RTUC opposes war at the Vigil for Ukraine

Reading Trades Union Council joined the Vigil for Ukraine, organised by Reading Peace Group, on 25 March in Reading's Town Hall Square.

Staged in the fourth week of Russia's military assault on Ukraine, the vigil stood against the aggression whilst also cautioning against an escalation through NATO involvement. The message was simple: end war in Ukraine. Tanya Wills (Unite Community) represented RTUC and the trades council banner was prominent, showing RTUC's solidarity with the workers of Ukraine.

RTUC supports UCU's pensions dispute at University of Reading

RTUC delegate, John Oversby joins the UCU picket line on Shinfield Road

Reading Trades Union Council (RTUC) is proud to support the ongoing industrial action by the University and College Union (UCU) which is engaged in a long battle to defend their members' pension rights against the employers (University of Reading locally). Strike action occurred from 14 to 18 February and on 21 to 22 February, with pickets established from 08:00 to 09:30 at the University of Reading's several entrances for the first four days and a virtual picket on day 5 due to the physical risks posed by Storm Eunice.

On 22 February, a Joint National Council meeting of the University Superannuation Scheme (USS, the university pension scheme's administrator) took place in which it was decided to reduce the value of pensions by 33% - though the vote only succeeded with the support of the chair's casting vote.

UCU continues to argue for the following alternative proposals to the employers - universities around the country, organised through Universities UK (UUK) - seeking USS to reflect these demands in a revised consideration:

* That USS should issue a moderately prudent, evidence-based valuation of the financial health of the university pension scheme as at 31 March 2022, to be issued for consultation in June;

* That employers agree to provide the following level of covenant support to facilitate a cost-sharing of current benefits throughout the 2022/23 scheme year: from 1 April 2022, 11% member/23.7% employer contributions until 1 October 2022; 11.8%/25.2% contribution thereafter;

* That employers agree to pay a maximum of 25.2% and members a maximum of 9.8% from 1 April 2023 so as to secure current benefits (or the best achievable as a result of the USS's moderately prudent, evidence-based valuation).

Under UUK’s plan, university staff would see an approximate 35% cut to their guaranteed retirement income based on a flawed USS valuation conducted in March 2020.

Strikers and sympathisers are encouraged to use the following communication tool to contact the Vice-chancellor of the University of Reading (or your local university, if not Reading) to express your views on the attack on university pensions: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12114/Email-your-VC-about-USS. Simply search for the institution nearest you and - when you click on the email link - you will get a template email (which you can customise if you wish) and be able to send off.

On Monday, 21 February, between 13:00 and 14:00 there was an online meeting and rally with guest speaker, Mike Otsuka, who is one of the reserve pensions negotiators for UCU (see his blog here: https://mikeotsuka.medium.com/ and his tweets here: @MikeOtsuka).

In addition to RTUC, Reading UCU has been supported on the picket lines by members of Southampton UCU and Oxford UCU. Representing RTUC on the picket lines were John Oversby (UCU), John Gilman and James Parker (both Unite the Union).

John Oversby and James Parker on the UCU picket line

What is the USS dispute about?

The Universities Superannuation Service (USS) pension scheme has conducted a 2020 valuation and claims that contribution rates need to increase very significantly from the rate of 30.7% of salary (9.6% for members, 21.1% for employers) established under the 2018 valuation.

Both UCU and the employer representative, Universities UK (UUK) argue that these increases are not necessary and have not been properly justified. However, instead of continuing to challenge the increases, UUK has pushed through major changes and cuts to the guaranteed, defined benefit (DB) element of the scheme to prevent employers from having to pay significantly higher contributions.

The UUK cuts will drastically reduce the level of guaranteed retirement income provided to members of USS in return for their future service (benefits already built up will not change). They will affect every active member of USS but especially those nearer the start of their careers.

John Oversby and John Gilman of RTUC join the UCU picket line

These proposed cuts come in the context of a decade of detrimental changes to USS contributions and benefits. As UCU has shown, the changes that have already taken effect between 2011 and 2019 will make a typical member of staff £240,000 worse off over the course of their career and retirement. The cuts from UUK would make things even worse.

***STOP PRESS***

On 24 March RTUC again joined the UCU picket at University of Reading.

The action remains well supported and RTUC stands solidly alongside the striking academicians.

RTUC joins 'SOS NHS Emergency Day of Action' in Reading and Oxford

On 26 February 2022, Reading Trades Union Council delegates joined the national 'SOS NHS Emergency Day of Action' in both Reading and Oxford, showing solidarity with health and social care workers, and calling for an end to the privatisation of the NHS and investment in the service and in its staff. Not only would this reward existing staff but it would encourage recruitment to healthcare and staunch the flow of staff leaving the profession.

Kevin Jackson of RTUC/Unison

The details of the protesters demands were as follows:

In Reading, Kevin Jackson (Unison), James Parker, John Gillman (both of Unite the Union) and Alison McNamara (NEU) represented RTUC along with comrades from the Reading Socialist Club, Socialist Party, Socialist Health Association and the Labour Party left. Following the protest march, Alison and Kevin addressed the rally as two of several speakers (see recording here).

James Parker and John Gillman of RTUC join the Protest in Broad Street, Reading

In Oxford, John Partington (TSSA) spoke on behalf of RTUC ahead of the march through the city (see here), joining a large number of groups including: Unite the Union, Unison, the Communication Workers' Union, NASUWT teachers' union, University & College Union, Oxford & District Trades Union Council, Socialist Health Association, National Pensioners Convention and the Labour and Communist Parties.

John Partington joins the Protest in Manzil Way, Oxford

The main target of the protest was the Health and Care Bill, currently passing through parliament. If enacted unamended, the bill will see wholesale privatisation of NHS services, adding to the privatised GP surgeries, ambulance services and the opticians, dentistry and pharmacy services we already experience, not to mention many administrative roles in the NHS.

#KillTheBill: A Day of Action in Reading

Reading Trades Union Council was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder will other protesters to say to the Government: "KILL THE BILL!"

On 17 January 2022, Reading Trades Union Council joined fellow trade unionists in Broad Street, Reading, for a day of action in the #KillTheBill protests. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is a blatant attempt to provide police forces with authoritarian powers, where the voices of ordinary people, particularly those most marginalised and disadvantaged, will be silenced by state-sanctioned penalties.

On the impetus of the People's Assembly's mobilisation of local actions around the country, Tanya Wills, James Parker and Kathy McCubbing (all members of Unite Community) joined Helen Caney, John Oversby (both of UCU) and Steve Snook and Sue Taylor (both of PCS) to raise awareness of the horrors of the bill.

Other protesters also assembled alongside RTUC, where placards and posters were displayed identifying the harm the bill would do to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. trade union and other protesters and even social events in the community.

The event raised awareness of the bill's draconian reach, through speeches and conversations with the passing public. It followed a series of earlier events throughout 2020 in Reading and around the country, pressuring parliamentarians to think again over the powers being bestowed upon the police by this bill and the civil liberties it will infringe.

A particular focus of attention is Clause 59 of the bill which would make it a crime to “intentionally or recklessly” cause public nuisance without a reasonable excuse and be punishable with a year in jail from magistrates or up to 10 years in the worst cases convicted at crown court. The bill would also expand stop and search powers and new laws against residing on land without authorisation with a vehicle would effectively criminalise Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Amendments added to the bill by the Government in the House of Lords in November 2021 make obstructing major transport works a criminal offence and would equip police with the power to ban named people from demonstrating.

As the bill continues to be debated in parliament, the protests will continue in the streets - aiming to humanise is illiberal tendencies or SEE IT THROWN OUT ENTIRELY!

RTUC joins Oxford Comrades to Protest the Nationality and Borders Bill

On 16 January 2022, Tanya Wills (Unite Community) represented Reading Trades Union Council in Oxford to protest against Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill. The presence of RTUC's banner ensured solidarity was clearly seen with the trade unionists and other protesters in the City of Dreaming Spires.

Tanya joined the roster of speakers at the event, which included other trade unionists and representatives of student organisations, in a protest organised by Oxford Students' Union. The event took place outside the Clarendon Building and attracted approximately 70 people. Home-made placards with anti-racist and pro-immigrant statements were held aloft, ensuring the passing public received the message which was elaborated on in the speeches.

If passed into law, this bill will see British-born persons who have dual citizenship under threat of having their British citizenship revoked – without first being informed – at the whim of the Home Secretary. Even those without a second citizenship, who the government deem to be ‘linked’ to another country, would be at risk. This includes two-out-of-five minority ethnic people in Britain.

The bill epitomises ruling class hatred towards victims of war crimes and economic turmoil abroad, as well as disdain for minorities that consider themselves settled here in Britain. It is a continuation of racist policies that have unleashed fear and misery on minorities for decades.

The controversial Clause 9 of the bill – which was being debated in the House of Lords at the time of the protest – gives the government powers to revoke citizenship without any warning.

This bill, if passed, could endanger asylum seekers, revoke British citizenship without notifying the affected parties and, through the creation of a temporary protection status, “restrict the refugee students’ access to higher education”.

Remembering William Winterbourne: "Victim of Whiggery!"

On 11 January 2022, Reading Trades Union Council made the annual pilgrimage to Kintbury, West Berkshire, to remember the struggles of William Winterbourne. William's political career ended in execution on the walls of Reading Gaol on 11 January 1831 for his part in the Swing Riots of 1830.

Born in Kintbury in 1798, William led riots which involved agricultural labourers and others from across Berkshire and beyond whose livelihoods were threatened by the introduction of threshing machines, the payment of low wages and workers' oppressive treatment. The contemporary vicar of Kintbury, the Rev. Fulwar Craven Fowle, pleaded for Winterbourne's life but to no avail. Unusually for a hanged person, William's body was returned to Kintbury and buried in the churchyard - though under the pseudonym of "William Smith".

Each year, the local Kintbury community comes together with trade unionists from the region to mark the day of execution. Speaking on behalf of Reading Trades Union Council as vice-president, Tanya Wills (chair of Unite Community BOB Branch) gave an oration (see embedded video), presenting William's actions in the context of today's hardships and oppressions. Alongside Tanya was Keith Jerrome, also of Unite Community, representing Reading Trades Union Council.

The NHS at 73 - March and Rally for Kingdom Security Staff

On 3 July 2021, trade unionists, political activists and unaffiliated sympathisers came together in Reading to celebrate the National Health Service's 73rd birthday. Organised by Unite South East Region, the event also bore the spirit of condemnation as the Reading labour movement - strongly supported by comrades from Oxford and elsewhere - rallied support for the longstanding dispute between the Royal Berkshire Hospital's security guards and their outsourced employer, Kingdom Services Group.

While the event saw representation from such trade unions as the Communication Workers Union, the National Education Union, the National Union of Journalists, the Royal College of Nursing, the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, Unison and Unite, the Reading Trades Union Council was joined by the Oxford & District Trades Union Council.

Similarly, the Reading & District Labour Party and the local Socialist Party and the Communist Party of Britain were joined by a strong contingent from the Oxford & District Labour Party.

Jim Parker and John Partington parade the RTUC banner

Indeed, the ODTUC and ODLP forewent local NHS festivities in order to show solidarity with the Kingdom security guards and the industrial dispute organised by Unite the Union.

Support from the Socialist Health Association and Reading Socialist Club also helped to swell the numbers. Together these groups represented the collective voice of the Reading and Oxford labour movements.

Neil Adams and Ray Parkes of RTUC

RTUC was represented by Neil Adams (Unite), John Gillman (Unite), Keith Jerrome (Unite), James Parker (Unite), Ray Parkes (Unite) and John Partington (TSSA), the latter addressing the closing rally on behalf of RTUC.

Gathering at the Royal Berkshire Hospital at 11:30, the assemblage then marched for the NHS and for the Kingdom security staff. From 12:00 the marchers proceeded down London Road, Eldon Road, Kings Road, Forbury Road and into the Forbury Gardens, gathering by the bandstand to hear the range of speakers.

Matt Rodda MP (Labour, Reading East)

The Unite marquee gathered signatures of solidarity with the Kingdom security staff dispute, with an online version also publicised, while the Socialist Party ran petitions for a 15% pay rise for NHS staff and in opposition to the illiberal Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is currently struggling through the parliamentary process in the face of significant opposition.

Jessika Parmar (Unite Regional Organiser)

The Kingdom security staff dispute emerged in December 2020 with a call for improved pay and conditions by Unite to the tune of £12 an hour for security guards and £13 an hour for supervisors. This was greeted by the employer with an offer of £9.30 per hour and £10.30 per hour, respectively - a derisory reward above which the employer has refused to budge, despite their website boasting that they turnover more than £100 million per annum.

Sarah Carpenter, Unite Regional Secretary

Unite are calling for an end to the outsourced security contract and the insourcing of the staff into the publicly owned NHS family once the Kingdom contract ends on 31 December this year. The latest round of strike action is due to run from 07.00 on Monday, 12 July, until 24.00 on Saturday, 31 July, following 84% support from the 20 balloted security staff.

Adam from Youth Fight for Jobs

The Unite Regional Officer, Jessika Parmar, has stated: "Now is the time for the trust to jettison the flawed privatisation model of Kingdom Services Group and bring back the security guards ‘in house’ – and from the great support we have received from the Reading community, this is what the public wants as well."

Cllr Jabu Nala-Hartley (Labour: Barton & Sandhills, Oxford)

In addition to their measly pay offer, the industrial dispute responds to Kingdom's failure to take health and safety concerns seriously, their refusal to discuss sick pay relating to health and safety and to address the disparity in sick pay between colleagues.

Cllr Nadine Bely-Summers (Labour: Littlemore Oxford)

The dispute has garnered publicity in the national press, with the Morning Star reporting the industrial action and the solidarity march in Reading to support it.

John Partington (TSSA) delivered the solidarity address on behalf of Reading trades Union Council, calling for a 15% pay rise for NHS staff, a decent settlement for Kingdom security workers and Labour Party support for the undoing of Tory anti-trade union laws: "how can we fight for Kingdom workers with one hand tied behind our backs?"

RTUC and RSC join the People's Assembly's National Demonstration

On 26 June 2021 at 12:00, Reading Trades Union Council and Reading Socialist Club representatives joined comrades from around the country for the People's Assembly's National Demonstration, 'After COVID: Demand a New Normal'. The themes predominating among the marchers were: No cuts. No privatisation. No racist scapegoating. No evictions.

John Partington (TSSA, 2nd left), John Gillman (Unite, 3rd left)
and Kathy McCubbing (RSC. right)

While trade unions, trades councils and political parties (Socialist, Communist, Labour, Social Workers' and Green parties) were present, the overwhelming visual impact during the march was of campaign groups (Palestine Solidarity, Black Lives Matter, DPAC, Drive to Survive, National Union of Students, Extinction Rebellion, pro-NHS groups) with their placards and banners, presenting an intersectional front of all generations.

Speakers represented a similar diversity, though with a greater proportion of trade unionists (Steve Turner and Howard Beckett of Unite, Alex Kenny of NEU) and Labour politicians (Zarah Sultana, Barry Gardner, Richard Burgon) - plus Jeremy Corbyn MP representing the Peace and Justice Project.

John Gillman (Unite) and John Partington (TSSA) attended on behalf of RTUC, with Phil Ashford and Kathy McCubbing represented RSC. After a year of lockdown, the People's Assembly showed once again that it can mobile the labour movement and community groups to stand up to the Government's illiberal bent, shouting down the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, calling for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, demanding a 15% payrise for nurses and proposing support, not punishment, for the victims of the COVID19 pandemic in the labour market.

Phil Ashford (RSC), John Partington (TSSA)
and Kathy McCubbing (RSC)

It promises to be a summer of protest this year and, post-lockdown, we must unleash pent-up energy to challenge Government austerity measures and attacks on civil rights at every opportunity.

Howard Beckett (Unite)

Alex Kenny (National Education Union)

Larissa Kennedy (National Union of Students)

Steve Turner (Unite)