Labour Biggest Party in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Southampton...

Detailed analysis of the local election results can wait, but one obvious conclusion can be drawn from the headlines. What do Edinburgh, Birmingham and Southampton have in common, apart from being large cities with very different histories and economies? All three areas have been the scene of dedicated UNISON campaigning against the ravages of privatisation and cuts. Campaigns that have embraced both the workforce and the communities that they serve.

Southampton one year on - 'UNISON members will not accept pay cuts'

The dispute at Southampton City Council has entered its second year with UNISON and Unite members continuing their resistance to imposed pay cuts. A new phase of protest action is planned including a lobby of a 15 February council meeting and action on 10 April to mark the opening of the £5 million Sea City Museum. The hard line Tory led Council is aiming to cut £76 million from its budget by 2015.

Southampton City Council - selective action sustaining pressure on an intransigent employer

Yesterday's 24 hour strike by UNISON and Unite members in social work and street cleansing respectively was the latest phase of joint union action in a long running dispute against pay cuts. As public sector unions consider strategic industrial action beyond the one day national pensions strike planned for 30 November, the fighting example of Southampton merits consideration:

The pros and cons of 'smart' industrial action

A timely article in today’s Morning Star by Gregor Gall on the options facing health unions, including UNISON, as the inevitable industrial action in defence of NHS pensions draws closer: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk
/news/content/view/full/108955
Professor Gall compares and contrasts the effectiveness of all out action – on an escalating basis – with more flexible, selective action, which would involve strike action by strategic groups and other forms of protest action at workplaces and in communities.

Southampton dispute – escalation in social care

Over 450 social workers and other social care staff took strike action in Southampton yesterday, as UNISON and Unite members stepped up their resistance to pay cuts imposed by the Tory led Council. A video of yesterday’s rally can be viewed here: http://www.twitvid.com/LHRFJ

Support the Southampton Strikers - their fight is our fight!

UNISON has launched a national appeal for donations to the Southampton branch hardship fund: http://www.unison.org.uk/
efocus/special22.asp
For the latest news on the long running joint UNISON/Unite dispute in opposition to imposed cuts in pay and conditions, visit the regularly updated branch website:
http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk
/latestnews.htm

Southampton action continues as council cancels talks

Unions have rected angrily to Southampton council's last minute cancellation yesterday of talks at ACAS which were aimed at resolving the six week old strike against cuts in pay and conditions. The UNISON and Unite strike action from 11 June - the day the council plans to sack staff - will go ahead as planned. http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/latestnews.htm

Smart escalation planned in long running Southampton strike

UNISON and Unite yesterday issued notice to Southampton City Council that from next Monday, July 11th, 13 Port health officers, who provide health protection within Southampton port and Oil refinery, through inspection and certification of Cruise Liners, Containers and Oil Tankers, will join the strike.
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2352

UNISON branches strike back

Thousands of UNISON members took strike action yesterday in Doncaster, Birmingham and Southampton against pay cuts & imposed contracts: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=6999

Update on Southampton talks

UNISON, Unite, the City Council and representatives from ACAS met for nine hours yesterday. The joint UNISON / Unite Strike Committee met this lunch-time (Friday 17 June) and agreed that industrial action would continue - see full details at http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/SotonUnison/~66j8B  and http://www.soton-unison-office.org.uk/

Southampton Council Workers Stand Firm

UNISON and Unite members rallied in Southampton yesterday in support of their campaign against City Council pay cuts. In a brilliantly orchestrated dispute, 70 street cleaners started a seven-day strike:
http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/9079881.Mass_
protest_over_council_pay_cuts/?ref=mr

Southampton Council Workers step up industrial action against Tory pay cuts

UNISON and Unite members employed in Southampton City Council this week have stepped up a programme of industrial action in opposition to imposed contracts which include swingeing pay cuts:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13499122