You will have seen in the press, on social media and possibly on your emails (if you have given us an up to date email address) that UNISON have suspended our industrial action scheduled for the 8th March to allow talks with the government. The decision was taken after the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed there would be additional investment in pay for both this year (2022/23) and next (2023/24) with talks beginning this week.
UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector. It has more than 1.3 million members providing public services. It is clear that the potential of now up to 32,000 UNSION members talking action on the 8th, with the escalation of the additional branches now able to join the strike action after successful reballots, has finally focused the government’s efforts to resolve this dispute. The government will have seen the successes we’ve had of the initial strike actions taken in December, they will have seen public support increase during our campaign, they will have seen our action escalate and finally have seen our numbers taking action double going forward. We were clear with this strategy from the outset and we all knew the amazing support we had both from our own members and from the wider public but the government clearly underestimated our strength. Make no mistake, because of the great efforts from UNSION members across the country we have forced the government to act. It is disappointing of the government that this could have happened months ago instead of the disruption caused for the NHS and our patients. Nevertheless, whether the talks signal the beginning of the end of the current dispute will emerge in the coming days. If a deal can be reached, strikes can end and everyone can work together again to ensure the NHS gets back on track. However, we’ll quickly learn whether the talks can be meaningful. If not, UNISON will be forced to resume strike action. Nobody wants that.
LAS UNISON would like to thank all our members that have taken part in our Industrial Action campaign so far, from voting yes in the ballot to keeping the braziers going on the picket lines, without the solidarity our members have shown for each other we would not have got this far. And a special thanks to all our Senior Reps, Branch Committee Officers and all the activists that have helped organise over the last few months and spent an incredible amount of their own time to make this a success. The war is not yet won and we will continue to plan forthcoming actions with gusto in case the talks fail. We have plenty more to do that will focus the government should this be required. Keep an eye out for more details in coming days on what we’re planning for the 20th March and the surrounding week, we’re hopeful that it won’t be necessary but if it is then we know our members will be ready!
And finally just a reminder that our branch AGM takes place on the 15th March at UNISON centre in Euston, details are available in the invites sent to all members or on our website.
All (and only) LAS UNISON members are invited.
Solidarity,
LAS UNISON