The Institute of Cancer Research workers have been on strike for six weeks (Photo: UniteSharon on X)
Unite union members at the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) hit their 25th day of strikes on Monday in a dispute over pay.
The ICR workers have received widespread support from the public, other health workers and former cancer patients. But bosses still won’t budge.
Still, the ICR workers aren’t backing down until they win. They have now voted to extend their strike in a significant escalation of the dispute.
“Of course we can win. The people united will never be defeated. I believe this,” striker Danny told Socialist Worker on the picket line on Monday.
According to Unite, ICR workers are having to skip meals and are struggling to pay bills. Some 79 percent of ICR workers say they are worse off than they were last year.
“Management have refused to engage meaningfully with any negotiations,” one striker on the picket line told Socialist Worker. “The general feeling is they’re trying to starve us out.”
“They have the reserves. They’ve admitted they have £37 million in the bank. That could cover a full 16 percent pay restoration for four years without it costing them a single penny,” they said.
“It’s an active choice to immiserate the staff. I can’t think of a logical reason they won’t negotiate.”
Amir, a surgeon at the Royal Marsden hospital, told Socialist Worker, “It’s deplorable. I’ve been involved in a lot of cancer research myself and I know how much time and effort it takes for people to get to places like ICR. So, I think ICR needs to pay the workers a fair living wage.”
Andy Burnham, who became prime minister on Monday, promises he’ll stand up for workers. But ICR strikers were sceptical.
“Honestly, they’re all the same. I was expecting Labour to improve from the previous, but it’s become worse and worse. We need change. I don’t expect anything to change because of Burnham,” said Danny. “We need to fight, and we need to win.”
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