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News Desk
The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will embark on a process of consultation with the public and key "stake holders" over spending cuts, with the backdrop of trade unions putting in motion a "pronounced period of industrial action" that may mirror Greece and Spain.
The London Daily News in research, has found that five major trade unions representing between them 2,7772,960 workers in the public and private sector, are either balloting for strike action or have already embarked on strikes, UNITE British Airways staff have concluded a series of walk outs over May and June.
The news of the strike ballots follows the news covered in the mainstream media that 20-25% of public sector spending is likely to be cut by the coalition government, which could tip the British economy into a double-dip recession.
The CWU which represents British Telecom workers are set to go on strike in August triggered by "BT's intransigence on what would effectively represent a 2.4 per cent pay cut at a time of spiralling profits, has been taken with a heavy heart" is how the CWU justified its actions. "Executive members and the pay negotiating team, however, are unanimously agreed that no alternative exists in a situation where the company appears intent on treating employees with contempt."
RMT which represents transport Tube Lines staff voted by more than 90% for strike action over "continued a threat to jobs and conditions and in support of decent pay". The RMT in a statement confirmed "that members employed by Tube Lines have voted by a massive majority for strike action over a continuing threat to jobs and safe working conditions and in support of a decent pay increase this year." The strikes are likely to start in July.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) Union which represents government departments and agencies, public bodies, private sector information technology and other service companies has already said it will "resist harsh cuts in public spending" The PCS deputy general secretary Hugh Lanning said:
"We do not accept that cutting the public sector is the right course of action to get the UK out of recession. The government should be creating jobs, not forcing thousands of its own workforce onto benefits."
ACCORD which represents HBOS AND LLOYDS staff has embarked on a second ballot on pay, pensions and terms and conditions with results likely to be announced in mid-June.
The GMB and UNITED is organising a strike ballot for workers at Coca-Cola with results expected before the end of June and industrial action will take place, if the move is supported but workers to go strike in July while the World Cup is running. "Coca-cola Enterprise (CCE) management refused a claim from the workforce for national bargaining with the unions on pay and conditions of employment. Both unions gave notice that they will now move to a formal ballot for industrial action to secure national bargaining. The ballot itself will start on 11th June"
UNITE which represents British Airways staff will today conclude a series of strike actions, Unite’s joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: “Cabin crew are left with no choice but to take further strike action. There can be no industrial peace without meaningful negotiations and while management victimises trade unionists and uses disciplinary procedures in a witch-hunt."
The strikes are likely to cost the London and British economy millions of pounds, with Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses commenting in April that the proposed rail strike could have cost £600 million a day.
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