Workplace news in brief

Sheffield couriers continue campaign

Sheffield Just Eat strikers step up action and hold mass rally, photo Alistair Tice (Click to enlarge)

A cavalcade circled McDonald's in Sheffield on 30 January with car horns blaring, coloured smoke flares, banners, loudspeakers and vocal support from around 60 supporters who joined couriers opposing the 'offer' of a pay rise of minus 25% by Stuart which employs Just Eat couriers.

In effect, the bosses are offering a punishment to couriers, rather than a reward, for providing an essential service throughout the pandemic, including within the NHS by delivering prescriptions. The chief executive of Stuart has given himself a pay rise of 1,000%, taking his annual pay to £2,000,000 while demanding that his frontline workers take a pay cut.

The protesters' children present were no doubt entertained by the rich spectacle, but their parents have a fight on their hands. But they are up to it. It was crystal clear that the Sheffield couriers' campaign has moved up a notch, after taking 40 days of targeted strike action against Stuart clients like McDonald's and now Greggs.

Steve Merriman, Sheffield Socialist Party

Bus workers win

Stagecoach bus workers in Unite have won a pay rise in Peterborough and Cambridge after balloting for strike action against the original 1.5% offer. The threat alone forced the bosses to give workers in Peterborough a rise of at least 12.2% for the period April 2021 to October 2022, and a lump sum of £300, while Cambridge and Fenstanton staff will receive at least 7.4% for the above period and a lump sum of £500.

Uni strike dates

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced the next wave of industrial action dates in the USS pension and 'Four Fights' pay and conditions disputes, starting on Monday 14 February, involving 68 unis.

The strike dates are:

Week 1: Monday 14 to Friday 18 February (five days), USS Pension dispute only (44 institutions)
Week 2: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 February (two days), both the pension and pay dispute (68 institutions)
Week 3: Monday 28, Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 March (three days) pay and working conditions dispute only (39 institutions)
See 'Universities: Strike action at 68 in two disputes' at socialistparty.org.uk for more

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
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