On 17 June Cleaning Workers from all over the world will be holding protests and events to mark their own International Justice for Cleaners Day. Covering airports across Europe, the US and Australia, over 35 International airports and national railway networks will be taking part in the action.
    The events have been organised by the ISS Cleaners Activists Network. The activists have been meeting with the assistance of UNI Global Union and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI).

They have called for this action in order to raise awareness of the fact that Cleaners are often abused and exploited in casualised, low pay companies but who provide a vital service. They have drawn up a Cleaners Charter which is now to be presented to companies across Europe asking them to sign it and support its aims. The Charter is designed to prevent a `race to the bottom` on cleaning contracts whereby contracts are awarded only on price.

This `cost only` approach often means Cleaners working with clothing and equipment that needs replacing, Cleaners taking health and safety risks, Cleaners not receiving the benefits of other workers, lots of night and early morning shift work and is mainly part time. Most Cleaning staff are women and a large minority of them are immigrant workers which bring their own level of problems.

The date is chosen as it is close to the 15 June which is the anniversary of the Police attack on the Justice for Janitors campaign in Los Angeles in 1990, an event that is still remembered across the US. In return SEIU members in the US will be holding protests to link up with the European workers and the United Voice trade union in Australia will doing the same as part of their `Clean Start`campaign.

In the UK Cleaners will be on strike – PCS members who are employed by the Law Courts and Tribunals Service. Also Unite will have Cleaners on strike at Manchester airport. Danish Cleaners are currently on strike. There is a generalised feeling that Cleaners are now beginning to get organised in unions and have plenty of issues to organise around.

For up to date information on International Justice Day for Cleaners visit their Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/InternationalJusticeDayForCleaners1762013

BRANCH PAY BALLOT RESULT

ballots sent out    5130
ballots returned    902 (17.5%)

accept offer           640 (71%)
reject offer            262  (29%)

UNISON NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS 2013





BRANCH NOMINATIONS - the following candidates have been nominated by this branch
DAVE AUGER - WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL MALE SEAT
GLEN KELLY - LOCAL GOVERNMENT MALE SEAT
PAUL HOLMES - LOCAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SEAT
APRIL ASHLEY - NATIONAL BLACK MEMBERS FEMALE SEAT
HUGO PIERRE - NATIONAL BLACK MEMBERS MALE SEAT

Balllot papers will be sent to members’ home or other notified address. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the Independent Scrutineer. All voting will be by post.

The despatch of ballot papers to individual members will begin on 22 April 2013.  

If individual members have not received a paper by 29 April 2013 then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect on the following telephone number: 0845 355 0845

Lines are open from 6am to midnight Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968. 

UNISON REJECTS PAY OFFER AS DERISORY!
At a meeting of the NJC (the elected body which negotiates with the Employer) on February 27th the Employers latest pay offer was unanimously rejected and it was agreed that that members would be consulted as regards industrial action.
It was recognised that members facing as they do job cuts , restructures and attacks to terms and conditions may not be up for taking action, but it was also recognised that the idea that we were somehow 'trading pay for jobs' was not the case and that our failure to pursue a substantial pay claim had not saved one job in Local Government!
As such it is no longer a case as to whether we can do nothing , we have no choice but to fight for better pay. and as activists we will need to go out to members and convicne them of the arguements as to why we must fight on pay

Below are minutes of the NJC meeting

Employers Pay Offer

Report from Heather Wakefield (Head of Local Government)

Option 1

1% on all payscales

unilateral arbitration clause replaced by bilateral reference”- HW comment employers have not complied with unilateral arbitration for some years.

“Joint statement providing note of the issues on which both sides agree to commence serious discussions”.

Employers want to cherry pick even if changes were agreed there would be no uplift where local negotiations have resulted in lower terms!

Option 2 HW called “Punishment Option” employers response to not agreeing option 1!

1% on pay points 4 to 10

0.6% on pay points 11 and above

Likelihood of imposition? HW “would not surprise me in the least”

Employers side would it is believed consult all employers on whether NJC should only discuss pay and T+Cs would be kept to local negotiation.

GMB – Reluctant to reject offer but it is believed that if UNISON did accept – GMB would reject!!

Decision agreed – Reject both derisory options and consult Branches on rejection and possible industrial action.

Motion from North West

After some debate as to whether it could be debated (it could)

It was agreed with one abstention.

The motion recognises that whilst there may not currently be the mood for a fight on pay among our members UNISON believes it is imperative we must build for that fight