The new year continued the largest series of strikes that the United Kingdom has seen in the past 40 years. On Jan. 11, ambulance workers stood up to government threats and walked off the job. Over 25,000 paramedics, drivers and emergency call handlers struck over low pay, inadequate staffing and overwork.
They joined train and bus drivers, nurses and postal workers who held work stoppages over salaries, on-the-job conditions, and chronic under funding on all levels by the government. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has been in the lead.
The official response is union busting. Parliament threatened a draconian anti-strike law that would force people to cross their own picket lines to uphold a standard “minimum of service” while striking. Forget about it!
Clearly public workers are not backing down. The Economic Times reported in early January that there were 15 strikes planned or already in progress. The groundwork is there, as is public support.
Now is the time for trade unions to call a general strike. The working class is ready to go!
