Behind the scenes, the British Prime Minister undertook to open consultations with the unions to try to put an end to the massive movement of claims in the public service.
by Cécile Ducourieux (London, correspondent)
New work stoppage planned for paramedics, Wednesday January 11, disengagement of nurses scheduled for January 18 and 19, without counting the strikes of bus or train drivers and perhaps, soon, those of teachers and teachers and teachers and teachers and teachers Beginner doctors … Essentially carried by wage claims, social movements do not weaken at the start of the year in the United Kingdom, certain unions (unit, RMT) even considering a common day of action. A “coordinated strike” to maximize its impact and “get fair wages for civil servants”, supports the TUC, the Confederation of British unions. Unheard of since the 1980s.
The conflict further strengthened on Tuesday, with the presentation to the House of Commons of a bill establishing a minimum service in the event of a strike in public services. Downing Street may have ensured that his goal “is not to hinder the right to strike, but to protect the public with a minimum net”, the text was immediately baptized “antigrève law” by the unions. Paul Nowak, secretary general of the TUC, denounced an “anti -democratic, inapplicable and most likely illegal” project, while the Labor party promises to abandon it if it comes to power in the general elections planned by the end of 2024. In Reaction, the British unions called for a big day of demonstrations on February 1 to protect the right to strike.
Behind the scenes, however, the Conservative government of Rishi Sunak clearly softens the tone, especially vis-à-vis health personnel, who claims substantial income increases (at least 10 %) to compensate for a power of Purchase cut off by twelve years of wage stagnation and by two-digit inflation since mid-2022. At the end of December, Downing Street still refused any negotiation with the unions, standing at the conclusions of the Pay Review Body, an advisory body which had advised, in July 2022, an increase of approximately 4 % for the health personnel of the ‘ Public Hospital (the National Health Service; NHS).
a possible compromise
But, on Monday, Steve Barclay, the Minister of Health, for the first time met the union officials. The meeting may have turned short, a spokesperson for Downing Street judged him “constructive” and assured that there would be “other discussions very soon”. Disputes remain considerable. However, a compromise now seems possible, the media evoking possible bonuses or wage increases for 2023, with any retroactive effect.
You have 59.07% of this article to read. The continuation is reserved for subscribers.