UK strikes 2023: Which workers are on strike or threatening to strike?

With a turnout of almost 90 percent, members voted 76 percent to 24 percent in favor, signaling an end to a bitter dispute that has led to a series of strikes in recent months. However, the agreement will not mean a complete end to rail strikes, because rail company employees are part of separate disputes.

In March and April, workers in a number of industries continued to strike, including workers at the passport office, who set to strike for five weeks in a dispute over work, pay and conditions.

So which industries will be affected by strikes in the coming weeks and when will staff walk out?

Strike of passport office workers

Workers of the passport office will be on strike for five weeks in escalating pay. More than 1,000 members of the Civil and Commercial Services (PCS) union working in passport services in England, Scotland and Wales will walk out between 3 April and 5 May.

Workers in Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, LondonNewport, Peterborough and Southport will strike from April 3 to May 5, while Belfast will strike from April 7 to May 5.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “They seem to think that if they ignore our members they will go away. But how can our members ignore the cost-of-living crisis when 40,000 public servants use food banks and 45,000 of them claim the benefits they themselves enjoy?

“It is a national scandal and a stain on this government’s reputation that so many of its own workforce are living in poverty.”

Are teachers planning to strike?

On March 15, NEU members went on strike. The industrial action follows a major day of strikes on February 1, when half of all UK schools were at least partially closed, and other recent strikes. However, strikes in Wales and Scotland have been called off while negotiations continue, and as of March 20, there are no plans to strike in England.

London Underground drivers strike

London Underground drivers have announced a strike Budget dayMarch 15, in a dispute about pensions and working conditions. Trade union of machinists Aslef said 99 percent of its members had voted in favor of a 24-hour strike.

Network Rail workers have voted to accept a new pay offer, but planned strikes at 14 other rail operators will still take place on March 30 and April 1.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members will never accept job losses, attacks on their pensions or changes to working conditions to pay for funding cuts that are a government policy decision.

“Pipeline workers provide essential services to the capital, ensuring the city can move and work long hours in demanding positions. In return, they deserve a decent pension, job security and good working conditions, and the RMT will fight tooth and nail to make sure that’s what they get.”

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents rail companies in pay and conditions negotiations, has told the RMT that talks at national level may not resume unless its “best and final” offer is presented to union members.

Strikes of railway workers occur over several months, leaving many people unable to get to work and significantly affecting business. Unions are in conflict with the government and rail companies over wages, job losses and changes to conditions.

They say any compensation offer must take into account the rising cost of living – with inflation now running at more than 10 per cent. But due to the financial impact of the pandemic, the rail sector is under pressure to save.

Bosses say reforms need to be agreed to allow for pay rises and rail upgrades.

Which civil servants will go on strike and why?

Civil servants of 123 state departments and agencies went on strike March 15. The walkout of 100,000 PCS members was an attempt to put significant pressure on the government, the PCS said.

The action by the PCS union followed the refusal to meet its demand for a 10 per cent pay rise, increased pensions, job retention and no reduction in redundancies. It affected all government arms, including Ofsted, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Border Force.

More than 1,600 DVLA staff will hold a series of demonstrations across England, Scotland and Wales until March 28. Mark Serwotka, the union’s general secretary, said officials had “suffered an absolutely unacceptable pay cut”.

Strike of young doctors

Junior doctors announced a 72-hour strike from Monday, March 13. The decision to strike over pay and conditions came after 98 per cent of the vote was in favour. HCSA On Wednesday, March 15, the junior doctors’ strike began. The strikes have not yet resulted in a pay agreement.

When the railroad strikes?

RMT members at Network Rail, who work for 14 rail companies, were set to strike on March 30 and April 1. However, their bitter row ended when union members accepted a revised pay offer.

However, the agreement will not mean a complete end to rail strikes, because rail company employees are part of separate disputes.

When are university employees on strike?

Academics, librarians and other university staff members of the University College Union (UCU) are on strike on March 20, 21 and 22. UKU members previously went on strike on March 15, 16 and 17.