Strike!
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Louis MacNeice
Autumn Journalist
Back from the picket line. Biggest turn out of pickets and supporters so far. Office closed gates locked, no post in or out. Same again tomorrow then over to Brighton for demo. Several colleagues talking about the need to escalate to a more protracted period of strike action; a week or ten days. December could be very interesting.
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
MickiQ
In My Defence I was left Unsupervised
These 19 days of strikes are they extra to the ones already booked? Have dates been set for them or are they just like banked ready waiting for dates to be selected?
Louis MacNeice
Autumn Journalist
They are extra dates, but not all members are striking on all days. The aim is that no individual will lose more than nine days pay. That said we are still seeking clarity on exactly which days we're out.
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
At our place security just got paid double! Arguably didn't even get the best deal for crossing the line!
More discussion in the comments that CWU haven't curculated their demands to members? Is that correct?
Presumably there's a strategy at play, but instinctively does seem a bit odd to ask members to strike for a deal they're not even sure of the details of.
LDC
On est tous des pangolins
Yeah, Yorkshire the same. Not that great as it stands tbh, but worth keeping an eye on I guess.
Louis MacNeice
Autumn Journalist
We are striking in opposition to what Royal Mail are proposing to impose on us; indeed they have already imposed part of their preferred deal. They haven't just come back with no movement in talks, instead at each stage they have upped the anti, the latest move being to say that job losses will have to take place. So the CWU position is say no pay cuts (which is what I'm facing...that is an actual pay cut not a real terms one after inflation is taken into account), no increase in standard hours, no compulsory Sunday working and retention of sick pay entitlement.
We know what the deal is on offer and we voted 97-98% against it. Royal Mail have come back with nothing but threats to us, to our union and to the fabric of the postal service itself. I would think it is one of the most explicable, least odd strikes ever entered into.
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Ah, ok, so it's a strike aimed more at preventing things than gaining things (which isn't said dismissively, in case the tone is unclear in text).
As I say, just saw some members in the comments complaining about "the lack of transparency" from the CWU with regards to what they were saying in the talks with RMG.
Fucking hell, went to look for the original post, but at this point their timeline is just endless photos of picket lines
<edit: a quick search found it>
As I say, just saw some members in the comments complaining about "the lack of transparency" from the CWU with regards to what they were saying in the talks with RMG.
Fucking hell, went to look for the original post, but at this point their timeline is just endless photos of picket lines
<edit: a quick search found it>
Louis MacNeice
Autumn Journalist
I haven't read the whole thread but I can't see any posts from people identifying themselves as CWU members questioning a lack of transparency. There are a few comments along those lines but a couple I looked at seem to come from people shall we say not entirely sympathetic to trade unionism.Ah, ok, so it's a strike aimed more at preventing things than gaining things (which isn't said dismissively, in case the tone is unclear in text).
As I say, just saw some members in the comments complaining about "the lack of transparency" from the CWU with regards to what they were saying in the talks with RMG.
Fucking hell, went to look for the original post, but at this point their timeline is just endless photos of picket lines
<edit: a quick search found it>
As for the trigger for the disputes (there is one over pay and one over conditions); both ballots were called in direct response to RMG proposals...so basically we are saying 'enough is enough' until you come back with something better.
Cheers - Louis MacNeice
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
Discussed a bit over on the Enough is Enough thread, it feels like the Unite leadership have seen EiE, decided they want a bit of that energy, but instead of just doing the sensible thing and joining in with it, they've set up their own smaller version, in a move sadly reminiscent of the daftest antics of bickering lefty sects.This is interesting. Not entirely sure if this is the right thread for it though. Maybe needs it's own thread:
Unite will now be getting involved in politics directly
CLAIRE PEDEN announces a new initiative from Britain's second largest trade union to extend and deepen the class struggle in and beyond the workplace — and deliver results for the working class where politicians have failedmorningstaronline.co.uk
On a more positive note, here's a scene from the Manchester Metropolitan University Unison strike this morning:
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
A few things I missed cos it's been a busy few weeks:
Cleaners and porters striking at Royal Opera House:
www.caiwu.org.uk
Cleaners at University of the Arts London striking over outsourcing and staffing levels:
and their strike fund:
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
Cleaners and porters striking at Royal Opera House:
CAIWU News | Cleaners and porters at the Royal Opera House announce a day of strike action
CAIWU News | This Friday 30th September 2022, the cleaners and porters at the ROH will commence a day of strike action over their pay and working conditions. The picket line will take place from midday to 8pm, with a rally at 4pm
www.caiwu.org.uk
and their strike fund:
Support High Holborn cleaners!
We are raising money to ensure that UAL High Holborn cleaners can go on strike and not lose income.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
Bingoman
Well-Known Member
Ambulance staff to be balloted on strike action in the north west and west Midland
www.expressandstar.com
Paramedics and ambulance staff at West Midlands Ambulance Service being balloted for strike action
Almost 750 paramedics and ambulance staff at West Midlands Ambulance Service are being balloted for strike action over calls for a pay rise in line with inflation.
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Been looking for ways to make the picket more entertaining
Tbf, though, aside from a few comments I've heard here and there, we've largely only heard support from students, etc (obvs our strikes don't have as much direct impact on the general public).
Could mebbe adapt, though. Or make it a placard-sized bingo card and get members of the public in on it!
Tbf, though, aside from a few comments I've heard here and there, we've largely only heard support from students, etc (obvs our strikes don't have as much direct impact on the general public).
Could mebbe adapt, though. Or make it a placard-sized bingo card and get members of the public in on it!
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
New report from a striking HE worker:
Strike Report from a Higher Education Worker
Also, hardship fundraiser for the Polyflor workers here:
justgiving.com
Strike Report from a Higher Education Worker
Also, hardship fundraiser for the Polyflor workers here:
Help raise £10000 to help support our Polyflor mates who don't qualify for strike pay but who like the rest of us have bills to pay with zero wages coming in
Weʼre raising money to help support our Polyflor mates who don't qualify for strike pay but who like the rest of us have bills to pay with zero wages coming in. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
justgiving.com
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Haven't read the whole thing yet but some interesting thoughts, and a few ideas we've either talked about or I've wanted to suggest to our own branch committee.
However...
UNISON. It's written UNISON. Not Unison. UNISON.
I know, I know, it's not the point, but every time I read it it's like a little pinprick in my brain. And I have to read it a lot
Non-members making the mistake is one thing, but still bemuses me how many members and reps get it wrong
Anyway, as you were...
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
Non-members making the mistake is one thing, but still bemuses me how many members and reps get it wrong
it's complicated.
Unite is Unite not UNITE
and UNISON isn't an acronym like NALGO was
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Ok, it's late so my ADHD is skipping around a lot, but will come as no surprise that I share the frustrations around co-ordinating a joint timetable among both branches and between UNISON and UCU.
Hard "yup".
* ahem *
Also concerning to hear that branches are pulling out of national negotiations. I do kinda get it, particularly as a member of a strong and active branch at a rich university, but if nothing else it doesn't feel in the tradition of solidarity.
Hard "yup".
* ahem *
Also concerning to hear that branches are pulling out of national negotiations. I do kinda get it, particularly as a member of a strong and active branch at a rich university, but if nothing else it doesn't feel in the tradition of solidarity.
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Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Oh aye, I get it, but I feel like those of us who are fairly active read it so much that at least we should get it right!
Though I do have to remind myself that not everyone has my kind of brain, or has read the branding guidelines multiple times
Heh, tbh, there is a bit of cognitive dissonance in my head for this exact reason, but, counter: all caps isn't exclusive to acronyms. You can simply spell your name in all caps, if that's what you wanna do
Aaaaaaaaaanyway, as I say, conscious that's not the substantive point of the article, so apologies for the derail.
HoratioCuthbert
Deep seated inconsequence
Is it? Fuck me I've been wearing my unison Gay Lanyard for a year and I had no idea.Haven't read the whole thing yet but some interesting thoughts, and a few ideas we've either talked about or I've wanted to suggest to our own branch committee.
However...
UNISON. It's written UNISON. Not Unison. UNISON.
I know, I know, it's not the point, but every time I read it it's like a little pinprick in my brain. And I have to read it a lot
Non-members making the mistake is one thing, but still bemuses me how many members and reps get it wrong
Anyway, as you were...
HoratioCuthbert
Deep seated inconsequence
I'm not a member, I'm with GMB. I just can't resist a Gay Lanyard.
Lord Camomile
Yipchaa!
Based on recent picket line experience, many can't
HoratioCuthbert
Deep seated inconsequence
Yes!Based on recent picket line experience, many can't
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
A new contender appears!
HoratioCuthbert
Deep seated inconsequence
I'm delighted you noticed, LC didn't even acknowledge me
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