KDIS HomeNovember 2000


"Round One for the workers" (24 Nov, 2000)

Backing for Morrisons cyber-critique (Nov 11, 2000 )

Secret plan to develop inner city allotments (Nov 1, 2000 )

Floods cause chaos in Aire Valley (Oct 31, 2000.)


"Round One for the workers"

24 November, 2000

[Ronnie Fieldhouse addresses a packed meeting at St Georges Hall]

Over 1000 public sector workers last night voted unanimously to step up action against the Council's plans to privatise it's core services.

A mass rally is planned for December 12th when the next full council meeting takes place. The sight of thousands of workers lobbying councillors hasn't been seen for over 10 years, since former Tory leader Eric Pickles introduced similar plans under the banner of his "Bradford Revolution".

And the "small group" of Lib-Dem councillors, who "are propping up the Tories" are also to be targetted in their constituencies.

A hugely impressive turn-out saw St Georges Hall filled, to hear speakers including MP Terry Rooney and trade union representatives from the T&GWU, NUT, Unison and NATFE. Labour councillors, who were noticeable by their absence, were not spared from criticism for starting the process of privatisation.

Steve Davison of Keighley Trades Council warned workers that pay and conditions would worsen and that the "TUPE" rules, which were designed to safeguard these, did not offer protection. He forsaw thousands of job losses ahead:

"We're in for a fight, but looking around at this meeting, we can safely say this is round one for the workers."

See: the Full Resolution as agreed at the mass meeting
See also:
Previous posting.


Backing for Morrisons cyber-critique

November 11, 2000

[Morrisons new supermarket at Girlington]

Bradford based Morrisons, the UK's fifth largest supermarket group, celebrated their centenary this year with record till takings topping £3 billion.

Boss Ken Morrison could reflect happily on yet another year of expansion, a family fortune of £1 billion and receipt of a knighthood for "services to the retail industry."

But top executives were shocked to discover last month that one of their own employees, 20 years old Christopher Brown, had set up a web site criticising the company. Visitors to www.morrisonsplc.com read of allegations concerning low pay and poor conditions.

But this was nothing to the shock Christopher Brown experienced when the retail giant moved to silence him, closing his web site and giving him the sack!

KDIS examines the background to the story, Brown's allegations and Morrisons response. We talk to current and former employees and discover that the views of Christopher Brown are not as unusual as the company might like to think.

See: More reasons to pop at Morrisons - Christopher Brown's tale
See also:
Pay and conditions - other workers speak out


 

Secret plan to develop inner city allotments

November 1, 2000 

 [The Cecil Avenue allotment site]

Tenants of Cecil Avenue allotments in Great Horton are celebrating after forcing Bradford Council to back down on secret plans to redevelop their site for housing.

But the Council's commitment to green spaces and biodiversity within the inner-city remains in question. Whilst national Government speaks of allotments as the 'lungs' of the urban environment, Bradford Council plans to perform life threatening surgery in a modern day 'organs for cash' operation!

As part of its review of the City's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) in which land is designated for particular use, senior council officers have identified the historic Cecil Avenue Allotments as ideal for housing development.

The secret plans completely contradict national Government policy on preservation of allotment sites and the recently launched Local Government Associations guidelines.

See Full Story


Floods cause chaos in Aire Valley

October 31, 2000.

[Roberts Park (left) under water and Baildon Bridge (right) closed]

The worst floods in living memory have caused chaos along the Aire Valley. Roberts Park in Saltaire was completely flooded today and Otley road (A6038) was closed by floods at Baildon Bridge, Shipley. Many houses were evacuated along the valley, particularly at Stockbridge, near Keighley.


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