Breaking News: Barnet UNISON obtain ground-breaking support from UNISONs National Industrial Action Committee (IAC).

Barnet UNISON is pleased to announce that strike notice for continuous strike action has been sent to the employer by UNISON today Friday 30 September 2022.

Our strike action commences on Monday 17 October 2022.

The IAC was informed that this is the first time UNISON has ever authorised continuous strike action for any UNISON dispute in the history of UNISON.

What this means is that when our members walk out on Monday 17 October 2022, they are staying out. This is not a rolling one, two, three days of strike action this is all out strike action.

This dispute involves UNISON members working for the Barnet Council Housing Repair service. The dispute has been ongoing for the last four months but despite the efforts of Barnet UNISON the employer seems intent on forcing a dispute.

“I am deeply humbled by the act of solidarity from all of the members of the National IAC. Our dispute is very simple it’s about solidarity for a work colleague who was injured at work. Members of IAC understood why we have asked for continuous action and I want to thank them on behalf of our members and reps for their support. Our campaign is already capturing widespread support from across the Labour movement. Everyone who reads about this dispute is equally shocked and appalled that an employer would seek to defend the indefensible. Our members are ready for this strike. The employer still has time to resolve this dispute the means to end it has been provided by Barnet UNISON it is all down to them now.”

John Burgess Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

 

Background:

Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/09/20/barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers-100-vote-for-all-out-strike-action/

Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/25/breaking-news-official-strike-ballot-begins-for-barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers/

 

Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/05/barnet-responsive-repairs-workers-referred-to-unisons-industrial-action-committee/

 

Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/21/barnet-council-repairs-operatives-100-turnout-and-100-vote-for-strike-action/

 

Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/barnet-councils-company-refuse-to-show-compassion-for-injured-worker/

Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers 100 % vote for all out strike action

20 September 2022.

What is this dispute about?

In one word it’s quite simple…………“Solidarity”

One of our members a Barnet Council Housing Repairs worker was injured at work.

His employer Barnet Homes, an organisation 100% owned by Barnet Council refused to provide sick pay.

Barnet UNISON tried to persuade the employer to reconsider but the employer refuses to change their position.

Our members were upset at the treatment of their fellow worker and in solidarity demanded to be balloted. All of our manual workers were clear that it was a matter of principle. Any of them could be injured at work. They understand the terror of trying to survive in the worst cost of living crisis in 75 years on low pay. They don’t understand why their employer is deliberately taking an aggressive attack on their work colleague. All of these workers worked throughout Covid and at one time were clapped as key workers.

The other back story is that our member who was injured is a Kosovo refugee. Very few people will understand what he has endured in his journey from Kosovo to London.

All we are asking is for the employer to pay his sick pay for the time period he was denied pay.

There have been many attempts by Barnet UNISON to reach out to Barnet Homes to try to avoid this dispute. Barnet UNISON had negotiated a new contract for these workers, with sick pay. To try to avert this dispute Barnet UNISON asked Barnet Homes to bring the contract forward by 3 weeks to cover our member when he was injured. This proposal was rejected.

We cannot understand why Barnet Homes prefers to engage in a battle about an amount of money which is almost insignificant to Barnet Homes but means all the world to this one member of staff. Our members would much rather be working for Barnet residents and providing a vital service, but the work they do cannot be at the expense of one of their colleagues being mistreated.

Barnet UNISON has approached Barnet Council and Barnet Labour Party on several occasions over the past four months to try to resolve this dispute.

The results of our strike ballot are as follows:

  • 100% turnout
  • 100% vote for strike action.

Our members have voted for all-out strike action. This means they are going out and staying out. This is not a 3 day strike then back to work.

Our members are angry and determined.

“Dear Helen and Branch members

Congratulations! What a fantastic result and fantastic show of solidarity to your comrade. ‘Workers united we will not be defeated’

I send a message of solidarity to your branch and members who have decided that they will not leave anyone behind, the strongest and greatest position any workforce can show!!

When you have the dates let me know and I will make every effort to attend your picket line.” (Andrea Egan UNISON President)

Details of when the strike action will start will be published in due course.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

Background:

  1. Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/25/breaking-news-official-strike-ballot-begins-for-barnet-council-housing-repairs-workers/

  1. Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/05/barnet-responsive-repairs-workers-referred-to-unisons-industrial-action-committee/

  1. Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/21/barnet-council-repairs-operatives-100-turnout-and-100-vote-for-strike-action/

4. Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/barnet-councils-company-refuse-to-show-compassion-for-injured-worker/

Breaking News: Official Strike ballot begins for Barnet Council Housing Repairs workers

25 August 2022.

On Thursday 25 August our Council Housing Repairs members are being balloted for strike action after talks broke down yesterday.

Their employer is called Barnet Homes, which is part of The Barnet Group, which is 100% owned by Barnet Council.

The reason for the strike is the refusal of the employer to pay sick pay to a worker who injured himself at work.

The worker is a low paid manual worker. We are not talking big money here.

The principle is an important one. When a worker is injured at work they should be in receipt of sick pay. The fact that we are in the middle of the biggest cost of living crisis in 75 years makes the decision of the employer not to pay is not just wrong but cruel.

Barnet UNISON had conducted an indicative ballot which generated a 100% turnout and a 100% vote for strike if our member is not given sick pay.

In the talks the employer seemed oblivious to the terror the cost-of-living crisis is having on their low paid staff.

We will continue to keep the door open to resolve this dispute, but the ballot has started and is due end 15 September, which means there is still time for the employer to do the right thing.

As “The Barnet Group” are owned by Barnet Council, Barnet UNISON will now escalate to Barnet Council and Barnet Labour Party to try to secure an end to this dispute.

End.

Note to Editors: Contact details: Barnet UNISON on or 020 8359 2088 or email: Helen.Davies@barnetunison.org.uk

Background:

Barnet Responsive Repairs workers referred to UNISON’s Industrial Action Committee

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/08/05/barnet-responsive-repairs-workers-referred-to-unisons-industrial-action-committee/

Barnet Council Repairs Operatives 100% turnout and 100% vote for strike action.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/21/barnet-council-repairs-operatives-100-turnout-and-100-vote-for-strike-action/

Barnet Council’s Company Refuse to Show Compassion for Injured Worker https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2022/07/13/barnet-councils-company-refuse-to-show-compassion-for-injured-worker/

 

 

 

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