Half a million UK workers, including teachers, university staff and train and bus drivers, joined the biggest strike in a decade on Wednesday to demand better wages.
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Although the country has seen several days of strikes in recent months, Today is the most important Through the number of employees supporting it and the diversity of the sectors it supports.
This Wednesday, the UK is experiencing its biggest strike day in eleven years Strikes in many sectorsUnited by the demand for better wages against 10.5% inflation.
About 20,000 schools in England and Wales will be affected by the first of seven days of strikes called by primary and secondary school teachers in February and March, adding to protests that began months earlier in many other sectors.
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His stop coincides with a complication that the drivers of A.J Dozens of railway companies and a staff of 150 universities.
Also with the work of about 100,000 officials from ministries, ports, airports and even driving license examination centers.
sum, It is expected to hit up to 500,000 people On this Wednesday.
Workers from all sectors of work are demanding more dignified conditions and better wages.
Maria Victoria Christiancho
Popular support for the protests
Despite the chaos caused by the incessant blows, 59% of Britons support a nurses’ strike And 43% are returned teachers, according to a poll published by Politico Public First.
Several parent organizations said in a statement Wednesday that they “support” the movement, citing the “consequences of years of underfunding” in schools.
The government’s position is untenable. The unprecedented strike moves could not be ignored
For its part, the executive branch defends the need for Imposing minimum services in the main sectors To do so, he introduced a Bill whose approval is progressing smoothly in Parliament.
“The government’s position is untenable. It cannot ignore an unprecedented strike movement that continues to grow,” Mark Sirotka, general secretary of the CPC Civil Servants’ Union, told Sky News, calling for a “more realistic stance”.
Wednesday’s protest comes at a bad time for Sunak, on the eve of a crisis-marked 100 days in power and coinciding with the third anniversary of a Brexit which only 20% of Britons consider on the right track. % (up from 48% in the 2016 poll), according to the December YouGov poll.
As the icing on the cake, a report issued by the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday predicted that The UK will be the only G7 country whose economy is contracting in 2023.
The Trade Union Congress does not rule out reprisals if the government passes the Minimum Services Act
Congressional Labor Union Deputy Secretary General Kate Bell told PA News the legislation is “unnecessary, unfair and almost certainly illegal” because it would force workers such as medical workers to report to work despite unemployment.
If the law is approved, people working in essential services can be fired for striking.
Parents support teachers’ strike
Parents of many children, whose lessons have been canceled in some schools, have come out in support of the strikes called in the UK. One of them declared in an interview with The Guardian that he was happy “to be away from work if it was to support the teachers”.
The Welsh Education Minister blames the UK government for the strikes
“There are very real budget constraints on the Welsh government due to the frankly shameful position that the UK government is not making enough funds across the UK for public services,” Jeremy Miles told the BBC.
The railway union says the deal is “farther away” than before
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Society of Locomotives and Fire Engineers (ASLEV), said the deal that would end the strikes was “farther than when we began” after months of failed negotiations with the government.
Most schools will be open during the day of the protests
Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, said “most” schools in England and Wales would remain open today, despite the strike.
Rishi Sunak faces questions from Congress during strikes
The Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader, Roshi Sunak, will have to meet members of Congress at the meeting called every Wednesday so MPs can put questions to him.
The main topic of discussion will be workers’ protests.
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