Against victimisation

Defending victimised workers and trade unionists

Unofficial action in 85% of fire brigades

The Fire Brigades Union estimates that unofficial industrial action (mostly work-to-rules or 999-only) is taking place in 85% of brigades across Britain. The action is underpinned by discontent over pay and conditions, and has been sparked by victimisations. As of 20 May, 47 firefighters in the Manchester area were suspended. The AWL urges all trade unionists to ring Salford Fire Station with messages of support: 0161 908 9703/01/02, or fax to 0161 908 9700. More... .

Manchester firefighters need solidarity action!

Nineteen firefighters in Manchester have been sent home without pay in what is increasingly looking like a management lock-out in a bid to break the Fire Brigades' Union before it holds a recall conference next month to consider a strike ballot. Two weeks ago the FBU conference was controversially suspended to allow delegates to return to branches and consult on a possible strike ballot, following management's failure to pay the second stage of a three stage pay deal, and their insistence on adding on new changes in working practices not in the original deal. That deal, which was unpopular...

Defend Kola Shokunbi

Unison shop steward Kola Shokunbi has been dismissed by Initial Hospital Services Limited from his job as a cleaner at Whipps Cross University Hospital Trust. Kola was dismissed on Wednesday 7th April 2004. Kola had received no formal warnings from management under the disciplinary procedure prior to his dismissal. The company alleged that Kola had intimidated a manager by shouting at her. This is denied. The manager who was under pressure at the time approached Kola. The manager was lecturing Kola about work he was not responsible for and then began to tell him how to behave as a union...

Chris Barrett unfairly dismissed, tribunal rules

RMT press release, 7 May RMT TUBE driver Chris Barrett was unfairly dismissed by London Underground, the employment tribunal has ruled. "Chris Barrett and his union have been vindicated," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today. "I would like to pay tribute to all those colleagues who stood solidly by Chris, despite an ugly campaign of vilification by sections of the media. "We maintained from the start that Chris did not receive a fair hearing and that LUL was failing to observe its own procedures. "The case also raises some serious civil liberties issues, including the leaking of...

PCS members strike against victimisation

Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) working in the Social Security offices and Jobcentres in east London are involved in unofficial strikes in response to the suspension of a supervisor. In an increasingly bitter pay dispute, Nigel Prendergast became the first member of staff in London to be "temporarily relieved of duty" without pay. Mr Prendergast, who is also a Union activist, works at the Hackney Social Security office. The reason given for his suspension was that Mr Prendergast was refusing to write end of year reports on his staff. The PCSU are vehemently opposed...

Oxford postal workers strike against bullies and victimisation

By Mark Sandell Extreme bullying and intimidation have led to postal workers at Oxford's mail centre walking out. A group of part-time staff has been using threats and intimidation while clocking up massive overtime with the active support of one manager. Senior management did nothing about the situation, despite the union raising it several times in the last six months. Communication Workers' Union representative Bob Cullen said: "One woman, a single mother, was threatened and when she reported it to her manager, he asked her what she expected as she was a good-looking girl. She has now...

Tube strike called off as Metronet agree to abide by tribunal

Rail union RMT suspended strike action by Metronet maintenance and signal workers, scheduled for 12 March. RMT members had voted 5:1 for action in support of colleagues sacked despite the lack of evidence linking them to beer cans allegedly found in a mess room at Farringdon station. "After considering the undertaking by Metronet to abide by the outcome of an Employment Tribunal, the RMT executive has today suspended the strike action scheduled for tomorrow," RMT general secretary Bob Crow told the press. "We understand that the president of the Tribunals has undertaken to do everything within...

Reinstate Steve Godward: lobby on 22 March

West Midlands FBU will be protesting on 22 March to demand that the Fire Service reinstates Steve Godward. Steve was sacked over allegations arising from the FBU strike a year ago. He has successfully pusued a campaign to clear his name. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has concluded that Steve should not have been sacked. And yet his employer has not given him his job back, and is instead trying to appeal. Below is a letter from Steve's FBU branch giving details of the case, and inviting you to support the protest. The Fire Brigades Union WEST MIDLANDS Fire Brigades Union Office...

RMT: Tube workers strike on 12 March

By a Tubeworker RMT members employed on track and signal maintenance by Metronet on the London Underground will stage a 24 hour strike from 6 am on Friday 12 March. RMT members employed by Metronet on track and signal maintenance on London Underground voted by 5 to 1 to strike in support of sacked colleagues. Eight workers have now been sacked. The sacking arose after empty beer cans were found in a mess room. Responding to the vote Bob Crow General Secretary of RMT said: "There is not a shred of evidence that the men had been drinking. The company must stop conducting a witch hunt and...

Tube strike on 12 March

RMT members employed on track and signal maintenance by Metronet on the London Underground will stage a 24 hour strike from 6.00am on Friday 12 March. The RMT rail union issued the following press statement on 1 March : RMT members employed by Metronet on track and signal maintenance on London Underground voted by 5 to 1 to support sacked colleagues. Responding to the vote Bob Crow General Secretary of RMT said: "Reports from our members show an overwhelming support for strike action. All the people sacked were tested and these tests proved negative for alcohol. There is not a shred of...

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.