OBV asks Nurse Oluwole why today’s strike?

Today Thursday 10th July, will see what is being billed as ‘the biggest strike since 1926’. Up to a million public sector employees will leave their post for the day due to pay freezes. But the plans have come under fierce scrutiny from Tory leaders prompting them to initiate reforms to strike laws.

The strike will include members from a number of trade unions across the United Kingdom. Public servants including the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Unison will take part in the strike. Black and Minority ethnics make up a significant number of the individuals within the public sector, particularly in the NHS, who will be taking part in the walkout. Over 40% of nurses and doctors are from an ethnic background. Junior nurse, Florence Oluwole, believes the strikes will send a message. She said:

I think the strike is a great idea. There are loads of people who are taking part in many public sectors across the country so I think it’s going to send a strong message to the government”

I hope they see that we’re serious. That we’re some of the most influential people in the country and hopefully that will get them to buck their ideas up and give us what we want. We’re not asking for much. Just to be given a wage that reflects the hard work that we do”.

The public sector is traditionally used as a scapegoat in a time of austerity measures. A similar situation has occurred. The lack of willingness from government to negotiate with trade unions is emblematic of their stance. At a time when demand for high quality public service is increasing, is it logical for the government to continue to freeze pay and lower morale?

These are important issues and I think it’s necessary for all members to take part… Nurses don’t get the most pay, especially young, black nurses. In my hospital there are a lot of trainees and they’re finding it hard. They’re struggling to get by. Some of them are even mothers and are having to rely on other means to find a way to provide and it shouldn’t be like that

These are some of the most crucial people in society and they aren’t being protected so I will definitely be taking part and making my voice heard”.

There is also an air of irony surrounding the strike. The Conservatives have called for measures to be put in place to stifle the right of trade unions to call strikes. Tory MP Chris Skidmore stated that this walkout ‘will damage education, hurt the economy and inconvenience millions of ordinary people’. But plans for reform will aim to make unions prove that half their members supported a walkout and that a large proportion had voted. Otherwise the strike may be determined as illegal. However, the government itself does not have this kind of public support so any calls to request this of trade unions appears to be hypocritical.

As a part of the strike, members will be marching at BBC Broadcasting House Headquarters from 11.30am after which a rally is planned between 1-2pm at Trafalgar Square.

Adam Charles