May 2016

 

Secretary’s Report May 2016 Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC

 

www.wolvestuc.org.uk info@wolvestuc.org.uk 07538 045376

 

Protect our Steel Industry union & LP campaigning April Wednesfield High Street

575 jobs could be at risk from the steel closures around Wednesfield.

Made front page of Chronicle and also in Ex & Star.

 

 

Workers’ Memorial Day More than 60 people were in attendance and wreaths were laid by WB&DTUC, UCATT West Midlands, UCATT Wolverhampton, UNISON Wolverhampton General, UNISON University, Mayor & Mayoress of Wolverhampton and Thompsons Solicitors. speakers: Stuart Baker, UCATT, Warinder Juss, Thompsons; Black Country Urban Industrial Mission Chaplain; Nick Kelleher, Wolverhampton TUC

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1st May 2016 one of best ever attendances around 300, over 200 meals served

Workers’ Day speakers: Frances O’ Grady, TUC General Secretary video link, Phil Goalby, Fire Brigades Union, Joginder Bains Indian Workers’ Association, Jim Reekie Communist Party, Vince Parker PCS

performers Trademark Blud; Transit Trix breakers ; Gary O’Dea + plus One Love International reggae sound system

 

Tuesday 7th June 7:30 – 9pm ‘Popular Protest in Palestine’ Speaker: Marwan Darweish, Principal lecturer in Peace Studies (Coventry University)
Venue: University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, WV1 1LY, Millennium City Building (Room MC001)

 

SATURDAY 2nd JULY CHAINMAKERS’ FESTIVAL 2016: Cradley Heath High Street 11am see www.wolvestuc.org.uk

 

TUC courses sign up now…. Diploma in Employment Law Wednesday  13th July 2016

• Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety  14th July 2016

for September 2016 start Trade Union Studies Representatives’ Programme – Wolverhampton

@Beckminster House, Birches Barn Road, Wolverhampton WV3 7RJ

Union Reps Stage 1 ten weeks Wolverhampton 9 am – 4 pm on Mondays 

Health & Safety Stage 1 ten weeks  9 am – 4 pm on Tuesdays see www.wolvestuc.org.uk

 

There was a substantial increase in reports of employers not paying National Minimum Wage in 2015-16, according to a new report from the National Audit Office. Over the past 12 months, 58,000 workers were recorded as being owed money by their employers, more than doubling those recorded in 2014-15.

The total debt owed to workers has more than tripled, with £10.3 million in arrears recorded in the last 12 months, compared with £3.3 million in 2014-15. Since the National Minimum Wage was introduced in 1999, employers have failed to pay a total of £68 million to over 313,000 workers. Non-compliance was a particular concern in the social care sector, where it is estimated 11% of workers do not receive the National Minimum Wage.

Meanwhile, workers are forced to wait an average of eight months for the HMRC to resolve their case.

 

Thanks to branches that have re-affiliated and newly affiliated for 2016:

ASLEF, Community W’ton Craft, Community Region 4 Associates, CWU W’ton, FBU, GMB X13, Musicians Union, NUT, NASUWT. PCS Midlands Valuation, PCS West Mercia, RMT, UCATT, UCU University, UNISON General, UNISON Black Country Health, UNISON Police Staff, UNISON Sandwell General, UNITE Faith workers, UNITE WM6150, UNITE WM6151 , UNITE-CYW; 22 branches affiliated; 2 still to re-affiliate