U.K.
Members of the GMB general union employed by the National Grid transmission company in the North East of England have supported strike action against offshoring in a consultative ballot. The union is angry that the company is looking to close a site and offshore 181 jobs to India despite making massive profits.
Read more at > GMB (EN)
The GMB, UNISON and UNITE trade unions have come together in a campaign against plans by the National Grid energy transmission company to close a facility in Newcastle with the loss of 189 jobs some of which the company intends to switch to India. EPSU has written to the company’s chief executive calling for the decision to be reversed. Read more at > EPSU (EN)
Public services union UNISON reports that the National Grid energy company has agreed a new four-year collective agreement. There is a 3.3% pay increase backdated to July 2013 and then a further four years of pay increasing by the rate of inflation. There are also changes to the pay structure and improvements to pension arrangements. The company will also strengthen its commitment to directly-employed labour. UNISON sees this as a significant improvement on the company's original offer and achieved on the basis of a continuing strong trade union presence in the company. [Read more at > UNISON-
A ballot for strike action carried out by civil service union PCS has produced a massive majority (86%) in favour of strike action over pay. However, the vote is invalid because of restrictions on public sector strike action introduced two years ago by the Conservative, centre-right government. Under the rules public service unions need to achieve a 50% turnout in the ballot and on this occasion it was 41.6%. This was the highest majority and highest turnout for a strike ballot in the union's history. PCS will use the high majority for action to strengthen its pay campaign. It is also