PCS picket line

Lively and enthusiastic picket line at Worcester Street Job Centre with reports coming in from accross Oxfordshire of the best ever response in a number of workplaces.

Member out in Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Didcot and Witney

PCS have members out across Oxfordshire and have just heard that High Wycombe has had its best response in years. Only managers are keeping offices open.

Joint the Oxford picket at Worcester Street Job Centre.

141 Schools Closing

Where have Michael Gove's bullying tactics got him? Teachers and head teachers in Oxfordshire know better.

They know that pension changes are part of the slow death of the education system as we know it.

We will not stand back and let this happen!

Support tomorrow's strike.

PCS Update - One Day to Go

Reps at one job centre took laptops and stood outside the office. They got each member of staff to put their details into a pensions calculator and signed up loads of staff to the union. People are joining up to the union to strike when they realise how much they are going to lose. It's a matter of losing one day's pay now or losing a day's pay every month for the rest of your working life.

139 Schools to Close and Rising!

139 schools across Oxfordshire have announced full or partial closure due to strikes by NUT and ATL tomorrow over pensions.  Teachers' unions are taking action alongside colleagues in the UCU and PCS in what will be the first co-ordianted national action against the ConDem government.

 

In comparison to the 53 schools affected during pay strikes in 2008, this is a real increase, reflecting members anger about government proposals.  the government plans to impose changes which will mean teachers and other public sector workers working longer, paying more and receiving less when they retire.

 

There will be picket lines at:

Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (Oxpens Site) from 7am

Job Centre (Worcester Street) from 7.30am

Oxofrd & Cherwell Valley College (BBL Site) from 8am

any support would be greatly appreciated.

 

Striking workers will gather from 12noon in Oxford Town Hall and there will be a solidarity demonstration from 12.30pm at Carfax.

 

From 1.30pm, workers will march to Broad Street for a public rally.

 

Messages of solidarity can be emailed to June30@odtuc.org.uk or texted to 07967392229.

 

Regular updates will be uploaded during the day.

SE Anti-Cuts

Attended a useful and inspiring meeting of anti-cuts groups in Brighton this weekend. There were groups from across south east England and a range of different experiences, but with some definite commonalities.

The focus was on sharing experience and learning from each other. It was amazing how much similarity there was between campaigns which have developed from very different beginnings, particularly in terms of the diversity of groups involved. One lesson which followed directly from this was the need for broad anti-cuts groups to support and communicate, rather than attempt to direct, local activity.

The public sector strikes on June 30th were a major item of discussion. Groups talked about what unions were planning in their local area and how best anti-cuts groups could support actions on the day.

There was also some really useful sharing of practical ideas on publicity, fundraising and involving a range of different organisations and individuals. I certainly came away re-invigorated and enthusiastic.

Brighton Stop the Cuts Coalition should be congratulated on organising the day and I look forward to working with friends across the South East in the near future.

Strike Ballot Opens

Following a unanimous vote for action over pensions at the NUT conference in April, the ballot itself opens today.

Under the government's proposals, eachers will be asked to work until 68, pay up to double the current level of contributions and receive a massively reduced pension at the end of their working life.  In response, the NUT is balloting members for discontinuous action with the first day planned for 30th June.

UCU has already won a ballot over pensions, having taken action in March, and ATL and PCS are also balloting for the same date.  The NAHT and ASCL conferences have also voted to consider strike action so it looks like the beginnings of co-ordinated public sector action over pensions may well be upon us.

However, a number of major public sector unions are not yet at the stage of balloting for action so it looks like a fully united campaign may yet be some way off.

The trades council is looking to support action on June 30th through a number of initiatives.  If you might be able to give some time to help build for the day, please email June30@odtuc.org.uk to be put in touch with the unions directly.