Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/653/10938
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 January 2011
Kirklees council: First round victory in cuts battle
On 7 January, at one of the biggest stewards' meetings in Kirklees Unison branch's history, the branch voted to call off the planned five-day strike which had been endorsed by a mass ballot of the 7,500 strong membership only two weeks earlier. Instead a last minute deal was reached which was in line with the union demands to halt the council's plans.
Mike Forster
The council has backed down over its plans to impose compulsory redundancies, reduce redundancy pay and try to select people for redundancy with a poor sickness record.
Before Christmas, the council was making threats to the workforce that hundreds of jobs could be on the line. They were trying to break morale and trade union organisation. However, they were banking on a 'No' vote in the ballot that had been running through most of December.
The council was pushing dark propaganda that there was no choice but to make the cuts and that they were looking after the best interests of their workforce. But Unison members delivered a 'Yes' vote for action which was announced on 21 December.
The following day a mass meeting of stewards called on the union to act on the ballot result and a strike was planned. This concentrated the minds of the council who made a new offer to the union on 30 December.
They have backed away for the time being but the agreement is only in place until 1 April. Although this is a Labour council, they have made it clear that they intend to push through yet more cuts.
The Socialist Party bulletin produced by Unison members called this a temporary truce. Our task now is to strengthen union and workplace organisation in preparation for bigger battles to come.
A rally called in Huddersfield on 8 January celebrated this victory. As the chair of the rally said, we have won the first round in a much longer battle which we must win if we are to save public services.
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In The Socialist 12 January 2011:
Anti-cuts campaign
Bankers get billions - We get cuts
Youth fight for jobs
March for a future - Join the demonstrations on 29 January
More attacks on rights for young workers
Students at Leeds Trinity re-occupy
International socialist news and analysis
Tunisia: Wave of protests against repressive regime
National Shop Stewards Network
Rage at inequality fires workers' action
NSSN National: Anti-Cuts Conference
NSSN debate: The way forward for the anti-cuts movement
National Shop Stewards Network: Strategy and tactics - a dialogue
Labour baroness wants politics kept out of the Forest of Dean
Fighting Labour's cuts in Waltham Forest
Socialist Party news and analysis
Jobs cut while the rich carry on partying
The plot thickens at News International
'Big Oil' cuts corners on safety to boost profits
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Councils ramp up service charges
Campaigners tell PM: 'No to Royal Mail privatisation'
Police moles attempt to discredit protest movements
Socialist Party workplace news
Kirklees council: First round victory in cuts battle
Darlington: Newsquest strikes continue to spread
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