[UK] Royal Society of Arts facing first strike in 270 years

In the UK, staff at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) have voted to go on strike for the first time in the organisation’s 270-year history, The Guardian reports.

On September 5, staff at the enlightenment charity who are members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) voted overwhelmingly (93 per cent) in favour of the strike, following their rejection of a pay offer from the organisation.

Initially, the RSA reportedly offered all staff members a flat £1,000, averaging a 2.5 per cent annual increase across the board. Staff rejected the offer and asked for a flat pay rise of £2,800 for employees who are part of the bargaining unit.

The RSA - which once counted Karl Marx and Nelson Mandela as members - describes itself as a “unique global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony”. The organisation has 31,000 members across the world, known as fellows. Members pay an annual subscription fee of £198.

Notice for industrial action has been given for September 19 and 21, coinciding with the RSA hosting its president, Princess Anne, for an awards ceremony.

In a statement, IWGB members at the RSA said the organisation’s management had entered pay negotiations in “bad faith”.

The statement also said, “Our relationship with management has further deteriorated over this process, with members of the leadership team choosing to use intimidatory tactics to divide and demoralise the workforce – a majority of whom are union members.

“Staff at the organisation have made the democratic decision to ballot to strike due to this impasse, and, as we have communicated with the RSA, are open to constructive negotiation when management are willing to move from their initial position and discuss a serious pay offer.”

Alex Marshall - the IWGB president - said, “Throughout the union recognition process and now pay negotiations, Andy Haldane and his team have cynically attempted to undermine democracy, sow division and impose a meagre raise during a cost of living crisis.

“Meanwhile senior management not only enjoy bumper salaries but are also sat on reserves of £32m. The result of the ballot reflects workers’ resolve to win the pay rise they deserve and they will not give up until they have won it.”

A spokesperson for the RSA denied claims that the leadership team had received a pay rise over the past two years. 

In a statement, they said, “IWGB’s decision to push for industrial action at this moment, alongside supporting the sharing of inaccurate and misleading information in the media, seems to be motivated by disrupting our charitable work at a time of huge excitement and opportunity and using our good name to gain publicity for themselves rather than protecting the welfare of our people or the interests of our charity. This is deeply regrettable.”.

Source: The Guardian

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, staff at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) have voted to go on strike for the first time in the organisation’s 270-year history, The Guardian reports.

On September 5, staff at the enlightenment charity who are members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) voted overwhelmingly (93 per cent) in favour of the strike, following their rejection of a pay offer from the organisation.

Initially, the RSA reportedly offered all staff members a flat £1,000, averaging a 2.5 per cent annual increase across the board. Staff rejected the offer and asked for a flat pay rise of £2,800 for employees who are part of the bargaining unit.

The RSA - which once counted Karl Marx and Nelson Mandela as members - describes itself as a “unique global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony”. The organisation has 31,000 members across the world, known as fellows. Members pay an annual subscription fee of £198.

Notice for industrial action has been given for September 19 and 21, coinciding with the RSA hosting its president, Princess Anne, for an awards ceremony.

In a statement, IWGB members at the RSA said the organisation’s management had entered pay negotiations in “bad faith”.

The statement also said, “Our relationship with management has further deteriorated over this process, with members of the leadership team choosing to use intimidatory tactics to divide and demoralise the workforce – a majority of whom are union members.

“Staff at the organisation have made the democratic decision to ballot to strike due to this impasse, and, as we have communicated with the RSA, are open to constructive negotiation when management are willing to move from their initial position and discuss a serious pay offer.”

Alex Marshall - the IWGB president - said, “Throughout the union recognition process and now pay negotiations, Andy Haldane and his team have cynically attempted to undermine democracy, sow division and impose a meagre raise during a cost of living crisis.

“Meanwhile senior management not only enjoy bumper salaries but are also sat on reserves of £32m. The result of the ballot reflects workers’ resolve to win the pay rise they deserve and they will not give up until they have won it.”

A spokesperson for the RSA denied claims that the leadership team had received a pay rise over the past two years. 

In a statement, they said, “IWGB’s decision to push for industrial action at this moment, alongside supporting the sharing of inaccurate and misleading information in the media, seems to be motivated by disrupting our charitable work at a time of huge excitement and opportunity and using our good name to gain publicity for themselves rather than protecting the welfare of our people or the interests of our charity. This is deeply regrettable.”.

Source: The Guardian

(Quotes via original reporting)