2022–2023 United Kingdom industrial disputes and strikes facts for kids

Since May and June 2022, many workers in the United Kingdom have gone on strike. This means they stopped working to ask for better pay and working conditions. These strikes happened because the cost of living was going up very fast, and people felt their wages weren't enough to keep up.

The first big strikes started on 15 June 2022. Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) voted to strike. They were unhappy about changes to their pay and how they worked. Soon, other railway unions joined in. These strikes caused many trains to stop running across Britain. On strike days, only about 20% of trains ran. A campaign called Enough is Enough! helped gather public support for the workers.

As railway strikes continued, workers in other jobs also voted to strike. This included people working in phones, postal services, law, and freight. Other parts of the transport sector also saw strikes.

Transport Strikes: Moving Around the UK

Train Strikes: Journeys Halted

Railway Workers' Unions: RMT and ASLEF

Mick Lynch, a union leader, at a rally in London in June 2022.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced on 24 May 2022 that their members voted to strike. This was the first national rail strike in the UK for 30 years. Workers from many train companies, like Avanti West Coast and Great Western, voted to strike. They wanted better pay and job security.

The first strike days were 21, 23, and 25 June. About 40,000 rail staff and 10,000 London Underground workers took part. More strikes were planned for later in the year. However, some strikes were paused after the Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September. The RMT continued to call for strikes into 2023. They wanted a fair pay deal.

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen (ASLEF), which represents train drivers, also voted to strike. They held strikes on different dates, affecting companies like Greater Anglia. ASLEF members also voted for more strikes in July and August 2022. They continued their strikes into 2023, asking for better pay.

Other Rail Unions: TSSA and Merseyrail

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) also had members vote for strikes. Their members at Avanti West Coast voted strongly for action. They joined the RMT on some strike days in August.

In a different situation, workers at Merseyrail (a local train company) accepted a 7.1% pay rise. This was a good outcome for them.

London Underground: Tube Troubles

Workers on the London Underground also voted to continue their strikes. They were worried about pensions and job cuts. In August 2022, RMT workers on the Tube and London Overground held a 24-hour strike. More strikes were planned for July 2023, but they were called off after talks.

Air Travel Strikes: Airport Delays

Heathrow Airport: Security Staff Action

In June 2022, about 700 staff at Heathrow Airport voted to strike during the summer holidays. These were members of the GMB and Unite unions. The strike was paused after they received a better pay offer. In June 2023, security officers at Heathrow planned 31 days of strikes. However, these were also called off after staff accepted a pay increase.

UK Border Force: Christmas Strikes

UK Border Force staff at several UK airports went on strike for eight days over Christmas 2022. They are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Other Airport Strikes

• Loganair flights were suspended from Inverness Airport due to strikes at Highland and Islands Airports Limited.
• Workers at Gatwick Airport planned strikes in July and August 2023 over pay.
• British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) members at Virgin Atlantic voted for industrial action due to concerns about tiredness.

Bus Strikes: Local Journeys Affected

Stagecoach and Abellio: Bus Driver Disputes

Bus drivers at Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire went on strike in July 2022. They were asking for better wages. Drivers for London United Busways and Arriva London also held strikes, affecting bus routes in London.

In February 2023, a long dispute between the Unite union and Abellio London was settled. Bus drivers accepted a deal that would pay experienced drivers £18 an hour.

National Express West Midlands: Big Bus Strike

In March 2023, 3,000 bus drivers for National Express West Midlands voted to strike. This affected 1,600 bus routes across the West Midlands. The strike started on 20 March and caused big disruptions. National Express offered a 16.2% pay rise, which the drivers accepted, ending the strike.

Stagecoach Warwickshire: Ongoing Talks

In August 2023, about 300 Stagecoach drivers in Warwickshire planned open-ended strikes. They rejected a pay offer, saying it was a pay cut when inflation was considered. The strike was suspended after new talks.

Freight Strikes: Port and Dairy Disruptions

Workers at Felixstowe Docks, one of the UK's largest ports, went on an eight-day strike in August 2022. They rejected a 7% pay rise, saying it was too low. This was the first strike at the port in 30 years.

Lorry drivers at a Müller dairy company depot also went on strike. They were unhappy about changes to their work schedules.

Barristers' Strikes: Justice System Affected

Barrister and TV personality Shaun Wallace speaking at a rally in London in July 2022.

In June 2022, barristers (lawyers who argue cases in court) in England and Wales began strikes. They are members of the Criminal Bar Association. They rejected a 15% pay rise, saying it wasn't enough. They wanted a 25% increase. These strikes affected many court cases.

In August, barristers voted to strike indefinitely. However, in October, they voted to end their action after accepting a 15% pay deal from the government.

Postal Service Strikes: Mail Delivery Delays

In June 2022, members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at 114 Crown Post Offices went on strike over pay. This was after they rejected a 3% pay rise.

Later, Royal Mail workers who are part of the CWU also voted to strike. This involved about 115,000 staff members. They held several one-day strikes in August and September 2022. More strikes were planned for October and November. In April 2023, the CWU reached an agreement with Royal Mail. Their members voted to accept a three-year deal, ending the dispute in July 2023.

Healthcare Strikes: NHS Under Pressure

In summer 2022, the government offered pay rises that were lower than the rate of inflation. This led to many health unions voting for strikes. Experts noted that urgent services usually continued during strikes due to special agreements. They argued that strikes could help improve the health system in the long run.

Doctors' Strikes: Seeking Fair Pay

Doctors in England: Longest Strikes

In June 2022, GPs voted for industrial action over new work contracts. In February 2023, junior doctors in England voted to strike for a 26% pay rise. They said their pay had been cut by 26% since 2008 when inflation was considered. They held 72-hour strikes in March and April. These strikes led to many hospital appointments being cancelled.

In June 2023, junior doctors announced their longest strike yet, from 13 to 18 July. The government offered a 6% pay increase, but doctors continued to strike, asking for more. Senior consultants also joined the strikes in July and August. By August 2023, almost one million appointments had been cancelled due to the strikes.

Doctors in Scotland and Wales

Junior doctors in Scotland voted to strike in May 2023 for a 23.5% pay increase. They later accepted a pay offer from the Scottish Government in August 2023. Doctors in Wales rejected a 5% pay offer in August 2023, calling it the "worst offer in the UK."

Nurses' Strikes: Royal College of Nursing Action

England and Wales: Historic Strikes

In October 2022, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced plans to vote on strike action for the first time in its 106-year history. They recommended their members vote yes. In November, the RCN confirmed they had enough votes to strike in most NHS trusts. Strikes began on 15 and 20 December 2022. More strikes followed in January and February 2023.

In February, a 48-hour strike was planned but called off for new talks. However, in April, the RCN announced another strike. A court later ruled that part of the strike was unlawful, so it was shortened. In June, nurses in England voted on continuing strikes, but not enough members voted, so the strikes ended there. In September 2023, nurses in Wales accepted a 5% pay rise, ending their strikes.

Scotland: Pay Deal Reached

In December 2022, the RCN in Scotland rejected a 7.5% pay deal. Strikes were put on hold in January 2023 for negotiations. In February, the RCN recommended its members accept a new 6.5% pay offer.

Ambulance Workers' Strikes: Emergency Services

England and Wales: Critical Services Affected

In December 2022, ambulance workers in England announced two one-day strikes. These affected non-life-threatening calls. More strikes were planned for January and February 2023. In March, some ambulance strikes were called off after the government agreed to new talks on pay.

In February 2023, ambulance workers in Wales also began three days of strikes. These were later called off after progress in talks with the Welsh Government.

NHS Staff Strikes: Broader Impact

NHS Staff in England and Wales: Pay Offers

In March 2023, NHS staff in England were offered a 5% pay rise and a one-off payment. Many unions, including UNISON and the Royal College of Midwives, accepted this offer. However, some members of the Unite union rejected it. In May, the 5% pay increase for one million NHS staff in England was confirmed.

In May 2023, NHS workers in Wales also accepted a 5% pay increase and a one-off payment.

Telecommunications Strikes: Phone and Internet Services

In June 2022, CWU members working for BT Group voted to strike over pay. This was BT's first national strike since 1987. Two-day strikes were held in July and August. In November, BT reached an agreement with unions. Workers earning less than £50,000 a year received a 16% pay increase.

Education Strikes: Schools and Universities

In summer 2022, the government offered pay rises below inflation, leading to strikes in education.

School Strikes: Teachers and Staff

Schools in England: Teacher Pay Disputes

In October 2022, the National Education Union (NEU) and National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) planned to vote on strikes. They wanted a 12% pay rise. In January 2023, the NEU announced seven days of strikes in February and March.

In March, the government made a new pay offer, but the NEU urged teachers to reject it. The offer was also rejected by other unions. The NEU held more strikes in April and May. In July 2023, the government proposed a 6.5% pay rise for teachers. Most major teaching unions accepted this, likely ending the strikes.

Schools in Scotland and Wales

Non-teaching staff in Scotland planned strikes in September 2022, but these were called off after a pay deal. Teachers in Scotland, represented by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), voted for strikes in November 2022. They rejected a 5% pay offer. In March 2023, the EIS and other unions called off planned strikes after receiving an improved pay offer, which they later accepted.

In Wales, the National Education Union called off strikes in March 2023 after receiving a new pay offer. They voted to accept an 8% pay offer, ending their dispute.

University Strikes: Higher Education

In October 2022, the UCU, the largest higher education union, voted for strikes. They announced three days of strikes in November. In January 2023, 18 more days of strikes were announced, affecting 150 universities. Some strikes were called off after progress in talks. However, in August, the UCU announced strikes would continue into the new term.

Refuse Workers' Strikes: Bin Collections

In August 2022, refuse workers in Edinburgh went on strike over a pay dispute. This happened during the Edinburgh Festival and led to public health warnings due to uncollected rubbish. The strike ended on 30 August. A second strike was planned but called off in September after a 10% pay deal was agreed.

Firefighters' Strikes: Safety Services

In January 2023, members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted to strike over pay. However, industrial action was called off in February after the pay offer was improved.

Other Strikes: Various Sectors

Civil Service Strikes: Government Departments

Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) announced rolling strikes from December 2022 to January 2023. This involved driving examiners and rural payment officers. In January 2023, about 100,000 civil servants held a one-day strike. More strikes were called for April.

Staff at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) also went on a 15-day strike in June 2023.

Passport Office Strikes: Travel Documents

In April 2023, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union working at the Passport Office began a five-week strike over pay and conditions.

Broadcasting Strikes: BBC Services

BBC Local Radio: Programme Cuts

In January 2023, members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) voted on strike action over cuts to BBC Local Radio. A 24-hour strike was held on 15 March. More strikes were planned for June 2023.

BBC Northern Ireland: Schedule Changes

The NUJ also planned a strike ballot for staff at BBC Radio Foyle in Northern Ireland. This was due to changes in their programme schedule. A strike was called off in April 2023 after talks.

Distribution Strikes: Amazon Workers

In January 2023, the first ever strike by UK employees of Amazon took place. About 300 staff at a warehouse in Coventry went on a one-day strike over pay. The GMB union wants workers to be paid £15 per hour. More strikes continued into February and March. In June 2023, workers voted for another six months of strikes.

Rugby Union: Player Pay Dispute

In January 2023, discussions began between the Welsh Rugby Players Association and the Professional Rugby Board over player pay. The Wales national rugby union team considered striking before a Six Nations match against England. An agreement was reached, and the game went ahead.

Offshore Workers: Oil and Gas Platforms

In April 2023, about 1,300 offshore workers planned a 48-hour strike over pay. This would affect oil and gas platforms in the North Sea.

Rosyth Dockyard: Ship Delays

Workers at Rosyth Dockyard voted to strike between April and July 2023. This dispute over pay could cause delays to Royal Navy ships.

Scottish Water: Utility Services

In September 2023, members of Unite and Unison at Scottish Water voted for industrial action over pay. They said Scottish Water tried to set a pay offer without talking to them.

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