National strike in central government as other actions continue

The government has initiated pay talks with the RCN nursing union in England which has suspended strike action for the time being. However, the government has not engaged with other health unions that are currently involved in industrial action. Members of the UNISON trade union across the ambulance service and other parts of the health service are taking action on 8 March, including several workplaces where a re-ballot of members delivered the required majority for strike action. Health workers have also been taking action in Northern Ireland. Ambulance workers represented by the GMB union

The PCS civil service union has been running a targeted campaign of industrial action to support its claim for higher pay and in defence of pensions and jobs. A nationwide action was organised on 1 March and then again on 15 March another national strike took place to coincide with the announcement of the government’s budget. The campaign of industrial action continues with various government agencies targeted with a series of one- and two-day strikes until the end of March. Meanwhile, some health service unions have suspended strike action during talks with the government over pay. However

While action in the health service has been paused as trade unions consult members of the government’s pay offer, the campaign of strikes and industrial action across central government continues. The PCS trade union has called its third day of national action for 28 April following the strikes on 1 and 15 March. In the meantime its targeted campaign across different government departments continues. The union is also balloting more than 120000 workers across 186 government employers to join the action. Members UNISON at the Environment Agency are also maintaining their campaign of industrial