Bulletin No.25

Bulletin No. 25: UK Labour Strikes

Discussion

Across the UK, a series of labour strikes have been carried out in various industries including healthcare, transport, and teaching. The number of participants of the strikes have been record-breaking, with half a million striking on February 1st.

Who is striking?

Industrial action has been called across the UK from May 2022, and those striking include workers from a range of industries. Rail workers have been disputing with the government and rail companies about pay and job cuts over the last year, with workers from other sectors such as civil servants following suit this month.

Most recently, teachers from primary schools to university lecturers have also taken industrial action, with teachers set to strike again in March. Firefighters across the UK have also voted to strike and may potentially take action over the course of this year.

Why are so many people striking?

There is an indisputable cost of living crisis within the UK, with many finding themselves unable to maintain their lifestyles based on their current wages; this stems from a combination of stagnant wages in an economy where inflation continues to rise. For instance, the National Education Union states that the 5% pay rise allocated to state-school teachers in 2022 is effectively a pay cut due to inflation being over 10%. Such patterns of meagre (or, often, no) pay increase despite the rising cost of living highlights the need for pay increases that mitigate the rising costs. The government consistently condemned the strikes, and have been backing legislation that governs minimum service levels, which would theoretically limit worker’s rights to strike.

What does this mean for human rights?

On a surface level, the underpayment of workers across the country can be considered a huge step backwards for human rights; the rising costs of necessities such as produce, gas, and fuel create a barrier between individuals and their ability to afford important goods. As well as this, the industrial action undertaken means that valued and crucial services are far less available, and in some cases being stopped altogether. NHS services, already spread thin after the Covid-19 pandemic, are reduced further in availability due to strikes by nurses, midwives, and ambulance staff. Although firefighters have not yet gone ahead with industrial action, the government highlights that a potential strike would be ‘concerning’.

Moreover, the current strike bill moving through Parliament that would seek to make it more difficult for individuals to take industrial action is facing potential legal action from the Trades Union Congress, as it would effectively reduce human rights within the UK and transgress Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Charity Spotlight

Unite the Union is a charity that backs and supports individuals to advocate for fair pay in the workplace. To join or support, visit the website for more information: https://www.unitetheunion.org/

Internal Opportunities

Some members of the University of Manchester staff are currently striking with UCU over pay, working conditions, and pensions. For many students, the industrial action being taken by teachers is being met with mixed emotions; for more information on when strikes are occurring, how to support staff, and finding help where strike action is affecting learning, visit the Manchester SU website:  manchesterstudentsunion.com/strikes

External Opportunities

UNISON is a public service union that supports industrial action across the UK. The organisation supports fair wages and working conditions for all. For more information and literature on striking, as well as news, visit the website: https://www.unison.org.uk/