‘There is nothing unaffordable about public sector Pensions”, wrote the
Torygraph earlier this week. Well yes they would know, given the huge and
obscene pensions and bonuses those who have caused the economic crisis in the
country have accepted, and continue to take, whilst expecting us to pay for the
mess. If this government gets away with it, millions of public sector workers
will pay in more to their pensions, to get less out and to wait longer to get
it - all to pay for a crisis caused by the bankers!
Also, the current pensions proposals plan to steal another £2.8 billion from
us pushing 3.5 million pensioners into fuel poverty. This is totally
unacceptable; we already have 2.5 million pensioners who cannot afford to
adequately heat their homes. Is that the kind of society we want to bring our
next generations into? Is that what we want for those who have contributed to
our lives, work and of building the very homes and hospitals we use and live
in? We don’t want or need further cut backs, but a better distribution of
our collective wealth, which a tiny, tiny minority sucks up. And they call us
irresponsible!
On Thursday 30th of June, there is an important opportunity to take a stand and
strike as just under a million workers who have been balloted so far, will be
taking action. This is the first National co-ordinated strike action against
this government.
Sadly the largest public sector union, Unison is not taking part nationally in
this but has agreed at this weeks conferences that they will prepare for
co-ordinated action, as many of its members asked why aren’t we on strike on
the 30th. This should lead to another national strike in the Autumn - in the
words of PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka "to turn 750,000 on strike on June
30th into 4 million." NSSN supporters will be giving out our leaflet on June
30th calling for a 24-hour public sector general strike. You can download it
from our website or email us to get copies.
If your union is on strike - what can you do?
Hopefully you will have discussed this with your reps & officials, to set up
picket lines, leaflet and recruit new members, get inactive members involved,
discuss with other local unions for support and solidarity. Join/set up local
and regional marches to show this government that we will not accept this and
more importantly show each other, and those not yet on strike, there is an
alternative to the ‘cuts’. If you need any assistance or some material let
us know.
If your union is not on strike - what could you do?
Attend picket lines of those on strike
Send messages of support
Donate to the respective hardship funds
Assist in organizing locally; get your workmates, family, and friends to attend
Arrange meetings for after the 30th – what next
Move a resolution in your next union branch meeting calling on your union to
ballot for strike action and urging them to co-ordinate the action with the
other unions. Also, support the NSSN lobby of the TUC on September 11th in
London calling for co-ordinated action across the unions
Not in a union or workplace?
You might want to take part in walkouts or local protests with others.
For those not in work link up with strikers through your anti cuts campaigns,
share information, consider what actions you could take. Join the picket lines
and the local rally’s and marches. Students will also be looking to walk out
and support picket lines.
Support and visits to picket lines is most welcome as the con-dems try to
divide us!
STRIKES & DISPUTES
Two bits of Good news for RMT, Arywn Thomas has won the ET against unfair
dismissal and has now been reinstated! Workers on the Heathrow express have
suspended strike action following a better offer. Congratulations to all those
who were involved and took action.
We would also like to congratulate UCU members will also be celebrating as UCU
Wales Vice President has had his disciplinary action withdrawn after members
took unofficial action furious at the actions.
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.98.htm
Earlier this week 34 cleaners took part in 2 days of strike action in protest
over unpaid wages from Ocean in the city of London.
SOUTHAMPTON City Council Unison & Unite workers strike against cuts in jobs,
conditions and services continues as talks failed at ACAS. Workers will be
striking on the 30th of June to link up their issues with those nationally.
http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/newsletters.htm
http://southamptonanticuts.wordpress.com/
Birmingham Unison announced it would also be on strike on the 30th of June
given the £300 million cuts budget with over 37% to be cut by 2015.
http://www.birminghamunison.co.uk/
http://birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/mass-strikes-in-birmingham-on-30th-june/
NUJ Newsquest in south London will begin 4 day strike 27th – midnight 30th
June over redundancies.
Leeds Council UNISON will join GMB balloting over proposals for cutting up to
3,000 jobs over 4 years
NUT Forest Hill School took first day of strike action against compulsorily
redundancies.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sat 25th
Hampshire Stop the cuts & Hampshire Assoc of Trades Councils demo 11am
Oram’s Arbour, Clifton Road. Linking up the ongoing council strikes of Unite
& Unison members with Medirest .
Lewes March for the NHS 10.30
Nevill Green, BN7
Nuneaton Against the Cuts 10.30 meet outside specsavers for campaign activity.
Tues 28th - RMT demonstration outside Liverpool’s BT Conference Centre 08.30
Sir Roy McNulty the architect of the Governments “Rail Review” carve-up -
will be addressing a major railway industry conference.
THURS 30th JUNE – NATIONAL STRIKE Action against pension cuts!
Just a few rallies & marches on the strike day:
Aberystwyth Rally 12 Morian Centre, Queens Rd
Bangor 2 Meifod Hotel
Barnsley 9.45 March to Parkway Cinema
Birmingham at 12 Victoria Square
Bedford 10 Civic Centre
Bradford 10 Valley Parad Ground
Brighton 10.30 The level (opposite open market)
Bristol 11 College Green
Calerdale 10 Arden Rd, Social Club
Canterbury 10-2 Abbots Barton Hotel
Camberley 1pm Camberley station march. 2pm Rally@Theatre
Cambridge 12 Parkers pierce
Carlisle 12.30 Old Town Hall
Cardiff 11 Cathays Park & 12.15 Canton Bridge
Ceredigion 12 Morian Centre
Chatham 12.30 Command House, ME4
Chelmsford 11 High St
Chester 12.30 town hall
Chippenham 11 Town Hall
Colchester 12.30 Town Hall
Derbyshire 10.30 Market Hall Chesterfield
Doncaster 9.30 Council house, College rd
Dorchester 9.30 County hall
Dover 12 St Mary’s Church
Exeter 11 Corn Exchange
Glasgow 12 George Sq
Gloucester 10.30 Gloucester Park
Gravesham 9.30 Three Daws Pub DA11
Gwynedd Mefild 2 Hotel Bontnewydd
Halifax 10 Arden Social Club
Hastings 10.30 White rock hotel
Hertfordshire 10.30 Campus West, Uni
Huddersfield 10 St Pats Irish centre 12-12.30 rally Market X, HD1
Hull 10am Royal Hotel
Isle of Wight 10 St Georges Football PO30
Ipswich 10.45 Giles Circus, Princes Circus
Kirklees 10 St Patricks Centre
Lancaster 11 Market Sq
Llandrindod Wells 11am Pavilion, Spa Rd
Lincoln 1 Stags Head
Liverpool 11.30 William Brown St
Leicester 12 Victoria Park
Leeds 12 City Square
London 11 Lincoln Fields
Luton 12 Market Hill
Manchester 11 All Saints
Maidenhead 11-2 Walnut Tree & 4pm Outside County Hall
Maidstone 11 Village Hotel, ME14
Merthyr Tydfil 12.30 Civic Centre
Middleborough 4.30 Bottle sculpture
Milton Keynes 12 Campbell Park
Newcastle 12 Life Centre
Newbury 10 St Nicholas Church Hall
Newport 12 John Forest Sq
Norfolk 12 Outside Forum NR2
Norwich Noon Forum Amphitheatre
Northampton 12.30 Guildhall
Nottingham 11 Forest Recreation March to Albert Hall for rally
Oxford Noon Bonn Square 1.30 March
Peterborough 10am
Plymouth 10.30 Albion Rugby Club
Portsmouth 12 Guildhall, PO1
Preston 12 Flag Market
Powys 10.30 The Pavilion
Reading 11am RISC, London St, RG1
Rotherham 11am All saints Sq
Sheffield 12 Barker’s Pool to City Hall
Sheffield 11 Peace gardens to City Hall
Sittingbourne 11 Phoenix house, Central Av
Slough Queensmere Centre
Somerset 10 Taunton Rugby Club
Southampton 11 Guildhall
Southend 12.30 Victoria Circus
Staffordshire 11.30 Reardons, Adventure Place ST1
Swansea 11.30 Castle Sq
Swindon 10 Outside Swindon Library
Taunton 11 Rugby club
Telford 12 Southgate
Truro 1-1pm Lemon Quay
Wakefield 10 Outside Cathedral
Welwyn 10.30 Campus West, Roller City
Wembley 10 Torch Pub
Wigan 11-1 Market Place
Wolverhampton 10.45 Metro One
Worcester 11 St Peters Baptist Centre
Worthing 11 Steyne Gdns, BN11
Wrexham 11.30 Queens Sq
York 11.30 Parliament St & 4pm lobby Council
Tues 5th July East London NSSN – ‘All out together’ 7pm
Durning hall Community Centre, Earlham Grove E7
Join – Affiliate – Get involved!
info@shopstewards.net
http://www.shopstewards.net/
Friday, 24 June 2011
Friday, 17 June 2011
NO 44 Conference report & more
Results from the NUT, PCS and ATL ballots clearly show massive support for
strike action on the 30 June. ATL have never in the 100 odd years of being a
union taken strike action so their result is even more telling! It looks like a
sharpening mood against cuts and privatisation is developing. Under pressure
from his members, even Dave Prentis has stated that Unison will ballot for
strike action in the coming months!
As seven workers from Honda Swindon were leaving the National Shop Stewards
Network (NSSN) conference on Saturday 11 June, one car worker remarked: "I wish
we could have brought a coach-load!” This was a typical reaction amongst the
350 workers attending the best conference we’ve held so far, a regular event
that is rapidly becoming a feature in the calendar of the labour movement.
Alex Gordon, Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) president, reminded
delegates about the biggest ever trade union demonstration that was held on 26
March, showing what the TUC can do when it lifts its little finger. He urged
that attendees don’t squander that energy. The correct conclusions about the
way forward needed be drawn out – primarily, a general strike is needed. The
£81 million of cuts so far are only year one of the Tory programme.
Conference gave a very warm reception to Les Woodward from GMB Remploy who
reported on disabled workers fighting cuts & he appealed to the
"temporarily-abled" for solidarity.
The ‘Right to Strike' theme of the afternoon session was recognition that
whilst we are preparing for mass action, the bosses are too. The
representatives of the rich and powerful are ready to introduce even more
draconian laws to restrict strikes.
Frank Morris described his blacklisting from the Olympics site. Tube drivers
Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch outlined how they were sacked for participating
in legal industrial action.
John Hancock from the Prison Officers Association (POA) national executive
explained that POA is banned from striking, but that pressure is building up to
break those restrictions, especially because of the drive for privatisation.
Keith Gibson, who spoke at the NSSN conference two years ago about the victory
of construction workers at Lindsay Oil Refinery against all odds, gave us, in
his bold inimitable style, a vivid account of a recent battle at Saltend, near
Hull, where 400 construction workers were locked out. Despite a willingness of
the workforce to fight, the battle was eventually lost, leaving many questions
being asked of some trade union officials.
This theme was taken up in the many contributions from the floor, including by
Unite convener Paddy Brennan, who appealed to NSSN for assistance with current
problems at Honda. Unison member Kathy Smith also spoke, she had stood for the
NEC seat of her union colleague who was suspended from office by the right wing
union leadership and won! FULL REPORT, Motions & great video:
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.94.htm
The conference also included a rousing and in depth speech by Apostolis
Kasimeris, one of the leaders of the OASA bus workers union in Athens. Workers
in Greece were taking part in their 8th General strike and with bus fare
boycotts that linked trade unionists with the community. He clearly connected
the situations across Europe and the role of the EU & IMF and how they were
still making money on the backs of the workers despite having caused the
economic crisis. Full speech: http://www.shopstewards.net/news.93.htm
The energy and commitment of those attending to take a lead in the strike
action against cuts on June 30th and develop a wider movement in the coming
months is moving across Europe was clear. We have always been in a class war
but now we begin to flex our collective strength!
Join us! Affiliate - ONLINE: http://www.stopcuts.net/affiliate.htm
STRIKES & DISPUTES
SOUTHAMPTON City Council Unison & Unite workers strike action is escalating
action over wage cuts with members. Cleaners at Southampton Hospital also took
strike action on the same days this week and joined with Council workers at the
March against cuts on the
13th.http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/newsletters.htm
http://southamptonanticuts.wordpress.com/
RMT- Despite strenuous efforts by RMT, LU have refused to reach an agreement
that would reinstate Arwyn Thomas despite his successful appeal for “interim
relief” for unfair dismissal at the Employment Tribunal on the grounds of his
trade union activities. Strike action begins this weekend: 9pm on Sunday 19th
June then again on 27th June 28th June, 29th June, and 1st July.
http://tinyurl.com/3sbr9e2
NUT Shorefields Liverpool will strike on the 21st over plans to become an
academy.
Unite Fujistu – Defend Alan Jenney Deputy Chair of Combine over unfair and
unnecessary redundancy. Ballot closes 23rd June. Messages of support
support@ourunion.org.uk http://www.shopstewards.net/news.92.htm
UCU COLEG MORGANNWG Management has initiated disciplinary action against Guy
Stoate, President of UCU Wales and NEC member. On the day the disciplinary
action was announced over members of UCU at the college held a spontaneous
rally in support of Guy. http://www.shopstewards.net/news.96.htm
Jacqui Thomspon campaigner in Save Panticelyn School was arrested for breaching
the peace as she filmed council meeting in Carmthen. http://tinyurl.com/6lctls9
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Mon 20th Waltham Forest Trades Council & Antic Cuts group public meeting 7.30pm
Harmony Hall, Truro Road, E17
Tue 21st SERTUC public services Open Meeting report on supporting action on the
30th June - 1.00am-1.00pm in the Council Chamber, 5th Floor, TUC Congress
House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B
Wed 22nd March & Strike against the privatisation at London Met University.
Over 198 job cuts proposed. Assemble at 2:00pm at Highbury Fields t march to
London Met, Tower Building, and 166-220 Holloway Road. Organised by UNISON, UCU
& London Met NUS. Lobby of Board at 4pm.
THURS 30th JUNE – NATIONAL STRIKE Action against pension cuts!
http://tinyurl.com/6jc4neg
Birmingham at 12 Victoria Square.
Bradford 10 Valley Parad Ground
Brighton 10.30 The level
Bristol 11 College Green
Cambridge 12 Parkers pierce
Carlisle 12.30 Old Town Hall
Chatham Noon Command House
Chelmsford 11 High St
Colchester 12.30 Town Hall
Dover 12 St Mary’s Church
Exeter 11 Corn Exchange
Glasgow 12 George Sq
Gloucester 10.30 Gloucester Sq
Halifax 10 Arden Social Club
Hastings 10 White rock hotel
Liverpool 11.30 William Brown St
Leicester Victoria Park
Leeds 12 City Square
London 11 Lincoln Fields
Luton 12 Market Hill
Manchester 11 All Saints
Middleborough 4.30 Bottle sculpture
Newcastle 12 Life Centre
Norwich Noon Forum Amphitheatre
Nottingham Trent Square
Oxford 1 Bonn Square
Plymouth 1 Plymouth Town Hall
Portsmouth 12 Guildhall
Preston 12 Flag Market
Sheffield 12 Peace Gardens
Tauntan 11 Rugby club
Worthing 11 Steyne Gdns
Join – Affiliate – Get involved!
info@shopstewards.net
http://www.shopstewards.net/
strike action on the 30 June. ATL have never in the 100 odd years of being a
union taken strike action so their result is even more telling! It looks like a
sharpening mood against cuts and privatisation is developing. Under pressure
from his members, even Dave Prentis has stated that Unison will ballot for
strike action in the coming months!
As seven workers from Honda Swindon were leaving the National Shop Stewards
Network (NSSN) conference on Saturday 11 June, one car worker remarked: "I wish
we could have brought a coach-load!” This was a typical reaction amongst the
350 workers attending the best conference we’ve held so far, a regular event
that is rapidly becoming a feature in the calendar of the labour movement.
Alex Gordon, Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) president, reminded
delegates about the biggest ever trade union demonstration that was held on 26
March, showing what the TUC can do when it lifts its little finger. He urged
that attendees don’t squander that energy. The correct conclusions about the
way forward needed be drawn out – primarily, a general strike is needed. The
£81 million of cuts so far are only year one of the Tory programme.
Conference gave a very warm reception to Les Woodward from GMB Remploy who
reported on disabled workers fighting cuts & he appealed to the
"temporarily-abled" for solidarity.
The ‘Right to Strike' theme of the afternoon session was recognition that
whilst we are preparing for mass action, the bosses are too. The
representatives of the rich and powerful are ready to introduce even more
draconian laws to restrict strikes.
Frank Morris described his blacklisting from the Olympics site. Tube drivers
Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch outlined how they were sacked for participating
in legal industrial action.
John Hancock from the Prison Officers Association (POA) national executive
explained that POA is banned from striking, but that pressure is building up to
break those restrictions, especially because of the drive for privatisation.
Keith Gibson, who spoke at the NSSN conference two years ago about the victory
of construction workers at Lindsay Oil Refinery against all odds, gave us, in
his bold inimitable style, a vivid account of a recent battle at Saltend, near
Hull, where 400 construction workers were locked out. Despite a willingness of
the workforce to fight, the battle was eventually lost, leaving many questions
being asked of some trade union officials.
This theme was taken up in the many contributions from the floor, including by
Unite convener Paddy Brennan, who appealed to NSSN for assistance with current
problems at Honda. Unison member Kathy Smith also spoke, she had stood for the
NEC seat of her union colleague who was suspended from office by the right wing
union leadership and won! FULL REPORT, Motions & great video:
http://www.shopstewards.net/news.94.htm
The conference also included a rousing and in depth speech by Apostolis
Kasimeris, one of the leaders of the OASA bus workers union in Athens. Workers
in Greece were taking part in their 8th General strike and with bus fare
boycotts that linked trade unionists with the community. He clearly connected
the situations across Europe and the role of the EU & IMF and how they were
still making money on the backs of the workers despite having caused the
economic crisis. Full speech: http://www.shopstewards.net/news.93.htm
The energy and commitment of those attending to take a lead in the strike
action against cuts on June 30th and develop a wider movement in the coming
months is moving across Europe was clear. We have always been in a class war
but now we begin to flex our collective strength!
Join us! Affiliate - ONLINE: http://www.stopcuts.net/affiliate.htm
STRIKES & DISPUTES
SOUTHAMPTON City Council Unison & Unite workers strike action is escalating
action over wage cuts with members. Cleaners at Southampton Hospital also took
strike action on the same days this week and joined with Council workers at the
March against cuts on the
13th.http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/newsletters.htm
http://southamptonanticuts.wordpress.com/
RMT- Despite strenuous efforts by RMT, LU have refused to reach an agreement
that would reinstate Arwyn Thomas despite his successful appeal for “interim
relief” for unfair dismissal at the Employment Tribunal on the grounds of his
trade union activities. Strike action begins this weekend: 9pm on Sunday 19th
June then again on 27th June 28th June, 29th June, and 1st July.
http://tinyurl.com/3sbr9e2
NUT Shorefields Liverpool will strike on the 21st over plans to become an
academy.
Unite Fujistu – Defend Alan Jenney Deputy Chair of Combine over unfair and
unnecessary redundancy. Ballot closes 23rd June. Messages of support
support@ourunion.org.uk http://www.shopstewards.net/news.92.htm
UCU COLEG MORGANNWG Management has initiated disciplinary action against Guy
Stoate, President of UCU Wales and NEC member. On the day the disciplinary
action was announced over members of UCU at the college held a spontaneous
rally in support of Guy. http://www.shopstewards.net/news.96.htm
Jacqui Thomspon campaigner in Save Panticelyn School was arrested for breaching
the peace as she filmed council meeting in Carmthen. http://tinyurl.com/6lctls9
http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Mon 20th Waltham Forest Trades Council & Antic Cuts group public meeting 7.30pm
Harmony Hall, Truro Road, E17
Tue 21st SERTUC public services Open Meeting report on supporting action on the
30th June - 1.00am-1.00pm in the Council Chamber, 5th Floor, TUC Congress
House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B
Wed 22nd March & Strike against the privatisation at London Met University.
Over 198 job cuts proposed. Assemble at 2:00pm at Highbury Fields t march to
London Met, Tower Building, and 166-220 Holloway Road. Organised by UNISON, UCU
& London Met NUS. Lobby of Board at 4pm.
THURS 30th JUNE – NATIONAL STRIKE Action against pension cuts!
http://tinyurl.com/6jc4neg
Birmingham at 12 Victoria Square.
Bradford 10 Valley Parad Ground
Brighton 10.30 The level
Bristol 11 College Green
Cambridge 12 Parkers pierce
Carlisle 12.30 Old Town Hall
Chatham Noon Command House
Chelmsford 11 High St
Colchester 12.30 Town Hall
Dover 12 St Mary’s Church
Exeter 11 Corn Exchange
Glasgow 12 George Sq
Gloucester 10.30 Gloucester Sq
Halifax 10 Arden Social Club
Hastings 10 White rock hotel
Liverpool 11.30 William Brown St
Leicester Victoria Park
Leeds 12 City Square
London 11 Lincoln Fields
Luton 12 Market Hill
Manchester 11 All Saints
Middleborough 4.30 Bottle sculpture
Newcastle 12 Life Centre
Norwich Noon Forum Amphitheatre
Nottingham Trent Square
Oxford 1 Bonn Square
Plymouth 1 Plymouth Town Hall
Portsmouth 12 Guildhall
Preston 12 Flag Market
Sheffield 12 Peace Gardens
Tauntan 11 Rugby club
Worthing 11 Steyne Gdns
Join – Affiliate – Get involved!
info@shopstewards.net
http://www.shopstewards.net/
Thursday, 9 June 2011
There and not there
What will the dissertation be about?
When will it be finished?
For whom?
Distribution
Is it a toolkit? Menu
Transmedia - still to online? Why what about liveness and engagement
Music - Orange Blossom
When will it be finished?
For whom?
Distribution
Is it a toolkit? Menu
Transmedia - still to online? Why what about liveness and engagement
Music - Orange Blossom
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