Reports round-up

Fujitsu bosses hit by strike

Around 140 workers at the Fujitsu electronic components factory in Birmingham struck on Tuesday of this week in a fight against the transfer of jobs to the US.

The CWU union says that talks with the firm have been constructive so far, but that no agreement has been reached.

A plan for escalating strike action will be implemented if bosses do not keep the jobs in Birmingham.

Back the shop floor candidate

The Usdaw shop workers’ union is holding an election for general secretary.

The candidates are John Hannett the current general secretary who has backed New Labour to the hilt, and Robbie Segal, a left wing Usdaw executive council member.

Robbie is a longstanding socialist and trade union activist. She is standing on a platform of fighting for a living wage of £8 an hour for all retail workers, to establish Usdaw as an independent union, and for more democratic union organisation.

Robbie is asking Usdaw branches to nominate her. The closing date is 14 July.

For more information go to » www.robbiesegal.com

Teaching union taught a lesson

The 32 members of the Unite union who work at the Scottish EIS teachers’ union struck on Friday of last week over pay.

Workers rejected a five‑year pay deal that was not in line with the real cost of living and voted 100 percent in favour of a strike.

Tony Trench, Unite regional official, said, “It is highly embarrassing to have to go to these extents with a sister union just to get a decent wage for our members.”

No pay, no planes, say firefighters

Airport firefighters in the Unite union at the Highland and Islands airports struck on Monday of this week over pay.

The strike closed nine airports – Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick – and affected around 2,000 passengers.

Unite had called off planned industrial action earlier this month to take part in talks, but these broke down last week.

Another strike is planned for Friday of next week.

Workers urge BT to hear their calls

Delegates to last week’s conference of the Connect union – which represents managerial and professional grades in British Telecom (BT) – rejected an agreement with the company to resolve a dispute over pay.

Industrial action began on Tuesday of this week. This follows an 82 percent vote for action in a recent postal ballot.

The conference also reaffirmed its policy that any attack on the BT pension scheme would trigger an immediate industrial action ballot.

Keith Flett