United Kingdom: unions invited to discuss with the government
The British government has announced a bill to introduce minimum service in several sensitive sectors, including health, fire, ambulance and rail.
AP - Kirsty Wigglesworth
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Faced with the lasting strikes, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak invites the unions for discussions on Monday January 9 and at the same time prepares the establishment of a minimum service in several sectors affected by the social movements.
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Invitations for Jan. 9 were sent to "
all union leaders
" and are aimed at "
having a mature, honest discussion about what the country can afford, what is responsible for the country
," Rishi Sunak told reporters. British television, hoping for "
constructive
" and "
productive
" meetings.
The bill to establish a minimum service is in preparation, but we already know that it should concern eight sectors of activity, including that of health and railways where strikes have been closely followed in recent weeks.
The executive wants to let unions and employers agree on the level of this service.
But if the social partners failed, he warned that he would impose his own rules.
This announcement unsurprisingly aroused the indignation of the unions.
They particularly regret that instead of announcing measures in favor of purchasing power, the government is attacking the right to strike.
The United Kingdom has been shaken for several months by a social movement unprecedented since the great strikes of the 80s under the Thatcher era.
It affects several sectors, including the health sector, with increasingly problematic patient care.
Faced with inflation that is close to 11%, the strikers are demanding wage increases.
But the government refuses to give in.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had already set the tone before the holiday season.
He had promised to toughen the regulations on the right to strike.
► To read also:
The winter of anger for the workers of the United Kingdom
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