Monday in Westminster, with a high octane TUC rally and Parliamentary Lobby against the Trade Union Bill which saw over a thousand people unable to actually get into Central Hall. No matter, because an impromptu additional stage was provided outside in the form of the Fire Brigades Union 'Battle Bus'. I was honoured to have addressed the masses from the top deck and then make my way into the main event for my speaking slot there. By that time a number of Napo members had found a seat too, and it was a privilege to hear their supportive cheers (here are some pictures taken before the rally).
The evening saw an outdoor demonstration organised by the Trade Union Co-Ordinating Group (TUCG) in Parliament Square, and I was invited to say a few words there to help warm up the crowd. I do love pavement politics but under this (and no doubt further legislation to come, because this lot won't stop there) I cannot help but wonder if one day even peaceful protests such as this will become a memory from the past.
How proud I was of the Napo members who made considerable efforts to get to London to wave their flags and banners and in many cases engage with their MP's. By all accounts they made a few of the new Tory intake feel very uncomfortable, as the hapless incumbents struggled to answer some basic questions about why the bill was being introduced and what exactly it aims to achieve in terms of improving democracy and the right of freedom of association.
If this government wants to 'democratise' industrial relations it ought to ditch this pathetic masquerade and allow electronic balloting at the workplace so we can all get a true feel for what members want to do in the event of a trade dispute and who they want to represent them in trade union elections.
By the way, there is another TUCG demo next Tuesday evening to coincide with the third reading, (same place 6:00pm) if anyone nearby fancies it.
Love him or loathe him - Corbyn offers political diversity
On Wednesday I was at the TUCG's Parliamentary reception which saw a fair spread of MP's pitch up to show their support for the work of the group which, contrary to some opinion, has a lot more to offer than mere protest.
Despite our size compared to our sister unions, Napo plays an equal role in the deliberations at the TUCG which asks questions that others find uncomfortable and ensures that the issues which impact on TUCG's one million members are given some attention via our interface with a number of influential cross-party MP's.
It was good to meet up with John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn again who have given Napo massive support over many years through the Family Court and Justice Unions Parliamentary Groups.
Their new day jobs mean that their presence at the TUCG will be reduced, but it was great to hear Jeremy in his speech talk about issues of real importance to real people as opposed to the limited and often sanitised agenda dictated by the media which regurgitates it 24/7. Is it small wonder that many people don't even bother watching the news these days?
The Tax Credits U-turn forced on George Osborne through a populist campaign and a House of Lords, which ironically is now being seen as undemocratic by those who never complained before when decisions have gone their way, demonstrates that all may not be lost in terms of the fightback against austerity.
On that theme, a major event has been organised (again at Central Hall) on Saturday 21st November see LINK to book tickets where serious questions will be debated about which direction the anti-austerity campaign should now head for, given the election of Corbyn to the leadership of the Labour Party. It is sure to be oversubscribed and I have been asked to address the conference on the subject of diversity alongside a galaxy of speakers including John McDonnell and the former Minister of Finance Yanis Varoufakis in the previous Greek Government and it will be huge honour to do so.
Conspiracy or just a plain old mistake?
Closer to home, much time has been taken up this week trying to unpick the unholy mess caused by NOMS erroneously announcing that agreement had been reached with the unions over the interpretation of HMRC policy covering the reimbursement of car parking charges, the carry over arrangements for annual leave and the permanent transfers procedure.
In BR107/2015 issued yesterday, we have tried to make it clear that there has been more than a slip between cup and lip at NOMS, whose interpretation of the position we had reached in discussions on these issues does not fit with the facts.
We will issue more details as soon as we can after next weeks Probation Negotiating Committee, but its another example of us having to try and sort out someone else's mess.
Meanwhile in Sodexo
Where we have received a predictably disappointing (and from where I sit insulting) initial response to the concerns that the unions have registered about the safety and security aspects of the grand estates strategy that is being promoted amidst a blaze of glossy brochures and supporting corporate monologue which beggars belief in terms of complacency. It's the usual Sodexo combination of not sharing their plans at an early enough stage and delaying a response in the hope that it all becomes a fait accomplis.
Of course it's not senior CRC and Sodexo management that will have to share toilet facilities with habitual substance or alcohol users, or interview clients with different needs and possibly diametrically opposing views because of their gang affiliations, in open conditions or inadequate booths.
We are told it's going to be OK once everyone is shoved into the new premises and that there will be sufficient people around to guarantee the safety of staff and clients. Without putting too fine a point on it, our members who are the experts in client behaviours don't believe you. Thats why in the continuing absence of answers we are demanding proper risk assessments, and will be lodging a trade dispute, issuing foreseeability notices and possibly testing the industrial action water by way of a ballot if that is what is needed.
Someone in Sodexo high command could do with taking a deep breath before it all turns nasty and someone is seriously hurt because someone didn't listen. We want to see a negotiated solution but some signal that the CRC owners and employers share that objective would be helpful.
Converts to the cause?
It's always a bonus when you can end the week on a positive note (although its all relative given the myriad of problems on all our doorsteps). So a piece of news from some feedback provided by four CIPD students who were part of a lecture that I was invited to contribute to alongside ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan on Wednesday at Westminster University, and hosted by Peter Firth of NOMS in his other role as a CIPD tutor.
The session on the role of Trade Unions in the age of austerity provided some lively debate and a few testing questions from a group whose collective age profile was around the early to mid-twenties and many of whom, by their own admission and maybe not surprisingly given that the bulk of them are employed as HR partners in the private sector, did not know (or care) much about trade unions.
It was a challenging environment, but I think Mick and I held up well as we talked about the benefits of trade union membership, our role on behalf of our members, and why the trade union movement has been a major and progressive contributor to the massive social reforms that have taken place across the globe over the last century.
Anyway, I am told that four of the previously anti-brigade approached their resident course tutor afterwards to say that their views had changed having listened to what was said. I would have taken that result at the start.
The only way is together
In its small way, the above example shows what is possible by way of engagement. It's a salient lesson that the movement still has some work to do to become relevant to the wider public, and also how we can never be complacent about reinforcing our message to our own members and those we would like to join us, about the value of belonging to Napo.
That's why we will be visiting as many workplaces as possible over the coming months to speak with you and prospective members face to face about the Direct Debit switchover, the work we have been putting in to try and stem the chaos that many of you are facing and, just as importantly, what we need to do together to show strength and resolve against unscrupulous employers and detrimental policies.
Have a great weekend.
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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