NHS workers, teachers, civil servants, universities – the strike wave is growing

• Fight for inflation-proof pay rises for all workers
• All strike together – coordinate the strikes and build for a 24-hour general strike
• Kick out the Tories – Build a new workers’ party
• JOIN THE FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM

The strike wave is growing. Just this week, NHS workers and teachers in Scotland have returned huge mandates for strike action over pay.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ballot saw every health board and NHS service in Scotland produce majorities for strike action. RCN members also voted by a majority for action in Northern Ireland, Wales and England as well. This is the first time in its over 100-year history that the RCN have voted for a UK-wide strike.

That means the RCN joins Unite, GMB, Royal College of Midwives etc. with live mandates for strike action in the Scottish NHS. Unison, the largest NHS union, mistakingly suspended its strike ballot when the Scottish government, faced with strike action across the NHS, offered to increase the pay offer to £2,205. Unison is currently consulting on that offer but its clear that large numbers of Unison members are voting to reject.

Sean Robertson, a GMB rep in the NHS in the Highlands said: “Unions and union members have fought long and hard for a better pay rise. It is only due to that determination that workers have forced the government from an initial position of offering a derisory 2%, then 5% and now to the point where some workers are expected to get over 10%.

“Workers’ unity has been demonstrably effective. Let’s continue the fight and oppose the Scottish Government’s divide and rule tactics. Let’s fight for a real terms pay increase for all frontline NHS staff.”

teachers

In a phenomenal ballot return, the largest Scottish teachers’ union, the EIS, have voted by 96% to strike. Within hours of the result the EIS leadership had announced a strike date of 24 November with more dates to be added.

As Jim Halfpenny, joint secretary of the West Dunbartonshire EIS told us: “The demand by the EIS is for a 10% wage increase. The 5% offer from the employers is an insult. We worked through the pandemic to maintain education. Workload remains excessive while more and more is demanded with fewer and fewer resources. In response, teachers are offered a derisory pay increase which is nothing short of a substantial pay cut. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

As is clear from Jim’s comment, it’s not just about pay but also massive workload pressures that have driven EIS members to draw a line in the sand. Enough is enough!

PCS

In addition to the NHS and teachers, the PCS civil service union has also announced this week they have achieved a mandate for action on over 130 different departments/employers. That means that around 100,000 PCS members are available to take strike action.

The Broad Left Network in the PCS commented: “Brilliant news! PCS members have voted overwhelmingly to strike and fight to defend jobs, fight for better pay and stop the pensions robbery. Well done to all reps and members who have worked tirelessly to deliver this excellent result. It is crucial we capitalise on this result.

“Yes, we should demand immediate talks with the employer but let’s use our leverage and serve immediate notice for action across the union to unite with CWU and UCU on the 30th November. This is symbolic not only because of the fantastic action on the same date in 2011, but also shows guts, determination and our preparedness to struggle and to win. United we stand …. Solidarity!”

The University and College Union (UCU) have also announced strikes, on 24, 25 and 30 November on pay, working conditions and pension cuts. CWU members in Royal Mail are continuing their action on 24/25 November and 30 November/December 1. Further strikes on the railways on Network Rail and by train drivers are also possible in late November.

coordinated action

This is a brilliant opportunity to call unified strikes on the same days Unions should seek to coordinate action together. Naming the day for joint action across the UK by the around 1 million-plus trade unionists who have live ballots would be a real show of strength and a warning to employers and the governments across the UK that the working class will take no more of pay cuts and attacks.

workers’ party

It also underlines why the building of a new workers’ party is so essential. There is not a single political party who is fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with workers.

The Tories are about to launch a new round of austerity and possibly more anti-union laws. Labour leader Keir Starmer has demanded his MPs stay away from picket lines.

The SNP have been dragged kicking and screaming by striking council workers, teachers, rail workers and NHS workers to increase derisory pay offers.

Publicly owned ScotRail have offered further concessions to striking RMT members on pay, a rise of 7.5%, but it still amounts to a pay cut with inflation at over 12%.

SNP ministers are screaming they have no money to give for pay rises. But if they stood up and fought austerity and demanded more money from Westminster rather than implementing cuts they would be able to defend jobs, pay and services.

As it is a new power has arisen in society. Workers are fighting back. Naming the day for a mass coordinated strike as a step towards a 24-hour general strike would be a turning point.

More than that, workers need a party of their own that stands for pay, benefit and pensions rises that match inflation, for public ownership of the economy and for a fight for socialist change in society.