Earlier this week I wrote about my anger & frustration at hearing the personal stories of the Derby TAs at our AGM.
Last night we had some more Derby TAs speak at Barnet Trades Council AGM.
We heard another heartbreaking account of the brutal savagery of the 25% pay cut by Labour controlled Derby City Council. Like many others I have read about the Derby TAs on social media, watched some excellent film footage by Reel News, but nothing quite prepares you for when you meet and hear their harrowing stories. The pay cut is literally destroying their lives. The knock impact on their personal lives family and friends is devastating and cruel.
I felt ashamed on Tuesday at our AGM and again last night at our Barnet Trades Council AGM.
I'm in the Labour Party and the targeted cruelty is completely unacceptable. I have a little experience of negotiations, which can be difficult and at times intimidating but the all out confrontational bullying being adopted by the Leader of the Labour Party in Derby is bringing the reputation of the Labour Party into disrepute.
He should be removed immediately.
So there we have it.
Brutal austerity attacks on low paid female staff imposed not by a right wing Tory Council but a right wing Labour Council.
Something has to be done and it is beholden to all Labour Party members to condemn Derby City Council by saying publicly "Not in our name".
We all need to discuss Derby TAs in our local Labour Party meetings, trade union meetings and send messages of support to Derby City UNISON and email the Leader of Derby City Council.
In the meantime Derby need help.
They need:
1. Help to build a national profile in the media and to other grassroots workers.
2. Financial help.
3. National rally in Derby, if they call it, we need to turn up with "banners held high"
4. Labour Party members to put pressure on Derby City Council.
I've lost my voice so my screaming is not as loud as it could be but I am
ANGRY and so should all of us at this disgraceful attack.
I've organised workers for over 30 years, we cannot let this brutal attack succeed, the future of trade unionism hangs in the balance. I believe we can win but we all have to get "stuck in"
Solidarity Derby TAs, hope to see some of you in Durham Rally on 25 March.
John Burgess a very very angry Labour Party member and grassroots unison rep.
Very sad but true...voted Labour all my life and been a Union member since I started work at 18 as a Nursery Nurse..we fought hard then to get a proper salary as we were not paid in the holidays and now we have gone backwards ...back to the bad old days...but in those days there was 'the dole' if you could bear it now....nothing...disgusting way to treat a profession...as a Labour party memeber I will not be able to vote for then next time in Derby!!
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