Ali Mansfield, Yorkshire Socialist Party
Just before Christmas, workers at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (made up of a Labour mayor and six west Yorkshire councils, five of which are Labour-run), members of Unison, began strike action in response to a below-inflation pay offer.
After refusing meaningful talks for months, delaying agreement on a cost-of-living pay rise due last April, the combined authority put forward a real-terms pay cut of 1.3%. Workers on the picket line spoke about discontent building up over years of “unacceptable” wage suppression, overseen by successive Tory and Labour governments.
The strikers expressed solidarity with theatre assistants at Leeds Hospital Trust taking action the same day. Further strike dates are planned in January.
