The UK has been witnessing months of labor strikes, due to decreased pay and increased inflation. The British government said on Tuesday that they would implement a new pay deal covering more than a million nurses after a majority of unions voted for the offer. However other nursing unions have rejected the deal. While teachers’ unions are talking about ratcheting up their walkouts this year as UK Government is still hesitant about union demands.
It May look like it could be a busy month for strikers. Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers have been taking part in strikes in recent weeks with many more industrial actions planned. It’s one of the strongest strike waves in the United Kingdom in decades. Persistent double-digit inflation and the backbreaking cost of living crisis continue to take a toll on the lives of millions in the UK.
Teachers are also organizing coordinated strikes as they seek to increase pressure on the government in a dispute over pay. The National Education Union has called for two strikes in recent weeks affecting 22 thousand of schools. The action comes after the NEU rejected a pay offer the UK Government is criticizing the labor actions saying they are not doing any good.
UK Government’s actions
The proposal was “overwhelmingly” rejected by unions, despite the government offering a £1,000 lump sum this year and an average pay rise of 4.5% in 2024 and 2024. The rejection of the proposal is largely focused on ways to increase funding. Schools are expected to fund a 4 percent increase from their budget, while the government provides an additional 0.5 percent. Teachers and unions say the “downgrade” will force them to make further cuts they can’t afford to lose.
Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, described the strike as “extremely disappointing”. She added that the children have been in the classroom for almost a week and with exams approaching, it is very disappointing that the NEU is calling for more strikes. The government said it considers a 4 percent increase in average pay acceptable to schools.
Other public sector workers are now adding their voices to those of the nurses and teachers, saying enough is enough. And this is going all the way to the crown itself. Even parking attendants in Westminster are set to strike this week, including on the day of the king’s coronation. The procession and ceremony on Saturday, which will be attended by heads of state and government officials, will be guarded by thousands of police officers.
The security operation is one of the “most important,” according to security minister Tom Tugendhat. Shotgun shells allegedly being thrown into the grounds of Buckingham Palace prompted a security alert last night, which led to the arrest of a man outside the palace. The Metropolitan Police announced that there would be more than 11,500 officers on duty in London on Saturday, including 9,000 along the route of the procession between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
