Messages of solidarity
These are some of the messages we have received from fellow trade unionists around the world.Solidarity with UNISON strike in local governmentPSI Affiliates in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine: Dear Friends! We, the 23 PSI affiliates in the PSI North-East European Constituency wish to express our full solidarity with your members across the United Kingdom in your struggle for decent work and salaries. The public sector delivers services that are of highest importance in everyday’s life of citizens, society and governments. That is why public sector workers should feel fully respected and be paid decently. Decent salaries are vital to secure a quality living standard for the staff that takes care of our children and elderly, keeps our streets clean and delivers many services crucial for everybody. The offer by the local employers, which again stays far below the real cost of living increase, is a provocation that humiliates the UNISON members and all public service workers. We feel to share the same principal problems all over the continent, and agree that your salaries should provide decent life to you and your families and feel deep sorrow that they don’t. We wish you every success in your strike and stand with you on July 16, 17 – and every other day of the year in your fight for fair treatment. We sincerely hope that industrial action, your strong message to the employers, will be understood and you will get the salary increase you deserve.  Original in Russian - PDFOn behalf of the PSI Affiliates in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine: The President of The Trade Union of Professional Health Workers of Belarus - Alena Belskaya, The President of The Association of Estonian Energy Workers Trade Unions - Enn Luuk, The Chairwoman of The Federation of Estonian Health Care Professionals Unions - Piret Kruuser, The President of The Trade Union of State and Self-government Institutions Workers of Estonia - Kalle Liivamägi, The Chairwoman of The Health, Social Care, Medical and Chemical Industry Workers’ Independent Trade Union - Jullietta Abulashvili, The Chairman of The Public Servants and Social Associations Workers Trade Union of Georgia - Nugzar Tchintcharauli, The Acting Chairman of The Latvian Trade Union Energija - Janis Garaissils, The Chairman of The Latvian Trade Union of Public Service and Transport Workers - Juris Kalnins, The President of The Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees of Latvia - Valdis Keris, The President of The Lithuanian Trade Union of Health Care Employees - Aldona Baublyte, The President of The Lithuanian Trade Union of State Employees - Irena Petraitiene, The Chairman of The Lithuanian Trade Union Federation of Public Services - Romualdas Nemanius, The President of The Lithuanian Trade Union Federation of Energy Workers - Juozas Neverauskas, The Chairwoman of The Central Committee of Cultural Workers Union of Ukraine - Lyudmila Perelygina, The Chairwoman of The Central Committee of the Union of Health Workers of Ukraine - Tamila Kazarina, The Chairman of The Council of Trade Unions of Gas Facilities Workers of Ukraine - Ivan Yarovyy, The Chairman of The Energy and Electrical Engineering Industry Workers Union - Sergii Shyshov, The Chairman of The Nuclear Power and Industry Workers Union of Ukraine - Valeriy Matov, The Chairman of The Social Workers' Union - Volodymyr Tetkin, The Chairwoman of The State Employees Union of Ukraine - Tatiana Nikitina, The Chairman of The State Commodity Reserve Workers' Union - Oleksandr Fedirko, The Chairman of The Trade Union of the National Ukrainian Academy of Science - Anatolii Shyrokov, The Chairman of The Trade Union of Workers of Municipal Economy, Local Industry, Population Services of Ukraine - Olexiy Romanyuk "The Mediterranean Group of public services trade unions of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain expressed in its 30th meeting in Eretria, Greece, on 1st July 2008, its solidarity to UNISON and to 600,000 local government workers on strike on 16-17 July 2008. The strike has been called in protest for the 2.45% pay offer from the local government employer’s association that will effectively lead to a pay cut. "The two million members of the Mediterranean Group of public services trade unions stand in solidarity with UNISON members and Local Government workers across the United Kingdom in their struggle for decent wages in UK and in Europe. "We stand with you on July 16, 17 - and all the Mediterranean workers are with your members in your fight." Cyprus (FPSEC SEK, FSGEC SEK, PASYDY); Greece (ADEDY); Italy (Filcem CGIL, FP CGIL, FP CISL); Malta (GWU); Portugal (SINTAP-UGT, STAL, STE), Spain (FSAP CCOO, FSP UGT, FIA-UGT) "The two million members of the Service Employees International Union stand in solidarity with UNISON members across the United Kingdom in their struggle for decent wages. "In refusing to pay workers wages that keep up with the rate of inflation, the local government employers' association is failing to respect the crucial work that public sector workers do in schools, streets, and homes across the UK. "As one of the largest unions of public employees in the United States, we know firsthand why investing in public services is so important to both public workers and to everyone who benefits from their hard work. "Decent wages are crucial to attracting and retaining qualified staff to take care of vital functions like teaching our children and keeping our streets clean. "We stand with you on July 16, 17 – and every other day of the year in your fight for fair treatment." Andrew L Stern Service Employees International Union: USA "Times are difficult for public service unions all over Europe. Working and pay conditions are under pressure in many respects. It is vital we stand together and defend our workers' interests. "ver.di fully supports all of your goals. We all hope you will be successful in achieving the demands you have made." Frank Bsirske ver.di, Germany "Desde CCOO. Federación de Servicios y Administraciones Públicas, queremos trasladaros todo nuestro apoyo y solidaridad con la lucha y las movilizaciones que mantenéis en beneficio de los derechos de los trabajadores y trabajadoras y de la ciudadanía en vuestra nación. "Estos derechos, que seriamente se ven amenazados día a día en toda Europa con políticas que ignoran el bienestar común, requieren para su defensa un esfuerzo común de todos aquellos que defendemos una Europa Social y con derechos y Servicios para todos. Por tanto, reiteraros de nuevo en nombre de todos los compañeros y compañeras que conformamos Comisiones Obreras, nuestro más sincero y fraternal apoyo. Adelante compañeros." Jacek Ciacma. Miguel Segarra Ortiz Desde CCOO, Spain "The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) supports wholeheartedly the action taken by workers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on 16 and 17 July in protest at the employers' pay "offer" of just 2.45%. Take inflation into account and this represents a pay cut and will do nothing to make up for ten years of below-enflation pay rises. "We support trade union calls for an improved pay offer and urge the employers to re-open negotiations." Carola Fischbach-Pyttel European Federation of Public Service Unions "The Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia is sending its solidarity message to UNISON. We support the strike in total. "We send our heartfelt strong support for the good cause of the action you are taking on 16/17 July. Viva UNISON." Patrick Mazila Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia "I am writing on behalf of Napo to send you and all UNISON"s local government members our best wishes for the strike action on the 16th and 17th July. "Napo members understand your frustration at the intransigence of the Local Government Association, having made an unacceptable pay offer, in refusing to enter meaningful negotiations. Your action is a legitimate and necessary response to the employers' behaviour. "As you know Napo, with UNISON, is in dispute with the probation employers over their poor treatment of our members' pay and conditions. It is possible that our members will be following you in taking industrial action. We salute you as you take this couragous step and assure you of our support in delivering successful action and winning a just settlement for your members." Jonathon Ledger Napo "The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) supports wholeheartedly the action taken by workers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on 16 and 17 July in protest at the employers' pay "offer" of just 2.45%. Take inflation into account and this represents a pay cut and will do nothing to make up for ten years of below-inflation pay rises. "We support trade union calls for an improved pay offer and urge the employers to re-open negotiations." Carola Fischbach-Pyttel European Federation of Public Service Unions "I bring revolutionary greetings from the Zimbabwe Rural Disctrict Councils Workers Unions and its leadership. "We are giving your union unwaring support in its fight for a living wage on the 16th -17th July 2008. "We are proud to to be associated with your organization hence our 1000% support of the action. "We also applaud the UNISON leadership for not folding their arms when the majority of the local government workers are paid salaries which are below the living wage. "We have no doubt in our mind that the action is going to yield positive results. Thanks to you, we have learned the importance of solidarity for the local government from your organisation." James Chafungamoyo Gumbi Zimbabwe Rural Disctrict Councils Workers Unions "We have just learned of the two-day strike action scheduled for later this month and we want to relay our strong support and solidarity to your local government members. "As you know, CUPE has tens of thousands of members in our equivalent of the local government sector. We will be informing them of your action to take place July 16-17, and will urge them to show international solidarity with striking UNISON members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. "We understand that this will be the first nationwide strike in this sector for nearly 21/2 years, and that it will affect 600,000 workers including social workers, librarians, school meals workers, refuse collectors, surveyors and teaching assistants. "We have many members doing these same jobs in every community across Canada. They will be appalled, as we are to learn of the meagre 2.45% pay offer from the local government employers' organisation. "We know that inflation is running at 4.3% in the UK, including housing costs, so the employers', offer is, in effect, a pay cut. This is unacceptable to any public sector worker and it is unacceptable to us." Paul Moist & Claude Genereux Canadian Union of Public Employees / Syndicat canadien de la function publique "Dear UNISON Sisters and Brothers, "I am writing on behalf of the 340,000 members of the National Union of Public and General Employees in Canada who stand in solidarity with you in your fight for a fair deal and specifically in opposition to the recent wage offer. "As a public sector union, we know that you work tirelessly on the frontlines to deliver key public services. You form the backbone of government and community services. You deserve to earn a decent wage that allows you to put food on the table for your family and allows you to do more than just make ends meet. "Wage rollbacks are not unfamiliar to workers in Canada. When employers slash workers’ wages, they create instability in the workforce with destructive repercussions for every family. We need stable jobs with steady and fair incomes to ensure we maintain and recruit the highly-skilled, experienced and dedicated workers needed to provide vital services. Workers need to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness every step of the way. "We appreciate that UNISON and its members are fighting this detrimental wage proposal because you want to protect and strengthen public services, ensure a secure and prosperous future for working families and protect the fundamental principles of the labour movement. "Just as you fight for quality public services for families everywhere, we must send a message to your employer warning them that there is a massive global labour community fighting on your behalf as well. You are not in this struggle alone. No matter where we live and work, we fight these battles together. "Your courageous actions for a fair and decent settlement are a source of inspiration to all members of the National Union and working people across Canada. We will be with you through this struggle and all those that lie ahead. "In solidarity," James Clancy National Union of Public and General Employees, Canada "The Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia is sending its solidarity message to UNISON. We support the strike in total. "We send our heartfelt strong support for the good cause of the action you are taking on 16/17 July. "Viva UNISON." Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia "Dear UNISON friends, "Korean Health & Medical Workers Union (KHMU) representing 40,000 workers in 150 public and private hospitals in Korea fully supports the strike of UNISON workers who fight for fair wage and equal society. Currently, global economy driven by “market fundamentalism” makes the livelihood of working people vulnerable and instable. The ideology-oriented governments has undermined trade unionism and deteriorated decent life of ordinary workers. Working people in public sector have been the main target of the offense. Now, UNISON workers are at the forefront of the struggle. Your struggle is our struggle. We are sure that your strike can promote not only economic justice for UNISON workers, but also social justice for the public. In solidarity," Hong, Myung-ok Korean Health & Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU) "We are the General Union, Japan, and we wholeheartedly support your fight, and while we aren't there physically on the picket lines with you, we are there in thought. Hang tough. Solidarity! "We are Trade Unionists. We support for your TU action." G.V.D.Tilakasiri General Union, Japan "I fully support your struggle for fair pay for local government employees!" Jana Veselá SSC Prague "I am writing to you in respect of UNISON's members' day of action on 16 July, in support of your local government pay claim, and your ongoing negotiations to bring about a fair outcome for UNISON members in local government. "As another union involved in local government as well as being part of the commonwealth nations sharing a similar local government structure, we at the ASU are well aware of the value of local government workers to the community and the general public, and the politicians that depend upon the work of local government employees to deliver services to the community. "All too often the work of local government employees is undervalued, whilst the services they provide are used by our community members every day. "Politicians all too often provide themselves with good salary increases but do not think long enough on the remuneration need to attract local government employees and secure and maintain their long term employment, along with the need for recognition and reward of local government workers - with out the work of local government employees services to the community and businesses would not exist. "From building inspectors to council rangers, from community services to administration and more - society both city and country depend upon quality public services provided by local government employees - its therefore only fair that these employees are rewarded with rates of pay and employment conditions that keep them in local government providing these services. "Over the last few years the Australian Union movement and the ASU have faced many challenges, in these times we have always valued the support, solidarity and friendship from UNISON. "We at the ASU look forward to continuing to work with UNISON and exchange information on from our ongoing exchange of information around private public partnerships to shared services, the companies behind contracting out of services and the political policies that challenge us all. "It is with great pleasure that I write to UNISON members, on behalf of ASU local government employees, wishing them every success in their current campaign for wages and salary justice in local government. "Yours in solidarity and friendship," Greg Mclean Australian Services Union "All the best in your struggle," David Condon Medicine Hat District Labour Council, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada "The NUT is pleased to send best wishes for your action on July 16 and 17. We wish you every success in achieving fair pay for all Local Government workers. "We look forward to continuing the campaign until fair pay is achieved across the public sector. "In solidarity," Christine Blower NUT "The NASUWT sends greetings of solidarity and support to the members of UNISON engaged in industrial action. "Like UNISON, the NASUWT is committed to securing fair pay for all public sector workers. "NASUWT members in schools and local authority services are committed to ensuring that the action being taken by UNISON colleagues is not undermined at local level. "Best wishes, Chris Keates NASUWT, the teachers’ union "On behalf of the Tofte and Hurum Union in Norway, I want to express our solidarity with UNISON local government employees for taking a stand. Hope you get the pay deal you deserve for your essential work. Best of luck with the strike action. Yours in solidarity." Tofte and Hurum Union, Norway "On behalf of 340,000 public and private sector employees in Canada, we want to express our solidarity with the local government members of UNISON who are on strike for Fair Pay. "We salute your courage, and your determination to win an acceptable contract. To us, your slogan says it all – you are only fighting for what’s fair, and 2.45%, an offer that would not even keep pace with inflation, simply doesn’t meet the basic test of fairness. "We know it is never easy to strike. But we also know that you provide important services to the people of your towns and cities. You deserve respect, and you deserve decent wages for the work that you do. "By standing firm you are sending a clear message to your employers and the public, that you are prepared to fight for your rights, that you are prepared to fight for what’s fair. "We wish you well, we offer you our complete support, and we pledge to you our complete solidarity. We stand in unity with you today, united across borders and even across oceans, united in our belief that workers must be treated fairly, and united in our belief that in the end you will win a decent contract. "In solidarity," James Clancy & Larry Brown The National Union of Public and General Employees, Canada “On behalf of the Fire Brigades Union I would like to pass on a message of support to UNISON members for the industrial action planned for 16 and 17 July. “I have written to all our members informing them of yours and PCS' action urging them to give what support they can. “Please pass on to all UNISON members the best wishes of the Fire Brigades Union. We are fully supportive of your campaign for fair pay in local government. “Along with other unions we urge the government to end its unjust and unworkable policy in relation to public sector pay. Low paid public sector workers must not be made to pay the price for economic instability.” Matt Wrack Fire Brigades Union "Public and Commercial Services Union members fully support the strike action being taken by UNISON members in local government. We offer your members solidarity and best fraternal wishes, and I have asked our members to offer whatever practical support they can. "With inflation continuing to rise, the government’s pay policy, which cuts living standards for millions of low paid public servants, becomes ever harder to bear. Many PCS and UNISON members now face the prospect of having to cut their spending on basic foods and essential energy supplies. "The best chance we have of defending members from this is for public sector unions to work together and coordinate action wherever possible. We look forward to working closely with UNISON over the summer and autumn to ensure that all of our members secure the fair pay increases they deserve." Mark Serwotka Public and Commercial Services Union “On behalf of our 100,000 local government members in Scotland we offer our support and solidarity in the continuing fight for fair pay. “In Scotland we are also balloting our members for strike action against the employers offer of 2.5% each year for the next three years, and are confident that our members also will firmly reject this offer and vote for strike action. Our action will be planned for mid August which means that our employers, whether they are in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, can be in no doubt that UNISON is absolutely committed to delivering fair pay for our local government members. “I wish you every success in your days of action on the 16 and 17 July, our members in Scotland are right behind you.” Matt Smith & Stephanie Herd UNISON Scotland “Young members in local government are desperate to see a fair pay rise, and are fully behind the strike to defeat yet another below-inflation pay settlement. Clearly this is a crucial issue for our members pay, but its also important for the future of local government. If the service is going to attract new, young recruits able to deliver high-quality services, it simply can't afford to carry on cutting pay. “ Stuart Reeves UNISON national young members forum “The national women’s committee would like to offer its total support to the local government members taking part in the industrial action this week. “We know that the strike will have a major impact on women members particularly, both as low paid workers and in picking up the pieces when services are closed, but we urge all local government workers to join the strike, and members in other services to support the strikers in any way they can. “We must protect our services, protect our terms and conditions and campaign together to win fair pay. “ Katrina Murray UNISON national women's committee “The forthcoming strike action is important as it demonstrates the strength of feeling that our members have in relation to the employers pay offer. “We are all experiencing financial pressure due to the rising cost of necessities such as food and heating and we know that this linked to the inflated fuel prices. "UNISON's black members will generally be disproportionately affected by pay that is not in line with the true cost of living. As we generally earn less than our white counterparts and are not at senior levels within most organisations. “As UNISON members, we are committed to the strike action and to challenging the employers to revise their offer and recognise that we all represent value for money. “ Bev Miller UNISON national black members’ committee “UNISON's national lesbian gay bisexual and transgender committee expresses its support and solidarity to all our members in local government taking part in the industrial action. They cannot be expected to continue to accept pay cuts with rising inflation and living costs. We urge our LGBT members within local government to be "all out" on 16-17 July and to demonstrate our collective determination to act to improve our pay and conditions - Stronger Together! “ Louise Ashworth & Craig Nelson UNISON national LGBT committee “Retired members depend on the quality public services provided by our working colleagues in local government. “It is a disgrace that almost 250,000 UNISON members in vital jobs such as refuse workers, cooks and cleaners earn less than £6.50 an hour. “These members have always supported us in our efforts to obtain a decent pension and I would take this opportunity to wish them every success as they prepare to strike for fair pay on 16 – 17 July. “ David Kippest UNISON retired members’ committee “On behalf of UNISON's national probation committee, I extend our best wishes and strongest support to you and all UNISON members involved in the local government dispute 16th & 17th July. “I know that this action has not been taken lightly and it is clear that UNISON and its members have little choice but to fight the injustice of low pay within this important and critical public service. “All of UNISON's members within the probation service will be watching events closely knowing that they too could be taking industrial action should their own pay dispute not be resolved satisfactorily. “We hope that action will be avoided but are more than prepared to do what is necessary, to defend a modernised pay structure and put a stop to increases which will leave our members in financial difficulty. “UNISON can be proud of its stance on defending public services and ending poverty pay in areas of work which are so vital to the operation of a civil society. “Your action is one of a long line of responses to those who would damage the effectiveness of public services and attack those who work in them. “Let us hope for a good couple of days in which once again UNISON is seen in the vanguard of all that is fair and decent. “All the very best, “ Matthew Lay UNISON national probation committee “All of Higher Education supports our comrades in Local Goverment in their campaign and strike action to receive Fair Pay in securing a improved offer from the employers. I have received calls from HE workers that are joining the picket lines and here in Leeds Metropolitan University we have added the UNISON banner to our own website. Good luck. Regards, “ Derek Earnshaw UNISON higher education committee |
