STOP "FIRE AND REHIRE"- support Barry Gardiner's Private Members' Bill

Thousands of British workers are threatened with being fired and rehired on worse pay and conditions to do the same job. It’s not dodgy backstreet companies doing this, it’s the biggest names on our high street. Will you and your colleagues be next?

Tesco and Sainsbury’s are both at it. From your morning Weetabix and coffee to your holiday snack at the airport, fire and rehire is everywhere.  Many household names have made billions during lockdown, but greedy bosses want even more and it’s the workers who have to pay. British Gas, Clarks Shoes and Heathrow Airport are just some of businesses forcing families into poverty with no regard for loyalty or years of service.

Over the years cost cutting employers have copied money-grabbing bosses in other industries. Many unions across Britain are asking will their members be next. Even teachers are being fired and rehired in schools, no one seems safe.

Labour MP Barry Gardiner has introduced a Private Member’s Bill to outlaw this practice. It’s wrong that workers who have given their lives to companies now can’t pay their rent, go on holiday or sleep because of worry. This is the human cost of telling a worker, your pay is cut by 25%, you’ll work longer hours and your pension is under threat. Fire and rehire is everywhere.

Workers are being bullied, sacked and told they will only be re-employed to do the same basic job if they accept less money and poorer conditions. It’s an issue that affects every constituency, every industry – a social evil that is afflicting hundreds of thousands of families. As if the pandemic was not bad enough, companies are now threatening people with the sack so they can pay them less or take their pensions.

At food giant Jacob Douwe Egberts in Banbury, coffee consumption was up 40 per cent during the lockdown and JDE made record profits, but that didn’t stop them threatening their workforce with the sack unless they accepted a cut in wages of up to £12,000.

No family should have to put up with that. How do you pay your rent or your mortgage with a cut like that? How can you support your family? Every pound cut is a pound less to pay your rent, to pay your mortgage and the fear of eviction or repossession is very real.

It’s just plain wrong and the Government SAYS it agree
s. Leading Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg told MP’s fire and rehire was “bad practise” and no respectable employer would do it. Even the Prime Minister says it’s unacceptable. But it remains to be seen whether Boris will support our campaign to outlaw this evil practise.

Tory Business Minister, Paul Scully, promises he will “issue guidelines” but many unions believe those guidelines won’t protect anyone.

Right wingers may say bosses should be left to do as they please in a free market, but the proposed Bill will not stop struggling firms restructuring or changing outdated practises. Instead, it will stop bad bosses sacking workers to avoid redundancy rules and other workers’ rights.

So come on let’s support the Bill and visit the campaign website at www.StopFireAndRehire.org follow it on Instagram and Facebook and tell your friends about fire and rehire.  

NHS "Data Grab": We hear from the National Pensioners' Convention

The Trades Council meeting this month heard from a National Pensioners Convention member about their concerns regarding the NHS "Data Grab".  The article below comes from the NPC.  You can read more about how you can get involved in the campaign at their website here. 

What’s this NHS Data Grab I’ve heard about? 

Photo 117291219 © One Photo | Dreamstime.com

The government wants to collect the confidential health records of every GP patient in England and put them into one huge new data pool. It says “third parties” will be able to access this pool, including commercial companies, but won’t say who or how. 

•  The scheme’s official name is GPDPR or ‘General Practice Data for Planning and Research.’
•  It will take 55 million people’s cradle-to-grave health records and put them in a central database – to be used by many different parties, for many different purposes. 
•  This is new. Under today’s system, requests for GP data are made on a one-off basis. GPDPR is far bigger and broader. It puts 55m health records in a single place that updates in real time. In the government’s words, it will ‘collect [your data] once, [but] use [it] many times’. 
•  A similar scheme, ‘care.data’, was tried in 2013, only to collapse over widespread concerns over privacy and corporate access. We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes today.

What’s wrong with that – surely the NHS using data better is a good thing? 

It isn’t just the NHS who will access data. You can’t pool the cradle-to-grave health records of all 55 million people in England without telling people and giving them a meaningful say in how the new system works. It’s undemocratic and could damage trust in the NHS. 

•  This huge change wasn’t explained to patients. Matt Hancock told Radio 4 that his aim was for patients to control their own data and “consent should be at the heart of it”. He also said he was “not against” writing to everyone in the country, or sending everyone a text message, like with the COVID vaccination programme, to inform them of the change. 
•  But this is the opposite of what’s happened so far. Instead, the change was posted on one NHS Digital website. How does that reach the millions over-65s who aren’t online, for example? 
•  The government needs to tell us why it wants to build this new data pool - and what it plans to do with the data. It should urgently explain who the “third parties” are who will have access to our data, and what standards they will need to meet. 
•  Matt Hancock needs to explain what alternative models he has considered for managing NHS data research. For example, openSafely, the data platform developed by Ben Goldacre during the pandemic takes research queries to the data itself - instead of grabbing the entire GP record. This might solve some of the problems with maintaining public trust.  

But NHS Digital says that “Data saves lives?” 

No-one is opposed to using health data for research that saves lives. But the data can also be used for profit. The plan must benefit the NHS and, crucially, maintain the faith and trust of patients. 

• Of course, data can save lives. But it can also make people a lot of money – and those goals don’t always support one another. 
• The government should be honest about this. Research shows that, compared to the NHS, people are less comfortable with private companies using their confidential health records to make a profit. 
•  Matt Hancock must set out in plain English on what terms companies could access this massive new pool of our GP data – and give people a choice. 

Isn’t this data anonymous? 

This data is not anonymous. It is pseudonymous. This is a really important distinction and is practically and legally different to anonymous. 

•  Government spokespeople have repeatedly mixed these up. It is pretty easy to identify people from pseudonymised data - often with only a few bits of information about you. 
•  The government says they may re-identify your data in certain circumstances - without fully explaining when they might do this. 
•  As for companies, to identify someone from pseudonymised data is illegal in most cases. But the body who handle those offences, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is understaffed, underfunded, and unable to enforce against major breaches. 

There must be safeguards in place already to protect this data? 

The safeguards aren’t strong enough yet – there’s one expert body that doesn’t explain its decisions clearly, and the ICO hasn’t got the resources to police the law. And the government may be about to dilute the laws that protect your health data. 

•  A body called IGARD considers requests for data access. The minutes of their meetings are online, as is a record of requests for data. But the records of their meetings aren’t easily understood by the average person – nor are the standards they judge private companies on.
• Watchdog group medConfidential has published a list showing lots of third parties have broken the rules when they used medical data. And the ICO, as we said, just hasn’t got the resources to follow up every time the law is broken. 
•  The government’s also considering weakening legal protections for your health data. 

Is it biased to refer to GPDPR as a “data grab”? 

What would you call taking the personal information of 55 million people – without asking for permission, presenting an informed choice, or, until our case, giving fair warning at all? It doesn’t seem an exaggeration to call that a data grab. 

•  Millions of people still haven’t heard about this system. Originally, NHS Digital set a deadline to opt-out of June 23. We think the new deadline is August 25. If you haven’t opted-out by then your GP data will be gone forever and you can only prevent future data being shared. Does that seem like a reasonable and fair system to you? 
•  Again – where is the public information campaign? Matt Hancock admitted that a “proper national debate” is needed but has done little to create one. We know the government can text the nation, can address the nation daily at teatime on BBC One. Why haven’t they? 
•  It’s not too late. The government could repair damage by slowing down and making a much bigger effort to consult people. Our data is there for the asking, not the taking. 

If giving private companies access to my data helps the NHS, what’s the problem? 

The question we always need to be asking is: who benefits? The collected data of the NHS is the most valuable resource of its kind in the world – but only because it has been created and paid for over decades by taxpayers and ordinary British people. 

•  Companies requesting access to health data tend to promise “innovation”. But there is evidence that using data in this way can make unfairness in healthcare worse, not better. 
•  “Innovative” medicines are often priced too high for the NHS to buy them, so how does that benefit the NHS? What if instead, access to our data meant the NHS got the final product for free or a share of any financial gain? Or the product could be made open source, so everyone can benefit. 
•  Most of all – we need to make sure that introducing a major profit motive in our health service doesn’t undermine the core value of the NHS: a universal service free at the point of delivery, with care of patients at its heart.

Find out more about how you can support the NPC's campaign on this, and other issues, by visiting their website here. 

What's Going on in Cuba?

The Eastbourne Trades Council is an affilate of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, and supports its work in opposing the internationally-condemned US trade bkockade of the island, and seeks to defend the social gains of the revolution in areas such as health and education.    We are also mindful that TUC trade unions, and many of their members have a variety of different views and opinions of areas of policy in Cuba including human rights and freedoms, and the role and operations of independent trade unions.  We welcome comradely discussion on all of these matters.

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign published the statement below on 12th July 2021. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign calls on the US government to suspend the blockade of Cuba to allow emergency medical and humanitarian aid into the country in order to ease the economic and health crisis the island is experiencing. 

The current emergency is a result of the ongoing US blockade, an additional 243 sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Cuba has shown incredible resilience in the face of six decades of economic warfare by the US government in the form of a blockade intended to strangle the economy and create hunger and hardship in an attempt to destabilise the country. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign opposes any calls for foreign intervention coming from those in the US who seek to exploit the current difficulties and provoke unrest. The solution to the challenges Cuba faces must be resolved by the people of Cuba and we support the efforts that the Cuban people and their government are making to fight the pandemic in the face of ongoing sanctions and provocations from the US. 

On Sunday 11 July, some street protests took place against the scarcity of food, medicines and power supplies. The vast majority of these protesters have genuine concerns regarding these shortages. President Miguel Díaz-Canel travelled to San Antonio de los Baños, site of the original demonstration, and spoke to people about their grievances. 

Some groups are seeking to exploit and provoke this difficult situation. They called for people to protest in other locations, resulting in protests in some towns and cities. In response, thousands of Cubans supporting the government have taken to the streets across the island in counter-demonstrations against US interference. 

Now right-wing, pro-blockade, and regime-change politicians and groups in the US are also seeking to manipulate the situation. They have called for a so-called “humanitarian corridor” (a pretext for US intervention) to be set up. Anyone genuinely interested in helping the Cuban people at this time should instead be calling for the US government to ease the crippling sanctions. 

The calls for US aid delivered through a US-imposed “humanitarian corridor” are disingenuous and fraudulent. These are the same people who hypocritically call for humanitarian intervention while supporting blockade policies which have caused shortages of food, fuel and medicines. 

CSC condemns those in the US and internationally who are cynically using the situation to destabilise Cuba, and supports Cuba’s right to self-determination. 

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign appeals to the Biden administration to observe the recent United Nations General Assembly vote on 23 June 2021 which voted 184-2 for an end to the blockade of Cuba. It is immoral and dangerous to seek to exploit the current struggles of the Cuban people to serve the political objectives of a few hardliners in Miami. 

Genuine efforts to support the Cuban people are welcome. Individuals and organisations can directly help by becoming members of CSC Donations can also be made to CSC’s COVID-19 Medical Appeal. 

Background information 

In recent days Cuba has experienced its worst increase in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with a severe outbreak in the Matanzas which has stretched capacity in hospitals and isolation centres to the limit. Five hundred medics from other parts of the country have been deployed in the province to help. It is important to note that while the situation is severe, the numbers of cases and deaths are far below those in most other countries of the region including the United States itself which as of 10 July had a death rate of 1,870 per million compared to Cuba’s 139 per million. 

At the same time Cuba is in the midst of its most severe economic crisis for more thirty years. The sixty year-old US blockade was tightened by the Trump administration by imposing 243 extra sanctions – all of which remain in place. These measures had already resulted in grave food, medical and fuel shortages before the pandemic struck. In addition, increasing numbers of banks are refusing to transfer funds to Cuba for fear of US fines, and it is now almost impossible for Cubans living abroad to transfer money to family on the island. With the onset of COVID-19, Cuba has also lost vital income from international tourism, which was down 94 per cent in the first four months of 2021. 

Fuel shortages are causing many power cuts, which in the height of summer mean that air conditioning and fridges don’t work. There are long queues for food, medicines and basic goods. Without doubt the Cuban people are experiencing incredible hardship. People with friends or family in Cuba will have heard how difficult things are. 

Last year the US blockade even prevented delivery of a consignment of COVID-19 medical aid for Cuba, including PPE, ventilators and testing equipment. Despite having two home-grown vaccines, Cuba’s vaccination roll-out programme is hindered by a lack of syringes and raw materials as a direct result of the blockade. Solidarity organisations around the world have had funding sites raising money for COVID-19 medical aid closed down because of blockade measures. CSC itself receives numerous enquiries from people who can’t find a way to transfer money to friends and family in Cuba. Meanwhile, the US government spends millions of dollars every year on so-called “democracy promotion” on the island, funding groups and individuals who work undercover attempting to build US-supported opposition. 

If those calling for humanitarian aid to Cuba were genuine in their intentions they would start with calling for the blockade to be lifted to allow medical and other supplies to be sent to Cuba. However their true objectives are those of the blockade itself. As the infamous US State Department memorandum on the blockade of 1960 laid out: 

“The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship… every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba… a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.”

You can donate to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign's Medical Aid to Cuba campaign by clicking here.  

Demonstrate to "Kill the Bill": May Day

Although we are unable to hold our full traditional May Day parade and picnic to celebrate International Workers' Day, the Trades Council is proudly supporting a socially-distanced demonstration against the dreadful Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The Bill, the first attempt to amend the Public Order legislation for nearly 18 year, will severely curtail civil liberties around the right to peacefully demonstrate, to protest and to picket.  There is a detailed explanation as to why the Bill should be opposed from the Good Law Project here. 

Join us on May 1st at 1.00pm

We will gather at Hyde Gardens at 1p.m. and march to the Wish Tower slopes for a rally where we are hoping to have a range of speakers and performers. Those attending should wear face masks and adhere to social distancing - keeping a 2m distance, in line with current COVID-19 guidelines. Let’s stand together and defend our right to protest. Bring your banners and whistles, family and friends and let’s make some noise!

Corona Virus: What can trade unionists do?

Although the trades council, and most union branches will not be meeting at the moment, there is a lot that can be done to support union reps, members and other working people at this time.

The TUC has published detailed guidance for trade unionists on many aspects of the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation- including information for workers on zero-hours contracts.  You can read and download the guidance here.

Other unions have provided guidance specifically tailored to their members.  Unite the Union here; UNISON, here;  GMB here;  RMT here,

PCS have secured assurances that no civil servant will suffer a pay detriment as a result of following government health advice for managing the virus. However, many PCS members and potential members are employed by outsourcers on precarious employment contracts which do not provide them with the same protections as civil servants, and the union is seeking urgent talks with these employers.  More information on this here. 

Shop Workers' union USDAW has hundreds of thousands of workers on the front line, and sadly, many of those have faced abuse and threatening behaviour in recent days.  Labour and Co-operative MP Alex Norris brought foreard a Bill last Monday to legislate for additional protection for frontline retail staff- read about it here.

The creative industries will be hit hard: many arts companies will not survive without external support, and many Equity members will face hardship- especially those working on a gig-by-gig basis.  Detailed advice and support from Equity can be accessed here.

Megaphone.org.uk are hosting a petition to call for increased sick pay, and its extension to all workers, including the self-employed.  At just £94.25 a week, statutory sick pay in the UK isn't enough to live on - and 2 million people don't earn enough to qualify.  Click here to sign and share the petition.

Change.org has an equally important petition, highlighting the absurdity of the fact that NHS frontline staff are not being tested for Corvid-19.   The petition's author, hospital doctor Rebecca McCauley states that she has set up the petition "for prioritisation of testing for NHS staff... so that those who need to stay away do so, with a clear conscience, and those who can work can do so, with a clear conscience!"   Sign the petition here: 

Thank You to our FBU Brothers and Sisters

A big shout out to our FBU brothers and sisters in the Fire and Rescue service, and the many others in the other emergency services and NHS for their swift and brave response to the dreadful fire at the Claremont Hotel on Friday.

The Claremont, viewed from the pier, in happier times.

 © Johanna Cuomo | Dreamstime.com

It is down to their skill and professionalism that the fire was brought under control, and no lives were lost. We extend our solidarity to the workers at the hotel, some of whom also lived in. 

The owners of the Claremont have assured the town that they have "comprehensive" interruption of business insurance. We hope that this means that their dedicated workforce will be looked after properly, and will not be left without pay (or, in some cases, accommodation) over the festive period.

We are disappointed at the sloppy journalism from The Guardian, which suggested that there was a two-hour wait from the fire being discovered to the fire brigade arriving. This was a dreadful and untrue slur- Eastbourne's firefighters were on scene within minutes. The Guardian has printed a correction, but no apology Read the article here.

It's Young Workers' Month

November is the Trade Union Congress' Young Workers' Month.

Why do we need Young Workers' Month ?

• Presently there are 683,000 people aged 16-24 (or 14.8%) who are looking for and available for work: youth unemployment rate is nearly three times the rate for all workers aged 16+ 
• In 2014 19.6% of young workers were underemployed, more than double the percentage of any other age group. Underemployed workers are those people who have jobs but want to work more hours than they currently do. Young workers have consistently been twice as likely to be underemployed than workers in general, meaning it has become commonplace for them to be trapped in jobs that don’t have enough hours to provide the income they need.
• 255,000 young people (or 6.7%) are in zero hours contracts, meaning that the proportion of people in zero hours contracts is three times higher for young people than the adult population generally.
• Young people’s wages fell disproportionately further than those of older workers during the downturn. Between 2009 and 2014 median hourly earnings for 22-29 year olds (excluding overtime and RPIJ-adjusted) fell by 12.7%, 
• The inevitable consequence of this low pay is young people finding it harder and harder to get by. The most recent figures show that 1 in 5 (22.4%) young people are at risk of poverty.

The National Minimum Wage- introduced in 1998- allows a lower rate for workers under 21.  The Government's wrongly-called "national living wage" coming in next year, will only apply to the over 25's- leaving young workers falling further behind.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Younger workers must be treated fairly. It is wrong to leave 21 to 24 year olds out: they face the same expenses as other adults and are highly productive. Not paying them the full minimum wage will demotivate younger adults, who will get less pay than their colleagues for the same work."

Eastbourne Borough Council- to its shame- takes full advantage of the young worker rates: our freedom of information request showed that during August 2015 47 young staff (6% of the council workforce) were paid less than the minimum wage rate of £6.50 an hour. 

Why Should Young Workers Join a Union ?

Today is Workers' Memorial Day

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer, a contractor or even a manufacturer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Today, Workers’ Memorial Day commemorates those workers.  Find out more by clicking here

Workers’ Memorial Day is not just symbolic- it is a time to remember real working people in our local area who have died as a result of accidents or illnesses caused at work. On 28th April- we urge you to remember:-

• ROY TRUNDELL (Eastbourne Buses employee- killed in a workplace accident in 2008)
• CLIVE BECK (former Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma. The shelves in his school cupboard were made of asbestos.)
• BOB TOLLY (Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mes...otheleoma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life.)
• SIMON JONES (Student killed by a Crane at Shoreham Port, on his first day.)
• DANIEL HAFFENDEN (Eastbourne tyre fitter, killed in a work accident in 2012)
• GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE (East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory- Lewes)

 and all the other local people killed whilst doing their job.

 

 MOURN FOR THE DEAD… FIGHT FOR THE LIVING !

March in London on 18th October- transport from Eastbourne

The TUC has called a mass march and rally in London as part of our campaign against cuts and so-called austerity-  for an economic recovery that benefits us all, not just those at the top.

Eastbourne Trades Council will once again be arranging some free train tickets from Eastbourne Station to the event on 18th October, for local trade unionists and their families.  We will depart on the 9.31 train, changing at Haywards Heath to a train to London Blackfriars, near to the start of the march.

If you would like to book a ticket, please sign up by clicking here.

For more information on the march, and the TUC's Britain Needs a Payrise campaign, visit the TUC site here.

UPDATE: A word about our MP

A few people have said that I was a bit harsh on our MP Stephen Lloyd in yesterday's post about the Pier staff affected by the fire. Reading it back, I don't think there is anything that isn't pertinent or true in there. But I am happy to elaborate.

I am a political opponent of Stephen Lloyd, although the Trades Council itself does not endorse or oppose individual party candidates.  I disagree with Stephen on many things, although there are also many areas where we agree, and, indeed have campaigned together.

Stephen has spoken to the Trades Council's meetings on several occasions, as has David Tutt, as have several delegates who are not just trades unionists, but also Lib Dem members or supporters. Stephen has supported a number of trade union campaigns in Eastbourne- speaking at rallies and meetings, and even, unashamedly,  to members on picket lines. We value our relationship with our MP, even when we vehemently disagree with him.

And so to the Pier. I make no apology as Secretary of the Trades Council for speaking out for a fair deal for Pier workers. I make no apology for pointing out that their employment law protections have been weakened as a result of detrimental changes in the law brought forward from the Government of which Stephen Lloyd is a member. 

However, I am assured that, as our constituency MP, Stephen is actively pushing for an outcome that is fair and just for those staff who face losing their livelihood, and, especially noting his past record of working with us, and with working people facing injustice, I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt- for the moment.

I, the Trades Council, and every trades unionist in Eastbourne will be watching carefully to make sure that the Pier staff get a decent deal that respects their importance to the local economy, and their dedicated service. If there is any suggestion that they are going to be screwed over- we will not hesitate to tell the world.  Let's see what happens !

Dave Brinson- Secretary, Eastbourne Trades Council.

 

Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.

UPDATE: Pier workers- deafening silence

Stephen Lloyd MP has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions on his website, which you can read here. However, on the issue of the Pier staff, there remains a deafening silence, other than the repeated assurance that they will get help with their benefits. Mr Lloyd assures them:

"What about those who have lost their job on the Pier?   Eastbourne Borough Council have a team of benefit advisors [sic] who should be able to assist. Their address is 1 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4TG. Additionally, the MP has contacted the Job Centre Plus to ensure that they are fully aware of the situation. Their address is 2 St Annes Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3XX."

So, to those who have lost their livelihood, the MP offers the address of the nearest dole office.

What Stephen Lloyd SHOULD be asking is:-

How many staff were employed in total on the pier, and how many individuals (including seasonal, casuals etc.) were employed by different companies ?

How many of these staff had more than two years service (under reforms that he voted for, only staff with two years service can apply to an Employment Tribunal for a decision on unfair dismissal. So, a staff member with 23 months service has virtually no rights, and Mr Lloyd thinks that's fine.)

Those staff with two years service will be entitled to redundancy money. However, if there are 20 staff in any one company facing redundancy, there should be a paid 30-day consultation period with staff, to ensure that all options are considered fairly. Is this happening ?

Those staff without two years service will be entitled to be paid until a decision is reached about their jobs, and then they should be paid their contractual notice.  How many staff are in this position, and what is their notice entitlement ?

How many affected staff were on the notorious zero hours contracts ?  If there are any, the chances are they have stopped being paid already (a bit like White Star line did at the point the Titanic sank) and will continue in unpaid limbo. Are there staff in this situation, and if so, what does Mr Lloyd think about it ?

The additional funding to support the economy will help the small traders on the pier, and quite rightly so. But, again, not a single word about how this funding will be used to alleviate hardship or support the move to alternative employment for Pier staff.  Why no answers ?

 

Are you a member of Pier staff ?  Do you want advice or support about your contractual rights ?  Please let us know via e-mail here.