Proposed strike action by British Airways cabin staff

GPTU notes that the proposed strike action by British Airways cabin staff has been called off due a high court injunction. This verdict overturns a very strongly supported strike vote and seems to be a biased interference with Trades Union democracy. Reports suggest that even if BA staff leaving had been excluded from the ballot, which was the reason given for granting the injunction, there would still have been a majority vote for a strike. Management’s resort to legal action does not solve the underlying causes of the dispute and may even worsen matters.

GPTU therefore still supports British Airways cabin staffing their dispute.The threat by management to worsen their pay, their conditions and cut back on jobs is something which organised workers are right to resist. This is especially so in a climate where employers are mounting attacks on workers, if BA management get their way many other workers, in other industries could be the next to suffer.

As Greens we are critical of the aviation industry and we do believe its polluting activities need to be cut back, but we are committed to a JUST transition to a low carbon economy, not one where workers are made to suffer for problems which are not of their making. BA managements and all other employers should be negotiating with Unions and governments to ensure that the changes necessary to prevent disastrous damage caused by climate change can take place without workers being exploited.”
Guardian 17/12/2009

British Airways cabin crew voted this week to strike over staffing levels on flights. Here, one crew member, who asked to remain anonymous, explains the reasons why.

I was so proud to work for British Airways when I joined 13 years ago. It was an excellent airline. It is only in the last three years that everything has gone downhill. I am not proud to work for it any more.

Flights are taking off and landing, and everyone is being fed. When those doors shut and we are stuck in a metal tube with 300 people, the company knows we will always do whatever it takes to get the job done. If we don't, it is only we who suffer.
But staffing levels are down to the bone – on long-haul flights, crew have been cut from 16 to 14. We are at the receiving end of more abuse because passengers can't understand why the in-flight service is slower. We have had a lot more passengers saying, "I don't know how you do it," because it is noticeable just how much we are having to do. I try to avoid working in business class now because one crew member has been cut there so it is now the slowest service. But the airline needs those business class passengers.

We used to serve up the hot meal and drink in two-and-a-half hours. Now it is taking three-and-a-half. It is worse when something goes wrong. We have numerous problems with our in-flight entertainment system. When it works, it's superb. But it keeps breaking down and takes time to get fixed.

I'm not happy about striking for 12 days over Christmas. I hope people realise we are not doing this for the sake of it. None of us are over the moon about the timing but we have been forced into it. The union suggested cost-cutting measures and this dispute could have been settled months ago but BA dragged its heels. It's not just a case of fighting for one or two crew members who have been taken off flights – we are fighting for all our terms and conditions, our livelihoods.

I don't have any respect for BA chief executive Willie Walsh whatsoever. It is said average cabin-crew wages are £35,000 but my basic pay is still only £14,000. On top of that, when I am on duty, I get allowances for breakfast, lunch and supper. These depend on which country you work in – you don't get much in India. About 10% of my total salary is extra payment for working long hours – 15 or 16-hour days. Take 1,000 BA crew together and their average wage would be £25-28,000. I know people who work for Iberia, Lufthansa and KLM and they get paid more and get more days off. The claim that we are paid twice what Virgin staff receive is not accurate. They receive food allowances in cash. When you take these into account, they earn almost as much as we do.

It is very demoralising. On my last flight, we were all complaining to each other and wondering how we were going to get this or that done in time. I have had enough. I am actively looking for another job.
As told to Patrick Barkham

Update on the UNISON Four witchhunts:

----- Forwarded Message ----


Jamie Davis sent a message to the members of "Defend the Four - Defend Branch Rights" Campaign.

--------------------
Subject: Brian's Appeal Hearing

LOBBY OF APPEAL HEARING FOR BRIAN DEBUS

Monday 11th January 2010 from 8.30 am

Holiday Inn, Carburton Street, W1

NEAREST TUBES Regents Park / Great Portland Street / Warren Street

Please come along to support Brian on the first day of his appeal hearing. This is the final of the hearings and completes UNISON's internal disciplinary process. It will determine whether or not the bans of 3 years for Kas and Glenn, 4 years for Suz and 5 years for Brian are imposed.
It is important that UNISON is clear on the anger felt by members over the witchhunts.
--------------------

13/12/2009 HARROW MOSQUE Demo against the provocative march by neo-fascists and racists.

Martin Francis GP candidate for Brent North addressing the demo. (Martin's account of the denmo is given below).

L to R (physically at least!)Shahrar Ali: GP candidate for Brent Central, Sean Thompson: Camden GP and Martin Francis.

The GPTU banner

Harrow mosque

You tube video of demo at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxq7Ol34o4g and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LSfAZniJLQ

Statement by P.Murry issued prior to demo.
As Secretary of the Green Party Trade Union Group and as a Steering Committee member of Green Left I wish to send the support of both of these organisations for the demonstration on 13/12/2009 against the provocative march by neo-fascists and racists.

I hope GPTU and GL members will join this demonstration which is fully in line with Green Party anti-racist policies. I know that all local Green Party parliamentary candidates have already expressed their strong opposition to such neo-fascist and racist actions which are designed to divide the communities and people of North West London against each other.

Martin's blog post on the demo
Stephen Gash of Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) promised 1,500 people at his anti-Islam demonstration outside the Harrow Mosque.


In fact fewer than 15 turned up initially, even though numbers were augmented by English Defence League supporters, and the rather sad little group, one wearing a blond wig and another a santa hat, were corralled into a cold car park and protected by police. A couple of them made speeches to the windswept car park observed by press photographers who out-numbered them 3 to 1 - all against the background of chants from several hundred anti-Fascist demonstrators, who sometimes broke into open gales of laughter at the sheer absurdity of the lonely little band in the car park. Stephen Gash the 'leader' even managed to be late and nearly miss the event! There is more than a touch of Captain Mainwaring about the man - without the lovability.

Given these numbers it is surely time for the local press stop building up the group and cease publicising their baseless claims and their incitant comments.

Hundreds of anti-Fascist demonstrators made it clear that the Fascists were not welcome in Harrow and the diversity of the demonstrators once again showed that the local community were united in defence of the Harrow mosque.

Ajmal Masroor, a spokesman for the Harrow Mosque, crossed to the corral and spoke to representatives of the SIOE and EDL and invited them into the Mosque to discuss their concerns. His invitation was turned down and Stephen Gash said he wanted to talk to the Home Office instead. A similar invitation has earlier been issued by the group British Muslims for a Secular Democracy without success.

The SIOE has thus shown it is not really interested in dialogue or debate, but just in creating division. In my speech to the Solidarity Vigil, as Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brent North, I pointed out that what the SIOE, EDL and BNP have in common is racism and xenophobia. Despite the SIOE's website claim that racism is 'the lowest form of stupidity' they are quite happy to get 'nod and a wink' support from the EDL. At the September 11th demonstration anti-Mosque demonstrators openly gave Nazi salutes and EDL members were present again today.

The SIOE attempt to 'soften up' an area by organising a provocative demonstration, with EDL help, and any reaction is then depicted as Muslim violence. Having caused division the BNP then move in by leafletting the area, as they did in Harrow after the September 11th demonstration, trying to build electoral support on the back of the dirty deeds of their allies. It is important that we see them as overlapping organisations with a similar agenda, and take with a pinch of salt their internicine squabbles. The SIOE may be absurd and today's demonstration comical, but the racist and Fascist nature of the groups that build on their provocations must be recognised and their activities firmly opposed.

I congratulate Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism for organising a highly effective, united and peaceful demonstration

Posted by MARTIN FRANCIS on http://www.wembleymatters.blogspot.com/

Labels: Brent and Harrow UAF, Brent Green Party, EDL, English Defence League, Harrow Mosque, SIOE, Stop Islamisation of Europe, Unite Against Fascism

Campaigning against a new Academy in Lambeth: MONDAY 14th DEC, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, 6pm , (Brixton Tube) bring banners.

Campaigning against a new Academy in Lambeth: MONDAY 14th DEC, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, 6pm , (Brixton Tube) bring banners.

Forwarded from STA colleagues & Martin Francis (Brent GP and NUT)

Dear all,
We are campaigning against the building of a new Academy in Lambeth. It will be on the site of a primary school, squeezing the Primary onto a section of the site and building a 6 form entry Secondary on the rest. The site is right in the middle of a housing estate and will mean the loss of green open space and many trees. Local residents do not want a school on that site, because although Lambeth is short of school places, this is not the area where places are needed; there are three other secondaries close by.

Join our Lobby to show that trade unions will not stand by and see more public spaces handed over to the private sector. The name of the sponsor will be revealed on Friday, but whoever it is, they will not be made welcome by unions in the borough. We want schools that are accountable to us and that will honour school teachers' pay and conditions for members and local authority conditions for support staff. Join us on:

MONDAY 14th DEC, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton, 6pm , (Brixton Tube) bring banners.

MASS PROTEST TO SAVE LONDON MET UNI: LONDON MET COULD BE CLOSED

LONDON MET COULD BE CLOSED
Host: London MetSU - London Met Students' Union

Type: Causes - Protest

Network: Global
Date: Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Time: 16:00 - 18:00
Location: Moorgate Building
Street: 84 Moorgate
Town/City: London, United Kingdom

Following yesterday's EMERGENCY meeting in North Campus, attended by approx 80-100 students. It is very clear that the students have voted to support the Staff Unions (UCU & Unison) in PROTEST FOR THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO RESIGN - NEXT TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER - 4:00PM - MOORGATE BUILDING

MAP HERE ( http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/moorgate.cfm )

The recording of the meeting last night features prominent speeches from the NUS, UCU, UNISON and YOUR STUDENTS' UNION.
It can be downloaded from the following link : (https://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNlNWN0R0ZsMHhMWEE9PQ)

The Melville-Deloitte reports presented for you all to see and judge by your own accords.

Sir David Melville's Report ( http://88.80.16.63/leak/melville-enquiry-report-summary-2009.pdf)

Accountancy Firm, Deliotte's Report ( http://wikileaks.org/leak/london-met-uni-deloitte-unredacted.pdf )

The Board of Governors of London Metropolitan University are meeting on 15th December to consider their response to the recent reports into the financial fiasco they got us into.

Both staff unions, UNISON and UCU, and London Met students union, are now calling for their resignations.

The Staff Union will be presenting them with their petition
.

I EXPECT THAT THIS PROTEST WILL BE THE BIGGEST IN THE HISTORY OF LMU.

* Tuesday 15th December,
* 4.30pm Moorgate Building, (see map
)

This is now a matter of survival - the government has threatened to close London Metropolitan University if they don't go (Link to The Independent newspaper article - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/london-met-warned-that-it-could-be-closed-1835511.html)

Bring banners, placards, tell everyone you know to leave work/ lectures early - this is our university, we value it highly, and the BOARD OF GOVERNORS HAVE to go. They've done enough damage already, it's time for a Fresh start for London Met!

Join the Lobby - please forward to all your contacts.

http://www.savelondonmetuni.blogspot.com/

Reinstate UCL cleaner Juan Carlos Piedra - sacked for union activity

Ancient greek nudist joins protestors in demo for reinstatement of Juan Carlos Piedra:UCL steps 10/12/2009

Juan Carlos Piedra (centre) at UCL demo 10/12/2009

SOAS Unison banner at demo for reinstatement of Juan Carlos Piedra:UCL 10/12/2009

UCU banner at Demo for Juan Carlos Piedra 10/12/2009

Picket Harbour Exchange: Reinstate Carlos at UCL now!
Host: Reinstate UCL cleaner - sacked for union activity
Type: Causes - Protest
Network: Global
Date: Friday, 11 December 2009
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
Location: Harbour Exchange, Canary Wharf (South Quay DLR station)

Description We're going to be picketing Harbour Exchange the day after our demo at UCL - HE is where Carlos has been placed by O&G before, where he suffered victimisation for his union activity, and where we know O&G will be forced to listen to us if we make big enough a scene.

If you'd like to join us from UCL, we'll be meeting in the Quad at 12:15 before making our way there by tube & DLR. Bring your Oyster card!

This is a real chance to make a difference to Carlos's campaign, so please do come along if you have an hour free!

~~~

REINSTATE JUAN CARLOS

Juan Carlos Piedra (above), has worked for Office and General for 1 year. O&G are the cleaning contractors at University College London (UCL). Juan Carlos was transferred from Harbour Exchange (Land Securities, Canary Wharf) to work in UCL after being called into a disciplinary meeting and warned about his trade union activities. He was told that his work was not the problem.

The only problem was his attitude - that he told people about the union, about their right to go tribunal if they were badly treated. Two days after being transferred to UCL he was called into a meeting and told that he had been seen at SOAS protesting against the immigration raid and at union protests. Then he was told "there is no job for you here" and was made redundant.

Juan Carlos was then reinstated in Exchange Tower (Canary Wharf) after UCL unions Unite and UCU called a protest, but he was not given the same conditions and he continues to be seriously victimised there for union activity.

UCL UNITE, UNISON AND UCU DEMAND THAT UCL MANAGEMENT CALL ON O&G TO REINSTATE JUAN CARLOS IN UCL IMMEDIATELY AND THAT THE VICTIMISATION BE STOPPED.

Picket for the right to be in a union. FRIDAY 11th DECEMBER 13.00. HARBOUR EXCHANGE,
SOUTH QUAY DLR Station.

E-mail ucllivingwage@ymail.com for further info.

Sign the petition:

http://tinyurl.com/ucllwpetition

GREEN LEFT MEETINGS in 2010

GREEN LEFT MEETINGS in 2010

January 16th – Palestine Conference in London (Green Left/Socialist Resistance) with Joel Kovel and others including Phelim Mac Cafferty from GL.
Friends House Euston Rd NW1 (euston BR & Tfl stations) 10-5.30pm

January 23rd – Climate and Capitalism Conference in Manchester (Green Left/Socialist Resistance) with Joel Kovel and others.

January 30th – Green Left General Meeting in Birmingham (details to be confirmed).