Britain is facing a new wave of strikes in 2023 because the government is refusing to negotiate on public sector pay, the new Director General of the TUC told the BBC today.
Paul Nowak said that pay review bodies were having their “hands tied” by the government, something he claimed was bringing the whole bargaining process into dispute.
Nowak’s comments came as a new wave of strikes across several industries started this week.
TSSA union members at West Midlands Trains and Great Western Railway walked out in a row over terms and conditions, having agreed to a settlement on pay.
Border Force staff at airports are taking action until 31 December and are threatening to sue the government over the use of military personnel as replacements during the strikes.
Bus drivers, highway workers and driving examiners have also either started action or are scheduled to, with more strikes expected by nurses and Royal Mail staff later this month.
A government spokesperson told the BBC: "We have been reasonable in our approach to agreeing to the independent pay review bodies' recommendations for public sector pay rises."