The massive demonstrations in Belfast, Glasgow and London once again showed the latent strength of our trade unions, particularly those who organise in the public services. looking ahead, it's important that momentum is maintained and focused on ending the pay freeze - which after three years is damaging the living standards of workers in local government in particular, where most employers have even refused to implement the Con Dem concession of a £250 rise for those earning under £21,000. Last week GMB, UNISON and Unite submitted a claim for a ‘substantial flat rate increase’ and it’s about time the populist rhetoric about a general strike is put to the test by at least delivering an industrial campaign to secure a pay rise in real terms during 2013:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/oct/21/unions-local-government-pay-freeze
The NJC pay claim for 2013/14 (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) can be read here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B6085.pdf and the SJC (for Scotland) here
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2012/index.html#1
#Oct20 #SCOct20 They're ready to go in London and Glasgow for a Future That Works. North West one of the first to arrive in London (after Greater London of course). Sefton Branch secretary Glen Williams reports: "We left Sefton at 4am. There were 120 of us on the train - more than last time including many low paid workers. We've had to scoop our banner out of the Thames. The wind blew it in and it's sopping wet - we've been sold down the river!" See more at
http://www.unison.org.uk/20102012/
In sunny Glasgow they've been arriving since 9.00 with Glasgow and Clyde Health's sparkling new banner and the Aberdeenshire contingent looking exceptionally sprightly after their 6am start. See more at
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/oct20/index.html
UNISON members will be out in force at today’s 3 anti-austerity demonstrations for ‘A Future that Works.’ As on 26 March 2011, the mobilisation by the UK’s largest union of working trade unionists will provide the mass of the protests alongside members of other trade unions and anti cuts campaigners.
A superb TUC video has been produced to mark the occasion featuring Olympics opening ceremony volunteers and Artistic Director Danny Boyle:
http://afuturethatworks.org/video-a-future-that-works-olympic-legacy/
#Oct20 A great new fact sheet from UNISON calls for an independent inquiry into the effect of privatisation on services... The Tory-led government wants to put more public services out to contract. But experience shows that outsourcing public services to private companies or the community and voluntary sector can often have a negative impact on the services themselves and those that provide them. http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/PrivAndOutsourcing.pdf
#Oct20 ‘We need to elect PCCs who support our “Stop Police Privatisation” campaign. It will be our members and our communities who have to pick up the pieces if we do not succeed’ says UNISON’s Debi Potter in a Police Oracle report on the union’s Police and Justice service group conference.UNISON has pledged to only support Police and Crime Commissioner candidates who oppose privatisation of police services. It’s a message that UNISON police staff members will be bringing in force to next Saturday’s 'A Future That Works' marches:
http://www.policeoracle.com/news/Police+Performance/2012/Oct/15/Pro-Privatisation-PCC-Candidates-Face-Blacklisting_56412.html
#tuc12 Congress is taking place at a critical time for trade unions and progressive campaigners but 'to win the argument for an alternative we need to relate our arguments to ordinary lives' says TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, in his preview of Congress - a more grounded approach than the turbo-charged media rhetoric of some other union leaders: 'Growing disillusionment with government policies gives us a new audience for our message. Congress gives us the ideal launchpad to make October 20's march for A Future That Works a huge challenge to the politics and economics of permanent austerity.'
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/123588
#Oct20 The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) is mobilising for a mass anti-austerity demonstration in Glasgow on 20 October coinciding with the London demonstration. The STUC will be applying for George Square to be part of the October 20th event but is awaiting approval from Glasgow City Council which is reviewing use of the Square for public demonstrations.
#Oct20 The TUC has published a useful pamphlet to assist with mobilising for the October 20 national demonstration. 'Austerity is failing. We need a future that works' provides a clear explanation of the deficit, public debt and the economic alternatives to Con Dem austerity measures:
http://afuturethatworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/aftw-booklet.pdf
#oct20 The TUC website ‘A future that works’ has been updated with promotional artwork and arrangements for the national demonstration on 20 October. As on 26 March last year, the march will assemble along Victoria Embankment on the Thames from 11AM moving off around noon.
http://afuturethatworks.org/
