Estimated 500,000 UK Workers And Students Hit The Streets In Largest Strike Seen In Decade

The British government has issued a warning of “significant disruption” on Wednesday as the largest series of strikes in a decade takes place in the UK – involving schoolteachers, classroom assistants, bus and train drivers, security guards, civil servants, and university staff.

The scale of the strikes is expected to make it “very difficult” for the public to go about their daily lives, according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

This latest wave of industrial action comes amid a series of other strikes throughout the UK, with more strikes planned by various workers in the coming weeks.

In England and Wales, teachers are taking industrial action for the first time since 2016 to demand better pay, in response to rising inflation that has reached double digits.

As a result of 23% real terms pay cut since 2010, many teachers are forced to take a second job to make ends meet.

And it is not just teachers – 100,000 civil servants are joining in on the industrial action, demanding a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security, and no cuts to redundancy terms.

This strike will impact government departments such as the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care.

Staff at 150 universities across the UK are expected to join the strike action, protesting for improved pay, working conditions, and pensions. The university bosses have offered a 5% pay increase, but unions believe this is not enough and anticipate members to reject the offer.

See you TOMORROW on the @StrathclydeUCU picket line 8am at Strathclyde Uni, alongside half a million workers. The biggest day of strikes since 2011: #StrathLife

•300,000 Teachers

•100,000 Civil servants

•70,000 University staff

•13,000 train drivers

•2000 bus drivers

— Strathclyde Solidarity Collective (@strath_occupied) January 31, 2023

While these strikes in the UK may cause inconvenience for the public, they also serve as a reminder of the growing frustration and anger among workers in the face of rising costs of living and stagnant wages across Europe.

In recent years, similar protests and strikes have taken place across Europe, such as in France, Belgium, and Malta.

For instance, in 2019, Malta witnessed a widespread protest movement, with civil servants, teachers, students and healthcare workers coming together to demand change similarly to what is currently happening the UK now.

These strikes serve as a wake-up call to governments and employers, highlighting the need to address the concerns of workers and ensure fair and just treatment for all.