INSTITUTE for Cancer Research (ICR) strikers welcomed great support, including from abroad and other unions as they held a rally outside South Kensington Tube Station in central London yesterday morning.
The workers employed in Chelsea and in Sutton are in their 11th week of indefinite strike action against management’s refusal to negotiate a better pay deal.
Teige, a Unite rep for the strikers, told the rally: ‘We had over 150 people assembled in front of the Cancer Drug Discovery building on Thursday. Wasn’t that electric! Wasn’t that fantastic!
‘How did we do it? We received £480 in donations from cake sales. Also we had a fundraiser last week when we raised £1,500 which was amazing. We have strength on the picket line and we are going to stand together.’
Kari-Sofie Jenssen, a train driver from Norway had come with a message of support. She said: ‘I’m from a small town outside Oslo, Norway.
‘I have been a trade union member for 50 years and I’ve been working on the railways for 25 years, 17 years as a train driver.
‘I am here to bring solidarity in your fight for fair pay. In the last three years I’ve learnt a lot about cancer. I recovered from breast cancer in 2024. In 2025 my sister had cancer.
‘I’m grateful for the research for cancer and new treatment. My husband and best friend died of cancer.
‘I understand the importance of your work I will continue to support your fight. This is your 11th week on strike and it’s important to organise and stay together.’
Earlier, on the picket line at the ICR site in Chelsea, Unite rep Teige told News Line: ‘The bosses thought we would be a flash in the pan and they’re now looking really upset about the reality of the strike.’
Storeman, Danny Habte said: ‘Management are trying to cover our jobs with agency staff. The rally in Sutton yesterday (Thursday) was fantastic, with many people supporting us when we marched from the station.’
