Leicester Archives: Workplace Struggles
Firefighters
FE Colleges
Council Workers
Support the Fire-fighters! NEWS RELEASE 29/1/03
“Defy anti- union laws” call
The announcement by John Prescott that the government is to rush
through legislation to impose Fire Service pay and conditions has been
met with anger through out the Trades Union movement.
Leicester Socialist Party branch, which has members in many local
trades’ union branches, held a public meeting in protest.
Spokesperson, Josie Nicholls said: “As an active trades unionist I
see this as an attack on all workers. It could be a pre-cursor to the
banning of strikes in the Fire-service and a dangerous precedent. If a
union is not allowed to take action in order to defend its members then
the whole existence of unions is under threat.
We believe the TUC should call a one day general strike if this
legislation is used, in defence of democratic trades’ union rights.
Undemocratic and unjust laws may have to be defied, just as in the past
the very existence of trades unions had to be defended by defiance.
The Trades Unions should no longer hand the Labour Party millions of
pounds, it is clearly an anti-worker party. Trades unions should now
consider the idea of the creation of a new mass party of the working
class.”
Further info: Contact Josie Nicholls 0116 223 0534
Picket lines have been set up around Leicestershire as part of the
national struggle by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
This is no longer just about getting decent pay for the
fire-fighters, it is also about defending the fire service itself. The
government want the implementation of the Bain report - which by there
own admission will mean the loss of thousands of fire-fighters' jobs and
cuts to the service.
A support campaign has been set up in Leicester by the Trades Union
Council, and many trades unionists and others have been actively
supporting the strike. There is an email list which you can join by
sending the message 'subscribe leicsfiresupport' to
leicsfiresupport-request@unionlists.org.uk
The official FBU website is at
www.fbu.org.uk
Pickets at Leicester College
On 5 November further education college staff were involved in their first joint national strike. They had been offered a 2.3% pay rise, the lowest in the public sector this year. FE lecturers already earn on average £3,000 less than schoolteachers and support staff are on 15% less than comparable workers in local government. I went down to a Leicester picket line to talk to them.
A good turnout of pickets at Leicester College, Abbey Park Campus resulted in a number of people turning round and not going into work and even asking to join the union on the picket line.
Claire Chester, UNISON, said: "Its the first time I have been in a union that has taken action, and the first time I have been on a picket line. I have enjoyed it, more people should be encouraged to come out and picket. It's good to see different unions taking action together."
Chris Jordan, a technician and UNISON member said: "I remember 12 years ago getting more than I do today, and I'm still in the same job! Yet the people at the top seem to be getting fatter. No wonder staff have become demoralised"
One NATFHE member said: "Discontent has been building up for years, a bit like with the fire-fighters, and it's only now coming out. I do the same job as a teacher in a school, why don't I get the same pay?"
Council strike success in Leics
Strikers Rally at the Town Hall, Leicester.
Photo Nick Holden/Solidarity
On July 17 A million and a quarter council workers took stike action across the country against low pay. Below is a report of events in Leicestershire.
Josie Nicholls, Joint Education Convener, Leicestershire County UNISON (personal capacity).
There were around 50 UNISON & GMB picket lines in Leicestershire. During the week running up to the strike 100 people joined the Leicestershire County UNISON Branch.
At the County Hall building the six entrances were covered. Showing their usual solidarity the postal workers refused to cross the picket lines and a delivery driver bringing IT equipment did the same. A Tory Councillor arrived on an expensive motorbike claiming he would listen to what we had to say. But when we told him that many of our workers earn less than £5 an hour, and asked him for a donation for the hardship fund he said he hadn't got any money!
Members at one workplace, (previously a pit, now a science museum!) were all out. Un-unionised agency workers there felt they had to go in but said that there was a strong possibility that there could be some toast burnt and the alarms would go off causing an evacuation of the building!
Hundreds of union members from around the County & City then gathered together at a rally outside the Town Hall. I chaired it on behalf of Leicestershire County UNISON. Speakers from UNISON & GMB made it clear this was just the beginning and we need to keep solid, judging by the response that's just what will happen. Greetings were given from the Trades Council, UNISON Health Branch & Steve Score from the Socialist Party. He was applauded when he pointed to the "fat cats'" pay rises and council leaders giving themselves big rises. He also got support when he asked why unions donate money to the Labour Party, when that same party is attacking pay and conditions and privatising services.
An appeal for people to give to the hardship fund was given at the rally. Two young women with children came up to me and put a couple of quid in, they said they couldn't afford much because they don't work. One of them said she couldn't survive with out her home care worker and thought it was disgusting that she was paid less than £5 an hour.
Postscript: The national strike planned for August 14 was suspended for consultation on an offer. This offer was accepted by the Unions. See
Socialist Party national website for details.
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