Health workers and patients rally to save the NHS

Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary

Unions representing hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals and workers from across the NHS are to step up the pressure on peers with a central London rally as the Health and Social Care Bill enters its final crucial parliamentary stages.

On Wednesday 7 March - under the banner of the All Together for the NHS campaign - nurses, midwives, doctors, physiotherapists, managers, paramedics, radiographers, cleaners, porters and other employees from across the health service will join with patients to fill Central Hall Westminster for a 6pm 'Save our NHS' rally.

The Bill is hugely unpopular with NHS employees and patients, who have major concerns over the effect the draft legislation will have on healthcare by pushing through competition and markets on to the NHS, and allowing the private sector to take over delivering NHS services.

The All Together for the NHS campaign has called the rally over concerns that an NHS with a future based on competition will fragment the health service, worsen the care available to patients, and mean continued uncertainty for NHS employees, with the quality of training and their terms and conditions likely to suffer.

The pressure on the Secretary of State, Andrew Lansley, has been growing in recent weeks with more professional bodies joining the calls to amend significantly or withdraw the Bill completely. The March rally is intended to add to that pressure by demonstrating the broad coalition of opposition to Bill.

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Some changes have been made to the Bill but not nearly enough. Only this week we have seen a private company taking over an NHS hospital for the first time, as Circle moves in to the Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire. This will be the future the NHS has to look forward to if the Bill stays in its current form.

"Peers must listen to the concerns of the people that know the NHS best - the staff who work in it. Health workers fear the increased competition and the extension of markets will have a devastating impact on patient care, especially poorer people who will find themselves pushed to the back of ever-growing waiting lists.

"But it's not too late for peers to make a difference and we hope our rally in early March will provide the opportunity for NHS workers and patients to send a loud message across Parliament Square to convince the House of Lords that this Bill would be a disaster for the NHS."

Tax advisers strike to stop creep of privatisation

A strike by PCS members will see picket lines mounted at tax offices as tens of thousands of taxpayers seek advice about filing their self assessment returns tomorrow.

The one-day walkout is in opposition to year-long call handling trials using two private sector companies, Sitel and Teleperformance, due to start next month in two enquiry centres in Cumbria and Scotland.

Up to 20,000 members of the union who work in HM Revenue and Customs call centres and face to face enquiry offices across the UK are expected to take part, the union says.

While people will still be able to file returns online, enquiry lines will be closed or seriously delayed for the tens of thousands of people who will use the service on the day to get help and advice.

The union believes the trials are unnecessary as the skills and expertise already exists in the department, and set a dangerous precedent of allowing the private sector in. One of companies involved has advertised posts for the trial as 'permanent' and at a rate of pay several thousand pounds less a year than the civil servants doing the same work are paid.

If HMRC wants to trial new ways of working, the union says HMRC should invest in its own staff, instead of pressing ahead with plans to cut another 10,000 jobs by 2015 - on top of the 30,000 that have gone from the department since 2005. HMRC last week announced plans to close more advice offices.

This would mean the government could make a serious attempt at tackling the tens of billions of pounds in tax that goes uncollected every year from a minority of very wealthy individuals and organisations that avoid or evade paying their dues.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Our members in tax offices want to do a good job and provide the best possible advice and help to taxpayers, but there are fewer of them working in fewer offices as a result of misguided and damaging cuts.

"Instead of making even more cuts and throwing public money at private companies, ministers should be investing in their staff and tackling the billions in tax avoided and evaded by the super-rich."

Reprinted from the PCS website. View original article here:

http://www.pcs.org.uk/

Pictures from Chesterfield where Remploy workers are on strike today (Thursday 26th January)

Remploy workers out in Chesterfield

Phil Davis, GMB National Secretary visits Chesterfield

This has been a week for visiting picket lines in the region. Today we added our support to Remploy workers in Chesterfield who are protesting about the company signing a contract which means that a private company is using able bodied staff to work in Remploy factories - when the whole purpose of Remploy is to provide work for those with a disability.

Pictured is GMB National Secretary for Remploy workers, on his visit to Chesterfield today.

The factory was closed for business, and hearteningly delivery lorries were refusing to cross the picket lines.

This was one picket line with a traditional brazier burning brightly - not that I'm knocking the patio heaters on display yesterday at Unilever in Burton on Trent!

Tanker drivers "we just want to keep what we have"

Tanker drivers at Kingsbury oil depots today were pursuing their demands to stay where they were! "We don't want more, just the same as we already have!" The strike, which is scheduled to last for a week if the company does not see sense, has been well supported. "Drivers from some other companies have refused to cross our picket lines, we are very grateful for their support in this dispute, " said one striker. "Its good to know that petrol stations we would serve are not getting fresh supplies, perhaps that will make the company see sense".
Messages of support can be sent to the strikers via the Midlands TUC at aweaver@tuc.org.uk

Strong support at Marmite picket in Burton

Strinking Marmite workers were out in force and in high spirits today on the picket line outside the Burton Upon Trent site.

Strikers were joined by Jennie Formby, UNITE's National Secretary for the Food, Drink and Tobacco Sector and the Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston

Rob Johnston said: "The people of Burton sent a strong message of support this morning with hoons blaring constantly as they passed the picket line.

It is clear that the public know that, quite simply, it is wrong to slash staff pensions at a time when Unilver profits are over £6bn and the boss is paid a small fortune - including £300,000 last year into his pension pot.

The striking workers should be proud of the stance they have taken and a strong message is being sent to Unilever. The company should now sit down with the unions and negotiate to retain a final salary scheme."

110 job losses at Tata in Corby

Steel giant Tata is to axe 110 jobs at its main Corby plant.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Community union, said: "This is a massive blow for the workforce in Corby who have done everything expected of them to keep the site viable.

"The impact on the local community and families will be particularly hard.

"We are arranging an urgent meeting with Tata Steel Tubes to demand assurances there will be no compulsory redundancies and to explore all other options available.

"We also want a clear commitment from Tata Steel to the long-term security of the site at Corby."

Midlands TUC support for striking Marmite/Unilever workers on Wednesday

The Midlands TUC today (Tuesday) condemned Unilever’s plans to close its final salary pension scheme in support of the Unilever workforce taking industrial action across the UK, including at Marmite in Burton Upon Trent on Thursday.

Unilever, the world’s third largest consumer products company, is proposing to close its final salary scheme which has 5,000 active members and replace it with a career average scheme which will see pension values fall by between 20 and 40 per cent.

Unilver’s CEO Paul Polman is paid 285 times more than the average worker and his pay packet last year included a £900,000 salary, a bonus of £1.45m, as well as £900,000 in free shares and a £300,000 contribution to his pension.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Rob Johnston, commented:

Unilever’s decision to close their pension scheme is a slap in the face to the dedicated workforce that has delivered over £6bn in profits for Unilever.

This battle for decent pensions resonates with the arguments for a more responsible capitalism. How can it be right for a company that is making billions in profit, pays its CEO a small fortune and, at the same time, wrecks the retirement plans of honest, hard working staff who have done nothing more than work tirelessly to make Unilever such a successful company?

The workers at Marmite – and across Unilever - are entitled to a decent, dignified retirement. This industrial action is at the forefront of the battle for fair pensions. What’s more, it shows that the battle for pensions applies equally to the public and private sectors. All workers are entitled to a good pension which is an essential element of a new responsible capitalism that we all know is something that we wish to see.

Unilever should sit down with the unions and negotiate to retain a final salary scheme. The workers have generated huge profits and they are entitled to a fair share of the rewards.

Strike Action this week

We have been notified of three disputes resulting in strike action this week. Please send messages of support for these striking comrades as follows: These are:


25th January - Unilever, Burton on Trent, pensions strike
“Unilever can afford to sustain the current pension scheme unchanged due to the profitability of the company.
The Trade Unions are able to put forward constructive alternative proposals on pensions, but these have never been considered by Unilever.
That is why union members are seeking talks with the company possible under the auspices ACAS. The strike action is to secure these talks.”
Burton Factory
Wellington Road,
Burton-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, DE14 2AB
Time:
Commencing at 05:00 hours on Wednesday 25 January, 2012
Concluding at 04:59 hours on Thursday 26 January, 2012
Messages of support for Unilever strikers to : Gerard Coyne, Unite Regional Secretary, gerard.coyne@unitetheunion.com


25th January - Montgomery School, Birmingham, on Academy status
On Wednesday 25 January members at Montgomery Primary School in Sparkbrook, Birmingham are taking strike action against forced conversion to academy status.
As you know, messages of support make a real difference to members in action.
NASUWT members who are teachers at the school will be on the picket line from 8am to approximately 9.15am. Paula Roe, NASUWT Senior Vice-President, and Anne Brimacombe, Birmingham teacher and National Executive Member, will be available for media interviews.
The public meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Community Hall, Sparkbrook Islamic Centre, Sydenham Road B11 1ND on Thursday 26 January.
‘Messages of support for Montgomery members’ Anne.Brimacombe@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
 26th January - Remploy, Chesterfield
The Remploy workers in the Chesterfield factory (and in the Springburn factory in Glasgow) have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over the semi privatising of their factories.
A new Company has been formed R Healthcare which is a partnership between Remploy and a firm called Webster’s which is a large private Orthotics firm. Non disabled apprentices have been taken on and also non disabled shop floor workers have also been taken on. These appointments have been made on terms and conditions that are considerably inferior to those we enjoy in Remploy.
The first strike day will take place on the 26th of January starting at 6-00 am in Chesterfield and 7 30 in Springburn.
The site address is:
Remploy Ltd
Sheffield Road Chesterfield S41 8NJ
All Trade Unionists and activists are welcome on the Picket lines
Messages of Support for Remploy workers should be sent to
Kevin Shand GMB Rep in Chesterfield kevin.shand@remploy.co.uk
Phil Brannan GMB Rep in Springburn Philip.brannan@remploy.co.uk
 07500975379
James Stribley Regional Consortium member Yorkshire jamesstribleygmbyorkshire@hotmail.co.uk
 07525136396For further Information Contact
Les Woodward National Convenor and Trades Council Coordinator
Les.woodward@ntlworld.com
07977436251

Please copy the TUC in to any messages of support at aweaver@tuc.org.uk

Government has shied away from the big decisions needed to reform top pay

Brendan Barber

Commenting today (Monday) on the government's proposals to reform executive pay, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

"Through its many consultations and speeches, the government has made a compelling case for radical reform of executive pay. It's very disappointing then to see that ministers have spectacularly failed to make any significant changes to the status quo.
"Whilst the Business Secretary has announced a few welcome tinkers to the current boardroom pay regime, he has shied away from the big decisions on all of the major proposed reforms, from worker representation to company pay ratios and open advertising for posts on remuneration committees.
"Over-paid and under-performing directors concerned about greater public scrutiny of their pay and bonus arrangements can rest easy tonight.
"Any hopes of reversing the damaging and growing pay divide between top executives and the rest of their workforce have faded after today's announcement."

Birmingham venue attracts fifteen applicants for every job

More than 1,500 people have applied for 100 full and part-time jobs in a new hotel, including bar and restaurant work.

Hotel La Tour, which opens its GBP24 million venue in Birmingham at the end of March, is recruiting for roles across all areas of its operations which include a brasserie-style restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and dedicated conference and meetings floor.

Managing Director Jane Schofield, said: "Birmingham has certainly responded well to our recruitment drive. We aim to make great strides in improving the image of careers in hospitality and are offering a great opportunity for people who are as serious as we are about helping set new standards for genuine customer service in the hotel industry."

Meanwhile new research by the GMB union found that almost eight jobseekers were chasing every vacancy in Scotland and the North East last year, the highest ratio in the UK, which had an average figure of 5.2.

In comparison, there were fewer than four people per vacancy in the East of England, South East and South West.

Parts of the UK saw figures well above the national average, with over

21 people in Lewisham, SE London per unfilled vacancy, 19 in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales, 17 in Hackney, London, North Ayrshire and Clackmannashire.

GMB leader Paul Kenny said: "The rise in unemployment since the recovery stalled was made in Downing Street. The truth is that jobs are haemorrhaging in the public and private sectors and no-one in Parliament seems to know what to do or seems to care about the human costs.

"There are 35 areas of the country including major cities like Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow and Middlesbrough in such despair that more than a quarter of households with people of working age have no-one in work."

Bectu members rally to protect Birmingham jobs

Rob Johnston speaking at today's Bectu rally in Birmingham

Members of Bectu today held a rally at the end of their 24 hour strike to call for the retention of jobs in the second city. members at the rally heard how jobs were being transferred without consultation, leading to over 40% of Bectu members likely to lose their jobs. Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Rob Johnston, said, "We don't need to have highly skilled jobs exported form the region - particularly not at a time when unemployment is rising and other skilled industries are also feeling the strain of an economy heading for recession".

With many jobs likely to be lost, speakers called for more to be done to save current and future jobs. "We like the programmes we have, including "Doctors" and "The Archers", but if so many jobs are lost to the city, how much longer will these programmes be viable?"

Midlands TUC East Midlands Unemployment reaction

Commenting on the latest east midlands unemployment figures published today, (Wednesday), Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said, “The news that another 7,000 people joined the dole queues in the east midlands over the last three months is truly depressing, and worse than we expected.”
“Unfortunately, unemployment in our region is fast becoming a fact of life. We have called on the government previously to take action on growth and jobs and these figures yet again show the need for bold solutions to put people back to work.”
“The news for those in work isn't great either, with pay growth falling and more people having to move to into part-time and insecure self-employment.”
“We are in the midst of a full blown jobs crisis that is causing misery for 190,000 people and their families in the east midlands and ruining any chance of an economic recovery. Ministers must start putting forward bold solutions to address this crisis, starting with a job guarantee for any young person out of work for six months.”
And the stats:
- Unemployment in the East Midlands increased by 7,000 in the three months to November, official figures have revealed.
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that a total of 190,000 people were unemployed in the region between September and November.
- The region's unemployment rate was 8.3% and saw a rise of 3.8% during the period.

Midlands TUC West Midlands Unemployment reaction

Commenting on the latest west midlands unemployment figures published today, (Wednesday), Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston said, "The news that another 9,000 people joined the dole queues in the west midlands over the last three months is truly depressing, and worse than we expected, with nearly one in ten workers unemployed.”
“Unfortunately, unemployment in our region is fast becoming a fact of life. We have called on the government previously to take action on growth and jobs and these figures yet again show the need for bold solutions to put people back to work.”
“The news for those in work isn't great either, with pay growth falling and more people having to move to into part-time and insecure self-employment.”
“We are in the midst of a full blown jobs crisis that is causing misery for nearly a quarter of a million people and their families in the west midlands and ruining any chance of an economic recovery. Ministers must start putting forward bold solutions to address this crisis, starting with a job guarantee for any young person out of work for six months.”
And the stats:
- Unemployment in the West Midlands increased by 9,000 in the three months to November, official figures have revealed.
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that a total of 243,000 people were unemployed in the region between September and November.
- The region's unemployment rate was 9.2% and saw a rise of 3.8% during the period.

Unemployment rising by 1,300 a day

Responding to the latest unemployment figures published today (Wednesday), Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnston (above) said: "These figures are even worse than the bleak economic forecasts predicted, with new records achieved for youth and female unemployment.
"The fear is now that mass joblessness becomes a permanent scar on the UK - with unemployment rising by 1,300 a day towards the end of last year.
"The news for those in work isn't great either, with pay growth falling and more people having to move to into part-time and insecure self-employment.
"We are in the midst of a full blown jobs crisis that is causing misery for millions and ruining any chance of an economic recovery. Ministers must start putting forward bold solutions to address this crisis, starting with a job guarantee for any young person out of work for six months."

24-hour strike at BBC Birmingham insists network production must remain in the city

BBC staff in Birmingham will strike for 24 hours this week (18/19 January) in protest at management plans to move almost all network production for radio and TV away from the city. 

Strike action by BECTU members will start at 15.30 on Wednesday 18 January and will run through to 15.30 on Thursday 19 January. A public rally will take place in Victoria Square at 2pm on Thursday 19 January.

BECTU insists that plans to move production of network TV content such as Countryfile, Coast and Hairy Bikers to Bristol make no creative or financial sense. The BBC’s base in Birmingham, The Mailbox, has cutting edge facilities and cost effective work practices and yet the BBC is walking away from its strong reputation for quality programming robbing England’s second city of capacity and talent.

The union also points out that no money will be saved by the plans: on top of staff redundancy or relocation costs, new production facilities would have to be built in Bristol.

BBC managers also want to relocate some production for Radio 2 and Radio 4, either to Salford or Bristol; currently, programmes such as Farming Today and The Food Programme are made in Birmingham.  Union members believe that it is not value for money or sustainable to mothball the radio drama studio except for those days during the month when The Archers is recorded. 

Birmingham will be a media ghost town

Commenting on the proposals, BECTU national official, Anna Murray, said:

“These plans make no sense whatsoever; no money will be saved and production capacity and talent for the Midlands will be lost.

“The regional economy will be dealt a body blow and the aspirations of those wanting to enter the industry will be dashed.

“The BBC is on track to turn Birmingham into a ghost town from the media production point of view and we’ll do everything we can, helped by others, to stop that happening.”

The plans were announced last October as part of the corporation’s controversial cost-cutting strategy Delivering Quality First which seeks to cut the BBC’s budget by 20% by 2017 and cut 2000 jobs.

BECTU members voted overwhelmingly earlier this month for strike action in protest at the plans and at the BBC’s refusal to hold meaningful talks with union representatives or to listen to staff views.

The BBC insists that programmes will start moving in August 2012.  Staff concerns, including about relocation and the impact on families, are being overlooked.

"It is unfair that staff have only a few weeks to decide whether to relocate, especially as the BBC will not say what will fill vacant space at the Mailbox if these programmes go," Anna Murray continued.

BECTU believes that the proposals are seriously flawed and that the BBC must immediately enter into meaningful consultation with staff and the public. Director- general Mark Thompson has yet to meet with staff or Birmingham MPs on the issues.

If these plans do proceed not only will a substantial production slate be lost to Birmingham but BECTU believes other output in Birmingham  will be so isolated that it too will be vulnerable. BBC Birmingham output includes the regional TV news service, Midlands Today, radio services for the West Midlands, The Archers,  and the Asian Network. 

More background information can be found here: http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/1425

Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team - Illumination of Derby Cathederal

Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team would like to extend an open invitation to an event to reflect on the lives of all thse in Derby and the East Midlands who have lost their lives to Mesothelioma, at the same time rasising awareness to th dangers of exposure to asbestos. 

On Wednesday 29th February at 7.00 pm, DAST will illuminate Derby Cathederal with the names of 100 people in Derby and the East Midlands who have tragically lost theri lives to the dreadful asbestos related cancer - Mesothelioma.

Following the illumination of the Cathederal supporters will move inside the building for short speecghes and rememberance prayers with a local industrial chaplain, followed by a buffet.

Further details from Joanne Gordon: mail@asbestossupport.co.uk