Who’s on strike today and how will it affect you? Daily update for April 11
Public sector workers have been striking on and off for the better part of six months.
There is little sign of a resolution that would end the biggest industrial action in a decade, even though some workers like nurses and midwives accepted a pay offer from the Scottish government.
Others continue their fight for payrises that would match inflation, better working conditions and pensions.
Who is on strike today and how will this affect you?
Junior Doctors
Four days of strikes set to bring ‘unparalleled levels of disruption’ to the NHS start today.
Bosses warned that when staff affiliated with the British Medical Association take to the picket lines it will have a huge impact on vital services.
It is estimated that nearly 300,000 appointments will be impacted by their action.
Chief executive of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor said the likely impact is ‘heartbreaking’ and called on both sides to end their ‘battle of rhetoric’.
He stressed that this strike will be more disruptive than the 72-hour walkouts by NHS staff last month, which led to 175,000 cancelled appointments.
The public has been urged to use NHS services in ‘the most responsible way you can’, and avoid ‘risky behaviour’ which could result in a visit to A&E.
The BMA has asked for a 35% pay rise to bring their pay back to 2008 levels, and help resolve the recruitment and retention crisis.
But health secretary Steve Barclay has blasted this demand as ‘unrealistic’ and said their strikes had been planned to ’cause maximum disruption’.
Junior doctors will walk out from 6.59am on today until 6.59am on Saturday.
Passport Office staff
More than 1,000 passport workers continue their five-week walkout, which is set to last until May 5.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union said it expects this will lead to ‘huge delays’ for people applying for a new passport.
But it is still unclear how much disruption it will cause for those planning to travel in the summer.
Centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been affected in the row over pay and working conditions.
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