Solidarity MSP Rosemary Byrne has joined Simclar workers on their sit-in at the company's Kilwinning factory. 30 workers who are occupying the factory invited Rosemary in to join them. Other political parties sowed up for a short time for the cameras while Byrne and her Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan have been with the workers since early this morning. The occupation is against the announcement that all workers will receive only minimum state redundancy. Rosemary Byrne said:
"The Simclar workers have taken a very brave step in securing what is rightfully their's to claim. Solidarity and I will be with for as long as it takes."
Commenting on the employees' actions Willie Paterson, Scottish Regional Secretary of Community, who is inside the Kilwinning factory with the members, said:
'Over 200 Simclar employees attended a Community Branch meeting last night at which the strength of feeling of about how disgracefully Simclar have treated them was palpable. It was agreed that peaceful protests would be held outside the Irvine and Kilwinning factories this morning. During the process of the Kilwinning protest the factory gate was opened and the workforce took an instant decision to occupy the factory.
'Sam Russell, the Chair of the Simclar Group, appears to have no shame about how he is treating the loyal, highly-skilled workforce in Ayrshire, many of whom have up to 18 years service with the Company. Unlike the employees recently made redundant by NCR in Dundee - who were Simclar's biggest customer - the Simclar employees will not receive the redundancy pay and the consultation period that that they are contractually and legally entitled to, despite being the largest creditor of the business.
'Community believes that it is clear that Simclar has manipulated the situation in order to dump their responsibilities on to the taxpayer. We believe that co-called entrepreneurs like Mr Russell should be made to live up to their responsibilities to their employees and that tax-payers should be angry about another example of corporate greed for which they will end up picking up the bill.'
Sheridan: "Solidarity is not just a word...it describes who and what we are"
Friday, 02 February 2007
“Today's magnificent show of solidarity by PCS members across the UK is a clear example of their determination to defend their jobs, conditions and pay. The employer can be left in no doubt that this campaign will continue as long as necessary. The industrial demands put forward by PSC are reasonable and deliverable, if there is a political will to do so. PCS stand ready and willing to enter intonegotiations with our employer, to prevent further disruption and to address the real concerns and fears of our members.”
Janice Godrich PCS President and a member of Solidarity
Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement salutes the tremendous response by PCS members to yesterday’s strike action. It is clear that there was a massive response by civil servants who were on strike in huge numbers across the UK, including an estimated 90% in Scotland. The burning anger at job cuts, low pay and the threat of privatisation was evident yesterday. And Solidarity pledges its 100% support for the demands of the PCS and civil service workers:
• A No compulsory redundancy agreement. • A no compulsory relocation agreement. • No further privatisation without negotiation and consultation. • No attack on Civil service Compensation Scheme • Adequate resources and decent working conditions. • A fair national pay system
Solidarity Co-Convenors Rosemary Byrne and Tommy Sheridan are spending the day on the picket lines in support of the national strike by members of the PCS. Tommy Sheridan was at the Glasgow Passport office this morning and will be at other pickets as the day progresses standing with Solidarity members and PCS members against the cuts and privatisation agenda of the Blair/Brown Government. The Glasgow Solidarity MSP said:
"Solidarity are 100% behind the PCS members in their struggle. Gordon Brown announced 100,000 job cuts in parliament without any talks with staff or unions. It was a bidding war with the tories to see who could sack the most people, a disgrace."
South of Scotland Solidarity MSP Rosemary Byrne is joining workers at job centres and tax offices in Irvine and across Ayrshire. She called on the public to get behind the PCS:
"These are people who deliver the services many of us rely on, social security, pensions, tax credits, job centres. Their jobs are being privatised and their pay and conditions changed without any negotiations. I urge the public to support the workers today and get behind their campaign for better public services, not privatised public services."
Both Solidarity MSPs will then join a march and rally of PCS members and supporters in Glasgow. PCS President, and Solidarity member, Janice Godrich will speak at the Glasgow event. In Dundee, Danny Williamson of the PCS, also a Solidarity member, will address a rally at the City Halls.
Solidarity MSP Calls for Action on Jobs
Tuesday, 30 January 2007
Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne MSP has called on the executive to intervene over the recent job losses in her constituency of South Scotland. Simclar, Formerly Fullarton Fabrications, in Byrne’s home town of Irvine have axed 450 jobs with no notice or consultation. The Solidarity MSP has been meeting with workers from the factory as well as workers in communities across the region who have suffered recent redundancies. Rosemary said:
“The Executive must intervene to support and protect jobs in Scotland. The whims of global capitalism means misery for thousands of families. It is time that we invested money in future jobs run on a not-for-profit basis instead of emergency cash for retraining after it is already too late.
“At Original Shoe in Cumnock, Young’s in Annan and now Simclar, workers have been treated disgracefully. These are hard working, skilled people who can produce quality products, getting priced out of the business.”
Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne welcomed the latest candidates to be selected top of Solidarity's regional lists for the Scottish Elections in May.
Following the announcement that Rosemary will stand as the lead candidate for Solidarity in the South, Highlands and Islands Solidarity chose Anne McLeod to head the list of candidates in that region. Later this week Mid Scotland and Fife Solidarity selected Kate Stewart as their number one candidate. Rosemary said:
"We are puttting together an impressive list of candidates who have respect in their own communities as well as in the wider movement. I am pleased to see that we now have five women topping election lists for Solidarity."
Of the seven regions declared so far, five have women candidates at the top of the lists. As well as Anne, Kate and Rosemary, Solidarity members have selected Pat Smith in the Lothians region and Central Solidarity voted for Lynn Sheridan.
In a TNS/System Three poll carried out for the party recently, scots women were shown to be more likely to vote for Solidarity than men. The survey showed that 8% of women asked said that they would be likely to vote Solidarity in the May elections.
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