Co-ordinated Action on June 30th

Our UNISON branch already has agreed on the principle of a 24 hour general strike against the cuts. The following Unions are all preparing for coordinated industrial action on June 30th around anti-cuts issues: UCU (University and College Lecturers), FBU (Fire Brigades Union), PCS (Public and commercial Services), NUT (National Union of Teachers).

This report shows the head of steam building up with other unions like the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport) ready to join. The NUJ (National Union of Journalists) conference recently called for a general strike.

Click here for an article on this subject.

Unfortunately, I have to say that the leadership of UNISON, despite a lot of anti-cuts speeches, do not seem to be preparing to translate words into action.

I have suggested that our branch should send a message to the UNISON leadership saying we stand for strike action on 30th June against the cuts.

This is an opportunity for us to show what we feel. It is time to strike over all the issues we are angry about. Each year our pay award is below inflation. We have also been robbed of redundancy enhancement. We face compulsory redundancies and there are changes to our pensions that force younger colleagues to work longer. Many members are angry but have expressed reservations about taking industrial action alone.

This is our opportunity to show what the trade union movement can do together.

Ed Bober is a steward in the Norfolk County Branch of UNISON.

March for the Alternative

The TUC demonstration on March 26th 2011 was a brilliant show of strength. The Norfolk County UNISON branch were well represented and all those who came on the march have good impressions to share. Media estimates grossly understated the size of the demo and also focused on completely peripheral issues. I think this shows how much the establishment fear the potential power of the trade union movement.

This society has the potential wealth to support a growing public sector. Tax evasion and avoidance cost the UK £120 billion a year. Trident would cost £1.8 billion. Government investment in a million green jobs would save on unemployment benefit and bring in extra tax revenues.

In my view the TUC should now call a 24-hour general strike to defend jobs and services. However, the leaders will not do this without pressure from below. Together with service users we need to take direct action to defend jobs and services.

- Ed Bober, Norfolk County UNISON Branch steward