The wave of industrial action sweeping across England continues this week and could even escalate without a breakthrough to bitter disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.
The Royal College of Nursing in England will call out its members on Wednesday and Thursday, with the union warning that if progress is not made in negotiations by the end of January, the next set of strikes will include all eligible members in England for the first time. The Government continues to insist that pay claims are unaffordable and is sticking to the policy that wage rises should be decided by pay review bodies.
Health unions are refusing to submit any evidence to the NHS pay review body for the 2023/24 pay rise until the current dispute is resolved. GMB leaders meet today (Monday, Jan 16) to decide whether to call more strikes among their ambulance members because of the lack of progress in talks. A decision is likely to be announced later in the week.
Meanwhile, the National Education Union and school leaders union NAHT will announce the result of ballots for strikes over pay. The NEU announcement is expected today, but the union must give two weeks notice of any industrial action.
A ballot of the NASUWT teachers' union last week failed to reach the 50 per cent turnout threshold, although nine in 10 of those who did vote backed strike action. However, a strike will go ahead on Wednesday by Unison members at the Environment Agency in a pay dispute.
Talks continue between rail unions and train operators in a fresh attempt to resolve a long-running row, which has led to a series of strikes since last summer. Both sides say they are working towards a revised offer.
The Public and Commercial Services union is pressing ahead with a strike on February 1 by 100,000 civil servants, which will affect governments, driving test centres, museums, ports and airports. The TUC is organising a series of protests on February 1 against the Government’s controversial proposed new law on strikes.
Planned legislation aimed at ensuring minimum levels of service during strikes receives its Second Reading in Parliament today. A demonstration will be held outside Downing Street to protest against the Government’s move.
PCS members working as legal advisers and court associates in more than 80 courts across England and Wales are also going on strike in a long-running dispute about a case management system called Common Platform. Around 300 PCS members will take action on January 21 and January 28.
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