NSSN Bulletin
No. 99
16 July It's sometimes hard to even know where to begin with these
bulletins sometimes, so much goes on and so much is suppressed
by the mainstream media & sometimes slowly trying to find its
way through the trade union movements. Just today it came out
that the top 10% earn more than 500 times more than bottom 10%,
but seriously do they even do a fraction of the work? Companies
sponsoring the Olympics will NOT be paying the estimated
�600million in tax on the profits they make, as new HMRC rules
allow for a temporary tax haven, and we know just how skint poor
MacDonalds is!
One rule for them and another 400 for us! The 717 PFI contracts
agreed, this government, & the last, are worth �54.7 billion but
will cost us �300 billion! One example is Walsgrave hospital in
Coventry will jump from an initial capital cost of �79 million
to an eventual �4 billion. So together we are paying 100's of
times over the odds for services that can't maintain the
interest rate repayments and are therefore being cut!
So we know we have a job to do as the NSSN, to provide some
record of where the money is and challenge the austerity lie.
Share some of what is happening in terms of what is being
proposed, its effects and importantly, HOW we are responding to
it. We might butcher a huge dispute into 50 words and a web link,
but hopefully the array of disputes (& wins), will let more
people know, a fight against austerity is going on and can stop
the cuts! Clearly industrial action & the threat of industrial
action is an important weapon in our armoury. But to fight each
and every law and injustice is impossible. This is why we
believe
a national strike against austerity is crucial at this time. So,
as it seems not to appear to be voiced or mobilised for, through
the TUC as the body that represents over 6 million members we
are going to lobby them on September 9th in Brighton.
With the lobby in mind, we thought we'd read 'A lesson in
lobbying', (suggested read through the tweeting world by Alex
Gordon RMT President) but it just made us more furious! Did you
know the City of London spends over �6 million a each year
employing lawyers and having the most excessive of 'ceremonies'
as part of its public affairs strategy. But even with a few more
quid behind us like some more mainstream organizations' &
campaign groups, the collusion and corruption of those in
government with those in control of business has begun to
surface through the Leverson inquiry. it is impossible to rely
on the mainstream to record what is actually going on, not what
they want us to think is going on.
It is true, we might not be that sophisticated in our words or
style, (though we are working on it, did you see the pusha
pink?) but then we don't have �6 million. In fact technically we
probably don't even have a �6 that isn't going already spent!
(The venues in Brighton for our lobby of the TUC might cost us 3
arms & a leg). In comparison, with our guerilla sarnies and
unpaid network supporters, the NSSN is financially a bit short!
So anything you can contribute, or your union reps, workplace or
campaigns, one off donations, standing order etc we would be
very grateful! We do want people to come down to the lobby, so
don't use that money up but any extras, most welcome!
NSSN UPDATES
Northwest NSSN AGM meeting: �How can we stop victimisation on
sites?� Given the recent lay offs of Jason Foulton and 18 others
from Ratcliffe, this meeting becomes even more vital. Speakers
include Steve Acheson & chair Andy Ford. Tuesday 17th July,
Warrington Railway Club, WA1 1XR. 7.30pm.
[email protected] .
Thanks to Unite Housing workers and Southwark Trades Council
this week for supporting the 9th Sep lobby of the TUC. NSSN
letter to union branches and leaflet for lobby of the TUC are
available online (or drop us an email if you need some posted.)
Also use the FB invite & tweet away.
GENERAL UPDATES
PENSIONS: LGPS REJECT- NSSN supports rejecting the proposals
which do see tiny enhancements but still mean workers will be
expected to pay more, work longer and get far, far less!
FBU ESSEX struck again last week and is planning to strike again
on 19th July, Aug 18th & October 18th. There will be a rally on
the 18th July for all the community to join in and show
solidarity in Chelmsford 1pm Admirals Park & Rally at Central
Park. . Since 2008 one in five jobs has already been cut in the
service and �12million in reserves.
GMB CARILLON workers have public sector contracts valued at more
than �15 billion in the UK but seem to think that it does not
need to meet the standards of behaviour. 150 GMB members will
take part in a further one day stoppage on Sunday 15th July at
Carillion at Great Western Hospital in Swindon. This will be the
twenty first day of strike action by these workers, because
instead of dealing with the evidence of shakedowns and
corruption by Carillion managers that their own second
investigation found, the company has chosen instead to take
disciplinary action against 10 of the whistleblowers.
REMPLOY workers will be striking on Thursday, 19th July, and
again the Thursday after, on 26th July. Plus other events,
national and regional, being organised over the next weeks. In
utter disregard for the public outcry against this shameful
decision, the government have announced closure of another 27
factories, effecting another 1,500 workers.
Unite BUSES will have garage ballots over the most recent offer
for members next week. It is a increase that is much closer to
what workers have demanded and also begun the process of central
negotiating across over 15 companies, which is a huge
breakthrough.
RMT Central TFL staff will also be taking action, with action
short of strike action again on the 15th July. RMT Tyne and Wear
Metro cleaners strike again tomorrow for pay justice. More RMT
cleaners working on the Carlisle contract on Transpennine
Express will strike in a fight over pay and conditions 14th
July. .More & RMT rail staff at Thales vote for strike action
over pay and conditions.
IWW cleaners will strike tomorrow at John Lewis from 5.30am with
a rally at 1pm. Oxford St. London
TSSA Virgin Olympic Strike Ballot of 500 members on the West
Coast line for strike action after Virgin Trains fired and then
later suspended one of its union reps in the company's head
office in Birmingham.
[email protected]
PCS DWP Contact Centre Ballot Result: 89.5% demand better
working conditions, 82.0% for further industrial action.
Suspended Labour councillor and Unite EC member Kingsley
Abrams is still
suspended by the Labour party for voting in the Labour group
against cuts over a year ago. The NSSN is firmly supportive of
Kingsley and any other councillors who are prepared to campaign
and vote against cuts as opposed to accept and implement them.
Housing workers demand that secure tenancies are halted in
Lambeth.
VICTIMISATION
Unite members at Portsmouth International Port balloted for
industrial action over its decision to dismiss and rehire them
on inferior contracts which has created a two-tier workforce at
Portsmouth International Port.
Blacklisters face professional abuse charges after the CIPD
published a new code of conduct for its members. The blacklist
Support group intends to make formal complaints about HR
managers including: Gerry Harvey - Director of Human Resources
at Balfour Beatty Engineering Services Limited. Elaine Gallagher
- Human Resources manager at Balfour Beatty Engineering Services
Limited. Liz Keates � Head of Human Resources at Carillion
Health. John Edwards � manager at Carillion. David Cochrane �
former Head of Human Resources at Sir Robert McAlpine.
INTERNATIONAL
Spanish miners black march of 430k arrived into Madrid, to the
interior ministry this week met by a shocking level of violence
by riot police. The black march came from miners and their
families from towns across Spain over the closure of mines. The
austerity lie has also seen Central government workers pay cuts
by around 7%, with an ongoing freeze, Unemployment benefit cut
to 50% of last job as opposed to 60%. UK miners/ex-miners have
set up for Spanish miners whose pits are threatened with
closure: Contact
[email protected] or 07768 300 148. More
Portugal 2 day strike: Doctors and nurses in Portugal have
launched a two-day strike over sweeping cuts in the health
budget.
DIARY
12 July
Unite against police privatisation protest rally 11am West
Midlands police HQ, Lloyd Hse, Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6NQ
13 July
Picket of the Queens Road office of private provider A4E,
infamous for their fraudulent practices. Clock Tower Brighton
11am.
Action for Rail � North West Conference at Mechanics Centre,
Manchester
13-15 July
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
14 July
Durham Miners Gala
Protest against the coalition - A future for our children! Fair
Pensions for all! Defend public services! Called by NUT & NASUWT.
Assemble 11.30am from Devonshire Green, Devonshire Street,
Sheffield & also Manzil Way, Oxford OX4. Rally 1pm in Broad
Street, Oxford OX1. Contact 07967 392229 or Email [email protected]
Bristol counter EDL protest 11am @ Fountains
16 July
Action for Rail leafleting 7-9am Kings Cross
17 July
North West NSSN AGM & Public meeting: �How can we stop
victimisation on sites?� Speakers Steve Acheson. Warrington
Railway Club, WA1 1XR. 7.30pm.21st JulyBrighton Trades Council
Seminar for local trade unionists on defending facilities time
and opposing. [email protected]
18 July
FBU ESSEX Strike with March & Rally against cuts Admirals Park,
Chelmsford (opposite Black Bull, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford CM1
2PN) Rally: 1pm Central Park, Chelmsford
19 July
*Say NO to Massive fare increases *Reject Driver Only
Operation*Stop cuts to station staffing. *Oppose ticket office
closures*Defend on-train catering facilities *Fight for rail
services, safety and jobs. Leafleting of passengers and protest
in YORKSHIRE @SHEFFIELD BR between 4.30pm and 6pm. For more
information contact Craig Johnston - [email protected]
20 July
Leafleting against Mcnulty report @Doncaster BR Leafleting of
passengers and protest in between 7am and 9am.
21 July
Coryton Protest
23 July
Austerity Games from Youth Fight for Jobs!
Action for Rail leafleting 7-9am Liverpool St, London
28 July
Pentonville 5 and dock dispute of 1972-73 celebration. Isle of
Dogs, London
11 August
National Rank & File JIB electricians and construction trades
meeting, 2pm-5pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London
31 August
National Hazards conference, Keele University [email protected]
02 September
Longest strike in British history!
09 September
NSSN lobby of TUC conference: Brighton for 24-hour Strike 1pm
07 October
Protest at Tory party Conference.
20 October
TUC Mass demonstration for growth against austerity
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Follow us on Twitter 'NSSN_Anticuts'. Share information with us
on Facebook Main group ' National Shop Stewards Network' & the
NSSN FB 'Stop the cuts' & check our Website! But most
importantly get active to develop the NSSN and our trade union
and community movement against the cuts! There is an
alternative!
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 07952 283 558
Post: NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9D
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