hedley

RMT

Yesterday, whilst attending a counter-protest to the Free Tommy Robinson brigade (apparently you can be convicted twice of contempt and even plead guilty and it is still a ‘fit up) RMT Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley was, according to Hedley, assaulted by right wing thugs. Guardian story is here.

CWU 

Martin Henwood was a Swansea postman of 32 years standing when in May he was dismissed by the Post Office, this was because he allegedly failed too follow the correct protocol for unaddressed mail despite the fact he followed existing and established local procedures. His union colleagues in Swansea balloted for strike action and received an 89.9% yes vote. After multiple refusals to review the decision to dismiss and before a day of strike action had been taken Martin has been reinstated. CWU post is here.

PCS, FDA and Prospect

As part of the negotiating mechanism with recognised Trade Unions on civil service pay the Cabinet Office had committed to at least two consultation meetings. However, for Cabinet Office and Treasury ministers their word was not their bond and a pay framework was unilaterally released to all civil service departments. In a rare moment of concord PCS, FDA and Prospect have issued a joint statement on the “shambolic and contemptible” consultation process and called for the Pay guidance to be withdrawn.

PCS are pressing on with a ballot for industrial action on the civil service pay, it will be interesting to see where the other two unions end up given the intransigent position of the employers. The joint statement is here.

Bectu

A Croydon Employment Tribunal has ruled that 2 BECTU reps and former employees at the Picturehouse Cinemas Ltd were unfairly dismissed for alleged misconduct related to strike activities. Interestingly however the claim of automatic unfair dismissal was lost and it will be interesting to see if an appeal on that decision is pursued. BECTU post explaining the decision is here.