WOMEN UNISON members at Avenue primary school in Newham,
east London, were an inspiration on the morning of their second strike day.
Paula Mitchell
Newham UNISON is battling a vicious union-busting council
which has effectively derecognised the branch leadership.
About twenty women workers picketed Avenue primary, helped
by teachers. One striker explained why they were on strike:
"We want our union
to stay. We need someone to listen and be on our side. Workers need someone to
make sure we’re not exploited. I’m a learning support assistant. We’re already
underpaid and taking on more responsibilities. If the union loses its power
we’ll be even more exploited."
Some of the strikers wanted what they had done to be an
example to other Newham workplaces.
One explained:
"There is a lack of information in some
workplaces where the workers don’t really understand what is at stake. Here
it’s good, we’ve had meetings with Louise (NUT rep and Socialist Party
member), we’ve done our own leaflet."We need leaflets that make it really clear to everybody –
‘No union – no support’. We have to ask everyone – can we survive without the
union?"
Pushpa Makwana, a health and safety rep, said she had
learned a lot from the Scottish nursery nurses who had spoken at a strike
rally two weeks ago.
"When the parents sign it makes you stronger. We have to
make sure they know why we’re striking, especially the parents that don’t
speak English."We have to keep on striking until the council comes to
the table and comes to a resolution with UNISON. This is just the start."
Around 80 attended a strike rally to hear speakers and
discuss a strategy. Many members questioned the money paid to Labour and
demanded that it should be used to finance the dispute instead.
Socialist Party member Nancy Taaffe brought greetings from
UNISON in Waltham Forest and said that the union should stop funding Labour
and instead build up a network of trade unionists and campaigners to stand
against them.
A resolution was passed agreeing to escalate the action,
including all-out action if necessary. A further two strike days on 26 and 27
May and a big public protest were agreed.
Decisive action
Only decisive action by the whole workforce can stop this
attack on trade union rights.
The union should immediately organise a concerted campaign
of meetings in every workplace, so that all council workers understand what is
at stake.
A serious approach needs to be made to the other council
unions. The council relies on large numbers of agency staff. We need to
explain the situation to them and attempt to recruit them into the union.
All-out action by the whole membership, with other unions
and agency staff respecting UNISON picket lines, will shatter management’s
confidence and can stop this attack.
