Activists gathered outside Parliament to protest the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill yesterday evening. The Bill is a piece of legislation criticised for undermining workers’ rights. The bill aims to empower employers and even ministers to dismiss essential sector workers who refuse to cross their own picket lines and enforce a vague “minimum service level” during strikes. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned that approximately 5.5 million workers could be affected by the proposed law.
The legislation has faced widespread condemnation from MPs, peers, employers, international rights groups, and unions across Europe. Labour, pledging to repeal the bill as soon as possible, strongly opposes it. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak criticized the bill, stating that it is undemocratic, unworkable, and likely unlawful. He urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to abandon the bill and safeguard workers’ right to strike.
Supporting the opposition, Fire Brigades Union head Matt Wrack argued that the UK already has restrictive anti-union laws, which have resulted in declining wages and increased exploitation. He emphasized that workers are rising against the hard-right government, highlighting the need for negotiation rather than dismissal and victimization.
The bill faced amendments in the House of Lords, including the removal of consequences for workers who do not comply with work notices and exemptions for Wales and Scotland. Pressure is expected to be exerted on Tory MPs by Downing Street to reject these amendments.
The rally outside Parliament brought together around 600 activists from various unions, including GMB, Unite, CWU, Equity, and RMT. Protesters voiced their concerns over the erosion of workers’ rights and the broader crackdown on dissenting voices. They emphasized the need to defend the right to strike and denounced the Tories’ attempts to make strikes virtually impossible.
While some speakers called for electing a Labour government to repeal the legislation, others expressed skepticism and highlighted the importance of continued industrial action. Union leaders, such as the RMT general secretary, vowed to resist the new laws and urged unions to engage in acts of disobedience and defiance.
It is crucial for workers and unions to translate their words into action to effectively challenge and overcome these restrictive laws. The fight against the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill requires a sustained and united effort to protect workers’ rights and improve their working conditions.
Welcome to Union News, the weekly podcast bringing you news from the Trade Union and labour movement in the UK. In this episode: Outsourced Hospital Cleaners and Caterers Demand Pay Rise in Demonstration at ISS Offices in London, Tube Workers in London Face Violence and Abuse Amidst Surge of Station Closures, Rise in Shoplifting Fuels Surge in Violence Against Shopworkers, and finally Teachers’ Union Warn of Further Strikes Unless Education Secretary Settles Dispute. Music is by Tim Bragg.
Outsourced Hospital Cleaners and Caterers Demand Pay Rise in Demonstration at ISS Offices in London
Hospital cleaners and caterers from the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM) staged a demonstration outside ISS offices in Canary Wharf, London, demanding a pay rise. The four-day strike was initiated due to an unsatisfactory offer worth 30p. The protesters, comprising nearly 200 individuals, expressed their determination to fight until they receive the necessary and deserved pay. This ongoing dispute follows a previous 48-hour strike, during which the staff asserted that they were being paid 90p below the Real Living Wage. ISS expressed disappointment with the continuing strike action, citing their offer as higher than the London living wage.
Tube Workers in London Face Violence and Abuse Amidst Surge of Station Closures
The RMT union has issued a warning that tube workers in London are being subjected to threats of violence and verbal abuse following the closure of over 100 stations in a span of two months. The union has called on Transport for London (TfL) to halt its cuts program, which has resulted in repeated station closures and left staff vulnerable to frustrated passengers. Despite TfL’s significant funding reduction from central government, the union accuses Mayor Sadiq Khan of failing to challenge the ministers responsible. The RMT highlights the impact of staff cuts and an ineffective rostering system, with multiple stations experiencing closures and inadequate staffing. The shortage of staff has led to the transfer of workers to understaffed stations while others remain closed. The escalating verbal abuse and threats of violence have become commonplace, causing work-related stress and poor mental health among employees. The RMT emphasizes the urgent need for improvement to prevent serious physical assaults on its members, attributing the staff shortages to government budget cuts and the Mayor’s reluctance to address the financial strain on London’s transportation. TfL has been approached for comment.
Rise in Shoplifting Fuels Surge in Violence Against Shopworkers
Usdaw, a retail union, has raised concerns about an increase in violence against shopworkers in England and Wales driven by a rise in shoplifting incidents. Police crime statistics indicate a significant uptick in shoplifting across the two countries in the 12 months leading up to December 2022. The Office for National Statistics reveals a 31% increase in Wales, with Dyfed-Powys experiencing a 42% rise. Usdaw’s annual survey of over 7,500 shopworkers highlights that 31% of violence, threats, and abuse incidents were related to shoplifting in 2022. Usdaw’s general secretary, Paddy Lillis, emphasizes that shoplifting is not a victimless crime and explains the detrimental effects on shopworkers, including anxiety, fear, and physical harm. Lillis also attributes the increase in shoplifting incidents to the cost-of-living crisis, noting that theft from shops contributes to rising prices. Usdaw urges the government to facilitate coordination between retail employers, police, and the courts to ensure the safety of shopworkers and customers.
Teachers’ Union Warn of Further Strikes Unless Education Secretary Settles Dispute
The National Education Union (NEU) has issued a warning that teachers are prepared to engage in additional strikes if Education Secretary Gillian Keegan fails to resolve the ongoing dispute by June 17. During their meeting on Thursday, the NEU’s national executive committee narrowly voted against announcing three strike dates, with the split being 28 in favor and 24 against.
Jenny Sutton, an NEU member from Hastings, expressed her disappointment with the decision, stating that it merely postpones the issue. Sutton emphasized the need for concrete action, stating, “The Tories have shown no willingness to compromise so far, and we require genuine action. Prolonging the process diminishes our momentum and makes it harder to bring new individuals into the movement.”
She further voiced concern that strikes may not occur until September, indicating that waiting for other unions to coordinate their strikes should not hinder the NEU’s actions. According to Sutton, being dependent on other unions’ decisions would limit their progress.
NEU members are currently participating in a ballot to renew their strike mandate, which is set to conclude on July 28.
The government’s proposed Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill has been criticised by Patrick Harrington, General Secretary of the Solidarity union, who believes that the legislation poses a threat to workers’ ability to protect their pay and working conditions through strike action. The bill grants Ministers the power to create regulations within six sectors, including health, education, and transport, which would compel workers to work during strikes. Employers would issue work notices specifying who must work and their assigned tasks. Failure to comply could result in worker dismissals and significant damages for unions. The first sectors to be affected would likely be ambulance services, fire departments, and rail networks, as the government aims to expedite the implementation of the new rules by summer.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) contends that this legislation undermines democracy by forcing workers to cross picket lines even if they have participated in a lawful strike vote. The government’s own analysis warns that the legislation may actually lead to an increase in strikes. It also overlooks the measures workers already take to ensure essential services are maintained during industrial action. Furthermore, the bill introduces the possibility of sacking workers for engaging in strike action that has been democratically approved, removing their protection from unfair dismissal within the first 12 weeks of a strike. This reversal of the government’s initial commitment to safeguard workers from penalties is seen as a severe infringement on individual freedoms.
The legislation also places significant burdens on unions. They are required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent their members identified in work notices from participating in strikes. Failure to do so may result in injunctions halting the strike or imposing substantial damages, costs that are ultimately borne by union members through their subscriptions. The cap for damages has recently been raised to £1 million. However, the legislation lacks clarity in defining what constitutes “reasonable steps,” leaving trade unions uncertain about their responsibilities. The TUC views this requirement as a significant encroachment on union freedoms.
While ministers argue that the proposed system aligns with those in France, Spain, and Italy, European unions disagree. The European Trades Union Congress contends that the UK already has some of the most restrictive strike regulations in Europe, and the government’s plans would further deviate from democratic norms observed across the continent.
The proposed legislation fails to address the concerns of workers who have endured a prolonged wage squeeze, with public sector employees experiencing more significant wage gaps compared to their private sector counterparts. For instance, NHS nurses’ real wages have decreased by £5,000 since 2010, while midwives and paramedics face a reduction of over £6,000. The bill offers no solutions for these workers or the ongoing industrial disputes they face. Additionally, it provides no support for the public, who have borne the consequences of austerity measures over the past decade.
Solidarity urges individuals to join the campaign and defend the right to strike, emphasizing that every working person is under attack from these proposed laws.
Join the TUC organised protest in Westminster this Monday to demand that MPs reject the Strikes Bill & to demand that opposition parties commit to repeal the Strikes Bill. Date Monday, 22 May 2023 – 18:00 to 20:00 Location Parliament Square London SW1P 3JX United Kingdom
Welcome to Union News, the podcast that brings you news from the Trade Union and labour movement in the UK. In this week’s episode: Amazon warehouse cleaners in Kent set to make history with union recognition deal, Glasgow airport staff to vote on strike action over below-inflation pay offer, and finally, Rail Workers in the UK Prepare for More Strikes Over Pay, Conditions and Job Security. Music is by Tim Bragg.
Amazon warehouse cleaners in Kent set to make history with union recognition deal
Cleaners at an Amazon warehouse in Kent, who are outsourced through contractor Phosters, are set to become the first British workers at an Amazon site to win union recognition, according to United Voices of the World (UVW). The staff have secured a concession from their bosses to negotiate a voluntary recognition deal, after they began balloting for strikes over pay. The UVW is demanding a minimum wage of £11.95 per hour. The news follows calls for Amazon to officially recognise the GMB union amid industrial action at its Coventry site, which could spread to other locations.
Glasgow airport staff to vote on strike action over below-inflation pay offer
Staff at Glasgow airport, employed by five different firms, are set to be balloted for strike action after rejecting below-inflation pay offers. Unite workers have refused pay awards that would leave hourly rates between £12.61 and £10.82 per hour. Unite industrial officer Pat McIlvogue warned that a “summer of travel chaos” could be on the horizon if the companies do not return with “fair and decent offers”. Glasgow airport is owned by AGS Airports, which is in ongoing dialogue with the union on pay discussions for this year.
and finally, Rail Workers in the UK Prepare for More Strikes Over Pay, Conditions and Job Security
Rail workers in the UK are preparing for strikes on Friday and Saturday as part of their ongoing struggle for better pay, working conditions and job security. Aslef train drivers’ union members will strike at 16 train operating companies on Friday, with more planned on 31 May and 3 June. Meanwhile, 20,000 RMT union members at 14 train companies will strike on Saturday. Train drivers have not had a pay increase since 2019 despite inflation running at 13.5%.
Welcome to Union News, the weekly podcast which brings you news from the Trade Union and labour movement. Music is by Tim Bragg. We start this week with footage from the great May Day Parade in Belfast.
May Day parades see big turnouts
May Day 2023 saw several trade union parades taking place across the UK, with thousands of workers participating in the events. The parades were held in various cities including London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Belfast, to name a few.
The May Day parades have a rich history, with roots dating back to the late 19th century when workers’ rights were being fought for. The day is celebrated in many countries around the world as a day to recognize and honor the contributions of workers to society.
In the UK, the day has taken on additional significance in recent years as workers face ongoing challenges such as low wages, insecure employment, and job losses. The parades serve as a platform for workers to voice their concerns and to demand better working conditions and fair pay.
The trade union movement has played a crucial role in protecting workers’ rights and has been instrumental in securing improvements in pay and working conditions. The parades provide an opportunity for trade unions to showcase their strength and solidarity and to demonstrate that they will continue to fight for workers’ rights.
The events were peaceful, and there were no reports of any significant disturbances. The police were present to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. The parades were also an opportunity for workers to come together and celebrate their achievements and to show that they are a vital part of society.
Over 130,000 Civil Servants Strike Against Government’s ‘Ideological War’ on Employees
Over 130,000 civil servants went on strike in protest against the government’s treatment of its employees regarding pay, jobs, and conditions. The strike affected 132 government departments and included passport office workers, tax inspectors, and benefits staff. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) accused the government of waging an “ideological war” on civil servants and highlighted the lowest pay offer of all public-sector workers. PCS leaders cited the government’s bullying culture and treatment of its workforce as indicative of their broader attitude towards civil servants. The strike action continues next week in several government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions and the Care Quality Commission, with further strikes planned across the public sector.
Education Unions Announce Unprecedented National Strike Action Over Pay and Funding Cuts
Four education unions in England have announced plans to coordinate national strike action over real-terms school funding cuts, crippling workloads, and plummeting take-home pay. The National Education Union (NEU) and NASUWT, alongside school leaders’ unions NAHT and ASCL, are set to send a clear signal to the Tory Education Secretary that their dispute is not going away. Strike action by NEU members on Thursday is set to continue next Tuesday and could escalate as the other three unions have announced their intention to ballot members this summer. The NEU had no choice but to act after the government did nothing to settle the long-running dispute, with 98% of its members rejecting the Department for Education’s latest “insulting” below-inflation wage offer in a recent ballot. Strikes in Scotland and Wales have been avoided following much-improved salary deals from devolved SNP and Labour ministers.
And finally, FBU urges Scottish and Welsh ministers to resist anti-strikes Bill
Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack has called on the Scottish and Welsh governments to resist the UK government’s anti-strike bill. In a letter to the Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and his Welsh Labour counterpart Mark Drakeford, Wrack urged both administrations to convene summits with unions to plan a “united campaign of resistance against the authoritarian legislation.” The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which could enable bosses and ministers to dismiss employees who refuse to cross their picket lines, has suffered a series of defeats in the House of Lords. Wrack called for a “mass movement of non-compliance” against the Bill.
The current surge in food prices, the fastest in 45 years, is causing a social emergency for millions of households in Britain due to inflation.
Tory government cuts since 2010 have already led to widespread hunger, as evidenced by the exponential growth of food banks. Despite media reports portraying the “cost-of-living crisis” as recent, it has been building for 15 years, with wages remaining stagnant below inflation. That’s why we use the plural of crisis, crises, as it isn’t just one but a series.
The Tory government has presided over a steady rise in child poverty and in-work poverty, disproving the notion that wages are driving inflation. Instead, monopolistic corporate giants are raising prices much faster than wholesale food prices. The food industry’s eight top UK manufacturers have made obscene profits of £22.9 billion, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda increasing their profits by 97% in 2021. Unite’s warning of a “greedflation” crisis points to the corporate profiteers responsible for the current crisis.
The lie that wages are driving inflation has been exposed in detail by the trade union movement, especially the invaluable economic studies published over the past year by Unite’s research unit Unite Investigates. Wages cannot be driving inflation when they are falling so far behind it — and have been doing so for over a decade.
The Solidarity union firmly rejects the notion that higher wages lead to inflation, and we refuse to accept real-term pay cuts for workers – meaning pay increases that don’t keep pace with rising prices. We believe that workers must continue to demand pay deals that match inflation and restorative pay deals to compensate for previous years of cuts, as seen in the case of Junior Doctors.
In private companies we welcome profit sharing as part of wage negotiations (as has been offered by Royal Mail) as well as consideration of a range of benefits in all sectors (such as the extension of free railway travel to rail staff).
In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in the level of militancy among British workers as they demand greater protection of their rights, fair pay and better conditions.
This development is encouraging and suggests that the British are beginning to emulate the French, who are known for their propensity to protest and strike when their wages, conditions, and pensions are under threat.
One striking example of French workers’ determination to defend their rights is the ongoing massive nationwide protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age by two years. The protests have been going on for many days, and various groups, including union confederations, the French Communist Party, and student unions, have all been central to the fight against the proposed attack on pension rights.
The determination of the French workers to continue protesting until their demands are met is a trait that British workers would do well to emulate. The recent increase in strikes and protests by British workers shows that they are beginning to take a leaf out of the French book in this regard. This is a positive development that bodes well for the future of workers’ rights in the UK.
While some may view these actions as disruptive, it is important to note that protests and strikes are essential tools for workers to protect their rights and improve their working conditions. By taking collective action, workers can exert pressure on employers and the government to address their concerns and ensure that they are treated fairly.
The growing militancy among British workers in their fight for their rights is a welcome sign that we may be getting more like the French. By emulating the French workers’ determination to defend their rights, British workers can ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are protected. Protests and strikes may be disruptive, but they are essential tools for workers to demand the respect and dignity that they deserve.
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Welcome to Union News the podcast that brings you news of the UK labour and trade union movement. In this edition: NHS workers in Wales to vote on pay offer, Firefighters donate engine to Palestinians, University workers begin marking boycott, and, Posties to vote on pay offfer. Music is by Tim Bragg.
NHS workers in Wales to vote on pay offer
Health workers in Wales are being balloted on an improved pay offer from the Welsh government, aimed at ending a long-running dispute over salaries. Unite is not recommending acceptance of the offer, but strike action will be paused while voting is held over the next month. Unison, however, is recommending that its members accept the offer, which includes commitments to reductions in the qualifying period for unsocial hours and enhancements on sick pay.
For 2022-23, a collective agreement was reached earlier this year which provided 3 per cent, half of which was a non-consolidated cash payment, on top of the average 4.7 per cent increase already made following the Pay Review Body recommendations.
The offer for 2022-23 is a one-off NHS Recovery Payment of an average 3 per cent non-consolidated payment.
For 2023-24, the offer is for a consolidated across-the-board increase of 5 per cent with effect from April 1 2023 to Agenda for Change pay scales.
If the offer is accepted, this means that NHS staff in Wales will have received an average award of over 15.7 per cent, of which 11.2 per cent is consolidated into pay permanently, said the Welsh government.
Firefighters donate engine to Palestinians
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has donated a fire engine to Palestinian firefighters for the third time in a year as part of its ongoing solidarity efforts. The FBU has also trained hundreds of Palestinian firefighters in Scotland and sent firefighting equipment to several cities in Palestine. Ian Morris of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said surplus or reusable assets and equipment should be shared to support firefighters around the world. Jim Malone of the FBU said the latest donation would help Palestinian firefighters provide better coverage in communities under “illegal apartheid occupation”.
University workers begin marking boycott
Workers at 145 universities in the UK have started a marking and assessment boycott in their ongoing fight over pay, equalities, and pensions. Despite attempts by the general secretary of UCU union, Jo Grady, to delay the boycott, members voted to keep up and escalate action at a higher education special sector conference. The conference also passed a motion calling for greater democracy and organisation among rank and file members, including fortnightly branch delegates’ meetings or national strike committees.
Posties to vote on pay offer
Postal workers are being recommended to accept a new pay deal that would end the long-running dispute with the Royal Mail. CWU members will be balloted on the offer in the coming weeks. Leaders of the Communications Workers Union are supporting a ‘Yes’ vote.
The deal includes a real-terms pay cut over three years.
There would be no improvement on the 2 percent that was forced on workers last year—and which they voted to strike against. Starting from April this year, there would be a 6 percent increment, along with a lump-sum payment of £500 that would not be included in workers’ regular wages. However, the following year, they would have to settle for a paltry 2 percent rise.
On a more positive note the deal includes a profit-sharing scheme dependent on profits, where the first 20 percent of profits are shared out among workers as an annual bonus. Of course, this is dependent on the business making profits and cannot be relied on in the same way as a wage increase. Nonetheless offering profit sharing as part of a bundle of incentives and rewards is something to be generally welcomed.
But make no mistake this is a deal which even leaving aside the low pay offer has parts which should worry workers.
The deal assures that there will be no mandatory layoffs, but only until April 2025. Beyond that date, there will be a reassessment where the management will likely push for more job cuts. Some positions, particularly in airport locations, are already at risk as the management plans to decrease mail flights. Affected workers will need to either take up positions in other areas or opt for voluntary redundancy.
Another disturbing aspect of the proposed agreement leaves suspended or sacked reps at the mercy of a right-wing Labour lord, Lord Falconera. He is a personal friend of Tony Blair and advised the coal bosses against the NUM union during the 1984-5 strike.
There are also concerns that the deal pushes workers’ conditions closer to a gig-economy model, with seasonal hours, late shifts, and potential rewards schemes for parcel deliveries. The deal also creates a two-tier workforce, with new workers on worse terms and conditions, and incentivizes bosses to replace existing workers with them.
Postal workers need to take a long hard look at the proposed deal before voting.
And finally, Help build Union News – join active minority that gets things done!
We have discussed the need for an alternative mass media that supports trade unions and workers multiple times. Our current efforts include producing Union News in audio and print formats on a weekly basis. However, our goal is to establish a professional multimedia operation in the future. This requires attracting a disciplined and active minority that can take action.
Our aim is to challenge the capitalist media’s lies and hypocrisy and fight for the hearts and minds of working families in the UK. We have taken a few small steps in the right direction. For example, we are developing a network of local volunteer correspondents who provide us with regular labor and trade union-related news and content, including articles, photos, videos, and interviews.
We appeal to more people to join us and contribute to this essential task. Even sending in one news story per week would be highly appreciated. Please give it some thought and become part of our growing network of local volunteer correspondents.
Apart from local correspondents, we also need volunteers to report on news specific to their trade and profession, including both blue and white-collar workers. We welcome news from both the office and shop floor.
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Welcome to Union News, the podcast that brings you news of the labour and union movement in the United Kingdom. In this edition, Nurses vote to continue strikes, Unison win equal pay campaign, Cleaners strike for fair pay, and Environment Agency workers start strikes. Music is by Tim Bragg.
Nurses vote to continue strikes
Nurses in England are planning to go on a 48-hour strike from the evening of April 30 after rejecting a pay offer from Tory ministers. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reported that 54% of its members voted to reject the offer, and a grassroots revolt led by cross-union group NHS Workers Say No played a decisive role in the decision. The walkouts will also involve nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempt. The crisis in the healthcare sector cannot be addressed without significant action that addresses urgent recruitment and retention issues and nursing pay.
Unison win equal pay campaign
After a decade-long campaign by the union Unison, hundreds of women council workers in Brighton and Hove will receive pay equal to their male colleagues. The workers will also receive a settlement of up to £2,000 each as part of the landmark deal. The pay disparity began in 2013 when a special bank holiday payment was negotiated for refuse and recycling workers, which benefited male employees, while low-paid women staff, many in the care sector, continued working on bank holidays without extra pay. The deal brings “historic inequality to an end,” Unison said, and should put pressure on other local authorities to address gender pay disparities.
Cleaners strike for fair pay
RMT union members, who clean trains on Avanti West Coast, GWR, Northern, GTR and Southeastern, rounded off a 48-hour strike on Saturday.Train cleaners working for outsourcers Churchill, Bidvest Noonan and Atalian Servest, and employed by Avanti West Coast, GWR, Northern, GTR and Southeastern, have gone on strike more than 20 times since February 2022 to demand a pay increase to at least £15 an hour, sick pay, free travel and better pensions and holidays. The cleaners are calling for the contracts to be ripped up to bring them back in house. The strikes are having an impact on the train operating companies, and union campaigning has led to free travel being granted to outsourced workers at Transport for London. Bella Fashola, a picketer in Hastings, is confident of workers winning a reballot at the end of May to renew their strike mandate.
and finally, Environment Agency workers start strikes
Members of Unison at the Environment Agency began a weekend of strikes on Friday in protest against what they described as “woeful” pay. The action, which will continue until 7 am on Monday, is an escalation of last year’s industrial action over a “terrible deal” of a 2% increase and a one-off lump sum of £345, according to the union. UNISON has now written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt requesting that he intervene to provide additional funds for the public body to pay its employees fairly. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned that “uncompetitive pay” is causing a worker exodus at a time when environmental damage and rising pollution levels are in the spotlight.
Our graphic highlights a number of upcoming strikes by fellow British workers who are fighting for fair pay and working conditions. It is becoming increasingly clear that people cannot manage on below inflation “pay rises” that are, in reality, pay cuts. Unfortunately, this year, many workers are facing not just one but multiple years of real-terms wage cuts.
People are understandably fed up and are taking action to fight back against these unfair policies. At Solidarity, we firmly believe that it is important to support and stand with our brothers and sisters in other unions when they take action. This is why we are explaining the reasons behind these strikes and urging you to join the picket lines if possible.
It is true that times are tough, but we encourage you to consider making a small donation to the strike funds if you can. Every little bit helps and can make a big difference in supporting those who are fighting for fair pay and better working conditions.
The strikes are not just about money, they are also about dignity and respect for workers. Many of the workers who will be striking are in essential services such as healthcare, transportation, and education. They are on the front lines every day, providing vital services to our communities, and deserve to be treated with fairness and respect.
We urge you to show your support for these workers and stand in solidarity with them as they fight for their rights. By doing so, we can send a message to employers and the government that we will not stand idly by while workers are treated unfairly. Together, we can make a difference and create a better future for all workers.
Why are the junior doctors in the British Medical Association striking?
The strikes are mainly over pay. The BMA said the wage for junior doctors has fallen 26% in the last 15 years, with newly qualified medics making less than a barista in a coffee shop.
It has demanded a 35% pay rise for junior doctors to bring salaries back to 2008-2009 levels, calling this “pay restoration”.
“The lack of investment in wages by the government has made it harder to recruit and retain junior doctors,” the BMA said.
“If junior doctors are forced out of the NHS because of poor pay and conditions, the services we all rely on to look after our loved ones will suffer.”
Why are teachers in the National Education Union striking?
Experienced teachers’ pay has fallen by one fifth in real terms since 2010, and that the current cost-of-living crisis in Britain is exacerbating the problem. It is also troubling to hear that the government is suggesting only a five per cent increase in pay for experienced teachers, which is effectively a seven per cent cut when inflation is factored in.
It is not surprising that long hours and poor pay are causing many teachers to leave the profession, leading to a recruitment and retention crisis in education. This situation ultimately harms children’s education, as there are not enough teachers to provide high-quality instruction. Furthermore, when supply teachers or unqualified teachers are used, it can negatively impact students’ learning outcomes.
It is important for the government to take action to address this issue and prioritize the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers. This includes providing fair and competitive pay, reducing workload, and ensuring that teachers are supported and valued for the important work they do. It is crucial for the future of education in Britain that we invest in our teachers and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
What can I do to help the workers?
You can join striking staff on the picket lines.
Why are civil and public servants in the PCS striking?
Their industrial action is in support of our claim for a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms. The PCS been carrying out targeted industrial action with specific groups of members, designed to cause the most disruption to the employer.
Why are Amazon workers in the GMB at the Coventry Warehouse striking?
Workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse have announced six fresh strike dates, as the GMB union prepares to test support for stoppages among staff at another five of the delivery company’s sites.
Strikes at the vast Coventry centre, known as BHX4, began in January – the first industrial action ever taken against Amazon in the UK. Staff are demanding pay of £15 an hour.
The GMB claims to have signed up hundreds of new members among the workforce at Coventry and in Amazon sites further afield since the dispute began.
Amazon announced a fresh pay rise for all its UK staff earlier this month but the union said this amounted to an average of only 1.8%-2.5%, describing it as “an insult”.
More than 560 workers are now expected to join in two three-day stoppages, one from 16-18 April and another from 21-23 April. Previously fewer than 300 staff were involved. The union believes it is edging closer to the 50% membership that would allow it to apply for statutory recognition.
