Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/635/10120
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 August 2010
Workplace news in brief
London buses
The London Bus Campaign will stage a rally outside City Hall on Wednesday 15 September to oppose cuts in services, fare increases and reductions in contract prices. The London bus industry, which receives significant public subsidy, will not escape the Con-Dem government's full frontal assault.
Reductions in route tender prices mean reducing labour costs. Fare increases and /or the removal of concessionary fares will affect the number of passengers using buses.
This, along with service cuts, will mean job losses. Clearly we could be facing attempts to cut pay and introduce longer hours and inferior conditions.
The London Bus Campaign is led by shop stewards in Unite the Union. The planned action is only a first step in the massive campaign involving bus users as well as bus workers that will be needed to repulse the coming attacks.
Andy Beadle
Fire chief blogs about mass sackings
The commissioner of the London Fire Brigade has threatened the entire workforce with the sack if the workers don't agree to changes to their contracts. Even worse, he posted this on his personal blog. Chief Dobson wants to force everyone onto 12-hour shifts which will be disruptive of family life and pave the way for cuts in fire cover.
The FBU has promised to ballot for strike action if these changes are imposed.
PCS denounces union busting
PCS branch secretary Sam Buckley has become the fifth union officer at the Child Support Agency (CSA) in Hastings to be sacked on trumped up charges since 2007. In that time management has got rid of a branch chair, two vice chairs, two branch secretaries and a treasurer.
PCS, backed by Hastings trades council, have called a demonstration and rally in Hastings for Saturday 18 September, assembling at 1pm at Hastings Pier for a 1.30pm start and marching to the town centre for a rally with speakers. For more information contact: PCS, CSA, TU Room B1F, Ashdown House, Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7N.
Unsafe schools
Waltham Forest council, in east London, has received three improvement notices from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to asbestos management and legionella in Waltham Forest schools.
Bill Palmer, Unison's branch Health and Safety officer, said: "The trade unions have long complained of inadequate health and safety management in schools and hope that these notices will make the council take the actions that are clearly laid out in their own risk assessments and the inspector's report."
Su Manning, Unison branch Health and Safety convenor said: "Unison believes that Health and Safety could be one of the biggest losers under the new academies scheme."
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In The Socialist 18 August 2010:
International socialist news
Pakistan: Workers' solidarity urgently needed
Floods in Pakistan bring devastation - poor suffer most
Socialist Party youth and students
Youth must fight for a future!
Student demo should be start of the fightback
Uni bosses say cuts will cause closures
Socialist Party editorial
Forecasts of fragile economic growth
Socialist Party news and analysis
Cameron sticks the boot into our council housing
Private-profit company granted 'snoopers' charter'
Private Finance Initiative: A licence to print money
Socialist Party campaigns
Coventry Against the Cuts challenge councillors' 'legal obligation'
Northern Ireland: Belfast Stop the Cuts Alliance established
Bromley care workers fight privatisation and job cuts
Defend Our Community Services launched in Bracknell
Cuts devastate mental health services
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
Socialist Party workplace news
Kirklees Unison strike ballot launched
CWU members accept BT pay deal
Debate how to fight back at Socialism 2010
Tube staff vote for action against cuts
Jobs under threat at Ministry of Justice
Airport workers win improved offer from BAA
Socialist Party events
Socialist Party summer camp - book now!
International socialist news and analysis
Russia's raging wildfires - a crisis of government policies
Socialist Party news and comment
Bradford must organise against the EDL
Birmingham: Community says 'No' to racist spy cameras
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