The Tories under Sunak have signalled their intention to bring in yet more anti-union legislation on the back of all those Conservative restrictions from Thatcher, Major, Cameron, May and Johnson that already make UK trade union laws the most undemocratic in Western Europe.
Workers are being squeezed by the biggest cost of living crisis in generations but the right to take action to get the pay rise they desperately need is being attacked by the Tories. Last year, P&O bosses viciously and illegally sacked 800 workers. But the bosses seem to get away with such action while the law is used against the unions that workers need for their protection.
But Sunak’s government isn’t strong and all-powerful – it’s weak and divided. The strike wave has shaken them and the employers that the Tories represent. It’s the growing workers’ action that the Tories are aiming at but it’s also what can defeat them.
No unions can be left to fight alone – ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’. The NSSN calls on the TUC and the unions to urgently meet together to discuss mass joint strike action and demonstrations against Sunak’s anti-union plans and to fight for the pay rise workers deserve.
Unite chief: Rishi Sunak’s ‘silly posturing’ on strikes is an abdication of leadership (5 Jan)
GMB: Anti -strike legislation ‘scapegoating NHS workers’ (5 Jan)
PCS pledges to fight government as Border Force strike ban considered (7 Jan)
FBU responds to government anti-strike laws announcement (5 Jan)
Prospect: Government strike proposals miss the point and will lead to further distrust (5 Jan)
EMERGENCY DEMO – Protect the #RightToStrike (called by RMT) – Monday 16th January 6pm; Venue: Opposite 10 Downing Street
Enough is Enough launches campaign and petition to Defend the #RightToStrike – The right to strike is under threat. New legislation proposed by the Tory government intends to override a workers’ right to withdraw their labour, forcing them to work against their will. The right to strike is a fundamental democratic right. It underpins our ability to win dignity in the workplace and earn a decent standard of living. It is no accident that this right is under attack at the very moment the public is fighting back against the cost-of-living squeeze. This government is determined to force workers to pay the price for a crisis caused by the greed of the elite yet again. We won’t accept it. We, the undersigned, pledge to defend the right to strike and oppose this latest legislation #RightToStrike
Sign your workplace up to save the right to strike (supported by Strike Map, ASLEF – The UK Train Drivers’ Union, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union – BFAWU, Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, Fire Brigades Union, The Morning Star, NHS Workers Say NO, People’s Assembly and the NSSN) – The government has launched an attack on our rights. Their actions will destroy our fundamental right to strike. We want to encourage workers, union reps and branch officers to sign their workplace up to reject these changes and pledge to fight to protect our right to strike. Add your workplace name to our collective letter action and share it with every one of your co-workers. When we fight as a collective together we win!
Sign the TUC petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: Protect the right to strike! – Our right to strike is under attack. Rishi Sunak has just detailed his anti-union legislation and plans to introduce new laws in the coming weeks. It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal. These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions
NSSN news
BREAKING NEWS!! This year’s NSSN Conference will be on Saturday 24th June in Conway Hall, London 11am-4.30pm
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 Katrine 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
BREAKING NEWS!! RMT exposes government’s control of rail dispute (9 Jan) – In a briefing published ahead of a meeting with the Rail Minister Huw Merriman, RMT has exposed the fact that far from being a ‘facilitator’ of negotiations, it is the government that is in complete control of the dispute and can put an end to passengers’ misery by unlocking the negotiations read more
Train company pandemic profits top £300 million (7 Jan) – Train company pandemic profits top £300 million and set to reach £400 million by September. Private Train Operating Companies at the heart of the long-running rail dispute have made more than £300 million in profits since the government put them on new contracts when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, RMT research reveals. While rail workers have had their pay frozen in the same period, DfT data shows that the private train operators made £310 million in taxpayer-funded profits between March 2020 and September 2022. By September this year, that figure will be in excess of £400 million, all of which can be turned into shareholder dividends. This is in addition to the estimated £300 million of taxpayers’ money spent indemnifying the companies so that they don’t lose a penny as a result of strike action. The report also shows that had it been reinvested back into the rail industry, £310 million would have been enough to fund a 10.6% pay rise for the Train operating companies’ staff. So far, the Rail Delivery Group has only offered 4% in the first year and 4% in the second with a whole host of unacceptable changes to working conditions including the widespread introduction Driver Only Operation on all train services read more
Reinstate Branch Secretary Jason Moriarty – 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
Mandates send a strong message (1 Jan) – I am once more humbled by the amazing turnout and massive mandates in the 12 ballots we have just run and the overwhelming votes in favour of strike action, and action short of a strike, as well as the fact that the average increased in our re-run ballots. I must thank you, and also the staff and activists who worked so hard on the communications and delivery read more
TSSA
TSSA accuses the government of ‘deliberate deception’ on rail dispute (3 Jan) – Rail union TSSA has accused the government of “deliberate deception” over the ongoing national rail dispute, with the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, offering only “smoke and mirrors” rather than serious dialogue. This follows media comments from Harper earlier today in which he repeatedly signalled that the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), acting on behalf of the train companies, would not be able to make a higher pay offer without the approval of Ministers read more
TSSA announces strike on London’s Elizabeth Line (23 Dec) – Dozens of TSSA members working on London’s Elizabeth Line will take strike action early next year in a dispute over pay and proposed changes to pensions after members voted by nine to one in favour of strike action. The walkouts by staff at Rail for London (Infrastructure) Limited are highly likely to bring the Elizabeth Line – Transport for London’s flagship service – to a halt in the first strike of its kind since the line was opened in May 2021. Strike action will take place on Thursday 12 January 2023. Action short of a strike (effectively comprising a ‘work to rule’ instruction to only work contracted hours, take breaks, not provide contingency cover) will run from 12 January to 28 February 2023 read more
Unite
BREAKING NEWS!! Northern Ireland Health and Social Care workers strike for improved pay (9 Jan) – Massive 87 per cent average vote for strike action across Northern Ireland trusts. 4000 Unite members to strike on 26 January, February 16 ,17 and 23, 24. Unite the union has confirmed that its members working across the health and social care sector in Northern Ireland will be participating in an industrial campaign involving all health trade unions after they voted overwhelmingly for strike action in pursuit of a cost of living pay increase. The announcement comes as talks as discussion with the UK health secretary failed to make any progress on the 2022/23 pay claim. In December, Unite members voted with an average 87 percent majority across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for strike action read more
BREAKING NEWS!! Unite secures pay deal worth over 19% for Luton airport ground handlers (9 Jan) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a pay deal worth more than 19 per cent for around 200 staff employed by GH London Ground Handling at Luton airport. The workers had voted for strike action late last year over the delayed payment of a retention bonus. Strike action was avoided following negotiations with the company, during which a 10 per cent salary increase applicable from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022 and a £500 retention bonus was agreed. The workers will also receive a nine per cent increase from 1 January 2023. In addition, if the RPI inflation rate is higher than 9 per cent in May 2023, the workers will receive the difference as a further percentage pay increase from June 2023 read more
BREAKING NEWS!! Industrial action set to hit GSK pharmaceutical plant in Irvine for months (9 Jan) – Kaefer contractors striking over refusal to pay bonus payments. Members of Unite, Scotland’s leading union, employed in engineering construction roles at the GSK plant in Irvine will start strike action in a dispute over bonus payments from today (9 January). Around 40 workers employed by contractor Kaefer Limited 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 strike action started today at 07:30 a.m. and it will continue each day up to 23 January. There will also be an overtime ban in force which will last until 2 April. The industrial action will directly impact on the maintenance of the plant read more
PM must stop misleading the British public about these so-called ‘NHS pay talks’ (8 Jan) – 2022/23 pay must be resolved or strikes continue. Responding to the prime minister’s comments today (Sunday) on NHS pay, Unite leader Sharon Graham has restated that without progress on the current (2022/23) pay claim, strikes by Unite’s ambulance members in England and Wales will go ahead this month. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “At best, Rishi Sunak is misleading the British public about these so called ‘NHS pay talks’. He knows very well that there can be no progress on the upcoming (2023/4) NHS pay review while the current 2022 NHS pay claim remains unresolved…” read more
Unite ambulance workers announce strike on 23 January (6 Jan) – Over 2,600 ambulance workers in the West Midlands, North West, North East, East Midlands and Wales will take strike action on Monday 23 January in the increasingly bitter dispute over pay. The strike marks an escalation as more workers join the dispute, which saw an initial day of industrial action on December 21 last year. Amid latest figures which reveal that ambulance handover rates in England have reached record levels, with one in four waiting for over an hour to discharge patients to A&E, Unite says that its’ ambulance workers are striking as a last resort read more
Welsh Ambulance workers to strike for two days in January (6 Jan) – Unite members act to defend the Welsh NHS from collapse. Unite the union, which represents over 1000 members in the Welsh Ambulance Service, has today (Thursday) announced two 24-hour strikes are set for January 19 and January 23. Unite members voted by a margin of 88 per cent to strike over the well below inflation pay offer which has seen an exodus of staff causing a crisis to engulf the Welsh NHS. As is usual in these circumstances, Unite will agree emergency ‘life and limb’ cover provisions with the Trust read more
Rathlin Island ferry confirm further January strike dates as Unite urges Infrastructure Department to step in (6 Jan) – Three year pay freeze amid living costs crisis leaves workers with no alternative. Workers deliver 85 percent majority to strike for improved pay. Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland’s largest island. The call came after workers took a first day of strike action yesterday (Thursday) after no increased offer was made by the ferry operator. This was despite workers having suspended planned strike action in order to allow for room for successful negotiations. The original action was scheduled to commence on Tuesday [January 3] with strike dates falling on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of January. The strike follows a ballot of ferry workers at the end of 2022 which returned a 85 percent mandate in pursuit a cost of living pay increase. Despite this ballot, and the subsequent suspension of planned strike action, management at the outsourced ferry service has refused to move on the workers’ pay claim – which comes after a three year pay freeze read more
Unite chief: Starmer must say clearly that there will be no austerity under Labour (5 Jan) – Responding to the speech today (Thursday) by Labour party leader Keir Starmer, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With every passing day, it gets clearer that this country is in deep crisis. The economy is broken and the government is prioritising the wealthy few over everyday people. “The burning question of 2023 is who will pay for the crisis? That will be the same question for whoever is in government. “Right now our NHS is being deliberately run down and workers and communities are being lined up for another round of austerity. So I want to hear Labour make it abundantly clear that the choices it will make will not lead to austerity – that we will not be getting some new buzz word that amounts to continued cuts to services and pay…” read more
Free parking looms in West London as parking attendants give 100% backing to industrial action (4 Jan) – Civil enforcement officers and CCTV operators will strike for two weeks between the 18 January and 31 January. Wealthy Serco’s offensive 20p an hour offer – or zero for workers on the real living wage – sparks strike. Unless the outsourcer Serco significantly improves its measly pay offer to essential council workers there could be free parking across the London boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing and Brent this month. Unite has served notice of industrial action today (Wednesday 4 January) to Serco which provides parking services to the three London boroughs. Civil enforcement officers and CCTV operators will strike for two weeks between the 18 January and 31 January. The giant outsourcing company’s latest profits were £303.9 million but Serco has offered the workers a measly 20p an hour or nothing for workers on the real living wage read more
Coffin factory strike enters fourth month Co-op Funeralcare wastes £1 million instead of resolving dispute (5 Jan) – Coffin factory strike enters fourth month as Co-op Funeralcare wastes £1 million instead of resolving dispute. Unite members have resumed strike action at the Co-op Funeralcare coffin manufacturing factory based in Glasgow in a bitter dispute over pay which has now entered its fourth month. Strike action by Unite members began on Wednesday 4 January and will run continuously through to Monday 16 January, which will be the fourth consecutive week of strike action. Unite recently uncovered that the Cooperative Funeralcare spent over £1,000,000 last year on purchasing coffins from third party suppliers at a time when the dispute with their own workforce could have been successfully resolved for a fraction of this cost. Additionally, Co-op Funeralcare made an underlying profit of £12 million in 2021 read more
Veolia strikes at Merseyside household waste sites postponed after improved pay offer (3 Jan) – Strike action planned by more than 180 Veolia workers at 22 household waste and recycling sites across Merseyside has been suspended following a revised pay offer. Strike action scheduled to take place from Monday 2 January to Saturday 7 January has been postponed to allow workers to be balloted on the new offer. If the offer is rejected strike action scheduled to last from Sunday 15 January until Saturday 21 January will take place read more
Welwyn and Hatfield grounds maintenance workers strike over poverty pay rates is now indefinite – Workers on Welwyn and Hatfield council’s outsourced grounds maintenance contract, employed by Continental Landscapes, are striking 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, have now upped their action. The strike action is causing extensive disruption to Welwyn and Hatfield’s grounds maintenance programme read more
From a local supporter: “The mood is hardening on the picket line. The picket line starts at 7.30am but the finishing time has now been extended from 10am to 3pm. This is a landmark case, which when won would send a signal out to the whole sector that such poor wages will no longer be tolerated, Minimum wage increase of less than 3% or not.”
New strikes hit offshore installations after pay offer rejected (22 Dec) – Petrofac workers take further action in bitter dispute over pay and conditions. Unite, the UK’s largest industrial union, confirmed that around 170 members are taking 48-hour strike action at Petrofac Repsol installations offshore from today (22nd December). The action follows workers rejecting the latest pay offer from the company by 79 per cent on an 89 per cent turnout in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay and working terms, which has seen previous rounds of industrial action. The installations impacted include the Arbroath, Auk, Bleo Holm, Claymore, Clyde, Fulmar Alpha, Piper Bravo, Saltire, Tartan Alpha, and Flotta oil terminal. Unite also confirmed that a further 48-hour strike will impact the Montrose platform starting on 29th- 31st December read more
Abellio London bus pay dispute intensifies with strikes over festive period and January (20 Dec) – Abellio has profits of €401m but has imposed ‘unacceptable’ pay offer. Bus drivers employed by Abellio in South and West London will take a further 11 days of strike action in late December and throughout January in a dispute over pay. The bus drivers, members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, have already taken 10 days of strike action in November and December. The last strike from the first round of industrial action ended last Saturday (17 December). The company, which made profits of €401 million in 2021, has imposed an ‘unacceptable’ pay offer. The deal does not meet the drivers’ demands and leaves full time drivers with under two years’ of service on £3.29 less per hour than their colleagues with more than two years. The dispute initially involved 950 drivers, but the anger amongst the workforce is such that membership of Unite has doubled 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]
Greene King strikes go ahead over Christmas & New Year’s Eve (20 Dec) – Seven days of strike action begins tomorrow (Wednesday 21st December). Brewery workers offered a “Scrooge” pay deal. Greene King’s refusal to offer a fair pay increase in the midst of a cost of living crisis mean strikes will go ahead over Christmas. Workers will take three days of strike action between 21st December and 23rd December and a further four days between 28th December and 31st December. Supplies of well-known beers and ales to pubs, restaurants and shops including IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale will be affected. The 188 workers, including production and distribution workers, drivers and draymen, who are members of Unite are based at Bury St Edmunds, Eastwood (Nottinghamshire) and Abingdon (Oxfordshire) read more
Construction giant Murphy protests in UK and Ireland over union busting (20 Dec) – Demonstrations call for four sacked trade union members to be reinstated. Demonstrations will be held outside the offices of Murphy construction companies in Newbridge, County Kildare, Warrington, Stafford and London tomorrow (21 December) over union busting at the group. The protests form part of a campaign to secure the reinstatement of four Unite members, including a Unite shop steward, who were dismissed by the group’s Irish subsidiary, Murphy International. Unite believes the reasons for the sacking are spurious and linked to the workers’ trade union membership read more
Merseyside facing Christmas waste chaos as Veolia workers strike over Scrooge pay (15 Dec) – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed by Veolia on household waste and recycling sites throughout Merseyside, will take extensive strike action after Christmas, due to the company’s Scrooge like pay offer. The 180 workers will begin strike action at the 22 sites where they are employed on Wednesday 28 December with the initial strike ending on Saturday 31 December. There will then be further strikes beginning on Monday 2 January and ending on Saturday 7 January and from Sunday 15 January until Saturday 21 January. The majority of the workers are paid just £9.50 an hour, including those who have a HGV class two driving licence, with class one HGV drivers receiving just £11.87 an hour read more
Abellio East Midlands workers to stage further strikes at Christmas over ‘drastic pay cuts’ (16 Dec) – Company with €401m profit fails to make any pay offer despite soaring prices. Workers at train company Abellio East Midlands will begin further strike action later this month over the company’s refusal to make any pay offer despite soaring living costs. Over 140 workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, took four dates of strike action in October as well as a further two days earlier this month and will strike again on 23 and 24 December. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved. Abellio made a net profit of €401 million in 2021. However, it has blamed its failure to make a pay offer on the Department for Transport (DfT), claiming that ministers have not authorised it to make a pay offer to its workers. The workers are based at depots in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham and employed as cleaners, technicians, shunters, engineers, inspectors, lathe operators, team leaders and supervisors read more
Community support workers in Hounslow stage protest as strike goes ahead (12 Dec) – What: Striking charity workers stage protest; Where: Hounslow council buildings, TW3 3EB; When: 12.30pm on Tuesday 13th December. Community support workers in Hounslow stage protest as strike goes ahead. Workers employed by Hestia taking strike action on 12 and 13 December, will stage a protest at the Hounslow council building on Tuesday 13 December. Hestia Hounslow LIFE is a referral service which provides adult services in Hounslow. Staff say the charity is refusing to address understaffing and imposing unrealistic changes in working practices which will make it near impossible to provide the important services that at risk Hounslow residents desperately need. This is despite the referral service receiving an increase in funding from the local authority. Hestia management are also refusing to negotiate with Unite over a cost of living pay increase and the provision of adequate travel expenses. Bosses have outrageously threatened Unite members with disciplinary action if they discuss pay with colleagues during work read more
Support Arrow XL workers strike – Low paid workers employed by Arrow XL will protest tomorrow outside the prestigious Logistics UK Awards, where the company’s sister company Yodel has been shortlisted for an award. The demonstration will feature a banner reading: Arrow XL Time to Deliver Fair Pay. The 350 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, at the company have been taking strike action since October in a dispute over pay. Many of the workers are only paid the minimum wage, with other workers paid just above £9.50 an hour…The workers will begin all-out (continuous) strike action from Friday (9 December). They had been striking on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The industrial action began in October read more
Strike dates set to hit Highlands and Islands Airports in lead up to Christmas – Disruption likely as Unite members at HIAL take action in pay dispute. Unite the union, which represents members across eleven airports in the HIAL group, including those working in Fire and Rescue, Security and administration, has confirmed today (6 December) that strike action will take place commencing at 00:01 hours and concluding at 23:59 hours on 19th December 2022; And commencing at 00:01 hours and concluding at 23:59 hours on 22nd December 2022. Members of Unite voted by 73.5 per cent in favour of taking strike action and by 92.8 per cent in favour of taking action short of strike in a bid to improve pay for rural communities amid a cost of living crisis. The union has previously warned that strike action will cause huge disruption over the winter break and festive period. The workforce has already rejected an 5 per cent offer which they deemed unacceptable with inflation soaring to hit a 40-year high of 14.2 per cent (RPI). The eleven airports across the HIAL Group are Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick read more
Bristol council housing officers continue striking over terrible working conditions – Around 50 Bristol council housing officers and team leaders, responsible for managing the local authority’s 27,000 tenancies, will continue striking over unsustainable workloads on 14, 15 and 16 December. The workers previously took four days of strike action in late October. The workers, members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are angry that Bristol council is refusing to act even though the extra work is causing high rates of stress and anxiety. They are calling on the council to reduce workloads and allocate additional resources read more
Great Western Railway engineers continue strike action over pay – Around 350 Great Western Railway (GWR) engineers will take further strike action on Thursday 15 December over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today. The workers previously went on strike in October. Despite GWR’s parent company First Group, which is based in Aberdeen, making pre-tax profits of £654 million in 2021/22, the company is refusing to offer the workers a pay rise. It will be the third year in a row their pay has been frozen. Meanwhile the real rate of inflation, RPI, is at 14.2 per cent. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Great Western Railway have not had a pay rise in three years. Now, with soaring living costs, their wages are falling even further behind. Great Western and First Group have no reason not to address this when their profits are so high. It is sheer greed on the part of the employer and our members have Unite’s full backing in striking for a fair pay rise.” The striking workers are based at depots and stations in London, Exeter, Tiverton, Plymouth, Swindon, Swansea, Reading, Penzance, Oxford and Bristol. If the dispute is not resolved then more strikes will be scheduled read more
Harrods’ strike breaking agency employed under new anti-union law named and shamed – Protective Security Group Ltd workers ‘didn’t know’ they had been brought in to break pay strike. The agency brought in to break a pay strike by Harrods’ security guards and CCTV operators has been named and shamed as Protective Security Group Ltd. Under the new anti-trade union law passed this summer by the government, Harrods has been allowed to replace striking workers with agency staff. The company threatened the workforce with the legislation previously and is one of the first employers in the country to use it. To break the strike, Harrods, owned by the Qatari state, has contracted Protective Security, which is registered in Ruislip, Middlesex, and has two directors, Jonathon Robinson and Edward Thomas Miller. Unite understands that Protective Security workers brought into work at Harrods during the strikes were not told there was industrial action taking place and were uncomfortable crossing a picket line…More than 50 Harrods uniformed security guards and CCTV operators are striking over a ‘pay cut dressed up as a rise’. The workers began three days of strike action over a seven per cent pay offer on 25 November and will strike again on 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 facing Christmas pickle crisis as industrial action at pickled onion factory Mizkan in Rochdale intensifies – Lovers of some of UK’s most popular pickles face being denied their favourite condiments this Christmas as strike action at the Mizkan Euro factory in Rochdale intensifies in a dispute over pay. The factory produces Haywards Pickled Onions, Sarsons Vinegar and Haywards Pickled Vegetables. The 50 plus workers, who are members of Unite, the UK leading union, have already taken 19 days of strike action since October. The strike action is a result of the company only being prepared to offer its workers a five per cent pay increase, with the real inflation rate (RPI) now standing at 14.2 per cent, this is a very substantial real terms pay cut. Due to the just in time nature of supermarket deliveries, the strike action will almost inevitably create severe shortages at a time of year when many consumers relish these products, often with cold meat and cheese. Pickled onions and pickled vegetables are at the highest demand at this time of year read more
Strikes stepped up at Fawley refinery as heavy-handed policing deepens tensions in dispute – 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 read more. Send messages of support to [email protected]
UK braced for Dulux paint shortages as Imperial Chemical workers in Stowmarket strike over deplorable pay offer – 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
Tenants groups in Belfast and Craigavon challenge NIHE on impact of unresolved strike – 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
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
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
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
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
CWU
Support the CWU strikes in Royal Mail & Post Office – 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
Watchful eye on Enterprise and Global as new ‘BT Business’ division begins to take shape (6 Jan) – Close tabs are being kept on developments in BT’s Enterprise and Global customer facing units as the first tentative steps towards their merger into a new combined ‘BT Business’ division begin in earnest. Announced shortly before Christmas, BT’s stated aim was to begin the integration of the two CFUs on January 1 – with their absorption into BT Business due to be complete by April 1 read more
Santander ‘final’ pay offer out to ballot – with strong vote ‘YES’ recommendation – alongside improvements to pensions (5 Jan) – Members across Santander UK are being urged to accept a wide-ranging one year pay deal that has been negotiated by the CWU to help minimise the impact of the worst cost of living crisis for a generation read more
Post Office Crowns & Admin strikes resume – Supply Chain overtime ban begins (13 Dec) – Staff in Crown Offices and Admin grades began a two-day walkout yesterday – their seventh and eighth – while their Supply Chain colleagues have begun a two-week overtime ban. Speaking to CWU News today, acting DGSP Andy Furey said: “This dispute has now been ongoing for nearly seven months. The first strikes were back in early May. Our Post Office members have now voted twice by enormous, 90 per cent-plus, majorities for this action and they’ve certainly shown their ongoing determination to win the fair pay deal they deserve. According to reports I’ve received from our reps around the UK, this latest bout of action has, once again, been solidly supported. “I’m honoured to represent such a fantastic group of members – their strength and solidarity truly is an inspiration” read more
PCS
You can show your support to the strikes by PCS members by:
- Making donations to the PCS Fighting Fund Levy account, sort code: 60-83-01, account no. 20331490
- Sending solidarity messages to [email protected]
- Signing our petition to tell prime minister Rishi Sunak to intervene and hold meaningful talks to end the strikes.
- Support us on social media with the hashtags: #PCSonStrike #BlameTheGovt
BREAKING NEWS!! PCS to meet Cabinet Office to demand more pay for members (9 Jan) – As fresh strikes start today at DVLA in Swansea and Birmingham, PCS representatives will this week meet Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin to demand more pay for members. The union has been invited to attend a meeting at the Cabinet Office in a bid to avoid what the government called “prolonged industrial action.” PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We will, of course, accept the invitation to the meeting, during which we shall tell him if he wants a resolution to the dispute he must put some money on the table.” Read more
PCS pledges to fight government as Border Force strike ban considered (7 Jan) – PCS has promised to fight tooth and nail attempts by government to place further restrictions on unions’ ability to strike following revelations in The Observer that ministers considered banning Border Force workers from taking industrial action. In echoes of the ban introduced by Margaret Thatcher at GCHQ in 1984, The Observer has revealed that prime minister Rishi Sunak actively considered banning thousands of workers from joining unions, according to leaked government emails detailing proposals described by our general secretary Mark Serwokta as potentially the “biggest attack on workers’ rights and freedoms” for decades. Mike Grindley, who was renowned across the union movement for leading the fight against the union ban at GCHQ, died last week read more
PCS pays tribute to Mike Grindley
National campaign continues with 5-day DVLA strike (6 Jan) – Our rolling programme of targeted strike action goes on as the government plans legislation to prevent future strikes. Our national campaign of strike action continues next week as members working for the DVLA in Swansea and Birmingham begin a five-day strike on Monday 9 January. The strike involves around 600 members who assess people’s medical ability to drive before granting them a driving licence read more
PCS calls strike action on Saturday 21 January over Common Platform dispute (6 Jan) – Strike action over the Common Platform dispute will take place on Saturday 7, Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 January 2023. PCS has served notice of further strike action in HMCTS over Common Platform, to take place on Saturday 21 January. This is in addition to the strike action taking place on Saturday 7January and Saturday 14 January. The walkouts will involve legal advisers and court associates in courts across the country. The sustained action continues to apply pressure on HMCTS to do the right thing and rethink the failing Common Platform system. The list of courts involved is here
Support your local Picket Lines 9-13 January – Members in RPA and DVSA continue their strike action this week and DVLA start five days of strikes from Monday. Find out where your nearest picket line is and pay them a visit. Members in the Rural Payments Agency will be on strike all week again, along with DVLA members working on Drivers Medical at Swansea main site and DVLA Birmingham office. DVSA members are on strike on 9 and 10 January 2023 in Wales, London and the South East and the South West. and members working in the deployment team and main contact centre at Newcastle Light Box and Tyneside House will be on strike on 12, 13 and 16 January read more
HGS members threaten indefinite industrial action – 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 (29 Nov) 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
GMB
BREAKING NEWS!! Ambulance strikes to go ahead after talks fall short (9 Jan) – More than 10,000 ambulance workers will go on strike as planned on Wednesday (11 January) despite talks with Health Secretary today [Monday], GMB Union has said. Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “Today’s talks fell well short of anything substantial that could stop this week’s strikes…” read more
Sunderland bus strike ends in massive win for drivers (4 Jan) – Sunderland’s long-running bus strike has ended in a massive win for workers. Three quarters of Sunderland’s Stagecoach drivers have today [Wednesday 4 Jan 2022] voted to accept a double digit pay rise of 11 per cent – with a £150 bonus – backdated to 1 December. Almost 200 bus drivers have been taking industrial action since October in the pay dispute. But today’s result means the strike has officially come to an end read more
999 call handlers must work 150 years to match CEO pay (4 Jan) – A 999 ambulance call handler would need to work for almost 150 years to match the pay of the average CEO, GMB analysis of new figures shows. Research from the High Pay Centre think tank, released today, estimates that the median FTSE 100 CEO’s pay is £3.41 million – a 39 per cent increase on median CEO pay levels as of January 2022. The figures mean a 999 call handler – who are set to take strike action over pay with other ambulance colleagues on 11 January – would have to work almost 150 years to match what an average FTSE 100 CEO takes home in just 12 months read more
Amazon workers announce strike date (4 Jan) – Amazon workers in a Coventry warehouse have announced an initial strike date. The first ever Amazon strike in the UK is set to take place on 25 January, with further dates to be announced in the coming weeks. Hundreds of Amazon workers at the fulfilment centre have voted to walk out in anger over the company’s 50 pence per hour pay offer. The ballot, which closed on 16 December 2022, saw a majority of more than 98 per of workers vote to strike. Amazon UK Services Limited reported that it paid just £10.8 million in tax in 2021, despite recording a pre-tax profit of £204 million read more
Anger as Asda falls further behind ‘Big 4’ wages (4 Jan) – GMB union has criticised Asda for falling even further behind competitors on wages after Sainsburys announced yet another pay boost. Sainsbury’s, a fellow ‘big 4’ supermarket retailer, today announced workers would get at least £11 per hour from February. Asda retail workers receive just £10:10 per hour – the lowest paid of the big 4 and one of the lowest paying retailers overall. GMB has been campaigning for Asda to increase pay to £11:50 per hour, but so far the supermarket has refused to listen. The union has also called on Asda bosses to provide free food to colleagues while they are on shift during this unprecedented cost of living crisis, something Asda has so far refused to do read more
Ashford bin workers need ‘minimum standard’ of pay to avoid strike action (5 Jan) – Once again it appears that a dispute with Biffa is going to get messy, says GMB. GMB, the union for refuse and recycling workers are set to ballot their members working within Ashford Borough Council for strike action. The members, who are employed by the council’s waste contractor Biffa, work as loaders and HGV drivers and are looking for a pay rise to bring them in line with colleagues in neighbouring boroughs. GMB’s pay claim is for £15 per hour for loaders and £20 per hour and is the first at this rate, which the union are calling the ‘minimum standard’ that any such worker should receive in 2023. The ballot will open in mid-January and any strike action arising would take place from February and could then lead into March and April read more
Almost 300 Mersey Care workers to strike over pay (13 Dec) – Almost 300 health care workers at Mersey Care will take strike action over pay. Staff including nurses, health care assistants, support staff, cleaners and admin staff will walk out for 24 hours from 00:01 on 28 December 2022. They will join more than 10,000 GMB ambulance workers who will strike on the same day across England and Wales. Mersey Care workers voted to strike over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award – another massive real terms pay cut. GMB representatives will now meet with the trusts to discuss requirements for emergency cover read more
GMB union: ExxonMobil ‘throwing money’ at agencies rather than our members (9 Dec) – GMB, the energy union, are preparing to name and shame companies who are providing strike-breakers in the midst of a trades dispute at Fawley oil refinery near Southampton. The union have been informed that agency workers have been retained on full pay until strike action recommenced, following a temporary suspension of action actioned by GMB and sister union Unite. Strike action at the refinery was suspended for Monday to Wednesday of this week to allow negotiations to take place, only for GMB to be told that talks would not be happening as there was “nothing to discuss.” Read more
GMB warns Wiltshire motorists to check for unlawfully issued parking tickets during strike days (7 Dec) – If Wiltshire don’t follow the letter of the law, then parking fines issued during the strike are open to legal challenge, says GMB. GMB, the trade union for Wiltshire Council staff, has learned of plans to deploy untrained managers to stand in for their striking traffic warden members. Wiltshire Civil Enforcement Officers [wardens] are due to be taking strike action from 10 to 17 December and during the last strike no wardens went out to work on strike days. The members are taking strike action due to a proposed removal of a contractual, unsociable hours uplift of 10 per cent to their salaries, which compensates them for having to work on Saturdays and Sundays plus evenings and early mornings. GMB has learned that the council is planning to use managers who have not been properly trained to patrol and potentially issue Parking Charge Notices and highways staff to cover other duties normally carried out by the CEO read more
Newcastle energy company announces strike dates – 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 – Almost 100 Durham chemical workers will go on strike tomorrow (30 Nov) 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
Money shortage fears as 1,200 G4S Cash workers vote to strike – 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
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
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
Unison
BREAKING NEWS!! Ambulance workers will walk out on Wednesday – and I’ll be out on the picket with them (9 Jan) – Without a well-paid, valued and supported workforce, the NHS cannot deliver the quality of care that patients need. Our members’ livelihoods, and the future of our NHS, are always worth fighting for read more
BREAKING NEWS!! Five ways to support our NHS strikers (9 Jan) – Want to support our ambulance workers? Below are five ways you can show your solidarity with UNISON members on picket lines this Wednesday read more
Environment Agency workers to strike for the first time over pay, says UNISON (5 Jan) – The cost-of-living crisis has reached a point where the lowest paid are truly struggling to make ends meet. Thousands of Environment Agency workers in England will strike for the first time later this month in a significant escalation of their dispute over pay, says UNISON today (Thursday). Workers who maintain important safety structures such as the Thames Barrier, coastal sea defences and those protecting communities from floods, water pollution, spills, waste fires and fly-tipping will walk out on Wednesday 18 January from 8am to 5pm. The strike comes at a time of year when extreme weather is more likely to hit the country, warns UNISON. Last month, thousands of workers started working to rule for an indefinite period read more
A commitment to boost wages would mean unions may call off the strikes, says UNISON (8 Jan) – The health secretary needs to set out what the government can do right now. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments today (Sunday) ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between health unions, NHS employers and the secretary of state, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Health workers will be hoping the Prime Minister’s comments mean the talks can go beyond hearing solely about the pay review body evidence for the year from April. The earliest that process could finish is months away in May. The health secretary needs to set out what the government can do right now to prevent the dispute from continuing. Making a firm commitment to boost wages for what’s left of the current year would mean unions may call off the strikes…” read more
Further strikes inevitable unless government holds talks and moves on NHS pay, says UNISON (22 Dec) – Union announces that two further days of industrial action will take place on January 11 and 23. Two further strike days involving ambulance staff working for five services in England are to take place in the new year, says their union UNISON today (Thursday). Ambulance workers belonging to UNISON and employed by services in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West are to take action over pay and staffing again in January. Staff will be called out on strike on Wednesday 11 and Monday 23 January 2023. This follows a noon to midnight strike yesterday (Wednesday) and is a direct result of the government’s repeated refusal to negotiate improvements to NHS pay this year, says UNISON. The two dates next month are, as UNISON has warned, an escalation of this week’s action read more
Stop Hackney Council cutting library services read more about the campaign here – Hackney library staff take strike action this week – Tuesday and Thursday. There will be lunchtime strike rallies outside Hackney Town Hall on both days – 12.30pm Tuesday with Unison Vice-President Amerit Rajit & 10.30am-12.30pm Thursday with Unison President Andrea Egan
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
NICS Pay Offer (6 Jan) – NICS Pay: Today the NICS has published the Government’s 2022/23 pay offer to civil servants. This offer of £552 on each pay point is without doubt the most offensive and derisory offer that you will ever have received. The offer represents a pay cut for every civil servant. It is also shameful that once again special measures had to be taken to bring Administrative Assistants up to the living wage. Civil servants have received a significantly lower pay offer than those made to other public servants, so again, we have to ask the question – why are civil servants less valued by the government than other workers? As previously highlighted, if we wish to force the hand of the government, which is coming under pressure from other trade unions, then civil servants now need to join the action by those workers. If we want a fair pay rise, we will have to be in the fight. For that reason, the Civil Service Executive Committee is recommending rejection of the offer and are proposing that we ballot for industrial action. The industrial action is likely to take the form of strike action and action short of strike action read more
NICS Pay Update (21 Dec) – Further to the General Secretary’s article issued yesterday, 20 December 2022. It has been confirmed that Management Side is not in a position to issue a “final” offer to Central Trade Union Side today. However, indications remain that there will not be any further significant funding that would meaningfully change the overall offer put forward at the pay discussion with Management Side on the 16 December 2022. Civil servants are due to receive a significantly lower pay offer than those made to other public servants, so we have to ask the question – why are civil servants less valued by the government than other workers? If we wish to force the hand of the government, which is coming under pressure from other trade unions, then civil servants now need to join the action by those workers. If we want a fair pay rise, we will have to be in the fight. For that reason, the Civil Service Executive Committee is recommending rejection of the envisaged offer and are proposing that we ballot for industrial action. The industrial action is likely to take the form of strike action and action short of strike action read more
HSC Industrial Action: Impact on Schools (14 Dec) – NIPSA Health Strike: As you will be aware the RCN is calling its members out on strike action (Thursday 15 Dec and Tuesday 20 Dec). This is likely to impact on the availability of nursing staff cover within schools. It is imperative that under no circumstances should Classroom Assistants undertake nursing duties or feel under any pressure to cover the tasks which would be outside their job description and list A of clinical interventions. If nurses are not going to be present in school as a result of their lawful industrial action, we should ensure solidarity with them and no cover will be available by NIPSA members. Classroom Assistants must not undertake nursing tasks. Unfortunately, this may mean that some pupils cannot attend school during the strike days read more
Members put the Heat on Employers! (14 Dec) – NIPSA Health Strike: As we return to industrial action short of strike, I would like to say a big thank you to activists and members for showing the bravery and determination to stand up for the key issues of Pay, Safe Staffing and Mileage despite the freezing conditions. The day was a great success, sending a clear message to Employers and the Government and whilst Trade Union action has secured the implementation of the Pay Review Body recommendation of £1400 or 4% there remains to be a freeze on providing the “inflation busting” pay rise which will be crucial to retaining and recruiting the workforce to ensure Health Services are Safe for all. The Industrial Action colleagues will clearly not resolve our issues overnight, with the lack of an Executive it falls to the Department and nationally Central Government to resolve these issues. NIPSA is prepared for the long road ahead returning to the continuous action short of strike and work to rule to reinforce the key concerns around not just Pay but to expose the distress associated with Staffing limitations that causes constant stress and anxiety working in unsafe conditions read more
Royal College of Nursing
BREAKING NEWS!! Marie Curie pay ballot: results announced (9 Jan) – Members have voted to reject the revised offer in the latest consultative ballot read more
RCN says UK government plan for anti-strike legislation is ‘undemocratic’ (5 Jan) – We’ll be scrutinising government plans as we call for safe staffing levels year round read more
RCN demands ‘practical and urgent’ government action on NHS crisis (4 Jan) – We’ve written to the Health Secretary urging him to show renewed urgency in opening NHS pay negotiations to avert more nursing strikes later this month. The letter to Steve Barclay demands urgent government action to tackle the crisis engulfing the NHS. It places fault firmly at the feet of ministers for disingenuously insisting services are adequately resourced when evidence shows they’re at the point of collapse read more
NHS pay dispute: January strike dates and locations announced (23 Dec) – RCN members will strike on 18 and 19 January at employers across England. Ministers have the power to stop strikes but have failed to open negotiations on NHS pay. Now, more hospitals in England will see strike action. These will take place on 18 and 19 January – with further dates to be confirmed in the new year. You can find the full list of employers where strike action is happening on these dates here. Two days of strike action were held in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on 15 and 20 December. Thousands of nursing staff took to picket lines to make their voices heard read more
Strike planning to continue after Scottish members reject revised NHS pay offer (21 Dec) – RCN Scotland planning for strike action in the NHS continues after members in Scotland rejected a revised NHS pay offer. Early in the new year we will announce dates for strike action read more
RCN opens donations to strike fund in response to public desire to support striking staff – We’ve launched a donation page for people to financially help nursing staff on strike read more
Royal College of Midwives
Midwives in Wales vote yes to industrial action (13 Dec) – In a clear and defiant message to the Welsh Government, midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have voted yes to taking industrial action over pay. In the ballot that closed yesterday over 95.14% voted for industrial action short of a strike, based on a turnout of 55.39% of eligible RCM Wales members . On the question are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of a strike, more than nine out of 10 (91.46%) voted yes read more
‘This changes nothing’ says RCM as 4% pay award implemented in Northern Ireland (9 Dec) – The inadequate pay award for midwives, maternity supports workers (MSW), and their HSC colleagues will do nothing to reduce their frustration. That’s the message from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) responding to the announcement that the 4% pay award for HSC staff is to be implemented in Northern Ireland. The RCM – who represent most midwives and MSWs in Northern Ireland – consulted its members on the pay offer last month. Nearly 90% said they would be prepared to take industrial action if the current NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendations of a 4% pay award were implemented read more
RCM to consult its members on the latest Scottish Government pay offer (1 Dec) – The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is consulting its members in Scotland on the latest Scottish Government pay offer made late last week. The RCM online consultation opens today and closes on 15 December. The RCM – which represents most midwives and also maternity support workers (MSWs) in Scotland – says while the latest offer is an improvement on the last, it falls far short of what was asked. This is especially the case for those skilled and experienced midwives on higher pay bands who are the backbone of maternity care in Scotland read more
CSP
New anti-strike moves by the government rejected by CSP (5 Jan) – The government today announced new laws to enforce ‘minimum service levels’ when industrial action takes place in the health service along with the rail, education, fire and border security sectors read more
CSP to announce rolling wave of strike action (23 Dec) – CSP members in England will be asked to take strike action from January in the ongoing battle over NHS pay. With the government continuing to refuse to talk to NHS unions about pay, the CSP now has no choice but to use the industrial action mandate secured by members in more than 100 trusts in England. The exact schedule and form of the action will be confirmed in early January but is likely to feature a series of strikes on consecutive days in different parts of the country 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
Ballot to strike – opens 9th January 2023 – We have announced today (6 Jan) the form of industrial action we propose junior doctors should take. If a ballot for industrial action is successful, junior doctors in England will begin their action with a 72-hour full walkout in March. We are still urging the Secretary of State for Health to meet with us and negotiate a solution to avoid the need for industrial action. So far, all requests to meet with Steve Barclay have been ignored read more Strike Fund
NEU
Vote YES in strike ballot – get your ballot in now
BREAKING NEWS!! NEU statement following Government talks (9 Jan) – If the Government wants to avoid industrial action then there is only a small window of opportunity before the NEU declares its ballot result and its plans for 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
NASUWT
BREAKING NEWS!! NASUWT statement following pay talks with the Secretary of State (9 Jan) – Commenting following talks today between unions and Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, on teachers’ pay, Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “There is no doubt that the conclusion of industrial action ballots of teachers over pay this week is what has brought the minister to the table with us today. Today’s talks about talks centred around the scope for future discussions on issues of concern to our members on pay, including the current pay award for 2022/23 and the award for 2023/24. We welcome commitments made by the minister to continue dialogue with us following months of refusal by her predecessors. Given the pressing issues, the minister must now intensify and accelerate a programme of further talks. We have been clear we will meet any time and any place to discuss these issues and that we will commit the time necessary to make progress. However, we will remain in dispute with the Government unless tangible progress is forthcoming.” Read more
Scottish teachers to take further strike action (19 Dec) – NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has today given notice to the Scottish Government and employers of two further days of strike action on 10 and 11 January in its ongoing dispute over teachers’ pay. NASUWT members in primary schools/settings will strike on 10 January, with teachers working in secondary schools/settings taking strike action on 11 January. The NASUWT is calling for a fully funded 12% pay award for 2022/23. The current pay offer tabled by ministers and COSLA amounts to a further real-terms pay cut, following over a decade of pay freezes and below-inflation pay awards which have left teachers in Scotland almost £50,000 worse off as a result of their pay failing to keep pace with inflation read more
IOM teachers begin strike action – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in the Isle of Man will begin a programme of six planned days of strike action tomorrow (30 Nov) 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 – Further strike action by members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Bannerman High School in Glasgow will take place tomorrow (29 Nov) 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
Ballot opens on industrial action over teachers’ pay – The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is today (27 Oct) 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
NAHT
Industrial action ballot England: Industrial action ballot open – VOTE NOW read more
EIS
Teaching Unions Remain Willing to Talk – But only an Improved Offer can end Pay Dispute (6 Jan) – Following a request from the Scottish Government, teacher trade unions representatives met informally today with Scottish Government and COSLA representatives to discuss the outstanding teachers’ pay claim for 2022/23 – a pay claim that should have been settled and paid to teachers in April last year. The only offer on the table remains that already unanimously rejected by the Teachers’ Side of the SNCT in November last year. As such, all scheduled strike action by teachers on Tuesday and Wednesday next week will proceed as planned read more
Decline in Teacher Numbers Highlights Need for Fair pay to Recruit and Retain Staff (23 Dec) – The EIS has said that the decline in the number of teachers across Scotland highlights the need for an improved pay deal to help recruit new teachers and retain experienced teachers in the classroom read more
EIS Announces 16 New Strike Dates for Teachers as Dispute over 5% Pay Offer Intensifies – 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 (24 Nov), 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
UCU
Three days of strikes begin Monday at Sparsholt College over low pay (6 Jan) – Three consecutive days of strike action at Sparsholt College in Hampshire will begin Monday after management refused to make a realistic pay offer. Staff will be picketing the college every day of the action. They have already taken three days of strike action this academic year in the long running pay dispute and are demanding a pay rise that helps them meet the cost-of-living crisis. RPI inflation is currently at 14% and the college is based in one of the least affordable areas to live in the UK. Despite this, the college has only offered an £850 consolidated pay rise alongside one off payments totalling just £450 read more
Staff at Truro & Penwith College begin six days of strike action today in pay dispute – Staff at Truro & Penwith College were on picket lines today (1 Dec) pressuring management to begin meaningful negotiations in a long running dispute over low pay. Today’s strike is the first of six extra days of action being taken because management is refusing to negotiate with UCU officials read more
Staff to strike at Barnet & Southgate College – UCU today confirmed Barnet and Southgate College will be hit with two days of strike action later this month in an ongoing dispute over low pay. UCU members at the college will walk out on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December. The industrial action follows a ballot in which 98% of those that voted called for strike action. Staff have already taken three days of action in October in the dispute over management’s paltry 2% pay award for the previous two financial years (1% 2020/21 and 1% 2021/22). Inflation is currently at 14.2% and UCU is demanding a significant uplift to help staff meet the cost of living crisis read more
Staff to strike at University of Sheffield International College – 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
Furness College staff to strike over low pay – 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
Staff to strike at Darlington College – 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 fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes.
FBU
FBU slams “insulting” Tory MP comments on firefighters (6 Jan) – The FBU has hit back after a Tory MP commented on reports of firefighters being forced to foodbanks by saying “£32,244 and using a food bank? Never heard such a ridiculous thing in my life… I suggest learning how to budget”. FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has said that the comments are “a disgrace and insulting to firefighters, who were among Britain’s Covid heroes” read more
FBU responds to government anti-strike laws announcement (5 Jan) – FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has responded to the government announcement that they will introduce minimum service requirements for the fire and rescue service, and make it possible for unions to be sued over these. Minimum service requirements restrict trade union members’ right to strike and restrict the likelihood of effective strikes. They do this by requiring a minimum level of cover. Wrack said: The Tories are clearly hellbent on criminalising and victimising trade unions with this latest threatened onslaught on the right to strike. Britain already has among the most restrictive anti-trade union laws in the western world… The government wants to continue to drive down wages and now wants to attack the rights of workers who stand up for themselves. The FBU and the entire trade union movement will fight this pernicious attack on workers by all means available to us” read more
Over two thousand firefighters and control staff rally in Westminster (7 Dec) – On 6 December, over 2,000 firefighters and control staff from across the UK assembled in Westminster to protest low pay after their strike ballot opened yesterday. Extraordinary scenes saw speechmakers including MPs speaking to a packed Methodist Central Hall and hundreds of firefighters and control staff gathered outside in an overflow area. MPs including Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn addressed the crowds, as well as FBU general secretary Matt Wrack and several FBU officials and members. After the rally firefighters and control staff marched to Parliament to lobby their MPs on the issue of pay read more
FBU strike ballot opens (5 Dec) – A strike ballot for firefighters and control staff opens today Monday 5th December. Firefighters and control staff are being balloted on potential strike action on a “derisory” 5% pay offer. That pay offer had recently been rejected by FBU members in a consultative ballot by 79% on a 78% turnout. Annual CPI inflation currently stands at 11.1%. Due to restrictive anti-trade union laws the ballot will be a postal ballot only. If you’re an FBU member and your postal address has changed or you think it might be wrong, it is vital that you contact [email protected] as soon as possible read more
Merseyside firefighters, control staff and Green Book staff vote for Action Short of Strike – Merseyside firefighters, control staff and green book staff (non-uniformed staff) have “overwhelmingly” voted to take action short of strike in relation to a host of issues in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The percentage of those voting who voted “Yes” to Action Short of Strike is 88.06%. The action short of strike will consist of a refusal to undertake pre-arranged overtime, beginning no earlier than Thursday 1st December 2022 and potentially lasting for 6 months. The ballot comes after a serious break down in industrial relations between Merseyside Fire Brigades Union and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority and the failure to reach agreement on several issues read more
BFAWU
Trade Union Coordinating Group “Fair Pay Now” pamphlet read more
Support the campaign to unionise Samworth Brothers – get organised, sign the petition read more
NUJ
Kosovo: journalists attacked amid growing tensions with Serbia (6 Jan) – NUJ joins calls for improved measures to protect journalists following six attacks in December. The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in urging authorities in Kosovo to take action to ensure the safety of journalists read more
Hundreds attend NUJ public meeting on Save BBC Radio Foyle campaign (4 Jan) – NUJ members and local people gathered at the Guildhall in Derry to voice opposition to BBC cuts at Radio Foyle. The public meeting was organised by the NUJ’s Derry and North West branch amid widespread concern from NUJ members, local communities, businesses and political parties, about BBC proposals announced late last year to cut jobs and programmes at Radio Foyle read more
BBC director general must visit Co. Derry (5 Jan)
NUJ members vote for industrial action at STV (22 Dec) – There has been an overwhelming strike vote at the Scottish broadcaster. The results of the ballot were 85 per cent for strike action and 93 per cent for action short of a strike. STV’s original offer was £2,000 to each employee read more
Prospect
BREAKING NEWS!! Prospect and FDA – government must make meaningful move at meeting with civil service unions (9 Jan) – Prospect has responded to an invitation to meet by the Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin MP. This offer is understood to be part of wider move, following the Prime Minister signalling that ministers were willing to meet with unions on public sector pay. Prospect will shortly be formally balloting many branches in the Civil and Public Service on Industrial Action. This follows the overwhelming dissatisfaction and willingness to take action shown in an indicative ballot before Christmas read more
Government strike proposals miss the point and will lead to further distrust (5 Jan) – The government has today announced that it plans to invite unions around the table to forestall further strikes, but at the same time said it will be bringing in new legislation to enforce minimum service levels when people are on strike read more
Strike action on the Elizabeth Line announced (23 Dec) – Prospect members working at Rail for London Infrastructure (RfLI) which operates the Elizabeth Line are to take strike action over pay, from 0630 on 12th January until 0630 on 13th January read more
Environment Agency workers to begin industrial action on Monday (15 Dec) – Prospect members working at the Environment Agency will begin industrial action on Monday 19th December in a dispute over pay read more
Prospect announces next steps for industrial action ballots as Minister confirms no more money for pay (14 Dec) – Paymaster General Jeremy Quin has written to Prospect confirming that the government have decided to make no more money available to address the cost-of-living crisis facing civil servants. The letter was in response to Prospect’s demands following an indicative ballot showing widespread support for industrial action read more
Equity
Sign and share this petition to reinstate the English National Opera (ENO) funding and lobby your MP to back our industries and their workforce
USDAW
Sainsbury’s and Argos pay boost to £11 per hour is welcomed by Usdaw (4 Jan) – Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the company’s additional support for Sainsbury’s and Argos shopworkers in the midst of a cost of living crisis. 127,000 hourly paid store staff will see the minimum rate boosted to £11 per hour from February this year and £11.95 in London. The company is also providing access to staple food items during shifts, along with increased discounts at Sainsbury’s and Argos. The free food will ensure that staff can have something to eat while they are at work and the longer and deeper discounts helps staff plan and manage their budgets read more
Supreme Court grants Usdaw permission to appeal in the Tesco ‘fire and rehire’ case (22 Dec) – The Supreme Court has granted Usdaw permission to proceed with its case against Tesco – in an ongoing battle over the supermarket giant’s use of ‘fire and rehire’ practices. The highest court in the UK permitted the union, which is represented by social justice law firm, Thompsons Solicitors, to proceed with its case against Tesco, which wants to ‘fire and rehire’ its staff in order to remove their entitlement to a long-term financial benefit called Retained Pay read more
IWGB
Follow updates on UCL strike by following @IWGBunion on twitter
UVW
Save ASIRT: solidarity on the picket line (21 Dec) – “We’ve been on the #saveASIRT picket to fight for our own jobs but, more importantly, to fight for our service users. When migrant families have nowhere else to turn, ASIRT can be a lifeline. We must defend free immigration advice” Pouneh Ahari, ASIRT worker, striker and UVW member. UVW members at ASIRT are fighting to save the free legal support service for migrants and refugees and for a voice at work. These brave workers went out on strike on 21 December to try and stop the closure of ASIRT, a unique charity offering crucial support to asylum seekers in Birmingham. In a beautiful display of solidarity they were joined on the picket line by service users and their families, trade unionists and members of the public read more
SIPTU (Ireland)
Go-Ahead accepts invite to WRC talks after SIPTU members vote for industrial action (22 Dec) – The management of Go-Ahead Ireland has agreed to attend conciliation talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following an overwhelming vote for industrial action by SIPTU members employed by the private bus operator in a dispute over pay read more
Mandate (Ireland)
Mandate welcomes Dunnes’ acceptance of union’s claim for pay increases for company’s workers (22 Dec) – Union disappointed at company’s failure to address unified pay scale, more full-time jobs and access to longer working hours but will redouble campaign to achieve these goals. The Mandate Trade Union has today welcomed the awarding of an 8% pay increase to Dunne Stores’ workers which is an acceptance of the union’s pay claim which sought this pay rise in July. However, Cathy McLoughlin, member of the union’s Dunnes’ National Committee expressed her and Dunnes’ staff’s disappointment that the company didn’t create a single unified pay scale, more full-time jobs and provide access to more working hours. The union plans to redouble its campaign to achieve these and other aspects of its claim read more
Corrib Oil Ballinasloe workers to strike on Thursday, 22 December (19 Dec) – workers at Corrib Oil, Ballinasloe, to strike next Thursday over company’s refusal to recognise their right to be represented by mandate trade union. Staff at the Corrib Oil filling station in Ballinasloe will strike next Thursday, 22 December over the company’s refusal to recognise their right to be represented by the Mandate Trade Union read more
Other news
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
Hi All – Thanks for your continuing support for Trade Union Education at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (Conel). Please find attached some courses were have advertised for next term and beyond. All courses are advertised in the https://www.tuc.org.uk/TUCcoursesAs.
Couple of updates:-
- Employment law diploma is now full for Jan 2023.
- Cert in employment law have moved it to classroom.
Seasons Greetings
Best Regards
Jonathan Jeffries
PS If you need any ICT courses contact [email protected]. We also do bespoke courses for trade unions
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.
International
From NUJ website – Yemen: journalist Hala Badway released (15 Dec) – All charges against Badway arising from social media posts in December 2021 have been dropped. The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in welcoming the acquittal of Yemeni journalist Hala Badway read more
Diary
June
24 NSSN national conference
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
