NUT vice-president
As national strike action by teachers is postponed, now, more than ever, NUT members need to vote for clear, consistent leadership. Vote 1 for Martin Powell-Davies in the NUT vice-president election. Martin says:
Let’s get every school out on a united one-day national strike. Call on other unions – like fire-fighters, postal workers, civil servants – to strike alongside us. Build united NUT/NASUWT school committees to keep up the pressure for joint action.
Continue our action next term; if education minister Gove won’t step back, then we should step up to a two-day strike.
Read more on martin’s blog: www.electmartin1.blogspot.co.uk
Money for nothing
Transport union RMT has condemned the way that the private rail companies have been making a fortune by not running trains during bad weather.
If bad weather is forecast the companies just leave the trains in the sheds and claim compensation from Network Rail.
As RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT is in no doubt that the train operators are happy to exploit this chaos as the system allows them to get paid for doing nothing. The whole situation stinks and reinforces the case for public ownership. “
Shared services
After a successful strike by PCS members working in Shared Services offices in DWP and Defra, some concessions have been won.
Members on the picket line in Blackpool on 25 October told local Socialist Party member Jane Hersey that they would fight any staff transfers.
Remaining services and departments are being ‘overhauled’ which many believe refers to more privatisation.
The strike has forced more negotiations and some important protection for the workers.
The strike has therefore been suspended pending further negotiations.
Keith Henderson, GMB
Keith Henderson is a former regional organiser of the GMB union. He was dismissed from the GMB last December.
Keith has always believed that the real reason for his dismissal was because of his socialist beliefs.
A recent Employment Tribunal Judgment has effectively agreed.
An online petition has been setup to support Keith’s reinstatement: http://www.petitions24.com/no_witch-hunts_in_the_gmb_union_reinstate_keith_henderson
City Link
RMT members working for the City Link distribution company voted for strike action against the threatened imposition of new contracts which will substantially cut their pay and conditions.
There was a 90% vote for action but the company challenged the original ballot. The RMT reorganised it and the new ballot will close on 12 November.
Action may therefore take place in the run-up to the busy Christmas period.
