Say NO to Fire Service Cuts: Sign the petition!

East Sussex Fire Authority are consulting with the public on plans that will decimate local Fire & Rescue Services in East Sussex.

Planned cuts include:

• Remove 10 fire engines from towns and villages across the county. Affected stations are Bexhill, Battle, Crowborough, Lewes, Newhaven, Rye, Uckfield, Seaford, Heathfield and Wadhurst.
• Cut dedicated crews for aerial appliances in Hastings.
• Cut wholetime jobs at Lewes, Newhaven, Uckfield, Crowborough, Battle and Bexhill.
• Downgrade The Ridge fire station from 24hr immediate response to only daytime immediate response.
• Cut staffing levels of wholetime firefighters at all shift stations across the county.

These will impact heavily on a critical lifesaving service. They will negatively impact public safety as well as firefighter safety and will also impede firefighter's ability to respond quickly to emergency calls. 

The FBU point out that these plans were drawn up before the Covid-19 crisis, and do not take into account the different situation we will face when lockdown is finally over.   Firefighters locally and nationally have taken on significant extra duties as part of supporting communities during the crisis. 

Ten years of austerity cuts saw 11,500 firefighter jobs lost nationally.  The service is already overstretched!

Eastbourne is represented on the East Sussex Fire Authority by Meads Tory councillor Barry Taylor, and Lib Dem Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, David Tutt.  Shamefully both voted for the cuts package. 

Please sign the petition here, download and print the FBU's information leaflet by clicking here,   and spread the word: Fire Cuts Cost Lives!

PROTEST for our Local NHS: Saturday 29th February

The East Sussex Save the NHS Campaign has called for a demonstration against proposals by the CCG to close the NHS Walk-in centre at Eastbourne Railway Station. 

The campaign told the Eastbourne Herald:

“We believe this potential closure is part of a wider picture of NHS policy decisions that are robbing our population of the healthcare services they have paid for and need.” 

“Our town has already lost some of its core services from the hospital, many of us have experienced a whole raft of problems when accessing NHS services and soon we will start to see even more changes in primary care.” 

“You [the people of Eastbourne] have shown how passionate you are about keeping the walk-in centre so please keep signing our petition but do also engage with the CCG’s public consultation. You really need to make sure you tell the CCG exactly what you have been telling us!” 

TAKE ACTION!   Join the protest-  ASSEMBLE outside Eastbourne Railway Station at 1.00pm on Saturday 29th February. 

SIGN the online petition here!   

TELL THE CCG- take part in the online consultation by clicking here. 

SEE THE FILM- the campaign are showing "The Great NHS Heist" a powerful documentary by prominent NHS campaigner, film producer and working GP, Dr Bob Gill at St Elisabeth's Church on Friday 28th February at 6.30pm. Click here for more information.

Len Caine Prize goes to NEU's Jane

The Eastbourne Trades Union Council presented its annual Len Caine Memorial Prize to local music teacher Jane Humberstone at its AGM last night.

The annual prize seeks to recognise outstanding service by a local union representative.  Jane Humberstone was the National Education Union rep for the East Sussex Music Service, and was at the forefront of the campaign against proposals to close down the instrumental teaching service last year.  The campaign  saw over 10,000 people sign a petition against closure, and last year's May Day March was proudly led by the campaign- including a musical delegation of pupils and teachers playing Sussex By The Sea!

Trades Council Secretary, Dave Brinson said:   "When the disgraceful plans to axe instrumental teaching were put forward, Jane, as the NEU rep led from the front in a vigorous and imaginative campaign that saved this important service.   Over many years, thousands of local children have benefited from Jane's inspirational music teaching, and thanks to her leadership of the campaign, many more will continue to enjoy the huge educational and personal benefits of learning music.   Jane is off to pastures new in the summer- we will miss her!"

The prize was inaugurated to remember Len Caine, a leading local trade unionist and Labour activist, who served as a Councillor and later an honorary Alderman on Eastbourne Borough Council.  Len passed away in 2008, aged 81.

USDAW responds to speculation about Tesco job cuts

Shopworkers' union USDAW has responded to reports of plans to slash jobs at Tesco, including on bakery, meat and fish counters.

Pauline Foulkes - Usdaw National Officer said:

“Reports and speculation in the media about significant job cuts are distressing for Tesco staff and it is appalling that they should hear about the future of their jobs in this way. Usdaw is seeking an urgent meeting with the company to clarify the situation, to examine the details of what changes they are proposing and what this means for staff. Our priority will be to press Tesco to confirm the details of their proposed changes to stop any further speculation. In the meantime Usdaw’s officials and reps are on hand to support our members and further updates will be provided once we have further information”.

The BBC carried information about the rumoured cuts in an article you can read by clicking here.
The Mail on Sunday carried an article you can read here.

Our solidarity with USDAW and its members at Tesco stores in Eastbourne! 

Next Trades Council Meeting: Tuesday 15th January

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 15th January 2019, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence
2. Approval of any new affiliations.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (November) and matters arising.
4. Treasurer's Report

5. GUEST SPEAKER: SAM GURNEY- TUC Regional Secretary for London, East and South East

6. Other Union Campaigns:
(a) ESCC Core Offer cuts
(b) Education Update
(c) Retail Update
(d) NHS Update
(e) Other campaigns

7. Events- including Trades Councils National Conference
8. Nominations open for Officers for March AGM and Len Caine Prize
9. Any other business

'No confidence' in Fire Service Senior Leadership: FBU

At an emergency meeting, members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) East Sussex Committee, unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the senior leadership team of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS). 

East Sussex FBU members working on the frontline, have continually raised concerns over ESFRS’s senior leadership’s plans to implement changes that seek to reduce both public and firefighter safety. 

In the latest in a series of judgement errors, the senior leadership team recently agreed to introduce small appliances, which carry less life-saving equipment. This latest decision has led to the vote of no confidence.

Mark Brown, FBU brigade secretary said:

“This is an ill-conceived plan that has not been properly thought-through. We have repeatedly raised concerns with senior leadership over many months, unfortunately rather than listen to the FBU, our safety reps and our members, they have instead chosen to agree a plan that will reduce the service’s ability to deal with emergencies effectively. The senior leadership team need to assess the risk posed to the public, before contemplating any plans that seek to reduce fire cover and/or reduce equipment available to frontline staff.” 

In June 2018 East Sussex FRS’s own staff survey, showed that only 13% of wholetime firefighters in East Sussex had confidence in the principal officers leading ESFRS. Since then the leadership team have failed to take on board the findings and have instead agreed plans and changes that further reduce confidence in them.

Mark Brown continued:

“This apparent lack of learning has left the FBU membership in East Sussex with no option other than to pass a ‘vote of no confidence’. Despite the ‘vote of no confidence’ the FBU remain committed to working with management to find solutions that enable ESFRS to provide a safe and efficient service for its staff and the public.”

Save our English Language Service!

NEU, Unison, GMB and NASUWT members in the English as an Additional Language Service need your URGENT help!

East Sussex County Council is proposing to close down the English as an Additional Language Service entirely- with all of its specialist teachers and bi-lingual support officers facing redundancy, and losing this wealth of expertise and experience to local schools forever.

The decision has come following a decision from the Local Authority Secondary Schools not to continue 'de-delegating' a fixed amount from their budget to EALS. These schools would almost certainly continue to purchase some services from the EALS service on a "buy in" basis however, as Academy schools already do.

The Local Authority Primary Schools have committed to continue funding the service- that's more than three-quarters of the existing budget. However the County Council are claiming that, even with this and the expectation of a buy-in from the Secondaries, that the service will not be viable.

Our members actually working within the Service disagree, and have made clear financial proposals that would keep the service open, and keep this vital support available to some of our most vulnerable children.

Please take a couple of minutes to help our colleagues in three ways:

1) Make a submission to the County Council's online consultation about the closure of the service. This is a very short survey and will only take a few minutes- but it is vital that we get a good number of returns from education professionals such as yourselves.

2) Send a short email to your local County Councillor. This decision is being made "in their name" and they have the right and responsibility to hold the senior management at ESCC to account. You can find who your local County Councilllor is, and their email, by clicking and inputting your postcode here.

3) Spread the word! Let your colleagues know this is happening. Ask your Head Teacher to lobby ESCC to keep a service open. If you have friends and neighbours who share your concern then ask them to add their voice. If you would like printed materials for your staffroom or friends, please let us know.

We will continue putting information about this situation on our dedicated website for the campaign:

www.SaveEALS.com

Next Trades Council: Tuesday 9th October

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 9th October, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (July) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Campaigns Update:
(a) Derecognition of NEU at East Sussex College Group
(b) RMT ongoing safety dispute at Southern
(c) Retail Update
(d) NHS Update including pay settlement and DGH parking
(e) IndyCube and Community Union self-employed workers' campaigning.

6.  Anti-Cuts campaigns: including East Sussex Save the NHS, People's Assembly and campaign against Social Care Cuts in ESCC.

7. Events:
(a) Modern Slavery campaign- possible link with the Co-op Party campaigning
(b) Engels Plaque update
(c) Pride Report

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Stop Union Busting at East Sussex College Group!

Teachers and education professionals at the National Education Union have today condemned the newly formed ‘super college’, the East Sussex College Group, after it launched an unprecedented attack on employment and union rights.

The tax payer funded Group, a merger of the former Sussex Downs (Eastbourne & Lewes) and Sussex Coast College (Hastings) unilaterally de-recognised employees’ trade union this week, and has withdrawn elected reps’ rights to represent colleagues.

The action, by the Colleges, which have, according to recent accounts paid senior staff over £160,000 a year, comes after a period of good industrial relations and in the middle of student recruitment season with open events planned to demonstrate the leading academic and technical education on offer to students. A NEU teacher activist at one of the Group’s colleges added:

“We were so excited about the new academic year, yet management have acted like some sort of Victorian mill owner and told us they will no longer recognise our union nor let our elected reps do their job. It’s upsetting and is no doubt due to the success of the NEU in protecting education provision and compulsory redundancies over many years where others unions have not been able to do so”

National Education Union (NUT section) Regional Officer, Nick Childs commented:

“Our members and community were promised stability and improvement in further education provision,

after years of decline, yet within weeks of opening, College leadership have reverted back to past form by attacking staff. By doing so, they place the education of students at risk by provoking an unnecessary industrial dispute, causing low morale and poor staff retention”

“If college management think that by trying to deny employees’ union rights that they will be able to more easily force through job and education cuts they are sorely wrong. Our members are made of sterner stuff and will not allow anti-union practices to prevail." 

"Their conduct runs contrary to their stated aim to comply with Association of Colleges (AoC) Code of Good Governance for English Colleges, building on the Seven Principles of Public Life and will inevitably lead to industrial action unless urgently resolved”

The National Education Union has written to the College Group request an urgent meeting and calling on them to sign a formal recognition agreement or face a possible strike ballot and high profile campaign.

Please sign to defend the right for staff to be represented by the union of their choice!

Next Trades Council Meeting: 3rd July

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 3rd July, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne. All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited. 

A G E N D A 

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (May) and matters arising.

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Anti-Cuts Campaigns: Updates on the various campaigns including the Unison campaigns at ESCC and NHS, the campaign to save the Music Service, the East Sussex Save the NHS Campaigning, and the demonstration against cuts to SEN Children's Services.

6. Other live union disputes and campaigns:
(a) GMB Dispute at Eastbourne DGH
(b) Teachers' Pay Dispute
(c) RMT safety dispute at Southern
(d) Retail Update

7. Events:
(a) Eastbourne Pride: To agree arrangements for the stall on the day, and to encourage trade unionists to march.
(b) Modern Slavery campaign- possible link with the Co-op Party campaigning
(c) "Will and Testament"- proposed Eastbourne showing of the Tony Benn film by local Labour Party
(d) Engels Plaque update

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Next Meeting: Tuesday 15th May

The next meeting of the Eastbourne Trades Council will be at 7.30pm, Tuesday 15th May, at the View Hotel (formerly T&G/Unite Centre) , Grand Parade, Eastbourne.

All local trade unionists (including retired trade unionists) are invited.

A G E N D A

1. Introductions and apologies for absence

2. Approval of any new affiliations.

3. Minutes of previous meeting (January) and matters arising. Draft minutes from the March AGM will also be available. 

4. Treasurer's Report

5. Guest Speaker: Jane Humberstone, NEU Rep at the East Sussex Music Service, and update on the campaign against closure of the Instrumental Teaching Service

6. Other live disputes and campaigns: 

(a) Teachers' Pay Dispute

(b) RMT safety dispute at Southern

(c) Social Care Cuts campaign- Unison and others, including "Save our Services" demo on 20th May

(d) Retail matters, especially Sainsbury's and ASDA merger proposal

7. Events:

(a)   MAY DAY and WMD:  To review the success of both events and to suggest work for next year.

(b)   PRIDE:  To agree content and staffing of our stall, and encouraging trade unions to join the march.

(c)  ENGELS PLAQUE: Update from Carol Mills (Unite Community)

8. Motion from Unite Community

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

DEMONSTRATE: Hands OFF Milton Grange and Firwood House

East Sussex County Council are proposing to cut or close services at two essential local Adult Social Care facilities:  Milton Grange and Firwood House.  Together these social care homes provide nursing and therapy, and short-term residential services and respite to support older people with a range of physical needs including dementia, and enable them to return home.

There will be a demonstration outside Milton Grange on SATURDAY 3RD MARCH at 1.45pm to oppose the plans. 

Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne will be speaking, and local TV and press will be in attendance.

Please come along and show solidarity.

The County Council’s public consultation closes on 25^th April.  Please visit the website and have your say by clicking here

A local petition has already attracted nearly 10,000 signatures. Sign the petition if you haven’t already done so by clicking here 

AGM 2017- priorities ahead!

A good turnout at the 2017 AGM saw trade unionists discuss the challenges facing the movement in the coming year.

Guest speaker Bob Ellis, head teacher of Seaford Head School and an activist in school leaders' union ASCL, spoke about the FlatCashEd campaign by East Sussex head teachers and governors against the massive funding cuts facing schools in our area. The title refers to the government's pledge to protect school funding at 2015 cash levels only- no funding for additional wage, national insurance or utility bills.

Lucette Davies spoke about the new East Sussex Save the NHS campaign- seeking to bring local campaigners together, particularly to campaign against the implications of the so-called Sustainability and Transformation Plans that seek to cut billions from the NHS.

The officers elected for 2017-18 were Chair: Valerie Thomas (NASUWT), Vice-Chair: Mick Litchfield (TSSA), Secretary: Dave Brinson (NUT), Assistant Secretary: Chrissie Parsons (Unison) and Treasurer: Gordon Dyer (Unite the Union)

The Len Caine Award was presented to Keith Mitchell of the RMT. Keith has worked tirelessly to support his members in Eastbourne, in a year that has seen considerable hardship and struggle to defend passenger safety through the vital safety-critical guard on our trains. The meeting sent solidarity to RMT members, and saluted Keith's energy and commitment to his members.