July) – Increased offer of 0.25% is “insignificant”. Staff working for councils and in schools are worth more than the 1.75% pay offer put forward by employers after working through the worst of times, say unions representing local authority workers today (Tuesday). UNISON, GMB and Unite are urging local government employers to rethink their revised pay offer of a 1.75% pay rise (with 2.75% for those on the bottom pay point) for 2021/22 by awarding an increase that will properly and fairly reward council and school support staff. The unions say the offer falls well short of the 10% claim they put forward for this year read more
UNISON launches consultation over NHS rise that meets neither expectations nor real living wage (27 July) – Rise doesn’t fulfil government’s own pledge to level up. One Team your say, UNISON’s next move on NHS pay is in your hands. The government has failed to honour its own ‘levelling up’ promises with the disappointing 3% pay rise for NHS workers in England, says UNISON. The award announced last week doesn’t meet the real living wage of £9.50 per hour for the lowest paid health service workers and widens the gap between those at the top and bottom of the scale, the union says. The 3% increase means the lowest earners will get a rise which is just one sixth of those at the top of the NHS pay scales. UNISON will begin consulting NHS workers later this week on whether they accept the rise, or oppose it and are prepared to take industrial action. More than 300,000 people across all disciplines – including nursing, ambulance, operational and technical services – will be asked for their views from this Friday until 10 September. UNISON says its elected leadership body is giving a clear steer that 3% is “unacceptable” read more
Tower Hamlets Unison: #BuildTheBallot for Further Action • Opens Thursday 24 June – By a thumping majority, our members rejected management’s most recent proposal to end the Trade Dispute on Tower Rewards. Shamefully, those terms were imposed on us last summer at the height of the pandemic, by our Labour council using “Sack and Re-engage” measures that have been widely condemned and that Kier Starmer says he will outlaw read more VOTE NOW! We made it on national news
RCN
RCN launches ‘summer of action’ in protest against below-inflation NHS pay award (28 July) – Events will be held across the UK as we prepare to consult members on next steps. Our fight for fair pay is picking up pace as a series of member events takes place this summer ahead of our biggest ever member consultation on NHS pay. The UK government finally announced the NHS pay award for England last week after months of delays. But with inflation, the 3% award is a real-terms pay cut and leaves experienced nursing staff £200 a year worse off. The government has since admitted that the money would be found from existing budgets, further upsetting the nursing profession as this funding will already be committed for patient care. Today we’ve launched an interactive map of events for nursing staff to protest against the 3% NHS pay award announced for England and Wales and discuss what action they want to take in response read more
NIPSA
Health Pay 2021/22 (30 July) – HSC Pay Health pay Health and Social Care. NIPSA members across Health and Social Care (HSC) will be aware that the Government has offered 3% to NHS staff in England. 3% does not come near the expectations of NIPSA members in NI, however at this time no offer has been made here. NIPSA along with the other Health Trade Unions will be meeting the Health Minister in the coming weeks to gauge what offer the NI Executive intend to make to our members in NI. We will make our position known on the pay rise our members expect and deserve. Pay is a devolved matter in NI. When an offer is received, NIPSA will consult with our members to ensure that you have your say on this important matter and any campaign that is likely to follow read more
NICS Pay (28 July) – By now you will have received your arrears of pay from 1 August 2020, for the pay award imposed by the Finance Minister, Conor Murphy. I know you will be disappointed and angry with the failure of the NI Assembly to provide the finances necessary to end the years of constant and real pay cuts that this award continues to represent. NIPSA does not accept the UK Government’s claim that there is no money to cover the pay rises deserved by workers who have suffered through the pandemic and through the proceeding years of austerity. The Tory government has found and will continue to find the funds it needs for the issues that match its policies. The pay cuts imposed on workers are a policy choice and not a financial imperative. NIPSA is continuing to meet with the NI Executive Parties to make the case to them that they must make available the funds that are necessary to provide for better pay for Civil Servants and workers in Arms’ Length Bodies. I will keep you apprised of those discussions and developments. In the meantime, it is very important that every member becomes active and involved in their local NIPSA branch particularly through this difficult time where members are isolated and working from home. I would also ask each of you to become actively involved in the recruitment of new members to strengthen our ranks and build our fighting capacity for the challenges ahead. Click here link to a membership application form which allows new members to join online. In closing, I would bring your attention to the pay offer recently made to our colleagues in the Health Service. The offer falls far short of the pay claim submitted by the unions and is an insult to them. I know you share my gratitude and appreciation for the work health workers do for us, particularly during this continuing pandemic. I would ask you to offer both moral and physical support to colleagues in NIPSA and the other health trade unions as they begin protest and other action to challenge their derisory pay offer. We will keep you posted on developments through Facebook and Twitter.
Yours sincerely
Carmel Gates
General Secretary (Designate) read more
BFAWU
Protest at the gates of Food Attraction 1pm Thursday 5th August, Langham Court, 21 Langham Road Leicester Leicestershire LE4 9WF – We are organising a protest outside the gated of Food Attraction, Leicester. Please come and show your solidarity with exploited workers on site. They are forced to work long hours without any overtime payment. As the Key workers worked through the Pandemic of Covid-19 they are on SSP only and did not receive any financial award for their effort and dedication. Yet again, profits are being put before people. This must stop! Facebook event
NEU
Permanent Exclusions and Suspensions (29 July) – Our young people have one chance in education, and it falls to Government to ensure that the best possible environment is provided to them read more
Don’t scrap BTEC (29 July) – Education bodies write to Gavin Williamson urging him not to scrap BTEC qualifications. Twelve organisations that represent and support staff and students in schools, colleges and universities have today written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him not to scrap the vast majority of applied general qualifications such as BTECs read more
Suspend Academisation of Moulsecoomb Primary – On Tuesday 6th July, members of NEU, GMB and UNISON will be taking strike action and calling on The Pioneer Academy to withdraw as the sponsor. On the same day, parents, staff and members of the community have hired a bus to visit the DFE to deliver a petition. We want to show Gavin Williamson that staff across Brighton and Hove schools and services want the academization suspended. Please respond to the three questions here so we can add your name to the petition
NASUWT
NASUWT urges Government not to scrap BTECs (29 July) – The NASUWT is one of dozen organisations that represent and support staff and students in schools, colleges and universities who have today written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him not to scrap the vast majority of applied general qualifications such as BTECs read more
UCU
Updates on latest UCU disputes
Petition calling for fair funding and online learning
Sacked UCU member wins right to return to work (29 July) – UCU is celebrating a decision by an employment tribunal ordering the University of Huddersfield to reinstate a senior lecturer, who it ruled was unfairly dismissed. The tribunal ruled that Mr Jonathan Duxbury has won the right to return to work and should be reinstated by the university into his role as a senior lecturer in the department of accounting, finance and economics at the university. The remedy judgment comes after a multi-year battle after the university unfairly required Mr Duxbury complete a PhD or face losing his job read more
UCU fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes. As always, members are asked to contribute whatever their circumstances allow. A donation in solidarity of any amount will be gratefully received by members taking action.
NUJ
Ministers have missed chance to help disabled workers, says TUC (28 July) – The government has failed to act on the disability pay gap and rights on reasonable adjustments read more
Prospect
Prospect members at HIAL forced into strike action to protect jobs (29 July) – Prospect members working in air traffic control for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) are today (29 July) taking part in a one day strike over plans to centralise air traffic control in Inverness read more
USDAW
BCM Fareva, Nottingham: Usdaw members striking today and over the weekend in a ‘fire and rehire’ dispute (30 July) – Members of Usdaw at BCM Fareva begin two further stoppages today, which will continue into Monday. The Nottingham based manufacturer of consumer pharma and beauty products for leading brands including Boots and The Body Shop has proposed slashing staff terms and conditions, while threatening to ‘fire and rehire’ staff if agreement cannot be reached read more
Workers’ rights are at the heart of the driver shortage and the Government must act says Usdaw (29 July) – Retail and pharmaceutical distribution trade union Usdaw has responded to a Government call for evidence on the current shortage of drivers with a long list of issues arising out of years of decline in terms and conditions of employment. The union is calling on the Government to address these fundamental issues to resolve current driver shortages read more
Allied Bakeries Glasgow proposed redundancies are a devastating blow for staff – Usdaw continues in ongoing talks (28 July) – Food production trade union Usdaw is in ongoing consultation talks with Allied Bakeries after the company proposed changes to the product range manufactured at their Milton bakery in Glasgow, which could result in redundancies read more
Weetabix 24-hour strike called for start of August – Usdaw urges the company to resolve the dispute over shift pay (22 July) – Usdaw members at the Weetabix AP4 plant in Kettering, which produces cereal bars, voted unanimously for industrial action in a dispute over shift pay. The first stoppage will start at 7pm on Monday 2 August and will last for 24 hours read more
Support striking Usdaw members at DHL/M&S Long Eaton – Members of the retail logistics trade union Usdaw will begin a third 24-hour stoppage at the Long Eaton DHL / Marks and Spencer distribution centre at 5.15am on Thursday 1 July. Alex Norris MP (Labour/Co-op, Nottingham North) and Paddy Lillis (Usdaw General Secretary) will join protesters supporting the picket line at 12 noon. Lilian Greenwood MP (Labour, Nottingham South) has also pledged her support. The continuing industrial action affects a Marks & Spencer third-party logistics contract, operated by DHL at Long Eaton in Derbyshire. Usdaw members voted by over 90% in favour of strike action in a dispute about the amount of redundancy pay that long serving staff will receive when the site closes at the end of July read more
UVW
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
SIPTU (Ireland)
SIPTU representatives announce series of strike actions in Local Employment Services (30 July) – SIPTU members, working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs, have today (Friday, 30th July) announced a series of strike actions across the country read more
Other News
Hazards Conference 2021 – Hazards Conference will be online again this year
Saturday 31 July 2021: 10am-3.30pm – register
Sunday 1 August 2021: 10am-1.00pm – register
You will need to sign up to Saturday and Sunday separately read more
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
#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
NUJ: Malta – state responsible for Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder (30 July) read more
IWGB: Colombia Solidarity Statement read more
Turkey: Kurds brutally killed by Turkish Gang read more from SPOT (Solidarity with the People of Turkey)
Diary
Sunday September 12th – 1pm NSSN TUC Rally
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