Hunt’s Autumn Statement is a further tightening of the cost of living squeeze that is crippling workers as inflation jumps to over 14%. Workers’ living standards are facing the biggest drop since the Second World War.
But workers are fighting back, with the most widespread strike wave for decades, across all sectors. This is the answer to the offensive of the employers and their Tory government.
Alongside a growing number of localised strikes, public sector unions are balloting members and calling action and in key national disputes, the CWU has escalated their strikes, and the RMT has won a new strike mandate by smashing the ballot thresholds, imposed by the undemocratic Tory anti-union laws.
On 30th November alone, workers in Royal Mail and higher education will be out on the same day, along with sixth form teachers. At the end of this week, there are Scotland wide education strikes. The more unions that co-ordinate action together, the bigger the pressure that can be exerted on this weak and divided Tory government.
UCU national strike demonstration in London on Wednesday 30th November – 1 pm Kings Cross Rail Station
Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is a new austerity budget, says Unite
PCS response to the autumn statement
GMB: ‘Recession’ Autumn statement ‘sticks two fingers up at workers’
Unison: Nothing in statement to halt pay crisis across public services
RCM statement on Chancellor’s commitment to recruit 2,000 more midwives
NASUWT: Announcement leaves a multi-billion pound funding gap for education
Prospect: Five takeaways from the Autumn Statement
Community: Our autumn statement response
The TUC is organising town hall rallies around the country. Find your local event here.
‘The working class is back as a movement’ – Enough is Enough read more on CWU website. People can find out about events and how to join the campaign via the Enough is Enough website
NSSN news
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE. Feel free to use this affiliation letter.
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Linda on [email protected]
The NSSN is developing a campaign pack for social care, which we hope to make available in the not-too-distant future for supporters to use in their localities. As part of this, communications officer Dave Gorton is keen to hear from supporters who:
(1) work in social care (either local authority, private or independently provided)
(2) represent social care workers for a trade union
(3) are in need of social care provision themselves or act as an (unpaid/underpaid) carer for a family member
Dave can be contacted in the first instance via [email protected]
Union News
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RMT
Avanti train managers to take strike action Sunday (19 Nov) – RMT members working as train managers for Avanti will take more strike action on Sunday in a continuing row over rosters. The disgraced company claims that they are imposing rosters to prevent cancellations. However, bosses continue to cancel trains and those that do run are hugely overcrowded. Controversially Avanti has had its contract renewed on the West Coast mainline despite its appalling track record running the franchise with increasing calls from politicians from all sides saying they should be kicked off the railways for good. Avanti train managers are angry at having their work life balance ruined, with significant cuts to rest days and short notice changes to shift patterns. Morale is at an all time low and our members want to see their concerns addressed and a provide a decent service to passengers read more
RMT bus strike to go ahead after company fails to put forward new offer (17 Nov) – Bus workers will take strike action in Somerset and Cornwall on Friday in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay and conditions. Despite talks with the company, First South West (FSW) have failed to put forward a new offer on pay and conditions. In an attempt to undermine collective bargaining and undermine the strike, First South West have tried to tell their staff that they have offered movement on pay. However, the union can only consider formal written offers from the company and despite our negotiators attempts at good faith discussions, nothing has been forthcoming. RMT members working for First South West in Somerset and Cornwall are angry that many of them are only paid just over £11 an hour and that bosses only offered a small uprate to £12 an hour. This is despite the fact, First Group which owns FSW, has operating profits up until September of £66 million compared to £52 million for the first half of last year read more
RMT marks King’s Cross fire tragedy with a rallying call against job cuts (17 Nov) – Transport union RMT, will mark the 35-year anniversary King’s Cross Underground fire by calling for an end to job cuts on the Tube. A disastrous fire broke out on 18 November 1987 that claimed the lives of 31 people with 100 more taken to hospital to treat injuries. As a result of the public inquiries that followed, fire safety on the Tube was completely overhauled and this included regulations establishing minimum staffing levels for Sub-Surface Railway stations in order to help with evacuation in the event of fire or other catastrophic incidents. These staff subsequently played a vital role in evacuating passengers from the Underground during the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. In spite of this, London Underground managers are pressing forward with imposing new rosters that reduce the number of staff who will be available in the capital’s tube stations, cutting 600 station staff roles, including at King’s Cross station. RMT members at four stations- Victoria Centre (Euston and Green Park), King’s Cross, Heathrow (Heathrow Terminals, Hatton Cross, Hounslow West), and the mobile Special Requirements Team (SRT) will start an overtime ban on November 20 – 26 and will take strike action on November 25 against job cuts…A demonstration will take place to support the strike action from 08:00 @ Palestra 197 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8JZ(opposite Southwark Tube) read more
Reinstate Branch Secretary Jason Moriarty (15 Nov) – A new newsletter has been produced as a part of our organising to get Jason Moriarty reinstated. Please download it to learn more. The RMT offers full support and solidarity with our comrade Jason Moriarty following his disclosure to his employer, London Underground, of a disability read more
Congratulations on another solid London Underground strike (15 Nov) – Official Circular: to all branches and representatives, all Underground and former LT employers from Mick Lynch RMT General Secretary: Dear Colleagues, DEFEND JOBS, PENSIONS AND AGREEMENTS – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2). Congratulations to every member on London Underground (LUL) for taking part in the strike action on Thursday 10th November. This action was solid and showed that your determination to defend jobs, pensions and agreements remains as strong as it was when we took our first strike action in March of this year. Without our action, London Underground would, no doubt, be further down the road of job cuts, pension attacks and the imposition of flexible working. The next action is scheduled for all LUL Station Grades members who will be taking action by refusing to work any overtime between 00:01 hours on Sunday 20th November to 23:59 hours on Saturday 26th November 2022. Station Grades members at Kings Cross Area, Heathrow Cover Group, Victoria Central Cover Group and the SRT will also be taking strike action by not booking on for any shifts commencing between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Friday 25th November 2022. There is also currently a re-ballot underway and papers were posted to members on Tuesday 8th November. The closing date is Thursday 8th December 2022 and all members should be urged to return their ballot paper as soon as possible read more
RMT renews national rail strike mandate for another 6 months (16 Nov) – Rail union RMT today announced it had beaten the anti-trade union laws yet again with a stunning mandate for more strike action on the railways. Across both Network Rail and 14 train operating companies, the average turnout was 70.2% with a ‘yes’ vote of 91.7%. It means RMT members in these areas will be able to take strike action for potentially another 6-month period. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was a massive endorsement of the union’s strategy to win workplace justice through negotiation where possible and industrial action if necessary read more
RMT strike action at Network Rail’s Thames Valley Signalling Centre in Didcot on Saturday 19 and Monday 21 November read more on the Okehampton Times website
Rates of pay and conditions of service 2022 – Transport for Wales (15 Nov) – Michael Lynch RMT General Secretary: Dear Colleague, Further to my previous correspondence, I write to inform you that fresh talks have taken place with the company and an improved offer has been tabled for all affected members which can be found below read more
ASLEF
World Toilet Day: Toilet Facilities are Essential (19 Nov) – Staff and passengers working and travelling on Britain’s railways deserve decent facilities. That has always been our belief. And that is what we always press for in negotiations with the train and freight operating companies read more
ASLEF Announces Another Day of Strike Action (10 Nov) – Train drivers who are members of ASLEF – the train drivers’ union – will walk out at 12 train operating companies on Saturday 26 November in a dispute over pay. ASLEF negotiators have been engaged in talks with the industry but there has, so far, been no offer on pay read more
TSSA
TSSA signs updated Stena Line union recognition agreement (17 Nov) – Transport and travel union TSSA has signed an updated recognition agreement with international ferry operator, Stena Line. The new deal, covering staff in administrative and clerical posts in locations around Britain builds on the strong existing relationship between the union and the company. The Recognition and Procedural Agreement is for Stena Line Ltd, Stena Line Irish Ferries Ltd and Stena Line Manning Services Ltd. Stena Line is a Swedish-owned global ferry operator. It is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, with services to Britain, Ireland, Holland, France and many European countries. TSSA is the sole trade union with bargaining and representation rights for Stena clerical and administrative staff in Britain, along with other shore-based staff that are not dockers or managers read more
TSSA industrial action ballot at ScotRail (15 Nov) – Rail and transport union TSSA is to ballot members at ScotRail over the possibility of industrial action in an escalation of a dispute about on call working arrangements. Longstanding union grievances about the nature of on call duties were supposed to be discussed via a joint working group as part of the 2021/22 pay award settlement with the company. However, over a year on from the agreement no meetings have taken place despite repeated requests from the union. ScotRail has dragged its heels at every juncture on the matter with TSSA, leading the union to describe the company as “acting in bad faith”. Ballots, for industrial action which if successful would see the withdrawal of all out of hours ‘on call duties’ are now being sent to dozens of members working in vital roles across Scotland’s railways read more
London Underground indicative ballot on industrial action (10 Nov) – TSSA members at London Underground are urged to take part in a vote on their willingness to take industrial action in an escalating dispute over safe staffing levels across the network and imposed changes to working arrangements. TSSA has serious concerns about the impact of cutting 600 front line roles. Reports of stations being closed or having reduced opening times, and of attacks on staff, are rising as the impact of vacancies being left unfilled takes effect. The indicative ballot is open and will close on 18 November read more
November Picket Line round up – Details of pickets lines will be posted here
Unite
No Harrods’ CCTV or security over festive shopping period during pay strikes (18 Nov) – Qatari-owned Harrods’ profits at £51m – MD’s pay doubles to £2.3m, but workers’ wages ‘cut’. More than 50 Harrods uniformed security guards and CCTV operators will strike during November and December over a ‘pay cut dressed up as a rise’, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday). The workers will strike over a seven per cent pay offer on 25, 26 and 27 November and 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 26 December. The offer is a pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 14.2 per cent and rising read more
World Toilet Day: Government fails to spend a penny as lorry driver toilet improvement promises are a case of smoke and mirrors (19 Nov) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands of lorry drivers, has discovered that the government’s much heralded multi-million pound scheme to improve toilet facilities for lorry drivers, is entirely unspent after a year. In the October 2021 budget the then chancellor, now prime minister, Rishi Sunak allocated £32.5 million to the Department of Transport (DfT) to match fund improvements for roadside facilities at service stations and truck stops for lorry drivers read more
World Toilet Day: UK lorry drivers denied toilet dignity (18 Nov) – On the eve of World Toilet Day (Saturday 19 November) Unite, the UK’s leading union, has released an extensive survey of lorry drivers revealing that most are frequently denied toilet dignity during their working lives. The survey of 1,700 lorry drivers found that 76 per cent had in the last year experienced a situation when they needed to urgently use a toilet but none were available. Over one in 10 drivers (11 per cent) said that a lack of access to toilets had resulted in them developing a medical condition or causing a disability read more
World Toilet Day: Unite protest in MoD Lincolnshire toilet shame (17 Nov) – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will mark World Toilet Day (Saturday 19 November) with a protest outside RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, due to the Ministry of Defence’s failure to provide decent toilets for workers read more
Heathrow braced for major disruption as Menzies ground handlers begin strike action in pay dispute (17 Nov) – Heathrow Airport is braced for major disruption beginning tomorrow as ground handlers employed by Menzies take strike action. The 350 workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will begin a 72 hour stoppage at 04:00 on Friday 18 November. The dispute will lead to disruption, delays and cancellation for flights leaving Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 and 4. The strike action will particularly affect Air Canada, American Airlines, Luthansa, Swiss Air, Air Portugal, Austrian airlines, Qantas, Egypt Air, Aer Lingus and Finnair read more
Sainsbury, Tesco and M&S Xmas supplies hit by Lincolnshire factory poverty pay strikes (17 Nov) – Bakkavor workers told to swallow pay cut while company feasts on £100m profits. More than 700 workers at Bakkavor’s food manufacturing factory in Spalding, Lincolnshire, will strike from late November until the New Year over poverty pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday). Many of the workers earn just 1p over the national minimum wage with some being forced to use food banks. In March, Bakkavor announced that its adjusted operating profits for 2021 had increased by 22 per cent to £102 million. The production line operatives, who make own brand soups, sauces and deli produce for Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and M&S, have rejected a 6.5 per cent pay offer. This is a substantial pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 14.2 per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The situation these workers face is exactly what is wrong with Britain’s economy today: A company earning millions and millions in profits expecting already low paid workers to take a pay cut while prices soar. Unite will not tolerate attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and our Bakkavor members have the union’s complete backing as they strike for a better deal.” The strikes, which begin on 25 November and will last until 2 January, will impact own brand food products for Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and M&S. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved. Strikes were due to take place in early November but were postponed to allow for an amended pay offer to be voted on. The workforce overwhelmingly rejected the offer and negotiations between Unite and Bakkavor have since collapsed read more
Government must fully protect UK shipyards following FSS ships decision, warns Unite (16 Nov) – Following the announcement today (Wednesday) by the Ministry of Defence for the building of the new Fleet Solid Support ships, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The decision to award the FSS ships contract to Team Resolute will be warmly welcomed by Harland and Wolff workers in Belfast, Appledore, Arnish and Methil. Unite will now be ensuring that all aspects of the contract, including job commitments, apprenticeships and supply chain roles, are fully adhered to. There is a long and sorry history of UK workers losing out on government procurement work and broken promises once the ink is dry on contracts. Today’s announcement leaves a vacuum for the rest of the UK’s shipyards and the government must address this at the earliest opportunity. It is imperative that the government introduces a clear pipeline of work for all the existing shipyards to maintain jobs and skills” read more
New vehicle BIK rules: Irish Government accused of greenwashing tax grab (17 Nov) – Unite calls for changes due in January 2023 to be scrapped. Trade union Unite has slammed new Benefit in Kind (BIK) rules due to take effect on 1 January 2023 which could result in employees who use company cars for work paying hundreds of Euro extra in tax, and has called on the Government to immediately reverse the changes read more
Unite’s offshore caterers accept double digit wage offer (16 Nov) – Unite the union today (16 November) confirmed its offshore catering members have accepted an improved pay offer from the Catering Offshore Trade Association (COTA) worth 10 per cent on basic salaries. The consultative ballot indicated that 84 per cent of Unite’s membership accepted the improved offer with a backdated payment of around £1,000 for the lower grades in December read more
Strike at Petrofac goes ahead following dispute over pay (16 Nov) – Unite offshore workers take strike action as dispute escalates. Unite has today (16 November) confirmed that its members on the Petrofac owned Repsol assets will take part in industrial action starting on 16 November with a continuous overtime ban and 48 hour stoppage taking place on 16 and 17 November. A further 48 hour stoppage will take place on 30 November and 1 December. This action will cause significant disruption to the maintenance and safe running of the platforms/terminal. Around 146 members are involved in this dispute which centres on the removal of a 10 per cent Equal Time payment, a continuous below inflationary increase of 3 per cent cost of living increase for years, payment for OEUK medicals, increase in mileage payments and stand in duties payment read more
Welwyn and Hatfield grounds maintenance workers strike over poverty pay rates (15 Nov) – Workers on Welwyn and Hatfield council’s outsourced grounds maintenance contract, employed by Continental Landscapes, are to take substantial strike action over low pay. The Hertfordshire-based workforce, who are responsible for all of the council’s grounds maintenance contract, including grass cutting and hedge trimming, are currently being paid just £10.12 an hour. Continental Landscapes has offered an increase of seven per cent, however with the real rate of inflation (RPI) currently standing at 12.6 per cent, this amounts to a real terms pay cut. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will take eight days of industrial action. They will strike on every Monday and Tuesday beginning on Monday 21 November, with the final strike day scheduled for Tuesday 13 December. The strike action will cause extensive disruption to Welwyn and Hatfield’s grounds maintenance programme read more
Midlands Metro strikes suspended following improved pay offer (15 Nov) – The remaining strikes scheduled for this week on the West Midlands Metro have been suspended following an improved pay offer. Unite had previously announced an escalation in the long running dispute, with members due to begin all-out continuous strike action from Monday 28 November. Following the announcement of an all-out strike the employers requested an urgent meeting at the conciliation service Acas and an improved pay offer was made. Unite, the UK’s leading union, will now ballot its members at the West Midlands Metro on the new offer. As an act of goodwill the strike action planned for Wednesday–Friday this week (16-18 November) has been suspended to allow the ballot to go ahead. Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “Following an improved pay offer being made today (Tuesday) at the conciliation service Acas, as an act of good faith, Unite has suspended the strike action that was scheduled for the rest of this week. “Unite’s members will be fully briefed on the latest offer and balloted on it.” If the latest offer is rejected then the strikes scheduled for next week and beyond including the all-out strike action will proceed as scheduled read more
Strike at coffin manufacturer enters second week (15 Nov) – Strike action continues at Coop coffin factory as Unite continues fight for improvements on pay. Unite members working in the Coop’s only coffin manufacturing facility have continued their second week of strike action which commenced on Monday 14 November and continues until 07.54am on Monday 21 November. Unite members are digging in for a fight for a fair wage deal during the cost of living crisis. The refusal of the Coop to make a fair offer risks continuing strike action over the Christmas and New Year period and jeopardies coffin supply disruption during winter read more
Act on pay and help the NHS, staff and patients, say health unions (15 Nov) – Unions representing more than a million staff working across the NHS have today (Tuesday) met with health secretary Steve Barclay to discuss the growing workforce crisis. At the Westminster meeting this morning, the unions made clear that without urgent government action on wages, experienced health workers would continue to quit their jobs, and the NHS struggle to attract new staff in sufficient numbers. Unions told the secretary of state that patient waits for treatment would carry on worsening, unless something was done about the dangerously low staffing levels affecting every part of the NHS. Decent wages are key to stopping employees leaving and to turning the NHS into an attractive employer for potential recruits, the unions urged. The unions also warned that threats to cap wages next year would do nothing to fill the 132,000 vacancies across the NHS in England alone and would make a desperate staffing situation significantly worse. Ministers must act now, invest in staff and services with an inflation-proofed wage rise, or be responsible for disputes across the NHS this winter that no one wants to see, urged the unions. Health unions await a date for the next meeting with the health secretary read more
Threat of industrial action forces United Airlines climb down (15 Nov) – Airline drops outsourcing plans as Unite wins cost of living pay boost. Airport operations workers employed by United Airlines at London Heathrow have secured a new pay deal which includes an improved pay offer and a commitment from the company to abandon outsourcing plans. The workers had announced 4 days of strike action planned between 28th and 31st October after a 96% vote in favour of strikes. But after a series of intensive negotiations the strike was averted and an agreement was reached for a cost of living increase on all elements of pay. The airline also agreed to continue with its commitment not to outsource work to third party organisations. United Airlines was threatening to end this long standing agreement read more
Scottish Ambulance Service workers set to take industrial action (11 Nov) – Unite confirms action is a ‘first step’ in NHS pay dispute. Unite the union who represent around 1,500 Scottish Ambulance Service workers has confirmed its members will take imminent industrial action. All Unite’s SAS workers will take continuous action short of strike from 00.01am on 25 November. The action will include an overtime ban and work to rule. In practical terms this means Unite members working strictly to contractual terms in respect of working hours, shift start and finish times, and the taking of scheduled breaks. The SAS workers involved in the action short of strike will include advanced practitioners, paramedics, planners, administrative, clerical, real time analysts, and business intelligence. The measures taken are designed to in no way impact on responses to emergency incidents read more
Go North East bus engineers balloted for strike action over pay (11 Nov) – Go Ahead Group earning millions in profits but refusing to give an inflation-linked pay rise. Around 150 Go North East bus engineers are being balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday). The ballot for strike action comes after the workers at depots in Dunston, Sunderland, Consett, North Shields, Washington, Hexham and Gateshead rejected a 10 per cent pay offer from the company. The workers said the offer was an effective pay cut and are demanding a rise of 12.3 per cent, which was rate of RPI inflation when the negotiations began. The RPI inflation rate is currently 12.6 per cent and rising. Go North East is part of the Go Ahead group, which reported a statutory profit before tax of £50.1m during the six months ending 1 January 2022. The company has also stated it is expecting to return healthy finances in 2022. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Go Ahead can well afford to pay our members a pay rise that meets RPI inflation and it needs to do so. Our members will have Unite’s full support as they fight for a fair pay rise.” The ballot for strike action opens tomorrow (11 November) and closes on 29 November. Strike action could begin as early as mid-December, impacting services across the region read more
Abellio bus drivers in South and West London announce 10 days of pay strikes (10 Nov) – Over 950 bus drivers employed by Abellio in South and West London will take 10 days of strike action in a pay dispute. The dispute is a result of the company failing to enter into meaningful pay talks, despite indicating that it was prepared to do so. Workers’ pay is due to increase from January 2023, but Abellio has failed even to make an initial pay offer. The workers will begin strike action on Tuesday 22 November and will also strike on the 25, 26 of this month. They will be followed by further strikes on 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 December read more
Shelter workers announce two weeks of strike action in pay dispute (10 Nov) – Over 500 workers at the housing charity Shelter will stage a two week strike next month, in response to the organisation’s management attempting to impose a real terms pay cut on its staff. The workers, who are based across the UK, returned an 85 per cent vote in favour of industrial action and will begin strike action on Monday 5 December, with the strike ending on Sunday 18 December. Management at Shelter has sought to impose a three per cent pay increase on staff, which is a huge real terms pay cut with the true inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 12.6 per cent. Management has refused to return to the negotiating table and has instead begun to impose one off payments. These will leave pay rates at unacceptably low levels and fail to take into account rampant inflation read more
NI Housing Executive bosses must show respect to workers and tenants and clear their diaries to engage in negotiations to end housing worker strike (9 Nov) – Responding to the media appearance of NIHE Chief Executive Grainia Long on regional radio this morning where she failed to touch upon the profound crisis facing social housing tenants, Unite the union has challenged NIHE management on their inaction. Press reports confirm that in excess of 3,600 tenants have been left needing repairs and improvements to clear drains, improve draughty windows or upgrade heating. In addition to this Unite the union has been informed that 270 disabled tenants haven’t got the essential adaptions they need and almost 300 desperately needed social housing units lie empty as the change of occupancy work has not been done. The crisis arises from the sudden withdrawal of eleven private sector operators from outsourced maintenance contracts at a time when direct labour organisation workers are into their thirteenth week of strike action for a cost of living increase read more
Fawley refinery facing disruption as workers announce cost of living strikes (8 Nov) – Members of Unite, the UK leading union, are set to take substantial strike action at the Fawley oil refinery in Hampshire, later this month, in a dispute over cost of living payments. The dispute involves over 130 Unite members employed on construction engineering maintenance contracts. The workforce are split between three contractors: Altrad, Bilfinger, and Enerveo. The dispute arose due to the rampant inflation rate. The workers, who are employed under the NAECI (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry) agreement, were seeking to secure the maximum bonus of £2.37 an hour, to offset inflation. The employers, however, refused to pay the bonus. Strike action will take place initially from Monday 21 November until Saturday 26 November with a further strike from Monday 28 November until Saturday 3 December read more
Unite leader Sharon Graham visits Muller Stonehouse, Gloucestershire picket line on Sat 12 Nov – Super-rich Muller wants to milk more from workers to boost profits. Nearly 70 HGV drivers and shunters employed by the German dairy giant and who are responsible for delivering milk products to supermarkets nationwide have been on strike since August. The dispute is over imposed rota changes which destroy workers’ ability to spend time with their families. In contravention of an agreement signed with Unite earlier this year, Muller is trying to impose a five days on two days off rota system. The changes would require all drivers to work at least one day every weekend. The company, which made a £16.5 million profit in 2020 and forecast more in 2021, wants to impose the rota to save money when they contract third party hauliers to deliver products read more
Southampton Airport faces shutdown as workers prepare to strike after three year pay freeze – Southampton Airport faces shutdown as workers prepare to strike after three year pay freeze. No pay increase since 2019. The workers made huge sacrifices during the pandemic to keep the airport safe. Workers at Southampton Airport who haven’t had a pay increase since 2019 will take a series of one day strikes beginning on 5 November after months of unacceptable delays by airport bosses. Airside operations controllers, firefighters, technicians and engineering workers will take 1 day of strike action on Saturday 5 November, Saturday 12 November and Saturday 19 November read more
Strike action begins at Renold Couplings – Workers employed by Renold Couplings in East Cardiff have today (25 Oct) commenced four weeks of continuous strike action over pay. In a recent ballot Unite members at the site in East Cardiff, voted by over 91% in favour of industrial action. Renold Couplings, who manufacture power transmission products, have offered workers a pay offer well below inflation. This is despite the fact that workers endured a pay freeze during the Covid pandemic read more
Pickle and vinegar shortages growing as Mizkan Rochdale workers announce fresh strikes over real terms pay cut – Shortages of the UK’s most popular pickles and vinegars, including Branston Pickle, Sarsons Vinegar and Haywards Pickled Vegetables, will increase as Unite, the UK’s leading union, has announced further strike action as a result of the employer’s (Mizkan Euro) derisory pay offer. The 50-plus workers, who are based at Mizkan Euro’s factory in Rochdale, will take fresh strike action for three days beginning on Wednesday 3 November and ending on Saturday 5 November. The workers took three days of strike action earlier this month (18-20 October) in response to the company offering the workers an increase of just five per cent, which is in reality a pay cut, with the actual inflation rate (RPI) now standing at 12.6 per cent read more
TfL prolonging Woolwich Ferry dispute by using agency staff – Unite raises safety concerns over poorly trained agency workers. TfL delays preventing the suspension of strike action. Unite has written to London Assembly members to raise concerns about the use of poorly trained agency workers being used to run a limited service during the Woolwich Ferry strike. The union has called on GLA members to give an assurance that the agency staffing arrangements along with the condition of the boats give no cause for concern as far as safety is concerned. The strike began on Monday 24 October and ends on Friday 28 October. 87% of the workers who took part in the ballot voted for strike action. Unite is meeting TfL on Monday 31 October read more
Walsall Housing Group workers to strike over imposed pay cut – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are stepping up strike action this week after their employer Walsall Housing Group imposed a real-terms pay cut on the workers. The company has imposed a 3.1 per cent increase and an additional £300 one-off payment on the workers, far below the current real inflation rate (RPI) of 12.3 per cent. The Walsall Housing Group workers play an essential role in keeping tenants’ homes safe and repaired. Over 40 members of Unite at Walsall Housing Group will take 12 days of strike action over the coming weeks on October 21, 24, 28 and 31 and then on 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 and 28 November read more
Quorn strikes go all-out over super-profitable firm’s ‘derisory’ pay offer – Company’s efforts to undermine strike causing chaos and raises safety fears. More than 60 workers at Quorn’s meat-free paste production factory will begin all-out strike action this Thursday (20 October) in a dispute over a ‘derisory’ pay offer. The workers, members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, have already taken nine days of strike action in October over a four per cent pay offer plus a one-off payment. The workers are seeking a nine per cent pay rise, which was the RPI inflation rate in April when negotiations began. The strikes are expected to lead to shortages of Quorn products in supermarkets read more
Derby Alstom pay cut strikes to impact East Midlands Rail maintenance – Alstom profits at £233m but workers offered just four per cent. More than 70 highly skilled workers who maintain the rolling stock at Alstom’s Derby site will strike over pay on 27 October and 29 October. If the dispute is not resolved more strikes will be scheduled. The workers will also begin industrial action comprising of a work to rule and an overtime ban on 19 October over the four per cent pay offer, well below the RPI rate of inflation of 12.3 per cent. French-based Alstom’s latest financial report shows it made sales of £13.6 billion in 2021/22 and net profits of £233 million read more
Arrow home deliveries facing strikes until Christmas over ‘dismal’ pay offer – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed by Arrow XL, will begin strike action later this month in a dispute over pay. Unite represents 350 workers who undertake two-person deliveries for major retailers including Amazon, Very Group, LG Electronics, Richer Sounds and Buy it Direct read more
Arriva drivers in Northumberland to strike over threatened closure of Jesmond depot – Bus drivers employed by Arriva will begin strike action later this month in opposition to the company’s plans to close its Jesmond depot. The strike will involve over 100 bus drivers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union. Beginning on Thursday 21 October, it will be an all-out (continuous) strike. The drivers recorded a 97 per cent vote in favour of industrial action. The Jesmond depot is due to close on Monday 31 October. The closure threatens jobs and will result in a poorer bus service throughout Newcastle and Northumberland. The company has failed to adequately consult Unite over its plans read more
Felixstowe dock workers return to picket lines – Workers at the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe will renew strike action tomorrow (Tuesday 27 September) in an ongoing dispute over pay. Over 1,900 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will begin strike action at 07:00 on Tuesday 27 September with the eight day strike ending on 06:59 on Wednesday 5 October. Strike action is resuming after the company refused to return to negotiations following the initial eight days strike action in August. Instead the company imposed a seven per cent increase on the workforce. This amounted to a real terms pay cut with the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 12.3 per cent. The workers rejected the imposed pay offer by 82 per cent on 78 per cent turnout read more
Honeywell workforce set for strike action – Workers reject ‘pitiful’ pay offer at Edinburgh aerospace company. Members of Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, employed at aerospace company Honeywell, will begin strike action tomorrow (8 September) in a dispute over pay. Around Unite 20 members including production and assembly workers recorded a 78.6 per cent vote in favour of strike action on a 77.8 per cent turnout at Honeywell. The first day of strike action (8 September) will be followed every Thursday for the next twelve weeks. The company, which specialises in the design and manufacturing of electronic hardware and systems, has proposed a multi-year deal of 2.75 per cent for this year and next year then followed by 0 per cent in 2024. This offer has been resoundingly rejected by the workers read more
Workers at Causeway Coast and Glens council to commence all-out strike action tomorrow after councils vote down pay increase – Offer of two pay points plus a cash lump sum to end dispute was rejected at last night’s council meeting by a single vote in the chamber. Unite the union has confirmed that its members at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will commence continuous strike action at the local authority tomorrow (8 Sept). The decision by workers followed last night’s vote at full council at which a proposal to settle the strike by offering two pay point increments and a lump sum to workers – similar to that provided in Derry City & Strabane and in Mid-Ulster District Councils – was voted down by a majority of one councillor. General Secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, pledged her union’s full support to the striking council workers read more
Real terms pay cut forces strike by Hartlepool chemical workers at Venator – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed at chemical company Venator Materials Ltd, will begin strike action this week in a dispute over pay. The company, which produces pigments and additives, has only offered the workers a five per cent pay increase – far below the rate of inflation. The 100 plus members of Unite at the company recorded an 81 per cent vote in favour of strike action on an 84 per cent turnout… The workers will take a total of 10 days of strike action (see note to editors for details) this month in the dispute. The first four day strike will begin on Thursday 1 September at 18:59 and will initially involve the night shift read more
North Sea strike to hit Foinaven vessel – 96% vote for strike action over inferior redundancy package. Unite the union today (25 July) confirmed that its members operating the Foinaven Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) have voted to take strike action. 96 per cent voted for strike action on an 84 per cent turnout. Continuous strike action is now scheduled to take place from 5 August. The dispute centres on offshore members being given a significantly inferior redundancy package compared with Altera’s onshore workforce. The Foinaven field is situated approximately 120 miles west of the Shetland Isles within the Faroes/Shetland Trough. Production from the field was suspended in 2021 read more
Bosch Rexroth workers to strike in dispute over pay and shift changes – Unite slams global giant’s plans that leave Scottish workers £7000 a year worse off. Unite has today (Monday 4 July) confirmed that members working at Bosch Rexroth Glenrothes, will walk out over a pay proposal that will leave workers £7000 a year worse off. The German-owned global tech and engineering giant has proposed a six per cent pay deal, which Unite says is a significant pay cut given that real inflation currently stands at 11.7 per cent. The employers are also refusing to back-date the pay award to 1 January or to reverse changes to shift patterns and shift allowances, which means the combined impact of the offer is to leave workers around £7,000 per year worse off. Workers at the site have rejected the company’s proposal by 74 per cent. Unite says that the Bosch Rexroth, a subsidiary of Bosch, is in a strong financial position and has no need to attack the workers’ pay and conditions. In its 2021 annual report, Bosch Rexroth boasted of `reaching a new high on incoming orders’ which have generated sales of £5.4 billion (6.2 billion euros), up by nearly one fifth on the year before. The union’s members, 245 workers, will take continuous strike action from Tuesday 5 July until Tuesday 12 July inclusive. Thereafter they will strike every Monday and Tuesday going forward with an ongoing ban on overtime throughout read more
CWU
Support the CWU strikes in Royal Mail, BT/Openreach & Post Office – the union has called 6 more days of strike action in Royal Mail in addition to those already announced. They will be out in total on these days pending the outcome of talks – November 24, 25, 30 December 1, 9, 11, 14, 15, 23, 24. There will also be a national gate meeting day next Tuesday.
The CWU has launched a strike fund – please support: Unity Bank, CWU General Fund, 60-83-01 33019822
We support the call of the CWU for Royal Mail and BT to be re-nationalised. Follow the latest news via CWU’s Facebook page, website and Twitter @CWUnews
Post Office workers return another massive 90%+ strike vote (18 Nov) – ‘Reballot’ of POL members shows determination to win a fair deal remains as strong as ever. Our Post Office members will once again be taking strike action at Crown Offices, Admin and Cash Centres & Supply Chain depots unless bosses sit down with the CWU and negotiate a fair pay deal, warned the union’s acting DGSP Andy Furey, after the workforce voted by a 91.24 per cent majority for further strikes. The ‘reballot’ had been called in accordance with the law, under which industrial action ballots ‘expire’ after six months – the first ballot of Post Office workers having taken place back in March. Six days of strikes had taken place under the original mandate, with the most recent on 28th September. Around 1,400 workers have been in dispute with the Post Office over pay, which was frozen for the 2021/22 period and although an offer was made for 2022/23, it has been rejected by staff as being inadequate, the 5 per cent on the table falling well below current inflation levels which have risen over 14 per cent (RPI). This despite the organisation posting profits of £74 million over the past two financial years. Reacting to the ballot result, Andy Furey thanked members for their continued support and said: “I will be writing to Nick Read, CEO, seeking an urgent meeting with the aim of putting in place talks to reach an agreement. It’s time for Mr Read to listen to his workforce and act accordingly by entering negotiations aimed at reaching a decent settlement to this dispute” read more
PCS
PCS NEC announces programme of targeted strike action (18 Nov) – PCS has today announced the start of its programme of sustained industrial action. PCS members in the UK Civil Service returned a massive average Yes vote for industrial action across the areas balloted of 86.2%, the highest percentage vote in the union’s history. 126 employer areas crossed the 50% turnout threshold required by law for strike action and returned a majority Yes vote. We met with the Cabinet Office this week, but they did not make any proposals that address our demands for a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms. Therefore, the union’s elected national executive committee (NEC) met today and agreed an initial programme of hard-hitting, targeted action in the Home Office, including the Border Force, across the Department for Transport and in Defra, affecting ports, borders and all areas of transport. The NEC will be meeting again to consider further strikes if there are no proposals from the Cabinet Office made soon. We currently have a significant strike fund and have today taken steps to raise significantly more money to support our members striking for a sustained period and carry the campaign on into 2023 if necessary read more
DWP members demonstrate in Doncaster against office closure (18 Nov) – PCS members from Doncaster Crossland House office demonstrated outside the chambers of the local council yesterday (17) in support of keeping DWP jobs in the city. The DWP recently launched a voluntary redundancy scheme for the 65 staff who are unable to relocate their jobs from Doncaster to Sheffield read more
PCS serves notice of strike action over Common Platform (18 Nov) – PCS has today served notice of further strike action in HM Courts and Tribunals Service over the Common Platform dispute. The action will take place from Friday, 2 December to Monday, 5 December. Part of the action will be for legal advisers and courts associates in the following regions: Wales, South West and North West. This is true for the action on 2, 4 and 5 December. The action on 3 December will be for all legal advisers and court associates in the courts which have already been balloted read more
PCS to ballot third tranche of HMCTS staff over Common Platform (16 Nov) – PCS is balloting a third tranche of members in HMCTS over the Common Platform dispute. The postal ballot, which starts on Wednesday, 23 November, comes as a result of the decision taken by the HMCTS Crime Programme Board and senior judiciary to continue the national roll-out of the Common Platform after months of inaction by HMCTS to resolve the serious and fundamental concerns raised by PCS on the health, safety and welfare impacts on members read more
PCS calls off first day of strike action at BEIS (15 Nov) – PCS members employed by Aramark and ISS at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have called off the first of 5 days of strike action which was due to start tomorrow. Aramark, which is in dispute with PCS over pay, has now made an improved offer which we are now putting to members. A further increase of around 4% in November has now been added to the original offer made in March of 7%. ISS members, who are in dispute over health and safety issues, have been offered potential solutions to the extent of security guards’ daily standing time, a Covid protocol and extreme weather provisions. Reps will continue to talk to the employer. A decision on the remaining days of action on 23 and 30 November, and 7 and 14 December, will be made shortly in each employer area read more
PCS strike ballot results: Massive yes vote for strikes (10 Nov) – The legal turnout threshold of 50% has been achieved in many areas allowing for major industrial action. The PCS ballot for strike action in the UK civil service and related areas over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms closed on Monday (7 November) and the ballot papers have now been counted. See the results in full, including your employer area. This article has been updated to include a link to the results in full. The full ballot results, including individual employer areas, will be posted on this website shortly. Employers are being notified. We have achieved a fantastic result with a massive average Yes vote for industrial action across the areas balloted of 86.2%, the highest percentage vote in the union’s history. The votes of members in each individual employer have been counted separately. 126 employer areas crossed the 50% turnout threshold required by law for strike action and returned a majority Yes vote. Industrial action can be held in these employer areas. The average turnout across all balloted areas was 51.6%. We are now in a position to call significant industrial action in support of our claim for a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security and and no cuts to redundancy terms. The PCS national executive committee (NEC) has now sent a letter to the Cabinet Office demanding meaningful negotiations on our claim. Unless substantial proposals are received from the government the NEC will agree a programme of industrial action at its meeting on Friday, 18 November read more
Anti-Union laws prevent early action in HMRC (10 Nov) – There has been a record vote for action across PCS; but despite nearly 85% of voting HMRC members and almost 80% of voting VOA members, voting for action, the anti-union laws mean members in HMRC and VOA cannot join the early strikes planned by PCS. Earlier today (10 November) PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka announced that out of just over 200 civil service employers, PCS members in 126 government departments and agencies have voted for strike action; and have done so in record numbers. Disappointingly though, out of a membership of tens of thousands, the turnout in the ballot of HMRC members fell agonisingly short – just 746 – of meeting the legal minimum turnout for the ballot. Likewise in the VOA, the number of members voting fell short of the numbers required under the anti-union laws. This means that, even though nearly 85% of HMRC voting members and almost 80% of VOA voting members, all voted for action; members in both HMRC and VOA will be prevented by law, from joining any early strike action that the union has planned read more. Send solidarity messages to [email protected]. Donate to our fighting fund: PCS Fighting Fund Levy Account, sort code: 60-83-01, account no: 20331490, quoting transaction ref: MOJ CP Strike Donation read more
Support striking workers at HGS in Liverpool (25 Oct) – PCS members working for Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) on the Disclosure and Barring Service contract in Liverpool are on their second week of their current period of strike action. The strike began on 17 October and will end on 29 October. The low paid workers also took 12 days of strike action during August and September in the dispute over pay and terms and conditions read more Sign petition to support striking workers at Hinduja Global Solutions
GMB
Sunderland bus strike set to continue (17 Nov) – Workers in Stagecoach depots across the country receive double digit pay rises – Sunderland’s drivers want and deserve the same, says GMB Union. Sunderland’s bus strikes are set to continue after drivers turned down a below inflation pay deal. Two thirds of GMB members working for Stagecoach Sunderland rejected the deal, which amounted to a real terms pay cut. The offer was less than the 10 per cent mandate set by drivers. Stagecoach workers across the UK have enjoyed double digit pay rises in recent weeks. Stagecoach’s regional bus services made an operating profit of £58 million in the financial year 2021/22 – more than double the year before. Almost 200 Sunderland bus drivers have taken several days of strike action already in anger over ‘poverty pay’ read more
100 Per Cent of GMB Oil Workers Vote for Strike Action in Pembroke Dock (16 Nov) – Pembroke dock is set to see oil workers down tools over the winter. The move comes after three subcontracted companies at the Valero site in Pembroke dock rejected a request for a site bonus to help workers cope with the eye watering cost of living. The three subcontracted companies are Jenkins and Davies, Altrad Engineering and Altrad support services read more
FSS bid – All UK Shipyards must get the work they need to thrive (16 Nov) – GMB, the shipbuilding union, has reacted to today’s announcement of the winning bid for the Solid Fleet Support ships tender. GMB Union has campaigned since 2016 for the Fleet Solid Support ships to be built in the UK using UK steel and shipbuilding supply chain read more
Winter water woes for South Staffordshire as GMB union plan for Christmas strike action (15 Nov) – GMB Members at South Staffs Water, one of the largest private water providers in the Midlands, have today announced their intention to ballot members for strike action over company plans to outsource workers. The move comes as the highest paid company director reportedly takes home an eye watering £350,000 pay package each year. Strike action could see water services in the area disrupted as workers down tools to protect their jobs at conditions. The ballot will begin on 23 November and run until 9 December 2022 read more
Workers to strike at Durham chemical company (14 Nov) – Almost 100 workers at a Durham chemical company have voted to strike in anger over a real terms pay cut. GMB members at Thomas Swan, in Consett, have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action, with a majority of more than 92 per cent. Five 24 hour strikes will take place on 30 Nov, Dec 7, 14 and 21 and 4 Jan. A revised offer of 5.1 per cent – capped at £1,000, meaning the vast majority of the workforce would get even less – was overwhelmingly rejected read more
Unions respond to Hinkley Point fatality (14 Nov) – Unions GMB and Unite have responded to the death of a worker at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station site in Somerset read more
Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Twiglets workers in all out strike (14 Nov) – More than 750 workers at the Jacobs Cream Crackers factory are to stage a permanent strike in anger at a real terms pay cut. Staff at the Aintree plant – who also make Jaffa Cakes, Twiglets, Club bars and Mini Cheddars – have been taking limited industrial action since September in their dispute over pay. From today [Monday 14 November 2022] factory staff, who make 14,000 tons of Jacobs cream crackers every year, will walk out every single day until boss agree to negotiate. There are 751 members at Aintree who have been taking industrial action since early September in pursuit of a pay award that meets their claim for cost of living. Yesterday the Company announced they were shifting production Jacobs Cream Crackers to Portugal in a bid to undermine the strike read more
‘Operational incident’ at Fawley Oil Refinery further increases risk of petrol shortage during strike (9 Nov) – GMB, the union at Fawley Oil Refinery, has warned contractors at the site petrol production will now almost certainly be affected by the forthcoming strike action, following part of a structure collapsing yesterday evening. The union understands ExxonMobil, which runs the site, was forced to isolate a unit after an incident occurred on the Catalytic Cracking Unit, leading to gas flaring. ExxonMobil describes the event as an ‘operational incident.’ GMB union members working for mechanical contractors at the site are set to take industrial action from 21 November over pay read more
Three week Waverley bin strike starts today (3 Nov) – GMB, the union for refuse workers, have announced that their members working in refuse within the borough of Waverley will be taking three weeks of strike action, starting this morning [3 November]. The members, employed by the council’s waste contractor Biffa, rejected a pay deal this morning and immediately commenced the first day of picketing. The dispute centres around pay, with members unhappy with the pay offer their employer has made, which falls well below the current rate of inflation read more
Chichester refuse workers being balloted for New Year bin strikes (3 Nov) – We can’t ignore our members’ clear instruction to either negotiate a deal which recognises their own true worth or organise for industrial action, says GMB union. GMB, the union for refuse workers have announced that their workers operating within Chichester District Council are set to be balloted over low pay. The council’s Chief Executive, Diane Shepherd has been informed that the ballot opens on Tuesday 8 November and closes on Tuesday 29 November. The dispute centres around low pay, with the members working in street cleansing, waste and recycling services demanding pay parity with colleagues working at Adur & Worthing and Brighton & Hove Councils, who deliver similar service for significantly higher wages. A ballot return in favour of strike action will see operatives and drivers walking out from January and possibly long into February and beyond read more
Strike action to hit oil terminal – GMB members at oil logistics contractor Briggs Marine will begin strike action on Friday [28 October]. Workers voted overwhelmingly for industrial action at the oil logistics firm in Immingham, near Grimsby, after rejecting the company’s below inflation pay offer. Briggs Marine is one of the largest oil logistics companies in the UK, unloading fuel from all over the world and distributing for use across the UK. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on operations at the terminal read more
Christmas beer drought fears as Budweiser workers strike – Hundreds of Budweiser workers are on strike again after talks collapsed. Staff at the beer giant’s Salmesbury site will now strike until 7am 22 October in anger at a real terms pay cut. Workers at the plant brew Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale. Meetings between GMB, the company and conciliation service ACAS collapsed last week after bosses only upped their offer by £250 for 2023 read more
Polyflor profits hit £52 million as struggling workers strike – Flooring company Polyflor has seen profits rise to more than £52 million while hard up workers take strike action to make ends meet, says GMB Union. James Holstead – Polyflor’s parent company – posted a 9.6 per cent rise in revenue year-on-year to £291.9 million for the year that ended June 30. Pre-tax profit increased 1.6 per cent £52.1 million. Almost 200 workers at the firm are in midst of three weeks’ solid strike action until 14 October. Pickets will be staged from 8 to 10am and 4 to 6pm, Monday to Friday outside the factory on Radcliffe New Road, M45. Workers voted to strike over a pay dispute. Shortly after they received a message from the company saying ‘process shifts for process workers are to be suspended…please do not turn up for your shift(s) from 6am on Thursday 1st September’ read more
Walsall Housing Group strike extends into October – Industrial action at Walsall Housing Group will extend into next month, GMB Union has said. Almost 200 GMB members will walk out for six days in October 12, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28. The industrial action comes on top of strike dates in September. Staff are angry after being offered just a 3.1 per cent day deal, amounting to massive real terms pay cut with RPI inflation at 12.3 per cent. Meanwhile Walsall Housing Group’s highest paid director was handed a 14 per cent pay rise between 2020 and 2021 read more
Solidarity with GMB after yet another arrest on a bin picket line – For the second time in months, GMB Southern Region officers have been arrested on a picket line of their striking refuse members. Previously, arrests were made on the Wealden picket. They appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court on 29th June. The case was adjourned to Brighton Crown Court and was due to take place on November 16th but has been delayed again. This is an outrageous attack on the right of trade unions to strike, picket and protest. The NSSN sends our continued solidarity and support read more about Surry strike
Sign petition – To St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Mitie out: Demand fair pay and conditions for staff at St George’s Hospital
Unison
Winter warning as Environment Agency staff vote for strike, says UNISON (15 Nov) – Workers back action over pay. Environment Agency staff have voted overwhelmingly to strike over pay for the first time in the organisation’s 26-year history, says UNISON today (Tuesday). In the strike vote, 2,800 Agency staff were balloted by the union across England, including river inspectors, flood forecasting officers, coastal risk management officers and sewage plant attendants. Of those who took part, 73% voted to strike and 92% for action short of a strike. Earlier in the year staff, who also work on the Thames Barrier, maintain coastal defences, and manage the risk of flooding from rivers, reservoirs and the sea, rejected what they see as an insulting 2% pay offer (plus a £345 one-off payment), according to their union UNISON. Low wages over many years have forced large numbers of staff to quit the UK’s key environmental regulator. This has left the Agency struggling to fill vacancies, putting the remaining workforce under intolerable pressure, says UNISON read more
Vote yes for the NHS: UNISON urges backing for strike action (1 Nov) – UNISON recommends members vote ‘yes’ for strike action in order to fight for a better pay deal and to help the NHS recruit and retain staff. Some 350,000 NHS employees working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are being asked to vote on strike action over pay this winter read more
Stop Hackney Council cutting library services read more about the campaign here. Lobby of full council meeting at Hackney Town Hall – 6pm Wednesday 23rd November
Workers at Leeds Beckett University begin strike over pay, says UNISON – Low pay has been a massive, and growing, problem in the university sector for a decade and more. Low-paid employees at Leeds Beckett University will walk out today (4 Oct) in a row about pay, says UNISON. The workers – including those in administrative, cleaning, library, security and catering services – will continue their strike tomorrow and Thursday after rejecting a 3% pay award from the University and Colleges Employers Association. UNISON had called for an increase of 2% above the rate of inflation, currently running at 9.9%. With further rises in the cost of living expected, the award effectively amounts to a pay cut, the union says read more
University staff to strike over pay as new term begins – Workers have reached breaking point and have little choice but to strike. Thousands of university staff including administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering employees are to walk out in a wave of strikes that will hit universities from today (Tuesday), says UNISON. Universities will be disrupted across England and Scotland as employees push for a fair pay rise that takes account of soaring cost of living pressures and years of below-inflation awards, says the union. The workers, among the lowest paid in the higher education sector, took the difficult decision to strike after rejecting a 3% pay award from the University and Colleges Employers Association in May, the union says. Staff are asking for a wage increase of 2% above inflation, the lowest measure for which is currently 9.8% read more for details of picket lines
Support striking care workers at St Monika Trust in Bristol – Care workers, registered nurses and residential home staff employed by Bristol-based St Monica Trust have been taking action over fire and rehire threats and cuts to pay read more
There is a strike fund which is being collected for. Many of these workers are low paid and part time. With cost of living ever rising it’s essential that we can ensure no one feels like they can’t stand up with their colleagues and strike for fear of lost pay. The union will be paying strike pay and members can request hardship payments up to their full wages so no one gets left behind.
For donations please send to the following details with the reference “SMT”
Account name: UNISON South West; Account number: 49021079; Sort Code: 60-83-01
NIPSA
SWAH Emergency Surgical Services Suspended (18 Nov) – NIPSA met with members of the Trust Board of WHSCT on 17 November after a board meeting where a decision was taken to suspend Emergency General Surgical Services at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), Enniskillen. NIPSA is extremely concerned that management are now forcing through closure of this service, threatening the future of other services and with no viable alternative service put in place read more
NIPSA Health Service Ballot Opens Today – 27 October 2022 – The NIPSA Industrial Action ballot of Health Service members opens today, 27 October and closes 18 November 2022. NIPSA is urging all members to have their say in regards to Pay, Unsafe Staffing Levels and Travel Reimbursement rates all of which have been subject to historical under investment. The ballot is seeking majority support for actions including strike and action short of strike action read more
Royal College of Nursing
Scottish government returns to pay negotiations with RCN to avoid nursing strikes (18 Nov) – The RCN has paused formal announcement of strike action in Scotland as the Scottish government has agreed to return to the negotiating table on NHS nursing staff pay read more
RCN says government ‘remains unprepared to support members’ with five days to go before strike dates confirmed (17 Nov) – In a letter addressed to the health secretary, we are calling for ‘formal, detailed negotiations’ on NHS pay and patient safety ahead of strike dates and locations being announced next week, following the autumn statement read more
RCN blasts government ‘rush’ to start next year’s NHS pay talks, as current deal causes strikes (16 Nov) – We’ve responded to the formal start of the NHS pay round process for 2023/24 read more
Royal College of Midwives
Northern Ireland Government must ‘get its act together’ on pay says RCM say (14 Nov) – Midwives and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) across Northern Ireland have said resoundingly that they are prepared to take industrial action, including strike action if necessary, over the lack of a pay award in Northern Ireland. The result comes after the RCM consultation on pay closed last week. In Northern Ireland, over nine out of 10 midwives who responded to the survey said they would be prepared to take industrial action consisting of a strike if no pay award was agreed. Nearly 90% also said they would be prepared to take industrial action if the current NHS Pay Review Body’s (PRB) recommendations are implemented read more
RCM urges midwives to vote yes to industrial action as England and Wales pay ballot opens (11 Nov) – The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today launched only its second ballot on industrial action in England and its first in Wales in its142 year history. The College, which represents most midwives and also maternity support workers (MSWs) in the UK, is calling on its members to vote yes to industrial action over pay. The RCM’s 30,000 eligible members working in the NHS in England and Wales will be asked two questions: whether they are prepared to take industrial action short of a strike, and whether they are prepared to take strike action. The postal ballot is due to close at midday on 12 December. The move comes after a consultation which saw RCM members overwhelmingly reject the Westminster and Wales Governments’ below-inflation 4% pay award. Two-thirds of eligible members in England and more than eight out of 10 in Wales took part in the consultation, with three-quarters (75%) saying they wanted to be balloted on industrial action read more
Scotland’s midwives vote yes to industrial action over pay (27 Oct) – Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) across Scotland have overwhelmingly voted yes on taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the Scottish Government’s ‘insulting’ pay offer. Smashing through the Government imposed ballot threshold, the result comes after the RCM ballot on pay closed earlier today. In a turnout of 61% of eligible voters over 88% voted yes to taking industrial action consisting of a strike. On the question are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike, 94.6% voted yes…The RCM says if industrial action takes place, NHS employers in Scotland will be given adequate notice of any type of industrial action read more
BMA
BMA Junior Doctors have tweeted today (17 Oct): Starting around January 9 2023, we will ballot junior doctor members in England for industrial action. Keep up to date via @BMA_JuniorDocs on twitter
Government refuse to engage – We are deeply disappointed that despite ample opportunity, Ministers have ignored our calls to value junior doctors appropriately and duly restore their pay to 2008/09 levels. We requested official approval from BMA council, the union’s principal executive committee, to ballot members in England around the 9 January 2023 for industrial action. The last two years have been far from ordinary for anyone working in the NHS and junior doctors have made both an enormous contribution and a significant sacrifice. The effects on their wellbeing are likely to be felt for years to come whilst tackling the daunting backlog of treatment for patients. And yet none of this is recognised by the government, who by refusing an enhanced uplift, are simply further eroding junior doctors’ pay read more
NEU
Remit letter to STRB on teacher pay (16 Nov) – As RPI inflation climbs above 14% and teachers struggle to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, the Government’s remit to the School Teachers’ Review Body confirms its plans to continue cutting teacher pay in real terms. Commenting on the Government’s remit letter to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) ahead of the 2023/24 pay round, Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “As RPI inflation climbs above 14% and teachers struggle to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, the Government’s remit to the School Teachers’ Review Body confirms its plans to continue cutting teacher pay in real terms…” read more
Sixth Form Colleges Ballot Result (14 Nov) – NEU members who teach in sixth form colleges in England have voted to take strike action in response to an offer from the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA). NEU members who teach in sixth form colleges in England have voted to take strike action in response to an offer from the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA). Sixth form college teachers have seen a 20% cut in real terms pay since 2010. The SFCA’s offer would see the majority of teachers receive a 5% pay award, rising to 8.9% for a small minority. With one voice, NEU sixth form teachers have today declared that ‘enough is enough’ and are calling on the Secretary of State for Education to fully fund their pay demand of an inflation-plus rise. The question put was “Are you prepared to take part in strike action in furtherance of this dispute?” 88.5% voted YES on a turnout of 63%. The ballot opened on 18 October 2022 and closed on 11 November 2022. The formal ballot was a combined vote across all affected sixth form colleges and is likely to see a national strike in the sector for the first time since 2016. The first planned day of strike action is Wednesday 30 November read more
NEU announces dates of formal ballots over pay (18 Oct) – NEU writes to employers with notification of intention to carry out national ballots. Today the National Education Union is writing to employers with notification of our intention to carry out national ballots of around 300,000 teacher and support staff members in England and Wales. These formal postal ballots will open on Friday 28 October 2022 and close on Friday 13 January 2023. Dates for potential strike action are yet to be decided, but likely to be from week commencing 30 January 2023. In our recent indicative ballots, which closed last week:-
– 62% of teacher members and 68% of support staff members in more than 23,000 schools voted;
– 98% of teacher members believe that all teachers should receive a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise;
– 86% of teacher members would be willing to take strike action to demand that rise;
– 92% of support staff reject the employers’ final pay offer for 2022/23;
– 78% of support staff would vote yes to strike action.
The formal ballots will ask members “Are you prepared to take strike action in furtherance of this dispute?” Each dispute is about the failure to give a commitment for a fully funded above-inflation pay rise (as measured by September 2022 RPI) read more
Support this strike:-
Shrewsbury House School – Kingston-upon-Thames (TPS) 24 November [email protected]
NASUWT
Pay cuts hitting disabled teachers (12 Nov) – 85% of teachers with disabilities say they are worried about their financial situation, with the cost of living crisis and years of real terms teachers’ pay cuts compounding the financial vulnerabilities typically experienced by workers with disabilities. Members attending the NASUWT-The Teachers Union Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference today in Birmingham and online reported the continuing struggles they are experiencing, both financially and also in terms of discrimination and prejudice in the workplace read more
Industrial action at Glasgow school over failure to protect teachers from abuse (10 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Bannerman High School in Glasgow are beginning a programme of industrial action, which will include 12 days of strike action, in response to failures by the employer to address teachers’ concerns over violent and abusive pupil behaviour. The Union has issued instructions to members to refuse to teach pupils who are known by the school to be threatening and abusive. However, Glasgow City Council has written to the Union’s members to tell them they will be sent home without pay if they refuse to stay in a classroom with a pupil who is threatening their safety read more
NASUWT announces IOM teachers strike action (3 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in the Isle of Man will take six days of strike action over the coming months in an escalation of their current dispute with the DESC over pay, workload and working practices. Strike action is planned for 30th November, 1st December, 11th and 12th January and 15th and 16th February. The strike action has been called after NASUWT members overwhelmingly rejected a revised pay offer read more
Ballot opens on industrial action over teachers’ pay (27 Oct) – The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is today (Thursday) opening its formal statutory industrial action ballot of teachers in England and Wales over pay. The ballot in England and Wales will remain open until 9 January. The Union opened a ballot of members in Scotland yesterday (Wednesday) which will remain open until 21 November. The ballots are the result of the failure by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh governments and employers to guarantee teachers and headteachers a fully-funded real-terms pay award of 12%. Members in schools and sixth-form colleges are being balloted over both strike action and action short of strike action. A timetable for and details of what any possible industrial action will entail will be determined once the ballots are concluded read more
EIS
No New Pay Offer Forthcoming, EIS Announces Further Dates for Strike Action (17 Nov) – The EIS has announced two additional national strike days in its ongoing campaign for a fair pay settlement for Scotland’s teaching professionals. Following a meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Extended Joint Chairs this afternoon, at which no new offer was made, EIS members are set to take strike action next week, on Thursday 24 November, in schools across Scotland. The EIS will call its members out on two further days in the New Year, in the latest step in an escalating programme of industrial action. Members in all schools will be taking strike action on 24 November. Following this, on Tuesday 10th January, the EIS will call all its Primary, Special Schools (Primary and Primary/Secondary), and Early Years teacher members across Scotland to take another day of strike action. The following day, on Wednesday 11th January, all EIS members in Secondary and Special Schools (Secondary only), and all Associated Professionals, will be called to take a further day of strike action read more
EIS ULA members on strike 24-25 November read more. Follow EIS-ULA on twitter @ULA_EIS
UCU
Strikes suspended at University of Sheffield International College (16 Nov) – UCU today announced that strike action planned for this week at the University of Sheffield International College has been suspended to allow for further consultation with members. Strikes were due to take place on Thursday and Friday of this week, but the employer has made new offers, which the union is now putting to members. It is now up to members to determine next steps but if the offer is rejected then industrial action is still on the table for Thursday 17 November, Friday 18 November, Monday 28 November, Tuesday 29 November, Wednesday 30 November read more
UCU wins pay deal at Newham College (16 Nov) – UCU has today welcomed a deal at Newham College that will see pay rises across the board as well as a lump sum payment. UCU members voted to accept the deal, which will see a consolidated 8% pay rise for staff earning up to £25K and a 5% consolidated pay rise for qualified lecturers and curriculum managers (2.5% increase backdated to September 2022 with a further 2.5% to be paid from January 2023). The deal also includes a £600 non-consolidated lump sum for staff earning over £30K and £750 for those earning below £30k read more
Strike action at Barnet and Southgate College suspended (15 Nov) – UCU has today announced that strike action at Barnet and Southgate College planned for tomorrow has been suspended to allow for further talks. Staff have already taken three days of strike action in the dispute over excessive workload and management’s paltry 2% pay award for the previous two financial years (1% 2020/21 and 1% 2021/2). Inflation is currently at 12.6% and UCU is demanding a significant uplift to help staff meet the cost of living crisis read more
UCU: Biggest ever university strikes set to hit UK campuses over pay, conditions & pensions (8 Nov) – Over 70,000 university staff at 150 universities will strike for three days later this month over attacks on pay, working conditions and pensions. The National Union of Students (NUS) has backed the strikes, which will be the biggest ever to hit UK universities and could impact 2.5 million students. UCU said disruption can be avoided if employers act fast and make improved offers. If they don’t, strike action will escalate in the New Year alongside a marking and assessment boycott. The full strike dates in November are: Thursday 24 November, Friday 25 November, and Wednesday 30 November. Staff will also begin industrial action short of strike action from Wednesday 23 November, which includes working to rule, refusing to make up work lost as a result of strike action and refusing to cover for absent colleagues. The strikes come after UCU members overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ to industrial action last month in two historic national ballots over attacks on pay and working conditions as well as pension cuts. Despite the result, vice-chancellors have not made any improved offers. read more
UCU is calling a national strike demonstration in London on the 3rd strike day – Wednesday 30th November 1pm Kings Cross Rail Station
UCU fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes.
FBU
Firefighters reject pay offer and strike ballot dates announced (Nov 15) – Firefighters and control staff have voted to reject a 5% pay offer in a result that FBU leadership say displays “remarkable strength of feeling”. A strike ballot will now be held. In the consultative ballot 79% voted to reject the 5% offer, with 78% of eligible members voting in the ballot. A ballot on strike action will open on Monday 5 December to Monday 23 January. If you’re an FBU member and your postal address has changed or you think it might be wrong, it is absolutely vital that you contact [email protected] as soon as possible. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “FBU members have spoken. This result of the consultative ballot, on a two week turnaround, shows that there is remarkable strength of feeling amongst firefighters and control staff on this derisory pay offer. The ball is in the employers’ and government’s court. There is still an opportunity to resolve this dispute and we will be writing to Fire Ministers and government departments across the UK requesting urgent meetings. We have firefighters using foodbanks. Our members worked through the pandemic to help protect their communities, taking on extra duties to do so. A further real-terms pay cuts is an absolutely disgusting way to thank them. Whilst strike action is always a last resort, our members simply can’t go on like this” read more
Merseyside firefighters, control staff and Green Book staff vote for Action Short of Strike (14 Nov) – Merseyside firefighters, control staff and green book staff (non-uniformed staff) have “overwhelmingly” voted to take action short of strike in relation to a host of issues in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The percentage of those voting who voted “Yes” to Action Short of Strike is 88.06%. The action short of strike will consist of a refusal to undertake pre-arranged overtime, beginning no earlier than Thursday 1st December 2022 and potentially lasting for 6 months. The ballot comes after a serious break down in industrial relations between Merseyside Fire Brigades Union and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority and the failure to reach agreement on several issues read more
BFAWU
Trade Union Coordinating Group “Fair Pay Now” pamphlet read more
Support the campaign to unionise Samworth Brothers – get organised, sign the petition read more
NUJ
NUJ welcomes recognition at Agence France-Presse (AFP), London bureau (16 Nov) – In the coming weeks, union reps and management will hold their first negotiation meeting after successfully securing formal union recognition with the London bureau of the global news agency. The new agreement means NUJ members can put forward their views on workplace issues including pay, annual leave and pensions. An independent membership check carried out earlier this year revealed the union had over 50 per cent membership in the proposed bargaining unit covering UK-contracted journalists on the news, economics, sports, multimedia, video, photo and online planning desks. Following the check, agreement in principle was reached in July with final discussions concluding this month read more
Fi Glover says BBC local radio cuts are bonkers (15 Nov) – The awarding winning broadcaster backs the NUJ’s campaign to keep BBC radio local in a video #KeepBBCLocalRadioLocal. The BBC proposes that most local radio output will be shared during afternoons and evenings, with staffing in BBC England expected to be reduced by around 48 posts. The proposals have been called the biggest threat to local radio since its launch in 1967 by the NUJ. The corporation wants the BBC’s service to increase digitally, however 5.7m people still listen to BBC local radio read more
Prospect
Prospect demands answers from Twitter on flawed “redundancy” process and treatment of employees (18 Nov) – Prospect, the union for tech workers in the UK, has today written to Twitter setting out its concerns about the current restructuring process read more
Prospect civil and public services industrial action indicative ballot (3 Nov) – Our members in the civil service and wider public sector are under unparalleled attack. Prospect’s Public Services Executive has concluded that if the attacks on members are not challenged – they will only increase and intensify read more
Prospect ballots members at AWE on industrial action over pay (19 Oct) – Prospect will ballot its members on industrial action over pay at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). Headquartered in Aldermaston, Berkshire, AWE supports and maintains the UK nuclear deterrent. The ballot opens on 24th October and will run for two weeks. Unite union will also be balloting about the same issue read more
Equity
You’ll Never Walk Alone – Members March on Arts Council England (15 Nov) – Yesterday morning hundreds of our activists and culture workers marched on Arts Council England (ACE) offices in London and Manchester, to demand the reversal of devastating cuts to organisations across the UK. UK arts organisations such as the English National Opera, Oldham Coliseum, The Watermill, The Gate, Donmar Warehouse, Hampstead Theatre and Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme are amongst those that face losses of up to 100% of their funding, in a move by ACE last week which shocked the industry. Equity’s General Secretary, Paul W Fleming, called on ACE to rethink the “poorly conceived assault on the workforce” in letters hand delivered to the Chief Executive and North Area Director read more
- Join us on Tuesday 22nd November outside the Department for Culture, Media & Sport to send a clear message to the government: No to funding cuts!
- Sign and share this petition to reinstate the ENO’s funding
- Lobby your MP to back our industries and their workforce
IWGB
Follow updates on UCL strike by following @IWGBunion on twitter
UCL breaks commitment to equal terms and a living wage for all, bringing in agency workers to undermine the ongoing strike by IWGB workers (15 Nov) – The ongoing strike followed a unanimous ballot for industrial action by hundreds of outsourced security workers from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) demanding £15/hour, union recognition and an end to outsourcing where they work at University College London (UCL). Over 150 people attended the picket line yesterday, which begins again today at 6am at the entrance to UCL on Malet Place, followed by a protest with guest speakers including Owen Jones and John McDonnell MP from 8.15am. On the morning of Friday 11 November, a few days before industrial action was due to begin, UCL security staff woke to find their overtime shifts for the following days and weeks had been cancelled without explanation. Further enquiries revealed that the directive came from Bidvest Noonan’s managing director, Sarah Cork, and that Bidvest Noonan workers at UCL have been stripped of all overtime shifts, which for some amounts to as much as a one third cut to their monthly take home pay. The base £15/hour rate demanded for all outsourced workers is equivalent to the wage of security staff over twenty two years ago, before outsourcing was introduced read more
SIPTU (Ireland)
SIPTU calls on Rehab Group to respect Labour Court and pay redundancy to Limerick workers (15 Nov) – SIPTU representatives have called on the Rehab Group to honour a Labour Court recommendation that states that it should pay outstanding redundancy payments due to 38 workers formerly employed by one of its subsidiaries in county Limerick who lost their jobs in 2021 read more
Mandate
Raise the Roof Dáil Campaign Group to Hold National Rally for Housing on 26th November and Series of Public Meetings across Dublin (1 Nov) – The Raise the Roof campaign group is to stage a national Rally for Housing in Dublin on Saturday, 26th November, as part of a wider initiative that will also see a series of major public meetings on housing in the capital, over the coming weeks read more
Other news
FROM PENTONVILLE TO P&O: union rights & tory wrongs: campaigning for free trade unions – conference hosted by the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, supported by the Institute of Employment Rights – Saturday 3rd December from 11am, Hamilton House NEU National Office, Mabledon Place London read more
SHAC the Social Housing Action Campaign’ and other housing campaigners are demanding a freeze on social rents, shareholder rents, and service charges. The campaign is already moving government. In August, government announced a cap on around 5% (instead of the 10% that would have been likely under the previous formula). But we don’t believe that this is low enough or broad enough. We need urgent funding to pay for campaign materials and basic admin costs. We also need trade unions to help us get our message across. Please see here to find out more, download our model motions for unions, or make a donation to account name ‘The Social Housing Action Campaign’, account number 20434685, Sort Code 60-83-01
International News
UNISON attends trade unionist trial in Turkey (15 Nov) – Gonul Erden faces charges of ‘terrorism’ for her trade union work, when she was co-president of the public health and services union SES read more
No to executions in Iran – Release all detained protesters, political prisoners and worker activists in Iran
Over two months of widespread protests have gripped Iran since the death of 22 year old Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of the so-called ‘morality’ police. The protests, rooted in democratic, social and economic issues, have developed into a display of widespread opposition to the regime itself. The regime already had a weakening base. Last year’s controlled election, where would-be candidates were first examined for loyalty to the regime, saw less than half bother to vote, in Tehran just 26% voted.
Now the regime is responding to the protests with increasing violence, the first death sentences on protesters have just been announced. At the time of writing it is estimated that, while protesting, well over 350 people have been killed by the security forces, including 52 minors, and around 16,000 have been arrested. In an increasingly tense situation about 40 members of the security forces have been killed in street battles and growing numbers of official buildings attacked. The slogan of “death to the dictator” is popular on the streets.
Strikes have and are still taking place in support of workers’ demands and of the protests, something which terrifies the regime. Hundreds of worker activists and strikers have been arrested, some being held before declared strikes actually started.
Leaders of semi-legal workers’ organisations are also imprisoned, some as a result of struggles taking place before Jina Mahsa Amini’s murder. Others have been arrested during the protests. Teachers’ leaders have been in and out of prison. One teachers’ leader, Mohammad Habibi, has been imprisoned since May. Sepideh Gholian, a female workers’ activist who was first arrested in 2016 while supporting the struggles of the militant Haft Tappeh sugarcane refinery workers, has been imprisoned since October last year. Reza Shahabi, a leader of the militant Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company was once again arrested in May, while leading a strike, on charges of spying after meeting with two French education trade unionists, who were also arrested, all three are still detained.
Thousands of others have been arrested in recent weeks. The deputy commander of the regime’s so-called ‘Revolutionary’ Guards has said that the average age of those arrested is 15. Symbolic of the revolt’s youth character is the fact that a young rapper, Sanan Yasin, is one of those facing the death penalty for “waging war against God”, in other words attacking the country’s unelected religious rulers who make the final decisions.
In this situation solidarity and protest messages are very important both for the morale of the struggle and to help put pressure on the regime.
We demand:
- No executions of protesters or those defending the Iranian people.
- The immediate and unconditional release of all arrested strikers, protestors and all political prisoners.
- Full democratic and social rights for all, especially women.
- The right to political and trade union organisation.
Please send protests to the Iranian Embassy
Please send copies of protests and solidarity messages to the Tehran bus workers union [email protected]
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
QC appointed to lead the independent Unite inquiry into blacklisting – Unite is delighted to announce that Nick Randall QC and John Carl Townsend have been appointed to investigate the possible collusion by union officers in blacklisting. Over the past months, evidence gathering by Thompsons solicitors has continued, with many blacklisted construction workers and other witnesses having already been interviewed. The work of the independent investigators is expected to start officially on 11 April read more
#SPYCops Inquiry exposes state surveillance of workers movement
Keep up with developments and read and watch campaigners’ statements on the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance (COPS) and Undercover Policing Inquiry websites and spycops info Facebook group
Builders Crack: The Movie
In the current situation, this long lost film from the 1990s about rank and file union organising in the construction industry is intended to lift the spirits, but also to spark a debate in our movement. Hope the youngsters in this film put a smile on your face.
Watch – Share – Discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VZ-QMA1FMg
Blacklist Support Group
Book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklist-SG/
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Blacklist Support Group financial appeal: the Blacklist support group is desperately short of funds, to continue the incredible work we need more finance, would you please consider making a donation, raise it at your branches and trade councils. Please make cheques payable to Joint sites committee and send to 70 Darnay Rise Chelmsford Essex CM1 4XA. Please forward onto your contacts many thanks Steve Kelly (JSC Treasurer)
Blacklisted t-shirts available at: https://shop.hopenothate.org.uk/component/hikashop/product/78-blacklisted-t-shirt
Keep an eye out for other Facebook and social media groups and pages that are being created. The Coronavirus Support Group for Workers has been set up on Facebook and is a useful forum and you can catch up on disputes at Strike Map UK. Also, check out Organise Now! – Support for new worker organising.
Diary
CONTACT US
PHONE 07952 283 558
EMAIL mailto:[email protected]
TWITTER – https://twitter.com/NSSN_AntiCuts
FACEBOOK NSSN GROUP or STOP The CUTS Likes page
ADDRESS NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE
