Busy days in Manchester

There's a busy few days coming up for the trade union movement in Manchester.

On Saturday, there's a rank-and-file meeting of electricians at noon in Manchester's Mechanics Institute, building the campaign in construction against major contractors trying to back out of the JIB agreement, deskill the work and dramatically slash pay.

On Sunday, we have the TUC "March for the Alternative" at the Tory conference in Manchester (route map), assembling at noon. This is followed by a Right To Work post-demo rally, back at the Mechanics Institute.

On Monday, UNITE members at API Holographics in Salford are due to strike again in a dispute over a pay freeze. This UNITE press release includes the address of their picket-line for those who can show support.
[Update 2/10/10: Heard on the march today that tomorrow's strike at API Holographics has been suspended as the company has offered further talks]

On Tuesday, UNITE members at Fujitsu in Manchester and Salford are striking again as part of our long-running dispute over breaches of agreements and victimisation of reps. Details of the pickets and the protest planned outside the Tory conference to coincide with the CEO speaking at a fringe meeting are here.

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Useful updates on TUPE

The IT services industry is amongst those most affected by the "TUPE" regulations, which are meant to protect workers when the work they do transfers from one employer to another, whether through an original outsourcing deal or the transfer of an outsourcing contract from one supplier to another. The regulations have some serious weaknesses, particularly in relation to pensions.

There's a useful update on TUPE in the latest LELR newsletter from Thompsons Solicitors.

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UNITE announces free transport to 2 October March for the Alternative

Yesterday UNITE announced it is paying for transport to the TUC's March for the Alternative at the Tory party conference in Manchester on 2nd October. Details are here.

Recent economic news bears out UNITE's arguments that far from helping the economy, the governments cuts and austerity are jeopardising the recovery.

A big demo on Sunday 2 October will help strengthen every campaign, including the ballots planned across the public sector and beyond for action on 30th November. Every member should do their best to attend and bring their workmates, family and friends.

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