RMT ballots 40,000 Network Rail workers
The RMT is balloting more than 40,000 workers in a dispute over pay and jobs, which it says could be the “biggest rail strike in modern history”.
The strike would be against Network Rail plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs as part of a £2 billion cut in spending.
The proposed job cuts include workers who maintain tracks, signals and overhead lines, which the union calls “safety-critical jobs”. The cuts would make accidents more likely.
The 40,000 members work for 15 different train-operating companies that have also attacked members’ jobs, pay and conditions in recent years.
NEU workers’ strike
Members of Unite, employed by the National Education Union (NEU) in London, took a 48-hour strike on 20-21 April in support of a victimised worker who they believe was unfairly disciplined. The workers voted 94% in favour of strike action in support of Michael Gavan, who is a regional officer at the NEU and a Unite rep. Michael was disciplined on a matter that members believe should have been dealt with informally or through mediation.
Rugby bin strike
Bin workers in Rugby walked out on 26 April kicking off a two-week strike over pay. Unite said the Labour council had “dragged its feet for more than a year” over a pay deal with street cleaners, HGV lorry drivers and loaders.
Socialist Party members and striking bin workers from Coventry visited the picket line. The workers are demanding a “significant” pay rise to meet the rising cost of living.