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By UNISON branches   
Friday, 09 November 2007
MANCHESTER (fighting the victimisation of Karen Reissman): The struggle to win the reinstatement of UNISON branch chair Karen Reissman has reached a critical stage. After a six-day disciplinary hearing her employer, the Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust, will finally announce whether she will be sacked on Monday 05 November around 12.30 PM. UNISON members in the branch, who have already staged 14 days of strike action in Karen's defence since early September, are bracing for the worst. Some 160 members (a quarter of the branch), who work in the community mental health teams, have now received the green light to strike indefinitely with official backing from Thursday 08 November in the event of Karen's dismissal by the Trust.
PLEASE rush messages of support from your branch, region or yourselves as individuals to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Donations will be desperately needed to relieve hardship should an indefinite strike go ahead. Make cheques payable to 'Manchester Community and Mental Health UNISON', c/o the union office, Chorlton House, 70 Manchester Road, Manchester M21 9UN. Telephone 07972 120451 to invite a speaker to your branch meeting, etc.
Messages of protest to the Trust's Chief Executive, Sheila Foley, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BARNET, NORTH LONDON (battle against vicious privateers, Fremantle): Residential careworkers in Barnet have been resisting severe attacks on their already low pay, and terms and conditions by private contractor, Fremantle. To date they have struck for three days and further action is now in the pipeline. On Saturday 10 November Fremantle workers and their supporters will be marching and rallying in North London as part of the campaign to reverse the attacks and bring residential care services back in house. If possible, please join the march, which assembles from 12 noon at Watling Park, near Burnt Oak tube station on the Northern Line.
Please send messages of support, etc to Barnet UNISON - by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by 'phone on 020 8359 2088. Donations to Barnet UNISON, c/o the branch office, Building 4, NLBP, Oakleigh Road South, London N11 1NP.

NEWHAM, EAST LONDON (stop the victimisation of Michael Gavan): UNISON members across the East London borough of Newham held an effective one-day strike on Wednesday 31 October in support of their branch chair, Michael Gavan, who is facing possible dismissal at the behest of the borough's New Labour mayor, Sir Robin Wales, for his principled stand in opposing the privatisation of Newham's refuse collection and street cleansing services. Michael faced the first day of his disciplinary hearing on Thursday and the inquisition will resume during the course of the coming week. Though a date is still to be named, further action is likely later this month unless Newham Council climbs down and reinstates Michael Gavan without any preconditions.
Please send messages of support to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 8555 9351.

GLASGOW (all-out strike by day centre workers): Several hundred workers in day centres for people with learning disabilities have entered the third week of an indefinite strike in response to wage cuts and attempts to deskill a dedicated workforce. Some staff face the prospect of losing up to £3,000 a year in pay.  Please send messages of support, donations, etc to: Glasgow UNISON, Fourth Floor, 18 Albion Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 4PF.