Workplace news in brief


Small Heath strike

Teachers at Small Heath School in Birmingham have voted to continue their strike action. They have now taken 20 days of strike action. But despite eleven hours of meetings with management and the council in February, two NUT reps remain suspended.

As previously reported in the Socialist it appears that the school is digging in for a long dispute hoping that support for the strike will wane or parent opposition will grow. But many were won round when they heard the teachers’ case at a public meeting.


Pasta Foods dispute

Unite the Union is in dispute with Great Yarmouth food manufacturer Pasta Foods over the unfair dismissal of two reps. Their dismissal is a blatant act by the company to get rid of stewards and weaken the representation. This comes after members and reps working for the company agreed a series of changes to terms and conditions and shift patterns that saved the company from becoming insolvent. Workers and supporters from the local Unite branch and Great Yarmouth Trades Council will be demonstrating in support of those who have been unfairly dismissed, sending a clear message to management that this type of draconian behaviour is not acceptable.

Kevin Reynolds

Jannies conflict

Unison members employed by Cordia as school janitors in Glasgow are to strike for three days on 14-16 March in their ongoing dispute over pay. There are over 130 school janitors in Unison in the city. The janitors have been boycotting the disputed duties for six weeks and have decided to escalate their action as Cordia, a service provider for the council, and the council are refusing to talk to Unison to reach a negotiated settlement. Sam Macartney, Unison Glasgow branch officer, said: “Unison is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.”

There will be lobbies of Glasgow City Council at the City Chambers on 14 and 15 March both at 12.30pm as well as a protest at Cordia HQ, Borron Street on 15 March from 8am.