Argos Heywood this morning

I popped down to show my support for the UNITE members at the Argos Heywood distribution centre this morning.
Outrageously, the courts had awarded an injunction against UNITE, preventing the majority of members taking part in peaceful picketing. It is a disgrace that the anti-union laws remain on the statute book after 11 years of a so-called Labour government.

A local UNISON member had brought them some breakfast. I think they could also have done with some waterproofs earlier in the day!

Many of the workers are on as little as £17,000 a year, but were offered a below inflation pay deal with strings at a time when the Home Retail Group's profits are up 16% on last year's profits of £423 million. Last year, the boss of Argos, Terry Duddy was rewarded with a 58% increase in his salary package to take it to over £1.7m.

Send messages of support and donations to Gary Unsworth, UNITE Branch Secretary, 44 Holthouse Road, Tottington, Bury BL8 3LA. Cheques should be made out to Heywood No 6/202 branch TGWU.

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Argos out again

UNITE members working in Argos distribution centres have rejected the improved pay offer made after their previous strikes, and are out on strike again.

The strikes are being staggered across various distribution depots from 30 July to 5 August.

Let's make sure they get full support and we get another much needed win to protect living standards from rampant inflation.

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Winning is important

At the moment, working people have much to be angry about, but our confidence and organisation is only beginning to regrow.

In these circumstances, it is really important that we have some wins and that we celebrate our successes - to raise confidence and expectations and make it easier to win more.

So it's really good to see a series of wins this year. UNITE members at Ineos Grangemouth fended off attacks on their pensions. Shell tanker drivers in UNITE won a stunning victory over pay. Manchester Airport workers in UNITE won an extra 1.5% backdated on their pay after threatening strike action. CWU activist Pat Carmody who was key to unonising Pell & Bales' call centre has been reinstated after a lively campaign. And now we hear that UNITE members at Argos are considering an increased pay offer after striking.

Can you see the pattern? Where we stand up for ourselves, stick together and refuse to get knocked off course by political or media pressure - we often win.

This should be shouted from the rooftops. If we can keep building up this momentum then unions can really grow and really make a difference for working people.

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Pay fights hotting up

With inflation high thanks to food & fuel prices, the fight to protect our living standards is vital for working people.

This week will see several important struggles which all trade unionists should get behind. A few more victories like Shell would do us the world of good!

Local Authorities
UNITE members in local authorities will be striking over pay on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July, alongside colleagues from UNISON.

Manchester Airport
UNITE members working for Initial Cleaners at Manchester airport will be striking over pay for three days from 6am Thursday 17th July to 6am Sunday 20th July.

This is a very low paid group of workers, so financial support will be particularly important. Cheques payable to "UNITE 6/577a Branch" can be sent to Marie Jockins, 12 Horrocks Close, Huyton, L31 7UJ.

Argos Distribution
UNITE members working at Argos distribution centres are striking over pay. There will be 24 hour strikes on 17th and 24th July, followed by staggered 4-day strikes in early August.

NHS Pay
It's not a strike - yet - but UNITE is organising protests about NHS pay on Friday 18th July.

Manchester Pay Rally
Plans are taking shape for a pay rally in central Manchester at 12 noon on Thursday 17th July, hopefully bringing together several of the strikes.

Bolton Schools Strike
NUT and UNISON members at Withins school in Bolton will be striking on Tuesday 15th July against it being turned into an "Academy". I believe the Hayward school will also be out. Nice timing if the local authority strike closes it for the following two days as well!

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