John Malcolm, Teesside Socialist Party
More than 1,000 healthcare assistants (HCAs) on Teesside, members of Unison, have taken to the picket lines for a further three days of strike action from 8-10 April (see ‘Teesside and North Yorks hospital strikes’ at socialistparty.org.uk)
The action is part of a campaign to improve pay and move HCAs from Band 2 to Band 3, with four years’ back pay. This has been won in a number of trusts, most recently in the Wirral, where 650 staff took six months of strike action and won six years’ of back pay!
With the increase in the national minimum wage, many Band 2 health workers will now only receive 1p above the minimum wage!
Other Unison branches in the northern region are consulting their members. The support for industrial action remains solid, despite attempts from management to try to divide staff and isolate local reps.
The following Socialist Party members are seeking nomination for the 2024 Unison service group elections
Health
Steve Bell, Adrian O’Malley
Local Government
Mathew John, Angie Waller
Community
Helen Couchman
