Solidarity with workers at Oscar Mayer, Chard

 

Oscar Mayer ‘Ready meals’ plant in Chard

Labour Party members and Trades Unionists across South Somerset have come out in support of workers at the threatened Oscar Mayer ready-meals plant in Chard. A statement from the Unions warned that the closure should concern everyone in Chard, in South Somerset and in the wider area. Yeovil & District Trade Union Council held an online discussion on the subject on 5 November, attended by Rowena Hayward of the GMB union, which has members employed at the site, and a staff representative. 

All delegates expressed their concern, noting that the closure, if it goes ahead, would be very damaging to the local economy due to the loss of purchasing power by people becoming unemployed and by the loss of business by companies supplying the plant with a wide variety of goods and services. The statement continued “We were especially concerned at the fears of foreign workers with non-settled status who may fear for their future. The loss of 860 jobs in a small town like Chard, with a population of about 12,000, would be devastating. Some workers travel considerable distances to get to work, so once again the effects would be widespread.  This is also another nail in the coffin for manufacturing in the UK and comes as very sad news.”

Yeovil Trades Council Press Officer  Ken Keable said “Although there has been a reduction in demand due to the pandemic, it seems that the key issue is the alleged unsuitability of the site for the refurbishment of the plant. Is there no other suitable land in the locality? Can’t the District Council or County Council assist in this?  The GMB are liaising with Somerset County Council and local councillors and MPs to see whether there is anything that can be done to change the outcome.”

Terry Ledlie -“Time to rethink this decision”

The statement continued “We believe that this should not just be a business decision, to be taken by the German-owned private equity group that bought the company in 2017. The human cost and the social impact on the community must also be considered. It does feel as though a decision has already been made to close the factory.  Hence it is a matter for local politicians too, and perhaps national government. The workers have done nothing to deserve this treatment. We express our solidarity with the workers at Oscar Mayer and their families and stand ready to help them in any way we can. “

Labour Solidarity

Chairman of Yeovil Labour Party, Terry Ledlie commented “I would like to send a message of Solidarity to GMB union and the 860 strong workforce at  Oscar Mayer ready-meals plant in Chard. Yeovil Labour party support  GMB union officials to  go about their work in safeguarding Jobs and negotiating a way forward for the vulnerable employees and hopefully overturn this decision. It’s time to rethink this decision that if it goes ahead  will damage the local economy and bring hardship to 860 families within Chard.

We hope that any redundancies will be voluntary and that the employer can offer alternative employment or work with local employers within the Chard area should all other options fail to ensure that the employees are looked after due to this business decision.”

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Vegan and Eco Market,  Saturday 12th September

The Seed the Day event has  moved this year to Bridgwater High Street, Town Hall and Engine Room,  to allow for more  space between stalls and  people attending.  Seed the Day will operate  this year solely as a street  market due to COVID restrictions  and the High Street will  be closed  .

South West Shopworkers Speak Out About Violence

 

Retail workers trade union leader Paddy Lillis has launched a parliamentary petition calling for legislation to protect shop workers from violence, threats and abuse. In support of the petition South West shopworkers have been speaking out about their own experiences.

The petition is lodged on the parliamentary website and calls on the Government to legislate to protect shop workers. It can be signed at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/328621

USDAW’s latest survey found that while incidents of violence, threats and abuse were already rising they doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic.”. These are some of the comments South

West shop workers shared experiences when responding to Usdaw’s survey:

Bristol: “Purposely hit with a trolley.” - “Held at knifepoint and stalked.” – “I was punched by a customer.” - “I've had people throwing coins and products at me whilst serving at the till, as he wasn't happy with our products.”

Cornwall: “Swearing and aggressive behaviour by a drunken man one Friday evening.” -

“Customers threaten me and I’ve been pushed out of the way whilst trying to fill up shelves, daily I get called names.”

Devon: “Much more abusive and unreasonable recently. Had people square up to me and just be awful.” - “When it gets busy customers get short tempered. Had a customer aim their car at me.”

Gloucestershire: “Verbal abuse and sworn at using worst words ever. Had gum/sweets thrown at me.” - “I get verbal abuse most days for following the rules of my job.” - “Threatened to be beaten up by customer when I checked bank note.” Somerset: “Got punched by a young lad as I spotted him eating around the store and stole food.” - “Verbal abuse and threats received when refusing sales of alcohol and energy drinks.” - “Inappropriate sexual comments about myself.”

Wiltshire: “Customers getting annoyed with us cleaning chip and pin and counters between uses.” - “Smacked around face with skateboard, called fat and ugly.” - “Customers have been extremely rude, arrogant and aggressive towards staff.”

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies of shopworkers, who deserve far more respect than they receive. Abuse should never be a part of the job and we are appalled that violence, threats and abuse have doubled during this national emergency.

“The safety of our members is absolutely paramount, but they tell us that some of the shopping public are resisting safety measures in stores and can become abusive when asked to queue, maintain social distancing or reminded to wear a face mask. Our message to the public is that there is no excuse for abusing shopworkers, please treat our members with the respect they deserve.

 “In light of the unacceptable increase in abuse of shopworkers, there needs to be urgent action to help protect staff and we urge the Government not to dismiss our petition, but listen to the voices of shopworkers and legislate for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”

Government U-Turn on Exams

Commenting on the decision, Hannah Packham, South West Regional Secretary of the National Education Union, said:  

 

"Gavin Williamson has, finally, done the right thing. The pity is that he has done so having exhausted all other options. Students and their teachers have endured days of completely unnecessary stress and worry. For many students, this announcement will generate further uncertainty if they have been rejected from their first-choice course, and university, on the basis of the inaccurate and unjust Ofqual awarding process. 

 

"Young people have suffered enough. They have few chances in the jobs market as the country faces rising unemployment and recession. Gavin Williamson should now announce that the cap on university places is lifted, so that more young people, who have worked so hard for their A Levels, can continue their studies and fulfil their potential. 

 

"One of many lessons for Government to learn from this sorry saga is to listen to the profession. The Department for Education's determination to put all eggs in one basket through a single set of summer exams has come back to haunt them. It is very much a disaster of their own making.  

 

"This is a shameful episode. It must never happen again. The u-turn in Scotland includes a long-term review of the assessment methods used to award qualifications, including the possibility of more coursework and systematic, moderated teacher assessment, and it is critical that the same occurs in England.   

 

"We not only need a careful and systematic review, but an absolute assurance to next year's GCSE and A-Level students that this cannot and will not happen again." 

 

 

Please contact Hannah Packham, South West NEU Regional Secretary at Hannah.Packham@neu.org.uk or on 07904011693.

Background

 

• The National Education Union stands up for the future of education. It brings together the voices of more than 450,000 teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK, to form the largest education union in Europe. 
• It is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing its members in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. 
• The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). It is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.