Latest news with #paydispute
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lisburn Tata workers strike over pay disparity with UK
Workers at Tata Steel in Lisburn have continued to strike over a pay dispute. Union representatives say they have been unable to reach an agreement for Northern Ireland workers. Clark Davis, senior Unite representative at Tata Steel, said workers "feel underpaid and underappreciated".Tata Steel said they are "disappointed" that industrial action in Lisburn has proceeded. Joanne McWilliams, Regional Officer for Unite the Union, described the treatment of workers at the site as "ridiculous", and said the strikes are taking place because of "respect and pay"."Workers here are paid less than a lot of sites in Britain. Most of our guys are on minimum wage".Ms McWilliams highlighted the dangerous nature of the work, as well as the highly-skilled nature of the roles. "It's not being recognised by the company." In order to address the pay dispute, Ms McWilliams said attempts have been made to talk to Tata management since December she feels they are not being listened to. "They cancelled a meeting with us on Tuesday. That's just total disrespect for our members based in Northern Ireland."Ms McWilliams also highlighted the increasing pressure on workers caused by the rising cost of month, the rate at which prices are rising, known as inflation, remained unchanged at 3.4%.Official figures show the rate at which UK rents are rising is close to a record high, hitting 8.6% in the 12 months to June."You're scraping the barrel to try and get your food, your electric, and everything else paid", said Ms McWilliams."Tata is huge. They can't turn around to us and say they don't have any money."Tata Steel were this year given the go-ahead by planners to to build a £1.25bn electric arc furnace at its Port Talbot steelworks in Wales. A Tata Steel spokesperson said: "We have been clear in our disappointment that Unite the Union chose to ballot their members and proceed with industrial action in Lisburn while Tata Steel was engaged with employee representatives from across the UK, which included Unite, in the annual national pay discussions."Those pay discussions have just concluded, with all unions recommending acceptance of the proposals to their members, and we have immediately re-engaged with local representatives."We are very proud of the strong and positive relationships we have built over many years with our Trades Union partners, and share the common goal of creating a long-term sustainable and successful future for the UK steel industry." Clark Davis, senior Unite Representative at Tata Steel, said that workers are unhappy that "pay keeps getting reduced and diluted by minimum wage going up", while pay remains the same."A lot of the men in the workforce do not feel respected. "They feel underpaid and underappreciated."John Rea, a machine operator at Tata, said the pay has fallen "way behind".Mr Rea said working for Tata in Lisburn used to be a good career choice, especially for people supporting young families. "You used to queue up to get into this job. It was one of the best jobs in the local area."Mr Rea highlighted the dangerous work involved with the role and said the risk involved does not match the pay."I don't think we're getting looked after properly." Grant Chambers, who has worked at the site for more than 26 years, said the workers "need more money" for the work they are doing."All we're asking for is a fair pay deal."
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Hospital consultants may strike with junior doctors in pay row escalation
Hospital consultants may now join junior doctors in taking strike action in an escalation of the row over pay with the government. The British Medical Association (BMA) warned the government it faces ' having several groups of doctors on picket lines together later this year'as the union announced an indicative ballot of senior doctors over their recent pay offer. Consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England will be asked whether they are willing to take part in industrial action over the 4 per cent pay uplift many were given in May. The union said at the time that the pay rise does not go far enough in restoring historical pay freezes, with the committees representing these doctors writing to health secretary Wes Streeting calling for him to meet for negotiations. However, the BMA said it has not received a reply. The union has consequently announced the indicative ballot, which will open on 21 July and close on 1 September. Resident doctors in England, formally known as junior doctors, are already being balloted over the prospect of strike action, with senior doctors now potentially set to join them on the picket lines. BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, said in a statement: 'Last month's offer was an insult to senior doctors and undoes so much of the progress made last year. The 4 per cent was below April's RPI inflation, let alone anywhere close to making a dent in the huge pay cuts consultants have experienced over the last 17 years. 'Without restoring consultants' value we will continue to drive our most experienced clinical leaders and academics away – in many cases to better pay and conditions overseas – when patients and the public need them most. 'We've been clear to the government that we're ready to get around the table and to secure a better outcome for doctors, patients and the public, but with no response, we have no choice but to prepare for the possibility of further action.' They added: 'Our resident colleagues have already launched their ballot, to which we offer them our fully fledged support. We ask the government whether it can really risk having several groups of doctors on picket lines together later this year.' BMA SAS committee chairwoman Dr Ujjwala Mohite added: 'SAS doctors are the backbone and unsung heroes of the NHS, yet this year's pay 'award' once again completely disregards the value we offer to patients and the health service. 'Even with the uplift, SAS pay will be down by almost a quarter in real terms compared to 2008. We are certainly not working a quarter less than we were 16 years ago.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and consultants have received an above-inflation pay rise of 4 per cent, following last year's 6 per cent pay award, meaning the starting salary for a consultant is over £20,000 more than in 2023. 'Through the hard work of consultants, SAS doctors and all NHS staff, we have cut waiting lists to their lowest level in two years, down by almost a quarter of a million since we took office. 'Through our plan for change we want to continue working with doctors to rebuild our NHS for the benefit of both staff and patients.'
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Senior doctors asked about prospect of industrial action amid row over pay
Senior doctors in England are taking part in an indicative ballot in an escalation of a row over pay with the Government. Many doctors were given a 4% pay uplift in May. But the British Medical Association (BMA) said at the time that the pay rise does not go far enough in restoring historical pay freezes. The union announced that consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England will take part in an indicative ballot over the recent pay offer. The BMA said that after the offer the committees representing these doctors wrote to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for him to meet for negotiations. But the union said it had not received a reply. The indicative ballot, which will ask whether they are willing to take part in industrial action, will open on July 21 and close on September 1. Resident doctors in England, formally known as junior doctors, are already being balloted over the prospect of strike action. BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, said in a statement: 'Last month's offer was an insult to senior doctors and undoes so much of the progress made last year. 'The 4% was below April's RPI inflation, let alone anywhere close to making a dent in the huge pay cuts consultants have experienced over the last 17 years. 'Without restoring consultants' value we will continue to drive our most experienced clinical leaders and academics away – in many cases to better pay and conditions overseas – when patients and the public need them most. 'We've been clear to the Government that we're ready to get around the table and to secure a better outcome for doctors, patients and the public, but with no response, we have no choice but to prepare for the possibility of further action.' They added: 'Our resident colleagues have already launched their ballot, to which we offer them our fully fledged support. We ask the Government whether it can really risk having several groups of doctors on picket lines together later this year.' BMA SAS committee chairwoman Dr Ujjwala Mohite added: 'SAS doctors are the backbone and unsung heroes of the NHS, yet this year's pay 'award' once again completely disregards the value we offer to patients and the health service. 'Even with the uplift, SAS pay will be down by almost a quarter in real terms compared to 2008. We are certainly not working a quarter less than we were 16 years ago.' The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Senior doctors asked about prospect of industrial action amid row over pay
Senior doctors in England are taking part in an indicative ballot in an escalation of a row over pay with the Government. Many doctors were given a 4% pay uplift in May. But the British Medical Association (BMA) said at the time that the pay rise does not go far enough in restoring historical pay freezes. The union announced that consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors in England will take part in an indicative ballot over the recent pay offer. A 4% pay uplift, less than current inflation, is an insult to doctors in England. This Government has shown it simply doesn't value doctors. 'The DDRB has failed doctors. If this is the best they can do, government needs to think again.' says @DrPhilBanfield This 'award'… — The BMA (@TheBMA) May 22, 2025 The BMA said that after the offer the committees representing these doctors wrote to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for him to meet for negotiations. But the union said it had not received a reply. The indicative ballot, which will ask whether they are willing to take part in industrial action, will open on July 21 and close on September 1. Resident doctors in England, formally known as junior doctors, are already being balloted over the prospect of strike action. BMA consultants committee co-chairs Dr Helen Neary and Dr Shanu Datta, said in a statement: 'Last month's offer was an insult to senior doctors and undoes so much of the progress made last year. 'The 4% was below April's RPI inflation, let alone anywhere close to making a dent in the huge pay cuts consultants have experienced over the last 17 years. 'Without restoring consultants' value we will continue to drive our most experienced clinical leaders and academics away – in many cases to better pay and conditions overseas – when patients and the public need them most. 'We've been clear to the Government that we're ready to get around the table and to secure a better outcome for doctors, patients and the public, but with no response, we have no choice but to prepare for the possibility of further action.' They added: 'Our resident colleagues have already launched their ballot, to which we offer them our fully fledged support. We ask the Government whether it can really risk having several groups of doctors on picket lines together later this year.' BMA SAS committee chairwoman Dr Ujjwala Mohite added: 'SAS doctors are the backbone and unsung heroes of the NHS, yet this year's pay 'award' once again completely disregards the value we offer to patients and the health service. 'Even with the uplift, SAS pay will be down by almost a quarter in real terms compared to 2008. We are certainly not working a quarter less than we were 16 years ago.' The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EasyJet cabin crews in Spain to go on strike next week
EasyJet cabin crews in Spain will go on strike over their pay for three days next week. The USO union in said the industrial action would take place from Wednesday 25 June to Friday 27 June. It said more than 650 flight attendants – based in Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca – could be involved. However, the airline said it intended to operate normally and hoped to avoid any disruption. The union said cabin crews earn much less in Spain than in other countries. It added that the aim of the strike was "to level the crews' working and wage conditions in Spain with the ones at other bases of the company in Europe". Read more from Sky News:Israeli tanks 'kill 51 people waiting for aid' A spokesperson for the airline said it would do everything possible to minimise the impact of the strikes. They added that easyJet employed crews in eight different countries "on local terms and conditions". Regulations in Spain compel airline workers to provide a minimum level of service during industrial action to limit disruption.
