The boss of one of Britain’s largest transport unions has called for coordinated strikes involving tens of thousands of public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters and nurses, just as young doctors are considering joining the wave of industrial unrest.
“We need to maximize our influence and hopefully have an impact on everyone involved in a dispute,” said Mick Lynch, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers. “So these are teachers, healthcare. I think we’ll have the fire brigade with us soon.”
Lynch spoke on January 6 of a picket line on the fourth of five days of train strikes that have paralyzed much of Britain’s rail network. “I hope there will be a spirit of coordination,” he added.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government is grappling with a wave of strikes that are causing widespread disruption to public services. The Royal Mail, public transport workers, National Health Service staff, the Border Force and other sections of the public service are all on strike.
Most disputes revolve around pay, with workers demanding pay rises that keep pace with double-digit UK inflation.
A union representing young doctors said on January 6 it would stage a 72-hour strike in March if members voted for action in a vote starting January 9 months ahead if they supported it. The ballots close on January 13th.
And after the strike in December, nurses and ambulance workers are expected to take action again later in January.
negotiations
The government has so far refused to offer pay rises for public sector workers beyond the level suggested by pay review bodies, which it says are independent. On January 5, she invited union leaders to discuss the 2024 public sector wage agreement, but made no mention of the 2023 wage agreement.
Talks resume on January 9, but Lynch was not hoping for a breakthrough. Unions were also angry at government plans to introduce new legislation to enforce minimum service levels during strikes.
While the government said the legislation would be published in the “coming weeks”, an official familiar with the matter said it could come as soon as January 10.
Sunak said on January 6 he was “hopeful” the talks could take place on January 9 and that “all” union leaders were invited.
“I firmly believe in the role of unions in our society and their freedom to strike,” Sunak told broadcasters. “But I also believe this should be balanced with the right of ordinary working people to live their lives free from significant disruption.”
nurses
He said the proposed laws would be similar to those in countries like France, Italy and Spain.
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing has urged the government to meet it “halfway” on pay amid signs of a softening of the position ahead of more planned strikes this month.
The union has been pushing for a 19% pay rise for its members, but general secretary Pat Cullen signaled on a Times Radio podcast that she was ready to make a significant compromise. This means that the RCN could be willing to accept a rise of around 10% to end its dispute.
Cullen urged Sunak and Health Secretary Steve Barclay to “go into a room and meet me halfway here. Do what is right for these nurses.”
Sunak has so far heeded the advice of an independent payroll agency, which has seen an average nurse pay rise of about 4%.
Cullen welcomed the Prime Minister’s call for discussions about next year’s payroll but warned on Times Radio: “We have to get something clear for this year to send a message to the nursing staff of this country that has held us all together that they are are valued, but they can also pay their bills and not have to go to food banks.”
