July 16th-17th will see local government workers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland take strike action in support of our pay claim. I am under no illusions that we do so reluctantly but we must now deliver an effective strike. The arithmetic for the average LG Worker is simple 2.45% wont pay the bills it wont pay for the rising price of food (having gone to the supermarket this afternoon it was a shock how much things have gone up since this time last year) it wont pay for the rising electricity gas and water prices and if you drive one it wont pay for the petrol (or diesel in the car.
So Strike we must and strike we shall : Its time for our Labour Government to recognise that the pay limit is an artificial and blunt tool in combat ting inflation. Ordinary people know what causes inflation and it sure as hell isn't the wages of the local government (or public sector in general) workforce. The vast majority of public services worker are women and a large majority work part time delivering services to the most vulnerable, it was not an easy decision to strike for may of these people but they recognise the need to do so now.
In my own Branch we shall be attempting to ensure those who are striking have access to our
hardship fund to help alleviate the financial difficulties caused by taking action.
This is a strike we simply must win for the good of ourselves but also for the future of the public sector. Year on year pay cuts mean entry to the public sector becomes an ever less attractive proposition for new workers entering the labour market. If this accelerates the recruitment shortages will not be limited to specialisms like Social work and planning. Already people Can earn more working in Tescoes than they can looking after the most vulnerable through homecare or residential care this cannot go on .
We must be prepared to fight for a decent standard of living and recongise that sometiems a short term sacrifice is necessary to secure a longer term gain. This is exactly what resulted from the LGPS dispute in 2006, the National Pay dispute in 2002 and in my own borough a local dispute in 1999 agaisnt savage attacks on terms and conditions
Monday, 30 June 2008
Monday, 14 April 2008
SHROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTT
Might seem an odd title for an item. It refers to Robin Shroot an excellent young player for Wimbledon who scored a hat-trick in our 4-1 demolition of play off rivals Ashford Town Middlesex on Saturday. To cap an excellent weekend for young Robin he then scored a goal at Womble Stadium no less yesterday. Why were Wimbledon at Wembley you might ask? (if you care) the answer being we were invited to play Corinthian Casuals who were granted a friendly by the Football Association in return for allowing one of the lounges to be named after them! I am sure they will remember their visit to Wembley since they were trounced 8-1 by the Dons. It was a rather good weekend all in all :) At 8-0 up with 20 to go we were pondering what the record margin of victory at Wembley was (it was 9-0 England V Luxembourg) and the creation of another trivia quizz question involving Wimbledon ( who hold the unique record of having a player score 4 goals with his head in a Cup Final at Wembley trivia buffs look up Eddie Reynolds sometime)
Wembley as you might well expect is a victim of rip off Britain where a portion of fish and chips (one mate of mine who had it could not be more specific about the type of fish either !) is £8.00 and a pint of beer is £3.50 a programme coming in at a bargain £5.00. How I miss playing in the top flight so much !
Now onto cheering Folkestone tonight (they are playing our most likely rivals for 2nd place) before easing back to Wimbledon on Saturday in their last home league game of the season against Harlow Town.
Meanwhile is a small non city about 70 miles north the cuckoo's in the nest who stole our league place were denied promotion for at least another week :) Of course the inevitable will probably happen this week but it would be most satisfying if they failed to win the 4th Division (that's its real name oh franny fans) and if they failed to beat our record points total 25 years ago of 98 points. If they want to see the trophy they are most welcome to pop down to its rightful home in the London Borough of Merton at Morden Library. Now just a matter of getting the Club a ground a mile or two north of our current location so we are in the Borough again (or of course persuading the Councils to change their boundaries :) )
Wembley as you might well expect is a victim of rip off Britain where a portion of fish and chips (one mate of mine who had it could not be more specific about the type of fish either !) is £8.00 and a pint of beer is £3.50 a programme coming in at a bargain £5.00. How I miss playing in the top flight so much !
Now onto cheering Folkestone tonight (they are playing our most likely rivals for 2nd place) before easing back to Wimbledon on Saturday in their last home league game of the season against Harlow Town.
Meanwhile is a small non city about 70 miles north the cuckoo's in the nest who stole our league place were denied promotion for at least another week :) Of course the inevitable will probably happen this week but it would be most satisfying if they failed to win the 4th Division (that's its real name oh franny fans) and if they failed to beat our record points total 25 years ago of 98 points. If they want to see the trophy they are most welcome to pop down to its rightful home in the London Borough of Merton at Morden Library. Now just a matter of getting the Club a ground a mile or two north of our current location so we are in the Borough again (or of course persuading the Councils to change their boundaries :) )
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Politics & Sport Collide
In a bizarre fashion on Good Friday my two major interests collided.
I was attending an AFC Wimbledon game only to find myself confronted by leafletters from the new Left List (this being the non Galloway part of Respect) The reason for this unexpected event was that the former Chairman of AFC Wimbledon Kris Stewart is standing as GLA candidate in our local seat (Merton &wandsworth)
Kris is a good personal friend of mine and we share many political beliefs unfortunately we differ markedly on how best to deliver them. it could broadly be summed up by him saying I am wrong to work within the Labour Party and me saying he is wrong not do so. Ironic as on many things you could barely put a fagpaper between our beliefs.
Anyway I mention for two reasons
1) It was interesting to see how the Left List see events such as sporting events to be a place for politics to be discussed and promoted. This is something which in my Irish background is entirely normal but which I have rarely seen over here. Clearly having 2500 people in one place and being able t relate our belief to their beliefs is a potential gainer.
In fact I wonder if there are possibilities to link the Unite Against Fascims Campaign to football matches (baring in mind the Kick Racism out of football work) Clearly there are many people in attendance at sporting events. Historically this has been an area where far right and openly fascist groups have attempted to organise sadly. There are many working class people in attendance at matches particulalry atthe non prawn sandwich sky leagues! who could be persuaded of the need to vote and at the same time it could serve as a defence against the BNP and their acolytes attempts to recruit. (This is something I have never personally seen at our matches but which I have heard tell of at other clubs, I also sadly remember the National Front being present at grounds i nthe early 1980's)
2) It was equally interesting to see the reaction of some who were given leaflets. This ranged from bemusement to anger that they felt they had been duped by those handing them out. Equally others recognised the validity of these attempts to gain political loyalty by goign to a sporting event.Personally I have absolutely no problem with politics and sport colliding in this way!
Oh and we lost naturally to a team who were 2nd bottom and had hardly won all season!
The life of a club run by the fans and owned by them is sadly not always plain sailing. Of course there is also the irony of our club curently co-operating with "NUTS Tv" of a sport documentary a channel which sadly is more interested in portraying women as objects of desire than the fienr poitns of fan ownership!
I was attending an AFC Wimbledon game only to find myself confronted by leafletters from the new Left List (this being the non Galloway part of Respect) The reason for this unexpected event was that the former Chairman of AFC Wimbledon Kris Stewart is standing as GLA candidate in our local seat (Merton &wandsworth)
Kris is a good personal friend of mine and we share many political beliefs unfortunately we differ markedly on how best to deliver them. it could broadly be summed up by him saying I am wrong to work within the Labour Party and me saying he is wrong not do so. Ironic as on many things you could barely put a fagpaper between our beliefs.
Anyway I mention for two reasons
1) It was interesting to see how the Left List see events such as sporting events to be a place for politics to be discussed and promoted. This is something which in my Irish background is entirely normal but which I have rarely seen over here. Clearly having 2500 people in one place and being able t relate our belief to their beliefs is a potential gainer.
In fact I wonder if there are possibilities to link the Unite Against Fascims Campaign to football matches (baring in mind the Kick Racism out of football work) Clearly there are many people in attendance at sporting events. Historically this has been an area where far right and openly fascist groups have attempted to organise sadly. There are many working class people in attendance at matches particulalry atthe non prawn sandwich sky leagues! who could be persuaded of the need to vote and at the same time it could serve as a defence against the BNP and their acolytes attempts to recruit. (This is something I have never personally seen at our matches but which I have heard tell of at other clubs, I also sadly remember the National Front being present at grounds i nthe early 1980's)
2) It was equally interesting to see the reaction of some who were given leaflets. This ranged from bemusement to anger that they felt they had been duped by those handing them out. Equally others recognised the validity of these attempts to gain political loyalty by goign to a sporting event.Personally I have absolutely no problem with politics and sport colliding in this way!
Oh and we lost naturally to a team who were 2nd bottom and had hardly won all season!
The life of a club run by the fans and owned by them is sadly not always plain sailing. Of course there is also the irony of our club curently co-operating with "NUTS Tv" of a sport documentary a channel which sadly is more interested in portraying women as objects of desire than the fienr poitns of fan ownership!
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Cuts Cuts and More cuts
It seems after a couple of years of stability in comparison to other Boroughs Haringey has caught the cuts bug. Fr the first time since 2000 we have received a "Section 188 Notice" The Formal notice an Employer is required ot serve when it is proposed to have more than 20 redundancies. Well when I say served that would be a bit of an exaggeration we actually got a rather limited and disorganised letter from the Employers with a list of posts lacking most of the important information we need. The notice was so jumbled that we have had to request additional information in order to identity those at risk.
As ever the Council has money to pay for new logoes, rebranding etc but not for vital services such as Care , Outreach libraries Services and the Wardens service The total number of staff potentially facing redundancy is in excess of 70. However it appears the position may be worse as we have already identified additional posts not included on the notice.
We will be working with the local community to oppose these attacks on the most vulnerable in our society.We will also be supporting those members effected and seeking to protect as many jobs as possible by way of redeployment
As ever the Council has money to pay for new logoes, rebranding etc but not for vital services such as Care , Outreach libraries Services and the Wardens service The total number of staff potentially facing redundancy is in excess of 70. However it appears the position may be worse as we have already identified additional posts not included on the notice.
We will be working with the local community to oppose these attacks on the most vulnerable in our society.We will also be supporting those members effected and seeking to protect as many jobs as possible by way of redeployment
Victory Not yet Quite Complete-The Childrens Centres
It seems we may have defeated the Council's move towards privatisation of the Childrens Centres. (Something which they are now naturally denying was ever their intent): Apparently their report was badly phrased when it instructed Officers to begin a procurement exercise for an alternative provider! This actually meant; according to fast backpedalling Councillors when faced with united parental staff and union opposition that they would consider whether "added value" could be given by exploring partnerships with the voluntary and community sector.
Any hows the long and the short is three of the five Centres are to be considered for devolving to Schools through service level agreements.This has its own dangers but is infinitely preferable to privatisation, we shall be working closely to protect our members interests and that of the users of these Centres. A fourth is to be considered for the same treatment or for a dreaded partnership (the acceptable P word). The fifth in the most deprived ward in the borough is due to become a 0-90 Centre (sounds marvellous doesn't it) but nobody including Senior Officers or Councillors seem able to tell us what that means yet!
We have however been given an absolute guarantee that none of these arrangements will require the transfer of staff out of the Council which is a victory of sorts. We shall be continuing to work with Parents against Privatisation to hold the council accountable for its actions
Any hows the long and the short is three of the five Centres are to be considered for devolving to Schools through service level agreements.This has its own dangers but is infinitely preferable to privatisation, we shall be working closely to protect our members interests and that of the users of these Centres. A fourth is to be considered for the same treatment or for a dreaded partnership (the acceptable P word). The fifth in the most deprived ward in the borough is due to become a 0-90 Centre (sounds marvellous doesn't it) but nobody including Senior Officers or Councillors seem able to tell us what that means yet!
We have however been given an absolute guarantee that none of these arrangements will require the transfer of staff out of the Council which is a victory of sorts. We shall be continuing to work with Parents against Privatisation to hold the council accountable for its actions
Monday, 26 November 2007
Hands Off Our childrens Centres
Just back from an excellent lobby our of Council meeting against the proposed privatisation of five Childrens' Centres. It was one of the best public displays we have had in ages about 60 people with placards t-shirts and large foam hands giving the clear message of "hands off our childrens' centres" The crowd included staff, Trade Union activists and a sizable number of parents some with their children who attend the centres.
The Council since deciding to privatise in July has spent a large amount of its time trying to pretend the Trade Unions and parents have been scaremongering. The visible mobilisation of Parents against Privatisation combined with UNISON has put Elected member's and Councillors on the backfoot. Having initially claimed they were obliged to privatise (sorry they don't like the P word apparently in Labour Haringey preferring such cuddly versions as outsourcing and partnership) they have retreated from a procurement exercise to "exploring what added value not for profit groups might bring" However we have resolved to keep up the pressure till this plan is dropped as we are clear only democratically accountable and controlled services are good enough for our Borough.
We have also made it very clear to Councillors that Not for profit and Charity Sectors are not the panacea they may think. The lead member for Children Cllr Santry seemed very annoyed when at our Consultative Committee I highlighted Freemantle as an example of a not for profit charity. When she said nothing I remind her of our own not for profit organisation Community Support Services which ran elders homes and Learning Disabilities homes into the ground while slashing staff wages before Haringey was forced to end the sorry experiment by re-nationalising them (or in-sourcing I presume!)
Clearly there is a government agenda to marketise childcare but it is not a requirement and Council's of whatever political hue must not be allowed to claim it is unchallenged. We in Haringey are rightly proud of the tremendous social inclusion work which comes from our Childrens Centres both for the children and parents and will fight to ensure this is not ended.
The Council are due to report in December with recommendations having backpedalled away from a procurement exercise but they have refused to rule out the transfer out of local government of both staff and services. Unison and Parents against Privatisation will continue to work together to see these plans dropped.
The Council since deciding to privatise in July has spent a large amount of its time trying to pretend the Trade Unions and parents have been scaremongering. The visible mobilisation of Parents against Privatisation combined with UNISON has put Elected member's and Councillors on the backfoot. Having initially claimed they were obliged to privatise (sorry they don't like the P word apparently in Labour Haringey preferring such cuddly versions as outsourcing and partnership) they have retreated from a procurement exercise to "exploring what added value not for profit groups might bring" However we have resolved to keep up the pressure till this plan is dropped as we are clear only democratically accountable and controlled services are good enough for our Borough.
We have also made it very clear to Councillors that Not for profit and Charity Sectors are not the panacea they may think. The lead member for Children Cllr Santry seemed very annoyed when at our Consultative Committee I highlighted Freemantle as an example of a not for profit charity. When she said nothing I remind her of our own not for profit organisation Community Support Services which ran elders homes and Learning Disabilities homes into the ground while slashing staff wages before Haringey was forced to end the sorry experiment by re-nationalising them (or in-sourcing I presume!)
Clearly there is a government agenda to marketise childcare but it is not a requirement and Council's of whatever political hue must not be allowed to claim it is unchallenged. We in Haringey are rightly proud of the tremendous social inclusion work which comes from our Childrens Centres both for the children and parents and will fight to ensure this is not ended.
The Council are due to report in December with recommendations having backpedalled away from a procurement exercise but they have refused to rule out the transfer out of local government of both staff and services. Unison and Parents against Privatisation will continue to work together to see these plans dropped.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Freemantle Workers need your support
After three days Industrial Action workers at Freemantle care homes and day centres are taking a fourth days action this coming Saturday 10th November.
The mainly female low paid workers are striking against savage attacks on their terms and conditions which include reductions in sick pay, annual leave and an end to enhancements for working at night and weekends.
March-12.00pm 10th November
The strikers will be marching from Watling Park (nearest Tube Burnt Oak on the Northern Line) to Edgware for a rally at St Alphage Church Hall, Palyfield Rd, edgware. Speakers include members of the UNISON NEC, Strikers and Community Activists.
We are asking all members ot make every effort to attend and show their solidarity. The route cause of the dispute is the privatisation of these services several years ago and an Employer who is seeking to make a profit from attacking our members
For updates click on the following link to Barnet UNISON's website PLease print out the attached flyer and put it on your notice boards and/or hand it out ot UNISON members in your workplace. If the link does not work by clicking you can highlight it and copy and paste it into your internet browser
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lbgM7AcOnI6TCYAQUiTaJSnozCAYz9kwk2U2Bzknet4J4a54D7PV1v7wviFqwbREVXhHvl1Ji6_6h8XtJD7GWfZB0XWI8AsbOJ6kwj76dWAczIf-gWzCYyBWvIkkPKmeI6y_nUJd1l4/s1600-h/March+and+Rally+10+Nov+07.JPG
Yours in solidarity
Sean Fox
The mainly female low paid workers are striking against savage attacks on their terms and conditions which include reductions in sick pay, annual leave and an end to enhancements for working at night and weekends.
March-12.00pm 10th November
The strikers will be marching from Watling Park (nearest Tube Burnt Oak on the Northern Line) to Edgware for a rally at St Alphage Church Hall, Palyfield Rd, edgware. Speakers include members of the UNISON NEC, Strikers and Community Activists.
We are asking all members ot make every effort to attend and show their solidarity. The route cause of the dispute is the privatisation of these services several years ago and an Employer who is seeking to make a profit from attacking our members
For updates click on the following link to Barnet UNISON's website PLease print out the attached flyer and put it on your notice boards and/or hand it out ot UNISON members in your workplace. If the link does not work by clicking you can highlight it and copy and paste it into your internet browser
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lbgM7AcOnI6TCYAQUiTaJSnozCAYz9kwk2U2Bzknet4J4a54D7PV1v7wviFqwbREVXhHvl1Ji6_6h8XtJD7GWfZB0XWI8AsbOJ6kwj76dWAczIf-gWzCYyBWvIkkPKmeI6y_nUJd1l4/s1600-h/March+and+Rally+10+Nov+07.JPG
Yours in solidarity
Sean Fox
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)