sertuc newsletter 13 Solidarity messages

sertuc newsletter 13Solidarity messagesSERTUC has the privilege of holding the Vice Presidency of ourInterRegional TUC (IRTUC Channel). This comprises 8 trade unionconfederations from Nord-Pas de Calais in France, and Hainautand West Flanders in Belgium, plus SERTUC from the UK. Wehave received messages of solidarity from our French and Belgiancolleagues – and Didier Louvet, President of IRTUC Channel, willbe joining marchers in London with a delegation from the CGT.The IRTUC concludes:“Workers, pensioners, the unemployed, students and allyoung people are not those responsible for the crisis. Andthey must not be the ones to suffer the consequences.“Receive, dear Comrades, our fraternal greetings.”Solidarity greetings have also been received from:

· CGT Nord-Pas de Calais· CSC Hainaut· CGT Armentieres· CGT Public Services of Roubaix & District· CGT Mairie de Roubaix (Nord)· CGT Commun aux de Raismes· CGT P&O Ferries· CFDT Nord-Pas de CalaisThe only Labour MEP in the East of England, Richard Howitt, alsosends a message of support. Richard is a strong friend of the tradeunion movement and tells us that the East of England LabourParty’s Regional Conference voted to support Wednesday’sindustrial action. Richard concludes his comments by saying:“So to the nurses and the physios, the dinner ladies and thenursery assistants, to every single public sector worker whodoes your job because you want to serve the public interest– I stand by you again today and will campaign with you onbehalf of the public who I am proud to represent.”Solidarity messages have been received from War on Wantpartners:· The National Garment Workers Federation, Bangladesh

· If a 3% increase in public sector pension contributions isimplemented it will take £2.8 billion out of the economy a year· £39 billion a year is given in tax relief to contributors to privatesector pension schemes· 80% of those who receive this benefit are higher rate taxpayers (only about 10% of the population)· no reduction in public sector workers’ pensions will benefitany worker whose private sector employer does, or does not,participate in a workplace pension scheme· the basic state pension is £102.15 a weekActivities and events 30 NovemberThe SERTUC march and London regional rally will assemble inLincoln’s Inn Fields from 12 noon, move off at 1pm to the Rally at2pm on Victoria Embankment (the road will be closed) contactLaurie Heselden lheselden@tuc.org.uk 020 7467 1292 Flyersavailable from SERTUC office Monday 21 November contactdlewis@tuc.org.ukBECTU not involved with the industrial action, but urging membersto show solidarity with public sector workers by visiting picket lines,particularly at hospitals, and by joining local activitiesBMA (not affiliated to TUC) is supporting the day of action throughcampaigning and lobbying activities. BMA Council has said a ballotof its members on industrial action remains a firm option for a later

date if the government continues to refuse to engage in genuinenegotiations on the future of the NHS schemeBOS TU not balloting members but supporting day of action on 30NovemberCWU is not involved in the industrial action on 30 November but issupporting unions’ actions locally and the contact points are:East ofEngland regional secretary Paul Moffat easternregion@cwu.org,London regional secretary Jim Kirwanjimkirwan@btconnect.com,South East regional secretary Paul Carpentersoutheastregion@cwu.orgFBU is not balloting members but urges members to engage withthe demonstrations being arranged up and down the country bytrades councils, community groups and the regional TUCsHCSA not balloting members but will be organising a number oflocal events and will work with local trade union branches to provideeffective HCSA support on the day of protestLondon Health Unions lunchtime protests contact KarenWestwood k.westwood@unison.co.uk 020 7535 6608 or 07903 055874Inner London Hospitals (12 to 2pm unless otherwise stated)Chelsea & Westminster Hospital main entrance on Fulham Road1.30-3pm; St Thomas’ Hospital Archbishops Park on WestminsterBridge Road; St Mary’s Hospital Praed Street Paddington; UCLHHospital main entrance on Euston Road/Warren Street; TheLondon Hospital front entrance on Whitechapel Road; StGeorge’s Hospital main entrance on Blackshaw Road, Tooting;Queen Elizabeth Hospital Greenwich Stadium Road; Blood

Transfusion Oxford Street (12.30); LAS HQ 220 Waterloo Road; StPancras Hospital adjacent to the hospital in St Pancras GardensNUJ is not involved in the industrial action on 30 November but isasking members to do all they can to support what will be thebiggest strike in public sector historyPOA not balloting but says that it is important that all POA membersplay an active part in demonstrations and regional ralliesRCN (not affiliated to TUC) is supporting (but not taking industrialaction) the day of action on the 30 November as an importantopportunity to make their voices heard. If negotiations fail the RCNCouncil will move towards a ballot in the new year to authoriseindustrial action.RMT is balloting members in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary inPortsmouth and on the Tyne & Wear Metro and has advised otherbranches and regional councils to cancel all non-essential meetingson 30 November and asked all officers to support the industrialaction, contact Paul Cox p.cox@rmt.org.uk or RMT HQ on 0207387 4771Unison Greater London is working with other unions for many ofthe events below. In addition picket lines will be placed on all healthand local government sites from early morning and run throughoutthe dayUnison South East is working on events across the region (manyof which are below under town names): seewww.unison.org.uk/southeast/ for an interactive map or contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510

Abingdon Unison 11am Market Place contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Andover picket lines at the MOD HQ at Monxton, Test ValleyBorough Council Weyhill Road, Andover Job Centre Plus LondonStreet contact sarah.evans54@btinternet.comAylesbury Unison assemble 10.30am in Kingsbury Square tomarch to the Railway Club for indoor rally contact SteveLoweths.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Banbury Unison 11am march from Banbury Town Hall to joinOxford rally contact Steve Loweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483406 510Barnet Unison picket lines at: NLBP N11 1NP 7am contact Helen07432 733 168; Barnet House N20 0EJ 7am contact Maria 07962817 831; Mill Hill Depot 6am contact Anaclet 07950 209 900; BarnetCollege Wood Street EN5 4AZ 7.30am contact Christalla 07944445 792; Joint trade union picket line Graham Park NW9 5RA;Hendon Library NW4 4BQ 9am contact Louis 07909 156 552;Chipping Barnet Library EN5 4QT 9am contact Hugh 07949 088420; Barnet General Hospital main entrance on Wellhouse Lane 12noon contact Derek Helyar d.helyar@unison.co.uk 07949 039 334Basildon Unison is organising a town centre rally contact TraceyLambert t.lambert@unison.co.ukBasingstoke Unison assemble 11.45 at the entrance to The Mallsopposite Basingstoke railway station march through town to rally at

Civic Offices in London Street contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Battersea & Wandsworth trades council rally outsideWandsworth Town Hall at 11am contact carmelpollen@bwtuc.org020 8877 7300 or Stuart Barber s.barber@unison.co.uk 07703 194117. Picket lines at various sites from 7.30amBedford trades council rally at Bedford Congress Hall (SalvationArmy) at 10am contact GrahamTranquadag.tranquada@ntlworld.com or unison@bedford.gov.ukplus join Unison for a Picket for Pensions Justice outside BoroughHall from 5pm (full Council meeting at 6.30pm)Bracknell rally 7.30-10.30am at Easthampstead House; picketingat Fitzwilliam House, Prospect Park and West Berkshire CommunityHospital contact frank.minal@gmb.org.uk 07713 079 930Brighton & Hove trades council and Unite assemble 10.30Whitehawk Road outside Bus Depot move off at 11am; 10.30 HoveTown Hall move off at 11am; 10.30 Brighton University CockcroftBuilding move off at 11am; Victoria Gardens marching to the Levelfor rally contact Phil Clarke brightontradescouncil@gmail.com ordenise.knutson@brighton-hove.gov.uk 01273 291 611Bury St Edmunds Unison is organising a march and rallyassemble 10.45 outside HSBC in Bury Street to Angle Hill contactJeff Keighley j.keighley@unison.co.ukCambridge Unison and trades council is organising 2 marches at10am from Addenbrookes Hospital and Shire Hall site to a rally at

12 noon on Parkers Piece contact Mark Evansmoodychops@ntlworld.comCamden Unison meeting outside Camden Town Hall at 11am to goto London march assembly point at Lincoln’s Inn Fields via otherlocal workplaces contact merlinreader@yahoo.comCanterbury rolling rally from Abbots Barton Hotel 10am, marchthrough the town assembling at Dane John Gardens 1.30pmcontact secretary@kent.nut.org.uk or Vincent McCurryv.mccurry@canterburycollege.ac.ukChelmsford unions are organising a march and rally assemble12.30 in the High Street opposite M&S contact MalcolmWallacemaljan9@googlemail.com or Nalin Cooken.cooke@unison.co.uk 07908 672 901Colchester trades council at 12.30 march from ColchesterInstitute, Sheepen Road to rally at Town Hall, Colchester HighStreet contact Raphael Pigott sarahpigott109@yahoo.comCorporation of London Unite pickets at West Wing entrance,North Wing entrance, Guildhall Yard East, Mansion Housecontactcolin.bull@cityoflondon.gov.ukCroydon trades council with Unison 10.30 Queen ElizabethGardens (in front of Taberner House) rally contact Helen Reynolds07961 044 979 or Melanie Jenner meljenner10@yahoo.co.ukCroydon Unison University Hospital rally main entrance 12 to 2pmcontact Michael Walker m.walker@unison.co.uk 07703 194 125

Dagenham Unison Civic Centre 12 noon contact Greta Fariang.farian@unison.co.uk 07904 291 729Dereham trades unionists assemble at 12 noon outside NeatherdHigh School for a march to Nelson Precinct contact JoAnne Rustkingslynnanddistricttradescouncil@hotmail.co.ukDover trades council is organising a rally at The St Mary’s Hall 12noon to 2pm contact mikesargent47@hotmail.com or Chris Weller01304 872 329 picket lines at 7.30am at various sitesEaling Unison Ealing Town Hall on Ealing Broadway 10.30 contactJohn Noblemunn j.noblemunn@unison.co.uk 07720 077 214Eastbourne assemble at bandstand at 10.30 for a rally at 11am atthe Unite Eastbourne Centre contact Dave Brinsonsecretary@eastsussex.nut.org.ukGravesend Three Doors pub day time event contact BrianChadwick gravesham.nut@tiscali.com 01322 270 316Great Yarmouth Unison is picketing the town hall from 6.30amcontact Tracey Lambert t.lambert@unison.co.uk also picketingGreat Yarmouth College from 8am and rally 11am on Church Plainafterwards moving into the Market PlaceGreenwich & Bexley trades council rally at 10.30 in GeneralGordon Square rally contact LynneChamberlainlynne.windeatt@btinternet.comHaringey Unison St Ann’s Hospital main entrance 12 noon contactDerek Helyar d.helyar@unison.co.uk 07949 039 334

Harlow PCS picket at Harlow JobCentre from 08.15 followed by apicket breakfast at 10.15 contact David Formaneastern@pcs.org.uk07841 144 900Harlow NUT has sponsored a coach to take strikers to a march andrally in Chelmsford leaving at 11am from outside Boots contactDavid Forman eastern@pcs.org.uk 07841 144 900Harlow Unison picket at Princess Alexandra Hospital, HamstelRoad (Unison & Unite have had detailed and amicable negotiationswith hospital management to ensure patient safety is notcompromised) contact David Forman eastern@pcs.org.uk07841144 900Harrow Unison march around the Civic Centre 12 noon contactJohn Noblemunn j.noblemunn@unison.co.uk 07720 077 214Hastings & District trades council is organising a marchassembling 11.30 by Hastings Pier marching to the town centre fora rally contact Sam Buckley swpsam@hotmail.com or JonathonLee 01424 755 255 x7099 or Veronica Prebble 07870 625 613Hendon Unison outside the Middlesex University/Hendon Libraryarea at 12 noon contact Ruth Levin r.levin@unison.co.uk07961 017036Hertfordshire County Branch Unison has a march at 11.30 fromHartham Common to County Hall Hertford for a rally at 1.30 contactbrian.ruggles@hertscc.gov.uk 07789 943 255

High Wycombe Unison 12.30 march from Wycombe Hospital pastBucks New University, Police Station and Post Office to the Hub at12.30 contact Steve Loweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Hillingdon Unison march through town centre 12.30 contact JohnNoblemunn j.noblemunn@unison.co.uk 07720 077 214Homerton Unison Homerton Hospital main entrance at 12 nooncontact Derek Helyar d.helyar@unison.co.uk 07949 039 334Horsham NUT assemble 10am at the Bandstand in Horsham Parkopposite the Railway Station and march to the Carfax via MadeiraAvenue www.wsta1.org.uk and dmcmillan@wsgfl.org.ukIlford Unison at Ilford Town Hall 11.30 contact Greta Fariang.farian@unison.co.uk 07904 291 729Ipswich trades council press conference 29 November at 16.30 atthe Unite offices, Grimwade Street, and a march assembling at11.30 Russell Road marching to the Cornhill for a rally at 12.45contact roger.mackay@ntlworld.com 07984 581 244Islington joint unions event (Unison, GMB, NUT) 11am rallyoutside Town Hall details from k.westwood@unison.co.uk or kenmuller@blueyonder.co.ukKensington & Chelsea trades council with Unison 10.30 rallyoutside K&C Town Hall with Tony Benncontactdavidwelsh83@btinternet.comKings Lynn Unison and trades council is organising a march andrally starting at 12 noon outside the tax office in County Court Road

to the top of Purfleet for a rally at 1pm contact JoAnne Rustkingslynnanddistricttradescouncil@hotmail.co.ukKingston upon Thames assemble outside Kingston University,Penrhyn Road 10am and outside Guildhall for marches to rally11am at Richard Mayo Centre, Eden Street contact Chris Leary 0208541 9091 or Shirley Mills s.mills@unison.co.uk 07703 194 119also Kingston University Hospital 12 to 2pm contact Michael Walkerm.walker@unison.co.uk 07703 194 125Lambeth unions Vida Walsh Community Centre, Saluton Roadfrom 8.45 with coffee and croissants, 10.45am rally in WindrushSquare, Brixton contact Mandy Brownmbrown@lambethcollege.ac.uk 07973 853 795Leatherhead Unison 10am outside Red House Grounds Park offStation Road march to rally 11am at Leatherhead Theatre contactGinny Eaton 020 8541 9091Lewes trades council Unison picket at County Hall 7.30; POAprotest on Brighton Road pavement outside HMP Lewes; Unison &UCU pickets at Sussex Downs College Lewes Campus; Unisonpicket at Lewes House and Sackville House contact BillBallmillwallb@gmail.comLewisham Unison Lewisham Hospital, War Memorial opposite themain hospital entrance 11am to 1pm contact CarolShorterc.shorter@unison.co.uk 07944 191 369Lowestoft Coalition Against the Cuts rally 12 noon outside theBritten Centre contact lowestoftagainstthecuts@hotmail.co.uk

Luton trades council assemble 11am for march at Manor Park torally in Market Hill contact MarcScheimannmarcinbeds@hotmail.co.uk orRichard.gates@unitetheunion.orgMaidstone Unison assemble 12.30 in Bank Street for 1pm marchto rally at County Hall contact unison@kent.gov.ukMedway 12.30 to 2pm rally at Command House, Gun Wharf, DockRoad, Chatham contact Sue Calders.calder1@btinternet.com07715 757 637Merton & Sutton trades council says pickets at three hospitalsites from 7am to 12 noon (Epsom, Sutton and St Helier) KevinO’Brien kobrienunison@gmail.com 07718 585 717Milton Keynes Unison 12 noon rally Civic Centre contact SteveLoweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510 ortrudy@pcs.org.ukNewport Isle of Wight Unison marches from College and hospitalto rally in town centre contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk01483 406 510Norwich City Unison with Norfolk Coalition Against the Cutsassemble 11am outside Norwich City College, Ipswich Road andmarch at 11.30am to City Hall for a rally at 12 noon contact KevinO’Grady unison@norwich.gov.uk 01603 212 068 followedbyNorwich trades council lunchtime get-together 1pm to 2pm atKeir Hardie Hall, St Gregory’s Alley with bar plus free lightrefreshments

Oxford trades council morning rallies at 11am at Church GreenWitney, Market Place Abingdon, Town Hall Banbury then at 1.30pmthree feeder marches (education 1.30 Harburton Mead off MarstonRoad, health 1.30 corner of Gipsy Lane/London Road, council &civil servants 1.30 Manzil Way, Cowley Road) to main march at 2pmat Cowley Plain (disabled assembly 2.30 Carfax Tower) and rally at3.30pm at Broad Street contact nov30@odtuc.org.uk 07967 392229Peterborough trades council meet at 7.30am at PCS to visitpicket lines with trades council banner starting at the City HealthCentre contact Peter Heinrich pheinrich@virginmedia.comPeterborough Unison is organising a march and open air publicmeeting assemble 10.30 Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park to rally inLaxton Square contact Tracey Lambert t.lambert@unison.co.ukPortsmouth trades council with Unison assemble 10.30Kingston Prison, 10.45 Gosport Side of Gosport Ferry, 10.45Students’ Union, 11.30 Guildhall Square 12 noon rally in GuildhallSquare march at 12.30 through Commercial Road to GuildhallSquare for rally at 1.30; 2pm to 4.30pm open meeting in theRegistry Pub contact Steve Loweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483406 510Reading trades council 11.30 assemble at the Irish CentreChatham Street (refreshments available), assemble at 12.15 atReading Civic Centre and march through town to Forbury Gardensfor rally at 1.30 contact Greg Wiltongwilton@sandhurst.bracknellforest.sch.orgor frank.minal@gmb.org.uk 07713 079 930

Reading GMB picket at Royal Berkshire Hospital London Road at6am contact frank.minal@gmb.org.uk 07713 079 930Sittingbourne Phoenix Centre rally contact Jacqui Hitchcockjah357@btinternet.com 01795 532 467 or SamPlatnauersplatna@360.com 07506 225 420Slough Unison & GMB industrial action picket at 7.30 to 10am atHeatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital and then rally at EmpireCinema 11.30 to 12.30 contact frank.minal@gmb.org.uk 07713 079930 or Steve Loweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Southampton & SW Hants trades council and Unison assembleat 12 noon in Hoglands Park set off 12.30 to Guildhall Square forrally including children’s entertainment contactbobby.noyes@lpi.org.uk 07813 520 157 or Unison Southampton02380 832 740Southend trades council is organising a rally at 11am in the PlazaArea outside the Odeon Cinema, High Street and there may be ashort march from the Civic Centre Victoria Avenue at 10.45 contactianpope789@btinternet.comSouthwark trades council is supporting a strikers’ canteen 10.30at London Southbank University, London Road, Elephant & Castlecontact sue.plain@southwark.gov.ukSpringfield Unison Springfield Hospital main entrance 12 nooncontact Michael Walker m.walker@unison.co.uk 07703 194 125Waltham Forest Unison contact Amanda Bairda.baird@unison.co.uk 07703 194 138

Waveney trades council is organising a march (assembling inStation Square) and a rally at 1pm at Lowestoft United ReformChurch contact Richard_chilvers@sky.comWaveney trades council is organising a benefit gig Bands Againstthe Bankers at Lowestoft Town Football Club from 7.30pm contactRichard_chilvers@sky.comWinchester Unison 12.30 at Winchester Broadway march to rallyat Oram’s Arbour contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk01483 406 510Windsor & Maidenhead Borough Council picket at 7.30am localizerally 10-11am outside Maindenhead Town Hallcontactfrank.minal@gmb.org.uk 07713 079 930Wisbech & March Unison is organising a stallcontact TraceyLambert t.lambert@unison.co.ukWitney Unison 11am on Church Green contact Steve Loweths.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Woking Unison 11am assemble at Crown Square to rally in TownCentre from 12 noon Owen House, Heathside Crescent contactSteve Loweth s.loweth@unison.co.uk 01483 406 510Worthing trades council rally 10am to 12 noon at St Pauls,Chapel Road marching at 12 noon; family friendly event contactKelly Hannah-Rogers k.hannah-rogers@unison.co.uk orworthingtradescouncil@gmail.com

Trades Council and union activities after30 NovemberSt Albans, Welwyn & Hatfield trades council public meeting withBob Crow Monday 5 December 7.30pm Ludwick Family Centre,Welwyn Garden City contact Jon Berry nutjon@aol.comWisbech, March & Kings Lynn trades councils public meetingSaturday 21 January 2012 12 noon with John Hendy QC Theattack on workers and their trade union rights contact TerryStevens wisbechmarchtuc@phonecoop.coopUnion ballot resultsAEP 64% for strike actionASPECT 75.1% for strike actionATL (30 June ballot mandate still valid)CSP 86% England & Wales for strike action (89.1% Scotland)FDA 81% for strike actionGMB 83.7% for strike actionNAHT 75.8% for strike actionNAPO 83.3% for strike actionNASUWT 82% for strike actionNUT (30 June ballot mandate still valid)PCS (30 June ballot mandate still valid)Prospect 75% for strike action

RMT (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) 60% for strike actionSCP 85.3% for strike actionSOR 86% for strike actionUCATT 83% for strike actionUCU (30 June ballot mandate still valid)Unison 82% for strike actionUnite 75% for strike actionTUC: campaign song video Let’s worktogether http://www.theworkers.org.uk/lets-work-together-thevideo/TUC: campaign video http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/the_attack_on_pensions/TUC: campaign updates and resources atwww.pensionsjustice.org.ukBanner Theatre 1 st of May bandwww.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIXWa5VmOpw