Bombardier Demonstration to Save Jobs On Saturday July 23rd

On Saturday July 23rd 8000 marchers wound their way through Derby City Centre calling for the Prime Minister to rescind the award of the Thameslink rail carriage contract to Siemens and award it to Bombardier. The March and Rally attracted many people from Derby and representatives of trade unions from many areas of the Midlands. This issue is seen as a very important issue to save manufacturing jobs in general and to preserve our last British Train Manufacturer in Derby, thus providing jobs for our local workers. This Demonstration was very successful, attracted much well need publicity, thus putting pressure on this Coalition Government, Its very important that people continue to support this campaign until the Government Reverses its decision and we are successful in keeping the work in Derby.

For those who are interested there will be a March for the Alternative Economic Policy at the Lib dem Conference in Birmingham on Sunday September 18th. For further details contact the PCS Regional Office on 01216434342, or your own Regional trade union office.

Various Reports of Summer Activity in the Midlands

Midlands TUC Pensioners Network meeting July 1st 2011 During the discussion on the Blackpool Pensioners Parliament the Network concluded that this was easily the best ever Parliament, well organized, with a friendly atmosphere, and a good degree of unity. Using the Opera Theatre instead of the Ballroom with its improved acoustics made a tremendous difference. Steve Webb the Government Minister invited to speak on pensions answered all questions put to without any attempt at evasion, he was however very inflexible on Government proposals. Anger was registered by many delegates and groups. It has to be said in his favour that although he had refused to come to Blackpool in 2010, in 2011 when he got to the Railweay Station there were no trains running; and he came to Blackpool on another line. He was several hours late and everything had to be rescheduled, but he did arrive and the NPC has written to him to indicate their appreciation that he came despite the difficulties encountered. Although the Blackpool Pensioners Parliament is organized by the NPC and is a forum for people to come and exchange their experiences, it is not a policy making body, although of course the NPC does take its views into consideration. The Policy making body is the Biennial Delegate Conference, which last met in Southport in March 2011. Discussion also took place on the issue of the ending of cheque book use, by the Government, its failure so far to come up with an alternative, and the effect that this measure this will have on many people.

A report was given from the Network Conference held at the Spot Derby on April 14th, it was felt that Cheryl Pidgeon the TUC Regional secretary did a brilliant Job in her lead in to the NHS and care in the Community. Strong concern was expressed by a couple of people that the NPC Spokesperson had stated that public pensions were ending, when this is clearly not the policy of the unions concerned. Several people who had been at the Conference on April 14th stated that in their view the comments of the NPC spokesperson had been misunderstood. A significant amount of debate then took place on the issue of public sector pensions, which concluded that this should be a special item on the September agenda. The Chair stated that he would contact the NPC Spokesperson and ask for a clarification of what was actually said and meant on April 14th. Complaints were made that the members in the West Midlands did not receive notification of the April 14th Conference - The Chair and Secretary said that they would discuss this issue with the TUC in due course. The Secretary was asked to raise with the National TUC Retired Members, what actions were being proposed on NHS reforms. Further she was asked to enquire whether Councils were asking for payment when leaflets were being handed out during demonstrations. The Network blog is now up and running with regular updates, and members should visit this site on a weekly basis, so as to make the best use of its informational and organisational potential.                                                                                                                                                  

       Long Eaton Carnival 

The Erewash Trades Council held a stall at the Long Eaton Carnival which was held on June 25th, apart from the Trades Council Secretary Unite were the only union present. Unite provided all the leaflets and handouts for the stall. Alan Marshall (Photo) could only ask the next-door stall how the gazebo was assembled and then it was left to Matt Simmons to do all the fitting work. Matt and Alan were the only activists present and during the day they handed out over 500 leaflets, which publicised the Public sector strike which was scheduled to take place on June 30th. If this is going to become an annual event, then considerably more help will be required to help run an effective stall. despite all our difficulties the day was very worthwhile, people were interested in what we were about and deeply concerned about the possible effects of the Governments current economic policy's on the poorest elements in our society.

East Midlands National Pensioners Convention

Mike McLoughlin and David Jones reported that they had both been delegates to the Biennial National Pensioners Convention (NPC) Conference at Southport in April and had both participated in the debates on various issues. In their view the most important long term issue discussed was how do we develop the NPC into an organisation with mass membership. The conference did after a lengthy and sometimes heated debate decide that the NPC would proceed to examine the best methods by which this goal could be achieved. They both then attended the Blackpool Pensioners Parliament in June, a fringe meeting of the East Midlands delegates was held to discuss their attitude to the proposed NPC change in membership.  This was a well attended meeting, which came up with clear views on the type of organisation that they felt was required i.e. A National organisation with, Regions, and Branches. Mike and David also attended the NPC special meeting in London on June 23rd to discuss the problems that the proposed membership changes would bring, this was an excellent meeting, well attended and to our surprise, we found that there was a large measure of agreement between delegates on how we should take the issue forward. The debate is ongoing, many issues have yet to be resolved, however it is the intention of the East Midlands NPC to hold a conference in November. The NPC General Secretary Dot Gibson will be invited to come and report on the state of play, regarding the progress being made on the issue of developing Mass Membership.



Support Bombardier keep Train Manufacture in Derby - David Cameron Dealt Another Blow,

David Cameron has been dealt another blow over his claim that he cannot stop a £3billion train order going to Germany.The Prime Minister told MP's that he could not step in and award the contract to UK based Bombardier because the tendering process set up by Labour was unalterable. But Transport Minister Theresa Villiers has now admitted that the Thameslink rail upgrade was reviewed as the Government looked desperately for schemes it could axe to save money. The project made it through Chancellor George Osbourne's savage cuts but the stock ended up being ordered from cheaper German company Siemens instead of the Derby manufacturing plant. Labour and the unions have said that the Government must now act immediately to stop  British jobs going abroad. Shadow Business Secretary John Denham said "David Cameron" keeps saying he can't review the Thameslink contract but he did so last year - even while it was out to tender. "This raises huge questions about the Tory-led Governments commitment to manufacturing in the UK".

RMT rail union leader Bob Crow said Minister's excuses had been shot out of the water and urged them "To Do The Decent Thing" and give the work to the UK plant. Mr. Crow said: "This new information on the Bombardier stitch-up shows that the current Government conducted a review of the Thameslink contract soon after they were elected."Their claims that they could not change the tendering process to factor in the full economic impact of shifting this work to Germany are exposed as a lie. They should now do the decent thing and reverse the decision before it is to late".

The calls came after Mrs Villers revealed in a written Parliamentary answer that the lucrative carriage order was included in the treasury's cost-cutting "Major Project Review". She wrote: "The Government Major Projects Review held in the summer of 2010 reviewed all aspects of the Thameslink programme, including the Thameslink rolling stock project". It Comes after a document leaked to the Daily Mirror revealed that Ministers could change procurement rules at any time. Bombardier is making massive cuts to its 3000 strong workforce after missing out on the contract when Siemens tendered to make each of the carriages for £15000 less.

Mr Cameron was accused of adding insult to injury when Downing Street bumped bombardier Boss Colin Walton of the PM's disastrous trade mission to Africa earlier this month. Chairman Mr Walton was due to join fellow businessmen and Mr Cameron on the trip to promote British Business in South Africa and Nigeria. HE had hoped to win work for Bombardier but was told his presence was not required on July 15th, just 48 hours before he was due to set off. Unions have said that the decision to leave him behind showed MR Cameron had sacrificed jobs. The above has been taken from Today's Daily Mirror.

The Demonstration held in Derby on Saturday July 23rd to support Bombardier and its work force was well supported and successful, it succeeded in obtaining substantial media overage, the fight goes on and requires the support of all of us who care about keeping  a manufacturing base in this country.

PCS Aspire Telford communication- HP Offshoring Members Jobs.

There have been recent developments in HP's efforts to offshore up to 200 jobs from HP DWP account in the UK to the HP Best Shore site in Bangalore. An Early Day Motion has been tabled and PCS are urging members to lobby their MP to support it. The Prime Minister has been quizzed about the off-shoring of jobs in Parliament and he has promised to look into the matter, however, in a written answer to a question asked at prime minister's Question Time, Mary Glinden MP has responded that the location of jobs is a matter for the subcontracting company, subject to data security. The Cabinet Office has issued guidance on this issue during the last week.

PCS has been campaigning against the off shoring of jobs on Government IT contracts, but in particular against the transfer of these 200 jobs as they explore the limits of current Cabinet guidance on off-shoring such jobs. If those handling citizen data are off-shored it potentially opens the door to off-shoring a wider range of jobs than at present. PC members are asked to help keep the political pressure on and support the campaign against the move by completing the easy to use"e-action". The e-action is an easy way for people to send a letter to their MP urging them to take action. Support will be most welcome also from non PCS members, this issue of off-shoring jobs is one that effects many industries and has cost many jobs over the years, and is of concern to all of us.

"Please Write to your MP on this issue, your support can make all the difference"

30th June Public Sector Demonstrations in the Midlands & Pensioner Participation

Nottingham Activity June 30th Some 700 plus workers and supporters marched from the Forest to Trinity Square, they were well supported by passers by on the way. There were speeches on "the way forward" in the Square and then the assembly marched on to the Albert Hall, where music and further speeches were made. The Assembly then passed a Nottingham Trades Council resolution calling on the national executives of all the unions to begin plans for actions in the Autumn, both nationally and regionally. to ensure that all unions commence plans now to hold ballots for strike action. That strike committees are established within and between unions. It was a very successful day, the weather was kind, which was a big help.

Leicester's Day of Action  June 30th - Victoria Park

There were many public sector workers on strike in Leicester on June 30th, they did not hold a march, but had decided to hold a Rally on the Vitoria Park, The weather cleared up at Noon and became very warm. The event was well attended, with a good turn out from the UCU, PCS, UNISON, and NUT. The NUT had laid on a very impressive mobile stage, which also had a top mounted screen, which gave everyone a very clear view of the speakers. There were a number of main speeches, a couple of very good ones from the National Union of Teachers, there were several very good short speeches made by both young male and female teachers. The speech of the day was undoubtedly that of Tony Church a branch Secretary on behalf of the PCS, It was an impassioned speech that deserved a very large audience. The Leicester Trades Council was very well represented, the bulk of them being retired members. The rally was well attended there being in the region of around 700/800 people, with a quite a good number of retired members, from the participating unions, and some from Unite. Many people enjoyed a picnic whilst listening to the bands and the vocalist, many of the young people were dancing on the grass, It was an enjoyable day.

Birmingham's Day of Action - March & Rally June 30th.

UNISON had many members on strike in Birmingham, there many people on strike from many areas of the Public Sector, the issue was not just Pensions, many of the Participants were concerned with the many job losses taking place, and the reduction in benefits; as the result of the savage cuts in social spending by this Coalition Government. The march and Rally was very successful, the writer has never seen Victory Square so full, they had a great reception from the passers by, the vast majority indicated their support for the action taking place in protest at the way in which the Government is tackling issues.

Wolverhampton Day of Action June 30th. 

Wolverhampton did have a small local Rally which started at !!.00 AM and was quite well attended, many of the strikers present were from the NUT and the Headmasters Association, there were some also from UNISON. It was seen by the organisers as being a successful day with a lively turn out, the Mobile Stage was a strong element in making the day a success. There were several very good speeches, there were pensioners present, it was considered a draw back that there was no pensioner on the platform. It was felt that in future if there are similar days of action like June 30th, then it is important that there will a retired speaker on the platform.

Day of Action In Derby on June 30th

,We have little information  regarding the activity that took place in Derby on June 30th, it is known that  no rally was organised in advance of the day. However many public sector workers came out on strike in Derby, which is currently suffering heavy job losses, we have been informed that a gathering took place on the day and that there were speeches, and the event was considered successful. We understand that there were very few pensioners present.

Midlands TUC Region Pensioners Network.

The Midlands TUC Region Pensioners Network held its Regional meeting in Derby on Friday July 1st, after receiving the reports of the previous day of action outlined in the above reports. The reports were followed by a lively discussion centering on the previous days action, which concluded that that we as pensioners had to a large degree failed except in one or two instances to build any meaningful links with the strikers. It was felt that this omission must be rectified at the earliest opportunity, we must get involved in the action committees and have a speaker on future platforms. It is most important that we make a major effort to build an alliance between those who are pensioners now, and future pensioners; it must be understood that if they lose, we lose. This issue will be a major item of discussion at the next executive meeting, to be held shortly.