LOW PAY, NO WAY! NSL picket lines

Regional Secretary Jo Galloway visiting the NSL picket lines this morning in Camden, London.

These Traffic wardens deliver a vital service to the community, working long hours doing a difficult job. It’s time for NSL to do the right thing and pay it’s staff fairly!

Clarion UNISON Members to vote on action to save their Pensions & stop being fired.

 

On Friday this indicative strike ballot was sent to Clarion Housing Group UNISON Members being threatened with either giving up their pensions or being fired (possibly even without being rehired). A full postal official ballot of all UNISON members in Clarion is also being planned due to an unilateral real terms pay cut imposed on everyone. 

“Dear Clarion UNISON member,

 

We are aware of the worrying correspondence Clarion have sent you regarding “Defined benefit pensions closure - next steps”.

 

It is disappointing to hear Clarion are attempting to move into a dismissal and re-engagem.ent process, but rest assured we are taking legal action on this.

 

Whilst we appreciate the unnecessary stress you are being subjected to, Clarion have agreed that all members will be entitled to trade union representation at these 121 meetings to be held via Microsoft Teams. You will not get representation from us should you not be a member as at the date of your meeting.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us (within 48 hours receipt of your meeting invite) as members, should you require trade union representation from us or reasonable adjustments made to your meeting.

 

We are running a consultative ballot of members regarding the defined benefit pension closures, and the further industrial and legal action we are taking. Completion of this ballot can only be done visiting the link below via logging into your work Microsoft Office account. Please submit it by 5pm Monday 31 July 2023. Please contact us directly should you not be able to meet this deadline due to absence etc.

 

((.  It is also very clear that Clarion have given you misleading advice about this process in order to frighten staff into consenting. Please see the advice below from Acas (not UNISON) and you will see it is perfectly legal to challenge this act if you follow certain steps (e.g. work under protest). To be clear, resigning and claiming constructive dismissal should not be considered without expert legal advice.

 

·         https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract/employer-responsibilities/if-employment-contract-changes-cannot-be-agreed

“Imposing a change

If you impose a change to a contract before getting agreement you will be breaking the agreed contract ('in breach of contract').

In some circumstances, an employee's actions might count as agreeing to ('affirming') the change if:

·         they continue to work under the changed terms and conditions

·         they do not inform you that they do not agree to the change

 

However, if an employee does not agree with an imposed change, they might decide to:

·         temporarily work to the new terms and conditions, but make it clear they are challenging the change ('working under protest')

·         resign and make a claim of constructive dismissal at an employment tribunal, if they feel the change significantly breaks their agreed contract (a 'fundamental breach of contract')

If an employee works under protest

If an employee works under protest, they continue to work under the changed terms, but make it clear that they do not agree to the change and take steps to challenge it.

An employee should make it clear to you that they're working under protest. They should usually do this in writing on a regular basis, for example every time they get paid.

They should normally only work under protest for a short time so they can formally raise their concerns with you or take legal action if you do not resolve their concerns.

For example, depending on the circumstances, an employee could decide to make legal claims against the organisation for:

·         damages for breach of contract at a civil court

·         'unlawful deduction of wages' at an employment tribunal, if the change affects their pay

·         discrimination, if the change means they are treated unfairly in relation to certain 'protected characteristics' under the law

 

If you impose a change that makes an employee's terms and conditions significantly worse than before, they might be able to claim unfair dismissal while continuing to work under the changed terms. This is a very complex claim. You should get legal advice if you're in this situation.

If there's a trade union

If you impose a change after not being able to reach agreement with a recognised trade union, the trade union might consider:

·         taking industrial action – for example a strike, refusing to take part in certain activities, or a 'work to rule' where employees do no more than what they're contractually required to do

·         supporting individual employees to make claims to a court or employment tribunal

 

Kind regards,

 

John Gray                                                                                          Joseph Ogundemuren

Clarion UNISON Convenor                                                              Clarion UNISON Deputy Convenor

Safety Rep & Pensions Champion                                                 Clarion Housing Association

UNISON NEC Member

 

UNISON London Ambulance Service (LAS) Strike: Picket outside their Waterloo Headquarters 10.2.23

 

After work this evening I went to the UNISON picket line outside the LAS headquarters in Waterloo, Central London. I went to show solidarity and support on behalf of Greater London UNISON Regional Council officers and my own Housing Associations UNISON branch. 

It was yet another, well organised and well supported LAS picket. Congratulations to their Branch Secretary Eddie Brand, and their stewards and regional support staff including our Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. The pickets were confident, knew what the battle was about and what to do on a picket line. 

I see also from other social media reports that some LAS pickets are tomorrow setting off as volunteers to Turkey to help out as paramedics with the dreadful recent earthquake.  Last year the branch helped organise a convoy to Ukraine to deliver much needed medical supplies and equipment. 

I have been on various picket lines in my time in the Labour Movement and the UNISON LAS are by far the best organised I have ever attended. 

Our ace UNISON Head of Health, Sara Gorton, gave short speech to the pickets thanking them for all they are doing to save our NHS.

Fellow London UNISON activists Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro were also there to show solidarity.

Just to point out that contrary to Tory lies and smears, for life and limb calls, pickets are volunteering with the full support of their stewards, to leave the picket line to attend, and I have witnessed this on many occasions during this strike.  Because it is an "operational" picket line, with emergency ambulances coming and going, the branch has to be careful of numbers of pickets and supporters to ensure safety. 

I came back home tonight feeling uplifted and proud of my union and our members.  

I Support Workers on Strike

 

"John -

Next week, Ambulance workers will be back on the picket line after their calls for fair pay and safe working conditions went unanswered. The week after, Environment Agency members will be striking for the first time in history. Thousands more members across UNISON are being balloted or will be taking industrial action in the coming weeks. 
 
Can you show your support for striking UNISON members by posting on Twitter before the first strikes begin next week? Let them know they are not alone in this struggle.

Tweet my support

We have been calling on the Conservative government at Westminster to meet with us to talk about pay and find a way to resolve these disputes.   I hope you will show your support for workers who have made the tough decision to walk out. Send a Tweet now to show them they have our full support.   We stand with all workers taking action, and I hope you will too.    In solidarity,   Christina McAnea UNISON general secretary

"Comrades, Courage and Forward" - Support the RMT Strikers for Fair Pay & Job Security

 

Tomorrow members of the RMT union will be taking a second day of National strike action to support their claim for Fair Pay and Job Security. After years of wage restraint, the Railway employers are only offering a 2% wage increase this year, increasing to 3% if the unions agree to "new working practices" (such as compulsory redundancies). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61890526

Inflation is currently 9.1% so do the maths. Even if the RMT members accepted the full 3% they will be agreeing to a 6.1% pay cut (and the prospect of compulsory redundancies). Inflation is predicted to rise to 11% this year. 

I believe that the RMT have called for a 7% increase, which appears more than reasonable (and is still below inflation). 

Obviously it is too early to know what will happen. However, it is a lesson to workers and the wider Labour movement that the chief way you can deliver successful strike action is to have high density of trade union membership like in the RMT. 

The more of us in the union at work, the better the deal we will always get. 

Picture above is of the West Ham Strike Committee of the National Union of Railwaymen (predecessor union of the RMT) in 1919. Check out the motto on the Banner "Comrades, Courage and Forward" 

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2012/10/national-union-railworkers-west-ham.html

CWU Supporter Network #WeRiseAgain

I have just signed up to the Royal Mail trade union CWU Supporters Network. Hat tip Syed.

"The fight against exploitative employers, dodgy contracts and insecure work requires the support of every single community across the country.

Our recent vote for strike action in Royal Mail Group was secured by connecting with our membership in every corner of the UK – both online and on the ground.

Now we need your help to take our message to the public. By joining CWU Supporters you will be contacted with campaign materials and resources that will help us win this battle – and the others we are fighting

Be one of the first to join us by signing up below. Once you have joined us, don’t forget to hit share so that you can alert your social media networks to our new network".

Join Here

#ONENHS #SamePaySameJob: UNISON Strike for Fair Pay for Compass Hospital Workers

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

We are hospital support staff working for Compass in St Helens & Knowsley and Blackpool NHS Trusts. We keep hospitals clean, cook for patients and keep them safe.

We are paid over £1000 less per year and have worse terms & conditions than some of our colleagues who do the same jobs. That's why we are standing together for fair pay and fair treatment.

Our fellow UNISON members at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital won their dispute against Compass and we'll stick together until we're treated fairly in St Helens and Blackpool too.

#ONENHS, nobody left out.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

We want Compass to commit to ending the two-tier workforce they've helped to create in St Helens and Blackpool hospitals.

We want Compass to pay the full NHS Agenda for Change (AFC) rate of £9.03 to all staff.

We want Compass to commit to full NHS AFC terms and conditions for all staff, including enhancements and occupational sick pay.

We want Compass to commit to ongoing pay parity with colleagues on AFC contracts.

WHAT ACTION HAVE WE TAKEN SO FAR?

We went on a one day strike on Wednesday 31 July, followed by two days of strike action on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 August, finally we took three days of strike action from Thursday 19 September. We've taken 6 days of strike action in total.

WHAT ACTION DO WE HAVE PLANNED?

We have served notice for a six day strike. We will be striking on 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 October.

If Compass do not offer us what we're owed then we will take further action in future.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Please attend picket lines to support us during the upcoming strike days. Pickets will take place at Whiston Hospital and Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the strike days described above.

Please donate to our strike fund. Email nwdisputesteam@unison.co.uk for further details on how to donate.

Please sign our petition: https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/onenhs-fair-pay-for-compass-hospital-workers

Post messages of support on social media: please hashtag #ONENHS and tag @NoMoralCompass1 and @NorthWestUNISON

"Labour MPs backing UNISON members taking strike action for fair pay. Solidarity with the Addaction strikers"

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, tweets his support & thanks Labour MPs Jo Platt, Yvonne Fovargue and Lisa Nandy for being on the picket line

Background to strike on UNISON NW Regional website

Drug and alcohol support workers employed by London-based charity Addaction in Wigan and Leigh have intensified their strike action in a dispute over pay.

Thirty staff are beginning three days of strike action today (Wednesday) in their third round of industrial action within the last six weeks over what they say are Addaction’s broken pay promises.

The striking workers will hold a public rally at 12noon on Friday 11 October at Market Place, Wigan, WN1 1QS.

The staff were previously employed by the NHS but the service, commissioned by Wigan Council, was transferred to the national charity, which has come under fire for its handling of the dispute.

Workers continued to receive pay rises in line with those of NHS employees and were given assurances by the organisation’s managers this would continue into the future.

But when the 1% pay cap in the NHS was removed from April 2018, Addaction refused to implement the promised wage rise. The decision, which will cost each support worker around £1,000 per year, was taken without any consultation or discussion with staff.

After exhausting the internal grievance process, staff were balloted by their trade union UNISON and there was a 100% vote in favour of strike action.

To date, three rounds of Acas talks have yielded no resolution to the dispute- which has rumbled on since August. Drug and alcohol support workers claim that Addaction bosses have failed to engage meaningfully with the negotiation progress, refusing to share or discuss information about the cost of resolving the dispute.

UNISON North West regional organiser Paddy Cleary said:

“Addaction have let down their hard-working staff and are now withholding a long-overdue pay rise from support workers who deliver vital services to the community in Wigan and Leigh.

“What’s more, Addaction bosses have attended three rounds of talks with no intention of resolving the dispute, and in fact have done all they can to delay, divert and distract from the issue at hand.

“The employer’s defence seems to be that the promised pay rise would be ‘unfair’ on the group of staff it pays even less than those who used to be employed by the NHS. There is a simple solution to that problem, which is to pay all Addaction staff the full NHS rate for the job.

“Public service workers who have been outsourced should not be out-of-pocket. The people of Wigan and Leigh will not accept a London-based organisation driving down pay and working conditions in their local area. If that is Addaction’s intention then they should hand the contract back to the Council.”

Addaction support worker and UNSON rep Kathryn Herbert said:

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the local community in Wigan and Leigh including from local people who use Addaction’s services.

“We did not plan to go on strike and we did not envisage taking six days of action, but we voted unanimously in favour of striking because we know that we have been treated unfairly. The support we have received from communities across the North West has only served to further strengthen our resolve.”

Local MPs are in support of the workers. Leigh MP Jo Platt said: “Drug and alcohol support is an essential service across the borough.

"It not only supports people to come off drugs and alcohol, but it treats the underlying causes, assisting them with mental health concerns and helping them get into employment and turn their lives around. Their services are needed now more than ever.

"After the public service squeeze of the last nine years we shamefully see 22 per cent of the country living in poverty today, with 1.6 million people living in poverty in the North West alone.

"You only have to walk through our towns to see the effect that this has. Austerity, poverty and addiction go hand in hand. It ruins lives, it fuels crime and affects communities.

"Addaction should know better than to risk their crucial service. The way the staff have been treated is appalling. For a promised pay rise to be reneged on is totally unacceptable. If Addaction cannot afford the staffing costs, they should never have bid for the contract in the first place.

“I will be working with colleagues from across the borough as well as trade unions and staff affected to rectify the situation and honour the promises made to the incredible workers who are losing out through no fault of their own.”

"Addaction" drug and alcohol staff to strike on Friday (tomorrow)

Solidarity to privatised NHS UNISON members striking tomorrow. 

Addaction is headquartered in London

"Strike action involving 31 staff employed by Addaction is set to go ahead after Acas talks did not reach a resolution to their dispute on Wednesday.

A 100% vote for strike action was prompted by Addaction’s failure to keep its promise to pay staff the NHS rates for the job. Their union UNISON says that the striking workers stand to lose up to £1000 per year.

The staff are support workers within a drug and alcohol service which is commissioned by Wigan Borough Council. They used to be employed directly by the NHS, and Addaction promised staff that they would continue to receive pay rises in line with NHS rates of pay.

Support workers have been left frustrated as the employer has reneged on this pledge, refusing to implement the NHS three year pay deal which came into effect in April 2018.

Addaction has its headquarters in London and provides services all over the country. It has an annual income in excess of £70million.

Paul Almond, a drug and alcohol worker and UNISON rep, said:

“I never expected to have to go on strike, and I don’t think many of my colleagues did either. We have agonised over this question. But the fact that 100% of us voted to take action shows how strongly we all feel about this issue.

“We’re all willing to stick together to secure the pay rise we were promised.”

UNISON North West regional organiser Paddy Cleary said:

“Addaction have given repeated assurances to staff that they would receive the NHS pay deal, but they have gone back on their word.

“This dedicated group of support workers have been out of pocket for 16 months and have been forced to take strike action by an employer that just won’t listen.

“We had hoped that the Acas talks would be successful, but the local and regional managers who attended made no offer to staff and seemed to have no authority to reverse decisions taken nationally. Assurances made by managers to staff in Wigan and Leigh seem to have been ignored and overridden by bosses in London.

“Our members voted 100% in favour of taking strike action. They are willing to do whatever it takes to secure the pay rise they’re owed. I would strongly urge Addaction to reconsider its position and pay up now.”

Bron Afon Strike action over slashed wages

Good luck to Unison members about to start a further bout of strike action tomorrow. I will be sending a message of support both as a Unison NEC for such community members and behalf of our branch executive.  See letter below explaining the dispute in local newspaper.

"THERE’S a critical dispute happening in Cwmbran. Support workers at Bron Afon housing association have been forced to take strike action after their employer stripped £3,000 from their salaries.

They are not highly-paid and no-one goes into support work to become rich but Bron Afon behaviour has created horrible stress and reduced many staff to tears. In the struggle to make ends meet, some are looking at second jobs or dropping out of the pension scheme. 

Support workers are dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for vulnerable people and give them more independence. Their vital interventions allow service users to keep their home.

Yet because of the slashing of salaries, some employees are themselves at risk of having to leave their homes because they can’t pay the bills. 

Staff are fighting back, taking three days strike action and they were pleased to be joined on the picket line this week by Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Lynne Neagle AM. Bron Afon can afford to restore the £3,000 to each individual.

There is a moral duty to end the suffering of their staff now".

Cheryl Morgan
UNISON Torfaen County branch secretary
Civic Centre
Pontypool

UPDATE: Subject: Re: Message of support

Thank you so much John, we don't need financial support at the moment but will let you know if we get to that point

Our striking members are very strong and will really appreciate your expression solidarity

Cheryl Morgan

Branch Secretary

UNISON Torfaen 

"10,000 terrorists were ready to strike at any moment"

Hat tip Facebook "Red London" (I suspect that this may not be a strictly genuine Metro letter but...)

NHS Strike - 5 Days for fair pay

This morning UNISON and other union health workers will be out on strike in England.

For the first time in their history midwifes will also be on strike. The last such dispute on pay was over 30 years ago. Urgent and emergency care will still be provided.

The government is refusing to implement the independent pay review body award of 1% while at the same time increasing the pay of MP's by 11%. It will not talk to the trade unions.

Pay for the last 5 years has been below inflation so this means in real terms a massive pay cut for NHS staff.  The lowest paid such as Band 1 hospital porters have lost £1,387 and this year another £347.

Over the weekend we heard that 20% of NHS staff have to work a second job in order to survive and 13% depend on payday loans.

By coincidence on BBC news today they reported that the directors of the top FT100 companies now earn 120 times average earnings.  This is £2.3 million each per year. In 2000 they use to receive only 47 times the average. I note that they used the figure of average earnings as £27,000 per year. 25% of NHS staff earn less than £21,000.

It is growing pay inequality in this country that is driving not only poverty and food banks but disillusionment, distrust and fear in modern British politics.

Miner's Strike: 30th anniversary

This framed cartoon is on the wall of the community centre where I hold my Councillor surgery. The Chair of the centre is the daughter of a miner.

It takes me back to Yorkshire and my youth. This year is the 30th anniversary of the start of the 1984-1985 Miner's strike. As a politics student in Leeds at the time, I went to rallies and pickets lines to show support. But I don't think I really understood what what was really going on nor what it is like to actually go on strike until I became a trade union activist in UNISON.

The miners strike was not just about saving jobs but also about saving communities and a way of life - now long gone. They lost that particular battle but that does not mean that we cannot organise workers and communities to take action and act collectively in the future - and win the war.

UNISON Says Fair Pay for NHS staff

"The real value of NHS pay has been falling for five years 

Pay in the NHS has not kept in line with inflation and staff have not received an above-inflation pay rise since 2009.

NHS workers in England are under paid

 This year 60% of NHS staff will not get any pay rise and only those at the top of their bands will receive a 1% unconsolidated lump sum. The 1% unconsolidated lump sum is a one-off payment which does not alter the hourly rate, so it will not count towards unsocial hours for evening, weekend or night shifts, it will not be added to overtime, it will not be added to any supplements (such as high cost area supplements, local recruitment and retention premia, or on-call arrangements) and it does not count towards pensionable pay.

UNISON members working in the NHS in England are now being balloted for industrial action

UNISON’s healthcare service group executive has agreed to ballot members in England on pay for strike action and action short of strike action. 

The ballot will open on 28 August 2014 and close at 10am on 18 September 2014. Members will vote on strike action and action short of strike.

If members vote ‘yes’, it is proposed that members will take action during a week in October. This is likely to start with a short stoppage followed by a defined form of action short of strike, such as insisting that members take their breaks.

Members will be sent a ballot paper with questions asking whether they are prepared to take strike action and/or action short of strike action.

We are urging members to vote yes for both strike action and action short of strike. However, we are also urging all members, whatever their view, to vote to ensure we have a high ballot turn out".

Brent Labour Leader & Councillors Support #J10

Picture of  Brent Council leader Councillor Muhammed Butt and members of the Labour Group with UNISON Strikers on the picket line on #J10 at Brent Civic centre.

I understand that Brent Labour Councillors visited all picket lines.

"Mr Butt said: "“I was proud to show my support for brilliant and hardworking Brent Council employees striking this morning.

"It’s inexcusable that the Coalition Government can find the money to give tax cuts to millionaires but not to help our social workers, call centre workers, teaching assistants and housing support workers secure a decent pay rise and a fair pension in old age.

"Cameron and Clegg need to reverse the brutal cuts they have made to Brent Council’s budget, so that we can offer just a bit more support to local people struggling through their cost of living crisis.

"Today more than ever it’s clear that we need a Labour Government to make sure hardworking people get a fair deal and are treated with the respect they deserve."

West Ham Labour Party supports #J10 Strike

I was pleased that West Ham Labour Party Executive Committee unanimously approved this motion supporting the strike tomorrow (July 10) in support of the Local Government pay claim.

The motion was proposed by our TULO Officer Kim Silver (who will be out on strike herself) and seconded by myself as an UNISON Housing Association delegate.

"Support Local Government Strike Action over pay

This Executive Committee of West Ham Labour Party notes:

1.On Thursday 10 July there will be National Strike Action by UNISON and other council, teaching and civil service trade unions. Council staff have suffered eight successive years of pay freezes and pay cuts. Cleaners, caretakers and customer service officers are not ‘Town Hall fat cats’. While a tiny proportion of employees are well paid chief officers, more than 500,000 earn less than the living wage. One million people earn less than £21,000 per year.

2.The average council worker has seen a near 20% cut in basic pay since the coalition government took power in 2010. In real terms they are about a 5th poorer than they were in 2009. This means they have to buy food, housing, transport and warmth for themselves and their families on 20% less pay than in the past.  No wonder Unison’s welfare charity is overrun with pleas for help by families’ dependent on pay day loans and food banks to exist.

3.Private sector and many public sector workers pay is not directly affected by these disputes. However we believe this is their fight as well. This is not only due to traditional Labour movement solidarity, but most workers have also endured years of upfront pay cuts, wage freezes or below inflation pay ‘rises’.
 
4.We must never forget that these pay cuts were the result of a worldwide recession caused by greedy and dishonest bankers - not care assistants. We need to ask why are they paying the price for this failure and not the people who caused it or those who still benefiting from it?

5.We are living in a world where a small number of very wealthy people are doing fine while the majority are suffering declining living standards or even abject poverty. What sort of society are we becoming? When and how will it end? Isn’t it about time we did something about it?

6.This strike matters to all of us because we need to make low pay and our cost of living crisis a key political issue in the run up to the general election next year. When Labour wins the election it has got to re-balance our domestic economy and start putting money into the pockets and purses of the low paid and those on average earnings. Private sector and public sector. This will need a fairer and more progressive taxation system and the political will to bring it about.

7.While council staff are fighting an industrial battle with their employers and the government for a better pay offer, effective, well targeted and publicised strike action can also help make a wider political point.

West Ham Labour Party Executive Committee resolves:-

1.To support UNISON and trade union comrades taking action on 10 July

2. Urge members to show solidarity outside the Picket line at East Ham Town Hall from 8am on Thursday

3. Send our CLP banner to show our support.

Jon Cruddas MP - Guest Speaker #LabLink14

First guest speaker of National Labour Link Forum was Jon Cruddas MP, Head of Labour's policy review.

Jon started by admitting he had nearly been late today since he had gone to the wrong hotel and hoped that no-one would be tape recording him on behalf of Tory Central Office.  For the first time at our Forum meeting I noticed that there was a BBC camera crew present for his speech.

Jon praised UNISON as a "great union representing front line public servants in very difficult circumstances. The Labour Party Manifesto will have to set out our plans to rebuild our country at time of little or no money. The past 30 years of Neo liberalism has seen the slowest ever growth after a recession and huge debts. There will be a £70 billion deficit in 2015".

He argued that while the welfare state had been a profound achievement in the 20th Century - it now needs renewal. You need three things "1. an inclusive economy - pro worker and pro business. Stop the abuse of zero hour contracts and agency workers. There needs to be an increase in the minimum wage and greater use of a Living Wage, repeal of the Lobby Act, fair taxes and build homes. 2. We need a whole family approach such as extending free child care. 3. Inclusive politics. We have trickle down government . It should be trickle up. There should be freedom of information obligations on all providers of public services. Procurement should help decide wages".

"We need to rebuild this country.  The recent announcements on Labour plans for Councils and regions is the biggest devolution of power in 100 year.  Labour will win if our national story is - hope not despair".

During the wide ranging Q&A that followed London Delegate, Gloria Hanson, asked Jon what was Labour policy on trade unions and will he be supporting our strike on July 10th?  Jon replied by saying he had been a trade union activist before he became a Labour activists. Unions are not just about wages, but about being a voice at work and industrial democracy. Its work in progress. He also replied "I hear what you say about the Strike but it is not for me to be first to respond". That response I suspect disappointed the watching TV crew even more than the rest of us.

So as ever, a competent and lively performance by Jon. But it is more of "wait and see". The Labour Party National Policy forum is going to be in a couple of weeks and until the manifesto is out we will not really know what Labour policies will be in 2015. On the whole, so far so good. Hopefully more good stuff to follow.   

Council staff to go on Strike on 10 July over 5th consecutive year of Pay Cuts

UNISON members who work in Local Government will be out on strike over pay cuts on Thursday 10 July. I believe that other unions will also be out on that day including the National Union of Teachers.

5 consecutive years of real term pay cuts to predominantly already low paid workers providing vital public services is just unacceptable.

Below are some of the powerful arguments being put out by UNISON about why this strike is necessary.  Enough is enough. 

"The employer’s side of the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services, which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, refuses to renegotiate on its 1% final offer.

The trade union side claim to the NJC this year was designed to call a halt to poverty pay in local government and schools.

The trade unions are seeking a minimum of £1 an hour for employees on NJC terms and conditions to make the living wage rate the bottom pay rate in local government and - because everyone on NJC pay is low paid for the jobs they do - the same flat rate increase on all other pay points".

"They really need it. They had a pay freeze from 2010 until 2013, followed by a 1% increase in 2013 when inflation was 2%. Now they have been offered another pay cut – 1%, while inflation is 2.5%. Their basic pay is the lowest in the public sector".

"Over one million NJC workers (two thirds) earn less than £21,000 a year. That's below the government's 'low pay' threshold and over £5,500 less than annual median earnings in the economy in 2012".

"Over half a million local government workers earn less than the living wage of £7.65 per hour".

"workers in local government have seen an 18% drop in basic pay in real terms since 2010".

UNISON Council workers to vote on strike action over pay

Hat tip Stoke on Trent UNISON "Your employer has offered you a 1% pay rise if you earn £7.71 an hour or more. If your hourly rate is £6.45 – £7.26 you have been offered slightly more than 1% to keep levels just above the National Minimum Wage.

This offer applies to more than one million workers.

Unison doesn’t think this pay offer is anywhere near enough – it doesn’t keep pace with price increases and will have a negative impact on your pension. Unison is therefore now in the process of balloting members over industrial action.

The ballot opened on 23 May and closes on 23 June.  If your area is covered by NJC Green Book Terms & Conditions and you have not received a ballot paper by 29 May 2014, you can request one online at unison.org.uk/my-unison/welcome or by calling 0800 0857 857. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 6 am until midnight and 9am-4pm on Saturdays.  The ballot helpline closes as 12 noon on 18 June 2014 and this will be the last opportunity to request a paper.

If members give the green light for strike action,  it is hoped the planned strike on 10 July will make the employers see sense and start negotiating seriously.

Questions About The Ballot and Industrial Action?

Unison has produced the answers to forty frequently asked questions.  Download this crucially important information now – Members FAQs NJC Pay 2014 Industrial Action Ballot
Subjects covered include:

• What’s happening, what does it mean – why are we striking?
• I want to strike but I’m worried about……
• Why should I strike when…….
• About The Ballot

100th Anniversary of Essex Agricultural Workers Strike 1914

The weekend before last I went by chance for a  country walk in the Essex /Cambridgeshire boarders. It was only afterwards that I realised the significance of its starting and finishing point, the beautiful but historic village of Ashdon.

100 years ago Ashdon, was the centre of a desperate struggle between poorly paid farm labourers and farm owners.

Check out this post at Country Standard for a full account of the dispute.  The Essex Standard had  described how farm workers felt at the time.

"The condition of the agricultural labourer is as bad as can be, he toils like a slave, lives like a pig and often dies like a dog, with no pleasure but an occasional debauch at the ale house, no prospect but that of the Workhouse for an old age of rheumatism and misery'

Support for the strike

Speakers included George Lansbury MP , John Scurr (later MP for Mile End) and Rev Edward Maxted the "Socialist" vicar of Tiltly. But the largest meeting was to hear Sylvia Pankhurst speak and it was her who led a procession through the village of Helions Bumpstead at which over 2,0000 were present on Sunday 26th July 1914

Arguable the "Militant" strike centre of the dispute was at Ashdon, Essex, Where over 70 police officers had to be stationed to keep order, being billeted in Rose & Crown

Many strikers were fined and even imprisoned.
 
The police were now patrolling the villages night and day, this not stop the attacks on imported "blacklegs", their lodging houses, unsympathetic shop owners premises and of course the local Conservative club or indeed the firing of hay stacks, which lite up the rural night sky, in what must have seemed a throw back to the "Swing" Riots of the 1830's

The strike was far from being settled, when the impending outbreak of World War One, forced the protagonists to resolve the situation.

Agreement was finally reached on 3rd August 1914, just one day before war was declared and the men returned to work 5th August at a rate of 15 shillings a week and £8 for harvest, most men re-employed and the Union had secured a limited but significant victory.

As for the men of Ashdon imprisoned, they were given a choice between imprisonment or volunteering for the army", of the eight only one opted for the army, Walter Marsh who survived nineteen years in the army, eventually dying in 1971 aged 89

Roy Brazier - The Empty Fields 1989

Picture of strikers in 1914 in front of the "Rose and Crown" pub in 1914 and of now.   Where I had a drink in the beer garden unaware of its role 100 years before.

The 7 mile 3/4 walk itself is highly recommended (check out Essex Walks for route). Lovely rolling hills and countryside. Also visit the astonishing Roman/Ancient Britain remains at Bartlow Hill (bottom left of photo)