Today is International Workers’ Day.Â
A day celebrated in over 80 countries all over the world. It is a public holiday in many other countries. Workers, their unions and their political parties, stand together to show that there is a better world, a better way and a better future.
Dream and imagine.
May 1st was chosen as International Workers’ Day at the first congress of the Second International, meeting in Paris (1889), to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Square Massacre in Chicago where workers were fired on, and killed, by police during a general strike for the eight-hour workday.
America surprisingly (or not)Â does not celebrate May Day but has a Labor Day in September. Our Tory led Coalition has also mooted plans to move the May Day Bank Holiday to October.
May Day is about solidarity and governments want to put as much distance between organised workers and their history as possible. It will not work.
____________________
The Pension Ballot result was announced yesterday afternoon. I attended the Unison Health Service Group Executive where the  result was first confirmed.
There was a disappointingly low turnout of 14.8%. With everything else going on it is understandable to a point, but having 85.2% of members nationally not even bothering returning their papers doesn’t give the union much options to carry on. This does not look like members up for a fight.
Of those that voted, 49.53% accepted the proposals and 50.4% rejected. Nearly 50-50!
There will now be a specially convened National Staff Council Trade Union Side to decide on the way forward.
I believe our members are up for a fight – but this is not it.
Pay freezes, local and regional pay, threats to Agenda for Change, privatisation, Health and Social Care Act: that’s where the real struggle lies.
____________________
Annual leave throughout the Olympic period is now restored as per agreements with no ‘cap’. This was after UNISON met with management yesterday.
We will continue to work with management regarding enhancements for staff in what will be a busy historical time. All we want is recognition for staff that this will not be ‘business as normal’.
____________________
The austerity measures have gone too far!
I read that new five pence (5p) and ten pence (10p) coins are to be made with cheaper materials. Coins are now being introduced that are made from steel, but plated in nickel. These are replacing current cupro-nickel coins that are made from 75% copper and 25% nickel.
This is because, we are told, a sharp rise in the price of copper.
How will the Royal Mint pay for the new materials? In the old coins or the new coins?
This certainly adds a twist to Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s famous 1967 defence of devaluation:
“It does not mean that the pound here in Britain, in your pocket or purse or in your bank, has been devalued”
Well now the coins in your pocket, purse and bank, really have been devalued – literally!
____________________
Information of all issues can be found elsewhere on our website.
___________________
If you are reading this, work for the London Ambulance Service or are eligible to join, and are not yet a member of UNISON Join Today!
 I Am Frontline You Are Frontline We Are All Frontline
We are stronger together.
Eric Roberts
Branch Secretary.
