[Striking social service workers continue their action over…]
Socialist Press1978 1978-10-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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Striking social service workers continue their action over The determination of public sector workers to fight against further wage restraint is growing in strength as union branches throughout London continue to pass resolutions in support of the demands of the "Low Pay Campaign"
Following the lead given by Camden General Branch of NUP NUPE, Westminster Hospital NUPE have passed a resolution supporting the claim for a £60 a week minimum wage and a 35 hour week linking it to a demand that the NUPE Executive call for indefinite strike action from the final settlement date.
The Branch also pledged its support to any other section or branch of NUPE which takes industrial action against Phase Many hospital branches have already resolved to support the claim including St. Andrew's Bow-who. are preparing tor joint action with TGWU and GMWU branches in the areaand the Royal Free, Hampstead.
Finally, a one day strike in support of the claim on 6 November has been voted for by the North London Polytechnic NUPE branch.
The resolutions-and many more, both in London and nationally-reflect the growing militancy of public sector workers over the question of pay.
Coordination
Despite these moves, however, the leadership of NUPE and the other unions involved in launching the "Low Pay Campaign" have not taken a single step towards coordinating these resolutions and bringing together the various sections into a united attack on Phase 4.
This treacherous inactivity of the NUPE leadership-despite all their fine talk ot 'unity' and the plight of the low paid-must be fought at all levels in the next period, The shop stewards movement in the London Health Service is in a strong position to take the initiative in bringing together these claims, and forcing the NEC to give a lead coordinating action with other sections and unions.
Support is growing in several NUPE branches for a London stewards' conference-initially for Health Service stewards-to discuss action on the pay claims. chances of action in the public sector to break Phase 4-wilt end in isolation and defeat, with individual branches in the various sections taking action at different times, and having far less effect. regrading