Inside
Join in or support the 'Race for Life'
A New Dawn for Swansea?
May 10th Pension Strike
Reactions to the election results
City and County of Swansea
Review October 20th:
TUC calls national demo against cuts The TUC has called a national demonstration against cuts in October. Across the country, trade unions will start months of planning for a mass demonstration against the government’s failed politics of austerity, set to take place in London on Saturday 20 October 2012. Tens of thousands of UNISON members will make the journey to the capital to march under the heading, “A Future That Works” to show their opposition to the government’s pro-austerity, anti-growth policies. The march will end with a rally in Hyde Park. Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said: “All across the country, people are learning the hard way that cuts are not the cure. Millions are unemployed, with women and young people hit hardest. Growth has stalled and we are back in recession – austerity is standing in the way of delivering the jobs and growth our country needs. Our march in October will send the government a strong message that we don’t just want an alternative economic plan – we want a future that works.”
The fire last time: 500,000 marched in March 2011 against austerity
If austerity is not enough reason to demonstrate then zero pay rises, tax credit cuts, rising price rises, increased workloads and the threat of the dole queue should be. The Tories still plan massive cuts. Estimates of the percentage of cuts they have 'achieved' so far vary from 8% to 20%. This means they still have 80% to 92% of their cut-agenda to go. What the Tories and their Lib-Dem collaborators are doing is happening Europe- wide Across Europe governments, bankers and employers have a plan to make ordinary people pay for the economic mess that they made.
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Public Service Not Private Profit
June 2012
A new dawn for Swansea?
The local elections were very bad for the Coalition. The Lib Dems got slaughtered again and have lost a thousand councillors in the past two years. This is no surprise - they made their pact with the devil and are paying heavily for it. Much more significant was the scale of the Labour advances—832 seats and 32 councils won on a 38 per cent share of the vote. Unison Review asked for union's reps response to the re-election of Labour to Swansea Council and what it means for our members:
Mike 'Spike' Davies First of all I would like to offer my personal congratulations to the new Administration on being elected to represent the citizens of Swansea for the next 5 years. I think it is essential that as the largest trade union we maintain regular dialogue with the Administration, something that the previous Labour Administration failed to achieve. It should come as no surprise that our top priority as a Branch is to represent our members and I look forward to working with the Administration maintain and, who knows, enhance our members' working lives
Chris Cooze The Prime Minister apologises. I have to confess to having a little chuckle to myself while reading one of the national papers on sat 6th May The PM, who suffered embarrassing losses in his own Oxfordshire constituency, apologised to Tory councillors today as more than 405 lost their seats in the crushing defeat for the party Well that’s nice isn’t it, I wonder if the Prime Minister will nip down the M4 and apologise personally to the people of South Wales, the elderly, people with disabilities, the unemployed, the NHS and Local Authority employees and everyone who is trying desperately to just make an honest living. The little people of this country decided to vote and vote they did, and the Labour party won’t be apologising. My little chuckle over I left the national newspaper in the public convenience where I found it and went home to read a real newspaper highlighting the fantastic results announcing not a changing wind of change but a hurricane.
Denise Fresco
Ronnie Job
My personal view is that I will wait to see what Labour returning to the Council means. I would first like to see what they are going to do about any pay rises, what they are going to do about out terms and conditions and what their new agenda is.
Even though I stood ag elections, as a Trade U Coalition candidate, I'm overall majority in Swan councils across Wales now have no reason an through cuts.
It is one thing what they promise during the run up to election, it can be totally another thing what they do in office looking back on what we were promised in the past, they don’t always do what they promise. So I will wait and see and give the Labour Party the benefit of their expressed convictions.
Labour won because v to punish the parties th cuts nationally and in th Labour now faces a ch cuts or to stand up for t working class people th
To me over the years no party seems to listen to the people they represent. I have still not forgotten the councillors who have missed behaved in the past and were just on the band-wagon for themselves. I do hope I am proved wrong about the present and future councillors, that they do care and listen and will act on what the public wants.
Martin Chapman If I hear any whisper of “we have inherited a mess from the last council and will have to make tough decisions” I will personally organise a protest outside the council leaders’ offices! This new council needs to draw a line under all attempts to turn services out to the market, it needs to stand up to central government and lead a fight for jobs and public services. The council were elected because people do not buy the argument that we need austerity, we know that the rich getting richer whilst the talents of working people, the very people who create wealth in society, are being wasted and ignored. The council needs to have policies that provide jobs to meet people’s needs. We need more refuse collection not less, we need more social workers, we need more housing and we need better pay. It is time for a new approach.
I want to see Labour im pending cuts of the pre jobs, services and the c terms and conditions, b up the 188 notices. Like and full privatisation's, they are called, should more arms length mana enterprises - council se performed by council w
If Labour stops the cuts previous administration deserve the support of unions, UNISON includ pass on cuts then UNIS the link between Labou leadership cut across o cuts. The defeat of the is a warning that if you can expect to be cut, re party you belong to. W councillors on board, U need to fight all the atta conditions and the serv
Matthew Shephard
The defeat of the last administration was fantastic - under the previous administration we had the threat of pay-cuts via JE, the closure of homes notorious advert in November 2010 on the Sell2Wales website for 'a full outsource of all adult social care provision' in Social Services. Under the council employees' Labour's Swansea manifesto said "hard-working council employees are the council's most valuable asset...Swansea Labour b are best delivered by local government". What should we therefore expect? At the least we should expect no pay-cuts through JE, no cuts to ann no privatisation or so-called 'social enterprises', and an end to the habitual long-term employment of agency staff in workplaces like Pipehouse. This is achievable, but what happens locally is conditioned by the national picture - and labour councils around the country have implemented cu who want to stand against cuts are to be congratulated at their recent election - but they face the potential prospect of serious conflict with their o implements austerity. With or without them, we still need to fight for a decent future.
gainst Labour in the Unionist and Socialist m glad Labour won an nsea and other as Labour councillors nd no mandate to vote
voters were determined hat have implemented he council chamber. oice: to pass on Tory the trade unionists and hat elected them.
mmediately cancel all evious administration to council workforce's beginning with tearing ewise all pending part by whatever name be withdrawn - no agement and social ervices are best workers.
s and reverses the n's cuts then they will the local authority ded. If however they SON can't afford to let ur and our union our resistance to those Labour leader of RCT make cuts then you egardless of which ith or without our UNISON members acks on our jobs, our vices we provide.
and schools, and the e title 'Standing up for believes local services nual leave or sick-pay,
uts. Those councillors own party if it
May 10th Pension Strike The pensions dispute refuses to go away. Up to 400,000 members of the PCS, UCU and Unite struck against the government’s planned pension cuts and austerity measures on 10th May. It was a hard hitting strike— many courts, galleries, benefit offices and ministry of defence sites were shut. Even the Welsh Assembly was closed for the day. There was chaos at airports and ships were forced to remain in dock. The impact of the day was heightened further when prison officers staged an unofficial 'wildcat' strike and thousands of police officers took to the streets over their pensions. The unions also won the political argument. a poll showed four out of five of those questioned, and seven in ten Tory voters, agreed that making people work to 68 was unfair. For many workers this was the fifth time they had struck to defend their pensions. The day clearly showed the determination of union members to resist the government. The stakes are high and the commitment of the rank and file, in particularly the PCS, to this struggle is strong. If the government win on pensions it will open the door to the next round of attacks. Therefore it would be wrong not to address the weaknesses on our side. First and foremost is the absence of Unison and GMB in the pension dispute since the 30th November. In those unions their leaders signed up to an outline deal (the 'Heads of Agreement') which accepts the Tory financial restraint as a basis to any talks. This is opposed by Swansea Branch and many others.
The results of the months of 'negotiation' by union officials is yet to be revealed. However any outcome based on the Heads of Agreement is likely to mean accepting a raised retirement age, ending of the final salary and increased contributions.
important that other unions enter the fray. At present this could be Unite (Health and MOD), GMB (in Health) and UCU with the PCS, but this is unclear at present. The pressure of other work-place issues is still on many of the unions that have not committed to the action in June. The NUT will not unfortunately be taking action in June but it may in the Autumn over working conditions, which may combine with the pension dispute. The NUT and NASUWT launched a joint statement recently saying the "attacks on working conditions, pensions, pay conditions of service and the threat to jobs are now so severe that the NASUWT and the NUT believe joint, coordinated and sustained action is essential".
Secondly there are too many breaks to the action and too many long gaps in-between strike days. The gaps means the strikes become more like protests the government can feel it can ride out. It is evident that there are those at the top of some unions who are not pursuing this fight with the same determination as the rank and file. It was a mistake that only lecturers and teachers struck in London on the 28th March. It was also a mistake that the NUT did not strike on May 10th, despite a mandate to do so. The government is not in good shape after the local government elections. All unions that rejected the deal The crisis in Europe can feed into a should join together for the next round crisis for the government, but we need of strikes. This also has the potential to ensure that it is the Tories that pay to pull unions like Unison and the the price for this and not us. GMB again behind the action if their Combined with the action over members reject the probable shoddy pensions there is the prospect of the results of any 'offer'. biggest trade union demonstration Britain has ever seen in October. Most importantly — and this applies to Autumn is unlikely to be cool. all unions — strikers are desperate for a winning strategy. The PCS conference recently voted for a further strike at the end of June "with as many unions as possible and to take final decisions once the position of other unions is clear." This is welcome but a sustained programme of strikes is needed to force the Tories to back down. There has to put an end to the fragmented stopstart nature of the dispute in order to win. It’s also PCS Pickets at Swansea Tax Office on May 10th
Harassment is not 'entertainment' One test for the new administration is whether it supports the safety of female citizens on the streets of Swansea. Just before the election Swansea Feminist Network (SFN) and supporters were deeply disappointed by the Licensing Committee’s decision, on 25th April, to grant a sex entertainment license for 1 York Street. The decision highlighted the last administrations willingness to disregard, in the face of compelling evidence and strong opposition, the fact that such venues compromise the safety of women working in the venue and using the area around the venue – in this case the city centre. As any license has to be renewed annually SFN will continue to lobby the Local Authority and individual councillors on this issue. However it has since been made public that the terms of the lease in York Street will not permit the venue to be used for sex entertainment. We should not take any comfort from this. The Licensing Committee did not check it's own decision thoroughly enough - so, although such 'entertainment' won't be happening yet, it is clear the Committee placed other factors before the safety and dignity of the female citizens of Swansea. To stay in touch with the campaign email swanseafeministnetwork@gmail.com
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The Morriston Rents Team & the Housing Department have been inspired by Michelle Mayne Thomas’ fight against cancer to run, jog or walk in this year’s Race for Life on 22nd July in Swansea. The invitation is open to everyone. If you wish to join the team, please register at www.raceforlife.org using the group ID which is YB36436. The registration fee is £14.99. If you wish to donate a just giving account has been set up at http:// www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/teammichelle. Please gift aid your donation. Please come and join them as the more team members they have the more money they can raise!!!
YOUR UNION
For further information please contact: Yvonne Bull 01792 601738 or Sandra White 01792 534083
They call it austerity. Their plan is to slash Many of us are rightly frustrated that the public spending, cut pay, attack pensions momentum our side gained on 30 November and throw millions onto the dole queues. was frittered away. But despite all this many In Greece this process has seen pay cuts of still want to fight - and, just as important, there is every reason to fight. GMB up to 40 percent, mass unemployment and members in the NHS recently voted by 96 the destruction of public services. With yet percent (on a 60 percent turn out) to reject another election on the cards Greece could the Tory pension offer. crash out of the Euro and spark a “Lehman brothers” On 10th May up to 400,000 style banking collapse that public sector workers struck will affect us all. Already Building for a monster over pensions while prison Spanish banks are in trouble officers walked out on and the UK economy is in a TUC demo on 20th unofficial strike and even “double dip recession”. But October can boost the the police protested in their things could get a lot worse. confidence of all of us to thousands. There is now fight. It also gives us the the possibility of more strike Opposition to austerity action this summer by civil governments has been opportunity to ask the big service workers and other growing across Europe. In unions. And there is likely to question: If we can France the right wing be even more widespread president Nicolas Sarkozy march together, why action over pay, pensions was thrown out of power. In can’t we strike together? and other issues in the Greece the anti-austerity autumn. Syriza coalition won second place in recent elections and Building for a monster TUC demo on 20th is now running even higher in the polls. October can boost the confidence of all of us Merkel’s government in Germany has to fight. It also gives us the opportunity to suffered electoral setbacks too. And of course in Britain the Tories were battered in ask the big question: If we can march together, why can’t we strike together? We the local elections and the Lib-Dems all but need action like 30 November, but on an wiped out. even bigger scale. The election results are important, but they It’s clear that the Tories have only just are just a reflection of the anger that exists started the cuts. To stop them we’ll have to in the workplaces and on the streets.That’s why it’s so important that the TUC has called kick them out and keep fighting to make sure any government that takes their place for the mass protest on 20 October. In doesn’t try to make the poor pay for the March 2011 the TUC brought half a million onto the streets. That massive demo fed into bosses’ crisis. mass strikes including 30 November when 2.5 million public sector workers walked out Every trade unionist, public or private sector, to defend pensions. Since then many union every pensioner, student or claimant needs leaders have wobbled, or even signed up to to start to plan now for the biggest possible Tory attacks on pensions. Labour leader Ed protest in the autumn, and for the kind of Miliband has attacked the strikes. strikes that can stop Tory austerity for good.
Contact us:
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Unison Office The Guildhall Swansea SA1 4PE 01792 635271
unison@swansea.gov.uk
Branch Secretary: Mike Davies / Asst. Secretary: Ian Alexander Unison has over 100 trained union reps throughout the council, schools and FE colleges. We will advise, support and represent you collectively and individually on issues from sickness, disciplinaries to legal matters inside and outside the workplace. If you need advice or representation please contact the Senior Steward(s) for your department below or go to your workplace steward. Alternatively please contact the branch office. Environment Ian Alexander - 07584 505793 Tony Dearden - 07971 121533 Pat Lopez - 07584 505792 Social Services Alison Bell - 07941 757853 Bill Williams - 07557 560092 Resources Gareth Parry - 07584 341240
Sports & Social website: www.suss.me.uk
Education Chris Bell - 07967 551025 Karen Verallo - 07771 922985 Regeneration/Housing John Llewellyn - 07557 560093 Roger Owen - 07941819229 Gower College Ron Job - 07963 454041
www.unison.co.uk
This newsletter is produced by the City and County of Swansea Unison Branch. Any letters, comments or suggestions for articles should be posted to the branch address or emailed to Unison@swansea.gov.uk. Correspondence is not guaranteed to be published and contents may not necessarily reflect Unison policy.