The following encouraging developments on the industrial front highlight two of the strategies discussed and debated at the Third Global Commune event, the report of which can be found at:-<\/p>\n
Following negotiations with the cleaning contractor LCC, who covers\u00a0contracts at the prestigious Heron Tower – the IWW Cleaners and Allied Grades Branch has secured significant gains to the benefit of our\u00a0low-paid.<\/p>\n The IWW had launched a campaign to secure full payment of the living\u00a0wage \u00a38.30 per-hour for, a resolution of staff shortages, issues of\u00a0\u00a0unfair dismissal and anti-union conduct by management.<\/p>\n The IWW has reached an agreement which has secured full-payment of the\u00a0London Living Wage with back pay until May 2011, the staff shortage to\u00a0be filled and confirmation of the trade union rights of workers.\u00a0Further discussions are underway on a recognition agreement with the\u00a0IWW.<\/p>\n As result the IWW Cleaners Branch and London Delegates Committee has\u00a0cancelled the demonstration called for tonight {19.8.11} at the Heron Tower. We\u00a0thank all trade unionists and fellow workers for their solidarity and support.<\/p>\n Once again the independent workers union the IWW has shown that direct\u00a0action and solidarity of all union members in support of each other achieves results in the interests of our members.<\/p>\n The message to cleaners across London is clear \u2013 don\u2019t live in fear \u2013\u00a0get organised!<\/p>\n Alberto Durango, Latin American Workers Association, IWW<\/p>\n Northampton\u00a0grandfather\u00a0Brian Higgins\u00a0this week achieved a major breakthrough in his campaign against the illegal blacklisting of trade unionists. On Thurs 30th June 2011, Brian Higgins\u00a0secretary of Northampton branch of UCATT\u00a0(the building workers union), led\u00a0a delegation of trade unionists\u00a0from the\u00a0Blacklist Support Group\u00a0to Brussels to\u00a0hold\u00a0private talks with\u00a0L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Andor, European Union Commissioner\u00a0with responsibility for\u00a0Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion<\/cite>\u00a0to discuss potential EU wide legislation to outlaw blacklisting. (Photo attached – see Editors Notes)<\/p>\n During the 45 minute meeting,\u00a0Commissioner Andor\u00a0was presented with documentary evidence in the form secret blacklist files kept about trade unionists in the UK construction industry. The files were compiled by the\u00a0Consulting Association\u00a0and provide damning evidence that major multi-national building firms systematically dismissed and victimised workers who raised concerns about health & safety issues or unpaid wages (see Editors Notes). The largest blacklist file in the country relates to\u00a0Brian Higgins (49 pages).<\/p>\n The secret files contain appalling levels of personal intrusion with sensitive information including; names, addresses, national insurance number, work history, medical history, press-cuttings, union meetings attended, speeches made, political affiliations. Many entries on the blacklist files are supplied by senior Industrial Relations managers from major construction firms relating to when an individual had spoken to their site managers about safety breaches such as asbestos or poor toilet facilities.\u00a0The information in the blacklist files was circulated amongst multi-national building firms and used to deny workers employment on major construction projects. For many blacklisted workers this resulted in repeated sackings and long-term unemployment merely because they had raised concerns about\u00a0 safety on building sites.<\/p>\n Ex-bricklayer, Brian Higgins\u00a0said after the meeting:<\/p>\n The Blacklist is an economic , social and political prison in which I have served a life sentence and others continue to be imprisoned. My wife and family also suffered because of the terrible pressure which resulted from us only having my wife’s wages to hold things together. But my message for those who caused this is, it was difficult , extremely so at times, however we did hold it together and stayed together in spite of you and your Blacklist. We refused to let you grind us down and I’m still fighting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Brian\u00a0Higgins\u00a0added<\/p>\n When Northampton Ucatt Branch initiated a campaign for an EU Law against industrial blacklisting to try to counter dreadful performances of Ucatt and Unite General Secretaries and lawyers after the discovery of the Consulting Association Blacklist and contacted Glenis Willmott MEP. They could never imagine their secretary would end up with other blacklisted trade unionists and the Blacklist Support Group, a law professor and Stephen Hughes MEP at a meeting with Lazlo Andor the EU Commissioner in Brussels and get his sympathy in return.\u00a0The genuinely positive response from Commissioner Andor exceeded all our expectations – It is truly amazing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The construction companies identified as participating in the blacklisting operation include household names based and operating across Europe including: Skanska (Sweden), Bam (Netherlands), Vinci (France), Laing O\u2019Rourke (Ireland), Sir Robert McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Costain, Carillion (UK) to name but a few. (See Editors Notes)<\/p>\n Also attending the meeting was\u00a0Professor Keith Ewing\u00a0from Kings College London (a leading academic in international law and human rights issues) who presented possible legislative options open to the European Union highlighting the fact that many of the companies involved in the blacklist were European based.\u00a0 He also drew attention to the fact that blacklisting violates many provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that the EU had the authority and responsibility to respond to this major violation of health and safety standards.<\/p>\n The meeting was arranged by\u00a0Stephen Hughes MEP\u00a0and\u00a0Glenis Willmott MEP\u00a0(Labour\u2019s Leader in Europe Parliament) who are taking up the issue in the European Parliament.<\/p>\n Stephen Hughes MEP\u00a0said:<\/p>\n Blacklisting is a genuine issue which affects all member states and I will work with colleagues to address this serious concern and apply parliamentary pressure to trigger action.<\/p>\n This meeting is the beginning, not the end, of a process. Once we have planted the seed with Commissioner Andors, we will follow up with action in the European Parliament’s Employment Committee and the full Parliament. It will take time but we don’t give up easily!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The right to join a trade union and not be be victimised because of it is enshrined in Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights but lack of any specific EU wide legislation against blacklisting of individuals for safety reasons means that thousands of workers have suffered appalling financial and family hardship because of the covert actions of multi-national building firms.<\/p>\n Brian Higgins\u00a0added:<\/p>\n We have been victimised by these firms just because we have stood up for safety issues; a cabin to dry wet clothes, asbestos, holiday pay. For many of us this conspiracy has meant years on the dole and family strains. But we are not just fighting for ourselves. This evil practice is almost certainly taking place in other industries and across Europe.\u00a0I refuse to stop campaigning for the trade union rights on safety, working conditions and wages the blacklist is meant to prevent us doing. Now we’re taking the fight to Europe on behalf of workers here and the likes of Poland, Spain, Ireland and Greece. In fact anywhere blacklisting is going on.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Notes to Editors:<\/p>\n 1. For individual interviews with the delegation about the talks with EU Commissioner Andor & their personal experience of blacklisting contact\u00a0blacklistsg@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Attached photo shows (Left to Right): Professor Keith Ewing, Brian Higgins, Stephen Hughes MEP, EU Commissioner L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Andor, Steve Acheson<\/p>\n 3. The blacklisting of trade unionists in the construction industry was only exposed after an investigation by the Information Commissioners Office (UK data-protection watchdog) in 2009. The companies identified by the Information Commissioners Office as using The Consulting Association secret blacklisting are all household names including:<\/p>\n Amec, Amey, B Sunley & Sons, Balfour Beatty, Balfour Kilpatrick, Ballast Wiltshire, Bam Construction (HBC Construction), Bam Nuttall (Edmund Nutall Ltd), C B & I, Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd, Costain UK Ltd, Crown House Technologies, Carillion, Tarmac Construction, Diamond M & E Services, Dudley Bower & Co Ltd, Emcor (Drake & Scull), Emcor Rail, G Wimpey Ltd, Haden Young, Kier Ltd, John Mowlem Ltd, Laing O\u2019Rourke, Lovell Construction (UK) Ltd, Miller Construction Limited, Morgan Ashurst, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction Group, N G Bailey, Shepherd Engineering Services, Sias Building Services, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, Skanska (Kaverna \/ Trafalgar House Plc), SPIE (Matthew Hall), Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd, Turriff Construction Ltd, Tysons Contractors, Walter Llewellyn & Sons Ltd, Whessoe Oil & Gas, Willmott Dixon, Vinci PLC (Norwest Holst Group)<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Blacklist Support Group\u00a0was set-up to act as a support network on behalf of the 3216 individuals on the\u00a0Consulting Associationdatabase following a meeting held at the House of Commons in June 2009 organised by\u00a0John McDonnell MP.\u00a0The Blacklist Support Group has led the campiagn against blacklisting by organsing fringe meetings at union conferences, entered submissions to proposed legislation, organising direct action, produced campaign video’s and is currently involved with a variety of legal challenges.<\/p>\n also see:-\u00a0Brian Higgins Anti Blacklist Campaign<\/a><\/p>\n and:-\u00a0Campaign To Fight The Blacklist And To Support Brian Higgins<\/a>;<\/p>\n Gerry Hicks stood as the Rank and File candidate For UNITE.\u00a0 Len McCluskey won as the \u2018left\u2019 bureaucrat. Gerry came second and has continued with the work of building a rank and file movement.\u00a0 Below is a report of a recent rank and file meeting in London.<\/p>\n 500 Electricians and pipefitters sent out a clear message to JIB\/HVCA employers and Unite the union that they will not accept the de-skilling of their trade or the pay cuts to their national agreements. The meeting, on Saturday 13 August, was organised by Unite rank and file activists from London and the south coast. Conway Hall was packed, standing room only.<\/p>\n The main issues were the pay cuts 8 firms had said they would be implementing in March 2012. There would be 3 new grades for electricians – metalworker \u00a310.50 per hour, \u00a312 for wiring, \u00a314 for terminating. At the moment electrician\u2019s JIB rate is \u00a316.25p per hour across the board.<\/p>\n The meeting opened and elected a Chairperson, who gave an excellent speech saying, it was time for everyone present to stand up and fight these attacks all the way, to spread the word on sites and in their workplaces. It was not about blaming overseas workers, it was our fight and we must be united, disciplined and determined. The battle begins right here right now. We must win this fight. Future generations are depending on us. He also stated the idea that forming a new union should not be considered. It had been tried and had failed miserably in the past with EPIU. Now we are back in the same union we are far stronger.<\/p>\n A blacklisted electrician was the first speaker and was given a standing ovation for his incredible work fighting the blacklist.<\/p>\n Jerry Hicks was up next and gave a thunderous speech, which was wildly applauded. \u201cJERRY JERRY JERRY JERRY!\u201d the crowd chanted. The mood was electric, the biggest meeting since 2000 – the days of the Jubilee Line.<\/p>\n There were then discussions from the floor and questions and answers to 2 London officials who were really put on the spot about Amicus\/EETPU failings in the past. Even with the new union many of the old guard are still in control, the bad old days of Tom Hardacre are still hanging around with mistrust in new officers. Time will tell whether Bernard Mcauley and his new team are any different.<\/p>\n The rank and file made it very clear that Unite need to perform in this current dispute or the anger shown by many at the meeting will be vented at them. A motion was passed unanimously that \u2018Unite must immediately ballot members who are working for JIB firms who have been told that the terms and conditions will be changing in March 2012, and a campaign must be set up by Unite, distributing leaflets to all sites around the country opposing these attacks on our industry and to have regular feedback to the members.\u2019 It was agreed to call for unofficial action ASAP on large sites and that other sites should come out in solidarity, rather than wait for a ballot, as this would put the whole issue out in the open.<\/p>\n A national rank and file committee was elected by those in attendance: 2 electricians, 2 pipefitters, 1 for the civil and also Jerry Hicks.<\/p>\n Moving forward, there is a stewards meeting in Leeds 17th August. 2 from the elected committee will be going, armed with the motion and a mandate from 500 people. Further rank and file meetings will be held around the country in the coming months, one before Xmas maybe in Manchester or Liverpool and also other areas next year. This new movement is on a high and we can spread the mood around the country and throughout construction. There will be attacks on other trades too. We should try and build things involving UCATT and GMB members as well.<\/p>\n Finally from the Chair of the meeting, \u201cI personally felt proud and extremely happy as I supped a cold pint of Fosters after the meeting. Thanks to everyone involved – booking of the hall, contact lists, leafleting, and a magnificent collection too, many thanks to one and all. Our time has come comrades, let\u2019s not miss this opportunity. In solidarity\u201d.<\/p>\n (Some names have been left out deliberately to guard against any employer retribution.) riot in the city \u2013 the editorial discusses the crisis in capitalism and our communities<\/a><\/p>\n no state bans \u2013 on self-defeating calls for a ban on EDL protests<\/a><\/p>\n struggles news in brief \u2013 an overview of different struggles happening at present<\/p>\n news and local perspectives on the riots<\/p>\n liverpool: police on the offensive \u2013 James Roberts writes on the attacks on young people in Merseyside, and the community response to the riots.<\/a><\/p>\n peckham: the fury must not be forgotten \u2013 Sharon Borthwick reports on the riots in south-east London<\/p>\n ruling class justice system shows its true face \u2013 Taimour Lay explains the meaning of the post-riot show trials<\/p>\n riots analysis<\/p>\n Our website featured an extensive debate on the riots, and many more views than could be fit into the paper can be found there.<\/p>\n \u2026or does it explode? \u2013 Joe Thorne introduces the debate<\/a><\/p>\n nothing to lose, nothing to win \u2013 David Broder explains what he sees as the political vacuum underlying the riots<\/a><\/p>\n when \u2018normal\u2019 behaviour is meaningless \u2013 Clifford Biddulph argues for an engagement with the chaotic and elemental nature of class struggle<\/a><\/p>\n economy<\/p>\n unhappy economies: greek debt, PIIGS and eurozone crisis \u2013 Oisin Mac Giollamoir explains the current european crisis and the relationship between debt and class struggle<\/a><\/p>\n giz a fightback \u2013 Terry Liddle reflects on his experience of the 1980s unemployed movement<\/p>\n education<\/p>\n 200 day occupation delivers \u2013 Liam Turbett reports on Glasgow students\u2019 victorious uni occupation<\/a><\/p>\n why is there class in the classroom? \u2013 Dave Spencer explores the reasons for working class under-achievement in the classroom<\/p>\n libya<\/p>\n any hope for libya? \u2013 Joe Thorne writes on NATO\u2019s role in post-Gaddafi Libya<\/a><\/p>\n ___________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n in the commune<\/p>\n Clifford Biddulph suggests that we need to find a way to engage with the contradictory and elemental nature of class conflict in events like the recent riots:-<\/p>\n When Normal Behaviour Is Meaningless<\/a><\/p>\n Javaad Alipoor continues our debate on the meaning of the UK\u2019s riots:-<\/p>\n no justice no peace: the riot is the rhyme of the unheard, let us begin to listen.<\/a><\/p>\n Joe Thorne looks for the meaning of the recent wave of inner city riots<\/p>\n or does it explode<\/a>?<\/p>\n David broder explains what he sees as the political vacuum underlying the riots<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nReport of the Third Global Commune Event<\/a><\/p>\n\n
1. IWW \u2013 Major Gains at Heron Tower Dispute<\/h2>\n
2.Brian Higgins and the Anti-Blacklist Campaign Success at Brussels<\/h2>\n
3. London: Report of the fantastic \u2018Rank & File\u2019 construction workers meeting.<\/h2>\n
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\nthe commune free issue 2 can be downloaded at:- the commune<\/a><\/p>\nDEBATE ON THE RIOTS<\/h2>\n