The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) in the North East organised two days of fighting action on 4 and 5 December, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead.

Working alongside an organiser from the bakers union (BFAWU), 4 December was spent at a massive shopping centre in Gateshead.

Staff were highly receptive to the call for a £10 an hour minimum wage and an end to zero-hour contracts.

Managers at a fast food chain expressed an interest in joining the union. But at another global restaurant chain, we had to inform the managers that it's workers who decide whether to join a union, not bosses deciding on their behalf.

We were back in action again on 5 December in Newcastle city centre. One sandwich chain employee was so enthused that he agreed to sign up to BFAWU on the spot, declaring his admiration for Seattle socialist councillor Kshama Sawant, and insisting that the Fight for 15 movement would work in the UK.

Later, the NSSN, BFAWU, and Unite the Union converged on Sports Direct. The horrors of employment in the retail chain's Shirebrook warehouse have had extensive press coverage (see issue 870) and a national Unite campaign.

Mike Ashley

Dozens of trade unionists with megaphones demonstrated and Unite petitions were quickly filled in and leaflets calling for an end to boss Mike Ashley's reign of employment terror were enthusiastically accepted by passers-by voicing their support for workers.

The weekend concluded with a public NSSN meeting. Speakers from affiliated unions the CWU, BFAWU, PCS and RMT, gave rousing calls to action. A local Unison branch chair insisted that efforts could be expected to change the fact that his union's logo isn't on the NSSN banner.

The NSSN has ambitious plans for 2016 and you can follow the NSSN North East on Facebook and Twitter: @NSSN_NE.

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