The Tories are moving on with their new further anti-union legislation, the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 (MSL). Just today, education unions report on the intent of the Government to set minimum service levels in that sector. This is being seen in other areas as well, and yesterday the Tories progressed a Code of Practice.
Incredibly, this would seek to turn union reps and officers into our own strike-breakers! The Code states that union picket supervisors ‘will be instructed by the trade union to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that picketers avoid, so far as reasonably practicable, trying to persuade members who are identified in a work notice not to cross the picket line at times when they are required by the work notice to work’.
The union movement must fight together against this attack. The NSSN welcomes the convening of the Special TUC Congress on Saturday December 9th against the MSL.
The NSSN is organising a lobby of the Special TUC Congress from 9am-10am on December 9th outside Congress House, 28, Great Russell Street, Camden WC1B 3LS. All welcome
NSSN Chair Rob Williams said: “This is a vital conference, which we welcome. We have been calling for it to be convened ever since the annual TUC Congress in September passed the motion that agreed what should be the basis for the fighting strategy the trade union movement and over 6 million workers need against the Tory Minimum Service Levels (MSL) anti-union legislation.
That motion stated that “Congress pledges 100% solidarity with any trade unions attacked under these MSL laws” and included to “support demonstrations and hold a national march opposing the legislation and calling for repeal of the anti-union laws” and “organise a Special Congress, size to be determined, to explore options for non-compliance and resistance.”
Therefore, the Special TUC Congress must be a real ‘Council of War’ – setting out concretely the mass collective action needed for ‘non-compliance and resistance’. That should start with the announcement of a mass national demonstration, linking together the fight for the right to strike with the Tory Cost of Living Squeeze, that has triggered the incredible strike wave of the last two years, the biggest level of workers’ action for over 3 decades.
But it should also agree the process of solidarity action if as a result of the Tory MSL legislation, any unions are fined, up to a £1million, or any workers are sacked.
This is a massive moment. Workers are showing on a daily basis that they are prepared to fight to protect their living standards. The response of the Tories is to attack our rights. But this is a weak and divided Tory Government, reeling from yet another crisis that has seen Braverman sacked, exposed for her and the Tories’ toxic divide and rule tactics. But if we fight together, we can defeat both these anti-union laws and Sunak’s Tory Government.”
The Congress should also demand that employers under the control of Labour, SNP, Plaid and Green parties should refuse to issue work notices.
MSLs show government’s blatant contempt for teachers, says NASUWT (28 Nov)
PCS: Urge your MP to protest minimum service levels (27 Nov)
New Tory anti-strike laws attack basic human rights, says RMT (6 Nov)
Minimum Service Levels – not workable or needed says TSSA (6 Nov)
Unison: Government’s desperate strike move won’t solve any NHS problems (6 Nov)
PCS condemns ‘reckless’ and ‘vindictive’ minimum service levels legislation (7 Nov)
GMB: Response to Minimum Service Levels announcement (9 Nov)
Prospect: Minimum Service Levels Act is a mess and a highly partisan law (14 Nov)
Unison: Ministers should fix the country rather than reheat failed anti-union laws (16 Nov)
NASUWT: Desperate Government seeks to repeal agency worker strike regulations (18 Nov)
BMA contests strikes threaten patient safety claim (16 Nov)
RCN fights for members’ freedom to strike (20 Nov)
FBU: TUC backs campaign of non-compliance with new anti-strike laws (11 Sept)
The motion that was passed at the TUC Congress included:-
Congress calls on the next Labour government to immediately repeal MSLs, the Trade Union Act 2016 and take urgent steps to remove other anti-union laws.
Congress pledges 100% solidarity with any trade unions attacked under these MSL laws.
Congress agrees we must use all means necessary to defeat the unjust MSLs laws and calls on the General Council to proactively seek to:
- resist any further restrictive trade union legislation and demand:
- the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and all other anti-trade union legislation;
- stronger rights for unions to access workplaces, win recognition, and establish collective bargaining rights; and
- the right for trade union members to vote online during industrial action ballots, and statutory elections for executive committees and general secretaries.
- build coalitions to campaign for non-compliance and against further restrictive trade union legislation;
- build an appropriate industrial response to defend workers’ right to strike;
- implement a campaign alongside others defending the fundamental rights of working people to resist MSLs;
- legally challenge the Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) legislation;
- coordinate demands from affiliates and call on employers, devolved governments, mayors, fire authorities, local authorities and other public bodies to refuse to implement the MSLs legislation and issue work notices and work with the trade union movement to render MSLs inoperable;
- support demonstrations and hold a national march opposing the legislation and calling for repeal of the anti-union laws;
- mobilise support for any affiliate seeking assistance, whose union and members are sanctioned for non-compliance;
- organise a Special Congress, size to be determined, to explore options for non-compliance and resistance.
Over 50 union branches and organisations and trades councils supported lobbying the TUC Congress in September. Send us details if your union also passes our model motion or the updated version below, and/or agreed to support our lobby of the TUC and we’ll include in this list
This is an updated version after TUC Congress:-
This (branch, committee, trades council etc)
· welcomes the TUC decision for a fighting strategy to oppose the Tories’ new anti-strike law, the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which will initially prevent nearly 6 million UK workers in health, education, transport, fire and rescue, and other public services from taking full industrial action;
· recognises the urgent need to build coalitions of non-compliance and against further extensions of the act by creating an appropriate industrial response to defend workers’ right to strike and protect any trade union attacked under this new law;
· supports the TUC call to coordinate demands on employers, devolved governments, mayors, fire authorities, local authorities, and other public bodies to refuse to issue ‘work notices’ under the act, which are discretionary and not mandatory, and will initiate and/or participate in national, local and regional demonstrations and lobbies of such employers in support of this demand.
Public Meetings & Events:
How do we defeat the anti-union laws? – 7pm, Wednesday 29 November
A public meeting organised by London trade union movement organisations, hosted by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Council at the Bread & Roses
The Bread & Roses, 68a Clapham Manor Street, London SW4 6DZ
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-do-we-defeat-the-anti-union-laws-tickets-737898312717?aff=oddtdtcreator/ OR https://bit.ly/29novantiunionlaws
Provisional speakers include (more info shortly):-
• Maria Exall, TUC President 2022-3 and Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) Greater London Combined
• Riccardo la Torre, National Officer and anti-union laws lead for the Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
• Jared Wood, RMT London Transport Regional Organiser
• Maisie Sanders, teacher and National Education Union (NEU) rep, Hammersmith and Fulham
• Plus reps / activists from unions including PCS and Unison
Lobby of Woking Borough Council (called by Save Our Services in Surrey) – 6pm Thursday 30th November
Woking councillors are about to launch a wave of cuts, closures and hikes in service charges. Due to previous Tory incompetence and government cuts to council funding, the council is being forced by unelected government commissioners (being paid more than £1,000 per day out of Woking’s funds) to lay waste to essential public services. We say they have a choice. They can make a stand and refuse to vote for cuts – make the government fund the shortfall. This lobby is part of a campaign to save Woking’s services Facebook event
The Workers’ Committee JT Murphy pamphlet launch – Thursday 7 December
Strike Map and Manifesto Press have re-published the famous JT Murphy, The Workers’ Committee. This pamphlet outlines the first ever shop stewards’ movement in the country. The pamphlet will be launched at the People’s History Musuem on 7 December, starting at 7pm.
Book your ticket, which includes a copy of the pamphlet, here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-workers-committee-jt-murphy-pamphlet-launch-tickets-742181223017
Online Troublemakers at Work Meeting: Learning Lessons from the US Strike Wave – Thursday 7th December 7pm
Summer-autumn 2023 saw a strike wave in the USA involving Starbucks workers, healthcare workers, pilots, actors, writers, auto workers, and others. A major national strike of UPS parcel workers in the Teamsters was narrowly avoided. Some of the strikes, especially United Auto Workers’ strike against the “Big Three” car manufacturers, have been directly or indirectly linked to reform efforts within the unions, where networks of rank-and-file activists have come together to fight to transform their unions. Join this online discussion with US labour movement activists to discuss what we can learn from their strikes. Book your free place now via Zoom
Stop the attack on Gaza
Many NSSN supporters have joined marches and protests against the escalation of violence in the Middle East, particularly the daily bombardment on Gaza by the Israeli government
There are national and local protests taking place. See Stop the War website for info on these
Stop the War Coalition Ceasefire now! Workplace day of action on UN day of solidarity with Palestine – keep an eye out for events in your area, includes London protest and vigil, called by Stop the War Coalition, from 1-2pm. Assemble opposite parliament (Old Palace Yard) in front of the George V statue
A number of unions have issued statements on the situation in the Middle East, including: the TUC, FBU, RMT, NEU, Unite, Unison, PCS, ASLEF, TSSA, UCU, EIS, Equity, BMA, NUJ, UVW, GMB, SOR, RCM, RCN, IWGB, Prospect, INTO (Ireland), SIPTU (Ireland) and Mandate (Ireland)
NSSN news
Get your trade union branch or trades council to affiliate to the NSSN – it only costs £50. Already affiliated? Please think about renewing it and/or making an additional donation to help our work. Also, many of our supporters pay a few pounds a month via a standing order.
You can either pay online to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’, HSBC – sort code 40-06-41, account number 90143790.
Or you can pay by cheque to ‘National Shop Stewards Network’ and post to NSSN, PO Box 54498, London E10 9DE.
Feel free to use this affiliation letter.
And if you can, come to one of our regional Conferences. If there is not one in your area, get in touch to either assist in organising or have a speaker at one of your meetings or events. Contact Rob or Katrine on [email protected]
The NSSN is developing a campaign pack for social care, which we hope to make available in the not-too-distant future for supporters to use in their localities. As part of this, communications officer Dave Gorton is keen to hear from supporters who:
(1) work in social care (either local authority, private or independently provided)
(2) represent social care workers for a trade union
(3) are in need of social care provision themselves or act as an (unpaid/underpaid) carer for a family member
Dave can be contacted in the first instance via [email protected]
Union News
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RMT
Survey of women transport workers shows unacceptable level of sexual harassment (25 Nov) – 40 percent of women public transport workers have been sexually harassed, RMT research has found. The union surveyed 1400 women workers across rail, bus, metro and passenger ferry and found the following:-
• 4 in 10 women public transport worker said they had been sexually harassed at work in the last year. Yet nearly 70% of those affected did not report the incidents.
• When asked why they did not report, the most common response was that they did not think their complaint would be taken seriously.
• More than 80% of women said that sexual harassment on public transport is becoming more of a problem read more
RMT responds to Carnival UK ‘fire and rehire’ plans (24 Nov) – Maritime union, RMT today responded to reports that cruise giant Carnival UK is planning to use ‘fire and rehire’ for more than 900 crew. Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary said: “RMT haven’t received a HR1 form from P&O Cruises or from their crewing agent in Mumbai. We have had no contact from the Bermudan ship registry either. Our members covered by the RMT legacy agreements at P&O Cruises and others working across the Carnival UK Group are rightly concerned at the reports that their employers may be seeking to enact a fire and rehire scheme as a means of slashing pay and conditions. RMT share those concerns. The cruise industry has systematically replaced UK Ratings with cheaper international crew, some on rates of pay below £1 per hour, as executive pay and dividends sky rocketed. Carnival received taxpayer support during the pandemic, when RMT members worked to keep this lucrative multinational cruise company in business. What really irks our members is that we are currently engaged in formal pay talks with this employer. As with the P&O Ferries scandal, this smacks of an attack on seafarers jobs and on their trade union rights, under a Tory Government that would rather ram through attacks on the fundamental right to strike than act quickly to protect British Ratings’ jobs from rogue employers…” read more
Bus workers suspend strike action following new offer (21 Nov) – Stagecoach East Midlands workers at Mansfield and Worksop depots will be balloted on the new pay offer in a referendum. The union suspended the 48 hour strike action planned for 27 November after Stagecoach produced an offer which if accepted would take bus drivers wages to £15 an hour. It is worth 18.7% as part of a multi-year deal for all grades in the company with significant back pay and marks an improvement on previous offers made by the company. RMT is recommending acceptance of the offer and the referendum will close on November 30 read more
Tube strike ballot over pay begins today (21 Nov) – London Underground workers will start to receive ballot papers today asking them whether they want to take strike action over pay. RMT is unhappy at the latest pay offer from London Underground when Transport for London(TfL) has created a bonus pot of £13m for senior managers and the commissioner took an 11% pay rise in 2023. The union wants to see full staff travel facilities for all tube workers restored and has criticised bosses for freezing pay bands, saying it will create a two tier workforce. Tuesday 19th December is when the ballot will close read more
Video: Carlos Barros & Jared Wood – LU Pay Ballot 2023
RMT update on national rail dispute with train operators (8 Nov) – Following further negotiations between RDG and RMT, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the current dispute has been developed which sets out a process for a mutually agreed way forward, including a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees. This will now be put to RMT members in each of the Train Operating Companies in a referendum vote. If accepted, this MOU will terminate the national dispute mandate, creating a pause and respite from industrial action over the Christmas period and into Spring next year, while allowing for these important negotiations on proposed reforms to take place at local train operating company level through the established collective bargaining structures. These discussions would be aimed at addressing the companies’ proposals on the changing needs and expectations of passengers as well as unlocking further increases for staff, in order to help to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the railway and all those who work on it read more
Caledonian Sleeper staff ballot for strike action (30 Oct) – RMT members working on the Caledonian Sleeper service will be balloted from tomorrow (October 31) for strike action over insufficient staffing levels. The ballot for train hosts and train host team leader grades will open on October 31 and close 21 November. Union representatives have accused the company of causing adverse stress and anxiety to the workforce by refusing to crew passenger services adequately. Management has also failed to adhere to a dispute resolution agreement reached in 2019, putting a further strain on industrial relations. Workers will be asked if they want to take strike action and action short of strike, which would include no rest day working and an overtime ban read more
Royal Fleet Auxiliary opens ballot for strike action (11 Oct) – Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) could take strike action later this year, the RMT has warned. On Wednesday a nine-week ballot will open after RMT members rejected a below inflation pay offer from RFA management. RFA have offered a one year deal of 4.5 percent which is unacceptable to RMT members. Over 500 RFA seafarers will now be balloted for strike action with the vote opening Wednesday 11 October read more
ASLEF
Rail strikes: Aslef announces industrial action in December (16 Nov) – Drivers to stage fresh series of 24-hour strikes and overtime ban after RMT signalled possible breakthrough. The train drivers’ union, Aslef, will stage a series of one-day strikes and call an overtime ban across England’s operating companies at the start of December, ratcheting up the national rail dispute again. Drivers at each company will strike for 24 hours on dates between Saturday 2 and Friday 8 December, and will refuse to work overtime between Friday 1 and Saturday 9 December, causing more disruption for operators that rely on rest-day working read more on the Guardian website
TSSA
“What happened last night is unacceptable” – TSSA condemns far-right rioters in Dublin (24 Nov) – TSSA today condemned the actions of far-right demonstrators who set buses and a Luas tram on fire in Dublin yesterday (Thursday). Following the stabbing of a teacher and three children riots broke out in the city centre in which buses and a Luas were set on fire by rightwing thugs read more
TSSA Autumn Statement Reaction – ‘Tories trap Britain in Room 101’ (22 Nov) – Transport and travel union TSSA has dismissed Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement for offering pre-election giveaways while seeking to mask the harsh reality of thirteen years of Tory government read more
Unite
Healthcare workers at NHS Trust to take strike action over “moneybags Mitie’s” failure to pay lump sum owed to them (28 Nov) – Mitie workers in three Dudley hospitals head to the picket line while the firm announces huge profits. Healthcare workers in the West Midlands are taking strike action over the failure of their employer to pay them the lump-sum payment they are owed, Unite announced today (27 November 2023). Around 60 members of the Unite trade union who are contracted to work for Mitie at three NHS hospitals in Dudley are to head to the picket line after Mitie failed to honour the government’s commitment to pay a lump sum (Covid) payment worth between £1,655 and £3,789. Meanwhile, in today’s half-year financial statement, Mitie have announced they are on track for profits of £190 million this financial year, with its chief executive Phil Bentley receiving a salary of £900,000. Yet the workers taking strike action earn as little as £11.45 per hour…Staff will now begin 17 days of strike action during December, January and February to bring pressure on Mitie and the Dudley NHS Trust to make the payment they are owed. Unite has a campaign for all workers across the NHS, regardless of contractual arrangements to be paid the lump sum payment. It was initially successful at the Yorkshire Ambulance trust in ensuring the payment was made, has secured the payment for workers other trusts and is pursuing other cases read more
Glasgow based Waukesha Bearings workforce set for strike action (27 Nov) – Unite members rejected pay offer linked to removing workplace benefits. Unite the union can confirm that over 80 manufacturing workers employed by Waukesha Bearings based in Polmadie, Glasgow, are set for strike action tomorrow (28 November) following the rejection of a pay offer. Unite’s members overwhelmingly rejected a 6.25 per cent increase that was conditional on the removal of the employer income protection sick scheme. Without the removal of the scheme, a 4.75 per cent offer tabled by the employer was also rejected on the basis it represented a real terms wage cut. The workforce are involved in the development and manufacturing of thrust and journal bearings and pads. The components are made mainly for the oil and gas, and defence sectors. The strike action at Waukesha Bearings will begin tomorrow at 00.01am and end at 23.59 pm on 30 November 2023 when the action concludes at 23.59 hours. A continuous overtime ban has been in place since 10 November. Unite members previously voted in favour of industrial action by 89 per cent on a 77 per cent turnout read more
Open letters from Teesside, Port Talbot, Sheffield Scunthorpe businesses and community groups to save steel industry (27 Nov)
Unite secures inflation busting Brake Brothers wage deal in Motherwell (27 Nov) – Up to 23.2 per cent rise for over 400 Newhouse based workers. Unite the union can confirm today (Monday 27 November) that around 400 workers employed by Brake Brothers based in Newhouse, Motherwell, have secured a major pay victory. The offer emphatically backed by the workforce will see pay increases between 19.3 and 23.2 per cent on the basic hourly wage for warehouse workers and distribution drivers. The deal further secures a £300 December bonus, and access to an attendance bonus payment of £750. The whole pay package is worth over £6,000 for the duration of the agreement read more
Unite survey of over 12,000 women shows female workers still struggling for access to clean toilets (27 Nov) – Toilet dignity, like pay, terms and conditions, is an industrial issue for Unite. Women workers are still struggling for access to toilets a major new survey by Unite, the UK’s leading union, has revealed. More than 12,000 women responded to the survey, which revealed that 14 per cent only sometimes or occasionally have access to toilets at work. One per cent said they never have access to a toilet in the workplace read more
Architectural workers organise to open first ever Unite union branch (27 Nov) – Section of Architectural Workers (SAW) officially join Unite, the UK’s construction union. Architectural workers have organised to open the sector’s first ever branch in Unite, the UK’s construction union. The Section of Architectural Workers (SAW), set up in 2019 as a democratic grassroots union run by and for its members, has officially affiliated to Unite, forming a national branch earlier this month read more
Kaefer contractors at Mossmorran and St Fergus energy plants start week-long strike action (26 Nov) – Unite hits out at operator Shell amid multi-billion pound profit bonanza. Around 150 Kaefer maintenance and repair contractors based at the Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) and St Fergus energy plants started strike action today (Monday 27 November). The industrial action which ends on Monday 4 December also involves a continuous overtime ban for 12 weeks. Unite’s members returned a 75 per cent yes vote for strike action. Picket lines will be held outside both plants on the days of action – see notes to editor for further information. The dispute centres on the contractor Kaefer not making a cost of living payment for 2023. Unite says its membership has been left with ‘no option’ but to take strike action in response to Kaefer’s failure to make such a payment, and it is blaming the operator Shell for the stand-off. Shell PLC reported profits of £7.6bn for the first three months of the year, £3.9bn for the three months to the end of June, and profits of £5.1 billion for the third quarter of 2023. Profits at Shell rocketed to £32.2bn in 2022, double the previous year’s total read more
Housing key to supporting women escaping domestic violence (26 Nov) – This weekend marks the start of ’16 Days of Activism to end Gender-based Violence’, which runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Unite represents workers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic, and this year the union is highlighting the links between housing, homelessness and domestic violence during the ’16 Days of Activism read more
Go North East workers balloted to continue industrial action for fair pay (24 Nov) – Workers expected to reconfirm their commitment to strike for improved pay offer. Bus workers at Go North East are being balloted in their continuing industrial dispute with their employer, it was announced today. Unite, the UK’s leading union, has asked its members at Go North East to vote to continue strike action in their battle for fair pay and conditions. The ballot will open on Friday 24 November and closes on Thursday 7 December. The fresh ballot is necessary as despite protracted negotiations the company has not formally made an improved offer to its workers read more
Unite: Bolster ‘fantastic’ Nissan news with bolder auto sector plan (24 Nov) – Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The announcement that Nissan will build three new electric models in Sunderland is fantastic news that secures the long-term future of the site and the thousands of skilled well-paid jobs it supports read more
Unite announces strikes by Education Authority workers on Friday 1 December (23 Nov) – Industrial action by school support workers, including bus drivers, set to coincide with wider public transport strike. Unite the union has today notified the Education Authority of a further 24-hour strike by school support staff commencing at 00.01am on Friday 1 December. The strike action follows two days of industrial action last week and is timed to coincide with a strike by public transport workers on bus and rail services. The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a 94 per cent majority for strikes in pursuit of a pay and grading review to help address the chronic issue of low pay among education support staff. The strike is likely to cause significant disruption to many schools given the concentration of Unite membership in school bus transport, catering, admin, cleaning, classroom assistants and other roles. The timing of the strike will mean that Unite members working as school bus drivers are taking strike action alongside Unite members in Ulsterbus, Citybus and the Glider who also provide school transport services. The strike is the latest development in Unite’s ongoing industrial dispute over the failure to deliver a 2018pay and grading review for education workers which was subsequently negotiated on the back of industrial action by Unite in 2022 read more
Ireland Region BAEM Committee Statement on the Events in Dublin on Thursday 23 November (24 Nov) – Unite’s Ireland Region Black and Asian Ethnic Minorities (BAEM) Committee has issued the following statement on events in Dublin last yesterday: The horrific knife attack on school children and the staff member in Dublin City Centre has shocked the entire country. Our thoughts, our sympathy and solidarity are with the victims of this attack and their families. We are further shocked by the horrific scenes in the city centre later that day. Using the horrific stabbing incident and turning it into anti-migrant hate, a group of rioters have targeted public transport, various shops, and accommodation venues. They have burned public buses, a Luas train and cars. Chanting anti-immigrant slogans and claiming to protect the women and children of this nation against the “danger of migrants”, they have endangered the safety of people of Dublin. We express our solidarity with the transport and all other public and retail workers who are affected by these far-right led attacks. We also express our solidarity with all migrants and minorities, who are fellow members of our society read more
Unite lodges notice of first 24-hour strike action on December 1 by workers at Ulsterbus and Citybus (22 Nov) – Following last week’s ballot of members on Ulsterbus, Metro and Glider services, Unite the union has today notified Translink management that its members are to commence a 24-hour strike from 00.01 on Friday 1 December. Unite is the largest union at Translink and represents more than half the company’s workforce. The strike will mean no bus services operate on the day of the strike. The strike action is a result of Translink attempting to force a pay freeze on its workers read more
All three frontline public transport trade unions record overwhelming votes for strike action over pay freeze (21 Nov) – Joint Unite-SIPTU-GMB News Release: Vote raises prospect of bus and rail services in Northern Ireland being brought to a standstill. Unions convene discussion with workplace reps to agree schedule of strike action. All three leading public transport unions representing frontline public transport workers report large majorities for strike action and action short of strike action among Translink employees responding in recent industrial action ballots. Unite reported a vote for strike action of 95.5%; GMB of 95.6% for strike and SIPTU of 93.1% – all on turnouts of 60% to 70%. The votes were taken by all three unions over a three-week period and followed a zero-percent pay offer by Translink management with no date being provided for talks on an improved pay offer. Translink and the Department for Infrastructure which funds them are pointing the finger of blame for the situation at the inadequacy of budgets provided as a result of the budget settlement imposed by the Secretary of State. The ballot results are unprecedented in that they were conducted by all three unions representing frontline Translink workers. Strike action on both bus and rail services is now inevitable unless an improved pay offer is made by Translink management. The three unions are convening a joint meeting of officials and senior workplace representatives to agree next steps and an initial schedule of strike action. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham laid the blame for the strike with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland read more
Hundreds of Oxfam workers to strike for first time in charity’s history (23 Nov) – Massive vote in favour of strikes impacting hundreds of Oxfam shops. Nearly 500 Oxfam GB workers are to strike for 17 days throughout December for the first time in the charity’s 81-year history, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday). Low paid Oxfam staff, who work across the charity’s shops, offices and Oxford headquarters, are angry that average wages at Oxfam have been slashed by 21 per cent in real terms since 2018. This is despite the charity publicly condemning real-terms pay cuts by other employers. In contrast, Oxfam’s last reported cash reserves stood at £44.6 million in 2022. This is the highest they have been in at least five years and at the very top of the acceptable range the charity has for reserves, which is between £35 and £45 million. The workers voted by 83 per cent in favour of strike action in a ballot with an 82 per cent turnout. The vote came after they rejected a pay offer of £1,750 or six per cent (whichever is higher), plus a one-off taxed payment of £1,000 for the lowest earners. The charity has repeatedly refused to enter fresh negotiations. Unite also understands Oxfam is looking at undermining the strike by using unpaid volunteers, an astonishing move for a charity that says it supports labour rights, including the right to strike read more
Ofgem price cap: Regulator fails to protect public from energy profiteers (23 Nov) – Responding to Ofgem’s announcement that the energy price cap will increase from January, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After two years of crippling energy bills, the so-called regulator has yet again raised prices. Ofgem was created to protect the public, instead it protects the interests of big business…” read more
New pay offer for 1,200 First Glasgow drivers on table (22 Nov) – Unite confirms industrial action suspended. Unite the union, today (Wednesday 22 November) confirmed that over 1,200 First Glasgow drivers have received an improved pay offer leading to the suspension of scheduled industrial action. The new pay offer was formally put to Unite this morning following a further round of talks held at the conciliation service Acas. Unite said that that the strike action scheduled to start on Friday 24 November continuing until Friday 1 December is now suspended to allow the membership to be balloted on the new offer. The bus drivers previously voted by 99 per cent in support of strike action on a turnout of 77 per cent read more
Autumn Statement starves public services, fails to deliver for workers – Unite verdict (22 Nov) – Today’s Autumn Statement starves public services of the cash they need and fails to deliver to those on low incomes working on the front line, Unite, the UK’s leading union, has said read more
Unite response to Petroineos proposal to begin Refinery Transition Project at Grangemouth oil refinery (22 Nov) – Unite the union responded to the news that Petroineos plans to begin a Refinery Transition Project at the Grangemouth complex. Petroineos revealed the plans yesterday (Tuesday 21 November) to begin transitioning its Grangemouth refining operations at the complex which could be in place as early as 2025. Under the initial proposals, the Grangemouth complex would thereafter primarily operate as an import and export oil terminal facility only. Unite the Union continues to engage with Petroineos and urges other stakeholders such as the Scottish and UK governments to do the same due to the implications which the proposal has for the economies of the devolved and reserved administrations read more
Biomedical scientists in East Lancashire to walk out over patient safety (22 Nov) – Staffing levels dangerously low in Blood Sciences Department putting patients at risk. Members of the Unite trade union working in the Blood Sciences Department at the East Lancashire Hospital Trust (ELHT) will take industrial action as a result of dangerously low staffing levels. Biomedical scientists at two hospitals (in Blackburn and Burnley) have been escalating their dispute with the ELHT since February this year. Having been promised an increase in staffing which has failed to materialise they will now take part in strike action on 12 separate occasions in November through to February 2024 read more
CHC Scotia workers across UK set for strike action in pay dispute (22 Nov) – Major offshore operators impacted by helicopter services company standstill. Unite the union can confirm that workers employed by helicopter services firm CHC Scotia are taking part in strike action today (Wednesday 22 November) as part of an escalating pay dispute. Unite represents over 60 workers at the Aberdeen airport based company which also has operations at Humberside and Norwich airports. Unite members across the three airports voted in favour of industrial action by 80.4 per cent on a 95 per cent turnout. The strike action at all three airports starts today with the rolling programme ending on 17 December at Aberdeen airport (see notes to editor). There is also a continuous overtime ban in effect from 00.01am on 29 November read more
Strike looms over Manchester’s social housing and public buildings (21 Nov) – Falling pay threatens to cause strike action across Manchester. Workers responsible for maintaining and repairing Manchester City Council’s social housing stock and public buildings are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay. 120 workers, employed by the outsourcer Equans, maintain social housing in the north of the city as well as the council’s public buildings. Equans has received a 9.7 per cent funding uplift on the contract from the city council but it is failing to share the uplift with workers to maximise its profits. The workers were transferred from the council’s previous contractor in 2021 and have been plagued by falling pay, bullying and harassment. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Equans has the funds to make a fair pay offer to its workers, its failure to do is all about greed not need. “Both Equans and the Labour-led council need to face facts, any prospect of yet another real terms pay cut is totally unacceptable. Our members have Unite’s complete support. The workers have been offered a seven per cent pay increase, which is a substantial real terms pay cut. The pay increase was due to come into effect from April, when RPI (the true inflation rate) stood at 11.4 per cent. Unite has been in negotiations with Equans since April and the strike ballot result is due on Tuesday 28 November read more
Royal Navy subs set for delays as Mersey shipyard workers vote to strike over pay (21 Nov) – Royal Navy Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates built at Cammell Laird shipyard are set for delays after workers today [Monday 20 November 2023] voted to strike. More than 400 members of Unite and the GMB unions are ready to walk out in a dispute over pay and conditions. Workers include welders, pipefitters, electricians, fitters, labourers and cleaners as well as office staff voted to strike with a majority of 96 per cent in favour on a near 75 per cent turnout. They had been offered a pay increase of just 6 per cent – a real terms pay cut when inflation has been over ten per cent earlier this year. They are currently working on Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. Any industrial action would see significant delays to the construction process. The action could also impact Seatruck, Stenna and Calmac ferries as well as support vessels for the oil and gas industry. Dates for strike action will be announced in due course read more
Chivas Brothers workers back strike action as whisky festive season supplies set to be hit hard (21 Nov) – Unite members reject real terms pay cut as company’s accounts show £168.5m profit. Unite the union has today (Tuesday 21 November) confirmed that its membership at Chivas Brothers across Scotland have emphatically backed strike action. Unite, is the main union at the company, representing hundreds of members at the Kilmalid, Dalmuir, Beith, Strathclyde Grain and Strathisla distilleries, and Dumbuck warehouse facility among others. Unite’s membership supported taking strike action by an emphatic 91.2 per cent. The union claimed that any forthcoming industrial action involving hundreds of its members will ‘hit hard’ festive season supplies of the company’s premier brands. Chivas employs around 1,500 workers in Scotland. The company produces Scotch whisky premier brands including Chivas Regal, Aberlour, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet read more
Strike threat secures 12.7% pay boost for mechanical workers (21 Nov) – Deal improves on Labour Court recommendation rejected by Unite members. November 21st: Unite, which represents construction workers throughout the country, announced today (Tuesday) that it has secured a 12.7 per cent pay boost for plumbers, pipefitters and welders from January 2023 until 2026. The proposed deal improves on a Labour Court recommendation which was rejected by Unite members who subsequently voted by nearly 85 per cent to take strike action read more
Secretary of state’s threat to cut free and concessionary travel in Northern Ireland creates double whammy for bus and rail users (20 Nov) – Investment in improving public transport services in Northern Ireland needed not cuts. Bus and rail services are vital for greater inclusion and for a just transition to a more sustainable economy. Unite the union has warned that plans by the secretary of state Chris Heaton Harris to cut free and half-fare travel on buses and trains will have a devasting effect on the most vulnerable in society and will damage the economy. Earlier this year the department for infrastructure consulted on proposals which could see drastic restrictions to eligibility for free bus and rail fares – currently available in Northern Ireland to those with disabilities or aged 60 and above. Members of Unite which represents more than half the entire workforce of Translink, Northern Ireland’s public transport provider, is warning of the looming potential of strike action in an industrial dispute over a proposed pay freeze but threats to restrict or remove concessionary travel pose an additional concern for both jobs and public transport services read more
Alexander Dennis workers set for strike action in pay dispute (20 Nov) – Hundreds of Unite members reject real terms wages cut. Unite the union can confirm today (Monday 20 November) that its members based at Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) in Camelon, Falkirk, are set to take strike action in a dispute over pay. Unite can confirm that strike action at ADL is scheduled to take place for a fortnight from Monday 4 to 17 December. The strength of feeling at the factory was demonstrated by Unite members recording a 81.3 per cent yes vote on a 70 per cent turnout. Unite represents around 400 coach builders and spray painters at the factory read more
Luton braced for bus disruption as Centrebus drivers’ strike (17 Nov) – Drivers striking for pay parity as Luton Arriva pays £1.91 an hour more. Centrebus drivers in Luton are to take strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday). The drivers are angry that they are paid £1.91 less an hour than their counterparts working for Arriva in Luton…The drivers, who are based at the Bilton Way Centrebus garage, will strike on 28 and 29 November. The industrial action will escalate if the dispute is not resolved read more
New pay offer for Scottish Water workers on table (16 Nov) – Unite confirms industrial action suspended. Unite the union can confirm that the joint trade unions and Scottish Water agreed late last night (Wednesday 15 November) to put a new pay offer to the workforce following a further round of talks held at the conciliation service Acas. As part of the negotiations, it was jointly agreed that the proposed new grading structure at Scottish Water would be decoupled from the 2023 pay offer. All parties agreed to enter into discussions on a new grading structure on the basis that it directly and fully involves the unions as part of long-standing collective bargaining processes. The new pay offer will be put to Unite’s 500-strong Scottish Water membership in a consultative ballot which opens on Friday 17 November and closes on Monday 4 December. All industrial action is suspended until the ballot process is complete read more
NHS Tayside estates workers escalate industrial action over ‘second class’ pay and conditions (15 Nov) – Workers to down tools for five days a week at major hospitals across Tayside as health board refuses independent review. Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, can confirm that strike action by NHS Tayside estates workers will now escalate this week as part of a protracted dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. Strike action will begin today (Wednesday 15 November), and is in addition to the current two days scheduled on Thursday and Friday each week. The latest development increases the number of strike days to three per week – every week. Unite members are also withdrawing weekend cover. This means that the workers will not return to work until Monday 20 November at 08:00. The dispute centres on the failure of NHS Tayside to locally implement recognised national conditions for craft workers. Unite claims this is contributing to an ongoing underpayment of wages. The action involves around 60 estates workers including electricians, joiners, and plumbers read more
Warrington’s Own Buses on verge of strikes after worker dismissed for ‘union activities’ (14 Nov) – 83% of workers in favour of striking due to ‘bullying culture’ and ‘unjustified’ sacking. Warrington’s Own Buses are at risk of serious strike disruption due to the sacking of a union rep on ‘trumped up charges’ and the company’s ‘bullying culture’, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Tuesday). Unite believes the sacking was a targeted attack related to the worker’s legitimate trade union activities. In response, a consultative ballot was carried out that resulted in an 83 per cent vote in favour of strike action at the council owned company. The worker was sacked after his bus broke down because he took a picture of the vehicle’s undercarriage to show the fault more clearly to the engineer who had been called out. The company dismissed the worker for breaching health and safety rules as the engine was still running when he bent down to take the picture. This is despite the company admitting other workers had done similar things and not been sacked for them. During the worker’s appeal, the company then changed its reason for dismissing him. This time, the company claimed it was because it was believed that the worker, who had previously worked as a mechanic, would have tried to fix the fault himself if given the opportunity, although the worker did no such thing. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Warrington’s Own Buses’ trumped up charges are nonsensical and spurious. This is a barely disguised attempt to get rid of this worker for carrying out his legitimate trade union duties. Warrington’s Own Buses need to reinstate this worker immediately, otherwise this issue will be resolved through industrial and legal action. Unite never tolerates attacks on our workplace representatives and this worker has the full force of the union behind him.” Warrington’s Own Buses is wholly owned by Labour controlled Warrington borough council, which is already embroiled in a pay dispute with its refuse workers, who are currently on strike read more
SQA workers back strike action over pay (14 Nov) – Dispute at nation’s education qualifications body centres on ‘unacceptable’ pay offer. Unite the union can confirm today (14 November) that its members at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have overwhelmingly voted to support strike action. Hundreds of members backed strike action by 72 per cent on an 80 per cent turnout. The union’s members work in all grades and job roles at the nation’s education qualifications body including administrators, managers, processors and researchers. The pay dispute centres on the SQA’s two-year pay offer for 2023 and 2024. For the majority of Unite’s members, the current SQA offer equates to no more than 5.75 per cent in 2023, and 3.15 per cent in 2024. Broader inflation (RPI) in contrast has varied between 8.9 and 13.8 per cent throughout 2023 read more
Greene King contractor not “pouring happiness” into the lives of workers (13 Nov) – Lorry drivers and warehouse staff working for GXO taking strike action over below-inflation pay offer. Members of the Unite trade union are to take part in a series of strikes after their employer tried to impose a real-terms pay cut. HGV drivers and warehouse workers at logistics giant GXO, based in Runcorn and contracted to the Greene King brewery, have been offered just a four per cent pay rise this year, despite inflation running at over nine per cent for much of the year. The workers will now be striking on three separate occasions in November and December. Workers at GXO deliver beer to Greene King pubs across the North West and up to the Lake District and Carlisle. Industrial action could see taps run dry in pubs leaving drinkers turning elsewhere for their pints in the run-up to Christmas. Strikes are to take place at the Runcorn warehouse on 23 November for 24 hours, followed by longer strikes on 30 November – 1 December and 6-8 December. More dates for industrial action will be announced if members don’t receive a fair pay offer read more
Mum’s not gone to Iceland this Christmas (13 Nov) – Warehouse workers in Swindon set to strike over low pay. Warehouse staff in Wiltshire working on behalf of the Iceland supermarket chain are preparing to take strike action in the run-up to Christmas, Unite announced today (10 November). Unite members employed by the logistics contractor, GXO, work in the cold storage warehouses that supply Iceland supermarkets across the South West of England. The majority earn the minimum wage and have rejected a below-inflation two-year pay deal offered by GXO. Despite further negotiations by Unite, GXO has refused to offer a fair pay rise to workers who endure sub-zero temperatures throughout their shifts. Close to 150 Unite members across two sites in Swindon could now walk out in December and continue industrial action into the new year. Workers will begin to be balloted from today (Monday 13 November) with the ballot closing in a fortnight’s time. An earlier consultative ballot indicated a willingness to take industrial action in their campaign for a fair wage. Industrial action would cripple GXO’s ability to transport stock to Iceland supermarkets and could see a shortage on shelves and freezers in the run-up to Christmas read more
Council “dithering” means Warrington refuse strikes will extend into the festive season Unite sets further strike action (10 Nov) – Unite sets further strike action from 21 November until 4 December. Unite has blamed Warrington council for a fourth phase of strike action accusing council leaders of dither and delay. This week a provisional agreement was agreed but the council has not confirmed the proposals in writing meaning Unite cannot consult it members on the proposal. The 70 plus workers say the national pay offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925 is not good enough. The offer is below the rate of inflation and amounts to a real terms pay cut. But a complete lack of urgency shown by the council towards resolving this dispute is needlessly delaying a resolution. The third phase of strike action by refuse workers began earlier this week (Wednesday 8 November) and ends on 20 November read more
Imperial Logistics lorry strikes threaten Mini car production (9 Nov) – Imperial Logistics lorry strikes threaten Mini car production. Lorry drivers working at the Mini car plant in Oxford are to walk out over proposed changes to their pay and conditions. Members of the Unite union will begin a ban on all overtime beginning on 14 November and then take part in 14 days of strike action in November and December at the BMW Mini car plant in Oxfordshire, it was announced today (9 November). Strikes could be a threat to plant production at the famous Mini factory as LGV drivers are angry at the proposals to potentially cut pay by 20 per cent due to a reduction in working hours being introduced with new shift patterns or job cuts as an alternative. Imperial Logistics which runs the LGV operation at the plant, owned by BMW, has recently been taken over by DP World – the company responsible for sacking 800 P&O Ferry workers in 2022. They are seeking to change the shift patterns for LGV drivers and impose a 20 per cent cut in pay or cut jobs. Forty one drivers will now be heading to the picket line later this month unless Imperial, and their parent company, come back to the table and ensure no reduction in pay, no job losses, and no abuse of the banked hours scheme read more
Packaging strikes risk Christmas Amazon, Cadbury and Direct Wines deliveries (8 Nov) – DS Smith LGV drivers delivering cardboard to strike over real terms pay cut. A fleet of DS Smith LGV drivers delivering packaging cardboard and paper to major retailers, including Amazon, will strike over pay in the run up to Christmas, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday). The strikes will compromise the ability of DS Smith clients, which also include Direct Wines, Cadbury and Haribo, to package items for mail order delivery to customers during the festive season. The drivers, based in Launceston in Cornwall, Sittingbourne in Kent, Avonmouth in Bristol and Tuxford in Nottinghamshire, have rejected a five per cent pay offer. This is a significant real terms pay cut when the real of inflation, RPI, stood at 11.3 per cent when the pay rise should have been implemented in May. The workers are employed by DS Smith Logistics, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of DS Smith PLC. According to its latest financial report DS Smith PLC brought in a pretax profit of £661 million during 2022/23 – a 71 per cent increase on the year before…The drivers also provide delivery services for British Gypsum, VPK Packaging, Cepac, Board 24 and Sinat Portbury. In addition, the drivers pick up recycling at distribution centres for Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Coop, ASOS, Biffa and Veolia. A large pileup of uncollected cardboard recycling will cause significant disruptions to the operations of these companies. An initial seven days of strike action will take place between 20 and 27 November, with strike action set to intensify throughout December if the dispute is not resolved read more
Striking Cornwall GRS concrete mixer drivers protest at Nuneaton HQ (8 Nov) – Workers striking over low pay, union-busting and intimidation. Striking ready-mix concrete HGV drivers from Cornwall will hold a protest outside their employer GRS’ Nuneaton headquarters on Friday read more
West London bus chaos as 350 drivers and engineers strike (7 Nov) – RATP-owned London Transit workers angry at real terms pay cut. More than 350 West London bus drivers and engineers will begin six days of strike action over pay on Friday (10 November), Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Tuesday). The workers, who are employed by London Transit, which is owned by French-company RATP, are striking after they rejected a 6.8 per cent pay offer. This is a significant real terms pay cut as the real rate of inflation, RPI, stood at 11.4 per cent when the pay increase was supposed to be applied in April. The dispute is also over the company’s attempt to reduce terms and conditions, including removing a longstanding £500 meal relief payment and attacking arrangements for a how workers take days off in lieu. Increasing bad feeling at the company, is the fact that it takes workers seven years to reach the full rate of pay, even though at most other bus companies it only takes three years of service…The workers are based at the Westbourne Park Garage and the strikes will impact the 13, 23, 28, 218, 295, 414, 452 and N28 routes. Strikes will take place on 10 and 13 November and 1, 4, 22 and 23 December. The industrial action will escalate if the dispute is not resolved read more
West Midlands steel coil workers poverty pay strikes intensify (7 Nov) – ArcelorMittal workers angry at real terms pay cut while firm rakes in millions. Poverty pay strikes by West Midlands workers making steel products for the automotive and construction industries at the ArcelorMittal factory in Willenhall have intensified. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, earn an average of £11.24 per hour, with some receiving just the national minimum wage. They have rejected a pay rise of seven per cent. This is a significant, real terms pay cut when the true rate of inflation, RPI, stood at 11.4 per cent when the rise was due to be implemented in April of this year. The low wages at the factory stand in stark contrast to the money being made by their employer. ArcelorMittal Distribution Solutions latest available financial returns show it had a turnover of £267.5 million and operating profits of £33.1 million in 2021. The workers have already taken 17 days of strike action since strikes began in September. Beginning today, they will strike for a further 11 days during November and a further four days in December. The current round of strike action will end on 8 December, however further strike action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved by then. ArcelorMittal is sending work to sister plants and competitor companies as a result of the strikes, with the large costs of diverting the work about to significantly increase as the dispute escalates…Strikes will take place on 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 20, 23, 24, 28 and 29 November and 1, 4, 5 and 8 December read more
Thousands of engineering construction workers ready to strike after rejecting pay offer (6 Nov) – Strike ballot of over 3,000 oil refinery and power station engineers enlarged as dispute grows. Thousands of engineering construction workers are ready to strike after they rejected an ‘inadequate’ pay offer, with more set to be balloted, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The workers, who operate under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI), last week voted by 86 per cent to reject a two year pay offer of 10 per cent for 2024 and five per cent for 2025. The offer, from the employers who negotiate the NAECI agreement with unions, does not go far enough to restore years of falling wages for engineering construction workers. Since the pandemic, pay for engineering construction workers has fallen by 20 per cent in real terms. During Covid, a pay freeze was imposed on the workers even though they provided essential services throughout the crisis. In January 2022, they received a two year pay deal of 2.5 per cent for 2022 and the same percentage increase for 2023 – even though inflation was soaring into double digits…Unite’s NAECI members carry out essential repair and maintenance at oil refineries, power stations and pharmaceutical and petro-chemical plants. Workers at Drax, Sellafield, Stanlow, Pembroke, Grangemouth, Teesside Sabic TIP and Runcorn Project Summer Vynova have already voted for strike action. Due to the strength of feeling amongst NAECI members, Unite is also preparing to ballot even more workers at other sites across the country to join any industrial action read more
Strathclyde university workers strike in pay dispute (6 Nov) – 400 Unite members walk out for five days. Unite the union has today (Monday 6 November) confirmed that around 400 members employed at the University of Strathclyde will take strike action over five days this week. The Strathclyde workers will strike from Monday 6 November until close of the working day on Friday 10 November as part of a UK wide pay dispute. Unite’s members involved in the pay dispute includes technicians, cleaners, security officers, and janitors. The vast majority of Unite’s members in higher education across Scotland have had a five-six per cent pay offer imposed on them by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) pay body. The pay imposition follows a derisory uplift of three per cent for the majority of members in 2022. Despite local negotiations with the University of Strathclyde to secure an improved pay deal, Unite confirmed that ‘insufficient progress’ has been made to avert the latest round of strike action. This follows previous rounds of strike action at the university on 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19 September, and 5 and 6 October read more
Vista Therm workers to commence new wave of industrial action tomorrow (5 Nov) – Strike action to recommence by the workforce at Vista Therm after Unite reballoted over management union-busting. Industrial action follows previous twelve-week strike for cost of living pay increase and union recognition. Unite the union has served notice on Vista Therm, a specialist glass manufacturer based at Silverwood Business Park, Craigavon that a new wave of industrial action by its members will commence with a 24-hour strike from 00.01am tomorrow, Monday [November 6th]. Workers will be establishing pickets outside the workplace from 7am to 8.30am in the morning and between 3pm and 4.30pm in the afternoon. The latest action occurs after the union’s membership voted with a 97 per cent majority for strike action over management union-busting activities. During the previous period of strike action, management dismissed two young workers and suspended another two, including a Unite shop steward. The Vista Therm workforce overwhelmingly comprises foreign nationals including a large majority of workers whose first language is Polish or Ukrainian. The industrial dispute represents a touchstone case for the wider exploitation of foreign national workers read more
Clyde shipyard type 26 Frigate contractors balloted over strike action (3 Nov) – CBL Cable Contractors in pay and conditions dispute. Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, confirmed today (Friday 3 November) that over 30 members contracted to work on the new type 26 Frigate on the Clyde are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Unite members including electricians, labourers and cable hands are employed by CBL Cable Contractors Limited based at BAE Systems on the Clyde. The contractors are demanding to be paid the BAE Systems yard rate, or an additional £1 per hour on top of the current rates of pay. The dispute also relates to travel related payments which Unite’s members are due as the BAE workplace falls under the scope of the Joint Industry Board Agreement. The agreement sets the standards for employment, grading and apprentice training in the electrical contracting industry. This includes travel time and the use of a personal vehicle to travel to work which entitles workers to a mileage allowance. The industrial action ballot opens on 7 November and closes on 20 November. If the ballot is successful then strike action could take place from early December read more
Haringey Council workers protest at town hall to warn of strike escalation (2 Nov) – Housing repair workers will stage a protest this Friday to warn Haringey council that strike action will extend into next year unless the local authority gets serious about negotiations read more
Unite steps up action in fight for fair pay and safe staffing in London NHS Trust (1 Nov) – Further strike action taking place across the Barts NHS Trust due to management inertia over pay and staffing levels. Unite, the UK’s leading union, is escalating its dispute with Barts NHS Trust as its members undertake a wave of fresh strikes in London this month. The strikes are part of Unite’s campaign to increase pay and end unsafe staffing afflicting NHS workers. Over 1,000 workers at Barts Health NHS Trust are in dispute over pay, safe staffing levels, bank rates and lump-sum payments. Workers are experiencing staff shortages, which have reached such a level that they risk the health of patients and threaten staff welfare. Earlier this month it was reported that the government could face a judicial review over its failure to pay the lump-sum award to thousands of outsourced staff. The lump sum payment is worth £1,655 lump sum payment and was part of the NHS pay settlement for 2022/23. The workers, who primarily undertake soft facilitator roles (cleaners, housekeepers, caterers, porters, etc), were previously employed by outsourcer Serco and only transferred back to the NHS in recent months. The trust has refused to honour the lump sum payment. Unite has also rejected the government’s pay deal as it amounted to a further real terms pay cut for NHS workers. Staff at Barts and Synergy (an outsourcing company providing linen services) taking industrial action includes nurses, biomedical scientists, clinical engineers, porters, cleaners and auxiliary staff. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Barts could easily end this dispute but it is refusing to agree to Unite’s reasonable demands. Our NHS members are fighting for fair pay and to put an end to dangerously low levels of staffing – something that puts patients in danger and which this government wants to ignore. “It is an outrage that our members at Barts, who are some of the lowest paid staff in the NHS and who are struggling during this cost-of-living crisis, have been denied the lump-sum payment they are entitled to.” All members employed by Barts Trust will take strike action for three days from 00.01 on Monday 6 November until 23.59 on 8 November 2023. Members employed in catering, domestic, patient ambassador, portering, security, sewing room and ward host roles; will take a more extensive period of strike action from 00.01 hours on Monday 6 November continuous for 12 days until 23.59 on Friday 17 November read more
Offshore Odfjell drillers balloted on strike action (27 Oct) – Equinor and TAQA installations dispute over working rota and paid leave. Unite, Scotland’s leading offshore trade union, confirmed today (27 October) that hundreds of Odfjell offshore drillers are being balloted in a dispute over working rotas and paid annual leave. The disputes involves crews on Equinor’s Mariner unit and TAQA units including Harding, Tern Alpha, East Brae, Brae Alpha and the North Cormorant. The members involved includes drillers, electricians, mechanics, and materials controllers. The ballot which runs for five weeks opens today (27 October) and closes on 7 December. Strike action could take place early next year if the ballots are successful. The dispute centres on Odfjell’s refusal to reform working rotas and provide paid annual leave. The drillers currently work three weeks on and three weeks off, which leaves them at a disadvantage compared with other offshore workers on the installations operated by Equinor and TAQA. Operator staff, caterers and construction workers all operate on a rota of two weeks on and three off. Odfjell and the operators have stated that any change to the working rotas will result in the drillers having to sacrifice pay read more
Unite calls for immediate investigation into potential illegal use of agency workers designed to break Cardiff strike (27 Oct) – Unite the union is calling for an immediate investigation by Cardiff Council into the potential use of agency workers to undermine the current strike action by Unite within the local authority. Unite has found evidence that employment agencies may be supplying labour and advertising positions, to cover work that would normally be undertaken by workers currently on strike. The use of “scab” agency labour to undermine strikes is a criminal offence and carries with it large fines and other punishments, not only for the employment agencies concerned but also Cardiff Council itself read more
DuPont Teijin Films workers to resume strike action as Unite warns to disruption ‘last months’ (26 Oct) – Dumfries based plant to be hit by further stoppages in escalating pay dispute. Unite the union can confirm today (Thursday 26 October) that it has served notice on a further round of stoppages to hit the Dumfries based DuPont Teijin Films (DTF) plant. A new round of strike action involving around 100 members of Unite covering all shifts at the plant will start tomorrow on 27 October and conclude on 5 November (see notes to editor). The trade union has warned that unless DTF get back round the negotiating table with a ‘serious offer’ then disruption at the plant could last for months. Unite has accused DTF management of by-passing the agreed collective bargaining procedures, and the workforce’s trade union representatives, to impose a 3.3 per cent wage offer in April. The broader rate of inflation (RPI) hit 11.4 per cent at the time of the pay offer. DTF is a major supplier of polyester films for electrical, medical, photo, print and photovoltaic uses to UK supermarkets, as well as institutional catering for hospitals, schools and home-meals for the elderly…The new wave of strike action follows the stoppages taking place on 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 September. A continuous overtime ban has also been in place since July read more
Winter of industrial action looms over Coventry after refuse workers vote for action (25 Oct) – Winter of industrial action looms over Coventry after refuse workers vote for action. Loaders who empty bins during heatwaves and hailstorms vote for action by a margin of 74%. Coventry Council refuse workers employed as loaders have overwhelmingly voted for strike action and action short of a strike. Coventry council is attempting to impose significant cuts to the workers’ terms and conditions. More than 40 HGV refuse lorry drivers employed by Labour-controlled Coventry council have already voted for strike action read more
Klarius Stoke-on-Trent strikes intensifies after inadequate sick pay offer rejected (23 Oct) – Workers angry over ‘disgraceful’ fire and rehire sick pay threats. Striking Stoke-on-Trent workers employed by Klarius Products have rejected an inadequate sick pay offer from the company and will intensify their strike action, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). The workers began a series of strikes in September in response to the company’s threats to fire and rehire them in order to drastically reduce sick pay for some of its most long serving and loyal workforce. The problems at the company are a result of the creation of a two-tier workforce. Workers on the traditional contracts receive a very fair company sick pay scheme, while workers on the inferior, newer contracts only receive statutory sick pay (SSP). Klarius’ solution is to introduce a new sick pay scheme, but it would result in many workers experiencing sizeable cuts in their entitlement. The workers have since rejected an offer from the company that would have seen their sick pay reduced over three years to just two weeks from five. This is not acceptable to Unite’s membership as they have sacrificed terms and conditions in previous years in order to retain the original sick pay scheme…The workers have taken 16 days of strike action since 12 September. They will now strike Monday through to Friday every week from 6 November to 1 December read more
Unite ballots Oceaneering workers in escalating pay dispute (16 Oct) – Rosyth based company pay offer overwhelmingly rejected. Unite, Scotland’s leading trade union, confirmed that around 90 workers will be balloted on strike action in an escalating pay dispute with the Port of Rosyth based company Oceaneering. Oceaneering International Services Limited has made a 6 per cent pay offer plus a one-off payment which by 84 per cent has been overwhelmingly rejected by the workers. The pay offer rejection follows the workers having received a 1 per cent increase in 2022 which represented a massive real terms pay cut with inflation rocketing to hit 14 per cent last year…The ballot opens on 18 October and closes on 8 November read more
240 craft workers to strike in dispute with West Lothian council (16 Oct) – Unite demands overdue pay. Unite the union confirmed today (Monday 16 October) around 240 craft members employed by West Lothian council will take strike action in a dispute over money-owed to the workforce. Strike action will start tomorrow at 08.00 (17 October) until 19 October when the action stops at 16.30. The members previously supported strike action by 96.3 per cent. The dispute is due to the failure of West Lothian council to pay craft workers carrying out additional tasks under the terms of the existing craft agreement. The workforce includes joiners, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, bricklayers, skilled labourers, blacksmiths, and heating engineers read more
UK Packaging Awards in London hit by Cepac ‘fire and rehire’ protest (12 Oct) – Unite demands Darlington-firm Cepac nominations rescinded over shocking dismissal of workers. A demonstration will be held outside of the UK Packaging Awards in London this evening (Thursday 12 October), over nominee Cepac’s attempts to fire and rehire workers striking over pay. The workers, who are based at the company’s Darlington factory, have been on strike over pay and the slashing of terms and conditions since Monday 14 August, with industrial action set to last until 6 November. Rather than enter into negotiations, Cepac threatened headcount reductions and fire and rehire for the remaining workers. On 6 October, the company issued redundancy notices for the striking workers with the intention of making them sign new inferior contracts read more
Strikes to go ahead at Cambridge University (11 Oct) – Facilities, library and IT staff to walk out over lack of improved pay offer. Essential workers at Cambridge University are to strike after the university cut their pay in real terms. The university, one of the world’s most prestigious institutes of learning, is only offering between a five and six per cent increase. With RPI currently sitting at nine per cent that represents a real terms pay cut of at least three per cent. Unite’s members are demanding above-inflation rises to cope with the cost of living crisis in one of the most expensive parts of the UK outside London. Over 450 members working in the university library, the department of engineering, estate management, the Fitzwilliam Museum, information services and many other departments are to take strike action, likely resulting in building closures and repairs not taking place. Strikes will take place on four days: 24, 26 October and 1, 7 November read more
Workers launch campaign against low pay and zero hours at Greenwich Leisure Limited (10 Oct) – Workers in Bromley have voted for strike action by a margin of 86%. The controversial social enterprise Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is back in the spotlight after workers at Bromley libraries voted for a campaign of industrial action. The workers are fighting against a race to the bottom in local government by campaigning for better pay and an end to zero hours. The workers in Bromley voted for strike action by a margin of 86 per cent and Unite representatives will be meeting in the coming week to agree strike dates. GLL has a window of opportunity to avoid strike action read more
Industrial action brewing across 21 UK ports (6 Oct) – Unite, Britain’s leading union, is warning Associated British Ports (ABP) that strike action could be brewing across its 21 ports which handle around a quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade. Unite has lodged a dispute concerning maritime pilots who safely navigate ships in and out of the UK’s waterways and ports. Ships cannot leave or enter the UK’s ports without these skilled workers. Last July without any consultation, which is required under health and safety legislation and Unite’s recognition agreement, ABP introduced increased medical standards. Unite has no objection to improving standards but there has been no negotiations and no detail about how these medical tests will be done or what happens if a member fails. This is a serious concern as ultimately members’ jobs could be at stake. The main bulk of Unite members are in South Wales (Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Cardiff and Newport), Southampton and the Humber (Port of Hull and Immingham) although the dispute could be wider and impact all 21 ports operated by ABP read more
PPG automotive paint workers in Suffolk head to picket line over low pay (5 Oct) – Stowmarket manufacturer offering real-terms pay cut will see workers walk out. Workers at the Suffolk factory of international paint manufacturer PPG Industries are to strike over pay, Unite the union announced today (5 October). Over 200 members of Unite, Britain’s leading trade union, have voted for industrial action over the low pay offer made by PPG. The employer has made an offer of just five per cent, but with inflation currently at 9.1 per cent this represents a real-terms pay cut for workers. PPG Industries is a worldwide paint and coatings conglomerate and the Stowmarket factory has many high-profile customers that include the Williams Formula One team, Lamborghini and Lotus…Strike dates are yet to be confirmed but are likely to be throughout the autumn read more
Unite announces escalation in A.G. Barr strike action (4 Oct) – Soft drinks giant pre-tax profits up 12.6 % to £27.8 million over first 6 months of 2023. Unite, the UK’s leading union, has today (4 October) announced an escalation in strike action as part of a long-running pay dispute with the soft drinks giant A.G. Barr. Unite represents truck and shunter drivers who are essential to the supply of the company’s world-renowned products including Irn-Bru – one of the nation’s most popular soft drinks. Unite’s members have overwhelmingly rejected the company’s five per cent pay offer for 2023. Unite can confirm that talks are scheduled with A.G. Barr tomorrow (Thursday 5 October) through the auspices of the conciliation service Acas in a bid to make a breakthrough in the pay dispute. If there is no breakthrough in these discussions, Unite has stated that its members will participate in further stoppages on 13 and 16 October, and then from 20 to 30 October. The workers are already scheduled to resume strike action from midnight on Friday (6 October) read more
Mitie healthcare workers in Dudley balloted over refusal to pay lump-sum (4 Oct) – Staff who work for NHS outsourcing company denied money owed to them. Unite, Britain’s leading trade union, announced today (4 October) that it is balloting its membership at NHS outsourcing company, Mitie, in its campaign to get the company to pay its workers the lump sum payment they are owed. Many of the Mitie workers were previously in the NHS and were transferred across and promised the same pay and conditions. But the “COVID payment” lump sum of up to £1,600 that NHS workers received as part of the NHS pay award this year has not been paid by Mitie to its workforce. Mitie’s staff work alongside the NHS workforce in the Dudley group of hospitals in the West Midlands…The Mitie staff work across three hospitals, Russell Hall, Corbett and Dudley Guest, and perform vital estate management services…Other private sector outsourcing companies including Equans and Skanska have paid their health workers the lump sum payment and Unite is fighting to get Mitie to do the same. 70 Mitie workers are being balloted. The ballot opens on 9 October and runs until 23 October. If the ballot is successful, industrial action is likely to take place from next month read more
NHS Confederation workers to strike over pay (3 Oct) – Unite members in London and Leeds to take industrial action after poor pay offer. Staff at the NHS Confederation, the membership body for organisations that commission and provide NHS services, are set to take industrial action over cuts to pay. Unite, Britain’s leading trade union, announced that its NHS Confederation staff members will walk out on Thursday 5 October. They work in policy, communications, managerial and administrative roles within the organisation. The strike, the first in the Confed’s history, coincides with a meeting of the organisation’s Board of Trustees. Following the introduction of a new pay structure which saw one-in-five staff hit by a take-home pay cut and opportunities for pay progression curtailed, Unite members will head to the picket line as part of a campaign to reinstate staff pay and progression opportunities. Nearly 90 per cent of members taking part in the ballot voted to take strike action. A Unite survey of all staff, before the pay cut was imposed, found 60 per cent already said they were struggling with the cost of living read more
CWU
Lord Falconer Review – Justice (from CWU Facebook page)
A conclusion has been reached in both the initial conduct cases reviewed by Lord Falconer and the subsequent discussions between Royal Mail Group and the CWU. The outcome of both has been directly communicated with the impacted CWU members. We are pleased to relay that justice has been delivered. Over 100 CWU members have won the right to return to their job. Many more have had this original conduct warnings reduced. This is a turnaround of an unprecedented scale. This must be seen as nothing other than total validation for the unions original call for an independent review, you as members backing that and our insistence that it formed part of any final agreement. There are very limited numbers of members whose decisions were not overturned. This was always going to be the nature of entering an independent process. We have engaged with and will continue to support these members. There are also a very limited number of cases that require further judgement from Lord Falconer. Again, we are in contact with and will fully support these members in a bid to reach a successful conclusion. 93.1% of the original decisions have been overturned. This could increase as the additional cases reach a conclusion. We want to use this communication to deliver some very clear messages. Firstly, if anyone doubted the influence and strength of this union then today you have been given the most emphatic answer possible. To understand the overall context and the magnitude of this achievement then we would recommend all members take the time to read the collective agreement in full www.cwu.org/lfr
This result should be a boost for every single member of the union. We must now take that into the workplace and resolve the ongoing issues we have with the employer and their attitude towards too many of our members. The fact that Royal Mail Group have not contested the outcome of the Lord Falconer review and have agreed to apply the principles of his decisions to the remaining cases as part of a collective agreement, is a strong indicator that they are willing now to finally move on from the dispute. The new CEO has been clear on this point. The union has been ready to do this for a long time. What we now need to see is the same levels of commitment to reach agreement applied in all our negotiations and at all levels.
Finally, it would be appropriate to say thank you. To the members and representatives who have waited months for justice. You deserve this day. And to our members, whose support delivered this moment – never doubt you own strength.
Now we move on and tackle the wider issues. This moment should be seen as the platform to do that.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Andy Furey
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
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]
HMRC to retrospectively revoke some carried-over Annual Leave (27 Nov) – Some managers have incorrectly authorised excess Annual Leave carryover for their staff; however HMRC has instructed those managers to tell staff their excess Annual Leave will be retrospectively revoked read more
Tell us how the 60% office attendance affects you (24 Nov) – We are sending a survey out to members on the government’s plan to force civil servants back into the office for 60% of the working week. The government has announced, through individual departments, that it wants civil servants who are office workers to return to their workplaces for a minimum of 60% of the working week. We know a lot of members are worried and angry about this decision and how it will affect you. To strengthen our negotiating position, we’d like to find out how this decision impacts you specifically by completing a survey which we have emailed out to members read more
Replacement ballots available for ballot in Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (24 Nov) – DVSA members, who can request replacement ballots through PCS digital until 8pm on 29 November, tell us why they will be voting yes. More than 1900 members working for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) across England, Wales and Scotland are being balloted from 16 November until noon on 13 December for strike action in a dispute over an attempt by management to erode their terms and conditions. They are being asked if they are willing to take industrial action in response to the driver services recovery programme. This is an attempt by the DVSA, whose staff carry out driving tests and approve people to be driving instructors, to recover backlogs to a national average of 7 weeks by 31 March 2024. As part of this recovery programme, the DVSA has imposed mass changes to members’ terms and conditions read more
Union strength, and freedom from domestic abuse (24 Nov) – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Day serves as a call to unions to play their part read more
PCS supports protest and vigil demanding an end to the war on Gaza (24 Nov) – PCS is supporting the workplace day of action on the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Wednesday (29 November). Join the protest and vigil, called by Stop the War Coalition to which PCS is affiliated, from 1-2pm. Assemble opposite parliament (Old Palace Yard) in front of the George V statue read more
Win for PCS over pay date changes at OCS (23 Nov) – Following a campaign by PCS members who transferred from Mitie to OCS on the 1 November an agreement has been reached that removes the hardship caused by a 7-week pay day wait. As part of the transfer of employment, OCS forcibly changed the pay date of all frontline facilities staff from the 27th of the month to the 14th. This caused a 7-week pay day wait in the run up to Christmas. The change plunged the lowest paid staff at 10 Downing, Street, the Canary Wharf civil service hub, the Cabinet and Foreign Offices into unnecessary debt and financial hardship during a cost-of-living crisis. 99% of respondents to a PCS survey said the change would cause them severe financial hardship and did not agree with the change read more
New period of strikes at The Pensions Regulator (21 Nov) – PCS members at The Pensions Regulator are back on strike this week, warning that this dispute is “only just starting”. PCS members working for The Pensions Regulator (TPR) will strike for two weeks across November and December after being offered just a 3% pay rise and seeing an effort by management to impose a pay offer. The over 300 PCS members working for TPR will strike again on 22, 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30 November and 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 December, after taking action for 11 days in October and 3 days already in November read more
PCS demands investigation into MoD sexual harassment culture (21 Nov) – We have called for an independent investigation following reports of a culture of sexual harassment and abuse in Ministry of Defence. PCS is calling for an independent investigation following shocking revelations after 60 senior female staff at the Ministry of Defence reported a widespread culture of sexual, harassment and abuse by male colleagues read more
How minimum service levels will affect Border Force and Passport Office members (21 Nov) – Ahead of a TUC special congress on the government’s plans to strip the democratic right to strike from hundreds of thousands of workers, we look at how it could affect our members in Border Force and the Passport Office read more
ISS strikers are an “inspiration to millions of other workers” (15 Nov) – ISS strikers heard on today’s picket (15) that they are an “inspiration to millions of other workers” who have “been treated like dirt by their employer”. Around 100 PCS members employed as cleaners, security guards and support staff in three major government departments for the outsourced company ISS are striking from November 1 to 17 and from November 27 to December 15 read more
OCS security strike leads to pay talks (31Oct) – PCS members show once again, that building strong workplace union organisation is the best way for workers to improve their pay and conditions. PCS members employed by OCS on the Courts and Tribunal Service contract forced closures and disruptions to courts during a four-day strike over pay. Security officers in 149 courts across England and Wales took strike action on the 22, 25, 27 and 29 September after receiving a below inflation pay offer that would increase their pay by just 38p above the National Living Wage of £10.42. The strike saw hundreds of PCS members form lively picket lines in sixteen locations, including Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Yorkshire, Birmingham and Brighton. The action led to a large number of court cases being cancelled or disrupted and courts were forced to operate with inadequate staffing levels or used contingency labour. The strongly supported collective action taken by PCS members has forced further talks with OCS to attempt to settle the dispute read more
HMRC Inland Pre-Clearance: Industrial action ballot result (11 Oct) – Inland Pre-Clearance members meet the legal threshold and vote overwhelmingly for action. PCS continues to hold talks with HMRC and will keep members informed read more
Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to strike over pay (7 Sept) – Nearly 100 PCS members working for MOPAC will take five days of strike action later this month. PCS members at the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) will strike on 20, 21, 22, 25 and 26 September after management refused to negotiate on their pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. MOPAC staff are responsible for the London equivalent of a regional Police and Crime Commission. They oversee financial scrutiny of the London Metropolitan Police and are directly accountable to the mayor, Sadiq Khan read more
Prospect
Prospect ballots Pilots at NHV Helicopters UK on industrial action over pay (10 Nov) – Prospect is currently balloting its pilot members on industrial action over pay at NHV Helicopters UK Ltd. Operating out of bases in Aberdeen, Blackpool, and Norwich, NHV UK supports the transport of crews and loads to and from Oil and Gas platforms across the North and Irish Sea. The ballot opened for Pilots at all bases last week and comes after NHV failed to make an acceptable pay offer despite months of negotiations and attempts at resolution through the ACAS conciliation service read more
Prospect members at AWE vote for industrial action (23 Oct) – Prospect union members at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) have voted strongly in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay. Headquartered in Aldermaston, Berkshire, AWE supports and maintains the UK nuclear deterrent. 67% of respondents voted in favour of strike action, with 33% voting against. 82% voted in favour of action short of a strike, 18% voted against. Turnout was 61%, well over the legal threshold…The exact nature and timing of industrial action will be determined after consultation with members read more
FDA
The state of pay in the civil service (23 Nov) – The FDA’s new report, ‘The state of pay in the civil service’, paints a stark picture, with unambiguous testimony from civil servants detailing widespread dissatisfaction with the pay system, which is having a devasting impact on morale. The report, written by FDA Intern Fran Milner, is based on findings from the largest survey of FDA members in the union’s history. More than 4,700 civil servants completed the survey (nearly a third of FDA members in the civil service) detailing the impact that pay restraint is having on them read more
GMB
GMB and Community reveal multi-union plan for Tata Steel (28 Nov) – GMB Union and Community revealed today a multi-union plan designed to secure a just transition for the workforce at Port Talbot and across Tata Steel UK, to safeguard the future of steelmaking at Port Talbot, and to deliver on our climate responsibilities. The multi-union plan was endorsed by National Officers and senior lay officials from GMB, Community and Unite on the 8th of November 2023, and it was presented to Tata Steel by all three unions on the 17th of November 2023. Subsequently Unite decided to withdraw their support of the multi-union plan read more
GMB takes British Gas to court over strike ‘bungs’ (27 Nov) – Case on behalf of more than 3,000 workers concerns payments prior to strike. GMB Union today [Monday] begins the first day of a court case against British Gas owners Centrica over payments to engineers to accept worse terms and conditions. The hearing at Reading Employment Tribunal is on behalf of 3,000 British Gas engineers – represented by Thompsons Solicitors – who GMB claims were offered inducements prior to the bitter fire and rehire dispute. The Tribunal will decide whether the payments breached section 145 (b) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 which prohibits an employer offering inducements to avoid the collective bargaining process. Thousands of British Gas workers took more than 40 days of strike action in 2021 over the company’s threat to sack them and rehire them on worse terms and conditions. Almost 500 engineers were eventually dismissed, putting the issue of fire and rehire into the spotlight – with the Labour party now pledging to ban the practice if they take power and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning it during the dispute read more
Amazon bracing for black Friday strike chaos as ‘historic’ global walk out begins (24 Nov) – Online giant faces demos in London and across Europe and the USA. Amazon is braced for strikes and demos across the UK, Europe and the USA today – the biggest day of action in the company’s 30-year history. In the UK, more than 1,000 workers at the retail giant’s Coventry warehouse will down tools in the dispute over low pay – the 28th day of action in the dispute. Meanwhile in London, a mass protest will take outside Amazon’s UK headquarters at 12noon. Amazon’s Coventry fulfilment centre is one of the busiest in Amazon’s UK operations with public concerns mounting about the strikes impact on Amazon customers read more
Taxpayer pays £42 million for Wilko redundancies (24 Nov) – Public subsidising more than a decade of mismanagement. GMB Union has reacted to the news former Wilko staff have received £42 million from the taxpay read more
Wilko bosses hauled before MPs – GMB gives evidence (23 Nov) – Wilko workers deserve answers from company that crushed their livelihoods, Wilko bosses are to be hauled in front of a Parliamentary committee after the firm collapsed, costing thousands of jobs. On Tuesday, 28 November 2023, company chiefs will be grilled by MPs on the Business and Trade select committee. Earlier this month GMB – who will give evidence to the committee -wrote to newly elected select committee chair Liam Byrne MP asking him to hold Wilko to account. Discount high street retailer Wilko went bust earlier this year, leaving more than 10,000 workers without a job. Bosses shelled out £77m in dividends to themselves and shareholders during the past decade – and the Wilkinson family have not yet spoken questions about the business’ collapse read more
North Tyneside Council to stop school dinners (24 Nov) – No one should make a profit from providing food to children. North Tyneside Council has said it will no longer provide school dinners– instead outsourcing the service to the private sector. The local authority will withdraw from school catering from 31 March 2024. The move will hit hundreds of already low-paid workers, from cutting their hours, to affecting pay rises and pensions. GMB Union will stage a protest outside North Tyneside Council headquarters 15 and 18 January, as the financial scrutiny committee and full council meet read more
Energy price cap rise ‘symptomatic of broken system’ (23 Nov) – Spiralling energy and gas bills are crippling households. GMB, the energy union, has described today’s energy price cap rise as ‘symptomatic of the UK’s broken energy system’. Energy regulator Ofgem today [Thursday] said the typical annual household bill would go up from £1,834 to £1,928, a rise of £94 or 5 per cent read more
Wiltshire emergency social care to face strike ballot over ‘fire and rehire’ (23 Nov) – Our members are furious not only with the proposed pay cut but that their employer is threatening to actually fire them to force this through, says GMB union
GMB, the trade union for Wiltshire Council, is balloting 21 social workers who work in Adult Social Care and Childrens Services, for strike action. These social workers provide the out of hours service for child protection and to support vulnerable adults, particularly those needing mental health support. Wiltshire Council is proposing to remove a 20 per cent contractual uplift from 25 social workers for evenings, nights, early mornings and weekends. Traffic Wardens in Wiltshire have already conducted 11 days of strike action since March 2022 over the same issue read more
GMB reaction to Autumn Statement (22 Nov) – Working people won’t forgive or forget who trashed economy. GMB Union has responded to today’s Autumn Statement by the Chancellor read more
Grangemouth refinery to close (22 Nov) – UK needs a plan and not bans for better energy independence. GMB, the energy union, has responded to reports the Grangemouth refinery is to close read more
Strikes loom at whisky giant (22 Nov) – GMB Trade Union – Strikes loom at whisky giant. Workers at Chivas Brothers have overwhelmingly backed industrial action. Workers at whisky giant Chivas Brothers have overwhelmingly backed strike action after pay talks collapsed. Around 800 members of GMB Scotland and sister unions will walk out before Christmas after a formal ballot backed industrial action. The strikes in December could disrupt orders to shops, hotels and bars over the festive period with workers preparing to strike in bottling halls in the weeks running up to Christmas. The action comes after the company behind global brands including Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s and Royal Salute refused to revise a pay offer of 6.4% despite surging sales. GMB Scotland revealed the results of the strike ballot today with 89% support for action after an earlier consultative vote revealed overwhelming levels of support for action as Chivas and French parent company, Pernod Ricard, record unprecedented sales. The Ricard family, owners of the multinational which produces other well-known brands including Absolut vodka, Martell cognac, and Mumm champagne, is worth an estimated £5.8billion read more
Royal Navy subs set for delays after shipyard strike vote (21 Nov) – Type 26 frigates built at Cammell Laird could also be delayed
Royal Navy Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates built at Cammell Laird shipyard are set for delays after workers today [Monday 20 November 2023] voted to strike. More than 400 members of GMB and Unite unions are ready to walk out in a dispute over pay and conditions. Workers include welders, pipefitters, electricians, fitters, labourers and cleaners as well as office staff voted to strike with a majority of 94 per cent [GMB] and 96 per cent [Unite]. They had been offered a pay increase of just 6 per cent – a real terms pay cut when inflation has been over ten per cent earlier this year read more
Fears of brick shortages as workers announce strike action (16 Nov) – Workers at Blockleys bricks have voted for walk outs. GMB Union has today announced that workers at Telford’s Blockleys Bricks will walk out in a dispute over pay. Blockleys, part of the construction giant Michelmerch, is a major provider of construction materials across the Midlands. The announcement comes after workers overwhelmingly backed strike action after two years of consecutive real terms pay cuts for workers. As much as 80 per cent of the company workforce is expected to walk out, with four strike days set for 28 November and 4, 11, 18 December read more
Southampton buses facing Christmas closure as union ballots Unilink drivers (15 Nov) – There’s still time to sort this out if Unilink want to, as any strike action wouldn’t be taking place for a few weeks – it is though firmly in management’s hands. GMB, the union for Southampton bus drivers, are preparing to ballot their members who work as drivers for the city’s Unilink bus company. The dispute is over pay, as the drivers have turned down the employer’s offer of a 5.28 per cent rise, which would raise their pay to an hour rate of £14.74. The ballot opens on Friday 17 November, with any potential action then set to take place in the run up to Christmas read more
2,500 education workers to strike in Northern Ireland (10 Nov) – Almost 2,500 education workers across Northern Ireland are set to strike this month over pay. Cooks, cleaners, drivers, classroom assistants and other staff across 1,800 schools will walk out on 16 November in anger at the failure to address disparity in pay among grades dating back to 2018. This action will have a huge impact on schools with many, if not all, having to close. GMB members voted to strike by a majority of 92 per cent read more
Festive Ferrero Rocher shortage looms (9 Nov) – Spectre of Christmas without beloved yuletide treat devastating. The UK faces a festive Ferrero Rocher shortage after workers voted to strike. More than a dozen staff at Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate are set to walk out in a dispute over pay. Workers rejected a real terms pay cut at the confectionery giant’s site in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate is one of the UK’s largest supplier of coco products to the confectionary industry, including to the manufacturers of Ferrero Rocher. 100 per cent of workers balloted voted to back strike action, with dates for the walk outs to be announced in the coming days read more
Refuse workers disciplined for helping elderly and disabled people (9 Nov) – South Tyneside refuse workers have voted to walk out for four days after being disciplined for helping elderly and disabled residents. The industrial action takes place during ‘Anti-Bullying Week’ on 14 – 17 November. Refuse workers were given warnings for supporting a lost, elderly, distressed woman living with dementia and for carrying a wheely bin back up steep front steps for a disabled resident. More than 80 per cent of the workforce are, or have just been on, a formal warning. In total, 100 per cent majority of GMB members working at South Tyneside Refuse voted to strike in anger after years of inaction from the council to tackle a well known toxic work atmosphere. Despite every effort being made by the GMB to resolve this issue members now feel that they have no option other than to take strike action read more
1000s of engineering construction workers ready to strike (9 Nov) – More than 3,000 workers have voted for industrial action. Thousands of construction workers at energy sites across the UK have said they are ‘ready to strike’ – but have called on bosses to make a fresh pay offer. More than 3,000 workers at Stanlow, Fawley, Valero, Grangemouth and Mossmorran Oil Refineries, Sellafield Nuclear Facility and nuclear power stations have voted for industrial action. At a crunch meeting this week, workers indicated they were ready to walk out, but called on bosses to make a fresh pay deal and avert industrial action. Last week, workers turned down a pay deal of 10 per cent for 2024 and a further 5 per cent for 2025 read more
Gosport facing bin nightmare at New Year (3 Nov) – GMB union set to ballot borough’s refuse and recycling workers for strike action over pay. GMB, the union for refuse, recycling and street services, has issued strike ballot notices to Gosport Borough Council’s waste contractor Urbaser Ltd after members’ pay stalled. The ballot opens on Monday 13 November and closes on Monday 27 November and, if the members vote to take action, would see a strike at the town’s Wilmott Lane Depot from early January 2024. GMB anticipates any action would put a stop to residents’ kerbside collections at a time when household waste is at an annual high, with the additional rubbish from the festive season. The union is warning the council and their contractor that rubbish on the streets across the borough is to be expected throughout January and on into February if the dispute cannot be settled read more
South Wales faces Flogas shortage (2 Nov) – A week long strike by Flogas workers has led to shortages of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortages across South West Wales, GMB has said. Flogas workers at the Llandarcy depot are in the midst five-day strike in a dispute over pay. Up to 20 workers at gas giant’s depot in South Wales have downed tools after a below inflation pay offer. After months of negotiation, workers voted to strike with a majority of more than 80 per cent. The following day, Flogas announced redundancies at the site read more
Net-A-Porter faces Christmas strike (23 Oct) – GMB, the union for retail and distribution, has this morning announced that luxury fashion brand Yoox Net-a-Porter will be rocked by twenty-two days of strike action at their Charlton depot. As previously announced, GMB members are in dispute with their employer about pay, with current proposals leaving members without a pay rise for the first six months of the financial year. Hundreds of workers are now set to take a total of 22 days of action over November and December, which will affect the distribution of online purchases in the run up to Christmas:-
- Tuesday 7 November 2023 from 0630am until Saturday 11 November 0800am
- Monday 20 November 2023 from 0630am until Saturday 25 November 0800am
- Monday 4 December 2023 from 0630am until Saturday 16 December at 0800am read more
Wiltshire Traffic wardens to strike over fire and rehire (19 Oct) – GMB, the union for Wiltshire Council, has issued further strike action for traffic wardens who have previously taken action over their employer’s controversial ‘fire and rehire’ plans. Wiltshire traffic wardens took ten days of action in 2022, before suspending the dispute when the employer agreed to shelve plans to cut their pay by up to 20 per cent. The council has now resumed their plans to use the controversial practice and GMB members will be taking strike action on Saturday 4 November, with further strike dates not ruled out read more
Unison
Donate to support striking workers – As UNISON members continue to take strike action, the union is asking for donations to its strike fund
Government must drop cruel migrant curbs and end exploitation in social care (28 Nov) – The care system would implode without migrant care staff. The government must drop plans to cap overseas care staff numbers and act to stop employers exploiting those already working in the UK, says UNISON today (Tuesday) read more
Cash-strapped school support staff are paying for pupils’ essentials (24 Nov) – Dedicated staff using food banks and cutting back on heating to cope in cost-of-living crisis. Cash-strapped school support staff are paying for pupils’ essentials, says UNISON. School support staff are using their own money to help pay for pupils’ food and clothing, even though many are struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis themselves, says UNISON today (Friday). A UK-wide survey of more than 13,000 school workers reveals that staff – including teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners – are buying food, clothes and stationery for their hard-up pupils read more
Education workers across Northern Ireland take action for pay justice (17 Nov) – ‘Education workers in Northern Ireland are not prepared to sit and wait while you sort out all the political problems. Working people need pay justice now’. UNISON members in Northern Ireland on strike. As UNISON prepares to celebrate the incredible Stars in Our Schools this Friday, more than 6,000 UNISON schools support staff members in Northern Ireland took to picket lines for a day’s strike action for fair pay. From Belfast to Omagh, Downpatrick to Ballycastle, members demanded long overdue reform to the education authority’s pay and grading structure read more
Poole education members strike over low pay (2 Nov) – Members at the Victoria Education Centre voted for action by 97% in an 81% turnout. UNISON members at The Victoria Education Centre in Poole are taking strike action today, after their employer failed to deliver a pay rise for staff. The special education school is run by disability charity Livability, but it has not made a pay offer that addresses historic low wages by comparison to other school settings across Dorset and nationally. A membership recruitment campaign began in 2021 and saw a recognition agreement signed with the employer in March 2022 read more
Scottish Water staff to strike for four days in November (31 Oct) – UNISON says the action will have serious implications for water and sewage services. UNISON sent notices to Scottish Water this week, to inform it that members will be taking strike action for four days starting on 10 November. The strikes come after UNISON members at Scottish Water voted overwhelmingly (78%) for action over a pay and grading dispute earlier this month read more
More Scottish schools to close as UNISON sets further strike dates (25 Oct) – Four more local authorities will be affected in second wave of action over pay. UNISON has today served notice of further strike action in the dispute over local government pay, to South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and Fife councils. Staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools, within those four local authorities will walk out on Wednesday 8 November. This will be the second week of a rolling programme of action that will take place. UNISON has already notified Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde councils, that staff working in schools, and early years establishments linked to schools in those authorities will be taking strike action on Wednesday 1 November. Further strike dates involving other councils will be announced in due course read more
Barnet UNISON issues strike action notice for the next 5 months! (24 Oct) – Today, UNISON sent the strike notification letter to Barnet Council laying out the dates of strike action to be taken by Mental Health social workers starting in November right through to March 2024. The first day of strike action will start Tuesday 7 November 2023. We are pleased to report that Brighton UNISON Adults social workers will be taking strike action on the same day (Tuesday 7 November 2023) Barnet UNISON Mental Health social workers are taking strike action. Their demand is similar to our demand, they want parity for Adults social workers with Family Services social workers who have retention payments. Barnet UNISON has proposed a solution to this dispute which is based on rates (7.5% to 25%) that are already paid out to other social workers in Family services. According to evidence seen by Barnet UNISON, the numbers of staff leaving Mental Health social work teams exceeds those leaving Family Services social work teams who are all receiving recruitment & retention payments. Barnet UNISON is clear that recruitment & retention payments are likely to help stabilise the high turnover of staff across Mental Health social work teams and help retain existing staff. The strike timetable for the next FIVE months is as follows:-
- 7/8/9/14/15/16 November 2023.
- 4/5/6/7/8/ December 2023.
- 15/16/17/18/19 January 2024.
- 5/6/7/8/9 February 2024.
- 4/5/6/7/8 March 2024 read more
Picket line – 2 Bristol Ave, London NW9 4EW. Send messages of support to [email protected]
Support Brighton & Hove & Barnet UNISON social worker strike
Support staff to strike at 17 universities this week over pay (2 Oct) – Coordinated action in England over ongoing dispute. Support staff at 17 universities in England are striking today and tomorrow in an ongoing dispute about pay, says UNISON today (Monday). Cleaners, IT technicians, administrators and library staff will be among those walking out in coordinated action aimed at disrupting the start of the new academic year, says the union. Staff rejected a below-inflation pay deal in February and voted to strike. They are yet to receive a better offer and say they have little alternative but to take industrial action. More than 5,000 staff are expected to walk out over the two days, as the pay row escalates. There are also demonstrations and rallies taking place across the country read more
Protest as Hackney Unison chair amongst those handed compulsory redundancies in libraries shake-up – Council staff staged a protest on 17th May after several library staff, including Hackney Unison Branch Chair Brian Debus, have been handed compulsory redundancy notices. Hackney Unison have said it was “registering our disgust that three library workers including Hackney Unison Branch Chair Brian Debus are due to be made compulsorily redundant. This despite there being more than enough posts available in the restructured library service.” Read more on Hackney Citizen website
NIPSA
Education Industrial Action (14 Nov) – NIPSA members are currently engaged in a campaign of industrial action in the Education Authority. Our members democratically voted for both action short of strike action and strike action. The action is around four points:-
- Pay and Grading Review
- Job Evaluation
- Pay Differentials
- Education Cuts
We do not believe that this dispute will be easily resolved so we are ensuring we use intelligent, focused and strong industrial action that is applied at appropriate times. Action started on 6 November with action short of strike action. We will take two hours strike action on 16 November 2023, this will take effect from your normal start time. We are preparing for selective action in late November/December by members who provide critical services. Members on selective action are acting on behalf of all members so this action is fully funded by the union. NIPSA has approached our sister unions, UNITE, GMB, UNISON with selective action proposals read more
Royal College of Nursing
Autumn statement: NHS needs urgent cash injection but was ‘entirely forgotten’ (22 Nov) – RCN says Chancellor Jeremy Hunt squandered the opportunity to change course ahead of the next election and support the NHS through an immensely tough winter read more
Manx Care make further pay offer after pressure from nurses (8 Nov) – Time to talk about nursing pay 800×400 The Isle of Man’s largest nursing trade union is to survey its members once again over a revised pay offer from employer Manx Care. A consultative survey will be open from 12 noon on Monday 13 November to 12 noon on Monday 27 November 2023. RCN members were due to take two consecutive days of strike action in October, but the action was paused while members had their say over a new formal offer put forward by their employer. This would have seen a total pay offer of 12.75% over two years. The ongoing dispute has already led to two days of strike action by nurses on the island. However, the RCN was invited to talks alongside other unions where a further offer was discussed and a formal letter in writing confirming this offer arrived with the RCN last week read more
RCN opens donations to strike fund in response to public desire to support striking staff – We’ve launched a donation page for people to financially help nursing staff on strike read more
Royal College of Midwives
Maternity staff fight for fairness and safety as they take to picket lines across Northern Ireland (22 Sept) – Midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) across Northern Ireland will be taking to the picket lines this morning (22 September), as the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) takes strike action in frustration at the ongoing political stalemate read more
CSP
Striking CSP members in Northern Ireland make their voices heard (21 Sept) – CSP members working for Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) turned out in big numbers today for their first ever strike over pay read more
BMA
Support the Junior Doctors strike read more
Donate to support striking junior doctors
Consultants to vote on fresh pay offer (27 Nov) – Extra investment in pay on top of existing uplift would change pay scale structure. The BMA consultants committee has put a new pay offer from Government to members which could draw a close to continuing industrial action in England. Following a month of ‘intense negotiations’ the Government has offered a 4.95 per cent investment in pay. If the offer is accepted, the changes will be applicable from January 2024, in addition to the six per cent pay uplift already awarded for this year, and paid retrospectively in April 2024 read more
Ballot opens on strike action for SAS doctors (6 Nov) – Lack of credible offer from Government forces mandate to be sought from members. SAS doctors in England have begun a formal ballot on possible strike action, amid continuing negotiations with the Government to improve pay and conditions. A statutory ballot of specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors was launched on 6 November, as the BMA consultants committee confirmed it will re-ballot members in England about renewing its mandate for industrial action. Should they succeed, the ballots – both of which open today and close on 18 December – will give SAS doctors and consultants mandates for industrial action until June 2024. An indicative ballot of SAS doctors announced on 20 October revealed more than 88 per cent of those who participated expressed willingness to take industrial action on worsening pay and working conditions. Following this result, BMA specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors chair Ujjwala Mohite (pictured above) accepted an offer by the Department of Health to resume talks on improving terms, while warning her committee would move to a formal ballot by 6 November unless progress was made read more
Junior doctors in Wales announce dates of industrial action ballot (6 Oct) – Junior doctors in Wales are to be balloted for industrial action from next month. The six-week ballot by BMA Cymru Wales will run from 6 November to 18 December. If members vote in favour of industrial action, it will lead to a 72-hour full walkout by participating doctors. Junior doctors in Wales have experienced a pay cut of 29.6 per cent in real terms over the last 15 years. This year, they received another sub-inflationary pay offer from the Welsh Government. The 5 per cent offer is below the recommended amount made by the DDRB, and lower than that rejected by junior doctors in England read more
Doctors in Northern Ireland to be balloted on industrial action (4 Oct) – Consultants and junior doctors to vote after devolved government denies pay uplift. Consultants and junior doctors in Northern Ireland will be balloted on industrial action, the BMA has confirmed. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland, which has essentially been left to run the health service since the collapse of devolution in February 2022, said there would be no pay awards at all this year as a result of funding shortfalls. This is despite the Doctors and Dentists Review Body recommending a 6 per cent uplift, which has been offered to colleagues in England. As a result, both groups of doctors will be balloted over whether to take industrial action. A date for the ballot has not yet been set. An indicative ballot of consultants in Northern Ireland found 77 per cent were willing to take industrial action read more
NEU
Please find below details of forthcoming action. Please send messages of solidarity to the email addresses below:-
Connaught School for Girls / Waltham Forest (Transfer of Employer) 28-30 November
Pablo Phillips [email protected] Sandra Faria [email protected]
Lyon Park Primary School / Brent (Redundancies) 29-30 November
Jenny Cooper [email protected]
Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey / Canterbury & District (Conditions of Service)
28-29 November
Chris Lilley [email protected]
Notre Dame School / Surrey (Pay) 29-30 November
Leslie Jackson [email protected]
St Ursula’s Convent Secondary School 29 November
Tim Woodcock [email protected]
Eastbury Primary School 29 November
Dominic Byrne [email protected]
Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council announce strike day (20 Nov) – Teachers’ Strike: 29 November 2023. Given that there has been no progress toward a resolution to the ongoing teachers’ pay dispute, the constituent members of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, (NITC), today informed the Managing Authority of their intention to instruct members to engage in strike action beginning 00:01 on Wednesday 29 November 2023 and ending at 12 noon on Wednesday 29 November 2023. As a further escalation to the action, NITC has announced that they are planning an additional four full day strikes to take place in the Spring term on dates to be agreed read more
NASUWT
Female teachers facing more frequent violence and abuse in Scottish schools (27 Nov) – Female teachers in Scotland are experiencing higher levels of physical abuse from pupils and are receiving both physical and verbal abuse more frequently than their male colleagues, research from NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, indicates read more
Schools, colleges and families still face budget squeeze (23 Nov) – Commenting on the Autumn Statement, NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “Despite the Chancellor’s headline announcement of a 2% cut to employee National Insurance Contributions, today’s Autumn Statement will mean that schools, colleges and families are still expected to endure a further real terms squeeze on their budgets. A 2% cut to National Insurance Contributions may offer some relief, but will do little to recover the significant increases in cost of living pressures and hardship that many families continue to face…” read more
Ministers can take no credit for high standards in England’s schools, says NASUWT (23 Nov) – Commenting on Ofsted’s publication of its Annual Report, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – the Teachers’ Union, said: “Ofsted’s Annual Report confirms that although teachers in England’s schools face serious and unprecedented challenges, they continue to provide children and young people with an extremely high standard of education. These achievements for pupils have been secured despite the chaotic and short-sighted actions of the Government and its ministers…” read more
NASUWT NI members to take further strike action (20 Nov) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union will take strike action In Northern Ireland on Wednesday 29 November over the failure to offer teachers and Further Education lecturers a fair and decent pay award. The strike action follows a half day strike in schools on the 21 February and a full day on the 26 April. NASUWT members in Northern Ireland’s Further Education colleges will join their school teacher colleagues in taking strike action. NASUWT members in schools and FE colleges are already taking action short of strike action. The Union has now announced a half day of strike in furtherance of our campaigns for a Better Deal for Teachers and Lecturers read more
Members at Cambridgeshire school to strike over behaviour policies and management practices (30 Oct) – Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at St Ivo’s Academy in Cambridgeshire are due to begin the first of five days of strike action on Wednesday over working conditions, adverse management practices and behaviour policies adopted by the employer, Astrea Academy Trust. Contrary to assertions from the employer, the NASUWT does not endorse the approach to managing pupil behaviour adopted by St Ivo Academy. NASUWT supports its members who are in dispute with this and other policies implemented centrally by Astrea without consultation read more
New industrial action campaign at schools and colleges in England (18 Sept) – The NASUWT is instructing members to take part in a programme of action short of strike action following ballots for industrial action last term. The action is part of the Union’s campaign to secure real terms improvements to pay and bring downward pressure on workload and working hours. The NASUWT National Action Committee is initially instructing members in schools and colleges to limit their working time by working to rule from today. These include instructing members to refuse to undertake extracurricular activities, midday supervision, working during lunch breaks, being directed to work on weekends or Bank Holidays, not doing other tasks during PPA time and refusing to take part in mock inspections read more
NAHT
School leaders to take further strike action in Northern Ireland (20 Nov) – For only the second time in its 126 year history, members of school leaders’ union NAHT, in Northern Ireland, will strike over pay. The first, unprecedented day of strike action took place in April 2023, but calls for resolution to the ongoing dispute were not met by employing authorities. As a result, NAHT will join the teaching unions in further strike action on Wednesday 29 November read more
School leaders to strike for first time on Jersey (11 Sept) – School leaders’ union NAHT will join teachers in a day of strike action across Jersey’s schools tomorrow, Tuesday 12 September, after it said that revised proposals aimed at resolving the dispute were too little too late. Late last week, the States Employment Board (SEB) agreed to backdate its previous 7.9% pay offer, which NAHT members had overwhelmingly rejected in a ballot, to January. But NAHT said that was not enough and put its own proposals on the table on Friday designed to end the dispute. Today, the Government tabled alternative proposals which NAHT said fell well short of resolving the dispute read more
EIS
National Survey of Teachers Lays Bare Scale of Violence Problem in Schools (23 Nov) – A major national survey of Scotland’s teachers, carried out by the EIS has laid bare the scale of the growing problem of violence and aggression in Scotland’s schools. The survey was carried out over August and September, and EIS branches in almost 900 schools took part across all sectors – representing around 45% of EIS members throughout Scotland read more
Pickets to resume at City of Glasgow College as EIS-FELA members continue programme of strike action (13 Nov) – EIS-FELA lecturers at City of Glasgow College are set to resume a programme of strike action and action short of strikes following the result of a statutory ballot last month. Picket lines will be in place at the college’s City and Riverside campuses from tomorrow (Tuesday) for the rest of the week, with additional strike days to follow over subsequent weeks. This will be the latest installment of industrial action after a previous 11 weeks of strike action at the college as well as continued action short of strike read more
Lecturers Commence Targeted Strike Action in Constituency Areas of Key Scot Govt Ministers (2 Oct) – Lecturers in three Scottish colleges will start three days of targeted strike action, in colleges based in the constituencies of key Scottish Government decision makers. The targeted action is the latest step in a national industrial action campaign in a long-running dispute over pay and job security. The action will take place at Glasgow Clyde College, Fife College and Dundee & Angus College, which sit within the constituency areas of the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Minister for Further Education read more
INTO
Teachers’ Strike: 29 November 2023 (20 Nov) – Given that there has been no progress toward a resolution to the ongoing teachers’ pay dispute, the constituent members of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, (NITC), today informed the Managing Authority of their intention to instruct members to engage in strike action beginning 00:01 on Wednesday 29 November 2023 and ending at 12 noon on Wednesday 29 November 2023. As a further escalation to the action, NITC has announced that they are planning an additional four full day strikes to take place in the Spring term on dates to be agreed read more
Strike Action: Wednesday 29 November: FAQs
Northern Secretary Announces Escalation of Action (20 Nov)
Northern Committee Chair Announces Strike Action (20 Nov)
UCU
Vow to fight plans to cull 1 in 10 academic jobs at Staffordshire University (24 Nov) – UCU vowed to fight devastating cuts at Staffordshire University. In a consultation document shared with UCU, the university has put over 100 jobs at risk of redundancy, with staff set to go as soon as next month. The cuts include up to 65 academic job losses, which equates to over one in 10 academic staff, and swingeing cuts to professional services staff. The proposed cuts to academic staff include up to 31 jobs in the school of justice, security and sustainability; eleven in the school of health, science and wellbeing; eight in the school of digital technologies and the arts; and six in the institute of education read more
UCU response to Autumn Statement (22 Nov) – UCU today called on the government to prioritise further education after decades of underfunding read more
Strike ballot threat in fight against Oxford Brookes cuts (20 Nov) – UCU said a strike ballot could be on the cards as it vowed to fight brutal cuts at Oxford Brookes University. In a packed emergency branch meeting last Friday, an overwhelming 98% of Oxford Brookes UCU members in attendance voted for a possible strike ballot if the university refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies. It also passed a vote of no confidence in vice-chancellor Alistair Fitt and the vice-chancellor’s group. The union was responding to a threat from the university to axe up to 48 academic staff in mathematics, the arts, humanities, and social sciences as soon as January 2024. The university claims the cuts will allow it to save £2m per year read more
More pay wins see today’s college strike targeted at 8 hold out bosses (14 Nov) – UCU has called off today’s strike action at three more colleges after receiving last-minute pay offers. This now leaves just eight colleges facing strike action today, tomorrow and Thursday. UCU said picket lines are incredibly busy this morning with members furious that bosses are refusing to make acceptable offers. Strike action has been called off at Hugh Baird in Liverpool and Heart of Yorkshire Education Trust after members voted to accept deals that included a pay offer of 6.5% and national bargaining commitments. Strike action at Bath College has also been suspended while members vote whether to accept a 6.5% offer read more
Staff to strike at five North East colleges over low pay (24 Oct) – Staff at five colleges in Stockton on Tees, Redcar and Cleveland will begin strike action next month as part of an ongoing dispute over low pay unless management make a realistic pay offer, the University and College Union (UCU) announced today. UCU urged management to quickly return to the negotiating table so that vital GCSE resits aren’t impacted. Three days of strikes will take place at Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training Group, Stockton Riverside College, The Skills Academy and Redcar and Cleveland College, all of which are part of employer group Education Training Collective (ETC). UCU members at all five college will take strike action on:-
- Tuesday 7 November
- Monday 13 November
- Tuesday 14 November
The action follows a strike ballot in which an overwhelming 95% of those that took part, voted for industrial action. The dispute is over the employer’s 22/23 pay award of 3% which was rejected by UCU members. The college then offered to add an additional 1% from May and to remove the bottom point of the lecturer pay spine, which UCU members again voted to reject read more
Strike on tomorrow at University of the Highlands and Islands in dispute over cuts and job losses (16 Oct) – UCU members at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will begin the first of six days of strikes tomorrow. The strike is over £4 million cuts the university is making, including £3 million from the staffing budget meaning that up to 44 roles are being made redundant. In the ballot approving strike action, turnout was 86% with 77% of UCU members backing going on strike to defend jobs and oppose cuts. The union said the high turnout showed the strength of feeling against the cuts and redundancies read more
Ten days of strikes set to hit the University of Sheffield over pay docking row (15 Sept) – Staff at the University of Sheffield will strike for ten days beginning on Monday 18 September in a dispute over 100% pay deductions following the marking boycott, the University and College Union (UCU) confirmed today read more
Strike to hit all further education colleges in Northern Ireland (11 Sept) – Staff at all six Further Education colleges across Northern Ireland will strike for five days next week and continuously for the next three months in a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions. UCU said it has been forced to take action after a decade of their members being subject to pay freeze, followed by pay restraint, which has seen lecturer pay awards limited to between 1 % and 2% per year read more
Four days of strikes set to hit Kirklees College in pay dispute (8 Sept) – Staff at Kirklees College will strike for four days beginning on Monday 11 September in a long running dispute over low pay, announced the University and College Union (UCU) today. The full strike days are:-
- Monday 11 September
- Tuesday 12 September
- Wednesday 20 September
- Thursday 21 September
The strikes will hit the first teaching week of the new academic year. Staff will be on picket lines at the Huddersfield Centre in Huddersfield and the Pioneer Higher Skills Centre in Dewsbury from 8am till 12pm on all four days. Staff at the college have already taken six days of strike action across May and June but management has refused to budge from a pay award for 22/23 of just 1% plus a £500 non-consolidated lump sum. To add insult to injury college management unilaterally imposed a ‘cost of living’ pay award of just 2.5% for 23/24 during pay talks for 22/23. The college’s financial accounts show it has over £10m cash in the bank yet is hiring teachers for as little as £25k (full time equivalent salary). UCU Branch Officers made themselves available over the summer break to meet with college management to find a way to resolve this dispute but management was not interested read more
UCU fighting fund: the link is here and donations to the fund are spent on supporting members involved in important disputes.
FBU
Health and Safety Executive report ‘an insult to the firefighting profession’, says union (24 Nov) – The Fire Brigades Union has slammed a Health and Safety Executive investigation into the use of breathing apparatus (BA) and warned that the watchdog has undermined its status as an independent regulator. The investigation, which was released this week, could pave the way for firefighters to be sent beyond the ‘bridgehead’ in a tower block – the highest safe point in the building – without activated BA. The Fire Brigades Union has branded its conclusion “perverse” and slammed the report as “flawed, contradictory and an insult to the firefighting profession”. It says the HSE has “completely misunderstood” the realities of firefighting and failed to conduct field tests, instead relying on assertions by employers. The union warned that firefighters were not “canon fodder” to be used to cover over the crisis in building safety caused by government and construction companies. The union is advising its members not to place themselves in danger above the bridgehead without activated breathing apparatus, and has urged the HSE to withdraw and review its conclusions read more
“Bring Avon fire service back from brink”: firefighters call for reversal to cuts after damning report (23 Nov) – The Fire Brigades Union has responded to the latest inspection report into Avon Fire and Rescue Service. Released yesterday, the report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) finds Avon fire service “inadequate” at responding to fires and other emergencies read more
Firefighters’ union slams ‘punishment budget’ with ‘obscene giveaways’ for the rich (22 Nov) – Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has blasted the Chancellor’s ‘Punishment ‘Budget’ for workers and ‘obscene giveaways’ for the super rich. Wrack said the autumn statement was a reheated Mini-Budget delivered by the short-lived government of Liz Truss that sparked an economic meltdown. However, Wrack said the Tories are once again making workers and benefit claimants pay for the crisis with more austerity read more
Firefighters: “failures at every level of government” led to Bristol tower block crisis (22 Nov) – The Fire Brigades Union has today condemned “failures at every level of government” leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents of Barton House tower block in Bristol last week. The council is now carrying out investigations due to last Monday’s report that “in the event of a fire, explosion or large impact, there is a risk to the structure of the block” read more
Union warns of “catastrophe” as hundreds of firefighters gather to launch Firefighters’ Manifesto (31 Oct) – Today, Wednesday 1 November, hundreds of firefighters and control staff will assemble in Westminster to launch a new ‘Firefighters’ Manifesto’. As the country recovers from flooding, and braces for the realities of climate change, the union warned that politicians must “listen to the voice of the frontline” if they want to “avert catastrophe” read more
Firefighters’ union to consult members in Scotland on strike action over cuts (13 Oct) – The Fire Brigades Union has today announced its intention to begin consulting firefighters across Scotland on strike action in opposition to a devastating package of cuts imposed by the Scottish government. A projected five-year flat cash budget until 2027 has already removed 10 wholetime fire engines, whilst 150 retained fire engines are regularly unavailable due to significant recruitment and retention issues. The Scottish Fire and Rescue service has announced that its own projections mean it will need to save a minimum of a further £14 million next year, which would result in the loss of a further 339 firefighters and 18 fire engines, with more to come. Scotland has lost 1200 frontline firefighters since 2012. The move marks the first formal step towards firefighters taking strike action. This was agreed unanimously by the union’s Scottish committee this week. A formal strike ballot could follow read more
Merseyside fire control staff vote to strike as firefighters vote for continued industrial action (Aug 21) – Today, 21st August, results from ballots for industrial action in Merseyside fire service have gone live, with FBU members voting in response to a reduction in night-time staffing numbers in fire control, and attacks on terms and conditions. FBU members in Merseyside fire control have voted overwhelmingly for strike action, with 100% voting Yes on a 92% turnout. Fire control are the team who answer calls from those who need the fire and rescue service and make sure firefighters and appliances get to the right place read more
POA
National Chair Update October 2023 read more
NAPO
Napo awaits a response from CAFCASS CEO (24 Nov) – At last months Napo AGM, a series of Emergency Motions were debated. One of these called upon Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence to write to Jacky Tiotto the Chief Executive Officer of Cafcass to seek a meeting as a matter of urgency to discuss the continuing unsustainable high workloads in Cafcass. Since our AGM took place, it has come to Napo’s attention that the Chief Executive has been quoted in a recent article in the publication: ‘Children and Young People Now’, which stated: “Tiotto said she is unsure what measures were needed to tackle the retention issue”. Unless Ms. Tiotto has been misquoted, this report has caused considerable concern among Cafcass members as Napo and UNISON have regularly discussed the growing retention issues within the organisation where Napo has consistently raised solutions that would be needed to tackle it read more
Cardiff Westgate Office – Partially Closed (24 Nov) – On the 16th November an intrusive survey identified the presence of RAAC in a building situated on top of the main building at the Cardiff Westgate Street Office. The rest of the main building is all clear and the presence of RAAC is confined to the small building on top. As a mitigation it was decided to close most of the floors in the main building and only use the first floor for operational staff. Non-operational staff will therefore work from home or from other offices. Local Trade Union Reps will continue to work and liaise with the employer and in the coming days (no later than Friday) we await a further report which will decide what action needs to be taken to make the whole building safe for use read more
Unions register formal NNC dispute on ‘One HMPPS’ (9 Oct) – At last week’s engagement meeting with HMPPS management, the Probation trade unions announced that they would need to carefully reflect on the disappointing outcomes and the worrying lack of clarity that has emerged from the consultative process so far, and that we would be revisiting our position of a pre-dispute. Since then, the unions have met and discussed a number of other concerns and have now decided to formally register a dispute under the NNC Dispute Resolution Procedures. This was submitted to the Head of HMPPS Employee Relations on the 4th October 2023 read more
BFAWU
Support the campaign to unionise Samworth Brothers – get organised, sign the petition read more
NUJ
Candlelight vigil in solidarity with journalists in Gaza (28 Nov) – Journalists killed in the Israeli attacks on Gaza were remembered by a candlelit vigil in Brussels organised by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and NUJ read more
NUJ joins vigil in support of workers and migrants attacked in Dublin riots (27 Nov) – The NUJ members were led by vice-president Gerry Curran and Cearbhall O’Siochain, cathaoirleach, Irish Executive Council. More than 500 people, including members of the NUJ, attended a solidarity rally organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Dublin, days after city centre riots erupted following a knife attack on children. The vigil was to show support for workers in the city centre attacked on Thursday night, and with migrant workers who had been the focus of abuse from far-right activists read more
NUJ welcomes extension of Radio Foyle’s breakfast show (22 Nov) – The extension of North West Today to an hour followed a campaign led by the NUJ which attracted massive cross community and trade union support in Northern Ireland read more
Ballot opens on BBC Local offer (2 Nov) – NUJ members working across BBC Local are urged to vote before 13 November on a new proposal put forward in the ongoing dispute. The NUJ is balloting members across BBC Local on acceptance or rejection of a new offer brokered through Acas. If the offer is accepted, the industrial dispute and associated industrial action will end, while the NUJ will continue to campaign for truly local programming which serves the needs of local audiences across England. NUJ members across BBC Local (covering radio, TV and online) have been involved in a protracted dispute challenging cuts and changes that led to over 800 journalists put at risk of redundancy and editorial changes including the axing of local programmes, sharing of content across regions and pre-recorded news bulletins in some radio stations. Members have taken four days of strike action, along with a long-running work to rule, with two strike ballots won and significant political and campaigning activity read more
National World dispute: action postponed (17 Oct) – Next week’s five-day strike has been put on hold. Members of the NUJ’s group chapel working for National World have voted to suspend five days’ strike action due to begin next week, following the flat refusal of the management to hold talks with the union. The union’s national executive council had called on the general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, to seek the urgent intervention of the conciliation service ACAS with a view to encouraging the management of National World to agree to urgent negotiations to spare further damage to the business. However, the company has categorically refused to hold further talks with the union. The members working for the publisher of the Scotsman, Yorkshire Post, Portsmouth News, Sheffield Star, Belfast Newsletter, Derry Journal and 100-plus regional titles took part in three days of strikes last month (September) after the company refused to implement improved minimum salaries, address pay disparities and imposed a below-inflation pay rise. The dispute brought together the members across the UK concerned about pay unfairness, low pay and the refusal by management to listen to staff about a whole range of issues within the business read more
Find out more on the campaign and sign the NUJ’s petition read more
Send your messages of support to journalists at National World striking for fair pay to #NationalWorldStrike or email [email protected] read more
NUJ starts formal ballot for industrial action over compulsory redundancies at the BBC (29 Sept) – The NUJ has voted to move to a formal ballot of all members at the BBC for industrial action in opposition to any compulsory redundancies at the corporation. There are currently NUJ members facing the prospect of compulsory redundancy in the World Service, the News Channel, and across England at BBC Local. The NUJ believes with redeployment and flexibility these can be averted read more
AEP
Support the industrial action campaign – As you will be aware, the AEP held a formal ballot of members paid on Soulbury scales in local authorities, to decide whether to take industrial action in a pay dispute with local government employers. The AEP members balloted voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action. The current pay offer of around 3% for most members would represent a real terms cut – at a time when inflation is running at 11.4%. It is also significantly lower than the pay settlements being agreed with other public sector workers. Worsening pay and conditions have led to a recruitment and retention crisis in services, with spiralling workloads leading to long wait times for children and young people in need of support. Following the ballot of Soulbury members (closed 8 September 2023) the AEP intends to call authorised members to take part in industrial action – consisting of a strike and action short of a strike. We can announce intended dates of actions below:
- STRIKE ACTION is intended to be held on two separate dates:
- 15th November AND 13th December 2023
ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTION (members working only their contracted hours each week during the period referenced) is taking place and is continuous between: 6th November 2023 and 15th December 2023 read more
AEP Members begin industrial action in campaign to Save Services (6 Nov) – Today (6th November) is the day that many AEP members in England and Wales begin a period of action short of strike action – as part of our campaign to Save Our Services read more
Equity
Equity responds to the Autumn Statement (22 Nov) – We need a long-term plan to increase investment in the performing arts and entertainment industry, not short-term decisions for electoral gain read more
Community
Community and GMB reveal multi-union plan for Tata Steel (28 Nov) – Community Union and GMB Union revealed today a multi-union plan designed to secure a just transition for the workforce at Port Talbot and across Tata Steel UK, to safeguard the future of steelmaking at Port Talbot, and to deliver on our climate responsibilities. The multi-union plan was endorsed by National Officers and senior lay officials from Community, GMB and Unite on the 8th of November 2023, and it was presented to Tata Steel by all three unions on the 17th of November 2023. Subsequently Unite decided to withdraw their support of the multi-union plan read more
USDAW
Usdaw welcomes International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – there is #NoExcuse (24 Nov) – Retail trade union Usdaw welcomes tomorrow’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which takes place annually on 25 November and is organised by the United Nations (UN). This year’s theme is “there’s #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls” read more
IWGB
Statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Deliveroo riders’ bargaining rights (21 Nov) – The Supreme Court’s ruling comes as a disappointment after years spent fighting a legal battle to secure riders’ bare minimum employment rights. As a union we cannot accept that thousands of riders should be working without key protections like the right to collective bargaining, and we will continue to make that case using all avenues available to us, including considering our options under international law read more
UVW
UVW union launches legal action against UK fruit farm over exploitation of seasonal Latin American workers (23 Nov) – In November United Voices of the World (UVW) launched tribunal proceedings after a group of migrant seasonal workers from Latin America contacted the union after they staged a wildcat strike by seasonal workers in the UK. UVW believes this is the first legal claim by a seasonal worker at an Employment Tribunal (ET) and the first claim against agricultural group Haygrove ltd read more
SIPTU (Ireland)
IPTU members angry over threat to Shannon Heritage jobs (24 Nov) – SIPTU has said that the proposed outsourcing of Shannon Heritage DAC staff will result in redundancies at some of Ireland’s most iconic tourist sites. Workers are still reeling from the announcement that Clare County Council intends to outsource the food and beverage, and retail jobs at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen and Knappogue Castle, and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience read more
SIPTU calls for solidarity with victims of Dublin attack and against far right violence (24 Nov) – SIPTU members have expressed their solidarity with the victims of the vicious attack on Parnell Square in Dublin yesterday and, in particular, of the young girl and childcare worker who were so badly injured. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King also commended the extraordinary courage and commitment of first responders on what he described as a dark day and night for Dublin read more
SIPTU condemns Tara Mines management as negotiations fail to agree path forward (21 Nov) – SIPTU representatives have condemned the Tara Mines management for its “abject failure” after weeks of negotiations failed to agree a facilitation process read more
SIPTU and other trade unions threaten strike action over Translink funding fears (3 Oct) – SIPTU and other trade unions at Translink have written to Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Infrastructure, to express the union’s concern over the financial sustainability of Northern Ireland public transport company. The move comes after Translink management indicated that, due to the company’s poor financial position, they would be unable to table a pay offer for 2023/24. This, the union warned the Permanent Secretary, “may force us to initiate an industrial ballot” unless meaningful discussions were forthcoming. SIPTU, along GMB and Unite with its sister unions in Translink, also expressed fears that the company may have difficulty sustaining the operation of public transport in Northern Ireland without departmental funding read more
Other news
Affiliate with STAMMA – STAMMA’s Employment Support Service helps people who stammer as well as those who don’t around issues related to stammering in the workplace. Union branches and regions can affiliate with STAMMA to access a range of services and support at a reduced rate.
- £75 for branches and regions
- £125 for national unions with under 400,000 members
- £200 for national unions with 400,000+ members
Fight blacklisting and victimisation of union reps
UCU condemns ‘baffling’ dismissal of University of Sussex lecturer (25 Aug) – UCU has today condemned plans by the University of Sussex to make a member of teaching staff redundant after having advertised a new permanent post that includes all his current duties. Philosopher Lecturer James Furner has been employed at the university on consecutive fixed term part-time contracts since 2021, but on 22 August the university wrote to him to say that his employment will come to an end this month. Yet on July 7 it advertised a new full-time post of Lecturer in Philosophy stating that the post-holder ‘will be expected’ to teach the same four undergraduate modules that James taught in 2022-3. A petition has been launched in protest against the plans read more
Sign petition: Reinstate Anne Howie RMT Activist – Anne Howie RMT activist at Manchester Piccadilly is facing dismissal with no due process
UVW to sue LSE for disability discrimination and trade union victimisation after sacking strike leader (24 Aug) – “My condition has got something to do with it, but I think there’s more to it. I’ve always been at the forefront of the fight… because I consider myself a union leader” – Geovanny Moreno Buitrago, LSE cleaner and UVW member. UVW strike leader Geovanny Moreno Buitrago, a migrant cleaner from Colombia at the London School of Economics (LSE), was sacked after being off sick with a herniated disc as he tried to return to work. UVW is appealing and suing for his dismissal on grounds of disability discrimination and trade union victimisation. In spite of two expert medical opinions, Geovanny’s willingness to come back to work, his own recommendations on what he is capable of doing, and LSE’s own health policies, LSE sacked him read more
Support Lee Fowler – Another blacklisted construction worker sacked after making complaints about safety on site read more about Lee’s case
Felixstowe 4’ protest demands justice at CK Hutchison AGM (18 May) read more
UK facing taps and pipes shortage as Warrington based GXO drivers strike over sacking of Unite rep (12 May) read more
Protest as Hackney Unison chair amongst those handed compulsory redundancies in libraries shake-up: 6pm Wednesday 17th May Hackney Town Hall Read more on Hackney Citizen website
#SPYCops Inquiry exposes state surveillance of workers movement
Construction blacklisting: Evidence sought in union officials’ collusion inquiry (11 Apr) – Unite, the UK’s leading union, is stepping up its search for information into the possible collusion by trade union officials into the blacklisting of construction workers. In April 2022 Unite established an independent inquiry into allegations that some union officials may have colluded with the blacklisting of construction workers. Unite has instructed a legal team of Nick Randall KC (Matrix Chambers), John Carl Townsend (33 Chancery Lane Chambers) and Paul Heron from (Public Interest Law Centre), to examine and investigate whether any union officials from Unite or its predecessor unions (T&G, UCATT, Amicus, AEEU or MSF), were involved in the blacklisting of construction workers. The inquiry is now entering its next stage and an online portal has been launched to allow anyone who has any information relating to the inquiry to submit information read more
Builders Crack: The Movie
In the current situation, this long lost film from the 1990s about rank and file union organising in the construction industry is intended to lift the spirits, but also to spark a debate in our movement. Hope the youngsters in this film put a smile on your face.
Watch – Share – Discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VZ-QMA1FMg
Blacklist Support Group
Book: http://newint.org/books/politics/blacklisted-secret-war/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcgrNs6pB8
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/blacklist-SG/
Blog: www.hazards.org/blacklistblog
Blacklist Support Group financial appeal: the Blacklist support group is desperately short of funds, to continue the incredible work we need more finance, would you please consider making a donation, raise it at your branches and trade councils. Please make cheques payable to Joint sites committee and send to 70 Darnay Rise Chelmsford Essex CM1 4XA. Please forward onto your contacts many thanks Steve Kelly (JSC Treasurer)
Blacklisted t-shirts available at: https://shop.hopenothate.org.uk/component/hikashop/product/78-blacklisted-t-shirt
Keep an eye out for other Facebook and social media groups and pages that are being created. You can catch up on disputes at Strike Map UK. Also, check out Organise Now! – Support for new worker organising.
International
USA: UAW members ratify historic contracts at Ford, GM and Stellantis read more
Diary
2024
June
22 2024 NSSN Conference – 11am Conway Hall, Holborn, London
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
