Stop Press: Bow School Strike Off

Two days of strike action due to start tomorrow at Central Foundation School, Bow, E3 over the threat of compulsory redundancies (see previous post) have been called off. I rang Jean Lane (pro-active local steward and branch assistant secretary) today to find out what picket line to report to tomorrow (I am on annual leave this week). Jean texted me back to say that the strike has been called off and members are pleased with the settlement. Well done everyone. Further details to follow.

Support Fremantle workers!

It seems only yesterday that I blogged here about support for the Central Foundation School strike next week and mentioned that we needed to do more than petitioning and lobbying.
Well, last week, Barnet UNISON circulated the latest information about the dispute between Fremantle, the outfit who run care homes in that borough, and UNISON and the GMB, representing the staff. This “not for profit” “third sector” provider is about to sack any staff who won’t accept cuts in pay and conditions (note the Fremantle "Head of Development" above left, clearly expressing what she thinks of Barnet UNISON).

The unions are balloting for strike action. The strike action would have commenced but for a legal challenge from the employer under the anti-union laws. Keep checking the Barnet UNISON blog to be kept up to date with this important dispute.

Blogging is useful only insofar as it helps us to undertake worthwhile activity for our unions and our beliefs.

I sometimes post stories about political disagreements and disputes within the union and labour movement (and these are not unimportant) – but it is most important not to lose our focus as socialists and trade unionists.

Our enemies are not each other (not even those who themselves seem to lose sight of this). Our enemies are bad employers who attack our members’ conditions and politicians who would allow these scoundrels to run all our public services. I hope everyone reading this blog – and every trade unionist blogger – will publicise this important dispute and take some action to support the Fremantle workers.

Email the Fremantle Chief Executive Carol Sawyer at carole.sawyers@fremantletrust.org and Catalyst (who are also involved) Chief Executive Rod Cahill at rod.cahill@chg.org.uk.
Also I have emailed Barnet UNISON this proposed petition which could be submitted to the Number 10 web site http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/new

"UNISON the biggest trade union in the UK has members who are home care workers in Barnet, London who were transferred to the company “Fremantle” under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations five years ago. Fremantle have now threatened to sack these employees on 1st April 2007 unless they sign new contracts worth 35 per cent less in pay, with reduced sick pay and holiday entitlement. We ask the Prime Minister to note the distress caused to residents who live in the care homes by the potential loss of trained and known staff; and to support the campaign being waged by Barnet UNISON against this appalling attack on already low paid workers; and calls on the Government to review employment law to prevent such abuses of public service workers in the future".
Posted by John Gray at 9:10 AM 0 comments
Labels: barnet unison, Fremantle, GMB

STRIKE! School staff all out to stop compulsory redundancies

94% of UNISON members in the flagship voluntary aided, Central Foundation Girls School, Bow, East London, voted in a secret postal ballot to carry out strike action next week to stop compulsory redundancies. On Wednesday (28 March) and Thursday (29 March) school administration staff will go on strike to save members jobs.

This is only the start of a series of planned strikes designed to bring local management back to the negotiation table and stop planned compulsory job cuts.

The school is undergoing a restructure. However, it has decided not to follow LEA guidance and procedures regarding assimilation and redeployment. This means staff are facing dismissal even though new posts are substantially the same. New staff are being recruited without seeing if existing staff are able to do the job.

This action is very much as a last resort. I can vouch that the excellent local shop steward and UNISON assistant branch secretary, Jean Lane, Tower Hamlets branch and London UNISON region, have made extraordinary efforts to try and save jobs without such confrontation. However, UNISON is obviously concerned that if this School gets away with sacking people without following appropriate employment procedures, then no staff are safe in the borough.

I think that the schools action with regard to this matter, illustrates a widespread problem with non LEA schools (who can employ their own staff and follow their own employment procedures). Schools should concentrate on what they should be good at – teaching! Not try to carry out complex and difficult employment reorganisations and procedures by themselves.

Since in this case there is no alternative to strike action. Therefore we must plan to win. Pickets are being organised for all entrances from very (very) early in the morning. A Strike committee is being formed and a support group of former pupils and parents. Non CFGS Branch members are organising solidarity action. The NUT and local NASUWT are very supportive. The GMB is also balloting their members and other school UNISON staff have offered total solidarity. Local community and faith groups will be contacted. Placards, posters and leaflets have been ordered. Picket rotas and banners are being arranged. A co-ordained publicity campaign is being set up. Local Councillors and MP’s will also be lobbied for support.

A rally is being organised, probably in the afternoon of the first day of action (details to follow. We may set up a “strike blog”?)

Please send messages of support to the CFGS strike committee c/o Tower Hamlets LG UNISON Office, Ground floor, 60 Southern Grove, Bow, London, E3 4PN tel: 020 7364 0856 fax: 020 7364 5033 email: towerhamlets@unisonplus.net . Also supporters are requested to contact the headmistress at:

Central Foundation Girls' School
Harley Grove Bow London E3 2AT
Fax: 020 8983 0188

Email: welcome@central.towerhamlets.sch.ukAnd request that meaningful negotiations are started urgently to try and resolve this dispute