Nationwide campaign launched against attacked on Trade Union Rights

UNISON Pledges Nationwide Campaign Against Attacks on Trade Union Rights in Swindon

The Public Service Union, UNISON has pledged to fight a local, regional and national campaign to defend their local branch from the attacks being made on their leading activists, Bob Cretchley and Karla Bradford.

Swindon Council is consulting on removing the posts of the two lead representatives for the union, on 'efficiency' grounds and making them redundant by April.  These two representatives, who share a full time post, are elected by the 3000 members of the local branch and carry out trade union duties on behalf of all those members delivering services to the people of Swindon.

Joann Kaye, UNISON South West Regional Secretary, said:

"This is an appalling attack on the local union which would save an amount equivalent to less than a quarter of one millionth of a percent of the Council's budget, but which gives a voice to thousands of public service workers in Swindon.

"At a time when redundancies are being made, services privatised or outsourced to social enterprises and our members are struggling to do more at work with fewer staff as well as pay the bills and support their families, a trade union voice to speak out for them is absolutely vital.

"The Council has legal obligations to consult with their recognised unions and like nearly every other Council in the country they have met these obligations by funding central posts.  They now want to tear this agreement up and make our two representatives redundant.  This move is a textbook blueprint of the demands being made by radical Tory Groups such as the Trade Union Reform Campaign who want to see the rights to paid time off ended for Trade Unions, so that workers in public services have no one to speak out for them.  As well as seeking legal advice, we will fight a vigorous campaign."

The campaign has already received support from local and regional unions, the South West TUC, as well as support from national TUC sources such as Stronger Unions, who campaign on trade union rights.

A lobby is being called for 23 February at 6.00pm at the Council Offices in Euclid Street and UNISON have already received pledges of support from trade union branches across the region who will attend the lobby.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Joanne Kaye, Regional Secretary, UNISON South West on c/o 01823 285318

Or

Chris Howe, Regional Organiser, UNISON South West on c/o 011 7968 9479

Issued:  Friday, 17 February 2012

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