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]
Showing posts with label nssn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nssn. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
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)
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN - Build the Usdaw Shop Steward Network
At the National Shop Steward Network Conference this Saturday, I will be announcing that I am arranging a meeting of all those who want to oppose the partnership concept and the way our union is being run.
The conference will take place on Saturday 20th September in London.
If you want to know more about the conference
then email me at robbie@robbiesegal.org
- Fight for a living wage
- Against partnership
- Fight for trade union democracy
- A General Secretary on a workers wage
Monday, 23 June 2008
Two Upcoming Conferences
This coming weekend there are two conferences coming up that readers of this blog will no doubt be interested in.
National Shop Stewards Network Conference Saturday 28 June, 11.30am-4.30pm. South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1. Speakers include Bob Crow RMT, Janice Godrich, PCS, Brian Caton POA. Delegates fee £5. See www.shopstewards.net or ring 020 8522 1156.
Campaign for a new workers' party Conference
Sunday 29 June 11am - 5pm
South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1
Nearest stations - Kings Cross & St Pancras, Euston, Mornington Crescent
Speakers confirmed so far include:
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary
Dave Nellist, Campaign for a New Workers' Party national chair
John McInally, PCS vice president
Simeon Andrews, Labour Representation Committee secretary
Rob Hoveman, Respect co-ordinating committee
Dave Church, Walsall Democratic Labour Party
Mike Davies, Alliance for Green Socialism chair
For info visit www.cnwp.org.uk
National Shop Stewards Network Conference Saturday 28 June, 11.30am-4.30pm. South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1. Speakers include Bob Crow RMT, Janice Godrich, PCS, Brian Caton POA. Delegates fee £5. See www.shopstewards.net or ring 020 8522 1156.
Campaign for a new workers' party Conference
Sunday 29 June 11am - 5pm
South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1
Nearest stations - Kings Cross & St Pancras, Euston, Mornington Crescent
Speakers confirmed so far include:
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary
Dave Nellist, Campaign for a New Workers' Party national chair
John McInally, PCS vice president
Simeon Andrews, Labour Representation Committee secretary
Rob Hoveman, Respect co-ordinating committee
Dave Church, Walsall Democratic Labour Party
Mike Davies, Alliance for Green Socialism chair
For info visit www.cnwp.org.uk
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