Solidarity with HMRC cleaners

HMRC must take urgent action to resolve the dispute between PCS members employed as cleaners at HM Revenue and Custom’s Birmingham and Merseyside sites and their employer, ISS. Send a message to HMRC’s CEO so they know how many of us are behind these workers.

Please sign this petition.

PCS FCO dispute - show your support

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell on the FCO Interserve picket line

Steve Ion has sent a message of support for the PCS FCO Interserve 4-week strike action on behalf the ARMS Mersey group via Helen Flanagan, PCS industrial officer. More details of the dispute are here.

In response, Helen has asked ARMS (and other) members to sign the e-action here, to ask their MPs sign this EDM here and write to the Foreign Secretary about the issues.

Grenfell - a message from the FBU

The Grenfell Tower fire must be a turning point in fire safety across the UK.

We welcome the recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry, but they must be implemented quickly and efficiently. This can’t wait until after the second phase of the inquiry is completed. As we saw with the fire at student accommodation in Bolton on 15 November, we need a complete overhaul of UK fire safety – and we need it now.

That’s why we’ve called for a forum to drive through these sweeping changes to UK fire safety. We’ve written to all relevant parties – including tenants, government, and fire safety and housing specialists – asking them to work together to ensure that the recommendations aren’t swept under the carpet.

Lessons must be learnt, and we won’t stop fighting until our communities are safe.

In solidarity,

Fire Brigades Union

Public meeting - Voices of Latin America and Palestine

Open meeting - all welcome.

HMRC cleaners strike 15 July

On Monday 15 July, striking HMRC cleaners employed by ISS were joined by PCS ARMS Mersey members, local councillors, local MPs, Liverpool Labour Party members, Liverpool BAME members and supportive members of the public at picket lines and rallies in Bootle and Liverpool.

And the sun also shone on the righteous!

ARMS Mersey members show solidarity with HMRC cleaners at their meeting on 11 July

The rally in Queens Square in Liverpool

Attentively listening to the speeches

The full line-up of strikers (centre front) and supporters

ARMS Mersey members (L-R): Keith Hebron, Neville Grundy, Steve Ion and Ray Beeton

Three resolute strikers

ARMS' Steve Ion chats with two of the strikers

ARMS Mersey's Jim Stanway (left) and Neville Grundy with the ARMS banner

Strikers, PCS HMRC branch officers, Steve Ion of ARMS (left) - and the ARMS banner!

HMRC cleaners strike - support by ARMS

Steve Ion and I have discussed what support we can give to striking PCS members in HMRC on Mon 15 & Tue 16 July. We have decided the following:

• We will ask for a speaker to our own meeting next week (Thu 11.7.19).
• We aim to have the ARMS banner out on both days.

We are therefore asking ARMS members to tell us which days they can make and, if we get enough volunteers, set up a rota for the two days. To that end, please would you tell me which days you are able to attend. If you are available for both, please let me know and I'll select one of the two, although if you want to attend both days anyway, that would be great.

As the strike begins in 11 days' time, please would you reply by e-mail (or in 'comments' below if you prefer) by Wed 10.7.19, the day before our meeting? E-mail: Nevillegrundy@aol.com.

Read more about the dispute here. I'll publish details of times, etc, when I receive them.

Thanks,

Neville Grundy
Chair

UC protests in Liverpool

We have just learned from the MPA that there is a protest against Universal Credit every week in Liverpool.
The details are:

• Every Wednesday.
• 11.00am.
• Jobcentreplus, 416 Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 3HT.

At present, that is all the info we have. If we find out more, we'll publicise it here.

Colloids Dispute, Kirkby Industrial Estate

From the Knowsley Trades Council website:

At last week’s mass demonstration/picket at the Colloids site, strikers spoke of their gratitude for the support and large turnout on the Wednesday morning. They also said it would be a great moral boost if once a week we could arrange a day whereby all who could would gather together for a few hours.

So, this Friday 28 June, several Knowsley-based community groups are asking all those available to show your solidarity with the strikers, by demonstrating outside the Colloids site from 7.00am to 9.00am. We know it will not be possible for everyone to attend, but if you can or are able to inform others who can, it would be most appreciated.

Thanking you all in advance for your continued support with this matter.

In Solidarity

Steve Murphy

Details:

• Friday 28 June 2019 
• 7.00am - 9.00am
• 10 Kirkby Bank Road, Liverpool L33 7SY
• Unite press release - here

Grenfell Vigil in Liverpool: 14 June

14 June 2019 marks 2 years since the Grenfell tragedy in which 72 people lost their lives and hundreds of others were injured and lost their homes. A vigil is held on 14th of the month every month at the bombed out church in Liverpool at 6.00 pm in solidarity with a vigil held at the site in London.

PCS members and activists are encouraged to support the vigils, particularly on this poignant anniversary. We remember the victims and stand in solidarity with the survivors and families in their fight for justice.

• Date: Friday 14 June.
• Time: 6.00 pm.
• Place: St Luke's Bombed Out Church, Leece Sreet, Liverpool L1 2TR.

Sri Lanka: solidarity and condolences

Following the horrendous terrorists bombs on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka and the subsequent reprisals against Muslims, I sent the letter below on behalf of ARMS Mersey to the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the UK. I am confident all ARMS members will endorse the sentiment and, after New Zealand, I sincerely hope this kind of letter does not become a regular item of correspondence from our group.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

19th May 2019

His Excellency Manisha Gunasekera 

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the UK
No.13, Hyde Park Gardens,
London W2 2LU

Dear High Commissioner,

I am writing to express the horror of the PCS ARMS Mersey committee and membership at the terrorist mass murders that were committed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. We have also been dismayed by the recent reprisals against Muslim-owned businesses, mosques and houses as we feel the Easter Sunday attacks were intended to provoke such a response.

Terrorists cannot abide peaceful coexistence and care little when their co-religionists are killed or injured in the violent chaos they seek to provoke. In fact, that is their aim as they want Sri Lankan Muslims to respond violently to attacks against them by rising up against non-Muslims. Everywhere, we must oppose all types of fanaticism and not allow it to divide our communities – the only effective way to peace is through unity in diversity.

We in ARMS oppose all forms of bigotry and intolerance wherever they arise. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these horrific murders, our solidarity with the people in Sri Lanka and our sorrow that such grief has been brought to your country.

Yours sincerely,

Neville Grundy
Chair
PCS ARMS Merseyside

New Zealand: solidarity and condolences

Following the horrendous mass murders in New Zealand, I sent the letter below on behalf of ARMS Mersey to the New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK. I am confident all ARMS members will endorse the sentiment.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

16th March 2019 

His Excellency Sir Jerry Mateparae
New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK
80 Haymarket
London SW1Y 4TQ

Dear High Commissioner, 

I am writing to express the horror and dismay of the PCS ARMS Mersey committee and membership at the terrorist mass murders that have been committed in two mosques in Christchurch. It was with a severe sense of shock that we woke yesterday morning to the horrendous news from your peaceable country.

We stand with Muslims everywhere against Islamophobia and oppose all forms of bigotry and intolerance wherever they arise. We must all unite against the rise of far-right fanaticism and terrorism and not allow them to divide our communities.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these horrific shootings, and our solidarity to the people of New Zealand who reject the politics of hate that have brought such grief to their land.

Yours sincerely,

Neville Grundy
Chair
PCS ARMS Mersey

ARMS at school strikers' climate change and Justice for HMRC Cleaners demonstrations

ARMS members attended two demonstrations in Liverpool yesterday: the school strike against climate change at St George's Hall at 11.00 am, and the HMRC cleaners demonstration in Derby Square at midday. By the end of the latter, the school students had marched through the city centre for a rally, also in Derby Square, and thus the two demos met.

Any politicians who try to get publicity by calling those young people truants should remember that very few MPs turned up for a recent House of Commons debate on climate change. As far as I know none of the school strikers are on £77,379 per year, unlike MPs who can apparently skive off work without penalty.

School strike against climate change demo

Windswept ARMS members at the school strike

Two unlikely school strikers

A young demonstrator displays one of the many pertinent slogans

Some very youthful campaigners and big smiles

"There's no Planet B"

"System change not climate change"

It was a good humoured, but not trivial, protest

Other species added their voice

Over to Derby Square and the Justice for HMRC cleaners rally

The ARMS NW banner supporting Justice for HMRC cleaners

Group photo of the HMRC cleaners' demo

Chris Baugh, PCS Assistant General Secretary, addresses the HMRC rally

Attentive demonstrators listening to the speeches

Keith Hebron of ARMS with Chris Baugh

The AGS pledges full PCS support for the cleaners' dispute

Tony Mulhearn of ARMS addresses the rally in his capacity as representative
of the Merseyside Pensioners Association. Tony later went on to address the
school strikers' climate change rally

Says it all - not asking for riches, but fairness

HMRC cleaners public demo - 15 March

An HMRC cleaners picket line in July 2018

There will be a public demo in Liverpool on 15 March hosted by Justice for HMRC Cleaners.

The event organisers state: "Cleaners working at HMRC are fighting for a living wage of £10 per hour, occupational sick pay and better holidays. Join us to make some noise in Derby Square, outside two of the offices these low-paid workers clean. All supporters welcome - bring flags and banners!"

Full details:

• Friday, 15 March 2019.
• 12:00-13:00.
• Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Derby Square, Liverpool.
• Event Facebook page - here.

ARMS Members are encouraged to show their support for fellow PCS members by attending this hour-long event.

NHS picket 25 February (2)

Far left: Keith Hebron. 3rd from left: Neville Grundy. Far right: Jim Stanway. 2nd from right: Steve Ion.

Fundraising quiz for LFOP

A local fundraising event for Liverpool Friends of Palestine

ARMS at the UNISON NHS picket line

UNISON members at Liverpool Women's Hospital went on strike today. More than 40 cleaners, catering staff, porters and security officers took action after OCS refused to pay them the NHS rate for the job.

Four members of ARMS Mersey joined the well-attended and good-humoured picket line. Two more days of action will take place on 11 and 13 March if today's strike doesn't get management to move. We'll publish details here when we receive them.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital workers vote 100% for strike action

ARMS to join picket line

Hospital workers in Liverpool, employed by the private company OCS, are set to strike on Monday 25 February after a 100% vote for action in a ballot organised by UNISON.

More than 40 cleaners, catering staff, porters and security officers at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, will take action on Monday 25 February after OCS refused to pay them the NHS rate for the job.

Click here for a full report of the dispute.

• ARMS Mersey are joining the UNISON picket line from c. 11.00 am. We invite you to join us.
• Buses to Upper Parliament St: 86, 86A & 86C from Elliott St (by Blacklers Wetherspoons).

Miners' pension fund demo

Further to the post here on 31 August about the ongoing theft from the miners' pension fund, here are details of a demo in Liverpool on the issue on 27 September. There's also a petition here.

PCS Bulletin - help & support requested

The help of ARMS members is asked for the following campaigns:

• Protect Chorley and South Ribble Hospital from Cuts and Privatisation

WE NEED YOUR HELP to demonstrate outside these hospitals for 1 hour from 10.00 a.m. on Saturday 17th September to protect your local A&E: 

Preston, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Blackpool, Lancaster.

Our campaign was given the bad news that Chorley and South Ribble Accident and Emergency department will be closed until April 2017; we believe this is a move to close it indefinitely. The effect of this is rippling out to A&Es in other areas. This isn't good for other A&Es and the people they are intended to serve. It is having a negative effect on the North West Ambulance Service, some ambulances are queuing for hours to hand over sick or injured people.

Ask yourself these questions: If not me then who? If not now, then when? The NHS will survive as long as there are people willing to protect it. We are those people.

To help contact: Andrew Birchall on andrewbirchall3@gmail.com or mobile 0784 0202 084.

• March for the Liverpool Women’s Hospital 

25th September 2016 – Assemble at the Women’s Hospital at midday and walk to the water front.

The Liverpool Women’s hospital is a 20 year old world class hospital on a good site. It’s the largest maternity hospital in Europe and cares for more than 50,000 patients a year. Its future is under threat because of inadequate maternity funding, lack of investment, funding problems for all the NHS and the rampant privatisation and market focus of the NHS.

Follow ‘Save Liverpool Women’s Hospital’ on Facebook, Save-Liverpool-Womens-Hospital or email SaveLWH@outlook.com.

• Conservative Party Conference Demonstration 

Sunday, 2nd October 2016 – Assemble in Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD at 11.30 a.m.

Austerity has failed! Join the Midlands TUC’s march and rally to tell the Government that austerity isn’t working. Please let PCS NW know if you wish to attend. Please email: nwrc@pcs.org.uk

HMRC cleaners strike 25 & 26 July

A message from Phil Dickens, HMRC PCS Union Representative

Next Monday and Tuesday (25 & 26 July) PCS members working for ISS as cleaners in HMRC buildings in Liverpool and Bootle are taking part in a 48 hour strike, following a unilateral decision by management to cut the hours of cleaning staff.

PCS has called for the actual Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), currently £8.25 per hour outside London, to be paid to the cleaners. ISS is accredited by the LWF and claims to be a Living Wage employer. Yet to pay for the government's much lower 'national living wage' (NLW) of £7.20, it is imposing the cuts to HMRC cleaners' hours.

We believe that ISS, having turned a £250 million profit in 2015, can more than afford the real Living Wage. We also believe that HMRC, as the department responsible for implementing the government's NLW, ought to save itself embarrassment by ensuring that it is properly applied without shortcuts on its own estate.

Cleaners are clear that they want a wage they can live on without cuts and are willing to fight in order to get that. If this initial strike doesn't move ISS, they are willing to escalate their action. Please support them in every way you can:

• Sign the on-line petition.
• Donate to the cleaners' strike fund on-line here.
• Send messages of support to NWRC@pcs.org.uk

Please attend picket lines (see below) if you can, and show your support for the lowest paid and most precarious section of the union's membership in HMRC.

More details about the campaign (including how you can support us through social media) can be found on-line here.

Support the pickets:

Bootle

• Litherland House, Litherland Road, Bootle (map) – 7am to 9.30am
• The Triad, Stanley Road, Bootle (map) – 7am to 12pm

Liverpool

• Graeme House and Regian House, Derby Square, Liverpool (map) – 3pm to 5pm
• Imperial Court, Exchange Street East, Liverpool (map) – 12.30pm to 2pm