Responding to the latest figures on the number of days lost to strike action, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“The latest figures on industrial action demonstrate a stark failure by the government to negotiate a fair wage for public sector workers, coupled with the rampant profiteering of companies during a cost of living crisis.

 “The strike action that we are currently witnessing is not a first resort but a last resort. Many of these workers involved have never taken strike action before in their lives. They have been left with no option. The cost of living crisis has resulted in them being unable to financially keep their heads above water, while they are seeing their employer posting huge profits.

 “While Unite has been involved in over 500 industrial disputes in the last 12 months, the majority have been resolved without the need for industrial action. When an employer is prepared to freely negotiate, deals can and will be achieved.

 “It is the government’s refusal to allow free negotiations to occur that has fuelled and created the current public sector industrial disputes.

 “Rather than address the root cause of the current strike action, the government is intent on making an already difficult situation worse, by seeking to introduce minimum service levels. Rather than reduce strike action, this legislation is set to have the opposite effect, with industrial disputes lasting longer before employers enter into negotiations to agree fair pay settlements.”

 ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.