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E-Bulletin, Issue 23 - January 2009

This month we were delighted to welcome both Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson to the North West.

A number of Unite members turned up to listen to the Joint General Secretaries at two separate meetings held at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool and the Haydock Thistle Hotel.

Both Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley gave an update in relation to the merger and other matters. North West members were given the chance to ask any questions they might have at the end of the session.

Unite welcomes Brown's pledge to protect workers during tough times

Tony Woodley, Unite Joint General Secretary welcomed the Prime Minister's pledge to protect working people during what is set to become the most difficult economic times of recent memory.

Following a visit from Prime Minister Gordon Brown to a meeting of Unite North West members held on Thursday 8th January at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, Tony Woodley said:

"The bald reality is that these are the toughest economic times in recent memory and working people are frightened for their futures.  We heard today from the Prime Minister that he is fully focussed on protecting jobs and working people.  His number one priority is protecting this country from the damage wrecked on the international economy by the spivs and speculators. 

"Unlike the do-nothing Tories who would abandon workers, Gordon Brown has said he will not walk away and leave working people to deal with life without a wage and a future on the dole.  That tired Thatcherite dogma has rightly been banished to the Dark Ages where it belongs. 

"The priorities now must be job protection and creation as to keep our economy moving and get us through these harsh economic times.  This means being bold, being brave and being Labour."

For full story please click here.

Hope not Hate  - European election St Helens

We need your support at the Hope not Hate event on Thursday, January 22nd in the Unison club, Bishop Road St Helens 7.00 pm.  The event is being supported by Unite and Unison. For further details please see attached leaflet – click here.

Help defeat the BNP in 2009. Please get involved by signing up – click here.

Unite condemns Argos' move to cut 200 workers and allow site to be turned into museum

The decision by home retailer Argos to close its Trafford Park distribution site with the loss of over 200 jobs has been condemned by Unite.

In further insult to members, the site on which they work is to be redeveloped into a museum of industrial heritage.

Argos' move from the Trafford Park site to Castleford, West Yorkshire is expected to create some jobs in Castleford but Unite is deeply concerned about the potential for these jobs to be hived off to a third party employer. According to Unite this could see terms and conditions slashed if Argos transfers work to another contractor.

Condemning the move, Unite regional industrial organiser, Neil Clarke  said: "On the day of the Government's jobs summit, it is a bitter irony that our members' jobs are to go in order to make way for a museum. We realise fully that these are tough economic times but employers must not use this as excuse to transfer work to another third party contractor who could slash terms and conditions.

"It is clear that this move has been considered for some time but the only clue to the loyal workforce and their union before today was the planning permission disclosed last week for the Museum. This is simply unacceptable.”

Unite is seeking urgent talks with Argos to discuss the future of the workforce.

For full story please click here.

Rally against Council Cuts

On 10th January hundreds of people, including residents, trade union members, youth and community campaigners joined a rally at Birkenhead Hamilton Square to fight Local Authority cuts by Wirral Council.

The proposed cuts will result in the closure of libraries, leisure centres and art centres.  Also, there are plans to outsource or close social services homes and transport department.

Commenting on the day, Mark O’Brien, co-ordinator of the rally said: “I want to say a personal thanks to everyone who contributed to making the march a success”

Speakers at the rally included Unite North West Regional Secretary, Kevin Coyne and Peter Allenson, Unite National Officer for Public Services.

For coverage of the rally please visit bbc news.  Click here.

Hundreds more marchers joined a lobby of council at Wallasey Town Hall on 15th January.  The public feeling against the planned cuts resulted in some of the proposals being changed.  Two of the swimming baths/leisure centres will remain open and some of the libraries have been reprieved but others are now being earmarked for closure.

Unite Regional Officer Brian Nelson said: “While this is a partial success we need to continue the fight against all closures and proposals to outsource work in social services.”

Unite reaction to Barclays 410 job losses

Unite has expressed concern that Barclays is to make 410 job cuts in Cheshire, Northampton and London. The jobs will be lost from the bank’s IT function.

Derek Simpson, Unite Joint General Secretary, said: “410 job losses in the financial services sector will come as a bitter blow to the IT workforce across Barclays.

“At this time of economic uncertainty staff across the industry are working under immense pressure and there is a great deal of nervousness regarding their job security. This loss of 160 permanent and 250 contractors, all of which are highly skilled roles is a serious loss to the UK’s skill base.

“Unite will be working with Barclays in order to avoid compulsory job losses and looking to explore all the opportunities for redeployment. Over the next few days Unite officials will be meeting with our members at all the sites impacted.”

Unite secures £8.4 million for former Leyland DAF employees after 16 year legal battle

Unite has played a key role in securing up to £8.4 million for the 1,400 employees unfairly dismissed by Leyland DAF in 1993.

Unite took up the legal battle on behalf of its members to fight for their claim for unfair dismissal after the truck and van manufacturer went into receivership. The union pursued the claims through its solicitors, Rowley Ashworth, for the members based at Leyland DAF’s three UK sites; Washwood Heath in Birmingham, Chorley in Lancashire and the Albion Works in Glasgow. The claims against the company were lengthy and complex in nature owing to the competing claims of creditors across Europe. The company was then owned by the Dutch manufacturer DAF. 

A settlement has been negotiated by Unite (representing 86% of the claims) together with GMB under which the claims lodged by the unions will produce payments to members of between £5,000 and £6,000. The liquidators intend to make an initial part payment of around £2,000 per claimant almost immediately, with the remainder to follow later this year.

For full story please click here.