Tuesday 9 February 2010
7.30pm-9.30pm
Hanover Room, Brighthelm Centre
North Road (corner of Queens Rd),5 mins from Brighton Station
Politicians, economic “experts” and the media are continually announcing the end of the recession.
With top bankers receiving record bonuses again, it may be over for a few. But for the rest of us the threat of unemployment and public service cuts is still growing.
Brighton and Hove Unison and Brighton and Hove District Trades Council have recently held large meetings to give a voice to trade unionists and others resisting the effects of a recession we played no part in creating.
Council City clean staff spoke of their success against the pay cutting council, alongside postal workers and Lloyds bank call centre staff.
Our next meeting will include:
* local RMT member, who’s union is seriously considering balloting for strike action to stop Network Rail axeing 1500 track maintenance jobs
* Sussex University UCU, members currently balloting for strike action against 115 job losses.
* A local Unite organiser and factory steward from Edwards, who are closing factories in Shoreham and Burgess Hill with 220 jobs threatened.
* FBU reps from Preston Circus Fire Station, who are trying to stop management moving their station to a less suitable location
There will be plenty of time for others involved in local or national disputes, including job centre staff, Argus journalists and strikers from IT firm Fujitsu, to share their experiences. We will also be discussing what we can all do to help each group, how we can link the struggles together, and what we can all do to prepare for the even bigger attacks on us all after the election. There will be space for informal networking after the meeting.
Organised by Brighton and Hove Trades Council and Brighton and Hove Unison
Monday, 25 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
MARCH FOR JOBS! Jobs and services not bailouts for the rich
Demonstrate: Saturday 6 March 2010
Assemble 12 midday at The Level, Brighton
A demonstration has been organised by trade union activists and campaigners as a call to action to fight back against the unjustified job losses taking place across the city and the country.
Delegates and organisers put together plans for the demonstration at a meeting held by Brighton, Hove and District Trades Council and are urging trade union branches, students, the unemployed, workers and their families to take part in this important march which will take place on Saturday 6 March.
Assembling at The Level at 12 midday, the demonstration will march past significant workplaces and sites in the city effected by the current threat of job losses. It will march to Brighton town hall where a rally will be held to put forward demands to defend all jobs and prevent any public service cuts as part of a fight back campaign against these unjustified attacks on working people.
Across Brighton & Hove working people are being threatened with thousands of job losses as workplaces close down. The devastating news of 220 redundancies at manufacturing firm Edwards last week adds to the job purge currently taking place against workers.
Track maintenance crews organised in the RMT union will be balloting for strike action over 1,500 job losses on the railways. If these job cuts go ahead safety will be severely threatened for both workers and travellers with already overstretched services.
Hundreds of jobs at Borders and Threshers in Brighton have already gone, more than 600 redundancies have been announced across two Lloyds sites, Brighton & Hove City Council wants to shed 150 workers and Sussex University plan to axe nearly 200 jobs.
Brighton, Hove and District Trades Council general secretary Bill North said: "Billions of pounds are being handed out to bankers and chief executives of companies technically owned by the taxpayer at a time when more and more people are being thrown out of work with nothing being done to protect these jobs. This completely distorted and unjustified situation cannot continue any longer.
"In the Brighton area hundreds of working people are being threatened with a worsening situation as job losses mount up.
"However, time and time again it has been shown that strong, organised trade unions can and do make a positive difference, defending jobs and conditions when they are under threat.
"If you’re not in a trade union - join one. If you are - get active.
"There is huge anger at the alarming lack of protection for workers at the same time bllions in bonuses are dished out to the rich and this demonstration will give people the opportunity to make a stand and will send out a clear message to bosses and the government: we will not pay for your crisis."
Assemble 12 midday at The Level, Brighton
A demonstration has been organised by trade union activists and campaigners as a call to action to fight back against the unjustified job losses taking place across the city and the country.
Delegates and organisers put together plans for the demonstration at a meeting held by Brighton, Hove and District Trades Council and are urging trade union branches, students, the unemployed, workers and their families to take part in this important march which will take place on Saturday 6 March.
Assembling at The Level at 12 midday, the demonstration will march past significant workplaces and sites in the city effected by the current threat of job losses. It will march to Brighton town hall where a rally will be held to put forward demands to defend all jobs and prevent any public service cuts as part of a fight back campaign against these unjustified attacks on working people.
Across Brighton & Hove working people are being threatened with thousands of job losses as workplaces close down. The devastating news of 220 redundancies at manufacturing firm Edwards last week adds to the job purge currently taking place against workers.
Track maintenance crews organised in the RMT union will be balloting for strike action over 1,500 job losses on the railways. If these job cuts go ahead safety will be severely threatened for both workers and travellers with already overstretched services.
Hundreds of jobs at Borders and Threshers in Brighton have already gone, more than 600 redundancies have been announced across two Lloyds sites, Brighton & Hove City Council wants to shed 150 workers and Sussex University plan to axe nearly 200 jobs.
Brighton, Hove and District Trades Council general secretary Bill North said: "Billions of pounds are being handed out to bankers and chief executives of companies technically owned by the taxpayer at a time when more and more people are being thrown out of work with nothing being done to protect these jobs. This completely distorted and unjustified situation cannot continue any longer.
"In the Brighton area hundreds of working people are being threatened with a worsening situation as job losses mount up.
"However, time and time again it has been shown that strong, organised trade unions can and do make a positive difference, defending jobs and conditions when they are under threat.
"If you’re not in a trade union - join one. If you are - get active.
"There is huge anger at the alarming lack of protection for workers at the same time bllions in bonuses are dished out to the rich and this demonstration will give people the opportunity to make a stand and will send out a clear message to bosses and the government: we will not pay for your crisis."
Friday, 8 January 2010
--- Rescheduled Trades Council Meeting ---
In light of the "severe weather" this week, our trades council Executive meeting was postponed. It is now rescheduled for:
8pm Wednesday 13 January at the Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Brighton
(unless weather severe enough to put buses off the road again!!)
As before, the main item on the agenda will be on the proposed demonstration against job cuts, followed by a report from Greg Hewitt (RMT) along with other workplace/union/campaign reports.
The second part of the meeting will be trades council business, mainly planning for the council's AGM due to take place on Wednesday 17 February (make a note of that in your diaries).
If you have any queries or questions, or if you're not able to attend, please email Peter on brightontradescouncil@gmail.com. Otherwise, we hope to see you all this coming Wednesday.
8pm Wednesday 13 January at the Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Brighton
(unless weather severe enough to put buses off the road again!!)
As before, the main item on the agenda will be on the proposed demonstration against job cuts, followed by a report from Greg Hewitt (RMT) along with other workplace/union/campaign reports.
The second part of the meeting will be trades council business, mainly planning for the council's AGM due to take place on Wednesday 17 February (make a note of that in your diaries).
If you have any queries or questions, or if you're not able to attend, please email Peter on brightontradescouncil@gmail.com. Otherwise, we hope to see you all this coming Wednesday.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
January Trades Council Meeting
We hope you all had a merry Christmas and we wish you all a happy new year on our 120th anniversary!
And straight to business!
The January meeting of Trades Council (technically an EC meeting, but open to all TU members) will be at 8pm on Wednesday 6 January (2010), at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Kemp Town, Brighton. It will be a very important planning meeting, with 3 major items on the agenda: Proposed demonstration against job losses; RMT report on campaign against job cuts; 2010 Trades Council AGM and further items no doubt.
1. Proposed demo against job cuts. Hope you saw the article in the Argus - if not, try: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4787530.Mass_demonstration_planned_against_Brighton_job_cuts/ The proposal for a march - in the first quarter of the new year - originally came from a mass meeting/rally at Sussex University. I hope you'll agree that this is something the TC should take up. The Argus says that "thousands of workers could march in the city": for once, let's hope they're correct in their prediction! BUT it will only happen if TU branches mobilise their members, and that'll start by making sure that as many branches as possible are represented at this meeting. Almost certainly your Branch won't have a meeting between now and the 6th January, but please contact your branch secretary NOW and arrange for the march to be discussed at the next branch meeting or branch committe.
2. RMT campaigns. I've attached a letter from Greg Hewitt from the RMT, which is self-explanatory. (I've made a minor change, where I think Gregg mis-typed the salary of Network Rail board members - if I've got it wrong that's my fault, not Greg's.)
My Name is Greg Hewitt from the RMT trade union. I am writing to you to request that you allow a speaker from my union at your next Trades Council meeting. As you may be aware Network Rail have announced 1,500 redundancies on top of which they intend to attack my members terms and conditions of employment. They wish to extend the boundaries of maintenance and inspect track assets less frequently. My members are struggling now to maintain a safe railway and are under increasing pressure to perform greater productivity. Last year we did this and took a 30% cut in funding. Now a further 21% is proposed. That's a 51% budget cut over two years. Meanwhile Ian Coucher, Chairman of Network Rail, continues to draw his £830,000 salary and bonus that takes him up to £1,24 million a year. The board continue to draw their salaries of £350,000[? BN] plus bonuses and only last night they met in the luxury of a 5 star Langham hotel at £400 a night. We are demanding that not one job should be lost until the Chairman and board hand back their bonuses. We are opposed to any job losses, be they voluntary or compulsory. My union is mounting a public campaign to make them aware of the inherent dangers to safety if the job cuts go ahead. As part of that campaign I am requesting we address the trade council. Thank you. Yours fraternally, Greg Hewitt. We have no right to believe that freedom can be won without struggle
3. Trades Council AGM. This should take place on the third Wednesday in February. We need to sort out a venue, who's doing reports, and EC members need to decide who will be awarded the Miners' Lamp for the year.
Hope to see you all there.
And straight to business!
The January meeting of Trades Council (technically an EC meeting, but open to all TU members) will be at 8pm on Wednesday 6 January (2010), at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Kemp Town, Brighton. It will be a very important planning meeting, with 3 major items on the agenda: Proposed demonstration against job losses; RMT report on campaign against job cuts; 2010 Trades Council AGM and further items no doubt.
1. Proposed demo against job cuts. Hope you saw the article in the Argus - if not, try: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4787530.Mass_demonstration_planned_against_Brighton_job_cuts/ The proposal for a march - in the first quarter of the new year - originally came from a mass meeting/rally at Sussex University. I hope you'll agree that this is something the TC should take up. The Argus says that "thousands of workers could march in the city": for once, let's hope they're correct in their prediction! BUT it will only happen if TU branches mobilise their members, and that'll start by making sure that as many branches as possible are represented at this meeting. Almost certainly your Branch won't have a meeting between now and the 6th January, but please contact your branch secretary NOW and arrange for the march to be discussed at the next branch meeting or branch committe.
2. RMT campaigns. I've attached a letter from Greg Hewitt from the RMT, which is self-explanatory. (I've made a minor change, where I think Gregg mis-typed the salary of Network Rail board members - if I've got it wrong that's my fault, not Greg's.)
My Name is Greg Hewitt from the RMT trade union. I am writing to you to request that you allow a speaker from my union at your next Trades Council meeting. As you may be aware Network Rail have announced 1,500 redundancies on top of which they intend to attack my members terms and conditions of employment. They wish to extend the boundaries of maintenance and inspect track assets less frequently. My members are struggling now to maintain a safe railway and are under increasing pressure to perform greater productivity. Last year we did this and took a 30% cut in funding. Now a further 21% is proposed. That's a 51% budget cut over two years. Meanwhile Ian Coucher, Chairman of Network Rail, continues to draw his £830,000 salary and bonus that takes him up to £1,24 million a year. The board continue to draw their salaries of £350,000[? BN] plus bonuses and only last night they met in the luxury of a 5 star Langham hotel at £400 a night. We are demanding that not one job should be lost until the Chairman and board hand back their bonuses. We are opposed to any job losses, be they voluntary or compulsory. My union is mounting a public campaign to make them aware of the inherent dangers to safety if the job cuts go ahead. As part of that campaign I am requesting we address the trade council. Thank you. Yours fraternally, Greg Hewitt. We have no right to believe that freedom can be won without struggle
3. Trades Council AGM. This should take place on the third Wednesday in February. We need to sort out a venue, who's doing reports, and EC members need to decide who will be awarded the Miners' Lamp for the year.
Hope to see you all there.
Monday, 7 December 2009
PUBLIC MEETING: What can the workers do? 6pm Wednesday 9 December, Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton
6pm Wednesday 9 December
Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton
The local hub of the trade union movement has called a public meeting to discuss the job cuts taking place across the city.
Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council, alongside the campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs, is inviting all workers and their families to the afterwork meeting being held at 6pm Wednesday 9 December at the Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton.
Across Brighton & Hove working people are being threatened with redundancy as workplaces close down. It is getting harder than ever to find work in Brighton and Hove.
As well as Lloyds, Borders and Threshers shutting, Brighton council is looking to lose 150 workers and Sussex University want to axe nearly 200 jobs.
If not challenged companies will try to make job cuts on the cheap even when they are half-owned by the taxpayer.
However, time and time again it has been shown that strong unions can and do make a positive difference when jobs are under threat.
General secretary of Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council Bill North said: “As the local offical body of the trade union movement it is important that we join together to help all workers facing job cuts and attacks. Our collective strength has a huge positive impact in defending working people against these unjustified job losses. We need to get organised against job losses and for job creation and this meeting provides us with an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to win the best deal for all workers.”
Sarah Wrack from Youth Fight for Jobs, a youth-led campaign which held a 1,000-strong march and demonstration in London last month against youth unemployment, said: “Nearly 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds are already facing years on the dole because of this crisis of capitalism. In Brighton a majority of these jobs cuts are once again expected to be dished out to young workers already struggling to pay back massive student debts as well as trying to live, eat and keep warm. We urge all young workers to attend this important meeting to find out what can be done to rescue a future out of this mess.”
CONTACT DETAILS:
Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council
07709 696561
secretary@lewes-eastbourne-and-wealden.nut.org.uk
Youth Fight for Jobs
07984 027754
brightonyouthfightforjobs@gmail.com
www.youthfightforjobs.com
Facebook: Brighton Youth Fight for Jobs
Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton
The local hub of the trade union movement has called a public meeting to discuss the job cuts taking place across the city.
Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council, alongside the campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs, is inviting all workers and their families to the afterwork meeting being held at 6pm Wednesday 9 December at the Phoenix Community Centre, Phoenix Place, Brighton.
Across Brighton & Hove working people are being threatened with redundancy as workplaces close down. It is getting harder than ever to find work in Brighton and Hove.
As well as Lloyds, Borders and Threshers shutting, Brighton council is looking to lose 150 workers and Sussex University want to axe nearly 200 jobs.
If not challenged companies will try to make job cuts on the cheap even when they are half-owned by the taxpayer.
However, time and time again it has been shown that strong unions can and do make a positive difference when jobs are under threat.
General secretary of Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council Bill North said: “As the local offical body of the trade union movement it is important that we join together to help all workers facing job cuts and attacks. Our collective strength has a huge positive impact in defending working people against these unjustified job losses. We need to get organised against job losses and for job creation and this meeting provides us with an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to win the best deal for all workers.”
Sarah Wrack from Youth Fight for Jobs, a youth-led campaign which held a 1,000-strong march and demonstration in London last month against youth unemployment, said: “Nearly 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds are already facing years on the dole because of this crisis of capitalism. In Brighton a majority of these jobs cuts are once again expected to be dished out to young workers already struggling to pay back massive student debts as well as trying to live, eat and keep warm. We urge all young workers to attend this important meeting to find out what can be done to rescue a future out of this mess.”
CONTACT DETAILS:
Brighton, Hove & District Trades Council
07709 696561
secretary@lewes-eastbourne-and-wealden.nut.org.uk
Youth Fight for Jobs
07984 027754
brightonyouthfightforjobs@gmail.com
www.youthfightforjobs.com
Facebook: Brighton Youth Fight for Jobs
Monday, 30 November 2009
Next Meeting...
Reminder Notice of Trades Council EC meeting - open to ALL TU members
The November meeting of the Executive Committee of Brighton, Hove & District TUC will be held on:
Wednesday 2 December, 8pm at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Brighton.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Next council meeting and important updates
Reminder Notice of Trades Council EC meeting - open to ALL TU members
The November meeting of the Executive Committee of Brighton, Hove & District TUC will be held on:
Wednesday 4th November, 8pm at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Brighton.
The main item of business will be organising support for workers in dispute. Mark Turner (GMB Branch Secretary) and Pete Sinnott (CWU Divisional Rep) have confirmed that they will be at the meeting, and there will also be reports from B&H Council Unison Branch.
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. (The text of a message from Unison is attached below.)
++++++++++++++
Public meeting in support of strikers - STRIKERS SPEAK OUT
Brighton postal worker, refuse collector and Brighton Housing Trustworker - all on strike - all to speak at a public meeting.
Tuesday 17th November 7.30pm
Brighthelm Centre
This meeting has been organised by the Support Group which meets on Wednesdays 8pm at the Albert Pub in Trafalgar St. It is sponsored by the Town Hall Unison Branch.
++++++++++++++
RMT Conference on Working Class Political Representation
Saturday 7th November
11am to 3pm
Camden Centre, London WC1
The Trades Council and National Shop Stewards' Network are supporting this Conference, and urge all those interested to attend. The conference is open to all, but please register in advance via the RMT website.
++++++++++++++
Statement from B&H City Council Unison
As you will probably have heard, the GMB's ballot has resulted in a 94% vote in favour of strike action on a 76% turnout. It is a massive mandate and GMB members will strike for a week from 9th November, and a work to rule will start from the 5th. Brighton and Hove UNISON is in full support of the GMB and we are instructing our members not to cross picket lines or pick up GMB members' work.
It is increasingly likely that UNISON will also be balloting for action as the true extent of the Council's incompetence and duplicity in the pay negotiations becomes clear - appearing to negotiate with us whilst at the same time preparing to impose pay cuts on large numbers of our members.
UNISON is sponsoring a meeting on 17th November at the Brighthelm at which strikers from the mail, cityclean and Brighton Housing Trust will be speaking. Tonight UNISON issued this statement:
UNISON IN FULL SUPPORT OF GMB COLLEAGUES
The GMB ballot result announced at lunchtime today (29th October 2009), of 94% of members in Brighton and Hove Cityclean in favour of strike action, is welcomed and fully supported by UNISON (Brighton and Hove Branch). The central issue of the Council seeking to impose massive salary cuts of up to £8,000 on these staff is an issue also faced by many UNISON members in the Council. Whilst our members are not concentrated in one workplace, like the Cityclean workforce, overall it is the case that we will have in total many more staff across the Council who are faced with pay cuts of varying amounts.
These totals reflect the fact that UNISON has in membership some 60% of the entire Council workforce, 3,800 in all, and those affected are in a whole range of posts including, frontline care services, ICT, Planning and so-called "back-room" services. A large proportion of these are relatively low-paid women workers - the very people that Equal Pay legislation was meant to positively benefit.
UNISON cannot be clear what the scale of pay cuts will be, because the Council employer cannot, or will not provide accurate figures to us, despite repeated requests. In addition, the employer has frequently altered its negotiating position, cancelled meetings at short notice and in the last few days managers have told staff in a central part of the Council that they will be "dismissed" if they refuse to sign new, worse pay contracts.
Today, at the "eleventh hour", the City Council have made a further offer in respect of which UNISON is seeking urgent clarification and further negotiation. However, the core pay cuts still remain, along with a plain threat to ignore the two Trade Unions and go straight to staff with these proposals.
This is no way to negotiate or reach agreement. The Single Status Agreement into which these negotiations fall, came into place in 1997 - the Council has prevaricated and delayed for 12 years and now wants to rush new grades into place.
UNISON in a letter today has indicated to the City Council at political and senior officer level, that we will not accept an imposition of new contracts. The Branch will proceed to an immediate Strike ballot in such circumstances. Our membership will also support in every possible manner our colleagues in the GMB when they take action - there will be no division between the two Branches who already work very closely at a local level.
Alex Knutsen, UNISON Branch Secretary said: "A situation which should have been resolved through negotiation over the last 12 years, has now reached a point where confrontation appears to be inevitable. This is very regrettable but even at this time could be recovered. However, if the Council leadership continue along this very dangerous path, UNISON members will vote for strike action to defend their colleagues in their Branch. Members are not militants butcommitted public sector workers forced to respond to an inept, disorganised and threatening management."
For further information please contact Alex Knutsen on 01273 249076 0r 07961025930
Yours in Solidarity
Bill (General Secretary BH&DTUC)
The November meeting of the Executive Committee of Brighton, Hove & District TUC will be held on:
Wednesday 4th November, 8pm at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Brighton.
The main item of business will be organising support for workers in dispute. Mark Turner (GMB Branch Secretary) and Pete Sinnott (CWU Divisional Rep) have confirmed that they will be at the meeting, and there will also be reports from B&H Council Unison Branch.
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. (The text of a message from Unison is attached below.)
++++++++++++++
Public meeting in support of strikers - STRIKERS SPEAK OUT
Brighton postal worker, refuse collector and Brighton Housing Trustworker - all on strike - all to speak at a public meeting.
Tuesday 17th November 7.30pm
Brighthelm Centre
This meeting has been organised by the Support Group which meets on Wednesdays 8pm at the Albert Pub in Trafalgar St. It is sponsored by the Town Hall Unison Branch.
++++++++++++++
RMT Conference on Working Class Political Representation
Saturday 7th November
11am to 3pm
Camden Centre, London WC1
The Trades Council and National Shop Stewards' Network are supporting this Conference, and urge all those interested to attend. The conference is open to all, but please register in advance via the RMT website.
++++++++++++++
Statement from B&H City Council Unison
As you will probably have heard, the GMB's ballot has resulted in a 94% vote in favour of strike action on a 76% turnout. It is a massive mandate and GMB members will strike for a week from 9th November, and a work to rule will start from the 5th. Brighton and Hove UNISON is in full support of the GMB and we are instructing our members not to cross picket lines or pick up GMB members' work.
It is increasingly likely that UNISON will also be balloting for action as the true extent of the Council's incompetence and duplicity in the pay negotiations becomes clear - appearing to negotiate with us whilst at the same time preparing to impose pay cuts on large numbers of our members.
UNISON is sponsoring a meeting on 17th November at the Brighthelm at which strikers from the mail, cityclean and Brighton Housing Trust will be speaking. Tonight UNISON issued this statement:
UNISON IN FULL SUPPORT OF GMB COLLEAGUES
The GMB ballot result announced at lunchtime today (29th October 2009), of 94% of members in Brighton and Hove Cityclean in favour of strike action, is welcomed and fully supported by UNISON (Brighton and Hove Branch). The central issue of the Council seeking to impose massive salary cuts of up to £8,000 on these staff is an issue also faced by many UNISON members in the Council. Whilst our members are not concentrated in one workplace, like the Cityclean workforce, overall it is the case that we will have in total many more staff across the Council who are faced with pay cuts of varying amounts.
These totals reflect the fact that UNISON has in membership some 60% of the entire Council workforce, 3,800 in all, and those affected are in a whole range of posts including, frontline care services, ICT, Planning and so-called "back-room" services. A large proportion of these are relatively low-paid women workers - the very people that Equal Pay legislation was meant to positively benefit.
UNISON cannot be clear what the scale of pay cuts will be, because the Council employer cannot, or will not provide accurate figures to us, despite repeated requests. In addition, the employer has frequently altered its negotiating position, cancelled meetings at short notice and in the last few days managers have told staff in a central part of the Council that they will be "dismissed" if they refuse to sign new, worse pay contracts.
Today, at the "eleventh hour", the City Council have made a further offer in respect of which UNISON is seeking urgent clarification and further negotiation. However, the core pay cuts still remain, along with a plain threat to ignore the two Trade Unions and go straight to staff with these proposals.
This is no way to negotiate or reach agreement. The Single Status Agreement into which these negotiations fall, came into place in 1997 - the Council has prevaricated and delayed for 12 years and now wants to rush new grades into place.
UNISON in a letter today has indicated to the City Council at political and senior officer level, that we will not accept an imposition of new contracts. The Branch will proceed to an immediate Strike ballot in such circumstances. Our membership will also support in every possible manner our colleagues in the GMB when they take action - there will be no division between the two Branches who already work very closely at a local level.
Alex Knutsen, UNISON Branch Secretary said: "A situation which should have been resolved through negotiation over the last 12 years, has now reached a point where confrontation appears to be inevitable. This is very regrettable but even at this time could be recovered. However, if the Council leadership continue along this very dangerous path, UNISON members will vote for strike action to defend their colleagues in their Branch. Members are not militants butcommitted public sector workers forced to respond to an inept, disorganised and threatening management."
For further information please contact Alex Knutsen on 01273 249076 0r 07961025930
Yours in Solidarity
Bill (General Secretary BH&DTUC)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
