Dissatisfaction with pay, jobs, pensions, and working conditions will lead to hundreds of picket lines nationwide.
Hundreds of thousands of employees are expected to go on strike today in what could be the largest strike since the current wave of labor unrest began.
Commuters in London have been informed that there will be “little or no service” on the Tube due to a strike by Aslef and Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union members.
The British Medical Association’s junior physicians will continue their three-day walkout over pay, which began on Monday.
Although some strikes, such as those by teachers, will not be conducted in England until progress has been made in Wales and Scotland, talks between unions and the government have so far been ineffective in resolving several ongoing disputes.
Strikes may last until the end of the year.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, warned that the action is only the beginning of a series of strikes that could last until the end of the year.
On budget day, we’re asking Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for a fair pay raise for our hardworking members,” he said.
When food inflation was 16% last week, we received a 2% pay increase. Because of their poverty, 40,000 civil servants use food banks and 45,000 seek in-work benefits.
“The government can end these strikes immediately by offering money to our members,”
He added, “Regrettably, ministers appear uninterested in providing their employees with a reasonable pay increase to help them through the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.”
Teachers “do not desire a strike.”
The joint general secretaries of the National Education Union, Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, stated. “We want to teach and help kids, not resist.”
“It remains regrettable that our members must engage in strike action. But parents and the public understand the school finance and teacher recruitment and retention crisis.”
Minister says action will impede children’s education
In an open letter to parents, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan stated. “This industrial action will cause further disruption to your children’s education. As well as your own lives, including work, childcare arrangements, and other commitments.
“I’m sad that so many kids won’t learn with their tutors and peers again. Especially after the pandemic severely disrupted their education.”
