Biggest Strikes in a Decade

February has arrived, and whilst being known for Valentine's Day and having 28 days except in leap years, it brings the biggest strikes in over a decade to take place in UK history. From civil servants to teachers, over half a million people have decided to strike.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Strikes are not a new phenomenon, having started in the late 19th century. Workers joined unions to set standards for pay and conditions in the workplace. In modern-day striking, most people have the option to join a union, particularly if they work for the public sector in key industries. These unions negotiate with the government to increase pay or demand better conditions, but after failing to reach an agreement, the workers have voted in favour of a strike. This means severe disruption for transport, education, and business.

As a university student, I will miss 18 days of teaching in the most crucial year of my education. People will be unable to travel or face delays as trains are not running and buses have reduced timetables. Schools have shut down because their staff is on strike. Civil servants are striking so key policies cannot be implemented and government business is therefore impaired.

MY TAKE

That being said, I wholeheartedly support the strikes. This is about more than me being displaced or any one individual; it is a stand against allowing public sector workers to work for such little pay. The cost of living crisis has worsened things and with the UK heading into a recession and inflation at 10%, it is not possible for things to continue in their current form. To oppose the strikes is to accept the gross mistreatment of our public sector workers, something we should never even entertain.

THE ROLE OF POLITICS

This is an ideological view - there will be those who agree with the principle but not the course of action. As a striker myself, I understand firsthand the feeling of helplessness and the necessity to take a physical stand because change is not being enacted through the usual official channels. Striking is never the first option and this mass movement has come about because of the frustrations of the unions. Note that this is not just one industry but multiple; the issues are widespread and point to failures by our government to protect those who make up the backbone of our society and its economy.

Whatever your position or standing or politics, the strikes will affect you this month. I ask you to not only consider the impact on yourself but on the entire population and industry as a whole. We need to stand with the unions to ensure our train drivers, teachers, and civil servants are appropriately renumerated for the vital work they do.

How we act today will determine how we are received tomorrow.

*Header photo shows youth environmental strikes in St Peter's Square, Manchester 

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