NHS/DOMESTIC SERVICES


Find outmore HERE Low pay war escalates


Hundreds of low paid cleaners, porters and security guards working for Barts Health NHS Trust, are as we go to press, taking seven days’ strike action in a bid to break the one per cent pay cap.


An earlier three day strike caused considerable disruption to domestic services across four London hospitals and the union has squarely laid the blame on private employer Serco for refusing to enter into meaningful talks. “Low paid workers who keep our hospitals clean, safe and running smoothly are not


MANUFACTURING


prepared to get poorer while the multimillion pound privateer Serco rakes in millions,” said Unite national officer Colenzo Jarret-Thorpe.


“They are determined to get a decent pay increase of an extra 30p per hour. They deserve better treatment and better pay.


“We urge Serco to get around the negotiating table and resolve this dispute,” he added.


See pages 12 and 13 Find outmore HERE Housing workers strike


A dramatic escalation in strike action as part of a long running dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working (operated by Mears) over pay differentials and attacks on terms and conditions, was announced by Unite in July. Both Mears and Manchester Working have failed to deal with longstanding problems


FINANCE


regarding pay differentials, which results in workers being paid up to £3,500 less than colleagues for undertaking the same work.


Over 170 housing maintenance staff are affected. The dispute also concerns attacks on terms and conditions on the Mears workforce.


“Our members have only taken industrial action as a last resort.


“Mears has had years to resolve this issue and end the inequality and injustice faced by our members but has failed to do so,” commented Unite regional co- ordinating officer Andy Fisher.


Find out more HERE BoE first strike in 50 years


For the first time in over 50 years Bank of England staff will be taking strike action in a bid for decent pay.


The action scheduled for early August comes at Unite called on Governor Mark Carney to “get his own house in order” and personally intervene to settle this long-running dispute for the stake of the stability of the bank and the interests of its committed workforce.


Staff are angry they have been given a below inflation pay offer for the second year running – meaning up to one third will get no pay rise in 2017 whatsoever.


“The Bank of England now faces its first strike action in over 50 years when staff in vital services across the country will be taking action because of the bank’s total


9 uniteWORKS Summer 2017


refusal to accept that its workforce is struggling to meet their costs of living,” said Unite regional officer Mercedes


Sanchez. “Unite is prepared to talk and to reach a fair settlement,” she added.


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