Manchester mental health workers fight for better staffing
Workers are furious at health bosses for underfunding the services they provide
Unison union mental health workers on strike in Manchester
By Yuri Prasad
Thursday 16 January 2025
Thursday 16 January 2025
SOCIALIST WORKER Issue
Striking mental health workers in Manchester took their fight to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and top health bosses on Thursday as part of their battle for better staffing.
They are furious at NHS mental health service commissioners who are underfunding the services they provide—and putting vulnerable users at risk.
The Unison and Unite union members work for Manchester Early Intervention in Psychosis teams. They walked out for 48 hours on Wednesday morning as part of a long-running campaign.
Strikers include nurses, psychologists, social workers, support workers, welfare rights workers, CBT therapists and employment specialists.
From the picket line at Chorlton House, Unite rep and clinical psychologist Dr John Mulligan told Socialist Worker what is at stake.
“This strike is about safer staffing,” he said. “For the last four years we’ve been in dispute with commissioners in Manchester because they and the government have not invested in mental health services in the community. And our service users are getting a very poor service.
“That’s part of a national shame. Across the country some 43,800 people with mental health problems die unnecessarily every year.
“We need enough staff to do the job properly and we need a radical overhaul of mental health services.”
Speaking before attending the commissioners’ Care Board meeting, John said, “Five of us are heading into the meeting and we’ve submitted 12 questions that apparently the body has to answer within about 20 days.”
Picket lines at Prestwich hospital have been swelled by supporters, including other trade unionists and service users.
In response, John said, “We want to thank everybody who’s come here today, and all the other days we’ve been on strike. That’s much appreciated.”
Health trade unionists across the north west of England should highlight this vital strike and look for ways to show solidarity.
And national unions should do more to publicise and support those who have walked out in Manchester. Many other mental health workers could potentially be in dispute over cuts—and hitting back together would be powerful.
Mental health services everywhere are neglected and in crisis. Strikes and protests are the best way to pressurise local commissioners and the national government into taking action.
• Send messages of support to MancStrikeMH@yahoo.com
• Sign the strikers’ petition for more resources at tinyurl.com/MMHpetition
Striking mental health workers in Manchester took their fight to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and top health bosses on Thursday as part of their battle for better staffing.
They are furious at NHS mental health service commissioners who are underfunding the services they provide—and putting vulnerable users at risk.
The Unison and Unite union members work for Manchester Early Intervention in Psychosis teams. They walked out for 48 hours on Wednesday morning as part of a long-running campaign.
Strikers include nurses, psychologists, social workers, support workers, welfare rights workers, CBT therapists and employment specialists.
From the picket line at Chorlton House, Unite rep and clinical psychologist Dr John Mulligan told Socialist Worker what is at stake.
“This strike is about safer staffing,” he said. “For the last four years we’ve been in dispute with commissioners in Manchester because they and the government have not invested in mental health services in the community. And our service users are getting a very poor service.
“That’s part of a national shame. Across the country some 43,800 people with mental health problems die unnecessarily every year.
“We need enough staff to do the job properly and we need a radical overhaul of mental health services.”
Speaking before attending the commissioners’ Care Board meeting, John said, “Five of us are heading into the meeting and we’ve submitted 12 questions that apparently the body has to answer within about 20 days.”
Picket lines at Prestwich hospital have been swelled by supporters, including other trade unionists and service users.
In response, John said, “We want to thank everybody who’s come here today, and all the other days we’ve been on strike. That’s much appreciated.”
Health trade unionists across the north west of England should highlight this vital strike and look for ways to show solidarity.
And national unions should do more to publicise and support those who have walked out in Manchester. Many other mental health workers could potentially be in dispute over cuts—and hitting back together would be powerful.
Mental health services everywhere are neglected and in crisis. Strikes and protests are the best way to pressurise local commissioners and the national government into taking action.
• Send messages of support to MancStrikeMH@yahoo.com
• Sign the strikers’ petition for more resources at tinyurl.com/MMHpetition
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