The Welsh government is trying to end NHS workers’ strikes in Wales by offering a one-time payment worth around £1,000 to all health service staff.
A move by Cardiff’s Labor-led government said the RMT and TSSA unions and the railway company were “working together” towards the provision of new wages, making progress in attempts to cut industrial action against the railway. It was done in the presence of signs.
The threat of a large-scale strike over wages by school teachers in England and Wales has also receded after the NASUWT union announced turnout in strike ballots was below legal standards for industrial action.
Sunak grapples with the worst wave of British strikes in decades as NHS workers, civil servants and railroad workers demand higher wages amid a cost of living crisis.
The prime minister has so far resisted pressure from unions to raise wages for NHS workers in the UK for the 2022-23 financial year, despite strikes by paramedics and nurses.
However, those briefed on the Welsh government’s proposal said the funds identified by ministers would allow temporary payments of around £1,000 to all NHS workers in the principality for the 2022-23 financial year. .
Welsh Health Minister Erned Morgan discussed NHS wages at a meeting with unions on Thursday, saying he “recognizes and respects the strength of feelings among union members”.
The union said the temporary payment of £1,000 had not yet been officially offered.
A GMB union official objected that the proposal would not result in a permanent pay increase, adding that union members would continue to take industrial action.
However, Sarah Gorton, head of health at Unison Union, said the Welsh government’s move was “increasing the pressure” on Westminster.
Health Secretary Steve Berkley is considering a union proposal to bring back next year’s NHS salary increase in the UK to January 2023, as well as a one-time payment to health service staff. No decision has been made.
The British Medical Association, which represents doctors, used a meeting with Berkeley on Thursday to demand a “full refund” of its junior members in the UK.
The BMA estimates that junior doctor salaries fell by 26.1% in real terms from 2008 to 2009, and plans to go on strike for 72 hours in March if a majority votes in favor of a strike.
GMB said it was ready to announce a new date for a strike by paramedics following Wednesday’s latest strike.
Meanwhile, negotiations involving RMT and TSSA unions and railway companies have gained momentum after more than six months of industrial action on railways.
A new payment offer for the RMTs who led the strike could come as early as Friday from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail operators.
After RMT rejected an 8% proposal last year, the industry is proposing a 9% wage increase over two years, linked to workplace reforms, one official briefed on the debate.
Another official said there was a “movement” on some of the industry’s demands for workplace modernization, many of which had been previously rejected.
RMT is also set to hold new talks next week with infrastructure operator Network Rail in another dispute over wages and labor practices.
Teachers who are members of the NASUWT union do not go on strike, but schools can go on strike over wages. The NEU and NAHT teachers’ unions will soon announce the results of the strike vote.
NASUWT General Secretary Patrick Roach said strong support for strike action over compensation among 42% of members who voted was “a sign of the anger of experts and the fact that the governments of England and Wales need to participate in the negotiations,” he said.
UK universities are set to go on an 18-day staff strike in February and March.
The University and College Union, which represents academics and some administrators, said Thursday that more than 70,000 workers at 150 colleges would go on strike over cuts in wages, precarious contracts and retirement benefits. .
The move comes after the union rejected an offer of a 4-7 percent salary by the College and College Employers Association.
“The clock is ticking on whether the sector will close a deal or face widespread disruption into the spring,” said UCU Executive Director Joe Grady.
