Monday 17 August 2009

Brighton Housing Trust Strike Action! Members need your support!

An urgent message from Brighton & Hove Unison:

BRIGHTON HOUSING TRUST EMERGENCY STRIKE ACTION!
MEMBERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

On Wednesday the 19th August, up to 125 branch members employed by BHT will be taking strike action.

They have been forced to this last resort by an employer who is hell-bent on ripping up and imposing new contracts of employment. All staff will be removed from NJC Conditions of Service and will have working hours increased, for less pay! For half of our members there will be a pay cut of up to £6,000!

This is not as bad as the original proposals to slash sick/maternity pay and other conditions, which Unison successfully fought off.

But some of our members, who work with homeless people, will face the loss of their homes due to these proposals. Bluntly, BHT, once an “employer of choice”, has moved to one of the most heartless, aggressive and bullying organisations of the 80 the branch has members within.

What you can do!
On 19th August 2009, join one of the following events
1) 8-11am: demonstration at 144 London Road (opposite Hobgoblin Pub)
2) 11.30-12noon: march from London Road to Barts Square (outside Brighton Town Hall), followed by a rally.
3) 1.30pm: demonstration at Community Base, Queens Road.

Financial
Our members are low paid, facing large cuts in salary, and for some strike action losses will cause financial hardship. The branch is appealing nationally for support, but if you want to make a contribution (cheques payable to Brighton & Hove Unison) please send this to the Branch Office, Town Hall, Brighton, BN1 1JA.

What we want
Simply, a suspension, of the threat of dismissals, and talks, to reach a negotiated settlement – nothing more, nothing less.

On the 19th please, please turn up to support your colleagues in what is a key dispute for Brighton and Hove UNISON members.

Alex Knutsen,
Branch Secretary - Brighton and Hove Unison