More public and private sector pay strikes

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I think more and more sections of the workforce are actually prepared now to take a stand for a wage rise, not because they are being greedy but because they are sick of being down trodden.

Absolutely correct Rob. Time to coordinate campaigns without a doubt.

[Wild Cat]

It is up to the workers on the ground to move things forward.too many people like to sit back pay their dues and hope that mr union leader is going to sort it all for them.I have heard people say"what are the union going to do for me"well if you want the union to be your nanny expect to be treated as a kid as thats what are union leaders are doing.at the first opportunity they will get together with the governors make an agreement and tell us everything will be ok,whilst at the same time shafting us with more cuts and below inlation pay rises year after year.well I will tell you now that it's time we grew up accepted that we all have a responsibility to improve things and get off your ares and bloody well do something about it as nothing in life comes without making the effort to get it and why should it.I understand we are losing money every week but there will be no gain without pain.

[Steven]

Coca cola workers out now for 48 hours over a 2.5% pay offer.

Bring it on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6916805.stm

[DGP1]

Coca cola workers out now for 48 hours over a 2.5% pay offer.

Bring it on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6916805.stm

AL must be on the board

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Coca cola workers out now for 48 hours over a 2.5% pay offer.

Bring it on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6916805.stm

[Steven]

Coca cola workers out now for 48 hours over a 2.5% pay offer.

Bring it on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6916805.stm

Hopefully they can't just do in Milton Keynes what they do in Colombia and shoot them all. Bet they wish they could though.

[Steven]

My council voted 85% to reject our 2% offer. National count is ongoing, but it'll reject it to for sure. Then we'll ballot. It's just moving so frustratingly slowly. I'm not really sure what can be done to spread the struggle more. i know back in the day people used flying pickets, but I don't think these would be respected by many people now - not in my sector anyway.

socialist groups are getting people to sign petitions to get the union leaders to work together, but I dunno - if the union leaders actually wanted us to win we could've all struck together and kicked the government's arse from the start. I suppose we can try to keep up rank and file pressure as much as possible.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Just seen a headline at a newsagent while on my round and Local Government workers in Kriklees may be going on strike,l justtrying to track down the story.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ah here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/yvw7vw

Strike threat by council workers

Jul 31 2007

by Neil Atkinson


COUNCIL workers could strike in a row over pay.

Union members working for Kirklees have backed plans to ballot members on industrial action.

And they say they could join other public sector workers – including health staff and teachers – in an Autumn of Discontent.

Unison, the local government workers’ union, balloted thousands of members working for Kirklees after talks broke down over a 2% pay offer.

Union leaders say the employers’ offer is effectively a 2.4% pay cut as inflation is running at 4.4%.

They organised a ballot to move towards action and the proposal was passed by 2,365 to 251.

A Unison spokesman said: “It is looking even more likely that local government workers will soon be joining postal workers and civil servants in a fight against Gordon Brown’s public sector pay freeze.

“The issue of public sector pay is now very much in the news as postal workers, members of the Communication Workers’ Union, are taking part in two weeks of industrial action over pay.

“The fight for decent pay for public sector workers looks like coming to a head in the autumn, when as well as local government workers, health workers and teachers could also be involved in pay disputes.â€

[IWW Fellow Worker]

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=12630

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I like this report http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=12628 it proves its workers against management not workers against casual Polish labour.


to the Polish Lads -

They now how to fight. One story I heard from WW2 was that a Polish Bomber crew who were still in training were loaded up with concrete practice bombs and were sent off to a range in Northern England. They by themselves thought it was a waste to drop even concrete bombs on England. So off they flew to the Ruhr and dropped them there. The Polish Lads are class in my book.

[ROCKY]

solidarity

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I like this report http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=12628 it proves its workers against management not workers against casual Polish labour.


to the Polish Lads -

They now how to fight. One story I heard from WW2 was that a Polish Bomber crew who were still in training were loaded up with concrete practice bombs and were sent off to a range in Northern England. They by themselves thought it was a waste to drop even concrete bombs on England. So off they flew to the Ruhr and dropped them there. The Polish Lads are class in my book.

Lots of Poles around our way. My dad's mate was a Polish bomber pilot. Top lad. He was shot down by the Germans and handed over to the Russians, who handed him over to the British when Hitler invaded Russia. Ray Zwieka, a very interesting man. Just after I left school I also worked with two Poles who had been in the Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy and a stonemason on Liverpool Cathedral who had been in a Nazi labour camp. The ones on my walk are amongst the friendliest people I've ever met. Yes, they're class in my book too. Same as these lads:-



312 Czech Sqn. Shot down a couple of Nazi bombers while based at Speke. Anyone who hates fascists will do for me.

[Steven]

From a Unison member:

In Local Government branches have voted to reject the 2% pay claim and will vote to reject it as well in a strike ballot.
When voting UNISON asked members to consider the following (from www.unison.org.uk)
Say no to 2%
- Inflation is running at 4.3% and earnings across the economy are rising by 3.6%
- the cost of living is currently increasing by 4.5%
- increases in the cost of housing, fuel and energy, council tax and childcare are even higher
- pay across the economy is rising by 3.6%


UNISON is co-ordinating our pay campaign with Local Government health and other service groups and with other public sector unions

If you vote to reject the offer you must be prepared to take part in substantial industrial action to improve it, including "all out" strike action."

Clearly branches/members thought this is unacceptable and will now ballot to go on strike action.

In Health they have now made an 'improved offer'
(again from our website)
The offer:
"Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will get the full 2.5% increase recommended by the pay review body immediately, backdated to 1 April this year.
The award will still be staged in England, with staff getting 1.5% payable from 1 April and the remaining 1% from 1 November.

"more money for the lowest paid. From 1 November there will be a £400 flat rate increase for those on Bands 1 and 2.
Those on Bands 3 and 4 will receive an additional £38 as well as the 2.5%. This will be payable in all 4 UK countries;

in England only, there will be additional money for staff training targeted directly at those non-clinical staff who often lose out when training budgets are cut; also in England only, there will be £38 paid to staff on Bands 5, 6, 7 and 8(a) who are required to register to practice – this money is a contribution to their professional fees."

Health members will now be balloted on whether or not to accept this offer.
Unison are not making a recomendation it is for you to make your own minds up. The website states that this is the best offer we can get through negotiations.

SO as in Local Government if you reject it you will have tp be prepared to go on strike.

There is a blog that has been set up by some nhsworkers that are advocating members reject this offer and that can be found here www.nhsworker.blogspot.com

Lets stand firm together and show the government that 2 or 2.5% (as our health conference has already said!) is not acceptable.