SOS NHS National Demonstration – OUR NHS: END THE CRISIS SUPPORT THE STRIKES 11 MARCH 2023 Central London – assemble midday opposite Warren St tube station, Tottenham Court Road NW1 3AA leaflet Facebook event
Demonstration and transport details here
The NSSN is supporting this vital demonstration and sends solidarity to all health workers taking strike action, as well as all other workers in dispute
Support the mass 15th March Budget Day Strike
It will be the single biggest day yet of the strike wave, with over 600,000 workers striking together. This includes the NEU, PCS (with over 30,000 more members joining the action after winning their re-ballot), UCU, Prospect, RMT & ASLEF on London Underground, Junior Doctors in the BMA and HCSA, NUJ members at the BBC, as well as localised action such as the Coventry Amazon workers in the GMB, who will be on a week-long strike.
The NSSN sends solidarity to these workers and all those who are currently taking action and in dispute.
These actions show the determination to workers to fight for the pay rise we need and deserve in the face of the Tory cost of living squeeze and their planned new anti-union laws as well the bosses’ attacks on our hard-won terms and conditions. The joint action and the growing strike wave also show the potential for the unions to co-ordinate action to maximise the number of workers striking together.
This year’s NSSN Conference will be on Saturday 24th June in Conway Hall, London 11am-4.30pm
Sign the TUC petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: Protect the right to strike! – Our right to strike is under attack. Rishi Sunak has just detailed his anti-union legislation and plans to introduce new laws in the coming weeks. It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal. These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions
Enough is Enough launches campaign and petition to Defend the #RightToStrike – The right to strike is under threat. New legislation proposed by the Tory government intends to override a workers’ right to withdraw their labour, forcing them to work against their will. The right to strike is a fundamental democratic right. It underpins our ability to win dignity in the workplace and earn a decent standard of living. It is no accident that this right is under attack at the very moment the public is fighting back against the cost-of-living squeeze. This government is determined to force workers to pay the price for a crisis caused by the greed of the elite yet again. We won’t accept it. We, the undersigned, pledge to defend the right to strike and oppose this latest legislation #RightToStrike
Sign your workplace up to save the right to strike (supported by Strike Map, ASLEF – The UK Train Drivers’ Union, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union – BFAWU, Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, Fire Brigades Union, The Morning Star, NHS Workers Say NO, People’s Assembly and the NSSN) – The government has launched an attack on our rights. Their actions will destroy our fundamental right to strike. We want to encourage workers, union reps and branch officers to sign their workplace up to reject these changes and pledge to fight to protect our right to strike. Add your workplace name to our collective letter action and share it with every one of your co-workers. When we fight as a collective together we win!
Earthquake in Turkey & Syria – union donations
The NSSN sends our solidarity to all those affected by this disaster. Many will have relatives in this country. The NSSN is affiliated to ‘Support the People of Turkey’ who has launched an appeal, including for union branches and trades councils Turkey-Syria Earthquake Solidarity Appeal
Turkey Earthquake: A preliminary report from the ground
Unison: Turkey earthquake solidarity appeal
NUJ: IFJ launches solidarity call to support journalists in Turkey and Syria
NSSN news
This year’s NSSN Conference will be on Saturday 24th June in Conway Hall, London 11am-4.30pm
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month. You can set up a similar standing order to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790. Our address is NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE. Feel free to use this affiliation letter.
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Katrine on [email protected]
The NSSN is developing a campaign pack for social care, which we hope to make available in the not-too-distant future for supporters to use in their localities. As part of this, communications officer Dave Gorton is keen to hear from supporters who:
(1) work in social care (either local authority, private or independently provided)
(2) represent social care workers for a trade union
(3) are in need of social care provision themselves or act as an (unpaid/underpaid) carer for a family member
Dave can be contacted in the first instance via [email protected]
Union News
You can receive this bulletin via email or you can choose to unsubscribe and stop receiving them. Like everyone else, the NSSN has to adhere to new data protection regulations. Therefore you must click here to subscribe/unsubscribe. Reports from unions do not necessarily reflect NSSN’s views.
RMT
‘Never Forget – Never Forgive’ – RMT protests on the 1st anniversary of sackings of P&O workers – Friday 17th March
Local protests, including Dover: 11am RMT Regional Office Maritime House, Snargate Street CT17 9BZ. Speakers include Mick Lynch RMT General Secretary & Darren Proctor RMT National Secretary
RMT wins public ownership for Caledonian Sleeper (2 Mar) – Rail union, RMT warmly welcomed today’s decision by the Scottish government to take Caledonian Sleeper into public ownership. The announcement, made by Jenny Gilruth MSP in the Scottish Parliament, is a victory for RMT’s long hard-fought campaign for public ownership of the iconic service. It will give the Scottish Government an opportunity to ensure this sustainable, low carbon route between Scotland and London can be run for passengers’ interests, not private profit. Previously contractor Serco ran the services making millions of pounds in profit for shareholders and speculators. This decision means that both the Scottish and Welsh Governments are running all of their rail passenger services in public ownership read more
Avanti to end at seat catering in another blow for passengers (1 Mar) – Disgraced train operator Avanti will scrap at seat service catering from May 2023, the RMT can reveal. The cost cutting move will mean standard class passengers will not have the option of an at seat service, serving sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Instead, they will have to use online “click and collect” from the shop, penalising lone travellers and those with mobility issues. The company will also reduce catering services for first class passengers by removing the full breakfast option at weekends. Avanti was granted a temporary 6-month extension to its franchise following high levels of cancellations and multiple industrial disputes with its staff. The short-term extension will see Avanti continue to run services on West Coast mainline until 1 April 2023. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Avanti has once again shown it is unfit to run a rail franchise with this needless cost cutting exercise…” read more
RMT tube strike to take place on 15th March (28 Feb) – Tube union, RMT will take strike action on March 15 in a row over pensions, job losses and contractual agreements. London Underground Ltd (LUL) have started to impose 600 station staff job losses and have refused to rule out attacks on pensions or ripping up agreements on conditions of work despite discussions with the union. TfL which ultimately are responsible for its subsidiary LUL, has had its funding cut by government. But instead of standing up to ministers, they have tried to implement cuts to make our members pay for their funding crisis. The deadline for the government and TfL to agree the details of the pension reform has been pushed back until March 17 read more
ISS workers to take strike action on DLR (23 Feb) – Contracted out staff working for ISS on the Docklands Light Railway will take 48 hours strike action from Friday. Cleaners, security, revenue protection and travel safe staff will walk out after rejecting an insulting pay offer of 1.8%. RMT which represents the workers have highlighted the fact ISS staff on the DLR are underpaid compared to others on TfL performing equivalent roles. On top of poor pay, ISS staff have so far not been told whether they will get access to the free travel facility. This is despite the fact London Mayor Sadiq Khan having already promised all contracted out staff would get free travel across TfL read more
Engineering workers at Balfour Beatty to strike (18 Feb) – Engineering workers at Balfour Beatty will take three 48 hour strikes next month in a pay dispute. Over 100 workers will take the action after rejecting the company’s offer of 5.5pc increase in pay from April 2022. RMT members overwhelmingly rejected this and will now take strike action in March with a series of 48-hour stoppages on the following days:
- 22.00hrs on Friday 3rd March and 09.59hrs on Sunday 5th March 2023
- 22.00hrs on Friday 10th March and 09.59hrs on Sunday 12th March 2023
- 22.00hrs on Friday 17th March and 09.59hrs on Sunday 19th March 2023
Balfour Beatty made over 8bn pounds in revenue in 2022 and was the third most profitable UK construction company read more
Action called over Jubilee East, South and Centre Cover Group rosters (16 Feb) – defend jobs, pensions and agreements – London Underground – overtime and rest day working ban called. A resolution has been received from your RMT Jubilee South Branch, regarding the imposition of new rosters. The Company has taken no notice of your Reps advice that these rosters are unworkable, and members wish to fight back against the detrimental effect these cuts will have, including on your work/life balance. The National Executive Committee has thanked the Branch for its resolution and taken the decision to instruct:
All Station Grades members (Customer Service Assistants, Customer Service Supervisors, Customer Service Managers) on the Jubilee Centre, East and South Cover Groups (Canada Water Area, Westminster Area, Canary Wharf Area, Stratford Area, West Ham Area, London Bridge Area and Waterloo Area) not to work any overtime or rest day working from 00:01 hours on Sunday 12th March 2023 until 23:59 hours on Saturday 25th March 2023 read more
RMT announces further strikes and overtime ban in national rail dispute (15 Feb) – Rail union RMT, will take nationwide strike action across the railways on 16 March after employers refused to put any new offers on the table. The union which represents 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators rejected offers from employers last week, as they did not meet the needs of members on pay, job security or working conditions. Rail workers will now launch a programme of strike action and Network Rail members will commence an overtime ban effecting maintenance and operations work. RMT is seeking an unconditional offer from rail operators and Network Rail. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Rail employers are not being given a fresh mandate by the government to offer our members a new deal on pay, conditions and job security. “Therefore, our members will now take sustained and targeted industrial action over the next few months. The government can settle this dispute easily by unshackling the rail companies…” read more
The strike action details are as follows:-
RMT members working for the 14 train operating companies will take strike action on the following days:
– 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Thursday 16th March 2023
· 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Saturday 18th March 2023
· 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Thursday 30th March 2023
· 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Saturday 1st April 2023
Network Rail members will take strike action at:
- 02:00 hours on March 16th 2023 and 01:59 hours on March 17th 2023.
An overtime ban by Network Rail members will be in effect at the following times:
Maintenance:
· Seven days of overtime, rest day working ban and non-rostered Sunday working from 00:01 hours on Friday 17th March 2023 until 23:59 hours on Thursday 23rd March 2023
· Seven days of overtime, rest day working ban and non-rostered Sunday working from 00:01 hours on Friday 31st 2023 until 23:59 hours on Thursday 6th April 2023
· Seven days of overtime, rest day working ban and non-rostered Sunday working from 00:01 hours on Friday 14th April 2023 until 23:59 hours on Thursday 20th April 2023
Reinstate Branch Secretary Jason Moriarty – A new newsletter has been produced as a part of our organising to get Jason Moriarty reinstated. Please download it to learn more. The RMT offers full support and solidarity with our comrade Jason Moriarty following his disclosure to his employer, London Underground, of a disability read more
ASLEF
Tube train drivers to strike in London (22 Feb) – ASLEF members on London Underground will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday 15 March. ASLEF members on London Underground will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday 15 March. Tube train drivers voted by 99% in favour of strike action [on a turnout out of 77%] in a dispute over management’s failure to accept that changes to our working arrangements and pensions should only happen by agreement. ASLEF members in other roles on the Underground – including Test Train and Engineering train drivers and those in management grades – also voted in favour of strikes by similar margins and will walk out on strike on the same day read more
TSSA
Rail fare rise shows government out of touch (3 Mar) – Rail union TSSA has dubbed the implementation of a near six per cent rise in rail fares as of Sunday (5 March) ‘a profiteers dream’ saying the government is ‘out of touch’ and should have brought in a fares freeze instead. As of Sunday, rail fares across England will rise by a whopping 5.9 per cent. Announced in December last year this is the largest single increase in more than a decade read more
Caledonian Sleeper nationalised – TSSA statement (2 Mar) – Rail union TSSA has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that the Caledonian Sleeper service will return to public hands in June. The announcement was made by the Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth, who said Sleeper services would ‘be provided by an arms-length company of the Scottish Government, in line with our Operator of Last Resort Duty’. This will take effect from 25 June this year. The Sleeper had previously been in the hands of the outsourcing giants – Serco – who were stripped of the franchise in October 2022 read more
Statement – Greece train crash (1 Mar) – Rail union TSSA has sent its ‘heartfelt solidarity’ and ‘deepest sympathies’ to those affected by the head-on train crash in Greece overnight which left dozens dead and injured. The collision – between a passenger train and freight train travelling on the same track – happened at near the city of Larissa read more
Unite
BREAKING NEWS!! Unite pauses ambulance strikes following further assurances to enter government talks (5 Mar) – Unite, has today (Sunday 5 March) announced it has paused its forthcoming ambulance strikes, in order to enter pay talks with the government. Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail said: “Following further assurances from the government over the weekend Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action. “If the meeting doesn’t meet these assurances strike action will resume. The assurances relate to a confirmation that any deal will include new money, rather than placing further pressure on NHS budgets and an indication that discussions about “efficiencies” and “productivity savings” will not result in attacks on the conditions of NHS staff. The strike action scheduled for tomorrow (6 March) and Wednesday (8 March) will now not go ahead read more
Unite ambulance strikes to go ahead in England (3 Mar) – Members of Unite, employed in ambulance trusts in England, will go ahead with strike action next week (Monday and Wednesday) after members refused to accept the government’s unreasonable pre-conditions primarily an acceptance of a non-consolidated lump sum for 2022/23 as this does not deal with the issues. The strikes next week marks an escalation in the dispute with an increased number of Unite members at more ambulance trusts taking strike action. This reflects the growing anger among Unite members whose action is about year on year pay cuts and unsafe staffing levels. Unite rejected the government’s offer of pay talks due to the unreasonable pre-conditions that unions were required to agree to in order for talks to take place read more
Unite Statement on Welsh Ambulance Strike Action (3 Mar) – Unite has suspended its strike action in Welsh Ambulance due to take place on Monday 6th March 2023. This follows significant progress in talks with Welsh Government. The pause in strike action will facilitate the continuation of these discussions read more
Unite response to government offer of NHS pay talks (2 Mar) – Responding to the government’s offer of pay talks in the long-running NHS dispute Unite’s national lead officer Onay Kasab said:- “Unite will be holding urgent talks with its reps, who have a mandate for strike action. That’s to decide whether we can take part in the pay talks on the suggested terms. However. The excessive pre-conditions are not helpful.” Read more
Sparrows Offshore Services action to hit BP North Sea platforms (3 Mar) – Unite the union confirmed today (3 March) that nearly 50 offshore Crane Operatives, Crane Maintainers, Lifting Personnel and Deck Crew working on BP’s Andrew, Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP, Glen Lyon and Mungo installations have overwhelmingly backed strike action in a long running dispute in pursuit of:-
- An 18% increase in pay for 2022 or an enhanced payment which provides for a longer period of field break than the period previously worked offshore, with no reduction in earnings
- All overtime to be paid at time and a half
96.97 per cent supported strike action in a ballot turnout of 78.57 per cent. The strike action will involve a series of 24 and 48 hour stoppages. However Unite has indicated that the industrial action could thereafter escalate to all-out strike action and a complete overtime ban. The mandate for industrial action follows the refusal of Sparrows, and their client BP, to provide an acceptable offer to resolve the matter read more
Entire West Midlands bus network to shut as over 3,300 National Express staff strike over pay (2 Mar) – All out strikes from 16 March over pay cut called on same day firm reports pocketing billions. More than 3,000 National Express West Midlands bus drivers have voted overwhelmingly to strike over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday). The workers, who voted by 96 per cent for industrial action, will begin all out continuous strike action on Thursday 16 March. They will be joined by over 200 National Express engineers who voted for industrial action over pay in January, bringing the total number of striking workers to more than 3,300. National Express’ operating profits, released today, have more than doubled compared to the previous year. The company reported revenue increased by 29 per cent to £2.8 billion. Its underlying operating profits more than doubled to £197.3 million, fuelled by an increase in passenger demand across the group. Despite this, it has offered all of its workers in the West Midlands, where it holds a monopoly on local bus services, a real terms pay cut. Some drivers earn as little as £11.80 per hour read more
Favieley transport workers in Birkenhead secure 15% pay deal to avoid strike action (2 Mar) – Strike action at Wabtec Faiveley Transport Ltd has been averted after members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, accepted a vastly improved pay offer. The workers, who supply and refurbish braking systems for trains, had voted for strike action after rejecting a two year pay offer worth 9.2 per cent pay over two years. With the workers preparing to go on strike last minute talks were held. A much improved offer worth 15 per cent over two years was made, which Unite members accepted following a ballot read more
Hovis strike action due at end of week suspended after management make improved offer in negotiations (2 Mar) – Hovis strike action due at end of week suspended after management make improved offer in negotiations. Strike action planned by workers at Hovis’ Belfast plant which was scheduled to commence at 6am on Sunday March 5th has been suspended following a last minute improved pay offer being made by management in negotiations. Unite the union had warned that the strike action was likely to have impacted bread supplies across Northern Ireland. Unite has confirmed that it has moved to suspend its planned action for seven days while it ballots its members on the improved offer. If they vote to reject the deal, continuous strike action is now scheduled to commence from the morning of Sunday March 12th read more
Mechanical workers set to down tools on 10 March in pursuit of a cost-of-living wage increase (2 Mar) – Over 90% vote for strike action in Leo Lynch and H.A. O’Neill. “Travel Time” restoration could mean 12.8% extra in gross pay. March 2nd: Unite, which represents workers across the economy, today (Thursday) announced that plumbers, pipefitters and welders in two major companies have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in pursuit of a claim for restoration of the first hour of “Travel Time”. These grades working for Leo Lynch and H.A. O’Neill (Jones Engineering) voted by over 90% to take action following the ongoing failure to restore the first hour of “Travel Time”, which was originally cut as a so-called ‘temporary measure’ following the 2008 financial crash. Workers at Leo Lynch and H.A. O’Neill will take strike action on 10 March read more
Engineering construction workers secure cost of living increase but local disputes set to continue (1 Mar) – Engineering construction workers operating under the National Agreement for Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) have secured a significant cost of living increase. Following a series of pay freezes and below inflation pay rises, industrial tensions had increased across the workforce. In response Unite, the UK’s leading union, held detailed negotiations with the employers side of the NAECI agreement. It was finally agreed that workers will receive a supplementary payment of an extra £1 for every hour worked between now and 30 June. After that date the supplementary payment will become 75 pence an hour read more
Christie Manchester cancer treatment staff join widening NHS pay strikes (1 Mar) – More than 100 staff employed at Manchester’s Christie NHS Foundation Trust and its linked pathology provider, which is a public/private partnership, will strike for 24 hours from 0700hrs on Thursday (2 March) over pay. The workers’ union, Unite, says that more strikes will be scheduled if the government fails to address poor pay and unsafe staffing across the NHS read more
Strike action at Bidvest Noonan postponed after 11th hour offer (28 Feb) – Glasgow and Aberdeen bus depots to be balloted on new offer. Unite the union has confirmed today (Tuesday 28 February) that Bidvest Noonan workers, contracted to clean and refuel buses for First Bus in Glasgow and Aberdeen, have suspended their strike action due to begin tomorrow (1 March) whilst they ballot on a new pay offer made by the company. Over 100 cleaners, fuellers and shunters were set to strike after previously rejecting a two per cent pay offer. Unite was clear that this offer was unacceptable and when the company refused to improve it, workers balloted for strike action across the depots. However, an invite to fresh talks less than 48 hours before the first walkouts were set to begin has resulted in a new offer, which will be put to the membership in a ballot. If this offer is rejected, then Unite members will go on strike from Wednesday 8 March
Workers at Newry, Mourne & Down District Council prepare to return to industrial action for fair treatment (27 Feb) – Workers in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have lost trust and confidence in the NDMDC Chief Executive Marie Ward, and are commencing a new ballot for refreshed industrial action, up to and including strike action, after management at the Council have neglected to honour a deal agreed in 2022. Two meetings of Council staff were held last week in Newry and Downpatrick, hosted by the four trade unions representing workers of all grades – NIPSA, SIPTU, GMB and Unite. Firstly, it was decided to call for a vote of no confidence in the current Chief Executive. This vote was carried unanimously in both venues and must be seen as message to those in a position of influence, that this type of leader who cannot, or will not, honour negotiated agreements is not acceptable to our members or their staff. Secondly, it was decided to carry out a ballot for industrial action, to include both action short of a strike as well as strike action. To give some background, Council workers from all four unions took part in a number of successful industrial action campaigns in 2021 and 2022 read more
Roads Service maintenance workers in Unite commence one week strike action (26 Feb) – Road Workers demand productivity payment be integrated into payscales to remove potential mechanism for pay victimization. More than two hundreds Unite members employed by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland will be joining with colleagues in the GMB in taking strike action for a week commencing Monday 27th February. The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike. The workers seek changes to their terms and conditions meaning the integration of a productivity bonus into their payscales. Roads Service workers’ pay is dependent on a productivity-based payment which is subject to the determination of managers. In the recent year roads workers at some hubs have taken strike action over allegations of bullying and harassment and are now seeking to close down a mechanism which potentially leaves them subject to victimization by managers. The strike pickets will be established at 8am on Monday 27 February and will last seven days and affect roads maintenance work across Northern Ireland. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham pledged her union’s full support for the Roads Service workers read more
Weekend strike action and protests resume over pay dispute at Diageo’s Leven plant (24 Feb) – Unite ‘actively’ exploring legal options amid claims workers could have been unlawfully induced to sign new contracts. Engineering workers based at Diageo’s plant in Leven are set to resume strike action tonight (24 February) and over the weekend in an increasingly bitter pay dispute with the drinks industry giant. The strike action will begin at 19:00 p.m. tonight and conclude on Monday (27 February) morning at 6 a.m. The strike action will directly impact on the engineering support for the bottling plant. Unite believes it is not safe to run the plant without the support its engineering members provide. Unite can also confirm that it will hold another protest on Saturday (25 February) at The Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh from 12 noon to 2.30 p.m. There will be a further protest on Sunday (26 February) outside the bottling plant in Levenfrom 12 noon to 2.30 p.m. The protests are highlighting that some of Unite’s engineering members are set to lose around 6 per cent of their pay when moved to a proposed lower rate of pay read more
Drax Hydro workers vote to strike in pay dispute threatening power cuts (23 Feb) – Drax parent group profits up 50% as Unite accuses energy company of corporate greed. Unite the union confirmed today (23 February) that energy workers employed by Drax Hydro Limited who operate power stations across Scotland have voted for strike action in a dispute over pay. Around 50 Unite members covering Stonebyres (Lanark), Cruachan (Loch Awe) and Glenlee (Castle Douglas) power stations voted yes to strike action by 84.6 per cent on an 86.7 per cent turnout. The workers also voted by 92.3 per cent to take action short of a strike which would involve an overtime ban. The workers including engineers, plant controllers, as well as mechanical and electrical craft workers. The strike action days are expected to take place from mid-March with Unite making an official announcement next week. The vote for strike action, and action short of a strike, follows the rejection of an offer (8 per cent) which is significantly below the current rate of inflation at 13.4 per cent (RPI). Drax Hydro posted its latest accounts in July 2022 on Companies House indicating the company made profits totalling £2.3m for 2021. The trade union predicts the strike action in Scotland in conjunction with a separate pay dispute involving Unite members at the Drax power station in Yorkshire could lead to the UK facing power cuts. Unite has announced nine days of strike action at the Yorkshire plant from late February into April with strikes taking place on 20 and 27 February, then 6, 13, 20, 27 March and 4, 10 and 17 April read more
Merseyside JLR supply chain workers to strike over job and pay attacks (23 Feb) – More than 150 workers employed at a Halewood factory producing dashboards for JLR have voted overwhelmingly to strike over job cuts and a 19 per cent attack on their pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union said today. The workers’ employer, IAC, is planning to slash 87 jobs and to remove shift premiums and reduce working hours for remaining staff. The workers recorded a 100 per cent yes vote in favour of industrial action on a turnout of over 90 per cent, underlining the anger the workforce has for the company’s proposals. American-owned IAC brings in billions of pounds per year. The company recorded global revenues of £2.4 billion in 2021, including £221 million from the UK. The workers are demanding that all redundancies are voluntary and that their pay is not reduced…The dates for strike action will be announced in the coming days read more
Protestors expose Morrisons’ anti-union tactics in Gibraltar (22 Feb) – Supermarket giant sits on millions but flew workers to Gibraltar to deny low-waged workers fair pay. Union stages protest at Morrisons’ Bradford HQ. Campaigners will stage a protest on Friday 24th February at the head office of Morrison’s in Bradford to expose shabby mistreatment and anti-trade union tactics directed against Unite members in Gibraltar. Morrisons’ workers in Gibraltar have been on strike since 30 January in a dispute over a paltry 2.4 per cent pay increase when the retailer’s underlying profits for last year were a massive £828 million. According to Unite, instead of negotiating to end the strike Morrisons wasted money by flying in UK workers to replace the roles of striking workers in Gibraltar – paying them £2 an hour more than workers on the Rock. This pay disparity is one of the main reasons for the dispute. Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “If Morrisons think it can sneak strike-breaking tactics into Gibraltar then, it should think again…” read more
Overwhelming 93 per cent vote for industrial action at Cargotec in ‘fake TUPE’ dispute (22 Feb) – Unite says it is determined to ensure workers’ pay and conditions do not come under attack. Action at Dundalk facility set to start on 10 March. Unite, which represents over 200 workers at the Cargotec (formerly Moffett Engineering) facility in Dundalk, today (Tuesday) announced that a ballot of members had returned an overwhelming 93 per cent vote in favour of industrial action, starting with a one-day stoppage on 10 March. The dispute follows the company’s refusal to engage meaningfully at the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court regarding their proposal to transfer workers under what Unite describes as a ‘fake TUPE’, meaning established jobs, pay and conditions could come under future attack read more
Imperial College strikes stretch into fourth month over ‘10.1% pay cut’ (21 Feb) – University sitting on £1.7bn in reserves and paid record-breaking vice chancellor salary. Pay strikes at London’s Imperial College will stretch into their fourth month, as more than 200 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, prepare to walkout on Thursday (23 February). The workers are striking over the imposition of a 3.3 per cent pay offer for 2022/23 by Imperial College, which Unite says is a clear 10.1 per cent pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, is running at 13.4 per cent. Imperial College’s latest financial figures shows it brought in an income of over £1.2 billion for 2021/22 and had cash reserves of £1.7 billion. Further, Imperial College is one for the best paying universities for senior leadership staff. Until July 2022, the university employed the UK’s highest paid vice chancellor with an annual pay package worth £714,000, a massive increase of 35.5 per cent on the previous year read more
East Lancashire biomedical scientists latest to join NHS pay strikes (21 Feb) – Unite says government is failing the country as NHS strikes spread. Around 70 biomedical scientists at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will strike at Royal Blackburn hospital from 0700 hrs to 1900 hrs on Wednesday (22 February). The workers’ union, Unite, says that more strikes will be scheduled if the government fails to address poor pay and unsafe staffing across the NHS. With more ambulance worker strikes also set for the coming weeks, Unite has again hit out at the prime minister for failing to get into the room to address chronic low pay and unsustainable workloads. These issues are driving a recruitment and retention crisis and devastating the NHS read more
New development in Hestia LIFE dispute. Poverty pay – some movement. – The Leader of Hounslow’s council has responded to pressure brought by Unite and he has finally agreed to speak with us regarding the dispute involving Serco employed Parking Attendants and Hestia LIFE employed support workers. Both groups of workers face poverty pay and anti-union bosses. This follows three separate periods of strike action at Hestia and a campaign aimed at encouraging Hounslow councillors to actively engage with striking workers at Hestia and Serco…Naturally we are pleased that the council leader has now responded to that pressure, but this is just a first step. We, as a trade movement, need to keep up the pressure to ensure that the council follows through on this initiative to ensure a successful end to both disputes which is why Unite have called a protest for next Tuesday 21st February outside the council cabinet meeting. We want that protest to be noisy, enthusiastic and pro-union. Please come along, bring your banners and family members to send a clear message to Hounslow Labour council – Workers need fair pay and decent conditions! read more
Month long strike will hit parking restrictions in Hounslow (3 Feb) – Month long strike will hit parking restrictions in Hounslow. The toxic combination of stubborn employers, poor pay and the cost of living crisis forces workers to strike from Monday 6 February until 5 March. Parking Enforcement Officers across Hounslow will step up strike action in their battle for fair pay. Hounslow Borough Council stands isolated after Ealing and Brent councils boosted their workers’ pay following strike action. The workers are directly employed by Serco which manages the contract for the London borough. The giant outsourcing company’s latest profits were £303.9 million. Together Hounslow council and Serco need to reach an agreement with Unite read more
Outsourced Harlow housing repair and grounds workers to strike over pay (17 Feb) – Over 300 staff responsible for Harlow council housing stock and cleaning and maintenance of council grounds and buildings will strike over pay in late February. The workers, members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, are employed by HTS, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harlow district council. HTS’s workforce voted by 87 per cent for strike action over pay being less than workers doing the same jobs at other local authorities. The workers are demanding a cost-of-living payment and for their pay bands to be re-graded, so they are brought up to industry standards. The council’s latest financial report showed it had assets of £63 million on 31 March 2022, an increase of £19 million from the year before. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Harlow council is fooling nobody. It is using HTS to keep these workers on inferior pay, terms and conditions. Harlow council can well afford to give these workers a cost-of-living payment and Unite is determined to ensure that is what happens. Our members’ jobs, pay and conditions are this union’s top priority and the HTS workforce will receive Unite’s full support during these strikes.” The workers will strike on 21, 23 and 28 February during which housing repair and maintenance, street cleaning, grounds maintenance, cleaning and caretaking of council buildings and parks and gardening services will be severely disrupted. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved read more
Airports set to close across the Highlands and Islands as strike action begins at Dundee Airport (16 Feb) – Unite confirms overtime ban across 11 airports in the HIAL Group. Dundee Airport will be closed tomorrow (17 February) due to strike action as part of a pay dispute involving over 120 Unite members across the Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) Group. Strike action will begin tomorrow at Dundee Airport, and then resumes on Monday (20 February). There will be a strike demonstration starting from 11 a.m. at Dundee Airport on both days of action in close proximity to the airport entrance. Several days of 24-hour strike action is scheduled across all HIAL’s 11 airports following the action in Dundee. Strike action will take place on 21, 22, and 23 February at the HIAL Group’s other airports: Barra Airport, Benbecula Airport, Campbeltown Airport, Inverness Airport, Islay Airport, Kirkwall Airport, Stornoway Airport, Sumburgh Airport, Tiree Airport, Wick Airport. Due to the scale of Unite’s industrial action the HIAL Group has now informed the public that a number of airports will be fully closed including Barra, Benbecula, Dundee, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Tiree. Kirkwall Airport will operate on a limited basis. The trade union predicts its industrial action will impact the remaining airports differently from mail not getting through to offshore workers not being able to mobilise to installations, and to return home. Unite has further confirmed that its members will take part in a discontinuous overtime ban across all 11 airports starting on 24 February and continuing each day up to and inclusive of 2 March read more
Royal Holloway University strikes intensify over 10% pay cut presented as rise (9 Feb) – Pay strikes will hit Royal Holloway University in February as a dispute over pay intensifies, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday). Non-teaching staff, members of Unite, have rejected an imposed pay deal set by the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) that amounts to three per cent for most workers. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 13.4 per cent, this is a real terms pay cut of 10.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the university’s latest financial report states it is in a strong financial position. It had total reserves of £293 million for the year ending 31 July 2022… The workers, who include cleaners, janitors, estates staff and technicians, will strike on 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 February in coordination with members of other higher education unions at Royal Holloway. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved read more
Petrofac workers resume 48-hour strike action (8 Feb) – New strike wave hits BP offshore installations. A fresh 48-hour strike is underway on BP Petrofac installations the UK’s largest offshore trade union, Unite, confirmed today (8 February). The 48-hour strike action which starts today at 06:01 involves around 80 workers, and it will conclude at 05:59 on 10 February. It is the latest round of strike action following no breakthrough in negotiations with Petrofac. The offshore contractor has failed to bring forward an acceptable offer to the workers with future rounds of strike action now scheduled to take place until 3 March read more
Strike action resumes at GSK pharmaceutical plant in Irvine (6 Feb) – Kaefer contractors begin week-long strike in dispute over bonus payments. Members of Unite employed in engineering construction roles at the GSK plant in Irvine will resume strike action today (6 February) in a dispute over bonus payments. Around 40 workers employed by contractor Kaefer Limited will take strike action from 07:30 a.m. on 6 February up to 07:29 a.m. on 13 February. A previous round of strike action took place from 9 to 23 January. The current round of strike action is in addition to an existing discontinuous overtime ban which ends on 2 April. The industrial action will directly impact on the maintenance of the plant. The dispute is based on Unite members seeking a bonus payment of £2.37 an hour, the maximum allowed under the relevant industrial agreement (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry [NAECI]) read more
Wirral housing workers to strike over deadly asbestos fears (3 Feb) – Workers at social housing landlord Magenta Living are to take extensive strike action over fears that new working practices will expose them to asbestos. The 100 plus workers, who are members Unite, the UK’s leading union, are employed in repairs and maintenance roles for Magenta Living, which manages 13,000 properties mainly covering the Wirral. Magenta Living has imposed a change of policy when dealing with asbestos. Previously, the workforce was trained that when they identified asbestos to stop work. If it required removal, specialist contractors were employed. Under the new policy the workers are expected to work with asbestos read more
University of Leeds strikes intensify over 10% pay cut presented as rise (1 Feb) – More than 200 non-teaching staff striking over nationally imposed UCEA pay deal. Pay strikes will hit the University of Leeds in February as a dispute over pay intensifies, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday). The 200 non-teaching staff, members of Unite, have rejected an imposed pay deal set by the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) that amounts to three per cent for most workers. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, at 13.4 per cent, this is a real terms pay cut of 10.4 per cent read more
Reinstate Radek (Radoslaw Worbel) sacked Unite London bus rep at RATP London United Fulwell bus garage – send a message of complaint to [email protected] and a message of support to to Radek via the Unite Bus Combine: [email protected]
Striking housing workers vote 99.5 percent on 93.5 percent turnout to reject inadequate NI Housing Executive pay offer (10 Jan) – As industrial action by housing workers enters its twenty-third week without resolution, Unite demands Department for Communities intervention. Thousands of social housing tenants are left without needed repair and maintenance work as a result of management intransigence. Unite the union has written to the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Grainia Long after its members overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer made by management at the Labour Relations Agency in December. The pay offer was for a one-off non-consolidated payment of one thousand pounds and a pay point increase for grades 1 to 3 which would have benefited only a small fraction of striking workers. The offer was rejected overwhelmingly in a ballot conducted on picket lines on turnout of 93.5 percent and rejection majority of 99.5 percent. The workers who are employed in North and West Belfast, Portadown, Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry will therefore continue their strike action in pursuit of a fair pay increase for the 2021-2022 year. Their strike is now into its twenty-third week and has led to ballooning impact on maintenance services for social housing units read more
Department for Infrastructure must show leadership on Rathlin Island ferry dispute (10 Jan) – Union says workers and Rathlin Island community treated as expendable in wrangle over outsourced service. Unite the union has demanded urgent action by the Department for Infrastructure to resolve an ongoing pay dispute and safeguard the ferry service to Rathlin island. The private sector operator of the ferry service to Northern Ireland’s largest offshore island, Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd, has indicated to the Department that the company could enter liquidation by the end of January. Unite members at the ferry operator are today striking for a third day after four days when there was no service to the island as a result of inclement conditions and strike action. Strike action is scheduled to proceed for four days a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) for the remainder of January. The strike follows a ballot of ferry workers who voted with a 85 per cent majority for industrial action in pursuit of a cost of living increase. Their vote came after workers’ endured three years of a pay freeze read more
Refuse workers and street cleaners to strike in Liverpool in pay dispute (10 Jan) – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed by Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited (LSSL), are set to undertake industrial action in a dispute over pay. The 80 plus workers are principally employed in refuse collection, street cleaning and parks and cemeteries. They will begin industrial action on Monday 23 January and it will end on Saturday 28 January read more
Northern Ireland Health and Social Care workers strike for improved pay (9 Jan) – Massive 87 per cent average vote for strike action across Northern Ireland trusts. 4000 Unite members to strike on 26 January, February 16 ,17 and 23, 24. Unite the union has confirmed that its members working across the health and social care sector in Northern Ireland will be participating in an industrial campaign involving all health trade unions after they voted overwhelmingly for strike action in pursuit of a cost of living pay increase. The announcement comes as talks as discussion with the UK health secretary failed to make any progress on the 2022/23 pay claim. In December, Unite members voted with an average 87 percent majority across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for strike action read more
Coffin factory strike enters fourth month Co-op Funeralcare wastes £1 million instead of resolving dispute (5 Jan) – Coffin factory strike enters fourth month as Co-op Funeralcare wastes £1 million instead of resolving dispute. Unite members have resumed strike action at the Co-op Funeralcare coffin manufacturing factory based in Glasgow in a bitter dispute over pay which has now entered its fourth month. Strike action by Unite members began on Wednesday 4 January and will run continuously through to Monday 16 January, which will be the fourth consecutive week of strike action. Unite recently uncovered that the Cooperative Funeralcare spent over £1,000,000 last year on purchasing coffins from third party suppliers at a time when the dispute with their own workforce could have been successfully resolved for a fraction of this cost. Additionally, Co-op Funeralcare made an underlying profit of £12 million in 2021 read more
Construction giant Murphy protests in UK and Ireland over union busting – Demonstrations call for four sacked trade union members to be reinstated. Demonstrations will be held outside the offices of Murphy construction companies in Newbridge, County Kildare, Warrington, Stafford and London tomorrow (21 December) over union busting at the group. The protests form part of a campaign to secure the reinstatement of four Unite members, including a Unite shop steward, who were dismissed by the group’s Irish subsidiary, Murphy International. Unite believes the reasons for the sacking are spurious and linked to the workers’ trade union membership read more
Strikes stepped up at Fawley refinery as heavy-handed policing deepens tensions in dispute – Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed in engineering construction roles at Fawley oil refinery in Hampshire will step up strike action in a dispute over bonus payments. The 130-strong workforce, who are employed by three contractors Altrad, Bilfinger and Enerveo, are seeking a bonus payment of £2.37 an hour, the maximum allowed under the relevant industrial agreement (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry [NAECI]). The Fawley refinery is operated by ExxonMobil, which last month recorded a quarterly profit of £17.3 billion. Tensions in the dispute have dramatically increased due to intimidatory behaviour by Hampshire police and false allegations made the employer read more. Send messages of support to [email protected]
Workers at Causeway Coast and Glens council to commence all-out strike action tomorrow after councils vote down pay increase – Offer of two pay points plus a cash lump sum to end dispute was rejected at last night’s council meeting by a single vote in the chamber. Unite the union has confirmed that its members at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will commence continuous strike action at the local authority tomorrow (8 Sept). The decision by workers followed last night’s vote at full council at which a proposal to settle the strike by offering two pay point increments and a lump sum to workers – similar to that provided in Derry City & Strabane and in Mid-Ulster District Councils – was voted down by a majority of one councillor. General Secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, pledged her union’s full support to the striking council workers read more
CWU
Support the CWU strikes in Royal Mail & Post Office – The CWU has launched a strike fund – please support: Unity Bank, CWU General Fund, 60-83-01 33019822
We support the call of the CWU for Royal Mail and BT to be re-nationalised. Follow the latest news via CWU’s Facebook page, website and Twitter @CWUnews
Massive Royal Mail re-ballot vote!! – CWU members in Royal Mail Group have delivered the biggest ever return in a major national strike ballot. YES 95.9% TURNOUT 77.3%
CWU to Royal Mail bosses: ‘You picked a fight with the wrong union!’ (17 Feb) – After achieving a higher percentage turnout than any general election since 1992, CWU activists meet in determined mood to discuss the next steps. Following yesterday’s ballot result, it was back to business today, with hundreds of senior field officials and branch officials gathering in Manchester for a national briefing to update on the dispute with Royal Mail and debate ongoing strategy. General secretary Dave Ward opened the event by once again thanking branches and members for their efforts in delivering such a “remarkable result” in the ballot. A hugely impressive 95.9 per cent YES vote and 77.3 per cent turnout – a higher percentage of voters than the last general election and higher than any general election in the past three decades. This was “a victory for the power of ‘we’ over the power of ‘I’. It was a test of our members’ resolve and, after 18 days of strike action and in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, our members delivered a result that was incredible,” Dave continued, adding that it “would’ve given the whole of TU movement a lift – as well as our members. It’s staggering that, after all that’s happened, our members haven’t shifted an inch in their support for this union…” read more
Report from local NSSN supporters: CWU Walkout at Tyneside ADC (3 Mar) – Barely a few hours after a national joint statement, from the RMG and the CWU, announcing talks on: pay, disciplinary action and to find “the most constructive way to work together in local revision activity”. Local managment at the Tyneside ADC moved into action, in an attempted to unilaterally implement the working practice revisions, at the heart of the current dispute and to suspend local CWU stewards. Hardly an action designed to, as it says in the statement, “minimise the current tensions across Royal Mail”. In response around 1,000 CWU members on the night shift walked out at 2:30am and were later followed by the day shift on Friday morning. The management climbdown was rapid with the work revisions and suspensions withdrawn. Work was resumed at around 11:30am. A victory for the CWU, resulting from the rapid collective action of the local stewards and membership. It’s also a warning to keep vigilant for wildcat action of management during this period of negotiations
Union urges Royal Mail PFSL members to ‘Vote YES’ as two-year deal goes out to ballot (27 Feb) – Ballot papers go out this week to around 1,400 Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions Limited (PFSL) cleaners, admin and building maintenance workers asking for their endorsement of a negotiated pay and associated issues agreement read more
CBRE Better Workplace Team review puts 48 ‘at risk’ of redundancy (3 Mar) – Assurances and clarity are being sought for members of CBRE’s BT Better Workplace Team following the company’s unexpected announcement last week of a major shake-up of outsourced facilities services cover at five of BT’s key sites. Some 48 roles, including 31 conducted by CWU-represented grade employees, have been placed ‘at risk’ in proposals that were revealed to understandably shaken impacted staff last Thursday read more
PCS
You can show your support to the strikes by PCS members by:
- Making donations to the PCS Fighting Fund Levy account, sort code: 60-83-01, account no. 20331490
- Sending solidarity messages to [email protected]
- Signing our petition to tell prime minister Rishi Sunak to intervene and hold meaningful talks to end the strikes.
- Support us on social media with the hashtags: #PCSonStrike #BlameTheGovt
- New E-action in support of PCS national pay and pensions campaign – The E-action calls on MPs to support our demands over pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security read more
PCS meets ISBC Director over IPC closures (3 Mar) – PCS has met with the ISBC Director to express members’ anger at how the IPC closure process has been handled. In the meeting we sought assurances on redundancy mitigation, and future negotiations/consultation with PCS read more
Read PCS OFSTED FAQs on industrial action (3 Mar) – Ofsted members working in the applications, regulatory and contact (ARC) team and inspection support centre will take strike action in March. They will walk out from Monday to Wednesday on every week in March, starting from 6 March read more
Maritime and Coastguard Agency strike dates announced (2 Mar) – Members working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) in Cardiff are set to strike on 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 March as our national dispute escalates. Our national strike ballot on pay, pensions, jobs and cuts to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme closed in November and we received a positive result for strike action in many areas of the civil service, including MCA. In MCA, 79% of members voted for strike action on a nearly 53% turnout, above the required legal threshold of 50%. Our RSS members do a variety tasks including registering vessels from jetskis to cruise liners under the UK flag , boatmasters’ licences, registering war medals and births and deaths at sea read more
Land Registry strikes impact on property transactions (28 Feb) – Targeted strike action this week has closed the phone lines and will affect customer enquiries and property deals. HM Land Registry deals with registering the ownership of land and property in England and Wales. Staff deal with enquiries from the public and professionals and maintain and update records of ownership and interests affecting land and property. The Land Registry is therefore a very important part of the property market and wider economy. Members who work in the Customer Service Centres in Durham and Swansea and in the Customer Resolution Team in Birkenhead, Coventry, Croydon, Durham, Fylde, Gloucester, Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Swansea, Telford and Weymouth are taking strike action this week as part of our targeted strike action read more
Strike dates announced in Ofsted and DVSA (20 Feb) – The action will impact on driving tests, school inspections and complaints. The strikes form part of our targeted strike action in our national campaign over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. Ofsted members working in the Applications, Regulatory and Contact (ARC) team and Inspection Support Centre will take strike action in March. They will walk out from Monday to Wednesday on every week in March, starting from 6 March… In DVSA, there will be a rolling programme of strike action across the regions throughout March, resulting in a large-scale cancellation of driving tests read more
Land Registry members set to strike (13 Feb) – We are now asking PCS members working for the Land Registry to join our targeted strike action, part of our national campaign over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. The following groups of members working for the Land Registry are set to take action on 27 and 28 February and 1, 2 and 3 March 2023:
- All Land Registry employees working in the Customer Service Centres in Durham and Swansea.
- All Land Registry employees working on the Customer Resolution Team in: Birkenhead, Coventry, Croydon, Durham, Fylde, Gloucester, Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Swansea, Telford and Weymouth read more
Further DVLA strike dates announced as action further escalates (13 Feb) – We’re asking all DVLA members working in stores to take part in strike action on 27, 28 February and 1, 2, 3 March as part of our national campaign over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms read more
PCS National Campaign: Our chance to join the action! (8 Feb) – 100,000 PCS members will strike on Budget Day. A successful ballot will mean HMRC members can join the action. Following the highly successful day of action on 1 February, PCS has announced a further day of national action, involving groups comprising 100,000 members. The strike will take place on the day of the Budget, Wednesday 15 March. If more than half of HMRC members take part in our re-ballot, and we vote to act, we’ll be able to join them read more
Prospect
Why we’re striking: heritage workers are public servants too (3 Mar) – The dozens of civil service and public sector branches who have voted to take strike action include heritage and natural environment workers who also deserve to be recognised for the public service and benefits that they provide for everyone, writes Prospect national secretary Ben Middleton read more
Strike action announced at Highlands and Islands Airport (23 Feb) – Prospect has confirmed that firefighters and security staff across 10 airports are to take strike action during March in a dispute over pay. The action comes after similar action by Unite members at HIAL in February, and will cause further disruption for rural communities across Scotland read more
GMB
Ambulance strikes suspended for Government talks (3 Mar) – National ambulance strikes have been suspended after GMB and other unions agreed to talks with the Government. After months of waiting, the Health Secretary wrote to unions within hours of GMB ambulance workers announcing they would reduce emergency cover on strike days. The Department of Health and Social Care has now agreed to discuss pay for both this year and next year – as well improvements to other terms and conditions. Unions have also received assurances there is additional cash for both years above existing budgets and that any deal would respect the existing Agenda for Change structure. In return, national ambulance strikes on March 6 and 8 involving more than 13,000 workers have now been suspended. Other planned NHS strikes at Mersey Care and Barnsley Hospital have also been paused. GMB members striking in the Welsh Ambulance service have also agreed to suspend action on Monday for further talks with the trust and the Welsh Government. Talks are expected to commence early next week read more
Ashford bin strike called off after eleventh hour deal accepted (1 Mar) – No doubt the company are delighted at the news that the strike has been called off, says GMB. GMB, the union for refuse workers, has confirmed that the strike action scheduled in Ashford, Kent for two weeks from this Monday [6 March] has been called off. The union members, who are employed by the council’s waste contractor Biffa, have accepted an further increase on pay in addition to their pay rise awarded from last April. The pay deal will see drivers receive an average of almost £2,500 and loaders over £1,000, in addition to commitments on future pay rises read more
Amazon strike to cost company more than £2 million (1 Mar) – A history-making strike by Amazon workers in Coventry could cost the company more than £2million, GMB figures show. Up to 400 workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse will walk out today [Thursday 2 March] on day three of the strike – the first ever the company has faced in the UK. Workers are angry at an enforced pay rise of just 50 pence per hour. Amazon Coventry workers will also walk out for five consecutive days from 13 to 17 March and GMB estimates that the combined cost of the 8 days of industrial action could be more than £2 million read more
Almost 300 Mersey Care workers to strike this week (17 Jan) – Almost 300 health care workers at Mersey Care will take strike action this week over pay. GMB members including nurses, health care assistants, support staff, cleaners and admin staff will walk out for 24 hours from 00:01 to 23.59 on 18 January 2023. Mersey Care workers voted to strike over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award – another massive real terms pay cut read more
GMB union: ExxonMobil ‘throwing money’ at agencies rather than our members – GMB, the energy union, are preparing to name and shame companies who are providing strike-breakers in the midst of a trades dispute at Fawley oil refinery near Southampton. The union have been informed that agency workers have been retained on full pay until strike action recommenced, following a temporary suspension of action actioned by GMB and sister union Unite. Strike action at the refinery was suspended for Monday to Wednesday of this week to allow negotiations to take place, only for GMB to be told that talks would not be happening as there was “nothing to discuss.” Read more
Solidarity with GMB after yet another arrest on a bin picket line – For the second time in months, GMB Southern Region officers have been arrested on a picket line of their striking refuse members. Previously, arrests were made on the Wealden picket. They appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court on 29th June. The case was adjourned to Brighton Crown Court and was due to take place on November 16th but has been delayed again and will now take place on 24th March. This is an outrageous attack on the right of trade unions to strike, picket and protest. The NSSN sends our continued solidarity and support read more about Surrey strike
Unison
Donate to support striking workers – As UNISON members continue to take strike action, the union is asking for donations to its strike fund
UNISON to suspend strike to enter NHS pay talks with government (3 Mar) – The government has finally promised extra investment in pay for both this and next year. The strike planned for next Wednesday involving thousands of ambulance staff and other NHS workers has been suspended to allow UNISON to enter pay talks with the government, the union said today (Friday). Following a meeting of its health committee this afternoon, UNISON announced it was suspending the action scheduled for 8 March read more
Joint union statement: Acas higher education talks (24 Feb) – Talks via Acas will continue into next week on the terms of reference for negotiations on workload, contract types and equality pay gaps. Today (Friday 24 February) the five unions UCU, UNISON, Unite, EIS and GMB, representing staff working in UK higher education confirmed that talks via the conciliation service Acas will continue into next week. The joint unions have continued to push employers, represented by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), on the issues of pay, workload, casualisation and equality pay gaps. Some progress has been made in establishing agreed terms of reference for negotiations on reviewing the higher education pay scales. Talks via Acas will continue into next week on the terms of reference for negotiations on workload, contract types and equality pay gaps. However, the unions are disappointed that UCEA has moved to instruct its members to impose the first element of the 2023/24 pay proposal. This is despite nothing yet having been agreed on pay. The unions will continue to make that clear in negotiations read more
Stop Hackney Council cutting library services read more about the campaign here – Hackney library staff have been taking strike action against cuts
NIPSA
94% vote Yes for Action (3 Mar) – NICS Pay NICS Strike: Civil servants have returned the biggest ever vote for industrial action. In answer to the insulting and derisory offer of £552, civil servants have demonstrated their anger. The pay ballot closed yesterday, 2 March, and the Executive meet today to agree next steps. NIPSA General Secretary, Carmel Gates said: “This is the largest vote for action we have ever had in the Civil Service. Members are very angry and insulted because this is the worst pay offer that any public sector worker has received. This is another huge real term pay cut for workers who were classed as essential during the pandemic. With food and other costs soaring, government workers now need a second job just to make ends meet. This is utterly shameful. Our Executive meet today to discuss next steps which will include strike action and action short of strike action.” Read more
Health Members Strike Action 21 February (28 Feb) – I congratulate all of you who again demonstrated your commitment and resolve to stand up for patients and clients in demanding a Health Service that is safe for all and one that rewards employees with a fair and proper pay rise. The demonstration of support at Rallies across Northern Ireland demonstrated not just solidarity for Education in their struggle but the growing movement of workers who shout enough is enough. Standing together we can send a clear message to Government and politicians both here and in England, that while we strive to serve those who need our services, we will not let them down and we will not be disrespected by wages that fail to keep up with inflation caused by their mismanagement. This is indeed a long-term dispute on Pay and Safe Staffing and NIPSA continues to work collaboratively with other Trade Unions to maximise the campaign of action. To this end I give notice to members that NIPSA along with colleagues in UNISON have extended all Action Short of Strike for March 2023 read more
Reminder: Industrial Action Ballot, Civil Service Pay (16 Feb) – NICS Pay: A reminder to Branches that a ballot for industrial action across all NI Civil Service Departments and Arms’ Length Bodies commenced on 9 February 2023 and will close on 2 March 2023. Branches are asked to do their best to encourage every member to exercise their right to vote in this important industrial action ballot read more
Health Strike Update (13 Jan) – Health Strike Action HSC: While I would like to begin with wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2023, the reality is that I must provide an update in relation to the ongoing Industrial Action Dispute regarding Pay, Safe Staffing and Travel Reimbursement. The current Crisis in Health will not be resolved quickly and likewise the current Industrial Action will also need to be a continuous and determined campaign to bring Government and Employers to negotiate meaningful resolutions. In regards to the current calendar of Industrial Action being undertaken by NIPSA that requires your ongoing support including Continuous Action Short of Strike (ASOS)…and Joint Trade Union action with Unison in regards to their Non Continuous Action Short of Strike (ASOS) 16 January to 29 January 2023 (inclusive). This will include mirroring work to rule action and Withdrawal from all union/management/department of health engagement except regional meetings on dispute resolution. All NIPSA Members are required to participate in Specific Continuous Industrial (ASOS) to highlight the issue of Travel Reimbursement on the 20 January 20 February and 20 March 2023 as follows; The action will consist of a 24 hour withdrawal of personal vehicles for work related use commencing at 12.01am on Friday 20 January 2023 until 23.59pm. This Industrial Action will be repeated on a monthly basis including the 20 February and 20 March 2023. All NIPSA members are also required to participate in joint Strike Action on the 26th January 2023 with attendance at Picket lines essential. NIPSA also wishes to give notice to members that it intends to take further Industrial Action specifically to highlight Safe Staffing issues in February 2023 with details to follow read more
Royal College of Nursing
RCN Wales re-enters negotiations with Welsh government after Health Minister responds to RCN letter (3 Mar) – The Welsh government has agreed to further negotiations, after RCN members overwhelmingly rejected the latest NHS pay offer read more
RCN members in Wales reject Welsh government additional pay offer for 2022/23 (28 Feb) – RCN Wales has formally requested, in writing to the Minister for Health and Social Services, that negotiations recommence urgently to resolve our dispute. If the Minister doesn’t respond in five working days, the RCN Wales Board has agreed that RCN Wales will resume planning for further strike action and further dates will be announced in due course read more
Voting for RCN members opens on new NHS pay offer in Scotland (28 Feb) – RCN Scotland Board is recommending members vote to accept new pay offer. Eligible members have until 9am on Monday 20 March to have their say read more
UK government agrees to process of intensive talks with the RCN (21 Feb) – The RCN will pause strike action in England during these talks 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
Landmark race discrimination case ‘must drive change’ says RCN as NHS England apologises to senior nurse (3 Mar) – A judge found Michelle Cox was treated unfavourably by her employer because of her race read more
Royal College of Midwives
RCM recommends acceptance of latest pay offer as Scotland pay consultation opens (1 Mar) – The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) opens its consultation on the latest Scottish government pay offer today, running until 19 March. The RCM is recommending that its midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members accept the offer read more
RCM moves to accept Welsh Government pay offer following member consultation (28 Feb) – Midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) have rejected the Welsh Government’s pay offer. The result comes in an RCM consultation on the offer that closed yesterday. In the two-week online consultation just under a third (32.3%) of eligible members voted, with 82% rejecting the offer and 17.79% accepting. The consultation followed a pause in planned strike action by RCM members that was set for 7 February. However, the collective response of the majority of trade unions that make up the Wales Partnership forum – including the RCM – is to accept the offer. The RCM will enter into further discussions with the Welsh Government for implementation of the offer and push to start pay discussions for 2023/24 read more
RCM recommends its members vote yes as industrial action ballot opens in Northern Ireland (31 Jan) – The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Northern Ireland is recommending its midwife and maternity support worker (MSW) members vote for industrial action as it opens its formal ballot on pay today running until 7 March. The move to ballot staff working in Health and Social Care (HSC) is not a decision taken lightly says the RCM. It follows a consultation in November where over nine out of 10 RCM members who responded said they would be prepared to take industrial action if no pay award was agreed. The NHS Pay Review Body recommendation of a 4% pay award was imposed on HSC staff in December read more
CSP
Government makes offer for talks on NHS pay in England (2 Mar) – The CSP is considering an offer by the UK government for talks with health unions over NHS pay in England read more
Physiotherapy staff in England to strike 22 March. CSP escalates our pay dispute with a near-doubling of our next strike, with members in 56 employers called to action (27 Feb) – The biggest strike in our 2022/23 NHS pay campaign comes after the UK government refused to negotiate with health unions over NHS pay. Up to 4,500 CSP members will now take part in our March strike date. It follows two strikes on 26 January and 9 February in which physiotherapy staff at 30 and 33 trusts respectively walked out in an attempt to make the Government listen and deliver an improved pay deal. Progress has continued to be seen in Scotland and Wales with respective governments engaging in negotiations and offering physiotherapy staff a better pay deal, and as a result strike action has been averted. A similar deal had been hoped for in England, and this week we welcomed the UK government finally opening negotiations about NHS pay. However, we saw the government in Westminster initially using the divisive tactic of only speaking to the Royal College of Nursing. With the exception of doctors and dentists, all NHS staff share the same pay, grading, terms and conditions and any resolution must reflect that. In the absence of meaningful multi-union talks we are calling on members working in all remaining employers where we have a currently unused industrial action mandate to take strike action on 22 March read more
CSP to consult on 2023/24 pay offer from Scottish government (21 Feb) – Following early talks with the Scottish Government, the health unions now have an offer for next year’s pay for NHS staff. The offer will be put to members in the NHS in Scotland, with our member pay sub group recommending members accept the award read more
BMA
BMA announces dates for 72-hour walk out by Junior doctors in England, saying Health Secretary has left them, “with no choice” (24 Feb) – The BMA says the failure of the Health Secretary to come to the table and negotiate a reversal of pay cuts of more than 26%, has left junior doctors in England with no option but to take strike action for three days from Monday 13th March. Nearly 40,000 junior doctors voted to take industrial action in the recent ballot and hospital trusts and employers have now been notified that the 72-hour walk out will go ahead. Twice in the past week junior doctors have called upon Steve Barclay to meet with them urgently, but so far no date is forthcoming. A meeting with Department of Health Civil servants earlier this week yielded nothing in terms of meaningful progress; Steve Barclay refused to attend. The co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors’ committee, Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, said patients and public alike need to know the blame for the strike action lies squarely at the Government’s door read more
HCSA
HCSA hospital doctors add more dates to first strike in history – Junior Doctors in HCSA – the hospital doctors’ union has announced further walkout dates in March as part of the first strike in the union’s history. The period of action will now begin at 06:59 on the 13th March and end at 06:59 on the 16th of March. This follows an unprecedented 97% Yes vote for strike by members on 75% turnout read more
HCSA hospital doctors to strike for first time in history on 15th March – Junior Doctors in HCSA – the hospital doctors’ union will strike for the first time in the union’s history on Wednesday 15th March. This follows an unprecedented 97% Yes vote for strike by members on 75% turnout read more
NEU
Williamson And Hancock’s Leaked Messages (2 Mar) – While educators worked tirelessly the Education Secretary was clearly out of his depth read more
Northern Ireland: 21st February strike action (13 Feb) – NEU teacher members in Northern Ireland have voted in favour of strike action. Two thirds (66%) of NEU teacher members have voted in favour of strike action, and to join INTO, NASUWT and UTU on strike action starting on Tuesday 21 February. Watch our short film to find out why NEU Northern Ireland members are taking strike action. There will also be a number of rallies on the strike day and we encourage NEU members to attend their local rally read more
NEU Strike Action in England and Wales (1 Feb) – Teachers strike in pursuit of a fully-funded, above inflation pay rise. Commenting on today’s strike by National Education Union members in England and Wales, Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Today, teachers in schools and sixth form college in England and Wales and support staff in Wales schools, took strike action in pursuit of a fully-funded, above inflation pay rise. The government has short-changed them for over a decade, with significant real-terms cuts to pay and persistently unfunded rises which schools cannot afford…” read more
The full list of projected strike days are as follows:-
Wednesday 1 February 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
Tuesday 28 February 2023: all eligible members in the following English regions: Northern, North West, Yorkshire & The Humber.
Wednesday 1 March 2023: all eligible members in the following English regions: East Midlands, West Midlands, Eastern.
Thursday 2 March 2023: all eligible members in Wales and the following English regions: London, South East, South West.
Wednesday 15 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales – includes national ‘Save Our Schools’ festival and demonstration. Assemble 12noon Hyde Park Speakers Corner for march to Trafalgar Square
Thursday 16 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales read more
NASUWT
NASUWT statement on Scottish pay offer (4 Mar) – Commenting on the latest pay offer Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary said: “It comes as no surprise to see this latest pay offer appearing as if from nowhere, following meetings held in the last few days which excluded the NASUWT, in order to cook up this latest proposal. This latest pay offer provides only a paltry improvement over the previous offer that was rejected by our members. No doubt employers, the Scottish Government and others will want to claim that this offer represents a significant improvement for teachers, when in fact that means another pay cut for the profession. The manipulation of future pay award dates cannot disguise the fact that this latest offer falls short of what teachers have demanded, and it is likely to be viewed as too little too late. We will hear what teachers have to say as we consult our members on this latest offer.” Read more
Protect pensions or face industrial action, Glasgow school warned (3 Mar) – The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has advised Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow that it will now ballot members for industrial action as employers are moving ahead with plans to impose an inferior pension scheme on teachers. The school is proposing to withdraw teachers from the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme (STPS) and enrol them in an alternative and inferior pension scheme. This is the first instance of a school seeking to forcibly withdraw NASUWT members in Scotland from the STPS, and follows attempts by many independent schools south of the border to do likewise with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in England. The school is pressing ahead with its plans, despite 80% of teachers expressing opposition during a consultation process read more
Guernsey teachers vote in favour of industrial action over pay (2 Mar) – Members of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in Guernsey have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over pay and workload. 76% of members voted in favour of strike action and 87% in favour of action short of strike action on a turnout of 57%. The NASUWT will now be considering the scope of and a timetable for industrial action in Guernsey should an improved pay offer and proposals to address workload not be forthcoming from the States. The current pay offer represents a further real-terms pay cut for teachers in Guernsey, following years of pay erosion stretching back to 2008. Teachers’ pay has fallen behind median earnings growth and pay awards given to other States employees and is increasingly uncompetitive compared with the UK, once the higher cost of living is taken into consideration. Teachers’ pay is also considerably higher in Jersey read more
NASUWT members reject revised Wales teachers’ pay offer (22 Feb) – The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has rejected the revised pay offer tabled earlier this month by the Welsh Government. The Union has rejected the pay offer after consulting with members. 69% of respondents stated they wished to reject the offer. Two thirds (66%) said they felt the revised offer was unfair in the current circumstances read more
Northern Ireland teachers take strike action (20 Feb) – Members of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in Northern Ireland are taking a half day of strike action tomorrow morning (Tuesday) in the ongoing industrial dispute over the pay of teachers. The strike action follows a concerted campaign of action short of strike action across all grant-aided schools. The NASUWT is calling for a fully funded 12% pay award for 2022/23. Teachers have already lost thousands of pounds as a result of year-on-year pay cuts and the failure of salaries to keep pace with inflation since 2010. For example, a teacher at the start of the classroom main pay scale M1 has lost £44,669, while a teacher at the top of the classroom main pay scale M6 has lost £65,288, and an experienced teacher at the top of the Upper Pay Scale UPS3 has lost £76,064. According to NASUWT research the last 13 years have seen cuts of 38% to teachers’ pay in real terms read more
Teachers at Coventry School Foundation strike over pay (13 Feb) – Members of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at the Coventry School Foundation (BKHS Bablake Senior, BKHS Bablake Prep, BKHS King Henry VIII Senior and BKHS King Henry VIII Prep) are taking two days of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday over pay. Following the imposition of a pay award for 2022/23 that was significantly below inflation, employers have now withdrawn a promised and improved pay award for 2023/24 read more
IOM teachers take further strike action (10 Jan) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in the Isle of Man will take two further days of strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday in the ongoing dispute over pay, workload and working practices. The strike action, which follows two previous days of strikes on 30th November and 1st December, follows the imposition of a pay award which represents a real terms pay cut of 3% for most teachers and which follows a 30% real terms loss in pay since 2010. NASUWT members rejected the current pay award. The NASUWT is calling for a multi-year fully funded pay offer that begins to address the real-terms historic erosion of pay as part of a medium to long-term strategy for the sustainable delivery of high-quality education into the future read more
INTO
Industrial Action Update for Members (1 Mar) – Dear Members: While INTO had the authority to move forward with taking a further day of action on Thursday 16th March 2023, following discussions with the other teachers’ unions at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council a collective decision was taken not to proceed with this second day of action. The following statement is the agreed position of the NITC:
Dear All – The NITC wish to thank all of you who took strike action on Tuesday 21st February for sending a strong and united messages to the employers that all teachers are prepared to work together for a fair pay settlement for all teachers and school leaders. The NITC met earlier this week to discuss our next steps and gave consideration to a proposal for strike action on the 16 March. Unfortunately, this date is no longer considered viable. As we move forward together, we will be looking at dates in April as well as collectively examining our action short of strike action read more
NAHT
Ballot of Welsh school leaders put on hold as industrial action continues (17 Feb) – Today NAHT Cymru has confirmed that it will not go ahead with a planned ballot of members on a new offer from the Welsh Government due to a lack of detail and transparency. Last week the Welsh Government announced an improved pay offer, an agreement to reopen pay negotiations for 2023/24 and a commitment on workload in an effort to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with education unions. While those discussions on workload have been positive, a lack of details on proposals, timescales and implementation, coupled with continued concerns over funding have stalled progress. At a meeting of the union’s membership, it was announced that the union’s executive officers would not be moving forward with a planned ballot at this time and industrial action would continue read more
EIS
EIS Recommends Acceptance of New Teacher Pay Offer, All Strike Action Suspended (3 Mar) – The EIS is to ballot its members on a revised pay offer to teachers that was presented today by local authority employers, with a recommendation that the offer should be accepted. The EIS is also suspending all planned industrial action while it ballots its members on the new offer read more
Following Pay Talks, EIS Awaits Written Confirmation of New Pay Offer (2 Mar) – Following today’s meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs of the SNCT, where pay proposals for Scotland’s teachers were discussed by teacher representatives, local authority representatives and Scottish Government officials, the EIS is now awaiting written confirmation of a proposed new pay offer to teachers read more
EIS Announces Additional 22 Days of Strike Action as Teacher Pay Dispute Escalates (13 Jan) – The EIS has announced 22 additional days of strike action in an escalation of the dispute over teachers’ pay. This is in addition to the previously announced 16-day programme of rolling strike action, set to begin in schools across the country next week. EIS members have previously taken three days of national strike action – one in November and two in January – in the continuing campaign for a fair pay settlement for the year 2022. The EIS Executive Committee met today and agreed a programme of additional strike action that will include two days of national strike action in all schools and sectors on 28 February and 1 March, followed by a rolling programme of strikes for 20 days between 13 March and 21 April. Over the rolling strike period, each local authority area will be impacted by three consecutive days of strike action, with one day of strike action in all schools bookended on either side by one-day strikes in primary and secondary schools read more
SSTA
Teachers’ Pay Dispute 2022-2023 (3 Mar) – The SSTA National Executive met today to consider the next steps of the SSTA pay campaign. The Executive had identified dates for further industrial action in the event of the employers failing to produce an improved pay offer. However, just after 3.00pm today an improved pay offer was received from COSLA and as previously agreed by the SSTA Salaries Committee and National Executive the latest pay offer will be put to members. The SSTA will conduct a formal online ballot undertaken by an independent scrutineer next week with further details for the ballot to be issued early next week read more
UCU
UCU announces additional university strike day as talks continue (28 Feb) – UCU has served notice on employers for a further day of strike action to hit universities on March 15. The action was called by the union’s higher education committee which met last Friday. The union has called this date in addition to those set to take place on March 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22. UCU is currently in negotiations with employers via conciliation service Acas. As part of the process, employers had agreed not to impose a pay offer. However, part way through the talks, employer body UCEA instructed its member institutions to implement the first part of the pay offer, despite unions never agreeing to it. UCU is still in negotiations with UCEA at conciliation service Acas. General secretary Jo Grady confirmed that progress was being made across a range of non-pay areas. UCU is currently reballoting its members to extend the union’s mandate to take industrial action read more
Joint union statement: Acas higher education talks (24 Feb) – The five unions UCU, UNISON, Unite, EIS and GMB, representing staff working in UK higher education confirmed that talks via the conciliation service Acas will continue into next week read more
Staff strike at Havant and South Downs College over low pay (21 Feb) – Staff at Havant and South Downs College will strike for two consecutive days tomorrow and Thursday in a dispute over low pay amid the cost-of-living crisis. The strike comes after 76% of UCU members who voted said yes to strike action. The turnout was 53%, surpassing the 50% threshold imposed by Tory anti-trade union laws, despite the ballot only being open for two weeks. The National Education Union (NEU) also balloted members at the college with a similar result. 79% of NEU members voted for strike action with a 58% turnout and will be joining both days of strikes read more
Four days of strikes set to hit Sheffield College after ‘insulting’ 2.5% pay offer (18 Jan) – Over 200 staff at Sheffield College will be on strike Friday after receiving an ‘insulting’ pay offer of just 2.5% amid the cost-of-living scandal. Staff will then down tools for a further three days in January and February unless their demands are met, they will be on picket lines outside the college on each strike day. The full dates of strike action are: Friday 20 January, Monday 30 January, Tuesday 7 February, Thursday 9 February. Staff will also work to rule from Monday 23 January, which includes working strictly to their contracted hours, refusing to make up work lost as a result of strike action and refusing to cover for absent colleagues. The announcement comes after an overwhelming 87% of members who voted said yes to strike action in a turnout of 59% read more
Three days of strikes begin Monday at Sparsholt College over low pay (6 Jan) – Three consecutive days of strike action at Sparsholt College in Hampshire will begin Monday after management refused to make a realistic pay offer. Staff will be picketing the college every day of the action. They have already taken three days of strike action this academic year in the long running pay dispute and are demanding a pay rise that helps them meet the cost-of-living crisis. RPI inflation is currently at 14% and the college is based in one of the least affordable areas to live in the UK. Despite this, the college has only offered an £850 consolidated pay rise alongside one off payments totalling just £450 read more
UCU fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes.
FBU
Trade unions unite in solidarity with refugees (5 Mar) – The Fire Brigades Union is proud to have coordinated the following statement, which was passed as a resolution at our Executive Council last week read more
FBU leadership recommends acceptance of revised pay offer (10 Feb) – Fire Brigades Union leadership unanimously recommends that members accept revised pay offer. Dates for ballot on offer set, with result expected in early March. Union leadership says it “will not sugar-coat” offer, which is below inflation in first year. The Executive Council of the Fire Brigades Union has today unanimously recommended that members accept a revised pay offer. On Wednesday evening, fire service employers agreed to a 7% pay rise backdated to July 2022 and a further 5% pay rise from July 2023. This is a significant shift. In June last year, firefighters were offered just 2%. In November, they overwhelmingly rejected 5% in a consultative ballot. It was only when firefighters voted in huge numbers for industrial action that employers finally moved. 88% of FBU members voted Yes to strike action on a 73% turnout, with 94% voting Yes in Northern Ireland. The FBU had already agreed not to name strike dates while members are consulted on the offer and has set out a timetable to consult members. A hybrid online and postal ballot will open on Monday 20 February and close on Monday 6 March at 2pm read more
Merseyside firefighters, control staff and Green Book staff vote for Action Short of Strike – Merseyside firefighters, control staff and green book staff (non-uniformed staff) have “overwhelmingly” voted to take action short of strike in relation to a host of issues in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. The percentage of those voting who voted “Yes” to Action Short of Strike is 88.06%. The action short of strike will consist of a refusal to undertake pre-arranged overtime, beginning no earlier than Thursday 1st December 2022 and potentially lasting for 6 months. The ballot comes after a serious break down in industrial relations between Merseyside Fire Brigades Union and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority and the failure to reach agreement on several issues read more
POA
POA Pay Submission – costings error (3 Mar) – The POA have informed the PSPRB of an error in the calculations of costings by grade within our 2023 Pay Claim Submission read more
POA Pay Submission (27 Feb) – Dear Colleagues, All submissions have been given to the PSPRB, as you know the POA submitted our written evidence within the timeframes as specified unfortunately HMPPS did not adhere to the deadline.All submissions have been given to the PSPRB, as you know the POA submitted our written evidence within the timeframes as specified unfortunately HMPPS did not adhere to the deadline read more
BFAWU
News From the Bakers Union and Alex Rowley MSP – Bakers Union Recruiting Fife Food Workers with Local MSP Alex Rowley (2 Mar) – The Bakers, Food and Allied Worker Union (BFAWU) are launching a new partnership with Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley to recruit food workers in the Kingdom. The campaign will promote the importance of trade unions in the workplace as the cost of living crisis continues to stretch the budgets of many local people. The BFAWU and Mr Rowley will highlight how unionised workplaces are better paid, safer and have more secure employment conditions than those without union representation. Their campaign is starting this week at MOWI in Rosyth, where 800 people are employed on full time and part time contracts read more
Support the campaign to unionise Samworth Brothers – get organised, sign the petition read more
NUJ
NUJ reps mobilise on pay at 2023 NAIC summit (4 Mar) – Newspapers and Agencies Industrial Council sector reps met to share experiences and build strategies at the summit in Birmingham on 4 March read more
Budget day coverage to be hit by BBC strike (28 Feb) – NUJ members working for BBC Local have overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action over the corporation’s plans to cut local radio and have called a 24-hour strike starting at 11am on March 15, until the same time the following day, which will hit coverage of the Spring budget. A work to rule commencing at the close of the first strike action was also agreed. Further strike action will be announced in due course and options being considered are coverage of the local elections, Coronation and the Eurovision contest. The ballot of 1,000 members across BBC Local resulted in 83 per cent of members voting in favour of strike action and 92 per cent voting in favour of action short of a strike with a turnout of 69 per cent. Those striking will be journalists working for local radio, regional TV and online in England read more
Gender pay gap means women work for free for two months of the year (23 Feb) – The average woman in paid employment effectively works for free for nearly two months of the year compared to the average man in paid employment, a TUC analysis has revealed read more
BBC journalists to vote on latest plans for local radio (19 Jan) – Following negotiations with the NUJ, the BBC has made concessions on the drastic cuts it had proposed. Members are now considering if they will be enough. BBC journalists are holding a consultative ballot following negotiations with the BBC over cuts to local radio read more
NUJ members vote for industrial action at STV (22 Dec) – There has been an overwhelming strike vote at the Scottish broadcaster. The results of the ballot were 85 per cent for strike action and 93 per cent for action short of a strike. STV’s original offer was £2,000 to each employee read more
FDA
FDA Fast Stream members vote to strike (17 Jan) – FDA members in the central Fast Stream have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action over pay. On a turnout of 60%, comfortably surpassing the legal threshold of 50%, 88% backed industrial action in the statutory postal ballot. FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream, Lauren Crowley, stated “our Fast Stream members have been absolutely clear – they will no longer put up with unfair pay. This result highlights the anger that our members are feeling, they are tired of empty promises when it comes to pay reform.” Read more
Equity
Sign and share this petition to reinstate the English National Opera (ENO) funding and lobby your MP to back our industries and their workforce
USDAW
Peers urged by Usdaw to support stronger redundancy protections for pregnant women and new parents (2 Mar) – Retail trade union Usdaw is calling on the House of Lords to support a new law aimed at boosting workplace protection for pregnant women and new parents. The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill is timetabled for a second reading debate in the House of Lords on Friday 3 March read more
UVW
UVW holds largest-ever AGM to celebrate year of strikes (3 Mar) – In a beautiful display of Britain’s working class, some 200 migrant, precarious, Black and brown members came together for the United Voices of the World (UVW) Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Saturday. Since the previous AGM, held over Zoom amid the global pandemic in 2021, many hundred of UVW members have self-organised for decent pay and working conditions, the right to a voice at work and for equality with their directly employed colleagues. These groups of workers were represented at the AGM, which was attended by workers from various sectors and struggles read more
COVID-19 public inquiry begins: UVW’s frontline migrant health workers will be heard! (3 Mar) – After a successful appeal, UVW members will now give a first-hand account at the government’s public Covid-19 Inquiry of how they faced as low-wage, front-line, outsourced workers in the healthcare sector the pandemic and its aftermath. Cleaners, security guards, porters, caterers, and other healthcare workers – to cite just a few – kept the country moving during the pandemic at great risk to their health read more
Veteran cleaner and strike leader fights trade union victimisation at London School of Economics (2 Mar) – “This constant picking on me seemed to intensify after our successful strike against outsourcing. I suspect this repetitive singling out has to do far more with my union activities than anything else” – Mildred Simpson, UVW member, strike leader and cleaner at LSE. A cleaner of 21 years at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE), who successfully led her colleagues to strike in late 2016 ending inequitable outsourcing at the LSE, is facing disciplinary action on flimsy grounds, which could get her dismissed just before she reaches retirement age. We believe this is trade union victimisation because of her role in the cleaners’ victory in 2017 read more
GOSH cleaners confront hospital in groundbreaking court case over ‘institutional racism’ (1 Mar) – “Although I am very nervous, I am standing up for my rights because we’ve been cheated for a very long time and this has made me feel very bad at work“ – Genevieve, one of the claimants and a UVW member. A group of brave cleaners and UVW members at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) are confronting their employer in court over indirect race discrimination, in the first time a claim of this type has been brought against an NHS Trust. Today, 1 March 2023, begins a momentous ten-day tribunal hearing where GOSH faces a first of a kind group claim for indirect race discrimination brought by 80 Black, brown and migrant cleaners read more
IWGB
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
#SPYCops Inquiry exposes state surveillance of workers movement
Blacklisting of workers and union infiltration by Spy Cops a dark stain on the police and ‘no stone must be left unturned’ in learning the full truth (23 Feb) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, is demanding that no stone is left unturned in discovering the full extent of the Special Demonstration Squad’s (Spy Cops) role in blacklisting workers and infiltrating trade unions. In the closing statements to the first tranche of the Mittings Inquiry into Undercover Policing, Dave Barr KC the counsel to the inquiry, for the first time accepted that information on individuals who were spied upon was frequently passed to employers and that spy cops infiltrated unions and spied on their members as part of their cover. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Finally it has been admitted what our members have always said. For decades not only were workers secretly spied upon by undercover police officers, for no good reason, but information was then frequently leaked to employers who used it to blacklist workers. Now the inquiry has finally accepted that blacklisting frequently occurred, no stone must be left unturned in discovering the true scale of blacklisting by the spy cops and reveal who in authority gave the green light for this. Equally there must be complete exposure of the infiltration of trade unions including answers as to why it happened and who considered it acceptable. This is the very minimum that workers and their families, who had the lives destroyed by blacklisting, deserve.” 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. The Coronavirus Support Group for Workers has been set up on Facebook and is a useful forum and you can catch up on disputes at Strike Map UK. Also, check out Organise Now! – Support for new worker organising.
International
From NUj website: Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate headquarters attacked (2 Mar) – The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists in condemning the occupation of the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate offices by armed men read more
Diary
June
24 NSSN national conference 11am-4.30pm Conway Hall, London
July
29 Troublemakers at Work Conference 2023: Friends Meeting House, Manchester – supported by Workers Can Win!, Strike Map and Organise Now!
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
