UCU shows its support for workers on strike at Remploy, Gateshead

GMB and UNITE Picket Line, Remploy, 331 Dukesway Court Team Valley Trading Estate NE11 0BH

Just two cars in the car park behind - belonging to the HR person and the manager!

Joyce McAndrew, UCU Regional Support Official, shows support at the picket line at Remploy

Staff from the UCU Regional Office in Gateshead were out on the picket line this morning, showing support for those on strike at Remploy.  Jon Bryan and Joyce McAndrew went to show their support for the action which has been taken by GMB and UNITE members against the closure of their factory and the consequent loss of jobs.

Facing the loss of their livelihoods, the workers were angry, defiant and would be on strike again on Thursday 26th July 2012.

"Its great that people have come down here to show their support", was the clear message from the pickets, "We will be back here again taking action".

Show your support by signing the petition: http://saveremployfactories.co.uk/, following the campaign on Twitter @saveremploy and visiting the picket lines next week.

For more details and some of the media coverage:
http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/25571
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/121586
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=29110
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9798706.Remploy_staff_vote_in_favour_of_strike_action_to_halt_closures/
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/tyneandwear/9809206.MP_s_anger_over_Remploy_closures/

Click here to got to a video on "The Guardian" website about Remploy and today's dispute

UCU at the 2012 Durham Miners' Gala



Dave O'Toole, Branch Development Organiser for UCU in SW Region and Ritchie Bathgate, Chair of UCU at Gateshead College, set up the Banner at the Gala

 

UCU member Maureen Rankin, Ritchie Bathgate, Jude Letham (Regional Secretary of UCU) Dave O'Toole and Norman Jemison (Secretary of UCU's Retired Members, Northern Region)

UCU and the Regional Banner once again were at the Durham Miners' Gala, Saturday 14th July 2012.  While it became a talking point this year as it was the first time that a Labour Leader had addressed the Gala in 23 years, UCU are a regular feature.  The President of UCU (Kathy Taylor) and the Vice-President (John McCormack) were on the platform with other promient labour and trade union figures.

Other representatives and members of UCU were at the Gala to take part in what is the largest remaining working class demonstration in the country.

Gateshead College Lecturers take strike action

Gateshead College lecturers were on strike today as talks aimed at resolving the dispute over jobs, contracts and pay had stalled.  The dispute had been announced by the union when the College released plans to downgrade staff and pay before the Easter break.  It was thought that a resolution had been found, but there have been some difficulties in negotiations over some of the detail.

Ritchie Bathgate, newly elected Branch Chair for UCU at Gateshead College, commented on today’s strike action:

Today’s action was a success and was very well supported by the membership of UCU. Over 75 members were on picket line duty and many more supported the strike call by staying away from their workplaces.

Members are angry that the College has not concluded an agreement on workloads for next year, which we think would resolve the dispute and would enable us to provide students with the quality education that they deserve.

College management are not giving proper recognition for the work that goes on outside of the classroom – the preparation for lessons and the marking workload – which is integral to the job of being a lecturer.

We want to resolve this dispute, but through an agreement which we can all sign up to for the benefit of present (and future) staff and students.

Strike action is regrettable, but a last resort.  We hope that we can find a way forward through this and are committed to working for a resolution.

For more details on the dispute and the action:

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu1

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu2

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu3

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu4

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu5

http://tinyurl.com/gheaducu7

The Northern Regional Committee of UCU prepares for its Annual General Meeting

Representatives of UCU from across both HE and FE will come together on Saturday 30th June 2012 for the Annual General Meeting of UCU's Northern Regional Committee.

Delegates from Branches and Local Associations to the Regional Committee, along with NEC members in the region, will meet to decide upon the next year's priorities.  The meeting will also elect Regional Officers and the Regional Executive.

More details about the Northern Regional Committee can be found here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/northerncommittee

UCU takes strike action at Sunderland College to defend pay and conditions

Pickets at Usworth Sixth Form - a welcome break from the rain!

Hylton Campus Picket Line - car park behind almost deserted

Pickets at St Peter's Sixth Form, with colleagues from Northumbria and Newcastle Universities

Bede Campus Picket Line taking natural shelter

Shiney Row Campus - Pickets supported by the students

Picket Lines at the various Campuses and Centres of Sunderland College were up and running from 7.00a.m. this morning as UCU members took strike action over attacks on their pay and conditions.

Barry Campbell, Chair of the UCU Branch at Sunderland College explains:

Being asked to take pay cuts of up to a third is not something that members are just going to accept - and that is why we are striking today.  We are hoping for a resolution, but not under what is currently on offer.

Cath Hepburn, Vice-Chair of the Branch says:

Thanks to all of our pickets today - some of whom are on strike for the first time over an issue like this.  The rain did not dampen either our spirits, or our determination 

Today's strike has already been covered in the local media:
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/education/sunderland-college-lectures-take-to-picket-lines-over-plans-to-cut-pay-1-4601143

Full details of the dispute can be found at http://tinyurl.com/citysunucu11 and at http://tinyurl.com/citysunucu6

Lecturers explain why they are taking action (YouTube clips) http://tinyurl.com/citysunucu8, http://tinyurl.com/citysunucu9, http://tinyurl.com/citysunucu10

Messages of support to barry.campbell@citysun.ac.uk or gateshead@ucu.org.uk

Message of Support from NUT to UCU for May 10th Pensions Strike

NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS

secretary@northumberland.nut.org.uk

www.northumberlandnut.co.uk
   

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO UCU FOR 10TH MAY 2012

Can you please pass on the best wishes of Northumberland NUT to members of UCU fighting in defence of pensions.

Like you, we are now paying more for our pensions.

Last month alone teachers paid an extra £25 million in pension contributions to the Government. By April 2013 we will have paid a massive £300 million more. 

Increased contributions, together with the pay freeze, mean that this is the first time in generations that teachers' take-home pay has been cut.

The Government wants to increase our contributions even more over the next two years and, in return, give us less of a pension and make us work longer before we receive it. It is outrageous that the Government is taking this money and refusing either to negotiate or to carry out the long overdue valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. This is unfair and unjust.

 

Like UCU, the NUT has not signed up to the Government's proposals. We are talking to other teacher unions with a view to coordinating our campaigns on this and many other attacks that we are facing in the teaching profession. In the meantime we are committed to working with any and all unions to defend the interests of teachers and other public sector workers.

We wish you good luck for the 10^th of May and hope that we will be joining you in action.

Christine Carruthers
Division Secretary
Northumberland NUT

Vin Wynne, from the NUT, speaking at the May 10th Pensions Justice Rally in Newcastle

Further information from May 10th Action in the North East:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/05/11/north-east-workers-protest-against-pension-plans-video-72703-30946331/

Sally Hunt, UCU General Secretary, visits picket line at Northumbria University

Pickets were in force at Northumbria University Campuses on Thursday 10th May 2012 for a one-day strike, as the union continues to campaign against government imposed changes to TPS.  These changes are already beginning to have an impact as increased pension contributions took effect in April and members of TPS found their wage packets somewhat lighter.

UCU's Sally Hunt was in Newcastle to visit pickets and speak to members and representatives of UCU, accompanied by Iain Owens (Regional Official) and John McCormack (who becomes Vice-President of UCU next month).  After picket line duty, members went to the Rally at Newcastle Grey's Monument to hear the speakers, including Kevin McHugh from PCS.  His speech can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_HfD86Tdw.

A news report about the Rally, including an interview with Unite's Martin Wright, can be found here:

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/20262

"Wet weather wont dampen our spirits" - the message from UCU at Northumbria University

 

Newcastle University UCU members hand over a collection donated in solidarity by ordinary members to Northumbria University members at the Coach Lane campus

Northumbria University Branch Banner at the Pensions Justice Rally in Newcastle

 Northumbria University Branch Chair of UCU, Martin Levy, spoke about the strike action:

Despite the dreadful weather, and anxieties expressed by some members about the timing of this strike, we have had a very successful day, mounting picket lines and even collecting for the Branch’s hardship fund.  The University was noticeably quiet with very few academic staff at work.  The visit by the General Secretary was a real boost.  On behalf of the Branch Executive, I would like to thank all of those who supported the NEC's call to take action - and especially those who braved the weather and joined the picket lines.