NSSN 685: NSSN Conference says: Support the Strikes, Tories Out & Fight for a Workers Manifesto

The NSSN Conference last Saturday brought together up to 200 union reps and activists.

The conference was opened by NSSN Chair Rob Williams and the platform speakers included Ian Hodson BFAWU National President, Onay Kasab Unite National Lead Officer, Annoesjka Valent NAPO National Official, Dave Semple PCS National Vice-President (personal capacity) and Jason Wyatt Unite Tata Steel shop steward. Unfortunately, Jared Wood RMT London Transport Regional Organiser was unable to attend because of personal reasons and gave his apologies.

As usual, the NSSN gave a platform to workers taking action. We heard from a whole number of disputes, including the GMB’s union recognition ballot at Amazon in Coventry, Barnet Unison, RMT at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the BMA Junior Doctors, GMB & PCS Jobcentre security guards, as well as Unite at Barts NHS Trust, Sanctuary, the Basildon CNH Tractor plant and the impending indefinite strike that Unite is going to launch at Tata Steel in South Wales from 8th July.

That action will start just 4 days after the general election. And the election was another major theme of the NSSN Conference. The NSSN had invited representatives from a number of parties and organisations to take part in a discussion about the need for a Workers Manifesto. Robert Magowan Green Party and Dave Nellist Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition outlined their programmes.

The Conference welcomed the impending demise of the Tories but recognised the need for the unions to fight for the policies needed by workers. It endorsed the NSSN’s Workers Manifesto of demands and agreed to mobilise for the NSSN rally and lobby at TUC Congress in Brighton on Sunday 8th September – which will take place 2/3 of the way through the first 100 days of a likely Labour Government.

Model motion agreed at NSSN Conference:-

This NSSN Conference (and subsequently union branch/trades council) agrees with the need to fight for a workers’ manifesto of policies, to be implemented after the likely election of a Labour Government after 4th July. These include this list that the NSSN has been campaigning for:-

  • To repeal Sunak’s ‘Strike Minimum Service Levels Act (MSL) along with Cameron’s Trade Union Act 2016, and all the rest of the Tory anti-union laws, going back to Thatcher and Major.
  • To re-nationalise Royal Mail, BT, buses, the energy and utility companies, steel. Immediate re-nationalisation of the railways, rather than waiting for franchises to expire.
  • To end privatisation in the NHS and our public services.
  • For an emergency funding grant for local authorities to prevent the current and pending Tory council cuts onslaught, ensuring the withdrawal of Section 114 notices. This would be the first step in restoring the 40% cut from council budgets since 2010
  • For a real inflation-proof pay rise for workers, that protects our living standards. For a £15/hour minimum wage with no age exemptions
  • Repeal of Fire & Rehire and Zero-hour contracts
  • Workers’ rights from day one of employment

We believe that it essential that the trade unions fight for the implementation of policies in the interests of workers

We welcome the rally hosted by the NSSN before the start of this year’s TUC Congress in Brighton on Sunday 8th September, which will take place 2/3 of the way through the first 100 days of the Labour Government

We believe that this really will be an important event in highlighting and campaigning for the policies that workers need. We therefore agree to support the NSSN TUC Rally and send members to it and publicise it.

NSSN Rally & Lobby of TUC Congress – Old Ship Hotel Brighton, 1pm Sunday 8th September

Unite starts industrial action at Tata Steel

Port Talbot steel demo 17th Feb

Tata workers call first strikes in 40 years to stop steel destruction (21 Jun) – Historic strikes in Port Talbot as Labour vows emergency talks with Tata after general election. Around 1,500 Tata workers based in Port Talbot and Llanwern will begin all-out indefinite strike action over the company’s plans to cut 2,800 jobs and close its blast furnaces. The strike action, which begins on 8 July, will severely impact Tata’s UK operations. It is the first time in over 40 years that steel workers in the UK have taken strike action. The escalation in industrial action comes after the workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, began working to rule and an overtime ban on Tuesday (June 17) read more

TATA STRIKE FUND APPEAL

Unite The Union members employed by Tata steel at Port Talbot and Llanwern will begin all out strike action on 8th July. This is the first industrial action involving steel workers in the UK for 40 years. The action is fighting the decimation of jobs, communities and the steel industry. An initial 2800 jobs are due to be wiped out. This is a campaign we must win. Support and solidarity will be key, especially financial support in light of this being all out, indefinite strike action.

We are therefore launching a financial appeal. Donations will be used to directly support striking members. Below are the financial details. Please reference any donation as “strike fund”.  

Thank you

Unity Trust

Unite wab 2051 branch

Sort code: 608301

Acc no: 20286655

Messages of solidarity and for further detail contact [email protected]

Find out more about the campaign: www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/the-fight-for-steel

The other steel unions Community and GMB have also won industrial action ballots.

Fight the Tory attack on our #RightToStrike

About 5,000 trade unionists marched in Cheltenham on 27th January in opposition to the new Tory anti-union Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 (MSL), and to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Thatcher’s banning of union rights at GCHQ in the town.

It was just days after the U-turn by the state-owned LNER train operating company that was reported to have signalled its intention to have used the MSL against ASLEF. The union had reacted to this threat by putting in 5 additional strike days. This apparent retreat was a defeat not only for LNER bosses but for Sunak’s Tory Government.

It showed that workers’ action can smash this vicious Tory attack on our right to strike.

It is now vital that the statement that was passed at the Special TUC Congress last December – setting out a campaign of defiance and non-compliance – is implemented and built upon:-

  • We will develop practical solidarity plans for unions actively engaged in strategies of non-compliance.
  • Support any worker subject to a work notice, including with support from across the trade union movement, if their employer disciplines them in any way. 
  • Ensure that where any affiliate is facing significant risk of sanctions because of this legislation, we convene an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee to consider options for providing practical, industrial, financial and/or political backing to that union.
  • Call on all employers and public bodies with oversight to oppose this counterproductive legislation. Employers and public bodies from across the public sector and the country have already signalled their opposition to the Strikes Act. All employers and public bodies must reject it
  • Refuse to tell our members to cross a picket line.
  • Call an urgent demonstration in the event a work notice is deployed and a union or worker is sanctioned in relation to a work notice. 

This is the basis for the fighting strategy that workers and unions need and now needs to be enacted.

Defend The Right to Strike – Strike Map and the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom (CTUF) have launched a ‘write to your council campaign’ to seek their commitment to not issue work notices and defend the right to strike as key employers read more in the Morning Star

Affiliate with STAMMA at the NSSN Conference, Gary Clark retired CWU Royal Mail rep and a member of the NSSN Steering Committee spoke about STAMMA. STAMMA’s Employment Support Service helps people who stammer as well as those who don’t around issues related to stammering in the workplace. Union branches and regions can affiliate with STAMMA to access a range of services and support at a reduced rate. 

  • £75 for branches and regions 
  • £125 for national unions with under 400,000 members 
  • £200 for national unions with 400,000+ members 

STAMMA website  

Stop the attack on Gaza 

Many NSSN supporters have joined marches and protests against the escalation of violence in the Middle East, particularly the invasion and bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli government  

See Stop the War website for info on protests. The next national demonstration in Central London will be on Saturday 6th July from 12noon

A number of unions have issued statements on the situation in the Middle East, including: the TUC, FBU, RMT, NEU, Unite, Unison, PCS, ASLEF, TSSA, UCU, EIS, CWU, Equity, BMA, NUJ, UVW, GMB, SOR, RCM, RCN, IWGB, Prospect, CSP, NAPO, INTO (Ireland), SIPTU (Ireland) and Mandate (Ireland)  

  

NSSN news  

Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it and/or making an additional donation to help our work. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month via a standing order.   

You can either pay online to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790.  

Or you can pay by cheque to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’ and post to 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  

RMT National Dispute Fund  

RFA staff take strike action on International Seafarers Day (25 Jun) – RMT members within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are intensifying their pay dispute by taking strike action today. This 24-hour strike coincides with International Seafarers Day, a day dedicated to recognising the essential contributions of seafarers globally. The recent strike on May 19 showcased the determination and solidarity of RFA members, with participation spanning from ports to ships in distant locations such as Singapore. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “This strike represents more than just a demand for fair pay; it is a stand for the respect and acknowledgment of seafarers and their crucial role worldwide. On International Seafarers Day, our members will shine a light on their vital contribution to international trade and the global economy…” read more

RMT launches new booklet on fight against Fascism (24 Jun) – RMT is proud to launch “They Shall Not Pass,” a new pamphlet detailing the untold story of seafarers and rail workers who fought fascism. Jointly published with the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT), this pamphlet uses archive material to reveal the extensive involvement of transport workers in battling British Union of Fascist leader Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts in Britain and fighting fascism abroad in Spain read more

RMT demands TFL end outsourcing now (19 Jun) – Transport union, RMT will stage a protest at City Hall on Thursday morning, insisting TfL in-source all outsourced workers. These vital workers, crucial to London’s public transport, should be employed directly by TfL or its subsidiaries, the union has said. Thousands of contracted out workers suffer from poor pay, no sick pay, inadequate pensions, and lack staff travel benefits. RMT demands TfL take full responsibility for all its workers read more

Eurostar strike ballot over Olympics payments (14 Jun) – RMT will ballot Eurostar International members over fair and equal payments for work during the Paris Olympics. The decision follows the company’s failure to meet the union’s demands for equitable compensation during the major sports event. All RMT members at Eurostar International will be balloted for industrial action, including a potential strike and action short of a strike in the form of an overtime ban and no rest day working. The ballot will close on 11 July. RMT will also write to Eurostar contractors Mitie, Churchill, and Rail Gourmet, demanding they match any proposed Eurostar payments read more

Strike action at Hitachi Rail Doncaster (14 Jun) – Bespoke Facilities Management workers at Hitachi Rail Doncaster will take strike action later this month. The action will take place between: 05:59 Friday 28 June and 23:59 Monday 1 July read more

Avanti West Coast caterers to strike over dire rosters and unjust working conditions (6 Jun) – RMT will launch strike action on Avanti West Coast tomorrow in response to the company’s implementation of new rosters that have led to significant stress and exhaustion among employees. Catering staff at Avanti West Coast are incensed by sudden changes to shift schedules, cuts to jobs, and enforced overtime.

These conditions have severely disrupted RMT members’ lives, making it impossible for them to plan family commitments or attend vital medical appointments, resulting in low morale amongst the workforce. The union has also discovered that Avanti management is attempting to undermine the strike by encouraging senior management to cover catering roles. These individuals lack the proper training and cannot deliver the consistent high-quality service that our members provide. Since taking over the West Coast Main Line franchise from Virgin, Avanti has been mired in industrial relations disputes, with the upcoming strike on Friday, June 7, being the latest repercussion of the company’s mismanagement read more

Northern Rail strike by members working for Carlisle Support Services this Saturday (5 Jun) – Super-exploited workers at Northern Rail will take strike action this Saturday June 8 over poor pay and dreadful working conditions. There will be picket lines at Manchester Victoria station (all entrances) from 0900 hrs and at Wigan Wallgate station from 0900 hrs. RMT members who are employed by Carlisle Support Services work at Northern Rail gate lines but are paid less than directly employed staff and cannot enter the company pension scheme or receive sick pay from their employer. The contractor also does not recognise RMT for the purposes of collective bargaining read more

Strike announced to defend unfairly sacked member (22 May) – Further to my previous Circular (IR/123/24, 19th April 2024), all RMT members at Oxford Circus Area are congratulated for standing firm together against injustice during the strike action from 3rd to 4th May. Gerald’s appeal hearing has now taken place but regrettably, LUL upheld the decision to dismiss him rather than taking action to rightly resolve this dispute. This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has taken the decision to instruct all RMT members at Oxford Circus Area to take strike action and NOT TO BOOK ON FOR SHIFTS THAT COMMENCE BETWEEN: 00:01 hours on Friday 28th June until 23:59 hours on Saturday 29th June 2024. The NEC has also taken the decision to escalate this dispute and ballot all other Station Grades members in the Bakerloo South Cover Group Area. Ballot papers were sent to members at Charing Cross Area, Elephant & Castle Area and Piccadilly Circus Area on Wednesday 15th May and these ballots will close on Thursday 30th May. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments read more

London Underground Jobs, Pensions and Agreements dispute: RMT members smash Tory anti-union ballot thresholds once again (25 Apr) read more

CrossCountry trains strike suspended after progress (11 Apr) – RMT has suspended planned strike action on CrossCountry this Saturday, after management agreed to intensive talks to resolve the dispute. CrossCountry had refused to recognise RMT at all grades within the company. This is despite written evidence to the contrary. Now the company has agreed to sit down with RMT to address our concerns with no changes to agreements in this period read more

RFA members vote for industrial action over pay (9 Apr) – Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over pay. RMT members working as civilian merchant seafarers onboard the fleet of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels which provide the Royal Navy with vital logistic and operational support including humanitarian operations around the world, have rejected a below inflation pay offer from management. RFA have implemented a one-year deal of 4.5% which was totally unacceptable to RMT members. Up to 500 RFA seafarers were balloted for strike action by RMT union, and we will now consider our next steps read more

ASLEF
Train strikes announced for May Bank Holiday week –
Rail passengers are being warned of disruption during the week of the May Bank Holiday after drivers announced more strikes and an overtime ban. Staff at 16 train companies will take part in rolling one-day walkouts between 7 and 9 May over pay and working conditions. An overtime ban will also take place between 6 and 11 May read more on BBC website

Train drivers at LNER to strike in row over terms and conditions – Rail services from London King’s Cross will be disrupted by the walkout on Saturday read more on Independent website

TSSA

London Underground – Further Strike Action (25 Apr) – TSSA will take strike action at London Underground on 26 April. TSSA rail union has announced a further day of strike action on Friday 26 April at London Underground by members working as Customer Service Managers. The walkouts will take place on Friday 26 April where members will not commence work on any shift starting between 00:01 to 23:59 on Friday, 26 April 2024. Accordingly, strike action will also take place on Saturday 27 April 2024 in respect of any members expected to commence shifts before 23:59 on Friday 26 April 2024 whose shifts run into Saturday 27 April 2024. When TSSA Customer Service Managers took strike action on 10 April stations closed at short notice. Similarly, the strikes this week are likely to cause stations to close at the last minute, including late night and into Saturday morning (night tube on Friday night). TSSA Customer Service Managers at London Underground will also take part in an overtime ban from 29 April to 5 May. This overtime ban will again lead to station closures at very short notice read more

Unite  

Cornwall facing bus chaos as drivers ballot for strike over pay (24 Jun) – Workers angry profitable Go Ahead is paying drivers elsewhere nearly £3 an hour more. Around 250 Go Cornwall Bus drivers are being balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The workers are demanding that their wages be brought more in line with their colleagues in other parts of the country. For instance, Go Ahead drivers in Oxford are currently paid £2.84 more per hour than the Cornwall drivers, while drivers in Brighton are paid £1.83 more. Even under Go Ahead’s current 2024 offer for the Cornwall drivers, Oxford drivers would still be earning £2.24 an hour more, while drivers in Brighton would be paid £1.23 an hour more. To narrow the pay difference, the Cornwall drivers are demanding their wages be increased by 6.6 per cent to £16 per hour for 2024, instead of the £15.60 Go Ahead is currently offering…In March, Go Ahead reported revenues of £3.2 billion and profits of £89 million. The industrial action ballot will close on 1 July, strikes, which could begin later next month, would severely impact bus services across Cornwall read more

London Trams engineering pay strikes intensify (24 Jun) – Strike action set to disrupt transport to Wimbledon. Strikes by engineers crucial to the running of London Trams (formally known as Croydon Tramlink) will intensify from the end of June, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The workers first took strike action in March because they are paid up to £10,000 a year less than their colleagues on the London Underground, despite requiring the same qualifications and performing the same roles. Following the initial strikes, Unite agreed to postpone any further industrial action to engage in talks with Transport for London (TfL). TfL, however, has failed to engage in good faith over longstanding contractual, collective bargaining and pay issues that have resulted in the London Trams engineers’ wages falling further and further behind that of underground workers. The tram, stores and infrastructure engineers will now strike from 30 June until 8 July and from 11 July until 15 July read more

University Hospital Waterford: Unite warns of dispute escalation amidst management threats (24 Jun) – Health Service Executive accused of violating public service agreement. Trade union Unite, which represents support staff at University Hospital Waterford (UHW), today (Monday) warned that the current work-to-rule by laundry, catering and portering grades may escalate unless the Health Service Executive (HSE) reverses its decision to withhold pay increases due to staff. Workers have been engaging in a work-to-rule since 27 May following the HSE’s failure to include laundry workers at UHW in a regrading scheme and their decision not to award incremental credits to portering and catering workers read more

Sanctuary Strike – next strike day Thursday June 27th. Strikers will gather at 9A Kingsmead Way, London E9 5QG from 8.30am. Dianne Abbott has confirmed she will attend a short rally to discuss the escalation of the dispute. The junior dosctors will be taking action as part of their long running strike and we hope to join them at the Homerton Hospital after our rally. Contact the Unite LE/1111 Housing Workers branch to offer support or if you are a housing worker wanting to get organised [email protected]

Guys and St Thomas’ theatre nurses strike over dangerous rise in hours (24 Jun) – Burnt out nurses warn further hour extension to shifts risks patient safety, staff wellbeing. Day surgery theatre nurses at Guys and St Thomas’ hospitals will strike after bosses extended their shift finish times by an hour, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The 50 workers were already chronically overworked and the increase in shift times from 20:00 to 21:00 is now compromising patient safety because they are exhausted. Theatre staff had already had their shifts extended from 19:00 to 20:00 and have had to start working Saturdays to support extra theatre lists. Guys and St Thomas in central London is one of the UK’s busiest NHS trusts with 2.6 million patient contacts each year read more

Unite rally demanding end to hostile environment for unions at ABC council (23 Jun) – Union calls for immediate reinstatement of shop steward. Unite is organising a protest of trade unionists at Craigavon civic and conference centre ahead of this month’s general meeting of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The protest follows the sacking of a Unite workplace rep last week. The sacking was the latest in a series of actions about which unions have raised concerns. Unite has formally registered a trade dispute with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the union is proceeding to ballot members for industrial action in response read more

Spirit Aerosystems in Northern Ireland must be transferred intact to Airbus following Boeing acquisition, demands Unite (21 Jun) – Unite, which represents the overwhelming majority of the Spirit Aerosystems workforce across the UK, has raised serious concerns about Boeing’s acquisition of the company. Unite is seeking urgent assurance the purchase will proceed with Airbus acquiring all those parts of the business which fall into its supply chain – keeping Belfast and Prestwick manufacturing operations intact with no loss of jobs. Unite has already raised its concerns about the future of the Spirit workforce at the highest levels read more

Tata workers call first strikes in 40 years to stop steel destruction (21 Jun) – Historic strikes in Port Talbot as Labour vows emergency talks with Tata after general election. Around 1,500 Tata workers based in Port Talbot and Llanwern will begin all-out indefinite strike action over the company’s plans to cut 2,800 jobs and close its blast furnaces. The strike action, which begins on 8 July, will severely impact Tata’s UK operations. It is the first time in over 40 years that steel workers in the UK have taken strike action. The escalation in industrial action comes after the workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, began working to rule and an overtime ban on Tuesday (June 17) read more

Merseyside Stagecoach bus drivers escalate dispute with further strikes (21 Jun) – Lack of acceptable offer from Stagecoach has led to fresh walk outs

Nearly 500 Liverpool Stagecoach bus drivers will escalate their pay dispute with further strike action this summer, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday).

The workers are angry over the huge disparity between their pay and that of Arriva Liverpool drivers. Arriva drivers are paid £1.40 more an hour, equating to around £3,000 a year, for performing the same role. Drivers are to strike from 5-8 July and 12-15 July with the threat of an all-out continuous strike if Stagecoach is not prepared to make a pay offer acceptable to members read more

Manchester facing standstill as Metrolink workers ballot for strikes over woeful pay offer (20 Jun) – Manchester is facing grinding to a standstill next month as workers on the city’s tram system, Metrolink, begin balloting for strike action following a woeful pay offer. Over 600 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are angry after Metrolink was only prepared to make a pay offer of a 4.5 per cent increase in 2024 despite years of below-inflation pay increases. Unite members want guarantees of above-inflation rises over the next three years due to accepting less than inflation (RPI) last year and a reduction in the pay progression scales within the drivers and customer service roles. Members’ include drivers, controllers, engineers, customer service representatives, and business support – without their vital, highly-skilled and safety critical jobs, the Metrolink could not function bringing Greater Manchester to a halt read more

Industrial dispute at Harland and Wolff ends after workforce vote to accept significant pay increase (20 Jun) – Workers accept pay offer which provides increase of 13% for skilled trades and 10.5% for general operatives. Unite the union which represents the majority of workers employed at Harland and Wolff has confirmed that an industrial dispute over pay has been resolved after workers voted decisively to accept an improved pay offer. The pay offer amounts to an increase of 13 per cent for skilled trades and 10.5 per cent for semi-skilled, stores and general operatives. The deal will be backdated to the beginning of 2024 read more

Plymouth facing bus chaos as drivers ballot for strike over pay (19 Jun) – Workers angry profitable Go Ahead is paying drivers elsewhere nearly £3 an hour more. Nearly 600 Plymouth Bus drivers are being balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday). The workers are demanding that their wages be brought in line with their colleagues in other parts of the country. For instance, Go Ahead drivers in Oxford are currently paid £2.84 more per hour than the Plymouth drivers, while drivers in Brighton are paid £1.83 more. Even under Go Ahead’s current 2024 offer for the Plymouth drivers, Oxford drivers would still be earning £2.24 an hour more, while drivers in Brighton would be paid £1.23 an hour more…In March, Go Ahead reported revenues of £3.2 billion and profits of £89 million. The industrial action ballot will close on 1 July, strikes, which could begin later next month, would completely shut down Plymouth’s bus network read more

Unite members in East Lancs NHS celebrate safe-staffing victory (19 Jun) – Biomedical scientists in Blackburn and Burnley achieve aims in industrial dispute. Members of the Unite, the UK’s leading union, working in the Blood Sciences Department at the East Lancashire Hospital Trust (ELHT) are celebrating a victory in their campaign to restore safe staffing levels that led them to threaten strikes earlier this year. Biomedical scientists at two hospitals (in Blackburn and Burnley) have been escalating their dispute with the ELHT since November last year. Having been promised an increase in staffing which had failed to materialise, they balloted for strike action to demonstrate their frustration to the trust. Staff numbers in the unit, which provides blood sample analysis and blood products for the entire hospital and wider GP services in East Lancashire, had dwindled over two decades. Meanwhile, blood sample work had increased every year leading to unsafe conditions that threatened patient safety read more

Unite secures Edinburgh airport pay deal for hundreds of workers (19 Jun) – ‘Runway to Success’ campaign takes-off for latest group of airport workers. Unite has secured another pay deal this time with Edinburgh Airport Limited, Scotland’s leading aviation union revealed today (19 June). The union negotiated a pay increase of 6.8 per cent for around 275 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited which operates the nation’s largest airport. The pay increase is applicable from 1 January 2024 and this represents an 18.8 per cent increase in basic pay over the last two years. Shift pay will also rise by 6.8 per cent and the overtime rate will increase for weekend work to double time from time and three quarters. There is also a commitment to review the working rotas in order to improve the work-life balance for the airport’s workers read more

Unite secures new wage deal for Gourock based James Walker Devol (19 Jun) – Workers win five per cent pay package rise. Unite, Scotland’s leading union, has secured a new wage deal for workers employed at the James Walker Devol plant based in Gourock. Around 100 engineers who are responsible for manufacturing components for the construction, oil, gas and railway sectors around the globe are set to receive an increase in their pay package worth five per cent. The deal which is effective from April includes a basic pay increase of 4.25 per cent plus a one-off payment of £100. There is an additional holiday of one day and improvements to the company bonus scheme. Collective bargaining at the Gourock factory has also been widened to include apprentices… In November 2022, the workforce voted in favour of trade union recognition and for Unite to represent them in negotiations over jobs, pay and conditions. The union also announced in July last year that in the first year of formal pay negotiations with the company pay rises of up to 12.5 per cent were secured. All workers received a £2,500 annual pay uplift read more

Unite calls on election candidates to state what they will do to secure good union jobs in manufacturing (18 Jun) – Unite has called an emergency rally for the future of manufacturing jobs and skills in the Upper Bann area. When: 12:30 Friday 28 June; Where: St Marks Church, Portadown BT62 3LG. The rally is being held in direct response to 300 workers at Glen Dimplex facing a threat to their livelihoods after management raised the prospect of shutting the Portadown factory with production shifting overseas to Lithuania. The company produces storage heaters and heat pumps read more…Unite has extended an invitation to all candidates in the general election to attend and address workers and the local community. Unite is seeking answers from candidates on what they will do to defend the jobs of manufacturing workers read more

First Cymru bus workers secure 11.6% pay increase (18 Jun) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured an inflation busting 11.6 per cent pay increase for bus drivers employed by First Cymru. The 300 plus drivers operate buses in South and West Wales working from depots in Swansea, Bridgend, Ammanford, Port Talbot, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest. The pay deal, which was hammered out through long and detailed negotiations, will see pay increase by 11.6 per cent over a six month period. In addition, there will also be improvements in overtime and weekend rates read more

Dounreay nuclear station strike postponed following improved pay offer (18 Jun) – Strike action on Wednesday 19 June by around 600 Unite members suspended. Strike action on Wednesday 19 June by around 600 Unite members employed by Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS) at Dounreay nuclear power station has been suspended to allow workers to be balloted on a new pay offer. Unite can confirm that an overtime ban and an end to working voluntary appointments will continue during the ballot process. If the new offer is rejected by the membership, fresh strike action will be announced. The union’s membership previously rejected a pay offer which amounted to a one-off £500 payment on top of a basic 4.5 per cent increase. Unite’s NRS membership includes craft technicians, general operators, engineers, maintenance fitters and safety advisors read more

Labour’s Wes Streeting facing stinking summer as Redbridge bin workers strike over working conditions (18 Jun) – Council refusing to negotiate or improve working conditions to a reasonable standard. Refuse workers in the London Borough of Redbridge are to take strike action due to the council overseeing a deterioration of working conditions, Unite the union announced today (Tuesday 18 June). Workers will take strike action for a week from Monday 1 July until Sunday 7th July meaning that by the general election, rubbish will be building up outside polling stations and homes across the borough including in the constituency of Labour candidate Wes Streeting and where the Redbridge council leader Jas Atwal is seeking to be elected to parliament read more

Orgreave anniversary a reminder of the battles for union rights (18 Jun) – Anti-union and anti-protest legislation continue to show the relevance of Orgreave 40 years on. Unite, the UK’s leading trade union, has today (18 June) spoken out on the anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave, highlighting anti-trade union legislation as a threat to democracy. Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave, one of the defining moments in the history of the union movement where striking miners were brutally and disgracefully beaten and arrested by police officers while peacefully protesting in Orgreave, Yorkshire read more

Envases Liverpool dispute resolved as fire and rehire threats shelved (18 Jun) – Planned strike action by members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, at tin can printers Envases, based in Liverpool, have been called off and the industrial dispute resolved following negotiations. Skilled printers at the company were due to take strike action throughout June after Envases tried to impose new contracts, which would have forced the printers to work in the production hall, were withdrawn following negotiation read more

Drivers at Greater Manchester Accessible Transport forced to strike over ‘poverty pay’ (17 Jun) – Industrial action to take place over failure of company to improve pay offer to acceptable level. Bus drivers in Greater Manchester who transport the elderly and disabled have been forced to take strike action over low pay by Greater Manchester Accessible Transport (GMAT). Members of Unite, the country’s leading trade union, are paid incredibly low wages to do a physically and mentally demanding job. They provide an invaluable service, transporting the elderly, infirm or disabled from their homes across Greater Manchester to vital medical appointments, for essential shopping or for leisure and entertainment… Following a successful industrial ballot, members will be taking strike action for a week from 1 July – 7 July read more

Fresh Gatwick taxi driver protests over lack of Uber enforcement (17 Jun) – Further protests by Gatwick airport taxi drivers angry that Crawley council is failing to act against Uber damaging their livelihoods by breaking local licensing laws will take place tomorrow read more

Unite members at Morrisons win dispute over pensions (17 Jun) – All industrial action suspended after supermarket backs down. Hundreds of warehouse and logistics workers in Cheshire and Yorkshire are celebrating today (Monday 17 June) after accepting new terms and conditions from supermarket chain Morrisons that sees them claim victory in an industrial dispute over pensions, pay and working conditions. The workers had been taking part in strike action over proposed changes to their pension contributions that would have left them hundreds of pounds a year worse off. Additional issues surrounding pay and conditions have also been the subject of the dispute read more

Greenwich council housing workers ramp-up strikes after council refuses to negotiate (17 Jun) – Labour council makes thinly veiled threats on fire and rehire against union members despite Labour party election commitment to abolish it. Nearly 150 workers employed by Greenwich council will escalate strike action next month after the local authority brought in plans that would see them lose nearly a third (30 per cent) of their wages. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are employed within the repairs and investment service department at the London council. Workers will now strike on 1-2 and 15-16 July read more

Whitbread AGM protest over 1,500 job cuts at profiteering firm (17 Jun) – A demonstration will be held at the Whitbread AGM in Dunstable over plans to cut 1,500 jobs, which the company unveiled on the same day as it announced massive profits read more

Unite warns of prospect of strike at Northern Ireland Fisheries and Harbour Authority (16 Jun) – Members of Unite who maintain harbours are paid minimum wage by DAERA arms-length body. DAERA minister challenged on his department’s status as an accredited Living Wage employer. Unite has written to Rural Affairs (DAERA) Andrew Muir to seek an urgent meeting on poverty pay afflicting harbour and fisheries workers. The union represents the overwhelming majority of the workers employed by the Northern Ireland Fisheries and Harbour Authority (NIFHA), an arms-length body funded by DAERA. A strike of NIFHA workers would immediately shutdown the ability of Northern Ireland’s fishing fleet to land their catch at the primary harbours of Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie. The union is seeking intervention by the minister to raise pay of all workers initially to the living wage and to provide pay increments which were recommended in an external grading review conducted in 2019 but which were never implemented read more

Basildon CNH tractor strikes suspended for vote on new offer (12 Jun) – Strikes by more than 500 workers employed at CNH Industrial’s Basildon tractor factory have been suspended to allow workers to ballot on a new pay offer. Industrial action scheduled for 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 June will not take place. If the offer is rejected by the membership, fresh strike action will be announced read more

Strike ballots launched at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports covering ICTS workers (11 Jun) – Unite, Scotland’s leading aviation trade union, confirmed today (Tuesday 11 June) that 300 ICTS central search members based at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports are being balloted for strike action. Scheduled talks on Friday (7June) with ICTS central search management were cancelled at the last minute by the company, and the union has called on the airports’ owner – AGS – to intervene in the escalating pay dispute. The ballots at both airports will open on Monday 17 June and will close on Monday 1 July. If the ballots are successful, then strike action could start mid-July at the peak of the summer holiday rush read more

Coventry electric Hackney cab workers to strike over pay (10 Jun) – London Electric Vehicle Company earning billions as wages fall by 20% in real terms. Around 100 workers employed at the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) in Coventry will strike over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The workers have rejected a 3.5 per cent pay rise plus £400 one off payment for those on lower grades. This is a real terms pay cut, as the real rate of inflation, RPI, was 4.9 per cent when the increase was supposed to be implemented in January this year. Adding to the workers’ anger, is the fact that due to years of below inflation pay rises, wages at LEVC have fallen by 19.9 per cent since 2016. LEVC, which designs, develops and produces electric commercial vehicles and is best known for its electric hackney carriages, is wholly owned by the China-based Geeley Auto group. In the year to December 2023, Geeley had a net cash flow of £3 billion and made profits of £584 million… The workers will take an initial day of strike action on 13 June, followed by an overtime ban. Further strike dates will be called if the dispute is not resolved. Industrial action will severely impact vehicle production at LEVC’s Coventry site read more

Tyne and Wear British Engines pay strikes escalate (10 Jun) – Wages at the profitable firm has fallen by nearly 20% since 2019. Pay strikes by around 170 workers employed in Newcastle and South Shields by historic North East engineering firm British Engines intensified today, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said. Strikes began last month at three British Engine firms – BEL Engineering in Newcastle and Rotary Power and Michell Bearings in South Shields – and will now continue from today (10 June) until 17 June. The workers voted to strike in three separate ballots after being offered a measly three per cent pay rise. Rotary Power workers last week rejected a renewed offer of three per cent plus a one off £500 payment. BEL Engineering also rejected a further offer of three per cent plus a one off £800 payment and Christmas Eve holiday for 2024 only. BEL has so far failed to put forward any new offer for its Michell Bearings workers read more

Unite campaign secures new and improved offer for Barts NHS staff (6 Jun) – Unite has secured a new offer for its members in a long running industrial campaign at Barts NHS Trust, it was announced today (Thursday 6 June). Members of Unite working in a variety of roles at Barts, and at outsourcing company Synergy, have been undertaking industrial action since last year to get the trust to pay them a lump-sum payment for working during the pandemic. Unite’s members at the time worked for another outsourcing company (Serco) before transferring back into the NHS just after the imposed deadline for NHS staff to receive the payment. NHS bosses had rejected their demands and refused to ask the Treasury for additional funding to cover the payment. Following significant strikes and a campaign to put pressure on the Barts board, Unite has now secured a new offer from the trust that they will be balloting their members on in the coming days. Should Unite’s members accept the new offer, it would draw industrial action to a close read more

Jiffy packaging workers in Cheshire to strike over pay and conditions (6 Jun) – Over 50 workers at the Jiffy packaging plant in Winsford, Cheshire, are to strike next month following a pay offer from their employer that Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described as “paltry”. Workers at the plant have been offered a mere 1.5 per cent pay increase despite a cost of living crisis and real rate of inflation (RPI) standing at 4.3 per cent, when the pay increase was due. Workers are therefore receiving a real-terms pay cut. Unite’s members are demanding an eight per cent pay increase backdated to the 1 April 2024. Additionally, workers are furious that they only receive eight weeks of sick pay and want to see an increase to 12 weeks alongside the reinstatement of breaks during the working day and changes to bank holiday working practices…The workers will walk out for nearly two weeks beginning on 1 July and continuing until 13 July. Jiffy Packaging is synonymous with padded envelopes and other packaging materials read more

Ford managers to begin nationwide industrial action (3 Jun) – Hundreds of workers in Dunton, Stratford, Dagenham, Daventry and Halewood angry at Ford’s approach to pay negotiations. Ford managers at sites across the country will begin industrial action later this month in a dispute over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday). The workers have overwhelmingly rejected Ford’s pay offer of only a performance related merit award, which they are not guaranteed to receive. The dispute is being exacerbated by Ford’s refusal to enter into meaningful negotiations, including with the independent conciliation service Acas, even though the workers organised and achieved union recognition in 2023…Strike action may be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved read more

Unite the union workplace reps vote to call off strike action scheduled for tomorrow (3 Jun) – Decision comes after ‘meaningful’ progress made in talks between the four education trade unions and the employer side. Unite the union workplace reps met this afternoon and voted overwhelmingly to call off scheduled strike action tomorrow [Tuesday June 4] following receipt of an opening draft offer for workers from the Education Authority and Department of Education this afternoon. The decision follows a similar one on Saturday by Unite workplace reps to call off today’s [Monday 3 June] strike action to provide space for negotiations read more

Unite launches industrial action ballots across 29 Scottish councils (29 May) – Strike action involving cleansing and waste workers could begin in July. Unite, Scotland’s largest union, has today (Wednesday 29 May) announced that it has served industrial action notices to 29 councils in an escalating pay dispute. The trade union confirmed that it will ballot thousands of its members in cleansing and waste services from 5 June until 1 July when the ballots close. If the ballots for industrial action are successful, Unite revealed that strike action could begin from July with major events potentially being impacted during the summer including the Edinburgh international and fringe festivals…The only councils not involved in Unite’s ballot process are Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, and the Orkney Islands read more

Unite recommends rejection of local government pay offer (28 May) – Local government representatives of Unite, the UK’s leading union, have agreed to recommend rejection of the local government pay offer, for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Unite is now undertaking the process of holding consultative ballots for its workers covered by both the local government green book agreement (the majority of council workers) and the red book (local authority craftworkers). The national employers’ pay offer of a £1,290 flat rate, plus 2.5 per cent on allowances, fails to tackle poverty pay or reverse the years of real terms pay cuts experienced by local government workers read more

Workers at UCU to strike over working practices (23 May) – Nearly 200 workers at the University and College Union (UCU) are to take an initial  day of industrial action in protest at their employer’s working practices, it was announced today (23 May 2024). Unite the union represents UCU’s staff and they are unhappy over the complete breakdown of industrial relations and the unreasonable approach taken by their employer to any negotiations. Unite’s members voted overwhelmingly for strike action. The single day of strike action will take place on 30 May 2024 alongside protests outside UCU’s conference in Bournemouth read more

Unite will make school support staff campaign for a pay and grading review an election issue (23 May) – Unite leader Sharon Graham visits Northern Ireland school support workers’ picket lines and vows to escalate campaign for improved pay and equality. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham committed her union to make an election issue of the campaign of school support workers to secure a six-year overdue pay and grading review after visiting striking education workers on the picket lines outside Mitchell House school in east Belfast yesterday. 1,500 members of Unite working as school support staff for the education authority were undertaking their third day of strike action. The pay and grading review was instructed for implementation by the national joint council pay body in 2018 but which has been left unfunded in both February’s public pay package and the draft executive budget for 2024-25 read more

Vital healthcare and safety equipment workers in Wrexham to strike over pay (21 May) – Over 150 workers in Ruabon, North Wales are taking industrial action after a failure by their employer, Ceramtec UK, to make a decent pay offer. Unite’s members have been offered a measly 79 pence increase to their basic hourly rate. Considering the National Living Wage has increased by £1.02, workers at the factory expect to match or improve on that increase. Ceramtec produces high-tech ceramics for use in healthcare, safety components within the automotive and manufacturing industry. This includes items such as replacement hips and safety transducers but also advanced ceramic components for medical applications. A typical grade C, day worker, who is responsible for manufacturing ceramic medical equipment such as sensors and transducers currently earns just £11.44 per hour. Strikes are due to take place for four days from 28 – 31 May 2024. Disrupted production of Ceramtec’s products could lead to significant consequences for its customers given the use of ‘just in time’ supply chains read more

Safety critical Guys and St Thomas’ security staff intensify pay strikes (20 May) – Strikes by security staff critical to the safe running of Guys and St Thomas’ hospitals in South London have escalated, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The low paid workers, who protect staff and patients across the two hospitals, are asking for a 96p per hour pay rise. Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, however, is refusing to put forward an increase even though the workers are paid less than their counterparts at hospitals across London, such as Kings’ College Hospital, where a security officers’ salary starts at £30,000 per annum… The 30 security workers will strike for 10 days from 23 May to 2 June. Further strike action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved read more

Babcock Marine facing strikes as Clyde nuclear naval base workers balloted over pay (20 May) – Strike action involving 600 workers looming at Coulport and Faslane naval bases. Unite the union confirmed today (20 May) that its membership at the Coulport and Faslane naval bases on the Clyde will be balloted on industrial action in a dispute over pay. The dispute involves 600 Unite members employed by Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd who undertake specialist services for the UK’s nuclear deterrent submarines. The offer amounts to a seven per cent increase backdated to August 2023, and three per cent for the next pay round effective from August this year. Unite’s membership have emphatically rejected the two year pay offer by 99 per cent. Unite maintains the offer represents a substantial pay cut as the true rate of inflation, RPI, stood at 9.1 per cent when the pay increase was due in August last year. The ballot which runs for two weeks opens tomorrow (21 May) and closes on 11 June read more

Fresh strike dates for workers at GXO Logistics, says Unite (17 May) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, is escalating strike action at London’s GXO Logistics, in a dispute over alarmingly low pay. Unite members will now strike from Tuesday 28 May until Tuesday 18 June. New dates for the warehouse worker walkout have been announced to include weekend shifts – causing further disruption to food and beverage distribution across the capital read more

Bosch Rexroth workers back strike action in pay dispute (2 May) – 250 Glenrothes based workers set for 12-weeks strike. Unite has confirmed today (Thursday 2 May) that around 250 members working at Bosch Rexroth in Glenrothes have backed strike action in a dispute over a massive real terms pay cut. Unite’s membership overwhelmingly supported taking strike action by 83.2 per cent on a 66.8 per cent turnout. The trade union can further confirm that the workforce is now set to take 12 weeks of continuous strike action starting on 20 May until the close of play on 11 August. The dispute centres on the German-owned global tech and engineering giant making a rejected 1.25 per cent pay offer which represents a massive real terms pay cut. Bosch Rexroth engineer parts for the construction industry including gears and brakes, as well as parts for forklift trucks read more

New wave of strikes in Haringey as housing repair workers walk out over pay (26 Apr) – Housing repair workers in the London borough of Haringey are to take further strike action next week as they escalate the dispute over pay with the council. Over 100 Unite members will be taking industrial action from 29 April until 2 May. The long-running dispute has seen members already take 15 days of industrial action but the employer has refused to negotiate. Unite members are in dispute with the council over several issues including:

·       The refusal to increase annual leave for housing maintenance workers to match the increase over council employees annual leave

·       The failure to increase allowances, including London weighting and out of hours payments, in line with the 2022 and 2023 pay awards

·       The failure to increase craft productivity scheme rates, allowances and limits since 2014 read more

Sullom Voe oil terminal facing industrial action in pay and recognition disputes (24 Apr) – Worley Services and Altrad workers unanimously back strike action. Unite the union can confirm that its Worley Services and Altrad Services members are the latest group of oil and gas workers to demand a better deal on jobs, pay and conditions at the Sullom Voe terminal in the Shetland Islands. Unite can further reveal that its membership employed by Worley Services and Altrad Services both unanimously backed strike action in industrial action ballots. Unite represents over 40 Worley Services workers including chargehands, pipefitters, riggers, mechanical fitters along with electrical and instrument technicians. The dispute centres on Unite members demanding a significant pay increase, and improvements to other terms and conditions. The demands include the establishment of a union recognition agreement with Worley Services in order that Unite can formally bargain on jobs, pay and conditions. If there is no meaningful movement by Worley then 24 hour strike action will take place on 7 and 21 May. This will be followed by 48-hour strike action taking place on 4-5 June, and 18-19 June read more

GLL workers in Greenwich stage further walkout over pay and conditions (23 Apr) – Library workers in Greenwich are to stage a further 24-hour strike after their employer, GLL, failed to negotiate a resolution to the dispute. Over 60 workers across the London Borough of Greenwich will walk out on 30 April as part of a long-running dispute over pay and the use of zero-hour contracts. GLL promotes itself as a London Living Wage (LLW) employer and yet some employees receive below the LLW and GLL has also delayed implementation of a rise to the LLW by nearly six months. Employees at GLL are rightly furious over its behaviour and the employer has refused all offers from Unite to come to the negotiating table. As well as the strike, demonstrations will be taking place across the borough. Unite is seeking to draw attention to the presence of three Labour councillors who sit on the board of GLL. Greenwich is Labour-run and yet it is  contracting services to an organisation that uses zero hour contracts and fails to recognise trade unions despite describing itself as a “social enterprise” read more

Birkenhead hospital workers on strike over pay and grading (17 Apr) – Healthcare workers at the Arrowe Park Hospital in the Wirral, Merseyside, are striking this week and next week over a failure to recognise their workplace responsibilities. Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, who work as recovery theatre practitioners, who care for patients recovering from serious operations, are not being paid appropriately by their employer, the Wirral University Hospital Trust. The vital healthcare workers are being paid a grade below the level of responsibility and duties they are providing. Workers have been left up to £8,000 out of pocket due to being wrongly graded…Having exhausted all avenues of negotiation with their employer, staff have been left with no option but to head to the picket line. The workers were on strike yesterday (16 April) and today (17 April). More strikes are scheduled for next week, 23 and 24 April read more

Offshore chemists, heating and ventilation engineers resume strike action in escalating disputes (12 Apr) – Unite members in industrial action against IES Callenberg and SGS UK Limited over rotas and pay. Unite the union confirmed today (Friday 12 April) that around 60 members in the offshore sector including chemists, heating and ventilation engineers will resume strike action next week in escalating disputes over working rotas and pay. Unite’s IES Callenberg membership will take three-days of strike action starting on Monday (15 April) until the end of Wednesday (17 April), while chemists employed by SGS UK Limited will start week-long action on the same day but conclude their action on Sunday (21 April). The IES Callenberg dispute involves around 50 offshore workers who provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services on offshore platforms operated by BP, TAQA, CNR, Repsol, Serica and CNOOC. The SGS UK Limited dispute exclusively centres on chemists servicing BP’s platforms the Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP and Glen Lyon read more

Northern Ireland: Workers at Balcas Timber Ltd in Enniskillen to ballot for strike action in pay dispute (9 Apr) – Workers reject below inflation pay increase offered by company whose latest accounts reported a dramatic surge in profits.

Unite the union has today notified management at Balcas Timber Ltd, a wood-mill and Combined Heat Power plant employing approximately 280 at Killadeas, Co Fermanagh of its intent to conduct a strike ballot of the workforce. The strike ballot will open on Tuesday 16 April and remain open for three weeks closing on Tuesday 7 May. The workforce are paid as little £10.68 an hour, which is only now being increased to £11.44 an hour to comply with national minimum wage legislation read more

CWU

Fleet Ballot Result (13 Jun) – We are pleased to announce the result of the Fleet Pay ballot for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 pay rises. Total ballot papers received: 600 (66%); Yes votes: 470 (79%); No votes: 127 (21%); Spoilt ballot papers: 3

Therefore, CWU Fleet members have overwhelmingly endorsed the Fleet pay agreement read more

Save Enniskillen EE (ex-BT) siteThe EE Enniskillen call centre is a lifeline for our community. It’s closure threatens over 300 jobs, eroding the heart of our local economy. This is a community crisis. Local businesses, public services, and the Fermanagh economy stand on the brink of a devastating blow

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]  

New ballot of ISS workers in Whitehall shows chaos of outsourcing (24 Jun) – PCS members employed by ISS as cleaners and security guards at BEIS have launched a ballot for strike action. The nearly 60 PCS members work as cleaners and security guards at two BEIS offices in Whitehall. These are workers who are typically exploited for profit by outsourcing companies, but they are adamant that their pay and conditions should reflect the hard work and value they contribute to the running of the civil service. The PCS members are demanding £17 an hour and while PCS has met with ISS managers, ISS has failed to make a serious offer. In addition, the members are asking for improvements to conditions that go some way towards matching the contracts of civil servants working in the same building. The ballot runs from 24 June to 8 July read more

G4S strikers to take further action on election day (21 Jun) – PCS has announced strike action at DWP jobcentres on the day and during the week of the general election to send a message that those on G4S contracts must receive a decent pay increase. More than 200 PCS members working as security guards in jobcentres began 7 days’ action over pay on 17 June. These hardworking members – who are employed by G4S to provide essential security to keep DWP employees and claimants safe – will take further action from election day on 4 July to 7 July, from 15 July to 21 July, and from 29 July to 4 August. This means that there will be strike action impacting the DWP on the day of the general election and the days after to welcome the incoming government read more

PCS threatens new Rwanda legal challenge (19 Jun) – PCS has threatened further legal action over the UK Government’s Rwanda scheme. Working with solicitors Duncan Lewis, we have sent a pre-action letter to secretary of state for defence Grant Shapps, putting him on notice of a legal challenge if he attempts to arrange for the Ministry of Defence to assist in flying asylum-seekers to Rwanda read more

Use the e-action to fight de-recognition of PCS at the Imperial War Museum (12 Jun) – The e-action sends an email to the director general asking her to halt plans to derecognise PCS, and preserve workers’ voices and rights. On 6 March, Imperial War Museum Director Francoise Harris wrote to PCS, FDA and Prospect unions confirming that they wish to derecognise PCS and FDA and move forward with only one union, Prospect. The three unions, Prospect, PCS, and FDA have a constructive and collaborative relationship and all three have appealed to management at the IWM not to derecognise PCS and FDA read more

Protesting Welsh culture cuts (4 Jun) – Protesters took to the streets of Cardiff, joining PCS members from Amgueddfa Cymru-Museum Wales and the National Library of Wales, to march and rally against Welsh culture sector cuts read more

Liverpool museum workers vote to accept pay offer (3 Jun) – PCS members at the National Museums Liverpool have voted to accept an improved pay offer, bringing to an end their long-running dispute. The staff took more than 60 days of action over the employer withholding a £1500 cost-of-living payment, which was part of the government’s pay offer for 2022/23. The action led to widespread gallery closures affecting the Museum of Liverpool, the World Museum, the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum, as well as the Walker Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Planned action last week was suspended so NML members could vote on an offer from management, and yesterday they voted to accept an offer of a one-off £1,200 cost-of-living payment, two extra days’ holiday a year and a 35% discount in museum cafes read more

Vibrant picket line kicks off latest round of Heathrow walkouts (31 May) – The first day of the latest Heathrow Border Force strike action got off to a brilliant start with reps and members out on a vibrant and playful picket line. More than 500 PCS members in Border Force at Heathrow airport started 3 days’ strike action today in an ongoing dispute over a new roster that has been imposed. It will be followed by 3 weeks of action short of a strike that will include a work to rule and overtime ban running from 4 to 25 June read more. Sign the petition to support striking Heathrow workers

Conference deplores dismissal of HMRC reps (23 May) – Conference deplored the actions of HMRC in dismissing two PCS reps from Benton Park View, and in recent weeks, for launching a further two conduct and discipline cases read more

PCS strike ballot results published (15 May) – The ballot papers have been counted in our strike ballot that closed on 13 May. Our ballot of 171 civil service and related areas for strike action over our national campaign demands closed on Monday, 13 May. The ballot papers have now been counted. The total percentage of members voting yes for strike action was 83.7% of those who voted. But while a large percentage of members voted for action, the number of people who can strike is severely limited by the Tories’ anti-union laws. We achieved over 50% (the turnout required by law for strike action) in employers including DVSA, HM Land Registry, DEFRA, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Rural Payments Agency. This means that in those areas we have a legal mandate to take strike action. The turn-out figures in the areas that were below the 50% needed for action still place us in a strong position for negotiating with the government in those specific areas and more generally across the civil service. The PCS national executive committee (NEC) is meeting today to discuss the results and our annual delegate conference in Brighton next week will decide on the next steps in the campaign. Reports of decisions made at conference will be posted regularly on the PCS website read more

PCS members to begin industrial action at ONS (25 Apr) – The action short of a strike from 8 May will take the form of non-compliance with the mandatory return to the office directive. PCS members in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will begin action short of a strike on 8 May over the organisation’s introduction of a mandatory workplace attendance policy. Members voted overwhelmingly for strike action and action short of strike in a ballot that closed on 2 April, in response to an instruction that staff spend at least 40% of their working time in an office, with effect from the start of April read more

Pensions Regulator strike suspended (13 Mar) – The strike action has been suspended as a result of TPR agreeing to enter into meaningful negotiations with PCS. The strike action which was due to restart today and continue into next week has been suspended as a result of TPR agreeing to enter into meaningful negotiations with PCS over the proposals we have made to end the dispute. Importantly TPR has agreed with the key proposal that they commit to securing the funding for the full percentage pay increase to the overall pay pot suggested by the 2024/25 Treasury Pay Remit Guidance. The have stated that they are already engaging with DWP on the pay strategy for the year ahead. They have also committed to submitting a pay flexibility case for the Pay Remit Guidance in 2024/25 which will guarantee additional money to the basic pay remit pot. TPR have also agreed “to engage in meaningful consultation, on matters relating to TPR’s employee value proposition, including reward, annual leave entitlement and the pay and terms and conditions of staff TUPE transferred to TPR.“ The agreement from TPR management is as a result of PCS members taking over 50 days of strike action since 2023. We have reminded TPR that we still have a mandate for strike action until 8 May and that a failure to progress the issues in good faith and time will result in further strike action. TPR members remain in the PCS national campaign and will be participating in the ballot due to start on Monday 18 March read more

Sign our petition for members in Hinduja Global Solutions to keep their jobs (12 Mar) – Members in HGS in Liverpool have been told they will need to relocate 40 miles to keep their jobs. In November 2023 Hinduja Global Solutions announced a significant restructure on the Disclosure and Barring Service contract, which they planned to take effect from 1 April 2024. Staff were told that the restructure was a direct result of the new contract for services between HGS and DBS. The impact on PCS members in Liverpool has been damaging because the changes mean a 41% reduction in headcount (later reduced to a 26% cut) and withdrawal of all staff from the Tithebarn Street office, meaning HGS would no longer have a presence in the city read more

Prospect  

Scottish football referees achieve workers status after campaign from Prospect (21 Jun) – Scottish football referees have achieved recognition from the SFA of their status as workers after a campaign from their trade union Prospect read more

Prospect survey highlights need for employers to provide better support for neurodiverse tech workers (19 Jun) – Prospect has published the results of a survey into the experiences of neurodiverse workers in the UK tech sector, that shows that just one in four employers in the sector have explicit policies to support those with neurodivergent conditions read more

Prospect wins for two members on Sellafield back pay issue (18 Jun) – Prospect has successfully challenged a decision by Sellafield not to give back pay owed to staff because they had left their employment with the company in the time between a Pay Offer being made, and the date when the Pay Award was formally agreed read more

Prospect members at Dounreay to take industrial action for first time in a generation (15 Apr) – Prospect members at Dounreay have voted to take industrial action over pay, starting with two days of strike action on May 1st and May 2nd followed by a work to rule read more

GMB  

Brighton and Hove bosses claim ignorance over sex discrimination (24 Jun) – Brighton and Hove Council (BHCC) bosses claiming to be unaware of sex discrimination at the council is ‘staggering’. GMB, the union for Equal Pay in Brighton, has written to the local authority requesting a meeting to discuss large scale lodging of equal pay claims. But the council’s hierarchy doesn’t seem clear about what information it already has, relating to equal pay and the discrimination of thousands of its own staff. These roles include school support staff – such as teaching assistants – cleaners, caterers, care workers, adult social care staff and many more who deserve to be paid equally to those in male dominated roles. Men in these roles will most likely have claims too read more

Amazon union recognitions vote process begins (19 Jun) – The ballot period for GMB union recognition at Amazon UK begins today [Wednesday]. More than 3,000 Amazon workers will now take part in a month-long process, which includes a vote at the retail giant’s Coventry fulfilment centre. The legally binding ballot, overseen by the Government’s Central Arbitration Committee, could force Amazon to recognise a trade union. Recognition would mean Amazon would have to negotiate with GMB on terms, pay and conditions for Amazon workers at the site. It would be the first time Amazon has recognised a trade union in UK history. The strike vote comes after the year-long dispute between GMB union members and Amazon, which has seen over thirty days of strike action. Amazon has been slammed in recent weeks for union-busting tactics in the lead up to the ballot and is already facing a legal challenge for pressuring workers into cancelling their union membership. Workplace meetings on the ballot will begin from today [Wednesday 19 June] with voting from Monday 8 July. The result will be announced after Monday 15 July read more

More than 1,400 job centre security guards walk out for a week (17 Jun) – More than 1,400 Job Centre security guards begin a week long strike in anger at pay rates that see 90 per cent of them paid just the minimum wage. Security guards employed by G4S across the UK walked out today [Monday] and will stay on strike until Saturday [22 June 2024]. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has handed G4S £211 million to run security at job centres – despite employment costs being just £161 million during the same period read more

Industrial action woes escalate for defence giant Rolls Royce (11 Jun) – Workers will refuse overtime work in the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

GMB union has today announced that members at Rolls Royce’s submarine programme in Derby have backed an escalation in the ongoing industrial action facing the company. Workers will now engage in an overtime ban, meaning company managers will not be able to call on staff to fulfil already groaning order books outside of contracted hours. An overtime ban will come into place from Friday 31 May for one month read more

More than 130 NHS workers strike at Liverpool hospital (10 Jun) – More than 130 porters cleaners and catering staff will walk out today. Workers at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital will start day two of strike action today [Monday]. The NHS staff were employed by an arms length provider – which means they missed out on a lump sum payment given to other health worker colleagues. The strike, which could go on for another eight days, comes after their first day of action Friday (7 June) read more

Stonehenge School rocked by strike ballot (5 Jun) – Wiltshire school close to famous landmark being balloted by GMB union. GMB, the union for school support staff, is balloting members at The Stonehenge School in Amesbury, Wiltshire over changes to working practices. More than a dozen members of support staff are being balloted over changes to working practices, including additional duties interrupting the lunch breaks enjoyed by some colleagues for 17 years. The ballot opens on Monday 10 June and closes on Monday 1 July read more

Strike set to ‘decimate’ services at Orpington’s Princess Royal Hospital (28 May) – More than 100 workers at Princess Royal University Hospital are set to down tools from early morning on Wednesday 29 until midnight on Thursday 30 May.

Members of GMB, the union for healthcare workers, voted to take action over a number of workplace issues, including regularly delayed pay and non-payment of a Covid bonus paid to other colleagues on site. The striking workers are employed by the hospital’s private contractor ISS as cleaners, caterers, porters and security staff. Anyone wishing to visit the picket line can do so any time from Wednesday 29 May 00:01 to Thursday 30 May at 23:59, with a demonstration photocall between 9am and 10am on Wednesday. The demonstration will be outside the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, Orpington, BR6 8ND read more

Asda Brighton Hollingbury Bank Holiday Weekend strike set to cause barbecue chaos (24 May) – Customers will have to cross a picket line to get barbecue and picnic supplies. More than 100 workers at Asda’s Brighton Hollingbury superstore are set to down tools from 20:00 on Friday 24 May until 15:00 on Saturday 25 May read more

Asda Lowestoft workers announce strike dates (18 Apr) – Asda workers Lowestoft have announced the dates they will strike. Almost 200 workers are set to down tools for 48 hours from 00:01 on Friday 10 May until 23.59 on Saturday 11 May read more

Wisbech Asda workers in two day Easter strike (28 Mar) – Asda Wisbech workers will strike this Easter weekend on one of the supermarket’s busiest periods. Around 170 Wisbech Asda workers will walk out from 00:01 to 23:59 on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 March – Easter weekend. The strike has been caused by cuts to hours and an increase in a bullying management culture. Workers are also angry about poor levels of training and support for their job roles, the equal pay claim dragging on for years, health, safety and fire safety issues being ignored and a lack of collective bargaining with GMB Union read more

Nottinghamshire hospital workers announce more strikes (24 May) – Private contractors at three of Nottinghamshire’s biggest hospitals are set for two more days of strikes. Employed by Medirest, a private contractor in Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust, workers are furious as company bosses refuse to keep terms and conditions in line with colleagues employed directly by the NHS. Strike action will take place from 06:00 on Thursday 30 May through to 05:59 on Saturday 01 June. Nearly three hundred workers, including porters, cleaners, security staff, catering workers and reception teams will take part in the walkout at King’s Mill, Mansfield Community and Newark Community Hospitals read more

Birmingham faces school strike escalation (22 May) – GMB Union will ballot members in 35 additional schools. Along with the thirty-five that took part in strike action earlier this month, this brings the total number of Birmingham schools facing equal pay strike distribution in the city to 70. Workers including teaching assistants, catering staff and grounds maintenance workers will take part in the ballot. The vote comes after the union slammed council bosses for delays and broken promises on settling GMB members claims for equal pay read more

BCP Council hit by GMB union strike ballot (20 May) – Council workers being balloted over non-disclosure of information relating to job re-evaluation. Members of GMB, the union for BCP Council, are now being balloted as part of a long-running dispute, centred around the council’s job re-evaluation and regrading process. The workers are based within the council’s waste, recycling and street services and are based at the Southcote Road and Hatchpond Depots. The council is aiming to harmonise pay across the council, after the coming together of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Borough Councils on 1 April 2019. Despite several meetings with GMB union since members first rejected the council proposal in mid-March, council staff are still not being allowed to see data informing them of how changes will affect them personally. The formal ballot, scrutinised by Civica, is now open and will close on Wednesday 29 May, meaning any strike action could take place as early as mid-June read more

More than 3,000 NI education workers announce strike dates (14 May) – More than 3,000 GMB members working in Northern Ireland’s education will strike in a dispute over pay and grading

Classroom assistants, drivers, bus escorts, catering staff, cleaning staff, administrative, building supervisors and technicians are set to take four days of industrial action on 20 and 21 May and 3 and 4 June 2024. This mainly low paid women workforce are either are on temporary contracts, only work term time or are on part-time contracts. GMB, along with Nipsa, Unison and Unite, is fighting for a fully funded implementation of the education pay and grading Review for these workers. Primary responsibility for funding lies with the Northern Ireland Assembly and ultimately with Treasury read more

Cheshire nuclear workers vote to strike (13 May) – Nuclear workers in Cheshire have voted to strike in a dispute over pay. Around 500 staff at the Urenco Nuclear site in Capenhurst voted for industrial action after pay talks broke down. Unions GMB, Unite and Prospect will now meet with members to discuss strike dates read more

Swindon Borough Council faces strike vote over ‘colonial era work practices,’ says GMB (24 Apr) – Social workers at Swindon Borough Council are set for a strike vote over ‘colonial era working practices’, GMB Union claims. Staff – many recruited directly from India – were handed a contractually agreed £8,000 signing on bonus and a £7,000 recruitment and retention bonuses spread over three years. The recruitment and retention bonus has now been stopped but they are still being told if they leave Swindon Council within three years, they will have to pay back the £8,000. The move only affects staff recruited from India – with no equivalent reduction of money for social workers from the UK. All 14 workers have written writing to management but have been ignored, while Jim Robbins, Labour leader of the council, has not responded to GMB Union. The ballot closes on Friday 26 April 2024 read more

Epsom & St Helier ambulance strike to begin on Wednesday amid union claims of expensive strike busting (22 Apr) – The Trust look set to pay for private hire vehicles for patients on the strike days but not to pay these members what they’re owed, says GMB. GMB, the union for NHS workers, can today announce the dates for the strike action at Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust. Members of the union employed as Care Assistants in the patient transfer ambulances will be taking strike action this Wednesday [24 April] and will also strike on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Tuesday 7 May. The escalating dispute centres around backpay, with some workers owed up to £1300 for non-payment of the London Living Wage read more

South Western Ambulance Workers balloted over ‘dangerous’ breaks (16 Apr) – South Western Ambulance Trust (SWAST) workers are set to be balloted over a break policy which could be dangerous. Workers are forced to take their break wherever the nearest, often overcrowded, depot is and have been advised to carry their food in their cabs. The union has health and safety concerns over the new policy – including the risk of food poisoning due to a lack of chilled storage and loose food and drink containers posing a risk when travelling at speed responding to an emergency. GMB, the union for ambulance workers, has told SWAST some staff with reasonable adjustments prescribed by occupational health must be exempt from the policy – but management has so far refused to hear grievances. The ballot is due to close on 17 May 2024 and could see members balloted formally for strike action read more

Unison  

Donate to support striking workersAs UNISON members continue to take strike action, the union is asking for donations to its strike fund  

Stop the Council Cuts – Sign the petition: Save our Services – Nottingham City – started by Nottingham City Unison

Support Barnet UNISON Mental Health social worker strike – Mental Health Social Worker Strike Escalates! (17 May) – UNISON has sent a strike notification to the soon to be departing chief executive stating that our members will be on strike for the period between 3 June and 14 June. Our previous strike timetable was as follows:-

  • From 15 April to 26 April 2024 (two weeks). Already taken.
  • From 13 May to 1 June 2024 (three weeks).
  • From 17 June to 12 July 2024. (four weeks).

The strike notification in effect means our members will be on strike continuously from Monday 13 May until Friday 12 July a total of nine weeks read more   

Barnet UNISON: “BANNERS HELD HIGH” lobby : Tuesday 9 July 6 pm – On behalf of our mental health social worker strikers, in solidarity with the 40th Anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, Barnet UNISON is inviting supporters to our: “BANNERS HELD HIGH” lobby of Barnet Council Full Council – Tuesday 9 July 6pm outside Hendon Town Hall, NW4 4BG. The nearest tube station is Hendon station on the northern line. Turn right out of the station for a 10-minute walk up the hill then turn right at the top and the Town Hall is a one-minute walk on the left. In 2015, our branch had the honour to march through Thatcher’s back yard with the late Davey Hopper and the Durham Miners banner, and the iconic LGSM banner.

Send messages of support to [email protected]

Watch video!! #BarnetUNISON mental health social workers speaking out against strike breaking

Please sign this statement of solidarity in support of striking Barnet Unison mental health social workers – On behalf of Barnet UNISON mental health social workers who have taken 61 days of strike action over a ten-month period I have a solidarity request.

First could you sign this statement, and second could you circulate to those who would also sign this statement.

https://bit.ly/barnetstrike

Solidarity, John Burgess, Branch Secretary Barnet UNISON

NHS employers need to pay staff fairly or face strike action (21 Jun) – Rebanding campaign has now won £80m in back pay for staff. NHS managers must ensure health workers are on the correct salary bands for the jobs they do and avoid the need for further strike action this year, says UNISON today (Friday). Since 2021, the union has taken an employer-by-employer approach to help healthcare assistants across the UK win wage rises, including around £80m in back pay, to make up for years of being paid significantly less than they should have been read more

Workers in councils and schools should reject low pay offer, says UNISON (23 May) – Staff to be consulted over employers’ pay proposal. Council and school staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are worth far more than the “disappointing” pay increase they’ve been offered by employers, says UNISON today (Thursday). The union is to consult hundreds of thousands of workers in local government over the £1,290 offer made last week, with a recommendation they vote to reject it. UNISON is calling for an improvement to pay that fairly rewards council and school staff, many of whom are in low-wage roles, for the essential services they provide read more

Striking NHS staff across Teesside announce five more days of action (15 May) – UNISON has repeatedly asked the trusts to negotiate a resolution to the dispute but the employers have so far refused to do so. Healthcare assistants employed by North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been forced to take a further period of strike action in their dispute over wage rates and back pay, says UNISON today (Wednesday). The latest action will begin at 8am on Monday (20 May) and continue for five days until Saturday morning. This round of walkouts across Teesside follows a 24-hour strike in March and a 72-hour stoppage last month (April), in which hundreds of staff left their posts across seven sites at the two trusts. Staff have been campaigning to move to a wage band in the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale that more accurately reflects the work they’ve been doing and secure a fair back pay settlement read more

  

NIPSA  

Education – Pay And Grading Review Offer (24 Jun) – The following issued by email earlier today to all members working in Education under NJC terms (all attachments below): Please see attached documents detailing the proposals for resolution of our current industrial action in education.

I would ask that you give these documents your attention and that you attend consultation meetings. Details to follow. I would be grateful if you could circulate this to colleagues who are not on NIPSA’s email system.

Patrick Mulholland Deputy General Secretary read more

Concern over draft disciplinary policy procedure from LGSC (17 Jun) – NIPSA concerned over the detail contained in the draft Disciplinary Policy and Procedure which has been tabled by the Local Government Staff Commission as a statutory recommendation for implementation across Councils in NI. Please see the attached NIPSA formal submission to the LGSC detailing our concerns on behalf of member read more

PSNI members ballot for industrial action (3 Jun) – NIPSA’s members in the PSNI are participating in a ballot for Industrial Action and Action Short of Strike Action. This is in relation to the years of stagnation whereby police staff are given significantly less than their Police Officer counterparts in what is widely known as “danger money”, formally named the “Revised Environmental Allowance” (REA). IPSA members face similar threats as their Officer counterparts on a daily basis yet are only afforded 1/7th of the financial reward of their colleagues in green.  This threat is solely linked to being employed by the PSNI and our members are considered ‘legitimate targets’ by those who wish to disrupt society and threaten peace read more

Education members update: its your future, fight for it (21 May) – Welcome to this edition of our NIPSA Members Update for education workers. We hope you find it useful. You will be aware that NIPSA is involved in action to achieve Pay and Grading justice. This has involved publicity, campaigning, lobbying and industrial action. We have made considerable progress but there is still some distance to go. With that in mind NIPSA Education Strike Committee met today, 21 May 2024, to agree next steps. All NIPSA branches in education were represented. The Strike Committee has agreed the following, A strike day on Monday 3 June 2024 read more

Health Strike (30 Apr) – NIPSA, the largest trade union in Northern Ireland, has issued notice to the Belfast Health Trust that strike action will commence on May 8 and continue until May 10. This action is being taken in Family and Childcare (social services). The strike action will run in parallel with action short of strike action and will be expanded to other health trusts over the next few weeks. Approximately 40 NIPSA members will take part in the strike action read more

Royal College of Nursing  

RCN members vote to reject pay offer for nursing staff in Northern Ireland (22 Mar) – The results of the RCN’s consultation on the HSC pay offer for nursing staff in Northern Ireland have been announced 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  

RCM

RCM launches snap poll for members in Northern Ireland (22 Apr) – The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is calling all its members in Northern Ireland to take part in its snap poll on additional hours worked which launches today. The RCM wants to know how many unpaid extra hours its members worked during last week, 15-21 April. Midwives and Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) can let the RCM know by taking this quick poll here. Earlier this month RCM members in England, Scotland and Wales told the RCM that they had worked 136,834 extra unpaid hours to keep services running safely. The RCM says that now members in Northern Ireland have voted to accept the pay offer, it’s their turn to tally up the extra unpaid hours they’ve been working read more

BMA  

Donate to support striking junior doctors  

Junior doctors offer Government ‘final chance’ to settle pay dispute (20 Jun) – Letter to prime minister lays out opportunity to avoid five days of industrial action. Junior doctors have issued an ultimatum to the prime minister, warning he can avert upcoming strike action by making a written commitment to restoring pay read more

Junior doctors plan strike prior to general election (29 May) – BMA requested Government make final offer which failed to materialise forcing further action. Junior doctors in England are set to resume strike action ahead of the general election, following the Government’s failure to provide a credible offer over restoring pay. The association’s junior doctors committee has announced doctors will stage a full, five-day walkout from 7am 27 June, unless the Government announces a ‘concrete commitment’ to restoring pay. Following months of industrial action, the BMA announced earlier this month that it had agreed to enter externally mediated talks with the Government in an effort to reach a ‘credible solution’ over the long-running pay dispute. Today’s announcement of renewed strikes comes after prime minister Rishi Sunak’s decision last week on 22 May to call a general election for 4 July. Following this announcement, the association said it gave ministers a ‘final opportunity’ to make an offer and avoid further strike action, but that this request was ignored. BMA junior doctors committee co-chairs Robert Laurenson and Vivek Trivedi said that doctors will now embark on a full walk-out by junior doctors beginning at 7am 27 June 2024 and ending 7am 2 July read more

SAS doctors accept improved pay offer (18 Jan) – SAS doctors will receive a basic pay uplift of between 6.1% and 9.22% of their current pay read more

Urgent action demand on pay in Northern Ireland (6 Jun) – Junior doctors begin another round of industrial activity. Junior doctors will gather at Stormont today in a rally to mark the latest round of industrial action in Northern Ireland. Hundreds of junior doctors are expected to take part in the event at the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly to call for urgent action to reverse years of real-terms pay decline read more

Strike for fair pay commences (22 May) – Rejection of demand for full pay restoration forces walk-out in Northern Ireland read more

Consultants in Northern Ireland to be balloted for industrial action (25 Apr) – No alternative’ as talks break down and deal agreed in England. Consultants in Northern Ireland are to be balloted on industrial action, the BMA has announced. The five-week ballot will open on 7 May 2024 after talks between consultant representatives from the BMA Northern Ireland consultants committee and the devolved Department of Health broke down read more

Doctors to enter pay negotiations with the Welsh Government (9 Apr) – BMA Cymru Wales has suspended forthcoming industrial action for Consultants and SAS doctors following a constructive meeting with the Welsh government to resolve its pay disputes. As a result of sustained pressure, including three rounds of industrial action by junior doctors in Wales, the Welsh Government has made a significant proposal to form the basis of talks to end the pay disputes with all secondary care doctors including Consultants, SAS and Junior doctors. Since the meeting last week, the committees representing doctors from all three branches of practice have voted to enter pay negotiations based on this proposal. The planned 48-hour strike by Consultants and SAS doctors due to take place from 16th April will now be suspended. Junior doctors have paused plans to announce more strike dates whilst they enter negotiations with the Welsh Government. The Welsh junior doctors committee, Welsh SAS committee and Welsh consultants committee will now each engage in pay negotiations, with the aim of reaching deals which can be taken separately to their respective members read more

HCSA

HCSA pledges to continue campaign for a better deal for SAS doctors (18 Jun) – HCSA has pledged to continue to campaign for a better deal on pay and terms for SAS doctors in England after the BMA and the government agreed a settlement which leaves key questions unanswered read more

HCSA announces first ever Northern Ireland strike ballot (7 Jun) – HCSA – the hospital doctors’ union has today announced plans for its first ever ballot of consultant and SAS grade members in Northern Ireland on strike action over pay. The union’s ruling Council voted overwhelmingly to move to a formal ballot after an indicative vote showed strong support against a backdrop of years of real-terms pay cuts, staffing shortages and rock-bottom morale. Senior doctors in HCSA will be asked whether they agree to strike action and action short of strike when the vote opens on June 19th read more

NEU

Majority of teachers considered leaving over Ofsted (16 Jun) – National Education Union poll finds nearly three quarters of teachers have considered leaving the profession because of the negative impact of Ofsted on workload and their mental health read more

NEU launches manifesto for education (3 Jun) – The union has identified ten key policy areas in need of urgent attention from the next Government. As part of its Value Education, Vote for Education campaign, the National Education Union (NEU) has today launched its manifesto for education. The union has identified ten key policy areas in need of urgent attention from the next Government read more

Support the following action:-

Action Date Contact Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill / Southampton (Conditions of Service) 25 June Bruno Russell [email protected] Bryon Court Primary / Brent (Forced Academisation) 25, 27 June Jennifer Cooper [email protected] St Anne’s School & Sixth Form / East Riding (Conditions of Service) 25-28 June Damian Walenta [email protected] Baird Primary / East Sussex (Redundancies) 26 June Phil Clarke [email protected] Burgess Hill Academy / West Sussex (Redundancies) 26 June Anne Barker [email protected] Hastings Academy / East Sussex (Redundancies) 26 June Phil Clarke [email protected] Robsack Wood Primary Academy (Redundancies) 26 June Phil Clarke [email protected] St Leonard’s Academy / East Sussex 26 June Phil Clarke [email protected] St Benedict’s / Ealing (TPS) 26-27 June Stefan Simms [email protected] Ballard School / Hampshire (Pay) 27-28 June Craig Arden [email protected] Oulton Academy / Leeds (Conditions of Service) 28 June Terry Bambrook [email protected]

NASUWT

Manchester teachers strike over sacking of union rep (24 Jun) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union are starting the first of eleven planned days of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester over the decision by employers to select the NASUWT’s workplace rep for redundancy and other adverse management practices. NASUWT maintains that the employer has failed to provide a legitimate reason or business case for redundancy and that there is evidence of discrimination on the grounds of trade union membership. The dismissal of a trade union rep is the latest in a pattern of adverse management practices at the school which are impacting the wider staff. These include the way in which staff absence is being managed and the use of support plans read more

Teachers at Ealing school strike over pensions attack (18 Jun) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at St Benedict’s School in Ealing are starting the first of eight planned days of strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) over attempts to make teachers choose between their pension or their pay. The employer is attempting to remove staff from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and enrol them in an inferior scheme which will offer less security in retirement. If teachers choose to remain in the TPS they must accept a pay cut to stay in the scheme read more

Strike action in Northumberland schools over jobs threat (5 Jun) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union are starting the first of six planned days of strike action tomorrow (Thursday) at three middle schools in Northumberland where approximately 50 to 60 teachers are at threat of losing their jobs over reorganisation plans. From the outset, Northumberland County Council committed to protect staff from Job losses, but they have so far failed to honour this pledge. Northumberland County Council plans to close Glendale, Tweedmouth and Berwick Middle Schools as part of a move to a primary and secondary school system. Currently, the Council is refusing to consider either redeployment or voluntary redundancy schemes for affected teachers read more

Llangors Church In Wales primary teachers shunned by Powys LA (5 Jun) – Now in their 13th week of industrial dispute over adverse management, governance and avoidable redundancy through financial mismanagement, members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union at Llangors Church in Wales Primary School are due to take their 11th day of strike action (Thursday 6th June).  Powys County Council’s persistent failure to negotiate with NASUWT continues and the reduction of the teaching workforce is still proceeding, despite the ending of a dismissal process by compulsory redundancy of a member of staff read more

Wembley teachers strike over forced academy plans (3 Jun) – NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is taking the first of eleven planned days of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) at Byron Court Primary School in Wembley over plans to force the school to become an academy. Removing the school from local authority control threatens teachers’ jobs and their terms and conditions. Parents as well as school staff oppose the forcible academisation of the school, which follows an Ofsted inspection late last year and the triggering of an automatic academy order by the Department for Education read more

Cheadle teachers fight pay and pensions attack (14 May) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Lady Barn House School in Cheadle are taking the first of six planned days of strike action on Thursday after they were threatened with being fired from their jobs unless they accept a pay cut to retain access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). The employer is threatening teachers with ‘fire and rehire’ to force through new and inferior contracts which impose a 3.5% pay cut in return for remaining in the TPS. Despite current financial forecasts from the school stating they can afford to continue paying pension contributions up to 2028, the employer has refused to delay the imposition of contractual changes on staff read more

Teachers to strike at Lincoln school over bullying concerns (22 Apr) – Members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School  in Lincoln will begin strike action this week over bullying and adverse management practices.  The first planned day of industrial action will take place on Wednesday 24th April and further days are planned for the 1st and 2nd May. NASUWT members have endured a pattern of bullying that has affected the health, safety and welfare of teachers. Strike action is the last resort to restore a safe and supportive atmosphere to the school read more

Employer intransigence prompts further strike action at Ascot school (17 Apr) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at St Mary’s School in Ascot are taking the first of six further days of strike action today over attempts to downgrade their pensions. This follows an initial day of strike action in March. Teachers are facing the forcible withdrawal of their pensions from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) to an inferior Defined Contribution (DC) scheme, which will pay out less in retirement. Teachers have been told that if they do not accept the transfer of their pensions, they will be dismissed from their jobs and reengaged on new contracts which include the DC pension arrangements read more

Norfolk teachers strike to protect their pensions (16 Apr) – Teachers at Aurora Eccles and Aurora Whitehouse schools in Norfolk are taking strike action after their employer threatened to remove them from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) under threat of being sacked. The Aurora Group runs publically funded schools for children and young people with special needs. The DFE have fully funded councils to pay for increased employer contributions to the TPS and the council has passed this funding onto Aurora.  Aurora are however choosing to keep this money instead of passing it on to teachers, which means that teachers would be forced to move to a cheaper, inferior pension scheme. The employer has repeatedly refused to negotiate with the NASUWT, causing great distress to our members. They are left with no action but to take strike action this week and in the coming weeks to protect their pensions and their livlehoods. Further strike action is planned for Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Thursday 25 April read more

Teachers at Boston school strike for a safe working environment (16 Apr) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Haven High Academy in Boston are due to begin the first of six days of strike action on Wednesday over adverse management practices, including the failure of the employer to put in place adequate measures to deal with poor pupil behaviour. Teachers at the school feel they are being left vulnerable to abuse and violence from pupils due to a lack of consistent sanctions for students and support from management to manage pupil behaviour read more

Teachers at Chester college strike over pensions attack (15 Apr) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Abbey Gate College in Chester are taking a further five planned days of strike action, starting tomorrow (Tuesday) over attempts to make teachers choose between their pension or their pay. The employer is attempting to remove staff from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and enrol them in an inferior Defined Contribution scheme. If teachers choose to remain in the TPS they must accept a reduced salary. Teachers took an initial day of strike action last month read more

EIS  

Pay Settlement Delay Unacceptable – Statement by SNCT Teachers’ Panel (24 Jun) – The Teachers’ Panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) has met today to consider the lack of response from local authority employers, following the failure to acknowledge the Panel’s unanimous rejection of an unacceptable pay offer made at the beginning of June. The moving of the implementation date for a pay settlement to 1st August 2024 had been previously agreed, at SNCT, by both COSLA and the Scottish Government as part of the previous teachers’ pay settlement read more

College employers unable to continue pay negotiations with EIS-FELA (21 Jun) – The Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturer Association again met with College Employers Scotland today to discuss the revised four year pay claim in an attempt to end their long running dispute read more

Maydey! EIS-FELA to hold national rally outside Scottish Parliament as pay dispute continues (19 Jun) – Members of the EIS-FELA will be holding a national rally outside the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Thursday 20th June) at 11:15am as part of its ongoing programme of industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay. The timing of the rally coincides with First Minister’s Questions, and EIS-FELA is keen to ensure its voice is heard by elected MSPs in the chamber read more

Glasgow teachers vote YES to industrial action (12 Jun) – Glasgow teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action with 96% voting Yes to Action Short of Strike and 90% voting for Strike action, in a ballot organised by the EIS. The Consultative Ballot of more than 5000 EIS members in Glasgow was conducted as the next stage in the dispute the EIS lodged with Glasgow City Council (GCC) on March 15th which called for a reversal in the proposal to cut 450 teaching posts over GCC’s three-year budget read more

INTO

Education Crisis: Teachers Launch Manifesto Ahead of General Election (19 Jun) – Today, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), the National Education Union (NEU), and the Ulster Teachers’ Union (UTU) have united to launch a joint education manifesto ahead of the forthcoming General Election. Representing the majority of teachers in Northern Ireland, these unions are today issuing a clarion call for all political parties to prioritise education in their campaigns read more

Non Teaching Staff Strike Action 03 June 2024 – INTO acknowledge that our sister unions must pursue their objectives in ways most appropriate to their members. The interests of INTO and our non-teaching trade unions are not dissimilar, and to be clear, the INTO supports their endeavours. Our non-teaching education staff are essential and vital to the running of our schools. Indeed, our schools simply would not function without them. Our members have reported, over many years, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff to the many essential non-teaching roles in schools. This is directly related to their salary and how they are valued. Our children need these workers to be appropriately remunerated for the essential role they fulfil. Therefore, we stand fully behind them in this dispute and will take no steps to undermine their campaign. INTO members should not reduce the efficacy of the industrial action of classroom assistants. Our members should undertake no duties that would be untypical of that day read more

UCU  

Report shows universities are failing disabled postgraduate researchers (20 Jun) – Less than four in ten (36%) postgraduate researchers (PGRs) with non-visible disabilities are happy with the support they receive from their university, according to a UCU report ‘Non-visibly Disabled PGR Experiences of Studies and Careers’, released today read more

North East college group CEO given vote of no confidence by staff (17 Jun) – UCU members at five colleges in Cleveland, Redcar and Stockton-on-Tees have today called on management to make an improved offer after staff delivered an overwhelming vote of no confidence. Following a motion tabled at a quorate branch meeting, 86% of UCU members, voted to say they had lost confidence in the CEO and Group Principal of Education Training Collective (ETC), Grant Glendinning. The no confidence vote is the latest escalation in the long running dispute over the 22/23 pay award…UCU’s current mandate for strike action at ETC runs until 15th October 2024 read more

UCU sends its solidarity to teachers at the British Council Taiwan balloting over low pay (13 Jun) – On behalf of the 125,000 members of the University and College Union in the United Kingdom, we send solidarity greetings to our colleagues in the Teachers at the British Council Taiwan regarding your current strike ballot over pay read more

Staff vote to strike at University of Lincoln over job cuts (6 Jun) – UCU has today announced that members at the University of Lincoln have voted to take industrial action over drastic cuts to over 200 jobs. 80% of members who voted supported industrial action, on a turnout of 55%. Dates for strikes will be announced in due course, but may be as soon as next month which could impact clearing and open days. The looming threat targets over 220 employees across the university, including one in ten academic staff. This is despite the most recent accounts showing that in 2022/23 the university ran a £3m operating surplus and had £46m in cash reserves read more

UCU declares academic boycott of Goldsmiths over job cuts (3 Jun) – UCU today announced a global academic boycott of Goldsmiths, University of London over the institution’s plans to cut jobs. Staff at Goldsmiths are already undertaking a marking boycott in a dispute over management’s attempt to sack more than one in six academic staff. With Goldsmiths and its boss Professor Frances Corner refusing to back down from these devastating plans, UCU’s Higher Education Committee (HEC) has approved escalation to an academic boycott, beginning today read more

University of Winchester staff to strike tomorrow (3 Jun) – University of Winchester staff will strike tomorrow over brutal job cuts. Staff will be picketing the university from 8am tomorrow morning. They will then begin action short of strike on Wednesday (5 June), including working to rule and refusing to cover for absent colleagues. The action follows an overwhelming 79% of UCU members voting to strike on a turnout of 59% in a fight against plans to cut around 40 academic staff and increase workloads. UCU fears the changes will lead to unmanageable working hours read more

Staff vote to strike at Sheffield Hallam University over ‘vicious job cuts’ (3 Jun) – UCU today announced that members at Sheffield Hallam University have voted to strike over drastic cuts and erosion of terms and conditions. 87% of members who voted have supported industrial action, on a turnout of 53%. Dates for strikes will be announced in due course.  UCU has accused the university of pushing ahead with expensive building projects and satellite campuses, while launching a wholesale attack on staff and students through an unprecedented cuts programme, severely breaching the post-92 contract and national framework, and destroying working conditions read more

Staff to strike at North East college group open day (2 May) – Staff at five colleges in Cleveland, Redcar and Stockton-on-Tees will strike on Thursday 16 and Wednesday 22 May in a long running dispute over low pay that has already seen staff down tools for eight days. On Thursday 16 May staff will picket the open day at Redcar and Cleveland College campus and on Wednesday 22 May they will picket Stockton and Riverside College campus. The strike action is the latest escalation after staff rejected employer Education Training Collective’s (ETC) most recent offer. This did not include any improvement on pay and was limited to an extra two “wellbeing days” and additional points on the lecturer and course leader pay scales starting on Thursday 1 August 2024. ETC’s position on pay remains that it wants staff to accept a paltry increase of just 3% for 22/23, with an additional 1% from May 2023 read more

University of Kent staff vote to strike over course closure “bonfire” as VC quits (5 Apr) – Staff at the University of Kent have backed strike action in defence of jobs. The result comes as the person in charge of the cuts, vice-chancellor Karen Cox, announces she will step down in May, before they are even implemented. An overwhelming 85% of UCU members who voted said yes to strike action in a ballot with a turnout of 57%. The vote comes after 58 staff were placed at risk of redundancy as part of a programme that would see courses closed across the university read more

UCU fighting fund:the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes.  

  

FBU

Firefighters win 4% pay offer and advances on maternity following talks (26 Apr) – 4% headline pay offer 2024. Firefighters and fire control staff have been offered a package of pay improvements, including an above-inflation pay rise, improvements to maternity pay, and a large increase to the retainer paid to on-call firefighters. Pay negotiations have been underway at the National Joint Council (NJC) between the Fire Brigades Union and fire employers for some months read more

POA  

National Chair update May 2024 read more

NAPO

Enough is enough – a consultative ballot on pay and workloads read more

How to vote in the Consultative Ballot – NAPO’s consultative ballot on pay and workloads closes at 12 noon on Friday 5th July and we have made some improvements to the voting process which should make it quicker and easier for you to get involved read more

Operation Protect 14 June Cardiff – As part of our ongoing joint union campaign Operation Protect, all 3 probation unions will be holding a lunchtime protest in Cardiff on 14th June 2024 from 12noon – 1pm read more

Napo’s Manifesto Asks (4 Jun) – In the run up to the General Election, we have drawn up our manifesto asks for the next government read more

BFAWU 

Bakers Union to Launch Election Manifesto – The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) launched their Bakers Dozen manifesto that they and their members want to see introduced by the next UK Government. Aimed especially at the Labour Party, the Bakers Dozen report and manifesto lays out 13 policy demands that would transform the lives of their members and working class people across the country read more

Support the campaign to unionise Samworth Brothers – get organised, sign the petition read more  

BALPA

Bristow Helicopters Dispute Update Statement (16 May) – In response to the latest Bristow Helicopters statement to media, BALPA General Secretary Amy Leversidge said: “We appreciate Bristow Helicopters management finally acknowledging that pilots and tech crews are critical to the success of the company and indicating they want to come back to the table to negotiate with us. However, they need to accept that in a ballot of our members 95% rejected the current offer on the table. After the ballot we entered back into ACAS talks and after over a week of trying to get movement from Bristow management they tabled an offer that was virtually indistinguishable from the rejected offer. There is no confusion or misunderstanding on our part, our members are clear and resolute – we need an offer that is just focused on pay and is not reliant on reducing terms and conditions…” read more

Nautilus International

Nautilus presents pension petition to Dutch employers (14 Jun) – Nautilus International’s branch in the Netherlands has presented two employers with a petition signed by more than 2,200 maritime professionals that urges them to extend the Dutch RVU early retirement scheme read more

Royal Fleet Auxiliary officers to press ahead with planned industrial action ahead of UK General Election (31 May) – Nautilus has called on all UK political parties to use the UK election period to ‘affirm their support for our national defence and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary by committing to a pay rise reflective of the rate of inflation and restoring the pay our members have lost over the last decade’. Nautilus International members in the RFA voted overwhelmingly for action in response to a below inflation pay offer for 2023/2024 and real terms pay cut of over 30% since 2010. Nautilus has consistently called for a consolidated pay rise that reflects the high rate of inflation and a pathway to pay restoration. But after a series of talks between the Union and the Government, no credible offer to RFA officers was made. Members therefore chose to proceed with the action, despite a general election being announced, due to the strong sentiment that their work supporting the country’s national defence is underpaid and undervalued read more

NUJ   

#SpringerNatureStrike: day two (24 Jun) – Support gathers for NUJ members at Springer Nature who were back on the picket line for the second of a series of one-day strike and a work to rule in a dispute over pay read more

European Trade Union Confederation extends solidarity to Springer Nature journalists (21 Jun)

Top scientists and academics send an open letter to Springer Nature in support of NUJ members’ pay demands (20 Jun)

#SpringerNatureStrike (20 Jun) – NUJ members at Springer Nature are on day one of a set of day-long strikes today at the academic publisher in a dispute over pay read more

Equity

Equity calls Stormont arts funding standstill “a cut in all but name” (21 Jun) – Equity has called the decision to keep arts funding in Northern Ireland at 2023 levels “a cut in all but name” read more

Equity responds to WNO funding threat (14 Jun) – Equity has responded to news that the Chair of Arts Council England threatened to cut £3.2m of Welsh National Opera funding read more

Musicians’’ Union

Famous Names Sign Open Letter in Support of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Junior Department (21 Jun) – Famous names including Alistair McGowan and journalist Cathy Newman, as well as award-winning songwriters, playwrights and other prominent figures in the music industry, have signed an open letter in support of the Young RWCMD programme at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama read more

Protect the Junior RWCMD department: Sign the Petition (3 Jun) – Members at the Junior RWCMD department are campaigning to keep the college’s junior music and drama programmes open read more

Protect Welsh National Opera: Sign the Petition Now (2 May) – Musicians at Welsh National Opera orchestra are campaigning to keep the orchestra full time and secure the company’s future read more

Community

Union votes for strike action over Tata job losses (9 May) – Community said 85% of its members backed industrial action. Members of the largest steelworkers’ union, Community, have voted in favour of industrial action over Tata Steel’s restructuring plans. The union said 85% of those who voted supported the move. Workers were balloted after Tata Steel announced 2,800 job losses across the UK as part of the closure of Port Talbot’s blast furnaces and a transition to greener steelmaking read more on BBC website

USDAW

Cost of living crisis continues to bite hard despite slowing inflation rates – new Usdaw survey highlights the impact on workers (18 Jun) – Retail trade union Usdaw has today released the results of its latest cost of living survey, which shows that three years of the Tories’ cost of living crisis have hit working people very hard and they continue to struggle to make ends meet read more

Usdaw members at a GXO distribution centre in Swindon start industrial action over pay on Sunday, which could impact B&Q stores (22 Mar) – Members of the retail distribution union Usdaw at a GXO distribution centre in Swindon, which operates a B&Q contract, are starting a 48-hour strike over pay, starting at 2pm on Sunday 24 March 2024. Over 100 drivers and clerical staff are set to take part in the action read more

UVW

Challenging inequality: UVW’s historic appeal to the Supreme Court (24 Jun) – On the longest day of the year, June 21st, United Voices of the World union (UVW) lodged its appeal with the Supreme Court in our ongoing battle against outsourcing and for equality for all workers. We aim to prove that outsourcing Black, brown, and migrant workers at inferior wages compared to white in-house workers constitutes institutional and unlawful race discrimination. We fight it in our workplaces, on the picket lines and through the courts. UVW stands as the pioneering union to argue the case against discriminatory outsourcing case in court, marking our debut appearance at the Supreme Court. This landmark case represents one of the most pivotal labor and equality rights battles in a generation. Its success could deliver monumental benefits to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of often ‘invisible’ workers read more

Outsourced cleaners and caterers at Department for Education demand equality on the picket line (26 Jun) – “Where is the money? I’m a single mum and I pay every single bill. This time I’m not going to stop!” – Elizete, cleaner at DfE and UVW member. Outsourced workers – cleaners and caterers– at the Department for Education (DfE) walked out of their jobs on 11 and 12 June 2024 for the second time in a year and demanded equality of terms and conditions with civil servants now! Backed by other members of UVW as well as the big DfE family, from printers to security guards to lawyers, the strikers, most of them migrants, had a clear message for the government and its contractors; Backdate the London Living Wage of £13.15 to October 2023 (when it was first announced), and give us a proper sick pay scheme and annual leave in line with our office-based counterparts. ‘Where’s the money?’‘ they roared. ‘ISS, shame on you!’ read more

Amazon seasonal delivery drivers take former bosses to court over stolen wages (20 Jun) – “I feel that I have not only been robbed of my salary, but also of my time, my energy, my hopes and my dignity. I don’t want this fraud to go unpunished and I don’t want this to happen to others either. We are going to go all out.” Diego Martin Baglietto, UVW member and seasonal Amazon driver

A group of Spanish Amazon seasonal delivery drivers, victims of a migrant worker scam, are fighting back after being cheated out of their wages. Lured to the UK by Amazon’s subcontractor One Motion Logistics Ltd, they were promised good pay and conditions but ended up working long hours without pay, facing huge deductions and debts. They also discovered their supposed ‘work visa’ was a fraud. These workers, who are all UVW union members, are taking One Motion and Amazon to court read more

Cleaners at Dulwich private school ballot for strike action (18 Jun) – “We are ready to strike because losing five weeks of work per year is deeply unfair… We can’t just find another job to make up for such a significant income loss, especially with scattered weeks off throughout the year” – Gloria Chalaco, cleaner at JAGs and UVW member. Cleaners at prestigious James Allen’s Girls School (Jags) in Dulwich are preparing to vote on strike action after being informed by JAGs contractor DB Services of changes to their terms and conditions, and without entering into a consultation process read more

IWGB

“Our hearts go out to those affected at Sumo Digital by the recently announced redundancies” (14 Jun) – IWGB have released a statement in response to the latest round of layoffs taking place in the games industry at Sumo Digital. “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues, friends, and family who’ve been affected by the layoffs endemic to the games industry. We have a lot of experience responding to redundancies, if you need help please reach out read more

Find out more about the couriers’ strikes on the X/twitter of the IWGB Couriers’ branch @IWGB_CLB

Mandate (Ireland)

Mandate launch Dealz workers survey (20 Jun) – Mandate Trade Union has launched a survey for all Dealz workers in the Republic of Ireland to establish what the working conditions currently are and how we can collectively improve them. If you work in Dealz please complete the survey today by clicking here read more

Mandate call on Government to Abolish the Sub-Minimum Wage Rates for Young Workers (19 Jun) – WORKERS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE ARE PAID SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE. Mandate Trade Union is campaigning to end discrimination against young workers by abolishing the Sub-Minimum Wage, which is below the National Minimum Wage. This mechanism creates an unfair, unequal, discriminatory treatment and exploitation of young workers, according to the Union read more

SIPTU (Ireland)

FAI refusal of employees’ right to collective bargaining to be referred to Labour Court (24 Jun) – SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have accused the Board of the sporting organisation of hypocrisy by denying them the right to be part of a team in the workplace and will be referring the issue of their right to collectively bargain to the Labour Court read more

SIPTU members in National Advocacy Service suspend strike after management climbdown (13 Jun) – SIPTU members employed in the National Advocacy Service have suspended their strike action following agreement by management that it will fully implement a Labour Court recommendation concerning pay and conditions for the workers who provide vital assistance to disabled citizens read more

Other news  

Troublemakers At Work public meeting: What Next For The Strike Wave? Workplace Struggle Before And After The Election (online event) – Wed 26th June, 7:30pm – 9pm details

Troublemakers At Work Conference – Saturday 5th October in Central Hall in Manchester details

Unions East Community Festival – Celebrating solidarity in our community and our workplaces

1-5pm Sunday 30 June 2024 Abbotts Park, London E10 6HT Free entry! Facebook event

Sign this petition: To the Right Honourable Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister – Make toxic landfills safe – Support ‘Zane’s Law’!  Find out more about this campaign here

  

  

Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps  

Hazards urgently need our support

Many workers were blacklisted because they raised complaints about health and safety or took on the role of a union safety rep. So when our blacklisting campaign was first starting back in 2009, Hazards magazine set up the Blacklist Blog on their website. Alongside our FaceBook page it is the go to online resource for what our campaign has achieved over the past 13 years. www.hazards.org/blacklistblog

Hazards is now in financial difficulty and needs the support of the union movement. Its major funding stream has vanished almost overnight. The magazine and the Hazards centres around the country need union branches or official unions to take out a regular subscription to keep the union movement’s flagship safety magazine in operation. If you or your union committee can afford it, please support Hazards:

https://www.hazards.org/friends/index.htm

Strike announced to defend unfairly sacked member (22 May) – Further to my previous Circular (IR/123/24, 19th April 2024), all RMT members at Oxford Circus Area are congratulated for standing firm together against injustice during the strike action from 3rd to 4th May. Gerald’s appeal hearing has now taken place but regrettably, LUL upheld the decision to dismiss him rather than taking action to rightly resolve this dispute. This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has taken the decision to instruct all RMT members at Oxford Circus Area to take strike action and NOT TO BOOK ON FOR SHIFTS THAT COMMENCE BETWEEN: 00:01 hours on Friday 28th June until 23:59 hours on Saturday 29th June 2024. The NEC has also taken the decision to escalate this dispute and ballot all other Station Grades members in the Bakerloo South Cover Group Area. Ballot papers were sent to members at Charing Cross Area, Elephant & Castle Area and Piccadilly Circus Area on Wednesday 15th May and these ballots will close on Thursday 30th May. I will keep Branches advised of all further developments read more

PCS rep in Newcastle sacked by HMRC (5 Apr) – Gordon Askew was sacked by HMRC on grounds of ‘potential’ computer misuse following strike action taken by the branch. HMRC management at Benton Park View in Newcastle have sacked Gordon Askew, a member of the branch executive committee, on the grounds of ‘potential’ computer misuse. PCS members at Benton Park View, alongside HMRC East Kilbride, took part in targeted strike action last year, as well as their members taking part in the three national days of strike action.  Following the strike action, the department launched an investigation into two Newcastle-based representatives. The charge against Gordon was a ‘potential’ breach of the department’s IT policy; arising from a Microsoft Teams message sent to a number of PCS members, relating to strike action. The department’s decision maker claimed that Microsoft Teams had been used “without a legitimate business reason”. A second rep is on a similar charge. We understand the decision maker said that they had considered a lesser penalty, but had decided to sack the rep because he didn’t appear to be sorry enough for what he had done. This was despite him having nearly thirty years of spotless service to the department. PCS is discussing next steps with our Legal Department read more

Construction blacklisting: Evidence sought in union officials’ collusion inquiry (11 Apr) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, is stepping up its search for information into the possible collusion by trade union officials into the blacklisting of construction workers. In April 2022 Unite established an independent inquiry into allegations that some union officials may have colluded with the blacklisting of construction workers. Unite has instructed a legal team of Nick Randall KC (Matrix Chambers), John Carl Townsend (33 Chancery Lane Chambers) and Paul Heron from (Public Interest Law Centre), to examine and investigate whether any union officials from Unite or its predecessor unions (T&G, UCATT, Amicus, AEEU or MSF), were involved in the blacklisting of construction workers. The inquiry is now entering its next stage and an online portal has been launched to allow anyone who has any information relating to the inquiry to submit information read more  

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. You can catch up on disputes at Strike Map UK. Also, check out Organise Now! – Support for new worker organising.   

  

International  

Solidarity with the striking textile workers at Ozak in Turkey – read more on Twitter of Solidarity with the People of Turkey @spotturkey

Diary   

2024 

September

8 NSSN TUC Congress Rally & Lobby  – 1pm The Old Ship Hotel Brighton

October

5 Troublemakers At Work Conference Central Hall in Manchester details

  

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