Second day of strike action announced: 14 October!

The UNISON NJC Committee of elected lay representatives has decided to hold a second day of strike action on Tuesday 14 October.

Action on 14th October will allow UNISON members working in the NHS and a range of multi-academy school chains to take coordinated action with local government and school workers. Strike ballots are currently underway in those employers.

UNISON’s Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said: “The strike on 10 July sent a strong message to the employers that local government and school support workers are fed up and angry with being exploited. It is a disgrace that so many workers and their families are forced to live on poverty pay. There was widespread public support for our members, the majority of whom are low paid and part-time women workers whose good will has been taken for granted for too long.

“Despite four years of vicious government cuts, they continue to educate and support children in schools, maintain crucial local services, keep our communities clean and safe places to live and protect the homeless and vulnerable.

“No local government or school support worker should be paid below the Living Wage. It’s time for the employers to come back to the negotiating table and work with us to secure a decent offer for our members and end this damaging dispute.”

The West Sussex branch will be in touch with its members nearer the time about arrangements for picket lines for 14th October.

We will also be in touch shortly after the August pay day, when strike deductions will be made, to remind our members about how they can claim support from the Branch’s Industrial Action Hardship Fund, as well as how to buy back the day’s lost pension (for those who are members of the LGPS).