UNITE members struck a bitter blow against the Tory pay cap as hundreds of cleaners, porters and security staff walked out in the biggest NHS strike this year.
About 700 Unite members took part in the action at four London hospitals belonging to the Barts NHS Trust yesterday, the first of three days of industrial action over pay.
Workers employed by Serco at the Royal London Hospital, Whipp’s Cross, Barts and Mile End Hospital are demanding a “modest” 3 per cent pay rise from the multinational privateer.
One hundred years after 1.7m workers shut the country down in defence of the miners, the struggles that sparked the 1926 General Strike are still with us – and will be honoured on London’s May Day march this year, writes MARY ADOSSIDES
ROGER McKENZIE calls for greater support from trade unionists and the general public for female workers involved in industrial disputes
With 121,000 vacancies and 44.8% of staff feeling unwell from work stress, the NHS 10-year plan will not succeed unless the government takes immediate action to retain existing staff, writes ANNETTE MANSELL-GREEN


