Hovis pay parity strike

Following management’s offer of just a 3% pay increase, which was rejected by workforce reps, Hovis workers in Northern Ireland are on indefinite strike. The workers are striking for pay parity with Hovis workers in England, Wales and Scotland.

The workers in Unite and the Bakers’ Union have been on all-out strike since 14 May and are fighting for a 10% increase.

Woolwich walkout

Woolwich ferry photo BL2002/CC, photo BL2002/CC

Woolwich ferry photo BL2002/CC, photo BL2002/CC   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Workers operating the Woolwich Ferry, now run by Transport for London (TfL), are striking for eight days in May and June over the victimisation of a union rep. The first walkout took place on 14 May after Unite’s 57 members voted by an overwhelming 97% for strike action. The remaining dates are 24, 28 May and 1, 4, 7, 11, 21 June.

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “It is a sad indictment of the TfL bosses that they seem to be following the same course as Briggs Marine Contractors which meted out some appalling employment practices to the workforce in the recent past.

“Our members have returned an overwhelming mandate for strike action at the Woolwich Ferry in support of their victimised shop steward and over a myriad of other employment issues.”

Thurrock bin workers still out

From 10 May, Unite members working for the refuse service in the Borough of Thurrock have escalated their strike, moving from a position where they withdrew their labour at 9am, to full-time strike action continuing for another two weeks. The bin workers are fighting a pay cut, as management try to abolish anti-social hours payments, potentially leaving workers thousands of pounds out of pocket annually.

Indefinite strikes in London

The strike at lettings tech platform Goodlord is ongoing, as talks at mediation service Acas continue. Members of general union Unite in the tenant-referencing department are continuing their indefinite stoppage to restore the London Living Wage.

St Mungo’s workers are also still striking in London. The property services workers have been on continuous strike since 22 April demanding an end to bullying and victimisation.