From VSC:
Unite is amongst supporters of the annual Latin America Conference taking place this Saturday (December 4) at Congress House from 9.30am - 5.00pm.
Keynote speakers from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolviia, Honduras and Ecuador will address this must-attend event.
Please find below an article by former MP Colin Burgon - Vice-Chair of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign - on why at this time of economic crisis, our solidarity with progressives in Latin America is more important than ever.
Mass movements show the alternative to failed neo-liberalism
The recent election in Brazil of Dilma Rousseff of the Workers’ Party in the second round of the presidential elections was welcomed by those on the left all over the world
by Colin Burgon
Friday, November 26th, 2010 - http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/11/mass-movements-show-the-alternative-to-failed-neo-liberalism/
The recent election in Brazil of Dilma Rousseff of the Workers’ Party in the second round of the presidential elections was welcomed by those on the left all over the world.
Ms Rousseff won by 56 per cent to 44 per cent, with 55,752,483 votes, and will take office on January 1 as the first woman president of the country. Elections to Congress – and state legislatures – also produced welcome outcomes for the PT which, along with coalition allies, increased their representation and for the first time took control of the Senate.
This is the case not only in Brazil but elsewhere in the continent. There has been a steadying of support for the progressive coalition in Argentina.
In Bolivia, the governing Movement Towards Socialism led by Evo Morales won again in April’s regional elections.
And in Venezuela’s National Assembly elections while – against a backdrop of 12 years in power, worldwide economic recession and emboldened opposition – President Hugo Chávez’ PSUV did not poll as well as in some previous elections, it remained the party with the biggest support and a majority of seats.
Indeed, it was with the election of Hugo Chávez in 1998 that the response to neo-liberalism was unleashed, subsequently creating a “pink tide” of governments throughout the region.
Around the world, the Washington consensus experiment failed the majority of people and this was especially clear in Latin America, where millions were thrown into poverty.
First, the Chávez government, and then others, put forward a different model, combining economic interventionism, control of natural resources and redistribution to improve people’s lives.
These changes were deeply resented by the previous ruling elites in those countries and by those forces internationally that support, and benefit from, neo-liberalism.
In 2009 and 2010, there have been signs that such forces are fighting back. In particular, the successful military coup against Honduras’ elected President Manuel Zelaya was a stark warning that social progress should not be taken for granted.
Forces hostile to the progressive government of Rafael Correa in Ecuador kidnapped and tried to oust (and kill) the president through a “police revolt” in September.
However, this time – as in Venezuela in 2002 – the plotters were not successful, with the people going onto the streets to demand the return of their president and sections of the army ensuring his safe release.
Although, when elected, Barack Obama professed the need for “a new start” to relations the United States has with Latin America, the actions of the US military indicate no clear break from the policies of the George W Bush years, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in particular hostile to the Chávez government.
The danger to progress in the region is therefore very real. The aforementioned coups also need to be seen against the backdrop of a new US militarisation of the region, including the resurrection of the US military Fourth Fleet.
In a time of global economic crisis, we should learn from the mass movements in Latin America that there is an alternative to neo-liberalism and develop practical ways of supporting them.
* Colin Burgon is chair of Labour Friends of Venezuela and vice-chair of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign. He is speaking at the Latin America 2010 conference at Congress House on December 4, which Tribune is supporting. For more information and online registration: www.latinamericaconference.org.uk
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Len McCluskey: Government 'wrecking UK'
The government has been accused of taking a "wrecking ball" to the country by its cuts in public spending.
Len McCluskey, newly elected leader of the Unite union accused the government of going "far beyond" what was needed to rebalance the economy.
He told a conference in London organised by the Coalition of Resistance: "The anger that is unfurling across our country is not mindless.
"It is the legitimate expression of a people who feel that this government is taking a wrecking ball to our nation, going far beyond what is needed rebalance our books.
"They are using a global financial crisis to terrify the citizens of this country into meek acceptance of a raid on our schools, hospitals, services, jobs - the very fundamentals of our communities built up over 60 years of our tax and toil."
Len McCluskey said communities would not allow the government to "hurl" the country back to the "wasted years" of unemployment and "destroyed" communities he said were the hallmark of the Thatcher years.
"We know there is an alternative, based on growth and tax justice, to the vandalism they are hell-bent on pursuing.
"In streets, schools, workplaces, universities and town halls up and down our country we will stand together against the senseless hardship they will unleash. We will not let them break Britain.
"And if this government ignores our alliance, then they will, deservedly, be run out of office."
Len McCluskey, newly elected leader of the Unite union accused the government of going "far beyond" what was needed to rebalance the economy.
He told a conference in London organised by the Coalition of Resistance: "The anger that is unfurling across our country is not mindless.
"It is the legitimate expression of a people who feel that this government is taking a wrecking ball to our nation, going far beyond what is needed rebalance our books.
"They are using a global financial crisis to terrify the citizens of this country into meek acceptance of a raid on our schools, hospitals, services, jobs - the very fundamentals of our communities built up over 60 years of our tax and toil."
Len McCluskey said communities would not allow the government to "hurl" the country back to the "wasted years" of unemployment and "destroyed" communities he said were the hallmark of the Thatcher years.
"We know there is an alternative, based on growth and tax justice, to the vandalism they are hell-bent on pursuing.
"In streets, schools, workplaces, universities and town halls up and down our country we will stand together against the senseless hardship they will unleash. We will not let them break Britain.
"And if this government ignores our alliance, then they will, deservedly, be run out of office."
Friday, November 26, 2010
Linamar car plant in Swansea closing at end of week
Two hundred employees at a car components factory near Swansea have been told it will shut this week, a union says.
North American-based Linamar announced in July it planned to close the plant.
It said the decision followed an "extensive review" which found "no viable future for the operation".
Unite said workers were "devastated" and condemned management of the plant once owned by Ford.
Unite National officer Roger Maddison said: "This is a sad time for our members at Linamar, who are devastated as the plant in Swansea closes for business this week.
"It beggars belief that Linamar can find millions of pounds to close the plant in Swansea and move work to Mexico, yet it could not find that same money to invest in a highly-skilled and committed workforce.
"Our members have paid the ultimate price by being dumped on to the industrial scrap heap just for defending the pay they had fought for over the 40 years the plants has been open."
The Swansea plant opened in the 1960s and was formerly owned by Ford and Visteon before being acquired by the Linamar Corporation in 2008.
At that time it employed over 350 people.
North American-based Linamar announced in July it planned to close the plant.
It said the decision followed an "extensive review" which found "no viable future for the operation".
Unite said workers were "devastated" and condemned management of the plant once owned by Ford.
Unite National officer Roger Maddison said: "This is a sad time for our members at Linamar, who are devastated as the plant in Swansea closes for business this week.
"It beggars belief that Linamar can find millions of pounds to close the plant in Swansea and move work to Mexico, yet it could not find that same money to invest in a highly-skilled and committed workforce.
"Our members have paid the ultimate price by being dumped on to the industrial scrap heap just for defending the pay they had fought for over the 40 years the plants has been open."
The Swansea plant opened in the 1960s and was formerly owned by Ford and Visteon before being acquired by the Linamar Corporation in 2008.
At that time it employed over 350 people.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Unite - Don't Break Britain Campaign To Be Launched
Unite’s new leader pledges to mobilise members against misery of a Cameron Christmas
Len McCluskey has warned that thousands of families face a miserable Christmas and painful new year thanks to the coalition government.
Len McCluskey, who earlier today was ratified as the first solo general secretary of Unite by the union’s executive, reiterated his determination to expose the lies behind the coalition government’s justification for its savage assault on the quality of national life.
Announcing Unite’s campaign to mobilise its 1.5 million members and their families in defence of their communities – titled Don’t Break Britain – Len McCluskey said: “Working people are under massive attack now. This government is expecting them to pay, through job losses and spending cuts, for the crisis made in the City. Resisting that assault must be priority number one for any trade union leader. What Thatcher tried to do to the unions, the Con-Dems are trying to do to the welfare state – erase it from the nation’s life.
“Britain’s first Cameron Christmas is going to be a time of bleak uncertainty for millions of people – not just those who work in the public sector, but anyone in any way dependent on them. Food, fuel and essentials are all rising. VAT will jump in January but wages are frozen. For ordinary people, this is not a ’good recession’, as some Tory peers would have it, but a miserable and frightening time. Only the bankers with their bonuses will be celebrating.
“That is why at the start of 2011, Unite will be launching its Don’t Break Britain campaign aimed at uniting everyone fighting to maintain the elements of a fair society and cohesive community life in the face of this onslaught.
“We will campaign alongside those who cannot take strike action to save their services – those dependent on benefits, people on NHS waiting lists, school children deprived of sports facilities, pensioners anxious about fuel bills.
“Don’t Break Britain will be about our union with its roots in the communities placing itself at the heart of the growing movement of resistance to the cuts.”
Len McCluskey added that he believed strike action to defend jobs and services will become more likely as anger deepens over the government’s actions:
“Unite will support any of its members that wish to take industrial action to save the one million jobs at threat across the public sector and to protect their pay and conditions. Indeed, I believe such action will likely prove inevitable.”
Further, Len reiterated his full support for a new beginning for the Labour party: “I would also like to make clear straight away my full support for the Labour party and for Ed Miliband’s leadership of it. I believe Unite members want and expect Labour to unite behind Ed, not to listen to the Blairite undead trying to drag Labour back to a failed past.
“Our duty now is to work might and main to defeat the Tories and Lib Dems at the local elections next May and at the next general election.”
Len McCluskey has warned that thousands of families face a miserable Christmas and painful new year thanks to the coalition government.
Len McCluskey, who earlier today was ratified as the first solo general secretary of Unite by the union’s executive, reiterated his determination to expose the lies behind the coalition government’s justification for its savage assault on the quality of national life.
Announcing Unite’s campaign to mobilise its 1.5 million members and their families in defence of their communities – titled Don’t Break Britain – Len McCluskey said: “Working people are under massive attack now. This government is expecting them to pay, through job losses and spending cuts, for the crisis made in the City. Resisting that assault must be priority number one for any trade union leader. What Thatcher tried to do to the unions, the Con-Dems are trying to do to the welfare state – erase it from the nation’s life.
“Britain’s first Cameron Christmas is going to be a time of bleak uncertainty for millions of people – not just those who work in the public sector, but anyone in any way dependent on them. Food, fuel and essentials are all rising. VAT will jump in January but wages are frozen. For ordinary people, this is not a ’good recession’, as some Tory peers would have it, but a miserable and frightening time. Only the bankers with their bonuses will be celebrating.
“That is why at the start of 2011, Unite will be launching its Don’t Break Britain campaign aimed at uniting everyone fighting to maintain the elements of a fair society and cohesive community life in the face of this onslaught.
“We will campaign alongside those who cannot take strike action to save their services – those dependent on benefits, people on NHS waiting lists, school children deprived of sports facilities, pensioners anxious about fuel bills.
“Don’t Break Britain will be about our union with its roots in the communities placing itself at the heart of the growing movement of resistance to the cuts.”
Len McCluskey added that he believed strike action to defend jobs and services will become more likely as anger deepens over the government’s actions:
“Unite will support any of its members that wish to take industrial action to save the one million jobs at threat across the public sector and to protect their pay and conditions. Indeed, I believe such action will likely prove inevitable.”
Further, Len reiterated his full support for a new beginning for the Labour party: “I would also like to make clear straight away my full support for the Labour party and for Ed Miliband’s leadership of it. I believe Unite members want and expect Labour to unite behind Ed, not to listen to the Blairite undead trying to drag Labour back to a failed past.
“Our duty now is to work might and main to defeat the Tories and Lib Dems at the local elections next May and at the next general election.”
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Unite slams government migration cap as harming IT workers
Unite has reacted angrily to the government's decision to exclude intra-company transfers from its migration cap policy announced today, believing that it is already having a detrimental effect on the UK workforce, especially IT staff.
The introduction of a salary threshold of £40,000 for intra-company transfers of more than a year will lead to employers manipulating the system by transferring workers from outside the UK for less than a year, Unite said.
Employers can claim accommodation allowances of up to 30 per cent of the salary, or 40 per cent if the certificate of sponsorship is under 12 months. Pay and allowances are not taxed if the migrant worker is temporarily transferred for under two years.
This subsidy could act as an incentive to undercut domestic pay rates, Unite claimed. A resident worker earning £35,000, for example, could end up paying £10,000 more in tax payments than a similar migrant worker on an intra-company transfer visa.
Excluding intra-company transfers from the migration numbers is contrary to advice from the Migration Advisory Committee, which released a report last week highlighting the potential problems.
Businesses could abuse the system by manipulating tax and accommodation allowances to undercut UK resident workers, according to Peter Skyte, Unite national officer.
"The government has spectacularly squandered the opportunity to deal with misuse and abuse of the intra-company transfer scheme in its migration cap announcement in the face of largely empty threats by big business to withdraw investment from the UK," he said.
Skyte added that the government has also failed to stimulate job opportunities to reduce high unemployment among skilled computer science graduates.
"[Instead it has] provided employers with greater incentives to source labour from the domestic market as envisaged in its original consultation on the migration cap," he argued.
Anne Swain, chief executive of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), welcomed the government's "tightening up" of the rules on intra-company transfers but questioned whether imposing a £40,000 minimum salary limit would be effective.
“We will be seeking clarity from the government on how the £40,000 minimum will be reviewed," she added.
“About 80 per cent of non-EU IT workers come to the UK on intra-company transfers. The cap won’t significantly reduce that influx."
Swain called for greater transparency in the current immigration system detailing the pay and conditions of workers entering the UK on intra-company transfers.
“The cap is a blunt tool which could do more damage than good. The vast majority of foreign workers arriving in the UK are EU nationals who won’t be affected by the cap,” she explained.
“Worries over immigration centre on low skilled workers being undercut, so capping the flow of highly skilled workers seems a strange policy.”
She warned that by imposing an inflexible cap, the government "could be damaging high value sectors of the economy where skills shortages can hinder growth”.
The introduction of a salary threshold of £40,000 for intra-company transfers of more than a year will lead to employers manipulating the system by transferring workers from outside the UK for less than a year, Unite said.
Employers can claim accommodation allowances of up to 30 per cent of the salary, or 40 per cent if the certificate of sponsorship is under 12 months. Pay and allowances are not taxed if the migrant worker is temporarily transferred for under two years.
This subsidy could act as an incentive to undercut domestic pay rates, Unite claimed. A resident worker earning £35,000, for example, could end up paying £10,000 more in tax payments than a similar migrant worker on an intra-company transfer visa.
Excluding intra-company transfers from the migration numbers is contrary to advice from the Migration Advisory Committee, which released a report last week highlighting the potential problems.
Businesses could abuse the system by manipulating tax and accommodation allowances to undercut UK resident workers, according to Peter Skyte, Unite national officer.
"The government has spectacularly squandered the opportunity to deal with misuse and abuse of the intra-company transfer scheme in its migration cap announcement in the face of largely empty threats by big business to withdraw investment from the UK," he said.
Skyte added that the government has also failed to stimulate job opportunities to reduce high unemployment among skilled computer science graduates.
"[Instead it has] provided employers with greater incentives to source labour from the domestic market as envisaged in its original consultation on the migration cap," he argued.
Anne Swain, chief executive of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), welcomed the government's "tightening up" of the rules on intra-company transfers but questioned whether imposing a £40,000 minimum salary limit would be effective.
“We will be seeking clarity from the government on how the £40,000 minimum will be reviewed," she added.
“About 80 per cent of non-EU IT workers come to the UK on intra-company transfers. The cap won’t significantly reduce that influx."
Swain called for greater transparency in the current immigration system detailing the pay and conditions of workers entering the UK on intra-company transfers.
“The cap is a blunt tool which could do more damage than good. The vast majority of foreign workers arriving in the UK are EU nationals who won’t be affected by the cap,” she explained.
“Worries over immigration centre on low skilled workers being undercut, so capping the flow of highly skilled workers seems a strange policy.”
She warned that by imposing an inflexible cap, the government "could be damaging high value sectors of the economy where skills shortages can hinder growth”.
Bradford City Council Send 10,000 Redundancy Notices
Unite officials have expressed fury at the latest threat to thousands of council workers' jobs, warning that Christmas was being "ruined" by the Government's spending cuts.
Unite said that Bradford City Council has put thousands of workers at risk of redundancy under plans to axe a quarter of its workforce.
Letters have been issued to its entire workforce placing them at risk of redundancy, with the council planning to lose 2,000 jobs, said Unite.
The union demanded that the council retracts the notice and plans to hold a meeting with its members to discuss the next steps to oppose the threat to jobs.
Regional officer Ray Jones said: "This is a callous and totally unwarranted act by the council. The needless distress caused to at least 10,000 workers so close to Christmas is simply unacceptable and Unite is demanding that the council retracts the letter immediately.
"It is bad enough that the council intends to make 2,000 staff redundant but it has gone even further and ruined Christmas for its entire workforce who now don't know whether they have a job in the New Year or not.
"While the blame for this attack on public sector workers quite firmly lies at the Government's door, the council's approach has only made matters worse. Unite will meet with its members shortly to discuss the next steps to oppose the council's actions."
Unison said several councils in the North West, including Bury, East Cheshire, Cumbria, Sefton and Knowsley had warned of a total of 4,500 job losses as they look to make millions of pounds worth of savings.
"It is a very worrying time for our members and for the crucial services they provide," said a spokesman.
The GMB union said last week that almost 40,000 jobs had been threatened with the axe at around 30 local authorities in recent weeks.
Unite said that Bradford City Council has put thousands of workers at risk of redundancy under plans to axe a quarter of its workforce.
Letters have been issued to its entire workforce placing them at risk of redundancy, with the council planning to lose 2,000 jobs, said Unite.
The union demanded that the council retracts the notice and plans to hold a meeting with its members to discuss the next steps to oppose the threat to jobs.
Regional officer Ray Jones said: "This is a callous and totally unwarranted act by the council. The needless distress caused to at least 10,000 workers so close to Christmas is simply unacceptable and Unite is demanding that the council retracts the letter immediately.
"It is bad enough that the council intends to make 2,000 staff redundant but it has gone even further and ruined Christmas for its entire workforce who now don't know whether they have a job in the New Year or not.
"While the blame for this attack on public sector workers quite firmly lies at the Government's door, the council's approach has only made matters worse. Unite will meet with its members shortly to discuss the next steps to oppose the council's actions."
Unison said several councils in the North West, including Bury, East Cheshire, Cumbria, Sefton and Knowsley had warned of a total of 4,500 job losses as they look to make millions of pounds worth of savings.
"It is a very worrying time for our members and for the crucial services they provide," said a spokesman.
The GMB union said last week that almost 40,000 jobs had been threatened with the axe at around 30 local authorities in recent weeks.
BA Ratchet Up Stakes By Suspending Unite Member For Organising Christmas Collection
From the Guardian:
"BA crew step nearer strike vote after suspension over Christmas collection
Union's 'dismay and anger' after woman is sent home for collecting money for sacked and suspended colleagues
Unite has warned that the suspension is likely to worsen its dispute with BA. But the timetable of any strike ballot makes industrial action over Christmas unlikely. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA
The Unite trade union has moved closer to calling a strike ballot among British Airways cabin crew after expressing its "dismay and anger" over the suspension of an employee for holding a Christmas collection for sacked and suspended colleagues.
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, said the suspension of Andrea Molton would worsen the dispute if she is not reinstated. In a letter to BA's director of people, Tony McCarthy, Woodley said: "I am urging you to intervene to lift Andrea's suspension immediately, failing which the consequences will rest entirely with management."
Unite insiders said the suspension increased the likelihood of a strike vote before Christmas. However, Unite must give seven days notice before holding a ballot, which would normally be expected to last a month - meaning that industrial action is likely to miss Christmas.
The year-long dispute between BA and Unite is at an impasse after Tony Woodley said last week that he could no longer recommend a BA peace offer amid resistance from Unite's two cabin crew branches. So far the dispute has seen the sacking of 16 staff and the suspension of a further 58 , though a number of those suspended have returned to work. A BA spokesman said "current" suspensions applied to 12 staff.
Referring to the Molton case, the spokesman added: "A member of cabin crew has been suspended following an allegation of bullying and harassment. The company's disciplinary process has been in place for many years and was agreed with all of its unions, including Unite. As a responsible company, we would not divulge details of individual cases."
"BA crew step nearer strike vote after suspension over Christmas collection
Union's 'dismay and anger' after woman is sent home for collecting money for sacked and suspended colleagues
Unite has warned that the suspension is likely to worsen its dispute with BA. But the timetable of any strike ballot makes industrial action over Christmas unlikely. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA
The Unite trade union has moved closer to calling a strike ballot among British Airways cabin crew after expressing its "dismay and anger" over the suspension of an employee for holding a Christmas collection for sacked and suspended colleagues.
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, said the suspension of Andrea Molton would worsen the dispute if she is not reinstated. In a letter to BA's director of people, Tony McCarthy, Woodley said: "I am urging you to intervene to lift Andrea's suspension immediately, failing which the consequences will rest entirely with management."
Unite insiders said the suspension increased the likelihood of a strike vote before Christmas. However, Unite must give seven days notice before holding a ballot, which would normally be expected to last a month - meaning that industrial action is likely to miss Christmas.
The year-long dispute between BA and Unite is at an impasse after Tony Woodley said last week that he could no longer recommend a BA peace offer amid resistance from Unite's two cabin crew branches. So far the dispute has seen the sacking of 16 staff and the suspension of a further 58 , though a number of those suspended have returned to work. A BA spokesman said "current" suspensions applied to 12 staff.
Referring to the Molton case, the spokesman added: "A member of cabin crew has been suspended following an allegation of bullying and harassment. The company's disciplinary process has been in place for many years and was agreed with all of its unions, including Unite. As a responsible company, we would not divulge details of individual cases."
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Len McCluskey Elected Next Unite General Secretary
Unite Assistant General Secretary Len McCluskey has been elected by Unite members to be the next General Secretary of the union.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11805884
The Workers Uniting Group supported Les Bayliss in the election. Les Bayliss has expressed his disappointment at the result and has thanked those supporters, members, activists and officials who supported him during the campaign.
The membership have spoken and have made a clear decision. The Workers Uniting Group congratulates Len McCluskey on his election and supports the decision of the membership.
Unite, like all unions faces major problems - not least the massive cuts in public services by the ConDem Government and on-going attacks on our members through anti-union legislation and the need to win back the Labour Party.
There is a need to unify Unite to defend members across the UK and Ireland and realise the unions full potential.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11805884
The Workers Uniting Group supported Les Bayliss in the election. Les Bayliss has expressed his disappointment at the result and has thanked those supporters, members, activists and officials who supported him during the campaign.
The membership have spoken and have made a clear decision. The Workers Uniting Group congratulates Len McCluskey on his election and supports the decision of the membership.
Unite, like all unions faces major problems - not least the massive cuts in public services by the ConDem Government and on-going attacks on our members through anti-union legislation and the need to win back the Labour Party.
There is a need to unify Unite to defend members across the UK and Ireland and realise the unions full potential.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tony Woodley - Young Talking "Claptrap"
Lord Young Government Special advisor was forced to resign today after telling the UK population - we have never had it so good and the we were in a "so-called recession".
Unite had this statement out by 9.30am and by mid afternoon Young was gone.
"Claptrap shows government out of touch, says Woodley
Responding to Lord Young's comments (November 18th) that British people have "never had it so good" during this "so-called recession", Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said:
"Lord Young has let the mask slip. His Thatcherite claptrap shows that this county has passed into the hands of an out-of-touch, unaccountable elite. But Lord Young has done the people of this county a favour - now we know exactly what this government thinks of them.
"The plain truth is this cabinet of millionaires is out of touch with the rising cost of living, frozen wages and the terror ordinary people have that their jobs will disappear as they're sacrificed to fulfil this government's goal of a low wage, broken state privatised Britain."
Unite had this statement out by 9.30am and by mid afternoon Young was gone.
"Claptrap shows government out of touch, says Woodley
Responding to Lord Young's comments (November 18th) that British people have "never had it so good" during this "so-called recession", Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said:
"Lord Young has let the mask slip. His Thatcherite claptrap shows that this county has passed into the hands of an out-of-touch, unaccountable elite. But Lord Young has done the people of this county a favour - now we know exactly what this government thinks of them.
"The plain truth is this cabinet of millionaires is out of touch with the rising cost of living, frozen wages and the terror ordinary people have that their jobs will disappear as they're sacrificed to fulfil this government's goal of a low wage, broken state privatised Britain."
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Norwood staff to protest over pay cuts prompted by government austerity
A number of care staff at Norwood are due to protest today over pay cuts as Unite claims the charity is jumping the gun on local government funding cuts.
Some staff from Norwood will meet this afternoon at the Norwood Ravenswood village in Berkshire to demonstrate over pay cuts which Unite the union expects could be as high as 20 per cent.
Jamie Major, Unite officer, said that the charity’s plans to implement the cuts in one hit were “simply not acceptable” and would force staff to leave in search for better paid work. The union has also accused the charity of making panic cuts ahead of a predicted drop in local government funding.
“Local authority spending has only been cut by 7.1 per cent this year. Even if this 7.1 per cent cost saving were passed on in full by every authority that Norwood receives statutory funding from, it would only be a £950,000 shortfall, and not the £2.7m Norwood has predicted. This does not even take into account the £2bn extra that government has just announced for the social care sector,” he said.
“Norwood has admitted that it does not even know the outcome of this year’s funding negotiations with the various local authorities. It is surprising that it intends to make cuts based on the totally unknown figures for next year, the year after that and the year after that. The management is jumping the gun.
“We accept that in the current economic climate savings need to be made. All we are asking for those savings be rational and considered taking each year at a time.”
Norwood has responded to today's planned action, with chief executive Norma Brier saying that she understands the concern of employees about the proposed changes but that not acting “would put at risk the future of Norwood and all the people who depend on us for support”.
“These proposals are a consequence of national economic events beyond our control, and the subsequent effects upon Norwood of cuts in local authority budgets,” she said.
“We deeply regret having to propose reductions in salaries. We have no choice but to bring our historically above average pay rates for frontline staff into line with those of other social care providers.”
The charity denied claims that the salary cuts were unfair, and emphasised that even after cuts Norwood salaries will still be higher than many of its main competitors.
Norwood also said that if negotiations with local authorities result in better than feared outcomes, it intends to reflect that in salary negotiations.
A final pay settlement is due in January.
Some staff from Norwood will meet this afternoon at the Norwood Ravenswood village in Berkshire to demonstrate over pay cuts which Unite the union expects could be as high as 20 per cent.
Jamie Major, Unite officer, said that the charity’s plans to implement the cuts in one hit were “simply not acceptable” and would force staff to leave in search for better paid work. The union has also accused the charity of making panic cuts ahead of a predicted drop in local government funding.
“Local authority spending has only been cut by 7.1 per cent this year. Even if this 7.1 per cent cost saving were passed on in full by every authority that Norwood receives statutory funding from, it would only be a £950,000 shortfall, and not the £2.7m Norwood has predicted. This does not even take into account the £2bn extra that government has just announced for the social care sector,” he said.
“Norwood has admitted that it does not even know the outcome of this year’s funding negotiations with the various local authorities. It is surprising that it intends to make cuts based on the totally unknown figures for next year, the year after that and the year after that. The management is jumping the gun.
“We accept that in the current economic climate savings need to be made. All we are asking for those savings be rational and considered taking each year at a time.”
Norwood has responded to today's planned action, with chief executive Norma Brier saying that she understands the concern of employees about the proposed changes but that not acting “would put at risk the future of Norwood and all the people who depend on us for support”.
“These proposals are a consequence of national economic events beyond our control, and the subsequent effects upon Norwood of cuts in local authority budgets,” she said.
“We deeply regret having to propose reductions in salaries. We have no choice but to bring our historically above average pay rates for frontline staff into line with those of other social care providers.”
The charity denied claims that the salary cuts were unfair, and emphasised that even after cuts Norwood salaries will still be higher than many of its main competitors.
Norwood also said that if negotiations with local authorities result in better than feared outcomes, it intends to reflect that in salary negotiations.
A final pay settlement is due in January.
Steelworkers Dispute With Sears In Canada
Union steps up fight against retail chain
US union United Steelworkers (USW) is ramping up a campaign in support of its members who have been locked out by shopping and warehousing giant Sears.
Some 500 members of the USW who work at the company's warehouse in Vaughan, in Canada's Ontario province, have been locked out since April 1.
In the run-up to Christmas the union is running a Don't Shop At Sears campaign with leafleting at shops across the country, phone messages and radio advertising.
The USW intends to hit the company's key markets and extend the boycott to include Sears Vacations and the Sears Card, which charges an exorbitant 29.9 per cent interest rate.
Prior to the biggest shopping day of the year - November 26 is known in the US as "Black Friday" - the union will send an automated "Don't Shop At Sears" phone message to the households of its members and their families.
Sears has demanded that working conditions including pensions, health care benefits and holiday entitlements be replaced at management's discretion.
The firm walked away from negotiations on March 23.
Bosses then brought in scabs to take the jobs of the union members who had been locked out.
Sears has even hired security guards to ferry scabs across the picket line at the warehouse.
USW's Ontario director Wayne Fraser said: "Sears has frozen out its own hard-working employees and their families.
"We've had great feedback about our publicity campaign and now we're going to ramp it up. Consumers deserve to know what is going on so they can choose where to shop - and where not to."
US union United Steelworkers (USW) is ramping up a campaign in support of its members who have been locked out by shopping and warehousing giant Sears.
Some 500 members of the USW who work at the company's warehouse in Vaughan, in Canada's Ontario province, have been locked out since April 1.
In the run-up to Christmas the union is running a Don't Shop At Sears campaign with leafleting at shops across the country, phone messages and radio advertising.
The USW intends to hit the company's key markets and extend the boycott to include Sears Vacations and the Sears Card, which charges an exorbitant 29.9 per cent interest rate.
Prior to the biggest shopping day of the year - November 26 is known in the US as "Black Friday" - the union will send an automated "Don't Shop At Sears" phone message to the households of its members and their families.
Sears has demanded that working conditions including pensions, health care benefits and holiday entitlements be replaced at management's discretion.
The firm walked away from negotiations on March 23.
Bosses then brought in scabs to take the jobs of the union members who had been locked out.
Sears has even hired security guards to ferry scabs across the picket line at the warehouse.
USW's Ontario director Wayne Fraser said: "Sears has frozen out its own hard-working employees and their families.
"We've had great feedback about our publicity campaign and now we're going to ramp it up. Consumers deserve to know what is going on so they can choose where to shop - and where not to."
Unite Raises Fears Over Potential Sale Of E.ON's UK Electricity Distribution Business
Unite fears that E.ON is planning to sell its UK electricity distribution business, leaving 1,000 workers and the second largest distribution network in the UK exposed to potential buyers, who may put profits before people, pensions and the national interest.
E.ON intends to divest some of its UK assets to reduce its levels of debt. Unite believes the distribution business is the most likely asset to be divested. The union is demanding to have oversight over any potential bidders to ensure the business is not sold to a bad purchaser, putting the network, jobs and pensions at risk.
Dougie Rooney, Unite National Officer for energy said: "We believe there is a strong likelihood that E.ON will sell its UK electricity distribution business leaving the network, jobs and pensions exposed to potential buyers seeking to put short term profits first.
"The UK's second largest electricity distribution network is too important to be sold to the wrong bidder. Unite is demanding oversight of any bids should E.ON decide to sell the business. We also believe the UK government should take an active interest in the event of a sale, for the sake of the nation's energy needs."
EDF recently sold its UK distribution business, the UK's biggest, to Hong Kong based infrastructure fund, Cheung Kong Investments (CKI). Unite believes CKI's bid represented the best offer, but the union had concerns over the other bidders.
E.ON intends to divest some of its UK assets to reduce its levels of debt. Unite believes the distribution business is the most likely asset to be divested. The union is demanding to have oversight over any potential bidders to ensure the business is not sold to a bad purchaser, putting the network, jobs and pensions at risk.
Dougie Rooney, Unite National Officer for energy said: "We believe there is a strong likelihood that E.ON will sell its UK electricity distribution business leaving the network, jobs and pensions exposed to potential buyers seeking to put short term profits first.
"The UK's second largest electricity distribution network is too important to be sold to the wrong bidder. Unite is demanding oversight of any bids should E.ON decide to sell the business. We also believe the UK government should take an active interest in the event of a sale, for the sake of the nation's energy needs."
EDF recently sold its UK distribution business, the UK's biggest, to Hong Kong based infrastructure fund, Cheung Kong Investments (CKI). Unite believes CKI's bid represented the best offer, but the union had concerns over the other bidders.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Legal victory in war against blacklisting
Unite has hailed a landmark legal victory today by a member in the fight against blacklisting.
An employment tribunal sitting last week at Ashford, Kent, found that major construction contractor CB&I was guilty of blacklisting Phil Willis due to his union activism.
The case is directly linked to the seizure in 2009 by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) of a blacklist run by the Consulting Association.
The list was subscribed to by over 40 construction firms and details of over 3,000 workers were held on the database, which the firms used to weed out union activists.
Mr Willis submitted an application to CB&I for work as a steel erector on the Isle of Grain project in 2007. Although his application was acknowledged, he was not contacted again.
Following the raid by the ICO Mr Willis obtained a copy of his blacklist file which contained information about his trade union activity. He brought his case under section 137 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Speaking after the verdict Mr Willis said: "We are beside ourselves with delight.
"The judgement was absolutely damning against CB&I, so much so that it reduced us to tears. It was such a great victory for us and for all those who will eventually follow in our footsteps."
Unite assistant general secretary Les Bayliss said: "This is a significant milestone but we believe the law should go further.
"Unite will be campaigning to strengthen the law on blacklisting to ensure employers do not even contemplate blacklisting trade union members."
Unite's national officer for construction Tom Hardacre said: "It is the first successful case against a major construction company but it will not be the last. The union is currently providing legal support to a number of workers who believe they have been blacklisted.
"Too many construction workers have suffered victimisation at the hands of unscrupulous employers. Unite intends to use the full force of the law to hold firms to account for systematically ruining people's livelihoods just because a few brave men were prepared to stand up for the rights of their fellow work colleagues."
An employment tribunal sitting last week at Ashford, Kent, found that major construction contractor CB&I was guilty of blacklisting Phil Willis due to his union activism.
The case is directly linked to the seizure in 2009 by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) of a blacklist run by the Consulting Association.
The list was subscribed to by over 40 construction firms and details of over 3,000 workers were held on the database, which the firms used to weed out union activists.
Mr Willis submitted an application to CB&I for work as a steel erector on the Isle of Grain project in 2007. Although his application was acknowledged, he was not contacted again.
Following the raid by the ICO Mr Willis obtained a copy of his blacklist file which contained information about his trade union activity. He brought his case under section 137 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Speaking after the verdict Mr Willis said: "We are beside ourselves with delight.
"The judgement was absolutely damning against CB&I, so much so that it reduced us to tears. It was such a great victory for us and for all those who will eventually follow in our footsteps."
Unite assistant general secretary Les Bayliss said: "This is a significant milestone but we believe the law should go further.
"Unite will be campaigning to strengthen the law on blacklisting to ensure employers do not even contemplate blacklisting trade union members."
Unite's national officer for construction Tom Hardacre said: "It is the first successful case against a major construction company but it will not be the last. The union is currently providing legal support to a number of workers who believe they have been blacklisted.
"Too many construction workers have suffered victimisation at the hands of unscrupulous employers. Unite intends to use the full force of the law to hold firms to account for systematically ruining people's livelihoods just because a few brave men were prepared to stand up for the rights of their fellow work colleagues."
BA Cabin Crew - Latest News
Unite has said that said the BA management's last offer in the year-long dispute could not be recommended to members.
"I am therefore contacting the company with a view to reopening discussions to seek to achieve a recommendable settlement to be put to cabin crew," Tony Woodley, Unite's joint-general secretary, said.
A planned ballot of staff on the offer was suspended last week because a number of cabin crew representatives felt they could not recommend it, a union spokeswoman said.
The dispute, originally centred on cuts to pay and staffing levels, has brought strikes costing the airline 150 million pounds
BA had last month described the offer, which had been based on previous proposals, the details of which have not been made public, as fair.
The head of Unite's cabin crew branch BASSA had told members in an email that BA had made enough changes to an earlier offer to warrant a ballot to see if it was acceptable.
But in an apparent turnaround the union spokeswoman said there were now problems in its "totality".
A key sticking point in resolving the dispute has been the airline's decision to remove staff travel perks for cabin crew who took part in the strikes.
"I am therefore contacting the company with a view to reopening discussions to seek to achieve a recommendable settlement to be put to cabin crew," Tony Woodley, Unite's joint-general secretary, said.
A planned ballot of staff on the offer was suspended last week because a number of cabin crew representatives felt they could not recommend it, a union spokeswoman said.
The dispute, originally centred on cuts to pay and staffing levels, has brought strikes costing the airline 150 million pounds
BA had last month described the offer, which had been based on previous proposals, the details of which have not been made public, as fair.
The head of Unite's cabin crew branch BASSA had told members in an email that BA had made enough changes to an earlier offer to warrant a ballot to see if it was acceptable.
But in an apparent turnaround the union spokeswoman said there were now problems in its "totality".
A key sticking point in resolving the dispute has been the airline's decision to remove staff travel perks for cabin crew who took part in the strikes.
Monday, November 15, 2010
A Message From Les Bayliss
The following message has been sent out by Les Bayliss.
"As the ballot for the leadership of Unite closes this week, Friday 19th, I am taking an opportunity to thank all of my supporters across the union for their encouragement, assistance and steadfast support over the past months.
This election has helped focus on the real issues facing Unite members, their families and our union.
The policies I have discussed with thousands of members have set the agenda in the election - and have found widespread support among our members.
With only a few days to go it is worth remembering the policies I have consistently advocated:
Better Support For Members: The policy of establishing a 24-hour, 7-day a week contact centre to help members when they need it has found universal approval – so much so that one candidate, belatedly and without planning and knowledge, latched on to it and now includes it as one of his policies.
Campaign Against The Cuts: I have argued from day one about building a massive campaign to oppose and fight the Con-Dem cuts, working with community groups and supporters and not muscling in on their campaigns or proposing knee jerk calls for strikes that won’t deliver. We have to "box clever" and build the widest support possible for the biggest demonstration the country has seen on March 26th 2011, to defend our members from the disaster we face.
Industrial support for members: I intend to ensure we win disputes with employers by strategic planning and not letting employers and the media pick our disputes. I have described the leadership of the BA Cabin Crew Dispute as “disastrous”. I have been attacked and smeared for doing so, with sideswipes that I don’t have the industrial experience to negotiate with employers such as Willie Walsh. So where are we now? Despite Unite recommending the latest BA deal (as the “best available”) and ballot our members – the ballot is now halted - we are up a blind alley with no reverse gear. (See http://uniteba.com/LATESTNEWSUPDATES.html).
Reclaim the Labour Party: I was the first candidate to publically welcome Ed Miliband’s election as Labour Party leader and recognise the part Unite played in his election. I have indicated that I will work with the Labour leadership to win the Party back for ordinary working people. I will do this by ensuring that we get Labour candidates and MPs who support and campaign for Unite policies.
Lay Member Control: I will ensure that the control of Unite stays in the hands of our members through elected reps at all levels and that the union remains based on branches, workplaces, chapels, sectors, regions and equality structures – NOT small cliques of people who represent only themselves and who are unaccountable.
I intend to unify our union; leading from the front, listening to members and our reps. I will introduce strategic planning, modern communications and policies that will grow the union as well as providing better training and education for reps
I will balance the books and ensure we have a union fit for purpose in the world of work in the 21st Century.
In these last few days if you have not already voted, or know Unite members who have not cast their vote – think of the future – Vote for Les Bayliss.
Les Bayliss
www.les4gs.org
"As the ballot for the leadership of Unite closes this week, Friday 19th, I am taking an opportunity to thank all of my supporters across the union for their encouragement, assistance and steadfast support over the past months.
This election has helped focus on the real issues facing Unite members, their families and our union.
The policies I have discussed with thousands of members have set the agenda in the election - and have found widespread support among our members.
With only a few days to go it is worth remembering the policies I have consistently advocated:
Better Support For Members: The policy of establishing a 24-hour, 7-day a week contact centre to help members when they need it has found universal approval – so much so that one candidate, belatedly and without planning and knowledge, latched on to it and now includes it as one of his policies.
Campaign Against The Cuts: I have argued from day one about building a massive campaign to oppose and fight the Con-Dem cuts, working with community groups and supporters and not muscling in on their campaigns or proposing knee jerk calls for strikes that won’t deliver. We have to "box clever" and build the widest support possible for the biggest demonstration the country has seen on March 26th 2011, to defend our members from the disaster we face.
Industrial support for members: I intend to ensure we win disputes with employers by strategic planning and not letting employers and the media pick our disputes. I have described the leadership of the BA Cabin Crew Dispute as “disastrous”. I have been attacked and smeared for doing so, with sideswipes that I don’t have the industrial experience to negotiate with employers such as Willie Walsh. So where are we now? Despite Unite recommending the latest BA deal (as the “best available”) and ballot our members – the ballot is now halted - we are up a blind alley with no reverse gear. (See http://uniteba.com/LATESTNEWSUPDATES.html).
Reclaim the Labour Party: I was the first candidate to publically welcome Ed Miliband’s election as Labour Party leader and recognise the part Unite played in his election. I have indicated that I will work with the Labour leadership to win the Party back for ordinary working people. I will do this by ensuring that we get Labour candidates and MPs who support and campaign for Unite policies.
Lay Member Control: I will ensure that the control of Unite stays in the hands of our members through elected reps at all levels and that the union remains based on branches, workplaces, chapels, sectors, regions and equality structures – NOT small cliques of people who represent only themselves and who are unaccountable.
I intend to unify our union; leading from the front, listening to members and our reps. I will introduce strategic planning, modern communications and policies that will grow the union as well as providing better training and education for reps
I will balance the books and ensure we have a union fit for purpose in the world of work in the 21st Century.
In these last few days if you have not already voted, or know Unite members who have not cast their vote – think of the future – Vote for Les Bayliss.
Les Bayliss
www.les4gs.org
Thursday, November 11, 2010
BA Cabin Crew Latest
Unite halts ballot over BA offer
Unite has suspended the ballot of Cabin Crew members.
The union had been due to ask 11,000 cabin crew members to vote on whether they wanted to accept the proposed deal, but the Bassa Branch of Unite decided earlier this week it could not support recommending the offer.
Tony Woodley, Unite’s joint general secretary, said any sense that the offer was being presented to cabin crew over the heads of “unwilling representatives” would be damaging to the union.
“Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps,” he said.
Bassa objected to clauses in the deal, including one requiring the union to drop all outstanding legal claims arising from the dispute.
The cabin crew branch will now press for another strike ballot.
One option is to put the offer to members without recommendation in a consultative ballot, and if it is rejected then hold a strike ballot.
Unite has suspended the ballot of Cabin Crew members.
The union had been due to ask 11,000 cabin crew members to vote on whether they wanted to accept the proposed deal, but the Bassa Branch of Unite decided earlier this week it could not support recommending the offer.
Tony Woodley, Unite’s joint general secretary, said any sense that the offer was being presented to cabin crew over the heads of “unwilling representatives” would be damaging to the union.
“Under these circumstances I have suspended the ballot on the offer and will meet with all our cabin crew representatives as a matter of urgency to consider the next steps,” he said.
Bassa objected to clauses in the deal, including one requiring the union to drop all outstanding legal claims arising from the dispute.
The cabin crew branch will now press for another strike ballot.
One option is to put the offer to members without recommendation in a consultative ballot, and if it is rejected then hold a strike ballot.
Goldman caterer is accused of 'discrimination'
Unite has called on Goldman Sachs to intervene in a furious row with its caterers over allegations of racism. The union had planned to picket the investment bank's Fleet Street headquarters and leaflet its highly paid staff over the row, involving the sacking of a long-time worker for Aramark, which handles catering at the bank's plush art deco offices.
The protest was postponed after Aramark agreed to send a director to discuss the matter with the union. But a Unite spokeswoman said that this did not mean that it had been called off. Goldman declined to comment while the discussions were taking place.
However, Unite officer Dave Turnbull said prior to the talks: "Unite is calling on Goldman Sachs to investigate what we believe to be an act of victimisation in retaliation for our member speaking out about potential ongoing discrimination against black and ethnic minority workers since Aramark took over the Goldman Sachs Contract in September 2008.
"Goldman Sachs must intervene as their contractor has failed to apply the standards it sets for its own employees in terms of equality and diversity. Goldman Sachs must conduct its own investigation into this potential act of unlawful victimisation on its premises, as well as into the overall running of the catering contract."
The spectre of Goldman being dragged into such a dispute will come as an embarrassment to a global organisation that has made great play about its diversity programmes.
Unite yesterday released the results of racial discrimination questionnaires submitted by several Unite members at the bank which it claimed raised "serious concerns" about potential discrimination by Aramark. Issues highlighted included: a number of black workers having been made redundant since Aramark took over the contract and subsequently told that no alternative positions were available to them when the total number of workers employed in the unit increased by from 194 to 219. Unite said that during the same period the total number of ethnic minority workers decreased from 94 to 88 while the number of white workers has increased from 100 to 131.
The union added that since taking over the contract Aramark "have engaged 52 new starters from ethnic minority backgrounds and 138 white workers. To maintain the balance of diversity prevalent when they took over the contract, the proportion of new starters should have been 91 ethnic minority workers to 99 white workers. And of 32 managerial positions in the unit, 29 are held by white employees and only 3 by ethnic minority staff."
Aramark said in a statement that it had agreed to "further discussions" with Unite "in order to resolve the matter as quickly as possible".
The protest was postponed after Aramark agreed to send a director to discuss the matter with the union. But a Unite spokeswoman said that this did not mean that it had been called off. Goldman declined to comment while the discussions were taking place.
However, Unite officer Dave Turnbull said prior to the talks: "Unite is calling on Goldman Sachs to investigate what we believe to be an act of victimisation in retaliation for our member speaking out about potential ongoing discrimination against black and ethnic minority workers since Aramark took over the Goldman Sachs Contract in September 2008.
"Goldman Sachs must intervene as their contractor has failed to apply the standards it sets for its own employees in terms of equality and diversity. Goldman Sachs must conduct its own investigation into this potential act of unlawful victimisation on its premises, as well as into the overall running of the catering contract."
The spectre of Goldman being dragged into such a dispute will come as an embarrassment to a global organisation that has made great play about its diversity programmes.
Unite yesterday released the results of racial discrimination questionnaires submitted by several Unite members at the bank which it claimed raised "serious concerns" about potential discrimination by Aramark. Issues highlighted included: a number of black workers having been made redundant since Aramark took over the contract and subsequently told that no alternative positions were available to them when the total number of workers employed in the unit increased by from 194 to 219. Unite said that during the same period the total number of ethnic minority workers decreased from 94 to 88 while the number of white workers has increased from 100 to 131.
The union added that since taking over the contract Aramark "have engaged 52 new starters from ethnic minority backgrounds and 138 white workers. To maintain the balance of diversity prevalent when they took over the contract, the proportion of new starters should have been 91 ethnic minority workers to 99 white workers. And of 32 managerial positions in the unit, 29 are held by white employees and only 3 by ethnic minority staff."
Aramark said in a statement that it had agreed to "further discussions" with Unite "in order to resolve the matter as quickly as possible".
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Les4GS - Get The Vote Out!!!
The following email was sent out by Les4GS
Dear Supporter
As the ballot for Unite General Secretary moves into its final weeks it is more important than ever to GET THE VOTE OUT!
The past week has shown that we are in a fight for the future of Unite. The dividing lines have been drawn between policies that will take the union forward or policies that will be divisive, hold us back, and will not unify our union.
In less than two weeks I will be asking every supporter and activist to continue to make sure members have returned their ballot papers and voted for LES BAYLISS – a vote for the future.
It is important you remind members of the key policies I have promoted throughout my campaign:
A BETTER UNION – develop a 24-hour/7-day a week contact centre with well trained and experienced Officials and Staff. Disseminate information to all members using modern communications and a regular union magazine.
BETTER JUDGEMENT - support industrial disputes, using strategic planning, campaigning and communications.
BETTER SUPPORT - invest more in training Unite representatives and invest more in informing, educating and advising members.
BETTER JOBS – use every resource available to create better jobs, pay, conditions and security in jobs.
DEFEND LAY MEMBER CONTROL AND THE RULE BOOK
Over the past weeks we have seen proposals by one group in the union to change recently agreed structures in order to control Unite via small, unrepresentative cliques, sitting in committee rooms - telling members what’s best for them.
Thousands of members who have joined Unite expect to have their say and play their part in a modern, campaigning and vibrant union not an organisation based on outdated structures.
To do this, I intend to defend and develop the structure we have built - to give working members and lay reps real control over the union, through our autonomous industrial sectors, our regions and our equalities structures.
WINNING BACK THE LABOUR PARTY
Unite was instrumental in electing Ed Miliband as leader of the Labour Party. My task will be to win back Labour for working people. I will work with the leadership of the Labour Party to ensure that not only do we win a majority the next election, but that we also return Labour MPs committed to the policies and values of Unite.
There is still much to do and every vote counts.
So, GET THE VOTE OUT and remind your members, workmates and family members who are Unite members who have not voted - to vote for the future and VOTE FOR LES BAYLISS.
In Solidarity – thanks for all your support!
Les Bayliss
Dear Supporter
As the ballot for Unite General Secretary moves into its final weeks it is more important than ever to GET THE VOTE OUT!
The past week has shown that we are in a fight for the future of Unite. The dividing lines have been drawn between policies that will take the union forward or policies that will be divisive, hold us back, and will not unify our union.
In less than two weeks I will be asking every supporter and activist to continue to make sure members have returned their ballot papers and voted for LES BAYLISS – a vote for the future.
It is important you remind members of the key policies I have promoted throughout my campaign:
A BETTER UNION – develop a 24-hour/7-day a week contact centre with well trained and experienced Officials and Staff. Disseminate information to all members using modern communications and a regular union magazine.
BETTER JUDGEMENT - support industrial disputes, using strategic planning, campaigning and communications.
BETTER SUPPORT - invest more in training Unite representatives and invest more in informing, educating and advising members.
BETTER JOBS – use every resource available to create better jobs, pay, conditions and security in jobs.
DEFEND LAY MEMBER CONTROL AND THE RULE BOOK
Over the past weeks we have seen proposals by one group in the union to change recently agreed structures in order to control Unite via small, unrepresentative cliques, sitting in committee rooms - telling members what’s best for them.
Thousands of members who have joined Unite expect to have their say and play their part in a modern, campaigning and vibrant union not an organisation based on outdated structures.
To do this, I intend to defend and develop the structure we have built - to give working members and lay reps real control over the union, through our autonomous industrial sectors, our regions and our equalities structures.
WINNING BACK THE LABOUR PARTY
Unite was instrumental in electing Ed Miliband as leader of the Labour Party. My task will be to win back Labour for working people. I will work with the leadership of the Labour Party to ensure that not only do we win a majority the next election, but that we also return Labour MPs committed to the policies and values of Unite.
There is still much to do and every vote counts.
So, GET THE VOTE OUT and remind your members, workmates and family members who are Unite members who have not voted - to vote for the future and VOTE FOR LES BAYLISS.
In Solidarity – thanks for all your support!
Les Bayliss
Friday, November 5, 2010
Pay deal secures car workers' jobs
Workers at Jaguar Land Rover have voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal including a two-year pay rise which union leaders said would secure their jobs for a decade, it has been announced.
Unite said 74% of workers at Halewood, Castle Bromwich and Solihull accepted the deal which will see pay increase by 5% this year and by RPI inflation plus 0.5% the following year.
The deal cements the future for around 16,000 workers across the company for at least another decade, according to Unite.
Union official Des Quinn said: "The workforce is over the moon. They can now look forward to the future in the knowledge that their jobs and livelihoods are secure for years to come.
"In these worrying times for workers and their families it is great to have some good news but it is no more than these workers deserve.
"It also shows what can be achieved when a manufacturer works with the union and backs Britain. These are the sort of jobs - highly skilled and secure - which are essential if our country is to grow its way back to economic prosperity.
"Unite and the workers are keen now to continue our work with the company to build upon JLR's proud reputation for making some of the best vehicles in the world."
Unite said it was hopeful that the new deal would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs at the car firm's Midlands and Liverpool sites.
Unite said 74% of workers at Halewood, Castle Bromwich and Solihull accepted the deal which will see pay increase by 5% this year and by RPI inflation plus 0.5% the following year.
The deal cements the future for around 16,000 workers across the company for at least another decade, according to Unite.
Union official Des Quinn said: "The workforce is over the moon. They can now look forward to the future in the knowledge that their jobs and livelihoods are secure for years to come.
"In these worrying times for workers and their families it is great to have some good news but it is no more than these workers deserve.
"It also shows what can be achieved when a manufacturer works with the union and backs Britain. These are the sort of jobs - highly skilled and secure - which are essential if our country is to grow its way back to economic prosperity.
"Unite and the workers are keen now to continue our work with the company to build upon JLR's proud reputation for making some of the best vehicles in the world."
Unite said it was hopeful that the new deal would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs at the car firm's Midlands and Liverpool sites.
Pay deal secures car workers' jobs
Workers at Jaguar Land Rover have voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal including a two-year pay rise which union leaders said would secure their jobs for a decade, it has been announced.
Unite said 74% of workers at Halewood, Castle Bromwich and Solihull accepted the deal which will see pay increase by 5% this year and by RPI inflation plus 0.5% the following year.
The deal cements the future for around 16,000 workers across the company for at least another decade, according to Unite.
Union official Des Quinn said: "The workforce is over the moon. They can now look forward to the future in the knowledge that their jobs and livelihoods are secure for years to come.
"In these worrying times for workers and their families it is great to have some good news but it is no more than these workers deserve.
"It also shows what can be achieved when a manufacturer works with the union and backs Britain. These are the sort of jobs - highly skilled and secure - which are essential if our country is to grow its way back to economic prosperity.
"Unite and the workers are keen now to continue our work with the company to build upon JLR's proud reputation for making some of the best vehicles in the world."
Unite said it was hopeful that the new deal would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs at the car firm's Midlands and Liverpool sites.
Unite said 74% of workers at Halewood, Castle Bromwich and Solihull accepted the deal which will see pay increase by 5% this year and by RPI inflation plus 0.5% the following year.
The deal cements the future for around 16,000 workers across the company for at least another decade, according to Unite.
Union official Des Quinn said: "The workforce is over the moon. They can now look forward to the future in the knowledge that their jobs and livelihoods are secure for years to come.
"In these worrying times for workers and their families it is great to have some good news but it is no more than these workers deserve.
"It also shows what can be achieved when a manufacturer works with the union and backs Britain. These are the sort of jobs - highly skilled and secure - which are essential if our country is to grow its way back to economic prosperity.
"Unite and the workers are keen now to continue our work with the company to build upon JLR's proud reputation for making some of the best vehicles in the world."
Unite said it was hopeful that the new deal would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs at the car firm's Midlands and Liverpool sites.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Public & Private Sector Job Cuts From Les4GS
Dear Supporter
The latest reports from a number of sources, say that over 1.6 million jobs could be lost through the Government’s austerity measures.
Members in both the public and private sectors are at risk of losing their jobs, with all the misery that unemployment brings to them and their families. The overwhelming number of members I have met in the last few weeks want to discuss their futures, the future of their families, as well as the future of Unite.
They are concerned about how the Government cuts will affect them and they want to know how we are going to defend jobs and fight the Government cuts and ensure we win.
We need to build a broad coalition – trade unions, trades councils, Labour Party activists, community groups, parent groups and educationalists – everyone who knows the damage the Con-Dem cuts will cause. This will take some time but this is why I have opposed knee-jerk calls for immediate strikes. Defending our members’ jobs and taking on the Government won’t be delivered unless we have broad support.
We must work towards ensuring that the March 26th 2011 demonstration in London against the cuts is the culmination of the most effective campaign ever launched by the TUC. However, we need to be building campaigns in every community.
I know many of our shop stewards and union reps are already campaigning locally against the cuts and building broad support. As General Secretary, I will ensure Unite supports them wholeheartedly.
I will also continue to campaign on policies that will take our members and Unite forward. These policies are outlined in my ballot statement contained within the ballot paper, on my website www.les4gs.org and in press statements.
Attacks and smears on my record and character will not deter me from speaking out on the issues which I believe are important to the future of our union and our members.
Since the creation of Unite, we have built a democratic structure through debate and consensus. Now we are seeing an attempt by a small group within the union, to dismantle that structure and turn the clock back.
I am proud of my record in helping to create Amicus and Unite through mergers and through democratic lay structures that give members direct control of their sectors and union.
As General Secretary I will defend lay control through our working reps and accountability within the union, through our autonomous sectors, through our regions and our equality structures.
My supporters can be assured I intend to continue to promote the positive and progressive policies I have argued for during the Unite General Secretary election campaign.
I believe we can build a better union, with better support for members and better judgement in our decisions.
Yours fraternally,
Les Bayliss
The latest reports from a number of sources, say that over 1.6 million jobs could be lost through the Government’s austerity measures.
Members in both the public and private sectors are at risk of losing their jobs, with all the misery that unemployment brings to them and their families. The overwhelming number of members I have met in the last few weeks want to discuss their futures, the future of their families, as well as the future of Unite.
They are concerned about how the Government cuts will affect them and they want to know how we are going to defend jobs and fight the Government cuts and ensure we win.
We need to build a broad coalition – trade unions, trades councils, Labour Party activists, community groups, parent groups and educationalists – everyone who knows the damage the Con-Dem cuts will cause. This will take some time but this is why I have opposed knee-jerk calls for immediate strikes. Defending our members’ jobs and taking on the Government won’t be delivered unless we have broad support.
We must work towards ensuring that the March 26th 2011 demonstration in London against the cuts is the culmination of the most effective campaign ever launched by the TUC. However, we need to be building campaigns in every community.
I know many of our shop stewards and union reps are already campaigning locally against the cuts and building broad support. As General Secretary, I will ensure Unite supports them wholeheartedly.
I will also continue to campaign on policies that will take our members and Unite forward. These policies are outlined in my ballot statement contained within the ballot paper, on my website www.les4gs.org and in press statements.
Attacks and smears on my record and character will not deter me from speaking out on the issues which I believe are important to the future of our union and our members.
Since the creation of Unite, we have built a democratic structure through debate and consensus. Now we are seeing an attempt by a small group within the union, to dismantle that structure and turn the clock back.
I am proud of my record in helping to create Amicus and Unite through mergers and through democratic lay structures that give members direct control of their sectors and union.
As General Secretary I will defend lay control through our working reps and accountability within the union, through our autonomous sectors, through our regions and our equality structures.
My supporters can be assured I intend to continue to promote the positive and progressive policies I have argued for during the Unite General Secretary election campaign.
I believe we can build a better union, with better support for members and better judgement in our decisions.
Yours fraternally,
Les Bayliss
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"A note of support and dismay from a small, but very active, branch of Unite!!!
As a Unite member and activist in receipt of Ron Pursey’s recent concerns over comments made by Tony Woodley at the “Protect Public Services Lobby” on 19 October, I too am amazed, concerned and ashamed at what I heard from Tony on 19 October. So much so that, as a previously undecided Unite elector, Tony’s comments have resulted in my determination to vote for Les as General Secretary.
I could not believe what I was hearing from Tony at what was otherwise a very successful and invigorating inter-union Rally and Lobby against the ConDem Cuts. He should not have used his very short speech on the draconian, devastating and destructive actions of our Government, to attack a candidate for Unite’s General Secretary election. As a colleague unionist of another union said to me afterwards, “- – - if that’s united, God help Unite’s members”!!!!!!!
I also attended the TUC Briefing event on 23 October, to raise the profile of my Branch (albeit a little fearful that someone else of influence may say something stupid!) Thankfully, no repeat of such high-profile unacceptable behaviour, just some disturbing inter-union heckling which does not favour well for the required inter-union actions demanded to fight the cuts!!
So I say to Unite’s bosses, “get your act together and get united. Back-stabbing and dirty-laundry in public gives no confidence to members that Unite can take the lead in effective inter-union action required to fight Public Sector Cuts”.
Alan Yelling, Vice Chair of the Probation Managers Association, a Branch of Unite.
NOTE - Used with permission of Mr. Yelling.
I could not believe what I was hearing from Tony at what was otherwise a very successful and invigorating inter-union Rally and Lobby against the ConDem Cuts. He should not have used his very short speech on the draconian, devastating and destructive actions of our Government, to attack a candidate for Unite’s General Secretary election. As a colleague unionist of another union said to me afterwards, “- – - if that’s united, God help Unite’s members”!!!!!!!
I also attended the TUC Briefing event on 23 October, to raise the profile of my Branch (albeit a little fearful that someone else of influence may say something stupid!) Thankfully, no repeat of such high-profile unacceptable behaviour, just some disturbing inter-union heckling which does not favour well for the required inter-union actions demanded to fight the cuts!!
So I say to Unite’s bosses, “get your act together and get united. Back-stabbing and dirty-laundry in public gives no confidence to members that Unite can take the lead in effective inter-union action required to fight Public Sector Cuts”.
Alan Yelling, Vice Chair of the Probation Managers Association, a Branch of Unite.
NOTE - Used with permission of Mr. Yelling.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Statement by Workers Uniting Group
‘Back to the Future’, Neither United nor Left
The United Left have published their ‘new’ structure for Unite on their website (see below).
All Unite GS candidates say they want to unify Unite, but words are one thing and actions are another. However, you can’t help but think that these ‘new’ proposals are what the Unite GS election is really all about and why the Executive Council Elections, due to take place next year are vitally important.
These ‘new’ proposals and this Workers Uniting Group statement should be a wake up call to all supporters who believe in effective trade unionism and genuine lay democracy.
The Workers Uniting Group was formed, amongst other things, for the defence of the most democratic rulebook ever created in the UK and Irish trade union movement. A rulebook that recognised that in a modern union, the autonomy of the sectors with their ability to create space for specialist occupational groups so that all members were adequately represented, was essential. Sectors where, through elected and accountable working reps, members could represent their own interests with the support and resources of the biggest and most powerful union created for decades.
The Workers Uniting Group have consistently warned, and will continue to do so, that there were some who wanted to dismantle the most effective political structure in the trade union movement by taking us back in time, with no way “back to the future”. We currently have a structure committed to implementing Unite policy to take back the Labour Party for working people. This political structure recently delivered Ed Miliband as Labour leader, in line with members’ aspirations.
The arduous task of winning a clean expenses regime, one where activists neither gained nor lost at the union’s expense, was part of the struggle for a clean union where working reps represented working people and collectively bargained on their behalf. We warned - and will continue to warn - that the intention to remove Rule 6 was all about the preservation of a ‘vested interest’ lay bureaucracy that made a living off the union and in return would vote the ‘right way’.
These UL ‘new’ proposals are a betrayal of the members’ whose unions created Unite and the hard-won agreements forged in the process. Unite could never have been created on the outdated ‘trade groups’ of the former TGWU. Let it be known that UNIFI, MSF, GPMU all rejected that model and favoured the autonomy of their sectors - which would also attract other merger partners.
We warn members in specialist sectors - don’t sleepwalk into the abolition of your sectoral autonomy to the tune of empty rhetoric.
We fought and won a future EC of working reps that are overwhelmingly elected from the Sectors in order to keep the highest lay democratic body of the union in contact with working members. A body that has such enormous industrial power must be composed of working men and women that have a stake in the workplaces.
We anticipated and predicted that a challenge to genuine lay democracy where working reps represent working people. Now we predict that if these proposals become rules that Unite will at best fail to go forward, fail to organise and at worst could become paralysed by vested interests and become irrelevant to working men and women. The result will be a declining union not a campaigning, vibrant union but a husk – a zombie union.
These proposals are not ‘Left’. They are right-wing reactionary, outdated and dangerous. They have got nothing to do with unity and will engulf the union in out-dated bitter factionalism.
These proposals are a negation of the politics and spirit that built Unite through the rules commission where everyone knew that former practices that were paralysing the unions’ abilities to effectively organise and represent its members had to go. The merger process recognised that we were building Unite, not T&G or Amicus Mark 2.
It is time to recognise we can’t go back two or three decades to an era that has vanished.
We are in the fight of our lives against an ideologically driven Coalition, Neo-liberalism and the power of Global corporations. This fight will not be won by passing resolutions, sitting in committee meetings of structures that don’t match the reality of working life over the next ten years.
Strong workplace organisation and educated workplace reps - serviced by well-trained and motivated Officers - are our future, as well as union structures that deliver for all members, no matter where they work.
Whoever is the next General Secretary, will be duty bound to honour the commitments that our members voted overwhelmingly to endorse. Let it be known that Les Bayliss knows that, he has made that pledge.
Vote for Les Bayliss
Proposals for 2011 Rules Conference changes: from United Left National Coordinating Committee
• Objects of the Union – restore some of the Socialist principles of the former TGWU.
•Strengthened industrial structure, with major industrial groupings such as Health, Manufacturing and Transport as per the Transport Sector document circulated recently, and NISC minutes to be endorsed by the Executive Council.
•Political direction of the union to be brought back under the control of the Executive Council and Regional Committees. The current Regional and National Political Committees could then be re-named Labour Party Liasion Committees to reflect their actual rôle.
•Clearer commitment to lay member control and the rights of lay members – e.g. an Appeal mechanism against victimisation within the union structures.
•Area Activists Committees to be directed towards influencing community politics (e.g. campaigns against hospital closures) – with the emphasis being on setting up broader meetings involving all activists in the given area in the campaigns, and the Committee having an organising rôle rather than just existing for its own sake.
•Executive Council seats for Disabled and LGBT representatives.
•Eligibility to sit on constitutional committees in casualised industries to be reviewed and more practical eligibility criteria put in place (rule 6).
•Regional Committee members to have the right of recall w.r.t. Regional Committee meetings.
•Structures to be developed to allow Unemployed and Retired member to participate fully in appropriate areas of activity within the union.
The United Left have published their ‘new’ structure for Unite on their website (see below).
All Unite GS candidates say they want to unify Unite, but words are one thing and actions are another. However, you can’t help but think that these ‘new’ proposals are what the Unite GS election is really all about and why the Executive Council Elections, due to take place next year are vitally important.
These ‘new’ proposals and this Workers Uniting Group statement should be a wake up call to all supporters who believe in effective trade unionism and genuine lay democracy.
The Workers Uniting Group was formed, amongst other things, for the defence of the most democratic rulebook ever created in the UK and Irish trade union movement. A rulebook that recognised that in a modern union, the autonomy of the sectors with their ability to create space for specialist occupational groups so that all members were adequately represented, was essential. Sectors where, through elected and accountable working reps, members could represent their own interests with the support and resources of the biggest and most powerful union created for decades.
The Workers Uniting Group have consistently warned, and will continue to do so, that there were some who wanted to dismantle the most effective political structure in the trade union movement by taking us back in time, with no way “back to the future”. We currently have a structure committed to implementing Unite policy to take back the Labour Party for working people. This political structure recently delivered Ed Miliband as Labour leader, in line with members’ aspirations.
The arduous task of winning a clean expenses regime, one where activists neither gained nor lost at the union’s expense, was part of the struggle for a clean union where working reps represented working people and collectively bargained on their behalf. We warned - and will continue to warn - that the intention to remove Rule 6 was all about the preservation of a ‘vested interest’ lay bureaucracy that made a living off the union and in return would vote the ‘right way’.
These UL ‘new’ proposals are a betrayal of the members’ whose unions created Unite and the hard-won agreements forged in the process. Unite could never have been created on the outdated ‘trade groups’ of the former TGWU. Let it be known that UNIFI, MSF, GPMU all rejected that model and favoured the autonomy of their sectors - which would also attract other merger partners.
We warn members in specialist sectors - don’t sleepwalk into the abolition of your sectoral autonomy to the tune of empty rhetoric.
We fought and won a future EC of working reps that are overwhelmingly elected from the Sectors in order to keep the highest lay democratic body of the union in contact with working members. A body that has such enormous industrial power must be composed of working men and women that have a stake in the workplaces.
We anticipated and predicted that a challenge to genuine lay democracy where working reps represent working people. Now we predict that if these proposals become rules that Unite will at best fail to go forward, fail to organise and at worst could become paralysed by vested interests and become irrelevant to working men and women. The result will be a declining union not a campaigning, vibrant union but a husk – a zombie union.
These proposals are not ‘Left’. They are right-wing reactionary, outdated and dangerous. They have got nothing to do with unity and will engulf the union in out-dated bitter factionalism.
These proposals are a negation of the politics and spirit that built Unite through the rules commission where everyone knew that former practices that were paralysing the unions’ abilities to effectively organise and represent its members had to go. The merger process recognised that we were building Unite, not T&G or Amicus Mark 2.
It is time to recognise we can’t go back two or three decades to an era that has vanished.
We are in the fight of our lives against an ideologically driven Coalition, Neo-liberalism and the power of Global corporations. This fight will not be won by passing resolutions, sitting in committee meetings of structures that don’t match the reality of working life over the next ten years.
Strong workplace organisation and educated workplace reps - serviced by well-trained and motivated Officers - are our future, as well as union structures that deliver for all members, no matter where they work.
Whoever is the next General Secretary, will be duty bound to honour the commitments that our members voted overwhelmingly to endorse. Let it be known that Les Bayliss knows that, he has made that pledge.
Vote for Les Bayliss
Proposals for 2011 Rules Conference changes: from United Left National Coordinating Committee
• Objects of the Union – restore some of the Socialist principles of the former TGWU.
•Strengthened industrial structure, with major industrial groupings such as Health, Manufacturing and Transport as per the Transport Sector document circulated recently, and NISC minutes to be endorsed by the Executive Council.
•Political direction of the union to be brought back under the control of the Executive Council and Regional Committees. The current Regional and National Political Committees could then be re-named Labour Party Liasion Committees to reflect their actual rôle.
•Clearer commitment to lay member control and the rights of lay members – e.g. an Appeal mechanism against victimisation within the union structures.
•Area Activists Committees to be directed towards influencing community politics (e.g. campaigns against hospital closures) – with the emphasis being on setting up broader meetings involving all activists in the given area in the campaigns, and the Committee having an organising rôle rather than just existing for its own sake.
•Executive Council seats for Disabled and LGBT representatives.
•Eligibility to sit on constitutional committees in casualised industries to be reviewed and more practical eligibility criteria put in place (rule 6).
•Regional Committee members to have the right of recall w.r.t. Regional Committee meetings.
•Structures to be developed to allow Unemployed and Retired member to participate fully in appropriate areas of activity within the union.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Unite to take asbestos victims’ fight to supreme court
Unite the union has today (Monday 1 November) confirmed it will go to the supreme court to challenge a court of appeal ruling that threatens to deprive thousands of asbestos cancer victims and their families of their rightful compensation.
In a landmark ruling earlier this month the court of appeal decided that in some asbestos cases the employer’s liability insurance is triggered not by the exposure to asbestos in the workplace, but by the development of the fatal cancer, mesothelioma.
Because symptoms of mesothelioma only begin decades after asbestos dust was inhaled the ruling means thousands of British workers who develop the disease could be deprived of compensation.
Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: “The way the insurers refused to pay out in these cases is a kick in the guts to every family that’s watched a loved one suffer a painful and degrading death from mesothelioma.
“Insurers sold their policies knowing that employers and workers' families would rely on them. Now they’re trying to weasel out of paying based on fancy legal argument and policy small print.
“Unite will put its full weight behind this appeal. We will pursue it because we want to see justice done to innocent victims and their families.”
Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at trade union law firm Thompsons Solicitors said: "Asbestos victims will welcome the decision by Unite to pursue the appeal to the highest court in the land and the union's principled stance in opposing the insurers' latest legal challenge."
Notes for Editors:
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure and around 2,000 people a year are currently diagnosed with the disease in the UK.
For decades the insurance industry accepted that the employers' liability insurer on cover at the time of the asbestos exposure occurred is liable to respond to the mesothelioma claim. A number of insurers seized upon a 2006 Court of Appeal case, [Bolton MBC v Municipal Mutual Insurance Ltd [2006] which ruled that public liability insurance is triggered not by the exposure but by the development of the mesothelioma which occurs decades later. The insurers in the trigger issue test case argue that the same interpretation should be applied in employers' liability mesothelioma claims.
Unite is backing the appeal in Edwards v Excess Insurance Company Ltd, one of six test cases which were the subject of a court of appeal ruling on 8 October 2010
Charles Michael O’Farrell died aged 81 in October 2003 just two months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. His daughter Maureen Edwards is pursuing the claim on behalf of the family following her father’s death. Her claim is backed by Unite the union, of which her father was a member.
Charles was exposed to asbestos while working for Humphreys & Glasgow Limited as a steel erector from 1964 to 1967. During his employment he was based at the Linacre Gas Works in Bootle, Merseyside where he came into contact with asbestos on a daily basis. Before he died he said he was never warned that asbestos was dangerous. The family was awarded £152,000 in compensation against Humphreys & Glasgow Limited by the county Court in 2007. Excess Insurance Company Ltd insured Humphreys & Glasgow at the time Charles worked for the company.
In a landmark ruling earlier this month the court of appeal decided that in some asbestos cases the employer’s liability insurance is triggered not by the exposure to asbestos in the workplace, but by the development of the fatal cancer, mesothelioma.
Because symptoms of mesothelioma only begin decades after asbestos dust was inhaled the ruling means thousands of British workers who develop the disease could be deprived of compensation.
Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: “The way the insurers refused to pay out in these cases is a kick in the guts to every family that’s watched a loved one suffer a painful and degrading death from mesothelioma.
“Insurers sold their policies knowing that employers and workers' families would rely on them. Now they’re trying to weasel out of paying based on fancy legal argument and policy small print.
“Unite will put its full weight behind this appeal. We will pursue it because we want to see justice done to innocent victims and their families.”
Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at trade union law firm Thompsons Solicitors said: "Asbestos victims will welcome the decision by Unite to pursue the appeal to the highest court in the land and the union's principled stance in opposing the insurers' latest legal challenge."
Notes for Editors:
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure and around 2,000 people a year are currently diagnosed with the disease in the UK.
For decades the insurance industry accepted that the employers' liability insurer on cover at the time of the asbestos exposure occurred is liable to respond to the mesothelioma claim. A number of insurers seized upon a 2006 Court of Appeal case, [Bolton MBC v Municipal Mutual Insurance Ltd [2006] which ruled that public liability insurance is triggered not by the exposure but by the development of the mesothelioma which occurs decades later. The insurers in the trigger issue test case argue that the same interpretation should be applied in employers' liability mesothelioma claims.
Unite is backing the appeal in Edwards v Excess Insurance Company Ltd, one of six test cases which were the subject of a court of appeal ruling on 8 October 2010
Charles Michael O’Farrell died aged 81 in October 2003 just two months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. His daughter Maureen Edwards is pursuing the claim on behalf of the family following her father’s death. Her claim is backed by Unite the union, of which her father was a member.
Charles was exposed to asbestos while working for Humphreys & Glasgow Limited as a steel erector from 1964 to 1967. During his employment he was based at the Linacre Gas Works in Bootle, Merseyside where he came into contact with asbestos on a daily basis. Before he died he said he was never warned that asbestos was dangerous. The family was awarded £152,000 in compensation against Humphreys & Glasgow Limited by the county Court in 2007. Excess Insurance Company Ltd insured Humphreys & Glasgow at the time Charles worked for the company.
British Airways offer 'probably best available', says union
From The Guardian
Cabin crew to vote on British Airways' latest offer with further strike action the only alternative to accepting the deal
Union representatives have told British Airways cabin crew that a peace offer that could end a long-running dispute is "probably the best" deal available, with further walkouts the only option if it is rejected.
About 10,000 crew affiliated with the Unite trade union are preparing to vote on an offer that could finish a year-long row with the airline. Unite's largest cabin crew branch, Bassa, said in an email to members that the only alternative to the deal was strike action. The BA offer sets out a framework for restoring staff travel to the estimated 6,700 crew who took part in 22 days of strike action this year, as well as allowing the Acas conciliation service to mediate disciplinary cases.
The Bassa email states: "This is probably the best that negotiation could produce at the current time. The only other alternative would then be taking industrial action, the outcome of which of course is always unknown." However, the message also raises concerns from members that the offer is similar to one rejected in June.
"Many members could not understand why it has not already been rejected by your reps. The answer is simple: rejection is for you alone to decide," said Bassa.
BA has asked that Unite recommend the offer as a precondition for tabling it. Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, has said that he is "hopeful" that the union will back it. Walsh told the Guardian last week that the communications accompanying the ballot would be keenly watched by the airline. "It will be the communications that they issue in relation to the ballot that will be the test. I am quite pleased with the position that we have negotiated with Unite. It genuinely represents an opportunity to get a fair resolution. It is an opportunity for people to demonstrate that it is time to bring this to an end."
The consultative ballot has not yet opened because Unite is still working through the implications of BA's demand that all legal action related to the dispute must be halted. If the offer is rejected, Unite must hold a further ballot before it can call industrial action.
Cabin crew to vote on British Airways' latest offer with further strike action the only alternative to accepting the deal
Union representatives have told British Airways cabin crew that a peace offer that could end a long-running dispute is "probably the best" deal available, with further walkouts the only option if it is rejected.
About 10,000 crew affiliated with the Unite trade union are preparing to vote on an offer that could finish a year-long row with the airline. Unite's largest cabin crew branch, Bassa, said in an email to members that the only alternative to the deal was strike action. The BA offer sets out a framework for restoring staff travel to the estimated 6,700 crew who took part in 22 days of strike action this year, as well as allowing the Acas conciliation service to mediate disciplinary cases.
The Bassa email states: "This is probably the best that negotiation could produce at the current time. The only other alternative would then be taking industrial action, the outcome of which of course is always unknown." However, the message also raises concerns from members that the offer is similar to one rejected in June.
"Many members could not understand why it has not already been rejected by your reps. The answer is simple: rejection is for you alone to decide," said Bassa.
BA has asked that Unite recommend the offer as a precondition for tabling it. Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, has said that he is "hopeful" that the union will back it. Walsh told the Guardian last week that the communications accompanying the ballot would be keenly watched by the airline. "It will be the communications that they issue in relation to the ballot that will be the test. I am quite pleased with the position that we have negotiated with Unite. It genuinely represents an opportunity to get a fair resolution. It is an opportunity for people to demonstrate that it is time to bring this to an end."
The consultative ballot has not yet opened because Unite is still working through the implications of BA's demand that all legal action related to the dispute must be halted. If the offer is rejected, Unite must hold a further ballot before it can call industrial action.
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