Education Sector Day of Dissent

Joint unions in Education sector Unite, Unison, GMB, UCU, EIS, AMC and ATL are planning a Day of Dissent on Monday 21st June, the longest day and also the day before what will probably turn out to be the most infamous day for working people, Budget Day 2010!

I don't think anybody could mistake the plans by the current Government to take not just an axe but a chainsaw to public sector finances including major parts of the education sector.  We await the Government budget plans which have already been well trailed including the intention to destroy so called "Gold Plated Pensions" in the public sector.

On top of that workers are already seeing the attempt to limit pay increases in both HE & FE with currently 0.4% and 0.2% unconsolidated amounts on offer worth £52 and £26 per year respectively to our lowest paid members in higher and further education. This is at a time when inflation has just hit 5.3%.
  
The joint unions in the sector Unite, Unison, GMB, UCU, EIS, AMC and ATL are asking all reps, stewards and members to organise meetings during a lunchtime or your own time to show dissent at what is being proposed to you and your standard of living.

Let me make it clear this is not industrial action which requires a formal ballot. Rather its campaigning activity to be undertaken outside of working time.

All union members in the education sector are asked to co-ordinate activities with other unions in their locality. It is suggested this could be a workplace gathering during a lunchtime or other convenient period. "Town" meetings are another alternative perhaps at or outside local town halls. Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Sheffield, Newcastle, Bristol, Southampton or any other large conurbation may wish to organise city wide meetings or at a particular focal point.

The joint unions in the sector are producing leaflets or posters and these will be available shortly, as will further details on a dedicated website at Defend Higher Education Link

A special event is planned for London, again details nearer the time.

The Day of Dissent should be carried out on the same day to maximise the effect. Please do all you can to inform members about the planned event of Monday 21st June.  Copy this email on to staff in your workplace as example.

Please do all you can to show your dissatisfaction on the Day of Dissent.  If you need further details or want to contact other unions to plan your action contact your sector Regional Officer or the Unite Regional Office who will put you in touch with local officials from other unions.

Let’s show our dissent!