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From The Socialist newspaper, 29 October 2014
Unison: Vote 'yes' in Wales college pay strike consultation
Ronnie Job, FE Unison steward (personal capacity)
A postal consultative ballot of Unison and other campus union members has begun in Welsh further education (FE) colleges, on whether we are prepared to take industrial action over Collegau Cymru (representing the colleges in Wales) paying no cost of living increase this year.
Pay freezes and below inflation awards mean that the incomes of many FE workers have fallen by around 18% in real terms in recent years. Unison is recommending that all members vote in support of industrial action to win a pay award.
Wage restraint hasn't prevented hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs from being lost across the sector. With the Welsh Government and Collegau Cymru predicting years more of austerity being translated into further cuts, regardless of who wins the general election next year, we need to take a stand.
Linked
Any campaign over pay has to be linked to stopping the cuts in further education. And instead of deciding which part of the public sector in Wales should be hit the hardest by Con-Dem cuts, we demand the Welsh government stop wielding the Con-Dems' axe and start fighting back.
Unison members have also voted for strike action on pay in NHS Wales. There is a growing demand from Unison members in councils that the suspension of strike action over pay in local authorities is overturned and the pay campaign resumed. We stand a much better chance of winning if we all strike together.
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In The Socialist 29 October 2014:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Millions robbed by greedy bosses
Capitalism - 'the new mediocre'
Record numbers of workers suffering poverty pay
Socialist history
Lessons from history: 1917 Revolution in Russia
Australia: The sacking of a government
International socialist news and analysis
Building a political alternative in Seattle
Socialist Party workplace news
Support FBU pension strikes: Save our fire service
St Mungo's Broadway workers discuss next action
Sheffield recycling workers to start indefinite action
Ritzy workers threatened with redundancy
Fighting for better pay for workers
Wales colleges: Vote 'yes' in pay strike consultation
NASUWT members strike at Swinton High School
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Leicester holds historic People's Budget talks
Southwark Labour demolishes homes
Readers' comments and reviews
Film review: On the streets of Belfast in 1971
Obituary
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