Leeds and West Yorkshire Socialist Party
Around 20 strikers and supporters rallied outside Castle House Jobcentre in Huddersfield at the end of the latest week of strike action over pay by G4S security guards.
Somewhat ridiculously, signs had been put up claiming the Jobcentre was closed due to “unforeseen circumstances” – quite how a strike that has been going on for months is unforeseen is incredible!
The strike campaign has involved both GMB and PCS unions, but the GMB suspended the latest round of action due to receiving an offer. PCS went ahead with the strike days from 27 August.
A number of the strikers at the Jobcentre were members of both GMB and PCS. They told us they were angry that GMB had suspended strike action, initially without informing members what the proposed offer was.
G4S claims the offer is 20%, but that’s based on where the minimum wage was almost two years ago – in reality the pay offer is only 3% above the current minimum wage. A striker at the rally was scathing: “It’s not an offer, it’s a joke!”
A message of solidarity was read out from the National Shop Stewards Network, and Socialist Party member Kevin Pattison addressed the rally on behalf of Leeds TUC.
