Junior doctors across South Yorkshire joined others from across England in a four day walkout over pay and conditions. The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for junior doctors to be given a 35 per cent pay rise to make up for years of below-inflation increases. However, the government has argued the union’s pay demands are unaffordable. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to BMA representative Peter Jackson.
Teachers in England are set to go on strike again later this month and in early May after the UK’s largest education union voted overwhelmingly to reject a new pay offer from the government. The National Education Union (NEU) has rejected the latest offer and described it as an “insult” to teachers. The offer, which the government has descrbed as “fair and reasonable”, consisted of a one-off payment of £1,000, a 4.3% pay rise and an increase in starting salaries to £30,000. A ballot of NEU members resulted in 98% in favour of turning the deal down. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Simon Murch, joint secretary of the Sheffield branch of the NEU.
Thousands took part in a rally outside City Hall in support of strike action called by staff from Sheffield’s two universities and from other higher education institutions across the country. Staff at both of universities are taking action for better pay and working conditions, with many complaining about excessive workloads. University of Sheffield staff are also taking action for improved pensions. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jane Fearon, branch secretary for the University College Union at Sheffield Hallam.
Sheffield Trades Union Council has condemned the recent injunction obtained by Royal Mail which prevents postal staff from exercising their right to take strike action. 110,000 Communications Union members voted by over 97 per cent in favour of strike action in a 76 per cent turnout however the High Court ruled the vote invalid. Sheffield TUC fears the ruling may encourage other companies to use the courts to prevent industrial action. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to secretary of Sheffield TUC Martin Mayer.
Train commuters are set to be hit by a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas in a long-running dispute over guards on trains. Northern members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have agreed to continue industrial action every Saturday through December. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Steve Hedley, senior assistant general secretary of the RMT Union.
Further strike action on Sheffield’s Supertram network is planned across eight days in August, Unite the Union has announced. The union is calling for constructive talks on pay. Train operator Stagecoach said they are disappointed by the action and claim they have already made a generous pay offer. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Unite the Union have denied claims by transport bosses that industrial action on the Supertram network is deliberately targeting Tramlines festival goers. Strike action over the past two weeks has caused disruption on Sheffield’s Supertram network with around 200 drivers and conductors taking part in a pay dispute that is yet to be resolved. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Supertram drivers and conductors have staged a 24 hour walkouts after rejecting a revised three-year pay offer. Unite members are seeking a pay increase of up to 50p an hour and further strikes are planned after the union rejected an offer they same amounts to around 25p an hour. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
As justice campaigners mark 34 years since the Battle of Orgreave, former miner Kevin Horne shared his recollections of the day with Sheffield Live! Baillor Jalloh reports.
Hundreds joined a rally to mark the 34th anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave as campaigners continue to make the case for a public enquiry. In October 2016 Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced there would be no public enquiry but campaigners, including Brightside and Hillsborough MP, Gill Furniss, are calling on the Government and new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to think again. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live