NewsRescue
The largest strike in decades hit the United Kingdom on Wednesday, when half a million workers walked out in protest of higher wages, closing schools and disrupting public transportation.
The Trades Union Congress in the United Kingdom described the demonstration as the “largest day of strike action since 2011.”
According to AFP, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for pay increases to be “reasonable” and “affordable,” warning that excessive pay increases would jeopardize efforts to combat inflation.
In response, unions accused Sunak of failing to consider the challenges faced by ordinary workers struggling to make ends meet in the face of low-wage, insecure work, and spiraling costs.
Teachers and train drivers were among the most recent groups to take action, as were border guards at UK air and seaports.
“The workload is always increasing, and with inflation, our salary is decreasing,” Nigel Adams, a 57-year-old London teacher, told AFP.
“We’re worn out. We’re paying the price and so are the children,” he added as protesters held up placards reading “Pay Up” and “We can’t put your kids first if you put their teachers last”.
Tens of thousands of workers in Britain have gone on strike for months, including postal workers, lawyers, nurses, and retail workers, as UK inflation has risen above 11%, the highest level in more than 40 years.
Graham, a job center worker and union representative who preferred not to give his last name, said workers had no choice but to strike due to rising costs.
“Some of our members, even though they work, still have to go to food banks,” he explained.
“Not only are wages stagnant, but other costs such as fares, council tax, and rents are rising. “Whatever we get is eaten away,” he added.