- Orissa Farmers force Posco back again
- Public sector pension strikes
- Ledbury residents say no to Tesco superstore
- Union activists target Thanet Earth over exploitation of workers Orissa Farmers force Posco back again The South Korean steel company Posco has been trying to build a steel mill and a port in the north-eastern Indian state of Orissa since 2005 but have been repeatedly pushed back by people who refuse to give up their land. Last month, police trying to forcibly enter the Jagatsinghpur district found themselves confronted by a human blockade that refused to move. The police again retreated and Posco's management got a little bit more nervous (see here for a short film in which people describe why they are resisting Posco, and interviews explaining the DFID's role in opening up the state to such companies). Links:
www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10990
www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/sainath/article2221799.ece
Public sector pension strikes An estimated 750,000 workers, including members of the National Union of Teachers, Public and Commercial Services Union, Association of Teachers and Lecturers and University and College Union, came out on strike on June 30th against savage cuts to their pensions. Tens of thousands of people marched in central London and many more were involved in pickets and solidarity action across the country. In the case of teachers, proposed changes to pensions amount to an effective 3 per cent pay cut year on year as contributions are raised by more than 50 per cent – from 6.4 per cent to 9.8 per cent of salary. This is on top proposals to raise the age of retirement for teachers from 60 to 65. Placards on the demo called for “fair pensions for all”, including both private and public sector workers. On the march through London the police made a number of questionable arrests on so-called members of the ‘black block’, arresting one man for having a nail in his bag and another for possessing a spare tracksuit top. More action is expected against the government’s austerity measures.
Ledbury residents say no to Tesco superstore Residents of the Herefordhire town of Ledbury have started a campaign to stop Tesco opening a new superstore in a trading estate next to the Ledbury bypass. “Ledbury Opposes Tesco Superstore” argues the superstore will, “jeopardise Ledbury's unique town centre” saying, “The experience from other similar towns is that a huge Tesco moves in to an out of town site, sucks the business life-blood out of existing independent shops - and eventually snuffs out any competition. Their opposition has been echoed by the local Conservative MP, who, after a consultation said he did not believe he could support Tesco’s plan as, “a new store will put the High Street at risk” Link:
www.saveledbury.com/
Union activists target Thanet Earth over exploitation of workers A week of action was held against Kent-based supermarket salad supplier Thanet Earth from June 27th to July 2nd. Thanet Earth is the UK's biggest greenhouse complex and part of the Fresca Group Ltd. The company supplies Asda, Marks and Spencers, Sainsburys and Tesco with tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Other companies growing at Thanet Earth are Dutch firms Rainbow Growers Group, Kaaij Greenhouses and A&A.; Allegations raised by the workforce have been submitted to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the government body responsible for regulating agency practices. The alleged offences include: agency employees in positions of authority taking cash and gifts for work; systematic denial of holiday pay; discrimination against workers taking holidays, denying them work when they return; and years of employment on a casualised basis, without fixed contracts. Workers’ requests for union recognition have been denied by Thanet Earth, which describes itself as an ethical employer and one of the greenest in the sector. The week of action included a protest at Marks and Spencer's AGM in London organised by Unite the Union on Wednesday 13th July. Thanet Earth supply M&S;'s salads. Hundreds of shareholders heard the voice of sacked Thanet Earth worker Vanda Sefer while a man dressed as a giant tomato asked awkward questions about working conditions at their tomato factories. Link:
www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/unite_creates__a_song_and_danc.aspx
- Public sector pension strikes
- Ledbury residents say no to Tesco superstore
- Union activists target Thanet Earth over exploitation of workers Orissa Farmers force Posco back again The South Korean steel company Posco has been trying to build a steel mill and a port in the north-eastern Indian state of Orissa since 2005 but have been repeatedly pushed back by people who refuse to give up their land. Last month, police trying to forcibly enter the Jagatsinghpur district found themselves confronted by a human blockade that refused to move. The police again retreated and Posco's management got a little bit more nervous (see here for a short film in which people describe why they are resisting Posco, and interviews explaining the DFID's role in opening up the state to such companies). Links:
www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10990
www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/sainath/article2221799.ece
Public sector pension strikes An estimated 750,000 workers, including members of the National Union of Teachers, Public and Commercial Services Union, Association of Teachers and Lecturers and University and College Union, came out on strike on June 30th against savage cuts to their pensions. Tens of thousands of people marched in central London and many more were involved in pickets and solidarity action across the country. In the case of teachers, proposed changes to pensions amount to an effective 3 per cent pay cut year on year as contributions are raised by more than 50 per cent – from 6.4 per cent to 9.8 per cent of salary. This is on top proposals to raise the age of retirement for teachers from 60 to 65. Placards on the demo called for “fair pensions for all”, including both private and public sector workers. On the march through London the police made a number of questionable arrests on so-called members of the ‘black block’, arresting one man for having a nail in his bag and another for possessing a spare tracksuit top. More action is expected against the government’s austerity measures.
Ledbury residents say no to Tesco superstore Residents of the Herefordhire town of Ledbury have started a campaign to stop Tesco opening a new superstore in a trading estate next to the Ledbury bypass. “Ledbury Opposes Tesco Superstore” argues the superstore will, “jeopardise Ledbury's unique town centre” saying, “The experience from other similar towns is that a huge Tesco moves in to an out of town site, sucks the business life-blood out of existing independent shops - and eventually snuffs out any competition. Their opposition has been echoed by the local Conservative MP, who, after a consultation said he did not believe he could support Tesco’s plan as, “a new store will put the High Street at risk” Link:
www.saveledbury.com/
Union activists target Thanet Earth over exploitation of workers A week of action was held against Kent-based supermarket salad supplier Thanet Earth from June 27th to July 2nd. Thanet Earth is the UK's biggest greenhouse complex and part of the Fresca Group Ltd. The company supplies Asda, Marks and Spencers, Sainsburys and Tesco with tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Other companies growing at Thanet Earth are Dutch firms Rainbow Growers Group, Kaaij Greenhouses and A&A.; Allegations raised by the workforce have been submitted to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the government body responsible for regulating agency practices. The alleged offences include: agency employees in positions of authority taking cash and gifts for work; systematic denial of holiday pay; discrimination against workers taking holidays, denying them work when they return; and years of employment on a casualised basis, without fixed contracts. Workers’ requests for union recognition have been denied by Thanet Earth, which describes itself as an ethical employer and one of the greenest in the sector. The week of action included a protest at Marks and Spencer's AGM in London organised by Unite the Union on Wednesday 13th July. Thanet Earth supply M&S;'s salads. Hundreds of shareholders heard the voice of sacked Thanet Earth worker Vanda Sefer while a man dressed as a giant tomato asked awkward questions about working conditions at their tomato factories. Link:
www.unitetheunion.org/news__events/latest_news/unite_creates__a_song_and_danc.aspx