Tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance workers in Britain are planning to go on strike on Monday, resulting in the largest ever strike by health workers in the 75-year history of the National Health Service (NHS). The walkout comes as a result of an escalating pay dispute with the British government, which has been marked by both sides failing to reach an agreement despite weeks of talks. The strike will involve largely English-based workers, with physiotherapists also set to walk out on Thursday.
Nurses and ambulance workers have been staging separate strikes since late last year, with Monday’s event marking the culmination of their efforts. According to Stephen Powis, England’s top doctor, the strike action this week will be the most disruptive so far, further straining an already overwhelmed health system. The dispute has been fueled by health workers’ demands for a pay rise that reflects the worst inflation in Britain in four decades, which the government has deemed unaffordable and potentially disastrous for the economy.
Grant Shapps, Britain’s business secretary, has voiced concerns that the strike could put lives at risk due to a lack of cooperation between back-up services and striking workers. However, ambulance workers have denied his allegations, with Sharon Graham, leader of the Unite union, accusing the government of putting lives at risk. Graham called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to come to the negotiating table, citing the government’s refusal to engage in meaningful talks with health workers.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Via Rishi Sunak/Twitter)
The NHS is currently under extreme pressure, with millions of patients on waiting lists for operations and thousands failing to receive prompt emergency care each month. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has attributed the severe staffing shortages to a decade of poor pay, resulting in tens of thousands of nurses leaving the profession. The RCN initially requested a 5 percent pay rise above inflation, but has since agreed to meet the government “halfway,” only to be rebuffed.
Thousands of ambulance workers represented by the GMB and Unite trade unions will also strike on Monday, with both unions announcing several more days of industrial action. Despite the disruptions, not all ambulance workers will strike at once, and emergency calls will continue to be attended. In Wales, nurses and some ambulance workers have postponed their strikes planned for Monday, citing the Welsh government’s revised pay offers.
In a recent interview, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that he would “love to give the nurses a massive pay rise” but insisted that the government faced tough choices, citing the need to fund the NHS in other areas such as medical equipment and ambulances. The ongoing pay dispute and industrial action have left many questioning the government’s commitment to the NHS and its workers.
