UNISON Connexions members to hold second half day stike

UNISON Connexions members will stage a second half day of industrial action to fight the threatened compulsory redundancies with 36 jobs at risk in Connexions in Birmingham. A widely supported first day of action on 6th April closed all Connexions centres and they will again be closed on this second day of action as UNISON members make a committed and firm stand.
Union members will protest against cuts outside Northfield, Kings Heath and Broad Street offices from 1pm when the strike starts.
UNISON will hold a Rally and People’s Debate about the cuts to Connexions and to many other support and education services for young people in Victoria Square outside the council house from 2.15pm.
Young people, union members and MPs and Councillors will debate the issues behind the cuts in an open air debate the day before the local elections. Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey is expected to take part.


UNISON Connexions Convenor John Grifffin saids: “We need to remember that young people and Connexions workers are now paying with their jobs and future prospects for the debts of bankers earning massive bonuses. Birmingham City Council has set a budget which puts these jobs at risk. Another solution needs to be found for the sake of the young people threatened with a lifetime of joblessness.”


UNISON Head of Local Government, Tony Rabaiotti commented: “The Connexions campaign has been running for months and the support we have had from the people of Birmingham has been magnificent. People have been telling us how much they value Connexions, that cutting support for young people at a time of high unemployment is economic insanity and that they will continue to speak up for our Connexions service. I am sure this day of action will once again be well supported and am sure that the people of Birmingham will show their displeasure at these cuts at the ballot box on Thursday in the local elections”
- Connexions provides careers advice and information advice and guidance to young people 13-19 and is available to all of Birmingham’s schools.
- Connexions drop in centres for young unemployed in Aston, Handsworth and Erdington closed in October and November. In April Birmingham City Council approved a 30% budget cut for Connexions that means 36 jobs including front line advisers are at risk.
- The Conservative-led government has axed Connexions from April 2012 and has told schools to provide Careers advice without any funds for them to provide trained advisers

Birmingham Refuse workers determined to win dispute

Gerard Coyne, Unite Regional Secretary

A mass meeting of Birmingham refuse workers heard messages of support for their cause at a mass meeting held at Villa Park this lunchtime.
Unite Regional Secretary Gerard Coyne said, "I am proud of the action you have taken today, you have stayed disciplined throughout the dispute and stuck it out on the picket lines despite the dreadful weather conditions."
Over 90% of the refuse workers voted to take industrial action in defence of Birmingham City Councils move to grab £4,000 from each worker. "It is not just about the money thought," continued Mr Coyne,"It is about dignity and respect - something the Council denies you through their total inability to listen to the alternative case from the trade union side".
The meeting also heard from UNISON's Graham Horne who explained that the refuse workers dispute was one of a series of attacks on the terms and conditions of City Council employees. Connexions staff were also in dispute with their action due in early January. "The so called Birmingham Contract is going to be imposed on 26,000 non education staff. It means the end of weekend and shift premiums, the end of unsocial hours payments. Some of the lowest paid staff in the council rely on theses payments including up to 1,000 Home Help staff who stand to lose £3,000 a year," said Mr Horne.
The meeting ended with the Chair, Steve Foster, outlining the next steps with a meeting scheduled with the employers for 23rd December.