| Thousands
of NIPSA members in the Social Security and Child Support Agency walked
out on unofficial strike action on 5 February.
The
walkouts were the angry response of staff to letters given out by management
threatening the withdrawal of flexible working arrangements and other
disciplinary action against those who were taking action in the current
pay dispute.
Clearly the CSA and SSA managements thought that their threats would intimidate
NIPSA members into breaking the ongoing industrial action.
If this was their intention, they clearly miscalculated. Their threats
only hardened the mood and increased support for the one day strike the
next day, 6 February, and for the ongoing action.
The civil service dispute is shaping up into a major battle which has
big implications for other workers, especially other public sector workers.
This dispute is over quite fundamental issues:
* First and foremost
it is a dispute over pay, over the scandalously low wages paid to thousands
of civil servants.
* It is also about the right of workers to receive a pay increase. New
Labour Ministers are spinning the lie that they have offered 3.67%. In
fact, the offer is nil percent - the 3.67% refers to the annual increments
which civil servants, like other workers on pay scales, receive.
* It is about the rights of unions to negotiate on behalf of members.
The Government has refused to negotiate and has, in fact, imposed their
"offer".
* Now, with the latest management threats, it is about the more fundamental
right to strike without facing disciplinary action.
* From the Government point of view, it is about dealing a blow to NIPSA
so that they can implement their agenda of holding down wages, worsening
conditions and of privatisation.
It is important, not just for civil servants but for
all workers, that this dispute is won. The Civil Service Executive of
NIPSA needs to set out a clear strategy for victory. This must involve
bringing out more groups of workers on selective action and for longer
periods. Dates need to be set for an escalating programme of strikes beginning
with a two day strike as a follow up to 6 December.
If any workers are suspended for taking part in action, including the
unofficial walkouts, the whole NIPSA membership should be mobilised in
solidarity action.
Other unions, especially those in the public sector, should also give
concrete support. Teachers are preparing for industrial action. UK civil
servants are also in dispute. These actions should be co-ordinated. If
the civil service management continues to act like the SSA and CSA managements
a day of action involving the whole of the public service should be called
to defend the right to strike and to defend public services from low pay
and privatisation.
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Civil servants are solidly behind the industrial
action against the nil percent pay rise they have been offered.
Lies and spin is coming from Ministers claiming that
they have offered over 3% when all members are getting is their annual
increment which has nothing to do with their yearly pay rise.
Following December's one day strike, the Office of Industrial Tribunals
was out for three days while Strabane Social Security Agency came out
for five days. Such was the enthusiasm in Strabane all 60 workers were
on the picket line on the first day in temperatures close to freezing
point.
Following this, Telephonists have struck for three days and, from 10
February, meat inspectors will strike for four days. The one day strike
on 6 February will be an undoubted success.
Members, including some who would not have considered going on strike
a few months ago, are now up for action. Activists have organised pickets
expecting a handful and dozens have turned up. The rallies held on consecutive
Fridays at the end of January were massive with halls filled to overflowing.
At least 1,600 turned out for the first Belfast rally with 500 unable
to squeeze into the hall. The first stages of a new leadership have
tentatively come forward at branch level.
The only question now however is how do we win the dispute? Management
sought discussions with NIPSA which have proved to be a waste of time.
Minister Pearson is staking his career on dealing with the "troublesome"
civil servants.
Those same civil servants reach into every facet of life in N. Ireland.
We have greater control on society than we understand. The CS Executive
must intensify the action. Socialist Party members in NIPSA have argued
that the selective action be stepped up, with more groups brought out
and for longer periods. Further strike days should be set, beginning
with a two day strike as a follow up to the 6 February strike. Any delay
now will be fatal. As all rank and file members understand - we must
strike now while the momentum is there to win.
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NIPSA members
found themselves in a storm of industrial action at the same time the
union has carried out an election for the leading body of the union,
the General Council.
The election campaign was extremely hard fought, the rank and file group
in the union Time For Change campaigned to make the union the
fighting democratic union that is needed to fight back against management
attacks.
TFC activists covered work places across the North with leaflets explaining
how the union should develop, these are the same activists who have
and are leading the fight against attacks on pay and jobs. Unfortunately
they have had to fight the election on two fronts. The old conservative
leadership organised in the Retain The Union faction who are entrenched
in official positions have been in a position to mobilise big resources
to fight the election.
At the same time a group of members in the CSA, influenced by the SWP,
have chosen the time of the election and the civil service strike to
split from Time for Change and launch their own slate of four people
from one branch.
In reality this is a split to the right because the position of this
group on the civil service dispute is that branches should not make
any criticism of the right wing during the dispute!
The task of building a genuine opposition committed to transforming
NIPSA into a fighting democratic union remains. This is the task facing
Time for Change during the election and after.
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