A tenant renting with a major local letting agent won back the entirety of their “0 deposit” charges after two pickets of the letting agency. A member of Brighton SolFed recently moved out of their rented property and was hit with a number of absurd end of tenancy charges. They had entered into a “0 deposit” tenancy, managed by a third party company who were chasing up our member for these costs. Disgracefully, the company were charging a significant fee just to challenge these costs, which forced our member into paying these charges, despite disagreeing with them all. 

Grading dispute at a University in Wales

According to a UCU report, the university sector has been systematically trying to downgrade roles amongst its academic staff in an attempt to save money i.e. expecting a Grade 6 to do work previously done by a Grade 7.

A comrade at a university in Wales is taking direct action in the form of a work to rule by following the published HERA role and person profiles which set out quite clearly the responsibilities of each grade. At present, rather than re-grading the role to a 7, one by one the Grade 7 duties are now officially being removed. The hope is these successes will encourage collective action by the other Grade 6’s.

The Solidarity Federation Education Union (SFEU), will be standing with colleagues this week as we see staff at Universities and Colleges across the country striking in protest at worsening pay and pension provision. This action follows last month’s overwhelming ‘yes’ vote in a series of national ballots. After more than 8 in 10 of those voting, voted for action, the 24, 25 and 30 November may see as many as 70,000 UCU members on strike.

On some university campuses, strikes by UNISON and Unite have also been called. At the University of Leeds, for example, UNISON will strike for seven continuous days between 24 and 30 November. This is all good news in developing resistance against management's continued attempts to destroy our pensions and to continue to hold back on, or not to fulfil speedily enough, promises regarding equality and short-term contracts.

Newcastle SolFed stall in Sunderland on Sat 19 Nov 11am to 1pm

Unpaid wages? | Housing issues? | In need of Solidarity?

Visit our stall at Market Square

http://solfed.org.uk/local/newcastle

@NewcastleSF

The Solidarity Federation Education Union (SFEU), welcomes the news that workers in Further and Higher education have voted to take strike action on pay and pensions. On both counts, the voting threshold was attained (some 84.9% in favour with a 60.2% turnout for strikes over pension cuts and 81.1% in favour with a 57.7% turnout on real term pay cuts).

The Solidarity Federation Education Union (SFEU) supports the strike action by Leeds University workers in UNISON, as well as the ongoing ballot for industrial action by academic staff in the UCU. We have members in both unions – and you can support them by not crossing the picket line. This means staying out of university buildings while the strike is going on.*

Support staff vs the University: the UNISON dispute

UNISON is currently in dispute with both the University of Leeds and UCEA (the body of employers) nationally. The union at Leeds represents support staff, ranging from porters and estates through to all aspects of administration and student support.

During Solidarity With Anarchist Prisoners Week, we are holding a prisoner letter-writing session on Sunday 28 August at 1pm. Come along and give practical support to comrades jailed for fighting against authoritarianism & repression. Free event & all materials provided. The cafe will be open for refreshments & delicious vegan treats. Child-friendly event with activities: colouring books, crayons etc. so please bring younger people along.

Venue: Star & Shadow Cinema, Warwick St. Newcastle NE2 1BB

Date & Time: 28/08/22 1pm

https://starandshadow.org.uk/programme/event/prisoner-solidarity-letter-writing,6389/

Solidarity Until Every Prison is Abolished!

In solidarity with the Spanish CNT-AIT we publish an account of a current dispute. We condemn the attempts to intimidate workers at Yelloh Village San Miguel who are only organising together to defend their rights. We join with fellow IWA sections, CNT-AIT in Spain & France, in their demands for solidarity, fairness and respect. We urge British holidaymakers staying at any of the Europe Plein Air resorts to support the workers & ensure that they have decent pay & conditions. There’s no holiday from slave labour!

All across the UK there is now a renewed sense of optimism and public alignment with the movement for increasing workers’ rights, union rights, pay increases and general improvements in working conditions. As the vast majority of people around the countries wages and pay remains stagnant or face a real terms pay-cut, the 1% are the only group whose economic position is increasing. But it’s always this way – that’s how capitalism functions – especially the financialised, neoliberal model of capitalism which we live under today which restricts the bargaining rights of workers, destroys the public sector, and strives towards a dystopian society where all services, social relationships and ideas are marketized – or as conservative, lib dem and ‘labour’ politicians call it – ‘modernisation’.

Whether you're in a union or not, join us for our free workshop on how to organise in your workplace. We think you'll find our direct action approach refreshing! Based on successful organising work over the last decade, the training covers:

• making contacts
• building a 'shop committee'
• cross-union activity
• collectivising grievances
• workplace mapping
• types of direct action
• the basics of an anarcho-syndicalist approach
• role plays of one-on-ones, group meetings and confronting the boss!

Date & time: Sat 30/07/22 10am to 5pm.

Venue: Star & Shadow Cinema, Warwick St. Newcastle NE2 1BB

Booking essential: email: newcastlesolfed@riseup.net