The Life and Work of A Union Rep

Here's an interesting article on the life and role of a Unison union rep from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/feb/17/working-life-union-official-unison

Team Telford United for Victory!

The UK is one of the wealthiest nations on earth, but that these riches are monopolised by a fraction of the population, a percentage that appear unwilling to reach into their deep pockets to make good on the crisis that is of their making not ours.

A picket line will be running from 7.45am tomorrow morning,

All colleagues are welcome to show their support! We are hoping for support from  students and the NUS!

Team Telford – lecturers, instructors, managers, support staff and students – will be meeting up at the Usher Hall at 11am immediately prior to assembling with colleagues from across all aspects of the Public (ESSENTIAL) services.

The meeting point for the main demonstration is accessible through this link -

http://www.pensionsjusticescotland.org.uk/adverts/events/14/edinburgh

Nationally, people are standing their ground and refusing to pay more for a pension the value of which will diminish in direct proportion to us working harder and for longer.

This is an issue that unites us all in common cause, a cause that is just.

Membership of Telford College EIS has increased at pace over the last week or so, and we would like to extend another invitation to those staff still not protected by our members and representatives to take this opportunity to join what is an effective body for representing your interests across the college. 

Looking forward to seeing you all there. 


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/21/for-corporate-welfare-queens-no-caps/print

Go Team Telford!

BILLY BRAGG - SUPPORT NOV 30 STRIKE/THERE IS POWER IN A UNION

Fight the Government Raid on Pensions: National Strike 30th November.

Next Wednesday lecturers, instructors, tutors, managers and support staff at Edinburgh's Telford College will be joining millions of essential services workers in a strike to stop the government unnecessary raid on our pensions. Our pensions are not under threat because of their cost. Lecturers for example only take out as much as they put in!

The government is attacking pensions for the same reason they increased university tuition fees in England and Wales to £9,000, abolished the Educational Maintenance Allowance, are slashing spending on education, are throwing hundreds of thousands on to the dole, and causing record levels of youth unemployment. They are doing this to benefit the richest 1% at the expense of the 99% of ordinary people.

So defending pensions is just one part of the wider campaign to defend vital public services like education and health. If we win it will help everyone. So please support the strike next week.

Please see below a list of FAQ’s concerning the strike action on 30th Nov.

Q: Haven’t the government announced concessions? So why isn’t our union going back to the negotiating table and calling off the strike as a mark of good faith?

A: In the run-up to 30 November the government has announced a number of minor concessions to its proposed attack on pensions, as it is increasingly worried about the forthcoming action. However, the central elements of the changes to our pensions remain intact. We would continue to work longer, pay more and get less if the government gets its way.

Q: Will it not just put my job at risk if I take strike action?

A: Actually the reverse is true. Unity is Strength! Choosing not to take strike action will undermine the unity we need to defend our pensions and the fight against the cut in FE funding. It is that which will put jobs in jeopardy.

Q: So we’re coming out on strike then? I could do with a lie in and a nice holiday.

A: That is understandable. However, we are asking as many folk to come along to the picket line (or in the case of your college being closed) going to other workplaces to offer your support.

Q: I didn’t vote to take strike action, so I don’t see why I should be coming out on strike?

A: We are all part of a democratic union and should abide by its processes. We all had a choice in the ballot. That’s true. However, the ballot is now in and it was a resounding 82% vote in favour of this strike. We all now act as one. If the ballot had gone the other way, the result would not have been ignored and people would not have gone out on strike anyway.

Q: Shouldn’t we be concentrating on the FE cuts instead of pensions

A: First they came for our pensions... The UK government are desperate to inflict a defeat on us all over pensions to clear the way for further cuts. It is the very best preparation for our fight against imminent FE cuts to be uniting together now with up to 3 million other public sector workers. We will more than likely need to strike against FE cuts, and this is a way of strengthening branch organisation and giving people experience of what is involved.

Q: I am a young lecturer and to be honest I don’t see a pension battle as relevant to me.

A: The Governments raid on pensions affects younger lecturers the most. You could be losing out a quarter of a million pounds over your lifetime. Do you still want to be doing this job at the age of 68? Have a look at the EIS pensions’ calculator and you can see for yourself!

Q: A one day strike is not going to change this government’s mind, so what’s the point in coming out? Don’t we need to be all out till we win?

A: A single day of action is unlikely to defeat the government. That’s true. But we are also now looking beyond 30 November and considering what needs to be done next. More strike action by all the public sector unions involved is being considered.

Q: How can we win, when the whole of the mainstream media are against us?

A: Most families in Britain will either have someone working directly in the public sector, or a close relation. They will be able to judge the issue for themselves. But we need to tell our students, our friends and our colleagues that this is a fight for all of us, and it is a fight we can win. If we defend public sector pensions, then private sector workers stand a chance of reversing their losses. If we don’t defend public sector pensions, no private sector worker will benefit.

Q: But strikes don’t achieve anything. We cant win, can we?

A: The government in the 1980’s made it difficult to join together and defeat attacks on working people and their families. They were successful because they isolated and attacked individual groups of workers one at a time. However, when it became over-confident and attacked everyone at the same time with the poll tax, it brought the government down. This government has gone straight into attacking millions of public sector workers. We are all taking legal strike action and are united as never before. Remember also that the EIS-FELA branch has been on strike twice in 5 years and we have won both battles! Together we can win again.

Q: Why should we be taking action in Scotland? Isn’t this mainly an English and Welsh issue in local government, etc.?

A: We are all directly affected by this attack on pensions. it is an attack on all public sector workers, which is why Scottish local government workers are coming out too.

Q: I’m on a fixed term hourly paid contract, and Wednesday is my heaviest/only teaching day. I would be financially penalised if I take strike action on that day.

A: We are asking everyone to come out, and that is your best defence for continued employment. However, the branch will take a collection/use branch funds (whichever is appropriate to your branch) to help you out, as we can see you will be losing out disproportionately. (Please note: branches should take a decision on this in advance of 30 November. Money has been collected previously in FELA branches and was gratefully received by individuals, especially where the day of strike was almost the sole income for that week for some lecturers). It meant that the FELA Branch was successful in getting almost all members out on strike.

Q: I don’t want to come out on strike. If you are asking me to do that I will resign from the EIS.

A: That decision would be respected.

Q: How many pickets can we have?

A: The recommended guideline is 6 per union per workplace entrance. However This is not binding legislation, just a recommended guideline Unison at senior level, put out an appeal for their members in Scotland to join PCS and UCU picket lines in large numbers on June 30. Several FELA Branches demonstrated their support at those picket lines. So the minimum pickets we should expect on the 30th outside Telford is 6 EIS, 6 Unison and 6 NUS pickets at each of the colleges 3 entrances routes totalling a minimum of 54 pickets!

The larger the group of supporters on the picket line, the more persuasive it is and most likely to be respected.

Q: What if someone shouts ‘scab’ or is expresses their view too vociferously while part of our college protest/picket?

A: We will be asking that everyone protest peacefully but persuasively.

NB. Check out www.stuc.org.uk for details of local protests, rallies and anti-cuts feeder marches. Some FELA branches have decided to wear something red to give the attack on our pensions the red card. This has been taken up by other unions/ feeder marches. This is a day to be visible and for our voices to be heard!

UNITY IS STRENGTH!

Official EIS FAQ's
Official Unison Website
Official TUC Website
Official STUC Website

Strike Action called off after Management meet demands!

‘Edinburgh’s Telford College EIS Branch is pleased to confirm that, following informal discussions, the Principal and Management of Telford College have agreed to return to the negotiating table on conditions agreeable to both parties. Namely, that in return for terminating the industrial action scheduled until December, the college will now guarantee no Compulsory Redundancies for teaching staff up until March 31st 2012, effective immediately. Crucially, there is also a commitment to begin negotiations over a possible extension of the moratorium on Compulsory Redundancies. This constitutes a vindication of organised and assertive trade unionism, and we commend the College for their decision to return to the negotiating table where consensus  can once again be pursued.
 
Branch representatives wish to thank all members for their support, as well as those MSPs, MPs, Councillors and members of the public who offered their solidarity throughout this difficult time. We assure them that EIS reps will remain vigilant throughout this coming process, and that our ambitions to secure a further guarantee of no compulsory redundancies will be vigorously pursued.’
 

Picnic Cancelled

Dear Colleagues

It is with some regret that I have to confirm to you that the planned staff picnic scheduled for this Monday the 1st August has been cancelled. I have been informed that this decision was taken on various grounds, including the health and safety of staff and students.

We are of course extremely disappointed that no attempt was made to open discussions with the Branch Committee on rescheduling the event, or that the picnic was acknowledged as a means of maintaining the fantastic camaraderie that has emerged over the months as staff seek to sustain our morale in spite of the current circumstances prevailing within our college. We would also have appreciated a more timely notification of the decision to stop the picnic going ahead.Nonetheless, as I say we will attempt to reschedule for the near future.
 
Thanks to the many of you who either sent apologies, or confirmed their intention to pop along for sarnies and chat.  Hope you are having a great holiday, and see you all soon.

Thanks, Mike

Telford-EIS Picnic

Dear Colleagues,

 

The EIS Branch Committee are delighted to invite you to participate in our first annual summer picnic at  

 

12:00 noon on Monday 1st August 2011 on the lawn outside the salon.

 

The picnic is a completely open event giving members, non-members, family and friends the opportunity to come together over the summer period to socialise and show our mutual support and solidarity for colleagues and friends as we face the new era at Telford together.

 

So please join us at the college at 12:00 noon on Monday the 1st of August with friends, family and a basket full of fresh produce to munch and share!

 

This event is open to all staff!

 

Please RSVP by replying to this email!

 

If you would like to receive messages and info from the Branch Committee at your personal email account please send using your personal account too:

 

telford-eis-branch-committee@googlemail.com

 

Don't forget to visit the blog for regular news / views and links to relevant info (www.telford-eis.blogspot.com)

 

 Hope to see you there.