Barnet Council workers are taking action on Tuesday - however the bosses are attempting to impose a 'lock out' to pressurize  Unison members into backing out. This is just the latest in a series of attacks initiated by Tory-led  councils against workers resisting the cuts. Plymouth has 'derecognised' Unison and Soujthampton workers have been taking action for some weeks now. Clearly these councilors and their cronies in government know what is coming and are trying to head it off now with a show of force. The trade union movement needs to respond with a show of force of its own. The TUC this week must wake up and realise that the old comfy days of "reasoned negoiation" have long gone - we have a fight on!

Here is a message from Barnet Unison - please send messages of support and raise the issue where you can.

This morning UNISON members have all received a letter from the Council threatening staff that if they take strike action tomorrow they will be deducted a full day’s pay regardless whether they work until 1pm. Furthermore I am hearing that staff are being told that there will be managers on the gates of NLBP to check staff in. If staff do not sign a register stating they will not be taking half day strike action they will be sent home.
 
The Council is trying to impose what used to be called a ‘Lock out!’
 
As a UNISON member it was agreed by all that you would take half a day and therefore lose half a day’s pay. That is what most reasonable employers would have deducted under these circumstances. However the Council's actions are neither proportionate and reasonable.
 
The lateness at which the Council have given this letter demonstrates they fear that UNISON members will all walk out tomorrow.
 
I can confirm UNISON will make up the cost of any financial loss up until 1pm on Tuesday 13 September.
 
Messages of support are flooding in from the community and other trade unions.

“John
As a Barnet resident and public sector employee I wanted to send a quick email to express my support for you and your members and the proposed “Barnet Independence Day” action on Tuesday. As someone who has experienced being outsourced but who was then fortunate enough to get back into the public sector, my experience tells me that it would be inconceivable for a contractor to take over delivery on the scale intended by the London Borough of Barnet without there being both a degradation of services and in the terms of conditions for staff who are transferred; this is how private companies make their profit from such contracts.
 
Hopefully your campaign will open a few more Barnet residents eyes to what is going on and more importantly, to what we might end up with in Barnet in terms of a service from our local authority. I wish you and Barnet Unison all the best and will try and join you at the Town Hall for at least part of the rally on Tuesday evening.”

 
I have recently had a message of support from the PCS union. They recently won a battle with their employer who was seeking to transfer their jobs out of the country. Members all voted to take strike action and they won. To read the full article click here
 
We anticipate members will be angry and confused and have booked the Oak Room, Building 4, 12 – 2pm
 
Tomorrow is your chance to make your voice heard loud and clear.
 
Best wishes
John Burgess
Branch Secretary.
Barnet UNISON
www.barnetunison.me.uk