Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/686/12833
From The Socialist newspaper, 21 September 2011
Workplace news In Brief
Fujitsu strike
Unite members working at the Fujitsu IT company sites in Manchester, Salford and Crewe struck for 24 hours on 19 September against the company's breaking of agreements on pensions, pay and redeployment. The Crewe workforce is already fighting to defend Unite rep Alan Jennings, victimised by the company.
Management have made concessions to the PCS union which organises former civil service workers privatised to Futjitsu. Unite strikers hailed this as a victory which shows they can win too.
- For more information see www.ourunion.org.uk/news/
Youth workers' action
On 9 September, youth workers in the Unite CWYU (Community and Youth Workers) union went on strike across Oxfordshire, in protest at the council's plans to replace the services they provide with seven "community hubs", which will put 80 jobs at risk.
The strike demonstration was upbeat and noisy with members from several different unions attending, such as PCS. Striking workers from Banbury and elsewhere in Oxfordshire also attended. We marched from Church Green to Witney youth centre, for a short rally outside David Cameron's office.
Rachael Horwitz
Privatisation scandal
Greenwich council-owned trading company "GSPlus" have announced cuts that may lead to compulsory redundancies.
GSPlus was set up by the council despite union opposition. They said the move would save jobs and protect pay and conditions. Indeed staff were promised superior conditions to council staff.
The unions pointed out at the time that this was simply not realistic and that in fact jobs and pay would be more vulnerable as a result. It gives us no pleasure to be proved right.
Unite branch secretary Onay Kasab
Pensions action
Members of the UCU lecturers' union have voted for industrial action, including strikes, to defend pensions. Staff at 67 universities in the Universities Superannuation Scheme have voted for a sustained campaign of action because the employers have imposed pension cuts. Action is likely to begin in mid-October.
Lecturers in the other main pension scheme have already taken strike action, with the other unions on 30 June. The ballot for that action is still valid.
Liverpool ballot
200 Unite members working for housing repair service Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) are balloting for industrial action against threats to their jobs. The workers provide a repair service to people living in social housing in Liverpool and have been TUPE transferred to a number of different companies. LMH, the latest company has gone into administration.
There is plenty of work to do and LMH appear to be giving work to sub-contractors. Also the Unite convenor is facing the sack.
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In The Socialist 21 September 2011:
Building for 30 November strike
We won't pay for the bankers' crisis!
30 November - the fight of all our lives
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Gloucestershire: Rage ignites against NHS privatisation
12th hour reprieve for Dale Farm
Socialist Party news and analysis
Wales mine deaths: Privatisation comes under the spotlight
Private rail companies - a licence to print money
Socialist history
Poplar 1921: 'Better to break the law than break the poor'
Socialist Party feature
2011 Labour Party conference - a debate: Can Labour be reclaimed?
International socialist news and analysis
Kazakhstan: Dictatorial regime threatens socialist activists
Floods devastate Sindh: Crisis worsens, hundreds killed
Socialist Party youth and students
Don't let the Con-Dems steal our future!
Save Devon youth service: "time for young people to stand up"
Jobs, homes and services, not racism
University - pay more, receive less
Youth protest movement grows in Israel
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton council workers vote for more action
Remploy workers "will not go gently" - or at all!
Expelled from Unison for effective anti-cuts leadership
Bus workers force management climb-down
Protesting construction workers call for national strike ballot
Recognition won back - at a price
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