The ‘Solidarity with the Strikes’ march, rally and fundraiser took place on Saturday 7 January in Manchester, the latest in a long history of political protest that won us rights and helped to shape our modern democracy.
January Strike Dates
As one year ends, another begins. But the struggles of 2022 haven’t gone away, and January 2023 continues to see industrial action affecting Greater Manchester. Here’s a rundown of this month’s strikes and ballots, and the reasons that workers are going on strike.
The railway strikes are about more than money for workers and passengers
The Meteor visited striking rail workers at Manchester’s Piccadilly Station on Friday 16 December to find out why the employees are so determined to win their struggle.
Second day of UCU strike action heralds beginning of new ‘Winter of discontent’
The University and College Union (UCU), the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), UNISON and the National Union of Students (NUS) joined forces for a march on Friday 25 November, travelling along Oxford Road to hear impassioned speeches in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square. The Meteor joined the rally to talk to those involved.
“I can’t cash in claps” – Nurses vote to strike for the first time in history
The Meteor talks to a recently qualified NHS nurse about what life is like on Manchester’s hospital wards and how things have got so bad.
UCU members vote for strike action in ‘historic’ ballot
University and College Union (UCU) members voted overwhelmingly for strike action last month, to increase pay and improve conditions (81.1%) and reverse cuts to pensions (84.9%) in ‘historic’ ballot. If the dispute remains unresolved, up to 70,000 workers across 150 universities will strike over three days at the end of November.
When is it illegal to strike?
In the UK, never. But it’s often unlawful. The climate strikes have highlighted the draconian British anti-union legislation and exposed confusion about the law and the consequences of striking unofficially. TUC solidarity organiser Ian Allinson explains the current legal framework – and how it needs to be changed.
Workers Can Win! A Guide to Organising At Work – Book Launch
A new book from Manchester author and activist Ian Allinson tells you everything you wanted to know about workplace organising but were afraid to ask, and some things you hadn’t even thought of.
Burnham brands ‘fire and rehire’ practices ‘industrial blackmail’
Andy Burnham met Go North West bosses last week to discuss service disruption.
While careful to distinguish the industrial dispute between GNW and its drivers from other instances of ‘fire and rehire’ practices, the mayor says issuing Section 188 notices to renegotiate workers’ employment contracts is tantamount to ‘industrial blackmail’.
‘Fire and rehire’ plans by Go North West force bus drivers into strike action
Bus drivers in Manchester employed by Go North West voted 82% in favour of taking industrial action against the bus company for its ‘fire and rehire’ practices, on a 77% turnout.
Unite, represents the drivers, stressed there was still time for Go North West bosses to return to the negotiating table.