by Kevin Parslow, Waltham Forest Socialist Party and Unite LE1228 branch secretary
On 7 August, Unite strikers at the Institute of Cancer Research launched all-out indefinite strike action with a rally.
The previous Friday, 30 July, the strikers marched between their two workplaces and South Kensington Station, where they held a rally. The streets of quiet plush South Kensington echoed to the chant of “We fight cancer every day, we can’t do it on low pay!”
At that point, the strikers had been out for eight weeks after rejecting a 4% pay offer. They demand pay restoration of up to 16% to offset real-terms cuts since 2019, the reinstatement of an increment-based pay policy, and better workplace conditions. Some members have second jobs, while the CEO is on £457,000 per year, and over £30 million sits in reserves.
This is an historic strike, the first in the 117-year history of the Institute. Unite National Lead Officer Onay Kasab addressed the rally, urging the members to stand firm as they look to intensify the dispute. Supportively, Unite will now be enhancing strike pay to those members taking action.
- The strikers are making an urgent appeal for finance.
Account: Unite London & East Region
Sort code: 60-83-01
Account number: 20173988 - It is essential that donations are referenced as ‘ICR dispute’