In the next weeks, rail workers, nurses, bus workers, roads agency employees, ambulance drivers, instructors. And even driving test examiners are scheduled to engage in industrial action.
Rishi Sunak must “stand up to the plate” and allow ministers to negotiate with union leaders. According to the head of the TUC, who also accused the prime minister of using independent pay review panels as a “human shield.”
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, told that the prime minister must “enable these conversations”. Between union leaders and government officials to reach a “fair resolution on compensation.”
Mr. Nowak stated, “I believe he has lost the importance of sitting down, reaching an agreement. And soliciting opinions from those outside his cabinet.”
And frankly, I think it would be a good idea for Rishi Sunak to speak with our unions. But also with some of the frontline paramedics, physiotherapists, classroom teachers, and civil servants who, over the past decade, have been subjected to real pressures on their workloads and are at breaking point.
“Allow the prime minister to speak with these workers and gain an understanding of their worries and challenges.”
General secretary of the Trades Union Congress
Noting that “the only item that isn’t going up” despite the rising cost of living. The head of the Trades Union Congress continued: “The government has used independent review bodies as a human shield, and I believe it is at grave risk of tarnishing their reputation.
When these groups convened and presented their suggestions, inflation was not between 10 and 11 percent.
He added: “Therefore, let’s not hide behind the salary review organizations. What is required is for the government to meet down with our unions and strike an agreement.”
In a scathing letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Nowak asserted that years of “underfunding and understaffing” had caused a crisis in the public sector, and he demanded a radical shift in government policy.
The head of the TUC
He stated, “We cannot resolve the personnel crisis in our schools, hospitals, and everywhere unless we address the root reasons.”
The head of the TUC stated that unions collaborated closely with Mr. Sunak during the epidemic to implement the vacation system. And safeguard millions of jobs, adding, “That is the kind of mature approach we need now.”
Mr. Nowak’s request comes as train workers continue a 48-hour strike. With other stoppages scheduled for this month in the transportation industry and the public sector.
Thousands of nurses throughout the country launched the largest strike in the history of the NHS. Walking out right before the holiday season, and more are expected.
On the second day of the strike, tens of thousands of workers at Network Rail. And train operators have walked off the job, with a third day beginning on Friday. As a result, about half of Britain’s railway lines are down and only a fifth of trains are operating.
Today, the DVSA driving examiners’ strike begins in London, the South East, South Wales, and the South West. As the National Highways traffic officer service workers’ strike continues.
Abellio bus employees in London will also begin a two-day strike. The first in a month-long series of actions planned by the organization.
Following action before the holidays, ambulance personnel will strike again on 11 and 23 January. While nursing personnel will return to work on 18 and 19 January.
Members of the EIS, the main teaching union in Scotland. And two other unions are also scheduled to strike on 10 and 11 January. Also on 16 further days in February.
