As Big Business robs us of £123 billion pound (& counting) it was excellent to see lively picket lines across the HMRC as around 40,000 PCS members struck in the tax department over further job cuts & creeping privatization.

Somehow Cameron, Miliband, and the mainstream media gave no support to the strike as it highlighted the hypocrisy of rich screaming outrage at those avoiding tax payments whilst allowing workers who collect tax, to have their jobs cut.  Meanwhile back in the department of class war, Cameron and cronies decided to wield another axe over the future of the young with proposals that under 25’s will loose the right to housing benefit!  Suggesting that on the one hand young people pocket the money, no it goes to the landlords, and two that forcing young people back into the homes will somehow create jobs?! Maybe stopping the cuts and allowing us to develop decent jobs, homes & services would make a difference?

The need for further coordinated action is becoming more and more urgent. RMT national conference passed a key resolution, moved by RMT young members and unanimously supported, that the campaign in defense of pensions included the call for general strike action. Delegates heard the NSSN call for the lobby of the TUC on Sun 9 Sept in support of a one-day general strike and gave support for it. A further resolution was passed unanimously by the conference reaffirming the RMT commitment to oppose all cuts and continue to support and work with the NSSN. RMT general Secretary Bob Crow has agreed to speak at the Lobby.

 

NSSN UPDATES

Over 40 delegates attended The NSSN fringe meeting at RMT national conference. The meeting took up some of the key issues on the conference floor, the widespread attacks on RMT members through the McNulty report on the railways, cuts to bus subsidies, the race to the bottom in pay on road freight and at sea.

NSSN fringe meeting at Unite policy conference had Kingsley Abrahams (Unite EC & Suspended Labour Cllr Lambeth) speak about Unites policy of no cuts  & sparks on their campaign against the BESNA, which has developed to fight cuts and victimization. It was also attended by the Coryton workers and addressed by their branch chair Russell. The meeting supported their continuing struggle to keep the refinery open.

Welsh Shop Stewards’ Network Conference: Sat 30th June 10am-3pm Temple of Peace, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff Speakers include Katrine Williams (Chair PCS Wales), Les Woodward (Remploy National convener), Owen Herbert RMT Council of Executives, Cerith Griffiths Wales FBU Chair, John Hancock POA NEC. More details:

North-West NSSN meeting: ‘How can we stop victimisation on sites?’ Speakers include Steve Acheson. Chair Andy Ford. Tuesday 17th July, Warrington Railway Club, WA1 1XR. 7.30pm. [email protected]

 

GENERAL UPDATES

FBU Essex calls strike today over cuts and changes in Terms & Conditions today, June 28^th, July 7^th & 19^th, Aug 18^th & October 18^th.  

Coryton Oil Refinery UNITE workers held 3 protests over the proposed closure of the refinery and were met with excessive force police stopped the workers outdoor meeting in the midst of a Spanish miner speaking.

Fawley refinery protest: NSSN supporters jointed Unite officers and activists as they staged a protest in defense of the NAECI agreements, as the Esso’s parent company is about to close down. All determined that this wouldn’t be another case of greedy bosses threatening hard-won agreements and slash wages. The danger is, as in Lindsey Oil refinery in 2009, that the employers will try to exploit workers from abroad to break the NAECI. The campaign will continue!

500 Food processing workers who struck last week continue the campaign. Tony Lewis, from the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), which was called upon by their members to support the 500-strong strike in Leicester, said: “Basically this is about stopping the race to the bottom by food manufacturers, who in league with the multiples in their quest to maximize profits, are driving workers pay and conditions down.” They will be looking to strike 2 days every week and look for support in the sister plant Rogerstone Park, South Wales.

Sheffield GMB Dump it members began its indefinite strike. Messages of support & finance contact: [email protected]  & especially financial donations to: Peter Davies (Sova Strike Fund), GMB office, 188/190 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1SY. Please make cheques payable to GMB. Sova strikers will be marching on the Rally for our Future - Defend Education and Public Services called by education unions NASUWT and NUT. Saturday 14 July, assemble 11.30am, Devonshire Green, Sheffield

Wildcat strike of non-unionized foundation workers over working hours in the highlands, Beauly to Denny power line. Solidarity messages to 07591251680

Unite Bus strike video; further actions have been taking place to support the campaign. Voting for the three companies previously injuncted now opens.

UCU members at Salford University struck on Tuesday over compulsory job losses. Messages of support in the campaign: [email protected]

Ship-owners take more than half a billion in tax relief - but give nothing in return, says RMT. Whilst transport bosses earn an average £1 million. RMT at LUL will be balloting for action short of strike action over the use of unqualified staff in safety critical roles. And further lethal proposals that cut corners coming up to the Olympics. Central TFL staff will also be taking action over Olympics recognition & reward, with action short of strike action on the 1^st, 8^th & 15^th July.

ASLEF LUU on Piccadilly line called off after an agreement was reached over abuse of disciplinary process of a driver.

BMA continue to link up the campaign for decent pensions with that of the campaigns against the Health & Social care act, as they voted to campaign this Vote for campaign over Health & Social care.

As South London Healthcare goes into administration after the burden of £61million interest payments a year on a PFI deal. Campaigners will be protesting against threat to services this Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich. Several south London boroughs will be affected if this goes ahead and more trusts are looking unsustainable with similar PFI burdens, and down right robbery!

UK UNCUT has won the right to have a fuller hearing in Sep over the agreement of the HRMC and Golman Sachs.over interest owed. They have produced a film about the campaign.  [email protected] 

 

VICTIMISATION...

 

TSSA rep Martin Hodges is still indefinitely suspended by Virgin Trains. Over 6 month period Virgin Trains have made a number of attempts to buy off Martin with a financial settlement. Our rights at work are not for sale! Public meeting Friday 7pm at Island Bar, 14 Suffolk St, Birmingham.  Please send your support to: [email protected]

 

SHREWSBURY PICKETS petition - Justice for Shrewsbury Pickets 40 years on. Please Sign & distribute!

 

 

INTERNATIONAL…

 

Spanish miners continue their underground action as the action escalates as miners occupy a government building in Leon.  Much of the Mining is in the hands of Victorian  Alanson who owns 40% of the national production and still makes huge profits. UK miners/ex-miners have set up for Spanish miners whose pits are threatened with closure: Contact [email protected] or 07768 300 148.

 

 

 

DIARY…

 

30 June

Welsh Shop Stewards’ Network Conference: 10am-3pm, Cardiff

As the NHS turns 64 years old...Join the protests to tell Virgin to keep out! Central London: Virgin Media Store Oxford St KONP. 2pm onwards.

South London Healthcare protest 11am Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

 

03 July

Stop the government removing the crane register! 12 noon DWP Tothill st, London SW1H 9NA & 2pm Lobby of Housie of commons. Organised by Construction safety campaign & BCDAG & London Hazards.

 

04 July

Southwark, nursery closures lobby the council at 7 pm. Southwark College, Bermondsey Centre, Keetons Road, London, SE16 4EE

 

07 July

World Pride. RMT activists meeting at HQ to go towards 12 noon Baker St.

International Brigade memorial Jubilee gardens London SE1 12.30 music etc.

National action against workfare as part of the UK week of action…

Barnet NOT for sale! Conference from BAPS & UNISON 12 noon Greek Cypriot Centre, 2 Britannia Rd, Barnet N12 9RU

 

13-15 July

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

 

13 July

Action for Rail – North West Conference at Mechanics Centre, Manchester

 

14 July

Durham Miners Gala

Protest against the coalition - A future for our children! Fair Pensions for all! Defend public services! Called by NUT & NASUWT. Assemble 11.30am from Devonshire Green, Devonshire Street, Sheffield & Manzil Way, Oxford OX4. Rally 1pm in Broad Street, Oxford OX1. For details, call 07967 392229 or email [email protected]

 

17 July

North West NSSN AGM & Public meeting: ‘How can we stop victimisation on sites?’ Speakers Steve Acheson. Warrington Railway Club, WA1 1XR. 7.30pm.

 

21 July

Brighton Trades Council Seminar for local trade unionists on defending facilities time and opposing regional pay.  Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

 

23 July

Austerity Games from Youth Fight for Jobs! 

 

28 July

Pentonville 5 and dock dispute of 1972-73 celebration. Isle of Dogs.

 

11 August

National Rank & File JIB electricians and construction trades meeting, 2pm-5pm, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London

 

31 August

National Hazards conference, Keele University [email protected]

 

02 September

Longest strike in British history!

 

09 September

NSSN lobby of TUC conference in Brighton for 24 public & private sector strike 1pm

 

07 October

Protest at Tory party Conference.

 

20 October

TUC Mass demonstration

 

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