Last week staff at Morrisons were voting over whether to accept a pay deal negotiated by the union. That is if they knew about the ballot at all. Okay so we had a poster in store saying there was a pay ballot, but if you have only started at the company within the last year (like majority of the staff, at least 5% of the staff are replenished each month) and you don’t know that much about unions you probably won’t realise you are of the people who has a vote. Even for someone who is slightly more clued up like myself, I had to wait until the day after to vote as the personnel office where the ballot box is was closed.
A Morrisons worker
The terms of the deal are even harder to find out. A conversation with our union rep led to me finding out that the deal would probably mean an increase of £5 a week in our pay with our wage going up to £6 an hour in February next year. Considering that most workers at Morrisons earn 4p above minimum wage, there perhaps is a sense of at least this is going in the right direction a bit. Later I found out more about the offer, but not from the union website which I looked at first and found absolutely nothing about the offer. Rather it was from an unofficial staff forum that I finally found out that with the deal pay will go up to £5.86 in October (when the minimum wage goes up to £5.73) and then £6 in February.
Whilst this increase means that we will be an extra 20p an hour above the minimum wage in February next year it still means our pay will be very low, far below the European Decency threshold which stands at £8 an hour. Furthermore, with inflation soaring this increase is likely to be swept away very quickly. Given the £612 million pre-tax profits Morrisons made last year, the surely much more could have been fought for?
The lacklustre approach of the union leadership in relation to this is indicative of a great number of other problems Morrisons workers face and the union fails to take action over. One of the biggest problems is understaffing which means that workers effectively have to do the jobs of two or more people, unsurprisingly this leads to accidents and taking short-cuts with health and safety. My department alone has at least one accident a day if not more!
John Hannett (USDAW General Secretary) gets £100,000 a year salary plus a free Jaguar – I wonder how closely he feels the pains that the members he is supposed to represent have to endure. What we need is a leadership prepared to fight, if they took the pitifully low wage we have to accept then their might be a fight for a minimum wage of £8 for all retail workers. Such a demand is in Robbie Segal’s programme as she stands against Hannett in the General Secreatry elections, which is why I shall be building her campaign in my store.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Distribution and Warehouse workers join the Activist Network
One of the outcomes of this election already has been the call by many logistic workers to establish a rank and file network. If you want your name to be added to the list and receive updates on events in our sector then send your email address to robbie@robbiesegal.org
A Tesco distribution worker
A Tesco distribution worker
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Argos warehouse workers vote to strike
From the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) newsletter
Argos distribution workers have voted by 67% to strike over pay. A senior steward for Unite at the Argos distribution centre in Basildon, spoke to The Socialist about the dispute and about organising distribution workers:
“We will be striking over our annual pay deal and the move from weekly to monthly pay. Argos make millions in profits, yet they only offered us a 3.8% pay rise when inflation was running at 4.1%.
They did say they would offer us 4.1% but that would be at the cost of eating into our sickness scheme. They have already cut into this before so it is clear the company want to get rid of it.
The directors give themselves big pay rises and bonuses, so it is an insult to us to say there is no money.
On the move from weekly to monthly pay, we’ve asked for a one-off payment to cover the transitional period when we have to go without money. The union’s concern is that our members don’t lose out financially.
At the moment they are offering us loans, with £40 a month repayments, which is completely unacceptable. With the cost of living going up, an additional payment of £40 a month could mean the difference between losing our home and keeping it. Yet the company seems quite miffed that we want money for this change.
As we’ve explained to them, we’re low-waged unskilled workers. Many are already up their eyes in debt with CCJs etc and they can’t afford loan payments.
On our site the manager originally said we would bring the union in over his dead body. But we have got organised so now we have 80% membership.
We’ve had about 15 people join in the last few weeks.
We’re trying to recruit agency staff at the moment. We have been successful in recruiting Polish workers who have been really supportive of us. They are some of the most vocal for the strike.
Originally they were tied to an employment agency and tied to houses but we’ve stopped that. Now the migrant workers have broken down the barriers by standing side by side with us trying to improve our pay and conditions. The company would prefer to divide and rule.”
send messages of support (and mention the NSSN) to
Formby Jennie, T&G. National Secretary General Workers' Trade Group [Jennie.Formby@unitetheunion.com]
Argos distribution workers have voted by 67% to strike over pay. A senior steward for Unite at the Argos distribution centre in Basildon, spoke to The Socialist about the dispute and about organising distribution workers:
“We will be striking over our annual pay deal and the move from weekly to monthly pay. Argos make millions in profits, yet they only offered us a 3.8% pay rise when inflation was running at 4.1%.
They did say they would offer us 4.1% but that would be at the cost of eating into our sickness scheme. They have already cut into this before so it is clear the company want to get rid of it.
The directors give themselves big pay rises and bonuses, so it is an insult to us to say there is no money.
On the move from weekly to monthly pay, we’ve asked for a one-off payment to cover the transitional period when we have to go without money. The union’s concern is that our members don’t lose out financially.
At the moment they are offering us loans, with £40 a month repayments, which is completely unacceptable. With the cost of living going up, an additional payment of £40 a month could mean the difference between losing our home and keeping it. Yet the company seems quite miffed that we want money for this change.
As we’ve explained to them, we’re low-waged unskilled workers. Many are already up their eyes in debt with CCJs etc and they can’t afford loan payments.
On our site the manager originally said we would bring the union in over his dead body. But we have got organised so now we have 80% membership.
We’ve had about 15 people join in the last few weeks.
We’re trying to recruit agency staff at the moment. We have been successful in recruiting Polish workers who have been really supportive of us. They are some of the most vocal for the strike.
Originally they were tied to an employment agency and tied to houses but we’ve stopped that. Now the migrant workers have broken down the barriers by standing side by side with us trying to improve our pay and conditions. The company would prefer to divide and rule.”
send messages of support (and mention the NSSN) to
Formby Jennie, T&G. National Secretary General Workers' Trade Group [Jennie.Formby@unitetheunion.com]
Monday, 7 July 2008
A Report From USDAW Distribution Conference
I would like to thank Robbie Segal and anyone else that was instrumental in organising this long overdue conference specifically designed for the Distribution sector of the union.
The conference went well with lots of good feedback and ideas on how to progress and I look forward to further such conferences.
I believe the Distribution sector is a completely different animal to retail,with totally different needs when it comes to support from our union, and I will give just a few examples.
In retail, take Tesco for example their terms and conditions are negotiated at a national level by an USDAW national officer, in distribution we negotiate our own locally and only involve our national officer if agreement cannot be reached., therefore I believe we should be training our full time convenors in distribution in the art of negotiations,
In Sainsbury distribution centres we have an agreement that the union will spend time with new starters during their induction with a recommendation from the company that they join,my point being that whilst I understand that new members are the lifeblood of our union,we already have this important task covered and enjoy membership in excess of 90%,
I think the limited time spent when new stewards go on their introduction courses would be greatly enhanced by such exercises as role play in representing members in a disciplinary situation,health and safety regulations,and employment law rather than the present, recruitment,recruitment,recruitment, and on this point I think that as much effort should be placed on retaining current members as we do recruiting new ones, and we will only be able to do this by giving them the support and value they are seeking from well trained representatives.
I also believe that some guidance should be given from the union as to agreements we should be seeking,an example of such is a model of an enhanced redundancy package, easier to get an agreement during times when the company do not believe they will ever make redundancies yet almost impossible if redundancies becomes a reality.
I hope now that we will go forward with a true recognition as to the needs of the distribution sector and not be looked upon as the poor cousins in a retail union, which has been the perception for too long amongst many of our members.
Jon Harriss (Convenor Sainsbury`s Distribution Depot Waltham Point) C28
The conference went well with lots of good feedback and ideas on how to progress and I look forward to further such conferences.
I believe the Distribution sector is a completely different animal to retail,with totally different needs when it comes to support from our union, and I will give just a few examples.
In retail, take Tesco for example their terms and conditions are negotiated at a national level by an USDAW national officer, in distribution we negotiate our own locally and only involve our national officer if agreement cannot be reached., therefore I believe we should be training our full time convenors in distribution in the art of negotiations,
In Sainsbury distribution centres we have an agreement that the union will spend time with new starters during their induction with a recommendation from the company that they join,my point being that whilst I understand that new members are the lifeblood of our union,we already have this important task covered and enjoy membership in excess of 90%,
I think the limited time spent when new stewards go on their introduction courses would be greatly enhanced by such exercises as role play in representing members in a disciplinary situation,health and safety regulations,and employment law rather than the present, recruitment,recruitment,recruitment, and on this point I think that as much effort should be placed on retaining current members as we do recruiting new ones, and we will only be able to do this by giving them the support and value they are seeking from well trained representatives.
I also believe that some guidance should be given from the union as to agreements we should be seeking,an example of such is a model of an enhanced redundancy package, easier to get an agreement during times when the company do not believe they will ever make redundancies yet almost impossible if redundancies becomes a reality.
I hope now that we will go forward with a true recognition as to the needs of the distribution sector and not be looked upon as the poor cousins in a retail union, which has been the perception for too long amongst many of our members.
Jon Harriss (Convenor Sainsbury`s Distribution Depot Waltham Point) C28
New video interview on Robbie’s website
Robbie’s website has been updated. See Robbie’s 6 minute interview were she expands on her programme, Visit www.robiesegal.org
Second Conference of National Shop Stewards Network
SECOND CONFERENCE JUNE 28TH 2008
Secretary’s Report
Last weekend around 300 stewards/workplace reps, and observers gathered in London for the Second Conference of the NSSN.
Dave Chapple (CWU) welcomed everyone remarking how the trade unions could be rebuilt through strong local action. Bob Crow, whose RMT had initiated the Network, opened the morning session outlining the enormous problems facing working people, and how trade unions needed to be vigorous so workers could defend themselves from increasingly aggressive bosses. He added also how workers needed a political voice – so they don’t have to keep fighting the same battles again and again. Onay Kasab a victimised Unison branch secretary followed, reminding us that any union leadership that attacked its own activists would be met with a strong fightback. Karen Reissman also a Unison activist sacked for exposing shortcomings in the NHS showed how a local campaign can get national solidarity support. The morning was rounded off with Brian Caton from the POA, whose rallying call to “choose freedom and break bad laws” referring to the iniquitous anti-trade union laws, was well applauded.
In the afternoon there were nine workshops. The debate on political representation was the most popular, but all were well attended and feedback very favourable. The reports of the workshops will be posted on the website.
The afternoon session was devoted to building the NSSN. I, as secretary reported our progress over the last year since the Founding Conference. The National Steering Committee had set to work making sure that the Network was both involved in all the major events of the trade unions, like conferences and demonstrations, but also covered local disputes. In the course of the year we have set up seven Regional Networks, published newsletters and generally maintained a profile. The task for the coming year was to consolidate and build. Several speakers from the floor then contributed.
The final session was addressed by Rob Williams (Unite), who described the anger of workers in the private sector as well as the public sector, and called for workers to join together in their millions to resist the bosses’ attacks. Caroline Johnson of Birmingham Council Unison described their recent huge strikes and how the union had grown out of this action and won concessions. Jack Heyman, a guest from America and leading member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, described their strike action on May Day along the entire west coast to demand the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Janice Godrich president of PCS closed by congratulating the Network. She went on to describe some of the practices, once prevalent in the early twentieth century, now being experienced by really low-paid workers; and how the PCS leadership was tackling this by working with activists to develop a strong workplace union. She also highlighted her union’s approach to elections, and raised the prospect of a conference of trade unionists in the autumn to progress the issue.
There was a call for everyone at the Conference to ensure that they attended their next regional conference; to promote the Network particularly amongst younger and newer reps; and to get donations and sponsorships from their unions and workplaces.
A new National Steering Committee was agreed through a simple process of nomination. Those names will be published on the website, and the new committee will get to work, aiming to ensure that the Network plays a valuable role in all workplaces in the coming year.
Linda Taaffe (Secretary 2007-8)
Secretary’s Report
Last weekend around 300 stewards/workplace reps, and observers gathered in London for the Second Conference of the NSSN.
Dave Chapple (CWU) welcomed everyone remarking how the trade unions could be rebuilt through strong local action. Bob Crow, whose RMT had initiated the Network, opened the morning session outlining the enormous problems facing working people, and how trade unions needed to be vigorous so workers could defend themselves from increasingly aggressive bosses. He added also how workers needed a political voice – so they don’t have to keep fighting the same battles again and again. Onay Kasab a victimised Unison branch secretary followed, reminding us that any union leadership that attacked its own activists would be met with a strong fightback. Karen Reissman also a Unison activist sacked for exposing shortcomings in the NHS showed how a local campaign can get national solidarity support. The morning was rounded off with Brian Caton from the POA, whose rallying call to “choose freedom and break bad laws” referring to the iniquitous anti-trade union laws, was well applauded.
In the afternoon there were nine workshops. The debate on political representation was the most popular, but all were well attended and feedback very favourable. The reports of the workshops will be posted on the website.
The afternoon session was devoted to building the NSSN. I, as secretary reported our progress over the last year since the Founding Conference. The National Steering Committee had set to work making sure that the Network was both involved in all the major events of the trade unions, like conferences and demonstrations, but also covered local disputes. In the course of the year we have set up seven Regional Networks, published newsletters and generally maintained a profile. The task for the coming year was to consolidate and build. Several speakers from the floor then contributed.
The final session was addressed by Rob Williams (Unite), who described the anger of workers in the private sector as well as the public sector, and called for workers to join together in their millions to resist the bosses’ attacks. Caroline Johnson of Birmingham Council Unison described their recent huge strikes and how the union had grown out of this action and won concessions. Jack Heyman, a guest from America and leading member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, described their strike action on May Day along the entire west coast to demand the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Janice Godrich president of PCS closed by congratulating the Network. She went on to describe some of the practices, once prevalent in the early twentieth century, now being experienced by really low-paid workers; and how the PCS leadership was tackling this by working with activists to develop a strong workplace union. She also highlighted her union’s approach to elections, and raised the prospect of a conference of trade unionists in the autumn to progress the issue.
There was a call for everyone at the Conference to ensure that they attended their next regional conference; to promote the Network particularly amongst younger and newer reps; and to get donations and sponsorships from their unions and workplaces.
A new National Steering Committee was agreed through a simple process of nomination. Those names will be published on the website, and the new committee will get to work, aiming to ensure that the Network plays a valuable role in all workplaces in the coming year.
Linda Taaffe (Secretary 2007-8)
Thursday, 3 July 2008
CAN YOU HELP!
Can you help with the distribution of our leaflets to stores, distribution centres and factories?
If you can then please email me at robbie@robbiesegal.org
Thanks
Robbie
If you can then please email me at robbie@robbiesegal.org
Thanks
Robbie
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