NSSN 45 - Nothing unaffordable about public sector pensions

‘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/