Staffordshire Shop Stewards Network

Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014
shopstewardsnet@lists.riseup.net
info@shopstewards.net

NSSN Bulletin 208 – Come to the NSSN rally at the TUC this Sunday: All out together on October 14! 

Read the full NSSN e-bulletin 206 here:
http://shopstewards.net/2014/09/nssn-208-come-to-the-nssn-rally-at-the-tuc-this-sunday-all-out-together-on-october-14/

The 2014 NSSN conference agreed that the Network will hold a public rally at the TUC Congress in Liverpool to lobby delegates to keep up the pressure for further co-ordinated strikes – 2pm Sunday September 7th in Jury’s Hotel
opposite Echo Arena conference centre in Albert Dock.

 

This year’s TUC Conference meets as public sector unions contemplate mass joint strike action on October 14th against the government’s continuing pay freeze. In reality, workers’ living standards are down by an average of 8% since the economic crisis struck in 2008, with young workers losing 15%! No wonder record numbers are using food banks and pay day loan companies.
 

Cameron talks about a recovery but it is only for the rich. The stark reality of this class divide is making ordinary people ask “Where’s our share?” This is the pressure that has forced the trade union leaders to call the 1million- strong strike on July 10th and now the action in October. With health unions now balloting, a strike of N30 2011 proportions could be posed. With the national TUC demonstrations taking place in London and Glasgow 4 days later, if built for energetically and linked to a serious struggle to combat low pay, there exists the potential for a mobilisation that could rival the March 26th 2011 TUC demo that saw 750,000 fill the streets of London.
 

On N30, 2million public sector workers went on strike together to defend their pensions in the biggest single day of strike action since the 1926 general strike. It could and should have been the start of the sustained and escalating action that could have defeated the ConDems but the TUC alongside conservative union leaders signed up to the pensions deal and halted the momentum. It opened up the door to the brutal austerity offensive that has seen hundreds of thousands of public sector workers lose their jobs.

 

That’s why we believe that all public sector unions must commit to the next day of strike action and a timetable for action must be rolled out.
 

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka is one of the confirmed speakers alongside Ronnie Draper BFAWU General Secretary, Steve Gillan POA General Secretary and Ian Lawrence NAPO General Secretary. There will also be rank & file speakers from the Doncaster Care UK dispute and a blacklisted worker.

 

Download NSSN leaflet Transport is being organised around the country, including buses from London and Yorkshire – email us on info@shopstewards.net if you want to come

• For transport details from North Staffs please call or text 07845893607

 

NSSN News

Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE.

Affiliation letter here ........ http://shopstewards.net/2014/02/nssn-affiliation-letter/
 

South London NSSN public meeting: ‘All Strike Together on October 14’ (supported by Battersea & Wandsworth Trade Union Council) – 7.30pm Thursday October 9th in Bread & Roses pub 68 Clapham Manor St, London SW4 6DZ
 

And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Linda on info@shopstewards.net