Defend pensions public meeting! TONIGHT!

7pm Thursday October 13
Friends Meeting House
Ship Street, Brighton. All welcome. Disabled access.

On November 30 Britain could witness the biggest strike by trade unionists in a generation. Come along and find out why those organising against this government's cuts agenda are taking action. Speakers include a striking Southampton council worker, representatives from unions balloting to defend pensions and Brighton Benefits campaign organising resistance to welfare cuts.

Check out this fact-based article for more perspective on the pensions battle:

This is not a pension reform – it is simply a pay cut

Few people understand how pensions work. The government is relying on this in their attacks on public sector pensions. Ministers claim that they are gold-plated, unreformed and unsustainable. The right-wing press join in by saying that it is unfair that private sector workers’ tax should pay for public sector pensions.

Yet what the government is doing is simple. It is asking public sector workers – already facing a two-year pay freeze, job losses and inflation running higher than it has for more than a decade – to make a further, and even more unfair, contribution to reducing the deficit.

They are doing this by trying to impose an arbitrary extra pension contribution of three per cent of pay on the public sector. This is not a pension reform – it is simply a pay cut. Click here to read on...

Our October meeting: TONIGHT!

Our October trades council meeting will take place tonight.

8pm Wednesday October 5
Upstairs at the King & Queen pub
The Old Steine, Brighton

With ballots due to be sent out to millions of public sector workers in the battle to defend our pensions, trades council would like to invite all trade unionists who are effected, particularly branch secretaries and reps, to help co-ordinate any likely action. Alternatively, please email brightontradescouncil@gmail.com to get in touch.

Also tonight is a solidarity fundraiser gig for the Southampton council workers currently taking action against massive cuts to terms and conditions, who are unjustly being made to pay for the bankers' crisis. Please pop along and show your support.

7.30pm Wednesday October 5
at the Hobgoblin pub.
Click on the events image on the left for  more info.

Defend our pensions! June 30 strike rally speech by Brighton NUT rep Hazel Rees

 

(Top: Police estimate 4,000 people took part in the magnificent strike demonstration, and below: Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas speaks to the strike rally in Hove Town Hall, alongside striking ATL, NUT, PCS and UCU delegates) 

Hello, it is a privilege to have been asked to speak to you this afternoon.

I want to dedicate this speech to two people. This is dedicated to you if you are taking action for the first time today. And it is dedicated to you if you are the only person from your school here today. Can we give those people a huge cheer?

I want to talk about why we’re are all here today, striking and marching together in the centre of Brighton. We are not here just because of our pensions. We are here because we care about our schools, we care about our profession and we care about our children.

Do we want our children to be taught by 68-year-olds trapped in their jobs by the pension system?

Do we want teachers to face crippling increases in their monthly contributions? For some teachers, like single parents, these hikes will genuinely mean them no longer being able to make their mortgage payments.

Do we want young teachers to leave the profession? For newly qualified teachers, already entering the profession with massive debts, being asked to pay 10% of their salary in pension contributions will be the last straw.

I am still paying off £90 every month to the student loans company. The government now want me to pay over £60 more in pension contributions each month. I am already paying £144 in pension contributions. Altogether, this would mean paying £294 every month, just on my pension and student loan, before I’ve even looked at paying the rent or feeding the cat.

I know that if I had been faced with that in my first year, I would have had no choice but to opt out of the pension scheme. I imagine most teachers starting out would be forced to make the same choice. With the majority of new entrants opting out, the very stability of the scheme will be threatened.

When I finally get to draw my actual pension it will have been cut 15%. This cut was slipped in during April this year when the interest rate was changed from RPI to CPI, and has been applied to all pensions retrospectively.

How MP Danny Alexander could stand up last Friday and say: “No ifs, not buts, your accrued rights will be protected,” when they have already been savagely attacked, frankly beggars belief.

I despair for the children in my class – I spend so long impressing upon them how important it is to tell the truth, and then the leaders of our country behave like this.

As if that wasn’t hypocritical enough – guess which inflation measure is used to calculate my loan? No surprises, it’s RPI.

Where is this £60 they want to take from me actually going to go? The changes made in 2007 are on track to make the necessary savings – even Hutton admits that! As Mary Bousted from ATL says, the money they’re taking from us isn’t going into our pension scheme, it’s being used to plug the deficit caused by the bankers gambling recklessly with our economy. This is not our crisis! We will not pay for it!

As a Year 1 teacher, I keep a stack of spare pants outside my classroom, they often come in handy. I was chatting to another Year 1 teacher this week who does the same. In fact, she said she’s started collecting a second bag of pants, but this one is for all the 68 year old teachers the government wants in school!

Seriously though, just because we are living longer, 65 is still 65, and teaching is still a mentally and physically exhausting job. For me the most important reason for taking action here today, is for the future of the children in our schools.

I believe that we are in the most important profession in the world. Children deserve excellent teachers. Teachers, forced to stay in the classroom beyond 65 because they are financially trapped will not be excellent teachers.

Yes, Danny Alexander, we do have a pensions crisis in this country. The pensions crisis is in the private sector. Was it caused by hard working teachers, nurses, social workers? Or was it caused by the big companies taking long pension contribution holidays when the stock market looked good? Everyone deserves a decent pension, and I am here today to demand decent pensions for every worker – in all sectors!

In the 1940s in this country, the focus was on welfare and building better communities. We built the National Health Service, we built new universities, and we built a rail service that worked and didn’t treat people like cattle. This philosophy, of building societies for our welfare has all but gone, replaced with the drive to continually maintain our competitive edge and become ever more efficient. I am here to say enough is enough! Life should not be judged by shareholder profits – it is time we returned to welfare and compassion.

Teachers, we are the first domino. If we fall, others will fall. If we stand up to the government and refuse to be knocked down, if we win this fight, we are helping every other worker in this country stand firm.

Finally, I have a message for Mr Gove, who seems so concerned about teachers’ reputations. Mr Gove: Parents won’t lose respect for people who stand up for what is right.

Colleagues, I know that making the decision to strike today is not easy. I know it is difficult to be under pressure from the likes of the Daily Mail and to be face to face with that one unsupportive parent, but I’m here to say that doing the right thing is not always easy.

Across the world, teachers' trade unions understand that difficulty. Four years ago, the government in Iran banned the teachers’ trade union. Did they take the easy option and give up? No, they have continued to fight against low pay, despite facing beatings and detentions.

Last year one of the activists from the union in Iran was secretly executed. His name was Farzad. He was given the death sentence in 2008 after a trial lasting five minutes. He won the right to appeal, and yet before reaching the Supreme Court, his lawyer was told that his file had been ‘lost’ and Farzad was still executed.

I want to read you an extract from a letter which he sent whilst in prison. At the time of writing this, he had been tortured so badly that the last time his family saw him he couldn’t walk. The letter was addressed to other teachers who have been imprisoned, and I read it to you today to applaud you for joining other teachers around the world who don’t take the easy option but do what is right.

Farzad starts his letter with a little black fish. The little fish lives with his mother but decides to travel away from his stream and has adventures in the river. His adventure continues until lots of rivers join together and become the sea. Farzad then says, suddenly, he spotted a large group of fish. There were 10,000 of them, and one said to the little black fish, “Welcome to the sea, comrade!

"Is it possible to be a teacher and not show the path to the sea to the little fish of this country? Is it possible to be a teacher and be responsible for spreading the seeds of knowledge and still be silent? Is it possible to be in the year of no justice and fairness and fail to teach the H for Hope and E for Equality, even if such teachings land you in prison or result in your death?"

Farzad was 32 when he was executed and had been a teacher 12 years. His only crime was being a trade unionist. Yet despite that, he was prepared to swim against the current and stand up for what is right.

I am proud to be a teacher. I am even more proud to be a trade unionist teacher. I am proud to be in a school where every single member of full time staff is out on strike today. I am proud to be marching in Brighton where nearly 90% of schools are closed. I am proud to be standing here together alongside members of ATL, alongside members of UCU and alongside members of PCS.

Let the Daily Mail rant about our holidays and Gove imagine that parent helpers can run schools – we will stand together and stand up for what is right. To those of you little fishes who are taking action for the first time today, welcome to the sea!

I am proud to be part of a profession and trade union movement which stands up for what it believes in. I am here to stand up for the public sector, and I say to the government:

FAIR PENSIONS FOR ALL!

Solidarity to ATL, NUT, PCS and UCU members taking strike action! Solidarity to all workers resisting unjust attacks!

Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council send greetings, congratulations, support and solidarity to all your members involved in industrial action on June 30.

The strikes happening on this day are the biggest co-ordinated action we have seen for decades, and should be the start of a wider industrial campaign to stop this government and their attacks on working people.

Our movement cannot and will not stand by and allow our members' livelihoods - both now and in the future - put at risk to pay for a recession caused by greed and recklessness in the financial sector.

The changes being imposed on jobs, pay and pensions should not go unchallenged. Why should you, or we, pay more, work longer and get less when our pensions are affordable in both the long and short term? The government's proposals are not driven by questions of affordability but by questions of ideology, and require joint union action to resist them. 

It is also important to show that we will not be intimidated by this government’s threats of attacking our trade union rights. The right to strike is the voice which allows us to influence the establishment of rules that control the majority of their lives.

We are standing up to our employers and to the government to fight for better working and living conditions, not only for ourselves, but also for the society at large. We reject the ruling classes' attempt to divide us by insinuating that we are better off than private sector workers. We reject the race to the bottom, and will use our industrial muscle in the fight for better rights for all workers.

When we strike, we are showing our working class strength. We will fight alongside you in this struggle, and we will not rest until we are victorious.

In solidarity,

Holly Smith
President of Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council

~

Brighton and Hove City RMT fully support all workers taking action on this day June 30 2011 in defence of pension changes, job cuts and pay freezes.

RMT transport workers in the city recognise your unselfish actions in fighting to defend hard fought for jobs, pensions and conditions.

We salute you, as your struggle is our struggle.

Garry Hassell
Brighton and Hove City RMT Branch Secretary

Greg Hewitt
Brighton and Hove City RMT Chair

~

The NUJ is supporting public sector workers who will be on strike this Thursday, June 30, in defence of their pensions, jobs and pay. It is an important moment in the fightback against government attacks, and it is a fight for us all.

At last week's Brighton NUJ branch meeting members were encouraged to show their support at picket lines - from 7am at local schools, colleges and PCS-organised workplaces - and at the joint union rally which assembles on The Level at 10.30am and, after some speeches, marches to Hove Town Hall for a meeting due to start at 12.30pm. Please join in where you can and let the strikers know they have the NUJ's support!

Phil Mellows
Brighton & Mid Sussex NUJ Branch Committee

~

Comrades, Friends
I feel proud and honoured, on behalf of the re-launched Worthing TUC, to offer solidarity with those taking action today.

When this government snatched power, the TUC said it would organise co-ordinated strikes. Despite student protests, anti cuts demonstrations and localised strikes such as that by Southampton council workers, we have heard little from the TUC about co-ordinated national action. Of course we had the TUC magnificent March for the Alternative, this should have been the springboard but left many Trade Unionists begging the question where now?

We can’t stand around waiting for the TUC. The unions must have the will to do this and Trade Union Councils can and should take the lead where the TUC has dragged its heels, Trade Union Councils can play a vital role in bringing the unions together and organise co-ordinated action, Trades Councils should align and work together nationally in organising and co-ordinating action against this governments attacks.

We must not repeat the mistakes of the past and through a united movement ensure that no unions are left to stand alone. PCS, UCU, NUT, and ATL have taken the lead in co-ordinating action together, they have sown the seeds, we must salute them and call on all our unions to get with the programme.

We need to reach out to our communities, promote Trade Unionism as a force for good both in the workplace and out in the community. This government is waging a disingenuous war for the hearts and minds of the public. Take teachers, for example, who are being particularly vilified by multi-millionaire Old Etonian Michael Gove, claiming teachers have a moral responsibility not to strike and that this strike will lose them respect. Well I say, what about this government’s moral responsibility not to put millions out of work and into poverty whilst bankers and fat cats guzzle multi-million bonuses? It is you, Gove, that has no respect, just greed.

Gove says teacher strikes will inconvenience mothers - well what about the inconvenience to millions of ordinary people who are losing jobs, services, benefits, facing wage freezes and pensions robbery?

Gove says strikes will threaten negotiations - how can unions negotiate when the central issues that workers are most upset about aren’t even on the table? Paying 50% more for their pension, working until 68, and a 15% cut in the pension! The government won’t budge an inch on these issues, so when teachers are left with no option but to excercise the right of all workers to withdraw their labour, the government responds with a smear campaign and calls on mothers to cross picket lines in a desperate attempt to undermine the strike.

And Cameron says this is fair!

Parents need to understand that if we allow teachers terms and conditions to be eroded, this will lead to a decline in the teaching profession, which in turn will lead to a decline in education standards. As a result less working class people will get the qualifications needed for the top jobs. The rich and privileged will continue to take all the wealth and increase the class divide. This of course is the Tory’s ideological agenda, they don’t want working class people to have anything.

The average salary for a private sector worker is £386 with average pension of just £1,400. The average salary for a public sector worker is £446 with average pension of £7,800. Hardly goldplated!

This government wants to bring us all down to the lowest level, in a race to the bottom. Teachers, civil servants, refuse collectors today, but if we let them get away with it, everyone else tomorrow.

They want to send us all back to the days of the workhouse and “please sir can I have some more”!

Well, as Trade Unionists we should make no apologies for fighting to defend and enhance our member’s terms and conditions, and protect the services ordinary working people rely on. Private sector pay and pensions should be brought up, not the pay of others reduced. Raise the bar, not race to the bottom.

Contrast this with the income of Prince Charly which has risen by 18% in the last year from £1.7 million to nearly £2 million, and from his landed estate up 4% to £18 million!

The Con-dem cabinet numbers many multi-millionaires. Bankers continue to pay themselves massive bonuses despite causing the crisis. All in it together? Clearly some more than others. A society of winners and losers where the losers have already been chosen!

Vince Cable has the brass neck to stand up in front of GMB delegates and warn that in response to strikes, the government will ratchet up anti-union laws. This is a declaration of war. So if its war they want, then we shall fight back and give them a war!

Thatcher once commented that her greatest achievement was New Labour, Cameron's greatest achievement is the revitalisation of the organised labour movement. Across the country new anti-cuts groups and Trade Councils are forming as a response to his government's attacks on working people. They have ignited a flame that is spreading into an inferno of resistance. They are playing with fire, and they will get burnt.

Worthing TUC is proud to be part of the fightback. Thanks Cameron, Clegg, Cable et al, we couldn't have done it without you! Ring the alarm!

Respect to NUT, PCS, UCU, and ATL, and let's not forget striking Unite and Unison workers in Southampton. Stand firm, we support you, you’re victory will be an inspiration to the Trade Union movement, giving confidence to other unions to join forces and defeat this Tory led attack on the working class.

In solidarity

Richard Jones
A/Secretary Worthing TUC

~

Send in your messages to brightontradescouncil@gmail.com. Up the workers!

Overwhelming majority vote to strike to save pensions!

Britain's public sector workers have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in defence of our pensions - to take place on Thursday June 30 - which face an unjust attack by a government attempting to force working people to shoulder the burden of an economic crisis caused by the failure of the banks and the capitalist system.

The government's attack on our hard won, yet poverty level £3,000 a year on average, public sector pensions include forcing workers to contribute up to £100 more a month for a smaller final pension settlement with an increase in the retirement age - pay more, get less and wait longer for it!

So far, union members balloted include ATL, NUT, PCS and UCU.

ATL: 83% for strike (turnout: 35%)
NUT:92% for strike (turnout: 40% state, 27% private)
PCS: 61% for strike (83.6 for industrial action, turnout: 32.4%)
UCU: Already taking industrial action

Help build support for the workers' action and come along to these events to find our more:

Why We're On Strike Public Meeting
7.30pm Monday June 20
Speakers from all unions involved
Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135553419855931

Co-ordinated Strike Day March and Rally
10.30am Thursday June 30
The Level, Brighton - marching to Hove Town Hall

Brighton trade unionists join striking public sector workers of Southampton against pay cuts!

[by Andy Richards, Brighton Unison]

On Monday, about 1000 council workers and hospital cleaners marched through Southampton.

The Council workers are striking against threatened cuts in pay and the imposition of new, inferior contracts of employment. The hospital workers are taking action to force their employer, a contractor called Medirest, to honour a pay agreement. Click here to read on...

Send messages of support to:

Unison Southampton district branch, Civic Centre Southampton SO14 7NB.
Mike Tucker: branchsecretary@soton-unison-office.org.uk

Unite union, 15 The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XF
Ian Woodland, Unite regional officer, woodland_ian@hotmail.com.

Donations to TGWU 2/8 Strike Fund, Unity Trust Bank, Ac No: 20185358 Sort Code 08-60-01.

Our June trades council meeting...

With potentially Britain's biggest strike for some time on the cards at the end of the month, our June trades council meeting will take place after Wednesday's strike planning meeting that is being co-ordinated by those unions currently balloting for action...

7pm Wednesday June 8
Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=215547348479435

All trade unionists are encouraged to come along to help organise and spread the word of the battle being fought by our brothers and sisters in ATL, NUT, PCS and UCU, to defend our pensions from attack - increases in retirement age, workers' contributions and a switch to the lower CPI rate of interest are unnecessary cuts to our hard won 'defered wages' that are being used to pay for the government's debt caused by rescuing their capitalist economy with the bail out of the banks.

Leaflets to distribute around workplaces will be available to take away at the meeting, with time for a discussion on how we can build support among all workers and our communities for those preparing to embark on industrial action.

After, executive committee members and all interested trade unionists are invited to gather to discuss all our other trade union campaigns, news and information, as we will have the meeting room until 10pm.

Solidarity to the striking council workers of Southampton!

[Striking refuse workers in Southampton on Monday, on the first day of action against vicious cuts to pay, terms and conditions threatened upon all council staff. Photograph - Southampton Socialist Party]

Solidarity to the 4,300 striking council workers in Southampton Unite and Unison public sector branches who began industrial action today with refuse workers walking out, on strike to oppose being summarily dismissed and re-employed on worse pay, terms and conditions brutally imposed upon them as the council attempts to implement savage cuts. Click here for a Unite news report on the dispute...

Dear brothers and sisters of Southampton Unite and Unison public sector branches,

All affiliated trade union members united under the banner of Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council offer our firm and dutiful solidarity and strength to you in your battle against employers Southampton City Council, as you embark upon the course of industrial action today.

This unnecessary attack upon your wages, rights and conditions reflects the regressive and unjust politics of this rotten Con-Dem government, which mistakenly attempts to destroy and rip apart the very fabric of communities and values our trade union predecessors fought so hard to achieve.

Stand firm in your fight. The eyes of the trade union movement are upon you to wish you every success of victory. Workers in other cities are facing the same threats to devalue our employment contracts, our pay, pensions, welfare and public services. Collectively in action, brought together in struggle, we are the biggest obstacle to these cuts across the country and beyond, as the very people who provide them and rely on them.

As you stand in the footsteps of all brave and enlightened workers who in the past have sacrificed so much in the struggle for progress, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you on your picket lines, meetings and rallies today, to collectively defend these achievements.

The just alternatives to these cuts are widely known and possible - if we unite to break these chains dragging us towards the misery of poverty that capitalism seeks to enslave us in they become achievable.

May we all stand together as a mighty oak against the coming gale, and let us demonstrate the truth that unity brings so that we may flourish and grow together in peace.

In solidarity,

Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council

Striking Argus NUJ members rally at newsquest HQ!

(Photograph: Claire Truscott)

Argus NUJ workers took their strike action to Newsquest HQ on their second day of their third 48-hour strike against job losses and an unjustified pay freeze.

Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council offers if full solidarity to the NUJ chapel and all Newsquest workers taking action against cuts and attacks. Read more about the battle at brightonargus.blogspot.com.

Support your Argus workers out on third 48 hour strike!

"The chapel voted by overwhelming majority to confirm it will take strike action on January 6 and 7. We are looking to take our protest to Newsquest head office, where members of NUJ chapels from around the country will be joining us."

Support the workers fighting to save jobs and win a first pay rise for three years. Come along to the picket from 7am at Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton (at the end of bus route 5B to Hollingbury)

• Like the Facebook page.
  
• Follow us on Twitter.
  
• Sign the petition.
  
• Download one of the posters and display it prominently in your window or workplace - click here to download.
  
• Take a picture of the poster, or your own message of support, and upload it to the Flickr group.
  

For more info check out brightonargus.blogspot.com

Argus NUJ strike to save our local newspaper!

[Words and pictures by Peter Knight]





NUJ members at Brighton's local newspaper The Argus made a stand against mounting job losses on Thursday as they walked out to start 48 hours of solid strike action.

Management plans to axe six local subbing and production jobs saw union members vote an overwhelming 91 per cent in favour of the walk-out.

The cuts are the latest in a series of redundancies that have seen more than 100 jobs lost at the paper over the last two years with some of the work being transfered to Southampton 80 miles away.

However, management's claim of "working hard" to create jobs along the coast rings hollow when it means sacking Brighton journalists, particularly when the newspaper's boss awards himself a 21 per cent salary increase while workers across Newsquest titles have suffered a pay freeze for the last three years.

At the well supported and lively picket, Argus NUJ father of the chapel Tim Norman declared: "We're taking strike action because we're seeking to protect local jobs, local journalism. What is a local paper if it isn't being produced in that locality?

"The local paper is the fourth estate for the local community - it's there to keep an eye on and reflect what's going on, be it local democracy, reporting crime."

As passing car after car hooted their horns in support of the workers on the Hollingbury picket, Mr Norman added: "There is no question that people want a local paper, but what they want is quality journalism and that can only come from having local workers producing the paper.

"This is an attack not just on our jobs and the quality of the paper but an attack on the local community as a whole. We're saying enough is enough."

Members from GMB, Unite and fellow NUJ comrades from other workplaces swelled the numbers outside the Argus offices with support from Brighton trades council delegates and the local pensioners forum.

A message of solidarity from NUJ president Pete Murray read. "Local knowledge, expertise and properly resourced journalism is vital for every local newspaper. The NUJ rejects the false economy of breaking links between newspapers and their communities. The hole union is behind you in your fight. Stay strong and united."

Argus NUJ members will be continuing their strike action tomorrow. They have set up a petition at www.petition.co.uk/keep-the-brighton-argus-local and will be campaigning across the city during the 48 hours with activities to highlight the vital role the local paper provides for the community, and the battle to save it.

A delegate from the Argus NUJ chapel will be attending the Brighton Stop the Cuts Coalition delegates meeting on Monday November 22, 7.30pm at the Caxton pub to link up with other local workers fighting back against cuts and job losses. Make sure your union branch or campaign group sends someone too.

Visit the Argus NUJ blog at http://www.brightonargus.blogspot.com.xn--6a

Come to the Argus picket!

Support striking Argus workers!
Meet 11am Thursday
November 18
Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton
At the end of bus route 5B to Hollingbury

Come and show your support for workers defending jobs and a vital local public information service. For more information visit brightonargus.blogspot.com

Message from the Argus NUJ chapel:

By striking, we want to send a message to management that we are not prepared to accept changes which we believe will damage your local paper. Our bosses are far more likely to listen to us if they know we have the support of their customers - our local readers and advertisers. With that in mind, here are some ways you can show your support for what we are doing:

• Like our Facebook page.
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Sign our petition.
• Download one of our posters and display it prominently in your window or workplace - click here to download.
• Take a picture of the poster, or your own message of support, and upload it to our Flickr group.
• Come along in person to show your support at 11am on Thursday, November 18 on the pavement opposite Argus House in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton.
• Spread the word.

Email in messages of support and strike fund pledges to argusnuj@yahoo.co.uk

Back the striking Argus workers! Save your local paper!

[By Andy Richards]

(Photo by Annie Mole - http://london-underground.blogspot.com)

Journalists on the Argus are taking strike action next week to keep a local paper in Brighton. They are trying to stop virtually all production and editorial being moved to Southampton, and to save 6 local jobs.

The Argus is owned by Newsquest, which is itself a subsidiary of the American Gannett Foundation. The move to Southampton has been gradually taking place for some time now. A few years ago, the Argus moved to its present location in Hollingbury because it had outgrown its central Brighton home. Now, what's left of the Brighton operation would fit comfortably into one floor of the old location.

We have seen the effect of this in terms of a far more superficial publication, which never covers any issue in any depth, and mostly just regurgitates press releases. I recall that about 10 years ago when I was involved in a fight to stop New Labour privatising the Benefits Service in the Council, it was an investigative reporter who took time to uncover the abysmal track record of the preferred bidder for the service which played a large part in derailing those plans. I couldn't see that happening now.

If Newsquest gets its way, there will just be 2 journalists based in Brighton - the paper is already printed in Southampton and trucked back into Brighton for distribution.

The Argus has always had its faults, but at a time when we have a highly centralised council bent on making massive cuts with as little opposition as possible, we need a decent local paper to hold them to account.

The NUJ pickets will be out in Crowhurst Road (opp ASDA) from 8am on the 18th and 19th. Give them your support.

Email argusnuj@yahoo.co.uk with strike fund and offers of support.

For further reports see...
http://brightonargus.blogspot.com/
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=7139
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2010/nov/10/local-newspapers-newsquest
http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2010/11/argus-journalists-vote-to-strike/

Support UCU Day of Action against cuts!

Statement from UCU at University of Sussex:

Day of Action in Defence of Education
Wednesday 5th May – in Brighton
City College, University of Sussex, University of Brighton
Strike ; Demonstrate ; Rally!

On Wednesday 5th May thousands of lecturers in Further and Higher and Adult Education will be on strike. In London alone, there will be 11 FE colleges affected and three universities, Kings College, University College London (UCL) and Westminster. Here in Brighton, the lecturers and academic-related staff will be on strike at the University of Sussex. At the University of Brighton and in City College, staff and students will be demonstrating in defence of education.

Why is this happening? Higher education has been hit with a series of funding cuts that now total close to £1bn, while further education has been told to make savings of £340m in the next academic year. Funding cuts have now gone from tough words from party leaders for their sound-bites ahead of an election to the stark reality of people losing jobs, potential students
missing out on education, and existing students facing larger classes and less access to tutors and to services.

All of this, we must remember, is to pay for the deficits created by the bankers’ crisis, and for the wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq, adventures to which the majority in the country is opposed.
Sally Hunt, the General Secretary of the lecturers’ union (the UCU), condemned the cuts: 'All the tough talk about cuts has moved on and it is no longer figures on paper, but people's jobs and access to education that are disappearing.

We believe in the power of education to make a real difference to peoples’ lives and do not think we should be slashing funding at a time when more people than ever need access to education.

UCU members are still on the side of education and they will be fighting to save jobs and defend education. That is why there is strike action on May 5th, on the eve of the General Election, and why the UCU is holding rallies and demonstrations up and down the country in defence of education.

To all students and staff at universities and colleges in the Sussex area and all local people and trade unionists who do not believe that education should be sacrificed for the bankers or for the cost of the wars...

JOIN US on WEDNESDAY MAY 5TH !

Visit the UCU picket lines at the University of Sussex at any time during the day of the 5th to bring solidarity greetings.

Join UCU members and students from City College, and the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, on the demonstration through Brighton (Wednesday afternoon, 5th May) at 4.30 from
The Level on the Lewes Road to The Old Ship Hotel on the seafront.

Whether you are staff or students, or a member of the public, come to the UCU rally in The Old Ship Hotel by Ship Street from 5.30 – 8.00pm, May 5th.
Chair: Jelena Timotijevic (UCU Brighton). Speakers to include: Alasdair Hunter (National President of the UCU); Paul Cecil and Jim Guild (Chair and Secretary of the UCU at the University of Sussex); Tom Wills (President) and Syed Bokhiri from the University of Sussex Students’ Union; members of the University of Brighton Students’ Union; Sue Tribe (Adult and Continuing Education, Brighton); Tom Hickey (University of Brighton and National Executive UCU); Micheal O’Connell and Alison Kelly (Brighton City College); Michael Moran (Regional Official, UCU); … and prospective Parliamentary candidates who have been invited to give their views on the education cuts!

For more information visit the campaign website at savesussexeducation.wordpress.com/

April Trades Council meeting

Greetings comrades.

The April meeting of Trades Council will be at 8pm on Wednesday 7 April, at The Stag, Upper Bedford Street, Kemp Town, Brighton.

This meeting will be the first since the excellent March for Jobs demonstration and will be a great opportunity to discuss the next stage of the campaign following strike action by BA cabin crew, PCS workers and UCU staff at Sussex University among others.

We have union members wanting to co-ordinate action against the plans for Portslade Community College to be turned into a city academy, May Day plans to organise, and an idea for a public meeting to on the right to strike and the anti-trade union laws has been put forward for discussion, in light of the undemocratic decisions made by unelected judges to stop Unite BA and RMT strike action.

Spread word of our meeting and let everyone in your union branch know there's a trades council meeting going on.

See you all there.

PCS members strike to defend compensation scheme

Public and Commercial Services union members will walk out today for 48-hours in defence of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme which is being attacked by the government.

Join workers on the picket line from 7.30am at courts, ports, job centres, benefit offices, tax centres and emergency police call centres across the country as a quarter of a million civil servants begin their action.

Send messages of solidarity and support to brightontradescouncil@gmail.com and/or come along to the CSCS Strike Day Rally...

11am, Monday 8 March
Brighthelm Centre, Queens Road, Brighton

Speakers include Alan Dennis, PCS NEC member and local workers.

Record turnout in vote for strike action!

A press release from the UCU on Wednesday 3 March

UCU members vote to strike at the University of Sussex

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Sussex have today (Wednesday 3 March) voted overwhelmingly in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike in their fight to save jobs. The turnout - 80.9% - is the highest figure the union has ever had in a ballot. The union said the unprecedented turnout was indicative of the strength of feeling among UCU members across the country over savage funding cuts and damaging job losses.

Over three-quarters of staff (76%) who voted supported strike action and over four-fifths (82%) agreed to action short of a strike. The news comes just a month after UCU members at the University of Leeds delivered a then record turnout to vote for strike action. There are currently strike ballots taking place at King’s College London, University College London and the University of Kent.

The union said that although its members at Sussex had given a clear mandate for industrial action, it still hoped the dispute could be resolved without any disruption. The likelihood of strike action should become much clearer after a meeting of the university’s senate on Friday (5 March). At that meeting members of the senate will have the opportunity to pass a motion that calls for the job cut plans to be put on hold while the academic consequences are fully explored under the ambit of a senate working group.

It will then be up the university council, which meets the following week (Friday 12 March), to decide whether or not to push ahead with the university’s ‘proposals for change’, which will see 115 jobs go at the university. The union has been well supported by Sussex students and the students’ union today gave its unequivocal backing to the union’s campaign and proposed action. The union president made it quite clear that he would hold the university responsible for any disruption to students’ education or subsequent drop in quality.

UCU Sussex representative, Paul Cecil, said: “UCU members have today delivered a clear mandate for industrial action at the University of Sussex. We thank our members for participating in such large numbers and reiterate our belief that a negotiated settlement is still possible if the university steps back from implementing its job cut plans, votes to delay the decision and considers our alternatives.”

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Industrial action is always a last resort but the bottom line is that serious job losses will impact massively across the University of Sussex and result in a far worse experience for students. This result, coupled with the Leeds one, makes it quite clear just how strong the feeling is around the country on this issue.”

Tom Wills, University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU) president, said: "We are right behind Sussex staff and the principled stand they are taking in defence of their jobs and our education. We will hold university management responsible for disruption to our education resulting from the strike - but moreover we will hold management responsible for the devastation that will be wrought on our education if they succeed in pushing through their cuts proposals. Strike action by staff is the key to winning this battle and we will do everything we can to support it."

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.)

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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.

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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.

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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)

Brighton Housing Trust workers' strikes

On Monday 14th September, UNISON gave notice to the BHT Board and Chief Executive of further industrial action, on a rolling basis.

21st-23rd September (inclusive) – members will strike at Queen’s Road and EHALC
29th-1st October (inclusive) – members will strike at First Base
5th-9th October (inclusive) – members will strike at Phase One
6th-8th October (inclusive) – members will strike at First Base.

For the 21st – 23rd, there will be a picket / demonstration at Queens Road each morning form 8.30am to 11.30am, and a demonstration outside 144 London Road form 12.30pm-2pm. All trade unionists are asked to support these activities whenever they are available.