Langdon dispute: Newham NUT votes 90 - 0 for borough-wide action

Langdon school staff were solidly out on the picket line this morning in their ongoing dispute over workload and bullying management - a dispute now raised to new levels  by the school's attempts to break the action by using supply staff to keep the school open on strike days.

It's hard to stand on a picket-line and see students going into school - even though most were very supportive to their teachers standing outside. But staff morale must have been raised by an unheard of turnout at a special Newham NUT meeting tonight. It was standing room only with 90 in attendance!


The school may have thought that it was onto an easy victory by following Tory advice to recruit supply staff directly to get round the Agency regulations (see previous post http://electmartin1.blogspot.com/2011/11/union-busting-at-langdon-school-threat.html). But if they want to take on the Union, then the Union is ready to respond. As this would now turn the dispute into one with the borough who are presumably issuing the contracts to the strikebreakers, the Union can consider responding with a borough-wide ballot for action  ... and that was what was agreed by tonight's Newham NUT meeting - by 90 votes to 0!

NUT members will be out in force at the London N30 pensions demonstration tomorrow to make sure that everyone there knows about their dispute - and adds their solidarity and support.

Solidarity Message from the CGT Nord - Pas de Calais

Chancellor Osborne has chosen today to announce yet further limits to future pay settlements - meaning our salaries are set to fall further against prices, at the same time as he wants us to pay out more for our pensions.

He also announced that the State Retirement Age is to be 67 from 2026 - meaning that even more of us will be forced to work on until 67 or 68 in order to get our full pension. 
We will give our answer in our millions tomorrow!


To help us on our way, the CGT union federation in the Nord - Pas de Calais region have sent several messages of support via SERTUC:


Message de soutien aux organisations syndicales de Grande Bretagne et à leurs adhérents.


Le Comité Régional Nord Pas de Calais vous apporte son soutien fraternel pour votre journée de grève et de manifestations du 30 Novembre 2011.


Nous soutenons les salariés en luttes pour défendre leur système de retraite et leurs services publics.


Partout en Europe, les salariés, retraités, jeunes et privés d'emploi subissent des mesures d'austérité injustes alors qu'ils ne sont en rien les responsables de la crise.


La solution pour relancer l'économie n'est pas d'attaquer les services publics, de relever l'âge de départ à la retraite, d'augmenter les cotisations sociales ni d'abaisser les pensions.
Au nom du Comité Régional, nous vous adressons tous nos voeux de succès.


Avec vous nous disons :
"Non à l'austérité !
Oui à l'emploi et aux services publics !


Recevez, Cher(e)s Camarades, nos fraternelles salutations.
Comité Régional CGT Nord Pas de Calais

Gove's lies answered by staff at his own school!

The National NUT Press Release below answers the rubbish spouted by Michael Gove in his speech to the Policy Exchange this morning in an attempt to confuse and deceive the public over the November 30 strike.

But Gove's deception clearly isn't working! A BBC News Opinion Poll shows majority support for the action - despite everything that the press and politicians have been spouting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15910621

But perhaps Gove's best answer will be when he gets a letter home from his OWN children's  school, St Mary Abbots in Kensington & Chelsea, where Cameron and Gove send their children. The local NUT Secretary, Kieran Parsons,  reports that most teachers at the school will be striking - leaving only two classes open on Wednesday!

The emails have been coming in to all day confirming more and more schools closed to pupils by our action - along with teachers wanting to know where to join the demonstration in London - which will be enormous!

See you there!

NUT PRESS RELEASE:

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“This dispute has been created by a Government which is determined to steam roller through pension reform that will irreparably damage teachers’ pensions. The issue has united the teaching profession, as will be demonstrated on November 30. This strike has nothing to with ‘militants’ but everything to do with teachers and head teachers who do not believe the Government is being fair or reasonable.

“In talking about teachers' retirement ages, Michael Gove ignores the fact that those retiring earlier than their new pension age of 68 would face very substantial reductions in their pensions. More significantly, he ignores the fact that working to 68 simply won't be physically possible for many and is not in the interests of either pupils or teachers.

“Michael Gove also misrepresents the cost of teachers' pensions. His figures include the contributions made by teachers and their employers. The cost to the Treasury is far smaller and, as the National Audit Office has confirmed, the cost of teachers' pensions as a whole is already falling due to reforms already made.

“The Education Secretary says that the accrual rate has been improved through DfE lobbying, but what he doesn’t say is that it’s only improved on the Government’s earlier position. It isn’t an improvement on the accrual rate that teachers have on the existing pension scheme.

“Michael Gove's calculator only tells teachers how much they would get under his new scheme. The NUT's calculator tells them what Michael Gove's calculator doesn't - how much extra they will pay, how much longer they will have to work for a full pension and how much they will lose in retirement due to his new scheme.

“The NUT absolutely agrees with Michael Gove that it is not in the best interest for teachers to opt out of the pension scheme. What he clearly fails to understand is that teachers also recognise this fact. The problem lies with the Government’s proposals to make teachers pay considerably more for a pension that will be worth considerably less. No matter how the Government tries to dress up its reforms, for many this is simply not financially feasible.”

Lewisham Schools Set for Strike Action on Wednesday

UPDATED: MONDAY NOVEMBER 28th: (although there's a few more last-minute additions still to add e.g Pendragon, St.Mary Magdalene and Sandhurst Infants Schools are also closed to students)

Of 75 Lewisham schools where we now have confirmed reports so far, 48 are totally closed to pupils and 25 largely closed to all but one or two classes or year groups. We still know of only 2 small schools that will apparently be largely unaffected.

Staff at six schools have reported that they will be holding picket lines from 7.30 or 8am - Christ the King Sixth Form College, Ladywell Fields, Lee Manor Primary, Sedgehill, St.Matthews Academy and Sydenham Schools. Other staff and supporters will be very welcome to visit them!

NUT members - and staff from other unions - will be gathering outside the Town Hall in Catford from 10 am or meeting Lewisham colleagues at 11.15 at Charing Cross station before going on to the start of the London demonstration in Lincolns Inn Fields at 12.00.

Schools which have reported to the Lewisham NUT Office so far are:
 

ABBEY MANOR COLLEGE	Totally closed
ADAMSRILL PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
ADDEY AND STANHOPE SCHOOL	Totally closed
ASHMEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
ATHELNEY PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
BARING	Totally closed
BONUS PASTOR RC SECONDARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
BRENT KNOLL SCHOOL	Mainly closed
CHILDERIC PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
CHRIST THE KING SIXTH FORM COLLEGE	Mainly closed
CLYDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE	Totally closed
CONISBOROUGH COLLEGE	Mainly closed
COOPERS LANE	Totally closed
CROSSWAYS SIXTH FORM	Mainly closed
DALMAIN	Totally closed
DEPTFORD GREEN SCHOOL	Totally closed
DEPTFORD PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
DOWNDERRY PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
EDMUND WALLER	Totally closed
ELFRIDA PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
FAIRLAWN PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
FOREST HILL SCHOOL	Totally closed
FORSTER PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
GOOD SHEPHERD	Totally closed
GORDONBROCK PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
GREENVALE SCHOOL	Mainly closed
GRINLING GIBBONS PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
HABERDASHERS ASKES HATCHAM COLLEGE	Mainly closed
HABERDASHERS ASKES KNIGHTS ACADEMY	Mainly closed
HASELTINE	Open
HOLBEACH PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
HOLY CROSS RC PRIMARY (LEWISHAM)	Totally closed
HOLY TRINITY CE PRIMARY  (LEWISHAM)	Mainly closed
HORNIMAN	Totally closed
JOHN BALL PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
JOHN STAINER PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
KELVIN GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
KENDER	Totally closed
KILMORIE PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
KNIGHTS TEMPLE GROVE	Totally closed
LEE MANOR PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
PRENDERGAST THE VALE SCHOOL	Totally closed
LUCAS VALE PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
MARVELS LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
MEADOWGATE SCHOOL (LEWISHAM)	Mainly closed
MYATT GARDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
NEW WOODLANDS SCHOOL	Totally closed
OLSPNeri	Open
PERRYMOUNT PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
PRENDERGAST LADYWELL FIELDS	Mainly closed
PRENDERGAST HILLYFIELDS SCHOOL	Totally closed
RANGEFIELD	Mainly closed
RATHFERN	Totally closed
RUSHEY GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
SANDHURST JUNIOR SCHOOL	Totally closed
SEDGEHILL SCHOOL	Mainly closed
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE PRIMARY	Totally closed
ST AUGUSTINES RC PRIMARY	Mainly closed
ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CE PRIMARY	Totally closed
St JAMES HATCHAM	Totally closed
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
ST MARY'S LEWISHAM CE SCHOOL	Totally closed
ST MICHAELS CE PRIMARY SCHOOL	Totally closed
ST SAVIOURS RC PRIMARY (LEWISHAM)	Totally closed
ST WILLIAM OF YORK	Totally closed
ST WINIFREDS RC JUNIOR SCHOOL	Totally closed
St.MATTHEWS ACADEMY	Totally closed
STILLNESS INFANT	Mainly closed
STILLNESS JUNIOR SCHOOL	Totally closed
SYDENHAM SCHOOL	Totally closed
TIDEMILL PRIMARY SCHOOL	Mainly closed
TORRIDON INFANT SCHOOL	Totally closed
TORRIDON JUNIOR SCHOOL	Totally closed
TRINITY SCHOOL (formerly Northbrook)	Totally closed
WATERGATE SCHOOL	Totally closed

Pensions Battlebus takes 'Pensions Justice' message to the public

Today, Saturday November 26th, trade unionists took to the streets of South London in their pensions 'battle bus' to take their message to the public - "Fair Pensions for All!"

Representatives from just some of the twenty-plus different trade unions taking strike action on Wednesday November 30 helped give out leaflets across the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. ATL, NUT, PCS, UNISON, UCU members - and others - started the tour in Brixton, before going on to Streatham, Catford, Lewisham, Deptford, Peckham and Camberwell.

The photos show that we were joined by Mr Cameron with his 'swag bag' who appealed to the public for donations to his 'save the millionaires' fund. Many passers-by made very clear to the Prime Minister exactly what they thought of him! That determined message will be firmly passed on to the Government when trade union members form schools, council offices, job centres, colleges and many other South London workplaces join the millions who will be on strike across Britain to defend public sector pensions on Wednesday.

Martin Powell-Davies, Lewisham NUT Secretary said;
"We got a great response from the public. Most South Londoners understand that this Government of millionaires is trying to steal away everything that we have won in the past - whether it be pensions, jobs or public services. That's why we are determined to send a clear message to Ministers when we take strike action on November 30 to 'Stop the Pensions Robbery!' "

Hundreds of leaflets were distributed calling for 'Pensions Justice'. A local NUT leaflet explained why we were appealing to the public to support the strike action:
+ PENSION CUTS ARE BAD FOR EDUCATION
Most teachers won’t be able to do a good job at the age of 68. But we will be forced to work on while our school leavers struggle to find a job vacancy!
+ SPENDING CUTS ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE
Cuts to our jobs, pay and pensions will do nothing to help improve the economy.
+ LET’S UNITE TOGETHER AGAINST THE CUTS
Cutting our pensions won’t help save anybody else’s job or restore private pensions.
If the Government succeed, it will only encourage them to carry on cutting everything else as well. But, if we can persuade them to think again, other campaigns are more likely to win too!

* There will be picket lines at a number of workplaces on Wednesday morning. Trade unionists will then be gathering outside the Town Hall in Catford from 10am before taking the train to Charing Cross to join others assembling at 11.15 am. The Lewisham delegations will then join the main London march assembling in Lincolns Inn Fields from midday.

November 30 - if Con-Dems don't retreat, escalate the action

OUR STRIKE ON 30 NOVEMBER is uniting millions of workers in a show of strength not seen in Britain for generations.

Thousands of schools will be closed to pupils as heads, teachers and support staff take action together to defend our pensions from a thieving government that wants us to pay for the chaos caused by unregulated banks and an unfettered market that puts the pursuit of profit before people’s needs.

The experience will lift the confidence of public sector workers to fight on until the pensions robbery is defeated - and to move on to defeat all the other attacks being made to our pay, conditions and public services. It will also lift the confidence of workers across Britain to stand up and join us in a fight for their jobs and services too.

No wonder Ministers have been desperate to try and stop the N30 action taking place ! Having refused any meaningful negotiations for months, they hoped that they could divide and confuse us with their last-minute ‘offer’.  But, steeled by the firm opposition from Left unions like the NUT and PCS, the answer from every union has been the same - ‘thanks, but no thanks’. Thanks - because even these inadequate concessions have exposed the government’s weakness in the face of united trade union opposition. No thanks -  because they still want us to work longer and pay more to get less pension.

The press will do their owners’ bidding and try to turn public opinion against us. But they are not succeeding. When unions have got their message out onto the streets and at the school gates, we have found support. People recognise that money cut from our pensions wouldn’t be going to boost private-sector pensions or state benefits. No, they want to rob our pensions to pay for the bankers’ bailouts  and to lower costs for the privateers buying up public services.

We need to make clear to the Con-Dems  that November 30 is not just a one-off token protest. If they do not back down from their pensions robbery, we will be back with further action in January.

We can’t afford to hesitate and leave it until after Xmas to make any concrete plans. Unions must quickly announce a clear plan and dates for further joint strike action.

No trade unionist can easily afford to lose pay but trade unionists will be ready to carry on the battle - as long as they understand that their leaderships have a serious plan in place to win this struggle.

The key to victory is widespread co-ordinated national action involving as many unions as possible, applying the level of pressure that can force this government into serious negotiations.

Plans for rolling regional joint action being proposed by the NUT can certainly play a part in maintaining momentum. But it would need careful co-ordination with other trade unions to be effective. 

Joint national strike action, bringing everyone together on a day - or even two days of action - remains the key strategy. Unions should certainly consider calling a 48-hour strike next term.

So let's have a huge turnout on November 30, but then let’s build for:
●    A further national strike of at least one-day as soon in 2012 as possible.
●    A programme of action co-ordinated across as many unions as possible.
●    Step up our public campaign in every town and city - ‘Fair Pensions for all!’

Uniting against the cuts

One of the best things about the campaign leading up to November 30 has been to see different unions working together and the growing mood of determination to mount a joint struggle. 

Today, unions are working together across South-East London to organise a pensions ‘battle bus’ around Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. On Wednesday, I spoke alongside UNITE, UNISON and GMB speakers in Merton, and the same on Thursday night at a ‘NO Cuts Cabaret’ in the Rivoli ballroom to protest against cuts to young people’s services in Lewisham.

In Lewisham, the Council made £7m of cuts to the Children and Young People’s budgets in 2011/12 – with 4.8M more to come over next two years.

One of the biggest cut to come in the next round of CYP cuts will be the £200,000 ‘saving’ in special educational needs budget. Yet, disgracefully, the Council budget papers dress up the cut as an improvement ! They claim that “the reorganisation should positively impact on the experience of parents and children”.  My appeal to Labour councillors to prove that they really did have a different agenda to this Government - and demand their officers stop writing this nonsense - seemed to go down well with the audience.

As unions have warned from the start, the cuts don’t work – they just make things worse. Two of Lewisham’s 2011/12 savings have not met their targets: they put up nursery  fees but haven’t got more income because there’s then been a reduced uptake of places! They also put up school meal prices – again there’s been a reduced uptake of school meals – and now a budget shortfall.

Of course, this is just a small part of a much wider picture. Cuts mean fewer people in work, fewer paying taxes, fewer spending in shops, more spent on benefits – a vicious spiral downwards we can see in Greece and elsewhere.

The money is there to spend on our services. If the £120 billion of uncollected and avoided tax identified by the PCS was collected, there would be no need for Osborne’s cuts at all. Of course, the profiteers will always try to avoid those taxes – until and unless ordinary people, communities, trade unions, control the banks and economy so that they can put people before profit.