Today, Border Force employees joined ambulance workers on strike after rail and nursing unions declared a series of debilitating strikes beginning next month.
The government has cautioned those entering the United Kingdom to expect delays from today until February 20 while Border Force employees are on strike.
The affected ports include Calais, Dunkirk, and Dover, as well as the Channel Tunnel.
In addition, ambulance personnel are on strike on Friday as part of a protracted dispute over pay, working conditions, and staffing levels.
It comes as nurses yesterday launched a new 48-hour walkout that will involve emergency personnel, while militant rail unions and postal employees anticipate further strike days.
Steve Dann, chief operating officer of the Border Force, stated, “It is disappointing for travelers that strike action may again cause disruptions for those entering the UK.” Border Force’s top goal is ensuring the safety and security of our citizens and borders.
Together with partners from the travel sector and our French counterparts, we are ensuring that we can continue to satisfy crucial demand and facilitate the passage of passengers and products over our border.
“Travelers should be prepared for disruptions during industrial action periods.” Before traveling, we recommend everyone to review the latest advice from operators.
The GMB and Unite ambulance workers in the West Midlands are also on strike today and are expected to set up picket lines around the region.
Senior GMB organizer Stuart Richards stated, “West Midlands ambulance workers are on strike over this year’s pay.”
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But, ministers appear to believe that GMB members would be fooled if the cost of living crisis of this year is ignored.
They are in error. The government could easily suspend these strikes, so why are NHS workers and the general public suffering?
“It’s easy — discuss pay now and make a reasonable offer for this year.
Our members and the general public are awaiting action.
The potential impact of strikes on the National Health Service and its goals to lower waiting times has been highlighted by health officials.
West Midlands Ambulance Service has requested that only “life-threatening emergencies” be reported to 999.
In a statement uploaded on social media, the service stated, “Two of our unions are on strike today.”
This implies that we will have fewer resources available to respond to 999 calls.
Please utilize NHS 111 online, pharmacies, and your physician. ‘Dial 999 for life-threatening situations and 111 for everything else.’
The CEO of the NHS Confederation has urged the Prime Minister to end industrial action in order to reduce waiting lines.
It follows yesterday’s comments by unions representing Royal Mail employees, border patrol agents, and nurses that they intend to strike.
The Rail, Maritime, and Transport union announced that industrial action will begin on March 16 because “employers have refused to make any new offers.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch stated, “The government is not giving rail employers a new mandate to offer our members a new deal on pay, conditions, and job security.”
Hence, during the next three months, our members will engage in continuous and focused industrial action.
RMT members from 14 train operators will participate in the strike action on March 16, 30, and April 1st.
In a major escalation of their industrial action, nurses have stated their intention to abandon cancer wards and intensive care for 48 hours.
In a recent poll, nearly 96% of Communication Workers Union members favored additional strikes if the impasse was not resolved.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also intends to strengthen its picket lines by boosting the amount it would compensate striking members.
The union, which is demanding a wage increase of up to 19.7 percent, has announced that its next strike will be continuously for 48 hours beginning March 1 at 6 a.m.
Past activity occurred exclusively during the day shift, for a total of 12 hours every shift.
The RCN agreed to 5,000 exemptions at the local level through committees of NHS hospitals and RCN personnel last week as a result of a strike, but this process will be discontinued for the March dates.
As part of its commitment to “life and limb” care, the RCN stated it was continuing national-level conversations with the NHS.
It will decrease services to a “absolute minimum” and require hospitals to rely on other unions and clinical professions.
Matthew Taylor stated on BBC Breakfast, “Reducing waiting lists becomes nearly impossible if this industrial action spreads, as it is spreading, and especially if junior doctors join the industrial action.”
So, the Government’s aim to reduce waiting lists, as well as its public commitment to reduce waiting lists, are now threatened by this continuous strike action.
A union head has stated that strike action will have “significant consequences” for the NHS.
Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), told BBC Breakfast, “We will not do anything to increase the risk to our patients.”
The risk that these patients face on a daily basis as a result of being denied care due to nursing vacancies and inability to be removed from waiting lists.
“We are working day and night with NHS leaders, but we also anticipate NHS leaders writing to the Prime Minister.”
“There is no doubt that this will have a significant impact, and we are now urging the Prime Minister to intervene within the next 12 days to try to resolve this issue at a round table today.”
»Border Force and ambulance workers strike today as unions announce further rail and NHS walkouts«
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