Striking Bromley library workers and supporters protesting against privatisation, 1.4.17, photo by Socialist Party

Striking Bromley library workers and supporters protesting against privatisation, 1.4.17, photo by Socialist Party   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

A Unite member

Unite union members working in Bromley libraries began the first of eight days of strike action on 1 April. The long-running dispute is in defence of the library service from privatisation.

The campaign has already seen off the privateers from Carillion and a proposal to replace permanent staff with volunteers. Now Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is thought to be the last realistic bidder for the contract – although the council ludicrously claims that commercial confidentiality means that they cannot disclose the remaining bidders!

GLL claims to be a ‘social enterprise’ yet acts like the worst of private companies, employing three-quarters of staff on zero-hour contracts and refusing to pay the London Living Wage to many of its own leisure-based staff.

Yet Lord John Bird – founder of the Big Issue – claims that GLL is the saviour of libraries! Lord Bird attended the libraries and culture march in London last November, demanding to speak at the event as a very important campaigner!

There is a lesson here – support is always welcome from whatever quarter – however, it is the trade unions that will lead the fight to save public service, not Lords!

  • Send messages of support to Unite officer Onay Kasab at [email protected] and post donations to Unite the Union, 33-37 Moreland Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 8BB