Annual Report for 2011

Southend Trades Union Council

registered with the TUC

Secretary’s Report for the year ended 31 December 2011

Introduction

During the year the Southend TUC:

·         Held 11 general meetings with an average attendance of 7 delegates

·         We received affiliation fees from 11 branches from the following unions :
ASLEF, CWU, PCS, RMT, UNISON, UNITE, TSSA

·         Affiliated to the Essex County Association of Trades Councils

Work of the Year

·         Cuts and Public Services

·         Throughout the year we have supported the activities, including the street stalls and public meetings organised by the Southend against the Cuts campaign group, which was set up by the Southend TUC in 2010.

·         On 30^th June, we supported the strike action by PCS, UCU, NUT and ATL in defence of public sector pensions.

·         We assisted with the preparations for the March and Rally in support of the Public Sector strike over pensions on 30^th November.

·         Trade Union Solidarity

·         During the year we send a number of messages to trades unionists in struggle, both in the UK and internationally.

·         We organised a coach to the Burston March and Rally on 4^th September

·         On 2^nd October, I attended the March and Rally to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.

·         Community Involvement

·         In the run up to the local council elections, we called upon our supporters to vote for the candidates of the Southend Labour Party on the basis of their opposition to spending cuts by the Borough Council.

·         We maintained our support for the Leigh Folk Festival, and held a stall at the festival over the weekend of 18^th and 19^th June. The Trades Unions have now become the major sponsor of the Festival, which is appropriate as folk music originated from the working class over the centuries and Trades Unions are the representatives and voice of working people today.

Summary

During 2011, the Southend TUC has been very active in supporting the campaign against the austerity policies of the Government. We have raised our profile both within our local community as well as in the labour and trade union movement. We stand ready to continue our campaigning activities during the coming year.

Ian Pope

Secretary

Unilever Colman's of Norwich Dispute - Update

I would like to thank everyone, who sent messages of support to GMB and Unite members at Colman's of Norwich, on their day of action to protect their pension.

By expressing your support to them, it demonstrated that the wider Trade Union movement stands shoulder to shoulder with them in their fight for a fair pension and a dignified retirement, irrespective of which sector they work in.

Members were overjoyed by the expressions of support given by the general public and a special thank you must be made to Norfolk Fire Service who allowed use of their toilet facilities and provided refreshments.

I would also like to thank Ed and Richard of NCAC for getting the word out so quickly.

This action sends a clear message to Unilever that this betrayal of their employees will not be tolerated and that they will not be bullied into poverty when they retire.

In gratitude and solidarity
Ivan Mercer
GMB Regional Organiser
Norwich

Private Sector pension dispute - Unilever Colman's of Norwich

Message of support

On behalf of the Southend Trades Union Council, I wish to express our support for your members taking strike action in defence of their pension scheme at Unilever Colman's site in Norwich.

 

The Southend TUC believes that private sector pensions are one of the greatest scandals of our age. It is a national disgrace that only 40% of private sector workers are currently in an employer-sponsored pension scheme.We therefore believe that the action your members are taking in defence of their pension scheme id fully justified.

 

We hope the strike action is a success and that the employer is forced to reconsider their plans to close the pension scheme.

 

Yours in solidarity

 

Ian Pope

Secretary

Southend Trades Union Council

Message of Support from the General Confederation of Labour

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE BRITISH UNIONS

FOR THE DAY OF ACTION ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011

The CGT (General Confederation of labour) _ Union Mairie de Roubaix (North)

_ and its members bring you the following message:

We are for your movement and support your fight against attacks by your Government.

In Britain, as almost everywhere in Europe, Governments impose austerity measures to meet the crisis.

Employees, retirees, deprived of employment, students, and all young people are not those responsible for the crisis. They must not bear all the consequences.

The solution to stimulate the economy is not to attack the public services, raising the age of retirement, to increase pension contributions, or to lower pensions.

The CGT Union and all its members, we wish you all our best wishes of success for this new day of mobilization and strike on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

At the call of the F.S.E.S.P. (European Federation of trade unions of the public Services) and of the C.G.T. we will also be in action and organize several trade union rallies in France this 30 November to say:

"NOT THE AUSTERITE! YES A EMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES!

Be sure, dear friends, that the CGT Union and its members are with you and welcome your combativeness.

Fraternal greetings.

Southend TUC press release - N30

Press Release

From Southend Trades Union Council (Southend TUC)

- For immediate use –

Day of Action - 30^th November 2011

The Southend TUC is fully supporting the Day of Action for pensions justice called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday 30^th November.

We express our full solidarity with striking trade union members and call upon the Government to enter into genuine negotiations to secure the future of the public sector pension schemes.

The Southend TUC, in conjunction with the campaigning group Southend Against The Cuts, have organised a rally for union members and supporters under title ‘Unit the Resistance’ at 11.00am in the Victoria Plaza Area outside the Odeon Cinema, Southend High Street. In addition there will be a march of union members to Victoria Plaza starting from the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue at 10.45am.

Southend TUC President Rachel Heemskerk said

“The average pay of a civil servant is £22,850 about £2000 less than the private sector average. Nearly a quarter of all workers are being paid less than £7 an hour work in the public sector. Public sector pay has been frozen when inflation has soared to 5%. The effect of inflation and the proposed increase in pension contributions represent a major pay cut for public sector workers.”

Ian Pope, Southend TUC Secretary added

“The Government has sought to set public sector workers against their counterparts in the private sector on the issue of pension funding. Private sector pensions are one of the greatest scandals of our age. Only 40% of private sector workers are currently in an employer-sponsored pension scheme. The Government should not be seeking to drag down the pensions of public sector workers, but to raise those of private sector workers.”

November 30th - Local Picket Lines

There will be picket lines at the following workplaces on the Day of Action November 30th :-

Dencora Court, Tylers Avenue, Southend on Sea
Kingswood House, Baxter Avenue ,Southend on Sea
Rayleigh Jobcentre London Hill
Basildon Jobcentre The Gore
Basildon BDC Great Oaks House
HMRC, Alexander House, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea
Southend Hospital
Southend Civic Centre
South Essex College, Southend
Central Library Southend
Margaret Thatcher House Southend
Queensway House Southend
Southchurch House Southend
Avro, Southend
Viking Building, Southend
Chevoit House, Baxter Avenue, Southend

Please visit the nearest picket line to show your support!

TUC Day of Action - 30th November

A Defend Public Services/ Strike Rally will be held at 11am in the Plaza Area outside the Odeon Cinema, High Street Southend.

We will have speakers from PCS, UCU, UNISON, Southend Trades Council and Southend Against The Cuts. (NUTand ATL have been invited)

There maybe a short march from the Civic Centre Victoria Avenue leaving there at 10:45am!