Barnet UNISON: “BANNERS HELD HIGH” lobby : Tuesday 9 July 6 pm.
On behalf of our mental health social worker strikers, in solidarity with the 40th Anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, Barnet UNISON is inviting supporters to our:
“BANNERS HELD HIGH” lobby of Barnet Council Full Council
Tuesday 9 July 6pm outside Hendon Town Hall, NW4 4BG
The nearest tube station is Hendon station on the northern line. Turn right out of the station for a 10-minute walk up the hill then turn right at the top and the Town Hall is a one-minute walk on the left.
In 2015, our branch had the honour to march through Thatcher’s back yard with the late Davey Hopper and the Durham Miners banner, and the iconic LGSM banner.
https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2016/06/10/message-of-solidarity-from-davy-hopper/
This lobby will mark the end of nine weeks of continuous strike action. By the end of this strike action our strikers will have taken 81 days of strike action which started in September 2023.
Our strikers have stood up to the worst gaslighting and intimidation that our branch has seen ever.
Over the past four weeks Labour controlled Barnet Council has paid for a recruitment agency to provide social workers to carry out the work our strikers would be doing if they were not on strike.
It is UNISON’s view that this is strikebreaking. Many UNISON members at UNISON conference agreed, along with our General Secretary Christina McAnea listen below.
https://youtu.be/Wyl9UxFp5LA?feature=shared
The actions of Barnet Council to employ Tory tactics and anti-union laws to strike break is an attack on the trade union movement as it provides cover for other employers to use the same tactics to break other strikes.
This is why there needs to mobilisation across the trade union movement publicly condemning strike breaking not just for our strike but all strikes.
You can provide support by calling out the Leader of Labour controlled Barnet Council by joining hundreds of trade union members and supporters in signing and sharing this statement.
As trade unionists Barnet UNISON believes we should applaud our striker’s commitment which is why our branch is asking trade union members across the country to make plans to attend this lobby and most importantly to bring banners/placards to Hendon Town Hall.
Please feel free to circulate this call to action to any who would like to support our lobby.
If you organise social workers, please feel free to share.
Finally, please let our strikers know if you are able to attend by sending an email to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
In Solidarity
Barnet UNISON
End.