All the strikes planned for August 2023 from junior doctors to airport staff
Despite some trades settling their industrial disputes with employers, more strikes are set to hit the UK over the coming months as long-running quarrels over pay restoration and working conditions continue.
Since last year, many trade unions have argued that below-inflation pay rises have been insufficient and effectively left their members poorer.
Some of the workers to undertake strike action so far have included airport staff, train drivers, teachers, and many more.
Many union officials have cited years of wage increases not keeping pace with inflation rates, seeking a restoration of pay dating back over a decade.
However, Rishi Sunak recently announced that the public sector workers (including the armed forces, teachers, and police) would see rises of between 5 – 7%, accepting the headline recommendations of the independent pay review bodies.
During the press conference, the Prime Minister warned: ‘Today’s offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay.
‘We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision.’
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As such, in which areas will see the upcoming industrial action?
Read on to find out.
What industrial action is planned for August 2023?
Two main groups of workers are currently set to take industrial action in August – junior doctors and rail workers.
Airport worker strikes are officially suspended. However, union officials have warned that should members vote to reject a deal, the planned strike dates will resume.
Rail workers
The ASLEF union have announced ‘action short of a strike’ that is set to take place over two periods at the start of August.
This industrial action will see members of the ASLEF union refusing to work overtime, meaning some train services may be affected.
At the moment, National Rail state that the following operators are likely to be affected:
- Chiltern Railways
- Gatwick Express
- Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
- Great Western Railway
- Great Northern
- Southern
- South Western Railway (including Island Line)
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
However, it is possible that other providers may also see disruption, so checking before you travel is advisable.
Dates: Monday, July 31 to Saturday, August 5, and Monday 7 to Saturday, August 12.
More information: National Rail Website
Junior doctors
Despite the Prime Minister’s announcement, the BMA (British Medical Association) has announced that junior doctors are to take part in a fifth round of strikes.
The co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee (JDC), Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, have said, ‘The Prime Minister has told us that talks are over. But it is not for Rishi Sunak to decide that negotiations are over before he has even stepped in the room.
‘This dispute will end only at the negotiating table. If the PM was hoping to demoralise and divide our profession with his actions, he will be disappointed.’
During the last set of strikes, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said, ‘My door’s always open to discuss non-pay issues but this pay award is final so I urge the BMA to end their strikes immediately.’
Dates: 7am on Friday, August 11, until 7am on Tuesday, August 15.
More information: The BMA website
Gatwick airport staff
DHL workers at Gatwick airport had been set to strike but have seen their industrial action cancelled after accepting a 15% pay rise.
However, ASC and Menzies workers are currently being balloted on their pay offers, but union officials have warned that, should they vote not to accept the deal, strikes will occur.
The union also described talks on behalf of GGS members as ‘progressing in a positive direction’ but also warned that should they not advance; walkouts would also take place.
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell cautioned: ‘ASC and Menzies workers are being balloted on new offers and talks are progressing with GGS. Unite will be making no further comment until the outcome of the ballots and negotiations are known later this week.’
Potential dates: August 4 and August 8
More information: Unite website
As with all industrial action, strikes are subject to change during the negotiation process, so check the union websites for the most up-to-date information.
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