The government’s standoff with public sector workers has escalated with plans for a coordinated “day of action” by unions, who have reacted furiously to proposed legislation they say could let ministers in effect ban strikes in some areas.
The day of action – discussed by unions representing staff in the NHS, railways, education and civil service at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) headquarters in London –
could include some synchronised strike action, as well as rallies.
The 1 February action is formally titled a “protect the right to strike” day, with the TUC saying more information is planned soon on what it involves. It remains to be seen if this will include a highly disruptive coordinated stoppage across sectors.
The tactic was “seriously discussed” at the multi-union gathering, some unions said. However, it did not command enough support and will seemingly not happen in the widespread form its advocates were suggesting.
However, an unknown number of unions plan to go ahead and organise strikes in different sectors that day.
Trade unions are legally obliged to give all affected employers 14 days’ notice of their intention to strike, so the identities of those intending to do this will become clear next week.
A union source said: “One of the things that was seriously discussed at the meeting, which [some unions] were trying to get over the line, was a coordinated day of action on 1 February. However, that looks very, very, very unlikely to happen. But some unions will still go out together on 1 February as part of their rolling industrial action that’s happening anyway.”
www.tuc.org.uk
Whatever happened to impartiality?!
