NUT action
On 26 September teachers’ union NUT members will be starting a programme of industrial action in defence of their pay and conditions. Teachers are being attacked, not only with a pay freeze but with ‘appraisal’ measures which can be used to push teachers down the pay scales.
Regular reps’ meetings are essential to coordinate the action and to escalate it to strike action where schools try to impose unacceptable policies.
But national strike action, coordinated with the other public sector unions should also be built for.
- For more information and advice see the blog of NUT executive member Martin Powell-Davies: electmartin1.blogspot.com
Defend the Four
As part of our long-running campaign against a witch-hunt within Unison of four Socialist Party members, we launched a new petition in June this year. The Four had been accused of several breaches of the union’s rules but were singled out when they argued for increased democracy within the union.
The petition opposed the fact that Unison was intending to spend up to another £100,000 appealing the previous decisions against them at an employment tribunal and employment appeals tribunal.
The petition called on Unison to stop spending money on further persecution of the Four.
The petition got massive support over the summer. We have 1,000 signatures and over 400 on an electronic petition.
This was presented to Unison general secretary Dave Prentis, before the TUC on 9 September.
- For more information and an opportunity to buy a campaign wristband, see: http://www.stopthewitchhunt.org.uk/
Brian Debus
Argos strike
On 19 September workers at five Argos distribution centres are likely to be starting a four-day national strike. This is over the closing of the company’s final salary pension scheme, which it is seeking to do without compensating the affected staff.
The centres are in Magna Park, Leicestershire, Bridgewater, Heywood, Lancashire, Castleford and Basildon.
