Secretary’s report Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC

JULY 2023 Secretary’s Report + Wolverhampton Strike News

next WB&DTUC meeting -Thursday 20th July @7-15pm via zoom

speaker @ 8pm Peter Leary – Right to Boycott Bill

ASLEF, BFAWU, CWU, FBU, NEU, PCS, RMT, UCU, UNISON, UNITE have signed the statement backing the Right to Boycott and to oppose the bill. https://righttoboycott.org.uk/

Join Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83579903831?pwd=TmxaRUZaM2xrQVBrZ1RIaGlHMVFwUT09

or login directly via https://zoom.us/join then input Meeting ID: 835 7990 3831 and Passcode: 2XKzmA

or phone 0330 088 5830 Meeting ID: 835 7990 3831 Passcode: 306081

all local trade unionists welcome

RMT rail union next strike pickets at railway station:

Thursday 20th July 2023

Saturday 22nd July

Saturday 29th July

FINAL list of 2023 affiliations to Wolverhampton TUC (several short from last year):

ASLEF,

CWU,

GMB X13,

Musicians Union,

NEU,

RMT,

UCU University of Wolverhampton,

UNISON City of Wolverhampton, UNISON Sandwell, UNISON Staffordshire, UNISON W.Mids Police Staff;

UNITE WM6150(W’ton General), UNITE LE372(Unison Staff), UNITE WM5203(Retired); UNITE WM5115(Community)

Date change: Friday 11 August outside Wolverhampton Crown court (10am), show solidarity with Elbit campaigners when they will be sentenced. https://www.facebook.com/events/793089192258137

The Court of Appeal has withdrawn ‘lawful excuse’ from damage to property.

Palestine Action activists have been prevented from explaining their motives in a trial for conspiracy to cause criminal damage to an Israeli arms factory, which makes armed drones carrying out war-crimes against Palestinian civilians. Climate activists have also been prevented from discussing their motives in court. This undermining of the jury system is a huge attack on all of our rights.

Wolverhampton National Education Union (NEU) teachers took strike action over pay again 5 and 7 July.

Full capacity at showing of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn – the big lie ” venue was changed to accommodate a larger audience but all those tickets were sold, with 100 attending. £221 raised for Platform Films. Our contact sign up list increased by 4%.

We also had a stall at the TUC Women Chainmakers’ Festival – we’ve had sales of £140 on stalls this year, largely PastPixels greeting card sets.

This year’s Mary MacArthur memorial lecture was due to have Rachel Reeves MP speak. Ms Reeves’ office demanded that the Midlands TUC Chair Louise Regan be replaced, this was refused and the Midlands TUC cancelled the event.

CWU pay deal has been won; dispute ends. The Communication Workers Union recommended to 115,000 members accept the deal with Royal Mail this month; on a 67% turnout, 76% of members voted yes, 24% voted no.

Wolverhampton postal workers held a total of 18 days of strikes between September and December last year, demanding higher pay and better working conditions as rising inflation eroded earnings. Under the agreement, staff will get a 2% pay rise from April 2022, a consolidated 6% pay rise from April 2023 and a 2% increase next April. and a one-off lump sum of £500. Rate of inflation is currently running at 8.7%.
The deal also includes later starting times for deliveries.
Another win for the CWU was the promise of an independent inquiry into suspended or sacked workers and reduced use of agency workers.
New seasonal working patterns and regular Sunday working, sought by the company, were also agreed.

Di Weaver had another photo in the latest ASLEF journal this time of Wolverhampton ASLEF’s Si and Daz.

NB – we do not have an August delegate meeting, though campaigning activities still continue, see emails/our website

Report of 2023 national conference of Trades Union Councils https://wolvestuc.org.uk/report-of-2023-national-conference-of-trades-union-councils/

We need to decide on improving plaque and it’s prominence at the Workers’ Memorial Day Tree