Somerset Labour

An agreement has been reached between the trade union Community and the shoe manufacturer Clarks, ending the industrial action that has taken place over the last two months. The agreement sees the pay of workers protected after previous threats of reduction.  Workers at the Street distribution centre had been on strike since 4th October over the discredited ‘Fire and Rehire’  tactic which had been brought in when Clarks was taken over by Hong Kong based private equity firm LionRock Capital. Trades unionists, Labour Party members and the wider community from around Somerset had rallied around the striking workers and a major march through the streets of Street took place as the dispute escalated. The settlement, involving a major input of new money and achieved in the run up to Christmas, has been welcomed by workers and supporters.

COMMUNITY UNION & CLARKS STATEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT WESTWAY DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

Community and Clarks announce that following a process of mediation with Acas, an agreement has been reached in respect of the industrial dispute at the Clarks Westway Distribution Centre.

We are pleased that a resolution has been reached that works in everybody’s interests, protects Community members’ livelihoods, and recognises their loyalty to Clarks.

Following an indicative ballot of Community members it is confirmed that normal working has now resumed.

Community and Clarks express their thanks to Acas for its support and look forward to close co-operation as we move on from the dispute and commit to positive industrial relations in the future.

Statement from Mendip TUC

Striking Clarks workers protesting the ‘Fire and Rehire’ tactics of their bosses have held a major demonstration through the streets of Street joined by supporters from the wider Labour movement and the general public. The members of the Community Union have been on strike since October 4th. Strikers say they’re not just having a pay cut, but that other terms and conditions on sick pay, redundancy and everything else is also being slashed and so they’re basically being offered the same job on much worse money and conditions.  Eva Bryckowski from Wells Labour Party & Mendip Trades Council said “The demo was incredible with the strikers leading from the front. Hundreds from the Labour Party and Trades Unions came from different parts of the county to show solidarity. Shoppers on the High street clapped and cheered. The strikers are into their 7th week now and are still solid. Fire and rehire is happening everywhere and nationally some Unions are winning. If it isn’t defeated YOU will be next.”

The demo was joined by some national figures. Paul Nowak the Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, said “We’re here today to show solidarity with the striking Clarks workers who are standing up to the dreadful tactics of their employer using ‘fire and rehire’. So we’re standing up for decent pay, standing up for decent conditions and standing up for a Union voice at Clarks. I’m angry and frustrated that the Government doesn’t stop this fire and rehire right now. “

We Need to make a Stand

Community rep and striker Trevor Stephens said “We’ve been left with no option but to do this. If they’re going to do fire and rehire it’s awful for anyone in the country. We need to make a stand. We’ve got to keep growing and stay strong.”

Roy Rickhaus, General Secretary of Community, said “We’re here to send a message to Clarks. Take Fire and Rehire off the table. Do not treat your workers in this way. Get back round the table, talk to your unions and lets have a sensible negotiation. But you MUST end Fire and Rehire!”

The Clarks workers have been out on strike now for 6 weeks and the Trade union movement has increased it’s solidarity during this time. Speakers from Unison, Usdaw, Unite and the various local Trades Union Councils joined the protest

Never Been Prouder

Dave Chapple, secretary of Mendip Trades Council  said “I’ve walked the streets of Somerset for 35 years as a delivery postman but I’ve never been prouder to walk the streets of a Somerset town than I have today walking through Street High Street. It’s been an absolute privilege.”

Labour Party’s from across the county also joined the demo. Jon Falkingham, Treasurer of Bridgwater Branch Labour Party, said “Represented today by two of their elected officers, alongside other members, Bridgwater Labour Party visited the Somerset town of Street with their banner. This was to show our solidarity and support for the strikers of the Clarks Distribution Warehouse, who’re facing an attack on their working conditions through the despicable practice of Fire & Rehire. The turnout was impressive.”

There were Trades Union & Labour Party representatives from across the South West, and even some from further afield. Jon added “The march was slow starting, but once moving it carried an insatiable motion, geed along by horns blaring from passing cars on the Westway and applause in support from the shop workers on the High Street. The traffic of Street’s streets was slowed and held up, and the drivers and passengers, for the most part, met us with smiles and support. When passing the Clark’s Head Office building, there was an eerie quietness – deserted for the weekend, perhaps, but nonetheless poignant.  Once out of the town the march returned along the Westway and crossed through the underpass to gather in Woods Batch Park. Refreshments were served, and the speaker called us in closer to the stage. A modern nervousness in proximity to others had caused the gathering to fan out across the park, but there is a stoic sense of resoluteness from standing close with those you have common cause and solidarity – it gave the words spoken from stage greater resolve and purpose. There were speakers from the shop stewards leading the strike, from TUC leaders, and from various regional reps in solidarity. The more experienced public speakers truly made themselves known, rousing the crowd to rolling applause. Every word fell on welcoming ears though, and to hear the quieter voices empowered through a loudspeaker for the first time is what Unionism should be about and aspire to improve on.”

People can make their own private donations directly to   the Community Clarks Strike Fund: Sort code 60  83  01   Account number  34042733  Name: Community: Reference: Clarks Strike Pay

Film of the day

Pictures from the day of action

This coming Saturday November 13th the historic, Quaker-capitalist company town of Street, in deepest Somerset, hosts the long-awaited march and rally for the Clarks all-out strikers. Hong-Kong-based Lion Rock Capital, who own Clarks since the family sold out to them, are firing and rehiring all its warehouse workers, by imposing a wage cut from £11.16p and hour to the (soon to become) minimum wage of £9.50p an hour, with other drastic cuts to nearly all paid allowances. Oh yes, workers have also lost their paid meals breaks so will be forced to work a 42.5 hour week instead of the current 40! Speakers include Roy Rickhuss, Community General Secretary,  Paul Nowack, TUC Deputy General Secretary, and Labour MP Barry Gardiner.

Continue reading “Community Rally for Clarks Strikers”

The Tory Autumn budget has shown just how out of touch Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his mates are with the real world where the solution for a growing cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills  is a tax cut for bankers. All this means that working people are paying the price yet again. Responding to the chancellors speech, Labour spokesperson Rachel Reeves  said “ A Labour Government would put working people first. We would scrap unfair business rates and respect taxpayers’ money. And we would cut VAT to energy bills for six months immediately so working people don’t feel the strain. A Labour Government would build a higher wage, higher productivity economy, with better conditions for working people. We will always stand against the Conservative’s economic mismanagement, unfair tax system and wasteful spending . After taking £6 billion out of the pockets of some of the poorest people in this country, he is expecting them to cheer today at being given £2 billion to compensate. As he hits working people with the highest sustained tax burden in peacetime, he’s giving a tax cut to bankers who like to take short haul flights while sipping champagne.”

Continue reading “Working People Pay the Price for ‘Out of Touch’ Tory Budget”