National Day of Action against Benefit Sanctions

On Wednesday 9th March Unite Community members are organising a national day of action to protest against benefit sanctions and the misery they are causing to massive numbers of people claiming jobseekers allowance, employment support allowance and universal credit. 

Please join us to add as much pressure as possible on the government to end their unjust and dangerous sanctions regime - 17 protests have been organised across London and the East of England (details below), and more than 100 will take place across the UK. 

Please also share the facebook events, tweet #No2Sanctions, and sign the petition against sanctions (this petition also demands the implementation of the 26 recommendations of the DWP review of ESA and Work Capability Assessment).

Join Protest in Hanley  

 

Tomorrow! 

Join the protest outside Hanley Job Centre, Upper Huntbach Street ST1 1NS tomorrow Wednesday 12^th March from 12noon until 1pm.

All support is most welcome in opposing the draconian government sanctions against the poorest in society. PCS union reps will also be in attendance in the joint venture with Unite Community nationally.

National Shop Stewards Network – Staffordshire

- - - Public Meeting - - -
"Build Support for Junior Doctors"
 7pm Wednesday 9th March
Holy Trinity Community Centre, London Rd Newcastle ST5 1LQ (next to Holy Trinity Church on the A34 with large car park at the rear)
Speakers include local BMA activist and NSSN rep 
 Stop Tory attacks on NHS!

Health minister Jeremy Hunt has declared war on junior doctors by imposing a contract which will remove safeguards to them working more unsocial hours, and for less pay. It's a contract that the public knows will put patients' safety at risk. It's a hard pill to swallow when there are massive shortages of doctors and nurses across the NHS. How does Hunt intend to fill these vacancies when junior doctors have been made to feel undervalued and demoralised by the stance he has taken, and when student grants for nurses have been axed?

Doctors didn't pick this fight but are determined to win it

Left with no other option the BMA doctors' union has announced an escalation of action to three 48-hour strikes in March and April. Does Hunt think that junior doctors who are used to working upwards of 70 hours a week won't have the stamina to keep up this action?

No junior doctor disagrees with the call to improve cover in the NHS over the whole of the week. To do this requires more staff and extra funding. But this is not what the government proposes. It's clear that this dispute is over so much more than pay & hours.

Junior doctors along with millions across the country know the NHS is under threat. This contract is part of the Tories' plan to destabilise the NHS, run it down, claim it's failing, and then pass it over to the eagerly waiting hands of the private sector. Junior Doctors know what's at stake.

All health workers and NHS users need to support them in their fight.

The NSSN will continue our support for the BMA and their members and to call for the TUC and the trade unions, particularly in health, to organise a national demonstration to defend the NHS and support the BMA and the junior doctors as well as defending NHS bursaries. This could really build confidence about co-ordinated industrial action across the health service.

To assist in this, we have produced a model motion that can be used in unions at all levels and trades councils:-

"This (union organisation) notes that the Government, through health minister Jeremy Hunt, has signalled their intention to impose the new contract on Junior Doctors from this August.

We note that a number of NHS chief executives, although supportive of the new contract have opposed imposition under pressure. But Hunt is threatening cuts to funding if they don’t carry it out.

We salute the defiant struggle of the Junior Doctors and their union the BMA, which is continuing with further days of strike action which will be supplemented by a legal challenge.

We condemn the contract imposition and resolve to give support and solidarity to the BMA and their members in the action that they take, including local protests and lobbies to pressure Trusts to refuse to implement the contract.

We call on the NEC and all constitutional committees and branches to invite BMA members to address their meetings and visit Junior Doctors’ picket lines.

We believe that this imposition is part and parcel of a wider Tory attack on the NHS, including the real likelihood of similar changes to terms and conditions of other NHS workers.

We therefore resolve that our union call on the TUC to urgently convene a special General Council with an invitation to the BMA and the other health unions."

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We all need the NHS and we need YOU to help save it from the privateers. To find out how you can help either come to our public meeting (details above) or call 07845893607

Support Junior Doctors' Picket Lines
Next Wednesday March 9^th, Junior Doctors will start the first of three more 48-hour strikes after the Tories announced their plan to impose the new contract

The planned dates of industrial action are:

9 – 11 March: Emergency care only between 8am on Wednesday 9 March and 8am on Friday 11 March (48 hours)

6 – 8 April: Emergency care only between 8am on Wednesday 6 April and 8am on Friday 8 April (48 hours)

26 – 28 April: Emergency care only between 8am on Tuesday 26 April and 8am on Thursday 28 April (48 hours)

Local picket lines will be in place from 8am at the main entrance of the Royal Stoke University Hospital on the A34 and outside the Harplands Hospital on Hilton Road

 

GMB WATER WORKERS STRIKE AGAINST UNITED UTILITIES CUTS TO PENSION SCHEME

GMB water workers in the North West employed by United Utilities (UU) have been forced to take strike today for 27 hours - from 5 am Friday to 8am Saturday 20th February in a long running dispute over the company’s proposals to increase their profits by introducing unilateral changes to the defined benefit pension scheme.

(photo Andy Bentley) Click to enlarge

Last month GMB announced that it was going ahead with a formal official strike ballot to ensure that the company gave an undertaking to make no changes to the scheme without negotiations. The ballot closed on the 26^th January with 82.1% of members voting to take part in industrial action. A massive vote in favour of strike action with at least 18 picket lines set up today across the GMB North West region demonstrating the widespread support for this action.

Andy Bentley from National Shop Steward Network Staffordshire took a message of support from the NSSN to the picket line just outside Nantwich in Cheshire. Strikers told us “it's decades since workers here have had to take strike action but we have to defend our pensions. We will strike again if necessary” 

NSSN Bulletin No. 280: Defend the Junior Doctors – Fight Hunt’s imposition!
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016
From: info@shopstewards.net
To: shopstewardsnet@lists.riseup.net
Subject: [shopstewardsnet] NSSN 280: Defend the Junior Doctors – Fight Hunt’s imposition!

   www.shopstewards.net 

The full version of this week’s NSSN e-bulletin no.280 can be viewed here

The NSSN calls on all our supporters and affiliates to continue to give solidarity to the BMA and the junior doctors. Why not offer them the chance to speak at a meeting of your union branch, trades council or NSSN group? We encourage everyone to discuss with the BMA in your area the idea of organising local solidarity activities and protests – some are being organised this Saturday - and link up with unions locally, trades councils and campaigning organisations including the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group of unions (TUCG), Unite the Resistance, People's Assembly, Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, Keep Our NHS Public, Disabled People Against Cuts, the National Pensioners’ Convention, Youth Fight for Jobs and any local health and anti-cuts campaigns.

Email us your protests via info@shopstewards.net and we’ll share them.
The NSSN will continue to call for the TUC and the trade unions, particularly in health, to organise a national demonstration to defend the NHS and support the BMA and the junior doctors as well as defending NHS bursaries. This could really build confidence about co-ordinated industrial action across the health service.



Royal London picket line on February 10 strike



This article is from Dr Clare Blackwell, a junior doctor at Poole Hospital.
“Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt unilaterally imposed his unsafe and unfair new contract on junior doctors in England on 11 February. The new conditions, which include dangerous longer hours for reduced overall pay, are due to take effect in August. Last year, members of doctors’ union BMA voted overwhelmingly for industrial action against the change. We have struck twice already.

The BMA is currently considering its options for how to resist Hunt’s decision. More strike action is one possibility. There have also been discussions about ‘mass resignation’, where doctors quit collectively if a certain number signs up to do so.
The mood among junior doctors is mixed. People are quite despondent about Hunt’s imposition, and feel devalued and demoralised. But we are determined to resist what has happened.

Junior doctors came out solidly on the last strike day. In Poole we had 50 people on the picket line at times. We had support from the paramedics and members of public sector union Unison. The fire brigade drove past and honked their horns. There was a lot of public support from local people as well. It was all quite heartening.

Before Hunt’s imposition, it looked like there might have been a weak compromise proposal on the table. But after years of goodwill in the face of vicious attacks on the NHS, doctors are not willing to accept any deal worse than our current arrangement. The strikes have politicised junior doctors. People have realised the collective power they have. This has spread to other healthcare staff as well: nurses are talking about striking again. Striking together would be a huge step forward.”

Emergency Rally: Not Without A Fight, Save Our NHS. No to imposition! – 6.30pm Wednesday February 17^th Conway Hall, London 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL (Tube: Holborn) http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/events
PCS 100% behind junior doctors
Unison: Ask your MP to sign EDM on the NHS bursary


NSSN holds public solidarity #SaveOurSteel meeting in Port Talbot - Rob Williams, chair of the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN), addressed a NSSN solidarity meeting on February 10^th in Port Talbot for steel workers who are facing mass redundancies at the Tata plant. Trade unionists from across the region spoke passionately about the impact of the job losses for the workers, their families and communities. Rob, highlighting the real danger of the run down and possible closure of the plant, said that nationalisation, with compensation paid only on the basis of proven need (which means Tata's executives would get nothing!) was the only realistic plan to guarantee the jobs of thousands of workers in the area. See photos from meeting

Owen Herbert, RMT regional secretary, reminded the meeting of how popular the idea of re-nationalisation of the railways has become and said that nationalisation of steel would receive similar support. An ex-Visteon worker drew applause when he said that if the government can nationalise to save white collar workers (the bankers) then they should do the same for blue collar workers (the steel workers)!   Community: Steelworkers march on Brussels (Feb 15)


Unite
South London library workers’ prepare to escalate strike action (by a Unite member) - Unite members in Greenwich and Bromley are escalating the campaigns in both boroughs following recent strike action which launched a joint campaign (see last week’s NSSN e-bulletin). In Bromley the Tories are handing 6 libraries over to Community Links who will run libraries with unpaid volunteers replacing paid, professional staff. The remaining libraries will be handed over to a private company.

So far, the council are refusing to say who has made a bid. Unite will now target our campaign at Community Links to persuade them to pull out - and when we get the identity of the privateers, they too will be targeted. In Greenwich, there will be 2 lobbies of the Labour council in the coming weeks. Attempts will be made to persuade Greenwich Labour members to support the campaign. The council is conducting a public consultation - judging by the over 1,000 signatures gathered on the picket lines, the response from the public will be to oppose the closure.

Unite has issued a clear warning - should the council ignore the protests and strikes, there will be further escalated strike action. Unite is making a call to all those opposing library closures to unite in a co-ordinated campaign. This can start in south London, where in addition to Bromley and Greenwich, campaigners and unions in Lewisham and Lambeth are also fighting to defend libraries. A public meeting bringing all four borough campaigns together alongside campaign group Stand Up For Libraries and the National Shop Stewards Network could launch a London trade union led campaign.

Since the Tories came into government, over 400 libraries have closed. Families relying on food banks and benefits and those on low incomes cannot buy books and many will not have WiFi at home. One campaigner said: "libraries facilitate a collective social conscience - library closures lead to collective, social dementia”

Protest Outside Bromley Community Links: Community House, South St, Bromley BR1 1RH  (Near Bromley North Station) 24th Feb 2pm till 3pm, 25th Feb 6pm till 8pm, 2nd March 9am till 10.30am, 4th March 9am till 11am


NUT
The academy threat to Small Heath School has been withdrawn - now lift Simon O'Hara's suspension! (1 Feb) — On Friday 29th January Birmingham City Council informed the unions that the threat of the academisation of Small Heath School was off the table as the sponsors had walked away. This came after staff from the NUT, NASUWT and ATL increased their strike action and campaigned with parents to say that students in Small Heath are best served by their school remaining as part of the Local Authority family of schools. Staff are committed to getting the school out of special measures but for this to happen the suspension of the NUT Rep Simon O'Hara must be lifted. NUT members in the school have voted 100% in favour of striking to defend their Rep with strikes on 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25 February if the school refuse to end the victimisation of Simon O'Hara.

Please share the petition and encourage as many people as possible to sign. We say well done to the strikers for stopping the academisation of Small Heath School and that now the LA and the IEB should lift the suspension of Simon O'Hara. You are encouraged to send messages of support to David Room at banut@btconnect.com. A petition to defend Simon and to say ‘no to academisation’ of Small Heath School has attracted well over 2000 signatures – please add your signature sign here
6th Form Colleges – Pay and Funding campaign: Save our sixth form colleges – vote YES in the NUT ballot - The NUT is balloting members in sixth form colleges for strike action in support of the NUT campaign read more


CWU
Reinstate Clive Walder
The NSSN is delighted to announce that John Vasey a sacked CWU postal rep in Wakefield, West Yorkshire has finally been reinstated by Royal Mail (see CWU website). We now demand that Clive Walder gets his job back at British Telecom. Clive Walder, a longstanding leading rep in the CWU had an appeal against unfair dismissal rejected by British Telecom on 9 November, confirming his sacking after 38 years of service. Clive is chair of the CWU Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester branch.

Clive worked in a BT call centre and was dismissed after an aggressive customer reported him to management just 33 seconds into a phone call. The decision was made without taking stress into account despite the local CWU branch reporting that 7% of staff at the call centre leave their jobs each month, some walking out mid shift. Management took the decision without consulting any medical advice or taking into account any mitigation.
Clive is a NSSN steering committee member and we will be supporting the campaign protesting the sacking and campaigning for his reinstatement. Contact Clive to send messages of support and invite him to your union branch, shop stewards committee, trades council etc - cliverwalder@hotmail.com 07771931185

• 20,000 Royal Mail workers face the axe read more
• Bridgwater disabled postman is going back to work! (Feb 12) - POSTIES at Bridgwater’s Royal Mail delivery office have been celebrating victory after the reinstatement of deaf postman Andrew Mootoo. After a two-year David and Goliath style battle with the country’s second largest employer – culminating with a 24-hour unofficial walkout on November 11 last year, 113 Communication Workers' Union members at Bridgwater Royal Mail Delivery Office have secured the reinstatement of Mr Mootoo who also has MS read more
• Reps meet to plan Royal Mail pay strategy read more
• Defend the People’s Post sign the petition here

           South Londoners Defend their Crown Office


National demonstration in solidarity with the Kurds

• Stop Turkey's war on the Kurds
• Break the Silence

Sunday 6th March 2016, assemble 12 noon - March from BBC Portland Place to Trafalgar Square https://www.facebook.com/events/1552991251691159/


NSSN / Kill the Bill news
As expected, the Tory Trade Union Bill passed its 3^rd reading on November 10th. It now is now going through the Lords. But we must keep up the pressure and prepare for resisting it if it becomes law.

The NSSN supported the protest that the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group of unions (TUCG) organised outside Parliament on the 2nd House of Lords reading of the TU Bill on Monday January 11th. We will be publicising protests on the 3^rd reading. See video of PCS national Vice-President John McInally speaking on protest

TUC comments on leaked ministerial letter calling for Trade Union Bill concessions
Rob Williams NSSN chair was interviewed live on BBC’s Daily Politics at TUC Congress watch here at about 30 minutes

Early notice – the 10^th annual NSSN conference will on Saturday July 2^nd 2016 in Conway Hall, London. Please put in your new diaries!!

Yorkshire NSSN Conference: Stop the Union Busters / Organise the Unorganised - Saturday, 5th March at Ebor Court, Skinner St, Leeds, LS1 4ND https://www.facebook.com/events/514766158692960/

The last two pink NSSN ‘£10 Now’ t-shirts are available for £8. Both are women’s large sizes. First come first served! Order by emailing info@shopstewards.net
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 attached and here
Download the ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
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

ROYAL STOKE JUNIOR DOCTORS IN DEFIANT MOOD!

 

Junior Doctors on the picket line today at the Royal Stoke University Hospital were in a defiant mood. Their confidence has grown since the last strike in January. At times the noise made by the Junior Doctors and their supporters with singing and klaxons was so so loud that even the horns of passing cars could not be heard!

There were more Junior Doctors this time than in January. After and hour or so about twenty of the Doctors went to set up a second picket on another entrance and there was a third outside the Harplands.

A firefighter in uniform turned up to the picket with cakes and a message of support for Doctors on strike and tea and coffee was brought out of the hospital by other NHS staff.

The pig-headed approach by 'health' minister Jeremy Hunt has angered not just Junior Doctors but the vast majority of NHS staff and millions across the country as well.

Cait, who had come to support the doctors told us, “This is the first time I've been on a picket line since the miner's strike but I had to come along to show my support.”

Joe Cairns, an ex-miner who did twelve months on strike in 1984/85, had not come alone to show support but brought his whole family as well!

NSSN Staffordshire members were also there to show support and also helped on campaign stalls in support of Junior Doctors last Friday, Monday and today.

NSSN Staffordshire supporters with Junior Doctor's on the picket line in January

NSSN Bulletin No.278: Junior Doctors to strike again ‏

Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016
From: info@shopstewards.net
To: shopstewardsnet@lists.riseup.net
Subject: [shopstewardsnet] NSSN 278: Junior Doctors to strike again

   www.shopstewards.net

The full version of this week’s NSSN e-bulletin no.278 can be viewed here

NSSN 278: Junior Doctors to strike again
Junior Doctors have been forced to take a second day of strike action on February 10^th by the determination of the Tories to bring in a new contract. NSSN supporters visited BMA picket lines on January 12^th and will continue to give support and solidarity as long as it’s needed.

We have no doubt that the incredible support that was shown to Junior Doctors that day will continue. We call on the TUC and the other health unions to urgently meet with the BMA to call a national demonstration to defend the NHS and support the Junior Doctors and the struggle of students in the health service to defend their bursaries. Many of these students are looking to walk out with Junior Doctors next Wednesday at 10am.

It’s apt that the strike is taking place in the week of the TUC’s week of action against the Tory Trade Union Bill. It should be the centrepiece of the week and point the way to the solidarity action that is needed to stop Cameron’s austerity offensive and accompanying attack on the unions.
The U-turn of the Tories last week on their planned cuts to legal aid shows that they can be defeated.

Please join the picket lines on February 10^th and the many protests around the country, including this Saturday February 6^th in London. Meet 12noon Waterloo Place, London SW1Y, UK    https://www.facebook.com/events/1738871523011454/
BMA statement: Junior doctors press ahead with industrial action (Feb 1)

Show your support at Junior Doctor's picket line at 8am Wednesday 10th at Main entrance of Royal Stoke University Hospital, Newcastle Road (A34)  ST4 6QG

#SaveOurSteel
NSSN public meeting Port Talbot February 10: No closures or redundancies – nationalise to #SaveOurSteel
The NSSN is hosting a public solidarity meeting in Port Talbot on Wednesday February 10^th to build support for the steelworkers. It is at 7.30pm in the lounge at the Grand Hotel Station Rd, Port Talbot SA13 1DE (opposite the train station). Speakers include NSSN national chair and ex-Swansea Visteon (Ford) Unite union convenor Rob Williams. It is open to everyone. We call on our supporters to organise meetings anywhere else that plants and jobs are on the line. https://www.facebook.com/NationaliseTATA/?fref=ts
Solidarity with the steelworkers – no redundancies, no closures, nationalise to #SaveOurSteel


NUT
The academy threat to Small Heath School has been withdrawn – now lift Simon O’Hara’s suspension!(1 Feb) — On Friday 29th January Birmingham City Council informed the unions that the threat of the academisation of Small Heath School was off the table as the sponsors had walked away. This came after staff from the NUT, NASUWT and ATL increased their strike action and campaigned with parents to say that students in Small Heath are best served by their school remaining as part of the Local Authority family of schools. Staff are committed to getting the school out of special measures but for this to happen the suspension of the NUT Rep Simon O’Hara must be lifted.
 

Picket line at Small Heath school in Birmingham on the first of nine strike days against the threat of bring turned into an academy and for the lifting of the suspension of NUT rep Simon O’Hara

 

NUT members in the school have voted 100% in favour of striking to defend their Rep with strikes to begin on 9th February if the school refuse to end the victimisation of Simon O’Hara. We plan to hand the updated petition into the IEB and Local Authority this week so please share the petition and encourage as many people as possible to sign. We say well done to the strikers for stopping the academisation of Small Heath School and that now the LA and the IEB should lift the suspension of Simon O’Hara. You are encouraged to send messages of support to David Room at banut@btconnect.com. A petition to defend Simon and to say ‘no to academisation’ of Small Heath School has attracted over 2000 signatures – please add your signature sihn here

Sixth Form Colleges: Pay and Funding Campaign – Cuts to 16-19 funding have been much greater than cuts to school funding. Sixth form colleges are under threat. Teachers in sixth form colleges are facing threats to pay, working conditions and employment. Students in this extremely successful sector are facing threats to their education. The NUT has decided to ballot members in sixth form colleges, as part of our campaign on the funding of the sector, for a national one day strike which will coincide with a national demonstration in March read more


CWU
Reinstate Clive Walder
The NSSN is delighted to announce that John Vasey a sacked CWU postal rep in Wakefield, West Yorkshire has finally been reinstated by Royal Mail (see CWU website). We now demand that Clive Walder gets his job back at British Telecom.
Clive Walder, a longstanding leading rep in the CWU had an appeal against unfair dismissal rejected by British Telecom on 9 November, confirming his sacking after 38 years of service. Clive is chair of the CWU Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester branch.

PCS Assistant General Secretary Chris Baugh supporting Clive

Clive worked in a BT call centre and was dismissed after an aggressive customer reported him to management just 33 seconds into a phone call. The decision was made without taking stress into account despite the local CWU branch reporting that 7% of staff at the call centre leave their jobs each month, some walking out mid shift. Management took the decision without consulting any medical advice or taking into account any mitigation.
Clive is a NSSN steering committee member and we will be supporting the campaign protesting the sacking and campaigning for his reinstatement.
Contact Clive to send messages of support and invite him to your union branch, shop stewards committee, trades council etc – cliverwalder@hotmail.com 07771931185
Defend the People’s Post sign the petition here


Offshore Oil Industry workers
Rank & file meeting Tuesday February 9 Jury’s Inn (ex-Thistle) Aberdeen 3and3itsnotforme Facebook group
RMT warns of long-term damage to future of Britain’s offshore industry as jobs cull continues
Unite calls for urgent interventions to save oil and gas sector


NSSN / Kill the Bill news
As expected, the Tory Trade Union Bill passed its 3^rd reading on November 10th. It now is now going through the Lords. But we must keep up the pressure and prepare for resisting it if it becomes law.
The NSSN supported the protest that the TUCG organised outside Parliament on the 2nd House of Lords reading of the TU Bill on Monday January 11th. We will be publicising protests on the 3^rdreading. See video of PCS national Vice-President John McInally speaking on protest
The TUC have announced a week of action February 8-14 against the Trade Union Billhttp://heartunions.org/. Watch out for any protests or meetings that week – or organise your own through your Trades Council, union branch, NSSN etc.

A central part of the TUC week of action will be ‘The Big Workplace Meeting’ – where the TUC is calling on union branches and workplaces to come out of work together at 12.30pm on Tuesday 9 February and hold a meeting to discuss fighting the Trade Union Bill. Why not make it a protest and take action against the Bill?!!
Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Spring Rally – 6.30pm Thursday 11th February Mander Hall, NUT Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD http://www.tradeunionfreedom.co.uk/
Rob Williams NSSN chair was interviewed live on BBC’s Daily Politics at TUC Congress watch here at about 30 minutes

Early notice – the 10^th annual NSSN conference will on Saturday July 2^nd 2016 in Conway Hall, London. Please put in your new diaries!!
Yorkshire NSSN Conference: Stop the Union Busters / Organise the Unorganised – Saturday, 5th March at Ebor Court, Skinner St, Leeds, LS1 4ND https://www.facebook.com/events/514766158692960/

The last two pink NSSN ‘£10 Now’ t-shirts are available for £8. Both are women’s large sizes. First come first served! Order by emailing info@shopstewards.net
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. 

NSSN conference & affiliation letter attached

Download the ‘Join the NSSN’ leaflet here
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 oninfo@shopstewards.net

JUNIOR DOCTORS WILL STRIKE AGAIN NEXT WEDNESDAY, 8am for 24 HOURS.  

 

 

NSSN Staffordshire supporters will be backing Junior Doctor’s strike action again next Wednesday and will be building support for their action.

 

When faced with an intransigent government who want to impose unacceptable conditions, Junior Doctors have no choice but to fight back.

 

Below is a statement from the BMA ……………………..

 

Junior Doctors Statement: Industrial Action will go ahead.

Building support for junior doctor’s action!     

      

Despite torrential rain junior doctors and supporters started to appear from 8am onwards this morning outside the main entrance to Royal Stoke University Hospital.

 

Within 10 minutes there was a picket of around twenty which grew to over 50 by 10am. And there was another 25 to 30 at the Harplands entrance as well.

 

NSSN Staffordshire supporting junior doctors on picket line at Royal Stoke University Hospital

Add caption

 

Union members from Unite, CWU, GMB, North Staffs TUC, NSSN Staffordshire were there to support junior doctors. There was constant honking of horns from motorists on the A34 to show their support.

 

In the afternoon junior doctors went into Newcastle to give out leaflets to shoppers with Socialist Party members having a campaign stall to build more support for the next strike day. Again there was a great response.

 

BUILD SUPPORT FOR JUNIOR DOCTORS!

Jeremy Hunt and the Tories are digging their heels in over their attempt to impose conditions of work to the detriment of Junior Doctors and HNS service users. This means that further strike action on the 26-27 January and 10 February is likely to be necessary.

The government along with the right-wing national media will try to undermine the overwhelming support that exists. Junior Doctors, other NHS staff and service users need to get together asap to plan out how together we can counter their negative propaganda and make the next strike action even more effective than the first one.

 

A public meeting has therefore been set up for Thurs 14 Jan to bring together those who want to help build support for Junior Doctors locally.

7.30pm – Village Tavern, 513 Leek Rd, Joiner’s Square ST1 3ER.

ALL WELCOME

SUPPORT JUNIOR DOCTORS STRIKING TO DEFEND THE NHS!

Junior Doctors have been left with no alternative but to take strike action against the government's plans to impose unsafe contracts which would damage not only Junior Doctors but have an adverse effect on other NHS staff, patients and the NHS itself.

The Junior Doctor's union, the BMA, have provided more info on their website

This is an important dispute which has the potential, if successful, to force the government to back down which would be a victory not just for Junior Doctors but also for all other workers fighting to defend our jobs, pay and conditions etc.

NSSN Staffordshire is supporting the BMA's call for other workers, trade unionists and activists to visit their picket lines to show support for their action.

Strike action will start next Tuesday 12 January (for 24 hours) with a picket line starting at 8am till 12.30pm at the Royal Stoke Hospital, Newcastle Street (A34) ST4 6QG

The next strike will be for 48 hours starting at 8am Tuesday 26^th January to 8am Thursday 28 January – again picket lines will be from 8am till 12.30pm

During these two strike days emergency cover will be provided.

There will be a full withdrawal of labour — from 8am to 5pm on Wednesday 10^th February if there is no meaningful response from the government.

SUPPORT OUR JUNIOR DOCTORS !

DEFEND OUR NHS!

Aspire Housing strikers, 1.9.15, photo by Andy Bentley   (Click to enlarge)

Aspire Housing workers striking to defend pay and conditions

Andy Bentley

On Tuesday 1st September Aspire Housing maintenance workers in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, took strike action for the fifth time against plans to dismiss workers and re-engage them on worse terms and conditions.

The workers include members of the GMB, Unite and UCATT, with some standing to lose over £5,000 a year and facing cuts to sick pay, removal of paid allowances, and on top of that are being asked to work extra hours.

This while the top CEO at Aspire is being paid a staggering £154,000 a year - an almost 30% increase over the last few years! These well-paid bosses have so far refused to even enter into negotiations with the workforce. They are just trying to railroad in the changes.

Aspire Housing workers; previous strike action, photo by Andy Bentley

But workers are angry and determined to continue the fight. Colin Griffiths, GMB organiser, said:
"Aspire Housing talk about consulting with trade unions - as far as the GMB are concerned, this process has been smoke screens and mirrors and nothing to do with improvements to the service but all about saving money on wages and pensions."

Local NSSN supporters are continuing to fully back the Aspire workers on strike.

Please send messages of support to sbaker@ucatt.org.uk or by text to 0784 589 3607

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

NSSN Staffordshire

 

Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2014
From: info@shopstewards.net

shopstewardsnet@lists.riseup.net

NSSN 206 – Performance Management: Turn on, log on, tune in

Read the full NSSN e-bulletin 206 here :http://shopstewards.net/2014/08/nssn-206-performance-management-turn-on-log-on-tune-in/
 

The CWU in British Telecom has just undertaken a survey of members whether to ballot for strike action over Performance Management (PM). A majority are in favour. But PM is increasingly being used throughout the world of work. This week, a CWU member lifts the lid on this bullying culture (names have been changed):-
 

“A confidential meeting between a line manager and team member is taking place. Targets have been revised and raised. Now each member of the manager’s team must hit 100% of expected job standards, but not to worry as the individual has achieved 130%; an increase of 30%.

They are continuously improving and being Right First Time. However, some of the job activities have had their time allowed to complete cut by 33%, and in others, 50%. Well done, no matter, the individual seems to be coping well with this new revision and is on track to meet expectations. But hold on there. The manager has been informed that within the 130% productivity, not enough risk is being taken. It turns out that 16% of that 130% should in fact be 30%. On that alone, the 30% increase in productivity and meeting targets must be put aside.

It also turns out that on one occasion, when the manager wanted an Instant Messenger chat, the individual had been 10 minutes late back from lunch. This same technology, the manager is informed, did not pick up the extra 20 minutes yesterday spent saving a job from ending up as a Service Level Agreement for the company. No matter. The member is told to watch their timekeeping, put on a development plan and is marked “Development Needed”. When they had walked in the room they had been on a mark of “Achieving Standards”.

Reports come in the tea break. Another manager elsewhere has marked all of his team as “Development Needed”. For 30 minutes a pissed off worker has been held back by team mates as he verbally berates this manager who, after marking all the team down, is still sitting amongst them on the same floor in open view of all. It is regarded as crass piss taking. The team member sits down exhausted, it is never ending, and they are always on your back. What’s the  point, no one is doing f**k all about it.

Archie is screaming, swearing and kicking all his desk drawers. Everything is falling on to the floor. He is literally in tears. “What’s up mate?” “Fucking software, cancelled out all my macros again. Got to get this f******g job out ‘cos I’m expected to do two jobs a day; they’re on my back again”. 

Poorly designed and replatformed software has meant that jobs get stuck in being processed on the web based computer tools. The pressure is on for despite Senior Managers knowing full well of this known but unresolved problem, targets were recently raised. Archie is on a final warning and is desperate. Welcome to the working world where for the working week, in the world’s oldest democracy, an absolute dictatorship of the employer rules the floor. It is suffocating.”

NSSN News
NSSN rally & lobby of TUC Conference on September 7th in Liverpool - 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. PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka is one of the confirmed speakers alongside Ronnie Draper BFAWU General Secretary and Steve Gillan POA General Secretary. Download NSSN leaflet http://www.scribd.com/doc/235907571/NSSN-TUC-rally-2014-leaflet

Transport is being organised around the country – email us on info@shopstewards.net

If you want to come 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/

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

SUPPORT NSSN LOBBY OF TUC on 7th SEPTEMBER 
The NSSN conference on July 5^th agreed that the Network will hold a public rally at this year’s 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. Whether you’re a delegate or not, come along and help us keep up the pressure!

 

There is a link below to a leaflet advertising the rally and lobby. Please pass it on to as many trade unionists as possible and other workers too! 

 

Leaflet Link ......
https://dub123.mail.live.com/mail/ViewOfficePreview.aspx?messageid=mgK1UVSMEb5BGl9gAhWtc7Dg2&folderid=flinbox&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&n=71441397

NSSN Staffordshire

shopstewardsnet@lists.riseup.net
info@shopstewards.net

FBU Gaza statement

Read the full NSSN e-bulletin 203 here:http://shopstewards.net/2014/07/nssn-203-fbu-gaza-statement/

The vast majority of trade unionists are outraged by the events in Gaza over the last few weeks and many have attended the protests and demonstrations that have taken place. In this week’s NSSN e-bulletin, we re-produce the FBU’s
statement on Gaza.

The Fire Brigades Union deplores the horrific attacks on Gaza and calls for an immediate, negotiated and total ceasefire. The union sends our support, solidarity and sympathy to all those affected by the conflict, including the families of the victims.

In particular, the FBU applauds the tremendous work done by firefighters helping the victims of atrocities, and who put themselves at even greater risk in order to assist others.

The FBU notes with horror that so far the Israeli armed forces have killed hundreds of people in Gaza, and the death toll continues to rise. These deaths include workers in health, education and journalism, with 80% of those killed being women and children. Around 120,000 people are seeking shelter, with food and water now running out. The assault amounts to the collective punishment of a population already suffering terribly from the effects of the blockade.

The FBU is appalled that UK-manufactured military equipment could be used in the attack on Gaza and calls for the suspension of UK arms sales to Israel.

The FBU is concerned by the bias shown by most broadcasters reporting the conflict and demands that Palestinian voices are heard.

The FBU condemns the one-sided approach of British ministers, who should be pressing the Israeli government to cease the attacks and enter into meaningful peace negotiations. The FBU welcomes the offer from Scottish hospitals (and
endorsed by External Affairs Minister Humza Yousaf) to offer specialist treatment to the injured should that be possible. Similar offers should be made elsewhere in the UK and across Europe.

The FBU demands: 

An immediate ceasefire.

Peace talks aimed at finding a lasting and just solution to the conflict. The Israel government lift the blockade on Gaza.

Support for the boycott of illegal settlements, settlement goods and those corporations benefiting from the occupation and the wall.

The Israeli offensive is completely unjustified. The FBU believes that only a ceasefire observed by all – including those firing rockets into Israel – followed by serious negotiations with all parties can bring peace to the region. There is no military solution to the conflict – only a political solution based around two states can bring justice to all involved.

The FBU supports the PGFTU’s three-day general strike in the West Bank in protest at the Israeli government’s actions.

The FBU supports demonstrations called around the UK to stop the war on Gaza and calls on our members and friends to attend these mobilisations.

NSSN News

Over 300 shop stewards, union rep and anti-cuts activists attended the 8th Annual NSSN Conference on Saturday July 5th. The speakers included Ronnie Draper BFAWU bakers’ union General Secretary, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan, Janice Godrich PCS President and Peter Pinkney RMT President…plus Ginger Jentzen from the victorious Seattle $15Now campaign.

Watch a video of the first session here -
http://shopstewards.net/2014/07/nssn-conference-1st-session-feat-peter-pinkney-and-ronnie-draper/

See photos from the conference here -
http://shopstewards.net/2014/07/in-pictures-nssn-conference-2014/

Watch the video shown at the start of the conference – All strike together & Memorium for Bob Crow -
http://shopstewards.net/2014/07/video-all-strike-together-memorium-for-bob-crow/

The conference agreed that the NSSN will hold a public rally at this year’s 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. PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka is one of the confirmed speakers.

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/

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