Socialist Party members on Unison’s health service group executive in a personal capacity
New waves of health workers are set to join the RCN nurses on strike, with ambulance workers in both Unison and the GMB having hit the Tory anti-democratic ballot threshold, and they are to be joined by Unison members in three NHS trusts.
Plans are now being drawn up to coordinate the action to maximise its impact, raising the pressure on the Tory government to pay up.
Unfortunately, many Unison health workers who voted to strike will not be allowed to at this stage, as the union in their trust did not meet the 50% turnout threshold. Many are now discussing ways in which they can join and support the action. Unison has agreed to reballot those health branches which came close to the threshold.
It is clear that the anti-union laws have had an impact. While it’s apparently OK for a Tory prime minister to be elected by an e-ballot of party members, unions are forced into postal ballots. There are no turnout thresholds to elect councillors or MPs.
Unison reps and members, like in other unions, put a lot of effort into trying to secure the mandate. However, it is clear that inadequate database systems and phone-banking organised centrally are no substitute for reps on the ground, able to meet, discuss and organise workers.
The right-wing Unison leadership in health, which over many years has been turning the union into a service union rather than a fighting body, has seen many branches fall into disrepair. It is not simple to turn them back on overnight.
The union needs to have a serious look at its lay organisation, which will be built if combined with a bold fighting lead. The anger of members is clear from the fact that, despite all the obstacles, a 34% turnout is the best Unison in health has ever seen.
Right now that means maximising the forces to coordinate action, and urgently reballot others. As a step in this work, there should be solidarity lunchtime rallies outside hospitals on the strike days, which can help give confidence to all health workers.
