Mike Amesbury: 'The public know strikers’ fight is also their fight'

Nurses, paramedics, postal workers, BT and Openreach workers, bus drivers, railway workers, teachers and civil servants have all withdrawn their labour as a last resort.

Firefighters and junior doctors are likely to join them soon.

Workers are striking for fair pay as they struggle to provide for their families with inflation at more than 10 per cent and mortgage rates of four per cent.

Tory ministers are quick to paint strikers as irresponsible. But this propaganda exercise isn’t working because everyone is going through the cost-of-living crisis. The public know the strikers’ fight is also their fight.

Corporate profiteering is the real reason behind rocketing prices in rip-off Britain.

In the first nine months of 2022, the big four UK banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest) recorded £19.8 billion profits.

And note Government’s contrasting approach towards our front-line workers and City bankers whose bonuses they uncapped.

Nurses striking outside Victoria Infirmary (Image: Supplied)

Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, energy giant Shell made record annual profits of £32 billion – with a bumper £5 billion pay-out to shareholders – while millions can’t afford to heat their homes!

There is wealth in this country. Trade unionists are just trying to get a fairer share. And it’s not only about the money.

NHS staff want decent working conditions and improved patient safety by ensuring the service is properly resourced.

Teaching unions argue the all-time low in recruitment and retention of staff is impacting on young people's education.

Railway workers are worried about passenger safety if driver-only trains and reduced track checks are introduced.

Instead of addressing the causes of industrial unrest, Government aims to undermine the right to strike by introducing minimum service levels during disputes – something I proudly voted against.

Jobcentre Northwich staff on strike (Image: Newsquest)

In any case, life and limb cover is already in place when, for example, nurses or paramedics take action. I’ve seen it with my own eyes when visiting the picket line outside a local ambulance station.

Tory politicians love to talk about freedom when it’s about them and their pals making lots of money.

But it appears they’re not so keen on workers having the freedom to go on strike in defence of their interests when – let’s not forget – they don’t get paid.

That’s not the mark of a civilised society and not in keeping with the British tradition.