UK medical workers strike for first time in 106 years

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Dec 2022 15:48

Healthcare unions in Scotland on the other hand canceled their strike and accepted the pay raise deal proposed by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.

Nurses on strike in the UK (CNN)

Media has reported that England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will witness nurses partaking in a historic strike on Thursday, demanding a pay raise amid increasing costs of living in the United Kingdom, media reported.

Healthcare unions in Scotland, on the other hand, canceled their strike and accepted the pay raise deal proposed by First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.

This marks the first strike in the 106-year history of the UK's biggest nursing union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The strike is expected to host as many as 100,000 health workers as participants in an effort to get a pay increase of 5% as a result of inflation.

The cost of food rose by 210 British pounds - or $250 - for every household, adding some 6 billion pounds to UK food bills. Inflation across the UK reached 12.4% in November.

'Obviously unaffordable'

Another strike is anticipated to take place on December 20, further aggravating staff shortage which the National Health Service (NHS) has been struggling with for months. Major disruptions in hospitals are also expected alongside delays of non-urgent services and operations that have been already postponed.

Per media reports, the UK military has been asked to fill in staff gaps in health services and institutions.

Newy-appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his "enormous respect" for nurses, medical and NHS workers, but simultaneously described their requests as "obviously unaffordable" considering current economic and political situations.

The deteriorating economic conditions in the UK have given rise to more protests and dissatisfaction among people, further catalyzed by soaring energy prices and inflation. Workers employed in railroad companies, post offices, airports, and lawyers have also been holding strikes.

Social dissatisfaction has grown as the UK entered a serious economic crisis earlier this year. Annual inflation in the UK hit 11.1% in October. According to the Bank of England, the UK economy has entered a recession expected to last until the second half of 2024.