Workplace news in brief

Strike at EHRC

Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members in the Cardiff office of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had solid support for their second walkout on 11 May.

PCS members are fighting back against the slashing of the EHRC budget by 68% and the staffing by 66%.

The Con-Dem government wants to close the EHRC helpline and run down the organisation that enforces the law and tackles discrimination.

This is part of the government agenda to let employers off the hook and give a green light to the worst employers to discriminate against workers.

PCS EHRC members in Cardiff fully understand how this battle fits in with the campaign to build for action to stop the attacks on our jobs, pay, pensions and the vital services that we provide.

Katrine Williams PCS Wales chair

Saltend

Sacked Redhall construction workers are continuing their protests outside BP Saltend near Hull. Ten weeks after being locked out of work on the bio-ethanol plant being built for BP/Vivergo, the majority of workers reluctantly want to take a financial settlement.

But the employers are trying to force the trade unions to sign an onerous agreement that would prevent any worker from pursuing a legal case or further protest against the company. This is unacceptable to the workers who have fought to get their jobs back and now voted three times to refuse to sign up for this deal.

As we go to press on 17 May, Redhall workers in Hull will protest outside the courts when GMB national officer Phil Whitehurst is due to appear to face charges following arrest two weeks ago under Section 14 of the Public Order Act (POA). This arises from heavy-handed policing and blanket-use of the POA to restrict the right to protest because the workers had several times effectively closed down the BP site and blockaded traffic.

Alistair Tice

Trades councils meet

At the Trade Union Councils' annual conference it was obvious that many trades councils have been in the forefront of the anti-cuts movement.

They have initiated coalitions against the cuts in many areas, involving local communities, as well as public sector workers. Socialist Party members in the National Shop Stewards Network have been the prime movers in many of these initiatives.

Motion after motion was carried unanimously, with commitments to campaigns against the government proposals high on the agenda. After the magnificent demonstration of 26 March, the main question asked was how will the TUC develop the obvious mood of resistance shown on that day?

The mood of the conference was shown by the voting for the Suffolk motion moved by Teresa MacKay. This listed among its demands the nationalisation of the pharmaceutical companies and was chosen as the trades council motion to go to this year's TUC in October!

Roger MacKay Suffolk County Association of Trade Union Councils

Strike at Sussex Downs College

Workplace news in brief

Come to the 6th annual NSSN conference!

Second strike by Tilbury dockers over attack on contracts

M10: Angry workers walk out across the country

10 May sees united strike - but teacher unions shirk their responsibilities

Saltend:

Saltend construction workers' struggle ends

Crucial time for Saltend dispute

Solidarity action builds for BP/Vivergo Saltend workers

Saltend lockout: Struggle continues

PCS:

PCS conference votes for more joint action against cuts

Brighton: PCS conference - Socialist Party public meeting

We're striking back on 10 May

Protest:

More attacks on right to campaign

A short walk down Whitehall...

Brighton: Mass protest counters racist EDL

BP:

News of the World admits it

'Big Oil' cuts corners on safety to boost profits

Challenging the global warming sceptics

Cardiff:

Health services at risk in Cardiff and Vale

Come and hear TUSC candidates standing in your area

Stop the NHS sell-off - National demo now!

Construction workers:

National Shop Stewards Network 6th annual conference

Construction workers demand better pay and conditions

Construction workers fight on