Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/678/12353
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 July 2011
Workplace news in brief
No to McNulty
The annual meeting of rail union RMT has endorsed plans for a massive national campaign, including a cross-industry strike ballot if necessary, to resist any attempts by the government to roll out its McNulty Rail Review assault on Britain's railways.
The RMT warns that McNulty would mean, among other things: pay freezes and longer hours, inferior conditions for new entrants, driver only operation, reduced safety standards and increased fares.
RMT has vowed to work with other unions, passenger groups, politicians and local communities to build a mass campaign of national resistance to McNulty.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: " ...we will be building a mass, national campaign against this all-out assault on our railways that will leave no stone unturned in the fight to stop us being dragged back to the days of Railtrack, Hatfield and Potters Bar while the private companies are locked into gold-plated deals that leave them laughing all the way to the bank."
Uni strike
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at London Southbank University (LSBU) were on strike on 29 June. Rob Williams, NSSN chair, spoke to the pickets. "The dispute is over the university management's decision to take LSBU out of national pay bargaining with the clear intention to attack pay and terms and conditions. As part of this, management have refused to honour the national pay settlement for 2009-10, the princely rate of 0.5%! This shows how determined management are.
"UCU members are also concerned that this is just the start and will also include attempts to bring in performance-related pay which will mean going from national pay agreements to local and even individual contracts which will undermine the union and staff unity."
All the lecturers also supported the 30 June strike, with many of them attending the London city-centre rally.
Greenwich cuts
The Unite trade union in Greenwich, south London has made a plea to MPs and councillors to halt the proposed transfer of the highly valued welfare rights service to a trading company.
If allowed to go ahead borough residents and advisers may no longer have access to a specialist local service as the union fears that the transfer will eventually lead to the end of the service.
The company has already cut jobs, pay and conditions following transfers to the company of other council services.
Unite branch secretary Onay Kasab stated: "...welfare rights is not a "trading" organisation, nor can it be. It does not raise a profit, it raises money for residents.. This proposal is bad news for the council, bad news for staff and bad news for residents".
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In The Socialist 6 July 2011:
30th June strike and after
Next time - strike together...
24-hour public sector general strike as next step to beat the Con-Dems
Standing up to a weak government
Labour - condemned for condemning strike
Walkout at Wormwood Scrubs prison
30 June pension strike reports
Socialist Party news and analysis
Leaked memo shows government lied over its homeless policies
Dilnot report: A disservice to disabled and older people
Durham Miners' Gala: Miliband pulls out
Stop the racist and divisive EDL
Time to defend abortion rights... again
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton council workers strike on same day as teachers, lecturers and civil servants
Birmingham - the fightback begins
Leeds Unison members decisively reject the council's final offer
Fawley refinery construction engineers summarily sacked
Fighting pension cuts and the anti-union laws
Successful NSSN meeting in Coventry
International socialist news and analysis
East Belfast riots: Only united working class action can prevent further attacks
Kazakhstan: Striking oil workers attempt to break news blockade
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
All workers: unite to fight for decent jobs
High street job cuts: Jane Norman worker speaks out
Socialist Students meeting prepares for new term
Youth Fight for Jobs: campaign moving forward
Day-Mer festival support for 30 June pensions strike
Socialist Party reviews
Socialist Party
Building the socialist alternative on 30 June
Socialist Party youth meeting: Successful and insightful
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