Iain Dalton, Socialist Party Yorkshire secretary
Workers in Unite and the RMT unions at rail coach refurbishers Wabtec in Doncaster began strike action on 10 June over fire-and-rehire plans.
The company is attempting to force workers to sign new contracts, which will remove paid breaks and wash time (to remove grease, rust and other dirt at the end of shifts). In return, workers would get an 8% pay rise over two years, far less than the current rate of inflation, in effect a real-terms pay cut.
The mood among strikers is determined. Around 150 had joined the picket lines in the morning, with the company having to cancel the afternoon shift, and just running a partial day shift with the handful crossing the picket lines. Further action is planned for a week from 27 June.
