University staff join wave of strike action in February

They'll join train drivers, teachers and civil service staff in walkouts planned for next month

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 17th Jan 2023

University staff are the latest to announce strike action on the 1st of February, with a wave of strike action set to hit the UK.

The University and College Union has announced 18 days of walkouts across February and March in a row over pay, jobs and conditions.

They'll join train drivers, teachers and civil service staff who have all announced walkouts for the same day.

Downing Street said that widespread strikes on February 1 will likely cause "significant disruption" to the public.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We're in no doubt that this strike action, some of which will fall on the same day or days, will cause significant disruption to the public - whether it's children having their education disrupted or the public trying to go about their daily lives on their commute.

"We don't think it's the right course of action, we continue to call unions to step away from the picket lines and continue with discussions."

He said that discussions with the various trade unions are the "right way forward".

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England are also due to walk out again on Wednesday and Thursday, and have announced two more strikes in England and Wales on February 6 and 7.

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