Collective bargaining dispute: Nationwide strikes in Britain

Status: 01/02/2023 11:52 am

Up to half a million people could be out of a job in the UK today. Teachers, train drivers and public sector employees participate in the fight for better wages. The last time there was a strike of this magnitude was in 2011.

The biggest strike in over a decade has started in the UK. At the same time, teachers, but also several train drivers and public sector employees, went under in the fight for higher wages. The National Education Union estimated that 85 percent of schools in England and Wales would be affected. According to this, more than 100,000 teachers could go on strike. In addition to the teachers’ union, the PCS union in the public sector has called some 100,000 members in 124 government agencies to strike.

The Trade Union Congress estimated that up to half a million workers across the country, including teachers, university staff, civil servants, border officials, and train and bus drivers, will be out of a job. Other actions, also by nurses, are planned for the coming days and weeks.

Massive strikes across the UK

Anna Mundt, ARD London, daily news at 2pm, 1st February 2023

The last time the country saw mass strikes of this magnitude was in 2011, when more than a million public sector workers participated in a day-long strike over pensions.

“I’m disappointed it’s come to this”

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said talks with unions are underway. She told Times Radio this morning of the strike: “I am disappointed that the unions have made this decision.” It is not the last resort.

Employees don’t want to be satisfied with the above offers because they are well below the level of the inflation rate of around ten percent recently. The conservative government rejects improvements and points to a “vicious circle” of rising prices.

The collective bargaining dispute has dragged on for several months. With a controversial law, the government wants to make sure that basic services are guaranteed, for example, for rescue and nursing workers, as well as for firefighters and railways. Unions reject the plan as undemocratic. Parallel to the strikes, protests against the bill were to take place.

Regina Anderson

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