Workplace news in brief


Firefighters’ strike

FBU members are striking for a fourth time over pensions between 10am and 2pm on 13 November in England and Wales. This follows the worsening of the government’s proposals on firefighters’ pensions. It plans to punish firefighters who are forced to retire at 55 rather than face dismissal by reducing their pensions by 47.1%.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “After 35 years of service – and paying at least £4,000 a year – firefighters could now receive just over £9,000 a year or the sack simply because fitness declines as they get older.”

The FBU is also balloting its members over other forms of industrial action. This will close on 4 December.


Save our fire services

Save Our Services in Surrey (SOSiS) have called a march and rally to save fire stations. Surrey county council intend to close both fire stations in Spelthorne and to replace them with just one.

SOSiS leader and branch secretary of Surrey Unison Paul Couchman said: ” The county council wants to cut our fire services by 50% – making Spelthorne the least fire-resourced borough in Surrey. There are 35 fire engines in Surrey to cover eleven boroughs.

The council cabinet will make the decision on 17 December.

Demo: Saturday 7 December, assemble 11.30am, Forest Drive (by the side of Sunbury fire station). March through Ashford to Staines fire station.


RMT election

Socialist Party member John Reid is standing for election to the transport union RMT’s council of executives. He is fighting on a programme of defending jobs, pay, conditions and pensions in the face of government attacks. John is currently the regional secretary of RMT.

John is calling for ticket offices to be kept open, for a supervisor on every station, and a £12 an hour minimum wage for cleaners. He is also saying no to the use of agencies, bring all regular work back in-house.

The election runs until 2 December.


Stop press – strike

The unions representing workers in higher education – UCU, Unison and Unite – have just announced they will strike again on 3 December. They may be joined by the scottish education union EIS. The dispute is over a 1% pay offer, workers having seen a 13% pay cut over recent years.


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