Rally for workers sacked by Liverpool Mutual Homes

The Steble Fountain, William Brown Street

By Tracey Dunn 13/1/2012
Photos by Harry Smith

A glorious morning greeted hundreds of people as they turned out to support the sacked 13 Liverpool Mutual Homes workers at the site just recently vacated by Occupy Liverpool opposite the Liverpool Mutual Homes Building. Men with thirty years experience have been thrown on the scrap heap as LMH outsourced their work to various contractors for a cheaper work force. It was an act of attempting to crush their Trade Union activity and trying to dampen the workers' spirits but it seems to have made them stronger. Since July the sacked workers with many supporters have been outside on the street showing their strength every single day.

Before the rally speakers began I spoke to those gathered amongst the huge display of trade Union flags.

Peter Middleman - Regional Secretary for PCS Union
"We've been working very closely on the pensions issue so are delighted to come out and show our support for the LMH workers. Just demonstrating how the divide between public and private sectors which the government are trying to create doesn't really exist."

Bob Kelly - Trade Union Education
"I'm just here to support any members of the Union who are in struggle."

John McCallum
"It's a disgrace the way they've treated the workers. Sid Greaves (one of the sacked workers and Trade Union activists) is one of the most genuine people I've come across and LMH are trying to victimise him for his Trade Union activity."

Colette Brough
"I'm here to support the 13 sacked men but we also want to stop this encroaching on the other men who are still working for LMH. We want to make sure that they don't lose their terms and conditions."

The Rally began

Sid Greaves told us about the 5 months protesting outside the LMH Head Office. He thanked the Unions for their moral and financial support and also thanked Occupy Liverpool for what they are doing to support the workers. He mentioned the sacked 500 dockers as an inspiration for their action. He told us he was sacked because he had 'little knowledge of the city and standing his ground' Farcical. An absolute insult to someone with his working experience and union expertise. He talked about the electricians, tilers, joiners and supervisors all assessed by LMH and then 13 were told they didn't meet the criteria. They were also told they couldn't take part in industrial action.

Peter Allinson - Unite Union
"We are getting support today from Wales, Scotland, Sheffield, Southampton and West Midlands. This is a fight that's got to be won. Unite have debated this issue as there is a 10 year battle with Liverpool City Council regarding outsourcing work at cheaper prices with less Union representation. Outsourcing is happening all over the country in a whole host of companies. We must resist the pension scheme reforms to get people working harder. We are all under attack, don't let them go unchallenged. We will be in their face until all of our members are reinstated. That's not a threat that's a promise."

Dave Hunt - GMB Union
"It was an opportunity to shaft everybody who was employed. Steve Pindar our solicitor has assured us we have a very good cause. Solidarity will prevail."

UCATT Regional Officer
"LMH's agenda was to undermine the Trade Unions. One of the workers was sacked because he questioned the morals of people crossing picket lines."

PCS Union
"Proud to be here. We have to win this dispute. It's there to make privatisation easier, to decimate jobs and conditions."

Tony Hayes - Regional Officer
"The City of Liverpool need to look at themselves in the mirror. Stand up, seek justice...on the picket lines if necessary."

Dave - Unite Union
"Unite will spend money to win this dispute. We are looking at direct action. We will fight across the country. Sack Steve Coffey (head of LMH) He is paid £137,000 a year to look after just 15,000 houses. He earns more than the Prime Minister. If we stand united we will win this fight. Solidarity to the workers. My heart is in this city and not in my wallet."

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