Council strikes confirmed
(27/06/08) UNISON’s industrial action committee has today confirmed that local government strike action will go ahead on 16 and 17 July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. "Throughout the union and across the country our members working in local government have given sustained strike action the green light," said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis.The action affects 600,000 of the union’s local government members, including social workers, librarians, school meals workers, refuse collectors, surveyors and teaching assistants.They will walk out to protest this year’s below-inflation pay offer of 2.45%. "This decision has not been taken lightly, but years of pay cuts and recent hikes in fuel, food and housing costs has left them with little choice," Mr Prentis continued."The employers must realise that we mean business. They must also understand they can resolve this dispute by coming up with a decent offer. Our members are loyal public service workers and our case for fair pay is strong."The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Council strikes confirmed
(27/06/08) UNISON’s industrial action committee has today confirmed that local government strike action will go ahead on 16 and 17 July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. "Throughout the union and across the country our members working in local government have given sustained strike action the green light," said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis.The action affects 600,000 of the union’s local government members, including social workers, librarians, school meals workers, refuse collectors, surveyors and teaching assistants.They will walk out to protest this year’s below-inflation pay offer of 2.45%. "This decision has not been taken lightly, but years of pay cuts and recent hikes in fuel, food and housing costs has left them with little choice," Mr Prentis continued."The employers must realise that we mean business. They must also understand they can resolve this dispute by coming up with a decent offer. Our members are loyal public service workers and our case for fair pay is strong."The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
(27/06/08) UNISON’s industrial action committee has today confirmed that local government strike action will go ahead on 16 and 17 July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. "Throughout the union and across the country our members working in local government have given sustained strike action the green light," said UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis.The action affects 600,000 of the union’s local government members, including social workers, librarians, school meals workers, refuse collectors, surveyors and teaching assistants.They will walk out to protest this year’s below-inflation pay offer of 2.45%. "This decision has not been taken lightly, but years of pay cuts and recent hikes in fuel, food and housing costs has left them with little choice," Mr Prentis continued."The employers must realise that we mean business. They must also understand they can resolve this dispute by coming up with a decent offer. Our members are loyal public service workers and our case for fair pay is strong."The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Local government workers seek 48-hour strike
UNISON local government negotiators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking authorisation to start the “sustained strike action” over the below-inflation pay offer of 2.45% with a 48-hour strike in mid July.The union’s industrial action committee meets on Friday 27 June to make the decision over strike action – and negotiators on the union’s National Joint Council committee are recommending that 600,000 local government workers kick off the action by striking on 16 and 17 July. “It is a tough decision to take strike action but our members have shown that they are willing to fight for a fair deal,” said UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield. “Once the dates are finally agreed we will be going all out to mobilise maximum support around those strike days.”Members voted 55% to 45% in favour of a programme of sustained strike in a ballot whose result was announced yesterday. That vote was in reaction to a ‘final offer’ from local government employers of a 2.45% pay rise. The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%“We are of course always willing to meet the employers,” said Ms Wakefield. “The solution to this is in their hands.” But she also warned the employers that the union will mobilise its members for strike action, saying “they must know that we mean business and they must know that our members cannot afford to take another pay cut this year.”
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
UNISON local government negotiators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking authorisation to start the “sustained strike action” over the below-inflation pay offer of 2.45% with a 48-hour strike in mid July.The union’s industrial action committee meets on Friday 27 June to make the decision over strike action – and negotiators on the union’s National Joint Council committee are recommending that 600,000 local government workers kick off the action by striking on 16 and 17 July. “It is a tough decision to take strike action but our members have shown that they are willing to fight for a fair deal,” said UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield. “Once the dates are finally agreed we will be going all out to mobilise maximum support around those strike days.”Members voted 55% to 45% in favour of a programme of sustained strike in a ballot whose result was announced yesterday. That vote was in reaction to a ‘final offer’ from local government employers of a 2.45% pay rise. The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%“We are of course always willing to meet the employers,” said Ms Wakefield. “The solution to this is in their hands.” But she also warned the employers that the union will mobilise its members for strike action, saying “they must know that we mean business and they must know that our members cannot afford to take another pay cut this year.”
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
Local government workers seek 48-hour strike
UNISON local government negotiators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking authorisation to start the “sustained strike action” over the below-inflation pay offer of 2.45% with a 48-hour strike in mid July.The union’s industrial action committee meets on Friday 27 June to make the decision over strike action – and negotiators on the union’s National Joint Council committee are recommending that 600,000 local government workers kick off the action by striking on 16 and 17 July. “It is a tough decision to take strike action but our members have shown that they are willing to fight for a fair deal,” said UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield. “Once the dates are finally agreed we will be going all out to mobilise maximum support around those strike days.”Members voted 55% to 45% in favour of a programme of sustained strike in a ballot whose result was announced yesterday. That vote was in reaction to a ‘final offer’ from local government employers of a 2.45% pay rise. The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%“We are of course always willing to meet the employers,” said Ms Wakefield. “The solution to this is in their hands.” But she also warned the employers that the union will mobilise its members for strike action, saying “they must know that we mean business and they must know that our members cannot afford to take another pay cut this year.”
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
UNISON local government negotiators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking authorisation to start the “sustained strike action” over the below-inflation pay offer of 2.45% with a 48-hour strike in mid July.The union’s industrial action committee meets on Friday 27 June to make the decision over strike action – and negotiators on the union’s National Joint Council committee are recommending that 600,000 local government workers kick off the action by striking on 16 and 17 July. “It is a tough decision to take strike action but our members have shown that they are willing to fight for a fair deal,” said UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield. “Once the dates are finally agreed we will be going all out to mobilise maximum support around those strike days.”Members voted 55% to 45% in favour of a programme of sustained strike in a ballot whose result was announced yesterday. That vote was in reaction to a ‘final offer’ from local government employers of a 2.45% pay rise. The government’s Office of National Statistics’ own figures show that Retail Price Index inflation reached 4.3% in May. In the same month, the CPI measure of inflation, which the government uses to set its inflation target, hit 3.3%“We are of course always willing to meet the employers,” said Ms Wakefield. “The solution to this is in their hands.” But she also warned the employers that the union will mobilise its members for strike action, saying “they must know that we mean business and they must know that our members cannot afford to take another pay cut this year.”
Local government workers in Scotland are being balloted in July on taking strike action after rejecting a three-year offer worth 2.5% in each year.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Local government members vote for action
(23/06/08) UNISON members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of sustained strike action over a 2.45% pay offer.The union’s negotiating team, the National Joint Council committee, will now meet tomorrow to decide what action to recommend to the union's industrial action committee that meets on Friday 27 June.Commenting on the ballot result, general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is a solid vote for action and a clear message to the local government employers that our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise."They are fed up and angry that they are expected to accept pay cut after pay cut, while bread and butter prices go through the roof. "Most of them are low paid workers, who are hit hardest by food and fuel price hikes and they see the unfairness of boardroom bonanzas and big city bonuses"Other local government workers who have to use their cars for work are being hit hard too by spiralling fuel costs and they end up subsidising their employers." UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield added: "The employers should be in no doubt: the members have voted for a programme of sustained and escalating strike action because they are sick of being treated as the poor relations of the public sector."Their case for a realistic pay increase is indisputable. We are, of course, willing to meet with the employers at any time, but we will decide tomorrow what recommendations to make to our national strike committee."Nearly 600,000 UNISON members were balloted on industrial action; including social workers, housing benefit workers, rent collectors refuse workers, school meals staff, teaching assistants, cooks, cleaners, architects and surveyors.Almost 250,000 of those balloted earn less than £6.50 an hour and 75% of them are women.The joint unions' pay claim was for 6% or 50p an hour whichever was the greater.In Scotland, the union will ballot more than 100,000 UNISON members in July for industrial action, after they rejected a three-year offer worth 2.5% per year.UNISON also announced a lobby of the Scottish employers' organisation, CoSLA, on Wednesday 25 June."Despite public statements from CoSLA that they are still in negotiation, the employers have recently cancelled a negotiating meeting scheduled for Wednesday," noted UNISON Scotgland regional organiser Dougie Black."We have decided that our negotiators, and a representative number of our low paid members, will keep the appointment nevertheless to make the point to CoSLA that their offer is unacceptable."They will be carrying the princely sum of 46p – the total that our lowest paid members can expect their hourly rate to increase if they accepted the employers' offer."
(23/06/08) UNISON members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of sustained strike action over a 2.45% pay offer.The union’s negotiating team, the National Joint Council committee, will now meet tomorrow to decide what action to recommend to the union's industrial action committee that meets on Friday 27 June.Commenting on the ballot result, general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is a solid vote for action and a clear message to the local government employers that our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise."They are fed up and angry that they are expected to accept pay cut after pay cut, while bread and butter prices go through the roof. "Most of them are low paid workers, who are hit hardest by food and fuel price hikes and they see the unfairness of boardroom bonanzas and big city bonuses"Other local government workers who have to use their cars for work are being hit hard too by spiralling fuel costs and they end up subsidising their employers." UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield added: "The employers should be in no doubt: the members have voted for a programme of sustained and escalating strike action because they are sick of being treated as the poor relations of the public sector."Their case for a realistic pay increase is indisputable. We are, of course, willing to meet with the employers at any time, but we will decide tomorrow what recommendations to make to our national strike committee."Nearly 600,000 UNISON members were balloted on industrial action; including social workers, housing benefit workers, rent collectors refuse workers, school meals staff, teaching assistants, cooks, cleaners, architects and surveyors.Almost 250,000 of those balloted earn less than £6.50 an hour and 75% of them are women.The joint unions' pay claim was for 6% or 50p an hour whichever was the greater.In Scotland, the union will ballot more than 100,000 UNISON members in July for industrial action, after they rejected a three-year offer worth 2.5% per year.UNISON also announced a lobby of the Scottish employers' organisation, CoSLA, on Wednesday 25 June."Despite public statements from CoSLA that they are still in negotiation, the employers have recently cancelled a negotiating meeting scheduled for Wednesday," noted UNISON Scotgland regional organiser Dougie Black."We have decided that our negotiators, and a representative number of our low paid members, will keep the appointment nevertheless to make the point to CoSLA that their offer is unacceptable."They will be carrying the princely sum of 46p – the total that our lowest paid members can expect their hourly rate to increase if they accepted the employers' offer."
Friday, June 20, 2008
UNISON calls for tighter regulations
on use of teaching assistants
UNISON is calling for tighter regulations on the use of teaching assistants in schools.Speaking from the union's annual conference in Bournemouth, Christina McAnea, UNISON National Secretary for Education, said: "Our members tell us they are often being asked to take on additional duties including taking whole classes."Many of them have not received the right training or support. Importantly, they are also not paid for these extra responsibilities."We are pushing the government and the employers to provide much tighter regulations and for these to be more closely monitored. "The government's wider agenda for extended services, personalised learning and targeting resources towards the most disadvantaged children, will all be put at risk if the lack of training, low pay and exploitation."Rosemary Plummer, a teaching assistant and union rep from Islington, reported that more than 40 teaching assistants from a small area of London had told her they felt they were being asked to do more than they were qualified for."They're delivering maths, they're delivering literacy and marking work - that's a teacher's job. They're being used as cut-price teachers," she said.UNISON organises more than 200,000 schools support staff.
on use of teaching assistants
UNISON is calling for tighter regulations on the use of teaching assistants in schools.Speaking from the union's annual conference in Bournemouth, Christina McAnea, UNISON National Secretary for Education, said: "Our members tell us they are often being asked to take on additional duties including taking whole classes."Many of them have not received the right training or support. Importantly, they are also not paid for these extra responsibilities."We are pushing the government and the employers to provide much tighter regulations and for these to be more closely monitored. "The government's wider agenda for extended services, personalised learning and targeting resources towards the most disadvantaged children, will all be put at risk if the lack of training, low pay and exploitation."Rosemary Plummer, a teaching assistant and union rep from Islington, reported that more than 40 teaching assistants from a small area of London had told her they felt they were being asked to do more than they were qualified for."They're delivering maths, they're delivering literacy and marking work - that's a teacher's job. They're being used as cut-price teachers," she said.UNISON organises more than 200,000 schools support staff.
'Use your liberty to promote ours'
"Please use your liberty to promote ours." The words of imprisoned Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi were echoed by numerous speakers at conference today as they spoke of their growing alarm at the unfolding natural disaster in Burma.It is now several weeks since Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, but the country is still reeling from its impact.Meanwhile, international aid agencies have been denied access to the stricken areas.Delegates said they were appalled at the military junta's failure to put in place any meaningful relief and rescue operation.Its response illustrated the contempt in which the regime holds the wellbeing of its own people, conference said.Talking about the problem was all very well, "but now is the time to act," urged Salford City rep Ray Walker, as conference voted to send a clear signal of support and solidarity to Burmese trade unions and the Burmese people.One of the most moving speeches of the morning came from University of Bristol rep Toe Aung, who left Burma for Britain 22 years ago.He had been to the low-lying delta devastated by the cyclone, he said, painting a picture of the people who live there – mainly farmers, growing rice for a living. His mother was born there."The people there have a simple life. They are good natured, which is why they have been exploited by the military government for so long." He did not dare visualise their pain and suffering in the wake of the cyclone, he said, telling conference: "They desperately need our help. Please show your generosity and solidarity."
"Please use your liberty to promote ours." The words of imprisoned Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi were echoed by numerous speakers at conference today as they spoke of their growing alarm at the unfolding natural disaster in Burma.It is now several weeks since Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, but the country is still reeling from its impact.Meanwhile, international aid agencies have been denied access to the stricken areas.Delegates said they were appalled at the military junta's failure to put in place any meaningful relief and rescue operation.Its response illustrated the contempt in which the regime holds the wellbeing of its own people, conference said.Talking about the problem was all very well, "but now is the time to act," urged Salford City rep Ray Walker, as conference voted to send a clear signal of support and solidarity to Burmese trade unions and the Burmese people.One of the most moving speeches of the morning came from University of Bristol rep Toe Aung, who left Burma for Britain 22 years ago.He had been to the low-lying delta devastated by the cyclone, he said, painting a picture of the people who live there – mainly farmers, growing rice for a living. His mother was born there."The people there have a simple life. They are good natured, which is why they have been exploited by the military government for so long." He did not dare visualise their pain and suffering in the wake of the cyclone, he said, telling conference: "They desperately need our help. Please show your generosity and solidarity."
Diversity 'is not the problem'
Racism, discrimination and poverty are the main barriers to integration - not cultural diversity, UNISON's national delegate conference declared today.Delegates voted for a range of measures to defend and promote multiculturalism and community cohesion. And they reaffirmed the union's commitment to opposing the far right and fighting racism.That fight needs to be year-round, not just at election-time, conference said, noting concern at the rising popularity of the BNP, and sending a message to all UNISON members that "the campaigning has got to start now."It was for everyone to tackle racism wherever they confronted it, and to work with all appropriate organisations to bring their communities together, urged speaker after speaker."As a union we can't just talk about this; we have to put in the resources and our time and energy, in our workplaces and on the streets," said Northern regional convenor Clare Williams."In UNISON we can rightly be proud of our campaigning work against the BNP... but let's be clear, we have still got work to do," she said."This is our message to the BNP," she said: "We will challenge you wherever you are until there is not a single BNP councillor and you are back in the gutter where you belong."Conference condemned government attacks on migrant workers, particularly ministerial statements which fuelled the far right and gave credence to the right-wing gutter press. Delegates also condemned media coverage "designed to create a climate of Islamophobic hysteria and isolate, demonise and even criminalise Islamic religious practices, choice of dress and cultural expression. "We regard these attacks as essentially racist," conference said.Conference also backed continued support for the joint UNISON and National Assembly Against Racism campaign, One Society, Many Cultures.Leading the call on behalf of the union's national black members' committee, Bev Millar reminded delegates why it was important to promote racial harmony."Where multiculturalism is celebrated, diversity is welcomed and racism is combated," she said. "Britain is a dynamic and successful multicultural society thanks to the contribution of all its citizens."Multiculturalism enriches us all by encouraging different ethnic groups to share their cultural heritage, added Rochdale branch delegate June Poole."We're already neighbours," she said - let's be neighbourly. "And remember, we're all different, but we're all equal."
Racism, discrimination and poverty are the main barriers to integration - not cultural diversity, UNISON's national delegate conference declared today.Delegates voted for a range of measures to defend and promote multiculturalism and community cohesion. And they reaffirmed the union's commitment to opposing the far right and fighting racism.That fight needs to be year-round, not just at election-time, conference said, noting concern at the rising popularity of the BNP, and sending a message to all UNISON members that "the campaigning has got to start now."It was for everyone to tackle racism wherever they confronted it, and to work with all appropriate organisations to bring their communities together, urged speaker after speaker."As a union we can't just talk about this; we have to put in the resources and our time and energy, in our workplaces and on the streets," said Northern regional convenor Clare Williams."In UNISON we can rightly be proud of our campaigning work against the BNP... but let's be clear, we have still got work to do," she said."This is our message to the BNP," she said: "We will challenge you wherever you are until there is not a single BNP councillor and you are back in the gutter where you belong."Conference condemned government attacks on migrant workers, particularly ministerial statements which fuelled the far right and gave credence to the right-wing gutter press. Delegates also condemned media coverage "designed to create a climate of Islamophobic hysteria and isolate, demonise and even criminalise Islamic religious practices, choice of dress and cultural expression. "We regard these attacks as essentially racist," conference said.Conference also backed continued support for the joint UNISON and National Assembly Against Racism campaign, One Society, Many Cultures.Leading the call on behalf of the union's national black members' committee, Bev Millar reminded delegates why it was important to promote racial harmony."Where multiculturalism is celebrated, diversity is welcomed and racism is combated," she said. "Britain is a dynamic and successful multicultural society thanks to the contribution of all its citizens."Multiculturalism enriches us all by encouraging different ethnic groups to share their cultural heritage, added Rochdale branch delegate June Poole."We're already neighbours," she said - let's be neighbourly. "And remember, we're all different, but we're all equal."
Prentis issues battle warning !
"Class still divides. Geography still divides. Working people – our people – are taking the hit. It’s immoral – and it’s got to change."Addressing UNISON's national delegate conference this afternoon, general secretary Dave Prentis rallied members to prepare for strikes across the public sector.The union will know on Monday whether its local government members in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have voted to strike over this year’s below-inflation pay offer – an offer in line with the government's "iniquitous and unjust" pay policy.But UNISON members did not elect a Labour government to watch its core supporters suffer, Mr Prentis said. "How can it be that in New Labour’s Britain, it is the working poor who pay the price?" he asked.UNISON members want fair pay increases that will allow them to "live their lives without worrying about putting food on the table or the next gas bill," said the general secretary, telling conference he had placed ads in all the major newspapers today and tomorrow, calling on local government members to vote … and to vote Yes for industrial action."We need to prepare for battle," he said. "And I give this commitment: if our union decides to approve industrial action in local government, we will campaign with all other public service unions to break this pay policy."It was not too late to listen, Mr Prentis warned the government: "Raise our people up, or our people will bring you down."UNISON wanted a government that would stand up for working people, he said, promising this was a fight the union would not back down from."And while I am general general secretary, we will be at the forefront of that fight."This union, our union, will organise the most powerful campaign ever seen in support of our public services and those, our members, who provide them," Mr Prentis said.It would be a campaign to unite all public service workers, and all public service unions, "a campaign that turns our anger into aspiration… and makes justice for all a reality."UNISON’s activists would be the key to its success, he added, calling on delegates for their hearts, time and energy, because "that's when we’re strongest and that is how we will win."
"Class still divides. Geography still divides. Working people – our people – are taking the hit. It’s immoral – and it’s got to change."Addressing UNISON's national delegate conference this afternoon, general secretary Dave Prentis rallied members to prepare for strikes across the public sector.The union will know on Monday whether its local government members in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have voted to strike over this year’s below-inflation pay offer – an offer in line with the government's "iniquitous and unjust" pay policy.But UNISON members did not elect a Labour government to watch its core supporters suffer, Mr Prentis said. "How can it be that in New Labour’s Britain, it is the working poor who pay the price?" he asked.UNISON members want fair pay increases that will allow them to "live their lives without worrying about putting food on the table or the next gas bill," said the general secretary, telling conference he had placed ads in all the major newspapers today and tomorrow, calling on local government members to vote … and to vote Yes for industrial action."We need to prepare for battle," he said. "And I give this commitment: if our union decides to approve industrial action in local government, we will campaign with all other public service unions to break this pay policy."It was not too late to listen, Mr Prentis warned the government: "Raise our people up, or our people will bring you down."UNISON wanted a government that would stand up for working people, he said, promising this was a fight the union would not back down from."And while I am general general secretary, we will be at the forefront of that fight."This union, our union, will organise the most powerful campaign ever seen in support of our public services and those, our members, who provide them," Mr Prentis said.It would be a campaign to unite all public service workers, and all public service unions, "a campaign that turns our anger into aspiration… and makes justice for all a reality."UNISON’s activists would be the key to its success, he added, calling on delegates for their hearts, time and energy, because "that's when we’re strongest and that is how we will win."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Where workers' rights cost lives
"They may kill our leaders but the struggle will continue. Long live the unity and solidarity of the workers of the world."An impassioned speech from Ana Lucia Pinzon, leader of Colombian public sector workers' trade union Fenaltrase, was a key feature of all the union’s service group conferences in Bournemouth, prompting standing ovations from delegates.Free market reforms are taking their toll on workers around the globe, Ms Pinzon said, but in Colombia it's not just labour rights that are under attack.She explained: "It is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a trade union member. Thousands of my colleagues have been killed in recent years - 26 so far this year."In Colombia, trade unionists face the constant threat of violence and assassination. Sometimes, they just disappear, Ms Pinzon said. "One of my colleagues was taken away by police patrol when he was taking his six-year-old daughter to school. He has not been seen since."The people of Colombia took to the streets in March this year to protest these human rights violations and show solidarity with the more than 10,000 people murdered by the government. But the violence and attacks had stepped up since, Ms Pinzon said.Thanking UNISON members for their support to date, she urged them to continue to lobby the UK government to provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Colombia."We need support and solidarity from our colleagues around the world to negotiate a peaceful end to this conflict and, finally, an end to this abuse," she said."Finally, on behalf of Colombian workers, thank you to everyone in UNISON who, through Justice for Colombia, has helped with projects to defend human rights," she added."Long live the construction of a better tomorrow for all the workers of the world."
"They may kill our leaders but the struggle will continue. Long live the unity and solidarity of the workers of the world."An impassioned speech from Ana Lucia Pinzon, leader of Colombian public sector workers' trade union Fenaltrase, was a key feature of all the union’s service group conferences in Bournemouth, prompting standing ovations from delegates.Free market reforms are taking their toll on workers around the globe, Ms Pinzon said, but in Colombia it's not just labour rights that are under attack.She explained: "It is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a trade union member. Thousands of my colleagues have been killed in recent years - 26 so far this year."In Colombia, trade unionists face the constant threat of violence and assassination. Sometimes, they just disappear, Ms Pinzon said. "One of my colleagues was taken away by police patrol when he was taking his six-year-old daughter to school. He has not been seen since."The people of Colombia took to the streets in March this year to protest these human rights violations and show solidarity with the more than 10,000 people murdered by the government. But the violence and attacks had stepped up since, Ms Pinzon said.Thanking UNISON members for their support to date, she urged them to continue to lobby the UK government to provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Colombia."We need support and solidarity from our colleagues around the world to negotiate a peaceful end to this conflict and, finally, an end to this abuse," she said."Finally, on behalf of Colombian workers, thank you to everyone in UNISON who, through Justice for Colombia, has helped with projects to defend human rights," she added."Long live the construction of a better tomorrow for all the workers of the world."
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Voters back fair pay for public servants
As hundreds of public service workers prepare to lobby their MPs today, new research shows wide public backing for union calls for public sector wages to keep up with the cost of living and with wage rises in the private sector.The YouGov poll shows that 79% of voters think public service pay should keep up with the cost of living. Nine out of 10 agree that the government should take housing and energy bills into account when working out the cost of living, rather than basing pay negotiations on a measure of inflation that excludes these figures.Nor did those surveyed want the pay of school workers, NHS staff and other public service workers to fall behind private sector pay – 68% believe it is unfair that public service pay settlements currently average 2.7%, while the pay of people working for private companies is increasing by 4%.At lunchtime today, trade unionists working in schools, councils, the NHS and elsewhere will take part in a rally at Westminster before lobbying MPs over union calls for public service wages to keep up with the cost of living.They will tell MPs that the government’s pay policy means that public service workers are facing cuts in their standard of living, that many are already struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford a below-inflation pay rise.
As hundreds of public service workers prepare to lobby their MPs today, new research shows wide public backing for union calls for public sector wages to keep up with the cost of living and with wage rises in the private sector.The YouGov poll shows that 79% of voters think public service pay should keep up with the cost of living. Nine out of 10 agree that the government should take housing and energy bills into account when working out the cost of living, rather than basing pay negotiations on a measure of inflation that excludes these figures.Nor did those surveyed want the pay of school workers, NHS staff and other public service workers to fall behind private sector pay – 68% believe it is unfair that public service pay settlements currently average 2.7%, while the pay of people working for private companies is increasing by 4%.At lunchtime today, trade unionists working in schools, councils, the NHS and elsewhere will take part in a rally at Westminster before lobbying MPs over union calls for public service wages to keep up with the cost of living.They will tell MPs that the government’s pay policy means that public service workers are facing cuts in their standard of living, that many are already struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford a below-inflation pay rise.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Great news Phase 2 Job Evaluation agreed by Unison.
We will shortly be going out to ballot with a recommendation to accept this offer. It is a fine example of the trade Unions and the Employer moving to an agreed position with the help of ACAS that we can all sign up to. The Shropshire Branch owe a big thank you to our Regional Officer Andrew Johnson for his persistent hard work on this issue and to the employers for their hard work and patience in providing all the documents that we requested a big thank you to all involved.
We will shortly be going out to ballot with a recommendation to accept this offer. It is a fine example of the trade Unions and the Employer moving to an agreed position with the help of ACAS that we can all sign up to. The Shropshire Branch owe a big thank you to our Regional Officer Andrew Johnson for his persistent hard work on this issue and to the employers for their hard work and patience in providing all the documents that we requested a big thank you to all involved.
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