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From: The Socialist issue 1004, 25 July 2018: Government crisis deepens - Tories out

Search site for keywords: Hull - Workers - Recycling - Pay - Strike - Union - Trade union - Strikes - Unison - Labour - Solidarity - Council

Hull recycling workers win right to sick pay

FCC strikers reading the Hull Socialist strike bulletin, photo Phil Culshaw (Click to enlarge)

Mick Whale, Hull Trade Union Council president

FCC recycling workers - members of Unison in Wilmington, Hull - have agreed to suspend their strike action after FCC management agreed to introduce a sick pay scheme.

The Spanish-based multinational had point-blank refused to negotiate on any terms and conditions at the start of the strike and, despite a turnover of nearly €500 million in 2017, they refused to pay sick pay to the workforce.

The strike action, backed up by national and international solidarity, forced FCC to the table and to concede sick pay.

While some of the workforce are concerned that the details fall short of the full demands of the strikers for parity with management, there is an understanding that this is nonetheless a huge victory. The strike is suspended for three months to monitor FCC's integrity to operate a sick pay scheme properly. If FCC reneges on the deal, the workers will be out again!

Important victory

This is an important victory. Not only have the Hull workers got sick pay, all 2,000 of FCC's workforce in the UK will now have some sick pay protection. While many recent strikes have been to protect or defend existing conditions, this is an offensive strike which has improved terms and conditions.

A group of 14 workers have forced a giant multinational company to retreat. This was possible because the strikers were determined and supported at every level of the labour and trade union movement both nationally and internationally.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.