The unions say strike payments are needed to compensate workers who lose wages when they engage in industrial activities. A TUC spokesman said: “When workers make the difficult decision to strike, they lose pay and rely on support from union strike funds to feed their families.”
But the doubling of some strike payments has raised suspicions among ministers that the authorities are spoiling a battle with the government and preparing for crippling strikes this summer.
Unison’s latest financial statements show that the body’s finance committee agreed to increase the strike wage “from £ 25 a day to £ 50 payable from day one. [of a strike] instead of day four “, adding:” Unison must put itself and our members in the best possible position to win disputes. “
According to its accounts, Unison had a “strike fund reserve” of £ 34.2 million as of December. Unite has a strike fund of at least £ 35 million, which union officials cite to encourage members to support industrial action with ballots.
Mr Quarteng said the figures showed that the “militant unions” had quietly amassed reserves to unleash a summer of chaos this year.
He said: “It is clear that they have been planning this for some time. Looking at the numbers, their plan is designed to do maximum damage to millions of people for as long as possible.
“We are looking at all possible ways to ensure that public services can be maintained.
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