Published 07/20/2023 09:51
As thousands of medical professionals stopped working for the first time in 10 years and train drivers were disrupted, a new day of strike action for higher wages began on Thursday, 20.
The country, hit by a severe cost-of-living crisis, has been hit by months of strikes in the health, transport, education and postal sectors. While inflation has slowed, it is the highest among G7 countries (7.9% in June).
After nurses, paramedics and residents, more experienced doctors joined the movement and started a 48-hour strike this Thursday at 07:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Dentists working in hospitals were also suspended.
After years of austerity and the Covid-19 pandemic, accessing the National Health Service (NHS) is increasingly complex. The government has proposed a 6% hike for medical professionals this year. But according to the BMA trade union (British Medical Association), the scheme amounts to a pay cut in real terms.
Train conductors from the RMT union have stepped up strikes for a year, making travel difficult during the school holidays.
Rail services have warned that there will be “little or no service across much of the network” on Thursday, July 22 and 29. The Aslef union began the strike on July 17, which ends Saturday.
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