RSC strike campaign

Royal Shakespeare Company members begin a campaign of strike action from 15 September.

This follows almost 90% of BECTU members at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Stratford voting in favour of industrial action in a postal ballot to reopen negotiations on the company's redundancy proposals.

Members at Stratford have now voted almost unanimously to begin a campaign of strike action commencing on Saturday 15 September.

Despite the continued threats by the company, members showed their determination to resist the excesses of the company's redundancy proposals, to secure improved redundancy terms, and to improve job security by preventing casualisation of the workforce.

BECTU Supervisory Official Willy Donaghy said "While I am disappointed that we have been forced to take strike action, I am proud of the solidarity and determination shown by the members. The RSC's tactic of threats and intimidation only strengthens the BECTU members' resolve to improve job security and redundancy terms, and to negotiate new terms and conditions of employment

"We remain willing to conciliation talks at ACAS, but expect the company to continue to refuse the opportunity to resolve the dispute".

BECTU members at the RSC Barbican are also to be balloted for strike action in a few weeks' time and a similar result to the Stratford ballot is expected.