Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/551/6482
From The Socialist newspaper, 8 October 2008
Another victory in Greenwich
Greenwich Unison members are celebrating yet another victory. Earlier this year, library workers were warned by managers of impending closures and compulsory redundancies.
The branch organised a lobby of the council, which led to a statement from management that there had been a "misunderstanding", and that no such proposals existed. Yet a recent report to the council included details of the closure of four libraries, the mobile service and the school library service. With one day's notice, around 30 library workers turned up to lobby the council.
The branch also issued a press release calling for public protests. This caused a humiliating climb down. The council first of all said that the details should not have gone out in the report - letting the public know about the closures was a mistake!
BUT more importantly, the council leader told the Unison branch secretary and Socialist Party member Onay Kasab that he had ordered the withdrawal and scrapping of the proposals.
This represents yet another victory for Greenwich Unison.
In addition to the victory over the single status agreement, the branch have, over the last month, won the following campaigns:
- Forcing the council to reverse pay cuts imposed on council plumbers, including winning an agreement to pay arrears.
- Winning a pay claim, with arrears, for Tenancy Team Leaders in the Housing Department.
- Winning a pay claim for drivers in the road sweeping section.
- Forcing the employers to financially compensate two members.
This shows what can be achieved by a fighting, campaigning leadership.
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In The Socialist 8 October 2008:
Credit crunch
Editorial: Casino capitalism's crisis continues
Lessons of the 1990s recession in Japan
Responsibility for the 'age of irresponsibility'
Socialist Students
Students look for socialist ideas
Education
University workers fight pension attacks
NUT strike ballot: Action on pay can win
Socialist Party campaigns
A day in the life of a care worker
The sacking of Blair, London's police chief
Socialist meeting blocked by councillor
No to incinerators, give us a real say!
International socialist news and analysis
Mbeki dismissed by ANC as South Africa's president
Socialist Party workplace news
"Telling the boss: You can't do that"
Fight against the Unison witch-hunt
Frustration with union leadership
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