In a different way, but the strike of British health workers continues

The strike of British health workers continues. One union accepted the government’s offer, while another rejected it and announced another stoppage at the end of April.

54% of members of the Royal College of Nursing said no to the offer, which includes a lump sum payment for 2022-23 and a 5% increase this year. Secretary-General Pat Cullen said members will strike for 48 hours from April 30, joined for the first time by nurses working in intensive care units, emergency wards and cancer wards.

In contrast, 74% of Unison members voted to accept the offer to withdraw from the lobby. Unison represents healthcare workers, including ambulance staff, hospital porters, and some nurses.

“Obviously health workers want more, but this was the best that could be achieved through negotiations,” said Sarah Gorton, Unison’s chief health officer. “In recent weeks, health workers have been contemplating the offer. They have opted for the certainty that the extra money will soon be in their pockets.”

The wave of strikes in Great Britain has been going on for months

Workers are demanding wage increases in order to keep up with inflation, which was 10.4% in February.

Firefighters and London bus drivers managed to come to an agreement with their employers. However, many other professions are still the subject of wage disputes.

According to unions, wages, especially in the public sector, have declined in real terms over the past decade. Due to the sharp rise in food and energy prices, millions are affected by the livelihood crisis.

Thousands of junior doctors in the state-funded National Health Service on Friday celebrated the last day of their four-day layoff. Junior doctors are demanding a 35% increase in their salaries, which the government calls unreasonable.

Civil servants also announced another layoff on Friday after the government’s offer of a 4.5-5% wage increase was rejected. The Prospect union said its members, including weather service workers and health inspectors, will strike on May 10 and June 7.