Workplace news in brief


Blacklisted action

The Blacklist Support Group is holding a blacklisting day of action on 7 December starting with a ‘photo opportunity’ at 9am outside Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, London before the High Court blacklisting litigation which is open to the public. The day in court is followed by a Blacklist Support Group parliamentary meeting at 6pm with speakers including MP and shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Chris Stephens MP, John Hendy QC and blacklisted workers.

Youth ignored

Shop workers’ union Usdaw has ignored views of its own Young Workers Committee and nominated two Progress supporting candidates for the chair and NEC of Labour Youth. At a recent Usdaw Young Workers Committee meeting, those attending were told that ‘it would be inappropriate’ for them to discuss the issue. This follows occasions when motions to the TUC Young Workers conference which Usdaw delegates were expected to move, are put through without consultation. The selection of two Progress supporting candidates by Usdaw’s leadership, as opposed to the left candidates favoured by the Young Workers Committee, also shows that they are part of the campaign to undermine Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party by placing those hostile to him in positions of power.

EDF strike

A week-long strike by EDF energy workers carrying out smart meter installations, due to start on 30 November, was suspended for talks through the conciliation service, Acas.About 70 staff at EDF headquarters at Bexleyhealth, Kent and Canning Town, east London were due to strike from midnight on 30 November until midnight on 4 December. Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “While there is a list of grievances, the most important one for our members is working hours. The company wanted later working and increased Saturday working.” Unite members had voted by a margin of 85% for strike action and 92% were in favour of industrial action short of a strike.