All strikes planned for May 2023 – from trains to teachers
While some sectors have come to pay agreements with their employers, the industrial action that has been rocking the UK since last year is set to continue.
Strike action has been taken recently by junior doctors, airport workers, teachers, passport office staff, DVSA workers, and more.
UNISON workers recently voted to accept an NHS pay deal, with 74% of the 150,000 members that took part voting in favour.
However, some union leaders have warned that the UK could see industrial action throughout this year, possibly up to Christmas, unless circumstances change, with some large unions, including the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers), currently re-balloting on industrial action.
As such, what strikes are currently planned for next month?
Here is what you need to know.
What strikes are planned for May 2023?
It’s important to remember that strikes are subject to change at the last minute due to negotiations, so always check the union or organisation websites for the latest information.
Passport office workers
Around 1000 Members of the PCS (Public and Commercial Services) Union have been taking industrial action since the start of April, with the union warning the strikes are ‘likely to have a significant impact’ on the service’s ability to deliver passports in the run-up to the summer.
Strike dates: April 3 – May 6, 2023
Train drivers
The ASLEF Union of train drivers recently announced three upcoming strike dates, after rejecting a proposal from the Rail Delivery Group as ‘risible’.
16 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) are set to be affected, from Avanti West Coast to South Western Railway and more.
There is also the potential for more train strikes in the near future, hinged on the RMT re-ballot.
Strike dates: May 12, May 31 and June 3 (plus withdrawing non-contractual overtime from Monday 15 to Saturday, May 20)
Teachers
The NEU (National Education Union) held a ballot on a recent Government pay offer that saw a whopping 98% of those teacher members who took part in England reject the deal, meaning that their strike action planned for early may
The NEU website also warns of the possibility of more upcoming action, stating: ‘At conference, delegates have voted that if negotiations are not successful, the union will use the period of exams from May 15 to begin a re-ballot of teacher members in England running until the end of July and timetable in a 3 day strike in late June/early July to be confirmed by the executive on May 18.’
Strike dates: May 2, 2023
BBC Local Network journalists
BBC journalists will be walking out for 24 hours to coincide with the local elections in protest of cuts to local radio service output.
The NUJ (National Union of Journalists) states: ‘BBC management wants local radio stations to share programmes across the network from 2pm on weekdays and at weekends, going from more than 100 hours of local programming on every radio station every week, down to just 40.
‘The plans will result in a number of job losses and journalists are now having to re-apply for their own jobs. The union says the proposals will slowly kill off local radio which has 5.7m loyal listeners.’
Strike dates: May 5, 2023
Nurses
The RCN (Royal College of Nursing) recently wrote to health secretary Steve Barclay requesting the reopening of pay talks and announcing a 48-hour walkout from 8pm on April 30, with no exceptions.
Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive, said: “What has been offered to date is simply not enough.
‘The government needs to increase what has already been offered and we will be highly critical of any move to reduce it.’
The RCN leader also urged every member to prepare for the upcoming strike action.
Originally set to strike on May 2 as well, the High Court recently found that industrial action would be ‘unlawful’ as it was outside of the union’s mandate.
Strike dates: April 30 – May 1, 2023
Parking wardens
The latest group to announce a walkout is parking wardens.
GMB, the union for the workers, has announced they will strike on the day of King Charles III’s coronation – Saturday May 6 – potentially causing parking chaos in the capital.
Alex Etches, GMB organiser, said: ‘Working people like our members might seem to do unimportant jobs, but they are the engines of history.
‘This dispute is simply about working people being paid a decent wage for the physically demanding and very important job that they do.’
Strike dates: May 6, 2023
Heathrow Airport workers
Heathrow Airport staff have joined the ranks of those walking out in May with strikes by around 1,400 security offers from Unite planned for May 4-6, 9-10 and 25-27.
The walkouts – which will impact those flying to the UK for the coronation on May 6 – are part of an ongoing dispute over pay, which also saw staff striking over Easter.
Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said: ‘Yet again, we have a chief executive who thinks it is acceptable to boost his earnings while he denies his own workers a decent pay rise.
‘This dispute is bound to escalate with more workers being balloted and disruption set to continue throughout the summer.’
Strike dates: May 4-6, 9-10 and 25-27.
MORE : Former Miss England winner and junior doctor says she can’t afford to strike
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