Welcome to the Corby and Kettering Trades Council Blog

Welcome to the Corby and Kettering Trades Council Blog.

Thursday 16 June 2011

Day of Action

On Tuesday 14th June 2011 Britain's teachers have paved the way for a million-strong public-sector strike, voting Yes in two ballots for industrial action over attacks on public-sector pensions. Then on Wednesday 15th more than a quarter of a million civil servants became the latest group of workers to back nationwide strikes on June 30 over attacks on public-sector pensions. The PCS union has promised to co-ordinate any action with the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the University and College Union (UCU). 
Teachers, jobcentre workers, airport staff, traffic controllers, police support staff and immigration officers will walk out in anger over government plans to make them work longer and pay more for worse pensions. Why should the government be surprised that public-sector workers, many of them pretty poorly paid, faced with an onslaught on their pensions and frozen pay, decide to fight back? It would be surprising if they didn't.  June 30 promises to be a magnificent day of resistance, which should be the first engagement in a campaign to defeat the anti-worker policies of this illegitimate coalition.
Previously at the Corby & Kettering Trade Union Council’s AGM on the 8th June delegates voted to support public sector workers should a day of action be announced. We will now liaise with our PCS delegates and show solidarity as well as attending a strike rally at the Guildhall, Northampton between 11am – 14pm. PCS union will also provide coaches for those across Northants who wish to attend. More information nearer the time.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Corby Street Lights



Yesterday’s expectations at the Northampton County Hall soon came to a crashing end when it was quite apparent that the Tory lead Northampton County Council were merely paying lip service to the notion of transparency at the public meeting. The day’s business was a packed agenda and when it came to the turn of Corby Streetlights the Tory Chairman showed his arrogance and at times inconsiderate to the plight of the speaker who had a legitimate case on behalf of the Streetlight Group, as he sat perched in his chair with his arms folded and interrupted speakers as they sat before him.
County Councillor John McGhee from Corby and a member of our TUC committee went on record and told the Cabinet that he has no apologies for yesterday’s protest and our actions was born out of frustration that the NCC has ignored the plight of the Corby people. Furthermore, he added, as Corby lights are the first to be switched off… can he have the Cabinet’s assurances that when the new lights eventually come, Corby will be the first to be re-connected? Of course there was a deadly silence and no reply from the Chair or Cabinet and the speaker went on to say “please”.
For some time now the Corby & Kettering TUC has argued that the issue of street lighting is political and is an example of the Tory ideological-driven assault on public services… and today’s frustration of not being heard proved just that.
However all is not lost. There is also a remedy to this onslaught, although we must be patient and organise for a long haul campaign. Certainly we must build a united front through a local movement called the Corby & Kettering Trade Union Council. Our strategy is not complicated….in fact its brilliant. By linking up trade unionists with student, pensioners, community groups, tenant associations, the unemployed and welfare we can take this fight to the ballot box and oust those County Councillors from office next year who are all complicit in budgets before the safety and welfare of the people who they are elected to represent.
Shame on them all….  

Monday 13 June 2011

We Made some Noise !!!!!!!!!!


We Made some Noise !!!!!!!!!!
Joined by the community Street Light Campaign group the Trades Council created enough Noise with whistles and drums to Stop the speeches going ahead as the County Council had planned at the opening of the Corby Walk. We will keep up this campaign to Stop any politician in trying to fool us with their good news rhetoric  !!!

Saturday 11 June 2011

Join Us



Join our campaign “ Make them Hear us Make some Noise “

Thursday 9 June 2011

Our first AGM

Corby and Kettering Trade Union Council held its very first AGM last night at Corby Trades and Labour Club. A short business meeting to agree rules and elect officers was followed by an open meeting. Alan Weaver the Midlands TUC Policy and Campaigns Offer talked of the need to build strong links with local community groups and help give a clear message that cuts in the Public Sector will affect the Private Sector. Nick Kelleher Secretary Wolverhampton, Bilston District Trades Council offered support and encouragement and an insight into building a successful Trades Council.
The new President of the Trades Council Stewart Campbell of UNITE introduce the first of our campaigns to get the Street Lights switched back on in Corby and to stop the turn off in the rest of the county. Highlighting the concerns of workers from the industrial estates who have had all of their lighting turned off. The new Secretary of the Trades Council Natalie Newby of the GMB introduced the second campaign against Free Schools highlighting the impact on teachers pay and conditions as well as impact of those schools still in the local authority system. A healthy debate from the floor gave positive encouragement to both campaigns.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Annual General Meeting 8th June

Annual General Meeting open to members of the Trade Union and Labour Movement. We are urging all Trade Unionists to join us in in our - anti cuts campaigns.