Media Unions

National Union of Journalists (NUJ), print unions, broadcast unions

Support the Rio strikers!

Workers at the Rio cinema in Dalston are having their first day of strike action on Wednesday 25th May. They are campaigning to against proposals of forced redundancies, for a living wage, and for a commitment from management that they will continue and extend the progressive, community-focused programmes put on at the Rio. The Rio is one of the increasingly few independent cinemas left. For much of the 107 years since its opening, in 1909, the Rio has catered to its local community, and been a forerunner in showing progressive films. From its inception, it has been a key venue for the East...

Industrial news in brief

On Saturday 14 May the BMA held a junior doctors′ conference, followed by a meeting of the junior doctors′ committee on the next day. It was hoped that these meetings would have heard the outcome of renewed negotiations held between the government and the BMA between 9-13 May. However a last minute agreement (brokered by Brendan Barber of all people!) to extend the talks for another week meant that junior doctors did not get a chance to give judgement on any proposed deal. An announcement from the negotiations is expected on Wednesday 18 May; at the moment it is impossible to tell what the...

Industrial news in brief

The UK rail industry, supported by the Department for Transport, plans to move most or all passenger trains to Driver Only Operation (DOO) — meaning trains operate with only the driver on board, no guards or other staff. This method of working is already in place across London Underground and on some parts of the main line (National Rail). Any increase in DOO will have negative consequences for jobs and passenger safety and pile more stress and responsibility on those staff who do keep their jobs. Rail worker unions ASLEF and RMT issued a joint statement at the end of last year which committed...

Industrial news in brief

Workers in Barnet will strike on 7 October in an ongoing fight against privatisation. Social workers, coach escorts, drivers, occupational therapists, schools catering staff, education welfare officers, library workers, children centre workers, street cleaning and refuse workers will strike on 7 October as their services face outsourcing. These workers are some of the only ones left directly employed by Barnet council after mass privatisation, as the “easycouncil” aims to reduce its directly employed staff to less than 300. Barnet council has already privatised social care for adults with...

Industrial news in brief

Following strikes on 3-4 February, 27-28 February and 2 March, management at the Information Commissioner’s Office have imposed the disputed new pay offer on staff. This is despite half the staff having refused to sign up to the offer on an individual basis and demanding they negotiate with the recognised unions. The pay offer was improved slightly as a result of the strikes, but it remains far short of meeting PCS’s demand for a 5% or £1,200 increase in annual pay. Management have been keen to draw a line under the dispute and move on by making vague promises about looking for ways to “jump...

Industrial news in brief

Train drivers' union ASLEF has gone into dispute with the Northern Rail franchise and is to ballot its members, after rejecting a two-year pay offer of 2.7% this year (RPI inflation in April 2014) and 2.5% or RPI next year, whichever is greater. The company argues that this is a "good offer" "in the current climate". ASLEF points out that it leaves drivers at the company behind those at other train operating companies. In a clear attempt to intimidate, propaganda threatening to withhold back pay and not to settle before Christmas has been sent to drivers' home addresses by HR Director Adrian...

Industrial news in brief

Outsourced workers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich employed by ISS struck for the first time in their campaign to win parity of pay, terms and conditions with directly employed NHS staff on October 8. There were several lively GMB picket lines outside the hospital in Woolwich, South London. About 50 workers were on the pickets at 9am, and picketing continued late into the evening. GMB members were also out in force for the national NHS pay strike on 13 October. The dispute is for the same pay rates, weekend enhancements and unsocial hours rates as the staff directly employed by the Trust...

Care UK and Ritzy Cinemas: staying strong against low pay

On Friday 10 October Care UK workers will be striking for the 81st day in their campaign for a Living Wage. Stewards David Honeybone and Diane Marsden spoke to Solidarity . What led to you taking industrial action? It started in 2012 when Doncaster Council put our service [supported living for adults with learning disabilities] out to tender. Care UK won the bid and took over in September 2013. Under the NHS we were paid a basic rate and an enhancement for anti-social hours and sleeping over. Care UK tried to cut this and vastly reduce sick pay, maternity leave and annual leave. We rejected...

Industrial news in brief

The Hands Off London Transport coalition plans a day of action for 16 September, involving leafleting, petitioning, and demonstrations at Tube stations. The action will coincide with the introduction of contactless payment technology on the Tube which unions say will lead to problems for both passengers and staff. The HOLT coalition want to raise the profile of cuts as a political issue, mobilise community direct action against them, and pressure GLAs and London MPs to take a stand on the issue. London Underground management insists it will push ahead with plans to cut 953 jobs and close all...

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