The TUC boss accused the Prime Minister of using independent payroll review bodies as a “human shield”, while saying Rishi Sunak should “complete the plate” and allow ministers to walk around the table to negotiate with union leaders. .
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told Sky News that the Prime Minister should “facilitate these talks” between union representatives and government officials and allow for “a fair deal on pay” to be reached.
“I think he’s forgotten the value of sitting down and reaching an agreement and getting ideas from people outside his cabinet,” Nowak said.
“And frankly, you know, I think that would be really good for us. Rishi Altar to talk to our unions, but also to the paramedics on the front, the physiotherapists, the teachers in the classrooms, the civil servants, the people who have been under real pressure over the workloads for the past ten years and who feel they are starting to break. point.
“Let the PM talk to these workers and understand their concerns and problems.”
Union leader calls strike summit with PM – latest in politics
Noting that workers’ wages are “the only thing not rising” among the rising cost of living, the Trades Union Congress boss continued: “The government is using independent review bodies as human shields – and I think it is in danger of discrediting them.
“When these institutions came together and gave their recommendations, we did not see inflation at 10%/11%.”
“So listen, let’s not hide behind salary review agencies. What we need is for the government to sit down with our unions and come to an agreement.”
In a stern letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Nowak said: public services were in crisis After years of “underfunded and understaffed” – and it called for a complete change in government direction.
“We cannot solve the personnel crisis in our schools, hospitals and elsewhere if we do not address the underlying causes.”
The TUC boss said he worked closely with Mr Sunak to implement the unions’ leave plan and protect millions of jobs during the pandemic, adding: “This is the kind of mature approach we need right now.”
Nowak’s defense goes like this: Railroad workers continue 48-hour strikeMore work shutdowns are planned this month in the transportation industry and public service.
Thousands of nurses across the country stage the biggest strike ever Getting around in NHS history just before Christmas – and more is in the cards.
Explanatory: New year, new strike wave – Here’s who takes action, when and why
Nearly half of Britain’s rail lines are closed and only a fifth of the services are operational and another will start on Friday, with tens of thousands of workers at Network Rail and train operators shutting down on the second day of the strike.
Today, traffic officer service workers on National Highways will continue their strike as the DVSA driver inspectors’ strike begins in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
London bus workers in Abellio will also begin a two-day strike – the first of a series of actions planned by the group throughout January.
Read more: Network Rail says securing deal to stop strikes is ‘on track’
Ambulance personnel will go out again on January 11 and 23 The following action before Christmasmaintenance staff will resume on January 18 and 19.
EIS, Scotland’s largest education union, and members of two other unions will also go on strike on January 10 and 11, and for 16 more days to spread into February.