“The situation in Britain is more critical than it has been for a long time,” says Professor Gerhard Dannemann (63) of Humboldt University in Berlin. Numerous railway and postal workers are quitting their jobs, disrupting many people’s travel plans just before Christmas and not delivering Christmas presents. In addition, there was a historic protest on Thursday by some 100,000 nurses who did not perform treatments in hospitals and clinics. Bus drivers, driving instructors and employees of energy companies also participate.
British newspapers such as the Guardian publish calendars in which readers can see in tabular form and in color which services are blocked and when. However, all strikers are after the same thing: a higher salary, especially given the rising cost of living. Energy is becoming more expensive and there is a widespread recession. “Incomes have been falling in the public sector for years and are currently falling sharply due to inflation,” says Professor Dannemann. This also affects health care and schools, as well as the largely private railway companies.
“Acute danger” for Prime Minister Sunak
The London tabloids compare the situation to the “Winter of Discontent” of 1978 and 1979, when public and private sector strikes paralyzed Britain. Prime Minister James Callaghan (1912-2005) lost power. The “New York Times” also now speaks of an “acute danger” for incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (42), who last Wednesday exceeded the term of office of his predecessor Liz Truss (47). After a short time she resigned.
On the same day, Conservative Sunak faced criticism in the House of Commons, mainly from the Social Democratic Party. Their party leader Keir Starmer, 60, said Sunak was hibernating. The Prime Minister himself said of the strikes that it was wrong to harm so many people just before Christmas. As reported by the Daily Mail, Sunak plans to introduce an anti-strike law next year.
“The coming weeks will be crucial”
“The situation for the British government is very serious,” says Professor Dannemann. She should have at least been willing to negotiate. “And could continue to do so, albeit with a certain loss of face.” The financial situation is tense and large amounts of money are involved. “But the financial situation in the public sector is just as tense.”
Dannemann emphasizes: “The majority of the population supports the strikes.” As a result, many members of the ruling Conservative Party would face pressure from their constituents. The professor’s balance: “The next few weeks will be crucial.”