Future industrial action ‘will be even bigger’ if ministers do not act, union boss warns – as hundreds of thousands of workers walk out | Politics News

A union leader has warned if the dispute over workers’ wages is not resolved, further industrial action “will be even bigger” and strikes will continue “throughout the summer”.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of Trade and Public Service Alliance – one of the largest unions in the UK – told Sky News that ministers should be aware that “the number of people joining or voting for action will increase”.

He told Kay Burley: “It is not feasible for them to sit idly by with this unprecedented amount of industrial activity because it is up to half a million today.

The biggest strikes in over a decade are underway – the latest politics

“Next week we have paramedics and we have nurses. There will be firefighters that we know have now voted for it. attack action.

“So the number of people joining or voting for action will increase – and I don’t believe the government will find that they can get away with bowing while all this disruption goes on.

“And I think they will be forced to take a much more realistic attitude.

“But if they refuse, we are planning for our campaign to continue throughout the summer with both long-term, continuous and targeted strikes – as well as mass actions like today. .

“And I think we’ll see if there’s another one, it’s going to be even bigger than today.”

Mr Serwotka added that there was “a crisis of poverty in the workplace” – and claimed that 40,000 civil servants were using food banks.

Meanwhile, the leader of Trade Union Congress (TUC) accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Prime Minister Jeremy Hunt was “missing” as hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike in the biggest day of industrial action in more than a decade.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told Sky News the government was “playing a little too fast and loosely with the British public” in suggesting that issues around workloads, recruitment and retention could be resolved. decision without talking about salary at the same time.

“They’re completely connected,” he said.

“And really the government needs to sit down. Like I said, the prime minister and the prime minister come to the table, find some new money.”

Read more:
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Public sector wage increases – who decides and how?

Mr Nowak added: “I think last time when I was on your show two or three weeks ago I said we wanted to sit down with the prime minister and the prime minister to talk about what could be done. regarding fair wage payments, new money on the table.

“We have not had a response.”

He continued: “I am an optimist and I am a negotiator, and I hope that the government will listen and will come to the negotiating table.”

Teachers in England and Wales who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) will today organize marches – which the union estimates will affect 23,000 schools.

The NEU’s secretary general, Mary Bousted, said about 85% of schools in both countries will close completely or partially, leaving some parents with no choice but to take time off work or arrange services. take care of children.

“Unfortunately, about 85% of schools will be affected because a strike doesn’t need to happen. If the government is ready to negotiate,” she told Sky News.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan acknowledged that the government “doesn’t know” exactly how many schools have closed but will release that information “this afternoon”.

“We did a survey and a lot of the top people responded, so that gives us some ideas,” she told Kay Burley, adding that “the majority of schools School will open.”

Ms Keegan added that it would be “irresponsible” to suggest an inflation-driven wage increase.

Train drivers from the unions RMT and Aslef are also organizing another strike as a protracted dispute over pay and conditions continues to flare up – with university lecturers and bus drivers as well. take action.

About 123 government agencies will also be disrupted by industrial activity.

Protests are being held across the country against the government’s controversial plans for a new law on minimum service levels during strikes.

Speaking from a fence on Wednesday morning, Aslef union leader Mick Whelan told the PA news agency that workers deprived of their right to strike to maintain the minimum level of service under the proposed law would be reduced to a “slavery” status.

Downing Street acknowledged that today’s mass strike action would be “very difficult” for the public.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “We regret the decision to strike by many unions as we greatly value the work of their members.

“We want an open and honest dialogue about wages.

“The foreign ministers continue to have constructive meetings with their union partners, representing a positive step towards strengthening dialogue and finding common ground.

“We also wanted to discuss unpaid concerns including conditions and workload.

“We can’t chase inflation. Raising all public sector wages would cost £28 billion – or £1,000 per household.”

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More strikes are expected next week and will be dominated by NHS staffwith both nurses and paramedics planning the action.

NHS consultants in the UK are also bracing for possible strike action.

And next week will see Border Force officers at four ports on strike for four days in the February half term.