Just A rant on industrial action and strikes in the uk and what is happening local to me on a refinery.
Contrary to what national (uk) media would have us think there is far more strike and industrial action taking place in different places here. Though coverage is scarce and thin as other things dominate media.
My brother is a scaffolder and currently into his second week, facing minus -5 cold at 4am to be at the gate of a local oil refinery. To combat ‘cost of living crisis’ (capitalism crisis) some 400 men across all mechanical trades on a local refinery have taken action asking for what amounts to a £2 hr bonus raise per man per day as their wages or bonuses have not risen in line with inflation nor been increased yearly as promised. When worked out this increase would cost the US owned oil giant (begins with a V and ends in an O) a tiny half a day profit a year to give every man what they’re asking for. HALF A DAY. But afaik the workers have been offered a slap in the face – 15p. Despite the oil giants making record profits and the workers losing yearly increases and not having their scheduled bonus or wage raises through COVID the main contractor is refusing to pay the increase while shifting responsibility to the sub contractors to pay. Neither are budging and the workers are left in the middle of this dispute and are not being listened to as the main contractor seems to be refusing dialogue. As with most places union reps are friends and family with management and there is obvious espionage and under table shit happening. In my experience companies will ‘pay off’ and force out actual left leaning reps.
Also included in the demands is company provided cold weather gear and coats which have been denied and transport to their job (on site) as the site is a couple mile square and they’re expected to walk to and from their locations in freezing conditions. Which I don’t think is unreasonable.
As always the law are there protecting corporate oil interests and ‘man handling’ the workers and fabricating public disturbance and highway laws to use against the workers who are trying to slow vehicles into the site as per standard picket line conditions. Talks of prosecutions for trespass and the contractor trying to reduce disruption using nefarious means also backed by police is also happening.
There is also action being taken on Fawley refinery and many others around the uk. I ask you all look into this as even the knowledge of these and the talk spreading word around them would help support the workers.
I work as a domestic plumber and am personally out of that industrial scene for the time being as it’s a shit environment to work, you’re watched, forced to break rules when the safety disrupts production and it’s honestly run like a work camp…but I have and would over the years dip In and out for shutdowns and slowdowns when the money is there.
Huge Solidarity to all those striking for better pay and conditions on these refineries, all nurses, rail and postal workers all staff taking action everywhere fighting for better conditions and pay in the uk and beyond amidst this bullshit predatory capitalist hellscape.
To boot – ‘Our’ government is now talking about legislation making it illegal to strike in certain industries. If you cannot strike YOU ARE A SLAVE.
If you stayed this long to read my rant. Thanks for reading.