Union solidarity round-up 28 October to 3 November
Read our round-up of union activity across the UK and from around the world including fighting racism and campaigning for workers’ rights.
Unions mobilised en masse on Saturday (26) to join with campaign groups and thousands of individuals to prove that racism has no place in the UK. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, managed to get some Islamophobic supporters to turn out in London and has now swapped his luxury Mediterranean hotel for a UK prison cell.
The employment rights bill passed its second reading last week and has gone on to committee stage. Now speculation turns to the budget which will be delivered on Wednesday. In good news for workers, it is reported that there will be a significant increase to the current minimum wage – a possible lifeline to many who are struggling but which the Daily Mail calls “a blow for businesses”.
UK activity
RMT has published findings on the serious health risks to railway workers from poor night-work policies. Workers covering consecutive night shifts aren’t given enough time to recover properly leading to problems like heart disease and chronic fatigue, strain on family life and increased risk of workplace accidents.
PCS members are picketing over the next two weeks in London and East Kilbride. Strikes involve Scottish workers employed by OCS at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and London members working for G4S. These outsourcing giants rake in profits while these workers get minimal annual leave and no entitlement to sick pay.
Lastly, Unison has called on government to prioritise spending on buildings and on provision for early years and disadvantaged pupils. This followed another pre-budget announcement from the chancellor.
Global
New Zealand’s Council of Trade Unions, Te Kauae Kaimahi, saw more than 10,000 members turn out across the country on Thursday (24) in a show of strength. They accuse minister Brooke van Velden of implementing a programme to erode workers’ rights – she has ghosted unions’ requests for meetings since January.
Finally, India’s first union of women gig workers, the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union, has announced a ‘digital strike’ for the major feast of Diwali on Thursday (31). The women work through platforms and aggregators but have no right to collective bargaining, recognition as employees, no statutory minimum wage, and no grievance mechanisms. So, they’ll switch off their phones and enjoy the holiday.