Camden library strikers last week voted unanimously is remain on strike against a staffing review that will lead to redundancies and down gradings.
UNISON members have been out on strike for nearly a month. In that time management have only been able to open St. Pancras Library and are now trying to provide a limited service at West Hampstead library. The other 11 Camden libraries remain closed. The strike is solid.
The joint secretaries of the Greater London Provincial Council came to Camden again on March 17th, but management still insisted that they would only resume negotiations if the strike was called off. We cannot return to work until we have gained the assurances we seek with regard to redundancies, downgradings and changes to parttimers' working patterns. We are however willing to use management's proposals put to us on 12/3/98 as a framework for negotiating a settlement to the dispute. By refusing to talk, it is management who have prolonged the strike and consequently the disruption to the library service.
At a packed meeting on Friday 20th March, strikers voted unanimously to stay on strike until a satisfactory settlement is reached. The vote was 105 for, none against. This is more than the 102 who voted for strike action in the original ballot.
That same afternoon to chants of "no more shushing, no more quiet, these librarians want to riot" strikers marched behind the Branch banner from their meeting in Holborn through the streets to the Town Hall for the branch AGM. We took a slight detour to stand on the steps of St Pancras library to let the people working inside know that the strike was more solid than ever and that they could not undermine us by their action. AGM
We then moved on to attend the Branch AGM. A motion was carried unanimously to increase strike pay to £5 per hour and to donate £5,000 a week from the Branch Defence Fund to the Strikers Hardship Fund. This has done much to lift the morale of strikers feeling the pinch after nearly a month on strike.
Spirits remained high for the strikers social in the evening at Lyndhurst Hall. The drinks were cheap, the food delicious, the dancing amazing and the company the best. Many people helped to make the evening a success, but special thanks to Finola Hickey and Paul Jameson for all their hard work.
In yet another letter to strikers (we get two a week!) Frances Mangan the Acting Director of Leisure stated that she has had reports that the picketing West Hampstead library has "not on occasion been peaceful." Apparently there has been "jostling" or other activities West Hampstead strikers have understandably taken exception to this and have written to Ms. Mangan asking her to substantiate her claims or failing that to retract and apologise for her comments.
The only inappropriate behaviour we have observed on picket lines has been, the newly appointed head of Libraries, chatting to stikers. He has time to chat, but not it seems to talk to the UNISON representatives around the negotiating table. Please point him in the right direction.
A eagle-eyed picket noticed a van pulling up outside St Pancras library and 4 strike breakers slipping out of a side entrance and getting in. She spoke to the driver and as a result he refused to bus them to East Hampstead Library. However this was not before the picket nearly had her fingers slammed in the van door by one of the strikeeakers. They then had to resort to taking a taxi instead.
Can't they go by train like the rest of us?
Strikers have spoken at a number of meetings, and collections and donations are still rolling in. Please join us on our picket lines, particularly at St Pancras Library, Town Hall Extension opposite St Pancras BR station and West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road NW6.
The public continue to support us. The signatures on the petition against the staffing review now total nearly 6,000. Maybe the council should abandon their costly £58,600 consultation exercise on the future of libraries. The signatures on the petition say it all. The public want to maintain a well-staffed, decent library service.
Mass picket - Thursday, March 26th 830am onwards outside St Pancras Library We are hoping for TV coverage this week. Please be there.
Strikers meeting - Friday, March 27th 1pm. CHANGE OF VENUE: Working Men's College, 44 Crowndale Road NW1.
Education Committee Lobby - Tuesday March 31st 6pm. Town Hall, Judd Street entrance. We are hoping for a deputation on the Schools Library Service.
Today 24/3/95 the Joint Secretaries of the Greater London Provincial Council once again visited Camden. Management are to re-consider the evaluations for two of the job descriptions that are in dispute. They will inform us of the result at a meeting on Friday morning 27/3/98. They may also be prepared to discuss other issues. Report back at strikers meeting this Friday afternoon.
Please send messages of support, join picket lines, invite speakers, contribute to collections and levies.
Defend Jobs and Services!
Support Library Workers!
Together We Will Win!
For further info., contact:
Camden UNISON
59 Phoenix Court, Brill Place,London, NWI.
Tel: 0171-911-1633 0171-278-4444 ext. 4012