public and third sector
News and articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in the public and charity sectors. It includes housing, but does not include most nationalised industries like health, transport or security forces.
Magistrates staff strike for better pay
Thousands of workers in Magistrates courts are walking out today after refusing to accept pay devaluation, rejecting a below-inflation rise.
Over 8,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) are set to walk out for the day. Magistrates courts could be closed as a result, and cases postponed.
Sister union Prospect, which represents support, administration and security staff, is also calling a strike.
Tower Hamlets strike over staff victimised for opposing stock transfer
Staff at Tower Hamlets council began a two day strike today after a housing campaigner lost her job after working for the council for 14 years.
There will be a picket of the council offices over the course of the two day strike in solidarity for Eileen Short, after her job 'ceased to exist' during a town hall reorganisation. Ms Short is also a council tenant and member of the national committee for Defend Council Housing.
An anarchist look at the world of the charity mugger
21st century indulgences, chugging and corporate ch ch-ing - one worker's account and analysis of working as a street fundraiser.
Looking into it, chugging is a world with many nebulous traditions clashing. For the major charities it's simple. The donations they receive on an ongoing basis through direct debit allow for clean, efficient and long term budgeting as we had it drilled into our heads in training.
Pensions - the misleading 85 rule
Over the last week, more divisive mis-representations from the government have appeared regarding public sector pensions.
They have attacked the '85' rule which they wish to see abolished. The rule states that where an employee's age plus his/her years of service is equal to, or greater than 85, then they are eligible to retire. The example given, by the government, is that of a person aged 60 with 25 years service retiring on full pension.
West Midland firefighters vote to strike
Fire crews vote for strike action West Midlands firefighters have voted in favour of strike action over changes to their shift system.
More than 2,000 FBU members took part in a ballot last month which had a majority of three to one in favour of action, however dates have not yet been set for the walk outs.
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service has been liaising with the Army to provide emergency cover.
Exposing John Prescott's housing policies
The office Of The Deputy Prime Minister (ODMP) laid down the Decent Homes Standards to improve social housing by 2010, therefore directly benefiting communities. The flip side to this is the destruction of communities in Co-op run social housing.
Councils are repossessing all their properties, effectively making Co-op tenants homeless. Traditional social housing stock is disappearing, Co-ops are facing critical times.
Unions back down, public sector workers split in pensions deal
The government has claimed a victory in the pensions crisis after they secured their target for total pensions savings up to 2055.
Negotiations between the Trade and industry Department and the Trades Union Council wound up last month after an agreement was reached that existing workers would be exempt from plans to raise the age of retirement and sever the link between pensions and final salaries.
Housing guide
A page of advice on taking action to house yourself cheaply and know your rights, in a time when buying a property is beyond many people, council housing is being sold off, rents are rising and hundreds of thousands are homeless.
In the UK - the world's 4th richest country, 400,000 people are homeless. Meanwhile, over 700,000 properties lie empty1. If you want to take direct action to house yourself, read on...
- 1. Source: Shelter
