November 2002

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC   Secretary Report November 2002

W’ton TUC EVENTS

Thurs 21st November 7.15pm delegate meeting Civic Centre, open to all Tuists also meeting of Palestine supporters
Thurs 19th December 7.15pm delegate meeting Civic Centre, open to all TUists

for latest info check our website http://www.wolvestuc.org.uk (600 hits in first four months)

Get your own “@wolvestuc.org.uk” email address. Contact the Secretary to establish your own address that you can pick up on your own computer e.g. nick@wolvestuc.org.uk We are limited to 100 names so act fast!

Email – if you would like to receive the Trades Council mailing by email, or if you are happy to receive email only and do not require a paper mailing then contact the secretary on wolves.tuc@unisonfree.net

Two strikers from the AEEU/GMB William Cooks of Sheffield Foundry will address the delegate meeting on their 18 month dispute.
In January 2001 when William Cook Heavy Foundry castings plant in Sheffield, proposed new terms and conditions, a pay cut after 5 years of freeze and a £50/week cut the men had accepted last year. This was unanimously rejected at a union meeting, and the Heavy Foundry began to organise a ballot.
On 16 March `01, new contracts arrived through the post, along with a letter placing the men on notice of dismissal if the contracts were not signed by 13 April. They were even told their finishing date, depending on length of service.
The ballot result was 100% for strike action, and the Heavy Foundry went out for a one-day official strike.
The next day, they discovered they were locked out, their jobs had been advertised and scabs were being hired.
The men were invited, but declined to sign a contract repudiating industrial action.
They’re still out, and over 90 – including colleagues from another foundry – have been dismissed. Though some have found other work, around 70 are still in dispute.
The lockout comes up against the Employment Relations Act (1999). The men want their jobs back on the original terms and conditions, with compensation for the lockout period.
This dispute seems unfortunately similar to that of the TGWU Friction Dynamics strikers.
Fax messages of solidarity for the sacked William Cook steelworkers via GMB Office Sheffield, on 0114 273 9601.

 
The FBU’s pay campaign safety info and model letters produced by the FBU for TUs to use with their employersare on the website
Since the last meeting………
Don’t Attack Iraq, Justice for Palestine Day of Action