This Wednesday is yet another significant day of co-ordinated strike action. CWU members in Royal Mail will be taking further action, and for the 3rd time they will be out on the same day as UCU members in higher education. And for the first time, the NEU will be out in 77 Sixth Form Colleges. During December, nurses will be taking action alongside more strikes in Royal Mail and on the railways. Last week, the strike by the EIS union effectively closed down the schools in Scotland.
With successful strike votes and ongoing ballots in most areas of the public sector, while localised disputes building as the cost of living squeeze bites hard on workers and their families, there is a growing mood on picket lines for strikes to be co-ordinated.
This Wednesday’s strikes come on the 11th anniversary of the N30 mass stoppage, effectively a public sector general strike of 2 million against the pensions attack of the Tory-Lib Dem coalition of Cameron, Osborne and Clegg.
But the potential is even greater now as the brutal effect of spiralling prices affects all workers across every sector. Never has it been more important for the unions to urgently meet together and co-ordinate action so that workers can strike together against the offensive of the bosses and their Tory government.
UCU is calling a national strike demonstration in London on Wednesday 30th November 1pm Kings Cross Rail Station
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
RMT accuses government of sitting on their hands in rail dispute (29 Nov) – Rail Union RMT, criticised the government for a lack of urgency in dealing with national rail dispute, following a meeting with the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper last week. General Secretary Mick Lynch is due to meet the Rail Minister Huw Merriman and rail employer representatives this coming Friday. However, RMT have said the government’s “lack of urgency” is “astonishing,” given the strike action scheduled to start in two weeks’ time read more
Avanti have misled public over their mismanagement of trains (28 Nov) – Rail Union RMT, accused Avanti West Coast of systematic mismanagement of the franchise, causing delays, fewer trains and staff shortages. The discredited company have falsely claimed that staff have taken unofficial industrial and that they are improving the situation every week. However, data from the ORR shows that in September into October, they cancelled a higher proportion of a lower overall number of trains than the previous month read more
Cleaners to take part in first national strike (26 Nov) – RMT members working as cleaners throughout the transport network have voted for strike action. Over 1,000 contracted out cleaners working for the likes of Churchill, Atalian Servest and Mitie are eligible to take strike action. Cleaners are demanding £15 an hour, company sick pay, decent holidays and good pensions from contractors – some of whom are raking in profits of over £100 million. The union’s NEC will decide next week what days strike action will take place read more
RMT win big pay rise in ScotRail (25 Nov) – Workers in ScotRail have won a significant victory in their fight for a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions. Following our industrial campaign which included two days of strikes, most Scotrail members have won a pay rise of between 7 and 9% backdated to April, an extension of the no compulsory guarantee for 6 years and a series of payments to enhance the wage packet on a yearly basis. Members also won improved maternity payments and Sunday working benefits among other improvements read more
Tube strike at 7 stations over job cuts (25 Nov) – RMT members working on London Underground are taking strike action today across 7 stations over job cuts and conditions. Workers in the Special Requirements Team (SRT) that assist passengers are also striking to protect working conditions and defend work-life balance read more
RMT announces 4 weeks of industrial action (22 Nov) – Rail union, RMT will put on a series of 48 hour strikes in December and January after industry bosses failed to offer any new deals to reach a settlement. Over 40,000 members across Network and 14 Train Operating Companies will take strike action on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on January 3,4,6 and 7. There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from 18 December until 2 January, meaning RMT be taking industrial action for 4 weeks. Despite every effort made by our negotiators, it is clear that that the government is directly interfering with our attempts to reach a settlement. The union suspended previous strike action in good faith to allow for intensive negotiations to resolve the dispute. Yet, Network Rail have failed to make an improved offer on jobs, pay and conditions for our members during the last two weeks of talks. At the same time Rail Delivery Group, representing the train operating companies, have also broken a promise to make a meaningful offer on pay and conditions and even cancelled negotiations that were due to take place yesterday. We also have evidence from all 14 of the train companies denying that Rail Delivery Group has the authority to conduct negotiations on their behalf, even as the RDG urged us to come back to the table read more
Train companies cancel negotiations and make no offer in national rail dispute (21 Nov) – The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the Train Operating Companies (TOCs), has today without any credible explanation refused to make their promised written proposals in the six-month dispute over jobs, terms and conditions and pay. Similarly, Network Rail has also refused to make any proposals promised at the conclusion of intensive talks last week. RMT suspended strike action on the basis that they would make new proposals by November 17 and it has failed to table anything new. This will mean that despite having shown good faith in attending a fortnight of discussions with both halves of the industry, the union has no new proposals to consider or put to its members. RMT’s National Executive Committee will meet tomorrow morning (Tuesday 22nd November 2022) to consider the matter and it is highly likely that further phases of industrial action will be set down 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
ASLEF
Picket Lines – Saturday 26 November 2022 read more
TSSA
TSSA re-ballots at three more rail companies (29 Nov) – The middle third is white with red and black text which reads “TSSA strike ballot Vote Yes! There is a cutout panel with a white background in which are 8 cartoon figures in railway uniforms from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The bottom third is read with white text reads “Vote YES in your TSSA ballot”. There is a black tick next to the text. Rail union TSSA is to re-ballot rail workers for strike action in a further three train operating companies in the ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The union is balloting several hundred operational, station, control and management staff, for strike action and action short of strike. Ballots will be held throughout December with results due just before Christmas. This follows the announcement of re-ballots in Network Rail and seven other train operators read more
TSSA re-ballot for strike action in train operators (28 Nov) – Rail union TSSA has announced a re-ballot of rail workers for strike action in seven train operating companies in the ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The union is balloting more than 1,600 operational, station, control and management staff, for strike action and action short of strike. Ballots will be held throughout December with results due just before Christmas read more
TSSA meeting with Transport Secretary (24 Nov) – “The proof will be in the pudding” was the feeling from TSSA leaders following a meeting with the Transport Secretary where a positive and frank exchange was had. TSSA met with Mark Harper, Transport Secretary, and Rail Minister Huw Merriman today (Thursday) to discuss the current state of play in rail dispute negotiations and how a solution might be reached read more
TSSA re-balloting Network Rail staff for strike action (24 Nov) – TSSA has today announced a re-ballot of thousands of members in Network Rail in the ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The union is balloting over 2,500 operational staff, including station staff, Control, maintenance, support and operational staff, as the current mandate for strike action runs out in January. TSSA remains in talks and committed to achieving a negotiated settlement, but the lack of an offer and current timescales means the union has no option but to ballot members a second time for industrial action. TSSA secured mandates for both strike action and action short of strike when the original ballot was run in June and July. The re-ballot is necessary because anti-trade union legislation requires unions to re-run ballots every six months to keep them ‘live’, unless employers agree to extend for up to a further three months which Network Rail declined to do. Ballot opens: 1 December and closes: 22 December read more
Unite
Today, after 5 weeks of strike action, our members at Renold Couplings in Cardiff have agreed a fair pay deal with the company, ending our dispute. A huge well done to the workers for standing strong during difficult times to achieve this fantastic victory https://twitter.com/UniteWales/status/1597568083996311552
Strikes stepped up at Fawley refinery as heavy-handed policing deepens tensions in dispute (29 Nov) – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed in engineering construction roles at Fawley oil refinery in Hampshire will step up strike action in a dispute over bonus payments. The 130-strong workforce, who are employed by three contractors Altrad, Bilfinger and Enerveo, are seeking a bonus payment of £2.37 an hour, the maximum allowed under the relevant industrial agreement (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry [NAECI]). The Fawley refinery is operated by ExxonMobil, which last month recorded a quarterly profit of £17.3 billion. Tensions in the dispute have dramatically increased due to intimidatory behaviour by Hampshire police and false allegations made the employer… The workers are in their second week of strike action (Monday 28 November – Friday 2 December). This will be followed by a 48 hour strike beginning on Thursday 8 December, a week of strike action from Monday 12 December and 72 hours of strike action from Monday 19 December read more
Unite secures recognition at Gourock based James Walker Devol (29 Nov) – Unite, Scotland’s leading union, has secured recognition for workers employed at the James Walker Devol plant based in Gourock. The recognition deal covers around 100 engineers who are responsible for manufacturing components for the construction, oil, gas and railway sectors around the globe. Workers voted across the entire site to have Unite represent the workforce for the purposes of negotiations over jobs, pay and conditions with 73.5 per cent of those supporting recognition in a 74 per cent turnout read more
Long-running Rugby GE Steam dispute ends after Unite secures winning pay deal (29 Nov) – More than 75 determined workers set for over £15,000 each. A long-running pay dispute at the GE Steam plant in Rugby has ended after a pay deal was secured by Unite, the UK’s leading union. More than 75 workers, members of Unite, had been taking intermittent strike action since April this year over flexible working payments and other financial issues. The dispute was settled after the company agreed to provide a number of one-off payments to the workers that comes to a total of £15,600 for each worker read more
Wirral facing Christmas bin strikes as Biffa workers demand end to low pay (28 Nov) – Around 200 workers employed by Biffa on the outsourced Wirral council refuse contract will begin strike action next week in a dispute over low pay. The workers are making a stand to end low pay rates: HGV drivers being paid just £11.95 an hour, refuse operatives £11.50 and street operatives only £10.76. The workers are seeking a 15 per cent increase in pay to reset their pay rates and also tackle the cost of living crisis, where the real rate of inflation (RPI) currently stands at 14.2 per cent. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will begin strike action on Monday 5 December with the strike action ending on Saturday 10 December. If the dispute is not resolved then further industrial action is likely read more
Imperial College London disruption as workers strike over derisory pay offer (28 Nov) – Over 200 Unite members walkout over 3.3% offer, which is a pay cut. More than 200 workers at London’s Imperial College will strike on 30 November over a derisory 3.3 per cent offer, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved. With the true rate of inflation, RPI, at 14.2 per cent, this is a significant real terms pay cut. Imperial Colleges’ latest financial figures shows it brought in an income of over £1 billion for 2020/21. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Imperial College can absolutely afford to put forward a proper pay rise to these workers, who are struggling with rocketing living costs in the one of the most expensive cities in the world. Unite will never fail to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and our Imperial College members will receive the union’s unwavering support in their fight for a fair pay rise.” The workers include cleaners, technicians and maintenance and security staff. The dispute also involves members of University and Colleges Union (UCU) employed at Imperial College. Imperial College negotiates pay directly with staff, so the dispute is not part of wider higher education strike action involving the University and Colleges Employers Association read more
Unite secures 13.3% pay rise for 450 Warwickshire Stagecoach drivers (25 Nov) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a 13.3 per cent pay rise for around 450 bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in Warwickshire. The one-year pay deal means drivers will be on £14 an hour and receive back pay from January of more than £1,000. In addition, the two-year period in which new starters have to wait to receive the full hourly rate has been changed to six months. The deal, negotiated after the workers began balloting for strike action, applies to drivers at Stagecoach’s Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Stratford-Upon-Avon depots read more
London bus route cuts announcement: Unite disappointed with loss of services (23 Nov) – Unite the UK’s leading union, which represents over 20,000 bus workers in London, has reacted with disappointment to the announcement today (Wednesday) that the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) are going ahead with some of their planned bus route cuts. Unite recognises that due to the highly motivated campaigns undertaken by drivers and local communities that 78 per cent of the cuts originally proposed will not now be implemented read more
827% increase in strike action drives up pay for Unite bus workers across the UK (23 Nov) – Unite’s new fight for jobs, pay and conditions is delivering wins in disputes in the bus industry. Tens of thousands of bus workers take industrial action for more pay in their pockets. Tens of thousands of bus workers have led the way in driving up pay and conditions as a ‘new unionism’ sweeps the transport industries across the UK. Sharon Graham’s emphasis on jobs, pay and conditions has resulted in wages hikes across the bus Combine. In 2019 there were 11 bus strikes, but since Sharon Graham became Unite General Secretary and introduced the Bus Combine there have been 102 passenger transport disputes involving tens of thousands of workers read more
North and West London facing seven days of December bus strikes due to low pay at Metroline (21 Nov) – Over 2,000 bus drivers employed by Metroline will take seven days of strike action next month due to a dispute over low pay. The drivers, some of whom are as paid as little as £13.13 an hour by the Singapore-based company, are struggling to keep their heads above water during the cost of living crisis. The company’s latest offer of a 10 per cent pay increase and nine per cent on back pay was rejected by the workforce, as it amounted to a real terms pay cut with the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 14.2 per cent. The Metroline workers will be striking on 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 15 and 16 December read more
Abellio bus drivers in South and West London announce 10 days of pay strikes – 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
Please donate: Over 2,000 Abellio Bus Drivers at 6 garages have set strike days in a fight for pay justice. This is the first dispute at Abellio for over 10 years. The pay claim is for £20 per hour which might seem like a lot. However the the company made over £40 million in profit in 2021. It would cost the company about £11 million to pay our demand. The Abellio bus drivers are some of the lowest paid bus drivers in London. The dispute is also about fairer schedules which are exhausting and also to stop bus route cuts. The drivers have had enough. Membership has grown dramatically in the last few months. Now we are requesting financial support for the strike from branches. This money will be used primarily to top up strike pay as drivers will be losing a significant amount on strike days. We really appreciate any support and please feel to make contact for further information.
Account Details: Unity Trust Bank, Acc No: 20210456, Sort Code: 608301, Branch Name: TGWU1/768, Hayes Branch LE/768. Contact [email protected]
Reinstate Radek (Radoslaw Worbel) sacked Unite London bus rep at RATP London United Fulwell bus garage – send a message of complaint to [email protected] and a message of support to to Radek via the Unite Bus Combine: [email protected]
Unite confirms it will ballot Scottish NHS members on improved pay offer (24 Nov) – Trade union suspends NHS action following new pay offer. Unite the union can confirm today (24 November) that following extensive talks involving the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, the Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, NHS Scotland and the trade unions, a new increased pay offer has been formally put on the table. Unite can confirm that the substance of the new offer is such that it will be put to members in a consultative ballot. The work to rule due to take place from tomorrow (25 November) within Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will now be suspended. Unite will hold a consultative ballot of all of its NHS membership on the offer which it aims to complete by 12th December read more
NHS crisis deepens as Unite ballots 1,500 Merseyside workers for strike in early 2023 (24 Nov) – Healthcare staff warn NHS on life support and may not survive staffing crisis. Over 1,500 more NHS workers across Merseyside have begun balloting for strike action, Unite, which represents some 100,000 NHS workers, said today (Friday). Unite said its healthcare members are warning the NHS is on ‘life support’ and that without serious investment to stem the recruitment and retention crisis and save failing services it may not survive. The workers perform roles in nursing, healthcare, science, counselling, psychology, dentistry, pharmacology, audiology, optometry, administration, IT and building maintenance services read more
NHS crisis deepens as Unite ballots 1,000 Manchester and Lancashire workers for strike in early 2023 (24 Nov) – Healthcare staff warn NHS on life support and may not survive staffing crisis. Over 1,000 more NHS workers across Manchester and Lancashire have begun balloting for strike action, Unite, which represents some 100,000 NHS workers, said today (Friday) read more
NHS crisis deepens as Unite ballots 3,000 London workers for strike in early 2023 (24 Nov) – Healthcare staff warn NHS on life support and may not survive staffing crisis. Nearly 3,000 more NHS workers across London have begun balloting for strike action, Unite, which represents some 100,000 NHS workers, said today (Friday) read more
Offshore discontent continues as Unite announces further strike dates (24 Nov) – Unite members take industrial action as Petrofac attack rotas and pay. Unite, the UK’s largest union, announced today (24 November) that it will be serving further industrial action notice on Petrofac Repsol of new strike dates on the 8 and 9 December. These dates will replace strike dates already announced of 30 November and 1 December. This dispute involves around 146 members and is the result of 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. In a further dispute with Petrofac we can also confirm the outcome of the Petrofac BP Industrial action ballot has returned a result of 98.3 per cent in favour of industrial action. The action involving 76 members, will take place on the Andrew, Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP, and Glen Lyon installations on 8 and 9 December. The Petrofac BP dispute centres on the working rotation, which is currently a work 3 on/3 off rotation read more
Drinkers facing Christmas beer drought as Greene King workers strike over pay (24 Nov) – Brewery workers facing real terms pay cut. Beer drinkers are facing shortages this festive season as workers at brewers Greene King have announced strike action following a pitiful pay offer. The 188 workers who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are based at Bury St Edmunds, Eastwood (Nottinghamshire) and Abingdon (Oxfordshire). The workers brew and distribute Greene King’s products including IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale. The workers will be taking an initial five days of strike action beginning on Monday 5 December. The workers voted for strike action after Greene King only offered them a three per cent pay increase and a further one-off payment of £650. With the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 14.2 per cent, this amounts to a very substantial real terms wage cut read more
Striking Harrods’ security guards and CCTV operators to demonstrate outside famous store (24 Nov) – More than 50 Harrods uniformed security guards and CCTV operators striking over a ‘pay cut’ will demonstrate outside of the famous stores’ Knightsbridge entrance tomorrow (Friday 25 November). The workers are striking 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
UK braced for Dulux paint shortages as Imperial Chemical workers in Stowmarket strike over deplorable pay offer (23 Nov) – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed by Imperial Chemical in Stowmarket, Suffolk, will begin strike action later this month following a derisory pay offer by the company. The workers, who recorded a 94 per cent yes vote in favour of strike action, have been offered a pay increase of just 4.3 per cent. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, now running at 14.2 per cent, this amounts to a huge real terms pay cut. The workers will initially take two 24-hour periods of strike action on Wednesday 30 November and Wednesday 7 December. The workers are principally employed as production operatives and produce paint. The most popular brand is Dulux paint and the strike action will quickly result in shortages of the product in DIY stores and supermarkets read more
Management refuse to negotiate: Hestia workers vote to strike (23 Nov) – Hounslow Hestia LIFE workers to strike. Workers at Hestia LIFE in Hounslow have voted to strike following management’s refusal to negotiate. Issues include low pay and unrealistic workloads. The government conciliation service ACAS has approached both Unite and Hestia but while Unite has made it clear that it would be happy to talk Hestia management has also refused to engage in conciliation. Hounslow LIFE is one of Hestia’s larger services and supports over 600 of the borough’s vulnerable adults. Hestia has a deeply committed workforce in Hounslow. Management’s refusal to listen to members reasonable concerns, or to engage with them and their chosen representatives, has angered the workers to the extent that they have voted to take action… 90% of workers voted to strike on a 76% turnout. An initial two days of strike action have been announced on December 12th and 13th read more. Picket line details – Treaty Centre, High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex/West London, TW3 1ES. Assemble from 8 AM to picket centre when it opens just before 9 AM until it closes just after 5 PM. Around noon, there will be a march the short distance down Hounslow High Street to the new Civic Centre, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Rd, Hounslow, TW3 3EB
Staff at 10 universities in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland begin pay strikes (23 Nov) – University strikes hit London, Leeds, Essex, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast. Hundreds of members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will begin strike action over pay at 10 universities across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland this week. The workers rejected an imposed pay deal set by the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) that amounts to three per cent for most staff. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 14.2 per cent, this is a significant real terms pay cut… More than 1,500 workers at the Glasgow School of Art, and Glasgow, Dundee, Napier, Strathclyde, Royal Holloway, Leeds, Essex, Queen’s Belfast and Ulster universities will begin strike action this week. The workers include cleaners, janitors, estates staff and technicians. The strikes are being coordinated with strike action being taken by the University College Union and other unions, whose members are also in dispute over the UCEA’s imposed pay deal read more including dates of action at each college
West Midlands Metro strike ends as tram drivers earn 20 per cent pay increase (22 Nov) – Long running strike action on the West Midlands Metro has ended after workers agreed an improved pay offer. The 170 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, began strike action in mid-October. The new pay deal was offered after Unite announced that the workers would take all-out industrial action from the end of November. Under the pay deal, which members of Unite accepted, existing tram crew with 12 months service or longer will see their pay increase by 20.1 per cent by April 2023. With 15 per cent of the increase backdated to June 2022 read more
Bakkavor Spalding strikes suspended following improved pay offer (22 Nov) – Strike action planned by more than 700 workers at food manufacturer Bakkavor’s factory in Spalding has been suspended following a revised pay offer. Strike action scheduled to begin on 25 November will be postponed to allow workers to be balloted on the new offer read more
Tenants groups in Belfast and Craigavon challenge NIHE on impact of unresolved strike (21 Nov) – Workers enter their fifteen week of strike action for improved pay as LRA-mediated talks are due to commence this week. Striking housing workers at NIHE have linked up with tenants associations and residents groups across the three housing regions impacted by the ongoing industrial dispute which is now entering its fifteenth week. The pay dispute is in relation to the 2021-2022 year and housing workers are seeking two pay grade increases and a cost of living payment. At present workers have had a 1.75 percent increase for that year imposed after it was recommended by the National Joint Council. Unite Regional Officer Michael Keenan confirmed that his union’s members had secured strong support from tenants groups who were bearing the brunt of the unresolved strike read more
Serco the Scrooge outsourcer faces a coordinated fightback across London (21 Nov) – There could be free parking for New Year sales shoppers across Hounslow, Ealing and Brent if workers employed by the ‘Scrooge’ outsourcer, Serco vote for strike action. The strike ballot for Hounslow opens today (Monday November 21) and workers in Ealing and Brent begin voting on Tuesday 22 November. The ballot results are due from the 20 December. The giant outsourcing company Serco has offered civil enforcement officers and CCTV operators a measly 20p an hour or nothing for workers on the real living wage. The offer amounts to a 1.7% pay increase for workers in Ealing who earn just £11.35 an hour. Workers on the Hounslow and Brent contracts who forced through union recognition this year currently earn just £11.05 an hour. They have been offered nothing above the rate for the real living wage read more
Arrow XL workers to demonstrate in Liverpool as poverty pay strikes continue (21 Nov) – Workers employed by Arrow XL will demonstrate outside the company’s head office in Liverpool this week, as they ramp up their industrial action campaign in response to the company’s poverty pay rates. The 350 workers at the company, who undertake two person deliveries for major retailers including Amazon, Very Group, LG Electronics, Richer Sounds and Buy it Direct, have been taking strike action since Monday 24 October. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, and include warehouse workers, drivers and customer care staff, receive very low wages. Many only receive the minimum wage of £9.50 an hour. This is in sharp contrast to the highest paid director at Arrow XL, who was paid £539,000 in 2021, an 84 per cent pay rise on the previous year. Arrow XL workers from across the UK, including Enfield, Wigan and Worcester, will be taking part in the demonstration read more. Strikes began on Monday 24 October and then will take place on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Christmas Eve
Heathrow braced for major disruption as Menzies ground handlers begin strike action in pay dispute – 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 – 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
Welwyn and Hatfield grounds maintenance workers strike over poverty pay rates – 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
Strike at coffin manufacturer enters second week – 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
Shelter workers announce two weeks of strike action in pay dispute – 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
Support strikes at Muller Stonehouse, Gloucestershire – 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
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
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
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.
The CWU have called a national demonstration in London of their members in Royal Mail on the strike day of Friday 9th December
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
BT Pay – Final Agreement Reached (28 Nov) – As a result of discussions with the company over the last few weeks, we have reached a final agreement to settle our dispute. We are making preparations for a consultative ballot and you will get to vote on the proposed agreement read more
Determined Post Office workers to strike & ban overtime (28 Nov) – Union urges Post Office bosses to ‘see sense and offer a fair deal’, as they announce action up until Christmas. Around 1,400 staff working at Crown Offices and in Admin functions will walk out for two days in just under a fortnight’s time, while Supply Chain members will begin a two-week overtime ban from next Monday until Christmas Eve. The action follows an overwhelming endorsement in the reballot held earlier this month, which returned an astonishing 91.24 per cent YES to the union’s strike plan – as well as a similar 90 per cent-plus majority for action short of a strike. It was the first time in the CWU’s history that the same group of members have returned consecutive YES votes in the same calendar year read more
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
Perseverance prevails on Capita O2/Tesco Mobile pay with 8% for many (29 Nov) – Members across the Capita 02 and Tesco Mobile partnerships have voted by well over nine-to-one to accept a significantly improved pay offer for 2022 that will see the vast majority of CWU-represented employees receive backdated rises of either 7% or 8%. The fully consolidated settlement – which was last week ratified by 94.1% of members participating in a consultative ballot – concludes a particularly long and difficult pay round that at various stages looked set to erupt into a full-blown dispute read more
PCS
Dates announced in first wave of PCS civil service strikes (29 Nov) – Driving examiners and rural payment officers across the UK have announced strike dates in the first wave of sustained industrial action by civil servant members of PCS. Workers at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, including driving examiners, approved driving instructor examiners and local driving test managers, are to take action on a rolling regional basis starting in Scotland and Northern from 13-18 December. And staff in the call centre and accounts payable department at the Rural Payments Agency will walk out from 13 to 16 December and follow that up with further strikes on 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December and 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 January read more
HGS members threaten indefinite industrial action (29 Nov) – The 82 workers, employed by HGS to run the contact centre and back-office functions of the government’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), have already taken four weeks of strike action. Talks with conciliation service ACAS broke down earlier this month, leading the union today to tell managers they will strike for a further two weeks from 12 December, as well as imposing an indefinite overtime ban from 26 December read more
PCS members in HGS determined to win their dispute (24 Nov) – PCS union members working for Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) in Liverpool have so far taken 4 weeks of strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions and are ready to take more action if the employer fails to improve the offer. PCS members employed by HGS to run the contact centre and back-office functions of the government’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) began their strike in September after the employer offered a 3.25% pay rise, with new starters coming in on as little as £9.75 per hour read more
HMCTS strike action 9-12 December (25 Nov) – PCS has today served notice of further strike action in HMCTS over the Common Platform dispute. The action will take place from Friday, 9 December to Monday, 12 December. This comes following a meeting with HMCTS where no further substantial concessions were offered. As a result, PCS has requested that we present directly to the HMCTS Board to make the wider case on Common Platform. Part of the action will be for legal advisers and courts associates in the following regions: Midlands and North East. This is true for the action on 9, 11 and 12 December. The action on Saturday, 10 December will be for all legal advisers and court associates in the courts which have already been balloted. Please see the list below for which courts are being called to take strike action on which days. This is in addition to the action called from 2 to 5 December read more
Join our Pay Day rally to back the PCS pay campaign (25 Nov) – On the last pay day before PCS members start to take strike action, we are holding an online rally and encouraging all members to get more involved in our campaign. Following our successful ballot for industrial action across many areas of the civil service, some members will be taking strike action before Christmas. We have organised an online pay day rally on 30 November at 12:30 where our general secretary, Mark Serwotka, will speak about our campaign, and will be joined by striking members from UCU (University and College Union) and PCS members who are due to strike in December read more
Aramark and ISS disputes update (24 Nov) – PCS rep Duncan Gallon provides an update on two current disputes in the commercial sector read more
PCS members at BEIS win 12% pay rise (23 Nov) – Aramark workers call off strikes after win as ISS colleagues suspend action to consider improved offer. PCS members working as catering and hospitality workers employed by Aramark at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have called off strike action after winning a 12% pay rise. Meanwhile, members employed in the same building in London by ISS as security guards, post and porterage workers, cleaners and receptionists have suspended their planned four-day strike after receiving an improved offer on health and safety issues from the employer read more
ISS members suspend strike action (23 Nov) – The members who are employed by ISS at BEIS have been successful in their campaign for improved health and safety measures. PCS members employed by ISS at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have suspended strike action that was due to take place on 23 and 30 November and 7 and 14 December read more
DVLA staff told to wrap up warm after heating fails (23 Nov) – PCS demands workers are sent home until the boiler is fixed. Staff at DVLA’s headquarters in Swansea have been working in the cold for almost a week after the building’s heating system broke down last Thursday evening read more
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
GMB
Newcastle energy company announces strike dates (29 Nov) – Workers at a Newcastle energy company have announced when they will strike over a real terms pay cut. More than 200 workers at Baker Hughes, in Walker, will take eight days of industrial action from 12 – 15 December and 12 – 18 January. GMB members at the company – who makes undersea pipelines and cable conduits for the oil and gas industry – have overwhelmingly turned down pay offers of as little as four per cent. With inflation at 12.3 per cent, both offers amount to massive real terms pay cut read more
Almost 100 workers strike after ‘Grinch’ bosses cancel Christmas (29 Nov) – Almost 100 Durham chemical workers will go on strike tomorrow [Wednesday] after ‘Grinch bosses’ cancelled their Christmas holidays. GMB members Thomas Swan, in Consett, voted overwhelmingly to walk out over a real terms pay cut. Following the vote, company bosses cancelled all prebooked holidays over the Christmas period. The strike will last for 24 hours, with further industrial action set for Dec 7, 14 and 21 and 4 Jan. A revised offer of 5.1 per cent – capped at £1,500 – was overwhelmingly rejected read more
Sellafield strike looms as cleaners ballot (28 Nov) – Hundreds of Sellafield cleaners are taking part in a ballot over a zero per cent pay offer. More than three hundred workers employed by Mitie at the nuclear power plant will say whether they are willing to take industrial action in the consultative vote.
The ballot closes on Friday, 2 December read more
Christmas chaos ahead as Wiltshire parking wardens announce further strikes (28 Nov) – GMB, the union for local government workers, can announce that dozens of parking wardens across Wiltshire will be taking further strike action to protest the council’s decision to remove a contractual unsocial hours payment. The strike action will take place across the county for one week from Saturday 10 December until Saturday 17 December, taking in two of the busiest Christmas shopping Saturdays. The union members have previously taken two days of strike action in May, before the plans were shelved by council bosses, only to have the proposals put forward once again in August. The proposals, if successfully pushed through, would result in traffic wardens losing around £2000 per year, with social workers losing up to 20 per cent of their pay, or £3500 annually read more
KFC, Wagamama, Burger King and Pizza hut delivery workers to strike (24 Nov) – Almost 400 workers delivering food to KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Wagamama will strike over a real terms pay cut. A majority of 76 per cent of those who voted were in favour of industrial action. Bestfood drivers, who also deliver fresh food to the likes of Pizza Express and Zizzi, will announce strike dates imminently read more
‘More money than God’ ExxonMobil need to intervene to stop Fawley Strike (23 Nov) – GMB, the energy union, can today announce that more members have this morning voted to take industrial action at Fawley Oil Refinery. Joining Bilfinger and Rhyal workers will be members employed by Altrad, who have voted to take action on the same issue of pay. The union will now be issuing notice to Altrad, with the members then taking action from Wednesday 7 December, taking the total number of striking GMB members to over 100 read more
Money shortage fears as 1,200 G4S Cash workers vote to strike (22 Nov) – G4S faces its first ever strike after 1,200 GMB members voted to walk out. The workers, who deliver cash and coins to the likes of Barclays, HSBC, Tesco, Wetherspoon, Santander, Asda and Aldi, returned a 97 per cent vote for industrial action. The 48 hour strike is scheduled to take place from 3am on Monday 5 December 2022, sparking genuine fears of cash shortages over Christmas. The last time G4S Cash workers voted to strike; the Bank of England is thought to have pressured G4S into improving their offer because they the Bank’s insurer demands minimum staffing levels. G4S Cash, part of Allied International, originally offered members a part pay freeze, though have now tabled an offer of 4 per cent and lump sum bonus based on contracted hours read more
South London hospital workers to stage demonstration over pay on 1st December (28 Nov) – Demo to take place on Thursday from 10am outside Maudsley Hospital. GMB, the union for all NHS workers, is staging a demonstration this Thursday outside Maudsley Hospital in Lambeth. Cleaners and hostesses across South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLAM) are outsourced to global facilities management giant ISS and they are demonstrating to highlight a pay claim which is being ignored by their employers. The union members are employed across four sites within the Trust – Maudsley Hospital, Lambeth Hospital, Ladywell Unit in Lewisham and the Bethlem Royal Hospital.
The demo will take place as follows:-
Date: Thursday 1 December 2022; Time: From 10am; Venue: Outside Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ read more
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
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
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
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
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
Thousands of university workers strike again over wages (21 Nov) – Second wave of action for HE workers. Higher education staff will walk out from today (Monday) in a new wave of strikes over inadequate pay, says UNISON. Administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering workers – many of them among the lowest paid in the university sector – are among those taking industrial action. The employees are after a fair pay rise to help them cope with soaring prices. This follows several years where wages have failed to keep pace with inflation, the union says. For most of the 19 institutions affected, this is the second wave of industrial action this term. There has already been disruption at universities in England and Scotland, with a series of strikes in September and October. The university support staff rejected a 3% pay rise from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association back in May read more
Supreme Court hearing to decide strike protection, says UNISON (21 Nov) – Long-running dispute will go for definitive ruling in highest court. The Supreme Court has granted permission for UNISON to bring a legal challenge that could provide greater protection for striking workers, says the union today (Monday). UNISON is seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal decision from earlier this year that enables employers to discipline staff who take lawful industrial action. The union is acting on behalf of care worker and UNISON member Fiona Mercer, who originally brought a case in 2019 against the Alternative Futures Group (AFG), a charity in the north west of England read more
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
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
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
2022/2023 Budget (28 Nov) – You will be aware that on Thursday last the Secretary of State set the 2022/23 Budget for NI government departments. In his statement accompanying the budget, Chris Heaton-Harris chastised the local political parties for what he called a failure to demonstrate prudent fiscal management and went on to significantly criticise them for overspending. When reading the statement, it was difficult not to be reminded of the Tories’ significant fiscal mismanagement that allowed millions to be wasted on failed PPE contracts or the mismanagement that allows the exchequer to lose £3billion in unpaid taxes from the ‘non doms’ who stash their wealth oversees. This fiscally irresponsible Tory government continues to allow energy companies to make vast profits while workers cannot heat their homes…Although we do not yet have all the details, it is clear that if this budget is implemented, it will have a hugely detrimental impact on public services. The Secretary of State may claim that the budget is an increase on previous years but, in fact, since 2019/20 the block has been less than the pre-austerity level in 2010/11 read more
Member Action Short of Strike Action Update 5 December 2022 (28 Nov) – write to advise that NIPSA has today given Health Employers the necessary notice in regards to NIPSA Members in Health taking continuous Industrial Action Short of Strike and beginning Monday 5 December 2022. This Action is necessary as the failure of Government and the Pay Review Body to deliver realistic Pay rise’s for Members in Health continues to leave them underpaid, undervalued and unsupported read more
NIPSA Industrial Action in Health (22 Nov) – The NIPSA ballot for industrial action in Health has returned a 92.62% vote for strike action and 97.03% for action short of strike action. The NIPSA Health Panel, which represents all branches in Health & Social Care and Health Arm’s Length Bodies, has therefore authorised industrial action in early December including Strike Action and Action Short of Strike. NIPSA will also develop a programme of selective groups’ strike action and further action short of strike action. The programme of action will include Action Short of Strike and Strike in relation to our demands for Fair Pay, Safe Staffing and Fair Travel Rates however we will equally seek co-ordination with other Health Unions taking industrial action at this time to maximize the strength of our campaign. Further Notice will be posted when these actions are agreed including strike action by all NIPSA members in the health services and in related arm’s length bodies read more
NICS Pay 2022 (21 Nov) – NICS Pay 2022-2023 Pay Bulletin from NIPSA General Secretary Carmel Gates: In my bulletin B-11-22, Cost of Living Crisis – Civil Service Pay, of 11 October 2022, I referred to the former Finance Minister’s statement of intent regarding the budget and pay for the NICS. More than one month on we are no closer to commencing negotiations on the pay award you were due from 1 August 2022. I share your anger and frustration about the unacceptable delay. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Friday, which will be the subject of a separate bulletin later this week, will have given many of you cause for further concern. It is quite clear that there will be nothing from this government to alleviate the hardship faced by workers in this cost of living crisis. While the rich continue to get richer, the real value of wages is being driven down read more
Royal College of Nursing
NHS pay dispute: first nursing strike dates announced (25 Nov) – RCN members will strike on 15 and 20 December at employers across England, Northern Ireland and Wales after the UK government rejected our offer of formal negotiations. Our first phase of strike action will take place on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December after the UK government turned down our offer of formal, detailed negotiations as an alternative to strikes. The strikes will happen in England, Northern Ireland and Wales with a list of employers where strike action will take place announced next week. Strike action will happen in phases, meaning more strike dates could be announced after initial action in December, if governments fail to enter into formal negotiations. They have the power and means to stop strikes at any point but have chosen to go down this route. Not all members at employers where there is a mandate to strike will be called to strike on these first two dates. Phase one could be just the beginning of a longer period of strike action. The announcement of strike dates follows the result of our recent ballot in which members at the majority of NHS employers across the UK voted to strike. The dispute is over pay, but also patient safety. Staffing levels are so low that patient care is being compromised. Only by paying nursing staff fairly will we recruit and retain people in our profession read more
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
Royal College of Midwives
RCM to consult members on latest Scottish Government pay offer (25 Nov) – The voices of midwives across Scotland on pay have been heard right at the heart of Government and resulted in a new pay offer says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The statement comes after the offer for midwives, maternity support workers (MSW) and other NHS staff was put on the table by the Scottish Government last night. As a result of the latest offer the RCM – who represent most midwives and also MSWs in Scotland – will be consulting its members on the proposed offer next week. RCM members had overwhelmingly voted yes to industrial action in a ballot earlier this month 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
BMA
BMA Junior Doctors national strike ballot on pay will start on January 9 2023 in England. Keep up to date via @BMA_JuniorDocs on twitter
NEU
Sixth Form Colleges – NEU teacher members strike, 30 November – On Wednesday 30 November, National Education Union teacher members who work in sixth form colleges will be on strike. In total, this affects 77 colleges across England. The strike is in pursuance of a fully funded, above inflation pay rise. Teachers working in sixth form colleges have suffered a real-terms pay cut of an estimated 20% since 2010. The ballot closed on 11 November (more details here) with 88.5% voting YES on a turnout of 63%. This is the first day of strike action read more
NEU announces dates of formal ballots over pay – NEU writes to employers with notification of intention to carry out national ballots. Today (18 Oct) 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. 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) 29 November & 1 December [email protected]
NASUWT
IOM teachers begin strike action (29 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in the Isle of Man will begin a programme of six planned days of strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday in an escalation of the ongoing dispute over pay, workload and working practices. Teachers in the Isle of Man have experienced a 30% real-terms cut to their pay since 2010, a loss which will be further exacerbated by the current below-inflation pay award which is being imposed on teachers despite its overwhelming rejection by NASUWT members. The NASUWT is calling for a multi-year fully funded pay offer that begins to address the real-terms historic erosion of pay. In addition, the NASUWT has put forward proposals to address the workload and working practices issues that are dogging the profession. However, despite our best attempts to negotiate with the DESC, the lack of sufficient progress has left teachers with no choice other than to escalate industrial action read more
Further industrial action at Glasgow school over failure to protect teachers from abuse (28 Nov) – Further strike action by members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Bannerman High School in Glasgow will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) after talks with Glasgow City Council failed to make sufficient progress in addressing violent and abusive pupil behaviour, amid continuing threats to withhold pay from some members. The NASUWT has been in negotiations with Glasgow City Council in a bid to resolve the dispute. While some progress has been made to identify appropriate safeguards to address risks to the health and safety of employees, the employer is still threatening to send staff home without pay if they refuse to stay in a classroom with a pupil who is threatening their safety. Strike action is planned for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, with a further eight days planned during December. This follows an initial day of strike action last Thursday (24th November) read more
12 days of industrial action at Glasgow school begins (24 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Bannerman High School in Glasgow are today beginning 12 days of strike action in response to failures by the employer to address teachers’ concerns over violent and abusive pupil behaviour. The action follows Glasgow City Council’s failure to implement initial measures agreed with the union that would ensure teaching staff’s safety, that pupils’ needs are met appropriately and to restore order at the school. The Union had issued instructions to members to refuse to stay in a classroom with a pupil who is threatening their safety. However, Glasgow City Council has been sending home NASUWT members without pay for taking action to prioritise their personal safety read more
Swansea teachers secure resolution of dispute (22 Nov) – NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union members at Gendros Primary School in Swansea have been offered a last minute resolution from the employer today. As a result of this progress for NASUWT members, Industrial Action scheduled at Gendros Primary School for Wednesday 23 November and Thursday 24 November will no longer go ahead. The NASUWT was in dispute with the school over accusations of bullying by senior management and adverse management practices at the school. The NASUWT will now be working with the employer to ensure that the agreement reached is implemented fully. Whilst the NASUWT is concerned that it took until less than 24 hours before strike action to receive a positive response from the employer, a resolution has been found to avert strike action read more
NASUWT members in Scotland vote for industrial action over pay (22 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in Scotland have today voted in favour of industrial action over pay with 92.01% voting to support strike action and 96.16 % voting for action short of strike action. The turnout in the ballot was 63.73%. The Union is asking members to take strike action commencing 7 and 8 December together with an immediate programme of action short of strike action from 9 December. Under action short of strike action, NASUWT members will refuse to cover for absent colleagues and attend no more than one meeting per week outside pupil sessions 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
EIS Announces 16 New Strike Dates for Teachers as Dispute over 5% Pay Offer Intensifies (25 Nov) – The EIS has announced an additional sixteen days of strike action in schools across Scotland, as a dispute over a sub-inflationary 5% pay offer for teachers intensifies. Yesterday, in the first day of national pay strike action by teachers in four decades, EIS members were on the picket lines as the strike led to the closure of every state school on mainland Scotland read more
First Scottish Teachers’ Pay strike for four decades sends strong message to government (24 Nov) – Teachers across Scotland have today (Thursday) walked out in the first day of national strike action over pay in almost 40 years. Members of the EIS have been turning out in their thousands on school picket lines and at campaign rallies right across Scotland. It is believed that every single primary and secondary school in mainland Scotland has been closed today as a result of the strike action. Pictures and videos of teachers on picket lines have flooded social media today, with the trending hashtags #PayAttention and #EISstrike sure to be an embarrassment to COSLA and the Scottish Government – whose joint inaction over teacher pay has prompted today’s historic strike action. EIS picket lines received very strong support from parents and the public, with many people turning out to show their support for teachers read more
UCU
Cost of restoring USS pension benefits falls further as scheme surplus increases (29 Nov) – Striking university staff have called for the reversal of devastating Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pensions cuts after new data showed that the cost of restoring benefits has fallen to a new low… Striking university staff have called for the reversal of devastating Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pensions cuts after new data showed that the cost of restoring benefits has fallen to a new low read more
Staff to strike at University of Sheffield International College (25 Nov) – UCU has today announced that members at the University of Sheffield International College will take three days of strike action from Monday 28 November in a long running dispute over low pay. The action will be the first ever strike to take place in a privatised higher education provider. The full days of strike action are: Monday 28 November, Tuesday 29 November, Wednesday 30 November. Staff will be picketing all main entrances on each day of strike action. Staff will also work to rule from Thursday 1 December, which includes working strictly to their contracted hours, refusing to make up work lost as a result of strike action and refusing to cover for absent colleagues read more
Biggest picket lines ever on university campuses across the UK (24 Nov) – Commenting on today’s strike action, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Today’s picket lines are huge. 70,000 university staff have turned out like never before, defying bullying tactics from management to show they will no longer accept falling pay, pension cuts, brutal workloads and gig-economy working conditions. If vice-chancellors doubted the determination of university staff to save our sector then today has been a rude awakening for them. ‘We have been overwhelmed by the support of thousands of students who have joined us on the picket lines. They recognise that vice-chancellors are wrecking the sector for staff and students alike and are determined to stand with us and fix it read more
Biggest ever university strike begins in fight over pay, pensions & conditions (23 Nov) – Over 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK begin three days of strike action over attacks on pay, working conditions and pensions. The strike is the biggest in the history of higher education and UCU is predicting historic turnout on its picket lines. Staff will be picketing the entrances of every university each day of the action. The full strike dates are: Thursday 24 November, Friday 25 November, Wednesday 30 November read more
Furness College staff to strike over low pay (23 Nov) – UCU has today announced three days of strike action at Furness College. Staff will walkout on Tuesday 6 December, Wednesday 7 December and Thursday 15 December following the results of the ballot in which 85% of those who voted said yes to strike action. Members will also be engaging in action short of strike action from 8 December until 13 May 2023, this could include not doing additional work or covering for absent colleagues. The action come after the employer offered a pay award of just 2.5% alongside a one off payment of £750 for those earning less than £25k and £500 for those who earn more. RPI is currently at 14.2% so the award means staff pay has fallen dramatically behind inflation. UCU is demanding an increase of at least 10% to help staff meet the cost-of-living crisis read more
Strike ballot opens at Manchester College (22 Nov) – Staff at The Manchester College are being balloted for strike action in a long running dispute over low pay amid the cost of living crisis. The ballot is taking place to renew the UCU’s strike mandate. UCU members will begin receiving their ballot papers today and the ballot will run until Monday 12 December. Staff at the college have already won a ballot but restrictive trade union laws mean their mandate must be renewed. Despite staff having taken eight days of strike actions so far, the college is refusing to increase salaries any further than a derisory 1% consolidated pay award alongside a one off payment equal to 1% for 21/22. For 22/23 the college is only offering just 2.7% for those earning over £33k or 4.5% plus a one payment equal to 1% for those earning £33k or less. The second year of the offer does not include the 1% non consolidated element as previously believed. This further devalues the offer in a time of rising prices and rampant inflation. Without that small 1% worth about £27 a month then the offer is even more inadequate and unacceptable read more
Staff to strike at Darlington College (21 Nov) – UCU has today announced three days of strike action at Darlington College. Staff will walkout on Tuesday 6 December, Wednesday 7 December and Monday 12 December following the results of the ballot in which 95% of those that voted said yes to strike action. The strikes come after the employer imposed a pay award of just 1% alongside a one off payment of £250. RPI is currently at 12.6% so the award means staff pay has fallen dramatically behind inflation. UCU is demanding a pay award of at least 10% to help staff meet the cost-of-living crisis. Staff at Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, recently won a deal worth 9.2% for the majority of college lecturers 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
Formal notice of strike ballot given after no increased pay offer (29 Nov) – Last week the FBU said it would formally issue notice of ballot if “a substantial pay increase that takes into account the current level of inflation and the cost of living crisis” was not received by yesterday, after pay discussions had “failed to reach any resolution”. No such pay offer has been received and notice of ballot (under section 226A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992) has been sent to fire and rescue service employers. A formal dispute is now open. Firefighters and control staff have been offered a 5% pay increase, which they rejected in a consultative ballot. Annual CPI inflation currently stands at 11.1%. The strike ballot is set to be open from Monday 5 December to Monday 30 January. Due to restrictive anti-union laws the ballot will take place only through the post. 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. If a national strike were to take place, it would be the first national strike since pension action between 2013 and 2015 (which did not include control), and the first on pay since 2002-2003. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: This is an historic ballot for firefighters and control staff. We are rarely driven to these lengths…” read more
FBU writes to employers to attempt to progress pay negotiations ahead of notice of ballot (24 Nov) – FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has written to fire and rescue employers in relation to the registration of trade disputes with them, and to try and progress pay negotiations. He has written to ask “that you offer our members on Grey Book terms and conditions a substantial pay increase that takes into account the current level of inflation and the cost of living crisis”. He added that if an offer that met expectations was not received by Monday 28 November the union would enter into a formal dispute and notice of ballot would be served to employers. Whilst fire and rescue employers have responsibility for pay negotiations governments are responsible for substantial parts of their funding. The FBU has requested urgent meetings with fire ministers and government departments across the UK. The current pay offer for firefighters and control staff is 5%. Annual CPI inflation currently stands at 11.1% read more
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
FBU statement on London Fire Brigade Independent Culture Review (26 Nov) – Gareth Cook, Fire Brigades Union regional organiser for London, said: The LFB report makes for difficult reading. The reported incidents of racism and misogyny are extremely alarming. There is no place for such behaviour or attitudes within the fire and rescue service or within our trade union…” 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 demands urgent rethink on jobs cuts at BBC Northern Ireland (29 Nov) – “The decision to end the BBC Radio Foyle Breakfast Show and to end regional news bulletins is a betray of the people of Northern Ireland”. Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary. The National Union of Journalists has demanded an urgent rethink of plans to cut 36 jobs in BBC Northern Ireland. Among plans announced today is the end of the very popular BBC Radio Foyle breakfast show and the discontinuation of daily regional news bulletins. The plans were announced this morning read more
NUJ welcomes review findings into journalists’ arrests at Just Stop Oil protests (23 Nov) – An independent review following arrests by Hertfordshire constabulary has outlined police powers were not used appropriately read more
Prospect
Prospect negotiates BT payment to help address the cost-of-living squeeze (29 Nov) – Prospect has negotiated a cost-of-living payment with BT to help members suffering from the unprecedented squeeze on earnings. Under the pay offer, managers earning up to £50,000 would receive a £1500 consolidated and pensionable increase, which will be applied from 1 January subject to approval by members read more
Environment Agency workers vote for industrial action over pay crisis (21 Nov) – Members of leading environmental trade union Prospect working at the Environment Agency have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over pay. After Unison members also recently voted for industrial action, this means two unions have voted for action read more
Prospect members at Ørsted accept pay offer with overwhelming vote (21 Nov) – Prospect members at Ørsted, one of the world’s leading global offshore wind companies, have voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer from the company 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
Equity
Equity members take to Whitehall to say NO to arts cuts (23 Nov) – Hundreds of Equity members including actress Juliet Stevenson, joined councillors and officials yesterday outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), in resistance to the ongoing assault of the arts that is de-investment & defunding. The demonstration brought together our members and supporters of our campaign – as well as Bectu, the Musicians’ Union, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and PCS. We were also joined by workers from affected arts organisations such the English National Opera (ENO), which stands to lose 100% of its Arts Council England (ACE) funding, putting over 300 jobs at risk. Since the announcement of the cuts the Government have claimed they are part of a “levelling up agenda”. However, while 70% of cuts fall within London, the overwhelming majority of organisations removed from the portfolio fall outside of London. Speakers included ENO chorister and Equity Dep, Deborah Davison, who told the crowd: “We [at the ENO] have over 3000 years of experience between us that form our collective performance on stage…most of these people will lose their jobs and their livelihoods – is this really what successful levelling-up looks like?” read more
Sign and share this petition to reinstate the ENO’s funding and lobby your MP to back our industries and their workforce
USDAW
Black Friday: Usdaw joins a ‘Labour behind the Label’ protest outside Boohoo’s Manchester HQ as the company still refuses to engage (25 Nov) – Retail trade union Usdaw represents workers at Boohoo’s warehouse and call centre in Burnley along with the head office in Manchester, but the company continues to refuse to recognise the union, leaving staff without a real voice at work. On this year’s Black Friday (25 November) Usdaw activists will be joining a demonstration outside Boohoo HQ in Manchester organised by Labour Behind the Label read more
IWGB
Cleaners Win End to Exploitative Outsourcing at Prestigious Private Hospital (21 Nov) – Cleaners, catering and housekeeping staff from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) have won an end to exploitative outsourcing at the prestigious private London Bridge Hospital, following the launch of a campaign earlier this year. After whistleblowing on severe health concerns and holding multiple demonstrations outside of HCA offices, outsourced staff will now be brought in-house from 1 April 2023 read more
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 seeks urgent meeting on bus driver shortages with National Transport Authority (24 Nov) – SIPTU members employed as bus drivers with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann handed in a letter at the offices of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in Dublin, today (Thursday, 24th November), calling for an urgent meeting to discuss recruitment issues which are adversely impacting public transport services read more
Mandate
Union says employers need to make customers aware of importance of respect and Government needs to strengthen laws (22 Nov) – The Mandate Trade Union has called on members of the public to respect retail workers during the busy and intense Christmas shopping season. The call coincides with UNI Global Union’s international day of action which seeks to raise awareness about the importance of combatting violence and harassment across the retail sector 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
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
