Events Calendar
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Banners of the NUM
UNIONS WELCOME PUBLIC SERVICES PENSIONS DEAL - 19 OCTOBER 2005
A framework agreement on public services pensions in health, civil service and education has been reached today at a meeting of the Public Service Forum. Separate negotiations are under way in Local Government. TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said:
'Working together through the TUC, public service unions have today won a major breakthrough. It is being recommended to public service unions for endorsement.
'The Government has accepted that today's public sector staff should not have their pensions promise broken, and need suffer no detriment in their pensions arrangements. This has met the major union objective.
'On top of this, the Government has given important guarantees for the future. All new public pensions schemes will be based on defined benefits, linked to earnings and index linked. All public service workers will continue to be able to retire at 60 - if that is their wish - into the future.
'Detailed negotiations will now need to take place in each of the sectors covered by the agreement.
'We now need to see the same progress made in local government.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
'Working together through the TUC, public service unions have today won a major breakthrough. It is being recommended to public service unions for endorsement.
'The Government has accepted that today's public sector staff should not have their pensions promise broken, and need suffer no detriment in their pensions arrangements. This has met the major union objective.
'On top of this, the Government has given important guarantees for the future. All new public pensions schemes will be based on defined benefits, linked to earnings and index linked. All public service workers will continue to be able to retire at 60 - if that is their wish - into the future.
'Detailed negotiations will now need to take place in each of the sectors covered by the agreement.
'We now need to see the same progress made in local government.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
TUC ATTACKS CBI EMPLOYMENT TIRBUNALS REPORT - 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
Commenting on the CBI tribunal survey published today (Friday) TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'Employment tribunals are an important last resort in resolving workplace disputes and access to them should not be limited to those who can afford to pay. CBI proposals to introduce charges on individual's bringing claims and increase cost awards to employees would limit access to justice for genuine claimants and disadvantage lower paid workers.'
'The suggestion that the tribunal system is clogged up with vexatious claims is ill-founded. However, the new dispute resolution legislation is complicated and the government plans to carry out a review in two years. The CBI should not pre-empt the outcomes of this review before in-depth research has been conducted on how the procedures are operating in practice.'
'Employment tribunals are an important last resort in resolving workplace disputes and access to them should not be limited to those who can afford to pay. CBI proposals to introduce charges on individual's bringing claims and increase cost awards to employees would limit access to justice for genuine claimants and disadvantage lower paid workers.'
'The suggestion that the tribunal system is clogged up with vexatious claims is ill-founded. However, the new dispute resolution legislation is complicated and the government plans to carry out a review in two years. The CBI should not pre-empt the outcomes of this review before in-depth research has been conducted on how the procedures are operating in practice.'
BUSINESS CAN AFFORD MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE - 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
Tomorrow (Saturday) the minimum wage goes up to ?5.05 and to ?4.25 for 18-21 year olds. Welcoming the increase, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'Tomorrow's increase will see well over a million low-paid workers with more cash in their pockets, many of them women working part time. An extra 20 pence an hour is going to make a real difference, with many hard-up families better off as a result.
'But as ever, with each minimum wage increase comes the predictable wave of protest from business saying that it cannot afford another rise. Every year miserly bosses say any wage boost will be at the expense of jobs, but every year their predictions of doom and gloom fail to materialise.
'When the Low Pay Commission reviews the minimum wage later in the year, I urge it not to listen too closely to the bleatings of UK business leaders. A further increase next year and payment of the adult rate to 18 year olds is easily affordable, and would have no adverse effect upon either the economy or on jobs.'
'Tomorrow's increase will see well over a million low-paid workers with more cash in their pockets, many of them women working part time. An extra 20 pence an hour is going to make a real difference, with many hard-up families better off as a result.
'But as ever, with each minimum wage increase comes the predictable wave of protest from business saying that it cannot afford another rise. Every year miserly bosses say any wage boost will be at the expense of jobs, but every year their predictions of doom and gloom fail to materialise.
'When the Low Pay Commission reviews the minimum wage later in the year, I urge it not to listen too closely to the bleatings of UK business leaders. A further increase next year and payment of the adult rate to 18 year olds is easily affordable, and would have no adverse effect upon either the economy or on jobs.'
TWO UNISON BRANCH OFFICIALS SACKED - 21 SEPTEMBER 2005
2,000 UNISON members out on strike in Sefton Council
Over 2,000 UNISON members in Sefton Council were on strike for 3 days over the continued suspension of their 2 Branch Officers Nigel Flanagan and Paul Summers.
Nigel and Paul were originally suspended on 17 May over allegations of intimidation and aggressive behaviour at a demonstration against housing stock transfers in the strand shopping centre in Bootle. But police statements obtained by Thompsons Solicitors state that the demonstration was 'peaceful' and 'passed without incident'. In addition CCTV footage has been viewed by the UNISON Regional Secretary Frank Hont and other officials of UNISON and shows no evidence of misconduct.
UNISON sees this as a clear political attack on UNISON who have also been evicted from their office which was on Council premises.
But Sefton Council has now declared itself 'financially crippled' by the loss of the Stock Transfer ballot. Tenants voted by 55% against stock transfer on a 62.8% turnout, after the Council spent ?5.2 million on leaflets, brochures, videos and consultants in an attempt to win the 'yes' vote. The 'no' campaign organised by tenants and UNISON cost ?21,000.
The North West Regional Executive Committee has agreed to support the financial appeal and will be forwarding details to all trade unions in the area. The strikers will also be speaking at the next NWTUC regional Council on September 24th.
Over 2,000 UNISON members in Sefton Council were on strike for 3 days over the continued suspension of their 2 Branch Officers Nigel Flanagan and Paul Summers.
Nigel and Paul were originally suspended on 17 May over allegations of intimidation and aggressive behaviour at a demonstration against housing stock transfers in the strand shopping centre in Bootle. But police statements obtained by Thompsons Solicitors state that the demonstration was 'peaceful' and 'passed without incident'. In addition CCTV footage has been viewed by the UNISON Regional Secretary Frank Hont and other officials of UNISON and shows no evidence of misconduct.
UNISON sees this as a clear political attack on UNISON who have also been evicted from their office which was on Council premises.
But Sefton Council has now declared itself 'financially crippled' by the loss of the Stock Transfer ballot. Tenants voted by 55% against stock transfer on a 62.8% turnout, after the Council spent ?5.2 million on leaflets, brochures, videos and consultants in an attempt to win the 'yes' vote. The 'no' campaign organised by tenants and UNISON cost ?21,000.
The North West Regional Executive Committee has agreed to support the financial appeal and will be forwarding details to all trade unions in the area. The strikers will also be speaking at the next NWTUC regional Council on September 24th.
GLORIA MILLS IS NEW TUC PRESIDENT
Gloria Mills, a senior official with public services union, UNISON, is to be the next TUC President and is the first black woman ever to be elected to the position, the TUC announced today (Thursday).
Gloria was elected at a meeting of the TUC's General Council on the last day of the 137th Congress in Brighton and takes over from Jeannie Drake, Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union.
Gloria Mills has been active in the trade union movement for over two decades. She made history in 1994 when she became the first black woman to be elected to the TUC's General Council.
Gloria's involvement with trade unions began in 1978 when she signed up to print union, NATSOPA, whilst she was working in legal publishing. It was not long before Gloria was elected as mother of the chapel.
Gloria then went to work for another print union, SOGAT (Society of Graphical and Allied Trades). Then in 1985 she moved into the public sector when she started with NUPE (National Union of Public Employees) as a regional officer, later working as a senior national officer for the union.
In 1993, when the three public sector unions merged to form UNISON, Gloria was made the new union's director of equal opportunities. Over the past 12 years, she has been responsible for a range of union campaigns on equal pay, childcare, women, employment, race and human rights issues.
Gloria's pioneering work on equal rights and race issues has helped shape the agendas, structure and culture of the trade union movement. She has worked hard to move equality from the margins to the mainstream of the trade union movement and make it a priority on the political agenda across Europe.
Gloria Mills joined the TUC executive committee in 2000, is chair of its race committee and is a member of the TUC women's committee. She is a CRE Commissioner and a member of the editorial advisory board of Equal Opportunities Review.
Gloria Mills said: 'During my year as TUC President I would like to concentrate on trying to help make British workplaces and our towns and cities more inclusive places to work and live.
'Everyone leaving school should have the same opportunity to succeed, but unfortunately many children from ethnic backgrounds are disadvantaged because their parents are poor, and because they face discrimination in many areas of our society. I intend to promote strategies that will help to develop more cohesive communities and redress the cycles of discrimination, disadvantage and deprivation in these communities.
'Unions are doing all they can to tackle prejudice and make work a fairer place for everyone, and through learning at work schemes, unions are giving many people a second chance. I look forward to a very interesting and challenging year.'
Gloria was awarded the MBE in 1999 for services to trade unions and the CBE earlier this year. She is 47 and lives in south London. She's an avid cricket fan and supports Arsenal.
Gloria was elected at a meeting of the TUC's General Council on the last day of the 137th Congress in Brighton and takes over from Jeannie Drake, Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union.
Gloria Mills has been active in the trade union movement for over two decades. She made history in 1994 when she became the first black woman to be elected to the TUC's General Council.
Gloria's involvement with trade unions began in 1978 when she signed up to print union, NATSOPA, whilst she was working in legal publishing. It was not long before Gloria was elected as mother of the chapel.
Gloria then went to work for another print union, SOGAT (Society of Graphical and Allied Trades). Then in 1985 she moved into the public sector when she started with NUPE (National Union of Public Employees) as a regional officer, later working as a senior national officer for the union.
In 1993, when the three public sector unions merged to form UNISON, Gloria was made the new union's director of equal opportunities. Over the past 12 years, she has been responsible for a range of union campaigns on equal pay, childcare, women, employment, race and human rights issues.
Gloria's pioneering work on equal rights and race issues has helped shape the agendas, structure and culture of the trade union movement. She has worked hard to move equality from the margins to the mainstream of the trade union movement and make it a priority on the political agenda across Europe.
Gloria Mills joined the TUC executive committee in 2000, is chair of its race committee and is a member of the TUC women's committee. She is a CRE Commissioner and a member of the editorial advisory board of Equal Opportunities Review.
Gloria Mills said: 'During my year as TUC President I would like to concentrate on trying to help make British workplaces and our towns and cities more inclusive places to work and live.
'Everyone leaving school should have the same opportunity to succeed, but unfortunately many children from ethnic backgrounds are disadvantaged because their parents are poor, and because they face discrimination in many areas of our society. I intend to promote strategies that will help to develop more cohesive communities and redress the cycles of discrimination, disadvantage and deprivation in these communities.
'Unions are doing all they can to tackle prejudice and make work a fairer place for everyone, and through learning at work schemes, unions are giving many people a second chance. I look forward to a very interesting and challenging year.'
Gloria was awarded the MBE in 1999 for services to trade unions and the CBE earlier this year. She is 47 and lives in south London. She's an avid cricket fan and supports Arsenal.
Industrial Action
The National Union of Mineworkers expresses its support for fellow trade unionists in the Public Sector who today are having to resort to withdrawing their labour (a fundamental right of any worker) and take strike action against these unfair cuts to their pensions and terms and conditions.
T
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Funeral of Gerry Gibson
It is with deep regret that the NUM (Yorkshire Area) announce the Funeral Service details for Gerry Gibson who tragically lost his life at Kellingley Colliery on Tuesday 27th September 2011.The Service in dedication to Gerry a much respected member,work mate & fellow miner will be held in
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Statement from Gerry's Family
We are all truly devastated by Gerry's sudden and tragic death.
We would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in attempts to rescue Gerry - all work colleagues; Kellingley rescue team; the air ambulance team and all other medics who were on site. Their tireless efforts were not i
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Fatality at Kellingley Colliery
it is with deep regret that the national union of mineworkers has to confirm that as a result of a tragic accident at kellingley colliery one of our members has lost his life.
the whole workforce at the colliery are devastated at the loss of a friend and colleague as a result of a roof fall on 502s
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