Massive strike hits Britain over Christmas season

Madeleine Stephens, a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, said Britain’s current high inflation and rising cost of living put a lot of pressure on people.

LONDON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) — The United Kingdom (UK) has faced weeks of massive strikes by transport and postal workers, nurses and border guards during the Christmas season.

A wave of industrial action began on Tuesday, with more than 40,000 members of the National Railway, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) out for 48 hours. In addition, he will be in turmoil for three weeks.

British Railways said it was curtailing train operations until 8 January 2023 due to various industrial actions, saying “significant disruption is expected across the rail network”.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) also said it would go on strike on December 23 and 24, the busiest days for pre-Christmas deliveries.

Meanwhile, the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union announced in late December that industrial action by civil servants would affect Border Patrol services. Travelers planning to enter the UK during the proposed strike period may face longer wait times at border controls.

Nurses also joined the list of striking workers.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said: “Up to 100,000 nursing staff are on strike in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, with a further strike scheduled for 20 December.” rice field.

Gemma Dean, lecturer and HR expert at Liverpool John Moores University Business School, said in an interview with Xinhua: England for a while.

“What we are seeing now are groups of workers either striking or engaging in a form of industrial action that they normally do not strike, for example ambulance drivers and nurses. Some of these groups have never gone on strike, so it’s surprising to see it, but it may also reflect the deeper feelings employees have now about pay and conditions of employment. I can’t,” said Dean.

Madeleine Stephens, a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, said Britain’s current high inflation and rising cost of living put a lot of pressure on people.

One nurse told the Xinhua News Agency, “After we got through the pandemic, morale was at an all-time high and then at a low.”

“And now is the time to give nurses what they and the rest of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) deserve. I work in the office and don’t have days off,” said the nurse.

Stevens told Xinhua News Agency: “I think the wave of industrial action we are seeing now is gaining momentum, not just the railway strikes and the Royal Mail roller coaster effect. People are feeling the pressure when Christmas time comes around, and it’s caused by a very uncomfortable fear.”

Stevens said it could even result in outcomes other than a strike. “The public service sector may not be the only one struggling with compensation and cost of living. It affects each and every one of us. For the wider community,” she said.

“And perhaps the strategy to consider is to look at some causes that benefit the country as a whole across the board,” Stevens suggested.