Inflation and rising cost of living are putting Britain on the brink of the biggest strikes in 30 years.
For months, British analysts have argued that inflation in the country is the highest in the last 30-40 years, citing rising prices for food, consumer goods and the cost of living in general.
As of this week, this chain problem will not leave out the strikes, with the Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) warning of the biggest and worst mobilizations in recent years.
As of tonight, millions of passengers in England, Scotland and Wales will already face dozens of train delays and the union has announced that on Tuesday 21 June, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th there will be only 20% of itineraries urging travelers to take train only if it is an “absolute necessity”.
The country is “paralyzed” – the demands of the trade unionists
The panic is that more than 40,000 train workers will take part in the protests, with areas in Scotland such as Inverness, Aberdeen and other suburbs in England and Wales having absolutely no rail links on strike days. . In fact, on the other days of the week there will be inconvenience for the passengers as the percentage of the itineraries will reach only 60%.
Negotiations are taking place until the last minute and today, Monday, however, it seems that trade unionists and administrations have not given up on key issues. So far, companies are offering a 3% pay rise, a far cry from the demand of employees who demand at least 7%. The issue of working hours is also on the table, which is in danger of increasing from 35 hours to 40 or 44 per week. This increase in working hours, plus the modernization of systems in the railway services, will lead to layoffs, something that the union is trying to prevent.
RMT union secretary general Mick Leeds has threatened to “continue the strike until the demands are met”, which is estimated to take more than six months.
The political reactions to the strike
Throughout this debate, the British government has been absent. Transport Minister Grand Saps today insisted on the one hand that it was “a debate between workers and employers”, but on the other hand he openly accused the union of “punishing millions of innocent people” while leaving tips to the official opposition leader Sir Kir Starmer that he incites the mobilizations.
In response, the Labor leader accused Boris Johnson and Grand Saps of “causing division” by “adding fuel to the fire” rather than calming the situation.
On Monday morning, the lawyers also announced strikes, while teachers and medical staff are moving in the same direction.
Zoe Katzagiannaki, London
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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