Sunak, the new TUC boss, demands an urgent meeting with him to resolve public sector strikes

In an attempt to resolve the industrial controversies plaguing the country the TUC’s newly appointed general secretary called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister.

Paul Novak, who called for a change for the government’s direction, said that ministers should begin wage negotiations with the unions.

Novak wrote Rishi Sunak that the crisis in public services is due to years of “underfunding” and “understaffing”.

He wrote: “We can’t solve these problems without a fair deal to the people on the frontline.” Every month, many seasoned employees quit. One in three public servants now considers quitting or seriously considering their jobs. This is not sustainable.

“But we cannot solve the employment crisis in our schools and hospitals if we don’t address the root causes,” he said.

This means being open and constructive about improving the public sector wage rates. But so far your ministers have refused to negotiate wages directly with the unions.”

During the pandemic, Sunak worked closely with unions to create the furlough scheme for millions of jobs and protect them. Nowak said that this was the kind of mature approach that we need now.

Already, unions have made it clear that they are open to discussing higher wages with the government. However, your ministers continue to refuse to discuss higher wages.

“We want to find a solution to current conflicts so that our public servants can do the jobs they love. And so our public services can start to improve for everyone who depends on them.”

Nowak’s decision, which was made in his first week of being TUC general secretary, occurred as railway workers began a 48 hour strike. There are more strikes planned for this month in the transport sector and the NHS.

Press Association