We know some of you might be wondering why we’ve received so much money from other trade unions.
We’re more likely to win when we work together – whether that’s winning changes at work, winning better pay or changing society. That’s what the ‘union’ bit of ‘trade union’ is about. It is the joining together which enables us to win.
We most often see workers coming together within their own unions. The power that enables us to win better pay and conditions arises because we work together as a collective. We’ve seen that over the past two years with doctors and medical students of all grades supporting each other, as different groups within the BMA have organised and taken strike action. Sometimes that has been through public statements of support in the workplace or on social media; other times it has been in the tangible form of coffee and doughnuts brought to the picket lines.
The most successful unions look beyond their own union to build up connections, which can lead to collective action and more power. Historically, this coordination and support between unions was so effective at enabling workers to win better pay and conditions, that governments have made many forms of coordination between unions illegal, such as taking secondary action in support of another union’s strike.
However, some other forms of mutual support are still lawful. There is a long history of different trade unions supporting each other as they take up fights at different times with their respective employers.
One way unions do this is by donating to each other's strike funds during strikes, so the money flows around between the trade unions depending on where it’s needed the most at any given time. That’s what the donations from UCU, Unison and UNITE have been for. This allows support to go directly to those who could not strike without that little bit of strike pay to keep them going financially. This connection between unions is what constitutes the labour movement.
The term ‘solidarity’ can seem a bit abstract at times. However, over the past two years, we’ve seen solidarity play out in real life. Thousands of workers across dozens of unions have been on strike during these years, all demanding better pay. When one union wins, it increases the chances of other unions winning. Workers get inspired; they learn strategies for winning and they lend each other practical support.
Our strike fund is now on a much more sustainable financial footing, and it remains ready to support our members in further disputes – local as well as national – that might arise in the coming months and years. It has grown into a powerful tool to strengthen our battles. This is in part thanks to our own members coming together to support each other, but it’s thanks too to the other unions showing us their spontaneous solidarity when we most needed it.
When the time is right, we will return that gesture by supporting other unions’ strikes in the same way from our general funds. For now, we acknowledge that solidarity with gratitude, and look forward to our union and theirs going from strength to strength.