After months of strike action, the British government and most unions have agreed to a pay rise for more than a million healthcare workers. More strikes are still possible.

In the collective bargaining dispute in Great Britain, which has been at a standstill for months, the government and the majority of employees of the state-funded health system, the NHS, have reached an agreement. More than a million employees in England will receive a five percent pay rise and a one-off payment of at least 1,250 pounds (about 1,420 euros) this year, the British news agency PA reported.

In an interview with Sky News, Health Minister Steve Barclay spoke of a “good day for the health service, a good day for employees and a good day for patients”.

Healthcare system It’s chronic underfunded

In recent months there have been many strikes in the British healthcare system. Among other things, employees demanded more money, especially given the still high inflation in Britain. Although there has been a slight decline recently, consumer prices have increased by more than ten percent compared to the same month last year.

The strikes forced many medical appointments and operations to be postponed, and waiting lists became longer and longer. The British health system is also considered chronically underfunded and understaffed.

More strikes are still possible

The majority of unions in the sector voted in favor of the deal, although there were also some, such as the Royal College of Nursing and the Unite union, that were still not satisfied with the offer. New strikes are therefore not completely ruled out.

Barclay called on members of these organizations to join the majority and resolve the conflict. The deal for this year and next will affect more than one million NHS workers in England, particularly nurses, paramedics and midwives.