Jerry Hicks

Question: “What happens when the Anti Union Laws aren’t repealed”. Answer below.

Unite sparks on BBES voted for strike action [AGAIN] last week, with 66% in favour of strike [295 votes for / 145 votes against]. And 70% [313 votes for / 131 against] voted in favour of action short of a strike. So are we on strike then or what....................? Not exactly............................!

BBES ignored the result [AGAIN] and went running to the High Court [AGAIN] to prevent the strike going ahead, saying “not everyone was balloted”. And Unite? Well they said they would not even announce a strike date until after that date..............Umm, good move, Umm, not really. Ok but then what..........................?

A Barrister, ‘John Hendy’ QC represented Unite at the High Court on Thursday 2nd February but there was no result forthcoming and the case was adjourned until Monday 6th February, with the decision the next day, Tuesday 7th February. Are you still following this? Still no strike or even a date for the strike.............So what happened next.................?

The High Court judge said he could not give his decision until the following week, Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th [Valentines day, ah, nice touch!]. So what then.....................? If we get the decision on the 13th/14th, and the judge rules in our favour we still have to give BBES 7 days notice [by [anti union] law]. So earliest start of any strike action would be the 21st February. However, If the decision doesn’t go our way, Unite say they will........Ignore the decision? [We wish!] No, Unite say they will ballot again.

We have to prepare for action and continue the campaign whatever happens. A meeting was held in London this Monday and a ‘Strike Committee’ of 6 was elected from Balfour Beatty stewards, and it was agreed that as and when the official strike does begin, that there would be a programme of rolling/alternate strike action weeks. Meaning out for a week, and then back in for a week [with an overtime ban]. Then out for a week and back in for a week, and so on. Protests and Demo’s must and will continue.

Rank and File Committee members met with Unite on Wednesday evening and it was agreed to continue with the protests.

On Wednesday 15th February mass protests at the following sites......

Sellafield, Grangemouth, Ratcliffe and Concoco. The objective to be to shut these sites down for the day, or longer if we can. Note, Unite have agreed to lay on coaches to get people to these sites, contact Regional Offices. Importantly, if you get no joy immediately contact Unite [appointed official] Sharon Graham [organising team] 07976 844228 email sharon.graham@unitetheunion.org.

And as if that were not enough. In London also on the 15th February there will be a lobby at ECA/BESNA dinner and dance at Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, nearest tube Marble Arch get there for 5.30pm Dress code ‘casual chic’ [and maybe hard hats]. And the moral of this story? Next time Labour are in power. We don’t let them off the hook.We make sure they repeal the Anti Union laws or we don’t give em £10’s millions! Until then the fight goes on.

For more debate and discussion on the dispute........visit Electricians Against The World http ://www . jibelectrician . blogspot . com/ Get in touch with us by Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

Spread the word ‘NO TO BESNA YES TO STRIKE ACTION’!

Last week saw a number of very successful protests at NGB sites across England Scotland and Wales, with our Scottish brothers targeting a good few, nice one! Take a look at this film of the ‘Rank and File’ protest picket at the entrance to Hadrian Yard in Wallsend 27th Jan Where OGN are building an oil extraction platform for American firm Apache. It is a £150M, a 700 worker job. https://northern-indymedia.org/videos/2418

This week coming is a massive week for us all in the BESNA dispute. On the 2nd February we should have BBES ballot result. A yes vote is vital and any legal challenge should be met with the ultimate force by Unite. And ignored by responding in the only way we know best, with a call for ‘all out’ no matter what.

Come on Unite, ‘no more Mr nice guy’ we are being had over here! The ‘Rank and File’ have led the way since August last year and will continue to fight, but now Unite must show must show the BESNA 7 that we are all serious.

We mentioned last week about Unite having drafted in Kevin Coyne to head up the campaign assisted by Bernard McAuley. We now know that another official ‘Sharon Graham’ has been assigned to help with organising. We appreciate this but will be watching closely [we remember that Coyne who is as an appointed official back in 2008 ran against Derek Simpson on the right wing ticket for General Secretary finishing behind both Simpson and our own Jerry Hicks]. Has he now moved over to the left due to the ‘Rank and File’ tremendous actions in recent months?

Last Thursday a meeting was held in London with Unite officers and 6 Rank and File Committee members, a report will be given at the Birmingham meeting on the 4th February. Hopefully, Kevin Coyne will be there as well to give an update and answer any questions. We would love a big YES vote and a swift victory however the dispute may rumble on through February and past march if the BESNA 7 dig their heels in.

So we may have to change our tactics slightly this needs to be discussed at the Recalled’ National Rank and File meeting in Birmingham 4th Feb 1-4pm Carrs Lane Cantre, Carrs Lane. We do need to get a plan together for the actions to be taken the following week throughout the UK.

If anyone needs assistance with travel costs to Birmingham please let us know as soon as possible. Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com.

It’s already nasty and it’s going to get dirtier. We have been made aware that a Balfour Beatty boss was at a ‘Rank and File’ meeting in Scotland recently, we must be getting to them. Be wary of the bosses. It may be an idea to think of a pseudonym if you are asked for quotes or interviews at meetings or protests. Please be careful what you send out by email or text and facebook sites.

Actions planned so far this week that we know of:

Cardiff Wednesday 1st February 7am Llandough Hospital

Cardiff Wednesday 1st February 8am Balfours Office Rumney.

London Friday 3rd February 7am and 7pm day and night shift. Mass protest at Blackfriars BBES site

It may be worth targeting BBES sites in all areas on 3rd February? The day after ballot result we will leave that up to the various committees to decide. If we are in a strike situation let’s start how we mean to carry on....Taking the fight wherever the Rogue BESNA may be skulking and dancing!!......................

London 15th February marching from Victoria to ECA headquarters and then lobbying ECA ‘Dinner and Dance’ in the evening. Anyone fancy coming down to London contact your regional office for travel payments. Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

For more details of demos protests and meetings near you please visit.....

Electricians Against The World http ://www . jibelectrician . blogspot . com/

Get in touch with us by Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

Become a member/supporter. Get involved: Be part of it:
We have recently opened a ‘Grashttp://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8871345729829674215#editor/target=post;postID=4949948695735676254sroots Left’ bank account and are asking for donations/Standing orders/Membership.

1] Unite NEC Election Vote for Lesley Mansell ‘LGBT’ seat x

Balloting begins 30th January forms must to be returned by 22nd February.

Challenges by Unite to Lesley being able to stand for one of the newly established NEC seats ‘LGBT’, which were in my view completely frivolous, have been knocked back. That means there will be 3 candidates, the other 2 may well be OK but Lesley is outstanding.

- She will be the only one that calls for the members to decide who represents them by the election of all officials. - She will be the only one who calls for a fundamental change in Unites relationship with the Labour Party, funding only those MPs or councils who support our policies.

One million members will be getting a ballot paper and the election address, so this is our opportunity to engage with members with our unique arguments.

You will know who to talk to: Please get the message out there ‘VOTE FOR LESLEY MANSELL’ X

2] Grassroots/Rank and File branch organisation

Join the communication list of organised branches email Jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk -The objective: To co-ordinate branches with common issues, to can act collectively instead of individually– We can do this immediately by adopting this resolution at your branch meeting for Policy conference. ‘We call upon Unite to immediately offer re-instatement to any employee or officer of the union when an industrial tribunal finds Unite guilty of unfair dismissal’.

3] Grass Roots Left NEC: Held in London on 21st January

The meeting went really well, thanks to all those who travelled to be there and make the debate both interesting and wide ranging, plus some fantastic reports of local GRL activities and campaigns. Email jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk for a copy of the minutes available [when they are written up].

4] Simpson’s £’sss severance. It’s our money and we want it back.

No surprise but nonetheless still disappointing, we have had no response from Unite or the Trustees.So we plan the next step. Watch this space!

5] Rank and File ‘sparks’.

For the very latest, visit Electricians Against The world http://www.jibelectrician.blogspot.com/ or email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

6] UCATT General Secretary Election

Mick Dooley has lodged a complaint with the ‘Certification Officer’ re: being debarred from standing. We support in his challenge and will keep you updated.

Not in Unite? Come along or get in touch about meeting GRL supporters in your union or sector. Email jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk Tel 07817827912 Twitter www.unitegrassrootsleft.wordpress.com @jerryhicksUnite www.grassrootsleft.org

• Join the growing number of people who want to get the union/s back.
• Be part of the Grassroots Left
• Fighting for: Bottom up, member led, member controlled Unions.

Ballot papers gone out for BBES a yes vote is imperative for strike action to be able to begin on 9th February. This week coming is ‘NGB’ week where Rank and File sparks are hitting ‘NGB’ sites countrywide. It’s time to up our game. This is an important week of demonstrations and it is imperative that we make a huge impression on as many sites as we can.

That means this Wednesday 25th Jan in London we will target Kings Cross Station, platform 9/10 at 6.45am.

Manchester has chosen the Town Hall Wednesday 25th Jan.

Whilst in Scotland they have a number of protests planned for NG Bailey Week listed below.........

Monday 23rd Jan – Morrisons, Gallowgate, Glasgow at 7.30am then on to head office in Bellshill.

Tuesday 24th Jan – Gore Tex factory, Livingston at 7.15am.

Wednesday 25th Jan – Exhibition Centre, Edinburgh at 7.15am.

Friday 27th Jan – Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at 7.15am. Anyone want to travel to Aberdeen? Can you get in touch as soon as possible.

Saturday 28th Jan – Demo & Rally 10am Glasgow City Centre, John Smith House

Let’s have a huge turn out this week and show Baileys that we are not going away and show our support for the Bailey workers.

If you know of any ‘NGB’ site on your area please do your best to protest on the site, and hit it hard!

Unofficial action will also be needed to win this dispute and a total shutdown would be the answer.

We must prepare for this it’s a massive step because it will required if we are to give ourselves a greater a chance of winning. Also “If any stewards or workers are sacked during the coming weeks, a mass walkout must take place”.

25th January 6.30pm London Rank and File meeting in Conway Hall Holborn

The ‘recalled’ National Rank and File meeting in Birmingham 4th Feb 1-4pm Carrs Lane Cantre, Carrs Lane, is a very important meeting, we should have the ballot result plus first strike date by then, so we need to get a plan together the actions to be taken the following week throughout the UK. If anyone needs assistance with travel costs to Birmingham please let us know as soon as possible. Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

In a change at the top of Unite, Kevin Coyne a National Officer [appointed] has been drafted in to assist Bernard McAuley, which is badly needed. 4 National rank and File Committee members will be meeting with him [Kevin Coyne] and we will be able to discuss dispute and to make our feelings very clear, on Thursday 26th January at the Unite head office in London at 5.30pm. Let’s hope this is a change for the better.

Finally, on a different note ‘Blacklisted’ engineer and ex UCATT member, Dave Smith had his Industrial Tribunal last week against Carrillion for blacklisting him. Despite the revelations coming out in the tribunal about police involvement and Carrillion admitting that they did indeed ‘Blacklisted’ Dave, the case was lost! The Tribunal ruled that Dave was not an employee but that he had worked for various agencies, so much for justice!

We believe this case will now go to the Courts in Europe. Good luck Dave, keep up the fight brother and you can count on our support!

For more details of demos protests and meetings near you please visit.....

Electricians Against The World http ://www . jibelectrician . blogspot . com/
Get in touch with us by Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

Spread the word ‘NO TO BESNA YES TO STRIKE ACTION’!

Unite has announced a new ballot timetable of BBES. Ballot papers should be going out in the coming days. The result should be known by 2nd February, then Unite by law [anti union] has to give 7 days notice before any strike action can begin, that would bring us up to 9th February.

We have no doubt that it will be a resounding YES vote again maybe with an even bigger majority than the last time. All being well [get it right eh!] we will be on strike this time with no challenges from Balfours. However, Unite will not be balloting NGB or SPIE Mathew. They say that we “have not enough members yet”. How can this be? What have the officials been doing for the last 6 months? Get your finger out and recruit!

Even so, on February 9th we should be seeing strike action at BBES. That being the case, we must hit every Balfour site in the country no matter how big or small, even if they have no workers directly employed, they love an agency do Balfours. Unite must give full backing to the ‘rank and file’ by providing us with buses to ferry pickets around, seeing as Unite has members who are bus drivers, we can’t go wrong!

A strike fund must be set up as well as supplying us with ‘flags’ ‘banners’ and ‘placards’. Every single construction officer should be on standby for picketing, get your donkey jackets out of the cupboard, even a few oil drums, and get the fires going, set up proper picket lines. United as one to defeat the BESNA 7!

If things kick off with BBES in February, no doubt other sites will support the BBES strike and walkout in solidarity with their brothers. We need to and can escalate the strike to a national stoppage.

Rank and File national meeting report

Last Saturday 14th there was a national ‘Rank and File’ meeting in Birmingham, with more than 80 in attendance, including sparks from Scotland, London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle. Gail Cartmail Unite AGS [appointed] gave an update on the dispute, the ballot, and plans for the future. A proposal was put to Cartmail by the meeting for: An ELECTED rank and File member to be taken on by Unite’ in every region as organisers for the dispute.

The aim would be for them to visit sites informing workers about the dispute, and recruiting as many new members as possible. There are some brilliant activists, ex shop stewards who are blacklisted and unemployed who we know would do a fantastic job for Unite. Cartmail agreed that she would put the proposal to the general secretary Len McCluskey.

The meeting of ‘rank and file’ also agreed to target NGB across the country week beginning 23rd January. They [NGB] have a sites in nearly every big City.

The biggest decision with the greatest potential effect was when the meeting agreed that “If any stewards or workers are sacked during the coming weeks, a mass walkout will take place".

The meeting concluded with a decision to meet again in Birmingham on 4th February, where we can plan around the strike action [pending the result].

Spread the word ‘NO TO BESNA YES TO STRIKE ACTION’!
Some planned demo’s/Protests to look out for:

18th January London 6.45am T Clarks, Park House, Oxford Street.

18th Wed January London 6.30pm Unite Construction Branch Meeting Conway Hall.

18th Wed January Cardiff 7.00am Spie Mathew Hall, Llandough Hospital.

21st Saturday January Cardiff 10.30 Rank & File meeting Unite HQ Cathedral Rd.

25th January London 6.45am NGB Cross Rail Kings Cross Station Platform 9/10.

* NATIONAL PROTESTS ON NGB SITES THAT WEEK DETAILS TO FOLLOW *

25th January London 6.30pm Rank and File Meeting Conway Hall Holborn.

2 Feb Wed January London 6.45am GRATTES Victoria.

We need to build up numbers on all the protests so spread the word, don’t sit in doors expecting others to fight the fight, we owe it to our class, our children and grandchildren.

The Rogue 7 are determined to get this BENSA through, we must be even more determined and resolute to force the contract where the sun don’t shine. And then sort out the whole JIB agreement by starting afresh. And perhaps getting a national rate across the country for all sparks no more ‘London weighting’ or ‘country rates’. How about £25 an hour as a starting point?
We should push for elected ‘Rank and File’ members to be part of a negotiating team and then a vote on a new deal.

No more sweetheart deals thank-you very much!
For more details of demos protests and meetings near you please visit:

Electricians Against The World http ://www . jibelectrician . blogspot . com/

Get in touch with us by Email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey has launched a stinging attack on the Labour leader Ed Miliband claiming that he {Miliband] is “leading Labour to destruction”. McCluskey lambasts the Labour leader for “failing to support millions of low paid trade unionists” and thereby “disenfranchising the party’s [Labour] core support”.

All this ire from a union leader so influential, and rightfully so, but McCluskey not once mentions that he supported Ed Miliband's leadership bid, he urged 1.3million members to vote for him and gave Ed Miliband £100,000 of members' money so he could campaign to become Labour leader.

Worse still, in my view, Unite and Len McCluskey ensured that John McDonnell would not get on the ballot paper, thus preventing members from having a real choice. Strange seeing as it is McDonnell not Miliband who has always mirrored Unite’s policies on repeal of anti union laws and has a record of unwavering support for workers in struggle.

At first glance of McCluskey‘s outpourings, one might think that Ed Milliband has suddenly and out of the blue made a dramatic rightwards shift in his position.

Does McCluskey not remember a year ago in April 2011 Milliband’s ‘Blue Labour’ hit the headlines. Then weeks later in June he failed to support ¼ million striking public sector workers, some of the poorest paid workers, for what he called ‘irresponsible strikes’, insulting all those prepared to fight.

A month later in July, he refused to speak at the Durham Miners Gala which is always attended by over 100,000 trade unionists and natural Labour voters.

By November last year the Labour leader surpassed himself even by his standards when not backing over one million trade unionists [Unite included] who were taking part in the biggest strike in recent history over cuts to their pensions.

McCluskey criticises aplenty and I agree with his comments, but he should have seen it coming, he has been slow to speak out, and he offers no alternative and no solution.

There is an alternative, and my position is clear and consistent. Unite should only fund the Labour Party when it supports our union's policies. I say to McCluskey “Stop wringing your hands, stop moaning and stop funding them!”

This should be the day we say “Defy the cuts, confront the anti union laws and follow the lead given by construction workers, by supporting demonstrations, walkouts and occupations.”

The bosses of the banks and financial institutions caused this crisis. That is why we should not pay the price in cuts to jobs, pay, pensions and services. The very rich and big business owe us the debt and they should be paying the price. They have failed to pay £120 billion in non-collected tax. Tax the banking bosses’ bonuses along with the profits of big business. End the foreign adventures; bring the troops and warplanes home.

In times of crisis good judgement is crucial. Oh Len [McCluskey], I can’t seem to stop myself humming the ‘Con’[nie] Francis song ‘Who's sorry now’?

1] Grassroots Left National Conference
...was held in Birmingham on November 5th and was a great success. Debate, discussion and decisions including the election of a Chair [Jerry Hicks]: Secretary [Gerry Downing]: and a Treasurer [Ian Scott] and an NEC, all to serve for 12 months.

2] Unite NEC Election
...for the 2 additional NEC Equality seats. Grassroots Left supporter Lesley Mansell far exceeded the required number of nominations required to stand for the equality seat in the forthcoming NEC election. Outrageously, however, she has been informed that Unite are challenging her eligibility to stand. We are on to it and will contest the challenge. Lesley’s letter to branches, when seeking nomination struck a real chord with members. In my view, it is the principles and politics including the call for the election of all officials and for confronting anti union laws that has led to Unite seeking to debar Lesley from standing, to stop getting to our million plus members with that message.

3] Grassroots/Rank and File branch organisation
........I have sent a letter to all those branches that nominated [me] in the last General Secretary election, floating the idea of a Grassroots/rank and file branch organisation. All too often when a branch contacts the union they are completely ignored. So our objective is to co-ordinate branches with common issues, to act collectively instead of individually. I can say that I have already had an excellent response. Please let me know if you want to be involved. Jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk

4] Reinstate Unite organiser ‘Kevin Robins’
.......We believe he has been unfairly dismissed, in fact victimised by Unite simply for doing what Unite officials should be doing – Standing up for workers. Kevin is a Grassroots Left supporter, a member of Unite and the GMB union, as many of Unite's employees are. However, throughout Kevin’s 12 month suspension and 7 months imposed “gardening leave" followed by his sacking, his requests for help and support as a Unite member were denied.

Our demand is that Unite should reinstate him immediately. Notwithstanding that, if Kevin is successful in what almost certainly will be a tribunal case against Unite, then the union should honour the tribunals’ decision and reinstate Kevin. Please raise this at your branch/workplace and write to Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey. We need to investigate why Unite is letting down members and attacking employees who want to improve the union.

Kevin can be contacted on (mob) 07952321675 or by his email ks.robins@virgin.net

5] Grass Roots Left NEC: Saturday January 21st 12pm to 4pm
Upstairs in the Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Road, London NW1 1HB - Everyone welcome [though only elected members can vote, should that arise].

6] Simpson’s £’sss severance. It’s our money and we want it back.
.........To give Unite one last chance to ‘do the right thing’ I have written to the Union’s Trustees setting out the case and method by which to pursue and retrieve £1/3 million of our money. If you would like a copy of the letter [6 pages] let me know jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk

7] GRL leaflets ‘DIY’
........Many 'Grassroots Left supporters’ are raising their own leaflets on issues affecting them, e.g. in Birmingham, Northampton and most recently London GRL have raised leaflets around two separate bus disputes and also for the recent PCS Left Unity conference. Let me know if you would like me to email copies of the leaflets jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk

8] Rank and File ‘sparks’ National meeting
..........14th January, Birmingham, 1pm-4pm, Carr's Lane Centre, Carr's Lane. Only 10mins walk from New Street Station. All welcome. For details of the dispute and dates for demos/protests take a look at Electricians Against The world http://www.jibelectrician.blogspot.com/ or email siteworkers@virginmedia.com

9] UCATT election for General Secretary
...took place without Mick Dooley as a candidate, who was disgracefully debarred from standing. He is challenging that decision; we offer him our support in his challenge and will keep you updated.

Finally, we have recently opened a ‘Grassroots Left’ bank account [Just waiting for the paperwork / account details] and will be asking for donations very soon.