ORGANISING ACADEMY

Any one know way we can’t add pictures?

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Two months goes very quickly when you are organising, I have warn through one set of shoes, one coat and now know London by betting shop locations. When I started at Community no one said it would be easy, but I don’t know any organising campaign that is! It is not hard to get motivated for a day of shop visits, pouring rain and bitter cold because Betting Shop workers are still some of the most exploited, hard working and vulnerable workers in the UK. I have visited countless betting shops and spoken to hundreds of workers and the only solution is trade union organising. I have witnessed first hand the abuse and violence that our members face day in day out, whether it be spitting, verbal abuse, racial abuse or physical violence and this is what keeps me motivated. Knowing that a trade union campaign can campaign and win for its members on the issues that affect them in the work place.

In October Community launched a campaign for better safety standards in betting shops. It was great to work with members and colleagues in the Organising Department to organise our Parliamentary launch of the campaign. The event was attended by Government Ministers, MPs, journalists and betting shop workers. Our members are demanding that all betting shop workers are covered by a set of minimum standards to improve the personal security and the working environment of all shop staff throughout the UK. It is great to experience a different kind of organising campaign a campaign that our members own and the industry needs. Check out our campaign video that launched the campaign.

The last couple of months have been a rollercoaster, I have learnt so much about the movement, campaigning and organising. However its not been all plain sailing but I hope to learn from these experiences because that’s the only way I can be a better organiser and help our members win their campaigns. Right must go, have potential members to organise!

Ryan Slaughter

rslaughter@community-tu.org

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Well, it’s halfway through our second lot of training, and tonight we’ve had a trade union quiz, No idea who got what score, or who won, just that a few bottles of wine were won. Had a really interesting discussion about the Obama election campaign this afternoon.

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                    We should be talking about specific campaigns but in my case it could be slightly different. Last week I and my coach finally met some key branches in the region to find out where we have possible resources and in what areas we as a organising dept. could help or support them as well. The idea for the future is to establish a network within the union that communicate and is effective in what is trying to achieve. Frankly if the branch/union/organising dept./etc. thinks that a greenfield site could be a possible target for the union, there has to be resources to do it in longer term, we have to be able to show up regularly and with proper materials. Just because now the CWU have the resources within field organisers it is more doable to focus on particular sites from this point of view.

So after those branch meetings the situation has become much clearer in what projects or sites we will focus on and where it possible to do it. Ii mean do it … do what? Establish and self-manageable structure within the workforce which is sustainable. Not an easy one and this is why we need those resources, proper materials, time plan and a game plan,communication, a lot of commitment, enthusiasm and flexibility.

I can tell that now I might have approximately 10 projects like these. Everyone is in different stage but all of them need same approach to succeed.

I will be more specific later on just because everything now is in early stages and it’s good that you have this general brief of what we are trying to do and how.   

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Another Monday at the EIS and I’ve just finished reading through emails from students studying Education in Scotland.  Last week, I went to most of my Universities and put EIS posters up.  The posters are an introduction to the students about who I am and the work I do, which unfortunately means there’s a photo of me on the posters, as well as my contact information.  So far, I’ve only had a couple of prank emails and phone calls, so I can’t complain!  I’m pleased about the posters because it’s a real link between the students and myself and I like being able to give advice when I can.

See you all on the 10th!

Joanna

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Just got back to the office after spending a weekend in Abergavenny on a Unite Young Members Weekend School.

It was great to get out from behind my desk and meet some young trade union members/activists and even better that some of them expressed an interest in the work I’m doing which was encouraging.

Feeling rather tired now and wanting to be back in bed… staying up until the small hours of the morning and then being up early doesn’t do me any good in my old age!

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The programme of action will begin with a national one day strike on Monday, 10th November.

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Getting Started

I started my placement as an organiser within PCS’s  Culture division three weeks ago.  My ‘bedding in’ period has been as interesting as it has been varied, and I am enjoying every minute of it! So far, I have co-facilitated workshops; met with lay organisers and other activists; minuted the AGM of English Heritage members; observed meetings with personnel at the British museum; distributed at the British Library; worded leaflets and postcards for the National Campaign, and assisted with research. Member density is good in London, and some branches, particularly the Science museum, are very strong. Within the regions, slightly less, primarily due to the geographical locations of some of the remoter heritage sites.  In keeping with PCS’s strong organising strategy, there was a lay-organisers’ conference at Clapham Headquarters  a couple of weeks ago, which I attended. Turn out was good and the mood against the government’s proposed 2% pay ‘increase’ was tangible.  PCS’s general secretary Mark Serwotka, gave a rousing speech, and there were passionate contributions from the floor. Given the structure of the civil service, with many areas now outsourced to private companies, leading to disparities in pay and conditions, members are nevertheless united in their feeling that the government has, for wont of a better term ‘sold them down the river’. A short film on the plight of the transport workers’ strike in Argentina was shown, and there were workshops, including one on equalities and a young members workshop, which I co-facilitated.  At the Culture Division in Victoria, I have found the team to be extremely helpful and thoughtful when it comes to finding me areas of work.  I recently received my workplan and am happy to be working on a possible recognition agreement; a recruitment exercise within the Southbank; the CMSOA; English Heritage and, of course, the National Campaign, which I will touch on shortly.

  Pensions On Wednesday I attended the National Lobby on The State Pension rally in Westminster, co-ordinated by the NPC.  Mark Serwotka spoke, and there were  contributions by representatives from ASLEF, Community,NUJ and UCU, among others.  The issues raised were emotive and the overall mood was one of anger. Quite right! How can the government possibly say that £90.70 per week, well below the Official Poverty Level of £151pw,  is enough for ANYONE to live on, yet alone those who have worked hard all their lives, many of whom survived the war, and paid National Insurance contributions? Two thirds of pensioners living in poverty are women. Around 61% of pensioner couples have an annual income of £15,000 or less, whilst 45% of single pensioners have an annual income of £10,000 or less. These very same people now have to make the choice between fuel and food, be ‘poverty pensioners’, cowering at the sound of the letter box for fear of another bill they cannot pay. Where is the dignity, the respect, in that? Throw into the mix means-testing, a humiliating process that no-one should have to endure, least of all our retired workforce, and a surplus in the National Insurance Fund currently standing at £46bn. How the government can possibly justify not giving these citizens the money they deserve,  that is theirs BY RIGHT, yet spend billions on an illegal war and bailing out the banks, is an abhorrent disgrace. What WOULD the original pensions campaigners of 100 years ago say?  In a recent EU survey, only pensioners in Latvia, Spain and Cyprus are more likely to fall into poverty than those in the uk. And, even if the link between state pension and earnings is restored by 2012, 3million pensioners will have,by then already died.    As trade unionists, we need to collectively campaign around the issue of pensions. WE NEED TO ACT NOW.

Personally I think I echo everyone’s sentiments here when I say that it is something of a dream to find oneself getting paid to do something you totally believe in, and used to do voluntarily. What an honour!  I feel particularly privileged to be working within the Culture division at PCS, coming from an arts and entertainment background. The arts continue to be a real passion of mine and I truly empathise with the members, many of whom are struggling artists themselves, having found myself working in poorly-paid jobs  for the bulk of my working life.

 National Campaign

PCS recently balloted members on industrial action, the ballot closed on 17th October, and members voted by a majority in support of national strike action and national action sort of a strike.The action is a reaction to the government’s paltry pay offer of 2%, well below the rate of inflation. As we all know, our society relies on civil servants’ hard labour to facilitate our daily lives. From issuing driving licenses and passports, to helping us find jobs, claim benefits…and save lives (as highlighted in the recent maritime workers’ dispute). Yet,in the same way that artists throughout the ages have found themselves in the grip of poverty, starvation and misery,now in the 21^st century, staff in the culture sector working in museums, sports councils, tourism, art galleries, the British Library and heritage sites find themselves faced with a similar fate!

Staff work long, anti-social hours, often with little respite, yet they carry out their work diligently. They are passionate about the services they provide, and the art they protect yet, some staff working in London are not earning the London living wage of £7.45 per hour, instead many exist on little over the National Minimum wage, £5.73. Staff are faced with cutbacks and worsening of conditions due to government proposals and increased privatisation. Proposals and in some cases implementation of regional pay will continue to cause members real hardship – bread and petrol cost the same wherever you live.

Aside from anything else, a demoralised workforce and fewer staff will impact on all of our long term enjoyment of museums and galleries.

It is for these reasons,and many more, that PCS members voted Yes to industrial action. The government can continue to justify capping civil servants’ pay to a meagre 2%, yet it recently bailed out the banks to the tune of £30 billion with public funds – how insulting!  How absurd.  As we are all now officially ‘bankers’, it surely will not break the bank for the government to allow us access to our money. Afterall, there is clearly enough there! Despite what they might like us to believe.

If PCS members agree to the government’s pay cut, because with inflation currently standing at 5.4%, that is precisely what it is, the government will be under no obligation to bargain  for the next three years. Simply put, PCS members CAN NOT AFFORD NOT to take action. Whilst no-one likes to strike, members are faced with no alternative. Members’ demands are simple: an inflation proof rise for all staff, and action on pay disparities and pay progression.

At the time of writing, I am uncertain what dates the action will take place, however, I hope to update regularly on here,  and will keep you posted.

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Talks collapsed at midnight, the strike continues. A national demonstration is being organised under the banner of ‘Campaign for Safe schools.’ We will be seeking support from across the water so beware Sam, Joanne and Nell i will be chasing you shortly!.

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Interesting times here in Belfast, we have 25 members of Movilla High School out on indefinite, continuous strike action following an assault of a teacher. Unlike in England where the press tend to ignore industrial disputes we’ve been caught up in somewhat of a media circus!N. Ireland’s answer to Jeremy Kyle has taken a keen reactionary interest and has dedicated several of his breakfast radio shows and his prime-time BBC1 TV programme to demanding the teachers get back to work (Stephen Nolan is the idiot’s name). The NASUWT has not (and will not) disclose the details of the case to protect both our member and the child involved, but the shock jock thought he knew best and interviewed the parents - blowing anonymity out the water. Seems he’s struggling to understand trade unions don’t have industrial disputes with parents, only employers. Similarly, the Commissioner for Children and Young People has accused us of ‘corporate abuse of children,’ so we’re seeking legal advice on that one. Still, it was amusing to see her squirm on the Nolan show when a ‘bring back the cane’ caller phoned in. That’s what you get when you flirt with the gutter press.

Despite the appalling coverage of the dispute, public support has been solid with the majority agreeing with the basic principle that teachers should not be attacked at work. The solidarity and steadfastness of the teachers involved has been inspirational, particularly given the media accusations. I must admit to struggling with the 5.30 alarm calls to get myself to the picket line for 7.00 but the atmosphere on arrival always jolts me out of slumber. One of the strike leaders publicly vowed at this morning’s meeting to be more pro-active in the union once back at work. I immediately took him up on his offer and asked him to speak about the dispute at a newly qualified teachers conference I’m organising for January.

Talks with the employer are continuing today and we really hope to have secured an agreement this afternoon - expect a further blog in the morning.

Katharine (note the spelling TUC)

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