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.
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 30th 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 30th 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 30th 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 15th October. If you have any questions or want further information, get in touch
by return email, call or text 07845893607Follow this link for details about the National Shop Stewards Network Midlands Conference
http://staffordshireshopstewardsnetwork.blogspot.com/
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