UNISON NEC takes stock of #N30 & next steps in pensions campaign

UNISON's NEC meeting in London today held an extensive review of last week's #N30 national industrial action. As on 26 March with the national demonstration against austerity, the union had demonstrated its unrivalled organising power by delivering solid industrial action in tens of thousands of workplaces and mobilising vast numbers of members in nationwide demonstrations. An official report on the meeting is available here: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=7483

President Eleanor Smith opened the meeting with an amusing anecdote about the strike. She had received a letter from America sent by someone who had read an American newspaper quoting her on the day of action. “Wake up Eleanor” he said “Your Country is underwater. Union representation is at an all time low. What you bring to the table, as a union, is squat Zero. Nothing. You bring long term contracts, guaranteed payments, no ability to fire people and thus you are part of the problem not part of the solution. “Wake up Eleanor”…. 'If that’s being part of the problem colleagues, long may that be the case' said Eleanor!

Dave Prentis and Jane Carolan, chair of service group liaison committee, gave detailed reports on the day of action, the ongoing talks and feedback on the collective views of service group chairs who had met together the previous day. Over 20 NEC members contributed to the debate which was generally united apart from one tactical difference with a minority of speakers pressing for a further day of action to be called in January.