The article highlights rising tensions between the Labour Party and UK trade unions, particularly concerning potential summer strikes. Unison, one of the UK's largest unions, is consulting members about potential NHS strikes if pay doesn't keep pace with rising living costs.
Angela Rayner's workers' rights reforms, expanding workers' rights to strike, are facing scrutiny in the House of Lords. This legislation could further exacerbate the situation.
Unite, involved in the Birmingham bin crisis, warns of potential national spread. Sharon Graham stated that further action will be taken if councils target low-paid workers. The NEU and Unison are also posing new threats of industrial action.
Labour's proposed 2.8% pay rise for public sector workers for 2025-26 faced immediate backlash from unions, with warnings of continued industrial action despite claims of affordability constraints.
The article suggests a link between significant union donations to Labour and the current union actions, raising questions about the party's ability to manage the situation and maintain its political standing.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Unison, one of the UK’s largest unions, set the scene for more NHS strikes. In a consultation, it asked health worker members in England and Wales whether they would be prepared to walk out if their pay “fails to keep up with rising living costs”.
It comes as Angela Rayner’s workers’ rights reforms faces scrutiny in the House of Lords.
The plans, which could come into force later this year, will expand workers’ right to strike further.
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said ministers were “reaping what they sow”, telling The Telegraph: “With the £31 million in union donations since Starmer became leader, and private political summits with union bosses in No 10, it’s no wonder the trade unions think they’ve got the upper hand.”
The new threats from the NEU and Unison come after Unite, the union behind the Birmingham bin crisis, warned that the chaos in England’s second city could “absolutely” spread to the rest of the country.
Sharon Graham, the union’s leader, said on Tuesday she would give the green light for action in “other areas” if councils targeted low-paid workers.
Tensions between the unions and Labour had cooled last year after the public sector pay rises. Ms Reeves has since proposed a 2.8 per cent pay rise for teachers, medics and civil servants for 2025-26, insisting that was all ministers could afford against a “challenging financial backdrop”.
The offer met a backlash from unions last year, with doctors and nurses warning of further industrial action.
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