Around the world, workers are striking. The main cause is that prices have gone up sharply, while workers’ pay has not. Many striking workers have extremely important jobs, and some governments have blocked them from striking. Here are some of the important strikes being held around the world.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) has been facing strikes for months, and many of these strikes are continuing. In late November, university workers across the country went on strike. Nurses, ambulance drivers, and other National Health Service workers say they will strike in December.
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The United Kingdom (UK) has been facing strikes for months, and many of these strikes are continuing. UK postal workers have been on strike and are planning six more days of strikes in December. Above, UK post office workers striking last Wednesday.
During the fall, railway workers held several strikes. Now, more strikes are expected before and after Christmas. UK post office workers have been on strike and are planning six more days of strikes in December.
To help keep the country running during the strikes, the government says it may bring in members of the military to help out.
France
In France, thousands of doctors went on strike last Thursday and Friday. People who work in medical laboratories across the country also went on strike. The doctors want the costs of doctor visits to be doubled. Visits to the doctor in France currently cost about half of the European average. Doctors say the higher pay will encourage more young people to become doctors.
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In France, thousands of doctors went on strike last Thursday and Friday. People who work in medical laboratories across the country also went on strike. Doctors say the higher pay will encourage more young people to become doctors.
This weekend, a strike by railway workers caused France’s national railway company to cancel more than half of its trains.
United States
Last Friday, US President Joe Biden signed a law that settled a disagreement between US railway workers and the companies they work for. The deal greatly improves conditions for railway workers, but it doesn’t match workers’ demands. The workers wanted to be paid for at least some sick days, but that’s not part of the new deal.
Many railway workers are upset that Congress and Mr. Biden have kept them from striking. Mr. Biden and leaders in Congress were worried that a long rail strike would affect businesses of all kinds across the US.
South Korea
The situation was similar in South Korea, where thousands of truckers have been striking. The truckers say that with the rising cost of fuel, they’re struggling to make a living. They want a permanent government rule to protect them against being paid too little.
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Thousands of South Korean truckers have been striking. They want to be protected against being paid too little. Last Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government ordered 2,500 cement truck drivers to go back to work. Since then, truckers have been holding large protests (above).
But South Korea’s government says the truckers are too important to the country’s other businesses to be allowed to strike. Last Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government ordered 2,500 cement truck drivers to go back to work. Since then, truckers have been holding large protests. Thousands of truckers are still striking.
Australia
Nurses in Western Australia began a strike in late November, asking for better conditions and a 5% pay increase. Airport fire fighters across Australia had planned a strike for this week. The strike was called off after a deal was reached to provide more fire fighters at airports.
Amazon
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The online store Amazon was hit by a one-day strike in many countries in late November. Workers at several Amazon workplaces in Germany (above) and about 30 other countries held limited strikes. The workers wanted better pay and better working conditions.
The online store Amazon was hit by a one-day strike in many countries in late November. Workers at several Amazon workplaces in Germany and about 30 other countries held limited strikes. The workers wanted better pay and better working conditions.
Did You Know…?
Other countries where strikes are being held, or were recently held, include Belgium, Chile, Peru, Scotland, and South Africa. In addition, roughly 18 African countries were part of a recent strike by air traffic controllers.
(Front page image source: NewsForKids.net, OpenStreepMap Contributors, [CC BY-SA].)