The UK government has invited trade unions for talks on Monday in the face of growing social movements in the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Friday.
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These invitations, sent Thursday to “
all union leaders
”, aim to “
have an adult, honest discussion about what the country can afford, what is responsible for the country
”, declared the head of the conservative government on televisions British, hoping for "
constructive
" and "
productive
" meetings.
“Unaffordable” claims
Faced with the many social movements that are shaking the country, in particular the strikes by nurses and ambulance workers, the unions have until now castigated the government's refusal to refuse to discuss wage increases in the face of inflation, which is close to 11%.
In the health sector, the government deemed the claims “
unaffordable
” financially.
Read alsoEngland: unprecedented strike by nurses, struggling in the face of soaring prices
The nurses, who observed in December the first strike in their history since the creation of their union more than a century ago, plan according to the British media to cut their wage demands by almost two (10% against up to 19% previously).
Regarding strikes in the rail sector, which again caused major disruption this week, the government has so far advocated for discussions with employers, private companies that operate on the network.
The government announced Thursday a bill to establish a minimum service in several sensitive sectors, in particular in health, in firefighters, ambulance and in the rail sector.
Faced with the angry reactions of union officials, Rishi Sunak, who had recently promised "
tough new laws
" praised Friday, during a visit to a London school, the "
role of unions and their freedom to strike
".
But he invoked “
the right of ordinary working people to continue their lives
” without having to suffer “
significant disruption
”.
Read alsoUnited Kingdom: Rishi Sunak wants to impose a minimum anti-strike service
“
That is why we are introducing new laws, in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain, to ensure that we have a minimum of security in critical areas such as firefighters, ambulances, so that even in the event of a strike, you know that your health is protected
,” he said.
“
I think that's totally reasonable, and that's what our new laws will do.
»