DEMAND FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO BRENT COUNCIL

wembley matters Thursday, 25 September 2014

Brent TUC and ex-Labour councillor join call for 

independent investigation into Brent Council 

following racism judgment

Brent Trades Union Council (Brent TUC) has followed Brent Green Party in calling
for an independent investigation into Brent Council and their Corporate Management
Team:

This is the resolution passed at their meeting yesterday:

DEMAND FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO BRENT

COUNCIL AND THEIR CORPORATE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Brent Trades Union Council considers that the Employment Tribunal judgement

that Brent Council has been guilty of racial discrimination, victimisation and

constructive dismissal brings shame on the Council, especially in a borough that

rightly prides itself on its diversity.

We call for the dismissal of Cara Davani, whose position is now clearly

untenable, using the Council’s disciplinary procedures.  

In the light of the tribunal findings, we call for an investigation

headed by an independent expert in race relations acceptable to

both Councillors and Council Unions of:

1. The extent of racism and discriminatory practices within the Council;

2.  The working culture of the Human Resources department;
3.  Brent Council's Whistle Blowing Policy to ensure that it adequately

    protects whistle-blowers from harassment and retribution;

4. Corporate Management Team officers being paid through their

   private companies rather than normal payroll;
5. The contractual arrangements for CMT officers and interim

   appointments;
6. Previous employment and business connections between senior

   offices appointed by Brent Council on an interim basis.

In addition former Labour councillor and member of the Labour Representation
 Committee, Graham Durham has written to all the current Labour councillors:

I trust you have read of the finding of race discrimination,

victimisation and constructive dismissal against Brent Council.

I recommend that you find time to read the full report of the case

( Employment Tribunal Case Number 3302741/2013.)

I  am sure you will agree that this is a shocking indictment  of an

 individual senior manager but also  of the apparent culture which

was allowed to flourish in Brent Council management. It is a disgrace

to all of us in Brent and especially to the Labour Party which was in

control of the Council throughout the period referred.

I am sure that you will want to ensure appropriate disciplinary action 

commences promptly. Perhaps more importantly I hope you will support

the demand of Brent Trades Council that an independent enquiry is

established headed by an independent expert in diversity practice and with

membership agreed by Council trade unions and the Council members. The

enquiry should cover diversity policy, management behaviour and culture

and the rights of staff to be  protected  from victimisation.

Many of you will know that Brent Council once had an international

reputation for challenging racism and promoting equalities. In the 1980’s

the Tory press attacked the Labour Council ,of which I was proud to be

a member, for our determination to challenge decades of racist behaviour.

Journalists from The Sun and other papers harassed us but we stood firm.

Our stand then led to a proud history of record numbers of black councillors

and MPs in Brent and for Brent having a reputation as the equality Council.

This proud reputation is now in tatters. It will be important for us to debate

in the party how the Council leadership allowed this to occur.

I urge you to take immediate action to try to restore our reputation

HEALTH WORKERS TO STRIKE MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 7 - 11am

Romayne Phoenix

12:46am Sep 30

HEALTH WORKERS TO STRIKE MONDAY
13 OCTOBER 7 - 11am
JOIN THEM WITH
BREAKFAST FOR THE NHS!
Many health workers are planning to invite supporters to join them on their picket lines for Breakfast for the NHS in a show of support for health workers and in defence of our health service.

Health workers will strike against the pay cuts being imposed on NHS staff. Their wages have fallen by between 12 and 15% since 2010 and this year in England 60% of staff will get no rise at all. This leaves many of those caring for patients on barely more than the minimum wage. The strikes can also help make campaigns to defend the NHS stronger.

Contact your local NHS workers and make contact with trade union reps to offer your support.

Natalie Bennett backs Care UK workers' strike action

29 September 2014

GREEN Party leader Natalie Bennett has today offered her further backing for strike action, starting today, by the Care UK workers in Doncaster. 

Bennett said:

“I was delighted to be able to meet the workers briefly on Saturday, and to hear first-hand their determination to protect their pay and conditions and the quality of care that their patients receive. 

“The case of Care UK in Doncaster has rightly become an iconic symbol of the resistance to the slashing of the pay and condition of workers in the care sector, and the huge damage that’s been done to the quality of care while private sector owners rake in profits from the suffering of their patients and staff. 

“We need to care for our carers. That means acknowledging both the skills they need to do their difficult job well, and giving them decent pay and conditions.” 

Bennett added:  

“Bridgepoint, the private equity owner of Care UK, is in it for the money – and that should never be the principle behind our healthcare. 

“The wellbeing of the most vulnerable members of our society should not be in their hands.”

*Still the Enemy Within*,

On *Friday 3 October * *FRONTLINE CLUB* will be hosting a screening of *Still
the Enemy Within*, a documentary offering a unique insight into the 1984-85
British Miners’ Strike; we believe that this screening may be of interest
to you and your network.

The government used all means available to fight the 160,000 coal miners
that took to the street during the British Miners’ Strike of 1984-85. Those
who stood on the front line of the strike for an entire year were labelled
‘the Enemy Within’ by Thatcher. These miners became part of a battle that
has shaped Britain today. *Still the Enemy Within*
<http://the-enemy-within.org.uk/the-film-3/> is a unique insight into the
1984-85 British Miners’ Strike, told through unique archive footage and the
raw first-hand experiences of those who lived through Britain’s longest
strike.The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Owen Gower and
producer Mark Lacey.



Further details of this event can be found here: *TRAILER & FILM DETAILS
<http://www.frontlineclub.com/still-the-enemy-within/>*

It would be fantastic if you could share details about the performance with
people you think might be interested in this subject. Please don’t hesitate
to get in touch if you have any further questions.

--
*FRONTLINE CLUB | CHAMPIONING INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM*



*www.frontlineclub.com <http://www.frontlineclub.com/> 13 Norfolk Place
Paddington W2 1QJ Direct: +44(0)20 7479 8940
<%2B44%280%2920%207479%208940> *

Recent/ongoing industrial disputes etc.

a)London Fed AGM 28/9 10.30 am Development House

b)Lambeth College UCU Strike Ballot 29/9 to renew strike over new contracts, Unison at LC also in dispute,  demo in support 7/10 Clapham Centre 5pm (see http://lambethcollegestrike.wordpress.com/)

c)13/10 series of 4hr strikes by Unison members in hospitals and ambulance crews see http://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/health-care/key-issues/nhs-pay/home/

d) 15/10 PCS strike see http://gptublog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/national-strike-on-15-october-pcs-to.html

e) TUC demo 18/10 see http://britainneedsapayrise.org/

f) National Pensioners’ Convention launches Pensioners’ manifesto 5/11 see http://npcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pensioners-Manifesto-2015.pdf

National Pensioners’ Convention launches Pensioners’ manifesto 5/11/2014

Despite what some may claim, Britain’s older generation are not to blame for the economic crisis. Neither does it help when the media suggests that there is a conflict between young and old, especially when the age groups share the same concerns over affordable housing, public transport, low incomes and retirement ages.

But growing older can be a real challenge. Britain’s state pension is amongst the least adequate in the developed world, some of the stories surrounding the care of older people are absolutely shocking and last winter over 30,000 pensioners died from the cold.

A country can be said to be judged by the way it treats its young and older members. That is why we need a series of policies that improve the lives of Britain’s 11m pensioners, as well as protecting future generations of older people. At the General Election we will call on candidates to support our Pensioners’ Manifesto that will put the concerns of older people at the heart of the political process.

See the full manifesto at http://npcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pensioners-Manifesto-2015.pdf

National strike on 15 October - PCS to join 72 hours of action in public sector

National strike on 15 October - PCS to join 72 hours of action in public sector

23 September 2014

PCS national executive met today to consider the next steps in our national dispute in the civil service and related bodies.

The NEC decided that a national strike will be called on Wednesday, 15 October. The action will be coordinated with unions representing workers in the health service which have announced action on Monday, 13 October, and with unions in local government which have announced a strike on 14 October so that there will be 3 consecutive days of strike action over pay in the public sector.

Strike action is a last resort, but the government introduced a 2-year pay freeze in 2010 and in recent years has imposed a 1% pay cap for all public sector workers.

The action on October 15 follows the successful day of action on 10 Julywhen joint action took place with other public sector workers. Now we are stepping up the campaign with 72 hours of strike action in October aimed at securing a fair settlement.

The strike on October 15 will not include PCS members in Scotland working in bodies falling under the jurisdiction of Scottish Government ministers where we are working with colleagues in Unison Scotland to build for joint action aimed at tackling the Scottish pay gap.

More information will follow.

support George Thompson, PCS DWP North East London Branch Secretary.

Dear all

I hope this link works

Please can you sign and forward to any contacts you think will

Thanks

Tony Reay

Hello!

As the Regional Committee decided, I've started the petition "DWP London Regional Management: We call on the Department for Work and Pensions to withdraw the 2 year final written warning issued to George Thompson, PCS DWP North East London Branch Secretary." and need your help to get it off the ground.
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/p/dwp-london-regional-management-we-call-on-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-to-withdraw-the-2-year-final-written-warning-issued-to-george-thompson-pcs-dwp-north-east-london-branch-secretary

Here's why it's important:

PCS are campaigning against staffing cuts, arguing for more staff across DWP. The union have been campaigning for a number of years for this. When George Thompson, PCS Branch Secretary in North East London Branch issued a press release about staffing cuts in his own office, management took exception to this and disciplined him.   

           

Management claim that George has committed serious misconduct and issued him a two year final warning. PCS believe that this warning should be rescinded. Union reps are allowed to speak to the press about issues that affect union members. The information George shared about staffing was not “restricted” or “confidential”. It was information routinely shared with the union and in the “public domain.”         

Some of you may recall that last year the Guardian published an email that was leaked about a league table of the number of sanctions each office in London and Home Counties Group. 

http://gu.com/p/3ejan

The email was not leaked by PCS and was certainly not leaked by George. It may explain, however, management’s over reaction to the article about staff cuts and the action taken against George.        

This case and several others are being pursued against a backdrop of anti union activity by the Government. Facility time reps get to undertake union duties has been cut drastically and the Civil Service has threatened to remove “check off” (union deductions from wages). Clearly the government regard the union as a threat which has to be curtailed. PCS believe they should curtail their policies that attack working people and those claiming benefit rather than blame the union for everything. 

George has applied to a Employment Tribunal and PCS are backing this. Both George and PCS would prefer to resolve this with a firm application of common sense and acknowledgement that PCS work to help its members will sometimes involve disagreement with the employer. To help us, please sign the petition.

Thanks!
PCS DWP London Regional

acknowledgements to Dave Plummer

UCU London Retired Members branch; update

Next UCU London Retired Members branch meeting will be onThursday September 25th, 2pm-4pm at the union's Carlow Street offices

People's Climate March PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH LONDON 12:30 pm Temple Place – Sunday Sept 21st (March sets off at 1pm) On September 21st, the eve of a historic summit on climate change, people across the world will take to the streets in their hundreds and thousands to inspire the world’s most powerful leaders to take ambitious action on the climate crisis. More details... Lambeth College, The fight continues Our colleagues at Lambeth College are still facing a severe attack from their management. UCU members met recently and voted overwhelmingly to ballot for further industrial action in their dispute with the college over new contracts with worse conditions. The new conditions include cutting our holidays by 2 weeks, working longer hours for no extra pay and drastic cuts to sick pay. London Retired Members supported their strike at the end of last term and will do so again. “Help make Education City in Qatar a slavery free campus” – ITUC Please add your name to an international union campaign to get University College London and seven other foreign universities to improve the conditions of migrant workers' on their Qatar campuses. For more detail please see here... and here... Support the  Cleaners Support the 595 Greek women cleaners in the front line against austerity in Europe Support the International Day of Solidarity by joining the demonstration (with your buckets, mops and banners) when we Stand in Solidarity with the 595 Cleaners - from 09.30 to 11.00 morning on Saturday 20 September - outside the Hellenic Centre, 16 Paddington Street, Marylebone, London W1U 5AS More details here... Next Branch Meeting And the next UCU London Retired Members branch meeting will be on Thursday September 25th, 2pm-4pm at the union's Carlow Street offices. Directions from here...

Copyright © 2014 UCU London Retired Members Branch, All rights reserved. UCU London Retired Members Branch - members and supporters Our mailing address is: UCU London Retired Members Branch 53 Fladgate Road Leytonstone, London E11 1LX United Kingdom Add us to your address book

1m climate jobs, pamphlet, conference (20/9) and march (21/9)

The new expanded, updated and revised edition of the One Million Climate Jobs pamphlet will be launched at the International Climate Jobs conference on Saturday 20th September in London.

The International Fight for Climate Jobs - For a Future that doesn't Cost the Earth

The conference is timed to coincide with the People's Climate March taking place that weekend in New York with support from American trade unions and involving British trade unionists. This is prior to the UN climate talks in NY from 23 September. The conference will involve international speakers and contributions via skype from the march organisers and British and American trade unionists on the march. We also aim to encourage climate jobs groups in other countries to hold their own meetings and conferences at this time which we can link up with.

Timetable:

12.00 - 1.00  Registration

1.00 - 2.30 Opening plenary: "The International Fight for Climate Jobs"

2.30 - 2.45 Break

2.45 - 4.15 Workshops:

Two lead speakers per workshop with additional invited contributors in the audience.

a) "Unpacking Climate Jobs"

b) "Building a Better Future by Campaigning for Climate Jobs"

c) "Students, Environment, and Climate jobs"

4.15 - 4.45 Networking

4.45 - 5.30 Closing Plenary: "Time to Act on Climate Change" - speakers from the "Time to Act" campaign and the protest campaign for the Paris COP talks. Followed by Q & A.

People's Climate March London

The World Leaders' Climate Summit in New York this September will be a key moment in the fight against climate change. The march organised in New York aims to be the biggest climate demonstration the US has ever seen, and over 900 solidarity events are planned globally on the same weekend.

The Campaign against Climate Change is helping to organise the People's Climate March in London along with many other organisations including Avaaz, 350.org, UKYCC, People & Planet, Operation Noah, Wake Up London, Oxfam, Art Not Oil, BP or not BP, CAFOD, UCL Students' Union, Greenpeace UK, Rising Tide...

Join the March! 12:30 pm Temple Place (Embankment) – Sunday Sept 21st

Sign up and get updates on Facebook

Help make it huge

Let your your friends know about it - on email, Twitter and Facebook

Get flyering! Flyers and posters are available from Fatima: fatima@avaaz.org

Would you like to be a steward? Get in touch with Fatima - no experience necessary.

Come to one of the regular Tuesday planning meetings

What's happening on the day?

12.15pm - Multi-faith gathering in Victoria Embankment Gardens

1pm - March sets off

1.45-2.45pm - Rally in Parliament Square

If you can’t join us in London, but want to get out and show your support, why not join one of the many other event being organised across the country.
Below are only a selection but you can check out this page for any other event near you, or to publicise your own.

The Gloucestershire Climate March
Start- 12pm, The Subscription Rooms, Stroud, GL5 1AE
They will be walking from The Subscription Rooms and ends in a rally and picnic in Rodborough: 1.5 km steep walk uphill! They will be calling on local government to commit to 100% clean energy and sharing the science around climate change
Bring a drum/ bell, bring a kite – to feel the power of the wind, and bring a picnic.
Details: www.gloscan.org.uk
Contact: committee@gloscan.org.uk

People’s Climate March Manchester
Start - 11am Piccadilly Gardens,
Frack Free Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Association of Trades Union Councils and others have organisied a march through the centre of Manchester, focusing on the Labour Party Conference.
See here for more details

People’s Climate March and Gathering, Edinburgh
Starts- 1:30 with a picnic in the gardens next to The Mound, weather permitting.
The march itself starts at 2.30 regardless of weather, there will be some singing you are invited to join in with and will end at 4.30.
See here for details and updates

Date: 

Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 11:00 to 17:00

PCS Campaign at the National Gallery

Sue Tibbles via lists.greenparty.org.uk

5:58 PM (4 hours ago)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Darren Lewis <DLewis@tuc.org.uk>
Date: 11 September 2014 16:01
Subject: PCS Campaign at the National Gallery

  PCS members at the National Gallery have received a welcome boost to
their campaign to stop visitor services from being privatised. Senior
management announced in July that they were considering bringing in a
private company to take control of staff working as gallery assistants and
security guards. PCS immediately called for these plans to be withdrawn.
The union also signalled that it would be prepared to engage in talks about
extended opening hours.



These demands were backed up by a wide-ranging campaign – including a
petition and the threat of industrial action – with 98.5% of members voting
supporting the call. In a welcome development, this helped to persuade
management not only to agree to enter talks but also to suspend the
privatisation plans whilst discussions are ongoing.



Both the Branch and the PCS Culture Sector Executive Committee have asked
SERTUC and its Creative & Leisure Industries Committee (CLIC) to maintain
the momentum by encouraging affiliates to support the on-line PCS petition.
To date, it has received over 7,000 signatures. You can add your name here:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-privatisation-at-national-gallery



If you would like more information about the activities of CLIC,



please email Jo Williams (jowilliams@tuc.org.uk)



or Tom Taylor (CLIC, Secretary) (tomtaylorpcs@ntlworld.com).

UCU Environmental News 36, September 2014

Environmental News

UCU's newsletter on environmental news for UCU representatives and interested members, links to relevant news stories on the environment in the media and forthcoming environmental events.

UCU Newsletter

Environmental News 36, September 2014

Contents:

1. UCU Networks

2. Greener Jobs Alliance

3. Green League Table

4. Energy efficiency and the case for jobs

5. One million climate jobs

6. Time to Act Campaign

7. TUC praises UCU

8. People's Climate March

9. Resources

Previous Issues of Environmental News can be viewed on the archive page.

---

Related documents

• Environmental News 36, September 2014 (.pdf) [195kb]

TUC March & Rally, Birmingham - 28th September - Assemble Victoria Square 11.30hrs

Unite Community London events, September 2014

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Unite Community London events, September 2014

From Pilgrim Tucker of Unite Community

Here's some important info and dates for your diary, please do come along to these events, get involved with what we are doing, and meet others locally who are in similar circumstances and concerned with similar issues:

Weds 10th September 10am-11am: leafletting at Barnsbury Jobcentre in Islington

Thurs 11th September 11am-noon: Action against Sanctions at Kentish Town Jobcentre

Thurs 11th September 7pm: Unite Community London Activists meeting. Unite regional office 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB

Tuesday 16th September 10am-11am: leafletting at Barnsbury Jobcentre in Islington

Tuesday 16th September 7pm: Meeting on UK housing crisis and no to MIPIM campaign, with speakers including Pete Kavanagh Unite London and Eastern regional secretary and London wide housing activists. Unite Head Office, 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8TN.http://radicalhousingnetwork.org/say-no-to-mipim-2014/

Friday 19th September 12 noon-2pm: Camden and Islington Unite Community Branch Meeting. Unite regional office 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB. Refreshments provided. These meeting will now take place on the 3rd Friday of each month from 12-2 at Unite regional office.

Tuesday 30th September 9am - 12 noon: (approx- times tbc): Solidarity action for workers at Crown packaging Canada, at the Design Centre in Islington. Workers have been on strike  for almost twelve months over draconian pay cuts and the attempted elimination of the union’s physical presence from the workplace. More details to follow. http://www.takebacksnomore.ca/

And a heads up for some events in October:

Monday 13th October 12 noon-2pm: Event - How are unemployed people being treated at jobcentres in Islington? What can we do about it? Barnsbury Community centre, Islington. More details to follow.

Weds 15th & Friday 17th: Protest at MIPIM conference, Olympia:http://radicalhousingnetwork.org/say-no-to-mipim-2014/

Saturday 18th October: TUC demonstration, Central London: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economic-issues/britain-needs-payrise-tuc-national-demonstration-18-october-2014

Please like the Camden and Islington Unite Community facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/CamdenAndIslingtonUniteCommunityUnion

Look forward to seeing you at some of these activities.

best wishes

Pilgrim

Unite Community Coordinator, London and Eastern Region