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.
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.
Manchester says: Enough is Enough
Enough Is Enough campaign launches in Manchester with thousands joining together to hear rousing speeches from union leaders, MPs and community groups.
Social home care workers being underpaid, despite councils’ promises to pay living wage
Investigation into social home care pay rates across the UK shows that jobs are being advertised below the real living wage (RLW) despite councils signing up to UNISON’S ethical charter committing them to paying at least that rate.
Trafford council and Manchester council respond to accusations that home care workers are being underpaid in their jurisdictions.
Conditions that led to the Covid-19 crisis in social care
Salford Council have guaranteed full pay for care workers isolating because of Covid-19 under ‘The Salford Offer’. Now the council and UNISON are pressing private care homes to take up the policy, with the mayor and a local MP leading protests.
Bolton NHS hospital workers celebrate huge pay victory
Guest article from The Salford Star: Bolton Royal Hospital workers are celebrating a massive victory after taking two days of strike action over pay parity in the NHS earlier this month, supported by Salford UNISON and many other trade unionists. The workers, who include cleaners, catering staff, porters and security staff, are employed by Bolton […]
North West tops the tables for paramedic shortages
The North West has the largest shortfall of paramedics in England, according to figures released by the NHS due to a freedom of information request from the Labour Party. This latest shortage adds to the lack of doctors, nurses and most importantly funding that besets our crisis ridden NHS. New information released shows that in […]