I was very happy to join striking workers on the picket line outside Whipps Cross Hospital this morning. The BBC website explains what their dispute is about.
I was greatly encouraged by the strength and determination of the strikers. The media have reported that the employers have made an offer to settle the strike – but may have forgotten to mention that this is not an offer to pay all the money the strikers are owed!
The contractor which pays staff working at Whipps Cross barely more than the minimum wage is not a cash strapped concern – they manage to shell out £2.2 Million a year for their Chief Executive! Perhaps this important fact will get noticed by the media tomorrow…
I have blogged before about this important dispute, in which low paid workers are fighting to ensure that a private contractor honours a deal done with a previous contractor. It is important for all workers that the strikers win, so that privateers cannot make their profits at the expense of cutting the pay and conditions of the workforce.
Those who support the Tory/New Labour policy of privatisation need to know that they support the making of profits out of the exploitation of low paid workers. The Whipps Cross strikers and their UNISON branch are in the front line of opposition to those who want our health service to be driven by profit.
If you are reading this then you ought to support this dispute.
Send messages of support to the strikers’ union branch at unisonunion@tiscali.co.uk.
Send donations (cheques payable to UNISON) to Chris Remington, Regional Head of Health, UNISON Greater London Region, Congress House, Great Russell Street. London WC1.
This is the first I've heard of this dispute. We'll start building solidarity in the UNISON SE Region Health Group right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat do people need?
Are they available to speak at workplaces branches and regional committees?
There is a national meeting of the UNISON Health Service Group Exec on Friday. Are strikers planning to speak at it?
Regards, Mark
UNISON Oxfordshire Health.