Rank-and-file civil servants are taking part in walkouts and protests on 14 November. This is not only to coincide with the general strikes across Europe, but to draw attention to government attacks on terms and conditions.
The day of action follows a wildcat walkout at HMRC in Coventry, in response to a visit by Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude.
Already the development has forced movement from the union leadership, who have called a follow up day of action on 30 November.
Activists have said they will call a further day of action in December, and are calling for more sporadic actions at various government offices in the meantime.
NHS attacks
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is threatening to sack 5,400 staff in March 2013 and re-engage them on worse terms and conditions.
The new contracts which workers will be expected to sign on 1 April 2013 include attacks on sick pay and unsociable hours payments.
Bosses at the neighbouring South Tees Trust said they couldn’t rule out similar measures, and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health services across Teesside, has announced plans to freeze pay increments for staff who fail to complete a certain amount of training or who do not receive an appraisal within a 12-month period.
This coordinated attack on NHS workers’ terms and conditions mirrors the plans by NHS Trusts in South West to withdraw from nationally-bargained agreements.
