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Why are so many workers going on strike? Why are so many workers going on strike?
(10 days later)
Rail workers from three trade unions hold a co-ordinated strike, 1 OctoberRail workers from three trade unions hold a co-ordinated strike, 1 October
Tens of thousands of workers have downed tools this year to request pay deals that keep up with the rising cost of living.Tens of thousands of workers have downed tools this year to request pay deals that keep up with the rising cost of living.
It has left the public having to deal with train strikes, overflowing bins, gridlock in the courts and disruption to other services such as mail deliveries.It has left the public having to deal with train strikes, overflowing bins, gridlock in the courts and disruption to other services such as mail deliveries.
There could be further strikes through the winter and next year, as doctors, nurses and teachers are in dispute with employers over pay. There could be further strikes through the winter and next year, as doctors, nurses and teachers are in dispute with their employers.
Why are the strikes happening?Why are the strikes happening?
The strikes are over pay, working conditions and pensions. The disputes are over working conditions, pensions and pay.
Prices are rising at over 10% per year, the fastest rate for 40 years.Prices are rising at over 10% per year, the fastest rate for 40 years.
That means workers are seeing their living costs rising faster than their wages, leaving them worse off.That means workers are seeing their living costs rising faster than their wages, leaving them worse off.
Why are so many workers going on strike?
Why are prices rising so quickly?Why are prices rising so quickly?
Workers in many industries belong to trade unions, which are organisations that represent their interests to management and negotiate on their behalf about pay, jobs and conditions. Workers in many industries belong to trade unions, which are organisations that represent their interests to management and negotiate on their behalf over pay, jobs and conditions.
Where those unions have not been able to get a pay deal they feel is fair, and haven't been able to agree a compromise, they vote on whether to take industrial action. When those unions have not been able to get a pay deal they feel is fair, and haven't been able to agree a compromise, they vote on whether to put pressure on their employer by taking industrial action.
At the most extreme, this means going on strike where workers refuse to do their jobs to try to persuade their employers to give in. At the most extreme, this means going on strike where workers refuse to do their jobs.
Workers can also take less drastic measures to put pressure on their bosses, such as refusing overtime. Doctors and nurses won't completely stop work as that would put lives at risk. Workers can also take less drastic measures to put pressure on their bosses, such as refusing to do overtime. In some professions basic services are maintained. Doctors and nurses won't completely stop work as that would put lives at risk.
Industrial disputes have definitely been rising since the pandemic. In 2019, on average 19,500 days a month were lost to strike action. In July, the figure was 87,600, according to the Office for National Statistics. Industrial disputes have definitely been rising since the pandemic. In 2019, on average 19,500 days a month were lost to strike action. In July 2022, the figure was 87,600, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Postal workers and strike action protesters outside the Mount Pleasant Royal Mail sorting office, 26 AugustPostal workers and strike action protesters outside the Mount Pleasant Royal Mail sorting office, 26 August
Who is striking?Who is striking?
The most high-profile strikes include:The most high-profile strikes include:
The Royal College of Nursing has said that members will take part in strike action expected to start by the end of the year. The union has never gone on strike in its history and has said emergency care will still be staffed.The Royal College of Nursing has said that members will take part in strike action expected to start by the end of the year. The union has never gone on strike in its history and has said emergency care will still be staffed.
The railways have been disrupted by a series of strikes since June. Members of three rail unions - the RMT, the TSSA, and ASLEF - are taking part in a series of one-day strikes which have brought parts of the rail network to a virtual standstill. The next strikes are planned for 5 November. Train travel has been disrupted by a series of strikes since June. Members of three rail unions - the RMT, the TSSA, and ASLEF - are taking part in a series of one-day strikes which have brought parts of the rail network to a virtual standstill. Disruption could continue for another six months.
Workers at Royal Mail have held eight strikes since August. Negotiations between the company and the Communications Workers Union are now taking place. If talks break down, up to four more strikes could happen before Christmas. Workers at Royal Mail have held eight strikes since August and have ten more days of action scheduled before Christmas.
Around 40,000 workers at telecoms companies BT and Openreach went on strike for the first time in over 30 years in July, seeking a better pay deal, with further strike action expected soon. Around 40,000 workers at telecoms companies BT and Openreach went on strike for the first time in over 30 years in July, seeking a better pay deal, followed by further days of action in August and October.
The University Lecturers and College Union is planning to strike on 24, 25 and 30 November. Staff at 150 universities are taking part. Airline ground handlers began three days of strike action on 18 November, with the potential to cause disruption at Heathrow airport and affect flights to the World Cup in Qatar.
Airline ground handlers will take part in three days of strike action from 18 November. It could cause disruption at Heathrow airport and affect flights to the World Cup in Qatar. Dock workers at Liverpool have ended their action after reaching a pay deal earlier this month. But a dispute at Felixstowe remains unresolved.
Dock workers at Felixstowe and Liverpool are also in dispute over pay. Who else is considering going on strike?
Who is considering going on strike? The University and College Union, representing staff in higher education is planning to strike on 24, 25 and 30 November. Staff at 150 universities are taking part.
A ballot of 70,000 members of the Universities and College Union at 150 universities voted in favour of strike action in two separate disputes: one on pay, one on pensions. Junior doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association, are planning to hold a ballot in January on industrial action over a pay deal which will give them 2% this year.
Junior doctors in England, represented by the British Medical Association, are planning to ballot in January on industrial action over a pay deal which will give them 2% this year.
Some 350,000 health workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland belonging to Unison began a vote on industrial action on 27 October. A vote in Scotland was suspended following a new offer from employers.Some 350,000 health workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland belonging to Unison began a vote on industrial action on 27 October. A vote in Scotland was suspended following a new offer from employers.
Around 18,000 ambulance workers belonging to GMB and Unite are voting on strike action.Around 18,000 ambulance workers belonging to GMB and Unite are voting on strike action.
The NASUWT and NEU teaching unions are between them balloting more than 400,000 teachers and support staff in England and Wales.The NASUWT and NEU teaching unions are between them balloting more than 400,000 teachers and support staff in England and Wales.
Does the public support strike action?Does the public support strike action?
A number of polls have asked whether the general public support strikes. A number of polls have asked whether the general public supports strikes.
A poll at the end of October by Savanta ComRes found that 60% generally support workers taking industrial action, with 33% opposed.A poll at the end of October by Savanta ComRes found that 60% generally support workers taking industrial action, with 33% opposed.
Asked about strikes over pay and conditions, support varied widely between different industries, with nurses and teachers attracting the most.Asked about strikes over pay and conditions, support varied widely between different industries, with nurses and teachers attracting the most.
In the summer, polls on the rail strike from Ipsos and Opinium found roughly equal numbers supporting and opposing it.In the summer, polls on the rail strike from Ipsos and Opinium found roughly equal numbers supporting and opposing it.
What do employers say?What do employers say?
Staff wages are a major cost for most businesses and some of the companies which are in dispute with their workers say they do not have enough money to give pay rises.Staff wages are a major cost for most businesses and some of the companies which are in dispute with their workers say they do not have enough money to give pay rises.
Royal Mail and the rail companies say they want to agree new working practices alongside the pay award, which has proved another point of dispute. Royal Mail and the rail companies say they want to agree new working practices alongside a pay award, which has proved another point of dispute.
Doctors, nurses, and the striking lawyers are paid by the government. Their salary is set by a review process which published its findings in July, presenting millions of workers with below-inflation pay rises.Doctors, nurses, and the striking lawyers are paid by the government. Their salary is set by a review process which published its findings in July, presenting millions of workers with below-inflation pay rises.
The new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned of a "profound economic crisis" with "difficult decisions to come" - which will make it hard to make a more generous pay offer to public sector workers. The new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has warned of a "profound economic crisis" with "difficult decisions to come" - which will make it hard to make a more generous pay offer to public sector workers.
The Bank of England worries that if workers win big pay rises, their employers will have to put prices up. That pushes up inflation, causing workers to request bigger pay rises, creating a "wage-price" spiral which could lead to a sustained period of inflation. The Bank of England worries that if workers win big pay rises, their employers will in turn have to put prices up for customers. That pushes up inflation, causing workers to request bigger pay rises, creating a "wage-price" spiral which could make inflation harder to bring down.
However, some workers are in a strong position as unemployment is extremely low. There are more vacancies than people looking for work and many businesses are short of workers.However, some workers are in a strong position as unemployment is extremely low. There are more vacancies than people looking for work and many businesses are short of workers.
The Trades Union Congress argues that on average workers earn less than they did in 2008 - the longest period without an increase for 200 years. The Trades Union Congress argues that on average workers earn less than they did in 2008 - the longest period without an increase in earnings for 200 years.
Nurses join a cost of living protest in JuneNurses join a cost of living protest in June
What do workers earn?What do workers earn?
Pay varies hugely between industries, job roles and how senior workers are.Pay varies hugely between industries, job roles and how senior workers are.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics found that railway workers earn an average of £43,000. Train drivers earn the most - average £59,000 - while travel assistants earn £33,000. Figures from the Office for National Statistics found that railway workers earn an average of £43,000. Train drivers earn the most - averaging £59,000 - while travel assistants earn £33,000.
Nurses in England earn from £27,000 to £55,000, with the average nurse earning around £32,000 according to the RCN. Nurses in England earn between £27,000 and £55,000, with the average at around £32,000 according to the RCN.
Has anyone managed to get big pay rises?Has anyone managed to get big pay rises?
A number of disputes have been resolved this year, with some workers being awarded pay rises of 10% or more.A number of disputes have been resolved this year, with some workers being awarded pay rises of 10% or more.
Criminal barristers in England and Wales accepted a 15% pay rise in October, after a strike which began in June.Criminal barristers in England and Wales accepted a 15% pay rise in October, after a strike which began in June.
Refuse workers in Eastbourne, negotiated a deal worth over 11% in January after going on strike.Refuse workers in Eastbourne, negotiated a deal worth over 11% in January after going on strike.
Train drivers in Scotland agreed a 5% pay deal in June.Train drivers in Scotland agreed a 5% pay deal in June.
2000 bus drivers in North London won an 11% pay deal after threatening a strike.2000 bus drivers in North London won an 11% pay deal after threatening a strike.
480 bus drivers in Kent won a pay deal worth nearly 14% after six days of strike action.480 bus drivers in Kent won a pay deal worth nearly 14% after six days of strike action.
In July BA staff at Heathrow accepted a pay deal worth 13% after threatening to strike.In July BA staff at Heathrow accepted a pay deal worth 13% after threatening to strike.