Britain’s biggest trade union warned of hundreds of disputes are looming over paltry pay rises and stagnant wages.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said staff struggling with the cost of living crisis are becoming “more assertive” in challenging bosses who offer below inflation awards.
She added: “There could be hundreds of disputes involving tens of thousands of people over the coming months if workers are made to pay the price for inflation.
“Calls for wage restraint by employers who slashed pay during the pandemic are abhorrent.
“Workers have already had a spring, summer, autumn and winter of discontent for years. It’s time to stop telling workers to pay the price for inflation and to demand an end to excessive profiteering.”
Among the latest members balloted for strike action are bin workers at Newham council in East London, and Red Funnel ferries to the Isle of Wight.
Walkout threats have resulted in some bosses agreeing better pay rises. In April, more than 3,000 workers at Airbus in Wales and South West England got a hike of 8.6%. Certain warehouse workers at BMW’s Mini plant won a 21% rise.
And a strike at Norwich city council was recently averted after a deal was agreed involving a 5.5% pay rise, plus increased employer pension contributions, extra sick pay and additional annual leave.
The CBI said: “Firms are helping by absorbing costs to keep prices down and supporting their employees to cope with the cost of living spike.”
