What was looking likely to be a quiet conference was completely turned around yesterday afternoon when the General Secretary, Dave Prentis threw a verbal hand grenade onto the conference floor. We may have thought things couldn't get more exciting after Cardiff delegate Jane Moore spoke to Cardiff's excellent motion on supporting members who work with children and vulnerable adults, Dave followed Jane with a barnstorming speech which took everyone by surprise.
Dave called on the Labour Link to suspend payment of Constituency development funds to Labour constituencies, to 'ensure that our union only promotes and supports prospective Labour candidates who are willing to stand up for our values of public service' and that we should 'only work with and support trade union MPs who also stand up for our values.' In a speech punctuated by cheers, long periods of applause and finally the longest standing ovation Dave has ever had, he said 'our members are tired feeding the hand that bites them'.
It stirred everyone up and turned conference into the most exciting place in Britian to be.
This morning Tom Woodruff, Vice President of UNISON's sister union in the US, canada and Puerto Rico, gave a tour de force of a speech about the applaing state of affairs for workers in America ad how they have used the organising approach to become the US's fastest growing union - stirring stuff and a lesson for us all.
Mark
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Cardiff County at UNISON Local Government Conference
Sunday and Monday saw UNISON Local Government Delegates converge on sunny Brighton for another year's debates on future union policy for Local Government.
Cardiff's motion on the Independent Safegusrding Authority and POVA and POCA investigations was 'composited' with the National Womens Committee's motion. But the composite still looked mainly like ours. The main points were that UNISON should develop a toolkit to help Branches negotiate support packages for staff who are subject to allegations and investigations under these protective processes. And also that we should develop a pack with advice and support to give to members who are in such an unfortunate position. The motion almost didn't get debated because conference time was taken up with a number of lengthy presentations and a 'panel' on Personalisation of social care- very focussed on English matters.
But I managed to speak (but with time cut to 2 minutes!) and the motion was passed unanimously.
Our ammendment to the Welsh motion on School Support Staff didn't fare as well. The Welsh motion was not 'prioritised' and was then reprioritised to the bottom of the list of motions, meaning that there was no way it would be discussed. This caused some frustration amongst Welsh delegates, who had sat through 2 days of anglo centric debates, and the one motion referring specifically to Wales was not considered important to the rest of the Country. In my view this should provoke Welsh Branches to consider putting a rule change to next year's conference allowing some 'weighting' to devolved regions so that their concerns are not sidelined by the much bigger voting strength of the English Regions.
The weather has been kind to us, but the hotel has not! Still, I'm sure members will be pleased to know that their delegates are not living it up at their expense!
Today, (the first day of National delegate Conference) Mike Hayes has spoken twice in his role as Chair of the National Finance Committee and Jane Moore is due to speak on Cardiff's similar motion on the ISA, this afternoon.
Hopefully the Branch will be comforted by the knowledge that Angie Shiels, Deputy Secretary, is looking after you all at home- but I'm never more than phone call away.
Cheers
Mark
Branch Sec
Sunny Brighton
Cardiff's motion on the Independent Safegusrding Authority and POVA and POCA investigations was 'composited' with the National Womens Committee's motion. But the composite still looked mainly like ours. The main points were that UNISON should develop a toolkit to help Branches negotiate support packages for staff who are subject to allegations and investigations under these protective processes. And also that we should develop a pack with advice and support to give to members who are in such an unfortunate position. The motion almost didn't get debated because conference time was taken up with a number of lengthy presentations and a 'panel' on Personalisation of social care- very focussed on English matters.
But I managed to speak (but with time cut to 2 minutes!) and the motion was passed unanimously.
Our ammendment to the Welsh motion on School Support Staff didn't fare as well. The Welsh motion was not 'prioritised' and was then reprioritised to the bottom of the list of motions, meaning that there was no way it would be discussed. This caused some frustration amongst Welsh delegates, who had sat through 2 days of anglo centric debates, and the one motion referring specifically to Wales was not considered important to the rest of the Country. In my view this should provoke Welsh Branches to consider putting a rule change to next year's conference allowing some 'weighting' to devolved regions so that their concerns are not sidelined by the much bigger voting strength of the English Regions.
The weather has been kind to us, but the hotel has not! Still, I'm sure members will be pleased to know that their delegates are not living it up at their expense!
Today, (the first day of National delegate Conference) Mike Hayes has spoken twice in his role as Chair of the National Finance Committee and Jane Moore is due to speak on Cardiff's similar motion on the ISA, this afternoon.
Hopefully the Branch will be comforted by the knowledge that Angie Shiels, Deputy Secretary, is looking after you all at home- but I'm never more than phone call away.
Cheers
Mark
Branch Sec
Sunny Brighton
Friday, 12 June 2009
UNISON Conference
Delegates from Cardiff County UNISON will be heading to Brighton tomorrow (13th) to take part in the Local Government Conference on Sunday and Monday, and National Delegate Conference Tuesday to Friday.
The Branch has one motion( which has now been included in a Composite motion) on Supporting Members in Social care, about those under investigation under POVA. POCA and the impact of the new Independent Safeguarding Authority. We also have an Ammendement to the Welsh region's motion on School Support Staff,(to include the abolition of Term Time Only Pay as a priority in negotiations on a new negotiating body). We also have a similar motion on Social Care a the National Delegate Conference.
Hopefully, we will be keeping the Branch up to date via daily blogs - so keep watching the Blog!
Mark
The Branch has one motion( which has now been included in a Composite motion) on Supporting Members in Social care, about those under investigation under POVA. POCA and the impact of the new Independent Safeguarding Authority. We also have an Ammendement to the Welsh region's motion on School Support Staff,(to include the abolition of Term Time Only Pay as a priority in negotiations on a new negotiating body). We also have a similar motion on Social Care a the National Delegate Conference.
Hopefully, we will be keeping the Branch up to date via daily blogs - so keep watching the Blog!
Mark
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Rob Williams sacked by brutal bosses
Step up the struggle
Rob Williams, trade union Convenor of Linamar Swansea, was sacked by the Linamar management last week, and then temporarily re-instated following militant action by the Linamar workforce. Disgracefully, however, Rob today had his sacking confirmed. Negotiations between Linamar management and Tony Woodley took place all day in London, but Linamar did not shift. Meanwhile at the Swansea plant Linamar revealed their brutality. Massive intimidation of the workforce took place - including foremen going around the shop floor threatening workers with the sack if they dared walk out in support of Rob. The bosses even went to the ludicrous lengths of removing the door from Rob's trade union office.
This brutal action by Linamar is an attempt to return to the nineteenth century. What Linamar do not realise, however, is that all hell is going to break loose when workers, both in the Swansea and the wider labour movement, hear how Rob and his members have been treated.The official reason for his sacking was "irretrievable breakdown of trust" - one of the most blatant excuses to behead a trade union organisation ever used in any factory. Rob's record in standing up for his members, both inside and outside the factory, is second to none. However, what is at stake here is not the fate of one individual but the right for workers to be represented by the best militant fighters. This sacking has to be totally opposed. The union has promised rapid action to organise a ballot for an official strike, but the anti-trade union laws mean this could still take up to a month between the ballot and the strike action actually taking place. That time, which must be kept a short as possible, needs to be used to pull out all the stops in support of Rob. Messages of support and donations should flood in. If Linamar are allowed to get away with this, no convenor or shop steward, either in the already weakened car industry or in the wider trade union movement is safe. Allow the employers to inflict a defeat here and no trade unionist, shop steward, let alone a convenor, will be able to put their head above the parapet without the bosses seeking to cut it off. Workers are facing the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. Big business is doing their utmost to make sure that it is the working class that pays for the crisis. Militant, fighting trade unionism - symbolised by Rob Williams and the union organisation in Linamar - must not only be preserved but strengthened in order to prepare the working class for the capitalist offensive that is under way in Britain and worldwide.
Continue to phone protests to:
Head of Swansea Linamar Brian Wade 01792 656339
Personnel Manager 01792 656238
Messages of protest to linda.hasenfratz@linamar.com
Messages of support to Rob Williams: robbo@redwills.freeserve.co.uk
Step up the struggle
Rob Williams, trade union Convenor of Linamar Swansea, was sacked by the Linamar management last week, and then temporarily re-instated following militant action by the Linamar workforce. Disgracefully, however, Rob today had his sacking confirmed. Negotiations between Linamar management and Tony Woodley took place all day in London, but Linamar did not shift. Meanwhile at the Swansea plant Linamar revealed their brutality. Massive intimidation of the workforce took place - including foremen going around the shop floor threatening workers with the sack if they dared walk out in support of Rob. The bosses even went to the ludicrous lengths of removing the door from Rob's trade union office.
This brutal action by Linamar is an attempt to return to the nineteenth century. What Linamar do not realise, however, is that all hell is going to break loose when workers, both in the Swansea and the wider labour movement, hear how Rob and his members have been treated.The official reason for his sacking was "irretrievable breakdown of trust" - one of the most blatant excuses to behead a trade union organisation ever used in any factory. Rob's record in standing up for his members, both inside and outside the factory, is second to none. However, what is at stake here is not the fate of one individual but the right for workers to be represented by the best militant fighters. This sacking has to be totally opposed. The union has promised rapid action to organise a ballot for an official strike, but the anti-trade union laws mean this could still take up to a month between the ballot and the strike action actually taking place. That time, which must be kept a short as possible, needs to be used to pull out all the stops in support of Rob. Messages of support and donations should flood in. If Linamar are allowed to get away with this, no convenor or shop steward, either in the already weakened car industry or in the wider trade union movement is safe. Allow the employers to inflict a defeat here and no trade unionist, shop steward, let alone a convenor, will be able to put their head above the parapet without the bosses seeking to cut it off. Workers are facing the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. Big business is doing their utmost to make sure that it is the working class that pays for the crisis. Militant, fighting trade unionism - symbolised by Rob Williams and the union organisation in Linamar - must not only be preserved but strengthened in order to prepare the working class for the capitalist offensive that is under way in Britain and worldwide.
Continue to phone protests to:
Head of Swansea Linamar Brian Wade 01792 656339
Personnel Manager 01792 656238
Messages of protest to linda.hasenfratz@linamar.com
Messages of support to Rob Williams: robbo@redwills.freeserve.co.uk
Sunday, 1 March 2009
ACAS Awards further Pay Increase
It's 0.3%!
Following submissions from both the employers side and the trades unions ACAS have awarded a further 0.3% increase for the year 2008/2009. This brings the award up to 2.75% plus £100 on the bottom 3 pay points. ACAShave recognised that NJC employees are amongst the lowest paid in the public sector and that the award is 'affordable and justifiable'.
We will now ask Cardiff County Council when the increase and back pay will be making their way into members' pay packets.
Mark
UNISON joins campaign against Royal Mail Privatisation
UNISON Genereal Secretaray Dave Prentis has joined with the leaders of the affiliated trade unions to warn, in a letter to the Guardian, that the government must honour its pledges and keep the post office public.The letter says:
'At Warwick University, in the summer of 2008, the affiliated trade unions collectively participated in a series of policy discussions with representatives of the Labour party and Downing Street. The purpose and outcome of those discussions was to reach a policy agreement that was satisfactory to all participants.Within that Warwick agreement was a clear commitment to maintaining Royal Mail in the public sector: "We have set out a vision of a wholly publicly owned, integrated Royal Mail group in good health providing customers with an excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment."This commitment was agreed by all affiliated trade unions in the belief that it guaranteed the future of Royal Mail as "wholly publicly owned". This was our belief in the summer, and it was the belief of the 2008 Labour party conference, which voted to support this policy.We are deeply concerned that the Labour party now appears to be willing to break that commitment by adopting the recommendations of the Hooper report. Its proposals to bring in a "strategic partner", via an exchange of equity, clearly constitutes the part privatisation of Royal Mail.The affiliated trade unions believe that the part-privatisation of Royal Mail is electorally unpopular, politically unwise and damaging to the concept of universal service provision. Furthermore, to break a pledge so recently made undermines the legitimacy of our policy process and raises questions about the validity of other agreements reached.We are unanimous in our opposition to the proposed privatisation of Royal Mail, and ask that the government reconsiders its response before it becomes a dividing line within our movement., TSSA Lord Mandelson introduced plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail on Thursday, 26th February. '
John McDonnell - Labour MP, said:
“Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson should not underestimate the opposition that this will unleash among MPs, trade unions, postal workers and communities. This is a privatisation beyond what even Thatcher proposed.”
Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary, said:
“There is still no convincing argument for privatisation. Any private stake in Royal Mail will take money out of the business for private profits and lead to a reduction in services and rise in consumer prices.
"Privatisation will also trigger thousands more jobs losses at a time when the government should be leading on job retention.
"The British public does not want its postal service to be flogged off. It's also clear that there's no support among Labour MPs for this move, which is why Lord Mandelson introduced it in the House of Lords.
Read the CWU response to the Hooper Report in full. Download the CWU NW region briefing and 10 good reasons briefing.
Ask your MP to sign EDM 428 ‘Royal Mail’. Over 100 Labour MPs have now signed. Download the model motion and get it passed in your party or trade union branch.
Find out more details from the CWU website: Keep the Post Public!. Find out details of the National March & Rally in Wolverhampton on 14th March 2009.
Shool Support Staff- If you want a 'Voice' join UNISON
Friday afternoon I visited a school and discussed the issue of UNISON members who have apparently left to join another 'union'.
They have joined a 'union' called 'Voice'. School Support Staff are ,of course, entitled to join any trade union they wish and whatever union they join is secondary to the main point, that all staff should be in a trade union.
But staff need to be aware of some of the follwing points:
They have joined a 'union' called 'Voice'. School Support Staff are ,of course, entitled to join any trade union they wish and whatever union they join is secondary to the main point, that all staff should be in a trade union.
But staff need to be aware of some of the follwing points:
- UNISON is by far the biggest trade union representing all School Support Staff, from Teaching Assistants and Technicians to Catering Staff, Cleaners and Caretakers.
- In Cardiff County UNISON represents one thousand members, giving us great strength in negotiations, to secure a better deal for Support Staff members.
- UNISON sits on the National Joint Council which negotiates pay, terms and conditions for schools staff- 'Voice' has no place on the NJC.
- UNISON is leading the trades unions in direct negotiation with the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly in negotiating a new agreement to give schools support staff similar terms and conditions to teachers- 'Voice' has no place at this table.
- 'Voice' is not a recognised Trade Union in Cardiff County and therefore has no negotiation rights.
In addition, UNISON, as a locally recognised trade union has its subscriptions deducted directly from your pay, on a monthly basis- 'Voice' is not recognised and so cannot have this facility- staff in Cardiff who have joined 'Voice' have to pay their fees for the whole year up front!
When approached by someone to join a trade union- you need to know that the trade union you join and give your hard earned money to actually has a voice - is recognised by your employer and can play a part in negotiating your pay, terms and conditions. Stay with a genuine trade union which really can and does work for you- join UNISON.
Mark Turner
Branch Secretary
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