As he defended his government’s policy, Rishi Sunak urged individuals to check before traveling due to strike-related disruptions.
Rishi Sunak stated that he is “saddened and dismayed” that strikes threaten to ruin Christmas vacations.
The prime minister acknowledged that determining public sector compensation was a “tough topic” but asserted that “the government has acted honestly and rationally by accepting all of the recommendations of the independent public sector pay review committees.”
However, he did not rule out the possibility of a one-time compensation offer for striking NHS employees.
Asked if he would consider this to prevent future action, he responded, “As the Health Secretary and I have stated repeatedly, our door is always open.
“Many issues have been raised as ones in which we could make a difference, and we would be glad to discuss all of them.”
Moments after his interview, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced that nurses will strike again in England on January 18 and 19, with additional dates to be announced in the new year.
The number of concerned trusts will increase from 44 to 55, so expanding the scope of the strikes.
The union contested Mr. Sunak’s assertion that the government is amenable to negotiations.
The RCN tweeted, “Once again, we have offered negotiations. Ministers declined to join the table once more. Once again, nursing workers are without options. Our next strike, for the protection of our patients and profession, will be on January 18 and 19, 2023.”
Pat Cullen, general secretary of the RCN, continued, “The government had the opportunity to conclude this issue before Christmas, but they have instead chosen to force nursing personnel back out into the cold in January.”
Hundreds of thousands of workers in numerous sectors of the economy have gone on strike or are intending to do so this winter as unions seek pay raises for their members amid a cost of living crisis and high inflation.
Today, Border Force personnel at the major airports in the United Kingdom walked out, threatening flight delays.
Mr. Sunak stated, “I am saddened and dismayed by the interruption to so many people’s lives, especially over the holiday season.”
He asked all travelers to verify before embarking on their journeys to prevent minimal disruptions.
Earlier, the chairman of the union organizing the Border Force strikes said that unless the government makes a better pay offer, travelers could face months of interruption.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, told that the government had only provided a 2% wage raise, even though employees had requested a 10% increase to keep up with inflation.
He claimed that 40,000 Civil Service employees were using food banks and described the situation as a “poverty crisis.”
He also predicted a “major increase” in Civil Service strike action in January if ministers do not enter into negotiations.
Therefore, everyone experiencing disruptions has the right to be furious, but that anger should be aimed toward Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt,” he said.
During a visit to a London homeless shelter, Mr. Sunak stated that inflation is “eating into everyone’s pay packets” and that he must be “responsible about public sector pay” to address this.
“It is in the long-term interest of the entire nation that we fight inflation,” he remarked.
