TUC Lobby - No retreat on pensions - name the date for the next strike!

20 December Hundreds of rank and file union members protested outside the TUC last night on the lobby of the TUC's Public Services Liaison Group called by the National Shop Stewards Network.

The lobby articulated the feelings of anger of hundreds of thousands of public sector trade unionists faced with the prospect of their leadership agreeing to a rotten deal. The lobby, and the campaign around it, had an important effect in forcing TUC leader Brendan Barber and UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis to partially step back from complete and immediate capitulation. This now allows a window of opportunity for trade unionists to step up the pressure for a continuation of the pensions struggle.

As union leaders went into Congress House, protestors chanted "The Tories win when you sell out!", "N30 showed the way, TUC name the day [for the next strike]" and "Let the members decide!" The TUC's Public Services Liaison Group meeting took place after Brendan Barber and Dave Prentis spent the weekend trying to convince public sector unions to sign up to a 'Heads of Agreement' on the pensions dispute.

This 'agreement' would in effect suspend any further action and agree that the minor concessions of the government are sufficient to settle the dispute. From reports it seems that in local government UNISON, GMB and UNITE have indicated that they want to sign Maude’s ‘heads of agreement’ and that UNISON has done the same in health.

It’s clear however that the pressure from union activists, up to and including last night's lobby has prevented a far more open capitulation. Barber had to issue a statement saying, “It's important to stress that no agreements have been reached, but unions now have proposals to put to their executives and members.” Prentis also had to emphasise that the ‘agreement’ would be put to the UNISON Service Group Executives (SGEs) on 10 January.

UNISON members now need to make sure that members of the SGEs are flooded with letters, emails and phone calls making clear members' opposition to this rotten deal. Decisions on whether there is anything acceptable shouldn't be in the hands of a handful of union leaders but should be made by the unions' national executive committees, which consist of elected lay members, and then by full votes of the union members who were balloted for the 30 November 2011 public sector strike (N30). The NSSN supports the actions of unions like PCS, NUT and POA who have refused to sign up to a process that can only give confidence to the government while lowering the confidence of workers that their unions are serious about fighting back.

The massive two million strong strike on N30 frightened the government. However, as yet the government have moved only by inches. The government is relying on the right-wing trade union leaders to throw away their advantage. As The Mirror acknowledges today, the concessions are very slight and still mean that public sector workers will pay more in pension contributions in the middle of what is now a four year pay freeze, and work longer to get less.

In local government, the government might concede a two year delay in the increased pension contributions in return for what is effectively a no-strike agreement. But if a worker has another twenty years' work in front of them, the majority of those years will be on far bigger pensions contributions. In addition, the government is planning to change the pensions from a 'final salary' to the lesser 'career average' as well as increasing the retirement age.

Any movement from the ConDems after just one day of co-ordinated strike action should be taken as a source of confidence that the government can be forced into a total climb-down. Rather than trying to cajole unions into signing up to a disorderly retreat, yesterday's meeting should have set the date for the next strike as early as possible next year, preferably by the end of January.

Unison's head of health, Christina McAnea, told the press that "we always knew this would be a damage limitation exercise." Union national officials might think this, but millions of union members who were on strike on 30 November will be determined that this battle doesn't end here. The day before N30, Osborne sketched out the next five years or more of unremitting misery for working people. Another £30 billion of cuts on top of the £81 billion he announced a year ago. 360,000 public sector workers have been sacked, while those remaining facing pay freezes and pay cuts because of job evaluation.

The most vulnerable in society have been hit hard by these ruthless cuts, made in order to pay for the bankers' greed - for which Cameron was prepared to go to the wall in Brussels. Yet even more cuts are now demanded, which could see a further 400,000 sacked! No wonder N30 was so successful, with towns and cities all over the country seeing their biggest ever demonstrations.

We've got to keep up the pressure on the union leaders. The government's so-called offer will be discussed and debated at union national executive committees early in the New Year. Unison's local government and NHS group executive committees meet on January 10th. The National Shop Stewards Network calls on all public sector workers to send in motions and resolutions to their union branches, shop stewards committees and trades councils calling for rejection of this deal and the naming of the next strike date.

Sign our online petition and tell your friends, family and workmates about it. But most of all, come to the conference called by PCS Left Unity on Saturday January 7th at the Friends Meeting House in Euston Road, London. It’s open to union members, activists and reps in all unions to debate the way forward after N30 and yesterday's TUC Public Services Liaison Group meeting.

• No retreat

• Reject the deal

• Name the day for the next public sector pension strike

NSSN and left union activists calls lobby of TUC Public Services Liaison Group: Demands further action on pensions 16 December

A recall conference of the Public Sector Liaison Group (PSLG), the body that brings together TUC affiliated public sector unions, will be convened on Monday 19th December at 3PM...read more

Breaking news: PCS Left Unity announce open meeting of trade unionists to build for further action on pensions 16 December

From Janice Godrich, President of PCS, on behalf of PCS Left Unity: “PCS Left Unity is organising an open meeting at Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London on Saturday 7 January to demand further action on pensions...read more

No sell out on pensions - Fight until we win!

16 December Today the TUC's Public Sector Liaison Group (PSLG) met for the first time since the magnificent 30 November public sector strike.Disgracefully, Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, argued that all of the trade unions should sign up to the government's latest 'heads of agreement' on pensions, which would then allow Francis Maude to announce before Christmas that the dispute has been settled. This was met with outrage by many of the public sector trade unions present...read more

SUPPORT UNILEVER WORKER'S FIGHT TO DEFEND PENSIONS!

NUT rep Chris Parton was well received by Unilever workers on strike today in Burton-on-Trent when he visited their picket line to pass on a message of support from National Shop Stewards Network Staffordshire.

The Unilever Unite rep knew of the growing reputation of the NSSN and allowed Chris to speak to a group of workers. One of the main things that Chris said was, “I want to stress the importance of uniting both public and private sector workers if we are to win our struggles to defend our pensions.”

Unilever is planning a massive attack on their worker's pensions by closing down its final salary pension scheme that its long-serving staff have worked hard for.

Unite say that, “Shutting down the scheme will wash the retirement plans of 5,000 workers down the drain - one worker has already estimated he will lose a massive £150,000 from his pension pot if he lives for just 15 years after he retires!”

This attack is taking place as Unilever announced an increase in pre tax profits at the beginning of 2011 up to a massive £5.2 billion!

But Unilever worker's fight back along with their trade unions, Unite, Usdaw and GMB has now started with their first ever national strike action. All workers must support their fight!

This government want to divide workers over pensions by pitting public against private sector but all workers' pensions are under attack. We need to build links between public and private sector workers to stop the attacks on all pensions. We need to fight together!

It's vital that the TUC name a date for the next public sector general strike action by the end of January. Already Unison Scotland has voted unanimously for a further day of coordinated action on 25 January.

If Unilever do not back down over their attacks on pensions then Unite, GMB and USDAW who represent Unilever workers could co-ordinate their next strike action with that of public sector workers.

NSSN activists have an important role to play by getting resolutions passed in their union branches and with petitions etc to put pressure on our union leaders to organise further coordinated strike action to include private sector workers where possible.

You can also support Unilever workers as they battle against this attack on pensions by;

• Email your message of support to: unileverhandsoffourpensions@unitetheunion.org

• Send a protest letter to Unilever to stop these pension changes - click here to download a template letter or alternatively click here to email CEO Paul Polman directly

Shop Stewards Network Staffordshire
Public Meeting


"Where Next After N30?"

Monday 12 December - 7.30pm
Sacred Hearts Social Centre
corner of Downey St & Regent Rd
Hanley
ST1 3BY

The historic strike action of N30 was a massive demonstration
of the potential strength of the organised working class in Britain
and shows how the government CAN be forced to back down
over pensions. But it's vital that trade unionists discuss and plan
what the next step is so that we can act quickly to build on N30.

This NSSN Stafforsdhire meeting will provide an opportunity to
do just that.

It is open to all trade unionists whether public or
private sector, other workers and supporters.

We hope you can make it


NSSN Bulletin No. 68
After 30th Nov - 2 million strike!

The day before the strike, with pure arrogance and clear hatred of the working
class, Osborne announced the next tranche of attacks on us. On top of the
300,000 public sector workers who have been sacked over the last year, a
further 400,000 plus are in their sights. Also, after 2 years of pay freeze,
public sector workers will face two years of a maximum 1% pay rise. This is
when inflation is officially over 5%!

But far from scaring people away from action, it pulled more people to the
picket lines and protests with 30 unions officially taking part in a historic
day of industrial action, which also brought out hundreds of thousands onto
the 1000 plus local and regional protests & rallies taking place. Many towns
and cities saw their biggest demonstration ever. To show how the momentum is
growing, on June 30th there was a march of 6,000 in Manchester - yesterday saw
over 30,000 marching there! Nurses in the US held rallies in 6 cities to
support our strike and Bangladeshi Garment workers organized a walk out in
solidarity!

It was clear from the placards, the chants and the conversations this strike
was much more than just about pensions. It was about the service cuts, wage
cuts, the extended hours, the dismantling of the NHS, the price rises, the
Disability cuts, the benefit cuts, the massive youth unemployment, student
fees & the withdrawal of the EMA, the unaffordable housing, it was about the
gleefully and unnecessary demands for workers & the rest of the community to
take the blame for the bankers greed, who have robbed us with the blessing of
the governments, past and present.

Whatever is said, and smeared across the mainstream press, we know, each and
everyone of us who took part in this action, who saw and felt the solidarity
here and abroad, that this action was absolutely necessary and will need to be
escalated until this government backs down. For reports from around the
country see NSSN website. Please use all methods of communicating with each
other (& us) to share information.

So WHAT NEXT?
Over the next two weeks, the TUC general council and its Public Services
Liaison group meets to discuss what next. The NSSN gave out over 40,000
leaflets yesterday demanding that the next strike dates are announced
immediately, & action is escalated. There should be at least another one day
nationally co-ordinated strike across the public sector - a 24 hour public
sector general strike - before the end of January. The TUC should be looking
towards setting out a timetable of action that could escalate the strike to 48
hours and beyond to force the government to back down. We should also look at
practically moving towards a strike by public and private sector as both are
affected – we rise like water together to flood through the dams built by
this government to contain, suppress & profit from us. At the very least, all
disputes in the private sector should be co-ordinated with the next public
sector strike. For example, unions in Unilever have just voted by a massive 85%
for strike action to defend their pensions. Contact your unions & organisations
and also use twitter/FB etc early next week - ‘TUC NAME THE DAYS – STRIKE

TOGETHER, AGAIN!

Internally, in our organizations, it will be important to have meetings with
full and frank discussions on how the strike worked, what we need to be better
prepared for, as PCS have done after the 30th June strike action. It is an
excellent approach to reviewing our processes but also making ourselves
stronger and more united effective for the future.

Discussing and promoting the alternative to the cuts, is also essential.
Arguing against the so-called debt workers are supposed to pay, and discussing
budgets based on the needs of the majority not the greedy, hypocritical
minority.

National Shop Stewards Network - Staffordshire sends ....

An open letter to all trade unionists;

Should there be a march in Stoke-on-Trent on 30th November?

NSSN Staffordshire welcomes the rally being organised outside the Civic Centre in Stoke and has been busy building for it. It was advertised on the NSSN Staffordshire website as early as 26 October. We were probably the first organisation locally to get out leaflets advertising it and have already given out thousands to workers and members of the public across our area.

But we have also discussed the need for a march to the rally to be organised. We have been stressing the importance of having a march and rally for almost two months. See NSSN Staffordshire post below of 28th September.

Now we find that of the seven major cities of the Midlands only Stoke-on-Trent is NOT having a march! See Midlands TUC blog

Even Lincoln with a population of 86,000 is organising one and so is Chesterfield with just a 70,000 population!

NSSN Staffordshire has been contacted by some local union reps and activists over the last few weeks who are not too happy that there won't be a march in our area and we agree with them.

We still firmly believe that the rally on N30 should be built upon by including a march to it and that there is still time to do so. The strike action on N30 of up to 3 million workers will be the most significant strike action in living memory. If we are not going to organise a march for this then when exactly would we do so?

It has been suggested at recent NSSN Staffordshire meetings that a feeder march from Hanley to the rally in Stoke for those who want to march would be the best option. The advantage of this would be that it wouldn't cut across the rally itself but would add significantly to it.

Crucially a march would also allow us to reach more people with our message on the day when those taking strike action will inevitably be castigated by the mass media.

Obviously, if a march was to be organised it would have to be decided quite quickly so we would like as many trade unionists and other workers to let us know what they think asap. You can post a comment below or better still come along to our next NSSN Staffordshire meeting.

It will take place on Monday 21st November at 7.30pm in the Sacred Hearts Social Centre on the corner of Downey St and Regent Rd, Hanley ST1 3BY.

We have invited Jason Hill and Steve Jones (President and Joint Secretary) of North Staffs TUC and other NSTUC delegates to this meeting to discuss what we believe to be the need for, and the possibility of, organising such a march.

Please accept this open invitation to all trade unionists, activists and supporters to come along as well

National Shop Stewards Network Staffordshire

Quote below from the BBC website

"Members of the Unison trade union have voted in favour of striking against the government's plans to change public service pension schemes.

There was a 78% majority, with 245,358 in favour and 70,253 against on a 29% turnout.


The vote means there is likely to be a huge national strike on 30 November."


Too right there will be a 'huge national strike' on 30 November!




There are now only 26 days to go!



NSSN leaflets are already going out to workplaces building the widest possible support!

You can download the latest leaflet here: http://www.shopstewards.net/PDFs/TheShopSteward_11Nov2011_Final.pdf

You can help by getting these leaflets out to all your members!

The last NSSN Steering Committee agreed to distribute this latest leaflet by email. We intend to do another printed leaflet for Nov 30 itself. But we can use this in the meantime especially with young workers, and others, who may never have been on strike before.

On the attachment a blank space has been left for local details to be added. It is a working document so as rallies and demos are organised they can be inserted. However, the basic details of what has been organised so far locally are printed below. So these details can be copied into the space left on the leaflet before or after you have printed it out.


PUBLIC RALLY

12 NOON - 30th NOVEMBER

KINGSWAY,
(Civic Centre Car Park)

STOKE-ON-TRENT ST4 1JH

Bring your friends, supporters,

flags and banners!

Please do your best to get to our next organising meeting
Monday 7th November - 7.30pm at the Sacred Hearts Social Centre, Downey St (off Regent Rd) ST1 3BY

Shop Stewards Network Staffordshire Bulletin

30th November - Now only 35 days away!

We are now just 35 days way from what is likely to be the biggest single day of coordinated strike acion in British history. Despite their bluster the Con Dem government are weak and worried by this prospect. Their 'strategy' of economic growth providing jobs in the private sector for those lost from our public services are in tatters.

Rally in Support of Strike Action!
Wednesday 30th November
Assemble 12 noon at Kings Hall Car Park, Stoke

At a public meeting organised by North Staffs TUC on 12th October it was agreed to hold a strike rally at 12 noon on 30th November at the Kings Hall Car Park in Stoke. The Shop Stewards Network Staffordshire welcomes this rally and is already busy building support for it.
But we also think that it should include a march to the rally from Hanley to ensure that we reach as many people as possible with our message of why we are taking strike action.

Our next NSSN Staffordshire meeting will take place on Monday 7th November at 7.30pm in the Sacred Hearts Social Centre, Downey Street (off Regent Road) Hanley ST1 3BY

All welcome

At the meeting we will have one main item on the agenda - building support for the strike action among union members and among working class people in general. We want to do all we can to help those unions holding ballots to get the biggest yes vote possible and to build for strike action on the day.

But don't wait until this meeting! We have N30 NSSN leaflets that are already going out across Staffordshire. You can download them here;

http://www.shopstewards.net/PDFs/NSSNOctsmall_2_.pdf

West Midlands NSSN conference

Around 30 trade unionists attended the West Midlands conference of the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) held in Birmingham on Saturday. It marked another positive step forward for the NSSN.

The first session of the day heard introductions from Rob Williams, chair of the Network, and Sian Ruddick chair of the PCS in the Midlands.

Both speakers outlined the current situation, with unions gearing up to take action on 30th November.

A wide ranging discussion followed, with activists from many different unions reporting on the struggles taking place, and the role the NSSN has played in fighting for coordinated action, and what we can do to make 30th November a success.

After the lunch break, the conference split up into two workshop sessions - one on strengthening unions where they already exist, and the other on building unions where there are none.

These were excellent discussions - activists from the shop floor exchanging ideas, experiences and practical advice on organising.

The conference then came back together for the final session - building the NSSN for the battles ahead.

The NSSN has come into its own and is gaining increasing authority in both the public and private sector unions.

This was an excellent conference with activists from the following unions attending: Unite, Unison, CWU, NUT, PCS, RMT, ASLEF, FDA.

A delegation of Unite members from Remploy in Stoke formally thanked the NSSN for the support they have received.

The NSSN looks forward to continuing to support the Remploy workers, as well as all workers in struggle, and helping to build and rebuild union organisation as we fight every attack on terms and conditions, every job loss and every cut thrown at us.

NSSN supporters in the lunch break and after the conference also visited the Occupy Birmingham protest showing solidarity and making links.

Staffordshire Shop Stewards Network

Update from our meeting on Monday night

Three key things for immediate attention;

• 30th November strike action

We discussed and agreed the importance of building support for the coordinated strike action on 30th November among workers to ensure a maximum yes vote and also among the wider public as well.

A NSSN leaflet will be available by the end of the week and will be emailed out so that we can make a start on this vital work.

We believe that a march and rally should be organised on the day in Stoke-on-Trent. However, we also discussed and agreed the need to contact and discuss this with North Staffs TUC and North Staffs Against Cuts reps so that we can reach agreement on the best way for ward for any plans on the 30th November. So we will be contacting them over the next few days to ensure that preparations for 30th November get going asap.

• Keep Remploy Factories Open!

GMB Branch Secretary Colin Hanley attended our Network meeting to explain how REMPLOY workers are fighting the government's attempts to close all 54 REMPLOY factories. Remploy factories must stay open and continue to give disabled workers the choice of where and how they are employed.

You can write to your MP, your MSP or AM, and get involved by responding to the consultation document which can be accessed on line at www.dwp.gov.uk/sayce-consultation

Responses must be made by 17th October and can be emailed to sayce.consultationresponses@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Another important part of this fight is a national petition which you can sign on line at www.saveremployfactories.co.uk

But there has also been a rigorous campaign in cities across the country to get people to sign the petition.

As a result of our discussion we agreed to help Remploy workers organise petitioning in Hanley starting this Saturday from 10am to 12 noon outside Boots. Local Shop Stewards Network activists will be there to help out but if any others can make it on Saturday then please let me know or turn up on the day.

Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press - Stop Press

Within just two days of planning this day of petitioning Colin has informed us that the Sentinel will be covering the event and that it will be on Central news tonight!

Not only that, local MP's Rob Flello and Tristram Hunt have also said they may attend.

Colin also thanked Staffordshire Shop Stewards Network activists for helping to get this event off the ground. It just shows what a visit to NSSN Staffordshire can achieve!

• NSSN Midlands Conference - Saturday 15th October 2011

On 30^th November around 3 million workers look set to take strike action against the Tories pension attacks. This could represent the biggest action since the 1926 General Strike.

Across both the public and private sector workers are being asked to pay for the crisis caused by the bankers, speculators and their casino capitalist system.

With the above in mind, it is more crucial than ever that active trade unionists come together to discuss and plan the way forward. This is one of the reasons why the National Shop Stewards Network was formed in July 2007 and is already playing an important role in building the fightback.

We organised a 700 strong lobby of the TUC in September urging them to call co-ordinated strike action. Trade unionists from across the Midlands attended from over 10 different trade unions.

In Staffordshire we organised a series of successful meetings and activities to build support for strike action on the 30^th June and with PCS North Staffs jointly organised a rally on the strike day in Hanley with speakers from CWU, PCS, UCU, NUT North Staffs TUC and NSSN Staffordshire.

The NSSN has called a regional conference to discuss the way forward – to strengthen our unions but also concretely how we make the 30^th November a huge day of strike action – and critically, what comes after. (Please follow link below for conference details)

This will be an excellent opportunity for activists from many different unions from the public and private sector to exchange ideas and look at how to develop the NSSN across the West Midlands.

We would be very pleased if you could come to his event, and if you could attempt to persuade fellow activists from your workplace or branch to come along.

If your branch is in a position to sponsor the conference please get in touch (follow link below for details)

We look forward to hearing back from you to confirm attendance on 15^th October. If you have any questions or want further information, get in touch

by return email, call or text 07845893607

Follow this link for details about the National Shop Stewards Network Midlands Conference

http://staffordshireshopstewardsnetwork.blogspot.com/

National Shop Stewards Network Midlands Conference

The National Shop Stewards Network Midlands Conference on 15th October in Birmingham couldn't have come at a better time.

We will be meeting 6 weeks before the 30th November when up to 4 million workers could be taking coordinated strike action.

This will give us an ideal opportunity to discuss and plan how to build maximum support among trade unionists, other workers and the wider working class across the Midlands area.

So don't delay in sending details of delegates and sponsorship - all the information you need is below;

---

Click for gallery. National Shop Stewards Network demonstration
and lobby of the TUC 11 September 2011

●Midlands Conference●

●Saturday 15 October 2011●

Birmingham & Midland Institute (BMI)

9 Margaret St, Birmingham, B3 3BS

ROB WILLIAMS National Chair of NSSN

SIAN RUDDICK Midlands Chair PCS

Registration 11.00 Conference 11.30

The Tories who already rule over the most unequal society in centuries are continuing their

attempts to make us pay for their crisis.

But working class people across Britain are losing any 'fear' and fighting back. It’s the ConDem

government that's creaking after over 700,000 marched in London on 26th March followed by

three quarters of a million on strike on 30th June. Their cuts agenda, however, is still alive and

threatens our jobs, wages, pensions, public services and welfare state. This is why the NSSN

will do all it can to help organise the fight against this onslaught.

We believe the next step is to build for a 24 hour public sector general strike of some 4 million workers.

Calling on the TUC to coordinate action

On Saturday 11th September, a thousand trade union shop stewards will rally with the NSSN

to lobby the TUC conference in London as the battle grows against the ConDem Coalition's

cuts. RMT and PCS general secretaries, Bob Crow and Mark Serwotka are calling on delegates

at the conference to support resolutions to co-ordinate strike action against the government's

attacks on public sector pensions.

NSSN Conference to strengthen the Network across the Midlands

Workers across the Midlands are also fighting back including Birmingham council workers and

an 8,000 strong march in Derby to save Bombardier jobs. Strengthening our network of shop

stewards across the Midlands will make us more effective. With this in mind, NSSN Midlands

coordinators Dave Gorton and Clive Walder are organising a Midlands Conference on 15th

October. Make sure you’re there!

• Stop public sector cuts
  

• Defend pensions, jobs and services

• Fight the anti-trade union laws
  

• For a 24 hour public sector general strike

NSSN Midlands Conference open to all Trade Unionists

Saturday 15 October 2011

11.30am - 4.00pm

The Conference will start with the main speakers and contributions from the floor. The

discussion is open, but will include debate on building the widest possible industrial

action this autumn against government attacks on pensions.

This will be followed by two workshops at 2pm

1) Strengthening union structures in workplaces where unions exist

2) Building unions in unorganised workplaces

At 3pm the Conference will reconvene to discuss and agree the next steps to strengthen

the NSSN across the Midlands.

We invite trade union branches, trades councils, recognised local NSSN groups to

1) Sponsor the Conference (£50, £25 or more),

2)Send delegates (£2)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For delegates and sponsorship send details below to NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE

or return to Clive Walder 12, Kent Rd, Frankley, Birmingham B45 0MN

Name .........................................................................................

Union and Workplace ..............................................................

Telephone .................................................................................

Email .........................................................................................

Address ....................................................................................

State Amount enclosed ( delegates and /or sponsorship)

Cheques payable to NSSN

The National Shop Stewards Network is supported by

NSSN calls on TUC to open the floodgates of mass action

Kevin Parslow, Assistant Secretary, NSSN

11 September 2011 was the day the role of the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) in the labour movement gained further recognition.

Around 700 trade unionists representing hundreds of thousands of workers from all over the country came to put pressure on the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to take action to defend our living standards.

They heard trade union leaders Bob Crow, Mark Serwotka and other militant union leaders make fighting speeches. Following a marvellous demonstration to the TUC headquarters, the TUC deputy general secretary, Frances O'Grady, accepted the NSSN's letter and petition urging this week's Congress to organise coordinated action, and saluted the role played by the shop stewards present.

Our rally in Friends Meeting House, Euston, was opened by PCS president Janice Godrich in the chair. Recognising the events on the same day marking the tenth anniversary of 9/11, she saluted all those fighting for equality and justice around the world, including in this year's revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa.

She also saluted the victims of the "other 9/11", those workers and youth slaughtered by the Chilean army in Pinochet's coup of 1973.

NSSN rally in Friends Meeting House, Euston, London, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

The first video shown to the rally covered the activities of the NSSN through the past 12 months, since the previous year's lobby of the TUC. "And what a year!" said first speaker at the rally, NSSN chairperson Rob Williams.

The NSSN, he said, "stands shoulder to shoulder with the fighting unions and all public sector unions taking action on pensions".

What the government is afraid of most, he added, is the "organised working class striking together" in a 3 million strong strike in November.

Rob appealed to youth, including the one million 'NEETs' (not in employment, education or training) to join in the fightback with the trade unions.

This was later amplified by Suzanne Beishon of Youth Fight for Jobs when she talked about the terrible effects of the cuts on youth and explained how the closure of youth clubs and the 75% cut in funding for the youth service in Haringey were amongst young people's grievances in the riots in Tottenham.

She appealed for support from trade unionists for the Jarrow March starting in October, which will highlight the problems of young people today.

NSSN march to Congress House, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Capitalist crisis

Rob was followed by Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT. "What's changed in a year?", he asked. "Capitalism is in a bigger crisis!", and he called for a socialist society to get workers out of this mess.

He called for renationalisation of privatised industries, including transport and electricity, saying that the energy companies should pay us compensation rather than any compensation being paid to them when nationalised!

He warned Ed Miliband, the Labour party leader, that he couldn't face both ways: he either supports workers in struggle, or the bosses, but he cannot back both.

And he had words for the TUC leaders too: they are misguided if they believe that justice and fairness can be achieved under capitalism; workers need to take on all capitalist policies to secure a victory.

POA radicalised

PJ McParlin, president of the Prison Officers Association, in an excellent speech explained to those who might be dubious about the role of the POA in the labour movement that his union has been radicalised by successive attacks. The POA had the right to strike withdrawn by New Labour; nevertheless it sent a resolution to the TUC congress two years ago calling for a general strike!

The union was told by the TUC leadership that then wasn't the right time to rock the boat with New Labour before a general election.

But if they were denied then, now is certainly the right time as the POA faces marketisation of the prison service, which could only lead to "disaster".

Companies are queuing up to sponsor prisons. He denounced the "feral overclass", including prison service managers whose bonuses are higher than the starting pay of prison officers.

YFJ contingent on NSSN march to Congress House, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Following comradely greetings from Ray Morrell of Right to Work - the NSSN will be sending a speaker to their protest rally at the Tory Party conference in Manchester next month - and a video of the demonstration in Derby against the redundancies in Bombardier, Alex Gordon, RMT president congratulated the NSSN in making the right decision at its January special conference to fight the cuts.

He also raised a call for the renationalisation of the whole railway industry, including manufacturing of rolling stock, to turn away from profiteering and start planning the transport system.

Paddy Brennan, Unite convenor at Honda in Swindon, then explained why he had been suspended by Honda; it was because he had fought for effective trade unionism in the plant.

He had been nicknamed 'Paddaffi' by managers and 'Paddy Power' by fellow workers, but he was really interested not in his own 'power' but in the power of the workers.

Paddy has full confidence that, if he faces dismissal, "the NSSN will come to Swindon and say enough is enough!".

PCS youth contingent on NSSN march to Congress House, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Construction industry

Representing those construction engineers taking unofficial action at the moment against attacks on their wages, terms and conditions, Michael Dooley of Ucatt explained how this is a major onslaught by the employers and urged trade unionists to attend the series of protests, the next in London being on Wednesday 14 September at the Olympic site near Pudding Mill Lane.

Michael is the left candidate in the Ucatt general secretary election to be rerun, and urged Ucatt members in the NSSN to support him as he is the only candidate who rejected 'partnership' and framework agreements and advocates "open confrontation with building employers and victories".

Ucatt should build up union density in the building industry, which stands at just 10% of workers, he said.

He is in favour of "regime change", including in trade unions if the leaders impede the advancement of the working class!

Pension cuts

Two representatives of trade unions in the public sector then gave their assessment of the current state of the pensions dispute after a video was shown of the strike action on 30 June.

Martin Powell-Davies of the NUT, said that all teachers' unions had either balloted and taken action or had agreed to ballot.

The pensions discussions led by the government have been a "sham" and workers' pensions are "neither unaffordable nor a drain on taxpayers".

He called for support for the teachers' lobby of parliament on 26 October and warned the government: "Back down or we strike together".

April Ashley, a member of Unison's NEC, speaking in a personal capacity, explained how hundreds of thousands of Unison members are under attack from employers.

Many of them had believed that their union was on strike in June! A number of local government branches have been calling for an emergency section conference to call for a ballot on the pension cuts and urging Unison general secretary Dave Prentis to lead a fight.

April’s speech went down really well. Now it seems that Unison will be finally discussing starting a strike ballot.

NSSN rally outside Congress House, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

NSSN congratulated

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, came to the rostrum and congratulated the NSSN for organising the rally and lobby. PCS opposes every cut yet there are still some in the TUC who opposed putting this into composite motions for the TUC congress for fear of accusations of being 'deficit deniers'!

He too warned Ed Miliband that his poll ratings would soar if he opposed every cut yet he had chosen to attack the pensions' strikes in June.

Mark was "quietly optimistic" that unions representing up to 3 million workers would strike in November, with the bigger unions like Unison, Unite and the GMB joining in, but activists have to keep up the pressure in their unions.

To those who use the argument "a day's strike is not enough" as an excuse not to organise any action, Mark countered with: "a day would be a bloody good start"! He believes that workers can win in this battle.

The rally was concluded by NSSN secretary Linda Taaffe who said if the TUC organises mass action the floodgates would open.

Three quarters of the people suffering cuts from this government would be children and the trade union movement must step to the fore in this battle.

A mass one-day strike would give the bosses and the government such a shock, she concluded.

Dave Nellist handing NSSN petition to Frances O’Grady at Congress House, 11 Sept 2011, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

March to Congress House

With that the rally ended and those present assembled behind some lively drummers to march to Congress House, headquarters of the TUC.

There, a short rally hosted by Coventry Socialist Party councillor and NSSN anti-cuts committee member Dave Nellist heard a number of speakers further demand that the TUC take action, including Glenn Kelly, Unison activist victimised by his own union and Fidel McLean, a young PCS member from the campaign to save Camberwell Green DWP office.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady accepted the NSSN's letter and petition urging this week's Congress to organise coordinated action and recognised the NSSN's role in representing and organising workers.

The key issue for Congress, "our parliament", she said, is to stay solid in the face of the attacks of the government.

Dave Nellist concluded the event by warning the Tories and the bosses that they will be forced to listen to workers if millions of us take action in November.

The whole day was a marvellous event. Some present were suggesting we make this an annual event and the TUC representative was left in no doubt as to the feelings of those present.

Dave Nellist urged the rally not to underestimate the significance of the appearance of Frances O'Grady to receive our letter and petition at the end of our march. The NSSN is taken seriously in the labour movement.

And was that Brendan Barber looking out of the third floor window?... Next year, if the NSSN organises a similar event, we want to see him speak, not to give the NSSN a 'big name' but to outline that the TUC has and will continue to organise action in defence of our jobs and services.

Mass action can stop the cuts

Join the lobby of the TUC on 11 September

The trickle of cuts and sackings in the public sector has turned into a flood and the mood in my workplace has become one of frustration, worry and anger.

Anger at what? "Oh, it's just everything," said a school caretaker at a branch committee of Unison in Waltham Forest recently. We were trying to stick to the item on the agenda, (the lack of a pay offer by the employer) but people kept interrupting to speak on other problems. Pensions, redundancies, cuts to our sick leave entitlement, cuts to our annual leave, cuts to our unsociable hours payments... the list goes on and on.

Trying to stick to the one thing that is making people angry has become increasingly difficult. That is why it is precisely the right time for the TUC to summon its support (which is over six million strong) and give that anger a focus and a direction, namely to generalise the issues and stop the government's austerity programme.

Last year a mini-bus of trade unionists from our area travelled up to the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) lobby of the TUC in Manchester. Then the NSSN demanded a national demo against cuts, as a first step. The giant demonstration on 26 March of over half a million was vindication to all of us who participated in that lobby.

The 26 March protest showed the strength of feeling of opposition to this government and their cuts agenda but we can all say it simply was not enough. Since 26 March the establishment has been rocked by scandals and crisis, there have been plenty of opportunities for the TUC to step forward and give a lead.

After 26 March, a feeling ranging from despair to frustration and anger could almost be tasted in the air.

On 30 June, Unison members looked on enviously as 750,000 teachers and civil service workers took strike action against attacks on pensions.

I think it was only Newsnight presenters and the blinkered rich who were surprised by the explosion of anger on the streets in August. Anyone who works in the public sector or lives in a poor area could have told you that frustration at deteriorating conditions was rising.

We are asking for the TUC to call a 24-hour public sector strike against the cuts. This would put the TUC in the frame as a major progressive force in society.

All those young people who don't even know that it exists could make the link between their generalised outrage and our fury at this rotten and unfair system. It would channel the anger, raise the spirits and unify all the small and large issues bubbling away in our workplaces and our communities. That's why this year, like last year I'll be going on the lobby on 11 September.

I urge all those people who are fighting and campaigning to come too. Right now there is anger about 'everything' and we need 'everyone' to get involved.

---

Lobby the TUC on 11 September

Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London NWI - 1.30pm (nearest tubes: Euston, Euston Square)

Speakers include Bob Crow, RMT union general secretary and Mark Serwotka, PCS union general secretary.

Rally followed by short march to lobby the TUC conference at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1 to call for one-day public sector strike.

For transport details from North Staffordshire please call 07845893607

Staffordshire Shop Stewards Network

A message from

Rob Williams - Chair, National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN)

"Join us on 11th September to tell the TUC - call a 24-hour public sector general strike!"

"For working class people, while the anger and frustration is understandable, rioting is a blind alley. But Cameron is trying to jump on the violence and looting as justification for even more hardline measures which will be used against organised protests in future. They hope 'law and order' debates will distract us from fighting the cuts. Cameron and Co are really terrified of organised resistance, particularly on a mass basis.

Now is the time for the organised trade union movement to act as a powerful alternative force. Who else will? New Labour is compromised by its agreement with the cuts and its echoing of Cameron's hypocritical moralising.

TUC leader Brendan Barber warned of riots in 2009 but has not so far thrown the full weight of the TUC behind coordinating mass working class resistance. If the union movement of still over six million takes decisive action against the attacks of this government of millionaires, it could inspire all those who are both angry and frightened at the moment.

Anyone who has watched the incredible movements of workers and young people throughout the world this year from Egypt to Greece and to Israel/Palestine can see the positive effect of a mass movement of strikes and demonstrations.

The mass demonstration on 26 March of well over half a million in London shook the Con-Dems and resulted in their wobble on their NHS privatisation plans. The strikes on 30 June against the attacks on public sector pensions mobilised 750,000 workers and has posed the prospect of millions joining the strike action in the autumn.

A 24-hour public sector general strike would not only heap pressure on the government on pensions, it would show everyone that there is a powerful alternative force that can fight for ordinary people. But a failure to act, particularly by the TUC and the biggest unions could let this creaking coalition off the hook.

On Sunday 11 September, the NSSN is organising a lobby of this year's TUC conference in London to increase the pressure for all unions across the public sector to coordinate strike action. We will be meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Euston for a rally to hear speakers like Mark Serwotka and Bob Crow - general secretaries of the civil service union PCS and the transport union RMT respectively as well as rank and file workers and young people facing the worst of the cuts.

Help us build a massive rally of workers and anti-cuts fighters, young and old, to send a clear united message to the union leaders - it's time to give a positive fighting lead to defeat this government

Trade unionists from across Staffordshire travelling to London on 11th September
to join thousands of others on lobby the TUC lobby

The CWU North Midland Branch has booked a bus to take local trade unionists and anti-cuts campaigners to this important march & lobby and we are determined to fill it!

Other trade unionists including from Unite, Unison, GMB, NUT. have already agreed to join CWU members on the bus.

We would like to encourage and invite trade unionists from your union branch or workplace to book a seat down to the march & lobby. So, we would appreciate it greatly if you could advertise the march & lobby amongst your members and workplaces that you cover. To assist you, excellent colour leaflets are available and can be dropped off to you or you can copy the leaflet which is attached.

Booking this bus has been very expensive so any financial donation that you as an individual or your union branch could make would be greatly appreciated.

Any donations/cheques should be made payable to "CWU North Midland Branch" and sent to Andy Cawley at North Midlands Branch CWU Office, Stoke City Telephone Exchange, 37 Lytton Street, Stoke on Trent ST4 2AH

For any more info please contact Andy Cawley;

by phone on 01782 845803 or 07841377244 or call 07845893607

by email
northmidscwu@btconnect.com