I think Paxman has a point here. UK workers do work the longest hours in Europe and are at the beck and call of employers.
Here is one Employer who likes his workers at his beck and call, especially women!!!
What an arse!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Euro Elections
Its going to be impossible to envisage Labour doing well at this election on 4th June.The last year has seen a sharp decline in support as evidenced by many of the polls that are released on a weekly basis. The expenses row , while hitting the Tories especially hard, will also be expressed by an anti vote for Labour.
It will be interesting to see the turn out come the 6th or 7th when the results are announced. I think we could be in for a surprise with a higher than normal turnout due to the slagging off all politicians have been getting in the press. I fear though we could also see a sharp rise in support for the 'minority' parties such as the UKIP and the increasingly barmy BNP. A vote to look out for will be the NO2EU candidates (I can really call it a party, more an electoral front) I am sure they will pick up disaffected Labour voters who would otherwise go to the right wing nationalist parties. Out of interest I know a number of Labour Party members who have expressed support for NO2EU on 4th June.
The real issue I see for voters is to give the Government a drubbing. Together with the Council Elections on the day the question will have to be asked, would the results be enough to make the Government change course?
I doubt it. They seem to be deliberately preparing the way for Cameron's lot to continue where New Labours brand of Neo Liberalism leaves off, in a years time at the General Election. No amount of posturing and pontificating around Obama's victory in the US will dig up the required support needed to keep the Tory wreckers out.
Its the economy stupid is a refrain I hear from some quarters of the LP. Yes quite true and it is for that reason that many workers at the sharp end of the recession are going to give Labour a kicking. Unfortunately New Labour just don't see it. Now it is all too late and cries of 'it can only get better' will be a thing of the past.
The only choice at the GE will be to vote Labour despite the fact that New Labour have wrecked things. I'm not talking about the minimum wage and the other minimally pro workers policies the government have introduced in the last 12 years. NL have wrecked things by the way they cling on to this perception of middle ground which is a throwback from the mid 90s. This has made them make huge cock ups (10p tax rate, dithering over an election and Northern Rock etc)which have drowned the important gains. Unfortunately the leading lights are so blind the cant see it.
Alternatives to Labour coming from the Left have been dismal failures. In main this is because most left groups have an inherent inability to unite around issues which clearly matter to working people. At a time when the best opportunities for the left are out there to be taken, working people clearly have no one to represent them. Working people deserve much better.
The key to change comes definitely from the Trade Unions. They have the power and resources to organise around the issues affecting working people and are clearly in a position to take advantage. But they need to be fit for purpose and have a clear organising agenda. There is still some work to be done here. My union, Unite are beginning to take advantage but have clearly a long way to go. Others such as the GMB and the smaller unions such as the RMT have shown that organising to fight back benefits members. (Its a shame that the left still cherry pick unions to work in while ignoring the principle to organise where they are. I am also still surprised by the size able group of lefts still not involved in any union and fail to see the importance of organising in their own workplaces)
With the very real prospect of Cameron coming to power the Unions clearly need to look at organising. How the unions behaved in the 90s around servicing clearly doesn't work and we cant go along again with New Labour telling us to keep quiet and wait for Labour to get back to power.
That is not an option and should be held up by the TUs to the Labour Party in how not to do things. The next period will see fundamental changes in the relationship between the TUs and the Labour Party. Principles of power for working people should and must take over from the principle of power just to be in power.
It will be interesting to see the turn out come the 6th or 7th when the results are announced. I think we could be in for a surprise with a higher than normal turnout due to the slagging off all politicians have been getting in the press. I fear though we could also see a sharp rise in support for the 'minority' parties such as the UKIP and the increasingly barmy BNP. A vote to look out for will be the NO2EU candidates (I can really call it a party, more an electoral front) I am sure they will pick up disaffected Labour voters who would otherwise go to the right wing nationalist parties. Out of interest I know a number of Labour Party members who have expressed support for NO2EU on 4th June.
The real issue I see for voters is to give the Government a drubbing. Together with the Council Elections on the day the question will have to be asked, would the results be enough to make the Government change course?
I doubt it. They seem to be deliberately preparing the way for Cameron's lot to continue where New Labours brand of Neo Liberalism leaves off, in a years time at the General Election. No amount of posturing and pontificating around Obama's victory in the US will dig up the required support needed to keep the Tory wreckers out.
Its the economy stupid is a refrain I hear from some quarters of the LP. Yes quite true and it is for that reason that many workers at the sharp end of the recession are going to give Labour a kicking. Unfortunately New Labour just don't see it. Now it is all too late and cries of 'it can only get better' will be a thing of the past.
The only choice at the GE will be to vote Labour despite the fact that New Labour have wrecked things. I'm not talking about the minimum wage and the other minimally pro workers policies the government have introduced in the last 12 years. NL have wrecked things by the way they cling on to this perception of middle ground which is a throwback from the mid 90s. This has made them make huge cock ups (10p tax rate, dithering over an election and Northern Rock etc)which have drowned the important gains. Unfortunately the leading lights are so blind the cant see it.
Alternatives to Labour coming from the Left have been dismal failures. In main this is because most left groups have an inherent inability to unite around issues which clearly matter to working people. At a time when the best opportunities for the left are out there to be taken, working people clearly have no one to represent them. Working people deserve much better.
The key to change comes definitely from the Trade Unions. They have the power and resources to organise around the issues affecting working people and are clearly in a position to take advantage. But they need to be fit for purpose and have a clear organising agenda. There is still some work to be done here. My union, Unite are beginning to take advantage but have clearly a long way to go. Others such as the GMB and the smaller unions such as the RMT have shown that organising to fight back benefits members. (Its a shame that the left still cherry pick unions to work in while ignoring the principle to organise where they are. I am also still surprised by the size able group of lefts still not involved in any union and fail to see the importance of organising in their own workplaces)
With the very real prospect of Cameron coming to power the Unions clearly need to look at organising. How the unions behaved in the 90s around servicing clearly doesn't work and we cant go along again with New Labour telling us to keep quiet and wait for Labour to get back to power.
That is not an option and should be held up by the TUs to the Labour Party in how not to do things. The next period will see fundamental changes in the relationship between the TUs and the Labour Party. Principles of power for working people should and must take over from the principle of power just to be in power.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Round up
Good TUC brief about Middle England (ME) here. New Labour still go on about Middle England but the ME they knew in the 90s has changed dramatically.This is an area now where Unions could clear up for support. If only we had a political party that could match ME interests.
Why arent the Government involved in the discussions to keep Vauxhall jobs in the UK?
Seumus Milne comments about strikes here in the Guardian. Gregor Gall highlights how employers are using the recession as an excuse to have a go at Terms and Conditions. The GMB has been having a go about the expenses row while the Tories are just as bad if not worse as Labour when it comes to expenses claims.
Interesting paper here about the enforcement of awards from Employment Tribunals. While the days lost by stike action is at a low point individual action through the ET system doesnt guarrantee an award. In my view Union members should not rely on the courts but rely on strong work place organisation. Unfortunately many workers still have great illusions in the law. As long as individualism is encouraged by employers and governments there will be a lot of workers let down by the ET system.
Apparently the Government are going to do something about it.
Lastly Unite Convenor Rob Williams has been boosted by 88% in favour of Strike Action at the Linamaar Factory in South Wales where Rob was blatantly dismissed for Trade Union duties. Just heard the news so will post a link later.
Here is the link!!
Why arent the Government involved in the discussions to keep Vauxhall jobs in the UK?
Seumus Milne comments about strikes here in the Guardian. Gregor Gall highlights how employers are using the recession as an excuse to have a go at Terms and Conditions. The GMB has been having a go about the expenses row while the Tories are just as bad if not worse as Labour when it comes to expenses claims.
Interesting paper here about the enforcement of awards from Employment Tribunals. While the days lost by stike action is at a low point individual action through the ET system doesnt guarrantee an award. In my view Union members should not rely on the courts but rely on strong work place organisation. Unfortunately many workers still have great illusions in the law. As long as individualism is encouraged by employers and governments there will be a lot of workers let down by the ET system.
Apparently the Government are going to do something about it.
Lastly Unite Convenor Rob Williams has been boosted by 88% in favour of Strike Action at the Linamaar Factory in South Wales where Rob was blatantly dismissed for Trade Union duties. Just heard the news so will post a link later.
Here is the link!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Foreign Office Minister praises Chavez
Havent blogged about Chavez for a while.
Received this email today.
Subject: Foreign Office Minister praises Venezuela's anti-poverty measures and
calls for closer co-operation at Parliamentary reception
Dear colleague,
Please find below a brief report on the recent parliamentary reception for
Venezuela including positive remarks by the Minister with responsibility for
Latin America.
Foreign Office Minister praises Venezuela's anti-poverty measures and calls for
closer co-operation at Parliamentary reception
British Government Foreign Office Minister Gillian Merron and over 40
Parliamentarians attended a House of Commons reception on 13 May to mark a
decade of social progress in Venezuela under the Hugo Chávez-led government.
They were joined by more than 100 personalities from the media, trade unions and
wider Labour Party.
At the reception, Gillian Merron MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office said:
"We all welcome policies that help the most vulnerable and the poorest people in
our communities -- wherever those communities might be. That is why we very much
welcome the efforts of President Chavez, democratically backed by the people, to
help the most needy in Venezuelan society. Those efforts undoubtedly have our
support."
She explained that the British governments engages "with Venezuela on many
social justice initiatives" and called for more "communication and co-operation"
so that both countries "work closer and better together for the benefit of both
of our peoples."
Tony Lloyd MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, describing a visit to
Venezuela in the 1990's prior to the election of the Hugo Chávez government
said:
"Anybody who went to the barrios outside of Caracas and saw the abject miserable
poverty in which people were spending their lives, would understand why change
was so necessary in Venezuela"
He explained that the Hugo Chávez government "is supported by the majority of
the people in Venezuela. He added that "what is taking in Venezuela is a
beacon...that every one of us wants to look up to and to embrace".
Colin Burgon MP, Chair of the Labour Friends of Venezuela group of MPs, which
organised the reception, explained that "in Parliament we have been able to
build a strong group on MPs that expresses an interest in the progressive
developments in Venezuela." He explained that this is necessary "to combat the
incessant propaganda that has been unleashed by the right-wing throughout the
world against Hugo Chávez and his government in Venezuela"
He added that "Latin America has been subjected to neo-liberalism longer than
almost any other Continent in the world - and it is truly heartening to see how
the masses of the people have risen up against it."
Venezuelan Ambassador to Britain Samuel Moncada addressing the reception
explained that his government was seeking "to change for the better the livings
conditions of the Venezuelan majority" and that this has been done "through
democratic means, expanding political freedoms and strengthening social and
economic rights."
He praised the support that exists in British society for the progressive change
in Venezuela adding that "It will be with your solidarity that we shall continue
to work together for social progress."
Over the past decade, under the Hugo Chávez government, Venezuela has undergone
a social transformation including the eradication of illiteracy to international
standards, making health care freely accessible to millions of people for the
first time in their lives and dramatic reductions in poverty levels. This is
matched by an extraordinary democratic record, with the Chávez government
holding 14 sets of national elections over the past ten years.
For further information contact Colin Burgon MP on burgonc@parliament.uk
Received this email today.
Subject: Foreign Office Minister praises Venezuela's anti-poverty measures and
calls for closer co-operation at Parliamentary reception
Dear colleague,
Please find below a brief report on the recent parliamentary reception for
Venezuela including positive remarks by the Minister with responsibility for
Latin America.
Foreign Office Minister praises Venezuela's anti-poverty measures and calls for
closer co-operation at Parliamentary reception
British Government Foreign Office Minister Gillian Merron and over 40
Parliamentarians attended a House of Commons reception on 13 May to mark a
decade of social progress in Venezuela under the Hugo Chávez-led government.
They were joined by more than 100 personalities from the media, trade unions and
wider Labour Party.
At the reception, Gillian Merron MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office said:
"We all welcome policies that help the most vulnerable and the poorest people in
our communities -- wherever those communities might be. That is why we very much
welcome the efforts of President Chavez, democratically backed by the people, to
help the most needy in Venezuelan society. Those efforts undoubtedly have our
support."
She explained that the British governments engages "with Venezuela on many
social justice initiatives" and called for more "communication and co-operation"
so that both countries "work closer and better together for the benefit of both
of our peoples."
Tony Lloyd MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, describing a visit to
Venezuela in the 1990's prior to the election of the Hugo Chávez government
said:
"Anybody who went to the barrios outside of Caracas and saw the abject miserable
poverty in which people were spending their lives, would understand why change
was so necessary in Venezuela"
He explained that the Hugo Chávez government "is supported by the majority of
the people in Venezuela. He added that "what is taking in Venezuela is a
beacon...that every one of us wants to look up to and to embrace".
Colin Burgon MP, Chair of the Labour Friends of Venezuela group of MPs, which
organised the reception, explained that "in Parliament we have been able to
build a strong group on MPs that expresses an interest in the progressive
developments in Venezuela." He explained that this is necessary "to combat the
incessant propaganda that has been unleashed by the right-wing throughout the
world against Hugo Chávez and his government in Venezuela"
He added that "Latin America has been subjected to neo-liberalism longer than
almost any other Continent in the world - and it is truly heartening to see how
the masses of the people have risen up against it."
Venezuelan Ambassador to Britain Samuel Moncada addressing the reception
explained that his government was seeking "to change for the better the livings
conditions of the Venezuelan majority" and that this has been done "through
democratic means, expanding political freedoms and strengthening social and
economic rights."
He praised the support that exists in British society for the progressive change
in Venezuela adding that "It will be with your solidarity that we shall continue
to work together for social progress."
Over the past decade, under the Hugo Chávez government, Venezuela has undergone
a social transformation including the eradication of illiteracy to international
standards, making health care freely accessible to millions of people for the
first time in their lives and dramatic reductions in poverty levels. This is
matched by an extraordinary democratic record, with the Chávez government
holding 14 sets of national elections over the past ten years.
For further information contact Colin Burgon MP on burgonc@parliament.uk
Australian Labour Government going the same way as the British one
Aussie Unions are understandably putting pressure on their Government to put in a host of pro Union legislation. This is after the resounding victory Labour got over the Howard government and their infamous anti Union Work Choices. Labour won a few years back with huge Trade Union support. It will be a huge shame and incredibly damaging if the ALP goes the same way as the LP here and alienates all card carrying Union members with concessions for employers rather than workers.
Like in the UK the balance in Australia has gone too far in favour of employers
Like in the UK the balance in Australia has gone too far in favour of employers
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Workers walk out in Wales over Social Dumping
Workers walked out at the South Hook Terminal at Milford Haven in South West Wales.
Again the issue is employers using European law to undercut the Naeci terms and conditions all workers on the site work under.
MS reports on the issue here.
Workers at Lindsey have walked out in support. It all kicked off yesterday and it is very clear that the issue isnt the Polish workers that have been brought in by a sub contractor but the underminning of T&Cs that is the issue.
Again the issue is employers using European law to undercut the Naeci terms and conditions all workers on the site work under.
MS reports on the issue here.
Workers at Lindsey have walked out in support. It all kicked off yesterday and it is very clear that the issue isnt the Polish workers that have been brought in by a sub contractor but the underminning of T&Cs that is the issue.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
BNP photo f*ck up
Those geniuses in the Master race party have assisted their British Jobs for British workers demand no end by using foreign workers in their picture on their website. No wonder their website gets so many hits, probably to laugh at all their cock ups!!
Unite for Jobs Demo
Good day out. I reckon about 7-8000 marchers attended. Got a bit wet during the speeches as it pissed down. That though, didnt dampen the determination of the marchers.
Seemed to have got reasonable coverage on the TV. Most TV interviews seemed to have centred on Digby Jones attendance. Interestingly it didnt deflect from the broader message of the march.
Speeches were good. In particular Tony Woodley pressed all the right buttons. I thought the inclusion of a Steel Worker from Corus and a Car Worker from Halewood was good. Both inspiring spealers.
Went to the NSSN meeting afterwards to listen to Rob Williams, victimised TU militant from Linemarr in South Wales. No Trade Unionist is safe if this kind of victimisation occurs. Rob was the victim of an illegal action by his employer yet its the unions who have the laws stacked against them with the Tory anti trade union laws still in place. Personally I would always prefer a shop steward like Rob representing me in my workplace than some of the moderate so called 'sensible' reps we have in some workplaces.Those days have now gone as employers go on the offensive against terms and conditions. In times like these you have to fight.
Guardian report here.
Seemed to have got reasonable coverage on the TV. Most TV interviews seemed to have centred on Digby Jones attendance. Interestingly it didnt deflect from the broader message of the march.
Speeches were good. In particular Tony Woodley pressed all the right buttons. I thought the inclusion of a Steel Worker from Corus and a Car Worker from Halewood was good. Both inspiring spealers.
Went to the NSSN meeting afterwards to listen to Rob Williams, victimised TU militant from Linemarr in South Wales. No Trade Unionist is safe if this kind of victimisation occurs. Rob was the victim of an illegal action by his employer yet its the unions who have the laws stacked against them with the Tory anti trade union laws still in place. Personally I would always prefer a shop steward like Rob representing me in my workplace than some of the moderate so called 'sensible' reps we have in some workplaces.Those days have now gone as employers go on the offensive against terms and conditions. In times like these you have to fight.
Guardian report here.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Unite for Jobs March Birmingham
Will be at the Unite demonstration today with my daughter. Im hoping for a good turn out.
This march will represent the real world away from the disgusting expenses sleaze of all our Parliamentarians.
This march will represent the real world away from the disgusting expenses sleaze of all our Parliamentarians.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Inequality in Britain
This article says it all and buries firmly the claim that 12 years of New Labour created a more equal Britain. Its ok apologist going on about the gains but they are bread crumbs in comparison to what this article demonstrates.
It is not surprising that this got hidden amongst the 'expenses' revelations in the press over the last week. Not a priority I suppose and it certainly nothing 'Hi Im Dave' can really get his teeth into seeing that all the Tories will do is give more of the same and make it worse.
It is not surprising that this got hidden amongst the 'expenses' revelations in the press over the last week. Not a priority I suppose and it certainly nothing 'Hi Im Dave' can really get his teeth into seeing that all the Tories will do is give more of the same and make it worse.
MP's Expenses
Like the huge majority of the population I have been disgusted by the expenses revelations leaked this week by the Telegraph.
Labour are taking a big hit on this and quite rightly to. But the Tories cant take any comfort from a moral high ground. Anyway most of them are f*cking millionaires and so you wouldnt expect them to take advantage of parliamentary expenses claims.
Or would you?
Here are two I found equally disgusting to the Labour claims.
Alan Duncan and James Gray.
Apparently Duncan oversees Tory Party Policy on expenses!!!!
(SU covers Tory MPs 2nd jobs)
Wankers!!
Expect more revelations soon as receipts going back to 2004 are revealed.
Labour are taking a big hit on this and quite rightly to. But the Tories cant take any comfort from a moral high ground. Anyway most of them are f*cking millionaires and so you wouldnt expect them to take advantage of parliamentary expenses claims.
Or would you?
Here are two I found equally disgusting to the Labour claims.
Alan Duncan and James Gray.
Apparently Duncan oversees Tory Party Policy on expenses!!!!
(SU covers Tory MPs 2nd jobs)
Wankers!!
Expect more revelations soon as receipts going back to 2004 are revealed.
house builders sell up to Housing associations shocker
This made me laugh today!!
I bet the residents are all Daily Mail readers!!
The FT has more comment on the housing crisis here.
I bet the residents are all Daily Mail readers!!
The FT has more comment on the housing crisis here.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May Day France
Huge demonstrations in France yesterday. Celebrating May Day by confronting the neo liberal agenda of the Sarkozy Government and the Bankers crisis caused by ruthless unregulated free enterprise policies around the world.
(piccie Telegraph)
World round up here from the NYT.
Visteon Workers improved offer. A Victory for workers in the Car Industry.
Unite negotiators seem to have concluded a deal, currently being put to balot, that vastly improves on what was originally offered. Basildon and Enfield have accepted and Belfast are voting this Sunday.
The occupation has paid off. The union mobilised and got what it deserved for its members.
Militancy isnt dead but is the only way to fight the Bankers crisis.
Guardian report.
The occupation has paid off. The union mobilised and got what it deserved for its members.
Militancy isnt dead but is the only way to fight the Bankers crisis.
Guardian report.
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