Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/694/13152
From The Socialist newspaper, 16 November 2011
Workplace news in brief
Support Paul Kelly!
Transport union RMT rep Paul Kelly has recently been involved in protesting against the imposition of new rosters at Wightlink Ferries in Portsmouth. The new rosters were brought in after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency identified shortfalls. These shortfalls are largely due to poor management structures.
Now Paul has been charged with gross misconduct, after being seen without personal protection equipment (PPE). Yet many managers frequently ignore PPE requirements.
Management's first action was to issue informal advice to Paul, which he accepted. Clearly this was not enough for some managers and further allegations were made, which in spite of being refuted by five witnesses, were used to dismiss Paul.
The RMT is demanding that Paul Kelly be reinstated and a transparent investigation be carried out into how this manager was allowed to abuse the disciplinary process.
Please send messages of support to: portsmouth@rmt.org.uk
TV licensing workers
Hundreds of TV licensing workers are planning to strike again on 17/18 November. Their employers, Capita, make £1 million a day in profits but are refusing to negotiate over a reasonable pay deal. The workers are low-paid, many are earning just above the minimum wage but the company are trying to fob them off with a below-inflation pay rise, a pay cut.
Picket lines will be out in Bristol, Darwen (Lancs) and Glasgow on 18 November, with field officers on strike on 17 November.
More N30 strike votes
Joining with tens of thousands of other workers, members of the main public sector union in Northern Ireland, Nipsa, have voted by a two thirds majority to strike on 30 November.
And 81% of senior civil servants in the FDA ballot have voted to strike.
RCN pensions ballot
The Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) governing council has unanimously decided to ballot for industrial action if the current pensions negotiations fail. The council will meet again in January to make arrangements for the ballot. RCN members are so angry about attacks on their pensions that the leadership has made this unprecedented decision.
The RCN council is also sending support to the strike by public sector unions on 30 November.
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In The Socialist 16 November 2011:
Fighting the cuts
Strike together, Protest together, Win together
Defend the right to strike and protest
All out together on 30 November
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton - opposing all the cuts
Electricians march to defend pay and conditions
Socialist history
The first shop stewards movement
International socialist news and analysis
Berlusconi quits as debt crisis hits eurozone's third largest economy
End the dictatorship of the markets!
Irish Socialist MEP Paul Murphy speaks out: solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza will continue
Socialist Party news and analysis
Murdochgate scandal shows need for democratic and accountable media
Stop the government austerity juggernaut
Jobs crisis - 'We can't afford capitalism'!
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Thousands say no to fees, cuts and privatisation
Riot cops assault Occupy protesters
The Socialist - Readers' comments
Cuts kill - Poverty, despair and a suicide pact
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