TRADE UNIONISTS FOR IN (TU4IN)

UNISON is carrying out a consultation of its members on the EU referendum. Next week there is a meeting at our HQ in London.

Last week UNISON National Labour Link Committee voted overwhelmingly for staying "IN" (warts and all).

Check out the website "Another Europe is Possible". 

In my personal capacity this message below has gone out to UNISON colleagues.

"As you will now be aware UNISON is currently in the process of consulting branches and members on the position the union should take on the EU referendum. The consultation runs from now until the 5^th April.  We strongly believe that although the European Union is far from perfect,  working people are better off in the EU. As a Trade Unionist you will know that all too often UK employment law is not on the side of our member. However many of the workers rights we do have come from European law, for example-

·         TUPE - (Transfers of undertakings) rights when an organisation (eg a public service) is being outsourced or transferred.

·         Collective redundancies and right to consultation

·         Minimum paid annual leave

·         Fair treatment rights for agency and temporary workers.

·         Pregnancy and maternity leave rights

·         Parental leave.

·         Working time which includes a maximum of a 48 hour week unless you agree otherwise, and minimum rest breaks each day

·         Equal treatment, equal pay and part time workers’ rights

·         Health and safety regulations.

I hope you will join with us in campaigning for a YES vote in the coming referendum, and calling for a pro-worker social Europe.

For your information we have prepared a standard motion (below) for your branch to pass!

Contained here are the links UNISONS consultation.

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2016/02/23693.pdf

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2016/02/23694.pdf

Please let us know if you are interested in being involved in the Campaign.

Kind Regards

John Gray

TRADE UNIONISTS FOR IN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TU4_IN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011568729279
Email:  TradeUnionistsForIn@gmail.com

MODEL MOTION

This (emergency?) branch Executive notes:-

On Thursday 23 June 2016 there will be referendum in the UK on whether to remain or leave the European Union.

UNISON is currently holding a consultation on whether or not to take a policy decision and campaign on the referendum. This consultation will finish on 5 April.

The UK has been a member of the European Union in its various forms since 1973. In 1975 there was a previous UK referendum on membership and voters decided 2:1 to remain.

We are proud to call ourselves internationalists, and recognise that globalisation requires cross border- co-operation in order to regulate markets in favour of workers. 

That a major driver for the formation of the EU was to prevent war between France, Germany and the UK.

While there is serious structural and political issues about the EU it has resulted in many employment policies and rights which are favourable to UNISON members and their families such as:-

·         TUPE - (Transfers of undertakings) rights when an organisation (eg a public service) is being outsourced or transferred.

·         Collective redundancies and right to consultation

·         Minimum paid annual leave 28 days a year

·         Fair treatment rights for agency and temporary workers.

·         Pregnancy and maternity leave rights

·         Parental leave.

·         Working time which includes a maximum of a 48 hour week unless you agree otherwise, and minimum rest breaks each day

·         Equal treatment, equal pay and part time workers’ rights

·         Health and safety regulations.

These rights would be under threat if the UK was to leave the EU. The current Tory Government is opposed to these rights and we were to leave is likely to dismantle them. 

If the UK left it is also likely that any bilateral international free trade agreements negotiated by this Conservative government will be far more anti-public services and anti-workers’ rights than any negotiated by the EU. 

The EU has been an important “brake” on past and present Tory Governments in their attacks on public services and workers’ rights. 

That if we leave the EU it may lead to the breakup of the United Kingdom since it is likely that Scotland and Wales will want to remain inside the EU. 

That the Labour Party and the Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn is in favour of remaining in the EU and then reforming it in the interests of all citizens and workers.

This Branch resolves:-

The issue of whether or not to remain in the EU is very important to UNISON. 

Economic prosperity, preserving existing and furthering employment rights, equalities, retaining pubic services and influencing bilateral treaties are key issues. 

UNISON should provide branches with materials and information. 

It is in the interests of the UNISON members and the UK to remain inside the EU and work within for change and reform.

Brexit or Stronger together?

I am a supporter of staying in the EU even if I am not always its greatest fan. I do think that the arguments to leave are pretty similar to those supporting the break up of the UK. Which I also don't support.

Why does David Cameron HATE the Working Time Directive?

There is so much rubbish spread about EU Employment legislation.

Don't get me wrong, the EU is in many ways a basket case and needs radical reform.

But the reforms that David Cameron and his ilk usually bangs on about are  getting rid of decent EU employment protection measures such as the Working Time Directive.

Trying to persuade lowly paid staff who depend upon overtime to think again and not opt out of the working time directive can be one of the most frustrating tasks that union reps try to carry out. 

Yet, at least they have a choice (of sorts) about whether or not to work these hours and they would agree that they would like to keep that right. The same with having the right to have at least one day off per week, at least 20 minutes dinner break every shift, 4 weeks paid holiday and 11 hours rest a day. These are basic, decent rights of any civilised society.

We have got to win the argument at work that if the Tories get their way they will repeal all these essential measures and more. Ask your colleagues if they want the right to have a dinner break and the right to paid holidays? or should their employers be able to dictate that they work extra hours as they see fit with no day off?

I think I know this answer. But we now need to be making the case to all our members.

Cameron's Speech on Europe "in or out"

I think Prime Minster David Cameron is playing with fire since he clearly does not want to leave EU. In fact nearly all his arguments in favour of the EU I would agree with, while I would disagree with nearly all his reasons for leaving.

It is not statesmanship but it is clever politics. I think this will put Labour in a difficult place for the next election.

The real trouble is that it is too easy to knock the EU, because it is dysfunctional in so many ways and does need radical reform (wasteful Common Agriculture Policy, the shameful ongoing failure to have audited accounts, the 2 separate parliamentary sites etc). Pro-Europeans need to face up to this.

So it needs desperately to reform but if the UK does leave, is this a cut to your nose to spite all our faces?

Cameron should be in a strong position to get his way within the EU since the Euro countries also need drastic political change to save their currency and UK could make things difficult (or rather make things even more difficult) unless they play ball.

So this is not a good day for Europe or democracy.

The public can vote on Europe in 2015, at the next British General Election. Let the batty UKIP stand on its own merits and and see if they win a majority of MPs mandated to leave. That should be our way of deciding such things.

"Britain and Europe: Which way for Labour?"

Last week I attended (late) the joint meeting with Newham Compass and Fabians on "Britain and Europe: Which way for Labour?". Which took place at the West Ham FC supporters club in Castle Street, East Ham (now

what would Alf Garnett have made of this?)

Jon Cruddas MP, who was billed as a speaker with former MEP Anita Pollack, could not attend since he had to vote on the Health and Social Care Bill in the House of Commons (a very honourable excuse).

I only made the Q&A but Anita (who lives in Newham and was the former MEP for London South West from 1989 to 1999) was I thought on form and gave a passionate, no nonsense  and honest response to questions. It was one of the best attended Newham Compass or Fabians events that I have attended in recent times. It was chaired by former Newham Labour Councillor Graham Lane.

Please note my usual disclaimer about the absolute accuracy of my hurried and fumbled (two thumbed) Blackberry notes.

Anita responded to a question about the power of MEPs. She reminded us that in the beginning, the European Parliament had very limited powers. In 1979 it could only refuse to accept the budget set by the (unelected) European commission. Nowadays the Parliament has equal powers with commission. MEP's do have power. For example they managed to transform the recent Service Directive. Which is still not perfect but could have completely eroded workers rights had MEP's not amended it out of all recognition.

She then had a question about whether a Referendum on continued membership of the EU was not a good idea to settle the issue once and for all. Anita was firmly against. She understood that some good Europeans such as Jon Cruddas MP were for a referendum for this reason. However she thought that the "flat earthers" (those totally and utterly against the EU) would not be convinced if they lost a referendum in the same way that the one in 1977 (during which she admitted she opposed membership) did not settle anything permanently at all.

Anita admitted that she had maybe been wrong about UK membership of the Euro and it was not going to work. She was surprised however that Ed Balls MP in the Andrew Marr TV show on Sunday had said that this would not happen "in  his lifetime". There could be a "two speed Europe" with the Original 6 EU members forming a separate political and economic union. 

She had not read the full text but she understood that the EU Socialist Group was very much against. the "economic straight jacket" being proposed.

She noted amusingly that in America the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, had been criticised for speaking French. When a good comrade made a separate point about British cultural isolation  by saying he had lived for "20 years in Europe mainly in France" Anita interrupted by saying "you have lived all your life in Europe, we are in Europe now".

Anita Greens was firm in response to a question about aliening to the Greens who were "pink socialists". In her view they were not at all "socialist". There was some good people in the Greens but many are in "Cloud cuckoo land". While you can work with individuals such as Caroline Lucas they are not "soft pink". Some of them she had come across in Europe had even believed in Eugenics. The Greens have different political values, they are not socialists even if we agree with some of their policies. 

A few of us stayed behind afterwards to continue to put Europe (and the world) to rights.

Newham Compass & Fabians "Britain & Europe: Which way for Labour?"

Reminder: "Britain and Europe: Which way for Labour?" debate will take place 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st February at the West Ham Supporters' Club - Castle Street, off Green Street. Near the

junction with Barking Road. Nearest tube Upton Lane.

Guest speakers Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and Anita Pollack, former MEP for London South West from 1989 to 1999

A free event (collection after meeting) organised by the local branches of Newham Compass and the Fabians. Double click flyer on right to bring up more details of event.

(I have a clash so am not sure if I can make it - which is a pity)

“Wreckers or Builders? A History of Labour MEPs 1979-1999”

I’ve just started reading this new book by fellow Newham Labour Party supporter and former MEP Anita Pollack. I met up with Anita and other Party members at conference this year and got this flyer which I meant to post months ago. It is amazing Politics that Labour used to be the Party fanatically opposed to a European Parliament (or practically anything to do with Europe) while it was the Tories who were its most enthusiastic supporters. How times change. Whatever you view of the role of Europe this should be a fascinating insider account.

Anita also use to work for Barbara Castle and was Chair of Manor Park ward when I gave them a talk here on the “Labour Movement and New Capitalism” in 2007. Here is a review of the book by David the Methodist Preacher blogger who was also a MEP colleague at the time. The ISBN number 978-0-9556202-9-4, and it is available for £20 from Turpin Distribution Services. (Free delivery in the EU) contact 01767 604 951 or email: custserv@turpin-distribution.com.

I have read a number of books recently that I haven’t quite got around to posting upon so I thought it was best to post this plug now.

David Cameron's NUTTY Friends in the EU

nuf said. Rock on Gav!

Bambos Charalambous and Stephen Twigg Campaign Fundraiser

A little late post on a very good fund raising dinner held on Tuesday evening for Bambos and Stephen’s Parliamentary campaigns.

The special guest was the Foreign Secretary, RH David Miliband MP.

I was there with UNISON Labour Link colleagues (including Rae Voller, the deputy Chair of UNISON Labour Link - see picture top right).

The event was packed with supporters many of whom had actually come down from Liverpool for the dinner.

It was held at the Ev Restaurant in Southwark, SE1. Bambos and Stephen were very hospitable and welcoming hosts to all their guests.

Some thoughts I scribbled down during the speeches.

David Miliband gave a very competent speech clearly pointing out that unless we win in seats such as Enfield Southgate and Liverpool West Derby we will not win the next general election.

He rightly praised Bambos and said he expected him at the next election to be the first ever Greek Cypriot MP.

At the same time he urged a bilateral solution to the problems in Cyprus so that both peoples there could live in peace in Cyprus as they do together in London. I was very surprised that there had not been a MP of Cyprus origin before now (Nick V - discuss!).

To great applause from the audience Miliband argued that the EU had encouraged Turkey to enshrine equal citizenship for all in its constitution and that was down in part to lobbying by the EU and the prospect of membership.

David was very direct and I think persuasive about not only the importance of the Labour Party winning power during the next election but also that it is still very winnable.

He reminded everyone how the Party had been written off during the early 90’s as being never able to win power. Also that there had been a failure of markets not the government that had caused the current economic mess.

New Labour is not a “faction” but a set of values, principles and a political culture. If there are good ideas regardless that they are from the Left or the Right they will size them. What matters is the good of the people. Politics is important since the NHS is important to most people, the minimum wage is important, and the vast increase in the number of teachers and teacher assistants are important.

Politics does make a difference.

Why Europe is Important to Trade Unions

Claude Moreas, London MEP was the second guest speaker at our London Region Labour Link meeting last week.

Claude has been a UNISON/NALGO member since 1987 and his Mum is still a UNISON steward! Claude gave a very relaxed but at times hard hitting speech about his experiences as a BME London Labour MEP in Europe.

In June next year there will be the European elections. Claude argued convincingly (to me anyway) that it was not only important for the Labour Party to win these elections but also especially important for trade unions and their members.

Due to the enlargement of the European Union (EU) the number of MEPS per country has been reduced. London is losing 2 MEPs (from 10 to 8). The EU legislative assembly is now really important over a wide range of core trade union issues. For example the Agency Workers Directorate which will protect workers with 12 weeks employment with “comparable rights” to permanent staff. This is a huge advance despite some problems. Next month there will be a debate and vote over the working time “opt out”. If we got rid of this opt out, it would be a huge advance in protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation.

However the socialist and progressive majority in Europe is razor thin. If not enough Labour MEPs are elected then the assembly could fall into the hands of EU “Conservatives” and this will mean the end of such progressive policies. It is also critical for the unions to support Labour MEPs so they can oppose the dark side of the EU legislative regime, such as the “Services Directorate” which could result in the forced privatisation of local government and NHS care services.

Claude also warned that the likely collapse of the UKIP (due in part to their corruption scandals and the behaviour of their maverick MEPs) could result in the BNP getting 7% of the vote in London and gaining a MEP.

Claude reminded us that there were according to his calculations (Germany and France are opposed to monitoring of MEP’s by ethnic or other origin etc) 3 times the number of fascist/far right MEPs than black MEPS. He wondered what will happen when the new USA president, Barack Obama, who has been invited to address the Assembly, turns up. He will not only be addressing an assembly whose elected members do not accurately reflect the diversity of the EU.

Barack (this is my thoughts) will be standing directly opposite neo-Nazis and fascists who will no doubt consider him as sub-human. I would love to see how they will cope with this.

The bottom line is that the EU is really important especially to all our trade union members who have benefited from greater protection at work. Unless we mobilise and get out our vote in June this progress could be undermined or even reversed.

“A bad day for Rights at Work”

No Justice for agency workers I’m afraid. The European Union “Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council” (also known for some reason as Europe’s Social Affairs council) met yesterday. I posted on Wednesday about media reports that a deal had been struck.

Apparently enough member states had agreed to finally give agency workers in the EU employment rights and to put an end to a two tier “terms and conditions” workforce. Agency staff would be on broadly similar terms as permanent staff. There is majority voting on this issue.

However in a classic EU fudge – the decision has been put off again (I quote) “Having in mind the fact that this proposal is still very recent, as well as the sensitive nature of these directives to some member states and the importance of exploring all attempts to reach an agreement as large as possible before final decision, the Council agreed that the best option at this moment was to postpone a decision, in order to further pursue the dialogue”.

Naturally TUC General Secretary, Brendon Barber is furious “'This is a bad day for rights at work across Europe, but especially in the UK.'

It is very disappointing that there has been no progress on the agency working Directive. There is real anger among unions today that the UK Government played the pivotal role in blocking progress today on this modest measure to improve workplace justice. '

Contrary to business scare-mongering, this Directive would not stop agencies providing temporary staff to employers who need them. What it would have done was both make it more difficult for employers to undercut wages and conditions and help slow the growth of a two-tier workforce. But unions will not give up the campaign to deliver justice for agency workers......"

The next Council meeting is not until I think February next year. The T&G Unite have a good site on this matter.

OK we need to think on the next step forward. Agency workers rights is still a "Warwick agreement" and Labour Party manifesto commitment. How to lobby and pressure the government to do the decent thing next year?

Justice for Agency Workers?

Good to read in the Times On-line today that exploited agency workers may finally be given some protection under an EU directive and no longer treated as 3rd class citizens.

Details are a little unclear but I suspect that “The Times” is scaremongering as usual over the suggestion that agency workers will be getting “full rights” after only 6 weeks. It takes a year for permanent staff to be given protection from unfair dismissal so I can’t see agency staff being given greater rights than permanent.

I hope that it is intended to put an end to a two tier “terms and conditions” workforce and that agency staff should be on “broadly similar” terms as permanent staff. I cannot for the life of me work out why anyone apart from agency bosses would be opposed to this? We gave part time and long term directly employed temps the same rights years ago. The world did not end. The harsh facts of the matter are that many agency workers are treated like dirt by their employers and something simply needs to be done about it.

Also, we see the CBI are up to their usual dirty tricks by claiming that up to “250,000” workers will lose their jobs if this directive is implemented! Yeah, just like the millions of jobs they forecast will be lost if there was a minimum wage.

It is, to say the least, “disappointing” that the Labour government is apparently trying to delay the changes. I can understand why they feel that they have to keep up this “Fairness not Favours” balancing act on employment issues. Labour wants (and needs) the support of “middle England” as well as the unions. However, this is 100% a fundamental fairness and social justice issue. Many agency jobs are not on real “temporary” assignments. They are just cheap and easy to get rid of. Millions of vulnerable British workers having to put up with low wages, no employment tenure and no sickness or pension benefits. The exchequer is being robbed out of billions in lost PAYE taxation and national insurance payments from bogus so-called self employment. In Tower Hamlets Council most of the housing caretakers are agency staff on minimum wage, no sick pay, no overtime rates, no employment protection and of course, no pensions. How on earth can anyone survive on £5.52 per hour in inner London?

To be fair to the government they say they are committed to bringing in rights for agency workers (its also I think an outstanding commitment from the Warwick agreement?) but say they “are worried” that the current proposals are badly written and could harm employment. I think these worries are overdone and exaggerated.

Maybe this is a vision thing for Gordon? It is also electorally clear “red water” that we ought to exploit for all its worth. The Tories are of course opposed to any such change.

Millions of agency workers could see tangible real benefits from a Labour government – pounds in their pocket, money if they become ill and money towards a pension for when they grow old. Genuine, real short term employment needs and flexibility will not suffer and no doubt there will still remain a large agency sector.

However what we can get rid of is 19th century Dickensian employment practices that have no place in a 21st century that should be led by principals of fairness and social justice (and BTW – a century of Labour Party governments with clear majorities?)