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The battle and the warFrontline article by Colin Barker, January 2008 Karen Reissmann is the Manchester nurse sacked for speaking out about worsening mental health services. On 10 December the trust's kangaroo court rejected her appeal. Four days later, after more than five weeks of indefinite strike and 14 previous strike days, her colleagues voted to suspend their action.
The battle had been exceptionally hard fought. A high proportion of strikers picketed regularly, delegations toured the country raising some £200,000 of financial support, and the local branch pressured Unison into organising a national day of protest.
Manchester Labour councillors either openly backed the trust bosses or kept an embarrassed silence, and most Labour MPs also refused to discuss the issue. Unison leaders gave official support, but would not spread the strike.
The strikers twice forced their negotiators back into talks, winning a series of gains before agreeing to go back. Despite losing the immediate battle, they were anything but demoralised, applauding the election of seven additional stewards and determined on continuing a national campaign with active backing from many of their service users. Comments? Email letters@socialistreview.org.uk Contents | Donate Access to this website is free - help us keep it that way. Please make a donation. |
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