A rally and march called
by Cambridge Trades Union Council in support of the UNISON two-day strike
action took place in Cambridge last week. According to UNISON
500.000 workers supported the strike nationally in protest against the offer of
a 2.45% pay increase. Although the media reported that the strike was quite
successful nationally with closures of public services including schools,
libraries, sports centres, refuse collections and other services, in Cambridge
the rally and march was not well attended with a turnout of about sixty
workers. Nevertheless the mood was militant and indicated the anger that is
felt by thousands of workers up and down the country and is an indication of things
to come as the economic crisis intensifies.
At the rally
representatives from UNISON, PCS, NUT and the CTUC spoke of the need for
co-ordinated union action, as the only way the Brown government will listen to
workers’ demands. It was also pointed out that with the economic constraints
already felt by workers with food and energy price increases, workers are
finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. As the price increases
stand the rate of inflation according to government figures is 3.3%, though in
reality it is much higher, making the offer of 2.45% add insult to injury. With
growing anger and worker discontent UNISON and UNITE have said that further
strike action will take place if the pay offer is not increased.
There
seems to be a lack of willingness, despite the rhetoric, from some union
leaders to coordinate action, across the public sector unions and even
within unions themselves. Importantly the NUT rep made clear the need to
overcome this reticence by some in the movement by campaigning within the
unions and building the public sector trade union alliance between rank and
file activists.
See also:
London Strike Rally
By Pam Woods (Islington Unison), Thursday, 17 July 2008
UNISON strike – leaflet here
By Socialist Appeal, Monday, 14 July 2008
UNISON: Fight Victimisation! Newham UNISON elects left slate
By UNISON Socialist Appeal Supporters,
Wednesday, 09 July 2008
UNISON Council Workers vote to fight pay cuts
By UNISON Socialist Appeal Supporters, Tuesday, 24 June 2008
UNISON Health Pay Deal Accepted
By UNISON Socialist Appeal Supporters, Monday, 09 June 2008
