in Southampton have been on all-out strike since 11 protesting the sacking of NUPE shop steward Steve Ferris. A 24-hour picket is stopping supplies to Southampton General including oil and oxygen.
Other local hospitals have held sympathetic strikes and striking South Wales miners have been on the picket line. Steve Ferris told us, 'It started when Mtala-CiCl ic acu an agreement which allowcarry out duties as secretary of the NUPE branch.
I reruseo lo recoguise their right to do this, so thev sacked me. Management antered the agreement so if unilaterally I had agreed to attend any discussion hearings would have meant 1 accepted their right to do tatisince the 1982 dispute we nave bulli up a strong union organisation to defend services and staff. We intend to oppose privatisaCuLLOI which is why management have They knew a sacking CUNt for the unions.
like this would provoke a strike but they have met a strong resistance. We have people out General, and the Princess Anne maternity wing and pickets are covering entrances, 24 hours a day. The strike is hitting the adHUNSALOH 'Apppointments have been cancelled and waiting lists are growing. This is an important dispute. = we lose it will be a real blow to unionism.
'If we win then we will be in a position to stop privatisation and defend patient services. Wall giye unionism a boost in the ington and Camden branches have organised meeting on rate capping, abolition and cuts when