The Government's attempts to cut across the threat of mass co-ordinated strike action with their new 'offer' has not succeeded as they might have hoped. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, summed it up when he said "Any new offer is always welcome but the latest concessions are only marginal and would still force public servants to pay more in and work longer for less in retirement...It should be remembered that this latest offer was only wrung out of ministers by the threat of mass industrial action on 30 November, and following our successful strike with other unions in June. We will look at the details to see how they affect our members, but we continue our plans to make 30 November the biggest strike we have ever seen."
It is now vital that we bring as many different unions together in joint activities in preparation for November 30. The SERTUC 'Mobilising Conference' on November 12 can help do exactly that.
As you will see below, there will be speakers from ATL, BARAC, CSP, FBU, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NUT, PCS, Prospect, TUC, UCU, UNISON, UNITE and Trades Councils. A substantial part of the day will be devoted to workshops so participants will have a good opportunity to contribute to active debates. There will be a rousing closing address from a guest speaker from the USA, Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworker’s Union.
Date: Saturday 12 November 2011, 10am - 4pm
Venue: Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Follow the link below to register.
Draft Programme
10.00 to 10.45 Registration (tea and coffee provided)
10.45 to 11.00 Welcome to Delegates Martin Gould, SERTUC President
11.00 to 12.00 Opening Session - key note speakers
Guest Speaker: Breaking the myth that the cuts are necessary and the alternative programme for growth Paul Nowak, TUC
Defending the NHS; cuts, mutualisation and privatisation Glyn Hawker UNISON
Fair Pensions for All: Alex Kenny, NUT
Uniting the private and public sectors to oppose the cuts Pete Kavanagh, UNITE
Broadening the alliance to defend public services Noel Glover, Regional Officer
National Association of Head Teachers
12.00 to 13.00 Workshops to discuss key issues affecting each sector
1. Health
Speakers: Gail Cartmail, UNITE, Claire Sullivan, CSP, Sian Rabi-Laleh, UNISON
2. Education
Speakers: Jean Roberts, ATL, Chris Lines, NASUWT
3. Local Government
Speakers: Richard Ascough, GMB, Heather Wakefield, UNISON
4. Rest of public sector, including civil service and fire service
Speakers: Ian Leahair, FBU, John McInally, PCS
13.00 to 13.30 Lunch (sandwich buffet and soft drinks provided)
13.30 to 14.00 Workshop report-back and discussion
14.00 to 15.10 Forums: Campaigning at Work and in Communities
1. Local Government Disputes – lessons to be learned
Lessons for unions from the Southampton Dispute
John Rowse, UNITE
Lessons for unions from the Barnet dispute
Magi Ferncombe, UNISON
2. Anti-cuts activities in the community
Roger Mackay, Ipswich TC, Gawain Little, Oxford and District TC
3. The impact of the cuts on equalities agendas
Scarlet Harris TUC, Lee Jasper, BARAC
Sean McGovern, TUC National Disabled Workers Committee
4. The dangers of privatisation and mutualisation
Simon Watson, UNISON, Dave Allen, Prospect, John McInally, PCS
15.10 to 15.40 Open session feedback from forums
15.40 to 16.00 Closing plenary speakers
SERTUC – Megan Dobney
Leo W. Gerard, President, Union of Steelworkers, USA
16.00 Close of Conference
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