CBA: Days of Action – Dates for your Diary
In light of the refusal of Government to respond to the reasonable demands made by the CBA pursuant to the last ballot, or even to agree to apply any 15% uplift in fees to cases in the current backlog, the Criminal Bar will now progress to the next phase of action which has been mandated by the 81% vote in that ballot: namely, alternating weeks of action.
This will continue indefinitely, or until such time as any further ballot is held to either pause or end the action. We have been clear and consistent that no further ballot will be initiated unless and until there is a substantial positive movement from Government.
The ongoing action is having a severe and extensive impact on court business right across the country. The fact that it has had such an impact is entirely due to the commitment and determination of criminal barristers who understand that there will be no fair settlement of our dispute over criminal legal aid without continuing pressure being applied to Government.
It was very clear from the feedback we received through our national zoom meetings this week that the Criminal Bar is standing firm. We have never seen such solidarity amongst our members. In particular, in our dedicated national zoom meeting with those under 7 years’ call every single participant confirmed that they were determined to continue the action without interruption.
To assist you in settling your diaries, the dates of the alternating weeks of action for the next two months are as follows:
- Monday 1st to Friday 5th August
- Monday 15th to Friday 19th August
- Tuesday 30th to Friday 2nd September
- Monday 12th to Friday 16th September
- Monday 26th to Friday 30th September
There will be no gatherings outside court centres on Mondays in August.
National zoom meetings for all members will continue to take place on Tuesday mornings, during weeks of action, followed by national zoom meetings for the under 7 years’ call members.
A schedule of training sessions is being organised for August; date and times will be confirmed in due course. All training events will be zoom based and open to all members of the CBA.
The training sessions target the issues you are presently raising with us in relation to retention, recruitment and promotion of diversity at the Criminal Bar, issues arising directly from your participation in strike action, and issues arising from the pressures of working as a criminal barrister, in the current climate.
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