Bulletin of Socialist Party members in Minimum Wage Increase Insult to Struggling Workers & Families

Unsuprisingly, in a press release on the Usdaw website, General Secretary John Hannett has warmly welcomed the suggested changes to the minimum wage, made by the Low Pay Commission he sits on. Whilst undoubtedly many retail workers will welcome any rise in the minimum wage given soaring costs of living, 6.50 is still far below the living wage which last years Usdaw ADM agreed to press for as a minimum in the retail and distributive industries. Moreover, as the rate of increase is lower for youth rates 2% increase for 18-20 year olds as compared to 3% for 21 and above this will widen the gap between the rates rather than see it abolished with a real living wage for all workers regardless of income inequality. Below we reprint an article from the March 6th issue of the Socialist by a low paid Unison member The Low Pay Commission has just recommended a 3% increase in the minimum wage from 1 October. This is a pathetic 19p an hour or a loaf of bread more on an eight-hour shift or a pack of nappies more for a 40-hour week. cost of the weekly food bill rocket by 24%, energy costs by 39%, public transport by 30% and social housing rents by 26% on average. Even worse, young workers aged 1820 stand to get only a 2% increase, taking their hourly wage to 5.13 - for 16-17 year olds the hourly wage will be 3.79. With payday loans and food banks now a way of life for families up and down the country the gap between the end of the wages and the end of the month is now weeks rather than days. Parents are skipping meals to make food go round. Rising numbers of children are going to school without breakfast. This not only causes suffering now but malnourishment is storing up health problems for the future. should strike with the teachers on 26 March. We all know only too well that neither this government nor, it is patently clear, the next, will give anything away to us without a fight. The TUC, rather than just welcoming this increase, should be mobilising the unions for a coordinated fight, including general strike action, against poverty and cuts. We need to be able to fight for decent living standards for ourselves and our families. We should declare war on this millionaire government and build a new mass party for the millions. The Socialist Party says:

the Activist

Issue 49 March 2014

Trade union struggle to increase

the minimum wage to the 'living wage' rate of 7.65 an hour or 8.80 in London, as an immediate step towards 10 an hour for all All workers, including part-timers, temps, casual and migrant workers to have trade union rates of pay, employment protection, and sickness and holiday rights from day one of employment An immediate 50% increase in the state retirement pension, as a step towards a living pension for all Reject 'workfare' and end zerohour contracts. For the right to decent benefits, education, training, or a job, without compulsion Share out the work. A maximum 35 -hour week with no loss of pay

This pitiful increase, the first above inflation rise since the start of the financial crisis in 2008, is an insult to these families and the army of working poor without full-time opportunities, permanent contracts or decent terms and conditions. Meanwhile those of us working in local governThis is an insult to the families who over the last five years have seen the ment on poverty wages as catering staff, cleaners, teaching assistants and librarians see our unions stalling on pushing our pay claim. Our union leadership have the laughable hope that this rise in the minimum wage will take the pressure off our stretched budgets and spiralling costs of living. We need to ballot now Workers in the United States taking part in a recent for strike action to win march for $15 an hour minimum wage in Seattle our pay claim - and we

Inside:

p2 - What the Collins review means p3 - ADM Propositions Blocked p4 - Fast Food Rights Campaign p5 - Mailbag p6 - Scottish Independence Referendum

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Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

Need for new mass workers' party is undeniable

This article is extracted from the summer..." based on the unions, with their repost-Collins review issue of the Sosources on an unashamedly fighting cialist GMB leader Paul Kenny, who last anti-cuts programme could absoautumn was standing out in opposi- lutely transform UK politics. Even in After a conference that lasted just tion to Miliband said: "My union will the short term it would have more two hours... it was gone! Labour's be supporting these proposals effect on Labour policies than the Saturday 1 March special confer- wholeheartedly... trying our dam- capitulation by the union leaders at this conference. ence, by adopting the Collins Re- ndest to make them work." view, effectively ended any lingering pretence of an organised trade un- Ordinary members have little say The great majority of the union leadion presence in the party that the over policy. The elite do as they ers complied with Collins because unions created over a century ago. It please, as happened in the many they are afraid to draw the necesis the end of a process of transform- stitch-ups for safe parliamentary sary conclusions from what these ing Labour into yet another main- seats and as happened at Falkirk... changes mean. stream pro-market party that started Policy shouldn't be a matter of with Kinnock expelling Militant, pleading with Ed to release his 'inner They should look to France where Smith bringing in 'one member one radical'." Miliband's equivalent, Franois Holvote' and Blair ditching the socialist lande has pursued vicious austerity. Clause 4. Both Eds have already told us that He has disappointed the working they accept Tory austerity - and class completely and is officially the The Labour leadership wants to fi- capitalism! The day after the special most unpopular president in the hisnally cut off all avenues for internal conference, New Labour education tory of the fifth republic. opposition should they come to gov- spokesman Tristram Hunt was on ernment, even from the tame party BBC confirming that Labour will re- In the US the unions have funded that now exists. We've already had tain Michael Gove's schools policies Obama and the Democrats but sigthree years of 'Town Hall' Milibands such as Free Schools and acceler- nificant sections are starting to work and Balls passing on brutal Con- ated academisation: "I don't think with the left, including Socialist AlterDem cuts, while disciplining the few you want to waste political energy by native, in the fight for a $15 an hour Labour councillors prepared to re- undoing reforms that, in certain minimum wage. sist. situations, build rather successfully on Labour policy." Here the Trade Unionist and SocialIt also cannot be separated from ist Coalition is planning the biggest Miliband shamefully calling in the It is also revealing that Tony Blair left of Labour stand in generations police to undemocratically under- praised Miliband and even 'Dr and already involves the RMT and mine the Falkirk parliamentary se- Death' David Owen, the key traitor key trade union fighters. Join the lection contest because Unite had who left Labour to set up the SDP, fight for a working class political been successful in recruiting new has publicly announced a financial voice by getting involved today. members to the party - the party it d o n a donates 3 million a year to! Len tion to McCluskey reportedly got a rousing Labour reception from delegates when he p r e called for support for sacked Ineos c i s e l y convenor Stevie Deans. They had, b e however, also given a standing ova- c a u s e tion to Miliband. Collins w a s But the starting point for Stevie's passed dismissal was Miliband's attack on by him at Falkirk where he was the con- y o u r stituency chair! Scandalously, Ste- friends vie's fellow convenor Mark Lyons, will you the national vice-chair of Unite has b e also now been sacked. Yet Len can known! say: "My union was one of the first to embrace the principle of reform A new TUSC supporters ambush Ed Miliband outside the conference when Ed Miliband proposed it last p a r t y
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Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

ADM Propositions Blocked by Central Office

In the run-up to this years Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM), the Activist has received several reports of large numbers of propositions being blocked by Central Office and then ratified by the Executive Council (EC). Particularly galling is that this is year is the once every three year opportunity for branches to submit proposed changes to the unions rulebook and every one of the propositions to amend this have been thrown out, apart from the ECs proposition on S1 increasing the unions membership fees despite the ongoing surplus that has been increasing in recent years. We urge all branches who have had their propositions blocked to appeal the decision, which can be done by any member writing to the EC and appearing before them at the next EC meeting. In particular, we also note the following in the Standing Orders for Delegate Meetings in part 1 under Propositions and Amendments: Such propositions shall then be submitted to the Executive Council, and if, in their opinion, any of them are obscure in meaning and so liable to misunderstanding or are not in conformity with the Rules of the Union or the law of the land, the Executive Council shall empower the Central Office to communicate with the proposers to that effect, and get the defects remedied The Activist believes that the EC has deliberately not applied this rule to allow branches to rectify faulty propositions as there are a whole series of questions they throw up that Usdaws leadership simply do not want to see debated at this years ADM. Any claims of a lack of time to carry this out are simply nonsense as it is the ECs duty to set the timetable for ADM, subject to the unions rulebook. Once more we see clampdowns on our union democracy, for the specific purpose of blocking the adoption of a fighting policy. The cowardice of the current union leadership to not discuss such pivotal questions as that of working class political representation as raised below, stands in contrast with previous leaderships. In 2001, when Bill Connor was General Secretary, a proposition on a related issue was debated at ADM. At that time it was defeated, but events since have moved on with the expulsion of the RMT, disaffiliation of the FBU, Labour taking us into the Iraq war and bailing out the banks at our expense amongst other issues. That the current leadership are blocking this from being discussed is an indication of their lack of confidence their line, of loyally supporting Labour whilst it stabs workers in the back. We warn Usdaws leadership that this will not work, it will only make Usdaws members more frustrated at lack of a serious fight, both industrially and politically, against the low wages, insecure working conditions and other issues that beset retail workers. We below publish a contribution from one union member whos branch resolution to this years ADM was blocked. Usdaw, one of the largest trade unions in Britain, has given the Labour Party 4.8 million since 2010, last year saw a 93% vote in favour of retaining Usdaws political fund. The next general election which will see Labour participate with Usdaws support is less than 18 months away. Now is a perfect time to debate affiliation then you would think? Not the Usdaw leadership though it would seem. A proposition my branch put forward to Usdaws Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) in 2014 called simply for a special conference to be organised, debating whether or not, in the aftermath of Labour can be reclaimed by those who formed it or if we should disaffiliate. This was proposed in the light of Labours special conference this march where moves are afoot to end whats left of the unions collective voice in the Labour Party. This was ruled out of order by the Executive Council though due allegedly to the obscure wording but there was no offer allowing the submission of a new proposition with the obscure language cleared up. This reason for this, and the real reason it was ruled out of order, is revealed later on in the letter my branch received however, where central office claims that its against the rules to even discuss our relationship to the Labour Party. Therefore, they say, the rules have to be changed, which can only be done in a rule change year. The next one after this year being 2017! Unfortunately, I find this blatant and undemocratic decision unsurprising. Only this month General Secretary John Hannett, is pictured in the bimonthly Usdaw reps magazine, Network, shaking hands with Ed Miliband and letting us know our focus has to be on returning a Labour government in 2015. The Usdaw leadership wants us to maintain our link with Labour and campaign for a Labour victory next year whilst making a few passing references about reclaiming the party. The last Labour government took us to war, oversaw widespread introduction of PFI in the NHS and other public services, introduced academies and tuition fees, and failed to renationalise the railways or repeal the anti-trade union laws, as they had promised, and I see no real change in the party since then. As the working class faces an onslaught of brutal attacks, the leaders of our workers organisation like Usdaw need to be bold and far-sighted and not tail end a party that is Labour now in name only. Usdaw belongs to us, the members, the money paid to Labour comes from hard working low paid workers, and the ADM is our conference for us to discuss issues pressing for us. So why cant we debate the most fundamental question facing our union at the moment, what is the point in the Labour party and how do we achieve real political representation for Usdaw members and the working class as a whole?

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Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

Fast Food Rights Campaign launched

By a Glasgow fast food worker and required to provide, but you could be asked to work your shift and one for a Usdaw rep colleague who is sick. Retail workers are on low wages and insecure part- time contracts, with With these changeable hours it is difbosses prioritising the needs of the ficult to be assessed accurately for business over our welfare. Stores are benefits. One week you get full time judged on profits that they make. hours, the next you are left with not What this means for workers is that enough to buy food. And even finding every last drop of productivity is out which days you will be working squeezed out of us in every hour that can be a real hassle. Its not being uncommon for managers to do rotas we work. less than a week in advance. The Every task is timed. This means rota it is often changed with last minmaximum efficiency for the employer ute adjustments without asking but puts staff under unbelievable staff. Quite how anyone is expected pressure as they dont have a minute to plan their lives on such short noto spare and if anything crops up un- tice, some with childcare obligations, expected such as a spillage. The ma- really is beyond me. jority of retail workers earn less than 7 per hour and are forced to rely on A common complaint by retail worktax credits and housing benefit to ers is that shops are too hot in summake up our wages to an amount that mer and too cold in winter. Most retail we can live off. companies will have policies for low temperature working including extra But these benefits are not straight breaks for hot drinks and common forward to claim. In this sector full sense solutions like providing jumptime contracts are a rarity, with zero ers and gloves for staff, but the reality hours or part time contracts the stan- is that management are reluctant to dard.If you are contracted for 16 provide these as extra breaks put hours then that is all the employer is time pressure on them as they are left short on the floor. Jumpers and gloves cost money. There is no maximum temperature for working so managers are even less likely to fix air conditioning, instead choosing to let staff bake in stifling heat. One extreme example I have dealt with the shop was reaching 40+ degrees and staff were expected to work, being told by an area manager to go to the staff room and eat an ice lolly! We need to organise within retail, in order to challenge the culture that exists towards staff. We make millions of pounds per year for our employers and they treat us as no more than a business expense that needs to be minimised. We need to put an end to the chronic underemployment and an end to zero hour contracts. We need secure contracts. Most Trades Unions have a policy of fighting for a living wage that is currently 7.45 per hour but in order to win that they have to provide a fighting lead. The Fast Food Rights campaign is calling on a 10 per hour wage. The Youth Fight for Jobs campaign is supporting this and we took part in activity with the Bakers union in stalls and activities outside fast food outlets in Scotland. Its about time low paid and super-exploited workers won a decent living wage and proper rights at work. Given that we see how much cash runs through our tills we know that our employers can afford it. To find out more www.youthfightforjobs.com visit

A recent Fast Food Rights protest & leafletting in London

8th annual conference takes place on Saturday 5th July in Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL - See www.shopstewards.net for info

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Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

Mailbag:
Dear Activist, Thanks for sending me the Activist no.48, and what a lovely obituary you did for Robbie Segal, who was absolutely a wonderful person in my eyes. Do keep up the excellent work for so many, as so many need you today. I met a young man on the bus today, as we live in a country area and he is on the minimum wage most of his money goes on bus fares! Is this right I say? NO NOT RIGHT!, AS HE REALLY HAS NO CHANCE OF SAVING FOR HIS FUTURE HAS HE! Thanks again, A retired Usdaw member

Thank you Activist for publishing my letter about life in Tesco stores and the fact that no one is listening to us. I have to report that things are not getting better. I have been told there is no overtime whatsoever unless the door is about to shut. The managers are fed up with constantly having to patch up a broken structure. Sickness is high, morale low, stress increasing and I have seen staff crying on the shop floor.

tasted office. There was a similar proposition on changing Usdaws approach to Labour. It got on the agenda and he argued against the idea of supporting candidates who campaigned on Usdaw policies. For me he lost the debate but won the vote. He had the guts to argue his case. Hannett is no Connor when it comes to speaking and that is what I think is the problem.

Dear Activist, I attended the recent Fast Food Rights protest in London. What an atmosphere! Lots of young people passionate about fighting for better pay and working conditions as well as building our trade union movement. People dashed into each outlet handing out information about joining a union.

I spoke to a young retail worker who was watching the protest. He told me how badly treated staff in his store were treated by their manager. He asked me why people were just campaigning amongst fast food workers and not retail workers like him. I think we have to ask our leaders why were not doing this ourselves! I attended ADM when Bill Connor was general secretary who moved An angry retail worker & Usdaw rep from the left to the right once he

Usdaws leaders manoeuvres against propositions goes even Where there should be three on the deeper, Just before changing jobs, shift it has been cut back to two - a I was drinking with a group which manager and one other. You are included an Usdaw official who instanding for 9 hrs five days a week formed us that Hannett was so furiand often you are left alone either ous about some propositions on because the other employee is on the ADM agenda that he wrote a a break or working in the back do- letter demanding that officials ing other jobs. should not help write motions for members. No wonder propositions are ruled out of order This all adds up to angry customers. We have run a Freedom from Fear campaign for over a decade Good luck in your struggle to change Usdaw - Pete W, now a and things are getting worse. Unite member Maybe John Hannett should work in one a store for a month then he would know what is going on. And Dear Activist if he had to live on our wages maybe he would be a bit more vig- After reading the excellent article orous in fighting on our behalf for on the new minimum wage in the higher wages. Socialist, it got me thinking about our wage negotiations in Tesco Yours in not much hope Usdaw will which are about to start. ever change - A Tesco rep For the last five years the best Usdaw has achieved for us is a 2.5% increase. Our wages monitor the minimum wage and the generous Dear comrades Tesco gives us a little extra. Hannett sees the 19p (3%) increase in Having left Usdaw a few ago, I have only just recently found your the NMW has a welcome first step. Thanks John, so the best on website. I noted your post on the offer for us is another 19p raise. EC ruling out a large number of propositions but the prop that inter- Well John on your 120,000 salary lets see what you can do for us. ested me was on a conference to Earn your money now and get us a discuss the Labour Party. living wage! One of Hannetts low-paid members, Chicken counter Joe.

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Bulletin of Socialist Party members in USDAW

USDAW and the Scottish Independence Referendum

This article was written before the March Scottish Divisional Conference held a vote that has backed the better together campaign by 82%. That would be impressive but it has been revealed in the press that the only speaker from the campaigns was Alistair Darling, who runs the better together campaign. There were also reports that many of the delegates abstained in disgust at the methods employed by the leadership. It would seem that the Scottish leadership have no real confidence in their position and could face a hefty defeat on the issue, a chance that they are not willing to take.
faced with the biggest decision of their lives. The polls have consistently shown support for retaining the Union, but there is scope for a swing towards independence, and as the debate has recently moved up a gear that swing has come into effect according to some polling. Are we really better supporting a joint campaign with the Tories? form with the Tories has been somewhat overshadowed by the lack of information and debate within USDAW about the looming referendum. There are genuine questions and concerns from members around the question of the economy, the currency, public services and the NHS that deserve some real attention from the trade union movement. Even if USDAW are committed to securing a No vote, we should be organising debates within the Scottish division to extol the virtues of retaining the union, but no such debates have been organised. It would seem that supporting the Better Together campaign is just another funding exercise using members money. There is also a growing concern amongst the membership about what will happen to our collective agreements, and the structure of USDAW in the event of a Yes vote. Will these agreements need to be re-negotiated? Will USDAW take on a federal structure or become two separate unions?

The trade union movement by and large have begun to debate the issues that will affect workers, such as the currency question, use of resources, and the kind of Scotland that will be possible in the event of a Yes vote. Unison and the PCS have recently held special conferences in Scotland, with Unite holding one soon, to discuss how On the 18th of September this year the independence could affect their mempeople of Scotland will take to the bers, and to vote on whether to take a polls to choose whether or not they position in the debate. want to remain as part of the UK. The vote will be a simple Yes/No on the Both the PCS and Unison have voted question Should Scotland be an inde- not to take a position on either side pendent country? due to the fact that there is real doubt amongst the membership as to the The two options on the ballot paper best way forward. This neutral position that will be put to the Scottish people that has been adopted allows the unhave campaigns that have been ion to present the arguments from launched with the Scottish National both sides through debate and written Party and Greens campaigning for in- material allowing the members access dependence under the YES Scotland to both sides of the debate. banner, and the Labour party, Tories and Lib-Dems forming an alliance and There are unions that have taken a campaigning for a No vote under the side on the debate here in Scotland. Better Together banner. Prospect, the GMB and USDAW have all came out in support of the Better The vote will be decided by the mil- together campaign. lions of ordinary workers who will be As an USDAW member I wasnt given the opportunity to participate in any of the process that led to my trade union reaching this decision. The position seems to have been taken over the heads of the membership, and when I challenged this was told by an Area Organiser that its because USDAW is a Labour union. Thousand marched last year in Edinburgh for Scottish Independence

All of these questions could be answered if there was a healthy culture of debate around the issue. But from the outset the leadership have blindly followed the Labour party into the inThe lack of democracy in reaching the dependence debate and sold the memdecision to share a campaigning plat- bership short in this debate.

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