Strike Follow

RMT MEMBERS on the Mitcham Belle bus company in south London struck for union recognition on Monday of this week. They are also set to strike on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Union members voted by 69 to four in favour of strike action after management refused to negotiate with the RMT.

OVER 200 laggers and engineering workers were on unofficial strike at the beginning of this week at the Aberthaw power station in South Wales. They walked out on Friday 4 June after their employers said they would not be employed on national "blue book" terms and conditions.

IN ANOTHER blow to New Labour's flagship scheme for the NHS-Agenda for Change-ambulance workers in north east England have voted to strike against changes to their conditions.

Airport strike is on the runway AIRPORT WORKERS employed by Aviance were waiting this week for the results of possible new talks between their union officials and management.

TALKS ARE taking place between the RMT union and Network Rail in the pay and pensions dispute that has already led to a successful strike vote. Both sides have described the talks as constructive, "but it will take a big change from management to deliver anything worthwhile," says one Network Rail worker.

MEMBERS OF the NUJ journalists' union at the Blackpool Gazette and its associated weekly papers are to go on strike over pay on Friday next week. Workers on the Johnston Press-owned title have rejected an offer which would leave senior journalists on £17,600, or even lower.

I WANTED to write a novel about the miners' strike for years, but I also wanted to wait until I was a good enough writer to do it justice. With the 20th anniversary of the strike, it was perfect timing. The only two books that came out about the strike were mine and another crime novel, GB84. All the mainstream novelists left it to us crime writers.

WORKERS AT Newham council, east London, were set to strike for two days this week. We are protesting against the council's attack on our union, Unison. This includes evicting the union from its offices and axing facility time for union offices.

WORKERS AT EURO Packaging in Birmingham began a three-day strike on Tuesday this week. This follows their first strike two weeks ago. Workers at the plastic bag factory are demanding a cut in working hours, union recognition, the reinstatement of those unfairly sacked, and the removal of the threat of further redundancies.

SOME 25 Further Education colleges came out on strike across London on Thursday of last week over London weighting. Members of the Natfhe lecturers' union are demanding £4,000 London weighting.

RMT UNION members on London Underground are balloting for strike action over pay. Members on Metronet and Tube Lines, which run the tube's infrastructure, are also being balloted.

HIGH-HANDED managers at the Mitcham Belle bus company have forced workers to ballot for strike action and for action short of a strike. The workers are members of the RMT union. They are fighting for better pay and conditions and against bosses who refuse to recognise the union.