Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
10 November 2008
17:288925After the beleaguered port workers voted today for industrial action our MP Gwyn Prosser issues the following statement.
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MP Backs Union Call For Negotiated Settlement at Port Of Dover
Following the massive vote supporting industrial action at the Port of Dover, local MP, Gwyn Prosser, has backed UNITE's call for negotiations to open immediately and is seeking a meeting with the Chairman and members of the Harbour Board along with union officials to find a sensible way forward which would avoid industrial action and the closure of the Port of Dover.
Gwyn Prosser said:
"This whole affair has been very badly handled by the Chief Executive of Dover Harbour Board, Bob Goldfield. Firstly, he has clearly ignored the strength of local feeling by attempting to get rid of nearly 200 members of the loyal workforce. Secondly, he persuaded his board to make decisions which radically affect his employees without any negotiations with them or their trade union and thirdly he made secret arrangements to employ former Gurkhas as strike breakers. Once the Gurkhas knew how they were being used they immediately downed tools and walked out."
"No-one wants to see industrial action and no-one wants to see the Port of Dover close and neither need happen if the Board see sense and allow meaningful negotiations to commence."
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
10 November 2008
17:328926Note to above...
84% of the workers balloted voted for Industrial Action today monday.
272 ballots were returned.
So those figures show solid support for industrial action, which will presumably take the shape of a strike.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
10 November 2008
20:178936it appears that the first of the stoppages will be on tuesday.
a good decision, as it gives the public and hauliers a chance to make alternative arrangements.
the media are giving it good coverage, which will mean the people of dover will be behind the victoms of the
harbour board.
10 November 2008
20:218939NB - the Brits are being thoughtful towards the punters, unlike the French..................
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
10 November 2008
20:238940ive heard its for a 48 hour period,a good start by the workers bad for the dhb.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
10 November 2008
20:378945very well spotted bern, as one who has suffered from the arrogance of the strikers across the channel who do not care who they hurt, our people are aiming their arrows at their enemy.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
11 November 2008
09:088968In an ideal world nobody at all would want to be involved in strike action. But as Bern said in an earlier post elsewhere.. that very often it is the only real tool the working person has...the withdrawal of his/her Labour. Strike action is not something entered into lightly and it is probably fair to say its generally the last refuge of the desperate.
As Gwyn said above
"This affair has been very badly handled by Bob Goldfield"
The DHB are and were not listening to the desperation of the dismissed workers.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
14 November 2008
18:439201I have just been out canvassing in Tower Hamlets and I was surprised with the amount of support these workers have out there,and in one conversation it appears that many of the higher management are also very upset at the way this is being handled.It seems as if Bob Goldfield may not have the backing of his staff,but it appears the only people that agree with him are the Board and Barry W.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
14 November 2008
20:299232saw mr goldfield on the box about an hour ago.
different bloke altogether, came across as rather a cudlly pleasant individual, seriously.
talked about his door always being open!!!!
rattled on about many things being up for negotiation!!!!!
maybe he has got wind of our french allies joining in?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
15 November 2008
07:449247When I worked for NatWest before coming down to Dover, many aspects of work there (on Computer Operations) were eventually outsourced.
All aspects of the various jobs were kept safe for those transferred, the only difference was they were given a two year contract, instead of NO contract. When we worked there )(NatWest) there was not a contract for a set period and I worked for them for over 24 years
Pensions were safe (all benefits transferred), all conditions of employment were preserved, job descriptions and salary range was the same too.
I know nothing of the current transfer arrangements of course, but is it known what they are ?
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
15 November 2008
08:319250Roger as I understand it the pensions of the workers in the dock dispute are not transferable. I met some of these chaps when they sent the delegation over to meet the Minister a short while ago ( it was arranged by Gwyn) and its true they have a strong case. All are pleasant ordinary individuals who worked hard in the docks all their lives. They are not people given to strike action, thats the tragedy of it.
Slightly related to the above. I heard a report on the R4 yesterday about all the workers who lost their jobs in Rover last year. Many, yes nearly all, have found re-employment but in jobs that pay less. This is the trend, and probably the fear our port workers have...to be re-employed again on short term contracts and on less wages.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
15 November 2008
17:569300Thanks Paul, but I think it is illegal if the pensions cannot be transferred to the new employers.
Maybe everyone should know what is on offer instead of speculating.
Roger
15 November 2008
20:069315Legally there has to be a mutual agreement, TUPE, foe pensions to be transferable.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 November 2008
20:539318great turn out this morning outside the harbour board offices, good to hear that the ferry companies have given their support to the harbour board employess.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
15 November 2008
21:519324I am sorry that I did not come today I am in the Unite union and was at home but at that time I do not think it would have help with me there,but they do have my support on this one, I hope that the D.H.B.look at this again and drop back to how the docks have run very well for years.
Vic matcham
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
15 November 2008
22:029327Sorry I did not spot you Howard would have been nice to have said hello.
My partner and I (we are both members of Unite) had some good chats with a number of the conveeners and stewards who were all pleased with the turnout not only from the DHB workforce but also the town, workers reps from Calais, fellow dock workers from Thamesport & PLA plus other unions and trades councils. A fantastic show of solidarity.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 November 2008
23:349329i was standing next to one of your councillors ross, some bloke called john goodwin.
quite right to point out that we had support from france, plus other parts of the uk.
i would not recognise you though, the pic seems to have been taken from a distance.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
15 November 2008
23:559330Did not spot John either.
We were stood over by the road near the shelter that they were giving the speeches from.
Did see Charlie Elphick though - thought that was a bit of a surprise.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
16 November 2008
17:509344I was with Gwyn and the Labour Party banner,just behind the lead banner,what was funny was I was on telly talking to Charlie E,I was also surprised to see him and told him so,he said that this should be non-political and then said that the Labour Goverment was to blame.We even suggested he hold the Labour Party's banner he declined,but everytime a camera was about he was there.From the look on his face he was disappointed the marchers didn't ask him to speak,but when the Union Rep and the Stewards all praise Gwyn's efforts it then becomes hard ,do you back Gwyn or not,Charlie choose not to,and keep out of it,Labour Councillors were there in quite a force,couldn't remember seeing any Tory Councillors though.
I was there as a Labour Cllr representing the people of my ward and my Union the TSSA and showing support for the men who are being badly treated and if Bob Goldfield gets his way 190 people will be the entire workforce,this man is the modern day Margaret Thatcher.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
16 November 2008
20:219351Hardly suprising that not many conservavtive councillors turned up if they are going to be treated so badly really.
Why did a Labour party banner need to be present??? Surely to god it's about the saving of the jobs, not "Oh unions are a traditional labour thing, let's use it as another way of self promotion."
I would have thought it was a time when these people could do with ALL the backing they can get to protect their jobs.